The lamb looked at the woman's sharp back. Wondered! "The people of Jingjiang Mansion are really thinking about Hezhou, it's just a one-year disaster, but it's not enough to sell land, right?"

The two of them walked around for a while, and it was getting late. And he went into the city.

When I saw the city gate from afar, I suddenly saw an old man squatting on the side of the road, looking nervously left and right. There was also an eleven or twelve-year-old girl sitting next to her, with a straw mark on her head, seeing Du Wenhao and Ke Yao coming, the old man hurriedly got up and said with a smiling face: "Miss Young Master, do you still need a girl to cook and laundry at home?" ”

Ke Yao saw that the old man looked haggard, and the children around him were also sitting on the ground with a tired face, looking at him with dull eyes, so he said, "You want to sell the child?" ”

Seeing that they were interested, the old man quickly turned his head to the girl and said, "Yingzi, hurry up and let this young lady show you, if you like to buy you, you will not have to worry about food and clothing in the future." ”

The girl reluctantly stood up and turned around twice in front of Ke Yao, and said pitifully, "The kind young lady and young master bought me." I'm very diligent, I can do your laundry and cook for you, and I don't eat much. ”

Ke Yao's nose was sore, he walked up to the girl and touched her dry head, and asked softly, "How old are you this year?" ”

The girl looked at the old man and thought for a moment. "Fifteen years old." ”

Ke Yao looked at the old man and said, "Old man, this is your granddaughter, right?" ”

The old man nodded: "Yes, Miss Young Master, our family Yingzi is in good health, and she does all kinds of rough and heavy work." ”

Ke Yao snorted: "I think you secretly deceived other people's children to sell them, this child is obviously only ten years old, how can he be fifteen years old?" ”

The old man smiled bitterly, pulled Yingzi to his side, and said, "Miss, this is really my own granddaughter, haven't I been forced to do anything about it." Yingzi's mother is sick and lying in bed with no money for treatment, and she and her younger siblings haven't eaten for three days. ”

Yingzi said: Miss, you can buy me, I only need five taels of silver, so that my mother can see a doctor, and my younger brothers and sisters also have food. ”

Ke Yao asked, "Are you the villagers around here?" ”

The old man said yes.

Ke Yaoyan said, "In this way, let's go to your house with you." If it's really like what you say, let's think about whether to buy it or not.

Turned his head and asked Du Wenhao: "Is it good?" Brother"

Du Wenhao smiled bitterly: "You came to ask me when you had an idea?" What else can I say? ”

Ke Yao stuck out his tongue and smiled.

When Yingzi heard this, she hurriedly said to the old man: "Grandpa, this young lady is willing to buy me, miss, then you can go with me and grandpa to have a look, it's very close, it's a few miles ahead." ”

Du Wenhao and Ke Yao followed the old man and the child down the official road and walked forward. On the way, Ke Yao asked, "Master, why don't you sell your children in the city?" ”

The old man looked left and right nervously: "I heard that there is a big official above, so the city is not allowed to sell, and whoever wants to sell will be arrested and sent to prison!" It is not even allowed to be sold outside the city, and I heard that many people have been arrested for this. I really can't help it, if I don't think about changing some money, the whole family will starve to death! So I had to secretly sell out in the city, but fortunately I met you. God really has eyes. ”

Du Wenhaoqi said: "Did there be a lot of selling sons and daughters in the past? ”

"It's more! Alas, the streets are all over the place. Now they are not allowed to sell, and even the beggars are arrested and put in prison. ”

Ke Yao suddenly said: "No wonder you can't even see anyone asking for food on the street." ”

Du Wenhao frowned and said, "Who stipulated this?" ”

"It's not that day to kill" Ahem, the road is slippery, young master and young lady walk slowly and carefully, beware of slipping. ”

Du Wenhao listened to him change the topic hesitantly, so he didn't continue to ask. After walking a few more miles, he came to a thatched house.

The chai door was open, and there were two children sitting on the ground in the yard playing, and Yingzi said to Ke Yao, "They are my two younger brothers. The two children raised their heads and shouted at Yingzi.

