Where the wind chimes sound, there is a god

Chapter 11 Returning in despair
The days passed slowly. Chen Beimo would get up early every morning and jog a few laps in the yard to stretch his body and muscles. Then after breakfast he would start making umbrellas for those who had paid deposits. These days he would personally deliver them to the customers.

We were all neighbors living in the nearby streets. There was nothing to be afraid of when going out during the day, except for those ghosts, mediums, and statues of gods.

In the blink of an eye, it was already the middle of the month. On March 15th, Chen Beimo crossed out all the names on the booklet, except for one. The guest was in a village outside the city, and he had ordered a red umbrella, which was mostly used for weddings. He could not leave the city, so he had to wait for the guest to come and pick it up.

It is rainy today. The farmers have just finished planting the seedlings. It has been drizzling since the Grain Rain season.

The early spring chill was no longer there. Chen Beimo was only wearing a white woven shirt and a dark green long gown. He had a green belt tied around his waist, leaving two long and short strips of cloth hanging below his waist. The dark green long hem moved with him as he walked, and the light white floral stars on the clothes were very beautiful.

He held up a paper umbrella with green mountains and clear waters in the background and walked out of Tingyu Pavilion.

Anyone who hasn't gone out for several days will feel lonely. Today happens to be a lake cruise and poetry gathering, which is a rare elegant event in Jincheng, so it would be nice to go and take a look.

Jincheng is close to the river. The water of Ying River flows outside the city. It is not only the moat but also the source of water for the people in the city. However, not everyone has a well. The wealthy families naturally dig wells at home, or buy spring water transported from the mountains every day. Ordinary people who do not have wells at home will get water from the small rivers and ditches that lead into the city.

The entire Jincheng is a plain, surrounded by mountains and rivers, and is a place that is easy to defend but difficult to attack. It is also the border between Wu and Western Jin. Therefore, there are garrisons inside and outside the city. Zhang Yunxing's father, Wu Xingbo, is one of the generals guarding this place.

As for details such as the number of garrison troops, ordinary people are not able to know them.

Chen Beimo walked slowly down Xishui Street. Outside the street was a small river with ten vertical and ten horizontal canals for city defense. The lake tour and poetry gathering would naturally be held on the lake. To the northeast of the Beifang government office there was a lake named Qi Lake, which was a large lake created by the nobles of Dongfang who built pavilions and terraces, and it was directly connected to Ying River outside the city.

On the road, you can often see all kinds of people holding umbrellas rushing to Qihu Lake. This is one of the few grand events that common people and nobles can enjoy together. Moreover, the emperor of the time attached great importance to the imperial examination, and the literary style became increasingly strong. From the lower class people to the princes and nobles, everyone valued scholars.

Only scholars can compete in poetry writing at the lake tour poetry meeting. If a good poem is circulated, it will bring good reputation. It is also possible to see the strength and level of other people who are taking the imperial examination, or to communicate more, or to seek fame and fortune. In short, various interests intertwined to create the lake tour poetry meeting.

It took Chen Beimo more than half an hour to reach Qi Lake after walking. The road was slippery and difficult to walk on due to the rain. The waterways, ditches, and flowing water in the city were pleasing to the eye, but it was circuitous and winding to walk on.

When he arrived at Qi Lake, many people had already arrived. He saw hundreds of small boats of various shapes on the lake. Some were as big as buildings with stringed instruments playing on them, while others could only accommodate one person and had no canopy, so the passengers had to hold an umbrella or wear a straw raincoat.

Of course, there is no shortage of businessmen in such a place. Various snacks, jewelry and gadgets are displayed on the roadside stalls. A large umbrella can be used as a stall, attracting tourists.

As soon as Chen Beimo arrived at the lake, a quick-eyed boatman came up to him and asked, "Sir, do you want to take a ferry? Or do you want to take a boat to cruise the lake?"

There is a small island in the middle of the lake, which only scholars can go to. Others can only observe from the lake by boat.

Chen Beimo looked at the small pavilion on the island in the distance and said, "I want to take a boat to watch the meeting. I want to rent a black boat."

"Sure, sure." The boatman smiled and said, "It only costs 200 coins to rent a Wupeng boat for half a day, and the deposit is 300 coins."

Obviously, this price was much more expensive than renting a boat for a cruise on the lake on normal days, but Chen Beimo still took out half a dollar from his sleeve, counted it briefly, and handed it to him.

The boatman took the money with a smile and counted it carefully before saying, "Young Master is straightforward! But you are so delicate and weak, can't you row a boat when you are sailing alone?
Do you still need a rough man like me to teach you a lesson?"

Chen Beimo shook his head. "That's not necessary. I've rowed a boat before. Lead me over there."

"Okay, okay!" The boatman led him onto a black boat, explained the precautions, and told him to row the boat back after the meeting and then return the deposit.

After getting on the boat, Chen Beimo put away his umbrella, put on a straw raincoat under the tent, went to the stern and started rowing the boat himself.

Two hundred coins for half a day's work was not cheap, and he had to paddle the boat himself, which was tiring and uncomfortable. But he still came. Watching the poetry meeting was only one of his reasons. More importantly, he wanted to feel the water of heaven and earth.

