Chapter 83 Section 3 Masked Visitors and Mysterious Prophecies

The crown prince Ying Si has only one thing to do now, which is to immerse himself in reading the laws and regulations of Qin State. Although his father-in-law ordered him to co-regent with Lord Shang, Ying Si knew very well that it was his father-in-law who asked him to follow Lord Shang to familiarize himself with and study state affairs.He has been far away from the center of power for a long time, and he is very unfamiliar with basic affairs such as laws and regulations, personnel affairs, and implementation methods of government orders.In order to enter as soon as possible, Ying Si volunteered to spend one month reading all the laws and regulations of Guozang and the national history records since the reform.Shang Yang fully agrees with Ying Xi's idea, thinking that this is an indispensable part of grasping state affairs, and the sooner you get familiar with it, the better, and the more thorough the better.Shang Yang made a schedule: send a cart of bamboo slips to the Prince's Mansion from the library of classics every three days, ten carts a month, roughly enough to read all the laws, regulations and national history.The Qin State lacked a tradition of civil governance. In the past, it did not pay attention to accumulating national materials, and the records of national history were also very brief.After Shang Yang came to power, this situation was greatly changed. Not only did he comprehensively reorganize the national history, but he also divided all government affairs texts such as laws, regulations, population, and taxation into two sets of originals and copies for collection.The original cannot be released from the library unless Qin Xiaogong and Shang Jun read it, and the copy is available for inspection by various government offices and scholars at any time.Naturally, what was shown to Prince Yingsi was the original copy, so the Taishi Ling's officials were extraordinarily busy.Exit the library for inspection, send troops to escort, take back for inspection, and return the volumes one by one, for fear of mistakes.Prince Ying Si also worked extremely hard, resting for two hours a day, and spending the rest of the time in his study.

It was cold and the night was long, and the big burner in Yingsi's study was almost never extinguished.No matter how clean the charcoal was, there would always be strands of white smoke and charcoal gas. Ying Si's face was slightly yellow and she still had a slight cough.Even so, Ying Si is still at the desk every day, which is really a bit of Qin Xiaogong's diligence when he came to the throne when he was young. It was the second watch of the day, and Ying Si was concentrating on reviewing the pages, when a young servant came in and reported that a businessman from the state of Chu asked to see him.Ying Si raised her head in surprise: "What does the businessman from Chu have to do with me? No see."

The servant said in a low voice: "He said that he was entrusted by the prince's old friend and came to deliver something." Ying Si was very puzzled. If he had an old friend, it would be the village friendship he met in the "exile" life, but who among those people would know that he is the prince?How can someone find it here?After thinking for a while, he said calmly: "Since it is entrusted by the old friend, please wait in the study outside. I will be here in a moment." The hole looks outward. Standing in the study outside was a person dressed in a luxurious fur. Judging from the gorgeous yellow body, it was indeed the customary clothing of Chu merchants.But this person has nothing in his hands, and a dark veil hangs on his face, exuding an unusual and mysterious atmosphere.

Ying Si opened the door, stared at the masked man coldly, but didn't say a word. The masked man bowed deeply, "Xin Bigong, a businessman from Chu State, see the prince." Ying Si stood silently, still not saying a word.The masked man cupped his hands and said, "May I ask the prince, do you know a mountain dweller named Heimao?" Ying Si remained expressionless, neither shaking his head nor nodding.The masked man said again: "Heimao commissioned me to bring a small gift to the prince." Ying Si said coldly: "Please take off the veil, sir, and then speak again." The masked man said: "If you don't show your true face, It's really ugly by nature, which frightens the prince." Ying Si sneered and remained silent.The masked man raised his right hand, and the veil fell to the ground—a face with red hair, blue eyes, wide mouth, big teeth and bearded temples appeared impressively!It looks especially scary under the light.

Ying Si said calmly: "Mr. is so out of phase, why do you feel embarrassed?" The businessman bowed his hands and said: "The prince has extraordinary courage and insight, and I admire him the most." Ying Si didn't seem to hear, and said calmly: "Who is Heimao? The prince has never met." "Heimao said that he has a good relationship with a scholar named Qin Shu, and he can find Mr. Qin Shu when he finds the Prince's Mansion." "Qin Shu is my scribe, and I'm on a business trip." Ying Si replied expressionlessly. "Forgive me for being so reckless. Farewell."

