Heavy snow falls from year to year.

After the middle of winter, it's a new year.

Outside Chang'an City, the grass grows and the warbler flies, and after the heavy snow melts on the ground, many green shoots emerge, and even the white cherry tree in the center of the courtyard of the opera is also dotted with many budding flower bones on the branches.

At the beginning of February, the spring sun is warm.

Children go out to put paper kites, laughing and chasing, weeping willows sway gracefully in the spring breeze, spring returns to the earth, everywhere is full of vitality.

In the General's Mansion, Lu Zhen sat in the position where his father once sit, his originally youthful and energetic face, after this period of experience, looked a little more mature, but also mixed with a lot of tiredness.

He looked down at the bamboo slips on the desk, and from time to time he would pick up a pen and make a note.

If you are tired, you can pass the bitter plum soup next to it, and you only need to pour a sip to feel refreshed again.

Since returning to Chang'an, Lu Zhen has taken over the burden from Xice and started to rectify and select officials. Lu Zhen almost didn't know how to operate the huge imperial machine, but fortunately, he asked and asked people everywhere.

Old ministers of the Han Dynasty, such as Yang Biao and Liu Pu, had already resigned from their posts and retired at home, but they were also moved by Lu Zhen's sincerity, and taught him decades of court experience and how to deal with some affairs and cases.

In the past few months, Lu Zhen's rest time has been pitiful, almost none. Even when he was lying in bed late at night, his mind was still running, recalling the various plans presented by Xin Bi, Hua Xin and others.

At first, Lu Zhen only felt that his brain was about to explode.

It's like a child who has just started school, but is faced with a lot of functional equations, and he doesn't know where to start.

Lu Zhen forcibly stuffed it into his head, he made up his mind not to disappoint his father and uncle, so as long as he still had a breath, he would have to fight these troublesome problems to the end.

After two months of running-in, the vacant officials were finally filled. Moreover, I also have a preliminary understanding of all the positions and roles of the Han Dynasty.

Even if you encounter some difficult problems and dare not say that you can easily do it, at least you will not be as busy as you were at the beginning.

During this period, Lu Zhen and his father wrote several times, saying that Guanzhong was worry-free, and his father did not have to worry. When he returned triumphantly, his son set to go out of the city ten miles to meet him.

At the same time, Lu Zhen also concealed Xi Ce's illness.

It's sunny outside, and it's spring.

When Lu Zhenzi was tired of watching, he would also get up and go for a walk outside, strolling in the courtyard, bathed in the brilliant and gentle sunshine. Whenever he thinks of the happy time when he was a child with his sister and younger brother in the yard with paper kites, the corners of his mouth can't help but show a quiet smile.

At noon, Lu Zhen was eating in the house, he held a chopsticks in his left hand and a bowl in his right hand, and the dishes in front of him were simple, only half a bowl of meat soup and two green vegetables.

At present, the war is tight, and he can save what he can, and try his best to raise military expenses and materials for the front line.

As the saying goes, if you don't know how expensive firewood, rice, oil and salt are.

Only when you sit in this position do you know that everything is difficult.

After a while, the housekeeper came to communicate, saying that someone from the theater was coming and asked the son to come over.

When Lu Zhen heard this, he remembered that he hadn't gone to the theater to greet his uncle for a long time.

In fact, this is not to blame Lu Zhen, these days, he is so busy that he is dizzy, and he has a lot of affairs on his body, and he can't wait to use the twelve hours a day as twenty-four hours.

The theater took the initiative to come, there must be something important.

Lu Zhen moved the two chopsticks, he didn't eat enough at all, but he didn't delay, put down the dishes and chopsticks, called the servants to come in and clean up, and he got up and went out of the hall and went to the theater.

When he came to the theater, the steward of the mansion stood at the door, as if he was waiting for Lu Zhen. After seeing Lu Zhen, he hurriedly took him to the location where Xi Ce was.

