Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 64: The Scholar's Pen and the Soldiers' Soul
Du Yijian seemed to be a regular visitor. He went out to ask the monk for a pot of tea, and sat opposite Di Renjie in the room, drinking tea and talking about the past.

When the two of them talked about Gao Youdao, Du Yijian sighed.

"Brother Gao had already lost hope after that setback. I wanted him to come with me to visit the Wang family in Taiyuan so we could have a chance at admission, but he refused."

Di Renjie asked, "Brother Du, are you friends with the Wang family of Taiyuan?"

Du Yijian smiled and said, "When I was traveling in Shu, I met a friend named Lu Zhaolin, who was from the Fanyang Lu family. Later, through his introduction, I met Wang Fuzhi from the Taiyuan Wang family."

He looked up at Di Renjie and said with a smile, "Would you like me to introduce them to you someday?"

Di Renjie held a high official position, and Lu and Wang both came from prominent family backgrounds. After they met, they could complement each other.

As an introducer, Du Yijian can also improve his reputation and status.

Di Renjie knew that Du Yijian was not a vain person, and that he improved his status and position in order to increase his chances of becoming an official.

Di Renjie also wanted to help his old friend and nodded, saying, "Thank you very much."

Du Yijian was overjoyed and said, "You should have heard of Lu Zhaolin's uncle. He is Lu Chengqing, who was just promoted to the Minister of Revenue."

Di Renjie exclaimed, "It turned out to be Lord Lu."

Du Yijian smiled and said, "I'll host you then. I'll have a private room in Yingfulou and invite Lu Zhaolin and Wang Fuzhi over. I'll also bring you and Brother Gao along. Who knows, Brother Gao might be inspired and rekindle his ambition for a career in government."

Di Renjie thought to himself, "Your Majesty will be able to find Brother Gao quickly through Bai Xiaojie. The most important thing now is to cheer him up."

"Okay, I'll definitely go." He nodded.

At this moment, a hoarse voice sounded.

"I won't go."

They both turned their heads and saw Gao Youdao had sat up at some point with a complicated smile on his face.

"Di Huaiying, long time no see."

Di Renjie bowed and said, "Brother Gao, everyone has their ups and downs in life. Not being able to overcome them is a different kind of scenery. After overcoming them, looking back, there is another kind of scenery. Why be so obsessed?"

Gao Youdao raised his head and said slowly, "Everyone's circumstances are different, and the paths they take are also different. But some people like to use their own path to teach others how to walk. How ridiculous!"

Du Yijian said, "Although the paths are different, the obstacles along the way are the same. Life is full of disappointments. Even the Prime Minister has his downfalls, doesn't he?"

Gao Youdao glanced at his injured right hand and said coldly, "Some obstacles can be crossed, but some cannot. If a general had both his legs chopped off and you asked him to ride a horse, would he be able to do it?"

The two wanted to persuade him again, but Gao Youdao waved his hand.

"You all should go away. I don't want to see you again."

After he finished speaking, he lay down on the bed again, turned over, and faced the back of his head towards the two of them.

Di Renjie and Du Yijian looked at each other.

Both of them knew Gao Youdao's temper, and further persuasion would only have the opposite effect, so they had no choice but to leave first and make other plans.

Di Renjie conveyed Zheng Mingyu's greetings, and left the house with Du Yijian, closing the door.

Shortly after the two left, Gao Youdao turned over and lay flat on his back, covering his face with his hands, crying silently.

Just then, a loud voice came from the door.

"If you're not willing, why do you want to drive them away?"

Gao Youdao suddenly sat up and looked towards the door, only to see a strong man standing there, about forty years old, with an imposing look.

"who are you?"

"General of the Qianniu Guard, Xue Rengui." The man replied.

Gao Youdao's expression changed. "What do you want me to do?"

Xue Rengui said, "I just came to the temple to burn incense. I happened to pass by and heard what you said just now. I have a few words to say to you."

Gao Youdao took a breath, stood up, and bowed to Xue Rengui, saying, "Please give me your guidance, General."

Xue Rengui asked, "You just said that if a general's legs were cut off, it would be difficult for him to ride a horse, right?"

Gao Youdao was stunned and said, "Not bad."

Xue Rengui said in a deep voice: "Come with me, I will take you to see someone."

For some reason, Gao Youdao felt an irresistible feeling in front of him, so he had to leave the temple with him silently.

