The father said, "Actually, I only have one sentence to tell you. He paused and asked, "Hanbai, what is a republic?" ”

I only said that my father would take care of my diet and daily life, but I didn't expect to say so much. What is a Republic? I went to school very early, and I could recite it backwards, saying: "To put people first, to put the people first, all power belongs to the people, mutual aid and harmony, and forge ahead, which is called a republic." ”

Father nodded and said, "Good back." And what about the Empire? ”

I said, "One person's autocracy is the imperial system." Dad, my grades have always been among the best in the school. ”

I didn't expect my father to take my homework here, and I couldn't help but feel a little aggrieved. He should know that although I know that I am a little stubborn and disobey his discipline, I have never been bad at learning, so my mother will get used to me. The father sighed lightly and said, "Then do you know why Wuyang City, which implements the republican system, can exist in this Great Qi Empire?" ”

I said, "Because Wuyangcheng is a special area......"

At this point, I can't go on. Wuyangcheng is a special area, and this sentence is clearly written in textbooks. At that time, I also asked the teacher why Wuyang City is a special area, especially in the textbooks that say so many bad things about the imperial system, but he is willing to call himself a vassal to the emperor of Wuyun City, isn't this in conflict with the eight characters of "people-oriented, people-oriented"? But at that time, the teacher couldn't say why it was at all, but said that it was limited by the times and had to be. I've always been curious about this, but even if I ask Uncle Xuan, he is just as secretive and refuses to say why. I looked at my father, and I vaguely felt that he would tell me now. It's just that his eyes flashed elsewhere and said: "The special thing about the special zone is that this country used to be a republic, and Wuyang City was the remnant of this republic. ”

I couldn't help but be secretly disappointed. My father didn't say anything to me, so I said, "So what? ”

"A spark will surely start a prairie fire. Just keep the fire and not let it go out. Father's voice suddenly raised, as if he was also a little excited in his heart, "Although it is only in exchange for the infamy of this life, I have never regretted keeping this fire." Hanbai, when you go to the imperial capital this time, I believe you will have your own judgment, but there is one thing I hope you will promise Dad. ”

My heart sank. Although my father was strict with me, he never forced me to behave, but now he has made it clear that he must do it. I said, "What if I don't think that's right?" Do you want to agree against your will? ”

Father was stunned. Apparently he didn't expect me to answer like that, and a hint of gloom flashed in his eyes. After a while, he said: "Some things require inner conviction, even if you insist on going your own way, you still have to go on." Hanbai, I hope you can protect this republican fire in the future, and as for whether you want it or not, I don't force it. ”

At the end, his voice trembled slightly. I guess even my father was a little skeptical that he was doing the right thing, right? Just looking at him, I somehow softened my heart and said, "Okay, Dad, I promise you, I'm afraid I don't have the ability." ”

My father let out a long sigh, stretched out his hand and patted my head and said, "You kid must be better than me, if you don't have this ability in the future, then it must not be my son!" ”

At this time, my mother scolded on the side: "Si Chu, what nonsense are you talking to Han Bai?" Hurry up and go to sleep, we're leaving the day after tomorrow, and I'll have to prepare some food for the road tomorrow. ”

The next day, Mom was really busy all day. Because her uncle loves to eat osmanthus cicadas, although she doesn't touch this kind of thing, she still carefully marinates a large pot and takes it to her uncle to eat on the road. I was given a large bag of clothes and several pairs of shoes.

The day went by quickly. Early on the morning of the third day, before I had finished breakfast, my uncle's carriage came. In addition to the pot of brine osmanthus cicada and lychee wine prepared for my uncle, my mother also brought a large bag of duck gizzard liver. This thing is her favorite snack, usually buy some and often grab it from me, sometimes hide from me to eat a fine light, this time she actually kept so much. She chattered for a while, and then said to her uncle: "Brother, this kid Hanbai is very naughty, in case he is ......."

Uncle didn't wait for her to finish speaking, then rushed and said: "Ah Rong, don't worry about it, it'll be fine, Han Bai is far smarter than you think." ”

Mom smiled a little wryly and said, "Okay, brother, then you should be careful on the road." ”

The uncle was stunned, looked at his father on the side, and said, "Brother Si Chu, you really don't want to send Hanbai?" ”

The father smiled indifferently and said, "I have said everything I want to say." When my son is older, he will always fly out, and he will come back sooner or later, so there is no need to say more. ”

Uncle nodded and said, "It's okay." He patted me on the shoulder and said, "Hanbai, go and say goodbye to your mother, this time, it will be a year or two before you come back." ”

I nodded, walked up to my mother, hugged her and said, "Mom, you're really not coming to see me off?" ”

