Hanging pot to help the world, I just want to live forever

Chapter 213 Rise and fall are bitter (big chapter to order)
The cold wind howled and the snow fell.

Kang Jing's six years have come to an end.

In the howling cold wind, snowflakes the size of goose feathers fell down one after another, and the sky and the earth were pure white.

And in this unbearably severe cold, there were actually two people riding on horses, running forward continuously.

The bone-scraping cold wind blew across the body along the gaps in the clothes, taking away the little warmth, and the icy cold snowflakes fell on the person's body, adding a half ray of coldness.

Xun Ke tightened his clothes and looked into the distance against the wind.

There is the national border of Daqi.

He is about to step out of the country of Dayue with Mr. Gu, and walk towards a country that he has only heard about but never witnessed with his own eyes.

as a winner.

"Mr. Gu"

Xun Ke grasped the reins of the steed tightly with his red palms from the cold, and asked hesitantly, "Did we really win?"

When he opened his mouth to speak, large expanses of white breath spewed out together, covering people's eyes and blurring the scene in front of them. Between the blurred water vapor, everything seemed dreamlike, like a dream that never woke up.

For Xun Ke, everything changed too fast.

Even before getting out of the sorrow of Master Mo's death, he knew that the Allied Forces of the Four Nations were no longer a strong enemy to be guarded against, and even had to make atonement for the evil deeds he committed in the past-the change in the middle was really too big, It's too fast, and it doesn't feel real enough.

"What counts as winning?"

Gu Dan stared at the white world covered by snowflakes, neither happy nor angry. Everything in this world seemed extraordinarily quiet and vast, except for the sound of 'rustling' from the horse's hooves falling on the snow.

Xun Ke thought for a while, "I thought it would be the best result for the four countries to retreat."

Yes, in many people's minds, if the Allied Forces of the Four Nations can withdraw from the territory of Dayue, it is already a great victory, how can they dare to ask for more?
So when he heard that Mr. Gu was going to take him with him as the winner to go to Daqi, Xun Ke still hasn't calmed down yet.

"Xun Ke, you have to figure out one thing."

Gu Dan said seriously: "In this kind of world, one's mighty power can determine many things. When one has the power to control everything, even one person alone can make thousands of troops retreat. There is no need to conquer Everyone, just need to subdue the person who gave the order.

When they dare not disobey, or even cannot disobey, whatever you say is what you say. "

"Mr. Gu, so have you really surpassed the Grand Master?"

Xun Ke seemed to be aware of it, and asked curiously.

The pinnacle of the world, the master is the limit of personal might.

But the master is still not enough to dominate the world, and it is not easy to influence the direction of a country.

If there is no strength beyond the master, it is absolutely impossible for the four countries to retreat together.

"Ah."

Gu Dan nodded lightly and admitted.

This runs counter to the idea of ​​keeping a low profile and keeping a low profile that he has always been adhering to.

But the giant who supported the backbone fell, and someone else had to stand up and take the torch.

He has no intention of being famous in the world, nor does he want to be regarded as a sage.

But in life, sometimes you have to do something, you can't stay in the small courtyard all the time, just watch the flowers bloom and the clouds roll and the clouds relax.

Therefore, I promised the world that I will be stable for the rest of my life.

"so good"

Xun Ke was very happy, with a smile on his face, but then he seemed to think of something, the smile gradually subsided, and a look of sadness appeared in his eyes.

If Master Mo was still there, it would be great to see the end of this chaotic world and realize the ideals and ambitions in his heart!
The person who held the torch high in the night still fell on the eve of dawn.

In exchange for the transformation of another person.

The two stopped talking, only the sound of galloping horses resounded in this quiet and silent land.

The steed has finally set foot on Daqi's land, and the wind and snow are still rolling down across the two countries.

In such weather, people should not be seen.

But before he had traveled too long in Daqi's territory, he saw a farmer in thin coarse linen turning over something in the snow.

After hearing the sound of the steed, the farmer panicked and started running frantically in one direction.

"Ok?"

Xun Ke heard the movement, and turned his gaze to Gu Dan.

"Want to go see?"

Gu Dan asked.

"Ah."

Xun Ke nodded.

"Then go."

Gu Dan said with certainty.

He brought Xun Ke specially, hoping that Xun Ke could learn something from this trip that would allow him to grow.

What's more, now that the crisis in Dayue has been resolved, Dayong's supplies will be sent to Yuzhou as soon as possible. In a short time, what Dayue needs is enough time to manage and recover. Time is no longer their enemy. But a good friend.

So Xun Ke rode his horse and chased after the fleeing farmer, calling out, "Old man, don't be afraid, we are not bad people!"

