Li Zhi, don't be a coward

Late at night, a few lanterns were hung in the yard outside the Li family ancestral hall, and there were dots of yellow in the dark surroundings.

Zi Nu knelt alone in the yard, facing the memorial tablet of the Li family ancestors in the ancestral hall.

After traveling through mountains and rivers, Zi Nu was very tired, but he still kept his spirits up and knelt upright.

Outside the towering wall, there were several bangs, and it was already three o'clock in the morning. Zi Nu couldn't bear it any longer. He knelt on the futon and drooped his head, dozing off every now and then.

A figure walked into the yard quietly, looking at Zi Nu dozing off, the figure watched from a distance, with a smile on the corner of his mouth.

As if he had a tacit understanding, Zi Nu suddenly woke up for some reason, couldn't help but turn around, and then showed a surprised expression.

"Husband!" Zi Nu called softly.

Li Qinzai approached, holding a lacquer food box in his hand.

Zi Nu couldn't help but get up and flew into his arms like a swallow in the forest. She hugged him tightly and refused to let go. She breathed in the scent of his arms with her strong nose. Everything was still as familiar as before.

The two hugged each other quietly for a while. Zi Nu's eyes became redder and redder, and then she shed more and more tears.

Li Qinzai patted her back gently and said softly: "It's bitterly cold outside the Great Wall, exposed to wind and sun. Have you had a hard time these past few years?"

When Zi Nu heard this, he burst into tears and cried so hard that he was out of breath.

Li Qinzai kept patting her back to comfort her, and Zi Nu's cries echoed in the ancestral hall late at night.

"Husband... Husband, in Qinghai Lake, in my tribe, the tribesmen will only kneel down and call me 'Khan'. They will only ask the Khan to deal with the big and small matters of the tribe. When encountering bullying from foreign tribes, they will only ask the Khan to send troops... "

"In the past few years, no one has ever asked me if I am having a hard time..."

The more Zi Nu talked, the more miserable she became, and her crying became louder and louder. At this moment, she was not a khan, but a child who had found a home.

Li Qinzai sighed. He had always known that he and Zi Nu were not like a normal couple.

Both he and she bear their own responsibilities, which cannot be relieved. Many things in the world are actually more important than the relationship between men and women.

After soothing her for a long time, Zi Nu finally calmed down and sobbed every now and then.

Li Qinzai opened the food box he brought, took out the hot food from it, and said with a smile: "Eat something when you are tired of crying. Madam punishes you to kneel in the ancestral hall because of the rules of the family."

"She assumes the identity of the royal wife, and even I am afraid of her. So after eating, you should continue to kneel honestly. Don't expect me to plead for you."

Zi Nu hummed and said, "I don't blame her, I did something wrong..."

As he spoke, Zino ate the food in silence. The familiar delicacies of the Li family lingered on his tongue, and Zino ate faster and faster.

Li Qinzai looked at her with a smile. She was indeed a child of the prairie. She still looked so heroic when eating, without any hint of pretentiousness.

"When I return to Chang'an this time, do I want to go back to Qinghai Lake?" Li Qinzai asked.

Zi Nu held the chopsticks for a moment, was silent for a while, and whispered: "Yes, I will accompany you for a few months after returning to Chang'an. After all, I have to go back. There are my tribesmen and generals there. If I am not here, the tribe will be bullied." .”

Li Qinzai sighed sadly and said: "If you encounter a strong enemy, you can seek help from Liangzhou City or Anxi Protector's Mansion nearby. You are the khan appointed by the emperor of the Tang Dynasty and also my wife. If necessary, you can raise your banner and send troops to various places." Officials and guards will all send troops to help you."

Zi Nu nodded in agreement, suddenly looked up at him, and said with a sweet smile: "Husband, I am going to have to work hard during my stay in Chang'an..."

Li Qinzai's eyelids twitched: "What do you mean?"

Zi Nu's pretty face turned red, and she said coyly: "I want to give birth to a child for you. When he grows up, he will be the little khan of our tribe. Husband, please don't underestimate my tribe. Now I have elite cavalry Ma San under my command." With more than a thousand herders and tens of thousands of herders, it is the most powerful tribe within hundreds of miles of Qinghai Lake."

"In a few years, maybe the tribe will become stronger and stronger, so I must decide on the Khan's successor in advance, otherwise there may be civil strife."

Li Qinzai was surprised: "In just a few years, your tribe has developed to such an extent?"

