The day and night change, the wind is sweeping, in this land of the Wu Dynasty that spans thousands of miles, the frontier has always been a subtle and sensitive word.

Liao, Xixia, Tubo, Dali, from Xiongguan in the north to the mountains in the south, the frontier is just a thin line, one step for the homeland, one step for the homeland, but in such a frontier, there is always a piece of land, in the subtle pull between the cracks. There is no peace and tranquility here. The army located on the frontier does not care about it, and the people located in the country will selectively ignore it, and there are many, many people who do not even know that there is such a place.

In the eyes of the people, there are the smoke and clouds of the ancient capital, the splendor of Qinhuai, the prosperity of the capital, the osmanthus in the south of the Yangtze River, and all the way to the north, there is also a battlefield like the Shura field, but there is no concept of this layer of cracks. Like the inevitable battle damage on the battlefield, because of its inevitability, people simply don't think much about it. Forget about it and just fight.

In the middle of the ditch, the breeding wolves walked through the barren and treacherous mountains. Luliang Mountain, is one of the areas that survive in this crack, the people of the Wu Dynasty do not regard this place as an enemy country, but they have never regarded the people here as companions, not many people know about the things here, not many people understand the ecology here. If it weren't for the involvement of interests, this place in Qingmu Village in Luliang Mountain would probably not have much to do with people from the outside world from beginning to end, and it would exist here, and it would be annihilated here, until it disappeared into the memory of a few people......

But even now that there are interests involved, people who really understand this place. Still not much. Located on the northwest side of the Lüliang Mountains, a small and inconspicuous place on the map, is a valley inhabited by thousands of people, and the valley has expanded rapidly in a short period of time, and every qiē development seems hurried and bloated.

Located on the outside of the valley, the market is crowded with houses and shops on the rugged side of the mountain. Originally, the outer set of Aoki Village was a place for past traders to settle down or trade with each other, but because Aoki Village maintained basic order, it was at least able to protect the lives of most people, and it soon swelled. Nowadays, there is a lot of sewage and crowds. Heroes and mountain bandits from nearby places gathered. Beggars and cockroaches and rats compete for a place here. And such a place is the most peaceful place in the entire Luliang Mountain in the past year or two.

In the inner valley, the inner village, which is not allowed to be entered by ordinary people, is much more relaxed than the outer set, but due to the rapid development. There are many new entrants to the village. In this valley. It still seems to be busy, with a large number of simple newly built houses, timber and supplies coming in and out every day. At first glance, it seems to be piled up in a haphazard manner, but in such a development, there is still not much of a basket after all.

It has never been a place of equality and fairness, with chaos and noise mixed with primitive and barbaric atmosphere. People who have been absorbed into the mountains and lack of run-in occasionally hate each other, but power and force suppress most of the impulses. The Blood Bodhisattva, the most powerful and murderous in martial arts, does not allow blatant infighting to exist, nor does it allow people to break a few simple mountain rules, once broken, there is no humane service such as reasoning or enlightenment, and many times, they do not have the opportunity to be expelled from the cottage for such mercy.

If you make a small mistake, it means that you have blood, and if you make a big mistake, it means that you deserve to die.

Matched with this kind of high-pressure power is a clear and enlightened way to ascend. The principle of joining the cottage is very simple, as long as you have the craft, or bear hardships and stand hard work, you will be quickly absorbed into the Aoki Village. The scope of craftsmanship includes all aspects, superb martial arts are of course the most intuitive and simplest, and even if it is making noodles and pancakes, it doesn't matter, prove that you have your own skills, and you will definitely be able to join.

If you don't have craftsmanship and no martial arts, as long as you understand the rules and are willing to endure hardships, you can also be absorbed by the cottage, and the rules are very simple, follow the newcomers in the cottage to train in the most harsh environment for ten to fifteen days, such as running, for example, simply standing, desperate, obedient, and do not give up, and after being trained to half death, you can join it.

These things are not simple, and it does not mean that people who come out of a place like Luliangshan will definitely be able to bear hardships and stand hard work. It's like a bandit who is used to robbing with a knife in the mountains, and is often unwilling to work in the field anymore, and just like the young people who mix with the underworld in the modern background, of course, there are environmental reasons and educational reasons, but more often than not, it is because they are lazy to do it. Although it is unstable, it is at least easy and simple, there is no threshold, and there is no need to work overtime in the factory for up to twelve hours.

Of course, such people will not be sympathized, they will be abandoned, and then wander around Luliang, joining a group of other bandits. And then in some cases accept the oppression of Aoki Village, or die due to various things. If it is said that someone must die in some cases, in this cruel world, people who do not want to make progress are naturally the most natural sacrifices.

