Jinting Han people

Chapter 136: In front of the teacher's spirit tablet (4k)

This is the first time that the new mayor of Xiayang, Liu Xian, has traveled far away.

It's a shame to say that although Liu Xian is already nineteen years old, the farthest he's ever been in those not-so-short years is probably Yanshi, sixty miles east of Luoyang. They say reading ten thousand books is like traveling ten thousand miles, but Liu Xian, despite his extensive reading, has always been stuck in Luoyang. He's heard of many distant places and wonders, but he's never seen them in person. Without seeing them, his imagination is inevitably biased, preventing him from truly experiencing nature.

Therefore, when Liu Xian left Luoyang and headed west along the Gu River and entered Hangu Pass, he was shocked by what he saw and heard along the way.

When he first arrived in Hongnong, the peaks of the Qinling Mountains towered, undulating across the horizon like giants standing hand in hand. The road beneath his feet climbed steadily, revealing cliffs and craggy rocks everywhere. Some were as sharp as blades, some as rugged and powerful as fists, and some as resolute and firm as human faces. All of this was a refreshing sight for Liu Xian.

When he passed through Hongnong and arrived at Tongguan, he looked back from Linzhi Plain at the road he had come from. The towering mountains he had once traveled on were now like waves drifting away. The narrow path that people had trudged so hard on now looked more like a thin thread that could dissipate with the wind. The people passing by were like spiders, relying on this thread to crisscross the sky and earth, avoiding losing their way.

Liu Xian turned again to see the road he was about to take. The Qinling Mountains still stretched majestically westward, but the view before him suddenly opened up. The Zhongtiao Mountains to the north had ended, and he could see the vast, 800-li Qinchuan Plain. Across from Tongguan was Fengling Ferry, where the Yellow River, flowing majestically from the north, met the Wei River, forming a spectacular and rare right angle, splashing countless waters before turning and rolling eastward.

"The mountains and rivers inside and outside are really worthy of their reputation!" Xi An couldn't help but sigh when he saw the beautiful scenery.

"Looking at the mountains and rivers from here, people seem so insignificant!" Zhang Gu also said.

"What a drop in the ocean!" Liu Xian said to his two friends with great emotion, "But such a small person can also carve out a path in this world, standing on the top of this high mountain, watching the white clouds roll in and out, and the river roaring."

"For thousands of years, people have traveled back and forth along this ancient Qinling Trail, enduring displacement, natural disasters, and man-made calamities, yet they have always persevered and persevered."

"Great! Magnificent! May God bless our land and our people, and may they live forever!"

Then they continued to head west. Before arriving at Xiayang County, Liu Xian had to go to Chang'an first to meet with the General of the Western Expedition who was stationed there, that is, King of Liang Sima Rong.

Traveling west along the Wei River, the Guanzhong Plain in autumn is truly more magnificent than one might imagine. With the quietly flowing Wei River as the dividing line, autumn burns like a flame across the Qinling Mountains on the left, painting forest after forest a rosy crimson. On the plain to the right, autumn unfolds as a flat, harvested field. The earth, withered grass, millet ears, yellow flowers, and sunlight all combine to create a golden spectacle.

Liu Xian didn’t know if it was his illusion, but after entering the Guanzhong Plain, he always felt that the clouds in the sky were closer to him, and the rivers and sky were bluer.

Perhaps it was because he'd left Luoyang! Although it was Liu Xian's hometown, honestly, it was probably the most depressing city in the entire world, the atmosphere oppressive, as if a rainstorm were imminent at any moment. Though he felt a certain sadness about leaving his homeland, Liu Xian also felt a sense of freedom and joy, like a bird out of its cage. After all, traveling across the mountains and rivers of Kyushu had been a childhood dream of his, and even though he was currently on this journey due to exile, that feeling of emotion wouldn't fade.

Crossing the Weishui Bridge and arriving in Chang'an, this centuries-old capital of the Han Dynasty, he was even more deeply moved. While this city lacked the prosperity of Luoyang, it possessed a distinctly robust and powerful aura. More accurately, it lacked the refined elegance of Luoyang, but its simplicity was brimming with vitality.

That same day he went to pay a visit to Sima Rong, Prince of Liang. This was actually his first time meeting the prince who had saved his life. Before being released from prison, the prince had already left Luoyang and arrived in Chang'an about seven days earlier than Liu Xian.

When Liu Xian went to the General of the Western Expedition's residence to pay a visit, King Liang was playing with a parrot in his study, which was the one given by Zu Ti.

Liu Xian said, "Xiayang Mayor Liu Xian pays his respects to His Royal Highness Prince Liang."

Before Sima Rong could reply, the parrot started to cry out, "Long live His Highness! May you have many children and be blessed with many children!"

This made Sima Rong very embarrassed. Fortunately, Liu Xian kept his composure, so Sima Rong pretended nothing had happened. He took a piece of white cloth to cover the birdcage and said casually, "Are you Liu Xian?"

