Chapter 30 Section 5 Qin Xiaogong's strange plan to test his true talent

Jing Jian woke up very early.After the fight of the fifth watch at the top of the city was over, he practiced his sword in the dim light of dawn. He has been fighting in the army for a long time, and he has never had the bad habit of sleeping in late.Although he has done internal history, he is still diligent and cautious.After washing and washing, he sat in the small study and read a volume of notebooks, sometimes making marks on the notebooks with an engraving knife.This is the roster of scholars from various countries who entered the state of Qin. He needs to have a general understanding of the basic situation of each person, in case the monarch asks about it at any time.After the promulgation of the Seeking Talent Order, he has been in charge of this matter.According to the tradition of the Qin State, the daily arrangement of officials was under the jurisdiction of the senior official Qianlong.This large-scale seeking of talents was unprecedented in the Qin State, so Duke Xiao appointed Jing Jian as Ganlong's deputy, who was in charge of various affairs of seeking talents.Qian Long was indifferent to asking for talents from other countries, and he was even more critical of letting Jing Jian intervene in personnel affairs, so he rarely asked questions about seeking talents.Several times, the Jing Jian came to discuss the location of the recruiting hall and the salary of the scholars who came to Qin, but Qian Long changed the topic, or he said, "The young hero of the internal history, let's stop it with the camera." Jing Jian hit a soft nail. , but never reported to the monarch, but worked hard to resolve one problem after another, and finally did not give up halfway in the plan of seeking talents.Under his careful management, more than 200 Shandong scholars who came to Qin one after another finally left more than 100 people.The other half couldn't stand Qin's poverty, so they turned around and left.The rest of these people are still not stable, which is the most troublesome thing for Jing Jing.Scholars study and study soldiers for the sake of making achievements and becoming rich.In terms of being an official, even if you are a doctor in the state of Qin, you are not as wealthy as a small official in the state of Wei.In terms of scholarship, the treatment given to scholars by Jixia Academy of Qi State is a hundred times better than that of Qin State.In such a poor and weak situation, it was unprecedented for scholars to enter Qin Dynasty.As for coming and going, there is nothing to do, the only thing I can do is to try my best to keep as many as possible.

Jing Jian even looked at the brochure of names twice, but he didn't find the name in his mind.It's really strange, the old man Baili sent a letter, clearly stating that this person has already entered Qin Dynasty, but why hasn't he arrived yet?When he thought of the white-clothed scholars playing chess in Xiangchun, Anyi Cave, he felt a spontaneous impulse and admiration.If this person can enter the Qin Dynasty, he will be able to accomplish a lot.But why is he missing?Could it be that they came and went?Thinking of this, Jing Jian felt empty in his heart.If you think about it, let's do the current thing first, and it's useless to think about the kind of things that can't be met.He got up and left his seat, packed up the brochures, and prepared to wait for Qin Xiaogong in the recruiting hall.Today is the most important day for the monarch to visit the scholars who have entered the Qin Dynasty in the recruitment hall, and to announce the method of appointment for the scholars.

The Qin State Recruitment Hall is on a small street next to the inner city wall of the South Gate. It used to be an old armory.In fact, there was no ready-made courtyard house, so Jing Jian consulted with Liyang Lingzi'an and Wei Wei Cheying, and used old weapons to free up this treasury with a courtyard. After emergency repairs, it was still passable.In front of the gate, a stone archway was built temporarily, and in the middle of the gate was four big characters carved by an old stone worker with a white camel - Zhengguo seeks talents.The four rows of green brick houses surrounded by a square frame in the courtyard are divided into more than a hundred small houses, one for each of the Qin scholars.Jing Jian personally supervised the diet of the scholars in the recruitment hall, ensuring that the scholars in the recruitment hall had meat and white flour scones for three meals a day.This was already a super luxurious life in Liyang at that time.Because in the state of Qin, even a 70-year-old man cannot eat meat every day. Even the king Qin Xiaogong eats meat once every three days at most.This point alone has caused a great sensation in Liyang City.People in the country smell the smell of meat wafting from the recruiting hall every day, and everyone says something like this to their son: "Did you see that? If you want to eat meat every day, you must have the ability to enter the recruiting hall." I heard that some scholars escaped The common people in Liyang were so angry that their teeth were itchy, and they all cursed: "Birds! Just drive them all away!" The country will still win the battle!" Cursing is scolding, anger is anger, after all, the old Qin people in Liyang still respect these scholars very much.When encountering long-clothed scholars from the recruiting hall in the city, the simple and honest Qin people would give way. When buying sundries in the shop, the shopkeeper even lowered the price as if it were a gift.All the scholars in the recruiting hall were moved with emotion, and they talked about the simplicity and honesty of the Qin people during their daily dinners.

When Jing Jian came to the recruiting hall, it was the time when the sun was rising.The officials have already arranged the place where the monarch meets the scholars in the courtyard.There are two hundred reed mats spread out in the courtyard, each with a wooden table.There are two relatively large wooden tables in the center of the front, waiting for empty seats. At the first moment of Mao shi, the head of the recruiting hall rang the ancient bell. After three rings, the scholars walked out of the hut one after another and sat down in front of the reed mat.At this time, a scholar in white walked in from a side door and sat in the middle of the last row. A wide white cloth scarf was wrapped around his head, making his face unclear.He is Wei Yang.Although he was very drunk last night, his habit of liking strong alcohol and his extraordinary capacity for drinking allowed him to withstand the impact of Qin Fengjiu, which came and went quickly, and he was exceptionally sober when he woke up.He didn't want to find Jing Jian first according to the mysterious old man's letter, but he really wanted to go to the recruitment hall first.He played chess with Jing Jian, afraid that if he recognized him, he wrapped a turban and sat quietly among the discussing scholars, but no one noticed him.

