#593 - Prosperity
The hour of You, early. Shuzhou City.
Shuzhou City, the capital of the Great Shu Kingdom.
Although the Great Shu had already established its dynasty, it did not change the city's name, still calling it "Shuzhou."
As the largest city among the fourteen states under the Great Shu, the number of people living in Shuzhou City had already reached no less than ten million, comparable to the Great Ning Capital and Fengyuan City.
However, in terms of prosperity, Shuzhou City, which had not been affected by the flames of war in the past two years, naturally took the lead among the three.
In other words, Shuzhou City was currently the most prosperous place in both the Feng and Ning kingdoms.
An ancient city of thousands of years, reflecting ten thousand years of green history.
The things carried by such a city were undoubtedly many, many.
There were the swords and aspirations of young heroes; the pens and brilliant articles of literati and poets.
There were the "Great Men" who entered and exited the court, bringing order to the world; and the ordinary, humble "Little People" who toiled in the fields.
There were wandering travelers who roamed the four directions; and returning guests like weary birds returning to their nests.
There were the mountains and rivers where lovers secretly met; and the blood and wine of sworn brothers.
There was joy, there was merriment, there was unrestraint, there was light;
And of course, there was also sorrow, there was regret, there was deceit, there was darkness.
You could find everything in the human world in this city.
It carried all fates, and it carried all those who were willing or unwilling to accept the arrangements of fate.
And at this moment.
When tens of thousands of flying lanterns rose with the wind, like an inverted galaxy; when tens of thousands of people flooded the streets, laughing and crowding in the streets and alleys full of red lanterns; when the Weiyang Palace, as bright as day, lit up ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine brilliant lamps, and hundreds of court officials and guests cupped their hands to greet each other, this city seemed to carry only one thing.
That was the last prosperous age of the Feng and Ning kingdoms in nearly a thousand years.
"..."
"Sage Su!"
"Sage Su, I propose a toast to you!!"
Weiyang Palace, in front of the Taihe Hall.
The vast square was already filled with people, tens of thousands of bright lanterns lit up every corner, and groups of palace maids came and went, holding endless fine wine and delicacies in their hands.
Although the Ministry of Rites had arranged separate dining tables for each guest according to custom, many people had already left their seats at this moment.
They walked around carrying wine pots, looking at the various temporary wonders and exotic scenes, and stopping to chat with acquaintances they met with a smile.
If they chatted happily, the two would raise their pots and drink together, the clinking of the pots echoing crisply, and then quickly submerged by the palace music that never stopped in the distance.
Such a scene was more like a "Festival of Bliss" than a state banquet, making everyone temporarily forget all their troubles and indulge in this festive and lively night.
"Sage Su!"
"In such a scene, why don't you compose a poem!"
Surrounded by more than a dozen people taking turns toasting, Su Wu, who had never cultivated, was now somewhat overwhelmed by the alcohol, as if he was half drunk.
He swayed and supported the huge dragon head cast from gold pieces beside him, raised his wine pot, and took a big gulp.
All sounds seemed to become ethereal at this moment, only Su Wu's intermittent voice echoed with the prosperous age.
"Ears filled with songs and eyes filled with flowers, towers filled with pearls and emeralds surpassing the Wu maidens."
"Knowing this is the cave of immortals on the sea, it is just like a wealthy family in the human world."
"Embroidered doors gather red candle markets at night, dancing clothes stretch sunny emerald clouds."
"But worry that after the banquet the beautiful ladies will scatter, the moon will be half-slanted in front of the Weiyang Palace."
"..."
With eight lines, Su Wu raised his head and poured all the wine in the pot into his mouth.
The people around who heard this poem suddenly widened their eyes, their faces flushed red.
They repeatedly recited these eight lines with rapid breathing, turned their heads to look around, and felt that the already unparalleled prosperity had been raised to another level because of this poem.
"Good poem!!"
"What a good poem!!!!"
"Let us drink a pot with Sage Su! May my Great Shu always be like tonight!"
"Drink! Drink!!"
"..."
"Bang!"
As countless people raised their glasses high at the same time, a firework bloomed in the sky above the Weiyang Palace, like a huge peony.
