I am a man in a dream

After ten years of Spring and Autumn, the red fragrance dissipated. Lin Hongming had already worshiped as the Minister of the Household Department and the Minister of the Study Room.After approving the memorial, Lin Hongming only felt tired.He closed the book of poems, walked to the atrium, and looked at the osmanthus trees in the courtyard in a trance.Baochai came over and said, "It's already October, Lord, be careful not to catch a cold." Lin Hongming took Baochai's hand and said, "Be careful too. Maybe it's because I'm getting old. I just feel very tired recently. Baochai comforted him: "Master is only thirty, and he is in his prime. How can he be old? He must be tired from the busy affairs of the state. How about going to have a rest?" Lin Hongming smiled and said, "It's okay, I don't feel it, but It’s because you’re tired. Let’s accompany you for a walk, and go and see where my sister is.” Baochai couldn’t resist, so he quickly tied a cloak on him, and told the servant girl, “Come hold the lamp.” Lin Hongming waved his hand and said, “Don’t let the servant girl follow you. Let's walk around and be quiet." When we arrived at the backyard and passed the courtyard wall, Lin Hongming joked: "I think in a few years, when brother Yin grows up, I will live on the mountain and don't ask about everything. At ease?" Baochai said with a smile, "It's only forty, and I'm afraid the sage will not grant it." Lin Hongming sighed, "The ancient saying is to retreat bravely, which is the long-term way. Now I have no more titles, only diligent and conscientious in official duties, It is a blessing to assist the monarch and help the people, and the Holy One thinks that my diligence and sincerity will make me happy in old age."

Speaking of arriving at the scenic spot of Fanghu, Daiyu was talking with Zijuan. Seeing Lin Hongming, she stood up and said, "brother is here." Lin Hongming asked, "where's brother Bao?" Daiyu said, "it's Baoyu's birthday , Miaoyu sent a greeting letter, and Baoyu is replying." Lin Hongming said: "Miaoyu is so lonely that I didn't expect to take a high look at Brother Bao. I'll go and see what Brother Bao wrote?" Room.Baochai took Daiyu to sit down and said: "Over the years, the flowers have bloomed and faded, and people have come and gone. I don't know how many people have gone, and I don't know how many people have come. It's rare that we have been guarding like this, otherwise the life would be so hard. " Daiyu said: "Yes, the second sister has come several times, but it is limited. The fourth sister has never seen us since she went to the temple, and the third sister has married, and it is even more rare in this life." Baochai Although she was also emotional, she was more open-minded and said, "Everyone has his own fate, and we are lucky to be together like this." Lin Hongming and Baoyu came out and said, "Sister, don't be sad. Sister Yun has been with you all the time, and it’s not a happy life to have her chatting and laughing with you." Then she asked Zijuan, "Where is Sister Xiangyun?" Zijuan replied, "Miss Yun wants to eat duck with goose feet, and she is afraid of the small kitchen. If you can’t make it feel that way, you will go and stare at it yourself.” Lin Hongming said: “See that Sister Yun is done with work, if she is done, please come here, let’s discuss something.” Just after finishing speaking, Shi Xiangyun came over with a smile: "Brother Lin is here. It just so happens that the small kitchen has prepared crabs. You guys are in for a treat." Baoyu said, "Speaking of crabs, I remembered the year when Sister Yun was the host, and Sister Bao asked Brother Xue to give me two baskets of big Crabs come, how happy we are to compose poems, drink wine, and eat crabs. Now things are different.” Lin Hongming recalled the old Jia’s mansion with emotion, and said: “The changes in the world are unpredictable. Just be yourself. The day before yesterday Baochai was already Someone went to see the fourth younger sister in the nunnery, and paid for sesame oil. Your second elder sister is also considered to be perfect, and elder brother Zhou is honest, and now he has both sons and daughters. The younger sister has also grown up. Although she is weaker, she also has a brother by her side to amuse her Where's Brother Ling?" Daiyu laughed and said, "He got tired after playing for a while, drank a bowl of porridge and fell asleep." Lin Hongming asked, "Brother Ling is almost eight years old, right?" Baoyu said, "After a while I will be eight years old in one month." Lin Hongming said: "My aunt has also passed away for two years, and my uncle is alone in Jinling's hometown, but he is also lonely. Although there is Lian's second brother taking care of him, after all, there is no real son. I don’t know if I still slander Brother Bao. Yesterday, the Holy Master mentioned his uncle and said that although he didn’t do enough work, he was honest and exempted from guilt. I thought Brother Ling was almost eight years old, so it would be better to go back to Jinling and have fun by uncle’s side. " Baoyu said: "Of course that's good." Daiyu said: "That's fine." Lin Hongming said: "It's not in a hurry, it's not too late to leave after Brother Ling's birthday. I'll write a book and give it to Lian Second elder brother, let him repair the house first, so that he can live comfortably." After dinner, Lin Hongming and Baochai left after talking for a while.

