Xifu is a large state in the Southern Dynasties, with developed water and land transportation, connecting Yucheng and Shazhou in the east-west direction, and connecting Yujing and Fengdu in the north and south, not to mention Liuzi and Sangwu next to it. It would be even clearer if you could see it from heaven. Lake Bailu is in the east of the city, and Mochizuki Creek lies in the middle of the city, and long and short tributaries are scattered on both sides. About a hundred miles west of Xifu is Qiyun Mountain, and there are some bandits on the mountain. Xifu is a wealthy place, and the life of the mountain bandits is very good. A stone bridge made of granite connects the residents on both sides of Mochizuki Creek. The western province is mainly divided by the Mochizuki Stream. To the south of the city were some common people, who mainly lived by fishing, and to the north of the city were the offices and residences of wealthy families and officials.

Fengyun Pavilion is in the east of the city, facing Bailu Lake, there are more people who come to eat on weekdays, one dial after another, Lu Qimeng is always too busy, and the masters together always say, "After all, it's a child, and I haven't done any work yet." "Actually, Lu Qimeng is about the same age as them, but she is relatively petite and has a round face, so she can't see it much.

When he was fine, Lu Qimeng always looked at Bailu Lake alone, and occasionally went to the library to read books when he was interested, mainly history and geography, mixed with military classes. For some reason, she was able to understand these complicated ancient texts, but she didn't want to bother herself, so she didn't delve into them. She also loves to listen to people's speeches, the world, the sea and the north, the suspense, or the length of the neighborhood, whatever you say, you will forget the time when you hear it. The old people gathered around were always amazed, and they couldn't help but feel proud when they saw Lu Qimeng's overwhelming enthusiasm. The sun rises and sets, the stars change, Lu Qimeng and these old people are very familiar.

One day, Lu Qimeng came to the meeting place as usual, and suddenly found that there was an old man he didn't know. This old man is different from others, wearing simple linen clothes, white temples, thick eyebrows, and long, like a "figure eight", and his eyes will shoot light when looking at people, like sharp blades, so that people can't even keep the tiny secrets in their hearts. All things are combined, and strangely integrated, and there is still a bit of style when you look closely.

"Boy, you're here. Come here, come here, there's a big man here today. One of the old men said while waving at Lu Qimeng.

The old man pointed to the old man he didn't know and said, "This is what I said about the big guy." He was my childhood friend, surnamed Du, named Runzhu, the word Peizhi, from Fengdu to the old and returned to his hometown, a few days ago just arrived in our Xifu, these days and in the past few days in the sorting of clothes and books, today is free. His talent is one of the best in this Southern Dynasty, and he has been a master, so you have to learn from him. After that, he pointed to Lu Qimeng: "This is the kid I told you, surnamed Lu, named Qimeng." After a pause, he said, "Not bad!"

Lu Qimeng only felt as if he was roasted on the fire, or as if he was frozen on the ice, and he was not feeling strong, but fortunately, he always dealt with the company's high-level people when he worked before, and he was able to calm down. When Mr. Du finished looking, he was shocked to realize that he had broken out in a cold sweat.

"Today, let's talk about the newly enthroned Qingfu Emperor of the Northern Dynasty. Mr. Du proposed. "Very good, very good. The rest of the old men chimed in.

"It is said that Emperor Qingfu is a Ming monarch, not good at beauty, and diligent in government affairs, heavy agriculture, and eliminate objections to improve the status of merchants, only one year has been effective, and the life of the people of the Northern Dynasty is much better. ”

"Who's to say it isn't. However, this heavy business seems to be out of place. Since ancient times, after the Rebellion of the Eight Kingdoms, King Wu Xian adopted a policy of emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce, which has never changed to this day. Now, when the Northern Dynasties are heavy on commerce, won't the sky be turned upside down? Aren't those ministers opposed?"

"Didn't you say that Emperor Qing Fu had already eliminated the difficulties, and what you said would definitely not happen. ”

"Hey, this is not necessarily, it's hard to guarantee that they won't set up a sleeve in private, waiting for the Qingfu Emperor to drill!"

