Volume 1 Chapter 15: The giant ship and the luxury boat accidentally saw Yingying
Yue Lingfeng clenched his hands slightly, looking bewildered: "Yes, what you said just now is very right, reading is more interesting." Seeing his strange answer, Lin Jianlan asked: "Uncle Yue, do you like reading too?"
Yue Lingfeng said, “Well, when I was your age, I buried myself in books every day. I felt that there was nothing more interesting than reading. When I was a kid, I heard people say that books can hold a golden house, a thousand bushels of grain, a beautiful wife, etc. I went crazy for a while, searching for books in every book, but then I gradually forgot about it. I really became a bookworm.”
Lin Jianlan said: "Uncle Yue also practices martial arts and swordsmanship. To be able to become the head of the hall, he must have put in a lot of effort."
Yue Lingfeng nodded and said, "I come from a family of martial artists. I don't have any brothers or sisters. My father didn't care about me when I was a child. Later, he saw that I was only focused on studying, so he beat me every day and forced me to practice martial arts, saying that the Yue family's stick techniques must not be lost."
Lin Jianlan stuck out his tongue and said, "So the martial arts passed down in your family are for practicing with sticks, but how could your father bear to hit you?"
Yue Lingfeng said, "Alas, in his eyes, it is more important that the martial arts cannot be lost. Otherwise, I would be sorry for him, he would be sorry for my grandfather, and even more sorry for all the ancestors. I thought of many ways, such as being lazy and running away, but if I was found out, I would be beaten and starved. Later, I learned martial arts honestly, but I was still unwilling to accept it. Later, I created a set of sword techniques based on the stick techniques, which can be regarded as having something to do with scholars."
"Although everyone in the martial arts world praised the Yue family for having a new talent and creating their own swordsmanship, I still seldom walked around in the martial arts world. I just picked up my addiction to reading again. Although my father was very unhappy, he could no longer beat me at that time, and there was no one in the family who could keep me locked up."
Lin Jianlan said: "In fact, your father should understand that if you don't read books, you can't create a sword technique that is better than the stick technique."
Yue Lingfeng nodded, then shook his head and said, "You just said that reading is the most useful for dealing with things and being a person, but that's secondary. I just think it's fun. When I see any rare ancient books, I will do everything I can to get them." After saying that, he sighed, as if he had some regrets, and looked up and said, "That's where I fell."
Lin Jianlan's mind raced, thinking, "Look at how respectful he is to Uncle Qing. His remorse must be related to Uncle Qing's brother-in-law."
Yue Lingfeng really said, "You heard it all in the courtyard that day. Although the leaders of the Kuangyi Gang are all heroes who were carefully selected by the gang leader, they have all received great favors from Cao Zongguan. This great favor, alas, cannot be achieved by ordinary temptations of gold, silver, fame and wealth. I love books like crazy. On weekdays, if there is nothing to do in the hall, the most common thing I do is either reading in the house or going to the market to look for some rare books and secret books. One day I saw someone selling things at a stall there. I took a quick look and was shocked. There were many rare books that were said to have been lost during the turbulent times, and a bunch of bamboo and silk scrolls left over from the pre-Qin period."
Lin Jianlan nodded and said, "That must be very rare. I saw that many books were burned during the Qin Dynasty. It must be extraordinary that it can be passed down to this day."
Yue Lingfeng said, "I wanted to buy them all, but the man said that he was selling these valuable ancient books because he needed money urgently. He said that I was also a connoisseur of value, so he offered a high price. I didn't have that much money, so we agreed to come back the next day to trade. Who knew that the next day, the man came empty-handed. Someone in the Taoist family gave him money, but the old master didn't allow him to sell books to help him out. I was really shocked. Although I was anxious, I knew there was nothing I could do. How could I rely on martial arts to do something like taking away my money for my own selfish desires?"
Lin Jianlan said, "I know. Later, Manager Cao must have tried every possible way to help you get these books, right?"
Yue Lingfeng smiled and said, "What you said is generally correct, but he didn't do anything harmful to the world. He also completed a great task for that family and gave them double the money before sending those ancient books to me. Alas, I also played a role in the pursuit of the gang leader that day. I still don't know whether it was right or wrong." But he said to himself, "If I could go back to the past, I'm afraid I would still accept Mr. Cao's books and do the same thing." After saying that, he smiled bitterly and said, "I'm afraid you look down on me in your heart."
Lin Jianlan had an idea in his mind, but he couldn't catch it, so he shook his head and said, "Uncle Qing's brother-in-law gave you these books, so you are naturally grateful to him. Uncle Qing and I have been together for three years, and I have never heard him resent anyone. Even that day in the courtyard, he never resented you. People in the martial arts world should be grateful and repay kindness, and maintain their chivalrous nature. Otherwise, he would not have chosen you to be his hall master." He whispered, "I think you must regard books as more important than life. If you can't get those books, I'm afraid it will be more painful than death."
