In the 19th year of the founding of the Qing Dynasty, Kaifeng.
In the southwest corner of the city, there is a small house, which is the residence of Xie Daoqing, the wife of Yinchuan County.
There are sparse vegetation in the courtyard, and maybe the person who takes care of it doesn't care.
Xie Daoqing was sitting in the rocking chair, listening to Zhao Shi reading the newspaper.
"...By July 30th, Jusanro Inga and his accomplices were captured, and peace was restored in Nara County. This bandit suppression operation represented the complete demise of the rebel forces on the Honshu Road. From now on, maritime merchants could safely go to the Honshu Road. "
Zhao did read it and took a short rest.
He was thin and frail.
Fortunately, the government never deducted his medical expenses and salary, and he finally grew up to the age of sixteen safely.
"Grandma, I've finished reading this edition."
"The last newspaper also said that these Japanese ninjas flew into the sky and escaped, and were suppressed by officers and soldiers in two days." Xie Daoqing slowly murmured: "Do you think His Majesty's soldiers are really invincible?"
"It's definitely not something that these remnants of the Japanese country can defeat."
Zhao Shi turned the newspaper to the back, cleared his throat, and said: "Introduction to Ninjutsu. After the Eight Kings Rebellion in the Western Jin Dynasty, some people from the south of the Yangtze River traveled across the ocean to avoid war and arrived in Japan. At that time, the Japanese people called it 'Qin' People', the Qin people not only taught the Japanese people textiles, water conservancy and other skills, but also taught the Japanese people new music and martial arts, which were integrated with Sun Tzu's art of war and became ninjutsu..."
"So that's it, even the ninjutsu was passed down from us." Xie Daoqing said: "These Japanese people, this is also passed down by us, and that is also passed down by us. None of the skills are their own."
"They are all included in the territory, so how can there be any Japanese?"
"well."
Xie Daoqing sighed deeply and wanted to say something, but he didn't dare.
After a while, she finally couldn't help but waved Zhao Shi over, and then said: "It would be great if this was our Song Dynasty."
Zhao Shi's eyes darkened and he didn't know what to say.
Xie Daoqing was just a quick talker for a while, but then he regretted it and said, "You, just pretend I didn't say this and continue reading the newspaper."
"Okay." Zhao picked up the newspaper again, but was stunned for a moment and stopped reading.
Xie Daoqing waited for a while and couldn't help but start urging.
"Grandma, it's... someone proposed to abolish the title of the Zhao family, saying... taxes and taxes are all paid by the people, how can it be allowed for the people to support the old people of the previous dynasty, which is useless to the country? Your Majesty is so frugal..."
Xie Daoqing was furious and grabbed the newspaper, but he couldn't see it clearly because of his presbyopia.
"I have done nothing for the country. I am determined to surrender and save the south of the Yangtze River from war. I have contributed to all the people. Aren't I frugal? Look at this courtyard."
"Grandma, don't pay attention to it. Anyone can comment on this miscellaneous report. This is not an imperial edict."
"It must be the scourge of those new societies again! The scourge!" Xie Daoqing spat, "The scum among scholars!"
Zhao moved his lips, but he didn't dare to say something.
Because the person who wrote this article was not a scholar advocating new learning, but a relative of the Zhao family, the great calligrapher Zhao Mengfu who is now famous all over the world.
Zhao Mengfu not only published such an article in this newspaper, but also wrote a poem, saying, "The past is beyond words, and I will repay the emperor's kindness with loyalty."
In fact, there were many clans in the Song Dynasty, but they basically had no titles left by the previous dynasty to inherit. They were no different from ordinary people. Of course, they could also serve as officials based on their talents and abilities.
Zhao Shi remembered that when he was very young, one of his aunts, Mrs. Wang, voluntarily gave up the title of lady given to her by the imperial court to show a clean break with the previous dynasty, and then she was appointed as a female official based on her merits.
Not long after, his nominal mother Quan also gave up the title of Lady of Tagawa County and disappeared.
In these years, only Xie Daoqing and him were still clinging to the glory of the past and refusing to let go.
Zhao sometimes thought that if he could give up his title of Duke, he could live a happier life, but it was just a thought.
He couldn't bear to part with it. In this life, he would be supported by the court and would have enough food and clothing. There was nothing wrong with it.
But some people are always jealous and want to climb up by stepping on him.
~~
Twenty years after the founding of the People's Republic of China.
"What else does the old lady wish for before she dies?"
"Please ask the government to arrange a marriage for my grandson."
"This... okay, I will try my best to do this."