Although they are in Daqi's territory at this time, and all they meet are Daqi's people, neither Gu Dan nor Xun Ke are far from the point where they want to find a sense of existence and superiority from the people at the bottom.

Not to mention killing people for pleasure just because there is a gap between the two countries.

Xun Ke was just a little puzzled, why did he go out in such thin clothes in such a weather?
You know, once you get frostbite or get sick, in this era, you can almost just endure it—judging from the appearance of the other party, it is obvious that he is not someone who can find a doctor.

Xun Ke's voice spread far away, but the old farmer didn't stop, and his speed became more hasty, but his legs obviously couldn't run over a horse.

Not long after running forward, the old farmer stepped on the ground and fell hard on the ground, leaving a series of marks in the snow with his rolling body.

"Shut up!"

When the steed was still ten feet away from the person, in order not to frighten him again, Xun Ke tightened the reins, carried the package and got off the horse.

Before reaching the old farmer, the old farmer who fell to the ground had already got up, ignoring the blood stains on his face, prostrated on the ground and kowtowed frantically.

"The little one who is ignorant of current affairs bumps into the lord, the lord has mercy, the lord has mercy!"

The old farmer grabbed the ground with his head, and there was a sound when it touched the ground. His forehead was red with just three or two blows, obviously he was exerting great force.

"Hey!"

Xun Ke hurried forward to help him up, "What are you doing?"

"The villain is wrong, the villain is wrong, please forgive me, the villain didn't pick up anything!"

The old farmer who was dragged by Xun Ke still refused to get up, but although Xun Ke was not very old, he had been practicing martial arts in the small courtyard of Gu's family for a long time, and he had already started to practice viscera. Naturally, it was not something the old farmer could resist. was pulled from the ground.

"What did you pick up and didn't pick up?"

Xun Ke was a little puzzled. He opened the package, took out a cotton coat, and put it on the old farmer, "It's such a cold day, and the clothes are so thin, aren't you afraid of death? Put it on quickly!"

The warm clothes fell on his body, and the old farmer's whole body froze.

Only at this time did the dim and cloudy eyes dare to really look at Xun Ke. Seeing the other party's pang, white and well-dressed appearance, he hurriedly looked away, as if it was a sin to look at him for a moment longer.

"Put it on! What are you doing in a daze? This dress is given to you."

Xun Ke frowned slightly, why is this man a bit confused.

"You can't do that."

Gu Dan shook his head, walked forward, and said, "Don't be afraid, old man, we are businessmen who came to Daqi to do business. We passed by here and haven't seen anyone for a long time. After seeing you, we wanted to come over to ask for directions and chat a few words. ,no offence."

"Businessman?"

Bennen didn't dare to speak, the old farmer who stood there stunned finally came back to his senses at this time, with a smile of the rest of his life on his face.

"Ask for directions, then I know, I have traveled many places when I was young, where are you going?"

The panic on the old farmer's face faded away, showing a proud expression, and he took off the cotton coat Xun Ke put on him, "If you ask for directions, you don't need these things. We never lie, and we will definitely not give directions indiscriminately."

"We are going to visit the imperial capital of Daqi."

Gu Dan said.

"The imperial capital?"

Without hesitation, the old farmer pointed his finger in one direction, "Just keep going that way, and the more you go there, the more people will be there. If you have any questions, you can ask on the way. But the imperial capital is far away from here. , how can you rush on the road in winter?"

Everything is silent in winter, whether it is business trips, wars or busy farming, the flags and drums usually die down, waiting for the coming year.

Those who can lament the beauty of winter time are those rich and noble families with non-stop stoves and ample food and clothing. What ordinary people fear most is winter.

Idle is idle, and life is hard.

"Hey, isn't it just for making a living. As you know, the war has been going on for the past few years, and the family is almost out of control. If you don't take advantage of the winter to find a living, how will you live in the future!"

Gu Dan said with a sigh.

"Yes!"

Hearing this, the old farmer seemed to have the same feeling, "When will this battle be over!"

"Are you not happy? I remember that Daqi is the strongest one, and he has been winning all the time. Why are you looking forward to the end soon?" Gu Dan seemed to have found a bosom friend, and said quickly.

"win"

The old farmer's lips moved, and he hesitated for a while.

"It's too cold outside, it's not a place to talk. It just so happens that the two of us are going to take a rest, why don't we go to your house and have a chat?"

Gu Dan said directly.

"This"

After hesitating for a moment, the old farmer said with some embarrassment: "The house is a little messy, please don't dislike the two guests."

"It's easy to say, in this kind of weather, I would be very grateful to have a place to shelter from the snow."