Zi Nu smiled and said: "I am a khan appointed by the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, and I am also the concubine of the Liaodong County Duke. With these names, all the city guards and other tribal leaders around Qinghai Lake respect me. Three points of respect. Over the past few years, we have grown stronger without even realizing it.”

Li Qinzai lowered his face, tugged at her bun, and said, "Be prepared for danger in times of peace. The prouder you are, the more you must act calmly. You must not be careless, otherwise there will be disaster."

"I know, I have been a khan for these few years, so I am not bad at all," Zi Nu's tone suddenly became serious, and he whispered: "Husband, I will always protect our tribe. It is not only It’s my concubine’s and yours too.”

"I heard that 'accompanying you is like accompanying a tiger'. My husband is now very prosperous, but there is no guarantee whether it will be a disaster or a blessing in the future. If your husband is jealous of the emperor, remember that Qinghuhai is the last escape route for your husband and his family, wife and children. I swear to death Protect this escape route for your husband."

Li Qinzai understood what she meant, and he also knew that only his mother-in-law would say these words to him from the bottom of her heart. Although it was a bit taboo, she was truly sincere.

Without responding to her words, Li Qinzai just silently hugged her tightly, very hard.

"Zi Nu, dance a flying song for me tomorrow. After a few years, I always remember your dance in my dreams." Li Qinzai said softly.

Zi Nu was held in his arms, closed his eyes happily, and nodded vigorously.

…………

Time flies, the years are like a shuttle.

Two years passed unknowingly. During these two years, a lot of things happened in the Chang'an court.

After sailing for more than half a year, the two naval fleets indeed discovered the New World according to the map drawn by Li Qinzai. The navy under Sun Renshi headed eastward and reached Guam in later generations.

The discovery of Guam was a major event in the navigation history of the Tang Dynasty, which can be recorded in the annals of history.

Its greatest significance is that it proves that the map drawn by Li Qinzai is indeed true and very accurate.

Because Guam was clearly listed on Li Qinzai's map, Sun Renshi's naval officers were greatly excited. Because of this discovery, the soldiers were confident, so they continued to set sail and carefully explored for more than a month. In July of the fifth year of Linde, The navy under Sun Renshi finally discovered the New World, which would later become North America.

This great discovery made the soldiers cheer for joy, and Master Sun Ren excitedly ordered to land ashore.

The history of the world changed as a result, and the mysterious and distant Eastern Empire officially opened a chapter on the world map.

The navy landed, the entire army was equipped with firearms, and a conquest and killing began immediately.

Yes, in the face of the law of the jungle of mankind, the so-called Confucian benevolence, justice, tolerance, and harmony can only be temporarily put aside.

Destroy first and then establish; chaos first and then cure.

Killing after killing, the Tang navy stepped on the corpses and blood of the indigenous people of the New World and broke into the heart of the continent step by step.

The merchant ships of the major noble families that followed were like hyenas that smelled blood. They revealed their greedy nature and plundered crazily in the New World. The continent's products, grains, and various minerals were snatched away by the merchant caravans of the noble families and carried on board. Boat.

At the same time, Cheng Boxian's southern fleet also followed Li Qinzai's map and explored while sailing. Half a year later, Cheng Boxian's troops discovered Australia.

The next step was to repeat Sun Renshi's actions. The navy landed, conquered, and killed, and the merchant ships of the noble families swarmed up, plundered, and seized.

The imperial navy was busy conquering the local indigenous people, while the merchant ships of the famous families loaded the products and grains of the New World and Australia onto the ships and transported them back to the Tang Dynasty non-stop.

When the merchant ship returned to the coastal port of Datang, exactly one year had passed since the navy set sail.

Li Qinzai's map was of great help and saved the two navies from making many mistakes.

This day should have come earlier in Chinese history.

In China's thousands of years of history, there has never been a shortage of emperors and generals with great talents and strategies.

Thousands of years later, descendants said that what Qin Emperor and Han Dynasty lacked was just a map of the world. This sentence does make sense.

With the appearance of Li Qinzai, Li Zhi had a world map.My horizons were instantly opened. It turns out that the world is so big, and it turns out that this is the sea of ​​stars.

So I come, I see, I conquer.

The merchant ships of noble families returned with full loads, bringing with them the products and grains of the New World.

The significance of these products and grains is more precious and significant than gold and silver. They are a highlight in the entire history of China.

They brought potatoes, corns with extremely high yields, and peppers that Li Qinzai cherished.

The famous merchant ship even brought an unexpected surprise to Li Qinzai.

