Chapter 3, The Sky of the Han Dynasty
Two Jiazi amounts to one hundred and twenty years, which coincides with the mid-Western Han Dynasty! Zhang Fang was overjoyed. If it is indeed two Jiazi since the founding of the country, then Emperor Wu of Han should have been in power, or he may have already passed away. To further ascertain the year, Zhang Fang seemingly said casually: "In the century that has passed, if we discuss achievements, it is likely that only Emperor Wu can barely be compared to Emperor Gaozu."
Father Han murmured, "This money can buy almost one stone of rice... Does the young master really need that much rice?"
At this moment, it seemed that a faint call came from outside the door, sounding somewhat familiar. After a while, Han Yi's wife entered the room with two small bird eggs in her hands, beaming with a smile: "These were sent by Qing Yan; even without meat, having eggs is still a good meal"
Zhang Fang's mind raced as he calculated that this bowl of thick porridge would require about half a pound of rice. Two wen could buy half a pound of rice, which, when converted to purchasing power, is equivalent to one to one point two yuan in later generations. A single five-zhu coin is equal to five or six jiao in later times, so this handful of five-zhu coins is certainly no less than twenty wen. In other words, he paid ten yuan for a bowl of thick porridge, no wonder the Han family father and son refused to accept it no matter what. A single five-zhu coin is equal to five or six jiao in later times, so this handful of five-zhu coins is certainly no less than twenty wen. In other words, he paid ten yuan for a bowl of thick porridge, no wonder the Han family father and son refused to accept it no matter what
Zhang Fang gazed intently: "Before this dynasty."
The elder took the wooden bowl handed to him by Qingyan, drank some water to moisten his throat, and upon hearing the words, indeed fell into contemplation. Squinting his dim old eyes, he extended his palm to calculate the heavenly stems and earthly branches for a while, and uncertainly said: "Hmm, this is all a story of a hundred years... not just that, at least two cycles of Jiazi have passed."
Even the latest arrival, Han Chong, sensed that something was amiss, fearing that the tension would escalate. He cautiously picked up a handful of soil and ash from the ground, saying, "About this much should be enough."
Zhang Fang was completely unprepared for the fact that this body still harbored residual consciousness, or rather, a soul. In a state of wakefulness, this consciousness was suppressed, but once asleep, when the mind fell silent, it took advantage of the opportunity. Since falling asleep, he had been plagued by frequent nightmares, his body stiffening as if being dragged down to the depths of hell by a ghost. Meanwhile, his soul was in a constant struggle, holding on, desperately resisting, refusing to sink. Just at the moment when the battle reached a critical point, and his soul was on the verge of shattering, with immense willpower, he finally regained control of his body.
The elder, accompanied by Qingyan, knelt and sat on the grass mat woven from green rushes, facing Zhang Fang, and they exchanged greetings with each other
The woman's simplicity and kindness deeply moved Zhang Fang; the people of the mountains are indeed sincere and unpretentious
After pushing open the fence gate, I heard some noise, and a woman carrying a baby walked out from the inner room. She was dressed in a patched, well-washed coarse cloth short jacket, her appearance was ordinary, and her complexion was dark with a yellowish tinge, which made her look much older than her actual age
The Han family, apart from their faces filled with panic, was left with nothing but panic itself
"The more, the better." Zhang Fang chuckled as he tossed the coins that had spilled onto the ground into the bowl. Suddenly, he paused, gently rubbing the two characters "five zhu" with his thumb, lost in thought. After a while, he asked, "Do you have any scholars here who are knowledgeable about the history of the previous dynasty?"
Zhang Fang was not worried that the Han family would be tempted by wealth; he believed he understood human nature well. This family was still trustworthy in his eyes. Even if he were to take a step back and consider that he had misjudged them, it would not matter if he handed over these possessions, as they were not his to begin with
The great Han! It truly is the magnificent Han!