Mom smiled: "You're such a big person, do you want Mom to send it?" She patted me lightly on the head and said with a smile: "What, can't you bear Mom?" ”

I was about to say that I would be reluctant, but as soon as the words came to my lips, I couldn't say anything. I don't have any reluctance to leave my father, but I'm a little unaccustomed to leaving my mother. Although my uncle is very good to me, I don't know how my aunt treats me, but no matter how good she is, she will definitely not be the same as my mother. Unconsciously, I grunted in my throat and whispered, "Hmm." ”

Mom was stunned, but she also sighed, and whispered: "It's okay, after a while, I will persuade your father, let's come to Fog Cloud City together." ”

My father snorted softly on the side, as if he was a little disdainful, but I knew that he only dared to be fierce to me, but he was a little afraid of my mother, and if my mother insisted on coming to the imperial capital, maybe he would change his mind. My heart was relieved, and I whispered, "Mom, then you can call him quickly." "I have a republican monarchy in my heart, and it is good to be good to you. My father lived in Wuyang City in disgrace, and I really don't know why he refused to leave. He didn't come to the pier to see me off, I think he was probably afraid of being seen and causing another storm.

I followed my uncle out of the car and drove out for a while, but I saw my father and mother standing at the door. I couldn't see their faces very clearly, but they were still standing there, and my mother waved to me from time to time. Looking at her, I only felt that my eyes were suddenly sour, faintly a little moist, but I was afraid that my uncle would find out, so I took the opportunity to wipe my eyes by pretending to close the car curtain, and then said: "Uncle, how long will it take for us to go to Wuyun City?" ”

"It's going to take a month to take a sea boat."

I said, "How long is it going to take?" ”

"In the past, when there was no wishful thinking, it usually took two months to get from the imperial capital to Wuyang City. It's halved now, which is already a quick calculation, and it will take a little time to travel by land. ”

I thought about it in my stomach, and I had read before that from Dongping City to Wuyang City, it would take half a month for the general speed. Dongping is about halfway between the imperial capital and Wuyang City, so it does take a month to travel by land. However, the land route is too hard, and if you can't hit the top place, you can only sleep in the open, and the sea route is not only much smoother, but also can rest at any time, rain or shine, so my uncle also prefers to take the sea route. It's just that I've been staying in Wuyang City, and I always feel that Wuyang City is big enough. There are a lot of merchants from foreign countries in Wuyang City, and those people look and dress very strangely, and I didn't expect this world to be so big before. Only now do I really realize how vast the empire is, Fog Cloud City is already a place that seems to be on the edge of the sky, but there are still places that are even more distant than Fog Cloud City. Can I go there one day?

Before I knew it, I had come to my senses, and the little sadness I felt when I left home was gone. Anyway, now that I have the opportunity to see far away, I don't think it's a bad thing, anyway, the days are still long.

The wharf is at the south gate of Wuyang City, which is not too far from my home. Although it is the south gate, it is actually in the southeast of the city, facing east and north. Since ancient times, Wuyangcheng has left the saying of "eight monsters", among which there are snakes, rats, insects and ants are good dishes, walking is not fast rowing, etc., one of the strange is "the south gate is facing the northeast cover". In fact, this is because Wuyangcheng is built along the coast, not a square city, the bay where the south gate is located is very deep, because there are shelters on three sides, so the wind and waves are very small, and the giant ship can always come to the shore, so it is built in this way. Last time, it was when he and Xuan Tielan came to the dock that caused this trouble, and this time I came here again, I couldn't help but feel a little palpitating. However, my uncle was an envoy of the Empire, and as soon as he arrived at the dock, a group of personal soldiers came to greet him, and he did not stop until he reached the ship.

As soon as the car stopped, my uncle said, "Hanbai, get out of the car." ”

As he spoke, he got out of the car, and I hurriedly got out of the car with my bag and after him. As soon as I got out of the car, I heard someone say: "King Ming, the ship is ready to stop, and it can be driven at any time." Lord Chen is already waiting for the prince in front. ”

Uncle nodded and said, "Okay, let's go." ”

The man who spoke to his uncle was a man in his forties dressed in an imperial military uniform. This person saluted his uncle, and when he saw me following behind him, he couldn't help but be stunned, and whispered: "King Ming, this little brother is ......"