When they got to the house, Baochai asked: "You never let go of your sister, why are you willing to let her go back to Jinling?" Lin Hongming wiped his face and said: "My aunt is gone, even if my sister goes to Jinling, Zijuan and Yuanyang will take care of her. I won't be wronged. Besides, my uncle has grown up, and there should be someone to take care of him. As a nephew, I can't do too much. In addition, my heart of being an official has also rested in recent years. I will go back to my hometown in Gusu to take care of the elderly. When Brother Lan and Sister Nan are older, I will hand in my resignation letter. It’s not good for my sister to be alone in the capital without me. It’s better to go back to Jinling. You prepare 2000 taels of silver for Qian Qing Ask him to send Lian's second brother to repair the house, make sure the house is brighter, and build a garden on half an acre of land around the circle, so that the younger sister can go shopping when she is worried. The younger sister loves bamboo, so she demolished the main house and rebuilt it. It must be quiet and beautiful. My sister will definitely like it when she goes, and sister Yun’s house can also be tidied up.” Baochai hurriedly agreed.Lin Hongming said again: "Your mother is getting old, and brother Xue is not here anymore. Although you go often, you are not around after all, and you can't take care of everything. Why don't you pick it up? I have already found out what Brother Xue Ke said, and he also I agree, but it's just a hundred years from now when I throw the earthen pot to die." Baochai was very happy when she heard this, and quickly thanked her.Lin Hongming said again: "It's just doing my duty, it's nothing." Baochai loosened Lin Hongming's clothes, with moist eyes, and said, "Master treats me like this. I'm not a person who is ungrateful. Everyone, everyone is not three wives and four concubines." But the master is alone, and we have Brother Lan and Sister Xing again, so we have both. My elder brother didn't live up to it, and he cheated himself and my mother, and the master didn't dislike him, and he took care of him all the time. I always knew in my heart Yes." Lin Hongming wiped away her tears and comforted her: "This is what I should do. Sister Bao has kept the house in order, so that I have nothing to worry about and can go until today."

On the day Daiyu and Baoyu left, Lin Hongming and Baochai went all the way to the pier, and Qianqing told Qianqing: "Today, I entrust you with the safety of my sister and brother Bao, and you must be careful along the way. Don't be careless. When it comes to food, clothing, and utensils, you have to be questioned again and again when going to and from the boat, and you must not make any mistakes. Although this is our family's boat, all the servants on the boat are our own people, but be careful. You put the fifty Guards are placed everywhere to guard against bandits on the road. I have already sent letters to all the Jiedu envoys, and I have taken care of them along the way." Daiyu said: "Brother, don't worry, Qianqing is an old man, this idea is for him There will be no mistake." Lin Hongming told Baoyu again: "Brother Bao should also be sad, there are a lot of miscellaneous things for a boatload of people, you have to worry about it." Baoyu hurriedly said: "Brother Lin, don't worry!" Lin Hongming ordered again Daiyu: "My sister is weak, so be careful along the way. If you feel unwell, hurry up to the shore and ask a doctor. Although we brought medicinal materials on board, they are not comprehensive. It is better to go to the medicine shop to be sure." After finishing speaking, she ordered Zijuan and Yuanyang .Finally, he said to Shi Xiangyun: "Sister Yun is a straightforward person. My sister is not thinking well. You can help me. When you arrive in Jinling, write back to me, so that I can rest assured." It only took more than half an hour to start, which provoked a lot of little maids sniggering.

After another seven or eight years, Lin Hongming became more and more intent on retiring, but he was bypassed by the Holy Spirit several times. It happened that Brother Yin was fifteen years old. Lin Hongming passed his knowledge test and sent him to Taixue.Baochai disciplines his children very strictly, brother Yin is also smart and eager to learn, and his talent and learning have always been justified.Going to Taixue is even more beneficial.Today is a ten-day holiday, and when I returned home, Baochai asked about the school, Brother Lan said: "Fortunately, most of them still know how to study, even those who don't know are not too crazy, after all, coming and going will be unkind in the future." It's just that the youngest son of Uncle Yan's family is naughty and often goes out to fool around." Baochai said: "But the family of the loyal prince?" Brother Lan said: "It's his family. Since the old prince left, Uncle Yan took the throne and treated his youngest son The control of the family is much less, and the family is in a mess." Baochai said: "This is a family matter. Don't meddle in it. Just read your own books well. Your father At the age of 11, you are a candidate, and at the age of 14, you are the second place. It is rare in the past and present. You are considered promising when you are 13 years old, but you still have to work hard." Lin Hongming also said: "Your mother is right, even though we are among the ranks Family, you can’t live by the title, the rich family only has three generations. You have to remember.” Brother Lan nodded again and again.Sister Nan said: "My brother is considered hardworking, so parents don't have to worry about it." Lin Hongming loved this girl very much, and hurriedly said: "You too, love books just like your aunt. You should also pay attention to it at ordinary times, and be careful not to burn your eyes." .Only 12 years old, still at the age of playing." Sister Nan said angrily: "Father is biased, my brother will always be lazy, and my father will supervise me. I only have three or four hours a day, and my father wants me to rest. Is it a woman? Don't you need to study?" Baochai scolded: "You little girl dare to speak of your father, you are getting more and more rebellious, please shut up. Girls can read some words well, but after all they have to work hard on needle and thread." Lin Hongming said hurriedly: " Madam, don't say that, the way of the world is unfair to women, although it's good if you can't read and write in scientific examinations, sister Nan can do whatever she likes." Baochai said: "It's fine to be casual at home, if married people say these things, it's okay. It's not a joke." Lin Hongming said disdainfully: "So what, my daughter is noble and pure, how can it be compared with those vulgar things, so what if I raise her for a lifetime?" Baochai stopped him quickly: "Shut up I'm getting used to her more and more." Aunt Xue said with a smile: "Young master is really a loving heart." Baochai asked, "A few days ago, my sister sent a letter, and Brother Yu came to Beijing to pay your respects." Lin Hongming Strange way: "Brother Lan has just passed fourteen and is still young. How can you rest assured that he comes alone?" Baochai said with a smile: "Sister is careful, this is thinking of you. Brother Ling has just passed Qiuwei and won the first place. It’s considered a juren, and I happen to be studying in the Taixue with Brother Lan, so I have someone to take care of me.” Lin Hongming apologized: “It’s still Madam who is thoughtful.”