In fact, in the social structure of the past and present, people may yearn for a society of freedom and equality, but at the social level, class is not necessarily a matter that needs to be minded. In most cases, a stable social structure does not care whether people are equal or not, and the way to the upper position that is as fair as possible is the core that needs to be maintained.

There can be great class differences in a country or organization, but people at the bottom can study, those who study can take the imperial examination, and those who pass the imperial examination can become a privileged class, and as long as the system works well, the organization can be maintained steadily. The reason for the internal demise of most countries is that this path to the top is gradually deadlocked, and the privileged class begins to monopolize the way to the top in order to ensure that its privileges can be hereditary for a long time, and when it becomes more and more difficult for the intelligent people at the bottom to ascend to the top, their discontent will pile up, and finally they can only choose to rebel.

It is also for this reason that Aoki Village is constantly expanding, and although it has caused various problems, there has been no real troublesome shock. In the summer of this year, when Tan Zhen's "Zhao'an Edict" was issued, and those who were able to set their eyes on Lu Liang's side gathered over, what they saw was such a chaotic and incomprehensible village.

It is very different from the prosperous and unprosperous cities in the south, and it must also be different from the savage and primitive cities of the northland. It has developed and become lively because of a small business. It is full of blood and barbarism, and the upper part is controlled by brutal force, and the interior seems to be full of various contradictions and unstable factors, but it is just like a stitching monster.

"Old man Liang, I know that you are a smart person, unlike people who grew up in the mountains since childhood, you have seen the world. You can manage the cottage to such an appearance, how much benefit can Lord Tan have in this Zhao'an edict. You'll be able to see ......."

Cloudy. In the small courtyard room on the mountainside of Aoki Neizhai, a middle-aged man was talking.

"South of Luliang, what we really want to talk about is still our Qi family's territory. After Zhao Anzhao took it. It's not just about fame. There are also armaments. How much of these benefits you can get depends on the relationship between Kyori and ...... He knew that there were a lot of people who came to Luliang this time, and they took a fancy to them. It's nothing more than these businesses that Aoki Village is running right now, but you can see it, old man...... On the side of the army, whether it is Wu Shengjun or Dong Pang'er, these soldiers are all cannibalistic and do not spit out bones, when it is time to talk about the rules, they generally don't talk about it, and when it is time to take benefits, they will not be soft at all, and the army will not do business, if your village falls into their hands, it will really be a waste......

"Our He family is a businessman, we don't do superfluous things, everyone can hold together and make money together, which is the right reason. And...... Behind us is the power of the Qi family, and now several mountains in the south are willing to join us together, plus the trading of Lu Liang, we will transport things to the north, how much will we earn, you can calculate yourself...... Moreover, how many people can fight against Dong Pang'er and Wu Shengjun on the official face......"

The words that are not in a hurry have been said all the time. It wasn't until he had finished saying that there was a cough in the room, and in a moment, the cough suddenly increased, and the old man who was half-lying in the room, as if he was going to die, coughed for a long time before he stopped with difficulty. The voice is weak and hoarse.

"Ho...... cough, what is the outside, what you said, the old man has also thought about it. It's just like the old man said, things in the stockade...... For such a big matter, it has always been the owner of the village who has come up with the idea...... I'm old, my body is not good, what about my brain...... Sometimes it's confusing, I think what you say is right, but ...... I don't know if I think clearly, I have to sum up and discuss with others, so these things are still ...... Ahem, I still have to wait until the owner of the village comes back to settle down, but what you said outside the staff, I think it makes sense, and I will tell the owner of the village......"

"Well, I also know that's the case, but ah, Old Man Liang, Lord Lu Zhai has been out for so long, and he has waited too long." He Yuan showed a look of embarrassment, "I know that Old Man Liang, you are the backbone of the village." You know, these things are always decided as soon as possible, and the Qi family is waiting for my reply...... Old man Liang, let's not go around in circles, you give me a word, you nod, this thing is done, okay. Don't embarrass me, a junior. ”

"Hey, what kind of foreign words are heavy, old and decaying...... Ahem, the old man said, every word from the bottom of his heart, ahem...... cough cough ......"

The cough started again. After a while, the middle-aged man surnamed He reluctantly said goodbye and walked out of the courtyard with his attendant, his face gloomy. Looking down in such weather, there were people coming and going in the valley floor, all kinds of arrangements were chaotic, and a few children in shabby clothes were running around, but they were elated.

"Damn, it's really hard, old thing......" He Yuanwai scolded in a low voice, "and still refuses to let go." ”

The attendant next to him came over: "Outside the staff, why be angry about these people, it's all a business ......"

