Chapter 13: Ode to Geese (Part 1)

  Returning to the camp, Zheng Shian and Zhang Zhongjian have not come back yet.

  Zheng Yanqing found a few dozen people and emptied a horse carriage. Although he was young, the Zheng family listened to him because of Zheng Shian's face. As for Zhang Zhongjian's side, it was even simpler after Sun Simiao gave the order, and all the Zhang family members followed suit. Sometimes, reputation represents status, and Sun Simiao's reputation made people dare not underestimate him.

  Yan Qing changed into a new set of clothes and ran onto Sun Simiao's carriage.

  Zheng Yanqing was very interested in Sun Simiao's guidance technique. As for Sun Simiao, he didn't pretend to be polite and let Yanqing sit down after taking out a bamboo slip and a piece of silk cloth from his luggage. Then, he spread the silk cloth on the carriage board.

  "Ten years ago, I studied Taoism in Taibai Mountain (now Fuping County, Shaanxi Province), and accidentally found a cave mansion. Inside, I discovered the 'Guidance on Nourishing Life' diagram left behind by Tao Hongjing of the Southern Dynasty, as well as the 'Shennong Bencao Jing' in 28 volumes."

  I have been fascinated by qigong since I was a child and have spent all my family's wealth on it. When I obtained this, I was overjoyed, so I practiced diligently and achieved success in ten years. The silk fabric above is the guidance chart I printed, with 108 movements. Tao Zhenren left a message saying that these 108 movements are all created by the ancient true immortals imitating the heaven and earth and the living things, and now they are passed on to you.

  Sounds very mysterious!

  Zheng Yanqing lowered his head and nodded silently.

  He also had some knowledge of the health guidance techniques of ancient times.

  In later generations, people once discovered the thousand-year-old guiding technique left over from the Han Dynasty in the cultural relics unearthed at Mawangdui. At that time, a publishing house published an illustrated book on this subject, which Zheng Yanqing had bought. However, due to work reasons, he didn't have time to carefully examine it, let alone practice and imitate what was said in the book.

  Now listening to Yao Wang's words, Yan Qing only knew that this guiding technique was true.

  Becoming an immortal, Zheng Yanqing no longer thinks about it. However, according to Sun Simiao's statement, this guiding technique has the effect of strengthening muscles and bones, nourishing true energy, and can also hide qi and blood, making it impossible to detect any unusual abilities when not in use. If practiced to perfection, one's arms can possess a thousand jin of strength, and the body will be as light as a swallow, with acute hearing and clear vision. In short, this is an extraordinary technique.

  Sun Simiao loved the art of Qihuang, so he valued more is Shennong Bencaojing.

  Although he claimed not to know martial arts, over the past few years, he traveled extensively throughout famous mountains and rivers, and naturally learned some self-defense techniques.

  "In fact, my self-defense technique is just a combination of Wuqinxi and guidance techniques, with Wuqinxi as the main body, and a little trick that has been refined. If you want to learn it, teaching you wouldn't be a big deal."

  "I want to learn!" Yan Qing nodded repeatedly, but changed his tone, "Mr. Sun, aren't you going to enter Sichuan?"

  "I won't rush into Shu immediately. Anyway, this defensive tactic isn't difficult, I'll stay in Luoyang for a few days before entering Shu."

  Zheng Yan's eyebrows furrowed slightly, looking somewhat perplexed.

  "Mr. Sun, what brings you to Sichuan?"

  "I'm going into the river..." Sun Simiao smiled and said softly, "The worldly dust is too much, it's not suitable for cultivating the Tao, so I'm preparing to enter the river and go to Emei to seek the Tao."

  Seeking the Way?

  Zheng Yanqing looked at Sun Simiao with a puzzled expression, somewhat unbelieving. Because he saw a hint of hesitation in Sun Simiao's eyes. Everyone has their own unavoidable difficulties, and it seems that Sun Simiao is no exception. Yanqing didn't want to ask further questions.

  At this time, a commotion came from outside the car. It was Du Ruhui who brought back his treasured stone tablet!

  Sun Simiao let Yan Qing put away the bamboo slips and silk cloth, and the two of them stepped out of the carriage together.

  Du Ru Hui's face was filled with a silly smile, and he even refused to leave the carriage. Later, it was Sun Si Miao who forcibly pulled him away and changed his clothes.

  Yan Qing stood by and watched, feeling amused in her heart.

  Although it's a bit of a nuisance that this stone has appeared, Du Ruhui seems to have already forgotten about leaving a message, which is probably for the best.

  He was preparing to return to his own vehicle when Zheng Weishan came back.

  "Yan Qing, Zheng's steward wants you to go into town in a little while and find him at the Shouyang Wine House."

  "Huh?"

  Zheng Yanqing was taken aback, "But Grandfather said we were only resting for half a day? Why are we still going to Shouyang Wine House?"

  "Haha, that big shot insisted on inviting us to a banquet at the Shouyang Wine House. Manager Zheng couldn't decline and had no choice but to agree. The old manager also said that if it's convenient, please invite Mr. Sun together... Oh, I think you should go invite Mr. Sun instead."

