The days are actually like water, just like a river of spring water, gurgling toward the end of an unknown place. Most of the time, it is calm and gentle. Occasionally, it may encounter a stubborn rock, or it may cause a torrent.

It has been ten years since Situ Xi came to this world, but nothing has happened here. Several doctors took a look at him a few days ago, and there are no major problems with his body except that he is a little weak. During this period, Duke Huaiming's Mansion

The superior sent servants to bring them some silver. Although it was not much, it was enough for the three of them to live for more than a month. For some reason, the third aunt never came to the door again.

The Kingdom of Chu is located in the southeast of the mainland, and its capital city is called Xuan'an. Situ Xi also likes to wander around the city in recent days. As a proton, he is actually quite free. There are no officers and soldiers to supervise him as expected, but he will meet every two days.

A minor official came to "ask" him about his recent situation.

Qingyu said that this small courtyard was located on the outskirts of the city, and Situ Xi thought it would be in an area similar to Guanxiang outside the city.

But it's impossible to think about it. He is a person who is prohibited from leaving the city. The yard is only located in a remote area on the east side of the city. It is surrounded by trees and no one cares about it. Putting aside the fact that it takes half an hour to walk to the center of the city, this way

A quiet place can be considered livable.

After collecting some information these days, he almost understood his situation. In short, the relationship between Chu and Zhao has been somewhat tense recently, and frictions often occur in the border area. It is not much different from what he thought.

.

But this yard was his own request. Maybe it was because his predecessor was really extremely afraid of society, or he was thinking that "there are always unscrupulous people who want to harm me." He had to live in a place where no one was around to feel at ease.

In fact, his life was even more difficult some time before the marriage, and starvation and cold were commonplace. However, things got better after he got married, and he lived a relatively stable life for the past ten days.

As for why he was able to successfully get married when the relationship between the two countries was at a stalemate, it was because the wedding date was decided a long time ago.

A gentleman's promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold; a king's promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold.

In any case, the marriage designated by Emperor Chu Jinkou went ahead as scheduled. Perhaps it was also considered to slightly ease the tense relationship between the two countries, but this factor may not account for a large proportion.

"Proton, God is really humorous." Situ Xi was standing on the edge of a river with no visible edge, and the gusts of river wind gently lifted his long hair.

A protagonist is a hostage, especially someone like him. The safety of his life is completely controlled by others. In the final analysis, he is just a piece of fish on the chopping board at the moment. When necessary, he will be slaughtered by others.

But wanting to change is not something that happens overnight. He knows very well that the more difficult it is, the less anxious it is.

It’s my first time here, and all I can do now is: let nature take its course.

…

Xuan'an is a port city. After walking around for the past few days, Situ Xi feels more and more that this capital of Chu State looks very much like the ancient Jiangnan. As long as you put aside your unnecessary emotions and have the patience to experience it, you will definitely agree that the scenery and atmosphere here are very poetic.

drawn.

Xuan'an City was quite prosperous, and the development of commerce exceeded Situ Xi's expectations.

Su Qin once praised Linzi very much and said: "Linzi is very rich and substantial. Its people all play the yu, drum the harp, play the piano and play the piano. They fight cocks and dogs and tread on the ground. On the way to Linzi, the hubs of cars are beating, and people are rubbing their shoulders.

The curtains are made, the armbands are raised to form the screen, the sweat is made into rain, the family is prosperous and the people are prosperous, and the ambition is high."

But after all, this is a description of the city during the Warring States Period. Today's Xuan'an City is more like Jinling in the Song Dynasty.

People on the street are either in a hurry or leisurely. There are men with burlap bags on their shoulders, friends chatting and laughing, men and women in street shops negotiating prices for their favorite products, and officials wearing red and blue robes on the official road.

They were riding horses, with servants holding the reins for them in front, or holding the green canopy behind them.

Pharmacies with banners that read "Solutions to Difficult and Miscellaneous Diseases" can be seen everywhere on the streets, and there are also many people waiting in front of fortune tellers' stalls to seek fortune-telling.

People in Xuan'an seem to love enjoying the cool weather. It's almost March, and the sun is a warm day. The pavilions and pavilions near the mountains and rivers are already full of yellow-haired young people wearing mat hats.

Situ Xi also likes to sit in the pavilion by the river recently. In addition to blowing the river breeze, you can always hear many singers playing music and singing here every afternoon.

The six countries have coexisted for many years, and the Chu State has been relatively stable in recent years. The occasional wars on the border seem to have nothing to do with the leisurely people in Xuan'an, the capital.

As he was staring at the merchant ships coming and going on the river, a paper kite suddenly crossed Situ Xi's shoulder, and it was about to fall over the railing and fall into the river.

A short boy was running while eagerly pulling the ball of thread in his hand. Situ Xi grabbed the paper kite, and then the child came to him panting.

When he saw the kite in his hand, the boy stood still with his little face raised, looking timidly at him with his big eyes without saying a word.

It seemed that he was a child who was afraid of strangers. Situ Xi handed the paper kite in front of him. Seeing that the child was quite cute, he subconsciously raised his right hand to rub his hair, but the boy's head shrank and he took half a step back.

