Chapter 40 Burial in Mulberry Garden

Cao Cao and his party drove through Changyuan County, and Cao Cao suddenly thought of Guo Jingtu.At the beginning when he fell ill, he was rescued by him, and later he was enlightened by the old man, so he dared to let go of his hands and feet and work hard in Dunqiu.Although I have been dismissed from office now, I still have to meet the old man to express my gratitude. When they arrived at Guo Jingtu's thatched cottage in the mulberry garden, Cao Cao ordered Lou Yi to call the door.Lou Yi has been here frequently in the past two years. Every time Qin Yilu delivered letters to Luoyang, Cao Cao always asked him to bring back some good things and sent Lou Yi to Guo Jingtu, but the old man never took them away.

A group of people knocked on the chaifei door and called for the door loudly. After a long time, a little girl opened the door—it was Huan'er.I haven't seen him for two years. This child is almost ten years old, and he has already grown into a figure. He is just a beauty. "Huan'er, do you still recognize me?" Cao Cao smiled on the horse. "Oh! It's you?" Huan'er opened the door, "It's really changed, the desolate county magistrate, who was cold and hungry, now has chariots and horses!" This remark amused the entire group, and Lou Yi also joked, "Miss Huan'er, you have such a sharp mouth."

"Big man, don't make fun of me. If you talk about making fun of me, this girl hasn't laughed at you yet! Back then you were carrying two big sticks and howled like a donkey. Now you are also dressed in bright clothes. Have you sold the stick?" Everyone even laughed out loud. When Bian Bing saw Huan'er for the first time, his eyes were stunned, and he couldn't help but took out his flute and began to play.The sound of the flute was as clear as running water, bright and clear, which attracted the non-stop laughing Huan'er.After playing the song, he put the flute in his hand: "Girl, is this song good?"

"Sounds good!" Huan'er clapped her hands, "This brother is amazing." "If you like it, how about my brother staying here and playing the flute for you every day?" "Bah! You are not a good person." Huan'er blushed, "Come in quickly!" Those who got off the chariots got off the chariots, and those who got off the horses got off the horses.When Huan'er saw Bian, her eyes were not enough.She was born in a poor village and never left the mulberry field. Today she saw Bian wearing a beautiful Shu brocade dress and hairpin jewelry, she was very envious.Mrs. Bian saw that Huan'er was smart and liked it very much, so she took off a phoenix hairpin and put it in her hand: "I gave it to my sister."

"Grandpa won't let me ask for other people's things." Huan'er pouted. "Take it, grandpa won't blame it. My husband will take care of you more, and it's also right to give you some gadgets." "Huan'er really doesn't dare to ask for it..." Although Huan'er said so, Feng Chai was holding it in her hand but she was reluctant to let go. Bian Bing jumped up to Huan'er like an arrow, and interjected, "Just take what my sister gave you, and I'll tell grandpa for you later. If the old man is angry, I'll play the flute to make him happy. You can take it with confidence!"

"Then... I'll accept it. Thank you sister." Huan'er squatted down. "And me! You haven't thanked me yet!" Bian Bing said naively. "Bah! Just ignore you." Huan'er smiled and left. Cao Cao laughed secretly at the side: This boy is very good at currying favor with girls. He is full of bad words on weekdays, but when he saw Huan'er, he actually spoke properly.He also got off his horse, tied the horse to Qin Yilu, and led everyone into the yard. "I haven't been here for a long time, how is your grandfather doing recently?" Cao Cao asked with concern.

"Not too good." Huan'er shook her head, "I've been sick frequently for the past six months, and I was bedridden a few days ago." "Oh? Is the old man sick?" Cao Cao frowned. "It's all right now. He woke up early this morning, saying he's recovered from his illness, and he's very energetic. He's repairing wood in his room right now!" "The old man is too old, which is worrying. Your life is too poor." "It's okay, the people in the village often come to help us, and we can still live on." While speaking, he had arrived in front of Guo Jingtu's thatched hut, the door was open, Cao Cao bowed outside and said, "Cao Cao was born late, and I'm here to pay respects to Senior Guo."

"Meng De is very polite," an old voice replied, "come in quickly." Only then did Cao Cao dare to enter the house, and saw Guo Jingtu wearing a coat, sitting on a stool, holding a small knife in his hand, and was chopping wood.Looking carefully, although the old man's beard and hair are all white, he does not look like he has just recovered from a serious illness at all. There is even a rosy glow on his face, and he is still full of immortal spirit. "I heard that the old man was ill a few days ago and was unable to come to visit. I hope you will forgive me."

