Chapter 286 Long-Cherished Thoughts

Master Pei passed away at the end of November last year.

An old man of this age is very likely to be unable to withstand the erosion of severe cold in winter.

From the description of the younger generation of the Pei family, the master's wife left because of exhaustion and incurable medicine.

The younger generation of the Pei family did not stay in the county government for too long. There has always been a saying among the people that people in mourning should not visit. However, places like the county government are a little different. People generally believe that the government has its own righteous gods in the world to protect it, so there is no need to pay too much attention to it.

The children of the Pei family did not accept the repeated retention of Chen Heng and Daiyu. They only left two letters from Master Pei and Xie, and then got on their own carriage and left quietly.

It was difficult for Chen Heng to control the sadness in his heart when seeing off a distant guest. He only said a few words to Daiyu, and then went to his own study with a somewhat panicked mood. He took out Master Pei's letter and read it slowly.

But just the first sentence of this letter caused Chen Heng's emotions, which he had managed to calm down, to burst into tears again.

"Heng'er, if you see this letter, it will be when I am traveling far away. You don't have to be too sad, and you can't live in a muddle. Life is finite, which is determined by heaven and earth. As the saying goes, time is a passer-by of a hundred generations. It is said in the scriptures that the seasons change and the plants and trees reincarnate. It is the rise and fall of all things."

"Thinking of the few years you spent studying under me, it was still the happiest time of my old age. Unfortunately, when you returned to Yangzhou, I was already in Luling, Jiangxi. I didn't see the scene of my students passing the imperial examination and returning home in glory, which was a pity. But in those days, I also drank a lot of wine, which was considered as a celebration for you."

"I often heard that the old man liked wine and got drunk after drinking a little. Now I know the joy and beauty of it. …………"

The letter was very long. Pei Huaizhen told the interesting things in his life after returning to the countryside. This didn't look like a farewell letter, but more like a family letter. Just like the teacher's earnest advice for many years, it rang in my ears, one voice after another.

Reading to the middle, Pei Huaizhen patiently explained his affairs after death. He said that he didn't want the students to take leave to send the spirit, and they should not feel guilty for missing the last time.

"You are all local officials now, and you must not ignore national affairs and people's livelihoods because of the teacher's personal interests. The current situation is difficult, and there are often injustices in the government and the country. The teacher teaches you day and night, hoping that you can make decisions for the people and plead for the people. Go to a county and pacify a county. Sit in a state and govern a state. Don't forget this way, so that the teacher can smile in the afterlife."

Reading this, Chen Heng couldn't help it. He could only raise his head silently in his seat and let the tears slide down his cheeks. The trembling hands seemed not to dare to hold too tightly. He was afraid that if he was not careful, he would scratch the letter paper.

In the blur, he seemed to see Pei Huaizhen as usual. Sitting in the courtyard of his home in Yangzhou, facing the golden light of the morning sun, with a gentle smile on his face, he taught himself knowledge.

The person has passed away, how can the living not regret, how can they not be annoyed. Chen Heng sat there blankly, not knowing what to say or think for a while. After a long silence, he could only continue to lower his head in a daze. The second half of the letter was mostly the teacher sharing his life.

From the ambition when he first entered the officialdom. After being frustrated, he worked hard to govern a place in the countryside. After that, he had several ups and downs, and was suppressed and made difficult by his superiors. Finally, he met a wise master in middle age, and thought it would be the time to show his life ambitions. But after a vigorous reform, he stepped down as a loser.

"Struggling with the heavens brings endless joy." Pei Huaizhen wrote at the end of the letter, "It was not until the time at Yangzhou Academy that I realized the meaning of my later years. It is to teach you what I have learned in this half-life of wandering. I hope you can step on me and see a better world."

This is the only word, nothing else. Chen Heng was silent and thinking. In this silent grief, he recalled his past.

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Late at night, Chen Heng, who had been sitting in the study all day, finally got up and went to his wife's room. Daiyu's eyes were also red. She was a very affectionate person, and she had a deep relationship with Teacher Xie. The death of such a sincere elder was a heavy blow to Daiyu.

The couple looked at each other in silence, and they knew each other. No matter how many words they said, they seemed pale and powerless at this moment. They just hugged each other silently on the bed, feeling each other's breathing in silence.

"Brother, Master Xie is gone."

"Yeah." Chen Heng nodded. Yu'er hadn't called him that for a long time since they got married.