"Wait a minute. Why is Heimao looking for Qin Shu? I can convey it for you." The yellow-clothed merchant: "Can you please hide your face? It's really hurtful to be humble." Ying Si nodded.The businessman picked up the black gauze and hung it up, respectfully said: "Report to the prince, three years ago, when I was on a business trip, I passed by Shangshan and was blocked by heavy rain. Fortunately, brother Heimao stayed with me for ten days, so I became friends. Panhuan. Brother Heimao has trouble walking, so I entrust you to look for old friends, there is no other reason."

Ying Si casually said: "This black grass, why is it so difficult to move?" "Report to the prince, Brother Hei Mao fell from his horse the next year after he joined the army, and one leg was disabled, but he was eager to make contributions, and he persisted in staying in the cooking barracks. Ten years have passed, and he has not beheaded the enemy, nor won a title. It is desolate for the veteran to return home. Unbearable." The masked businessman's voice was hoarse, slightly choked. "Under the new law, why is it so desolate?" Ying Si obviously listened very seriously.

"Brother Heimao's father was tortured to death, his mother committed suicide, and the whole village went into the mountains to save themselves, leaving only Brother Heimao wandering and begging." "How... torture? Suicide? Self-help? Tell me in detail." Ying Si couldn't help being surprised. The masked businessman said slowly: "I heard from Brother Heimao that Heilingou suffered a severe drought for three years and suffered a year of famine. The county magistrate Shangyu used official food to relieve the disaster, but was stopped by the Lord Shang, who beheaded the magistrate Shangyu and the county magistrate on the spot. Brother Heimao's father, the village leader Heijiu, sent soldiers to force all the villagers into the mountains, leaving them to fend for themselves. Brother Heimao was so sad that he jumped off the cliff to his death. Brother Heimao was disabled and helpless, Unable to make a living, and afraid of being punished by the government as a tired person, he begged in the mountain village on the border of Chu State during the day, and rushed back to the old house at night to settle down..."

Ying Si's face was terribly gloomy, she turned around and went silent for a long time. "Report to the crown prince, this is a gift from Brother Heimao entrusting me to deliver to Qin Shu." Ying Si turned around, and there was a thing wrapped in black cloth standing in front of her!The masked businessman said: "Brother Heimao said that this is Qin Shu's heart. He only asked me to bring Qin Shu a word: that grave is gone, Lord Shang ordered it to be dug up." Ying Si tried her best to calm herself, and took the black cloth bag indifferently, "You can go."

"Mr. Qin Shu, if you have a message to bring to Brother Heimao, please ask him to find me at the Chutian Inn." Ying Si nodded silently.The masked businessman bowed deeply and strode away. Back in the study, Ying Si was in a state of disarray.Looking at the purple-black dead tree tombstone, he couldn't help tears welling up in his eyes.The beautiful red figure floated past her eyes, and the sad and passionate singing lingered in her ears. The girl loved her deeply and died for herself without hesitation.That was the first fiery love affair that solidly broke Ying Si's heart.When Ying Si was in pain in the canyon, he already understood that he also deeply loves this beautiful village girl!If he hadn't been "exiled", if he hadn't been the Prince of Qin, he would have brought her back and married her!When he left Hei Lingou, he made an oath in his heart that one day he would marry her.But he couldn't say it at the time.Unexpectedly, his cold refusal not only did not make the girl retreat, but made the girl dedicate herself to him.For many years, whenever Ying Si thought of that beautiful figure, his heart would bleed from pain, and a deep sense of humiliation tormented him so that he could not sleep or eat.The only thing the girl left him was that handful of loess, which was the handful of loess that he lingered in his dreams.Now, even the loess he covered the girl with his own hands has been eradicated, the Heijiu couple have died, and the Heimao brothers have become beggars. The only piece of simple friendship left in Yingsi's cold youth , was ruthlessly erased like this... God, God, how unfair you are!

