walk to the water

Chu Xiang stood in the wilderness like a stone sculpture, motionless, letting the strong wind blow his face, making his clothes rattle.Fu Ling didn't bother him either. After a long time, until the sun was setting to the west, he walked over and gently supported his shoulder: "Xiang, we should go back!"

Chu Xiang glanced at the sky again, the twilight was gradually rising, and the sky was vast, and after a while, it would be sunset time.As the sun goes down, heartbroken people are at the end of the world, and the big waves wash the sand, and all the heroes in the world are swept away.Chu Xiang was suddenly afraid of seeing the sunset over the long river, that sunset that was redder than blood, magnificent but ruthless.For thousands of years, how many frontier fortresses has it witnessed?How many hot-blooded men are like this sunset, with the last rays of light scattered and their blood full, they cannot avoid sinking in the eternal darkness after all... And if I can't pull my longbow and shoot Sirius, how can I face the sun? The dark night after falling?Chu Xiang was afraid that if he stood for a moment longer, he would not be able to help crying... "It's time to go back..." Chu Xiang murmured, led Zhui Feng, got on his horse, and turned his back to the setting sun, not daring to look back.One person and one rider formed a vivid silhouette between the sky and the earth. The afterglow of the sun gave this silhouette a golden edge, as if the whole was integrated into the setting sun, shining with charming golden light, Fu Ling was stunned.

On the way back, Chu Xiang asked, "Why does Your Majesty suddenly want to take me to see the Yellow River?"

Fu Ling smiled meaningfully: "Xiang'er, I once said that I want to show you the grasslands in northern Saibei. I know your ambitions. The Yellow River and the grasslands are the places where passionate men can make contributions! You are going to do something vigorously together, even though it is difficult and dangerous, you should not escape or shrink back." Fu Ling looked towards the sky and sighed thoughtfully, "Also, I still remember a saying about the Yellow River, I want to persuade you..."

Do you not die until you reach the Yellow River?Chu Xiang almost blurted out, but it turned into a deep silence... You are right, I will not escape, my greatest wish is to lead the athletes of the old country, recover the lost land, and unify the country. But I will never fight for you and betray the country.Even if I get to the Yellow River, I still don't give up, so what can you do?After a while, Chu Xiang whispered to himself: "Could it be that the ups and downs of life and death are really God's will in the dark?"

I heard Fu Ling sigh: "You are willing to think so, and all my painstaking efforts are not in vain! When I unify the world, I will accompany you on horseback rides every day, and I will go to see it all over the world."

The sky was getting dark and it was still far away from the city, Fu Ling suddenly stopped and said: "It's too late to rush back to the palace for dinner, there is a layman nearby, he is my old friend, why don't you go sit with him and bother me?" Meal."

Chu Xiang secretly wondered, as the emperor, Fu Ling actually had friends?I don't know what kind of person it is?

The two of them turned to the north and walked for about ten miles, the grassland suddenly disappeared, and they came to several rolling hills.After turning a few turns, there are several huts at the foot of the mountain, and a small stream flows in front of the door.Just approaching the hut, I heard someone laughing: "What is the wind that brought Your Majesty here today?" It was an old man standing in front of the chai gate. The emperor, but did not kneel down to salute.Both Fu Ling and Chu Xiang got off their horses. Fu Ling said to Chu Xiang with a smile: "If the mountain is not high, it will be famous if there are immortals. This is my chess friend, the layman of Jingshan, the three major players in the current chess world. One. Before I ascended the throne, whenever I had free time, I would come to him to discuss chess skills and talk with each other. Now that I am busy with business, it has been a long time since I left Wenping." Then he said to the old man: "This is Chu Xiang." No Make more introductions.Layman Jingshan showed a slight look of surprise, but didn't ask any further questions.

The three of them entered the house and sat down. Chu Xiang saw that although it was a hut with rattan chairs and wooden tables, it was very clean and tidy. Looking from the window, there was a small square garden behind the house. An old pine tree with intertwined roots, with luxuriant branches and leaves, still showing vitality in winter.Under the pine tree was a low table with a chessboard and chess box on it, and a pair of stone benches on the left and right.

A boy had already served tea, and Fu Ling said: "We are late returning to the city, so we happened to drop by to have a look."

Layman Jingshan said with a smile: "Since your majesty is going to be an unexpected guest, we have to wait for this dinner. Why don't we have a game first. I haven't played chess with your majesty for a long time. I wonder if your majesty's chess skills have improved?"

Fu Ling said: "I also have this intention." After speaking, the two of them came to the back garden.Layman Jingshan asked people to light candles, and arranged for Chu Xiang to sit on the sidelines, and the two set up a chess game to fight.

Layman Jingshan held the black and Fu Ling held the white. At the beginning, the two of them moved like flying. They were obviously quite familiar with their respective routines. After fifty moves, the speed gradually slowed down. Both of them stopped talking and focused on the challenge. At the time of Baishou, Layman Jingshan fell into the long exam, pondered for about half a stick of incense time, suddenly laughed, and threw up: "Your Majesty is really good at chess, Shanren surrendered!"

Fu Ling said: "The fierce battle is about to start, and the outcome is still uncertain. Why did the layman admit defeat so easily?"

Layman Jingshan said: "I counted and counted, if I deal with it normally, there will always be a difference of one and a half after the final Heizi posted. Of course, I can also hope that His Majesty will lose Jingzhou carelessly in the fierce battle, but in the end he will win." If you don’t fight, it’s better to admit defeat and have another game after dinner. Although His Majesty’s detailed calculation skills have not fallen behind, he has taken a step forward in controlling the overall situation.”

Fu Ling was very happy when he heard the words, and turned to Chu Xiang and said: "Don't look at him losing now. When I first learned chess, he made nine players lose. I asked him to play chess not only because of him. His chess skills are superb, and because he is the only person in the world who dares to beat me."

During the conversation, dinner was ready. Several mountain dishes, stir-fried winter bamboo shoots, mushrooms in white oil, a plate of sausage and a smoked pheasant, a plate of marinated wild pork, and a large bowl of shallot tofu soup.Layman Jing Shan said: "I can't find any fresh vegetables this winter. They are all dried goods from Xia Qiubei. Your Majesty, don't dislike them."

Fu Ling nodded, but asked Chu Xiang: "I used to be a frequent visitor here, and I do as the Romans do, but I don't know if you are used to this mountain flavor?"

Chu Xiang responded, "It's already very good." He lowered his head and ate in silence. During the meal, Fu Ling was busy discussing the game of chess just now with Layman Jingshan, and had no time to take care of him.

After dinner, the two of them played another round, this time both sides played extremely cautiously, the situation was inextricably linked, and at the end of the round, Layman Jingshan won with half a round, and Fu Ling said with a smile: "I lost to you, It’s really convincing to lose. Today’s game was really fun! Each won a set, which is considered a tie, and I’ll make an appointment when I’m free. It’s getting late, and I should say goodbye.”

Layman Jingshan sent the two to the foot of the mountain.On the way back to the city, Chu Xiang remained silent, Fu Ling slowed down, reined in his horse and asked, "Xiang, what are you thinking about?"