Seeing that he could understand him at such a young age, Yue Lingfeng showed gratitude in his eyes and said, "It's rare for me to meet a soulmate like you today. This is more satisfying than reading "The Book of Lord Shang" and "The Theory of Not Being True" that day!"
Lin Jianlan said "Huh", blinked and said, "I've seen the titles of these two books at home."
Yue Lingfeng's face changed and he said, "This kind of rare book is hard to come by. How could you have read it at such a young age? Besides, I see that your family is just an ordinary peasant family. Where did you get such an ancient book? Don't talk nonsense."
Lin Jianlan looked up and said, "I have seen it. There are many books in my grandmother's room. She said they were left by my father, and Uncle Qing found books to teach me. I only read the titles of many books. There are also many books with strange names, such as "Zi" and "Zi", "Gui Gu Zi", and "Long Zi".
Yue Lingfeng's eyes sparkled with wonder, and he said enviously, "Gongsun? Yes, Gongsun Longzi. Your family actually has so many books. Your father is really amazing."
Although Lin Jianlan had never seen his father, he was very happy to see Yue Lingfeng praising his father, and said, "Since Uncle Yue likes it, if Uncle Qing's sister lets me go back one day, I will take you to my house to read books, okay?"
Yue Lingfeng was overjoyed. He stood up and paced back and forth, then turned around and said, "If that's the case, that couldn't be better. Alas, you and I hit it off the moment we met. Don't call me uncle, uncle. I'll call you Brother Lin and you can just call me Big Brother. I'll talk to Madam Cao tomorrow and ask her to let you go back as soon as possible."
The two chatted for a while, and then Yue Lingfeng hugged Lin Jianlan and jumped to the second-floor window, put him inside the house, and left.
Lin Jianlan lay in the bed, unable to calm down for a long while, thinking: "Hall Master Yue is so crazy about books, he reads just for fun, unlike Uncle Qing who usually teaches me that reading can help me deal with the world with ease, I wonder who is better." He also thought wildly: "Uncle Qing's brother-in-law is really not an ordinary person. He has carefully understood the likes and dislikes of each hall master. Although those ancient books may be nothing more than a pile of rubbish in the eyes of others, they are Hall Master Yue's biggest weakness. The same is true for Hall Master Fang. The word 'filial piety' allows Manager Cao to keep him firmly in his hands without hurting the righteousness. These hall masters are caught between the words gratitude and righteousness, which is really difficult." He thought about how Hall Master Yue praised his father today, but he didn't know what kind of person his father was, but one thing was certain, he must be a well-educated man. Thinking of this, he fell asleep in a daze, with a little smile on his lips.
The next day, Yue Lingfeng led the leaders of the branch halls to escort everyone to the Yangtze River ferry. Someone had already booked a large ship in advance, which was very luxurious and huge. The ship owner stood at the bow and bowed to greet them, and several boatmen led everyone into the boat. Lin Jianlan walked over the stepboard to the bow railing, looked down, and saw Yue Lingfeng still looking up with his eyes wandering, not knowing what he was looking at. Lin Jianlan felt sad for some reason, leaned his upper body on the railing, waved to Yue Lingfeng and shouted: "Brother Yue! You must visit me often!" Yue Lingfeng heard the sudden voice, then looked at Lin Jianlan intently, with a look of reluctance in his eyes, smiled and responded: "This place is not far from the headquarters, when I have nothing to do, I will come to see you with a box full of books!" Qin Tianxiong popped his head out from the side and laughed: "You nerd, I finally persuaded the young master not to be a bookworm last night, don't provoke him!" Lin Jianlan and Yue Lingfeng looked at each other and smiled knowingly.
At this time, the boat was slowly moving. Yue Lingfeng bowed and said goodbye to the boat. The wind was strong on the river, and everyone slowly retreated into the cabin. However, Lin Jianlan kept waving at the figure that was getting smaller and smaller. He saw that the figure was still standing by the river, looking extremely desolate.