The scholars were buzzing, either chatting with each other to learn about each other, or making various guesses about the new king of Qin.There are quite a lot of rumors about the new king of Qin in the countries of Shandong, and they are even quite different.When the scholars entered Qin, what many people were most interested in was to see this strange monarch who dared to denounce their ancestors in the order of meritocracy. Many of them wanted to leave Qin after seeing this strange monarch.However, the monarch who issued the order to seek talents has not come to the recruiting hall for more than a month. Many scholars couldn't stand it anymore, and left one after another, cursing such words as "seeking talents and not respecting talents".Today, the monarch is finally going to show his face. The excitement of the scholars is obvious, and the speculation is also full of strange things.

At this time, the head of the recruiting hall announced loudly: "The king of Qin has arrived——!" With Jing Jian leading the way, Qin Xiaogong Ying Quliang calmly walked to the front of the central case.He is dressed in black cloth with a wide cowhide belt around his waist, a six-inch black jade crown on his head, and a pair of ordinary cloth boots under his feet. He has a dark complexion but no beard, slender eyes, thick lips, and is of medium height. , a typical appearance of Qin people.If he was not in the recruiting hall but in the streets and mountains, no one would recognize him as the monarch of Qin, one of the seven great kingdoms, but just an ordinary commoner.The scholars in the field sighed and discussed, obviously feeling disappointed.In the imagination of most scholars, although Qin is poor, it is a brave and fierce country. If Qin Xiaogong was born with big arms, round waist, red hair, blue eyes and hideous face, they would not be surprised, and would even admire him.Seeing it today, it's so mediocre, without any compelling heroic spirit, how can it not be frustrating?This kind of disappointed discussion and sigh can be felt by everyone.The strange thing is that Qin Xiaogong didn't feel any embarrassment at all, he stood there calmly, neither smiling nor angry, his face was expressionless.

Jing Jian cupped his hands and said in a loud voice: "Gentlemen, the Duke of Guo came to the recruitment hall in person, and made clear to the gentlemen the national policy of appointing virtuous and utilizing talents, so as to determine where you will go." Duke Xiao of Qin waved his hand. Instead of being involved in the big case, he stood solemnly and said solemnly: "You sages did not avoid hardships and trekked into Qin. Yingquliang and the subjects of Qin State deeply admire them. I would like to express my deep gratitude to you sages." After speaking, he bowed deeply to the audience.If it were in other big countries, the scholars would definitely be touched and echoed.But in the state of Qin, they seem to have naturally forgotten this point, thinking that it is only right and proper to receive such courtesy in the backcountry.Moreover, this is a false courtesy, the key is to see what he said later.In the silence where there was no response, only Qin Xiaogong continued to speak: "The state of Qin is located in the remote western land, and is poor and weak. It seeks talents and strives for strength. When you enter Qin, it is because you have not developed what you have learned in your chest, and your life ambitions have not been achieved. The state of Qin needs you to govern the country, and you also need the state of Qin to show its talents. The state of Qin will become a great place for you to display your talents and learning, and you will also become heroes for the reconstruction of the state of Qin. Such an opportunity in heaven and earth, you must be kings Cherish together with Ying Quliang..."

Impatient, a middle-aged scholar suddenly stood up and cupped his hands and said, "I am a scholar under the Qi State. Don't lie, Mr. Qin. We are here to do things. Please confirm the position immediately, and each perform his duties to govern the State of Qin. Mo Time wasted." It is indeed an insult to ask for an official so openly.Although the scholars were anxious, they also felt that this person was too rebellious and disrespectful.But I don't know how the monarch broke out?For a while, the audience was tense, but there was silence. Qin Xiaogong smiled slightly, and said unhurriedly: "Mr.'s words are reasonable. According to the practice of other countries, scholars are employed. However, Qin has little contact with other countries, and Shandong scholars know little about Qin. It is difficult to show one's ability in office. The national government does not know much about your talents and directors, and it is difficult to confirm the position. In the meaning of Ying Quliang, please bring the tokens of the national government and visit Qin State in March, and then each will come up with a strategy for governing Qin. You are the head of policy and discussion, and then you will be in charge. What do you think?"

When the words fell to the point, the scholars felt very fresh and surprised, and there was a lot of discussion.These Shandong scholars who came to Qin State felt that they had already condescended to their dignity, and they hoped that they could become high-ranking officials immediately when they came to Qin State.I don't want the monarch not only not to be appointed as an official and conferred titles immediately, but also to let the scholars go to the remote villages for three months.How can it be reasonable to recruit talents and seek scholars?Finally, the red-clothed scholar from Jixia, who was still talented just now, stood up impatiently, cupped his hands and said in a loud voice: "Duke Qin's words are wrong. The whole world knows that there are no soldiers in Qin. Is there such a way to treat the virtuous in the world?" The words were sharp, which aroused admiration and agreement.

Qin Xiaogong laughed loudly, walked leisurely and said: "It is a great disaster for the ruler to be stingy with officials. Indiscriminate use of officials and nobles is a great disaster for the country. Today, the Qin State wants to have great talents in governing the country, and it is okay to share the Qin State. But everyone, who is a great talent? Who is a middle-level talent? Who is good at governing the country? Who is better than the army? Who can be a temple? Who can be a county? How can it be determined in a few words? After a month, if you have any inappropriate posts, please feel free to ring the drum to see me!" The words were generous and clear, and the audience fell silent.