Ying Si stayed up all night and sat numbly until dawn.When the servant in the palace came to promote him, he had just been on the bed for less than an hour.Ying Si originally wanted to have a good night's sleep, sober and sober, to prevent herself from slipping down along with her thoughts.But after getting on the bed, I couldn't fall asleep anyway, and instead became more awake.Suddenly, his heart flashed, thinking of that hideous masked businessman, he felt that this matter was very strange.The businessman first asked himself if he knew Heimao. From this question, it can be seen that he knows that "Qin Shu" is the prince in front of him!Seeing that he didn't answer in silence, he said that Hei Mao entrusted him to find "Qin Shu" in the Prince's Mansion.If Heimao really becomes a beggar who cannot survive, how can he know that "Shu Qin" is in the Prince's Mansion?The beautiful mountain girl favors the barren mountains and valleys, how can Heimao know?Even if Lord Shang often went on tour, how could he get to that inaccessible place to destroy the tomb?If Mr. Shang thinks that someone impersonated Ying Si and damaged the reputation of the public office and destroyed the tomb, can he not report to his father-in-law?Can the father-in-law not ask himself?Although Shang Jun is ruthless in enforcing the law, he has never crossed half a step beyond the rule of law. Can he kill the well-known Zhishi Village Zhengheijiu so indiscriminately?The military law of Qin's new army is clear, and the disabled in the army, even if they don't behead the enemy, they will be given money to resettle them when they retire. How can they become beggars? With a light in his heart, Ying Xi thought of the miracle when he woke up in the barren mountains and valleys—the severed finger was connected, the wound was bandaged, a white shirt was covered on his body, and there was a piece of cooked meat by his hand!Thinking about it carefully, it was obvious that someone had discovered him at the time and saved himself after knowing his identity from the tombstone, but he didn't show up.After thinking about it over and over again, this is the only time that his identity could be leaked.Knowing that "Qin Shu" is Ying Si's, there is only that mysterious person who saved him in the barren mountains and valleys.Who is this guy?Could it be... Suddenly, Ying Si was shocked - that person must be the Chu businessman from last night! Ying Si sat up suddenly, looking at the bright red morning glow reflected in the window, a sneer appeared from the corner of his mouth, "Come here. Please come here." After a while, an old servant hurried into the bedroom, Ying Si gave some instructions in a low voice, then fell asleep, snoring loudly. The red sun has already risen to the middle of the mountain, and the servants in the palace come to announce.Although Ying Si only slept for half an hour, she didn't look tired at all.Arriving in the palace, the father-in-law had just finished washing up and was slowly dancing his sword in the vestibule.Ying Si stepped forward to salute respectfully, "My father is recovering, and my son and minister are very happy." Xiao Gong closed his sword and said with a smile: "Si'er, how about going to Zhongnan Mountain with me today?" "Your servant obeys." Ying Si gladly accepted the order. Out of the palace gate, Ying Si saw that there were only a dozen soldiers and a chariot belonging to her father-in-law, so she knew that the new mother would not go, so she didn't ask any more questions, got on her horse and walked beside the chariot, and went straight to the end Under Nanshan. This is a rare windless weather in winter. The sun is warm and the pines are evergreen.At the foot of the mountain, follow a small river into the mountain, and you will see a courtyard with green bricks and green tiles exposed in the valley of green pines and cypresses, which is more peaceful and distant in the desolate winter field.Xiao Gong pointed to the courtyard of the valley, "Sier, have you been here?" Ying Si knew that the father asked whether he had been here during the "exile" period, so he shook his head, "There is no village here, and my son and minister have not been here yet." Xiao Gong He pointed out: "Look, this mountain is called Tianyu River. The mountain in the southeast is Shouyang Mountain where Boyi and Shuqi starved to death. That courtyard was left by a very famous person." Ying Ying Si suddenly realized, "My son remembered, could it be Lao Tzu's academy?" Duke Xiao nodded with a smile, and ordered the chariots and horses to drive slowly along the mountain road to the courtyard in the valley. Arriving in the valley, the courtyard is hidden in the pines and forests and cannot be seen.Passing through a pine forest by the small river, a tall stone square built of blue fields and white jade stands majestically in the pine forest and grassland. In the middle of the stone square, there are four big black characters - Taoism Tiandi.Just a stone's throw away from the stone workshop, you will see the unpretentious gate of the