Chapter 95

A few people were preparing to move upstream when they heard the old man say, "Unfortunately, heavy rains at the end of last month caused flash floods, which washed away the bridge. If you really want to cross the river, you’ll have to follow the Tongji River downstream for seventy miles, where there is still a bridge called Yongji Bridge."

Hu Xiaotian’s smile immediately froze on his face. Is this a joke? Is this old man deliberately playing with us? The bridge is broken, and now he’s talking nonsense. There’s a bridge downstream, but it’s seventy miles away. That means we’ll have to waste a whole day.

Muyan Feiyi laughed from the side and said, "Old man, can you ferry us across the river? We can negotiate the price."

The fisherman shook his head, "I make my living by fishing, not by ferrying people."

Liang Dazhuang said, "Old man, do you know who our young master is..." He was cut off by a sharp look from Hu Xiaotian.

The fisherman smiled, "What difference does it make who you are? Whether you’re the emperor or a commoner, to me, you’re just a passerby. We met today, and we may never meet again in this life. I’d rather save my strength to enjoy my remaining days. Why should I meddle in your affairs?"

Hu Xiaotian, hearing the fisherman’s refined speech, realized he was no ordinary villager. He smiled, "Old sir, how can you make an exception and ferry us?"

The fisherman stroked his beard and smiled at Hu Xiaotian, "You look like a scholar. How much knowledge do you have?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Old sir, are you going to test me?" He changed his address from "old man" to "old sir," showing more caution and respect. He sensed that this fisherman was no ordinary person and that his appearance here might not be coincidental.

The fisherman said, "There are many frauds in this world. I have an upper couplet. If you can come up with a matching lower couplet, I will ferry you across the river."

Hu Xiaotian replied confidently, "Old sir, please give me the upper couplet." Couplet writing was his strong point. In his previous life, he had studied many famous couplets, which led to his impressive performance at the Yan Shui Pavilion’s literary gathering.

The fisherman said, "At the southern bridge, the ferry shuttles like a loom, weaving the brocade of the river!" He gently stroked his beard, his smile full of pride. This upper couplet had stumped many scholars, and he was well-prepared to test Hu Xiaotian. The old fisherman didn’t know that Hu Xiaotian had studied countless couplets from ancient and modern times. Upon hearing the upper couplet, he already had a clear idea in his mind.

Hu Xiaotian looked towards the tall tower on the western bank and smiled, "I’ll take a bold attempt at the lower couplet: At the western shore, the tower stands like a pen, writing the articles of the sky!"

The old fisherman, after hearing his lower couplet, exclaimed "good" three times. His upper couplet was full of grandeur, and Hu Xiaotian’s lower couplet was equally impressive, matching perfectly. This young man truly had great talent!

Liang Dazhuang, though he didn’t understand couplets, knew from the old fisherman’s praise that their young master had won. He clapped happily. Muyan Feiyi, who had already seen Hu Xiaotian’s skill in couplets multiple times, felt a sense of pride this time, probably because of her position. Now, she and Hu Xiaotian were undoubtedly on the same side.

The old fisherman invited the three of them onto the boat. After Liang Dazhuang got on, the boat visibly sank lower in the water. He nervously said, "This boat is too small; it might not bear the weight of so many people."

The old fisherman dismissed his concern, "My boat may be small, but it can carry the stars and the moon. A mere servant is nothing to me."

Liang Dazhuang, feeling belittled, wanted to retort but held back when he saw Hu Xiaotian’s respectful attitude towards the old fisherman.

The small boat slowly moved along the Tongji River. The old fisherman, being elderly, moved slowly. Hu Xiaotian offered to help row the boat. Although he had experience with park boats, he had never rowed in a fast-flowing river. After the old fisherman handed him the oar, Hu Xiaotian struggled, and the boat only spun in the water, moving backward instead of forward.

The old fisherman took back the oar with a smile, "You thought I was old and weak, and that I row too slowly. But when I row, the boat moves forward, while in your hands, it goes nowhere."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing the hidden meaning in his words, smiled, "I’m not complaining about your speed. I just didn’t want you to tire yourself out, so I offered to help."

The old fisherman said, "Rowing a boat is like life. You must know the direction of the current and your destination. Only by mastering these two points can you move forward smoothly."

Hu Xiaotian fell silent, gazing at the murky river, lost in thought. The fisherman’s words, though simple, contained profound wisdom.

Muyan Feiyi also realized that the old fisherman was no ordinary person. His insights and knowledge were extraordinary. She softly asked, "Old man, was there a flash flood here recently?"

The old fisherman nodded, "It happens every year. This year wasn’t the worst. The 200-year-old Qingyun Bridge was washed away. In the past, anyone passing through Qingyun County would walk across the bridge for good luck, called 'ascending to the blue clouds.' You won’t have that chance this time."

Liang Dazhuang said, "We’re not leaving anytime soon. The bridge will be rebuilt eventually, so our young master will definitely walk across the Qingyun Bridge."

Hu Xiaotian glared at him, annoyed by his talkativeness.

The old fisherman laughed, "If there’s a chance, one should take it. Apart from this bridge, there’s nothing else worth mentioning in Qingyun County."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Old sir, I’ve heard that Qingyun County is the poorest place in Xichuan. Is this true?"

The old fisherman said, "Qingyun County is located at the westernmost end of Xichuan, surrounded by mountains. Transportation is difficult, and the area is home to various tribes and bandits who often raid the villages, causing chaos. Poverty is inevitable. But poverty isn’t necessarily a bad thing. As the saying goes, 'poverty leads to change, and change leads to progress.' One should not judge things by their surface."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, appreciating the old fisherman’s simple yet profound wisdom.

The old fisherman said, "Young master, you have a noble appearance and outstanding talent. Are you here to visit relatives or friends, or to explore and adventure?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and shook his head, "Neither. I am just a passerby." He used the word the old fisherman had just said.

The old fisherman laughed, "A passerby, huh? Indeed, who in this world isn’t a passerby?" Unconsciously, the small boat had reached the other shore. Hu Xiaotian jumped onto the bank first, holding the rope to help Muyan Feiyi and Liang Dazhuang disembark. He then had Muyan Feiyi give the old fisherman five taels of silver as a token of gratitude.

The old fisherman didn’t even blink, using a bamboo pole to push the boat away from the shore. The small boat quickly drifted to the center of the river. In a moment, the old man’s lean figure was lost in the misty waters, his voice carried by the wind, "At the western shore, the tower stands like a pen, writing the articles of the sky. I look forward to seeing how you, young master, will write the articles of the sky with your pen..."

****************************************************************** Public period countdown, please add to your collection! It will go VIP the day after tomorrow!

;