Outside the Youzhou Yihe River suburbs has an irrigation drainage ditch, enters autumn, that big reed marsh, resembles the heavy snow unexpectedly boundlessly. 幽州沂河城郊外有一条灌溉沟渠,入秋时分,那一大片芦苇荡,竟似大雪茫茫般。 Several overlooking the river village then scattered in , a carriage changes over to the alley by the major road, jolts to keep, the groom is the position wears youngster of strange clothes, the facial expression is simple-hearted. 几个临河村庄便错落其中,一辆马车由官道转入小路,颠簸不停,马夫是位身穿古怪衣裳的年轻人,神情木讷。 The grooms sit a man who behind wears the pure cotton-padded jacket, by the car(riage) wall, the both legs hangs slantingly outside the car(riage), as the fluctuating uncertain carriage sways together gently. 马夫身后坐着一位身穿素洁棉衣的男子,斜靠车壁,双腿悬在车外,随着起伏不定的马车一起轻轻晃荡。 Dusk on in alley, the carriage catches up with the old farmer who a practical training finished, the carriage crosses the old farmer, the cotton-padded jacket man turns the head to look to that happen to the old person who oneself throws the curious line of sight, the old person grows the face that did not look at very much, is water-worn, although just the figure is hunchbacked, still south the old person compared with these must be higher than half head, the footsteps are also quite vigorous, fully obviously the old person young time definitely is a craftsman. 黄昏里的小路上,马车赶上一位劳作完毕的老农,马车越过老农时,棉衣男子转头望向那位正好向自己投来好奇视线的老人,老人长了一张很不中看的脸,沟壑纵横,只不过虽然身形伛偻,仍是比那些南方老人要高出半个脑袋,脚步也相当矫健,足可见老人年轻时候肯定是位好把式。 The cotton-padded jacket man shouted gently a mister, the cart driver then carried the reins, the carriage stopped slowly, the man jumped down the carriage, greeted with a smile: „Four grandfathers?” 棉衣男子轻轻喊了一声先生,车夫便拎了拎缰绳,马车缓缓停下,男子跳下马车,笑着打招呼道:“四姥爷？” The old farmer whole face is stunned, did not know why this looks at very unfamiliar later generation to shout oneself four grandfathers, is the shock and awe in the imposing manner of cotton-padded jacket man, the old farmer speaks haltingly probably, likes a cat on hot bricks, does not dare to talk. 老农满脸错愕,不晓得这位瞧着很面生的后辈为何要喊自己四姥爷,大概是震慑于棉衣男子的气势,老农嚅嚅喏喏,局促不安,不敢搭话。 The cotton-padded jacket man said with the most typical Youzhou township rustic accent smile: „I, Chen Wang of Cunwei, don't four grandfathers, recognize?” 棉衣男子用最地道的幽州乡土腔微笑道:“我啊,村尾的陈望,四姥爷,不认得了？” The old farmers stare the big eye, makes an effort to size up this young man who says in Cunwei, then awakens suddenly, on the wrinkled vicissitudes face does the blooming smile, „slightly look?!” 老农瞪大眼睛,使劲打量这位自称住在村尾的后生,然后猛然醒悟,皱巴巴的沧桑脸庞上绽放笑容,“小望？！” Chen Wang grins to say with a smile: „Yes.” 陈望咧嘴笑道:“是啊。” The old person sobbed, wonders to say immediately: „What kind and came back? Didn't go to the capital to take the civil service exam?” 老人唏嘘不已,随即纳闷道:“怎的又回来了？不是上京赶考去了吗？” Chen Wang said with a smile: „Has tested, this goes home to have a look. In the past four grandfathers also borrowed me 22 money to come, does not dare to forget.” 陈望笑道:“早就考完了,这趟回家看看。当年四姥爷还借我二两银子来着,可不敢忘。” The old person beckons with the hand, asked curiously: „How to test?” 老人摆了摆手,好奇问道:“考得咋样啊？” Chen Wang said in a soft voice: „Also ok.” 