Wishing You Eternal Happiness

Six or seven years have passed since the imperial court banned the sea. Quanzhou, the ancient city that prospered due to the sea, has now completely declined due to the sea. The two closed doors at the entrance of Shibosi had peeling paint and mottled iron locks. The old ships moored in the harbor could not withstand the wind and rain, and they were decayed day by day.

From the eager anticipation of the year to the hopelessness of today, no one mentions the topic of reopening the sea ban. The population in the city has dropped sharply. In recent years, except for the old Quanzhou people who have lived here for generations, the rest have left to survive. The streets and lanes are no longer the bustling when the sea was prosperous.

Spring goes and autumn comes, but the Erythrina blossoms and the Erythrina blossoms fall, year after year, week after week.

Accompanied by the decline of the ancient city, the Zhen family, which once prospered for a while, also fell silent.

Starting from the premise, the Zhen family is rich in Quanzhou, and the daughter in the family is even married to the golden tortoise in front of the Palace of the Son of Heaven. Even the old lady has to be honored, full of glory, who doesn’t envy? To this day, people in Quanzhou still remember the lively scene of auspiciousness from the Zhenjia Dockyard and everyone beating gongs and drums to send them up. At that time, the scenery shocked the whole city. Speaking of which, the old Quanzhou people still have fresh memories.

Ironically, that scene that day seemed to have become the culmination of Zhen Jia Ronghua, and since then, it stopped abruptly.

For a period of time, people in Quanzhou were rumored that the son-in-law of the Zhen family had been guilty of the emperor and was sent outside the customs. Since then, the Zhen family's door has been left in the cold, and the official sedan can no longer be seen at the door. Although in the past two years, news gradually spread that the son-in-law surnamed Pei had been employed by the court again. He was only an official position, and it was far worse than the scenery he had used when he was in the capital. The Zhen family's daughter also followed. After a sigh, it passed, and slowly, no one mentioned it again.

However, the Zhen family has had several honors and disgrace during these years. They have experienced the icing on the cake of local officials rushing to visit the door and making friends. They have also seen the door of the door and the strangers. They are afraid of avoiding the face, between the ups and downs, they can actually keep their heart and circle. Dismissed the many servants and helpers who were not available at home and in the dock, the door was closed, and it was self-contained, and it had not been opened for several years. The family members would go through the corner door when they entered and exited. Nowadays, because the old lady is old and frail, Mrs. Meng, who is in charge of the house, is a widow and has a weak temperament, but she also takes care of the house very well. Outside the farm, Zhang Da takes care of the family affairs, and is supported by his daughter-in-law. Although the son is incompetent and sometimes filthy, but he is extremely filial. In the past few years, he has got both children and daughters. What is even more rare is those in the dock. The widow and orphans are still under the care of the Zhen family. When it comes to this, the old Quanzhou people all give a thumbs up and praise the kindness of the Zhen family.

In the afternoon of that day, a fast horse, from the direction of Fujian Road, along the Huangni Road on the official road, galloped towards the gate of Quanzhou.

The visitor was a messenger from Fujian Daoya. He entered the city gate and galloped towards the state capital while shouting loudly: "The court has an order, and the sea ban is lifted! The court has an order, and the sea ban is lifted!"

As if stagnant water was being stirred up, passers-by stopped one after another, and the drowsy cloth store shopkeeper ran out after sitting behind the counter. Several women sitting at the door basking in the sun and soaking in the soles of their shoes stood up and rolled the hoop. Xiaoyao dropped the iron ring, and the two were squatting for the donkey cart, and the handlebar style that was about to fight was also stopped.

Everyone stared at the back of the messenger Qi Juechen in front of him, their eyes widened, showing an expression of disbelief.

Gradually, more and more people ran out of the house, spreading the words to each other, with expressions of ecstasy and disbelief intertwined on their faces. Some people began to chase after the messenger. , The whole city was a sensation, people put aside their things, rushed towards the government office, gathered at the door, looking forward, discussing, and waiting for the exact news.