The scholar Jixia swung his red sleeves, with a contemptuous smile on his face, "This kind of practice is unheard of. An official of the Qin State, don't do it! I will go." He bowed his hands to Qin Xiaogong and left.At the same time, more than 20 people stood up and echoed, "You are not a believer, let me go to Korea." "Wait a minute, everyone." Qin Xiaogong waved behind the scholars. The scholars turned around, with hope in their eyes again.Qin Xiaogong cupped his hands calmly, "It's not easy for you to enter the Qin Dynasty, and it's even more difficult to become a talent through cultivation. The internal history of Jingjian will give each gentleman fifty gold to go to other countries." He turned to the scholars in the field and said: "Lie After three months, if there are people who can't bear the poverty and hardship of the Qin State, the government will give a hundred gold, and send them back to their hometowns, so that the sages will not miss the trip to the Qin State. Those who wish to stay in the Qin State should go through the hardships and dangers with the people of the country and share the prosperity and strength. " In the silence of the audience, the eight or nine people who were about to leave returned to the arena and sat down, and the rest finally left. A commoner scholar in the seat stood up and asked loudly: "My lord, Wang Shi, may I ask the Duke of Qin, the scholars have different learnings. What kind of theory does the Duke want to use as the basis for governing Qin?" "Scholars who enter the Qin Dynasty have their own knowledge. As for which family is the foundation? Ying Quliang has little knowledge, and there is no definite policy. But there is one thing that can be clearly told everyone that Qin seeks truth and not falsehood. No matter which family governs Qin, Qin must be made rich and strong. Anyone who can make Qin rich and strong will do.” "Okay!" The scholars finally agreed to the strongest and most unbiased one, and shouted. In the afternoon, the scholars gathered together to discuss again, and as a result of the exchange, more than 30 people left.There are ninety-nine scholars left in the recruitment hall.Jing Jian kept sending out rebates while sighing with emotion.The money was squeezed out of the palace treasury by the monarch. If these people were not sent, it would be possible to increase the food, clothing and pockets of the remaining people for visiting Qin.Issuing these scholars who left is equivalent to throwing four or five hundred gold in vain.For the struggling Qin State, this is not a small sum.After taking care of these matters, he spent half a day with the remaining scholars before Jing Jian returned to the mansion.At this time, it was already time to hold the lamps. Jingjian's parents and elder brother were both killed in the battle with Qin Xiangong.The original old house was also sold off by him early.At that time, he decided to avenge the blood and hatred of the shroud of horse leather. How could he let a house in the yard be dragged down?He didn't want to be impermanent, but he actually became an internal historian and was going to live in Liyang City.According to the practice of the Qin State, the children of the old family are not granted a mansion when they are officials. In addition, this matter is under the jurisdiction of Dr. Qian Longshang. Naturally, it is impossible to make a special case for him, an "upstart".Jingjian, on the other hand, often talked about the monarch and talked about everything, but he never mentioned his private house.He gritted his teeth and sold a pair of fine cowhide armor left by his father, plus the original several hundred knives, and bought this small courtyard in a remote alley.Two rows of rooms, a total of six rooms.Jing Jian was just twenty-two years old. Although he had not had time to marry a wife, he had a thirteen-year-old adopted daughter at home.This girl was the only daughter of a life-and-death friend of his in the army.The old friend was a commander, but he died in battle in his prime.When the old friend's wife was burying her husband, she kowtowed three times to Jingjian, pushed her daughter into Jingjian's arms, and committed suicide by jumping into the grave.With tears in his eyes, Jing Jian took the little girl home and recognized him as a foster daughter.The little girl is clever and clever, and she keeps the house in order, so Jingjian no longer hires servants. Hearing the sound of the door, the youngest daughter ran to open the door and said with a smile, "Hey, it's so early to be back." Jing Jian smiled and patted the little girl: "Little Linghu, call Dad, I'll give you something delicious." Little Linghu smiled mischievously: "Don't bark, how old are you? Leave the delicious food to yourself." He took his arm and entered the main room where Jing Jian lived.Jing Jian smiled helplessly, "Okay, okay, I'll give it to you. Hey, don't worry, have you read the book yet?" Little Linghu made a grimace and said with a smile: "I have read it, and I have memorized it. Ah, meat Cake!" He jumped up and hugged Jian Jian.Jing Jian smiled and asked: "What are you giving me to eat?" The little Linghu smiled mischievously, "Don't worry, just come." He floated silently to the kitchen, and came back in an instant. There was a pot of fragrant green Huo Cai soup, a plate of noodle cakes, and a