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The drinking session with Lü Bu, Zhang Liao, and Gao Shun went on until it was a complete blur. Fei Qian couldn't remember who passed out first or who followed. By the time he sobered up, it was already noon the next day.
Fei Qian had originally planned to visit Li Ru, but after some thought, he decided against it. After all, it was Fei Qian's father who had done Li Ru a favor, not Fei Qian himself. When Li Ru recommended him to Cai Yong, it could be said that the debt had been repaid. Going to see him again might come off as trying to leverage past favors.
Moreover, Lü Bu was a straightforward military man, while Li Ru was the type to scheme and twist things around. Fei Qian worried that approaching Li Ru might backfire.
Fei Qian went to the Langzhong Office to return his official seal, thus transitioning from a reserve court official back to an ordinary commoner.
There wasn't much to pack at home. The only valuable items were the books. Aside from the books gifted by Liu Hong and Cai Yong, the incomplete *Qi Lun*, and a few rare scrolls, Fei Qian packed up the ordinary bamboo scrolls and attached a letter, then had Uncle Fu deliver them to Fei Min's residence.
Fei Qian couldn't handle the so-called "cousins" from the main Fei family. To avoid trouble, he didn't even want to meet Fei Min in person. The letter explained everything clearly, and the books were delivered, fulfilling his promise. Even if Fei Min had any complaints, there was nothing he could say.
Fei Qian also sent a letter to Cui Hou as a farewell. Overall, Cui Hou was a decent person, but now that Fei Qian was heading to Jingxiang and Luoyang was on the brink of decline, it was uncertain what would happen to the Cui family staying in Luoyang or whether they could escape Dong Zhuo's tyranny. In the letter, Fei Qian simply mentioned that he was leaving for Jingxiang, that he would cherish their friendship, and that they might meet again someday.
When you stay in one place for a long time, you develop an attachment to it. The thought of leaving inevitably brings a sense of reluctance...
Fei Qian was no exception. Having traveled from the future to the Eastern Han Dynasty, he had spent over a year wandering around Luoyang. Just as he was getting familiar with the city, it was time to leave.
Farewell, Luoyang.
Fei Qian strolled slowly through the streets of Luoyang, taking in the sights as if he wanted to imprint every detail in his mind.
This is Luoyang...
This is the final glory of the Han Dynasty...
This is the last vestige of the Liu family's authority...
This is the deepest accumulation of an era...
Luoyang is grand, not only in its wide streets but also in its buildings and towers. Even the shop banners along the streets exude a sense of grandeur.
Luoyang is meticulous, not only in its blue bricks and Han tiles but also in the attire of its people. Even some foreigners strive to dress like the Han people.
Luoyang is rich in culture, not only in its imperial palaces but also in its pavilions, temples, and countless historical sites like the Circular Mound, the Spirit Terrace, the Biyong, and the Princess Terrace.
This is Luoyang, the product of centuries of accumulation during the Han Dynasty, the nation that proudly declared, "Those who dare to challenge the mighty Han, no matter how far, will be punished."
Hello, Luoyang.
I came.
Hello, Luoyang.
I'm leaving.
Fei Qian suddenly felt a sharp pain in his heart, almost bringing him to tears.
Soon, Dong Zhuo's fire would reduce this place to ashes, and the Han's Luoyang would be no more...
At this moment, Fei Qian wished he knew nothing of the future. That way, when he saw the children playing on the streets, the vibrant youth, and the leisurely elderly, he wouldn't feel this overwhelming guilt.
Is this the historical pain a time traveler must bear?
Why me?
Why not someone else? Why did it have to be me...
Fei Qian returned home and took one last look at the slightly worn courtyard, the mottled walls, the wooden windows he had repaired, and the roof tiles he had fixed...
"...Young master, everything... everything has been packed..." Uncle Fu's voice choked up as he spoke.
"..." Fei Qian turned his head, looking from left to right, then right to left. After a long silence, he finally said, "...Let's go."
Outside the gate, besides two carriages, there was also a squad leader and soldiers sent by Zhang Liao.
The squad leader, named Zhang Zhao, was a junior relative of Zhang Liao. After joining the army with Zhang Liao, he became one of his guards. When Zhang Liao was promoted to Commandant of the Guards, he made Zhang Zhao a squad leader.
Zhang Liao, being meticulous, learned that Fei Qian was heading to Jingxiang and assigned Zhang Zhao a minor task in the same direction, allowing him to escort Fei Qian along the way.
This saved Fei Qian the cost of hiring guards and provided him with a safer and more reliable escort.
As Fei Qian's group exited the eastern gate, they soon spotted a group of people by a roadside pavilion. Upon closer inspection, it was Lü Bu, Zhang Liao, and Gao Shun, with Cui Hou standing a little further back.
Cui Hou, feeling his status was inferior to that of the Marquis of Wen, simply exchanged a few words of farewell, gave Fei Qian some travel essentials, and then took his leave, leaving more time for Lü Bu and the others.
Fei Qian watched as Lü Bu approached with another jug of wine and couldn't help but sigh, "Marquis Wen, are we drinking again? My head is still pounding from the other day..."
Lü Bu glared, pretending to be fierce, and said, "Of course we're drinking! Once you're gone, who am I supposed to drink with?"
Fei Qian pointed at Zhang Liao and Gao Shun, saying, "You can drink with them."
Lü Bu curled his lip dismissively, "One of them steals my wine, and the other doesn't even like drinking. It's no fun..."
Zhang Liao chimed in, "That's because your wine is too good... Ziyuan, the road ahead is not safe. Be careful." He then turned to instruct Squad Leader Zhang Zhao to ensure Fei Qian's safety.
Gao Shun, on the other hand, didn't say much. He simply handed Fei Qian a bowl of wine—
Fei Qian realized that Gao Shun was a man of action. He took the bowl and drank with Lü Bu, Zhang Liao, and Gao Shun.
With the farewell wine drunk and their sentiments expressed, Fei Qian solemnly bowed to each of them in gratitude and bid them farewell.
Deep down, Fei Qian had hoped someone else would come to see him off, but they didn't...
As the time to depart drew near, Fei Qian's emotions were in turmoil. He couldn't help but sing:
"On the road east of Luoyang,
The cold wind stirs the dust.
Friends bring wine to bid farewell,
Reluctantly sharing their hearts.
Autumn leaves fall on their own,
White dew turns to frost.
Though I journey thousands of miles,
This feeling remains in my heart.
May we live long,
Apart but not forgotten.
When spring warmth returns,
We'll meet again amidst the flowers' fragrance."
Fei Qian cupped his hands in salute to Lü Bu and the others, then turned for one last, deep look at Luoyang, as if imprinting the city and its people in his heart. With that, he turned and embarked on his journey, gradually fading into the distance...
In the Cai residence, Cai Yong listened to the disordered notes of the zither from the backyard and shook his head, sighing softly...
*****
A/N: End of Volume One. Fei Qian has left his comfortable nest and begun a new journey.