"I haven't told Master Xie yet that I've become the head of the mountain. I've also started teaching girls to read and write like her." The hand holding her husband's waist tightened slightly. Daiyu choked.

"Yu'er. The spirit of Master's wife in heaven will definitely know." Chen Heng couldn't help but raise his hand and stroke his beloved wife's face. The moving fingertips gently wiped away each other's tears.

The two little lives silently became each other's help and support in the difficult moments of life. Compared with them, the world is so big, and the long river of time is so long. Fortunately, they have each other to comfort their hearts and accept another lesson taught by life together.

The difficulty of separation and death cannot be explained in a few words.

Suddenly, there was a rumble of thunder outside the window. First, a few drops of rain fell on the half-open window, and then it started to rain heavily. Zijuan, who was guarding the door, suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to close the window for the master and the mistress. She wanted to go in, but was afraid that it was too rash. She had no choice but to guard outside the door all night, listening to the last rain of spring.

In a few days, it will be the beginning of summer in the fifth year of Jianping.

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Du Yunjing arrived at the Huating County Government Office on the second day. Although Master Pei made it clear that there was no need to bother the students to go there to worship. Chen Heng did not dare to fail to inform him, especially to Qian Dayou, Jiang Yuanbai and others.

Pei Huaizhen was not only his teacher, but also the leader of these friends. As soon as Du Yunjing came to the door, tears couldn't stop falling. He held Chen Heng and talked for a long time, mostly talking about old things in the academy.

When the Yangzhou flood came, everyone gathered together to rejoice, but at the same time they were embarrassed and worried about the safety of Chang Luoshan. There were scenes of me being poorly prepared when I went to class for the first time, being ridiculed by the mountain leader, and Du DaDa, who was also afraid of time.

The real separation actually happened so quietly. Du Yunjing was also puzzled and a little confused. He wanted to hold a funeral ceremony for the mountain chief in Songjiang. Why did Chen Heng reject him? Chen Heng didn't know what to say, but Chen Heng knew it in his heart. If these students dared to do this, Master Pei would be very angry and scold them for being extremely stupid.

"Then we have to do something for the mountain chief." Du Yunjing spread his hands, with a hint of eagerness hidden under his sad face.

Chen Heng knew that Du Yunjing wanted to do something for Master Pei to do his best. It's just that his mind is very messed up now, and he doesn't know how to comfort the other person. He could only say: "Teacher must not want to see us do this."

Seeing that he could not convince Chen Heng, Du Yunjing had no choice but to give up his plan. Among them, Chen Heng served tea in front of Pei Huaizhen and performed the apprenticeship ceremony. If we want to accomplish this, we can't do it without Chen Heng taking the lead.

Du Yunjing looked at Chen Heng and saw that he was packing his things. I couldn't help but asked curiously: "Where are you going at this time?"

"It will be the beginning of summer in a few days. I have to go to the fields to take a look." Chen Heng said solemnly, with an indescribable perseverance on his face. "I won't worry if I don't go take a look."

"Are you going out at this time?" Du Yunjing was shocked.

"It's precisely because of this time that I want to go." After Chen Heng answered, he walked out without hesitation.

Today, not only is he going out, Daiyu will also go back to Yunjian Academy to continue teaching in the afternoon. Busyness may be a way to deal with grief. But they know better that the teacher hopes to see the juniors live a good life with perseverance.

After leaving the house like this, Chen Heng sat on the carriage driven by the guards and first inspected the neighboring fields in the south of the city. Last night's rain and wind had dispersed, but the sky was still very gray. Occasionally, a few raindrops splashed and scattered in front of the sight, leaving people stunned.

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The fifth day of May is the beginning of summer. The seventh solar term of the year is also the beginning of the growing days. It rains in spring and showers in summer. The rain came suddenly and went away even more inexplicably.

Listening to the trickling sound of rain falling from the lotus leaves, Chen Heng, wearing wooden clogs and coir raincoat, led several county officials' entourage out from under the tree. In front of their sight is Zhangjiaji, which belongs to Yunjian Township.

Zhang is also a popular surname in Songjiang Prefecture. Since the Qin and Han Dynasties, people with the surname Zhang have lived and worked hard here. This place is not far from Fucheng. Because there are many fertile fields in the village, Chen Heng included it as one of the must-visit places.

When we arrived at Zhangjiaji, we first took a stroll in the fields outside. Seeing the green crops standing neatly in the water, everything looks green and growing. Chen Heng was also happy that this family gathering was in good order and he finally did not forget the county government's warning document.