Yesterday evening, Chen Beimo had already cultivated the ninth strand of Yin water. Now he had to take the next step. He needed to use the Yang water from the mountains, rivers and lakes to lead the body to the Yin. Shaoyin would sink below, Shaoyang would rise to the palace, conceiving the Youshui, adjusting Li to transform Kan, and helping each other in the body.

However, this step was extremely mysterious, and his master Wang Xian was over fifty years old before he achieved some success.

At present, there is no obvious magic in practicing the Tianhe Yuling Kanshui Sutra. Chen Beimo estimates that as long as he can achieve the harmony of Yin and Yang and adjust Li to transform Kan, he should be able to get a glimpse of some wonders.

The lake was rippling with waves and the rain was drizzling. Small boats of various sizes were seen surrounding the island, mainly in the south of the island in the center of the lake, which was the gathering place for many talented people.

There are beautiful ladies standing on the boatyard. If she likes a scholar, she can send someone to inform her family. If the scholar is unmarried and interested, he will be led on board and maybe a marriage will be arranged.

Since this poetry gathering on the lake has such a reputation, it must have an organizer who cannot be underestimated, the Jincheng Sun family.

The largest family in Jincheng, the hometown of Sun Ren, the governor of Guangbei Province. It was shocking that a high-ranking official of the second rank came from this not-so-famous small town.

Even though Governor Sun did not "take care" of the Sun family, the Sun family still became the largest family in Jincheng. Therefore, all the scholars in Jincheng yearned to be valued by the Sun family and climb up the ladder.

Chen Beimo rowed slowly to Hubei, where there were few small boats because the poetry gathering was held in the south. The east bank was a small lake in the gardens of wealthy nobles and no one dared to go there, while the west bank was bustling with people joining the society.

Only the north bank was shrouded in mist and rain, with three or five small boats floating on the lake and the faint sound of noisy crowds coming from it.

Chen Beimo sat helplessly on the bow wearing a straw raincoat. He originally wanted to come and see a poetry gathering on the lake, but the South Bank was so small that there were hundreds of boats piled together and it was impossible to squeeze in. What was the point of seeing that?
The rain gradually got heavier, and the sound of stringed instruments and orchestras could be heard in the south. The beautiful sounds made it seem like the singing and dancing had begun.

This stage is the best time to advertise. Don't underestimate the wisdom of the ancients. Their business acumen is no weaker than that of modern people. The purpose of Xu Zhi's rice shop sponsoring Na Qiao'er was to advertise and promote the reputation of their rice shop.

But Xu Zhi's father didn't expect that not only would he have to pay the money, but he would also lose his own son.

Chen Beimo shook his head, took off his straw raincoat, sat cross-legged at the bow in a dark blue robe, calmed his mind, focused his Qi on his Dantian, and looked at Tianhu Lake. The clear water of the lake was rippling with light rain, and he felt the vastness of the water of heaven and earth.

The sounds of stringed instruments, singing and dancing coming from afar always disturbed him and always upset his mood. He opened his eyes helplessly, stood in the drizzle without saying a word, only his mind focused on the lake. The yin and yang between the lake and the mountains moved, the mountains and water were divided into yin and yang, and the water in the lake was clear and turbid.

There was rain falling from the sky above and rippling in the lake below. The three elements combined together, and Chen Beimo was a little confused by this feeling. He only felt that the water in the well emerged in his mind but could not connect with the lake water.

As a result, yin and yang are difficult to combine and are defeated by the mind.

Chen Beimo's mind was in a mess. This method of adjusting yin and yang to seek the truth was too mysterious. No wonder the heads of the Wang family for hundreds of generations stayed at the first level in their lives. It seemed that it was not a good decision to go boating and seek enlightenment today. He could only go back to the boat to avoid the rain. His clothes were soaked. If he didn't avoid the wind, he was afraid that the moisture would enter his body and cause cold and illness.

He was just thinking about cultivation when he suddenly heard someone outside the boat saying with a smile, "The lake is beautiful with a light boat and short paddles, the green water is winding, the grass is long and the embankment is covered with faint music and singing everywhere.

The windless water is as clear as glass. The boat moves without being noticed, but the slightest ripples startle sand birds that fly over the shore.

Chen Beimo leaned out of curiosity and saw two scholars sitting on a black boat, drinking and reciting poems, elegant and carefree.

The scholar had an ordinary appearance, but his temperament was outstanding. When he saw him leaning over to look at him, he was not reserved, but just bowed and saluted him with a smile.

Chen Beimo asked curiously, "Brother, with your poetic talent, why don't you go to the island in the middle of the lake to show off your talent?"

"Hahaha, little brother, I see that you are also a man of great character. Why don't you go to that island?" the scholar who was reciting poetry asked with a smile.

"I am not a scholar, so I am not qualified to go up." Chen Beimo replied honestly.

"I am not interested in fame or money, nor do I want to be on top!" The poet smiled and replied, "My real name is Yun Zhongyou, and I am lucky to meet you today."