Xie Daoqing murmured again: "I still want to hear Wang Yuanliang play the piano again."
This request made it very difficult for Magistrate Longting who came specially to see her off.
As for why he came?
Because the prefect of Kaifeng didn't want to come.
"Okay, I'll send someone to invite you, but whether he comes or not depends on him. The old lady will wait a moment."
Xie Daoqing said: "If the government invites someone, why don't they come? This is my last wish."
"yes."
Magistrate Longting couldn't help but feel that she was indifferent. He was just out of etiquette and came to express condolences on behalf of the court. He mentioned these things and named the most famous luthier by name, so he stood up and left.
Xie Daoqing waited for a long time and finally heard the sound of a piano outside.
She nodded with satisfaction, and when she finished playing the song, the sparkle in her eyes disappeared. Finally, she turned to Zhao Shi and said, "After I leave, you must stay on your own terms..."
"My grandson knows."
"Your Majesty is kind and generous, and would not think of embarrassing you... But what I am afraid of is that Your Majesty will completely forget you, and some people will inevitably try to get your idea. You must not cause trouble and go to the government for everything."
"good."
Zhao agreed, and when he raised his head again, he saw that Xie Daoqing had passed away, and began to cry.
Outside the house, an old woman stood up with her piano in her arms and asked Magistrate Longting: "My lord, how do you think the folk girl plays?"
"Well, you learn quickly. You can make a living from this. Go get the money."
~~
The next day.
"What? Want to get married as soon as possible?"
The magistrate of Longting County was arranging funeral arrangements for Xie Daoqing. He was a little surprised when he suddenly heard Zhao Shi say something, "But Mrs. Yinchuan County just passed away."
"Grandma has been urging the magistrate for the past two years, but the magistrate has always delayed and refused to do it." Zhao Shidao said: "I heard that if you want to get married, it should be done within a month, otherwise the three-year filial piety period will not be good. Done?"
"Whether a county official should observe filial piety or not, this custom is spontaneous among the people, and the court does not interfere. Of course, the court no longer requires people to observe filial piety, and in principle advocates..."
"Can I get married within a month?"
"My officer is saying that the Duke is still young, and he will only be twenty after three years."
"Three years? Can you ask the county magistrate to do it as soon as possible?"
The magistrate of Longting County couldn't help but secretly thought that Zhao was as cold-blooded as his grandmother.
Nowadays, among all the families who can live well, how many of them are willing to marry their daughters to the Yinchuan County Government? The monthly expenses are not very high, and there are still people among the people who advocate cutting off their titles. Who knows one day they will be able to support themselves.
That is to say, they deceive some survivors who remember the past dynasty, or those who are too poor to survive.
But under his own rule, he was prospering, so how could there be such poor people? Why should he help him cheat?
After thinking about it like this, Magistrate Longting made up his mind not to care about Zhao's trouble for the time being.
However, only a month later, he got news.
"What? Zhao is married? To whom?"
"With the daughter of a businessman surnamed Yang, this is his memorial requesting for a title. Please ask the county magistrate to submit it on your behalf."
"He really doesn't keep his filial piety?" Magistrate Longting pondered: "Those who cherish the memory of the previous dynasty are often rigid people. Zhao's move will disappoint these bereaved elders. Did he do it on purpose? To show that he was loyal to the Tang Dynasty?"
"How can he have these considerations? He just wants a woman."
"Okay, what is the origin of this Yang family?"
"Yang Dashan from Dongfa Trading Company came to Kaifeng last year to do business."
"The one who donated a lot of money to the Yellow River water conservancy project?"
"Exactly."
Someone outside the door preached: "The magistrate of the county, Zhao arrests the head and asks for an audience."
"come in."
Soon, a strong young man strode into the hall, it was the newly appointed head catcher Zhao Qi.
"Zhixian, the identity of the deceased has been found out. She is a Japanese girl." Zhao Qi cupped his hands and said: "The binding marks on her hands and feet can be inferred that she was kidnapped. I think it can be combined with the two previous cases, and it must be with Kaifeng. Related to the Japanese slave trade.”
"How do you want to check?"
"I heard that there is a wealthy businessman surnamed Zhang living in Zhishiyuan in the north of the city. He likes Japanese women and has recruited more than ten people. I would like to ask the county magistrate to allow me to go and investigate."
"This...he should have nothing to do with this."
"Where are the responsibilities of my humble position? Please allow me to go and investigate."
"Oh, okay, follow the rules."
~~
Zhishiyuan.
"Captain Zhao, please take a seat."
"Thank you, Boss Zhang."