In the evening, the official announcement with a bright red government seal was posted overnight on the wind and rain pavilion in front of the prefectural government’s government office. The gate was opened overnight amidst the squeaking noise of Hushu Jing after being hit by insect beetles. The whole city had spread before the sky was dark. The imperial court would reopen the Shishisi in a few days and restore all southeast ports including Quanzhou. Overseas transactions.

People laughed, beating gongs and drums, rushing to the streets one after another. Above the night sky in the southeast of the city, a firework flew up with a sound. The firework exploded in the air, and a splendid firework burst out. I don’t know which family it was. The fireworks prepared for the New Year were set off early, and then more and more fireworks rose into the night sky, illuminating the harbor outside the city that had been lonely for many years.

It was night, the whole Quanzhou city was boiling, plunged into a sea of ​​joy, and even the city gates were opened with an exception. Because many people can’t wait, they have already rushed to the beach with their lanterns to check their houses that have been idle for many years. For ships of different sizes, the government also complied with the sentiments of the people and opened the gates overnight.

The Zhen family was also brightly lit, and Mrs. Meng personally rushed to the old lady's house to announce the good news.

The old lady is now deaf and dazzled, but her brain is still clear. After hearing the news, she walked slowly to the window with a cane, looking at the fireworks in the distant night sky, and muttered: "This is going to change. Is it? Good thing...good thing..."

Zhen Yaoting asked Zhang Dahuan to call two servants, took out the fireworks, and took out a pair of twin fetuses who are now five years old—the son's name is Ping, and the daughter is called Xijie. In order to wish the uncle and aunt far away far away safe and happy. , Opened the door that had been closed for many years, and set off fireworks and firecrackers. The two children covered their ears and hid behind Dad. While they were scared, they gave out joyous chuckles. The fireworks and firecrackers were all set off. , This led to a pair of children and entered happily.

The night is getting deeper, and the crowds gathered in the streets and lanes slowly disperse. The lights in the city are still burning, but they still don’t go out. Many people, fathers meeting sons, brothers calling brothers, old men calling old men, all started to turn on the lights under the lights. The Zhen family is also the same for the livelihood after Hong Kong. Zhang Dalian Ye called back the old folks who are still in the city. A dozen people, including their owner Zhen Yaoting, sat around a square table, lighting oil lamps, and discussing As things happened, everyone looked excited.

Yuzhu and the cook made some supper, took it outside the house, asked the cook to send it in, and then went back to the house. Suddenly, there was a cry from outside: "Madam! Master! Grandma! The uncle and the girl are back!"

Mrs. Meng couldn’t even put her shoes on, so she led her son and daughter-in-law and ran out. Zhang Da picked up a lantern and followed out and walked to the second door. She saw a pair of people on the opposite side, all dressed in casual clothes. A mat, a primal color outer cloak, a thin face under the brim, a warm eyebrow, and a magnificent eyebrow. Pei Youan and Jiafu, who have not seen each other for many years.

Jia Fu called the sound mother, and rushed to the front.

"Afu!"

Mrs. Meng was still in a dream and couldn't believe her eyes. The daughter who had been away for many years suddenly came back like this and rushed to her.

She hugged her daughter tightly, her tears fell down, seven points of joy, but also three points of sadness. When the mother and daughter held tears, Yuzhu also reddened her eyes, went up to see Pei Youan, and Zhen Yaoting was by her side and whispered to persuade. After a few words, Mrs. Meng woke up and saw Pei Youan coming over, knowing that she was going to bow to herself, and hurriedly wiped away her tears, let go of Jia Fu, greeted him, and said joyfully: "It's good to be back! Just come back! Just right! Today, news came from the government, saying that the imperial court has reopened the ban on seas, and you two are back tonight. It is a double happiness. Come in!"