Palace lanterns shone brightly, the epiphyllum was in full bloom, sharing a cup of prosperity in this flourishing age.
Chengjian Prefecture, the capital city.
Just as Shuzhou City was completely immersed in a heavenly celebration, Chengjian City, which also belonged to the Great Shu, seemed a bit deserted.
Of course, today was New Year's Eve, and there was still some festive atmosphere in the city.
However, Chengjian City had just experienced the baptism of war, so whether it was the government or the people, they were quite stretched. Everyone would at most have a reunion dinner at home to celebrate the New Year.
But compared to the deserted streets, the Jishi Hall was a bit lively at this time.
"Girl, you must accept these dishes!"
"Miraculous Doctor He has no children or grandchildren, and he spends the New Year alone every year. We used to bring him some food!"
"Yes! Fortunately, the girl is here this year, and Miraculous Doctor He has a companion!"
"Girl, please accept it! We don't have much ability, and this is all we can offer."
"..."
Looking at the people who came to deliver food, Li Wutong suddenly felt something she had never felt before.
Although she had only been in the Jishi Hall for half a month and was not qualified to see patients and prescribe medicine, she usually only did odd jobs.
But these people respected her very much, as if as long as she worked in the Jishi Hall, she was the embodiment of a living Bodhisattva.
"Okay, I'll accept the food."
"I thank you folks on behalf of my teacher."
After accepting the food and sending away this group of enthusiastic people, Li Wutong stood at the door and looked outside, feeling that no one else should be coming, so she closed the main door, leaving only a small door open in case someone suddenly became ill and came to seek medical attention.
After doing all this, she carried the dishes back to the backyard and sat down again opposite the white-haired old man.
Today was New Year's Eve, and the other staff members of the Jishi Hall had gone home to reunite with their families, leaving only her and the old man who had no relatives here.
Judging from the food on the table, the two had already eaten for a while and had also drunk some wine.
"Teacher, please drink less."
Li Wutong took off her veil and poured another glass of wine for the old man.
The latter raised his glass and drank half of it, smiling and saying: "Princess, I only drink this meal once a year, so let me drink it."
"Teacher..."
Li Wutong's eyes suddenly dimmed, and she lowered her head gently: "I told you, I'm no longer a princess..."
"Uh..."
The old man was suddenly stunned, as if feeling a little guilty: "That, I forgot about this."
"..."
The originally harmonious atmosphere suddenly became silent. Looking at Li Wutong, who was lowering her head and saying nothing, the old man asked after a long silence:
"Miss Li, are you really not planning to go to Jianchang Prefecture?"
"Since Young Master Wei has already allowed the Emperor to restore the Great Feng there, then you..."
"Teacher, I'm not going to Jianchang."
Li Wutong suddenly raised her head, interrupting with tears in her eyes: "I'm not worthy to go back."
"..."
"Alas, there are not so many things about being worthy or unworthy in this world..."
Finishing the remaining half glass of wine, the old man sighed to himself, and then asked:
"Then will you still go to find Young Master Wei in the future?"
"I..."
Li Wutong bit her lip, shaking her head painfully.
"Teacher, I want to find him."
"But, but I know I shouldn't go..."
"..."
Without persuading Li Wutong, the old man just silently poured her a glass of wine.
"Miss Li, I have practiced medicine all my life, saved many people, and failed to save many people."
"Everyone in this world knows that birth, old age, sickness, and death are natural laws."
"But do you know if there is a kind of person who can be immune to all diseases...?"
Speaking of this, the old man paused and glanced at Li Wutong, who was a little dazed.
"It's a dead person."
"Only dead people will not get sick, but he is already dead, what is the point of being immune to all diseases?"
"Miss Li, I wonder if you understand what I mean?"
"..."
In the moonlight, Li Wutong's body trembled slightly, and she was silent for a long, long time.
Seeing this, the old man didn't say anything more, but left the last few words, and then pushed the door out with the wine pot.
"If you can't figure it out, then stay in the Jishi Hall to treat illnesses and save people."
"And if one day you figure it out..."
"Then go find him."