courtyard.Duke Xiao ordered to stop the horse. As soon as the carriages and horses stopped, Ying Si saw her father-in-law's personal old servant and chief housekeeper Hei Bo hurried out of the gate.Uncle Hei arrived in front of Mr. Xiao’s car, helped Mr. Xiao get out of the car, and cupped his hands to report, “Everything is in order according to your majesty’s instructions.” Duke Xiao ordered: "Uncle Hei, I will arrive at Shangshan Pond in two hours. You can meet me at Xi Niu Pavilion later." Uncle Hei promised, and ordered his chariot and horse attendants to follow him into the courtyard through the side gate. Xiao Gong waved to Ying Si, then entered from the main gate, and went straight to the depths of the courtyard.Ying Si paid attention all the way, and found that this courtyard, which is very inconspicuous on the outside, is actually very impressive inside.The water flow pavilions are well arranged, the pine forest path loops and twists, and the terrain gradually climbs into slopes, just like Xianyang Beiban.On this kind of hillside, any heavy rain and mountain torrents can't stop, and they rush straight to the Tianyu River outside the door.The houses and pavilions are all rough piled up of rocks, bricks and tiles, but they show a kind of simplicity and wildness, which makes people feel very emotional.At the foot of a stone pavilion on Banpo, Duke Xiao solemnly bowed to an old cypress outside the pavilion.Ying Si quickly followed suit. Entering the stone pavilion, Ying Si found that the tea cans and mountain fruits had been placed on the stone table, so she knew that this was a pre-arrangement, and her father-in-law would have something important to tell him today, so she couldn't help pouring out a bowl of hot tea for her father-in-law with a solemn expression. , then stood aside.Duke Xiao took a sip of hot tea and beckoned his son to sit on the opposite stone pier. Under the sun, Qin Xiaogong's complexion was burnt yellow and haggard.A pang of sorrow welled up in Ying Si's heart, "I am so ashamed that I can't share the worries of my father and father." Qin Xiaogong smiled and waved his hands, "Stop talking about this. Do you know the reason why you and my father and son are here today?" Ying Si shook her head, "I don't know." Qin Xiaogong sighed, "Ying Si, you have experienced hardships and have your own insights into the world and human affairs. You don't need to hide it from you, father-in-law's days are numbered, and you can definitely see it." "Father..." Ying Si choked up and fell to the ground. Xiaogong smiled open-mindedly, "Get up. Life is short, so why worry about it? Since you and I were born in an official family, state affairs are the most important. What my father-in-law wants to say to you today is a The state affairs are secret. Your elder father made the rule that the king can only pass this secret to his successor when the king is dying. I only found out when your elder father was dying. However, the father-in-law has no time. When he was sober, he said It's better than talking when you're confused." Ying Si stood up and sat on the opposite stone pier, only to realize that Uncle Hei was standing far away at the intersection. Qin Xiaogong spoke slowly, Prince Ying Si listened carefully For thousands of years, two mysterious prophecies have been circulated by the Yingqin tribe.One is passed on publicly by the tribe, and the other is secretly passed down among the direct monarchs.The prophecy that was circulated publicly was a prophecy when Emperor Shun bestowed the title of "Qin" on Ying's family at the beginning - the Zier Qin clan will surely come out of the world in the future!In the ups and downs and struggles before the founding of the country, this prophecy is the spiritual torch of the Yingqin tribe and the bond of sincerity and cohesion of the Yingqin tribe!More than three hundred years ago, after the Yingqin tribe became a vassal state, this prophecy gradually became an ancient story circulated among the old Qin people, and its inspiring light like a comet gradually disappeared.In the minds of common people, a remote tribe that is half farming and half pastoral has become a great country in the Central Plains, and it is considered a big "big breakthrough", so what else do you want?This distant prophecy gradually dried up in the poor imagination of the Yingqin tribe. This prophecy is recorded in the history of the country, Ying Si is naturally very familiar with it, it is not a secret at all. Another secret prophecy occurred more than three hundred years after the Yingqin tribe established the country, which is very close and much more specific.However, this prophecy was only passed on between the monarch and the prince of the direct line, and it was strictly forbidden to spread among the people. It is this prophecy that Qin Xiaogong wants to say to Ying Si. This prophecy is the calculation of the fate of Qin by Lao Tzu who went west to the quicksand. More than 60 years ago, in the spring of the eleventh year when Qin Xiangong came to the throne, he received