Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 87 'Revisiting the Old Place'

Seeing Chen Xuan in a daze, Mr. Yushan thought it was normal. Children would be confused when encountering such things.

After a moment, he asked, "Xuan, you probably don't know how to do it exactly, right?"

Nodding, Chen Xuan really didn't know the specific operation procedures.

So Mr. Yushan said, "Well, no problem, I'll take care of it."

"Thank you, sir," Chen Xuan thanked sincerely. If he were to do it himself, not to mention whether he could do it or not, he really didn't know where to start.

"It's okay, it's just a small matter," he said calmly, and then asked again: "Are you scared?"

Chen Xuan didn't know whether he was asking about helping the old boatman collect the body or watching a beheading, but since he had never experienced either, he shook his head and said, "I don't know."

In fact, deep down, Chen Xuan probably would be scared. After all, things like beheading and death are terrifying to think about. It's not like he's watching a movie or TV show through a screen, but it's going to happen with his own eyes.

He thought to himself that he was just an ordinary person, not a foolish or bold person, nor a cold-blooded and bloodthirsty person by nature. He was generally a little scared after experiencing such things.

Mr. Yushan was not surprised by this and said, "In life, you have to experience many things in order to grow. Just think of it as training your courage. That's why I took you and Ming'er with me. However, Ming'er is still young, so I need to ask his family for their opinion. Fortunately, my sister-in-law understands my thoughts and didn't refuse. Some people may think that it is harmful for children to experience these things too early, but I don't think so. Everyone has been young before, and at the age of seven or eight, they already understand a lot."

Gao Jingming has a choice, but I don’t, because I am just a small servant.

"It's all up to you, sir," Chen Xuan could only say.

He nodded and hummed.

At this moment, Gao Jingming had also eaten and drunk his fill, changed his clothes and came over. He asked curiously, "Master, A Xuan, what are you talking about?"

"Nothing. How are your preparations for tomorrow?" Mr. Yushan said with a smile.

Gao Jingming asked blankly, "Is there anything else we need to prepare?"

Forget it, I was too lazy to tell him. Mr. Yushan looked at Xiao Cai and the others and said, "Go and arrange some guards. We are going to Lanfeng County for a day or two, so you don't have to go with us."

"Yes," Xiao Cai and the others said respectfully, not daring to ask anything. Mr. Yushan, as Gao Jingming's master, was like his parents. There were many things that Xiao Cai and the others had no right to ask about, so they just had to do as they were told.

Chen Xuan guessed that he didn't let Xiao Cai and the other person go because he was concerned about the girls' feelings.

Taking advantage of the gap they arranged, Chen Xuan said to Gao Jingming in front of Mr. Yushan: "Master, I would like to ask you to lend me ten taels of silver. I hope you will agree and return it to me slowly later."

It’s better to implement this matter as soon as possible.

Gao Jingming was stunned and said, "Why did Xuan borrow money? Isn't all my money with you? Just use it directly."

This guy has no concept of money at all, and it is usually Chen Xuan who pays the bills, so it seems normal for him to have the money spent by Chen Xuan.

Chen Xuan said: "Master, that's different. What I borrowed is what I borrowed, and I have to pay it back."

"I don't understand what you're thinking. We're close friends. Okay, I'll lend it to you. It's really unnecessary," he said nonchalantly.

To make it more formal, Chen Xuan looked at Mr. Yushan and said, "Sir, may I ask for your help in writing a promissory note?"

It’s not that Chen Xuan can’t write, but he doesn’t recognize all the characters, and he doesn’t know the format.

Mr. Yushan saw all of Chen Xuan's performance, nodded secretly, and said with a smile: "Of course."

So Chen Xuan hurried to prepare the pen, ink, paper and inkstone, which were all ready. Then Mr. Yushan wrote a promissory note for ten taels, which Chen Xuan signed and sealed and solemnly handed to Gao Jingming.

Chen Xuan could now write his own name in the Jingguo language, but he still put his handprint on it. Naturally, there was no interest or anything like that in this kind of loan between master and servant, and no one mentioned it.

However, Gao Jingming didn't take it seriously at all and handed the IOU to Xiao Cai and the others who had returned.

Chen Xuan borrowed ten taels of silver from Gao Jingming, which was his personal money. He took out ten taels from his money and gave them to Mr. Yushan, saying, "Sir, I'll trouble you with the rest."

"Well, I'll try my best to help you save some, and I'll return it to you if there's any surplus," Mr. Yushan accepted it with a smile.

Scholars have their own ethics. Since they have intervened in this matter, they will see it through to the end. Even if Chen Xuan is just a child, it will naturally not end in vain.

But generally speaking, Chen Xuan still owed him a favor and would repay it when he had the chance, even though there was almost no such opportunity.

After the matter was settled, Mr. Yushan looked at the sky and said, "Let's set off. Let's go to Lanfeng County first. We will be busy once we settle down there."

"Master, we're going to Lanfeng County. What are we doing there? Are we coming back today?" Gao Jingming asked curiously. "You have so many questions. Just follow my instructions. I'm sure this trip will leave a lasting impression on you." Mr. Yushan looked at his 'silly apprentice' with amusement.

He stopped asking questions and they all went out to start their journey.

