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墨書 Inktalez
Aunt Bai's words led Aunt Bai and Bai Ergu to reminisce about their hardships.
"I still remember that Second Sister once followed Second Brother and Third Brother to the river to pick water bamboo. She slipped and fell into the river, almost drowning us all!" Aunt Bai said.
"When we went to collect scrap, we were often robbed by some big boys. Later, Second Brother learned martial arts to protect us," Bai Ergu added.
"The hardest times were during the three years of disasters; fortunately, we made it through!" Aunt Bai remarked. She and Uncle Bai were the oldest and had the deepest memories of those years.
"I heard from Bai Da that Old Five was so hungry he ate dirt, which got stuck in his stomach. It was Mom who used sesame oil and chopsticks to get it out," Aunt Bai recalled.
"Now it's good; we don't worry about food or clothing. In the past, even a penny for a Sugar Figurine was precious," Aunt Bai continued.
"An invention from our ancestors, passed down through generations—how could it not be precious?" Bai Ma laughed.
"It's not from our ancestors; it's Liu Bowen," a child suddenly interjected.
"Huh?" The middle-aged women turned to look at the child.
The child blinked with wide eyes: "My father told me that the master of making Sugar Figurines is Liu Bowen. According to Zhu Yuanzhang, in order for his throne to be passed down through generations, he burned the meritorious officials in the 'Meritorious Officials Pavilion.' Liu Bowen narrowly escaped and was saved by an old man carrying a sugar figurine basket. They switched clothes, and from then on, Liu Bowen lived incognito, selling Sugar Figurines in exchange for scraps. During this process, Liu Bowen creatively heated the sugar until it softened and made various Sugar Figurines—like chickens and dogs—that were very cute, and children rushed to buy them. Along the way, many people asked Liu Bowen how to make Sugar Figurines, and he taught them one by one. Thus, this craft spread from one person to ten, then from ten to a hundred."
"So making Sugar Figurines was invented by Liu Bowen? We didn't even know that!" Aunt Bai teased the child. "Do you know who Liu Bowen is?"
"I do!" the child nodded. "Liu Bowen was a military strategist for Zhu Yuanzhang and a founding hero of the Ming Dynasty."
The child shook his head as he recited knowledge taught by Yongming Emperor: "Liu Ji, styled Bowen, was a military strategist, politician, and writer during the late Yuan and early Ming periods. Liu Ji was well-versed in history, literature, and military strategy. He assisted Zhu Yuanzhang in establishing the Ming Dynasty and worked hard to maintain national stability, thus gaining fame comparable to Zhuge Liang in later generations. In literary history, Liu Ji is known alongside Song Lian and Gao Qi as one of the three great poets of early Ming. He was renowned for his brilliant strategies and tactical planning."
Bai Tang sat nearby with a teacup in hand, watching the child show off while recalling Liu Bowen's "Song of Baked Cakes," based on the "Tui Bei Tu." Of course, she couldn't remember everything but recalled one segment because it related to the founding of China.
"When barbarians have long been defeated here, there are literary stars in all four directions; all things prosper alike. The zither and lute harmonize into ancient paths; sooner or later, the emperor will rise again. In five hundred years will come a sage king; this sage king will still ask for true men to assist him; virtuous ministers will circulate downwards; fortune will emerge from the south with generals and ministers; sages can transform chaos at its source; barbarians will pay tribute from all sides; palace maids will toil under the moonlight; heaven and earth have signs heavy with gold; northern barbarians harm living beings even more; let southern troops eradicate them; craftsmen ride alone into foreign lands; many generals bow respectfully leaving behind three stars; Three Yuan will reverse fortunes opening up; great reforms in literature and martial arts will be led by holy rulers; above and below Three Yuan will not be overturned; clothing and culture will come together; seven Yuan without error yet Three Yuan; great flourishing of literary style examining couplets; monkeys fill boxes while chickens escape their frames; dogs bark while pigs grunt in peaceful years; both civil and military talents are one Ding; scattered people fleeing are all common folk; loving people like children or brothers; establishing new kings while restoring old capitals; thousands of words know reality from illusion leaving evidence for future generations."
Later generations specifically analyzed this poem in detail. When Bai Tang saw it at that time, she deeply admired both Liu Bowen's original work and those who interpreted it. She admired Liu Bowen for his metaphysical achievements and admired those interpreters for their creativity.
"The phrase 'in five hundred years will come a sage king' refers to Great Ancestor of Ming China being a true destined son. His talents in military strategy and political insight earned him universal respect as he commanded all generals and civil officials of the republic. 'Virtuous ministers will circulate downwards' is a pun referring to Great Ancestor's annual southern inspection tours while hinting at Prime Minister Zhou's surname 'Zhou,' where 'assistance' means prime ministerial support for Great Ancestor by virtuous ministers. During Great Ancestor's southern tours, he entrusted central affairs to Zhou Xianfu with utmost confidence... 'Many generals bow respectfully leaving behind three stars' refers to after a disastrous movement when old marshals were persecuted or died off leaving only Xu, Nie, and Ye as marshals remaining. 'Great reforms in literature and martial arts will be led by holy rulers' refers to Taizong's reformist policies guiding China's strategy for wealth creation and military strengthening along socialism with Chinese characteristics bringing new appearances to China while proposing 'one country two systems' ending over a century of colonial rule by England and Portugal... 'Thousands of words know reality from illusion' indicates Liu Bowen's self-statement that his 'Song of Baked Cakes' is a prophecy of authenticity rather than deceitful rumors needing denial or idle talk—time will verify his wonders as many prophecies emerge over time."
