Chapter Twelve: Thanks and Messages

  Lu Xiangying carried a copper kettle full of boiling water into the room, poured clear tea while pouring hot water and said: "What do you know about children's homes? What are you poor in here? Dare to quickly go slaughter those two wild chickens, I'll come later to make several dishes for your grandfather Wang."

  Shuisheng responded with a "yes" and was about to turn around and leave, but Wang Lao Fu Zi waved his hand and said: "No need to bother, no need to bother! Xiuying niece please sit down, Shuisheng also stay for a moment. Today I came not to taste the wild flavor, but to talk to Da Niu and Shuisheng about something. After saying a few words, I will take my leave!"

  "Oh, Old Man Wang has come especially for the children? Could it be that those two little rascals have gone to Wang Village and stirred up some trouble?" As soon as she heard this, Luo Xiuying's heart skipped a beat! Her two sons were always mischievous and often got into unexpected troubles. Although she felt that Old Man Wang didn't seem like he was here to scold them, she still couldn't relax. She turned her head and ordered Xiaojuan: "Go, call your older brother in for me!"

  Watching Xiaojuan run out of the hall, Shuigen also cast a suspicious glance at Wang Lao. The few simple conversations just now made Shuigen have a good impression on Wang Lao, but when he heard that the old man was specifically looking for his two brothers, he couldn't help but wonder. He walked to his mother's back and stood still, with a well-behaved appearance.

  The old man Wang took a sip of the clear tea, and after putting down the teacup in his hand, he slowly said: "Good tea! The color is just right and the flavor is fragrant. It's really top-notch. Autumn Ying taught a good pair of children. Today, I came to thank Shuisheng for saving my unworthy grandson Wang Long's life!"

  Lu Xiangying finally let out a sigh of relief and said, "Uncle Wang is being too polite. Such a small matter, why did Uncle have to come in person? If Shuisheng was able to kill that vicious wolf, it can only be considered luck! If Uncle praises him for this, I'm afraid he'll become so arrogant that his tail will reach the sky, and who knows what kind of trouble he'll stir up next!" Upon hearing these words, Shuisheng, standing behind his mother, quietly pouted and felt unhappy.

  Wang Lao Fu Zi gently shook his fan and said, "Xiu Ying's words are too serious. Seeing the two young masters, I must say that I really like them from the bottom of my heart. Looking at their age, they're only eight or nine years old, yet they can remain calm and composed in front of a ferocious wolf, protect themselves and their companions, and even show such chivalrous spirit! It's truly rare and precious! Not to mention other things, if it weren't for Da Niu and Shui Sheng being there yesterday, who knows how many more children would have been harmed?"

  Lu Xiangying had not spoken, but Shui Sheng behind her interrupted and said: "Some people may not think so? Next time when we encounter a wolf biting someone, I won't care!" As he spoke, Da Niu was pulled back by Xiao Juan.

  "Oh! What makes you say that?" Wang Lao asked with a surprised expression.

  Lu Xiangying couldn't help but smile and said: "Just before you came, someone caused trouble at home, and these three little guys are still holding a grudge until now!"

  When Wang Lao saw the inquiring gaze cast upon himself, Shui Sheng didn't hesitate and told them about how the fat woman had come to their doorstep. Da Niu and Xiao Juan chimed in from the side, one after another.

  Wang Lao Fu Zi listened to the three children's chatter and his mood gradually became heavy. He said, "It seems that you three siblings have a lot of dissatisfaction and resentment towards that fat aunt. Da Niu, Shui Sheng, I'll ask you, why did you fight the wolf yesterday, and why did you save people?"

  Big Cow said: "Dad and mom say that bad wolves are bad things, so they have to be beaten." But Shui Sheng said: "Wolves want to eat people!"

  The old man asked again: "If a pack of fierce wolves ran into the village tomorrow and ate people at sight, what should be done?"

  The big cow waved its small fist and said, "Everyone join forces and beat them all to death." Shui Sheng saw Wang Lao Fu Zi looking at himself, thought for a moment, and said, "I want to hide on the second floor and shoot the evil wolves one by one with arrows."

  The old man's face finally regained a hint of a smile, and he said: "That's right, wolves eat people, so they must be beaten to death. You beat the wolf and save people, not for Auntie Hua, nor for others to praise you, but to save lives, to punish evil, and to do what you should do. You are not wrong, it is Auntie Hua who is wrong, but why would you change your correct thinking because of her mistake? Can't you even bear this small grievance?"

  The water-born little mouth was still pouting high, and said unhappily: "I don't care, Fat Aunt scolds me, she's not right, if a wolf really comes, I won't go to save her!" Xiaojun followed up with: "Yes, let the wolf bite her to death!" Seeing her mother glare at her fiercely, she stuck out her tongue and hid behind Shuixing.

  Wang Lao's mouth curled up into a wry smile of helplessness.

  Lu Xiangying also smiled bitterly: "Old man forgive me, children don't understand things!"

  The old man Wang shook his head and said, "Children speak from their hearts, how can I blame them? If anyone is to be blamed, it's the greed and ignorance of the world, who don't know gratitude, only know how to take!"

  Lu Xiangying's heart moved and she asked: "Yesterday in Wangzhuang, four children died at the mouth of a ferocious wolf. Could it be that someone has done something similar?"