After entering the village, he asked the villagers from Zhangjiaji to invite the villagers to come to him. When Chen Heng saw the other person, he was surprised by how young he was. The county magistrate couldn't help but laugh and said: "I thought this village was an old man, but I didn't expect it to be..."

The smiling Li Zheng bowed slightly, stood beside Chen Heng, and said, "My father was the previous Li Zheng, and because he did well in his tenure, the villagers in the village agreed to write a letter recommending me as Li Zheng."

Chen Heng nodded, knowing that what this person said was true. After the Li Zheng and Chang systems were established in the Tang Dynasty, they evolved to today. Although the county government has direct power to appoint and remove village chiefs and Li Zheng, they generally do not directly refute those recommended by the people. After all, the popularity of this village is also what the county magistrate has to consider.

Accompanied by Zhang Jiazheng, Chen Heng walked around the village. Seeing that the rice in the fields was neat and tidy, the people in the streets often smiled naturally and genuinely with joy. Chen Heng knew that the people's livelihood here was very good, so his attitude towards Zhang Lizheng became more and more friendly.

Zhang Lizheng was very panicked. The county magistrate in front of him had removed the local squires from Zhaojiacun as soon as he took office. I don't know why I've been crazy these past few days, so I've been looking around in various villages when I have nothing to do. Many Li Zheng who were not successful in their affairs were reprimanded by the magistrate in person.

Looking at Chen Heng's pleasant expression, Zhang Lizheng was deeply afraid that if the other party's conversation changed, it would suddenly turn into a storm and be embarrassing. Accompanying me so cautiously, I met a pair of grandfather and grandson returning from the fields on the way.

Chen Heng paused slightly and looked at the old man leading the cattle in front of him. The little grandson on the cow's back couldn't help but smile at him. He couldn't help laughing and asked the child's age.

"Five years old." The shepherd boy smiled and stretched out his palm.

Chen Heng boasted to the other party that he knew how to help the family with farming at a young age. He was really well-behaved and sensible. Unexpectedly, the child replied: "You don't look that big, so why do you talk like...my grandpa?"

Chen Heng laughed and couldn't wait to react. Li Zheng beside him had already scolded him, "Tiedan'er, what are you talking nonsense to the boss?"

"It's okay, it's okay." Chen Heng waved his hand hurriedly, stopping the scolding village head and the old man who wanted to apologize. He talked to the grandfather and grandson by the roadside, and learned from them that the ox was sent down by the county government. Chen Heng nodded happily and asked about the whereabouts of Goudan's father.

"He went to repair...repair that thing for adults..." The old man looked at Chen Heng carefully, he really couldn't think of the name.

"Grandpa, it's a shopping street. My father went to repair the shopping street." He was young and had a good memory. Tiedan had just finished speaking, and his grandfather kept nodding in response. "Yes, yes, that's it."

"It's hard for the old man. Your son works for the county government, and you have to work hard in the fields at your age."

Before Chen Heng finished speaking, the old man waved his hand and said, "It's not hard with a plowing ox. As long as you take the ox back later, you can let me plow a few more acres of land."

A plowing ox is really a great help to the people in farming. Chen Heng laughed and put aside the old man's tentative words. He turned sideways and looked at the head of the village beside him and asked, "How many cows did your village get?"

"Reply to the lord, there are 20. They are all given to families serving corvée first. There are young and strong people in the family, and they are not ranked." The head of the village answered carefully.

With the precedent of the old man, there is no need to look at the whereabouts of the remaining cows. After Chen Heng said goodbye to the grandfather and grandson, he walked around the village for half a circle and went to see the so-called village guards.

Most of these people are disabled, and they saw that the villagers took very good care of them. Chen Heng also praised: "You did a good job, have you ever read a book?"

Zhangcun Lizheng didn't know that the county magistrate had a heart of admiration for talents, and thought that the old man wanted to examine his knowledge. It's not good to be a village chief without literacy. He said nervously: "I know some words, but I don't read many books."

What a pity, Chen Heng sighed in his heart. This man is over 40 years old, and it's too late to start studying again.

"Can you understand all the official documents issued by the county government?"

"I can understand, I can understand." The village chief responded quickly, fearing that if he didn't answer well, his hat would be taken off his head.

Chen Heng didn't say much, just affirmed the other party a few words, and then prepared to leave Zhaojiaji.