陈望轻声道:“还行。” Old person one, perhaps is the load heartache the youngster face, has not gotten to the bottom, the old person who let alone deals with the yellow earth for a lifetime, actually cannot ask that a reason why comes, but sighed, „was a pity.” 老人哦了一声,兴许是担心伤了年轻人的面子,没有刨根问底,何况一辈子都跟黄土地打交道的老人,其实也问不出个所以然来,只是叹息一声,“可惜了。” In Chen Wang complexion is tranquil, does not seem the understanding what is heard old person to say a word regretting. 陈望脸色平静,好像没有听明白老人言语里的惋惜。 Chen Wang and old farmer turn back the village together shoulder to shoulder, chats this year the crop of cropland, chatted the marriage of contemporaries, chatted in the village the elder whether was also in good health. 陈望与老农一同并肩走回村子,聊今年庄稼地的收成,聊同龄人的婚嫁,聊村里长辈是否都还健在。 Through chatting, Chen Wang knew that the oneself clay room home is damaged, a wall collapsed, this is reasonable, ten years have not returned home the restoration, the crude house, how can be safe and sound. Chen Wang parents passed away before taking the civil service exam, the house of without owner, is not these seemingly delicate reed, this fall one dry will have next spring glory. Some old farmer words have not said that actually after this slightly looks goes to the capital, the village has woman, will clean frequently, tidies up cleanly, is ordinary like her oneself, year after year, many admire in her youngster secretly, loses heart, finds a wife to give birth, but that unmarried girl gradually turned into an unmarried woman. Now her the person, do not say these to be useful with Chen Wang again, let alone Chen Wang stayed so many years people in Capital City, referred to erratically cannot remember her? Otherwise if really has a mind, even if so many years are unable to go home, why haven't mailed back including a letter/believes? 通过闲聊,陈望得知自己的黄泥房祖宅早已破败不堪,一堵墙都塌了,这在情理之中,十年不曾还乡修缮,本就简陋至极的房子,如何能够安然无恙。陈望的爹娘在赶考前就先后过世,无主的房子,可不是那些看似柔弱的芦苇,今秋一枯还有明春一荣。老农有些话没有说出口,其实在这位小望进京后,村子有位女子,原本会经常去打扫,收拾得干干净净,就像她自己家一般,年复一年,好些偷偷心仪于她的年轻人,也都死了心,娶妻生子,而那个黄花闺女逐渐变成了一位老姑娘。只是如今她人都不在了,再与陈望说这些有什么用,何况陈望到底是在京城待了那么多年的人,指不定也记不得她了吧？否则若真有心,哪怕这么多年无法回家,为何连一封信也没有寄回？ Close to the outskirts, the old person has looked up to the kitchen chimney smoke village, cannot bear sigh, that unmarried girl's family/home in the outskirts, a virtuous child, the surrounding area hundred li (0.5 km) must give the thumbs-up, long ago the matchmaker almost trod to break the threshold of her family/home, but she does not comply, her parents do not have the method, no one has expected actually in the end, will have that tragedy. The common people accept fate, the life is not good, cannot complain about anyone. This is like a sickness, shoulders to pass to live, cannot shoulder, was the God does not bestow food ate, when beed laid to rest. 已经临近村头,老人抬起头望向炊烟袅袅的村庄,忍不住叹了口气,那个闺女的家就在村头,多贤惠的一个孩子,方圆百里都要竖大拇指,早年媒婆差点踏破她家的门槛,可她不答应,她爹娘也没法子,谁都没料到竟然到头来,会发生那件惨事。老百姓都认命,命不好,怨不得谁。这就跟得个病一样,扛得过去就能活,扛不下来,是老天爷不赏饭吃了,就当入土为安。 Chen Wang has not entered the village, suddenly stops the footsteps to ask: „Four grandfathers, her grave where?” 陈望没有进村子,突然停下脚步问道:“四姥爷,她的坟在哪儿？” The old person gawked, lowers the throat sound said: „How you know her......” 