a news that Lao Dan, who was the Taishiling in the Luoyang Zhou Dynasty, was coming to Qin!Qin Xiangong couldn't help being overjoyed.In the era when the Eastern feudal lords humbled Qin, and scholars all over the world regarded Qin as a barbarian state and refused to enter Qin, how could it be a trivial matter for a well-known figure who was so famous that even Confucius asked him for advice to come to Qin?Qin Xiangong invited a person who loved to associate with scholars to receive Lao Tzu.This person is Yin Xi who once served as the Hangu Guanling.Yin Xi prepared meticulously and planned carefully, making everything perfect. It was April of that year, Lao Dan, who didn't know how old he was, rode a green bull and entered Hangu Pass leisurely.Although Hou Hangu Pass was still occupied by the State of Wei at that time, the scouts sent by Yin Xi had already discovered this old man who could not be mistaken all over the world, and flew back to Liyang.Yin Xi often associates with famous people, knowing that a Taishan Beidou like Lao Dan would never deliberately go to the capital of Qin to rest, and must find a scenic spot with beautiful mountains and rivers to live alone, so he expressed his thoughts to Qin Xiangong and discussed the countermeasures. Sure enough, Lao Dan's green bull floated leisurely across Liyang, and headed towards Zhongnan Mountain.Entering the vast northern foothills of Zhongnan Mountain, Lao Dan and the accompanying boy were stopped by two "scholars" in a cloth-clothed ox cart, constantly asking for advice.Lao Dan liked these two honest and simple "scholars" very much, so he rested in their villa.For several days in a row, the two of them raised countless difficult questions to Lao Tzu, and Lao Tzu answered them one by one, chatting away, as if there was endless knowledge buried in his heart. A commoner "scholar" accompanied Lao Tzu all day long in the mountains and the wilderness, and served this poor old man respectfully with simple meals and simple meals.Under the starry sky on a summer night, this civilian "scholar" proposed to ask Lao Tzu to write a volume of articles on heaven and earth for the people of Qin to "open the plug".Lao Tzu laughed a lot, and finally couldn't bear to refuse his pious request, so he started to write slowly.Just like the pattering footsteps of green cattle, Lao Tzu wrote extremely slowly, far behind the speed of the commoner "scholar" in engraving. One month later, Laozi finally finished writing the five thousand-word "Kaisai" book.That night, another commoner "scholar" walked into Lao Tzu's courtyard alone.Under a bright moon on a summer night, Lao Tzu was sitting on a high platform in the courtyard looking up at the sky, nodding and shaking his head, still sighing with emotion. Suddenly, a voice sounded behind me, "Please teach me, senior." Lao Tzu didn't turn around, and sighed, "Mr. Qin is so smart, why would you rather miss Lao Dan?" The commoner couldn't help but bow down, "Senior, I know who I am, please clear up the doubts for Master Ying. Ying Qin is declining day by day, and the people of Qin are so sleepy, Master Ying can hardly sleep or eat." Lao Tzu still didn't turn around, looked up at the sky, sighed after thinking for a while, "Mr. Qin, remember: Lao Dan's words are only passed on to the prince. If there is any leakage, I will blame myself on heaven." "Master Ying strictly abides by the words of his predecessors." Lao Tzu spoke slowly and lowly, "Once upon a time, Lao Dan traveled to Wushan Goddess Peak and carefully observed the celestial phenomena: Qin and Zhou have the same origin, both originate from the west; In Qin; combined for seventeen years, the overlord will emerge." Qin Xiangong asked Laozi to dismantle it, but Laozi shook his head and remained silent. Later, Lao Tzu stayed at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain to accept dozens of disciples and taught them for three years, but disappeared inexplicably.Some people say that Lao Tzu went to the desert quicksand.Some people say that Lao Tzu went to the Yinshan Grassland.It is also said that Lao Tzu went to Zhongnan Mountain to cultivate himself and become an immortal... The only thing left to the world by this mysterious old man is the five-thousand-word article on heaven and earth and that mysterious and long-lasting prophecy. "Ying Si, Lao Tzu's prophecy that we can't see the history of various countries, have you written it down?" Qin Xiaogong asked solemnly. "Remember it." Ying Si replied seriously. "You recite it once, and I will listen." Ying Si read one word at a time: "Qin and Zhou have the same origin, and they all started from the west; Qin is a prince, and Qin and Zhou are separated; after five hundred years, they will unite in Qin; after seventeen years, the overlord will come out." Hearing that Ying Si had recited it word for word, Qin Xiaogong smiled meaningfully, "Do you believe in Lao Tzu's prophecy of the fate of the nation?" Ying Si pondered for a while, but didn't know how to respond.His first impression was surprise and