Pei Youan and Jiafu entered, recounted something, and went to meet the old lady again. That night, Jiafu was by Meng's side, as the night before her marriage, the mother and daughter were on the knees, and she couldn't finish her words. Endless love, crying and laughing, until the middle of the night, Meng Fu sent his daughter back to the house.

Pei Youan was still sitting under the lamp, holding a scroll in his hand, but his gaze was condensed, and the pages of the book had not been turned for a long time. He heard the sound of footsteps outside the door, put down the book in his hand, got up to open the door, and inserted Jiafu into the house.

The couple slept side by side, Jiafu closed her eyes for a moment, and slowly hugged his waist with her arms, and said lowly, "Big cousin, I'm a little scared..."

Tomorrow morning, they will go to Golden Dragon Island. That drow boy back then became a blue kite with broken wings because of an unquenchable open flame in his heart. He lost his freedom and was trapped in the narrow cage on the side of Golden Dragon Island.

Day after day, year after year. Now that we meet again, what will the boy look like? Is the brilliance in the young boy's eyes that once made her unforgettable, is it still the same?

At this moment, Jiafu's babble appeared in front of Jiafu's eyes, and with a tender voice, the scene when she called out her first "mother", in the bottom of her heart, suddenly became vague. There was a trace of fear as if something was about to be lost.

She knows her husband next to her pillow, and she must know exactly where her fear originated at this moment.

He stared at her eyes, for a long time, slowly, took her into his arms, and kissed her slightly red eyelids.

"Go to sleep."

He coaxed her in a low voice, with a particularly gentle voice.

...

Early the next morning, the morning light was faint, Pei Youan brought Jiafu to the Marine Corps Port, Dong Chengzhu and Li Yuangui had already been waiting there. The couple boarded a big boat, and the sailors set sail and rowed towards the open sea.

The day the big ship approached Jinlong Island, it was almost dusk, and the sea under the setting sun was full of golden light. Jia Fu stood on the bow of the ship, looking at the clearly identifiable black land ahead through the eyepieces. , Gradually, the outline of a big ship appeared. When you leaned closer, you could finally see clearly. Just on a flat sand beach by the sea, stood a brand-new blessed ship. The two ends are high and upturned. The hull is about nine feet long. There is a small sail on the front and the back. The main sail in the middle. From a distance, the mast is towering, like touching a cloud, and a figure is standing on the top of the main mast. .

The golden light of the setting sun shines on a white giant sail at the foot of the figure, as if it outlines a painting with a golden rim, and the figure that is not very real is the scenery wandering in the painting. He didn't realize it, he hugged the mast with one arm, and walked out with one arm.

Gaffer's heartbeat speeds up slightly, turning his head to look at Pei Youan next to him. His eyes didn't blink, he was staring at the busy, blurred figure on the top of the sail.

The big ship got closer and closer and entered the warning distance. The bow slowly raised the flag, and the flag fluttered in the wind. On the observation deck, the guards who rotated seasonally looked through the eyepieces, and sent the flag of release to the fort hidden behind the reef.

The big ship came to the shore unimpeded all the way. The busy figure on the top of the sail, Jiafu had seen through the eyepieces, was a dark-skinned young man with a vigorous posture.

On the deck, an old man who looked like an old boatman sat cross-legged, smoking a hookah and taking a rest. He saw the official ship from the sea, got up, walked under the sail, banged twice, and knocked on the mast. .

The figure on the top of the sail finally noticed the strangeness of the sea behind him.

He stopped what was in his hands, slowly turned his head, faced the slightly dazzling golden sunset, squinted his eyes, and looked at the ship's shadow that was getting closer and closer on the sea.

His figure froze. Suddenly, he suddenly loosened the dozen or so cables around his arms that had not been fastened. The sail lost its traction, like a kite that had lost the wind, and fell suddenly along the mast. Then he slid down quickly and quickly slid onto the deck. Before he could stand his feet, he turned and rushed to the high-lifting bow of the dragon head carved with Xuxu. After a stumble, the person is like a vigorous cheetah. He jumped off the bow, hit a personal roll on the beach, then jumped up and rushed towards the beach barefoot.