Upon the completion of the ceremony, Qingyan stood up and stepped forward to take the torch from Han Jun's hand, placing it in the corner on the pedestal, illuminating the entire room
At this point, the elder had begun to speak of the matter of the founding emperor's return to his hometown. Of course, regarding the previous battles of the fall of Qin and the Chu-Han contention, the elder only knew the beginning and the end, while the middle was entirely fabricated. Zhang Fang, however, smiled and nodded continuously. Listening is a fundamental quality of a psychologist. In contrast, the Han brothers and Qing Yan listened with great interest, their eyes shining.
Under the dim light of the oil lamp, the glimmering gold and the shiny coins dazzled the Han family father and son, making it difficult for them to open their eyes, while the woman was left utterly stunned
The Han father and son exchanged a glance, feeling a pang of sympathy. It seemed that this young gentleman had indeed suffered a serious injury to his head, having even forgotten the value of rice. It was still Han Jun who cautiously replied: "Three he, just enough to cook this bowl."
One party is determined to give, while the other party firmly declines to accept, resulting in a temporary stalemate between both sides
The Han brothers clenched their fists together, their faces filled with excitement, and all exclaimed: "Indeed, it is so, we wish we could have been born earlier... earlier..."
The era we are in is already quite clear; what needs to be understood next is whether it is the early, middle, or late period of the Western Han Dynasty. This question is very important
I am no longer myself, time has shifted and the world has changed, the starry sky is distant, and the wilderness is boundless... Am I truly abandoned in a strange time and space from two thousand years ago?
Zhang Fang gazed at the crescent moon and a few twinkling stars on the horizon, exhaling a puff of white breath, suddenly struck by an indescribable sense of loneliness
The elder stroked his long white beard that reached his chest and abdomen, chuckling, "Which event of the past does the young gentleman wish to know about?"
Huo Qubing's northern campaign against the Xiongnu, sealing off the Wolf Juyou, is recorded in history textbooks. Zhang Fang remembers it very clearly: the year 119 BC. Counting forward eighty years from that, it brings us to around 40 BC—this is the era in which I find myself!
During the day, Qing Yan appears wild and untamed, yet at this moment, she presents herself as a demure and obedient young lady. Her attire has transformed into a short skirt with a top and bottom, and her face has been cleansed. Under the flickering light of the fire, the contours of her figure exhibit a sculptural beauty.
Qing Yan waved to everyone, her clear gaze briefly resting on Zhang Fang before she ran down the mountain on her own
Zhang Fang estimated that the amount of gray soil in Han Chong's hand was approximately 2 taels, which means that the total amount is around 5 to 6 taels.
The woman clasped her hands together and prayed to the heavens: "May the heavens bless us, as long as there is no trouble, that is all that matters, please come in quickly."
As night fell, Zhang Fang found it difficult to sleep, not solely due to the foul and decaying odor of the thatched cottage or the hardness of the wooden bed that pressed against his back (in fact, the Han family treated him quite well, having specially allocated a single room for him, while the Han brothers and their elderly father shared a room). There was also the unease of being in a foreign land. This feeling was reminiscent of when he was sixteen, leaving home for the first time to work a summer job in an unfamiliar city. Now, this sensation was even more intense, as this place spanned over a millennium of time and space.
As evening approached, Han Fu and Han Yi returned from the fields. Along the way, they had heard the villagers mention that a distinguished guest had arrived at their home, so they gathered some corn from each household. Upon returning, they first humbly paid their respects, and then instructed their wife to prepare a bowl of thick porridge. They brought it to Zhang Fang, repeatedly apologizing for not being able to offer meat to entertain the esteemed guest, expressing that it was truly a breach of etiquette
Zhang Fang asked a question that made Han's family and Han's sister-in-law feel a pang in their hearts, nearly bringing them to tears. He asked: "Sanhe ... how much is that?"
The elder smiled: "In my old age, I once served as a lowly soldier under the command of General Biaoqi. If you had been born seventy or eighty years earlier, you would have been able to fulfill your wishes."