As they walked down the street, Gao Youdao suddenly said, "I've heard about the general's victory over Tubo. I never thought I'd have the honor of meeting him today."

Xue Rengui looked back at him and said, "I'm just serving my country."

Gao Youdao lowered his head and stopped talking.

After a while, they arrived at Xuanyangfang, walked around East Street, and came to a blacksmith shop. As soon as they entered the door, a wave of heat hit them.

There were several large stoves in the shop, and the fire was very bright. Many men were shirtless, holding hammers and hitting iron tools.

These men seemed to know Xue Rengui, and when they saw him come in, they all greeted him warmly.

"General Xue is here."

"General Xue, please take a seat."

"General Xue, you want to maintain your silver scissors halberd, haha, it must have been bent when you killed the Tibetan dogs!"

Gao Youdao looked at these people with a pale face.

These men were all disabled, some were missing an arm or a leg, and some were blind, sitting on chairs and pimping.

Xue Rengui smiled and said, "It's true that the blade was bent, but my Qiang friends were very kind and helped me resharpen it."

A one-legged man shouted, "How can the Qiang people's craftsmanship be compared to ours? Hurry up and bring it over so we can polish it. I guarantee you'll be able to wield it even better next time you kill the enemy!"

Xue Rengui smiled and said, "Let's do it another day. Is General Pang here?"

A one-armed man laughed and said, "He's tinkering with the saddle in the backyard."

Xue Rengui nodded and took Gao Youdao into the backyard.

The yard was full of wooden racks, all of which were hung with saddles.

A man in his fifties was sitting in a wheelchair, sewing leather with an embroidery needle in his hand.

Xue Rengui was very respectful to the man. He bowed slightly and said, "General Pang."

The man looked up and smiled, saying, "General Xue is here. Come quickly and try out this newly improved saddle of mine."

Take down a saddle and place it on a wooden horse next to it.

Xue Rengui did not refuse. He went over and sat on the saddle, shaking his buttocks vigorously as if he was riding a horse.

"How is it? Is it more stable?" General Pang asked expectantly.

Xue Rengui smiled and said, "It is indeed more stable."

General Pang's face darkened. He said, "Don't try to fool me. Just tell me the truth. Are you afraid I can't handle it?"

Xue Rengui said, "It's a little stable, but the corners are too high, making it difficult to get on and off the horse."

General Pang smiled and said, "I see. As long as I know the shortcomings, I will continue to improve them. By the way, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Xue Rengui said, "This young man is called Gao Youdao. He said that if a general's legs were cut off, he would never be able to ride a horse again. I will bring him to see you."

General Pang laughed and said, "They're not wrong. After the Turks chopped off my legs, I couldn't get on a horse anyway."

Then he changed the subject: "Even though I can't ride a horse, I can still serve my country. I'll make more good saddles so the soldiers can ride more steadily when they go to war. After each war, maybe a few more people will survive."

Gao Youdao looked at his severed legs and then at his heroic and simple smile, and a string seemed to be touched in his heart.

General Pang no longer paid attention to Gao Youdao and kept asking Xue Rengui about the situation of the battle with Tuyuhun.

A quarter of an hour later, Xue Rengui took Gao Youdao away from the armory.

Gao Youdao suddenly asked, "Are all the people in this shop Tang Dynasty soldiers?"

Xue Rengui said, "Yes, this blacksmith shop was built by General Su Dingfang. There are several other blacksmith shops in the city. All disabled soldiers in the army will be accommodated here."

Gao Youdao sighed, "He is truly the iron-blooded warrior of the Tang Dynasty."

Xue Rengui glanced at him and said, "You're not bad either."

Gao Youdao's face flushed red as he said, "I'm just a weak scholar who gives up on myself after a little setback. How can I compare with them?"

Xue Rengui said, "I don't know anything else, but even though your right hand is disabled, you've trained your left hand. Just for this reason, I admire you."

Gao Youdao's heart warmed, and he shouted, "General Xue, do you think I can still pass the imperial examination with just my left hand?"

Xue Rengui said, "I don't know."

Gao Youdao was stunned.

Xue Rengui added: "Things in this world are not about whether you can do it or not, but about whether you do it or not. If you are willing to do it, it will be great."

Gao Youdao laughed heartily and said, "General, you are absolutely right. Man proposes, God disposes. Just do it and don't let yourself regret it."

Xue Rengui bowed and said, "Then I wish you good luck, my dear. I will take my leave."

Turn around and stride away.

(End of this chapter)