Only when he could no longer see the shore did Lin Jianlan turn around to take a closer look at the big ship. It was not like a small raft tossed in the stormy waves when crossing the Yellow River. The cabin looked like a tower on the deck, with boatmen and servants busy inside and outside. Looking down, he saw the emerald green water of the river, and the waves hitting the bow like flying pearls and splashing jade. Although the boat was moving very steadily, Lin Jianlan felt a little dizzy, so he walked slowly around the cabin. When he was near the stern, he heard a barely audible sob. Lin Jianlan secretly stretched his head around the corner, but saw Yin Yin facing the stern, his little face facing the surging river, a string of crystal tears rolling down, his thin shoulders shaking constantly, no longer the strong and proud appearance of the past, very pitiful. Lin Jianlan was just about to go and comfort her, but just as he took half a step forward, he moved back and thought, "She is proud by nature. She hid at the stern and cried because she didn't want anyone to see her like this. If I catch her, she will be very upset." He also thought, "She must be crying because she misses her father. Everyone says that Steward Cao was killed by Uncle Qing, and I acknowledged Uncle Qing as my godfather. Alas, anyone can persuade her except me." After thinking this, he turned around and left quietly.
The boat was moving at a steady speed, but moving forward was slow. It took more than a day to reach the other side of the river. When they got ashore, someone came to report, "Master Fang said that everything is fine in the main hall. Madam, please don't worry and travel day and night." Lin Hongfeng nodded and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Master Fang, but we are almost at the main hall. There is no reason to linger. There are only Master Fang and Protector Zhang in the main hall. After all, there are many complicated things to do, and we may not be able to handle them all in time." After discussing with Doctor Cheng and others for a while, Fang said, "It's still early. Let's set off and rest in front." Then they set off again. In this way, the group rode at full speed for several days and finally arrived at the main hall in Hangzhou.
Hangzhou is a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery in the south of the Yangtze River. The city has become much more prosperous and lively than before. The streets are bustling and people are dressed more prosperously. Lin Jianlan opened the car window a little and looked out, thinking, "This place is so much more lively and prosperous than the market in my hometown." However, he saw many ragged beggars on the road, and some people hawking their children. Parents hardened their hearts and bargained with people, and young children were pulling their parents' trouser legs and crying, looking very miserable. Lin Jianlan was puzzled, wondering why such a tragedy could happen in this seemingly prosperous place.
The carriage rumbled along for a while, and there were fewer and fewer people on the road. The carriage had already gone out of the city gate and headed for the suburbs. It drove for about half an hour and stopped at a place got off the carriage, I saw a bright light in front of me. Two green peaks echoed each other in the distance opposite me. There was a jungle in front of me. In the middle, there was a bluestone road that could accommodate about five or six carriages abreast. There were no guards on both sides. Only Master Fang and Zhang Hufa were looking at the intersection. When they saw Lin Hongfeng, they hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your subordinates are late to welcome you. I hope..."
Before he finished speaking, Lin Hongfeng had already helped the two of them up and said, "Don't be polite with me, let's go in and talk." Everyone walked along the main road. Birds were startled from time to time in the surrounding dense forest. Lin Jianlan thought to himself, "The defense here is very strict. There should be secret guards in the dense forest just now. They slowly withdrew after seeing the group of people enter safely. Although they didn't check, they startled the birds in the forest." Everyone looked solemn, and no one introduced or instructed Lin Jianlan. Lin Jianlan just followed everyone along the road. The foot of the mountain was slowly filled with mist. There seemed to be a huge house inside, like a small village. After entering the door, Lin Jianlan looked around, but saw a large lake at the entrance, with pavilions and rockery on both sides. The waterway made of stone slabs twisted and turned to the farther front. The pavilions inside were densely packed, and the lake was covered with water vapor, which seemed to be steamy, as if it was located in the sky.
Lin Jianlan was about to take a step when he saw Qin Tianxiong hurriedly turning back from the front and said, "I almost forgot, look at them walking." Lin Jianlan looked carefully and saw that the people in front were all walking in unison, not straying a step. Qin Tianxiong said, "I'll lead you in front, you must look carefully, don't make a wrong step." After that, he slowed down and walked forward step by step. Lin Jianlan did not dare to hesitate, and looked at the stone slab where Qin Tianxiong was standing and followed him up. After crossing the bridge, Qin Tianxiong breathed a sigh of relief and turned back and said, "It's all right now, let's catch up quickly ." Lin Jianlan asked as he walked, "Uncle Qin, what if I made a wrong step just now?" Qin Tianxiong said, "Then you would be dead, but I don't know how you would die. You might be shot into a hedgehog, or you might be sprayed with poisonous water and die from festering all over your body, or you might fall into the water and be killed by the sentry post in the water."
He spoke as if it were a common occurrence, but Lin Jianlan was astonished and said, "Uncle Qing's headquarters is already full of experts, but it is still set up so tightly. It shows that Uncle Qing is a very cautious person." However, he still had another thought, that Uncle Qing must have been a ruthless person to foreign enemies that day, but he did not say it out loud.
Qin Tianxiong nodded and said, "As one of the biggest gangs in the world, there are naturally a lot of things to guard against."