Girlfriend? Ever since that failed first love in college, he has not experienced true feelings again... After starting work, although he had affairs with several women, it was merely a game, and by the age of thirty, he was still single... Is there anyone in that world worth missing? Zhang Fang thought seriously for a moment, hmm, no... Then, let it be. Finally, he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep... Is there anyone in that world worth missing? Zhang Fang thought seriously for a moment, hmm, no... Then, let it be. Finally, he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep
The Han brothers and Qingyan clearly preferred to hear this, persistently urging the elder to recount the stories of generals Wei, Huo, Li, and others who fought against the Xiongnu in the north. However, the elder knew even less about this matter, only aware of the beginning and the end, while the middle was entirely lost. Zhang Fang maintained a smile on his face, but his heart was pounding. How precarious! Everyone in later generations knows about Emperor Wu of Han, yet few are aware that his posthumous title is actually "Xiao Wu." What is the crime for mispronouncing the emperor's posthumous title? Zhang Fang did not know, but one thing was certain. If today he were not facing an old man from a mountain village, but rather a powerful figure from Chang'an, he would likely find himself in serious trouble.
Zhang Fang placed the overflowing ceramic bowl in front of Han's father and said: "Please take all this money to buy rice, meat, vegetables, and so on, as much as you can buy—this is not a gift from me, but rather something you are helping me to purchase. Is that acceptable?"
In dreams, one is unaware of being a guest, and in a single leap, one arrives in Chang'an a thousand years later. It turns out I have come to the Western Han Empire two thousand years ago, and I truly do not know whether this is misfortune or fortune. Upon careful reflection, it seems there is more fortune than misfortune; no one wishes to be born in chaotic times, as it is said that in chaotic times, human life is worth less than that of a dog. In Zhang Fang's impression, throughout the two hundred years of the Western Han, apart from the end of the Han, there were basically no major upheavals or military disasters. The name of the strong Han is not merely for show. In Zhang Fang's impression, throughout the two hundred years of the Western Han, apart from the end of the Han, there were basically no major upheavals or military disasters. The name of the strong Han is not merely for show.
Zhang Fang looked at the yellow corn porridge in the blackened and chipped ceramic bowl in his hand, then glanced at the thin porridge mixed with shepherd's purse (i.e., bitter herb) in the bowls of the Han brothers, momentarily at a loss for words
Very well! ... Zhang was in a deep sleep throughout the night, constantly engaged in a life-and-death struggle with a dead person ... To be precise, it was a desperate fight with a soul of the deceased
It has been done! I spent an entire night on this sentence!
Zhang Fang pondered for a moment and exclaimed, "Got it! We cannot pinpoint it directly, but we can make inferences. Let us use Emperor Wu of Han, who reigned for over fifty years and spanned the early to mid-Western Han Dynasty, as our reference point; it is the most suitable choice."
Zhang Fang lamented at the appropriate moment: "The divine achievements of General Biaoqi truly inspire admiration in us later generations. I regret that I cannot ride alongside him, striking down the Hu barbarians."
The Emperor Wu? The elder was clearly taken aback, but soon seemed to understand, "Oh, you must be referring to Emperor Wu of Han. He fought against the Xiongnu in the north, eliminating a century-long threat and elevating the prestige of the Han dynasty. Indeed, he can be compared to our ancestors..."
Even though Zhang Fang possesses an exceptionally strong psychological quality, when the answer he truly desires emerges from the mouth of the old man, the shock and excitement it brings him are nearly impossible to contain
To a certain extent, it is actually Zhang Fang who is the usurper, while that lingering soul merely wishes to reclaim its own body. However, when it comes to matters of life and death, there is no room for modesty. After all, no one desires to become a wandering ghost.
Just as Father Han was about to speak, he was unexpectedly interrupted by Zhang Fang, who asked in astonishment: "How much grain can these two five-zhu coins buy?"
Good! Zhang's face showed joy, "Take me to pay a visit to the elders, right now."