  "That's not the case, I had thought of this point long ago. After all, those dead children were out playing with Wang Long, and two of the families are even servants in my household. So I sent 10 taels of silver to each of the four households ahead of time. Otherwise, how could it be so peaceful?" Old Master Wang sighed lightly.

  Lu Xiuying admired and said, "Uncle is magnanimous, I have learned from my nephew." Daniu and Shuisheng heard that Wang Lao Fu paid silver to others, and they were even more indignant.

  Wang Lao's husband took a sip of clear tea and said, "My niece is very lucky. Da Niu and Shui Sheng are both young, but they are all good materials and beautiful jade. Even I am moved when I see them. If it weren't for the vow I made back then not to take on any more disciples, I would really want to teach them some classics and scriptures, so that when they grow up, they can govern the world with wisdom."

  Xiao Juan ran to the front of Old Man Wang and asked, "Grandpa, what about me?" Old Man Wang laughed and said, "Right, we also have our Xiao Juan, who is a good child. Grandpa forgot to praise you just now."

  Lu Xiuying reached out and pulled Xiaojuan back, saying: "What's wrong with you? What can you do besides crying?" Hearing Wang Lao's praise of his children, he didn't say anything in his mouth, but he was very happy in his heart.

  Wang Lao Fu Zi asked again: "Dà Niú, Shuǐ Shēng are still young, but they have also reached the critical period of learning skills. What do you plan for their future, niece?"

  "Who doesn't want their children to make a name for themselves? Unfortunately, we were born in turbulent times. It's still more stable living in these mountains. Every time Jinpeng talks to me about it, he says that if he and his siblings can just live out this life peacefully in this small mountain village, they should be content!"

  The old man let out a long sigh and said, "In my twilight years, I retreated to the mountains and forests with this very thought in mind. Since I couldn't bring peace to the world or ensure the safety of even one province or prefecture, I might as well stay in this small mountain valley and let my descendants live a peaceful life, which would be a worthy tribute to our ancestors' blessings! Alas, heaven did not grant me my wish. Not long ago, the northern Di tribe breached the capital of Yan Prefecture, and all six counties of Yan are now under their control. Pingzhou and Yanzhou have fallen one after another, and our Zhongzhou is no longer safe. Perhaps in a few years, the fully recovered Di army will enter Zhongzhou. When that happens, if the Han court falls, not only Longyang City but the entire Nanyang Prefecture will be destroyed by war, and even this small mountain village may not be spared."

  Lu Xiangying's face changed, and she stood up suddenly, asking: "Old man, are you telling the truth? There is Iron Wing General and 30,000 Black Iron Army stationed in Longyang City, can't they protect it?"

  A hint of desolation flashed across Wang Lao's eyes, and he slowly said: "Logically speaking, Longyang City is deep in the valley and has strong walls. Iron Wing General also has the bravery of a thousand men, and should be able to maintain peace in one direction. Unfortunately, the Di people are cruel and fierce in battle, and have the assistance of witchcraft. The sorcerers in the army are skilled in the art of driving beasts, and this time they invaded Yanzhou, attacking cities and plundering pools along the way, as if they were sweeping away dry leaves. If it weren't for the Di tribe's sparse population, occupying Yanzhou would be difficult to sustain, and they wouldn't have the strength to attack Zhongzhou, making it hard for them to occupy our great rivers and mountains. The Han court was able to barely survive! My Central Plains Han imperial family is full of treacherous officials, those powerful people only know how to fight for power and profit, bully the common people, frame loyal officials, naturally leading to defeat like a mountain collapse!"

  Lu Xiangying's face suddenly turned gloomy, and although she had not personally witnessed Di Ren's cruelty, she often heard her father mention it. Her father was highly skilled in martial arts all his life, and in his youth, he had traveled the world. It was precisely because of being injured by a shaman from the Di people that he had been bedridden with an old illness and eventually passed away!

  The old man Wang seemed to recall the past, let out a long sigh, and his interest was lukewarm. He then said: "At that time, if the great army presses the border, with General Tieyi's temperament, he will surely be at war, refusing to yield until death. Unfortunately, relying solely on his own strength, how can he defeat the strong enemy? The Di people are powerful, and Longyang City will ultimately have more disasters than blessings. General Tieyi is afraid that even if he wants to turn back, he will be powerless! To be honest, the news of the Di tribe occupying six counties in Yan was passed on to me by General Tieyi's messenger seven days ago. It was also because of this that I came to find you today, wanting to leave a way out for my descendants in advance!"

  The three siblings, although they didn't quite understand the meaning of what Wang Lao and their mother were saying, could still guess from their expressions that something big was about to happen. Suddenly, it became much quieter.

  Wang Lao's gaze swept over the three siblings, finally falling on Luo Xiuying, who was deep in thought. He said, "General Tieyi had the good fortune of cultivating at 'Yuding Mountain' many years ago. Although he couldn't attain the highest level of cultivation due to his innate abilities, he still managed to master some extraordinary escape techniques and martial arts. His lifespan is also much longer than that of ordinary people. Moreover, he made acquaintances with many senior members of the sect. Seven days ago, when General Tieyi sent someone to deliver a message, they also brought news about 'Yuding Gate'."

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