novelraw Chapter 396: The Storyteller
Chapter 396: The Storyteller
At that time, seeing the continuous ravages of war and the people’s precarious situation, she felt a sense of compassion in her heart.
Huangfu Yuxuan said, "Wenjin, those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles! These deaths are unavoidable. If we worry too much about their lives, it will give the enemy an opportunity."
"Wenjin, have you ever thought that if we want them to return to stable and peaceful days sooner, the entire world must be at peace! I just want them to enjoy such days sooner; you have to help me!"
"Their sacrifices now are to prevent more people from having to sacrifice like them in the future!"
"Wenjin, when I become Emperor, I will definitely be a wise ruler. I will exempt them from taxes for three years, so they can recuperate and thrive!"
"Wenjin, in at most five years, you will see a prosperous Nanxia!"
...
He said many things.
At that time, she felt that he was ambitious, cared for the world, and sympathized with the people, which is why he wanted to end the chaos quickly to let the people recuperate and thrive.
However, she never thought that this war was instigated by him.
If he didn’t covet that position, if it wasn’t for the princes fighting for the throne, if everyone wasn’t endlessly greedy, how could there have been those battles with flashing swords and shadows? How could there have been so many Shura fields where ten rooms would have nine empty?
Those people were living just fine, but because of their ambition, they became sacrificial victims.
Perhaps five years or ten years later, there will indeed be a thriving Nanxia, but what about those innocent people who died? When they were displaced, who asked if they wanted to be forced from their homes and flee the war?
Who asked if they wanted to sacrifice their lives for future prosperity?
Because Jiang Tao personally came to greet them, Xia Wenjin and Huangfu Jingchen received a lot of attention.
Jiang Tao introduced the two of them generously to the Jianghu people they met along the way, so these Jianghu folks all knew that the young man and woman in front of them were worthy of the word "hero" despite their young age!
Jianghu people are generally rough and bold, putting righteousness first. Their gaze upon Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin was more respectful and valued, not contemptuous because of their age.
Of course, there were also those who felt that they were merely lucky to be in the right place at the right time because of their youth. However, such thoughts could only be entertained privately, not spoken out loud.
Finally, they arrived at the Martial Arts Square of the Heavenly Tiger Sect.
Usually, this Martial Arts Square is where the disciples of the Heavenly Tiger Sect practice martial arts. However, tomorrow is the Sect Leader’s birthday, and this place will host an open feast.
A stage was set up on the eastern side of the Martial Arts Square, and a storyteller was invited to narrate tales, entertaining with anecdotes from Jianghu.
Coincidentally, the segment narrated by the storyteller at that moment happened to be about Wangshan Town.
The storyteller recited a passage and then began to sing:
"Jiazhou Northern County Wangshan Town,
The lands belong to the realm of Huainan.
The region contains eighteen villages within ten li,
All villages full of impoverished people.
Work hard while lacking food and clothing,
Plowing the fields before dawn.
Moreover, the Plague God watches over,
Within ten li everyone is infected with the plague.
Fortune sent the Jade Girl,
With keen eyes to identify the source of the epidemic.
Handling medicine with care and inquiry,
The Jade Girl named Xia Wenjin.
Alas, good intentions didn’t yield good results,
Even scoundrels tarnished her good name.
Eighteen villagers drove her away,
Mistaking the Bodhisattva for a villain.
Fortunately, there was the hero Xiao Huang Zheng,
Who went to Huainan to seek out the Prefect.
The Prefect presided with true might,
Knavish men dared not make a sound.
Huang Zheng spared no effort and expense,
As Wenjin inherited medical skills.
The two donated eighty thousand taels,
To ensure a steady supply of medicine and herbs.
This Prefect Shang Jingwang,
Handled affairs with expertise.
With great measures, he eradicated the plague,
And with isolation, restored order.
The Plague God was shocked,
Waving his pen to cause trouble.
Not only did the villagers get seriously ill,
But Wenjin also caught the epidemic.
The young girl bravely fought the illness,
Kicking at Yama Hall’s door.
Fortunately, heaven showed favor,
Manifesting a miracle at the final moment.
Who would expect that the Prefectural Governor would arrive hastily,
Without asking the cause and want to burn the place down.
Five thousand stationed troops surrounded the city,
Not even mice or mosquitoes could escape.
The Prefect stepped forward to argue the case,
Only to be bound with ropes tightly.
Thrown into the fire, covered with oil,
Once the fire started, he could be turned to ashes.
The vicious Prefectural Governor interrogated,
"Retreat and you may keep your life."
The Prefect looked back at Wangshan Town,
And realized the townsfolk were heavier than Mount Tai.
The plague is a merciless disaster from heaven,
How could he throw away his conscience for safety?
At the critical moment, look at Huang Zheng,
He dashed forward with an arrow’s speed.
Rescuing the Prefect from the flames,
And turned to reprimand the treacherous ministers.
"If you want achievements, earn them yourself,
Don’t treat the people as if their lives don’t matter!"
From the east came the sudden sound of cavalry,
The imperial envoy opened the Holy Decree to hear.
Taking charge of the eighteen li here,
The Prefectural Governor is ordered to clean the bathrooms!
The people of Wangshan Town were all saved,
And the town’s villagers offer eternal gratitude."
This storyteller, narrating while singing, recounted a segment of the ballad and told a segment of the story, bringing it vividly to life, rendering it almost indescribable.
Xia Wenjin and Huangfu Jingchen exchanged glances; this situation had caught them by surprise. They did not foresee that they would become so renowned now.
This was beyond the mountains, within the bounds of Liangzhou.
Even if the two places were near, it had only been seven or eight days since they left Wangshan Town.
Whoever said good deeds don’t go out the door, while bad deeds spread a thousand miles?
Isn’t this good deed spreading a thousand miles too?
Especially when it reached the lines about eighteen villagers driving her away and mistaking the Bodhisattva for a villain, those seated at the banquet were rapt with attention. Some even cursed those ignorant troublemakers and uninformed villagers.
The corners of Huangfu Jingchen’s mouth twitched.
He knew all too well about this storytelling, as he was the one who instructed Jiang Ning and Yan Nan to take care of it.
Shang Jingwang had great significance concerning the epidemic in Wangshan Town, and this achievement could not be allowed to be erased. Having promised that Shang Jingwang’s contributions wouldn’t go unrecognized, he made several preparations.
This was one of them.
However, he specifically ordered Yan Nan and Jiang Ning to emphasize Shang Jingwang’s role, so how did it turn out that emphasis was placed on him and Xia Wenjin here?
They did not require such prominence, but fortunately, Shang Jingwang’s part in the story was also told vividly by the storyteller.
The storytelling had already been spread widely, so even if Yu Shikui made any moves later on, he could no longer erase Shang Jingwang’s contributions.
Finally, when they heard the part about the town’s villagers offering eternal gratitude, many Jianghu guests shouted loudly, "Good! So satisfying!"
Jiang Tao was very pleased and seized the opportunity to say, "Everyone, let me introduce two people to you!"
As the host, and since these people were here for him, many eyes were already on him without him speaking, and indeed, some had taken notice of Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin, but they hadn’t paid attention.
These two were too young and might only be Jiang Tao’s nieces or nephews!
At this moment, Jiang Tao pointed to Xia Wenjin and Huangfu Jingchen, and said, "The two young heroes of unmatched righteousness the storyteller just mentioned are none other than these two. This is Young Hero Huang, Huang Zheng, and this is Miss Xia, Xia Wenjin!"
Everyone was stunned, even the storyteller was so surprised, he forgot the rest of his story.
Seeing the characters in the story suddenly appear before them offered such a strong visual impact.