老人愣了一下,放低嗓音道:“你咋知道她……” The old person has not continued, Chen Wang has not spoken similarly. 老人没有继续说下去,陈望同样没有说话。 The old person referred to that side the ferry spot, said: „On there, grave mound, although is small, is easy to look.” 老人指了指渡口那边,道:“就那儿,坟头虽小,也好找。” Chen Wang pulls out a heavy purse and letter paper, „in four grandfathers, trouble you to help me return the account in village, give just or nearby teacher, above wrote out clear/pain.” 陈望掏出一只沉甸甸的钱囊和一张信笺,“四姥爷,麻烦你帮我把村里的账还上,交给里正或是附近私塾先生,上头都写清楚了。” Old person hesitant, finally has not rejected, received the letter paper purse cautiously, asked: „Doesn't return to inside the village to have a look?” 老人犹豫了一下,终于还是没有拒绝,小心翼翼接过信笺钱囊,问道:“不回村里头看看？” Chen Wang shakes the head saying: „I. Gives my parents to visit a grave, must leave to return to the Capital City that side immediately.” 陈望摇头道:“我就不去了。给我爹娘上过坟,要马上动身回京城那边去。” The old person sighs with emotion: „This was also too anxious.” 老人感慨道:“这也太急了些啊。” Chen Wang smiles. 陈望笑了笑。 The old person walks several steps, suddenly then asked: „Slightly looks, are you really the high official in Capital City?” 老人才走出去几步,突然回头问道:“小望,你真在京城当大官啦？” How Chen Wang does not seem to know answers, Tai'an City high official? The yellow purple high-ranking court official, is the center, does a dynasty rule the state as prime minister? 陈望似乎不知如何作答,太安城的大官？黄紫公卿,位列中枢,一朝宰执？ Therefore he has to say with a smile: „It is not big.” 所以他只好笑道:“不算大。” The old person happily said: „That very prospect, four grandfathers were also very early know that your boy was not definitely bad!” 老人欣慰道:“那也很出息了,四姥爷很早就知道你小子肯定不差！” Chen Wang happy expression is indifferent to fame or gain. 陈望笑意恬淡。 The old person was near did not forget to shoot a look at one that to stand in Chen Wang youngster, turned around to depart the full belly doubt, that clothes took a look are being very strange. 老人临了不忘多瞥一眼那位站在陈望身旁的年轻人,转身离去的时候满肚子狐疑,那身衣裳瞅着挺古怪。 Chen Wang with that and country same age „the young officials” lead the way slowly, his parents' grave is not far outside the village. 陈望与那位与国同龄的“年轻宦官”缓缓前行,他爹娘的坟在村外不远。 Chen Wang lifts the hand, has stroked these reeds. 陈望抬起手,拂过那些芦苇。 He persevered in study in the past, cannot think that what title of the three highest scorers in the palace examinations passes the palace examination, his parents did not have that to expect, they only thought that the oneself son can study to be literate, is a big good deed of illustrious lintel. The Beiliang bitter cold, can have a scholar house by house, is very extraordinary, with the Central Plain particularly bountiful Jiangnan that side entirely different, there likes the tasteful farming and studying handing down from generation to generation, Beiliang here, young throws is very common, person who in the hand that the army join the army holds the book is very rare. He just entered Capital to attend the metropolitan examination, Beiliang is only one does not have the establishment to try the hall in Tai'an City, is unfamiliar with the people and place, without looking after of imperial