small wooden plate with a meat pie cut in half.Jing Jian said with a stern face: "The meat pie is for you, take it and eat it." The little Linghu said coquettishly: "No, I won't eat if you don't eat it. I thought I didn't know, I was starving, and I gave it to me all day long." Eat well." Tears welled up in her bright eyes.Jing Jian smiled and said: "You little thing, how well do you know? Daddy is an adult and you are a child, how can you compare? If you don't finish eating it, I won't eat today." After saying that, he put down his chopsticks seriously and wanted to stand up.The little Linghu said anxiously: "Hey, it won't taste good after a while. I eat as I eat, can't I?" He picked up the meatloaf and began to chew slowly.Jing Jian finished her dinner, but she still had more than half of the meatloaf in her hand.Jing Jian was about to reprimand him, but he heard a knock on the door.Little Linghu jumped up and was about to open the door.Jing Jian said: "Sit down, it's getting late, I'll go." Liyang is no better than Anyi, the city is quiet when it gets dark, and government officials seldom move around at night.Who will come to the door at this time?The monarch urgently called?Why is there no sound of hooves?Jing Jian walked to the door while thinking about it, and asked through the door, "Who knocked on the door?" "There is no need to worry about the old man's visit." The voice outside the door was quite familiar, but Jing Jian couldn't remember it all at once.When he opened the wooden door, there was a smiling man in white standing under the moonlight, as if he had known him before.Jing Jian looked at it carefully for a while, and laughed loudly in surprise: "Zhongshuzi Wei—Martingale? Hurry up!" The man in white laughed and said, "It's really a pleasure to talk in Anyi's hand, and to meet again in Liyang." Jingjian stopped Wei Yang's hand, "Brother Yang is really a visitor from heaven, and he wants to kill me. Come, come, sit in the room. The humble house is small, I'm really ashamed, here, here. Little Linghu, serve tea!" The side room agreed, and the little Linghu laughed Yingying floated over, "Sir, please have some tea." Jing Jian smiled and said, "Brother Yang, this is my adopted daughter, her name is Linghu Liyuan. Little Linghu, this is my dear friend, see you soon." Little Linghu blushed and saluted, "I've met you, sir." Jing Jian smiled and said, "Go and pack the food and drink, father and sir will clean up the dust." Little Linghu smiled sweetly, "Talk first, and you'll be here in a while. "He ran out briskly. "Brother Yang, it's good that you come, I will report to the king immediately tomorrow." Wei Yang waved his hands and said with a smile: "I don't know about the internal history, but I'm in the recruiting hall today, so I understand everything." Jing Jian Da was surprised, "How? You went to the recruiting hall first? Why don't you come and meet me first?" "The country seeks talents, the recruiting office is fair, and the internal history recommendation is a private way. Putting public affairs before private affairs is the way to enter politics." Jing Jian cupped his hands in admiration, "Brother Yang is upright, and Jing Jian admires it. The way the monarch announced it was because he didn't know the talents of the scholars. Jing Jian has already learned about the great talent of my brother, and Jing Jian should guarantee it." There is no need to delay the recommendation." Wei Yang said with a smile: "Marting first entered the Qin State, and I had to meet the enthusiasm of the internal history, thank you in advance." Jing Jian waved his hands again and again, "Where did you come from? It is the responsibility of the country to promote the virtuous. Brother Yang, why should you stick to common etiquette?" Wei Yang said solemnly: "To tell you the truth, Yang also thought about asking the internal history to be directly introduced to the monarch. However, what he saw and heard in the recruiting hall today, he understood Duke Qin's magnanimity, and this thought disappeared. Duke Qin thought about it. It is far-reaching, thorough and solid, and will not be moved by the impetuous vanity of scholars. The wonderful strategy of testing talents proposed is heartbreaking. The order to seek talents comes from this public, and it is by no means a false pen. Without a thorough understanding, if you follow Qin Gong’s law, visit Qin Sanyue and then take countermeasures to show the superiority of each person. Such a way, if Yang deliberately avoids it, is it the true quality of a celebrity?” "So, Brother Yang is going to visit Qin?" Jing Jian was a little confused. Wei Yang nodded, "I originally had the same idea myself, but when Duke Qin is so decisive, how can I miss this opportunity?" "Brother Yang thought it was a good opportunity for scholars to go deep into the mountains?" Seeing Jing Jian's surprised expression, Wei Yang couldn't help laughing, "Does Nei Shi think it's a bad thing?" Jing Jian couldn't help being very moved, and sighed: "I mean, none of the scholars in the recruiting hall thought so. Most of them thought it was unnecessary, and even thought it was torturing the sages. Qin Gong worked hard, but you alone can understand it." , isn’t it because it’s hard to find a bosom friend? At this time, the little Linghu served the food and wine on a large wooden