Chapter 71

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Protagonist:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

Originally, after the opening of spring this year, the Huang He floods again, breaching the southwest section of Pu Yang, with river waters rushing southeast into Ju Ye Ze, inundating sixteen commanderies, Chenliu Commandery among them suffering the harm.

Shaowei had once read several ancient books on river management, learning that water control was a great matter no dynasty could avoid.

Especially the waters of the Huang He, which were often recorded as rampant and flooding, and since the Huang He was called the Mother River, Shaowei one day asked Jiang Fu why there was such a fierce mother in the world.

Shaowei often had such inexplicably blunt questions, but Jiang Fu answered in a proper manner: water is the source of all life, the waters of the Huang He nourish countless living people and breed countless civilizations, deserving the title of mother... only this mother probably did not like being a kind mother, fearing to raise weak descendants.

In short, this should be a Mother River that advocates that kind mothers raise spoiled children; descendants must always be vigilant and improve, for any slight slackness would bring the mother's violent beating.

Governing the floods was the top priority; the Ren Emperor issued a wide call for worthy men and sent tens of thousands to block the river, yet after several months the results were minimal.

Afterwards, a minister at court advised the Emperor that river breaches were heavenly matters and could not be forcibly blocked by human power; this statement that cared only for "heavenly matters" and ignored the people's livelihood caused countless disputes for a time.

The disputes at court had no result yet, but Ji Jin, seeing his teacher's letter, worried for the elders and common folk of his home commandery Chenliu, and could not sleep day and night.

After telling Shaowei about this matter, he had almost made up his mind.

There was no time to make a show of it; he now wanted to hurry back to Chenliu, even if he could only contribute a small effort.

Qingwu hesitated but in the end did not speak the words to stop him.

Although Ji Jin was lodged at his aunt's home, his aunt's family of three all believed he had talent and learning from childhood and extraordinary insight, so they only made sure he was fed and clothed, had a home to rely on, and grew up safely, and dared not interfere with his claims on great matters, fearing to ruin his future.

Shaowei naturally had no reason to dissuade him; in her view, people should do what they want to do.

After making the decision, Ji Jin bid farewell to relatives and friends ten days later, preparing to travel north to return home.

Before the entrance of Taoxi Township village, Ji Jin, dressed in simple gray clothes, carried a bundle on his shoulder, while Shan Gu helped him load two rattan boxes onto the mule cart—one box held clothes and belongings, the other was full of bamboo slips and notes.

His uncle, having learned from past experience, would not rest assured letting Ji Jin travel alone, and insisted on seeing him at least halfway; if the journey went smoothly, or until someone from Chenliu Commandery came to meet him, he could return in peace.

Ji Jin could not refuse and had to agree, feeling both moved and guilty in his heart; the autumn harvest was not far off, and he feared delaying his aunt's family farm work.

Fortunately, Shaowei had already patted her chest to guarantee that she would lead Mo Li and Shan Gu to help then, which made Ji Jin extremely grateful.

The sorrow of parting always brought some grief, yet youthful ambition also filled their brows.

Ji Jin's original intention for this trip was to aid the common people, but he also wanted to achieve some career; his desire to become an official had never changed. Once he left, if he returned again, he hoped it would be with a place to settle and pursue his career, so he could bring his aunt's family to gather together.

He promised Qingwu he would return as soon as possible to meet her.

Ji Jin called Qingwu "A Jie," but he could faintly sense his aunt and uncle's thoughts—Qingwu had once had a pair of younger siblings, but they had both died young of illness, leaving her as the only daughter in the family. Her parents intended to entrust her to Ji Jin, who was benevolent and responsible, and was essentially family.

Ji Jin valued kinship and responsibility, while Qingwu was ignorant of love; both were obedient in nature, and they tacitly accepted this arrangement that had not yet been exposed.

And even without this bond, Qingwu wholeheartedly hoped Yan Family Brother could go as he wished.

Watching Ji Jin about to leave at this moment, Qingwu's eyes showed not too much sorrow and reluctance, but more hope; she hoped Yan Family Brother would grow wings and soar straight to the blue clouds.

