Song Yi

Chapter 365
Ke Yao looked at the back of the woman going away, and wondered: "The people in Jingjiang Mansion are really interesting, but it's just a one-year disaster, but it's not going to sell the land, right?"

The two walked around for a while, and it was getting late, so they walked into the city.

When I saw the city gate from a distance, I suddenly saw an old man squatting on the side of the road, looking left and right nervously.There was also an eleven or twelve-year-old girl sitting beside her, with grass marks stuck in her hair. Seeing Du Wenhao and Ke Yao approaching, the old man quickly got up and said with a smile on his face, "Master, miss, you still need to cook and do laundry at home." girl?"

Ke Yao saw that the old man looked haggard, and the child beside him was also sitting on the ground with a tired face, staring at him dully, and said, "You want to sell the child?"

Seeing that they were interested, the old man quickly turned his head and said to the girl, "Yingzi, hurry up and let this lady show you. If she likes you and buys you, you will have no worries about food and clothing from now on."

The girl reluctantly stood up and walked around in front of Ke Yao twice, and said pitifully, "You kind lady, please buy me. I'm very hardworking. I can wash your clothes and cook for you, and you can eat as well." not much."

With a sore nose, Ke Yao walked up to the girl and touched her dry hair, and asked softly, "How old are you?"

The girl looked at the old man, thought for a while, and said, "15 years old."

Ke Yao looked at the old man and said, "Old man, is this your granddaughter?"

The old man nodded: "Yes, young master and miss, our family's Yingzi is in very good health, and can do all kinds of rough and heavy work."

Ke Yao snorted: "I think you secretly tricked someone else's child into selling it. This child is obviously only ten years old, how could he be 15 years old?"

The old man smiled wryly, pulled Yingzi to his side, and said, "Miss, this is really my own granddaughter. Didn't I have to do nothing about it? Yingzi's mother is sick and lying on the bed with no money to treat her. Some younger siblings have not eaten for three days, if I have a way, how can I be willing to sell my granddaughter, if the age is too young, who would want it?"

Yingzi said: "Miss, you can buy me. I only need five taels of silver, so that my mother can see a doctor, and my younger brothers and sisters can also have food."

Ke Yao asked, "Are you the villagers around here?"

The old man said yes.

Ke Yao said with eyes: "Well, let us go with you to your house to have a look. If it is really what you said, we will consider whether to buy it or not." Turning around, he asked Du Wenhao: "Are you okay? Brother"

Du Wenhao smiled wryly: "You asked me only after you made up your mind? What else can I say?"

Ke Yao stuck out his tongue and smiled.

When Yingzi heard this, she hurriedly said to the old man, "Grandpa, the lady, is willing to buy me. Miss, then you can follow me and grandpa to have a look. It's very close, just a few miles ahead."

Du Wenhao and Ke Yao followed the old man and the child off the official road and walked forward.On the way, Ke Yao asked, "My lord, why don't you go to the city to sell your child?"

The old man looked around nervously: "I heard that a high-ranking official came, so the city won't let you sell it, and anyone who wants to sell it will be arrested and put in prison! Even people outside the city are not allowed to sell it. I heard that many people have been arrested for this matter." I really have no choice. If I don’t try to change some money, the whole family will starve to death! So I had to secretly sell it outside the city. Fortunately, I met you. God has eyes.”

Du Wenhao asked curiously, "Did many people sell their sons and daughters before?"

"There are too many of them! Alas, they are all over the streets. Now they are not allowed to sell. Even beggars are arrested and put in jail."

Ke Yao suddenly said: "No wonder there is no beggar in the street."

Du Wenhao frowned and said, "Who stipulated this?"

"It's not that damned..., cough cough, the road is slippery, young master and miss, walk carefully and be careful not to slip."

Du Wenhao heard him falter and change the subject, so he didn't continue to ask.After walking a few more miles, I came to a thatched house.

The chai gate was open, and there were two children sitting on the ground playing in the yard. Yingzi said to Ke Yao, "They are my two younger brothers." The two children raised their heads and called Yingzi "big sister".

The old man rubbed his hands and said embarrassingly: "The house is messy, her mother is sick, so it is inconvenient to invite the two of you into the house. Alas! In this house, it is all up to Yingzi and me. Yingzi's father died of illness last year. I lost this The family is old and young, and her mother can't afford it, so we really have nothing to do."