tray.But it was stewed mutton with vines in a clay pot, a plate of fresh leeks, a plate of green radishes, and a plate of wild bitter vegetables.Little Linghu set out the food and drink and said with a smile: "Mister, please take your time." Then he walked out with a smile.Wei Yang said with a smile, "It's really rare for a young girl to be smart." Jing Jian smiled wryly, "I've neglected to supervise an orphaned girl, and I don't know etiquette. Please forgive me, brother Yang." Quality, why bother to stick to etiquette? In my opinion, this woman will become an excellent assistant in history." Jing Jian said with a slightly embarrassed smile: "Brother Yang is joking. This matter is too difficult to describe, and I will elaborate on it later. Come, let's have a toast!" Wei Yang raised his glass and drank it all, then went to pick up the bitter herbs.Jing Jian stopped him with a smile, "Brother Yang, that's wild bitter vegetables, you can't eat them. Come, stew mutton." Wei Yang smiled and said, "I've tasted it once, and bitterness has its aftertaste." Said Then he ate his chopsticks, drank another cup, and said with a generous smile: "I love Qin, but there are only two ears." Jing Jian asked with a smile: "Which two?" Wei Yang replied with a smile: "Bitter vegetables and strong wine, It’s all true colors.” Jing Jian laughed loudly, raised his glass and drank, “Qin has nothing else, but these two things are inexhaustible.” Wei Yang laughed and said: “Only in this way, Wei Yang can be regarded as a Qin person, right? "Jing Jian said loudly, "Of course! For brother Yang's bitter vegetable and strong wine, do it!" The two laughed and clinked glasses, and drank it all in one gulp. Wei Yang drank continuously, his face flushed, "Martingale has a request, Nei Shi will help me." "Brother Yang, please tell me, Jing Jian will do his best to help." "During three months, don't speak to Duke Qin about Wei Yang." Jing Jian was surprised, "But why?" "After three months, if Duke Qin is dissatisfied with Wei Yang, please ask Neishi to guarantee me to meet with Duke Qin three times, is that okay?" Jing Jian was even more perplexed: "Brother Yang, why did you say that? Why is Duke Qin dissatisfied with Brother Yang's talent? You can take office once, and then serve as ministers in the same palace. Why do you do it three times?" Wei Yang smiled and shook his head, "If you believe in Yang, you should do it. If you don't, you don't have to do it. The reason will be explained in detail in the future, but it is inconvenient to explain it at this time. This is why Wei Yang visited the internal history. " Jing Jian pondered for a while and said: "Okay! Jing Jian should do his best to mediate for the king." Wei Yang got up and bowed solemnly, "Your gentleman respects your promise, and Nei Shi believes in you. Wei Yang bids farewell, and we will see you in three months." "Wait a minute." Jing Jian held up the big pottery cup, "Brother Yang will work hard for three months, and Jing Jian will take this cup as a farewell farewell for you." "Okay!" Wei Yang laughed loudly, "If Wei Yang is burdened with bitter vegetables and strong wine, he will have no face to see the king. Do it!" The two reached out to shake hands at the same time, raised their glasses to each other, and drank generously. At Maoshi the next morning, Wei Yang came to the recruitment hall.Scholars were still packing their clothes in their huts. Some rich people came with valuables and clamored to ask the head of the Recruitment Hall to find a place to keep them. Some people stood in the courtyard discussing where to go.Some people said: "I think it's enough to just go to the county government. Is it really not possible to go to the poor and remote areas?" Someone immediately responded, "Yes, anyway, Qin Gong said that there are no rules for random visits." Another person said: "There is no car. Ma, just going through the mountains and ridges is exhausting, and I am thankful to be able to reach the county government." Another scholar raised his dagger and said, "In barren mountains and wild mountains, what should we do if we encounter assassins and thieves? The people are governed by officials, look What is the use of the people?" There was a lot of quarreling, but they couldn't agree on what to do.A few days ago, the clerks who handed out money and goods were still deserted, and no one started. Wei Yang glanced at the courtyard, went straight to the clerk's case and handed over the wooden plaque with his name engraved on it.The clerk smiled respectfully and enthusiastically: "Sir, wait a moment." Then he flipped through the name booklet, but he couldn't find Wei Yang's name. While he was surprised, Jing Jian came to the case and ordered, "This gentleman just went to the case last night. I see, I haven't moved into the recruiting hall yet, let me handle it for you." The clerk nodded in agreement, and gave Wei Yang some things.Those were four things: a pass token the size of a palm, a thousand pieces of Qin State iron coins in a leather pouch, a pair of sturdy leather boots, and a short sword used by a knight.Wei Yang had the experience of traveling alone for a long time, he was already dressed in commoner clothes, he packed his things neatly, put on his leather boots on the spot, and walked out of the recruiting hall.Jing Jian watched his back