Dawei Fanghua

One mile west of the Qin family manor, you can see the Mingdu River.

The water in Mingdu River dries up and rises again. This summer has been rainy and the water is abundant.On both sides of the river, there are wheat fields and bean fields.No matter how the scenery in the countryside changes, it still feels the same, because the people you can usually see in the countryside are always the working farmers.

Today was different. Zhongzhengguan from Pingyuan County and a group of people came to the Qin family to look for them. They also included Qin Sheng's former colleagues in the official temple. During the banquet, there were finally signs of prosperity and bustle in the manor.

The guests brought news that the general had sent good officials and was about to come down to hire Qin Liang.All the guests who came to visit sent congratulatory gifts, and everyone did not forget to say congratulations when they parted.There is a festive atmosphere inside and outside the manor, just like a festival.

The Qin family saw off their guests a mile away from the manor, and did not stop until they reached the Mingdu River.Because there were women among the guests, even Mrs. Zhang came.The host and guest bowed to each other, and until the guests' carriages and horses left, the host still stood there and watched.The meaning of diligence and perseverance is all in it.

Mrs. Zhang looked into the distance, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she sighed softly without turning her head: "How long has it been since I last saw Luo Shi? I'm afraid it's been two years? I didn't even bother to say a few words today." "

Qin Sheng's voice said: "It looks like it's going to rain. Let's go back."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Liang felt a little bit of coldness on his face and raindrops fell from the sky.As expected, my sister-in-law immediately complained: "It's really what you said."

Qin Sheng said nothing.Although the eldest brother had served as a military attache in the county and had a muscular body, he was cautious and even sometimes too calm.Perhaps this is because my sister-in-law, Mrs. Zhang, is very talkative, but the couple don't quarrel very much.

There happened to be a thatched pavilion by the river, and a few people hurried over to take shelter from the rain.Unexpectedly, the rain got heavier and heavier, and gradually turned into a downpour. There was a faint rumble of thunder in the distance.

Zhang's voice said: "Such a heavy rain should be the last one this year."

Qin Sheng said: "Wait a moment, the people from the village will bring umbrellas."

The couple chatted without a word, but Qin Liang remained silent. He looked at the river flowing in a daze, and he didn't pay attention to what his brother and sister-in-law said later.

"Erlang." His sister-in-law called him and he came back to his senses.

"Ah?" Qin Liang turned to look at his sister-in-law.

There was a smile in Zhang's eyes: "Are you unhappy?" Her look was a bit concerned and a bit flattering.In the past, Qin Liang simply did not dare to hope for this.

When she saw Qin Liang shaking his head, she immediately asked politely, "I see you've been very worried recently. Is there anything you can't talk about at home?"

Qin Liang didn't say anything and didn't know where to start.He wanted to say that it was dangerous to follow Cao Shuang, and he might be implicated in bad luck in the future, but it was weird to say such a thing, so he had to give up.After all, Cao Shuang's power is now at its peak, and ordinary people can't see the danger at all. It would be too troublesome to explain.

What's more, Qin Liang can no longer refuse Cao Shuang's conquest.Otherwise, the little-known Zhong Chang from the next county might find a way to keep the Qin family busy.No matter what, when you are weak and have no wings, anyone can easily capsize in the gutter.

"Is something really wrong?" Zhang's voice said again.When Qin Liang looked up, he saw that her smile had not disappeared, and her eyes were all on Qin Liang's face.Although Zhang is illiterate, her eyes are bright and there is no sense of ignorance. As long as she looks at her, Qin Liang can feel the tangible look in her eyes, and occasionally even feels a little uncomfortable.

Qin Liang did not look at him, but still looked at the river.He could no longer remain silent and had to mutter: "Sail against the current. If you don't advance, you will retreat. As soon as you leave the shore and get on the boat, you will be involuntarily and you will never be able to stop."

Mrs. Zhang turned her head and glanced at the leaves floating on the river, and said, "You can change the subject as much as possible. Just don't want to tell my sister-in-law."

Fortunately, it's now. If Qin Liang had such an attitude a few months ago, his sister-in-law would be unhappy and a few sarcastic words would be inevitable.

A few people waited for a while while talking, and sure enough they saw two figures walking out of the white rain curtain, probably the people delivering rain gear.When they got closer, Qin Liang saw clearly the people coming. It turned out to be Ms. Dong and her sick husband Wang Kang.Wang Kang's face was thin and pale, but he could already walk on his own.The last time I saw him, he was still lying on the bed.

The two of them handed over umbrellas and bent down to pay homage. Wang Kang said to Qin Liang: "My condition has improved recently and I came to express my thanks. I heard that Erlang and others had sent the guests off, so they waited under the eaves. Suddenly it started to rain heavily, so I rushed Here comes the rain gear."

Zhang said: "Finally there is someone smarter."

"It's a servant's duty." Wang Kang turned around and said.

Qin Liang nodded and said, "I'm glad you're getting better."

Wang Kang sighed: "If it weren't for Erlang's help, it would be really difficult for me. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to survive."