Although Zhang Fang does not possess the memories of the original owner of this body, performing these actions comes purely from instinct, requiring no conscious thought, and is entirely driven by nature
Finally, Han Jun reached into the bowl and picked out two five-zhu coins, saying to his father and brothers: "Since the young lord is so sincere, let us take two coins. On another day, we can buy some grains and return them to the villagers, which would also be good"
About one hundred meters away from the Han family, in a small courtyard, Zhang Fang encountered an elder over sixty years of age. This was a frail-looking old man with kind features, dressed in a coarse garment and straw shoes, leaning on a cane, with gray hair and beard.
In the middle of the night, Zhang Fang suddenly sat up from the darkness. The moonlight shone through the window (if a small hole half a foot wide can be considered a window), illuminating the shabby bed covered with a tattered straw mat, and casting light on his pale, paper-like face, drenched in sweat
Is this copper coin really so valuable? ... What about the gold ingot ... Zhang Fang did not expect that he actually possessed a fortune. Overjoyed, he suddenly had an idea, placing the bowl that held the coins on the ground and pouring all the money from the bag into the bowl with a clatter.
The dusk is deep, the surroundings are silent, the flowering trees are fragrant, and the sky is vast. This is the sky of the Han Dynasty
Han Yi is a lean yet sturdy man, with a personality similar to that of Han Chong. He is not talkative, and upon seeing Zhang Fang holding his bowl without eating, he scratched his head and said: "In the mountains, there is only this kind of coarse food. Please, young lord, partake for the time being. After dawn, I will go up the mountain to hunt some meat to bring back."
Zhang Fang smiled lightly, said little, but sat up straight and respectfully posed the first question to the elder: "Do you know about the affairs of the previous dynasty?"
Qingyan gently sniffed with her delicate nostrils: "Those accustomed to eating minced meat naturally look down upon this small bird egg; it is best for the little girl to eat it."
Zhang Fang shook his head: "Let the child eat." He lowered his head and took large mouthfuls of corn porridge...
It is truly fortunate that it is not the end of the world
Zhang Fang performed a deep bow, remaining silent
At the time of parting, Zhang Fang sincerely and respectfully bowed to the elderly man who had indirectly resolved the troubles in his heart
After a long wait, when the elder's storytelling came to a pause, Zhang Fang moved his hands, almost wanting to applaud out of courtesy. Fortunately, he remembered in time that such a custom did not exist in the Han Dynasty, and he abruptly stopped himself, nodding repeatedly and saying, "Indeed, the elder possesses vast knowledge and insight. It brings to mind the grandeur of Emperor Gao in his prime, which is truly inspiring. How many years have passed since then..."
Zhang lay in the darkness, gasping for a long time, afraid to sleep again. He put on his clothes and quietly got up, opening the door to the courtyard.
Qing Yan also nodded in response, hesitating whether to say something. Meanwhile, Han Chong, who was sitting carelessly behind Zhang Fang, chuckled and said, "The young master didn't eat, so I gave it to the girl."
Zhang Fangzhang nodded in acknowledgment to Qingyan: "Thank you for the bird eggs you sent."
... ...
Zhang Fang's historical knowledge is fairly decent, and he often frequents the forum "Tianya Zhu Jiu Lun Shi" to discuss history. However, his understanding of the early Western Han Dynasty is quite limited. Apart from knowing the dates of its establishment and demise, he is truly familiar with only two emperors: Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang and Emperor Wu Liu Che. He is not very clear about the others. If it were not for the reign of these two, even if the elders told him that a certain emperor was currently in power (which is actually impossible, as imperial titles are conferred posthumously), he would still be unable to accurately identify the era.