silently and stood in the courtyard for a long time. Wei Yang did not ride a horse this time.He knew that although horses can travel, but in the impoverished mountain villages, one is not much faster, and the other is that the burden of forage is difficult to solve.Hiking in civilian clothes is nothing new to him, and he is exploring a country that is ready to take root for a long time. He is excited and happy, without the slightest frustration.He also didn't look for companions among the scholars in the recruiting hall. He believed that among so many scholars, there must be hard-working people, and they would not be all impetuous and vain.Even so, he is still willing to go alone.In his view, deep thinking is produced by solitary examination, and it depends on arbitrariness rather than public opinion.Visiting the mountains and fields deeply, tsk tsk public opinion will only focus on behavior and hinder the mind, but will not help clear thinking. Wei Yang headed west first.Before entering Qin, he carefully studied all the classics about Qin that he could find, and was deeply impressed by the bumpy footprints of the early Qin tribes. He knew that the remote western frontier was the foundation of Qin. The valley area in the upper reaches of Jingwei.Back then, when the Qin tribe marched east to King Qin, they secretly entered from the river valley in Longxi.The Qin people were originally an ancient oriental tribe. Since the Shang Dynasty, they were ordered to move westward and became the main force of the Yin and Shang Dynasty to resist the Rongdi in the west.After the demise of the Yin and Shang Dynasties, the Qin tribe was despised and forgotten as the survivors of the previous dynasty.The Qin tribe was unable to move back, so they fought bloody battles in the sea of ​​Rong and Di in the western border, and won half farming and half pastoralism in the Jingwei River Valley.In the era of King Mu of Zhou, the Qin tribe had a zaofu who tamed fierce horses and had excellent driving skills, and the Qin tribe had a clue in the Western Zhou Dynasty.During the period of King Zhou Xiao, the Qin tribe made great contributions to raising war horses for the Zhou family, and was granted a small "vassal" state that was not at the level of a prince and had only 30 miles of land, and the horns finally showed.Three generations later, the Rong and Di invaded the Central Plains repeatedly, and the Qin tribe was reappointed. The leader, Qin Zhong, was appointed as the doctor of the emperor of Zhou. He led the Qin tribe to fight against Rong and Di, and the Qin tribe reappeared.Unfortunately, Qin Zhong died in battle, Rong and Di retreated, and the Qin tribe was once again forgotten. Decades later, King You of Zhou lost his power, and Rongdi occupied Gaojing in a large scale, killed King You, and burned Gaojing. The Zhou Dynasty was facing annihilation.Prince Yijiu, who later became King Ping of Zhou, once again thought of the Rong Di Kexing Qin tribe.So he ventured westward and asked for help in person.The leader, Qin Xiang, personally led 50,000 fierce cavalry to advance eastward, defeated Rong Di in the First World War, and escorted King Ping of Zhou to move eastward to Luoyang with all his strength.The Qin tribe's great contribution to the rebuilding of the Zhou Dynasty finally made it a great vassal state that inherited all the kings of the Zhou Dynasty.Breaking away from the civilization of the Central Plains like this, and developing independently in the western border for hundreds of years, even the most powerful state of Wei today may not be able to do it.Only in this way, Qin's isolation, Qin's isolation, Qin's poverty, and the reasons why Qin's repeated defeats in the East but did not perish should all be found in the west. Wei Yang was thinking about the old roots in the west of Qin State, to see if he could find something that others had ignored? Still walking and asking questions, eating and sleeping in the open, it took a full ten days to walk through Yongcheng, the old capital of the Qin State, and to the mountain basin where the Qin tribe was named a "vassal" hundreds of years ago.Thirty to fifty miles westward from here, you will find the Chencang dangerous road between two mountains, which was also the throat fortress that Qin Mugong used to deal with Rong Di. When Wei Yang reached the top of Chencangkou Mountain, it was just about sunset.The ravines and ravines in the vast mountains are all dyed golden, and there are dots of residential houses in the ravines, with smoke curling up from the kitchen, the mountains and stone surfaces are exposed, a small river flows through the ravine, and the rocky beaches on both sides are faintly visible.It was summer at that time, and it was rare to see a few green trees in the mountains and ravines. What filled the eyes was not the blue and white rocks, but the vastness of the loess.From time to time in the ravine, the sound of "moo-moo--" cows echoed, making the mountains and ravines appear more empty and desolate.Standing on the ridge and looking into the distance, Wei Yang couldn't help sighing heavily.It was the most desolate and barren place he had ever seen in all the countries he traveled.It should be said that this is one of the earliest foundations of the old Qin people, and it is definitely not the poorest place. In other words, there