"Indeed, I am deeply ashamed for not being able to thank Your Highness for saving my life."

"Well, accepting twenty thousand gold from you isn't much of a lifesaver. If you don't mind my high price, I'll be fine with it." Sima Rong sat down on the wooden couch in a very casual manner, patted the table and said with a smile, "Thanks to you, I can also renovate my mansion in Luoyang this year and build two pavilions in the courtyard."

"Why didn't His Highness build it in Chang'an?"

"Hahaha, I think you're asking even though you already know the answer. Can the Queen let me stay here for a year? Impossible. She's afraid of me. Half a year will be enough. By then, someone will definitely replace me. It's either the King of Zhao or the King of Hejian. Then, it will be time for you to suffer."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xian couldn't help but laugh a little and said, "Your Highness is truly an open-minded person."

Sima Rong took a sip of tea and sighed, "In my position, if I'm not open and honest, I won't live long."

He then asked, "Do you know what kind of place Xiayang is?"

Liu Xian replied, "In ancient times, Shaoliang was a place that Qin and Jin had to fight for."

He paused for a moment and then added, "But I'm afraid the situation is very bad when the court has exiled me to that place."

"It's very bad. In recent years, there have been droughts and horse bandits. A county town that once had 10,000 households in the Han Dynasty is said to have fewer than 1,000 households now. People's livelihood is in dire straits."

"I won't be here for long anyway, and I don't expect you to do anything. But after I leave, I can only say that you'll be on your own about what happens to you."

Liu Xian had already prepared himself mentally for this. If he couldn't even overcome this little obstacle, how could he possibly realize his dream? So he just smiled and pretended nothing had happened.

The conversation was over, and Liu Xian was about to get up and say goodbye when he was suddenly stopped by the King of Liang and asked, "I heard that you are Ruan Xian's disciple, right?"

"Yes, I studied with Young Ruan Gong in Ruanzhuang for five years. Five years ago, he came to Guanzhong to take up the post of Governor of Shiping, and we haven't seen each other since."

"Five years! Time flies!" Sima Rong sighed and said to Liu Xian, "I'll do you a favor. Before you go to Xiayang to take up your post, you can go to Shiping again."

"what?"

"I received news yesterday that Ruan Xian is critically ill and may not survive for more than a few days. If you rush over now, perhaps you can see him one last time."

Liu Xian was stunned at first, then horrified. He forgot even to say goodbye and rushed out in a panic. Xi An and Zhang Gu were waiting outside the mansion. Seeing Liu Xian's sullen face, they hurriedly mounted their horses and rushed out of the city without a word. Only after Liu Xian had ridden over a hundred paces did they realize what was happening and almost caught up with him.

Liu Xian was truly panicked. In this world, there were many people he loved and cared about, but few truly earned his respect and inspired his soul. For nineteen years, Zhang Ximiao had instilled in him hope and love, and Chen Shou had nurtured his love of reading and his heroic dreams. But it was Little Ruan Gong who had shaped him most: a man free from thoughts and intentions, facing his true self, a man of tranquility and indifference, a man who let go of his attachments.

Although many of these concepts contradicted Liu Xian's life creed, he still admired Xiao Ruan Gong's carefree nature and couldn't help but try to emulate him. Many times, when Liu Xian felt his thoughts had reached a dead end, he would apply Xiao Ruan Gong's teachings about "the use of uselessness" and find his way back to a bright future.

So in Liu Xian's mind, the life of a person with a free-spirited mind like Xiao Ruan Gong will never end, because his thoughts are like the wind and will not be affected by anything.

But everyone will die, and this iron law repeatedly makes people feel despair. Why do people die? Why can't life last forever? Why can't time always be filled with joy?

Liu Xian no longer thought about these things. As he galloped down the official road, he simply felt the need to see his teacher one last time. Little Ruan Gong had long been like a father figure to him, and even the passage of time would not change that feeling.

The seat of Shiping Commandery was in Huaili, not far from Chang'an, only about ninety li away. Liu Xian's mount, Fanyu Ma, was a carefully bred steed capable of swiftly advancing at a gallop. Unrestrained, he set out at 5 p.m. and arrived at 6 p.m. in the evening.

It was dusk at this time, but as soon as Liu Xian arrived at the foot of the city, his heart skipped a beat because he saw white flags all over the city.

He dismounted, crossed the market outside the city, and walked to the city gate. He asked the guards, "Who died in the city?"

The city guard replied, "Who else could it be? Our Ruan envoy suffered a relapse of his illness and died this morning."

After hearing these words, Liu Xian felt his vision go dark, his hands and feet became numb and weak, and he was still a step too late!
He stood there for a while, and just then Xi and Zhang arrived on horseback. Liu Xian said again, "Please show me the way. I want to burn incense for young Ruan Gong."

"Are you an acquaintance of Envoy Ruan?"

"I am the unworthy disciple of Little Ruan Gong."

As he said this, Liu Xian's heart was filled with sadness. Walking on the way into the city, scenes of himself studying under little Ruan Gong in his childhood immediately emerged in his mind.