Although the eldest brother was the owner of the manor and was older, Wang Kang talked more with Qin Liang, and he unconsciously walked beside Qin Liang on the way back.Wang Kang took the initiative to ask: "The general sent an envoy to recruit Erlang. When will Erlang get up and go to the capital?" When Qin Liang heard this, he suddenly realized that everyone around him seemed to think that he would definitely accept the conquest. , without even considering the option of rejection.Including his brother and sister-in-law, they did not ask Qin Liang about his wishes after hearing the news, and were ready for him to become an official.

However, Qin Liang has thought about it again and again, maybe this is the only way now.Thinking about it, he even laughed at himself.A sibling of the disgraced Minister Gu Ming and a relative of Cao Cao's stepson, Qin Liang's status was such that only Cao Shuang looked up to him in both the government and the public.Cao Shuang didn't dislike him, but he disliked Cao Shuang a little?

Qin Liang sighed secretly and responded casually: "When the envoy arrives in Pingyuan County and receives the envoy, I will go to Beijing with him."

Wang Kang asked again: "When will the messenger arrive?"

Qin Liang turned to look at him, "I don't know yet, but so many people in the area have news, I don't think we can wait a few days."

At the same time, Qin Liang saw Dong next to him, and noticed that Dong's eyes were very sad and vaguely painful.Wang Kang was talking here, and Dong barely said a word, but the emotion in her eyes was very obvious.

Wang Kang said: "If Erlang does not give up, I and Zhuo Jing are willing to follow Erlang to the capital."

Qin Liang turned around again, his face facing Wang Kang, but he couldn't help but observe Dong's subtle expression secretly.At this time, she raised her head and looked at Qin Liang unabashedly, her anticipation seemed to be rekindled.

Qin Liang thought for a while and said, "What should I do with my parents?"

Wang Kang said: "Please Qinjun draw some grain regularly and ask your neighbors to take care of it. My servant is willing to follow Erlang and serve him wholeheartedly to repay Erlang's kindness."

"That's okay." Qin Liang nodded simply.

Apart from Rao Dashan, the banker who has the closest relationship with Qin Liang on the manor is Wang Kang.Although Rao Dashan was powerful, he was illiterate and sometimes impatient.Wang Kang can read and count, and looks more meticulous.In the future, when I come to Luoyang and I am unfamiliar with the place, having multiple helpers may not be a bad thing.

Ms. Dong behind her was holding back her surprise.But Qin Liang discovered that Wang Kang was also very happy, and there seemed to be a lot of joy on his thin face. But how could he be so happy to repay his kindness?

The group of people had already passed the earthen wall of the manor and didn't speak again for a while.However, the sound of rain enveloped everything, and the silence did not seem abrupt.Qin Liang's leather shoes with wooden soles were covered with mud, and his hard linen clothes were soaked by the falling rain, which made them more comfortable.

At this moment, Qin Liang suddenly came back to his senses and suddenly realized that he seemed to understand Wang Kang's mood.

The peasants who work in the manor work all year round, and [-]% of the harvest is taken away (the government collects taxes from the manor owner), barely enough to make ends meet, and they are actually serfs; ordinary villagers are better than the peasants, and will receive some extra rewards. But it’s also limited.What's more, Wang Kang's health has not been very good in recent years, and life is really not easy.But if Wang Kang can follow Qin Liang as an official in the future, obviously the burden of life will be greatly reduced.

Such a small change can make a person feel satisfied and happy.Qin Liang was also infected by Wang Kang's optimistic attitude.

In today's world, the hierarchy is very strict. Qin Liang can at least directly enter the eyes of those in power. What else is there to be depressed about when he becomes an official?In any case, Cao Shuang should not be defeated in the next few years, so Qin Liang at least will not be too sad in the past few years.Let’s talk about the future later. In troubled times, it is not easy to live a long life.

After thinking about it, Qin Liang even felt that this was not completely a dead end.

When pursuing an official career in the Great Wei Kingdom, one's background can determine almost [-]% of one's future.With Qin Liang's status, if he wants to make a difference and if he doesn't want to travel to the Three Kingdoms in vain, Cao Shuang is almost Qin Liang's only remaining chance.

As for the future, there are no other possibilities at all.For example, Cao Shuang turned defeat into victory?But Qin Liang thought about it for a while and felt that it was quite difficult. Otherwise, when Emperor Ming Cao Rui passed away, Cao Shuang should not have killed the original ministers who cared about their lives.Qin Liang then thought again, no matter what, as long as he could be promoted to a certain position before Cao Shuang's defeat, things might still turn around?

Unknowingly, the group of people had walked into the manor and arrived at the gate of the house. Qin Liang put down his umbrella and hung it to dry under the eaves.Zhang's voice said: "Erlang has figured it out?"

"Ah?" Qin Liang didn't know why.Meeting Mr. Zhang's gaze, he came back to his senses after a moment and immediately smiled, "There's nothing difficult to figure out."

At this time, Mrs. Zhang's voice said again: "The more I look at you recently, the more I feel that you are different from before."

Qin Liang said in a joking tone: "That's because my sister-in-law didn't care about me at all before."

Mrs. Zhang made a sound from between her teeth and cursed with a smile: "You have no conscience. I have washed and cooked for you all these years in vain."

Qin Liang just turned a deaf ear.When he walked into the door, he looked back and looked outside. The rain curtain between the sky and the earth was still there, and the visibility was very low.