shock. Didn't Lao Tzu's prophecy give Qin a new spiritual torch?The union was divided into five hundred years, and now Qin has been established for more than four hundred and twenty years. Doesn't that mean that Qin will merge with "Zhou" in seven or eighty years?Laozi is the Taishi Ling of the Zhou royal family. He said that "Zhou" naturally includes the princes of the world, and it is not just the "Zhou Wangcheng" that is shrunk in a corner of Sanchuan and is actually more useless than ordinary princes; In the Warring States Period, the Zhou royal family was still verbally recognized as the "co-lord of the world".In this way, to unite with "Zhou" means to unite with "the world", and "to unite with Qin" means that Qin will replace Zhou to unify the world!And seven or eighty years, that is, the time of two or three generations, is so short compared to the more than two thousand years that Emperor Shun's prophecy came true!With such a brilliant future, the Qin people will naturally work harder, which is more powerful than any incentive edict from the monarch.For thousands of years, the hint of "heaven" has been extremely sacred to the people of the common people. They admit to obeying the big men who are "destined by the sky", and they are willing to shed blood and die for them to achieve their great cause.Among other things, Emperor Shun's prophecy has supported the bloody battle of the Yingqin tribe for a long time. Can it be said that this kind of prophecy of national destiny is not very powerful?Since the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, many old and new aristocrats have pretended to use the "Mandate of Heaven" in order to win people's hearts. Isn't Lao Tzu's prophecy of "Combining Qin" the coveted edict of the Mandate of Heaven?That being the case, why did the eldest father and father-in-law keep it secret?Is it really the taboo of "leaking secrets"?If the heavenly secret really cannot be leaked, how dare I speak out? It seems that the eldest father and the father-in-law must still have deep thoughts that have not been expressed.Ying Si's pondering was here, he sat upright, and replied cautiously: "Father, my son is never familiar with the theory of yin and yang destiny, and I don't know where to start." "Let's put it this way." Qin Xiaogong said: "If the gods tell you that you will be the overlord of the world, how do you treat it?" Ying Si didn't hesitate, "Even if the destiny comes, it still needs unremitting efforts. The sons and ministers should seem to be there." "Okay!" Qin Xiaogong slapped the case, "what father-in-law wants is this 'seemingly nothing'." He paced slowly in the pavilion, carefully considering every word, "your elder father said to me when he was dying, he The reason why he didn't tell me this prophecy early was that he was afraid that I would be proud of my destiny, and instead I would renounce my destiny. Sier, you must know that a monarch who indulges in celestial phenomena, divination, nursery rhymes, prophecies, etc. is not only absurd, but also depressing. From afar, the Three Emperors and Five Emperors can be regarded as the destiny of heaven. However, Emperor Shun imprisoned Emperor Yao and came to power, and Dayu imprisoned Emperor Shun and came to power. What is the destiny? Looking closer, which generation of emperors in the Zhou family is not smart and heroic? However, he believed in the destiny obsessively, and retreated to protect himself in the world of great strife. Now only Luoyang is left with three hundred and four hundred miles away. How miserable! Such a destiny is better than nothing. More recently, King Xuan of Chu believed in astrology obsessively, Because of the comet's path into the sky, it messed up its position, bought Wei and Qi with land and cities, and wanted to destroy Qin. In the end, the city was lost, the country was impoverished, and the alliance to destroy Qin has not yet been formed. You must keep in mind that the destiny Astrology never shows mercy to the weak, it is always just the halo of the strong!" "The words of the father-in-law, the whip penetrates into the inside, and the sons and ministers will remember them forever." "Ying Si, even if the Qin State can rule the world, it has to work hard and struggle step by step from generation to generation. Don't get distracted and go astray." Qin Xiaogong said earnestly. "Father, Qin's righteous way is to adhere to the legal system established by father and Shang, instead of just waiting for the fate to return. I know that without new laws, there will be no strong Qin, and without new laws, there will be no sincere support from the people of the common people. Even if the future of Qin is full of difficulties and dangers, my ministers will have nothing to fear." Ying Si was impassioned. "Okay." Qin Xiaogong patted his son on the shoulder, happily but kindly, "Si'er, you have grown up. With such determination, the father-in-law will not say much. Let's go, let's go see the queen mother and aunt." "The queen mother and aunt are here too?" Ying Si was surprised, but