Guo Jingtu put down the knife and wood: "The Cao family boy is still so polite, why do you and I talk about these empty etiquettes. It's a bit messy here, find a place to sit." Cao Cao hurriedly brought the Bian siblings over to introduce them. Guo Jingtu nodded repeatedly with a smile, but suddenly realized something was wrong: "Meng De, why did you even bring out your family members, could it be..." Cao Cao laughed miserably: "Wan Sheng has been dismissed from office." Guo Jingtu also smiled: "It seems that you really listened to me. I heard that you resisted the imperial edict and refused to conscript, and that you can be dismissed for the people, which is considered promising! No complaints or regrets."

"I'm afraid late life can't be without complaints and regrets. It's not because of the crime of resisting the imperial edict, but because my fourth uncle married the Song family. The Empress Song was abolished, and the matter involved my family, and the whole family was dismissed. Ashamed, ashamed." Guo Jingtu shook his head: "I'm most afraid of such things, if I fall down, I might not be able to lift my head up for a few lifetimes." "My family has been unable to lift their heads for several lifetimes." Cao Cao laughed at himself. "Don't talk like that, it's a big deal to be an ordinary person, and you can live in peace."

Cao Cao said in his heart: I have offended too many people, I am afraid that it will take a lot of effort to save my life.But saying this can only add to the old man's worries, he just said: "You said this well, I am not afraid of your jokes, my wife often says this too." "My virtuous lady! Meng De, you are so lucky." The old man made Bian blush, and led Huan'er out to play. Bian Bing hurried out after seeing her. "Your old man is still not idle in winter. Are you going to repair the bamboo slips?" "No. Bamboo slips are used to wear books. I don't want to study anymore at my age. I want to cut a small wooden figure for Huan'er to play with. It's a pity that this child has served me with water and medicine for so long." "Is this Sangmu?" "Mulberry, of course mulberry must be used in the mulberry garden." Cao Cao said with a smile: "I suddenly remembered what Mencius said. For a house with five acres, there are mulberry trees, and fifty people can wear silk." "Meng Ke's words are not true at all now." Guo Jingtu picked up the knife again, "There are plenty of people who plant mulberry trees, and there are countless people who weave cloth. How many of them can wear good clothes? The mulberry trees here The garden is more than five acres, and all the money is donated to the nearby people, but it still won't do much. After the battle last year, how many people have suffered... The tyrannical government is fiercer than a tiger." "That's what you said. I'm afraid these mulberry trees won't help too many poor people." "How powerful it is is as effective. Look at this mulberry tree, there is no useless place from top to bottom. The mulberry leaves raise silkworms, and the mulberries feed your hunger... You can try my new mulberry wine in a while. After a while In autumn, cut the twigs and dry them for firewood in winter. Three-year-old mulberry branches can be used to make old sticks; Sword hilt; 20-year-old mulberry wood can be used to make carriages, wheels, and carts. The top-quality mulberry bark can also be used to make yellow dye. County magistrates like you, if there is no mulberry, how can you wear it? The yellow ribbon? People make the best use of their talents, and things make the best use of them..." Cao Cao was speechless again and again, as long as he listened to others with his heart, there would always be gains.Make the best use of people, make the best use of things, think about the people around you... Although Qin Yilu is somewhat slavish, running errands is a good material; although Lou Yi is illiterate, he is loyal and decisive; Flexible... Thinking about it, he suddenly thought of Xu Tuo: Although that person is a veteran in the officialdom, he is capable of doing things and can be regarded as a person who handles things. Did I treat him too much? "What are you thinking about?" Guo Jingtu interrupted his thoughts. "nothing." "Don't keep your words in your heart. If you don't speak, you will get sick. Physical illnesses are easy to cure, but mental illnesses are difficult to heal. If you fall ill on the road again, there may not be someone like me who will help you. In Someone can save you on the road, but no one can help you in your official career!" The old man's eyes were always so bright, as if he could read people's hearts, "Help me up, let's go for a walk in the mulberry field. " Cao Cao supported him and walked into the mulberry garden.Seeing Bian Bing playing the flute for Huan'er and the others, Guo Jingtu smiled and said, "This kid plays the flute really well." "You didn't see, my