The Second Part Hebei Chapter 6 Asking Heart

  Kill Sun Erniang, which led to some discussion. However, it's strange that no one mentioned this point: in fact, she didn't eat human flesh, but sold human meat for money. In her eyes, the corpses were not used to satisfy hunger, but as a means of production. This is what I find most unbearable, a thoroughly anti-human and anti-civilized behavior.

  That night, he stayed at a guest house in Yuhe Huaizhou Duanbian.

  Gao Lie lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. He stared blankly at the main character in a book who had died before his eyes, leaving him with an eerie feeling in his heart. After all, the image of the 108 heroes of Liangshan was one he had been familiar with since childhood, and yet, due to his own actions, one of them was now gone. This suddenly made him realize that he had left an indelible mark on this timeline.

  And then there's Xu Guanzhong, who many scholars believe should be "Xu Guan Zhong", and it would make sense for Luo Guanzhong, one of the authors, to have made a friendly guest appearance in Water Margin. But now he has personally killed off characters from his own book - how is this supposed to add up?

  He suddenly burst out laughing: I remember when we were learning English, the teacher told us about the differences between Chinese and English, using Water Margin as an example. Overseas, someone actually titled it "The Story of 105 Men and Three Women". At the time, a classmate joked that the gender ratio was 35:1! But now there's one less female character, isn't that greatly increasing this ratio? Wait, I've also taken in a few Water Margin characters on my side, so if we subtract five people, the current ratio is...

  Just as he was indulging in wild fancies, there came a sudden knock at the door, and a voice called out: "I am Xu Guanzhong; may I ask if your honour has retired for the night?"

  Gao Qi sprang up, put on a piece of clothing and went to open the door. Under the moonlight, he saw the scholar who had killed Sun Erniang during the day standing outside the door. He smiled and said: "I haven't gone to bed yet, Brother Xu has come here in the middle of the night, I wonder if there's any instruction?"

  Xu Guangzhong's face had been expressionless since he killed his enemy during the day, and it was still as calm as an ancient well: "I only thought of avenging myself yesterday, but I forgot to thank you for saving my life, sir. I'm filled with shame when I think about it, please forgive me." He bowed slightly.

  Although it was a thank you for saving his life, even the sound of his voice seemed somewhat unnatural, and Gao Gang couldn't help but shiver at the cold tone. He hastily smiled and said: "Brother Xu, there's no need to be so polite, such evil and unscrupulous people are meant to be killed by anyone, I just happened to be present."

  Xu Guangzhong stood up straight, his face still expressionless: "Tonight the moon is cool as water, and the scenery of the imperial river must be refreshing. I wonder if Xu has the good fortune to invite the official to go for a stroll?"

  Gao Jian suddenly thought of an interesting scene and nodded: "The long night is sleepless, I thought only my younger brother was like this, but unexpectedly, Brother Xu, you are also. Wait for me to change into a outer robe, and then I will go with Brother Xu."

  Xu Guanzhong nodded, and after Gaoqiang put on his robe, they walked out of the guest house one in front of the other. They had only taken two steps when the door to the next room opened, and Lu Qian poked his head out, calling out "Sir" just once. Gaoqiang waved his hand to indicate that he didn't need to worry, and followed Xu Guanzhong out.

  That inn was only a hundred paces away from the Imperial River, and they arrived in an instant. The two of them stood still on the Imperial River's great dike, several steps apart.

  Listening to the sound of the river water slapping against the embankment, a gentle summer breeze blew by, bringing with it a hint of coolness. Gao Gang stood with his hands behind his back, looking at his upright posture, and suddenly felt a pang of sadness in his heart: According to what was written in the book, Xu Guanzhong was extremely filial to his mother, but viewed fame and fortune as worthless, so he hid in the mountains and did not take office. Now, however, his elderly mother had been killed by someone, and even her body could not be found - who knew how this filial son felt?