"You can just call me Twelve Lang. When I do business, I always abide by the rules and laws. I wonder why Capt. Zhao comes to visit me?"
"I heard that Boss Zhang likes Japanese girls..."
"Hey, that's such an unpleasant name. Don't look down on a young lady from this state."
Zhao Qi couldn't help but hesitated and said: "Okay, I would like to ask if there is any missing... young lady around Boss Zhang in the past month?"
"No. When I came from Hangzhou, I brought sixteen people with me, and the number is still sixteen now."
"Oh? Why does Boss Zhang have so many little ladies?"
"I love watching them dance. Is it illegal?"
Zhao Qi asked again: "Doesn't it cost money?"
This question made the boss Zhang smile proudly.
"I earned all my money with my own hands. It comes from a clean source and I pay taxes in accordance with the law. You can check it."
"Boss Zhang is serious. I am the head catcher and only responsible for killing people." Zhao Qidao said: "However, according to the laws of the imperial court, keeping slaves is not allowed."
"Whoever calls her a slave is a dancer hired by me."
"Can I meet you?"
"good."
The boss actually clapped his hands and gave an order. After a while, a large group of Japanese girls ran into the hall.
Suddenly, the whole hall was shouting and noisy.
Zhao Qi couldn't help but have a headache when he heard the sound of "na na na". He squinted his eyes and saw these girls hugging Boss Zhang, all happy, and there were no scars on their hands and feet.
"Boss Zhang, let them stand down."
"Ah."
The boss Zhang clapped his hands again and said a few words in Japanese. A series of disappointed "咩" sounds sounded in the hall, and everyone finally retreated.
"Where did Boss Zhang buy these little ladies?" Zhao Qi asked.
"Who said he bought it? He hired it!"
"Where did you hire him?"
"I personally went to Honshu Island to hire him."
Zhao Qidao: "Does Boss Zhang know who is selling Japanese slaves in Kaifeng City?"
"How do I know? I'll tell you the truth. I don't do that business, and I advise you not to meddle in other people's business."
"It won't work if a human life is lost on the boundaries of Longting County."
The boss Zhang frowned slightly and finally spoke, "Do you know how to dare Pu Yang?"
"I don't know."
"The pirates in the East China Sea surrendered to the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty as early as when the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty was still there, and plundered the southeast coast. After the unification of the Tang Dynasty, the navy destroyed the Yang family pirates three times in a row. Now they have disappeared, but there are rumors that their leader Yang
He escaped and transformed into a large merchant."
"Yang Fa?"
"I'm in the southeast. I heard that the Coastal Government investigated smuggling last year and destroyed Yang Fa's business, so it's unknown whether he may have moved to Kaifeng."
"Why did Boss Zhang say that?"
"There have always been people doing the Japanese slave business, but not many people dare to do it so blatantly. They are usually pirates. As you know, the maritime business is a mixed bag, and these people are ruthless. I'm afraid you can't control it, so report it to the police.
Presided over by the government office and the provincial government office."
Zhao Qi asked: "How to find Yang Fa?"
"I don't know. I'm a serious businessman. Although I have some small hobbies, I don't associate with such desperadoes. Besides, I'm just passing through Kaifeng and staying for a few days."
"Okay." Zhao Qi stood up and said, "Thank you, see you later."
"It's best not to meet again."
"Then please ask Boss Zhang to abide by the law."
~~
Yinchuan County Government House.
"You married me, and it will be a good life from now on. We will read newspapers, play chess, go boating, and make tea every day. It's so comfortable."
"Officer, what if you have a child?"
"My children can also inherit my title."
"Then...what if there are many children?"
Zhao Shi was holding his newlywed wife happily, but was stumped by this question for a moment.
His salary was not very high, and if he really had many children, he wouldn't be able to support them.
In fact, his wife came from a wealthy businessman's family and had a lot of expenses. Not long after they got married, Zhao Shi felt a little overwhelmed and had no choice but to ask his in-laws' family to support her.
His father-in-law was also generous and never shied away from anything, so Zhao Shi finally experienced a luxurious life.
It wasn't until one month after the wedding that Ms. Yang asked him to do a favor for her mother's family.
"Father is in trouble with his business?"
"Well, he had a batch of fans that he wanted to transport to Taicang Port, but the customs office made things difficult for him. He wanted to get acquainted with Zhao Shishang, the deputy envoy of the Shipping Department of Taicang City, and he asked to meet him several times, but deputy envoy Zhao refused to see him. Can you?
Please ask the official to write a letter?"
"I?"