On the way back to the city, the starry night was sparse and there was no more rain. Chen Heng was bored sitting in the carriage, and suddenly wanted to get off the car for a walk. The errand attendants who were traveling with him naturally didn't dare to dissuade him. He had to let the master get off the car and walk, and he drove behind.

Above his head was a vast starry sky, with the Milky Way flowing and the bright moon in the sky. All around were endless fields, with only some peaks blocking the view at the end. The dirt road under his feet was very muddy due to the recent rain. Fortunately, he was wearing clogs, so it was not difficult to walk carefully.

Chen Heng was in high spirits and asked his followers, "What do you think is the North Star in the sky?"

This was really the right person to ask, as the followers were all local villagers and had grown up in the village since childhood. They looked up at the sky for a while, pointed to a place in the sky, and said, "Look, sir, that's it."

Chen Heng raised his head and stopped there to watch for a long time. He suddenly remembered that there had always been rumors among the ancient people. The North Dipper was responsible for death, and the South Dipper was responsible for life. After death, people would return to the palace on the North Star. That was the place where the ancestors and souls returned. You could see it just by looking up.

It is precisely because of this cultural context that the people of this land always believe that even if their ancestors leave, they will protect their descendants in secret.

Master Pei...

Chen Heng looked at the twinkling North Star, silently thinking of his ancestors who traveled far away.

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I will definitely not be able to catch up with dinner when I return home tonight. Fortunately, Daiyu left some side dishes, enough to fill my stomach. Sitting with the two ladies, Chen Heng couldn't help but talk about what he saw and heard today. Daiyu and Yinglian also shared the interesting things and female students in the academy.

I heard that these children had finished reciting the Book of Songs and were about to read the next one. Chen Heng thought about it and put forward his own views on Daiyu's use of the "Book of Filial Piety" as the next chapter.

"This book is certainly good." Chen Heng agreed, "If you don't read this book, I'm afraid it will be difficult to gain a foothold in the future world. But Yu'er, I personally think you can wait a little longer. Read some Book of Rites first, and then consider the Book of Filial Piety."

"Why?!" Daiyu blinked, somewhat confused by her husband's arrangement. The difficulty of Book of Rites is far greater than that of the Book of Filial Piety.

"You think..." Chen Heng took a bite of vegetables. The family has been eating vegetarian food recently. The couple plans to observe mourning for half a year to fulfill their duties as younger generations for the two deceased mentors. "These children were trafficked by their biological parents. They didn't say it, but I'm afraid I don't know what they think in their hearts."

"At this time, blindly teaching people to read the Book of Filial Piety. Teaching them to support their parents and elders and be grateful is probably counterproductive and easy to do the wrong thing with good intentions."

When Daiyu heard it, she immediately understood what her husband meant. As soon as she nodded, Yinglian beside her asked: "Then according to what you said, when is the right time to teach the Book of Filial Piety?"

"No hurry, wait until they have learned a little. You can take them out to study for a while to broaden their horizons, and then make plans. Other things are in the words and deeds of us." Chen Heng suddenly realized something and murmured, "The virtue of a gentleman is like the wind, and the virtue of a villain is like grass."

Daiyu found Chen Heng's stunned expression very interesting and could not help but remain silent and watch silently. Yinglian said happily: "Sister Lin taught me this sentence, it comes from the Analects..."

Under the expectant eyes of Chen Heng and Daiyu, Yinglian thought for a long time before cautiously saying: "Is it the Yan Yuan chapter?"

"That's right, that's right." Chen Heng laughed and nodded to Daiyu, jokingly saying, "Mr. Lin is indeed very talented and has the Midas touch."

Seeing Yinglian showing some shyness, Daiyu hurriedly explained, "Sister Yinglian is a smart person. Although she started studying late, she has been influenced by her family since she was young. Even when she reads books, she is more likely to concentrate and read deeply than ordinary students."

"This is the way to study." Chen Heng ate a few more mouthfuls of food before encouraging Yinglian, "Writing poems and lyrics can be an elegant hobby. Only the knowledge in the books of sages is a treasure that is priceless."

Yinglian studied very hard. After following Daiyu in the academy for a long time, she also knew some of the words of encouragement to study that scholars often said, "Books are the golden house." She couldn't help but ask: "If that's the case, why are there so many poor scholars in the world?"

"Because, what you read from books is dead after all. Knowledge..." Chen Heng gestured with his hand, "You have to use it and turn it into wisdom in your brain. That's when it works."