The old man rubbed his hands and said embarrassedly: "The house is chaotic, her mother is sick, and it is inconvenient to invite the two of you into the house." Alas! It's all up to me and Yingzi in this family, Yingzi's father died of illness last year, and she can't afford to lose this old family, so we really have no choice. ”

Ke Yao said: "What kind of illness does your daughter-in-law have, my brother happens to be a langzhong, so don't you show your daughter-in-law." ”

The old man's eyes lit up, but then dimmed: "Forget it, even eating at home has become a problem, where is the money to treat her?" ”

Du Wenhao said: "Don't get in the way, let's take a look first, you said that this Yingzi is still your age, you can't go on like this forever." ”

Yingzi said: "Grandpa, why don't you let this kind young master show her mother." ”

Ke Yao said: "Yingzi is right, let's see." ”

The old man hurriedly bowed down and thanked him, and welcomed Du Wenhao and Ke Yao into the hut.

I saw a woman in her thirties sitting in front of the window, burying her head in needlework, and when she heard footsteps, she looked up.

"Dad, who are these two?" The woman was pale, her lips were chapped, and she was emaciated.

The old man said: "These two young masters and young ladies came to the house to have a look, they want to buy our Yingzi."

When the woman heard this, the corners of her mouth twitched violently a few times, she turned her face to wipe her tears, and only after a while did she choke up and say to Du Wenhao: "Thank you, young master." Thank you, miss."

Du Wenhao stepped forward and sat opposite the woman: "Eldest sister, my sister and I came to see the situation of your family, I heard your father say that you are sick, it just so happens that I am also a langzhong, you might as well let me see you sick." ”

The woman shook her head:

I don't get used to it. Thank you for your kindness, and now there is no grain harvest in Dijia. I don't have anything to eat at home, so if you buy my Yingzi, I'm here to thank you. ”

Du Wen said: "It's okay, I won't charge you for medical treatment." What is wrong with you? ”

When the woman saw that Du Wenhao was serious, she smiled gratefully and said in a low voice: "Actually, my body has always been fine. It was after the child's father left last year that I couldn't afford to get sick, and then I always felt panting and chest tightness, and I felt dizzy when I walked fast, let alone work. ”

The old man on the side interjected: "My son and daughter-in-law have always had a good relationship, but when my son died, my daughter-in-law became ill and lay in bed with a high fever for three days, and then the fever subsided." But this has always been the case, and this year, the grain in the fields has not been harvested, and the family is even more difficult. ”

Du Wenhao asked about the second poop and diet and sleep again, thought about it, and said, "Put your hand on the table, and I'll check your pulse." ”

The woman hesitated, but reached for a moment on the table.

After Du Wenhao concentrated on the pulse, he looked at the tongue again.

Ke Yao said to Du Wenhao: "Brother, do you think the eldest sister's illness is serious?" ”

Du Wenhao smiled and said: "This eldest sister actually has no illness in her own body. In addition to malnutrition. ”

The old man looked at the woman in astonishment.

The woman's face turned red: "Big clip, I" I didn't pretend to be sick! ”

Du Wenhao hurriedly explained: "I'm sorry, I didn't make it clear. You do have a disease, no, strictly speaking. Your body itself is not sick, and the reason why you have chest tightness, shortness of breath, and general weakness is caused by sadness. Sadness belongs to the lungs. Jingyun is in the viscera for the lungs, and in the will is sad. Essence and lungs are sad. I'll prescribe you a recipe for sweet wheat jujube soup. After taking it, it will slowly get better. ”

Let's talk about it. Let Yingzi find a pen and paper, write a recipe for the old man, and then take out a silver ticket from his arms and hand it to the old man: "This is a silver ticket of five taels, take it to buy medicine." Here we go! ”

The old man thanked him repeatedly, and the woman cried and said to Yingzi: "Child, you will follow this young master in the future, and you must serve you well."

Du Wenhao smiled and waved his hand: "This money is for you." We don't buy this child, she's only ten years old, she's too young to do anything. ”

"I can do the work. Young master, please buy me! Yingzi thought that Du Wenhao had repented and was anxious. Holding Du Wenhao's hand.

Du Wenhao said: "Your grandfather is old, your mother's illness has not yet recovered, the family depends on you, and you left." Who takes care of the younger siblings? Don't worry, your mother's health will be fine after taking this medicine. ”

The old man was anxious, and handed the silver ticket back to Du Wenhao: "No, no! We can't ask for your money for nothing."