"This is my nephew, who went to the imperial capital with me this time. Brother Cai, you can add a bunk to him in my cockpit. ”

My uncle said, and said to me, "Hanbai, come here, I've seen this Uncle Cai Yici." Uncle Cai has been an old friend of mine for many years, don't be rude to him. ”

This Cai Yici is very tall, half a head taller than his uncle, and his appearance is very heroic and capable. He is his uncle's deputy, and his uncle has the title of a peerless general, and this Cai Yici is definitely not a mediocre person. I thought to myself that my uncle must have heard from my mother that I was very naughty, and that I was afraid that I would be rude to him. In fact, although I love to cause trouble, these people are sophisticated, but they also understand, and hurriedly stepped forward and said deeply: "Uncle Cai, the junior Chu Hanbai is polite, and I ask Uncle Cai to take care of me." ”

Cai Yici didn't think I me, but just nodded his head to me and whispered: "King Ming, the old gentleman hasn't come back yet." ”

Uncle stood still, frowned and said, "You haven't come back yet?" ”

"yes. He said he would be back before the boat, but now he ......."

Uncle had already said with a smile: "Elder Fang said this, don't worry, he will definitely come back." I'm going to meet Master Chen. ”

Several of the highest authorities in Wuyang City came to the dock to see them off. Now the great control of Wuyang City is my aunt Chen Mingxin. My father said that my uncle was a master craftsman, but he was not a politician, and he was promoted to this position purely because of his identity and status, in fact, he had no achievements in political affairs at all. Among the five departments of officials, soldiers, rites, criminal punishment, and work, Tian Yuji, director of the Criminal Department, Wang Toqing, director of the Ministry of Rites, Tan Wantong, director of the Ministry of War, Hua Shiwen, director of the Ministry of Industry, and Ju Xinlian, director of the Ministry of Officials, all came. Wuyangcheng is based on commerce and trade, so the Ministry of Rites is the most important of the five departments, and Wang Toe Qing is also the most capable of the five, and people say that he must be the next commander. Fortunately, the military did not come this time, the military commander Yu Chenggong is very old, and the second marshal is Uncle Xuan. Both of them had been beaten to the ground by their uncles at the beginning, and they still had a grudge against them, so they didn't come this time. However, Tan Wantong, the director of the Ministry of War, was also a famous general in the army at the beginning, and he should have fought with his uncle, but he was not unusual, and said goodbye to his uncle with a group of people. Among them, my aunt also came with my aunt. She was a little surprised to see me, and took advantage of my uncle's greeting with them to drag me aside and said, "Hanbai, why are you here too?" ”

My aunt didn't know what I was doing. I whispered about it, and she was even more surprised, patted me on the head and said, "You little guy, you really make trouble!" Not at all like your grandfather. ”

Me: "Grandpa? Auntie, did you see my grandfather when he was in Wuyang City? ”

When my aunt heard me ask like this, she was stunned and said, "Didn't your father tell you about your real grandfather?" ”

I've never met my grandfather. I also asked my father before, obviously my grandfather is Zheng Zhao, the former elder of Wuyang City, with the same surname Zheng, and my mother's surname is Fu, why do I have the surname Chu? My father didn't elaborate on it. Later, I learned that my father had the identity of a traitor in Wuyangcheng, and I thought that he probably didn't want me to be scolded at school, so he asked me to change my surname. I also went to check on my grandfather, and I didn't have anything bad to say about him, saying that he had always been loyal to the republic, but I didn't expect that there was a "real grandfather", so I couldn't help but be very curious, and asked: "Auntie, my father didn't say it." Isn't my grandfather my real grandfather? ”

The aunt obviously regretted her words a little, and said in a low voice, "Your father will tell you later." Hanbai, your uncle is going to get on the boat, come with him. When you get to Fog Cloud City, listen to your uncle's words and don't make trouble. ”

I was a little anxious, took my aunt's hand and said, "Auntie, tell me quickly, who is my real grandfather?" Otherwise, I won't go! ”

My aunt was already embarrassed by me, hesitated for a moment, and whispered, "You must not tell others about this." ”

I never expected to leave Wuyang City, and I actually knew such a big secret that had been hidden from me for fifteen years. I said, "Well, I won't say it. ”

My aunt looked up and looked around, and then whispered, "When your grandmother was here, I heard her talk about it, saying that your father's biological father was someone else. ”

"His surname is Chu?"