Gu Dan led the horse, "It's too slow to walk, come up and ride."

The old farmer looked at the horse that Gu Dan brought with his drowsy eyes, and said in surprise: "Ah, your horse is amazing! It's a first-class horse!"

"Do you know horses?"

"Of course I understand. When I was young, I worked in the stables for big shots for several years!"

The old farmer said with some pride, and then realized, "That was all a few years ago."

"Then let's see how your riding skills are."

Gu Dan smiled and nodded.

He shared a horse with Xun Ke, and asked the old farmer to ride the horse himself. Although he was a little unfamiliar at first, he became proficient in a short time. Horses are a little strange at first.

The wind continued, and the sky was full of snow.

However, the old farmer seemed quite excited, and he steered the horse galloping in front of the two to lead the way.

The steed ran for about a quarter of an hour, and a few thatched huts appeared in front of them. The old farmer got off his horse and pointed to the hut, "That's my house."

"I'm tired."

"Little things, little things."

The old farmer walked quickly into the house and yelled: "Old woman, there are two guests here, please order something warm to eat."

A woman's muffled voice came from inside the house.

"guest?"

"Yes, hurry up and boil some hot water. It's a snowy day. I'll freeze to death."

As he said that, he smiled embarrassedly at Gu Dan and Xun Ke, "Wait a minute, I'll go get firewood and make a fire to make it warmer."

Although this room can barely shelter from the wind and rain, it is also a bit cold and humid inside, and it is extremely "clean".

Gu Dan looked around, there was only one table and four stools, and he didn't see any other objects.

On the contrary, it makes the small room look a bit empty and spacious.

"go together."

Gu Dan followed.

When I walked to the storehouse of the old farmer's house, the cold winter had just arrived, but there were not enough firewood stored in it, only two bundles.

When Gu Dan passed by, the old farmer was about to move the less firewood. When he saw Gu Dan coming in, he gritted his teeth and picked up a bundle.

"You are a guest, how can I let you move it? We still have the strength!"

said the old farmer.

Back in the empty main house, the old farmer started a fire with flint, added firewood carefully, and urged: "Hurry up, old woman! The fire is already lit!"

"I know, I know!"

There was the sound of rustling clothes coming from the back room, as well as obviously suppressed, annoyed complaints.

"I can't live anymore, and I still entertain two guests."

The voice was very low, but Gu Dan's hearing was extraordinary, Xun Ke couldn't hear it, and it fell clearly in his ears.

Not long after, an old woman came out from the back room.

I saw that she was thin and thin, her face was rough and stiff, her complexion was sallow and loose, but what attracted the most attention was the thin sackcloth she wore, which was obviously much smaller, tightly wrapped around her body which was not plump at all. With a thin body, even breathing seemed a little difficult.

The old woman's eyes fell on Gu Dan and Xun Ke, and she was also taken aback.

Such a handsome person can tell at a glance that he is definitely not an ordinary person, and looking at Xun Ke's clothes, he must be either rich or expensive.

Feeling terrified at the moment, he forced a smile on the two of them, and said hastily, "I'll go prepare food."

"We still have some here, let's heat it up and eat together."

Gu Dan took out Xun Ke's package and took out all the food in it.

Large pieces of air-dried bacon, steamed buns made of white flour, and some pastries that Xiaoying found that are particularly durable.

"Let's do it all. Someone will pick us up after today. These things will be wasted if we don't finish them now."

Gu Dan said.

"What's the point of this?"

The old woman's eyes were straightened, she swallowed involuntarily, her eyes fell on the big piece of bacon, and she said with difficulty.

Xun Ke had already reacted at this time and assumed the role of a businessman, but his experience was not as experienced as Gu Dan's, so he pretended to be a dandy and said with some disgust: "This thing is hard and dry. , it’s really not delicious. I usually eat big and fragrant roast chicken, if it’s not to hurry up, who would eat these things? It’s just enough to eat!”

Sure enough, as soon as this remark came out, the old woman didn't hesitate anymore, took the food and went to the kitchen to start preparing.

Gu Dan sat on the stool and talked to the old farmer, "Is there no extra clothes at home?"

"It should have been."

The old farmer's lips moved a few times, and he sighed, "But a while ago, there was an increase in taxes, and I couldn't make up the money, so I had to pay with clothes. Now there are only two clothes left at home."

He pulled the sackcloth on his body, and together with the old woman's obviously much smaller clothes, this was already the only clothes in this family.

"In the twelfth lunar month of winter, in such a cold day, only two sackcloths are left?!"

Xun Ke was furious.