are more poor mountains and bad waters in Qin, and more barren land.He has roughly seen the Weishui River in the heartland, and it is a kind of rich and barren.Then this place is already really poor, but there are even more poor places than here. Qin is really a desolate and extremely poor country!For such a country to become a prosperous and prosperous country full of green mountains, fertile fields, and cattle and sheep, the people are rich and the country is strong, it is tantamount to a dream.Without earth-shattering ambitions and big moves, don't talk about the prosperity and strength of Qin. As dusk fell, Wei Yang walked down the ditch along the thorny path mixed with rocks and clods. This is a small village with about twenty or thirty families.There was still sunset on the top of the mountain, but it was already dusk in the ditch, but none of the houses in the village showed any lights.Wei Yang walked to a small, tidy courtyard, and found that the thick firewood gate was half-closed, and a dilapidated wooden sign was hung on the forehead of the gate made of yellow mud, with the words "Cunzheng" faintly visible.Wei Yang knocked on the wooden side of the firewood gate, cupped his hands and asked loudly, "Is the villager at home?" When he finished speaking, a big black dog rushed out ferociously, barking and barking. "Hei'er, stop!" An old voice came from the black room, and the black dog immediately nailed it to the door and let out its long tongue, panting.The door of the black house opened with a "squeak", and an old man with a stooped figure walked out, coughing and hissing as he walked, and asked, "Who?" Lu, I want to stay overnight, okay?" The old man opened the firewood gate and looked Wei Yang up and down. The road by the river goes into a ditch." The old man nodded and said: "Oh, elephant, elephant, there are blood beads on the hands and feet. Come, come in first. Hei'er, lie down!" Wei Yang walked into the yard.The big black dog lay quietly at the door of the black house.The old man said loudly: "Woman, come out to meet the guests. Bro, go call for someone, and greet the guests with a cage fire!" The dark room responded twice, first a naked boy came out and bowed to Wei Yang, With a sharp laugh, he said, "Yeah, good!" Then he jumped out of the door.A woman in black cloth shorts came out from behind, bowed to Wei Yang and said with a smile, "How are you?" Wei Yang cupped his hands and smiled and replied, "Hello, Master." Sit down. Broken girl, tea." Although it is the most simple entertainment in the mountains, it is not lacking in etiquette. It seems that the old village has seen some things in the world after all.Wei Yang bowed his hands and said with a smile, "Thank you, the village official, for taking care of me." The old man moved a wooden pier for Wei Yang, "Sit." Wei Yang sat down.The old man said: "Which country is he from?" Wei Yang said: "Chen Guo, it's too far away." The old man nodded, "Chen Guo? Fortunately, Lao Qin has never fought with Chen Guo. No one scolded him." The plump girl was barefoot, wearing shorts and trousers with patches of indistinct colors, and brought a huge clay pot and earthen pot, put the earthen pot in front of Wei Yang's feet, and poured the big earthen pot Lu filled the earthen basin, and said with a low laugh, "Herbal tea. Drink it." Wei Yang was indeed extremely thirsty. He picked up the earthen basin, and suddenly felt a strong earthy smell mixed with the smell of dried leaves. Come on, he still gulped down his drink, touched his mouth with his sleeve and said with a smile, "Thank you." The old man laughed and said, "Everyone loves the herbal tea made by a broken girl. Today Hei'er will accompany you." Wei Yang didn't understand the pronunciation of the words clearly, thought that the old man praised his daughter, so he also smiled and said: "Thanks to the village, my daughter is hardworking and smart, she will marry a good family." The old man smiled happily: "Broken girl, I am a guest praise you." The girl said coquettishly: "Listen. You are also a guest." The old man smiled and said: "It's a good fortune for a woman." "The fire cage is ready—!" The boy screamed from outside the door. The old man got up: "Let's go, the people of old Qin will welcome any guests, it's very lively. Women, women, all go." In the threshing field at the foot of the mountain, a bonfire was set up, and a wild sheep was hung and roasted on the fire.The children in the mountain village excitedly moved the hoarded dead branches from the hillside and threw them into the fire. The bonfire was burning brightly, illuminating half the village.The remote poor mountain valley has no guests for many years, and once there are guests, it will be a big day for the whole village!Regardless of winter or summer, the mountain people will light a bonfire to welcome guests.This is a quaint custom formed by the people of the old Qin and Rongdi living together for hundreds of years.When Wei Yang traveled in the eastern countries, he had never seen such a warm welcome from his host.He was very moved and very happy. Being able to meet the whole village was the most valuable place for him.Although it is summer in July, the valley is not hot at all.The villagers formed a big circle around the fire, with a rough pottery bowl in front of each person, and a mixture of men