Pei Youan quickly stepped off the deck, boarded the beach, and strode towards the opposite youth who was running towards him.

He is Xiao Yu.

The long imprisonment made him from a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy to today's weak young man.

The huge Golden Dragon Island has become a cage that trapped him since the naval battle many years ago. On the island, except for the guards who change regularly, there is only a dumb old boatman to accompany him.

When he was imprisoned here, he was asked what he wanted. The boy was silent for a long time, and finally said that he wanted to build a lucky ship that could sail across the ocean.

His request was granted. In the past few years, all the materials needed for shipbuilding, according to his request, were sent here, along with those materials, and the dumb old boatman whom he called Uncle An.

Uncle An is an old sailor who is also good at shipbuilding. He has built countless war boats for the imperial court shipyard. In the past few years, under the guidance of this dumb Uncle An, the boy began to build his own sea boat. He grinds every piece of wood with his own hands and beats them as needed.

Beams, beams, pallets, rudder stocks, sculls...

The long days of imprisonment passed like water in the fingers.

The fortune ship slowly took shape and became what it is today. The boy at the beginning also grew into the young man he is today in the busy day after day.

Xiao Yu rushed to Pei Youan, with the last few steps left, and suddenly stopped abruptly, staring at Pei Youan, motionless.

Pei Youan strode up to him.

"Yuer!"

He stretched out his hands and held Xiao Yu's arms tightly.

"Young Fu!"

Xiao Yu paused for a while, and threw himself on his shoulder, tears in his eyes instantly.

Pei Youan tightly embraced this student who was now as tall as himself.

"what--"

Suddenly, Xiao Yu looked up to the sky and screamed loudly, as if he was venting his inner emotions at the moment. The howling and the sea breeze were transmitted far away.

Pei Youan's eyes also gradually burst into faint tears. Gently patted him on the back: "Yu'er, Young Fu is too late, so you have suffered so much wrongdoing..."

Xiao Yu stopped screaming suddenly, wiped away the tears on his face, and smiled at Pei Youan, revealing a pair of neat white teeth.

"Young Master! This is not a grievance! Everything was my willingness at the beginning! I was just happy! I didn't expect that in this lifetime, I would be able to see Young Master and his mother again..."

He looked at Jiafu who had gotten off the boat, walked closer, stopped, smiled at his own Jiafu, stared at Jiafu for a moment, smiled at her, nodded, and then took Pei Youan's hand and led him to The lucky ship strode away.

"Look, Shaofu, this is the lucky ship that I personally built with my own hands over the years! Shaofu, you know astronomy at the top and geography at the bottom, but no matter how much you know, I guess you won’t know. What kind of wood is used for the hull! For beams and fangs, you can use castanopsis or camphor wood, but if you use camphor wood, you can’t cut it in spring and summer. Otherwise, the pallets will be eaten over time. , You need elm, palm wood, fir, cypress, or catalpa for oars, as well as keel and mainmast..."

Xiao Yu took Pei Youan and quickly boarded the cabin deck.

"It needs to be made of precious teak! Not afraid of sun and rain, not afraid of fire, and not eaten by ants. Shaofu, the keel and mainmast of my lucky ship are extremely strong. Just a few days ago, I just Finished! In the future, if my lucky ship can enter the sea, it will not be afraid of wind and waves, even after decades of travel, it will never decay!"

Xiao Yu touched the sturdy mast, turned his head to look at Pei Youan, his eyes gleaming, and his face was proud.

"Little son—"

Dong Chengzhu who came with him also hurried up onto the deck, and when he was about to kneel down towards Xiao Yu, he was already holding him up.

Xiao Yu looked at Dong Chengzhu and laughed heartily: "General Dong, are you here too? How are the Japanese pirates fighting? Do you know that my only regret in the past few years is that I can't go with you to fight the Japanese pirates again! "

Dong Chengzhu's eyes lighted with tears: "The blessings of Young Master Cheng, the Japanese troubles have been eliminated, and the imperial court has also reopened the maritime ban, and the coastal people are all rejoicing."