Zhang Fang picked up the gold ingots one by one and put them back into the money bag—this was not because he was reluctant to part with the gold, but because gold, whether in modern times or ancient times, is considered a precious item. For a poor household to suddenly possess such valuable possessions is both a blessing and a curse
However, the Han family father and son, along with their daughter-in-law, all stared with their mouths agape for a while, and in a flurry, they pushed the bowl back to Zhang Fang, saying: "Young master, absolutely not! A distinguished guest has arrived, and we are treating you with such humble food; we are already deeply ashamed. How can we accept the young master's gift? Absolutely not!"
The elders, specifically the respected figures in the Qingxi community, are called upon to resolve any neighborhood disputes or issues related to taxes and labor. Such individuals may not necessarily have received formal education, but they undoubtedly possess wisdom and insight
The Han father and son shook their heads in unison. Han Jun hesitated and said: "There is no master in Qingxi, however, the elders do know some anecdotes from previous and current dynasties. I wonder if the young lord..."
Han Chong was enjoying his thin porridge with a look of delight, nodding vigorously: "My elder brother is undoubtedly the best hunter in Qingxi. As long as he goes up the mountain, he will never return empty-handed"
Zhang Fang secretly warned himself that such mistakes must not be made again. After calming his mind, he happened to hear the elder mention General Huo Qubing's conquest of the Xiongnu royal court and the sealing of the Wolf Mountain. The Han brothers and Qing Yan listened with great excitement.
The elder also respectfully returned the greeting, gazing gently at the handsome young man before him, and said: "Although I do not know why the young lord inquires about these historical anecdotes, if it can assist the young lord in recovering his memories, that would be good."
If someone were to stand before the bed at this moment, they would surely be startled by Zhang Fang's pair of pupils—deep as a pond, eerie as a demon, gray and cold, resembling the eyes of a sorcerer, filled with the aura of death
Zhang Fang's stomach was indeed hungry, but in this situation, how could he swallow anything
After finishing the most unpleasant meal of his life, Zhang Fang placed the bowl down, reached into his bosom, and pulled out the money pouch. Without counting, he grabbed a handful of five-zhu coins and sprinkled them into the bowl, handing it to the somewhat uncertain Han Fu, who appeared to be in his late forties but looked much older, saying: "I only have this, I wonder if it can cover the cost"
Upon seeing the Han brothers, the woman smiled and greeted, "A'She, Yao Lang, you have returned..." Suddenly, upon seeing Zhang Fang, she was taken aback, speechless and unable to utter a word
The home of the Han brothers is situated on a small hillside. Surrounded by a fence, there is a small courtyard, within which stand three thatched cottages built on a stone foundation, with earthen walls and a thatched roof.
The elder let out a sigh and said: "Regarding the matters of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, I do not know much, and I fear it may disappoint the young lord. However, I am quite familiar with the affairs of our current dynasty's founding emperor. In those years, the founding emperor rose from humble beginnings, slaying the white serpent, raising the banner of rebellion, defeating Qin and Chu, and unifying the realm, thus establishing the great Han dynasty's century-long foundation
Zhang reflects on whether there is someone worth missing in his life. He comes from a single-parent family; his mother passed away from cancer ten years ago. It was precisely for this reason that he resolved to pursue a degree in medicine. However, after truly practicing medicine, he realized that human effort has its limits, and he would not be able to save terminally ill patients in his lifetime. Yet, critically ill patients with a positive mindset can survive longer. Therefore, he decided to switch his focus to psychology and become a psychologist. However, after truly practicing medicine, he realized that human effort has its limits, and he would not be able to save terminally ill patients in his lifetime. Yet, critically ill patients with a positive mindset can survive longer. Therefore, he decided to switch his focus to psychology and become a psychologist
Han Chong pointed at the bird's egg and exclaimed, "This was taken by Qing Yan from the large camphor tree at Dongjiao the day before yesterday. It was originally meant to be given to A Li... Oh, it is indeed appropriate to give it to the young lord."
Han Jun smiled and said: "Brother and sister-in-law, do not panic. This young gentleman's carriage was destroyed by falling rocks at the San Pan Kou, and he himself... was injured. A She wants to help him..."