They even brought tobacco, a specialty of South America.

The imperial navy is still killing and conquering endlessly in the New World.

At the same time, in early November of the fifth year of Linde's reign, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty issued an edict to promote Li Qinzai of Jin Dynasty to the title of Duke of Liao Dynasty.There was no objection from the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty.

Because Li Qinzai deserves it.

With the discovery of the New World, civil and military officials knew very well how significant it was to the Tang Dynasty. New products and new grains came to the Tang Dynasty one after another, and the unparalleled achievements were greater than the expansion of territory.

It is the proper meaning to be given a title or title as a Duke.

At this point, the two princes of the Li family have truly deserved their reputation, their power and reputation have reached the pinnacle of human affairs, and the family has become a holy family unparalleled in ancient and modern times.

But just when Li Qinzai's power and reputation reached its peak, he made a decision that surprised the world.

He left Chang'an City with his wife and children and returned to Ganjing Village, where he had not seen for a long time. From then on, he lived in seclusion in the countryside and did not care about government affairs. Unless the emperor summoned him on important matters, Li Qinzai would not leave Zhuangzi easily.

…………

Originally a wanderer in the world, he refined his heart in the mortal world, entered the world and emerged from the world, and helped others, himself, and sentient beings. In the end, he returned to tranquility and detachment.

As spring goes and autumn comes, there is no sense of time in the mountains.

I don't know when a simple tent was set up by the Weihe River. It was bleak in late autumn, which was the time when the water dried up and the fish were fat.

Li Qinzai held an exquisite and expensive fishing rod in his hand and stared at the river with an expressionless face. It seemed like a harmonious and beautiful scene, but no one noticed that his eyes were full of anger.

Most of the day passed, and the fish basket around him was empty. The huge fish basket had its mouth wide open, as if it were mocking him silently.

There is also a lacquered wooden box beside him, with rows of exquisite little drawers inside, neatly filled with various types of fishing hooks, fishing lines, buoys, and fishing baits.

The so-called "poor students have too much stationery" is also true for Li Qinzai.

Such a complete set of fishing tools is suitable for all kinds of water conditions and all kinds of fish, but the weird thing is that it can't catch any fish, not even a single one.

All these years of wading in court, wallowing in the mortal world, and wandering about life and death on the battlefield, all the hard work gained in cultivating one's moral character and character were all in vain at this moment.

I don’t want to play any more!
After a long time, Li Qinzai stood up angrily, broke the fishing rod, and used the remaining half of the fishing rod to poke the water of the Weihe River hard, again and again.

"Come here, get some explosives, light them and throw them into the river to kill them!" Li Qinzai yelled.

I am a noble prince, and everyone in the world has to listen quietly when you fart. How dare you not take the bait? You are so shameless!

Feng Su and others standing behind him were stunned, and then looked at Cui Jie and Jin Xiang who were accompanying Li Qinzai fishing in bewilderment.

It was rare to have free time today, so the two ladies came to accompany their husbands to fish and relax, but they did not expect this result.

By the way, my husband’s fishing skills don’t seem to have improved at all over the years…

He has a good temper.

Cui Jie waved her hand backwards without leaving a trace, Cui Jie signaled Feng Sumo to take it seriously, then took Li Qinzai's arm and said with a sweet smile: "Husband, calm down, fishing is a hobby of self-cultivation, but my husband has created a killing intent. Qi, the fish in the river are also psychic, frightened by my husband's murderous aura, they dare not bite the hook."

Jin Xiang on the side also nodded and said: "Yes, both Kono Sanliang and Jin Dayan happen to be pregnant. Since your husband can't catch them, you should stop fishing. It can be considered as a way to accumulate merit for the unborn baby."

Li Qinzai didn't want to be superstitious, but when it came to his own child, he didn't dare to insist that he was a materialist warrior. If he really didn't believe in evil, what if the two women laid two eggs for him...

"Spare their lives today and fight again tomorrow!" Li Qinzai stared at the river fiercely and said.

He took out a piece of soft tissue paper from his arms, took out a handful of finely chopped tobacco, rolled the tobacco into the paper, licked the seal with his tongue, lit it casually, put it into his mouth and took a deep breath.

Beautiful drops.

The unexpected surprise brought by the New World is indeed a surprise. This thing is so enchanting.

Seeing Li Qinzai lighting up a cigarette, Cui Jie and Jin Xiang leaned back in disgust at the same time.