Her gaze seemed filled with some great expectation, which made Ji Jin feel a bit nervous and break into a sweat. He felt he had no great talent or great fortune; after gaining some experience, if he could eventually be a county magistrate like his father, do something for the people of one region, and hold up an umbrella for his family, he would be content and die without regret.

Shaowei also came to see him off, and Ji Jin agreed with her that if she truly became a wandering knight-errant in the future, she should not lose contact just like that.

"Mm." Shaowei put her hands behind her back, slightly raised her chin, and nodded: "Someday I pass by on my way, I will naturally come see you."

Ji Jin gladly agreed, then thought of something and suddenly smiled: "A wandering knight-errant coming to see me empty-handed is fine, only hope that when you go, you also come empty-handed."

He had heard that famous wandering knights-errant, wherever they went, mostly had the habit of stealing sheep as they went, to serve as expenses for wandering the martial world—really one person roaming the martial world, forcibly collecting sponsorship from all sides.

Hearing his teasing words, Shaowei glared at him: "You haven't even become an official yet, and you're already pinning this on me? When the time comes, if I kindly go see you once, I fear all sorts of baseless charges will suddenly appear on my head!"

Qingwu also chimed in with annoyance: "That absolutely cannot be allowed to go see him!"

Ji Jin hurriedly laughed and made amends: "I dare not, I dare not. If I show any disrespect, how could a knight-errant's blade spare me? If a knight-errant graciously consents to come, I shall naturally entertain with fine wine and dishes."

Shan Gu laughed along with everyone; he also had his own ambition—his adoptive father and adoptive mother had shown him kindness, and he must serve them on their left and right. If one day the two elders passed away, he would go find A Jie and follow A Jie to fiercely roam the martial world together.

The youths were full of vigor, and even parting was bright and noisy.

Though there were endless jokes, time was ultimately limited; Ji Jin finally raised his hand and bowed to his friends in farewell.

Finally, he separately gave Shaowei a long, deep bow.

The first bow was out of affection.

This bow came from gratitude and righteousness.

All the learning and growth in him that his teacher praised were given by Shaowei; without this confidence, he would have no courage to set out at this time. This gift of fortune was a grace and righteousness unrelated to age.

Ji Jin suppressed the urge to tears, turned, and got on the mule cart.

Summer travel by cart was simple, with no carriage cover for shelter. Ji Jin had just sat cross-legged on it and had not yet properly arranged his clothes when the mule cart started moving, making him sway; he braced his hands on the cart boards to steady himself.

Just at this slightly awkward moment, the youth suddenly heard a shout: "Ji Jin!"

"Eh!" He raised his head in response, only to see Shaowei raise a bundle hidden behind her back and throw it at him with a whistle.

If this bundle were thrown by someone else, Ji Jin would surely reach out to catch it, but since it came from Shaowei's hand, it seemed to possess a few points of a weapon's sharp quality, making people instinctively feel wary; so Ji Jin hurriedly made an evasive motion, even raising both hands to cover his head.

With a "Bang," the bundle smashed against his side by the cart board, shaking the mule cart; the mule let out an uneasy low cry and pulled the cart even faster.

Amidst the jolting, Ji Jin hastily opened the bundle and saw several strings of neatly arranged copper coins, some broken silver pieces, and several scrolls of books. He only had time to unroll one, and saw it was actually the "He Shu" written by the Grand Historian.

Ji Jin's eyes wavered for a moment; holding that scroll, he raised his head. He wanted to shout that it was too precious and he could not accept it, but saw Shaowei had already turned and left. Her back was like green bamboo, and she did not forget to wave her hand at him.

Ji Jin had held back tears for a long time; at this moment they finally rolled down. Seeing Shaowei's back disappear, he suddenly bowed his head, pressing it against the bamboo slips he held, and for a moment could not stop sobbing.

But after only a moment, he suddenly raised his head again; the bamboo slips were precious and could not be stained with tears.

Through tear-filled eyes, the Divine Sky was deep blue as if washed clean, just as his heart was free of dust at this moment, with only endless gratitude and magnificence.