Ke Yao said: "What's wrong with your daughter-in-law? My brother happens to be a doctor. Why don't you show it to your daughter-in-law."

The old man's eyes lit up, but then dimmed: "Forget it, even food at home is a problem, so where is the money to treat her?"

Du Wenhao said: "It's okay, let's take a look first. You said that Yingzi is still young, and you are also old. You can't go on like this forever."

Yingzi said: "Grandpa, why don't you let this kind young master show you to mother."

Ke Yao said: "Yingzi is right, let's see it before we talk."

The old man hurriedly bowed his thanks and welcomed Du Wenhao and Ke Yao into the hut.

I saw a woman in her 30s sitting in front of the window, burying her head in her needlework, and looked up when she heard footsteps.

"Father, who are these two?" The woman's face was pale, her lips were chapped, and her figure was thin.

The old man said: "These two young masters and young ladies came to our house to have a look. They are going to buy our Yingzi."

When the woman heard this, the corners of her mouth twitched violently, she turned her face to wipe her tears, and after a while she choked up and said to Du Wenhao and the others: "Thank you young master, thank you miss..."

Du Wenhao stepped forward and sat opposite the woman: "Sister, my sister and I came to check on your family's situation. I heard your father said that you are sick. I happen to be a doctor too. Why don't you let me see you?"

The woman shook her head: "No, thank you for your kindness. Now there is no grain in the field, and there is nothing to eat at home for three days. If you buy my Yingzi, I will thank you here."

Du Wenhao said: "It's okay, I won't charge you for seeing a doctor. ——What's wrong with you?"

Seeing that Du Wenhao took it seriously, the woman smiled gratefully and said in a low voice: "Actually, I have always been in good health. It was only after the child's father passed away last year that I couldn't get sick. Later, I always felt shortness of breath and tightness in my chest. , I feel dizzy when I walk too fast, let alone work.”

The old man on the side interjected: "My son and his wife have always had a good relationship. When the son died, the daughter-in-law fell ill and lay in bed with a high fever for three days. Although the fever subsided later, it remained like this. There is also no grain harvest, and it is even more difficult for the family."

Du Wenhao asked about his bowel movements, diet and sleep, thought for a while, and said, "Put your hands on the table, and I'll check your pulse."

The woman hesitated for a moment or reached out to the table.

After Du Wenhao concentrated on his pulse, he looked at his tongue.

Ke Yao said to Du Wenhao: "Brother, do you think Eldest Sister is seriously ill?"

Du Wenhao smiled and said, "This eldest sister actually doesn't have any illnesses. Except for malnutrition."

The old man looked at the woman in surprise.

The woman blushed, "Doctor, I..., I didn't pretend to be sick!"

Du Wenhao quickly explained: "Sorry, I didn't make it clear, you are indeed sick, no, strictly speaking, your body itself is not sick, the reason why you have symptoms of chest tightness, shortness of breath, and general weakness are all caused by grief. Sadness belongs to the lungs, and the meridian says that the lungs are in the viscera, and sadness is in the will. When the essence and energy are in the lungs, it is sorrow. I will give you a prescription for Ganmai Dazao Decoction. After taking it, you will gradually get better."

After all, Yingzi asked Yingzi to find a pen and paper, wrote a prescription to the old man, and took out a bank note from her bosom, and handed it to the old man: "This is a five tael bank note, take it to buy medicine. We gone!"

The old man thanked him repeatedly, and the woman cried to Yingzi, "Son, after this young master, you have to take good care of him..."

Du Wenhao smiled and waved his hands: "This money is for you. We won't buy this child. She is only ten years old. She is too young to do much."

"I can work, young master, please buy me!" Yingzi thought that Du Wenhao had repented, so she got anxious and took Du Wenhao's hand and said.

Du Wenhao said: "Your grandfather is getting old, and your mother's illness is still not cured. The family depends on you. If you leave, who will take care of your siblings? Don't worry, your mother will recover after taking this medicine."

The old man became anxious, and handed back the bank note to Du Wenhao: "No, no! We can't ask for your money for nothing..."

Du Wenhao frowned and said: "You don't feel sorry for yourself, you also feel sorry for the children? They haven't eaten for three days. You can starve the children but you can't stand the hunger! Besides, you have to buy medicine for your daughter-in-law. You can only live when she recovers. Get better."

