When a person is alive, it is difficult to know whether good or bad fortune will come day by day. If you don’t see the word blessing coming to your door, misfortune will suddenly fall from the sky. Three years ago, there were nine people in the Shu family and the Han family, living in the countryside, gathering in the morning and leaving in the evening.

Wealthy, but also happy. Who would have thought that the flood three years ago

, the backbone of both families was lost, and not long after, the old servant Xie Yi also died of illness. The remaining two families, old and young, sick and sick, struggled to survive, but they suffered another misfortune. In one day, Shu and Han both

There is only one person left in each family, and they are all alone and miserable.

On the day of Liu's death, relatives and friends from Shujiazhuang came to help with the funeral arrangements. People came and went, asking questions, and Ruoxin needed to make up her mind. Ruoxin just cried and didn't care about anything. After cooking

The business needed money, and when the person in charge asked him for it, he just cried but couldn't come up with the money. Fortunately, he had

Shu Yan promptly divided half of his money and took it over. Two days later, after the funeral was finished and the guests had dispersed, he wanted to return the money to Shu Yan. In the past, when Mrs. Liu and Zhi Xin were there, Ruoxin

He was still young and didn't have to worry about anything. Even the most important thing was how much money the family had and where the money was.

He had no idea at all. Now, he was the only one left in the house, and he couldn't care less. He started to rummage through boxes and cabinets to find money from noon to sunset, turning the house upside down except for scattered items.

Apart from three or two pennies, I couldn't find any real wealth.

He wondered: Where did the family's money go? The money he got from the land exchange with the Shi family the year before last was quite a lot. Even if his mother was sick, she only took medicine a few times now and then, not often, and she only made a few clothes.

Buying some oil, salt, etc., there are no other expenses, it is impossible to spend it all so quickly. Could it be stolen?

He was wondering when he suddenly heard someone calling him: "Ruoxin, what are you looking for?"

Ruoxin looked back and saw that it was Shu Yan. She came in quickly and said, "Brother Yan, I can't find my family's money... What should I do with the money I still owe you..."

The friendship between the Shu Yan and Ruo Xin families is sincere and can withstand the test. Although the clan members of both families have some angry remarks, it does not affect these two young people at all. They are closer than before, just like their own brothers.

.

After listening to Ruoxin's words, Shu Yan secretly thought: He is so young and has just experienced great tragedy. It is already pitiful. If he gets angry again because he can't find money, wouldn't it be even more pitiful? So he quickly comforted: "

Don't worry, I won't wait for the money, I still have money at home, if you need money, just go and get it from me."

In fact, this was a lie told by Shu Yan in order to coax Ruoxin. Although Shuyan's family was richer than Ruoxin's family, his family did not have much money left now. Because the Han family had nothing to do except take medicine for Liu's illness.

In addition, there is not much expense, but Shu Yan is different. Shu Yan once took medicine for his grandfather and Xie's father-in-law when they were sick, and had to feed the two old people.

And most importantly, he also arranged funerals for two old people. Even the money for the funeral of Zhixin's mother Liu was paid by Shu Yan. It was like he had arranged three funerals in succession at a young age. No need.

We underestimate funeral arrangements. In poor families, there are many people who cannot afford to pay for funeral arrangements, so we often hear of people wrapping their bodies in straw mats or even selling their bodies to bury their fathers.

"How can that be done? My family really owes your family too much. I have to pay you back the money no matter what, but why can't I find it..." Ruoxin said, about to cry.

Shu Yan said: "Silly brother, why are you crying? I didn't ask you for money. Once the money is gone, it is gone. We are all so young. If we work harder in the future, are we still afraid that we will have no money? Be happy and you will have better luck.

If you're lucky, maybe the money will appear on its own one day."

Ruoxin nodded with tears in her eyes, then burst into tears and smiled: "It's so late, Brother Yan, are you here to ask me to have dinner, right?"

"By the way, you are a smart little kid. I guess you have never cooked at home before. From today on, you can eat with me. We will have a companion, so we don't have to be alone."

Ruoxin followed Shu Yan back to the Shu family. In the past, the meals of the Shu and Han families were simple enough, but now both the Shu and Han families are extremely poor. They have reduced their previous meager meals, so they can only

It was enough to have enough food and clothing. Thinking that Ruoxin was still young and it was time for her body to grow, Shu Yan gave Ruoxin more of the simple meals that were slightly better.

After dinner, Shu Yan asked: "Ruoxin, you are still young. If you feel scared to sleep alone at night, just sleep here."

But Ruoxin said seriously: "I'm not afraid, I want to sleep at my house so that I can keep my filial piety for my mother and sister."

Shu Yan praised: "Okay, you are ambitious. We don't have to follow the example of the ancients and the rich - buy a piece of land specifically for the tomb of our ancestors, and then build a house in front of the tomb specifically for keeping filial piety. We don't have money, we just stay in our own home

coarse food commoners

, neither arrogant nor impetuous, neither lewd nor happy, peaceful and content, we can still observe filial piety for three years. We have no distracting thoughts, which is better than those who, although they are in the tomb of their ancestors, only think about the colorful world outside and want to leave as soon as possible.

The people of the sea of ​​suffering.”

"Well, some people can't wait to eat the best food, wear the best clothes, and have their lovely wives and concubines on the day after the mourning period expires. In that case, what's the point?"