If it was in Dayue, he would still be able to understand it—it wasn't because he was more tolerant of Daqi, but because Dayue had been plagued by Emperor Zongming for more than [-] years. , of course.

But Daqi's national power is strong, even sending troops to crusade against Dayue is not a particularly heavy burden. I have never heard that Daqi has an emperor like Emperor Zongming. How can the people at the bottom look like this!

"It's good to be alive. The old Li's family next door couldn't pay the taxes, so they were directly dragged into hard labor to transport food. I'm afraid it would be hard to live."

The old farmer said with lingering fear.

"Daqi has strong soldiers and strong horses, and the country is rich, how can it be so difficult?"

Xun Ke was completely puzzled, he didn't have a deep understanding of Daqi, and it was difficult for him to understand that in such a powerful country, how could the people at the bottom be as miserable as the people of Dayue.

No matter how strict it is, there should always be a way for the people below to survive!
The old farmer stopped talking, and Daqi's prosperity obviously had nothing to do with him.

"If I remember correctly, the people of Daqi are divided into three classes."

Gu Dan thought about it.

"I am a third-class citizen."

The old farmer lowered his head, trying to force a smile.

The first-class people are naturally the group of people who were killed from the white mountains and black waters, the number is the smallest, but the absolute masters, even if they kill the lower-class people, they only need to pay some money.

As for the second-class people, they need to pray for great merit. There are various conditions for making meritorious service, such as paying more taxes, marrying into the family of a first-class person, or even being appreciated by others, it is possible to be promoted to a second-class person. He is much better than ordinary people, and he is also qualified to study and become an official. It may be that there is no chance to stand out and achieve one person's enlightenment and ascension to heaven.

As for the third-class people, they are the remnants of the people who were defeated by Daqi before.

Third-class citizens are not considered human beings.

There is no preferential treatment to speak of, but they are absolutely indispensable to the hard work.

Of course, it is not without the easiest path to promotion.

After five generations of hard work, you can wash away your sins and become a noble second-class citizen.

As for first-class citizens?That's absolutely unthinkable.

Generally speaking, more than 40 years are regarded as a generation, and considering that the lifespan of ordinary people at this time is around 30 to 150 years old, taking [-] years as a generation, it will take [-] years!

This is a time that even the Grandmaster can't get through, it's more like a carrot hanging in front of a donkey.

In this way, Daqi gathers strength and nourishes wealth, creating such a "prosperous and powerful country".

Don't ask the third-class people why they don't go to other countries. The difficulty is unimaginable to those who may not be able to travel a hundred miles in a lifetime. If they are not pushed to the limit, no one would want to risk their lives.

If they can have food to eat, they will work hard to survive like weeds in the barren grass.

Rise and fall are bitter, and the people can't help themselves.

"Pray for the royal family, damn it!"

Xun Ke was very angry. He read a lot of books, but he hadn't solved the problem of the Great Moon yet, so he didn't have the leisure to open his eyes to see the world, and his impression of Daqi was mostly hearsay, but he didn't witness it with his own eyes, so he couldn't imagine it.

Now that he came to Daqi, the first person he saw shocked him.

Naturally, he was extremely disgusted with this method of dividing people into three, six, and nine grades, and an uncontrollable killing intent and hatred appeared in his heart.

"You can't say that!"

The old farmer was taken aback, really jumped, and fell off the stool, looking at Xun Ke in horror.

Is this still a businessman? !
"Don't be afraid, this kid has read too many novels, and his mind is full of chivalry and righteousness. He was just confused for a while, and he will know when he calms down."

Gu Dan smiled and said very calmly.

"I'm going to help the old lady cook."

The old farmer was full of fear and did not dare to be in the same room with the two of them, so he hurried away.

Xun Ke, who clenched his fist in resentment, was left alone, still feeling aggrieved, "How can people be divided into different classes?!"

"You think Emperor Zongming is hateful, but the emperor of Daqi is hateful?"

Gu Dan didn't answer, but asked instead.

"This"

Xun Ke was startled, and said after a while: "I actually think Emperor Daqi is more hateful!"

For more than twenty years, Emperor Zong Ming asked immortals and did not ask about the imperial court, which led to the collapse of order. He also thought that this was the limit of evil because of his own selfish extravagance and desire, which caused people's livelihood to be miserable.

It wasn't until I came into contact with Daqi that I realized that there is no limit to the evil of people.

Divide the people into numbers, and shepherd the people in the name of imperial power—just like treating animals!
Xun Ke couldn't think of a more vicious method than this. Even if he had never met Emperor Daqi, he hated him more than he hated Emperor Zongming.

Once this kind of division is persistently implemented, after a hundred years or a thousand years, will An Zhi become a rule of "as it should be" and "as it should be"?