When we first met, I sat waiting in front of Ruanzhuang. I hadn't seen Little Ruan Gong in person, but I had heard his voice first. After that memorable long howl, Little Ruan Gong finally met me. He didn't despise his background, nor did he care about his influence among the literati. Instead, he laughed from the beginning. His laughter was like a clear stream crashing against rocks, which made people feel refreshed.

Later, feeling discontent with my idleness, I contradicted Little Ruan Gong. Looking back now, my words were truly rude, but Little Ruan Gong sneered, disapproving of my favor and continuing to teach me swordsmanship, horsemanship, music, and elegant conversation. Those were truly joyful times, and even after all this time, I still remember them vividly.

Liu Xian was most grateful for the fact that around the time of his mother's death, he was deeply depressed and even considered rejecting the marriage. It was Little Ruan Gong who took on the burden and arranged all the arrangements for his engagement. It could be said that without Little Ruan Gong, he wouldn't have found his marriage, and he wouldn't be who he is today. He wouldn't have received the support of Ji Shao, Shan Jian, and others.

It could be said that Little Ruan Gong was the greatest benefactor he had ever met in his life. He asked nothing in return, yet he silently gave to him. But could he just accept this with a clear conscience? As a disciple, not only did he not even serve him medicine once, but he also didn't even see him for the last time before his death. This was truly unfilial.

Thinking of this, Liu Xian was extremely sad, and his heart felt as if it was being cut by a knife.

Meanwhile, on the other side, upon hearing that Liu Xian had arrived, the Ruan Xian family in the prefecture government were startled and rushed out to greet him. When Liu Xian arrived, he saw dozens of men, women, and children, dressed in mourning, standing on either side of the central gate. Young Ruan Gong's wife, Zhao, stood in the center. Upon seeing her, Liu Xian knelt before her, saying in shame, "Teacher's wife, I'm late..."

Before he could finish his words, tears were already streaming down his face. Ruan Xuan, Ruan Zhan and other Ruan clan members were also there, weeping loudly. After greeting them one by one, Liu Xian went to the coffin to take one last look at little Ruan Gong.

But the moment he saw little Ruan Gong, Liu Xian was stunned.

In the coffin, little Ruan Gong looked just as he had when they parted five years ago. His face was thin but ruddy, his eyes closed but gentle, and a faint smile lingered on his lips, as if he were dreaming. Time and illness seemed to have left few marks on him. Instead, he looked as if he would wake up at any moment and say to Liu Xian with a smile, "Hey, Huai Chong, you've come to see me!"

Although Mr. Ruan has passed away, he did not cause him any pain at all, is that right?
Thinking of this, Liu Xian suddenly felt that his earlier sorrow had been unnecessary. His teacher was such an open-minded person, so why should he be so fixated on the decay of the flesh? Little Ruan Gong was a Taoist practitioner. Zhuangzi sang at the death of his wife. Did he feel the same way when he died?
As he was thinking this, his teacher's wife, Zhao, came over, wiping away her tears as she said to him, "Huai Chong, your teacher cared about you the most when he was alive."

"He said he had no regrets in his life. Even though the children weren't very promising, he still accepted you as his disciple. The only regret was that he couldn't see you become a successful person in the future."

"Before he died, he wrote a few words and asked me to send them to you. Now that you're here, I'll give them to you directly."

After that, Zhao handed Liu Xian a piece of silk cloth with sixteen short words written on it:

"Phoenix, Phoenix, you should think of soaring high. The past is gone, but the future can be pursued."

So that's it! The teacher truly had seen through life and death. He knew that as someone who had lived through the past, his days were numbered and he couldn't possibly accomplish much. Instead, he placed his hopes for the future on himself, the "coming one," and compared himself to a phoenix. The profound expectations he placed in these words couldn't be expressed in a few words.

Thinking of this, Liu Xian could not bear the excitement in his heart, and let out a long roar, like a huge wave rolling, drowning out the crying of all the relatives around him.

When people stopped crying and looked at Liu Xian in astonishment, his face had become firm and he drew the Zhaowu sword from his waist, revealing the snow-white blade.

Liu Xian said to Ruan Xuan beside him, "Do you still remember the 'Phoenix Perched on the Wu Tree' that our teacher taught us? Play it!"

"But..." Although Ruan Xuan couldn't say it, his expression was clear: Today is a funeral, how can we play music?

"If the teacher knew about this, he would definitely want to hear this piece of music. What is there to hesitate about?" Liu Xian handed him his bamboo flute and said, "You play, and I'll dance. I want to dance one last time for the teacher."

Ruan Xuan originally wanted to refuse, but seeing Liu Xian's unquestionable eyes, he hesitated, and inexplicably took the bamboo flute and put it to his lips.

Then the clear sound of the flute rang out in the mourning hall, Liu Xian danced along with it, and the sword light covered everyone's eyes like heavy snow.

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(End of this chapter)