The child had finished recounting Liu Bowen's deeds when Aunt Bai and others applauded him, praising his intelligence. However, instead of feeling happy about it, the child lowered his head showing some sadness.
"What happened to Xi?" Aunt Bai held the child in her arms. Older women love children, especially well-behaved and smart ones like Xi, who are even more adored by everyone.
"He misses his father; those things he knows must have been taught to him by his father," Bai Tang guessed the reason for the child's low spirits.
Aunt Bai sighed softly, feeling even more pity for the child. Everyone gathered around, trying various ways to cheer him up. The child, understanding their concern, quickly put away his sadness and soon regained his smile.
"Tang Tang, the siblings have decided to go to Emei Mountain next week. Are you going?" Bai Jun walked over, followed by Sun Hong and Bai Jian.
"No, I have something to do out of town next week. It will take several trips back and forth, so I can't go with you," Bai Tang indicated for the three to find chairs to sit down.
The three pulled over three bamboo chairs and sat at Bai Tang's table, grabbing a handful of sunflower seeds from the plate and starting to crack them open.
"Where are you going?" Bai Jun asked. "Can't you change the date?"
"To the capital," Bai Tang replied. "I have an appointment with someone; I can't change the time. Anyway, since we siblings live close by, if I can't go this time, there will be next time!"
"That's true! You're not far away in the south; City D is so close to the Provincial Capital that we can meet anytime," Sun Hong nodded.
"Tang Tang, when you go to the capital, make sure to bring us back some gifts!" Bai Jian said with a grin.
"What do you want?" Bai Tang rolled her eyes and asked.
"Roast duck!" The foodie Bai Jian quickly replied. "You must eat roast duck when you go to the capital. We can't get fresh ones here; please pack some for us."
"Isn't there Quanjude in the Provincial Capital?" Roast duck restaurants from the capital have opened all over the country now.
"I just feel like it won't taste as authentic as the capital's duck."
"Alright! I'll bring it back for you, but if it doesn't taste good, don't blame me."
"Should I play a few more rounds?" Sun Hong had the biggest gambling addiction among them.
"Haven't you lost enough? Do you want to give me more money to spend?" Bai Tang teased Sun Hong.
Sun Hong snorted and said indignantly, "My luck was bad in the morning; I don't believe it will still be bad in the afternoon. I will make sure you spit out everything you've eaten!"
"You will be very disappointed!" Bai Tang scoffed. The siblings did not enter the long pavilion and had the boss bring out a set of Mahjong, playing in the courtyard. Sun Hong's counterattack plan was destined to fail; he lost another three hundred yuan that afternoon, infuriating him to the point of cursing Park's bad luck. Of course, a few hundred yuan was nothing to the wealthy Sun Boss; he was merely putting on a show, as this amount of money was insignificant to him. It should be noted that every time the siblings gathered, he usually covered most of the expenses.
After dinner and bidding farewell, everyone returned home. Bai Dad and Bai Ma declined Aunt Bai and Uncle Bai's invitation to rest at their house and called a taxi directly back to City D. Because it was too late on the return trip, the driver charged an extra hundred yuan for overtime.
Once they got home, everyone collapsed on the sofa. Wu Xuemei was still awake and hurriedly poured each of them a cup of hot water, while Child had long succumbed to sleep due to physiological factors.
"Home is still the best! A golden nest or a silver nest can't compare to one's own doghouse!" Bai Tang rolled over on the long couch on the right side of the sofa, comfortably sighing.
"Tang Tang, are you going to the capital?" Bai Ma asked, recalling the news she learned that afternoon and seeking confirmation from her daughter.
"Yes, I sold the UFO and Hover Car; this time I'm going to deliver them," Bai Tang said, squinting her eyes and looking drowsy.
"Did you really sell those two items to Nation?" Bai Ma and Bai Dad were dumbfounded; their daughter was incredible, making them feel ashamed as parents!
"Yes! The Aircraft was symbolically sold for ten million; the Hover Car was just a bonus. However, I gained a privilege: I won't be forcibly regulated by Nation anymore. From now on, we can live our lives however we want!"
Ten million for a high-tech Aircraft was indeed too cheap. As long as Nation's technicians thoroughly researched the principles and technologies behind the Aircraft and its weapons, Huaxia could dominate the Solar System, making it impossible for other countries to compete with Huaxia. Bai Tang had long been fed up with Nation's self-proclaimed role as world police, supporting Neon Country against Huaxia while pretending innocently that "we are friends" with Huaxia, advocating for friendship and peace. Bah!
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