Master Cen repeatedly persuaded Xu Yi to become an official and gain fame, and guaranteed that with Xu Yi's talent, he would definitely be on the high school gold medal list and become a prime minister in the future, which would be easy.
Xu Yi always excuses himself by focusing on mountains and rivers, which makes Master Cen extremely regretful.
Bang bang twice, a voice came from the deck, "Master, Mr. Xu, Huaiyang Ferry are here."
To the west of Huaiyang Ferry entrance is Thirty-Six, which is Tokyo City.
Xu Yi stood up, clasped his fists and said, "Walking all the way, bothering me for a long time, talking freely with Brother Cen, it's like being swept by the spring breeze, and I don't know that the morning is coming."
Master Cen also answered with cupped fists, "If it weren't for the heavy burden of trivial matters in the clan, I would really like to chat with Brother Xu for another three days and three nights. Anyway, Brother Xu already has Cen's address. When Brother Xu is settled in Tokyo City, please do write to me."
Xu Yi agreed, and Master Cen sent him to the deck. The cold raindrops intertwined under the dim lights and sprinkled on the vast Wu Land. It hit the person's face head-on, making him feel wet and cold, but in fact refreshing.
Although dawn is approaching, the sky is still dark, and the vast Jiang Shui and towering Chu Mountain in front of us look doubly lonely in the vast darkness of night.
Not long after, the awning boat had docked. Xu Yi jumped on the shore, gave Master Cen a fist salute, and turned away.
After walking for more than ten steps, I heard Master Cen singing a farewell song. The deep affection made Xu Yi deeply moved. With a thought in my mind, I chanted as I walked, "The cold rain comes across the river at night, and I see off my guest Chu Mountain alone in the morning. Yongyang It's like remembering old friends, with a heart of ice in a jade pot."
Master Cen was stunned and stood in the cold drizzle, reciting this poem more than ten times in a row until Xu Yi's figure completely disappeared into the vast night.
Xu Yi's pace was slow and steady, and the cold rain poured down the body that had gathered all the mana. He couldn't help but shiver, but there was a warm fire burning deep in his heart.
He suddenly thought of Qiu Wa, A Li, Xia Zimo, Xue Zihan, Xuan Xuan, Yu Yinqiu, the warmest passers-by in life.
"A hundred years of practicing Daoism is just a dream, but melancholy is just pure madness."
Xu Yi roared and strode forward. The towering Tokyo City gate was already in sight in the distance.
It was not yet the end of the fifth watch, the city gates were still closed, and the cold rain continued, which was very cold. If in the past, Xu Yi jumped across in one leap. Since he planned to use his mortal body to experience his state of mind, he huddled under the base of the city wall and found a shabby low shed to take shelter from the rain.
It was not long before the city gate was opened. At the edge of the city gate, carts were driving, preparing to enter the city. People selling rice and vegetables, doing breakfast business, selling firewood, transporting wine and oil, and carrying game and river fresh food. People from all walks of life gathered around one place, brightly lit, and there was a lot of excitement of their own.
Xu Yi I was hungry and thirsty. I earned a few scraps of money by copying copywriting for others along the way. I spent all the money I spent early on. Mr. Cen once offered me a large sum of money, but he declined. Now I only had thirteen copper coins in my waist. I went to the old man with a flat nose selling scones. After some calculation, he spent three copper coins and bought three scones.
The pancakes taken out of the flaming hearth exude an astonishing aroma of wheat. Xu Yi is a foodie, but he has never thought that this crudest food can emit such an original and alluring aroma.
Holding three hot pancakes, he felt like he was holding three suns. Heat filled his whole body. Taking a bite, the chewy pancakes quickly warmed his mouth and made his body finally feel less cold.
"Come here, my husband, the newly cooked Spicy Pepper Soup, it doesn't cost any money."
The old man opened the lid of the big clay pot that was sitting on the small stove next to the oven, and used the earthen bowl with a wide mouth and a shallow belly to scoop out a big bowl for Xu Yi.
Xu Yi waved his hand, "I can't do it, I can't do it. I only have ten copper coins left, and I still have to think about chewing wraps all day long."
The old man grinned and said, "No money, my husband is the seed for reading. A hero is in trouble. The little old man is not blind. My husband is not a mortal."
Xu Yi thanked him with his fists, took the earthen bowl, and sipped it in small sips. As soon as the hot Spicy Pepper Soup hit his throat, the coldness all over his body was swept away.
Three pieces of scones and a bowl of Spicy Pepper Soup completely repaid him.
After waiting for another half hour, when the morning light started to fade, there was a muffled sound, and the city gate finally opened. At this time, the rain also stopped, and there was a rumble, like a muffled thunder in front of the city gate, but it was the long-awaited transport army, all marching towards the city.
Thinking about the bowl of Spicy Pepper Soup belonging to the old man with a flat nose, Xu Yi asked the old man to push it a few times, but the old man refused. He had no choice but to stand aside and help the old man hold the pottery pot full of Spicy Pepper Soup that seemed to fall down at any time.
After sending the old man to the end of the field and helping him set up the simple stall, Xu Yi cupped his fists and saluted before leaving.
After wandering around Tokyo City for a few days, he became more and more desolate as he wandered around. He only had four copper coins left out of ten. If he continued wandering around, he would starve.
Speaking of which, it was not because he was not diligent. He tried his best to find a copying and writing job, but there were industry monopolies everywhere. He even changed three places to set up stalls, but they were all smashed by local snakes in three places. He couldn't even pay the protection fee.
As for doing other livelihoods, such as carrying big bags on the dock, he really couldn't shame it.
Finally, on this day, he exchanged the last copper plate for two steamed buns. As if enjoying the most beautiful treasure in the world, he pinched the steamed buns into thin threads. Each time, he had to wait for the threads to melt in his mouth before he was willing to take another bite.
By the next morning, he had not eaten three meals, and the hunger in his belly easily destroyed his last dignity.
When the sun shone on the Sanggan River shore, he got the first stick. On that day, he got seven sticks, but the tyrannical bald foreman forcibly took away three of them. The remaining sticks were exchanged for him for twenty copper plates.
Xu Yi immediately dragged his exhausted body to the Cao Laosan bun shop on the east side of the pier. Driven by a strong desire, he exchanged twenty copper coins for seven thin-skinned and generously stuffed meat buns.
The moment the first mouthful of hot red oil flowed into his throat, Xu Yi discovered that becoming an immortal or a Buddha was nothing more than this.
The seven meat buns had only lasted five breaths, so they were all sent to the Five Zang Temple by Xu Yi. He was so distressed that he almost shed tears. He regretted not savoring this most beautiful taste in the world.
Seven meat buns did not extinguish the hunger in his belly, but made him even hungrier. He had no choice but to run to the river, drink a lot of river water, and then returned to his temporary residence at the base of the south wall.
Taking advantage of the afterglow of the setting sun that had not yet set, Xu Yi quickly fell asleep with layers of straw wrapped around his body.
Since he began to practice Daoism, he rarely dreamed. Now, he started to dream again. In the dream, there were no delicate beauties, only those big, bleached and oily meat buns. He threw himself into the pile of buns, laughing wildly with great satisfaction.