"Fuck these guys." He Yuanwai pointed down, "You don't know, do you?" Something that can't be eaten on weekdays, a gang of people called flowers and thieves, in this place where birds don't lay eggs, if we hadn't given them a way to make money, they would still be hungry. Do you know what it's like to be hungry, I let him eat and he eats it all! Ate a little bit of what we had left, and then picked it up. Now I see several parties coming to look for them, but the owner of the village does not appear...... By the way, the group of people who arrived yesterday, the group that looked fierce, what is the origin, have you heard......"

"Not yet, I'm asking."

"Inquire quickly." He Yuanwai glared at his attendant, and then looked down, "Although birds don't lay eggs in this place, if this business falls into my hands." It's several times at any time, and now it's in the hands of a bunch of poor Hanako, it's really ...... it, after the matter is negotiated, see how I regulate them, their village owner, I will also take it home and give it away when I get tired of it...... it! Old stuff ......"

He left the place in a whisper, swearing. In the room in the courtyard, the old man coughed for a while and drank some tea to moisten his throat before he eased up slightly. He is the old man Liang Bingfu, who has been in charge of the affairs of Aoki Village, and has been in charge of the affairs of Aoki Village for half his life. He also brought and taught the red grapes. Today, the old man's health is deteriorating, but he still manages most of the things inside and outside the village. After sending He Yuanwai away, he lay there, wrapped in a quilt and closed his eyes for a while. About half an hour passed like this. Suddenly, someone came in from outside. Something was whispered in his ear.

Liang Bingfu opened his eyes, and at that moment, his eyes showed a bright look that seemed to have not been seen for a long time. It's a moment. He grasped the cane in one hand and was about to get up from the recliner.

The one who took care of him was a thin black boy who came over to help pick him up. Liang Bingfu's movements were trembling, but there was a hard feeling in it, and he walked out on crutches, and his pace seemed a little fast. This courtyard was only built this year, there is not much decoration, and the courtyard itself is not big, a man approached: "Grandpa Liang, why did you come out." ”

Liang Bingfu said: "I'll pick up people...... Pick people up one by one! ”

Suspicious of convenience, the man who had just come in to ventilate the news went over and whispered a word to explain the matter.

With a cane on his legs, the old man walked outside the courtyard gate, and the thin black boy next to him was still helping him, but he pushed him away with one hand: "You go away." Then he found that he still had a blanket on his shoulder, and threw it to the young man with a "whoosh": "Take it!" ”

At this time, he had already struck the ground a few times with his cane in both hands, and then stood there majestically, his face was already full of wrinkles and old age spots, and he pursed his lips, making them appear thin, with a solemn and harsh feeling. The mountain road ahead is still empty, and looking down from the mountainside, the bigger and bigger village is also becoming crowded, and there are more people, and in the past year or two, I am no longer hungry.

A lot of people are dead......

He is not a talented talent, if you talk about talent and learning, he may not even be a middle-aged person back then. He was rescued by Hongti's master, and went to the former mountain village and then to the former village. The woman said to him, "Please help take care of this place." He still remembered what the woman looked like at that time—although she may have been in her head, but he remembered the look on her face more and more clearly, so he lived here, holding up the stockade, teaching his disciples, and keeping them alive. But a lot of people still died.

From the clumsiness of the past to the majesty of this figure now, what is pressed on him is responsibility, a mountain-like responsibility. And some people break their backbones because of responsibility, and some people will gain equal strength because of responsibility.

On the other side of the road, it was as if a wind was blowing. He just wanted to pick up the man he had brought back, but for some reason, when he stood there with his cane, he suddenly remembered the woman she used to be, when she left on horseback with her sword on her back many years ago, she left something behind, and now, these things may be able to go down......

After a while, several figures came from the other side of the road, and Hongti was still wearing a cloak, but his hair was slightly curled up by the wind. There was only a smile on her face on her usual face, but her steps were no longer as heavy as before, and the old man could see at a glance that after all, she had watched her grow up since she was a girl.

The scholar who followed her was also walking towards this side, the old man was on crutches, looking at him from the steps of the door, he tilted his head, and then also looked up at the old man, his eyes were complex and calm, not like the juniors, but he was not proud, until he walked in front of him, the scholar bowed his head, arched his hands, and bowed deeply.

This is not like what a son-in-law looks like when he meets his father-in-law...... The old man thought in his heart, but Yan Sù's gaze did not change, and after a while, he asked, "Why do you worship me?" ”

The scholar had already gotten up: "I want to thank you for what you have done here." ”

"Hmm." Liang Bingfu nodded, his gaze stopped in the air for a moment, and then as if he had reacted, he turned sideways and nodded again, "Well, come in, you guys...... Come in. ”

With one hand on his crutches, he turned and walked inside. Hongti came to help him. (To be continued......)

PS: Probably not tomorrow, because you have to go out and do something, and then it will continue.