"My husband said that all the good things in the New World are good. I think your husband is right, except for this thing... Husband, what are the benefits of this smoky thing? My mouth is full of the smell of cigarette smoke, and I feel uncomfortable smelling it."

Jin Xiang also nodded in agreement.

Li Qinzai snorted: "What do women know? If this thing becomes popular, the tax collected by the court will be enough to support the entire army of a country."

Speaking of the army, Cui Jie looked anxious and whispered: "Husband, I heard that after next spring, the emperor plans to march westward to Tibet. Do you want to lead the army?"

Li Qinzai shook his head: "There is no suspense in this battle. Tubo will be destroyed. I don't need to lead troops. There are good generals in the court."

Cui Jie and Jin Xiang breathed a sigh of relief at the same time, and the two women looked at each other with relief.

Li Qinzai rubbed his face and sighed: "What I'm most worried about right now are those unsatisfactory students in the school..."

At the beginning of last year, Li Sujie was appointed by Li Zhi as the governor of Xiongjin Dudufu, in charge of the military and political affairs of the Haidong Peninsula. Assisted by Xue Rengui, there were [-] troops stationed on the peninsula.

Li Sujie was the first disciple of Li Qinzai to leave the school, but he only "walked out" and did not become a disciple.

As for Qibi Zhen, Shangguan Kuner and the like...

Li Qinzai gets a headache just talking about them.

I thought I would be a little more relaxed if I sent them away one by one, but several important officials in the court shamelessly sent away the children of their respective clans, including even the grandson of that old guy Liu Rengui.

Li Qinzai didn't want to agree, but this damn human world...

Therefore, Ganjingzhuang Pheasant School had to continue to open, and Li Qinzai had to continue to be his teacher.

Fortunately, he has helpers now. In terms of the level of all his disciples, only Princess Xuancheng has completely inherited his mantle. Now Xuancheng basically does all the teaching in the school.

The two princesses of Xuancheng and Yiyang are now in their early 20s. At the age when they should have gotten married, the two princesses refused to get married. Li Zhi tried to persuade them several times, but they forced each other to death.

It would be outrageous for royal princesses not to marry, but their status is special. Li Qinzai also implicitly told Li Zhi that the two princesses have inherited the mantle and are the most talented among his disciples. The future Tang Dynasty will need scientific talents. , don't stick to men and women.

Since the two princesses do not want to get married, it is better to let nature take its course and let them work hard on arithmetic and objects. They will succeed in their studies and apply what they have learned, which is of greater significance to the Tang Dynasty than marriage.

After Li Zhi thought about it, he finally listened to the advice, closed his eyes, and let the two of them do it.

In fact, Li Qinzai didn't want to persuade him, and he couldn't figure out why they just didn't want to get married, but the two women knelt in front of him and begged for mercy. After all, they were master and disciple, so Li Qinzai had no choice but to help him out.

But after begging for mercy, Li Qinzai always felt a chill on his back when he saw the eyes of the two women looking at him.

The look in his eyes was so weird, and coupled with his natural ability to attract princesses, so... I accidentally accepted two rebel disciples back then?

My friend, this is not a good deal!
Unconsciously, it was already dusk. Looking at the empty fish basket next to him, Li Qinzai felt heartbroken.

Great, another wasted day with nothing accomplished.

There were footsteps in the distance, and Qiao'er ran towards him, followed by five-year-old Hongbi. Hongbi strode hard on his short legs and ran behind Qiao'er as fast as he could.

"Dad, it's getting late, it's time to go home for dinner." Qiao'er called from a distance.

Li Qinzai responded with a smile.

Looking around, I saw that my wife and children were all around me, living a peaceful life together.

We will eventually grow old, and our children will eventually grow up.

Love, hate, infatuation, resentment, live openly and clearly, and live up to your life.

They held the hands of Cui Jie and Jin Xiang, one on the left and the other on the right, and gently kicked Hongbi's butt.

"Go, go home and eat."

The setting sun is like blood, and the afterglow has been exhausted. The silhouette of the family is dragged long by the light and shadow of the setting sun. The shadows seem to have merged into one body and are inseparable in this life.

The tribesmen followed one after another, and on the way home under the sunset, Li Qinzai's voice came.

"Madams, if you are bored in Zhuangzi, why don't we go on a sea ship next spring? I haven't seen the New World with my own eyes yet."

"By the way, we're having hot pot tonight, the kind that's so spicy that it makes pigs squeal."

(The book ends with flowers)
I would like to thank my old and new friends for following me through two years of study, and I will bow my thanks to the old friend.