Turning the corridor and passing through the pavilion of the water pavilion, Lu Zhen came to the garden where he was recuperating.

strode into the room, only to find that there were quite a few people inside.

More than a dozen confidant officials, such as Dasi Nong Weiqi, Shang Shulang Zhang Yuan, Chang'an Ling Du Ji, Yushi Dafu Hua Xin, and Zuo Lang Xinbi, were all here.

Seeing Lu Zhen, these pillars of the court did not dare to slack off in the slightest, and they all saluted.

In the past few months of getting along, Lu Zhen's efforts and dedication are obvious to everyone, and they also greatly appreciate and support this eldest son.

Lu Zhen returned the salute, and then strode forward.

When he saw the joke lying on the soft couch, the whole person suddenly stiffened.

The man lying on the bed had a black face, shaped like a withered tree, with a thick layer of bags under his eyes, his lips were dry and white, and his eyes were thin slits, and he didn't know whether they were open or closed.

There are white strands of hair between the sideburns, and the unwashed joke looks ten years old.

"Uncle, what's wrong with you?"

Lu Zhen sat in front of the couch, stretched out his hand to hold the palm that was placed outside the quilt, so thin that he didn't look like a man, his eyes were sour, and there was an indescribable discomfort in his heart.

"Eldest Prince, you're here."

Xi Ce opened his eyes a little, and his eyes were much darker in his deep eyes in the past.

Seeing that Xi Ce was tortured by illness and became like this, Lu Zhen could still sit still, and immediately stood up and was about to set off, "Uncle, nephew, I'm going to ask you the best doctor!" ”

Xi Ce reached out and grabbed Lu Zhen's wrist, shook his head slightly, and motioned for him to sit back on the edge of the bed.

Lu Zhen couldn't bear it, and finally sat down again.

"In the past few months, you have handled all the big and small affairs in Guanzhong very well, and you have not disappointed me and your father, I am very relieved, I believe that in the future, even if I am gone, you will be able to handle all this in an orderly manner."

A faint smile appeared on Xi Ce's face, his lips were open and closed, and his voice was small.

Fortunately, there was no other sound in the whole room, and everyone in the room could hear one or two clearly.

"Uncle, don't say such mourning words......" Lu Zhang's tone was eager.

Xi Ce knew that Lu Zhen was worried about himself, but he was not afraid of death, and said very calmly: "I know my body, it's almost the end, so I called you." ”

"I don't have anything to hand over to you in the court, and you should go by yourself in the future."

"Uncle."

Lu Zhen shouted with emotion, and his eyes were unconsciously covered with a layer of fog.

Xi Ce grabbed Lu Zhen's hand, patted him lightly on the back of his hand, and whispered: "Qingtong, how about the way of the king?" And again, listen to me. ”

"For the way of kingship, you must first save the people.

If I am a king, I should set my heart for heaven and earth, and my life for the people; Carry on the past and learn from the past and open the peace of eternity! ”

Lu Zhen changed his previous depression and said loudly.

Between the words, there was a faint imperial posture.

"It's ...... Good. ”

Hearing this, Xi Ce coughed violently, but there was more smile in his eyes.

It seems that Lu Zhen has already figured it out.

After coughing, Xi Ce continued to ask for the future.

"After I die, you must not mourn, I have told the steward of the palace that he will send someone to transport my body out of the city, to the foot of the mountain in the north, and bury it secretly."

Before, there was a warlock who came to see Feng Shui and mentioned that burying it there was extremely fierce to the deceased, and it would hurt the aura of the deceased, but it could add some protection to the general.

"As for the general, the Beji will imitate my handwriting and continue to keep in touch with the general, and you can handle what you want to write."

The joke was said indifferently, but Lu Zhen's heart was beating when he heard it.

originally concealed the illness of Xi Ce, and he was already very worried in his heart. Now he has to hide the news of his death, if his father knows about it in the future, not to mention that the father and son have nothing to do, it is not impossible to kill himself in anger.