"My name is Liu Shangfan, nice to meet you, little brother." Another scholar who had never spoken also said with a smile.

"My name is Chen Beimo, nice to meet you two brothers." He also imitated the way he bowed and responded.

"The poetry gathering on the lake is such a grand event that it allows the three of us to meet in a secluded place. Meeting in life is predestined, so would you like to have a drink with us on the boat?" Yun Zhongyou asked with a smile, holding up a pot of wine.

"That's not good. I haven't drunk any alcohol yet. If I get drunk and fall asleep, I'll sink to the bottom of the lake if I turn over." Chen Beimo waved his hand to refuse.

"Hahaha, little brother, you're so funny.

How can a man not drink?" Liu Shangfan said with a smile: "A cup of Xinfeng wine costs ten thousand, and the Nanyang knight has been around for many years.

Meeting the spirit of the king is the king's drink, which is the side of the weeping willow of the horse tall building.

Wine is a good thing. You will regret it if you don't try it, little brother." He raised the wine pot and drank from it. His red cheeks showed that the two of them had indeed drunk too much.

Chen Beimo smiled and declined, saying goodbye and rowing away. He didn't want to hang out with a drunkard, because if anything went wrong, it would all be his fault.

He came with great excitement but left disappointed. He didn't see the poetry reading and didn't gain anything from viewing the lake. With an unhappy look on his face, he took back his deposit, returned the boat, and went home holding an umbrella.

When I walked to Xishui Street, I looked up and saw the words "Jiufang" hanging on a shop. I couldn't help but be moved and walked in.

When he came out again, the waiter saw him off with a smile on his face, while Chen Beimo went back holding a jar of wine with black writing on red paper.

Come to think of it, he should try this ancient wine. He bought aged apricot blossom wine, which tasted slightly sweet, refreshing and fragrant, and could be considered a low-alcohol wine.

This jar weighs about four catties, which is one dou, and the price is not cheap, a full two hundred and eighty coins! In ancient times, in order to reduce the use of more grain to make wine, the only way was to increase the price of wine.

Didn't the poets of the past say: The price of wine on the street is always bitterly high, and the drinkers outside the temple rarely get drunk and sleep. Come and drink a bucket of wine quickly, there are exactly three hundred bronze coins.

This is just the cheap wine that poor poet Du Fu drank. People like Li Bai and Wang Wei drank good wine. "Ten thousand for a cup of wine from a golden cup" is not an adjective, but a concrete representation of the price of good wine.

Of course, Chen Beimo didn’t buy the wine because he suddenly got drunk, but he thought about it carefully and really felt that he should give it a try.

The water in the well is of yin nature and needs yang to balance it, while wine is naturally yang water, which transforms into yin when entering the body and moisturizes the qi and blood.

Chen Beimo decided to leave the city tomorrow, take a pot of wine, go to the bank of Ying River, and try the water of Huayang again.

Anyway, we have to try it. It's worth it even if we have to risk leaving the city. And after what happened a while ago, Mr. Qi seems to have calmed down a lot.

He went up to the attic and took off his wet clothes, feeling as if someone was staring at him.

So, he turned around suddenly and saw Beichen Jun in the corner, frowned and said: "What are you looking at, you long-worm? Go to the backyard to find your male... find your companions."

Halfway through my sentence I realized I didn't know whether it was male or female, so I changed my statement.

Beichen Jun had no choice but to move himself into the corner and then climbed down the stairs in shame.

After changing his clothes, he went downstairs to boil a pot of hot water and poured it into the wooden barrel in the west wing. Since his senior brother was not at home, his room became a bathhouse, just as it seemed to have been a bathhouse when he was here.

The boiling hot water mixed with the clean water from the well was poured into the bathtub. He took off his clothes and walked into the tub to soak his body in the hot water. The hot mist made his eyes a little blurry. He did not notice that the door was quietly opened and Beichen Jun slipped in quietly.

Chen Beimo's whole body became limp due to being soaked in the warm water vapor in the wooden barrel, and soon he began to feel sleepy. Until he felt a heaviness on his shoulders, and a shiny black python was circling around his body.

Beichen Jun coiled up in the wooden barrel, his body gradually became smaller, and then he turned into a small snake and revolved around the barrel. For a moment, a stream of yin and yang energy gathered together, and Chen Beimo felt that the yin water in his body was also attracted by this and gathered little by little, and more than a dozen wisps of yin water vapor gathered into a ball.

Yin absorbs darkness, Yang produces bright light, and a emerald green mountain suddenly appears in Chen Beimo's mind. At the foot of the mountain there is a rushing river, and under the waterfall it seems like thunder, and Yang energy is generated.

For some reason, Chen Beimo felt that the Ying River rushing eastward outside the city was calling him from afar. The Xuanwu constellation in the north of the gloomy sky also flashed dimly and few people noticed it.

Half an hour later, the water vapor in the wooden barrel dissipated and the barrel became cold. Chen Beimo was awakened by the cold touch of Beichen Jun's ear. When he opened his eyes, he felt refreshed as if he had lost ten pounds.

When I looked into the bucket again, the water was black, like stagnant water!
(End of this chapter)