In the study room, Lin Hongming handed over the memorial and begged: "I feel that I have more energy than energy to deal with the affairs, please allow the old minister to return home." The Holy Majesty sighed: "This is the third time you have done this month. I've handed over my child." Lin Hongming said: "I have three people who have treated me with such kindness as mountains in my life. My biological father and I have the kindness of birth, my adoptive father and I have the kindness of regeneration, and the Holy One has the kindness of Bole with me. I am deeply grateful to you. It's just that I'm old, and if I don't retreat, I'm afraid it will delay state affairs." Knowing that he can't keep him, the Holy Majesty said, "Kneel down first." Blue come!"

Half a month later, the Holy Majesty appointed Lin Songlan as Minister of the Ministry of Officials and Minister of the Cabinet, and Jia Ziling as Minister of Taichang Temple.When they arrived at the ferry, Lin Hongming told Lin Songlan: "Everything must be considered for the sake of the sage and the people, and you must not violate your conscience." Lin Songlan quickly responded: "Father, don't worry, I will remember what you taught me." Lin Hongming Turning to Jia Ziling, he said, "You too. Being high and powerful is not a good thing. You have to be more careful, and serve the people wholeheartedly, and share your worries for the Holy One. You are all married and established, so you don't have to worry about everything. Just remember that morality is passed on to the family. For more than ten generations, farming and reading heirs are next, followed by poetry and book heirs, wealth and honor are heirs, but three generations. You must cultivate your morals, be diligent in public affairs, benefit the people, and study and cultivate the land in your spare time. Don’t forget your roots.” The two agreed with tears. Down.Lin Nanxing cried, "Father and mother, why don't you stay in the capital for a while longer?" Lin Hongming smiled and said, "I'm so old, I'm still crying. I'm going to be [-], so I should go back to Gusu to rest. Ling is devoted to you wholeheartedly, you have to help him and don't let him have any worries." Baochai reminded her a few more words, and Fang reluctantly boarded the boat.Seeing that Baochai was still wiping away tears, Lin Hongming handed her a handkerchief and said with a smile: "The children have grown up, and they should be independent from us. If I am always by their side, they will never grow up." Baochai cried: "I also know, but Brother Lan and Sister Nan have never left me. They are so far apart all of a sudden, and they don't go to each other a few times a year. I feel really uncomfortable." Lin Hongming comforted: "Of course I know. In this way, let's go First turn around and go to Jinling, meet my sister and the others, pay homage to my mother-in-law and uncle, and then go to Gusu." Having said this, Baochai felt better.

When he arrived in Jinling, Lin Hongming lived in Jia's mansion for a few days. After paying homage to Jia Zheng and others, he set off for Gusu. He bought a barren hill that no one cared about for renovation, built a manor, and lived a life of seclusion.It is very peaceful to travel around the mountains and rivers every day, play chess and paint, and chant scriptures and Buddha.Baochai is a person who goes with his time, so he naturally lives comfortably.The Holy Majesty sent people to ask several times, and seeing that Lin Hongming was determined to retire, he couldn't say anything more, so he just issued a few orders to express his condolences.

One day, Lin Hongming returned from a tour of the mountains on crutches and suddenly said, "Pack up for me, I'm going." Baochai was puzzled and asked, "Master, where are you going?" The place to go! Today I took a nap on the mountain and dreamed that the police elephant fairy said to me, "You keep your heart, it's time to go back." My sister is gone, and my mission is over, so I should go. Wait for me Go, don't waste extravagance, keep everything simple." Baochai burst into tears.Come on, Lin Hongming closed his eyes and died at the age of 73.The soul suddenly came to the sky, and the policeman congratulated the fairy: "The overall situation has not changed, and the original intention is rare. Although the body of a woman is changed, she is a courtier, and she is also a witness for a woman. I have done my best. Go!"

Half a year after Lin Hongming left, Baochai also left, and Lin Songlan buried them together.There is a cloud on the tombstone: He Sheng is not born, He Yun Wei Yun﹍﹍