Seeing the worry in Lu Zhen's heart, Xi Ce gave him an idea: "After I die, you can send someone to the party and invite your wife back." Madame is reasonable, you only need to state your interests to her, and Madame will be on your side.

With her here, the general doesn't dare to do anything to you.

What's more, the generals under the general's command are fighting outside, and most of their dependents and children stay in Guanzhong. has a lady sitting in Chang'an, at least it can play a role in stabilizing people's hearts. ”

In the current Guanzhong area, dissidents have almost been eradicated, and there is almost no threat at all.

Then, Xi Ce tilted his head slightly, looked at Wei Qi and the others in the room, and waited for him to take two breaths before he gasped and admonished: "And you, in the future, you should do your best to assist the eldest prince and handle the affairs of the world." When the general returns, he will naturally not forget his achievements. ”

"Whoa."

Everyone bowed down and responded in unison.

"Alright, that's all I have to say, I'm tired today.

From now on, you don't have to come to the house again, and I don't need you to see me off. On this last journey, I want to go alone and quietly. ”

Tusely straightened his head and slowly closed his eyes.

"Uncle."

"Mr. ......"

Tusely waved his hand, signaling that they didn't have to say anything more.

Everyone had no choice but to hang their heads and walk out of the room full of frustration.

At night, the breeze blows and the leaves rustle.

When Xi Ce woke up, it was already dark outside, and the night was already deep.

On the side of the bed, his wife Dong Yan was lying there and already asleep. In recent days, she has been staying in front of the couch every day, taking care of the drama and daily life, for fear that he will have a good time, so she went like this.

Xi Ce wanted to wake up his wife to go back to the room to rest, but when he saw that beautiful face, he had become much haggard now, and he suddenly felt a little unbearable and guilty.

barely supported himself, Xi Ce put on a robe for his wife, and now it was a cold spring, so he lay on the side of the bed, easy to catch a cold.

Clinker, as soon as the coat was put on, Dong Yan, who was nervous, woke up immediately.

When he saw Xi Ce put on his coat, his beautiful eyes were stunned for a moment, and then he got up and was about to pour water for Xi Ce.

"Sit down, ma'am, I'll ......"

Xi Ce paused, and after hesitating for a while, he changed his title: "My husband has something to say to you." ”

"Master, your body is weak and needs to be recuperated. If there is anything to say, I will talk about it later, and it will not be too late. ”

Xi Ce shook his head, there are some words, if you don't say it, maybe you won't have a chance in the future.

"Over the years, I have been lukewarm to you, and I have said very few words while sitting with you. You are a good girl, knowledgeable, gentle and virtuous, and you will never complain to me even if you have been greatly wronged outside.

Even the general said that such a good girl is hard to find with a lantern.

It's just that I have someone else in my heart, so I can't tolerate you anymore......"

"Therefore, after my death, if you meet the man you like, go away. I put the letter of resignation in the black box at the bottom left of the copywriter in the study, and with this letter of resignation, the general will not be embarrassed by you. ”

The joke was weak, and even breathing became particularly difficult.

Dong Yan just shook her head, her eyes red.

"I hope that in the next life, you can have a good home, and don't meet someone with a cold temperament like me again."

After speaking, Xi Ce coughed, and the red blood stains on the handkerchief covering his mouth were shocking.

Tears swirled in her red eyes, perhaps it was the opening of her heart that was playful, and it also aroused Dong Yan's desire to speak.

She sat on the edge of the couch, a little emotionally unstable, and told Xi Ce about her mental journey over the years.

"I've been married to the theater for nine years, and I know you don't like me. So I never dared to think about what I would do tomorrow and what I would be able to do in the future. I just want to follow your light and shadow, look at the places you have walked, and walk the roads you have been.

I don't know what you want to do,

But I know you'll never stop for me.

So I don't ask for anything, I just want to know, where are you.

If I can look at you from afar, I will be content.