  Zheng Woshan also knew that someone of his status might not be favored by Sun Simiao.

  Don't mention him, even if it's Zheng Shi'an himself who invites him, he may not be able to invite Sun Si Mian. Although Sun Si Mian is a commoner, his reputation is prominent and his status is evident. A person who can refuse the emperor, how could he or Zheng Shi'an possibly invite him out? On the other hand, it's possible that Zheng Yan Qing, relying on his new calligraphy style, might be able to invite Sun Si Mian.

  Zheng Yanqing nodded and looked at the sun, it was almost time.

  Then he went to find Sun Simiao again and told him what had happened. Sun Simiao was quite straightforward and agreed right away.

  "I'm going too!"

  Du Ru Hui put on a brand new white robe, and after hearing the news, he also wanted to join in the excitement.

  Sun Simiao smiled and said: "Aren't you afraid that your treasure will be stolen by someone?"

  "Huh, these three ancient stele are treasures in my eyes, but to others, they probably don't count for much. Besides, if we put them in the camp and they get lost, I'll just go ask Zhang Sanlang to return them. As if I'm afraid they'll run away?"

  Sun Simiao shook his head repeatedly, it seemed that Du Ruhui had indeed relied on Zhang Zhongjian.

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  Yanshi County town is not big.

  But as it is located on the edge of Luoyang, and in recent years the imperial court has been paying close attention to Luoyang, even considering moving the capital there.

  After the opening of the Kaihuang era, Guanzhong suffered repeated natural disasters.

  Emperor Yang of Sui, after the 10th year of Kaihuang, led the civil and military officials to offer sacrifices in Luoyang three more times, which further elevated the status of Luoyang. As Yanshi was a must-pass route for people traveling from Guandong to Luoyang, the traffic became increasingly busy and prosperous.

  Xiyang Wine House is the best wine house in Yangshuo.

  But unlike Guan Water Pavilion in Yangdi, Shangyang Wine House faces everyone.

  As long as you have money, you can enjoy delicious food and listen to music and dance in a wine house. If you feel bored, you can also find several beautiful women to accompany you. Anyway, this kind of thing is originally nothing. The more it's covered up, the more it spreads.

  When Zheng Yanqing and others arrived at Shouyang Wine House, the outside of the wine house was already crowded with people.

  The little servant outside quickly stepped forward, asked about the situation, and then immediately led Zheng Yanqing and others to walk inside.

  What is called a wine building is actually just a big house.

  In front of the courtyard there is a pavilion, with terraces and towers on both sides, mostly used to entertain ordinary guests.

  Passing through the central hall, I arrived at the backyard. It was like a garden, with artificial hills and flowing water, winding corridors and paths. On both sides were lanterns in various shapes, and on top of that, there was a giant torch that illuminated the entire backyard, making it bright and transparent.

  The design of this torch is very similar to the torches of later generations.

  It is said that the interior of the fake mountain has been hollowed out and equipped with an oil cabinet. The fire burns through the oil in the oil cabinet, and as long as there is enough oil, the fire will not go out. Every hour or so, a servant would add more oil to ensure that the oil cabinet was always full.

  Zheng Yanqing secretly admired this boss of Yangjiu Building, who was indeed a man with a unique mind.

  The backyard is also divided into more than a dozen independent buildings, specifically for the use of some distinguished guests. Zheng Shian and others have arrived, standing outside waiting. Xianqing also knew that Zheng Shian was not waiting for himself, but on account of Sun Simiao's face.

  By Zheng Shi'an's side, there was an old man and a young boy.

  What is called old age is actually just a forty-year-old appearance, born very robust and dignified.

  "Mr. Sun, this is a good friend of our family's eldest son, Xu Ge, a wealthy merchant from Lixia."

  Zheng Shi'an first paid his respects, then introduced the wealthy merchant. Sun Simiao merely nodded slightly and smiled, without saying a word.

  This is called dignity!

  Don't look at Sun Simiao's attitude towards Zheng Yanqing and Yan Yuese, it was just a glance. Ordinary people, even Zheng Shian, may not have given him any attention. Let alone a wealthy merchant... Although Emperor Yang of Sui encouraged merchants, the status of merchants was still low. Sun Simiao came to the banquet today, in fact, it was because of Zheng Yanqing's face. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come at all, let alone sit at the same table with a merchant's steward, which would be a loss of dignity.

  "I've long heard of Mr. Sun's great reputation, and today I have the honor of meeting him in person."

  Xu Guohao stepped forward with a generous and heroic bearing, without any sign of displeasure.

  Behind Xu Gei, there was a young boy of about ten years old. Wearing a white shirt, with clear eyebrows and beautiful eyes, he looked very gentle.

  "This is Quan's son... Quan, you haven't met Mr. Sun yet."

  "Mr. Sun, Xu Shiyou has paid his respects!"

  Zheng Yanqing followed behind Sun Simiao, standing alongside Du Ruhui. At first, he hadn't paid attention to the young man, but upon hearing Xu Ge's introduction, he was taken aback, his heart involuntarily taking in a breath of cold air as his gaze suddenly fixed on him.

  Is this young man Xue Shiou?

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  There will be only two updates today!

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