  Xu Guanzhong did not turn his head, but suddenly said: "I asked Brother Lu about the origin of the yamen, and only then did I know that he was a tiger son of a military family. This trip is to send a friend thousands of miles away, with a deep sense of righteousness. I admire him."

  Exchanged a few pleasantries with great enthusiasm, knowing that this was just the opening remarks, and the real show had yet to begin.

  Xu Guangzhong said again: "Today, the yamen saw such evil deeds with their own eyes. I wonder if they have any feelings in their hearts?"

  Gao Qiang let out a deep sigh, took a few steps forward, and stood shoulder to shoulder with Xu Guanzhong. With his hands behind his back, he gazed down at the flowing water below and said in a cold voice: "Such evil scoundrels kill people and rob them of their goods, plotting against others for wealth and taking lives. Their crimes are as vast as the sky, and death is not enough to make up for it!"

  I thought that Xu Guangzhong, having personally experienced the cruelty of the law, would have some sympathy. But instead, he coldly laughed and said: "As a high-ranking official from a military family, with both intelligence and bravery, you should know that one general's achievement is built on the bones of ten thousand soldiers. On the border, when do we not see killing? In how many places are there no buried bones? Yet, having seen this bit of banditry, you're so shocked and frightened - isn't this a woman's way of thinking?"

  Gao Feng heard this and couldn't help but get angry, loudly saying: "A great man kills the enemy to avenge his country, what's there to say about being wrapped in horse hide after death? How can you mention him in the same breath as these evil people? Brother Xu has misread the classics!"

  The response was still a cold laugh: "Sage? Joke. When Confucius was the Grand Officer of Lu, he killed several Qi dancers to demonstrate his power. What crime did those dancers commit? They just followed orders from above and had no choice. And yet, Confucius killed them to establish his authority without punishing the King of Qi. Is this also a sage?

  Gao Jiang shook his head and said, "Brother Xu, I'm uneducated, since childhood I've just been wandering around, I don't know why saints kill people or keep them alive. I also know that in years of great disaster, the land is scorched for a thousand miles, the common people have no choice but to struggle to survive, often exchanging their children for food. Heaven and earth are not benevolent, treating all things as straw dogs, the multitudes of people are just being simmered in this bronze cauldron. However,"

  He suddenly puffed out his chest, looked up at the brilliant starry sky, and said in a voice that was momentarily desolate: "We were born between heaven and earth, received our parents' essence and blood, and were nourished by the five grains. Even if we are not talented and cannot inherit the saints' ultimate teachings or bring about eternal peace, we should still strive with all our might to seek temporary peace of mind. Today's evil people not only kill and rob, but also use human flesh and blood as goods to plot for small gains. Their hearts are not worthy of being human, and they are even worse than beasts. Beasts eat humans just to survive, while these people abandon their humanity for a few pieces of silver and gold, and have already cut themselves off from heaven and earth. Why should we not kill them?"

  Xu Guangzhong fell silent for a moment, then coldly laughed: "Those who sell people, are they not just this petty thief? Today, the dignitaries in the imperial court, in the morning want to admire flowers and the flower farmers of Chu lose their homes, in the evening want to play with rocks and the common people of Jiangnan become homeless and destitute, dead bodies pile up on the roads. Are these not also selling people? Can those inside the yamen teach me?"

  Gao Feng's prolonged silence had already touched the deepest part of his heart. Should he answer or not?

  Finally, he spoke with difficulty: "Confucius said that harsh government is more fierce than a tiger, and man's cruelty to man is ten times worse than that of beasts. However, I, being foolish, also know one principle: the way of heaven is cyclical, and retribution does not miss its mark. What you do to others today, who knows will not be repaid to yourself another day? Everyone has a heart, everyone has strength, it's just a matter of degree, it's just a matter of circumstances." To put it bluntly, even a mouse in a desperate situation will bite people, let alone humans.

  Xu Guanzhong was also silent for a long time, so silent that Gao Gang almost ignored his existence, with only the bright moon on the horizon and the clear wind on the river filling his heart.