"Is there such a saying?!" Yinglian couldn't help but be dumbfounded. She thought she had memorized books day and night and had already entered the doorway. Now listening to Chen Heng's words, she was afraid that she was just standing on the long steps in front of the mountain.

"Don't worry, don't worry. Read thousands of books, travel thousands of miles, and see thousands of things, then you will be successful." Chen Heng encouraged Yinglian again. He hoped that this lady would not give up her path of studying. "If you are not in a hurry to be useful to the world, reading is a lifelong thing."

"Oh." Yinglian nodded gently, and a determination rose in her heart to keep up with her husband and Lin Daiyu.

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At night, Chen Heng walked into Daiyu's room and saw Daiyu making sachets under the lamp. He lifted his robe, sat beside his wife, and asked, "Why are you doing this? Be careful not to hurt your eyes."

Daiyu glanced at her and complained, "Your clothes are all worn out, and you don't know how to say it. If you go out like this, others will think that the two ladies of the Chen family didn't take good care of you, and you will be gossiped about for nothing."

"Hahaha." Chen Heng laughed lightly, not daring to answer. He just took off the sachet from his waist, put it in his palm, and said, "This sachet was given to me when I participated in the provincial examination. For so many years, if you didn't say it, I wouldn't have noticed it."

Even though she was happy that the other party valued her, Daiyu still pursed her lips and lowered her head to work.

Seeing that Daiyu was concentrating on the sachet, Chen Heng said again attentively, "Good lady, since you have raised your hand today. I wonder if you want anything, and I can do you a favor."

Daiyu has been particularly fond of Chen Heng's ears and temples these days, and she enjoys the warmth in front of her even more. She immediately said, "You haven't folded paper cranes for me for a long time, husband, why don't you fold one for me today?"

Such a soft tone, let alone one, even ninety-nine or ten thousand can be folded. Chen Heng smiled and responded, and got up and walked to the table. Daiyu watched the back of the handsome young man from behind. She saw him fulfilling his little wish seriously under the lamp. The pain in her heart also dissipated a lot unconsciously.

If we really grow old together, and my husband is no longer in the world, I am afraid that I will not be able to stay for long. Thinking of this, Daiyu suddenly understood what Master Xie said, "He is in spring, he is in summer, he is in autumn and winter, and he is also in day and night. It's not that I don't want to live, but I don't want to live. I just want to go to the same place with him and be a couple in the underworld again. It also prevents him from going on the road alone, and makes me miss him in my dreams."

Thinking of this, Daiyu started to make sachets more seriously. When Chen Heng came up with a paper crane like he was presenting a treasure, she put down her needlework and started chatting and laughing with her husband.

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After the beginning of summer, a few days passed. Pan Youan suddenly rushed into the house, found the master's study, opened the door and said, "My lord, someone has arrived."

Chen Heng was reading the local sentiments of various villages. Seeing his happy look, he said directly, "Is it Siqi who has arrived? Okay, okay, I will allow you a few days off, you go back and spend time with her."

"Oh." Pan Youan stamped her feet in anxiety and said hurriedly, "My good lord, there are guests at home."

If it's not your sweetheart, why are you so happy. Chen Heng raised his eyebrows and asked as he stood up, "Who is coming?"

"It's the brother and sister of the Xue family in Yangzhou."

Ha, good guy, it's Xue Ke and Baoqin? They brother and sister still know to come back? ? ? Chen Heng laughed happily, and ran straight to the hall without even changing his clothes.

As soon as he arrived in front of the hall, he saw a pair of men dressed in men's clothes, commenting on the various furnishings in the hall. It seems that there are different opinions.

"Brother Xue, second brother." Chen Heng only glanced at the back and recognized that the one on the left was Xue Ke and the one on the right was Bao Qin.

Bao Qin heard the voice and half turned sideways. Wearing a blue cap, she smiled happily and said, "Long time no see, big brother."

Sorry, sorry, I went to the hospital. The doctor said it was lumbar muscle strain. Later, I found a Chinese doctor, who said that I was weak from sitting for a long time. Then I gave my foot a needle, damn, the pain was relieved immediately. Chinese medicine is really amazing, he really only gave one needle. When I went out, I didn't dare to bend my waist. I felt much better when I came back. But the Chinese doctor said that I should take medicine for another day of recuperation. So I didn't update yesterday, hahahaha. I owe two days of updates, and I will make up for it later. Thank you.