civil service examination fellow villager senior, has to stay overnight in somebody's home in a small temple, the Beiliang voice makes him be rebuffed everywhere, the same old book, the shop owner sold to him to be expensive many. Even if had attended the palace examination afterward, on the government did not have the friendship of least bit same year, Beiliang still to calculate alone one. Shanxi Orchid Pavilion in making a rapid career advance of Tai'an City, Yan Jiexi became the emperor's relatives, two people stemming from the personal grudge, did not have to change this point intentionally, even if Yao Baifeng held the post of Directorate of Education left Libationer, still had more desire than energy. 他当年寒窗苦读的时候,都没敢想什么进士及第金榜题名,他爹娘就更没那份奢望了,他们只觉得自己儿子能够读书识字,就已经是一件光耀门楣的大好事。北凉苦寒,一家一户能够出一个读书人,就很了不起,跟中原尤其是富饶的江南那边大不相同,那里喜欢讲究耕读传家,在北凉这里,青壮投军从戎的很常见,手里捧书的人却很稀罕。他刚入京参加会试,北凉是唯一一个在太安城没有设置试馆的,人生地不熟,更没有科举同乡前辈的照拂,就只好借宿在一间小寺庙里,北凉口音让他四处碰壁,同样一本古籍,店家卖给他就要贵出许多。即便后来参加过殿试,仍是在官场上没有半点同年之谊,北凉也算独一份了。晋兰亭在太安城的飞黄腾达,严杰溪一跃成为皇亲国戚,两人出于私人恩怨,都故意没有去改变这一点,就算姚白峰担任国子监左祭酒,仍是心有余而力不足。 But his Chen Wang, fills in Chen Shaobao toward civil and military eye, solemn chancellery left Sanqi often waits on, future Senior Grand Secretary that now Son of Heaven most has a high opinion , is has a mind, and powerful, cannot do. 而他陈望,满朝文武眼中的陈少保,堂堂门下省左散骑常侍,当今天子最为倚重的未来首辅,则是有心且有力,偏偏做不得。 Chen Wang slowly the line, the both sides are the high excellent top reeds, gigantic soft reed catkins, along with autumn wind, but gets up in abundance, does not know where falls on. 陈望缓缓而行,两侧是高过人顶的芦苇丛,硕大松软的芦花,随秋风而纷纷起,不知落在何方。 Chen Wang arrived at that grave mound, cramps out the cotton wool chaotic weed, then the front piece, knelt down knocked three knocks layer on layer/heavily. 陈望到了那处坟头,拔去絮乱杂草,然后正衣襟,跪下重重磕了三个响头。 The child desire raises to kiss not to need. 子欲养而亲不待。 That by this cotton-padded jacket man polite name is four grandfathers' old people, possibly this whole life does not know, the younger generation hands over the two kinds thing on his hand, the purse letter paper, the latter only depends on signs finally „Chen Wang” two characters, was the value thousand gold (daughter). 那位被这位棉衣男子尊称为四姥爷的老人,可能这辈子都不知道,晚辈交到他手上的两样东西,钱囊信笺,后者仅凭最后署名“陈望”二字,就是价值千金了。 Beiliang for 20 years, in the Liyang government, only then few several people, Shanxi Orchid Pavilion officers to Ministry of Rites vice minister, Yan Jiexi were sealed the official scholar, Neo-Confucianism Grandmaster Yao Baifeng has wielded Directorate of Education, but these three people put together, not necessarily has Chen Wang weight/quantity to be heavy. 北凉二十年来,在离阳官场只有寥寥数人,其中晋兰亭官至礼部侍郎,严杰溪受封大学士,理学宗师姚白峰执掌过国子监,但是这三人加在一起,都未必有陈望一人的分量重。 Even can say, in very big significance this being forced to leave native place Beiliang scholar, his two confidential letters, changed the Beiliang pattern. 甚至可以说,很大意义上正是这个背井离乡的北凉读书人,他的那两封密信,改变了北凉格局。 On road that the old route returns, Chen Wang ran into a stature solid same age man, after seeing him, that person of facial expression is complex, has the resentfulness, has the awe, has surprised, has puzzled. 