Du Wenhao frowned and said, "You don't pity yourself, you pity the child, right?" They hadn't eaten for three days. You can go hungry, but your kids can't stand to be hungry! Besides, you have to buy medicine for your daughter-in-law, and you can only get better when she is sick. ”

Ke Yao also said: "Yes, take it!" My brother has a good heart. Those who never charge money for medical treatment for the poor, see that others are in difficulty, and even help some people. My brother collects a lot of money for the rich to see a doctor, and takes out some of it to help the poor, he said that this is also called robbing the rich and helping the poor! ”

Du Wenhao laughed secretly in his stomach: When did I say this? But think about it, and that's exactly what you do.

When the old man and the woman heard this, they were so moved that they sobbed and wept when they took the silver ticket. Let Yingzi kneel down and kowtow in thanks.

Ke Yao hurriedly helped Yingzi up and said, "The hard days will always pass, anyway, you still have land." It's good to survive this natural disaster. ”

The woman wept and said, "I can't get through it!" Damn it,"

"Ahem!" The old man coughed heavily, and winked at the woman, who quickly shut up.

Ke Yao looked at the woman curiously, and then at the old man, he didn't understand why the old man stopped the woman, and if they didn't say it, it was naturally not easy to ask.

Du Wenhao and Ke Yao said goodbye in the gratitude of Yingzi's family, and went to the city to return to Tongzhi.

Early the next morning.

Du Wenhao got up, and Yingzi came to report that the prefect Liao Guibing had visited. Du Wenhao put on his official robe and came to the living room. Liao Guibing hurriedly stepped forward and bowed down and asked, "Did you rest well last night?" ”

Du Wenhao stretched his waist: "Lord Liao got up really early, and I just slept in a light rain last night." ”

Liao Guibing laughed loudly: "I can't sleep this year, unlike Lord Du, not only is my career thriving, but this sleep is also a good time, and I envy it." ”

Du Wenhao said: "I wonder what happened to Lord Liao coming over so early?" ”

Liao Guibing said with a smile: "Lord Du has just arrived, and Cui Zhi thought that you probably want to visit some of our Lijiang River landscapes, so

Du Wenhao said: "Lord Liao is polite, let's be busy with the consultation and Peiyo first." We're done with our own tours. ”

Liao Guibing hurriedly said: "This is unacceptable, receiving Lord Du well is the top priority of the humble position." It is the honor of you to come to Jingjiang, where is the reason for you to visit by yourself, or let the lowly job accompany you, so as not to take some unjust road, and the humble job is just to tell you about our scenic spots in Jingjiang. As for the consultation of Pei Scrape, the humble official has already inquired, and there are no emergency patients in the pharmacies and medical centers in the city, but there are many incurable diseases. But I'm not in a hurry, as for Pei's business. I'm afraid it will take a few days to prepare. The Li River is beautiful and the mountains and rivers are beautiful, Lord Du will stay for more time, these things will come slowly, and it will not be too late to do it when you are ready, just take this free time to visit the scenery. ”

Du Wenhao saw that Liao Guibing was so enthusiastic, and it was difficult to refuse. He nodded and said, "Even so, then it's up to the host." ”

Liao Guibing said happily: "Lord Du, the humble position has been arranged, I will eat breakfast" Longphi, and the humble position will take you and a few ladies to taste the famous heart scarf in our tattoo. The land is pretty good. Then we took a bamboo raft down the river, all the way to the past, where the adults are tired and hungry, where we stop to eat and rest, what do you think? ”

Du Jianhao said: "Very good, then we will come out in a while." ”

Liao Guibing said: "Okay, I'll go and prepare the carriage and horses, and then wait for you and a few ladies at the gate." ”

As soon as Liao Guibing left, the door next door opened, and Du Wenhao heard the sound and looked back, only to see Lin Qingdai and several of them walking out.

Lin Qingdai said: "This prefect is really enthusiastic. ”

Ke Yao smiled: "Yes, but he is really frugal as an official." Even breakfast had to be eaten outside on the street. What's the matter? ”

Li'er said: "The prefect is very thrifty, last night we also saw their family in the kitchen to make turnips, I asked, guess what the people said, she said that the master said, now the harvest is not good, can not always eat and drink lavishly, face to make some radishes in the winter can also be eaten."