Born with a seed, the people are not human!

It's more than just a breakdown of etiquette and music, it's a naked trampling on people's hearts!
"Imperial power - Huangquan. With the power to let people go down to Huangquan, you can take away everything you want wantonly in various jaw-dropping ways."

Gu Dan said: "Emperor Zongming's evil lies in his personal greed, and the evil of Emperor Daqi lies in plundering the people of the world to support the extravagance and lust of a very small number of people, so as to ensure the rule of the country.

Remember when we met him?He ran away in fear, because the third-class people couldn't even go to the woods to collect firewood. Those things belonged to their owners, and those without owners belonged to the state.

Nothing belongs to them except the place temporarily rented to them for their use.The difference is whether they want to take it, not whether they can take it. "

Xun Ke was really dumbfounded, "You are not even allowed to collect firewood? Then how will you survive the winter!"

"I specifically went to find out that when winter is approaching, they need to be helpers. They collect a lot of firewood, and then kind masters will give them a little bit of charity, and they must be grateful to get it. If they pick up less Not only did he lose it, but he also suffered a severe beating.”

Gu Dan said.

"How can such a country not perish?!"

Xun Ke couldn't figure it out.

"Power. They have enough power. Before this power has been corroded, these third-class citizens have no chance to resist at all. It is not so easy to rise up, at least there must be a grandmaster to take the lead It is possible. Do you think the Grandmaster will be a third-class citizen?"

Gu Dan said quietly.

of course not.

The master must be higher than the first-class citizens, and he is a real special-class citizen.

In a world with great personal power, it is more like a joke for the people at the bottom to want to rebel.

If there is, it must be a stronger person who stood up.

Like Chen Guang and Wu Sheng, they have been vigorous and vigorous, and it is a dead letter to meet the leader of Bailian.

Once the leader dies, the rest are all mobs.

Such is the case with personal might.

Personal goodness is goodness, and the world is good.

Personal evil is evil, and the world is evil.

There is no need to reason, the fist is the reason.

That's why he always refused to go out of the mountain.

It wasn't until after the great master that he could do something.

It is useless to be a master before, it is enough to inspire people, but it is far from enough to change the world.

It seems that the gap between realms is directly related to whether things can be done.

Xun Ke looked at Gu Dan silently, and after a long time, he clenched his fist.

"I will study martial arts hard, and then explain morality."

Xun Ke seemed to be talking to Gu Dan, but at the same time seemed to be admonishing himself, the young man had a firm look on his face.

Gu Dan nodded in satisfaction.

He wanted to bring Xun Ke here, and indeed he had his own purpose.

Immortals also need to assess the situation, and the momentary peak did not confuse Gu Dan's eyes.

It is impossible for him to do everything by himself, and it is even more impossible for him to sit on the dragon chair and review documents and memorials all day long, and he can't even preach morality—but someone has to do it.

He can help settle the external tribulations, but the internal construction still depends on Xun Ke's generation.

"The meal is ready."

Without waiting for too long, the old lady came out with a bowl. The fragrant bacon exudes a glossy luster, and the aroma is tangy, which whets the appetite.

The old farmer followed behind the woman, his eyes averted a little, and he didn't dare to look at the two of them again.

Gu Dan pulled Xun Ke up, and said with a smile, "Suddenly I remembered that there is an urgent matter to be done, and there is really no time to delay. There is no time for this meal. You can eat, we will leave first."

"what?"

The old woman was at a loss, "This, this is all done!"

How can a customer take out the ingredients and leave without eating?
"I really can't delay, see you by fate."

Gu Dan didn't give them a chance to keep them, so he took Xun Ke and rode away on a fine horse against the heavy snow.

"what happened?"

The old woman couldn't figure it out.

She looked at the old farmer, "It's only been a while, why doesn't the guest even eat?"

Remembering what Xun Ke said earlier, the old farmer shrank his neck in horror and just shook his head.

A cry came from the back room.

"Mom, is the guest gone?"

"Let's go, what a pity that the fire has risen! The meal is ready, I will give you your clothes later, you come and eat first." The old woman said.

"I can smell the smell of meat."

The voices came from far to near, and a thin, short and dark child came out from the back room, naked and shivering from the cold.

But when he saw the bacon in the food bowl, his eyes lit up.

"Hey, you dare to come out now? You are not afraid of freezing to death! Go to the house quickly, and I will take off your clothes for you."

The old woman reprimanded loudly.

"There's no need to go inside."

The old farmer, who had been silent all this time, pointed to the stool where Gu Dan had been sitting before, where a package lay quietly.

Inside are two coats.

(End of this chapter)