在原路返回的路上,陈望遇到了一位身材结实的同龄男子,看到他后,那人神情复杂,有愤懑,有敬畏,有惊讶,有不解。 That person breathes the one breath layer on layer/heavily, is putting on a serious face to give a Chen Wang homespun cloth travel bag, „thing that my younger sister leaves behind, is the books that you left behind in the past, gives back to you.” 那人重重呼吸一口气,然后板着脸递给陈望一个粗布行囊,“我妹留下的东西,都是你当年留下的书,还给你。” Chen Wang received arrange/cloth pouch, is lost. 陈望接过布囊,怔怔出神。 That person of turning around stride departs, stops the figure, the voice hoarse say/way: „Looks at the child, although my younger sister......, but do not think that she dies impure! She is cleaner than anyone!” 那人转身大步离去,停下身形,嗓音沙哑道:“望子,虽然我妹妹……但你别觉得她死得不清不白！她比谁都干净！” Chen Wang covers the mouth, looked at that to put arms around shoulders to shout a brother-in-law's back with oneself long ago frequently, unclear say/way: „Sorry.” 陈望捂住嘴巴,望着那个早年经常与自己勾肩搭背喊一声妹夫的背影,含糊不清道:“对不起。” That person muttered: „This saying you said to her.” 那人喃喃道:“这话你对她说去。” Chen Wang is silent, refers to the seams seeping out the scarlet. 陈望默然,指缝间渗出猩红色。 For a very long time has not moved the step. 久久没有挪步。 - -- Chen Wangpeng arrange/cloth pouch, is arriving at the ferry spot, found that small grave. 陈望捧着布囊,来到渡口,找到那座小坟。 The officials do not know the trace. 宦官不知所踪。 Chen Wang sits cross-legged to sit before the grave. 陈望盘腿坐在坟前。 Sits facing each other with the small grave. 与小坟相对而坐。 Has woman that is not literate, will seek a clean place under Sun, airs books, spreads out one after another, receives one after another. 有位不识字的女子,会在太阳底下寻个干净的地方,晒书,摊开一本一本,收起一本一本。 Has woman that has not gotten married, will go to that small ferry spot when no one, when the person, to look into the distance time and time again, turns around time and time again. 有位没有嫁人的女子,会在无人时前往那座小渡口,等人,远望一次一次,转身一次一次。 Chen Wang opens arrange/cloth pouch gently, lowers the head to look, has familiar «Classic of Rites», «University», there is an age remote private clan school textbook 1300. 陈望轻轻打开布囊,低头望去,有再熟悉不过的《礼记》,《大学》,也有年岁更为久远的蒙学读本三百千。 In the past, or field practical training, the ferry spot pounded the clothes, heavy snow, picked the reed, he endorsed frequently to her listens. 当年,或是田间劳作,或是渡口捣衣,或是大雪时分,或是采摘芦苇,他经常背书给她听。 This year and in the past, is ten years of separation. 今年与当年,已是十年之隔。 He and she, is separation of Yin-Yang. 他与她,也已是阴阳之隔。 Chen Wang closes the eye, the gentle voice discussed: „State-owned adversity, your dead state, the doctor dead ancestral temple, the common people finally are dead the village......” 陈望闭上眼睛,柔声念道:“国有患难,君死社稷,大夫死宗庙,百姓最后死乡间……” „Gentleman said that ‚cardinal virtue non- officer, the main road, the big letter/believes does not make, when is big is uneven.’ Observes in this four, can devote to study......” “君子曰‘大德不官,大道不器,大信不约,大时不齐。’察于此四者,可以有志于学矣……” „Causes the person of the world, aplanatic splendid attire, to receive sacrificial offering. Vast, such as above, such as in its about......” “使天下之人,齐明盛服,以承祭祀。洋洋乎,如在其上,如在其左右……” In the twilight, the scholar studies. 暮色里,读书人读书。 The wind blows the reed to sway gently, such as woman nods, smile like flower. 风吹芦苇轻轻摇晃,如女子点头,笑颜如花。