good-for-nothing brother-in-law pestered her endlessly as soon as he saw Huan'er." "The child has grown up... Huan'er has grown up too, she is the one I worry about the most." "Huan'er has grown quite graceful." "Take her away!" Guo Jingtu said suddenly. "Oh?" "I think she and your wife get along quite well. It's okay if you want to recognize a younger sister, or be a servant girl. In the future, you can find a suitable person to marry, even your brother-in-law." "You're always making fun of me." Bian Bing was not the Ruyi Mr. Cao Cao thought of for Huan'er! Guo Jingtu didn't notice Cao Cao's gaze, and said: "This is not a joke. I'm old, and I feel very bad recently. This child is with me. If I die one day, what will she do..." He stroked Looking at a mulberry tree beside him, "I have been ill for several days, and I haven't seen the mulberry tree. It's cold and the tree is withered. I don't know if I can see the mulberry tree blooming again." "Don't say such unlucky words, the days are still long." "I hope, whether I die or not is a trivial matter. It's just that I can live one more year, and I can provide mulberry leaves for the villagers for one more year." Cao Cao felt that the old man in front of him was really broad-minded, and he still pretended to be someone else in his heart. "You promised me that when I die, Huan'er will be taken care of by you. You can't go back on your word...Speak?" "Yes. I remember the matter of Huan'er. It's just that I don't know what to do in the future?" Cao Cao said with a sigh. "In the future...hahaha..." Guo Jingtu smiled, "You will definitely enter an official career in the future." "Oh?" "I saw your eyes and knew that you would have to be an official in the future." "why?" "Your eyes tell me that although you are dismissed from office, you are not reconciled, and you can't let go!" Cao Cao was stunned for a moment, and he was hit by his words again, but he just couldn't let go!Why did my Cao family's official career be ruined because of Song's safety? "Cao family boy, it's winter now. At my age, I am most afraid of staying up through the winter. In fact, everything in the world is the same. Stay well and wait for the spring to bloom. Take care of yourself!" Guo Jingtu kept looking up when he said this. mulberry. Cao Cao was still savoring the profound meaning of his words, and vaguely felt his arm supporting the mulberry tree slide down: "You said...what's wrong?" Guo Jingtu's complexion changed suddenly, his high head gradually tilted back, his hand suddenly dropped from the mulberry tree, before Cao Cao could help him, he had already fallen on his back. "Old man!" Cao Cao leaned in front of him, "What's wrong with you?" "Grandpa!" Huan'er saw it too, and everyone surrounded him. Guo Jingtu's body twitched a few times, his originally rosy face suddenly turned pale, dripping with sweat, his lips were ashen, his eyes dangled in their sockets for a few times, and finally pointed at the ring with his own strength, and turned his eyes Once it is closed, it is silent in the vague darkness... "Grandpa..." Huan'er cried her heart out, "Grandpa...don't die!" Cao Cao was stunned. He was fine just now, but in the blink of an eye, the old man returned to the sky. Huan'er didn't care about Bian Bing's tugging, and stuck his head on Guo Jingtu's body: "Grandpa...don't scare Huan'er, open your eyes and look at me...Huan'er listens to you...I am obedient, I will be obedient... ...You said you were cured this morning! How come... how come... grandpa... woo woo woo..." "Back to the light." Bian Bing sighed. No one went to persuade Huan'er anymore, and everyone was silent in pain and sorrow.Bian Bing took out his flute again, and played "Scallion Dew": 〖The dew on the scallions, He Yixi.Lu Xi's Ming Dynasty will fall again, and when will a person return after death. 〗 Cao Cao and Mrs. Bian helped the old man get dressed, and asked Lou Yi to inform the villagers near the mulberry garden; he also asked Bian Bing and others to rush to Changyuan County to buy a coffin, and parked Guo Jingtu in the thatched hut, and everyone was in the mulberry garden. Stay overnight. On the second day, all the people from eight villages in ten miles came.When Guo Jingtu was alive, he did his best to the people and spent all his money. Who wouldn't be grateful?Everyone wiped away their tears and buried Guo Jingtu beside the mulberry garden.Because the old man has no relatives except Xiaohuan'er, the mulberry garden is handed over to other people to take care of it and continue to provide mulberry leaves for the poor.Huan'er's eyes were swollen from crying for the past two days, and when it was time to leave, she was reluctant to leave.Mrs. Bian hugged her and coaxed her, Bian Bing played the flute for her, and finally got into the carriage with tears in her eyes. Family suffering is already dull, but now there is more