"Yes, I didn't expect you to have such insight at such a young age! If you treat keeping filial piety as a pain, just for etiquette, just to show others, it is better than not keeping it."

"Brother Yan, I heard that you have to observe filial piety for your parents, but you shouldn't have to do it for your grandfather, right?"

"Of course, I have used it. I have lost my father, so of course I have to keep my grandfather's filial piety. By the way, I have already offered the memorial tablets of my grandfather, Eunuch Xie, and my parents. In the past, Aunt Han never let her go when she was here.

Place the memorial tablet of Uncle Han, and now you can place the memorial tablets of your parents and your sister..."

When it comes to Zhixin, Shu Yan's heart feels like needles pricking her heart. Although her grandfather is a relative, he is old after all, but Zhixin... is so young, she is actually like these elderly people...

Shu Yan endured his grief and tried not to show it in front of Ruo Xin. He also wanted to set an example for Ruo Xin.

"Yes, Brother Yan. In fact, I have known that my father is dead for a long time. It's just that my mother didn't want to admit it. She still insisted on us going to Luoyang, and ended up taking my sister's life... I really don't know.

Should I hate my mother..."

Shu Yan didn't think so, but he could only advise Ruoxin: "Well, the matter has come to this, there is no use in talking more, it is business to enshrine their souls properly."

"Well, I will enshrine the three of their souls tomorrow."

From then on, the two of them kept their filial piety at home peacefully, reading, chopping firewood, farming, eating rough food and clothing, being pure and elegant, and doing so during the holidays as usual, regardless of the pleasures of the outside world. Everyone else sighed at the two.

Personally, they lived such a miserable life, but these two teenagers didn't care about it at all.

In the dynasties before and after the Jin Dynasty, whenever a major event occurred, the country would change its reign name. Emperors who reigned longer had several reign names. After Sima Yan destroyed Wu, he changed his reign name.

For "Taikang".

The sun and the moon flew by, and the three-year filial piety period expired. During these three years, with the help of Shu Yan, Ruoxin made great progress in her studies, and Shu Yan himself became proficient in all the classics. Not only that, Shu and Han both

The mulberry trees at home have also grown up, and both of them have a little savings.

On this day, Shu Yan got up and had just freshened up when he saw the head of the Xia Pavilion riding a donkey parked outside the door, calling: "Yan'er."

Shu Yan hurriedly greeted him and said, "So it's Eunuch Xia, come in and sit down quickly." After saying that, he took the reins and helped Xia Ting get off the donkey.

Chief Xia Pavilion pushed back: "I won't go in and sit down. I came to find you. Please pack up quickly and follow me to the county. Prime Minister Qiu Guo has invited you."

When Shu Yan heard this, he was confused and asked: "What? Prime Minister Qiu? Why is he looking for me?"

"Don't ask, you'll know when you get there."

"I don't have to pack anything. You ride on the donkey first, and I will follow behind."

"How can that be done? The Prime Minister is already worried. Come on and get on the donkey."

Shu Yan looked at Xia Ting's donkey. Although it was not small, it was covered in gray, old, thin, and listless. "Eunuch Xia, you donkey... can carry two people... can it do it?"

?”

"Why not? Don't look at me as an old donkey. My donkey is so powerful that I wouldn't even trade it for a horse."

Halfway through the journey, practice has proven that this donkey is indeed very powerful, but it is not that it is very powerful at walking, but that it is out of breath when it is tired from carrying two people. It seems that if the age of this donkey is converted into an adult's age, it is probably longer than Xia Ting

He is still getting older. There is no way, Shu Yan can only trot all the way behind. When he is approaching the county office, Shu Yan slows down. He must breathe evenly, otherwise, when he sees Qiu Guoxiang, he will be out of breath.

Look!

Shu Yan followed Chief Xia Ting into the gate of the County Office and found a man standing in front of the second gate wearing a crown with two beams and a red court dress. Shu Yan recognized this man at a glance as Prime Minister Qiu. Mr. Xia Ting

After giving a gift, Shu Yan also followed suit.

Qiu Guoxiang hurriedly helped them up and let them enter the inner hall. Qiu Guoxiang asked: "Is this the famous Mr. Shu?" Although Shu Yan has been famous for many years, he is still a commoner. Qiu Guoxiang has only heard of it, but he

Don't know him.

Chief Xia Ting was a little nervous in front of Prime Minister Qiu. According to his level, he was not qualified to see the Prime Minister in person. There were county and township levels above him. However, Shujiazhuang is near Ruyin City and belongs to Ruyin State.

Manage, not return to the county

The third village official in charge of Shujiazhuang recently broke his leg and has difficulty moving, so it was his turn. He half-smiled and said: "Yes, yes, this is the Shu I often tell you about."

Shu Yan, the grandson of old Dr. Shu from Jiazhuang."

Shu Yan hurriedly bowed again: "Master Fu, I am Shu Yan. I am just a commoner, not a young master, and I dare not become a famous person."

Hearing Shu Yan's modesty, Xia Tingchang got angry and said to Shu Yan: "Yan'er, don't be humble like Qiu Guoxiang. Who doesn't know your name? Not only the little Ruyin, but also the governor of Yuzhou.
Chapter completed!