Ke Yao also said: "Yes, take it! My brother has a good heart. He never charges money for medical treatment for the poor. When he sees that people are in trouble, he also helps to post some. My brother charges a lot of money for medical treatment for the rich. Take it out. Some help poor people, he said this is also called stealing from the rich and giving to the poor!"

Du Wenhao laughed secretly: When did I say that?But thinking about it, I really did it.

When the old man and the woman heard this, they were so moved that they took the bank note and sobbed and wept.Let Yingzi kneel down and kowtow to thank.

Ke Yao hurriedly helped Yingzi up, and said: "The hard times will pass, anyway, you still have land, just survive this natural disaster."

The woman wept and said, "I can't make it through! Damn it..."

"Ahem!" The old man coughed heavily and winked at the woman, who quickly shut up.

Ke Yao looked at the woman curiously, and then at the old man. He didn't understand why the old man stopped the woman.

Du Wenhao and Ke Yao bid farewell to Yingzi's family amid thousands of thanks, and went to the city to return to Tongzhi's inner house.

The next morning.

Just as Du Wenhao got up, Yingzi came to report that Liao Guibing, the magistrate, was visiting.Du Wenhao put on his official robe and came to the living room.Liao Guibing hurriedly stepped forward and bowed and asked, "Did your lord rest well last night?"

Du Wenhao stretched his waist: "Lord Liao got up really early, it just happened to fall asleep after a light rain last night."

Liao Guibing laughed loudly: "At my age, I can't sleep anymore. Unlike Mrs. Du, not only is my official career flourishing, but this sleep is also a good time. I'm envious of my humble job."

Du Wenhao said: "I don't know what's the matter with Mr. Liao coming so early?"

Liao Guibing said with a smile: "Master Du is new here, I think you probably want to visit some of our Li River landscapes, so..."

Du Wenhao said: "Master Liao is polite, let's get busy with the consultation and training first. After we're done, let's go for a tour by ourselves."

Liao Guibing hurriedly said: "This is unavoidable. Receiving Mr. Du well is the top priority of this official. It is an honor for you to come to Jingjiang. There is no reason for you to go sightseeing by yourself. It is better to let the official accompany you, so as not to worry about you. After taking some wrong roads, I just want to tell you about the scenic spots and historical sites in our Jingjiang. As for the training and consultation, I have already inquired about it. There are no emergency patients in the pharmacies and medical centers in the city. Don't worry, as for the training, I'm afraid it will take a few days to prepare. The Lijiang River is beautiful and the water is beautiful. Master Du will stay for a longer time. These things should be done slowly, and it will not be too late when you are ready. I just take advantage of this free time to go sightseeing Have a look."

Seeing that Liao Guibing was so enthusiastic, Du Wenhao couldn't refuse anymore, so he nodded and said: "Even so, then it's up to you."

Liao Guibing said happily: "Master Du, the arrangements have been made, let's go out for breakfast, and I will take you and a few wives to try our famous breakfast here, which is also very good. Then we will take the bamboo raft Go down the river, visit all the way, and wherever you go, if you are tired and hungry, we will stop there to eat and rest, what do you think?"

Du Wenhao said: "Very good, then we will set off in a while."

Liao Guibing said: "Okay, I'll go prepare the chariots and horses, and wait for you and the wives at the gate."

As soon as Liao Guibing left, the door next door opened. Du Wenhao heard the sound and looked back, only to see Lin Qingdai and the others walking out.

Lin Qingdai said: "This magistrate is really enthusiastic."

Ke Yao smiled and said: "Yes, but he is really frugal as an official, and even eats breakfast outside on the street. What's the matter!"

Lianer said: "The magistrate is very frugal. Last night we saw their servants pickling radishes in the kitchen. I asked, guess what the servants said. She said that the master said that the harvest is not good now, so we can't I always eat and drink extravagantly, and some pickled radishes can be eaten in winter."

Xue Fei'er curled her lips; "Don't you think it's ridiculous that pickled radishes are hanging everywhere in the magistrate's mansion? It's enough for the official to treat him like this."

Pang Yuqin said: "You can't say that. It's a good thing to be an official, but it's good for the people."

Ke Yao said: "I can't see it. When my brother and I went out yesterday, we saw prostitutes."