There were carriages and horses waiting outside the door, with four guards, two servants, and no maids. Geng Hong and Leng Bing were among the guards. In fact, with Mr. Yushan there, there was no need for guards at all, but the Gao family couldn't keep idle people, and more pairs of eyes would be good too.

Mr. Yushan's cart was an ox cart, and the driver was Uncle Zhong. Chen Xuan and the others called him that and recognized him, after all, he was at the school gate almost every day.

Mr. Yushan didn't need anyone's help to jump onto the ox cart. He just stretched out his hand and gently pushed against the shaft and jumped on. Uncle Zhong helped him put the wheelchair in the back.

After settling down, Mr. Yushan waved at Chen Xuan and the others and said, "Come to my car and read a book along the way."

Gao Jingming was somewhat unhappy, but he had to go up because he had to obey his master's order. It was torture to go out and play while also reading.

Next, the group headed towards Lanfeng County, crossing mountains and rivers, crossing bridges and passing through villages. It was forty or fifty miles and they didn't arrive until the afternoon. The main reason was that Mr. Yushan's ox cart was not fast enough.

On the way, Gao Jingming read a book under the "oppression" of Mr. Yushan, but he didn't last long before he fell asleep. The road was very bumpy. Traveling was not an easy task in ancient times. Even if he had the dragon horn pendant, he could not withstand such fatigue.

During this time, they were close to the Yu Shui River, and Chen Xuan only found some scenes that he had seen in his memory. He didn't even know if it was because of his mood that he got confused.

Of course, there was no old boatman ferrying people across the river. He was in prison, ready to be stabbed.

Lanfeng County is not much better than Yang County. It is old and dilapidated. To Chen Xuan, the same historical atmosphere is overwhelming, and it seems that everything is still the same.

A pass is required to enter the city, and Mr. Yushan has made his own arrangements. Even the gatekeeper recognized him and asked if he needed help, but he declined with a smile.

Entering Lanfeng County, one could sense a faint sense of oppression in the air. People were walking in a hurry and looked nervous. Chen Xuan guessed that it had something to do with what Shu Yao had said last time about arresting people everywhere.

For ordinary people, it is a matter of great importance and no one wants to be implicated. It is necessary to be cautious in what you say and do in such matters.

Along the way, not only were people walking in a hurry, but sealed-off buildings could also be seen frequently on the streets, making the entire Lanfeng County look more depressed than Yang County.

'Could it be that those buildings that looked recently sealed off are also related to human traffickers? Are they so involved?' Chen Xuan had this vague suspicion in his mind, but he didn't ask aloud. Less trouble is worse than more. As long as the things he cared about were resolved, nothing else mattered.

It was almost evening by the time they settled down in the inn. They had been traveling for almost a day, and even though Chen Xuan's physical condition had improved a lot, he still felt a little tired. Gao Jingming was similar, looking listless.

He lived in an ordinary room, with guards living on his left and right. There was no separate courtyard. Mr. Yushan was not so extravagant. He was not poor, but he would not waste either. With his fame, as long as he asked, there would be many people who would give him money for their descendants' education.

"You guys have a good rest. I'm going out to do something and will be back later. Don't run around. It's best not to leave the inn. If you really have to go out, you must take someone with you." After giving some instructions, Mr. Yushan left with Uncle Zhong and took away two servants from Gao Jingming's family.

Gao Jingming, exhausted, had no mood to play around. He said listlessly, "A Xuan, I'm going to rest. If you want to play, go by yourself. Don't get lost."

With that he went back into the house.

I'm still lost. I was sold to this county town and stayed in a dark basement for a long time. The memory is very deep. I would only run around when I'm full.

Is this considered a "revisit to an old place"? I just don't know where the basement is. What's strange is that Chen Xuan actually wants to go and see it.

It wasn't a psychological trauma. Chen Xuan had no plans to go out anyway, so he simply went back to the house to rest.

Mr. Yushan didn't come back until around 7 or 8 in the evening. Chen Xuan and the others, who had almost rested, went downstairs to eat. While eating, he mentioned, "Ah Xuan, I've arranged everything for you. Just follow my instructions from now on."

"Thank you, sir," Chen Xuan thanked him again. It turned out that he had been busy with his own things all afternoon.

Gao Jingming asked in confusion: "Master, A Xuan, what are you talking about? I don't understand, it's so mysterious."

"Eat your meal," Mr. Yushan smiled and said nothing more.

Gao Jingming didn't think much of it at first, but suddenly something occurred to him. He said in astonishment, "Wait, Master, Ah Xuan, we came to Lanfeng County, aren't we, because of what Ah Xuan said the other day?"

"You'll know tomorrow," Mr. Yushan said with a smile, so as not to scare the boy by revealing it in advance.

There were also many diners around, and Chen Xuan occasionally heard them discussing in low voices, such as human traffickers being executed, their homes being raided, and beheadings, and that they should go and see it together tomorrow.

Just as Shu Yao said, Yushan Academy was located in a remote area, and in fact, this matter had already caused a sensation and spread widely.

After dinner, everyone went back to their rooms to rest. There was not much entertainment anyway, and even if there was, it would not be for people of Chen Xuan's age to enjoy it.

The next morning, Chen Xuan was awakened by the noise outside the inn, as if the entire county was boiling...

(End of this chapter)