Zhao Shi was surprised and said, "But I don't know Zhao Shishang."
"He is a member of the Song Dynasty clan and was born as a Jinshi. When the Song Dynasty died, he served as an official in Xuanzhou and held on unyieldingly until he received the imperial edict from his grandmother to surrender. Then he surrendered in tears. If there is anyone in the world who can make an exception for him, it is only an official.
you."
"Really?" This was the first time that Zhao knew that he had such a great reputation, and he hesitated: "Then I...write a letter?"
"Thank you, officer."
Yang was very happy, smiled sweetly, and immediately began to study ink for Zhao Shi.
This feeling was so good that Zhao couldn't help but indulge in it...
~~
It was June 13, the twenty-first year of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
"Brother, it's not good!"
"What happened again?"
"Today Zhao Qi seized a batch of our goods and also arrested Lao Liu."
"What?!" Yang Fa stood up in shock, "What's the origin of this kid? He's biting me like a dog and won't let go."
"After checking, he is the son of a poor man. He went to a free official school. After working as a policeman for five years, he was promoted to chief. Xu is the illegitimate son of the magistrate of Longting County."
Yang Fa sneered and said: "No wonder I gave this dog magistrate a hundred thousand guan and he refused to take it, to protect that mad dog Zhao Qi to death."
"Brother, we can't let the wind and waves come and fall into this little muddy field. Damn it, a little county magistrate and a little policeman."
"Sent a group of ninjas to make these two bastards."
"Okay! In three days, he will go to the Yellow River Dam to comfort the workers. At this time every year, he will talk to the workers. It is not difficult to assassinate him. What is difficult is how to end it?"
"Simple, deal with those ninjas after we're done, pretending to be remnants of the Japanese country."
June 16th was a rainy day.
As expected by Yang Fa and others, Magistrate Longting went to the Yellow River Dam.
"My fellow countrymen have worked hard, and what we are waiting for is a thousand-year plan..."
"puff."
Blood was washed to the ground in the heavy rain.
Someone exclaimed.
"The magistrate has been assassinated!"
"The county magistrate has been assassinated!"
"Catch the assassin..."
In the city of Kaifeng, hoes were chasing those nimble assassins one after another.
The assassin jumped into the Yellow River.
Soon, hundreds or thousands of workers became angry and surrounded the river bank. With a continuous "pop" sound, they jumped into the Yellow River after them.
In Kaifeng City, eight people were surrounding one person and killing him.
"He has inner armor..." Someone shouted in Japanese, but the cry stopped abruptly.
"puff."
"puff."
Zhao Qi was already covered in blood, and he kept waving the single sword in his hand, and "instantly" cut off the Japanese sword of the person opposite him.
He regained his energy, slashed two more people, and ran away.
"Hurry up and chase!"
Someone came out of the alley and shouted angrily.
He knew very well that there had not been such a big deal for several years. If the news of killing a magistrate in Kaifeng City was leaked, the court would be furious. Killing them would be like killing ants.
However, Zhao Qi's bloody figure had disappeared in the heavy rain.
"It's over, it's over..."
"Quickly go! Tell brother, I missed it! I have to leave immediately, go to the sea, go to the sea..."
~~
"Where are we going? It's raining so hard."
"I don't know, we have to leave right away."
Zhao was unwilling to leave and shouted: "I won't leave! Unless you tell me where to go."
"Maybe it's Champa, maybe it's farther west, I don't know, the world is so big, there is always somewhere to go."
"What happened?"
Outside the door, a group of people rushed over. They didn't care about Zhao Ye's wishes and just picked up his thin body and left.
"Don't be like this! I can't get wet in the rain..."
The carriage ran very fast and went straight out of the city.
Not long after, Zhao Shi's father-in-law Yang Fa led dozens of people to join them and ran towards the river port.
The heavy rain actually made it a lot more convenient for them, but...
"boom!"
With the sound of a gunshot, someone fell under the horse.
"Official army! It's official army!"
Yang Fa was shocked.
He is usually ruthless, but he is really afraid of the officers and soldiers, and even panics.
"Run quickly!"
"boom!"
"The big thief Yang Fa, why don't you capture him?!"
After hearing these noises, Zhao fell into the carriage and was so frightened that he lost his mind.
Suddenly, Yang Fa shouted again.
"Miko Matsushita! Protect me!"
"Harm! Fix the hook tightly."
In the carriage, the usually cute and charming Yang suddenly rushed out.
Zhao Shi opened his mouth, only to hear a "bang" sound from outside, as if his heart was broken.
~~
Spring, the thirty-second year of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
In the south of Kaifeng City, Shifu Prison.