Maybe one day, you really want to divorce me, and our fate is over.

I died of heart.

I sometimes think that between you and me, maybe it's better to miss out. ”

"If that day, I didn't go out to see the lights, and you didn't stand out for the Cai family's women......"

"Luckily, you and I went." Said jokingly.

What the?

Dong Yan was in a trance.

Then he laughed at himself: "Heh, everyone calls me Mr., saying that I can settle thousands of miles and have unparalleled resourcefulness." But who knows, there are some things that are close at hand, but I have put off thinking about them until today. ”

Unfortunately, it was too late.

Dong Yan only felt that she couldn't understand it more and more, or she didn't dare to think deeply.

Xi Ce gently took her hand, lifted the corner of the quilt, moved his body inside, and showed unprecedented gentleness and tenderness on his face: "Madam, it's cold outside, come into the quilt, it's warm." ”

In a flash

Dong Yan's tears rained down.

A few more days passed after that.

A sunny morning.

The sky cleared for a few days, and the sun outside was as warm and brilliant as ever.

Xi Ce was lying on the sickbed, about to run out of oil.

When he was dying, he gently held his wife's hand, and the expression on his face was very peaceful.

Daughter Nianzhao was temporarily sent out of the house, before that, Xi Ce had doted on the lively and innocent little girl, and told her: Daddy is going to a far, far away place, and it may take a long, long time to come back, so during the time when Daddy is away, you must listen to your mother's words.

Of course, Nian Zhao didn't know what this parting meant, so Tian Tian agreed.

Time passed silently, and Xi Ce, who was about to come to the end of his life, seemed to see his late mentor Xun Jing standing in the clouds, and beside him, there were many familiar faces, smiling and waving to him.

"My teacher has come to pick me up, madam, it's time for my husband to leave."

Tuse's lips were open, and only his throat was moving, making extremely subtle sounds.

Seeing this, Dong Yan burst into tears and fell on the back of her hand, grabbed her husband's hand tightly, and refused to let go for a moment.

Knock knock ~ knock knock ~~

Woo woo ~ ~

Suddenly, Xi Ce seemed to hear the triumphant sound of trumpets and drums, is the general back?

His eyes suddenly opened, and he sat up from the sickbed suddenly, and he couldn't even wear his shoes, and in the astonishment of everyone, he ran all the way out of the hall, but happened to bump into a tall figure.

He stepped forward and grabbed the man's arms with both hands, and couldn't suppress the excitement on his face: "General, you're back!" ”

Hu Che'er was stunned for a moment, and his eyes and nose were extremely sour.

He couldn't bear to spoil the last illusion of the joke, nodded his head, and learned the voice of the lord Lu Bu: "Well, I'm back." ”

"So, did you win?" Xi Ce asked again eagerly.

Hu Che'er couldn't bear to look at Xi Ce's expectant gaze anymore, tilted his head to the side, and still nodded.

"Hahaha, I know, I know!"

In the whole house, everyone was crying, and he was the only one laughing happily.

Laughing and laughing, Xi Ce's body sank suddenly, but fortunately, Hu Che'er made a timely move and supported Xi Ce.

Looking at the man who was close at hand, it seemed that his face was exactly the same as in his memory.

He still remembers that it was this man.

Hold an umbrella for him,

Crossing the river with his back,

He took him by the hand and said,

If you believe in me, I will never live up to you in this life!

"In the future, the strategy ...... No more...... I can no longer follow the general to fight for thieves and sit and watch the mountains and rivers......"

Xi Ce shook his head and said, his tone dragged on for a long time, and his voice was so small that it was almost inaudible, but anyone could hear the regret and unwillingness in his tone.

Before he finished speaking, Xi Ce leaned on Hu Che'er's shoulder first and slowly closed his eyes.

The sun was shining and the weather was great.

Born in troubled times, and died in Chang'an.

That night,

A dazzling star lit up the entire starry sky.