Xiao Yu laughed: "Okay!" After finishing speaking, he looked at Li Yuangui, who was standing by and said nothing, with a slight doubt on his face.

Li Yuangui said: "Little son, Long live has a purpose. Long live had a promise to the world. If the young emperor is found in the future, he will be welcomed back to Beijing. Long live the old slave to come with the two adults to fulfill the promise of the year. The son will return to Beijing immediately. Long live will welcome the son in Jiaoji, choose a day to worship the ancestral temple, announce to the world, ascend to the throne, and restore to the way of heaven."

"Little son!"

Dong Chengzhu knelt down, showing excitement on his face.

Xiao Yu froze, his expression on his face gradually turned solemn, and he suddenly looked at Pei Youan and said, "Young Master, I want to say a few words to you."

...

In the early morning of the next day, when the sun rose on the sea surface, that brand-new lucky ship went into the sea by the high tide, Xiao Yu and Old Uncle An raised their sails and moved away from the sea by the wind.

Xiao Yu stood high on the bow of the ship, and directed at Pei Youan and Jiafu who watched him, waving his arms and loudly said: "Young Master, Master! He will wait for me to travel all over the world, one day, I will come back to visit you!"

Li Yuangui knelt down, respectfully bowed in the direction where Xiao Yu had left, and then stood up.

Gaffer looked at Xiao Yu's gradually getting smaller figure, and the words he said to Pei Youan came to mind.

He said, Shao Fu, although I have been unable to leave this place half a step these years, my heart has never been imprisoned, and my heart has never been so peaceful.

Shao Fu, I am a selfish person. When I returned to the capital, all I asked for was peace of mind. Now, I can't hold the people of the world even more in my heart.

Shao Fu, world affairs, even if it is unsatisfactory, only two or three points are good enough to make people yearn for it. Please make it to me. From now on, if the wind breaks the waves and the clouds sail the sea, then I will never have time to come to this life!

She again thought of Ci'er who was far away in the capital, and the feeling of anxiety in her heart became stronger.

At this moment, where is Ci'er and what did she do?

...

The southern country is gradually entering spring, and the capital, thousands of miles away, is still cold in the winter, and snow is flying.

The emperor used to recuperate a month ago. After he stopped for nearly a month, no one of the officials could see him, and he was anxious. Finally he showed up again a month ago, and the officials let go.

Only since then, the emperor’s body quickly declined, and walking was not very convenient. He had to use crutches, and he no longer had daily meetings. If anything happened, he would only call people to discuss matters in the imperial study room.

On this day, Xiao Lie finished his discussion, and when the ministers left, he called out Ci'er, who was sitting quietly behind the screen.

Ci'er sat in her place, reading and writing. The emperor approved the memorial. Cui Yinshui carefully added a few pieces of silver charcoal to the stove, and the room was warm and quiet.

"Grandpa emperor,'the ancient good is for the world, thinking big and not small, serving morals instead of punishment, thinking about the dangers if you want to be safe, thinking about the harm if you want to benefit, and then you can enjoy the blessings forever.' This is What's the meaning?"

Ci'er took the book she had taken from the Imperial Study Room, came to the emperor's side, and asked.

Xiao Lie glanced, smiled and explained.

Ci'er seemed to understand, nodded, thought for a moment, and then asked: "Grandpa Emperor, I often hear ministers say the world, what is this world?"

Xiao Lie thought about it, put down his pen, and ordered people to fetch the ordinary clothes that went out. After being served and put on properly, he put on a cloak and a fluffy rabbit hat for Ci'er by himself.

"Grandpa Emperor, it's my father and mother who are back, are you going to pick them up from the palace?" Ci'er showed joy.

Xiao Lie touched his head: "Grandpa Emperor takes you out of the palace to see what the world is."