immediately looked happy. The old lady has lived here for several months.She doesn't like the magnificent Xianyang Palace at all, but she has a lot of nostalgia for Yongcheng and Liyang, and she often talks about it.Qin Xiaogong fell ill suddenly, and the old queen mother inexplicably said that Xianyang Palace was too "empty and yin", and asked her son to move to Liyang with her to recuperate.Qin Xiaogong knew that his mother was old, and he liked the small courtyard of the small castle that could be seen by lifting his feet.After marrying Xuan Qi, Duke Xiao of Qin accompanied his mother on a trip to Mount Zhongnan on purpose. The old lady wanted to live here when she saw the stone workshop that Duke Xiang of Qin built for Lao Tzu Academy.In fact, Duke Xiao had exactly this intention, so he moved almost all the servants and things from the empress dowager's bedroom, and let the old empress spend her twilight years in this rural academy.The old queen chose a small spare courtyard by the Shangshan Pool, and lived here leisurely.After recovering, Yingyu is planning to go to Xiaoshan to meet Baixue in person, and then go to Zhongnanshan to accompany her mother when she returns.At this moment, he received a secret note from Qin Xiaogong's uncle Heibo, reversed the order of the two events, and went to Zhongnan Mountain first to accompany his mother. When Qin Xiaogong and Ying Si arrived, Yingyu was playing Qin Zheng for the old queen.This zither is similar to the qin, but bigger and rougher than the qin. It is an original musical instrument created by the Qin people, and the world calls it "Qin Zheng".At that time, the Qin Zheng had only eight strings. Although it had two fewer strings than the later Qin Zheng, it still had a wider range than the Qin.Yingyu played "Qin Feng Jianjia", which is a love song that has been widely circulated in Qin for more than a hundred years. Yingyu sang while playing, and the old lady closed her eyes slightly and was deeply immersed in the remembrance of the past. middle. Qin Xiaogong stopped and listened intently. He felt that there was a hint of melancholy and stagnation in the deep and distant zither sound, which made this beautiful love song a bit sad, and he couldn't help thinking.As soon as the sound of the zither fell, Qin Xiaogong clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Okay, you played well and sang well." Ying Si hurriedly stepped forward to salute the old queen and aunt.The old queen was so happy that she took her grandson to gossip.Yingyu ordered the maid to serve tea, and personally helped her eldest brother to sit on the stone pier covered with cotton mats. It was noon, the valley was sunny and there was no wind, and the small courtyard was so warm that there was no sense of winter bleakness.Yingyu ordered the meal to be served, and a piece of wild game and wild vegetables and two jars of sake were immediately placed on the Dashi table.The three generations of Ying Qin's direct lineage had their first meal together in this simple and quiet loess courtyard in more than 20 years.The old lady was in good spirits, and repeatedly asked her son and grandson to drink more bowls of sake.Qin Xiaogong drank a bowl, and sweat broke out on his forehead, so he stopped drinking.Seeing that Duke Xiao stopped drinking, Yingyu and Yingsi also stopped to taste the crispy stewed hare and wild goat. Duke Xiao asked with a smile, "Queen Mother, do you want to move back to Xianyang?" The old queen shook her head again and again, "No, no, it's good here. Xianyang, it's space." "However, how can I rest assured that my mother lives here alone?" "Quliang," the old queen sighed, "mother is fine, the mountains and rivers are beautiful, and I am very comfortable. But mother is worried about you. Qin is powerful, and you are tired. If mother says, you might as well put state affairs Teach Yang and Si'er, live here with Xuan Qi, and your body will recover slowly." "Okay. As soon as next spring is over, Xuan Qi and I will move in." Qin Xiaogong readily agreed, then turned around and said, "Si'er, do you want to spend a few days with grandma?" Ying Si was surprised, didn't the father-in-law let him and Shang Yang be regents, why did he mean to let him stay in Zhongnan Mountain?Confused for a while, he pondered: "But it's up to my father-in-law to arrange." Qin Xiaogong said: "Three to five days, grandma will let you learn a lot." Ying Si took the order, and the old queen was so happy that she smiled. After the meal, the queen mother ordered Ying Si to accompany her around the courtyard, saying that there were several places she hadn't been to yet.Only Xiaogong and Yingyu brothers and sisters remained in the courtyard.Qin Xiaogong said: "Little sister, follow me into the mountain." Yingyu didn't ask any more questions, got on her horse, and galloped into the depths of Zhongnan Mountain with Qin Xiaogong.When the two returned, it was already sunset.After a simple dinner, Qin Xiaogong and Yingyu bid farewell to the queen mother, boarded the car and returned to Xianyang.