He grabbed the kite, held it in his arms, and ran towards where he came from.

The naughty kid is not cute at all. Situ Xi retracted his previous opinion.

"Ha, I finally took the bait."

A river bird rowed across the water, its claws went in empty, drew out the waves, and came out empty. It failed to catch fish. Instead, an old man in commoner clothes on the right side of Situ Xi raised the fishing rod, and a yellow catfish was on the hook.

Wagging its tail vigorously.

"Young man, old man, I owe half of the credit for this harvest to you. If that paper kite fell into the lake just now, I'm afraid I would have to wait for another half a day." The old man in commoner clothes was very happy. I will spend a day fishing here.

Finally, I harvested a small fish five to six inches long.

"Oh? This kid takes this seriously. The old man must give me half of the fish today, otherwise I won't leave."

Hearing this, Situ Xi also chuckled and jokingly said that this was not the first time he had seen this old man. He would come to the pavilion by Qishui River every noon these days and stand for a while. This old man in commoner clothes was in this position every day.

Fishing, but this was the first time Situ Xi saw him catch a fish.

"How can you take this joke seriously!" The old man didn't expect that Situ Xi actually wanted to get a share of the pie. He quickly picked up the fishing net next to the stool, put the fish into a small jar, and stared.

Situ Xi took a look at it, and then pressed the mouth of the jar tightly with a lid with holes.

This old man is quite interesting. His expression and tone are quite like an old naughty boy. Situ Xi wants to chat with him for a few more words.

"The old man is a ship merchant?"

"How did the little official know?" The old man put the bait on the fishhook again and looked at Situ Xi with a puzzled look on his face.

"I have seen the old man here every day these days. There are several batches of merchant ships in the river unloading goods at this pier every day. I saw that the helpers would whisper a few words in your ear after counting the goods, so I guessed that the old man

Yuanwai is engaged in this transshipment business." Situ Xi told the old man his conjecture in a respectful tone.

"Little officials are good at observation, but that's not necessarily the case. Although the old man is a merchant, he is not only engaged in transshipment business, but also involved in farming and handicrafts. Although my fishing skills are somewhat ordinary, when it comes to business and wealth, I can also be called a good one.

It’s Fuqi Taobai.”

When the old man in cloth clothes talked about this, he sat cross-legged and looked at Situ Xi with his chest raised, his pride and pride evident in his expression.

It is said that wealth should not be revealed, but this old man was speaking loudly at this moment, as if he wanted everyone in the world to know.

When the old man saw Situ Xi chuckle, he thought he didn't quite believe it, and he didn't care. He threw the fishing rod towards the lake and continued:

"The Master said: A wise man enjoys water, and a benevolent man enjoys mountains. Old man, I especially love fishing. He should be a wise man. He has the hand to grasp the fog and grasp the clouds. It is not easy to make money in business."

Hearing this, Situ Xi was even more happy. Not to mention that there are many versions of the understanding of Confucius's words. How can one interpret the words of a sage in a literal way? He was "impressed" by the old man's confident demeanor like a strategist.

He smiled and said bluntly:

"Confucius also said: If you are wise and wise, keep it with foolishness. He also said: If you are rich all over the world, keep it with humility. Don't let your wealth slip, except for old people."

Just this joke made the expression of the old man in civilian clothes darken a bit. He was silent for a while, holding the pole in both hands and staring at the river. After a long time, he calmly said:

"You kid, you really don't deserve pity. You shouldn't say such unlucky words to an elder you just met."

"It's true that the boy was rude. I hope the old man is not to blame." Situ Xi noticed the change in the old man's expression and quickly bowed his hand and apologized.

The old man in cloth clothes smiled at this time and said with a grin: "It doesn't matter, the half of the catfish will be used as an apology."

It turned out to be waiting for me here.

"Young Master, this is not the first time I've seen you, little old man. I've seen you watching by the river these past few days. Earlier today, you seemed to want to ask me something. There's no need to be polite. Just tell me and listen.

That's right." Before Situ Xi could continue to talk, the old man opened his mouth to clarify it to Situ Xi.

"The old man looks very sharp, but in fact it's nothing. I saw your merchant ships coming and going in the past few days, and the goods were shipped batch after batch. Naturally, I believe that you have a lot of financial resources. What you said just now was just a joke.

.I see that the hundreds of bags of goods seem to be of the same kind, all sealed by cloth bags, and I am a little curious about what they are. Of course, if it is not convenient for you to tell me, that's fine."

After Situ Xi asked about his doubts, the old man turned around and looked him up and down for a while, then slowly uttered a single word: "Grain."

"Okay, kid, stop standing next to me after asking this question. Since you came here today, I have only caught this little fish. It must be at your disadvantage!"

Situ Xi smiled and said goodbye, but he was quite surprised. In the past few days, there has been a steady stream of merchant ships on the Qishui River, all carrying the same kind of goods, but he didn't expect that they were all grains. This old man may be as rich as he said. Tao Bai

.

The people are often in need of food, and ordinary grain merchants are unable to obtain such a large amount of grain in March and April.


Chapter completed!