My aunt was a little desperate when I asked about it, and said in a low voice: "I don't know much about this...... Hanbai, your uncle is going on board. ”

I don't believe that my aunt really doesn't know, but my uncle has already said goodbye to those officials in Wuyang City at this time and is about to get on the boat. This pier is where I get into trouble, and if I make trouble here again, I really don't know what the consequences will be. Despite my reluctance, I let go of my aunt's hand and said, "Then, auntie, I'm leaving." Alas, I'm so big that I don't even know what my grandfather's name is. ”

My aunt is much more scheming than my aunt, but I can figure out her temper. Her son, my cousin Chen Minsi, inherited my uncle's craft and was a very good craftsman, my cousin was not very old at that time, I used to play with him when I was not in school, and he made toys for me from time to time. These endless little toys are exquisite and extremely fun. When I went to school, I was in the limelight. Just because I lent my classmates to play, of course I collected some money, but I didn't even pay attention to class, but because those classmates had a lot of fun, I didn't even pay attention to class, and the teacher found out and complained, which made my mother angry half to death, so I went to my aunt and asked her to take care of my cousin and not make toys for me. At that time, my aunt also agreed, but I soaked it for a while, pretending to be pitiful for a while, and my aunt still agreed to let my cousin make it for me, but I was not allowed to go to school. At that time, I knew that the most important thing to deal with my aunt was to pretend to be pitiful. My aunt loves me very much, and pretending to be pitiful like this is the most useful thing for her. Sure enough, hearing me say so sad, her eyes were a little moist, and she whispered: "His name is Chu Xiuhong." ”

"What?"

"His surname is Chu, and his name is Xiu Hong." The aunt paused, and then said, "He is a very good man. ”

In my aunt's voice, there was suddenly an indescribable emotion. I said, "Auntie, do you know my grandfather?" ”

"Hmm." My aunt touched my head, "Hanbai, your father doesn't look like him, you look a little like him." ”

"Who the hell is this grandfather?"

"You'll know when you get to the north."

At this time, my uncle was already walking towards the boat, and I didn't want to ask any more, so I hurriedly said, "Auntie, then I'll go." "I was going to follow my uncle to the boat, and I couldn't stop thinking about it. My real grandfather's name is Chu Xiuhong? No wonder my father gave me the surname Chu. Who is this person named Chu Xiuhong? My aunt said that I would know when I arrived in the north, is he a household name in the north?

My uncle's retinue was not many, but there were twenty or thirty of them. Mixed in with this group of people, it is not eye-catching. But as soon as I got on the boat, I saw that Cai Yici was whispering to my uncle, and I was already panicked. One or two sentences leaked out of my ears, and it seemed that the "Old Fang" still hadn't gotten on the boat. Now the officials of Wuyang City have seen them off at the dock, and they can't leave if they don't leave, and they can't leave that old man, no wonder Cai Yici is also a little anxious. At this moment, a person on the side suddenly walked up to Cai Yici and said, "General Cai, Elder Fang is here." ”

As soon as he heard that Elder Fang was coming, Cai Yici suddenly relaxed, and said with a long sigh: "He's here?" Thankfully, it's okay. He had always been calm, but at this time he seemed a little out of order. I couldn't help but be a little curious, and I didn't know what the origin of this old man was, so I turned my head to look and saw someone helping an old man with a white beard and hair coming over. The old man's face was already red, full of wine, and he staggered a little when he walked. Uncle frowned slightly, walked over and whispered, "Old Fang, are you okay?" ”

The old man raised his head and grinned, "Little Fu, I didn't miss the time, right?" ”

"That's right."

Uncle didn't say anything more, turned his head to Cai Yici and said, "Brother Cai, help the old man to go back to the cabin to rest, set sail immediately, and rush back to Wuyun City as soon as possible." ”

Cai Yici saluted and turned to go down. Only then did my uncle beckon me over, and when he got to the cockpit, he put down his things and said, "Hanbai, there is a workshop in the rear cabin, I'll go there later, and teach you the technique of the meteor hammer." ”

I didn't expect that there was still a room on this ship, and I was surprised and delighted: "Then, uncle, I'll wait for you there, right?" ”

The uncle nodded and said, "Okay, don't run around on the boat, I'll come to you when I'm done with the business at hand." ”

As soon as my uncle left, I walked to the rear cabin. This ship is not small, even in Wuyang City, where giant ships are common, there are only a handful. On such a ship, this room will definitely not be small. By the time I found the chamber in the aft cabin, the ship had already gone offshore.

The door of the exercise room was not locked, and when I pushed it open, I saw that it was very spacious and clean, and to be honest, it was much better than the backyard where my father taught me to practice. Seeing such a nice place made my hands itch. Now the cabin is busy with the boat, there is no one here, you can play as much as you want. I was about to go inside, when I suddenly heard a very clear whistle.

The whistle came from the southeast. I turned my head to look, but I saw that where the sea and the sky meet, there is a faint black sail heading here, it seems that there is a ship that is going to enter Wuyang City. Wuyangcheng is a place where all directions converge, commerce and trade-oriented, and sea ships are endless. The ship was still far away, and the whistle was so clear that I didn't know where it came from. I ignored him, turned and went into the room, and closed the door again.