"Yes, too. ”

Lu Qimeng thought to himself: Wasn't Lord Du a minister of the court before, why didn't they hide it when they said these words? And Lord Du was not angry, let them say it, and he didn't speak. It's weird.

One of the uncles saw Lu Qimeng's doubts and explained: "Boy, Lao Du is not old-fashioned wood, he is very good." Otherwise, our classmates and friends would have become a big official and be able to meet the face of heaven, while we could only go home to inherit the family business after passing the examination. However, you can't underestimate us old men, we have to continue to learn, live to learn!"

Mr. Du suddenly said to Lu Qimeng: "Boy, what do you think?"

Lu Qimeng was stunned and didn't react, she had never talked about her thoughts before. "The two measures of valuing agriculture and suppressing commerce and Emperor Qingfu improving the status of merchants have relative advantages and disadvantages. She looked at everyone, "After the Rebellion of the Eight Kingdoms, the country suffered heavy losses and decreased population, so there will be more land, and there will be more wasteland. Secondly, the emperor who ascended the throne after that would definitely implement a series of measures to stabilize his rule, and the emphasis on agriculture and the suppression of commerce could allow the people to stay in one place all the time, so that the yamen could count the number of people, so as to better manage and control. At the same time, most of the peasants are self-sufficient, live and work in peace and contentment, and will not make any moves to resist, which is conducive to social harmony and stability and promotes economic and cultural development. Merchants are different, businessmen are profit-oriented, and they go out more, compared with farmers, the results can be imagined. Nowadays, most of the merchants are rich and wealthy, but the peasants are persecuted by the landlords, and sometimes they have problems with clothing and food. If we raise the status of businessmen and change the world's perception of businessmen, we will definitely improve the economy. In addition, the Northern Dynasty was located in the northern zone, the variety of crops planted was small, the harvest was small, and there were no corresponding measures to solve these problems, so it was always advantageous to improve the status of merchants. ”

After Lu Qimeng finished speaking, he only felt happy, and after a while, he felt the silence around him. "Boy, you can't say these things casually in the future, forget it today, you must pay attention in the future, if this is discovered, it is a big crime, and you will be killed. An uncle said stupidly. After listening, Lu Qimeng figured it out. Secret Dao: Sure enough, it is what the book says, don't talk nonsense, don't eat indiscriminately, you have to pay attention next time.

"Why don't you stop here today, what do you think?" "Okay, it's not too early, it's time to go home for dinner." ”

"Wait, Lu Qimeng come over for a moment, I have something to say to you. Mr. Du and Lu Qimeng said.

"Oh, good. ”

When the people were gone, Mr. Du said to Lu Qimeng: "You have good qualifications, I have the heart to teach you some knowledge, and when the next spring, Mofeng Academy enrolls students, you go to try, recognize people, make friends, what do you think? Don't worry about not being able to learn anything in Mofeng Academy, it is the first academy in the Southern Dynasty, the masters are everyone, you can also broaden your horizons." It's good for you. ”

Lu Qimeng was puzzled, and he didn't know why Mr. Du wanted to take her as an apprentice. Lu Qimeng is a straightforward person, so he asked. "Why do you want to take me as an apprentice? I am meeting you for the first time today, and we don't know each other well. Mr. Du explained: "I always heard Song Zheng talk about you a few days ago, oh, Song Zheng is the uncle who introduced us, I am very curious, after all, Song Zheng rarely praises people." When I saw you today, I found that you are different from your peers, and you are a good seedling, although your remarks are a little strange, but they are also reasonable. Moreover, I did not say that I would take you as a disciple. With that, Mr. Du stroked his white beard.

Lu Qimeng thought about it carefully, and felt that he was alone in this other world, with nothing to rely on, and if he could study, he could live, so he agreed.

After finishing his work in the Fengyun Pavilion at noon every day, Lu Qimeng went to Mr. Du's house with his homemade schoolbag on his back. The road is not very far, and it is easy to walk. Eat and live at his house at night, which made Lu Qimeng embarrassed, so he studied harder and studied whenever he was free.

Spring began in a blink of an eye, not long after the opening of Mofeng Academy, Mr. Du wrote a letter of recommendation, asked Lu Qimeng to hand it over to the dean, and gave some instructions to help pack up his things, so he urged him to hurry up on the road.