  Suddenly, Xu Guanzhong turned to face Gao Qiang, revealing the first smile since their meeting. His handsome face looked a bit desolate under the night sky: "Do you know, sir, why I wanted to have this midnight conversation with you by the river?"

  He didn't wait for a strong response, he turned his head again, gazing at the flowing water: "Xu Mou was born in Daming Prefecture, had also read the books of sages and worthies, and had also made a vow to plead for the people's lives. However, the party struggle last year taught Xu Mou that even with cold teeth, the imperial court still treats scholars like this, how can we talk about virtuous paths? Xu Mou has heard that in Yongxing Military Prefecture, there was a stone carver named Anmin who refused to carve the stele for the party, saying 'Someone like Prime Minister Sima is known throughout the world for his loyalty, why would he join a treacherous party?' The officials ordered him to carve the stone, but Anmin had no choice and only asked not to have his name listed, so as to avoid being spat upon by future generations. Anmin was just a stone carver, yet he knew the distinction between loyalty and treachery, and had a sense of shame. How could Cai Gong, with his extraordinary talent, not know this, and yet do such an unreasonable thing?"

  "Xu's heart was cold and disappointed, he only wanted to serve his old mother, retreat from the world, and end this miserable life. Unexpectedly, a killing intent suddenly rose in front of the Crossroads Slope, and... A smiling face seemed to mock himself, and finally two lines of hot tears flowed from his eyes:"

  "Xu certain cannot serve the country with loyalty, and in retirement, he cannot fulfill his filial duties to his elderly mother. The world is vast, where can I find a place to stand? The reason I invited you here is just to thank you for saving my life, and then I will devote myself to the clear stream."

  He was so startled that he hastily grasped his hand tightly, fearing that he would jump up without saying a word.

  Xu Guanzhong, however, did not dodge and allowed himself to be pulled along, continuing: "But just now, after a conversation with the official, Xu had some interest. The official's enthusiasm seemed like yesterday's Xu. If he could follow the official and see if the official would become another version of himself, wouldn't that be an interesting thing?"

  He turned his head, slowly knelt down on the ground and said: "Xu Mou has been saved by Yu Nei's life, this life is no longer worth loving, I am willing to hand over this crippled body to Yu Nei, and hope that Yu Nei will accept it."

  Gao saw a promising young man say "life is not worth living" and was taken aback, unsure whether to be happy or sad. He quickly helped him up and said: "Brother Xu, why must you say such things? Gao is ignorant and unworthy of Brother Xu's great talent. If Brother Xu is willing to accept me, from now on I will treat him with the respect due to an elder brother. What do you think, Brother?"

  Xu Guanzhong smiled and shook his head, saying: "Your Honor, Xu's loyalty and filial piety have both been abandoned, I am ashamed to stand in the world, how can I still be your elder brother? This worthless life, if you don't want it, I'll just let it drift away with the flowing water." As he spoke, he struggled to get up.

  "Greatly shocked and surprised, he hastily held him with both hands: "Brother Xu, don't be so careless with your life, I've promised you already."

  Xu Guanzhong knocked his head on the ground several times, stood up, and with one swift motion tore off his Confucian long gown, ripped it to shreds, and threw it into the imperial river. He turned around and said to Gao Qiang: "Your Honor, yesterday's Xu Guanzhong is dead. From now on, I, Xu, will devote myself to serving Your Honor."

  Gao Jian stared at him, watching as he "died" once again. His heart was filled with mixed emotions, and suddenly a phrase came to mind: "Brother Xu, if Gao Jian achieves greatness in the future, treat me like a noble gentleman, I only hope that you will repay me with the same nobility."

  After hearing this, Xu Guanzhong's eyes, which had already lost some of their luster, suddenly flashed with a hint of sharpness, and his entire being seemed to be infused with renewed vitality: "I shall obey your orders."

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