and women were sitting.Wei Yang sat between the old villager and a white-haired old man, which was regarded as a honorable seat for welcoming guests.Lao Cunzheng's chubby daughter sat beside Wei Yang happily.It was half a month, a bright moon in the sky, and a bonfire on the ground. Wei Yang seemed to have returned to the days of his ancient ancestors in a trance. "Bitter wine—" the white-haired old man next to Wei Yang hoarsely ordered.The old man is the "clan elder" and has the most authority in the clan. Even the village official appointed by the government has to listen to him in matters of the clan. A lame and shirtless middle-aged man was holding a clay pot and pouring red juice into the clay bowls in front of everyone.Because of his lameness, he took a step, a little bit, and made a bowl, which was very rhythmic and neat, which aroused the admiration of the villagers.In an instant, the rough black pottery bowls in front of men, women and children were full.The rickety old villager was holding up the pottery bowl and shaking it at Wei Yang, then turned to the villagers, hissed: "The honored guest is far away, bitter wine, dry—" He gulped it down.Although Wei Yang didn't know what bitter wine was, but he had an instinctive liking for drinking. He always did what he wanted, and when he saw the village official drinking it, he also raised his bowl and said, "Thank you, the old village official, and thank you, father and brother." Drank it all in one gulp.As soon as he took it in, he felt sour and pungent straight to the top of his head. If he hadn't had excellent concentration, he might have vomited it out.He drank it forcibly, but seeing the villagers wiping their mouths, they exclaimed, "What a bitter wine!" The clan elder smiled and asked: "Yuan Ke, how about the bitter wine of our clan?" Wei Yang smiled and said, "Refreshing! It's very sour and choking, like vinegar." The villagers laughed together.The elder of the family said seriously: "Vinegar is born by the mother of wine, and the five grains are turned into wine. It is not classified as wine. The old Qin people call it bitter wine. Don't you know it?" Wei Yang suddenly realized, cupped his hands and said with a smile, "Thank you for your teaching." 老村正笑道：“人家魏国，做苦酒用的都是五谷。老秦穷哩，收些烂掉的山果汁水，藏在山窖里，两三年后便成苦酒了。这几年天旱，山果也没得长，苦酒也没得做了。这是最后一坛，八年了，舍不得哩。” 卫鞅听得酸楚，感动的拱手道：“素不相识，受此大恩，何以回报？” “回报？”族老哈哈大笑，“远客入老秦，便是一家人！若求回报，算得老秦？” 蓦然，卫鞅在火光下看见族老半裸的胳膊上有一块很大的伤疤，再听老人谈吐不凡，恭敬问道：“敢问老伯，从过军？” 族老悠然笑道：“老秦男丁，谁没当过兵？你问他们。” 倒酒瘸子高声道：“族老当过千夫长哩，斩首六十二，本事大哩！” 卫鞅肃然起敬，“族老，为何解甲归田了？” 瘸子喊道：“丢了一条腿，打不了仗咧，还有啥！” 卫鞅低头一看，族老坐在石头上盘着的分明只有一条腿，破旧的布裤有个大洞，鲜红的大腿根在火光下忽隐忽现。卫鞅心如潮涌，颤声问：“官府没有封赏？” 村正粗重的叹息了一声，冷冷一笑，“封赏？连从军时自己的马和盔甲，都没得拿回来。光身子一人被抬回来，没婆子，没儿子，老可怜去了。” 一个老妇人竟是呜呜咽咽的哭了起来，“我的儿呀，你回来吧——” 瘸子尖声喊道：“老婶子，哭个啥？挺住！给你客说，我山河村百十口人，五十来个男人当兵打过仗，活着的都是半截人，你看！”瘸子猛然拉开自己的裤子，两腿上赫然漏出十几个黑洞，“这是中了埋伏，挨箭射的！再看他们。” 男子们默默的脱去破旧的衣衫，火光照耀下，黝黑粗糙的身体上各种肉红色的伤疤闪着奇异的惊心动魄的亮光！村人们掩面哭泣，唏嘘不止。 族老高声呵斥，“都抬起头来！哭个甚？这是迎客么？” 村人们中止了哭声，抽抽嗒嗒的拭泪抬头。 卫鞅已经是热泪盈眶，默默拭去，哑声问道：“斩首立功，不能任官，连个爵位也不给？” 族老叹息道：“好远客哩，普天下爵位都是贵族的。我等黔首贱民，纵然斩首立功，也只配回家耕田卖苦。能在回来时领上千把个铁钱，泥土糊间房子，就托天之福了，还想爵位？客从外邦来，天下可有一国给贱民爵位的？” 卫鞅默默摇头，无言以对。 村正笑道：“说这些做甚？客又不懂。老歌，上肉吧。” 族老点点头，高声道：“咥肉——！” 瘸子高兴的跳起来蹦到篝火前，拿出一把短剑，极其利落的将烤野羊割成许多大小一样的肉块。两个赤脚男孩子飞跑着专门往每人面前送肉。惟有卫鞅面前的是一块肥大的羊腿。肉块分定，一位一直默默无言的红衣老人站起，从腰间抽出一支木剑，肃然指划一圈，高声念诵起来，“七月流火，天赐我肉，人各均等，合族兴盛——咥肉！”村人们欢笑一声，各自抓起面前的肉块。村正和族老向卫鞅一拱手，“客请。咥！” 卫鞅知道，秦人将吃叫做“咥”。这是极古的一个字，本来发源于周部族。《周易》的《履卦》就有“履虎尾，不咥人，亨。”的卦辞。《诗经·卫风》也有“咥其笑矣。”的歌词。老秦部族与周部族同源，又继承了周部族的西土根基，周部族特殊的语言自然也就在秦人中保留了下来。周部族东迁洛阳后，悠悠数百年，大受中原风习的渗透影响，反倒是丢失了许多古老的语言风习。这个“咥”字，便成了秦人独有的方言！被东方士子讥笑为“蛮实土话”。卫鞅却觉得这个“咥”字比吃字更有劲力，口至食物便是“咥”，多直接！“吃”字呢，绕一大圈，要乞求才能到口，多憋气？所以他到秦国后，很快便学会了这个“咥”字，一坐到案前，拿起筷子说一声“咥！”便立即开吃。几次惹得侯嬴哈哈大笑。 此刻，卫鞅也笑着拱手道：“多谢。咥！”便在欢笑声中和村人们一起啃起了烤羊肉。卫鞅撕下一半羊腿，递给身旁的村正女儿道：“给你吧，我咥不了的。”女儿粲然一笑，便拿过来放在手边。 瘸子尖声喊道：“来，山唱一支——！” 便有山民吹起呜呜咽咽的陶埙，村民们一齐用木筷敲打着陶碗唱了起来： 陶埙呜咽，粗重悠扬的歌声飘荡在夏夜的山风里，飘得很远，很远。 回到老村正家里，看天上月亮，已经是三更将尽了。老村正只有一间两开间的砖泥屋，显然无处留客。卫鞅对风餐露宿有过锤炼，坚持要睡在院子里。可老村正夫妇无论如何不答应，说山风要受凉，硬是要他睡在靠近窗户的墙下。这个位置和老村正夫妇一家仅仅隔了一道半尺高的土坎儿，老村正说，那里是专门留宿贵客的，冬暖夏凉哩。卫鞅虽说不怕清苦，也抱定了随遇而安的主意，但对这男女老少同屋而眠，的确是难以接受。然这些山民朴实憨厚，丝毫不以客人见外，如果拒绝，那是大不敬的。想来想去找不到托词，卫鞅只好在窗下和衣而卧，连日奔波疲劳，竟也呼呼睡去了。 酣梦之中，老秦人们在呼啸冲杀，骤然间尸横遍野，伤兵们凄惨哭嚎，躺在山村荒野中无人过问，一头怪兽不断的吞噬伤兵，一个美极的女子长衣飘飘，将怪兽一剑杀死，却是白雪！她紧紧抱住自己，解开了自己的衣服，双手在他身上轻轻的抚摩，她真大胆，竟然……卫鞅在奇异的感受中霍然坐起，揉揉眼睛，定神一看，只见村正女儿赤身裸体的趴在自己腿上蠕动着，丰满的肉体在暗夜中发出幽幽的白光。卫鞅惊出了一身冷汗，双手推开光滑的肉体，低声道：“小妹妹，不能，不能这样。”山村少女扑哧一笑，“怕甚？爹让陪你的，你不要我，我没脸见人哩。”卫鞅想了想道：“我想小解，跟我到外边院子里可好？”少女笑道：“想尿哩，走。”说着光身子披了件衣服，拉起卫鞅到了院中。 残月西沉，院中一片朦胧月色。卫鞅笑道：“小妹妹，来片席子陪我说会儿话，好么？”少女高兴道：“好哩，想咋就咋。”便拉来一片破席，让卫鞅坐下，自己便偎在他旁边。卫鞅脱下长衫亲切的说：“小妹妹，穿上这件衣服再说话，冷哩。”少女笑笑，穿上长衫包住了自己，又趴在卫鞅腿上。卫鞅笑道：“小妹妹，多大了？” “十三。客多大？” 卫鞅笑道：“老哩，三十六了。有婆家么？” “没。村里没有后生，只有老半截人。” “小妹妹，陪过别的客人么？” “没。娘说，我还没破身哩。” 卫鞅长长的叹息一声，“小妹妹，想找个好后生么？” “想。”少女明亮的眼睛涌出了泪水。 卫鞅含泪笑道：“小妹妹，叫我一声大哥，大哥帮你。” “大，哥——”少女抱住了卫鞅，却是一声哽咽。 卫鞅不断找各种话题，终于和这个十三岁的山村少女说到了天亮。 清晨，老村正夫妇高兴的给卫鞅做了最好吃的野菜疙瘩，连连说碎女子没有陪好客。卫鞅百感交集，吃完野菜疙瘩，站起来肃然拱手道：“老伯，我乃四海游学的士子，要钱没用，我想给你留下九百铁钱，再盖间房子吧。请老伯万勿推托。”说着便拿出钱袋捧到老村正面前。 “啥？这叫啥事么！不成！”老村正一听，面红耳赤，高声回绝，显然有受到欺侮的感觉。卫鞅无奈，只好收起钱袋，叹息道：“老伯，村里没有年轻后生，我想将小妹妹认做义妹，带她到栎阳一个朋友那里做份儿生计，不知老伯意下如何？”老村正惊讶的睁大眼睛喊道：“碎女子，过来！昨晚没陪客？”少女垂头低声道：“陪了。”村正道：“睡了没？”少女擦着眼泪摇摇头。老村正摇头叹气，“咳，不中用的东西！婆子，你说。”老妇人擦着眼泪道：“客是好人哩，叫碎女子跟他去吧。”老村正便挥挥手道：“去吧去吧，在村里也是见不得人哩。”老妇人擦泪道：“碎女子，快给客磕头，叫大哥，快！”少女笑道：“娘，昨晚叫过了。”便跪倒在卫鞅面前叩头。卫鞅连忙扶起，“小妹妹，不用了，跟大哥走吧。”老村正挥手道：“村人还没起哩，快走吧。”老妇人道：“走，我送客，送碎女子。” 卫鞅向老村正深深一躬，“老伯，村人始终无人问我姓名。在下实言相告，我叫卫鞅，前往栎阳修学。如果你想小妹了，就到栎阳渭风客栈来找我。” “记下了，走吧。”老村正抹抹眼泪，背过身去了。 太阳还没有爬上山巅，山沟里尚是蒙蒙发亮。卫鞅牵着山女的手走出了沟口，老妇人在身后遥遥招手。 “大哥，我还没出过沟哩。” “跟大哥走吧，长大了再回来。”