Xue Feier wondered: "No way? We went into the city yesterday, why didn't we see any of them? Not even beggars."

"That's so strange! The government arrested them and sent them to prison!"

"why?"

Lin Qingdai interjected: "Then you don't need to ask, just whitewash Taiping to promote political achievements! This prefect of Liao is not easy!"

Pang Yuqin had a good impression of Prefect Liao, she shook her head and said, "Isn't it his idea? I think this guy is pretty good, honest and honest, and dedicated to serving the people."

"Who doesn't know how to pretend!"

Du Wenhao was not surprised or difficult to understand such things in the officialdom. He waved his hands and said, "Okay, don't make random guesses. The old man's words are just one-sided words. If there is such a thing, don't talk nonsense until you investigate clearly. Besides, selling children and selling daughters, and beggars begging for beggars can be seen everywhere in the capital, so there is nothing unusual about it. Even if he wants to promote political achievements, he temporarily prohibits selling children and selling daughters, and temporarily takes in beggars until we leave. This is not a big problem. Everyone wants to perform well and make a good impression on the leader."

Lin Qingdai said: "That's true. Then let's finish our work early and leave early. Don't affect the normal life of the people because of us."

"No matter how busy you are, you have to see the Lijiang River. Guilin's landscape is the best in the world. It would be a pity not to take a good tour here. Let's go!"

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If Guilin is a living body, then the Li River is definitely the soul of Guilin.After all, it is still the beauty of Guilin's mountains and rivers. The Lijiang River is like a winding jade belt, entangled in the green and strange peaks.

On the Lijiang River, Liao Guibing arranged four bamboo rafts, and Liao Guibing did not allow anyone to follow except Du Wenhao's entourage.

Departing from Jingjiang Mansion, it was still dusk in the morning. Go down the river and take a boat trip on the Lijiang River. You can see the reflection of strange peaks, clear water and green mountains, shepherd boys singing, fishermen hanging around, quaint rural homes, and fresh breath—everything is beautiful. So poetic.

There are small bamboo chairs on the bamboo raft. The water on the raft is local fishermen, old men with very rich experience. The bamboo raft is very stable, as if sitting on flat land.

On Du Wenhao's bamboo raft, there were only Liao Guibing and Ke Yao. Originally, Liao Guibing intended to let himself and Du Wenhao share a bamboo raft. Who would have thought that Ke Yao insisted on following, so Liao Guibing couldn't say anything, but Ke Yao, a girl, was the first Once sitting on a bamboo raft, I felt a little dizzy. I seldom opened my eyes to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. I held the bamboo chair tightly with both hands, as if I was afraid of falling into the river.

Du Wenhao stood at the bow of the boat, and Liao Guibing carefully accompanied him. The two of them rarely talked along the way, and occasionally they talked about the beautiful scenery of the Lijiang River.

"You two elders, we are about to pass through a torrent, so please sit down." The old man turned his head and said softly.

After hearing this, Ke Yao opened his big eyes immediately, and said in panic, "Brother, come quickly."

Du Wenhao turned around and saw Ke Yao's terrified expression, so he smiled and said, "I've only been away for a cup of tea, and you want me to sit down?"

Ke Yao grabbed Du Wenhao's sleeve: "Didn't you listen to what the old man said just now? I'm about to go through a torrent. What if I accidentally fall off?"

Liao Guibing also returned to his seat, and said with relief, "Miss, don't be afraid, but it's just a little bumpy. These bamboo rafts are all carefully selected, and they are all old fishermen who have rowed bamboo rafts for decades. Yes, you can catch fish at the bottom of the water, and you can take a breath without coming out for a meal. So don’t worry, there is absolutely no danger. ——Old fisherman, let’s make an agreement, the boat will really capsize later , you should be the first to save Miss, then Master Du, and finally me!"

The old man turned his head and smiled respectfully and agreed: "Yes!"

Du Wenhao laughed loudly, and patted Ke Yao on the shoulder: "Are you relieved now?"

Ke Yao felt a little embarrassed, let go of Du Wenhao's hand, and said with a sneering smile, "Everything is good on the Lijiang River, but this bamboo raft is a bit scary."

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PS: I was on a temporary business trip yesterday, so I couldn’t update it in time. I’m sorry, I’ll make it up today. There will be another update later, so stay tuned.Thanks!
(End of this chapter)