sadness.All the people went south without saying a word, crossing the Yellow River and Mengjin. After another seven days, they finally arrived at Peiguoqiao County.Bian Bing suffered the most these days. He played all the tunes he knew to Huan'er, and his voice became hoarse. Cao Cao breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the car pass thirty miles west of Qiao County, and vaguely saw that it was at the gate of his own village.Unexpectedly, before entering the village, he suddenly heard someone shouting from behind: "Stop! Stop!" Cao Cao immediately looked back - it turned out to be Qin Yilu! Qin Yilu came galloping on a horse, travel-stained, his eyes were bloodshot, and he almost fell off his horse when he got close. He must have been traveling day and night without rest since he set off from Luoyang. "What's the matter? Any news?" "Wow..." Qin Yilu grinned and cried. "What's the matter? What's the matter?" Everyone raised their hearts to their throats. Qin Yilu wiped away tears, his face was covered with dirt, almost mixed with mud, sobbing: "The fourth master died in prison..." There was a bang in Cao Cao's head - the fourth uncle is dead!Let go of the dead and focus on the living first: "How about my father and second uncle?" Qin Yilu supported himself and stood up. He galloped all the way, his thighs were worn out, and he sobbed with pain: "It's okay for the master, but the second master is very ill. I can't take care of it alone. The house in Luoyang was taken care of by the court. Take it, the second elder rented a small house in the west of the city, and the fourth master's body has nowhere to stay, it's still in prison! We must hurry to the funeral and bring the fourth master back." Cao Cao's mind was in confusion at the moment: the fourth uncle had only one son and one daughter, and the daughter was married to Song Qi, who died with the Song family.The only son died when he was the prefect of Wujun, leaving behind a posthumous son, Cao Xiu, who was still in his arms when he was too young, so his grandson could not be counted on. But Bian Bing reminded him with one sentence: "Brother Zilian must be sent to the funeral. He is the nephew of the fourth uncle, so he must go." In terms of relationship, Cao Hong had to go. "Yes, yes, yes... I won't go into the village anymore, Brother Lao will go and tell Zilian." Cao Cao said blankly, looking ahead. Bian Bing shook his head: "Brother-in-law, are you really confused? I only heard from you, but I don't know him! I asked him to talk about this, what's the matter? You have to go in person." "How do I get there?" Cao Cao's tears flowed down, "As soon as I entered the village, everyone knew that my fourth uncle is gone. How can I explain to my seventh uncle? He is still sick. !" "Let me go." Qin Yilu didn't say much, and hurried into the village on horseback. At this moment, everyone was silent, even Huan'er didn't say a word, they stood alone in the cold wind dazedly.Everyone knows that the fate of the Cao family is not optimistic. After a short time, Qin Yilu brought Cao Hong out, and Cao De and Xiahou brothers also followed.Obviously it's been many years since I saw each other, but at this moment, I'm not in the mood to talk about it.Cao Hong had already packed up his things, leading the horse and carrying a small bundle. Cao De said emphatically, "Ah, we have to bring daddy and second uncle back. Zixiao is in Huainan, and he won't be back within a day or two." But the journey was far away, and his younger brother Cao Chun was too young to follow him. "You must be tired? I'll go with Zilian." "Not tired! I have to take care of this matter. You have to take care of Seventh Uncle and Fourth Uncle. Tell him slowly." Cao Cao pointed to the Bian siblings again, "These siblings still have to deal with each other. You take care of them, but if you want to take them home, tell your sister-in-law all about these years!" He said and glanced at Bian. "Husband, don't worry, I will respect my sister." Mrs. Bian nodded to him. "I'm absolutely assured of you...Yilu and Louyi, you two will rest for two days, then take the car and set off to bring the old man back. Zilian and I will leave now, and we will be solid every day!" "Wait!" Xiahou Dun called him suddenly, "Meng De is too tired, I'll go with you, and I'll take care of you on the way." Cao Cao wanted to stop him, but suddenly remembered the real relationship between him and himself. His father was also his uncle!I haven't seen him in nearly twenty years, so it's good to take him with you.At this moment, silence is better than sound. Cao Cao, Cao Hong, and Xiahou Dun got on their horses and rushed to Luoyang again and again. Cao Cao felt very tired to go to the funeral without entering the house, but now he was supported by a fire in his heart.Even if there are thousands of grievances, father and son are united...