Xue leaner pouted; "Isn't it ridiculous that a prefect's mansion is full of radishes that are ready to win? If the official thinks he is like this, it is enough to be a nest. ”

Pang Yuqin said: "You can't say that, it's a good thing to be honest and honest." For the good of the people. ”

Ke Yao said: "I can't see it, when I went to the market with my brother yesterday, I saw people selling children and daughters." ”

Xue Erqi said: "Won't it? We went into the city yesterday, why can't we see any of them? Not even beggars. ”

"What's so strange about that! They all asked the government to arrest them and send them to prison! ”

"Why?"

Lin Qingdai interjected: "Then you still need to ask, whitewash the peace and promote political achievements!" This Liao prefect is not simple! ”

Pang Yuqin had a good impression of Governor Liao's mansion, shook his head and said, "It won't be his idea, right?" I think this guy is pretty good. Be honest and dedicated to the people. ”

"Who wouldn't pretend."

Du Wenhao is not strange about this kind of thing in officialdom, and it is not difficult to understand. waved his hand and said, "Okay, don't guess, the old man's words are just one-sided." Whether there is such a thing or not, don't talk nonsense until you investigate clearly. Besides, selling sons and daughters, beggars begging, you can see them everywhere in the capital, what's so unusual. Even if he wants to publicize his political achievements, he will not allow the sale of children and daughters for the time being, and temporarily contain beggars, and then let us go when we are gone. It's not a big deal. Everyone wants to perform better and make a good impression on the leader. ”

Lin Qingdai said: "This is also true." Then let's finish things early and leave early. Don't let us affect the normal life of the people. ”

"No matter how busy you are, you have to see the Li River, Guilin's mountains and rivers are the best in the world, and it's a pity to have a good tour here. Let's go! ”

If Guilin is a living entity, then the Li River is definitely the soul of Guilin. In the end, it is still the beauty of Guilin's landscapes. The Li River is like a winding jade belt, entwined in the verdant peaks.

On the Li River, Liao Guibing arranged four bamboo platoons, and except for Du Wenhao's entourage, Liao Guibing did not let anyone follow.

From Shizue Mansion. In the morning, it is still twilight, go down the river, take a boat to swim the Li River, you can see the reflection of the strange peaks, the clear water and green mountains, the shepherd boy singing, the fisherman hanging, the quaint pastoral family, the fresh breath everything is so poetic and picturesque.

There are small bamboo chairs on the bamboo raft, and the water on the raft is all local fishermen, old men with very rich experience, and the bamboo raft is very stable. It's like sitting on flat ground.

Du Wenhao's bamboo raft. There are only Liao Guibing and Ke Yao, originally Liao Guibing had the intention to let himself and Du Wenhao have a bamboo raft, who thinks Ke Yao insists on following, Liao Guibing can't say anything, but Ke Yao, a girl, seems to be a little dizzy when she sits on a bamboo raft for the first time, and rarely opens her eyes to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. His hands clutched the bamboo chair tightly, as if he was afraid of falling down the river.

Du Wenhao stood at the bow of the boat. Liao Guibing carefully accompanied him, and the two rarely spoke all the way, and occasionally said a few words about the beautiful scenery of the Li River.

"Two great masters. You're about to pass through a rapids, so sit down. The old man turned around and said softly.

After hearing this, Ke Yao suddenly opened a pair of big eyes, and said in a panic: "Brother, hurry up." ”

Du Wenhao turned around and saw Ke Yao's very scared look, so he smiled and said, "You just left less than a cup of tea, and you want me to sit down?" ”

Ke Yao grabbed Du Wenhao's sleeve: "You didn't listen to this just now." The old man said, there is about to pass through a rapids. What should I do if I accidentally fall down?

Liao Guibing also returned to his seat and said with relief: Miss don't be afraid, it's just a little bumpy. These bamboo rows are carefully selected. They are all old fishermen who have been rowing bamboo rafts for decades. You can catch fish underwater, and it's no problem if you don't come out for a meal to ventilate. So rest assured. Absolutely not dangerous. Old Danweng, let's talk about it, when the boat really capsizes, you can be the first to save Miss, and then save Lord Du. Save me at last! ”

The old man turned around and smiled respectfully and agreed: "Yes!" ”

Du Wenhao laughed. patted Ke Yao's shoulder: "Are you relieved now?" ”

Ke Yao was a little embarrassed, let go of Du Wenhao's hand, and said with a sneer: "Everything is good in the Li River, but this bamboo raft is a little scary."