"Ta-ta-ta-ta..."
The cotton spinning machine made a neat sound, and pieces of cotton cloth were rolled up.
"Zhao is."
Suddenly, a jailer shouted and called out to a thin middle-aged man who was spinning cotton.
"I...I didn't do anything wrong." Zhao Shi responded.
"I didn't say you did anything wrong. Your sentence has been commuted. Come with me."
"Can I get a reduced sentence?" Zhao was surprised at first, but then panicked, "Matsushita Saburo went out and then came back. He said that the outside world was changing too fast. He would rather come back to spin cotton. Is it okay if I go out..."
"How do you compare with him? What kind of place did he live in since he was a child, and what kind of food did he eat? He thinks it's good here, what do you think?"
"I don't think so."
"Henan's criminal envoy is here today. He personally reviewed the files of our cell within the past five years...you also recognize him."
Zhao Shi said in surprise: "Do I recognize him?"
He actually didn't recognize too many people.
Especially eleven years ago, he wrote many letters to some former loyal officials of the Song Dynasty, causing harm to many officials who were originally loyal to their duties. He harmed others and himself, so he was scolded by many scholars in newspapers.
Since then, he has really lost a lot.
But after all the value was drained by those people, he was finally able to live a good life as a civilian.
When I walked to the court hall, I saw a serious-looking red-robed official with many scars on his face sitting at the top. In the hall were a row of officials who were processing documents.
"I've seen the patrol."
"Zhao Ye, remember me?"
Zhao Shi shook his head and replied: "I don't remember."
"Zhao Qi, I was there when you were arrested."
Zhao Qi came down from the office, personally led Zhao Shi to sit down at a table, and asked, "What are your plans after you go out?"
"I don't know, I know very little."
"In the past ten years or so, the world has changed a lot. Grain production has increased, maritime trade has flourished, various products have come in, and various things have been invented. Everything is changing with each passing day." Zhao Qidao: "But don't worry that you won't adapt. The prosperous age is coming. It’s easy to survive, think about it, what are you best at?”
"I can... spin cotton?"
"anything else?"
Zhao thought for a while and said, "I am good at playing the piano. My grandmother likes to listen to the piano. I often played it to her when I was a child."
"It's good to play the piano. Playing the piano is a very good job nowadays." Zhao Qi said with a smile: "I am a rough guy who can't play the piano."
"But...but I am a descendant of the Zhao family." Zhao Shidao: "I can't insult..."
"I am also a descendant of the Zhao family."
Zhao Qi suddenly became serious and said something in a sonorous tone.
"Looking at the genealogy, before Shaoxing went south, my bloodline was closer to the throne than yours, but I have never been proud of it. Now I started from a young age, and during the eighteen years I put on public uniform, I protected the people and reported it to the country. , I put on this crimson official uniform based on my real merit. I want to make my ancestors and future generations proud of me."
Zhao Qi said this, and after saying that, he waved his hand and asked people to take Zhao Shi down.
~~
Thirty-nine years after the founding of the People's Republic of China.
North of Kaifeng City, Yellow River Dam.
Someone built an ancestral temple on the shore.
Every June 16th, people will come here to commemorate the completion of the dam and pay homage to the magistrate of Longting County who died in the line of duty.
Among those waiting in line, someone asked: "I heard that Master Zhao will also come to play the piano today?"
"Yes, I came from Suzhou just to listen to Master Zhao's music. I heard that he comes to the Yellow River for benefit performances every year."
"Then do you know why? Have you seen the ancestral hall over there..."
On the Yellow River, a large ship came and anchored on the shore.
"Zheng..."
When there is a piano sound, it can be heard very far because there are loudspeakers around it.
The people listening to the piano became quiet, and the travelers from the south of the Yangtze River were very surprised.
They did not expect that the posthumous song of the Zhao family was not the music of Mi Mi, but a rather grand Yellow River ballad.
A singer sang loudly along with the sound of the piano.
"Who calls the Yellow River harmful? The Yellow River's roaring waves come from all over the sky, making loud noises like Yin thunder."
The sound of the piano is getting higher and faster.
The singing became louder and louder, more and more exciting.
Finally, amid the clanging strings, the singers burst into roars.
"Who said the Yellow River harms us? Now we make the Yellow River nourish the prosperous world!"
"boom!"
A gun salute sounded, and the memorial ceremony for the Yellow River Dam began.
The thin figure performing at the bow of the boat stood up, bowed to the people, and left with Qin in his arms.
He is just an ordinary person among all living beings in this prosperous age...