Chapter 411 Chang'an Lane
South of the capital, Chang'an Lane.
Chang'an Lane, the name seems to carry a kind of expectation, a deep desire for peace and prosperity.
However, there is an insurmountable gap between reality and expectation... It is located on the southern edge of the capital, only separated from the splendid and bustling streets by a wall, but it seems to exist in another world.
Outside the wall, there is a busy flow of cars and people, a dazzling array of shops, and the endless sound of silk and bamboo.
But in Chang'an Lane, it was a completely different scene.
The dilapidated earthen walls and wooden doors, and the stone roads are full of potholes. Every time a pedestrian walks by, a burst of dust will be stirred up. The alley is deep and silent, with only the occasional barking of dogs and the cry of children. The sound broke the suffocating silence.
The residents here wear patched clothes, their faces are sallow, and their eyes are full of exhaustion and helplessness... Chang'an Lane is a slum in the capital.
It is said to be an alley, but it is actually a very long street. In addition, the houses here are crowded, at least thousands of people live there.
Most of them are workers at the lowest level in the capital. Perhaps their ancestors came here to settle down and their families fell into decline, or they may have come to the capital to survive with some dreams, but in the end, they only left the words " Living in the capital is not easy."
Tang Jiao walked among them, her expression extremely complex.
She remembers this.
Many, many years ago, before she was sent out of the capital, her father's friend hid herself in Chang'an Lane.
In the past few days, she visited many places...the Ministry of Rites where her father once worked, the former site of the Tang family residence, the private school where she studied when she was a child...but she found nothing.
She also met many people, but most of the people she could find were men and women in her former family.
At the beginning of Langhuan Mountain, Ning Baimei said a word, and all the men who had been sent away and the women who had been living in the land of fireworks returned to their respective homes.
Of course, the Tang family has declined. Many of these former servants and maids have left the capital, and there are not many left in the capital.
Tang Jiao spent many days and found some people, but after they heard Tang Jiao's name, they were afraid to avoid him...
She did not chase these people anymore. Fang, it was impossible for them to know the situation of Tang Zhun's case, and she didn't want to disturb their peaceful life anymore.
As for Tang Zhun’s good friend back then...
Tang Jiao only remembered that his surname was Nan, and like her father, he was an official in the Ministry of Rites...Other than that, she knew nothing else, and she couldn't even remember the other person's appearance.
She searched for many days along those clues and traces, but could not find this person.
Today is her last hope.
Uncle Nan hid her in Chang'an Lane and let her stay there for a full month to avoid the limelight.
Tang Jiao can no longer remember the details of the original, and it is impossible to find the place where she was hiding. She just wants to try her luck again... If she really can't find it, she will have to give up first and look back. Please let me investigate together.
"Auntie."
She called out to an aunt who was unable to sweep at the door of her house, and asked softly: "Can I ask you about someone?"
The aunt was obviously deaf and turned her head. Passing the ear over: "Ah?"
"Ask about someone!" Tang Jiao amplified her voice: "Have you heard of Mr. Nan!"
"Mr. ?”
The aunt looked confused: "There are so many men, who are you looking for?"
"It's not a man!" Tang Jiao remained patient: "Ah, no, it's a man, but his surname is Nan..."
"What is and isn't?" The aunt was annoyed: "You girl, you look so beautiful, why can't you speak clearly?" Tang Jiao didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and was about to explain a few more words. But the corner was suddenly pulled.
She lowered her head and saw a dirty, skinny little boy standing at her feet, tugging at the hem of her skirt, with snot still hanging on his face. She looked up Hold yourself.
"Sister, are you looking for Mr. Nan?"
The little boy asked abruptly: "Who are you?"
Tang Jiao's eyes suddenly lit up!
The surname Nan is very rare. Could it be that I really found it?
She quickly smiled, knelt down and said, "Little brother, do you know Mr. Nan?"
"I know." The little boy wiped his nose with a tattered and dirty sleeve: "Everyone in Chang'an Lane knows Mr. Nan."
Tang Jiao's smile became brighter: "Then can you tell sister, Where is Mr. Nan?"
"Here."
The little boy turned around and pointed to an alley corner not far away: "Turn right over there. , you can find it."
Tang Jiao was overjoyed, took out a handful of copper coins from her sleeve and stuffed it into the little boy's hand: "Little brother, thank you~"
When the little boy saw the money, he immediately became happy and jumped away.
It's not that Tang Jiao doesn't want to give him more, but that in a place like this, a child who takes too much money can easily cause trouble, but a few dozen pennies can allow him and his family to live well. A few meals are enough.
With direction guidance, Tang Jiao's steps became much lighter.
She turned the corner and continued walking along the alley. Soon... she heard the sound of reading aloud.
“The sound of reading?”
Tang Jiao was a little surprised, but soon seemed to understand something, slowed down and followed the sound.
Soon, a dilapidated small private school came into view... The earth walls were mottled, and the thatch on the roof was swaying in the wind, as if it would collapse at any time. However, such a simple house had a mysterious atmosphere. The sound of children reading came out.
She walked closer, and through the half-open wooden door, she saw the scene inside the house.
The cracked roof cast sunlight on the floor, and a white-haired old man stood there, his posture upright, like an ancient tree rooted in the years.
The old gentleman held a worn-out book in his hand. The pages were yellowed and the corners were frayed. He read the words in the book clearly and forcefully. Although his voice was slightly hoarse, it was full of rhythm and harmony. The rhythm seems to be echoing an ancient poem.
The children sat around the old gentleman, either sitting cross-legged or standing against the wall. Under the guidance of the old gentleman, they read in unison, and their young voices intertwined to form a harmonious and moving song. melody.
These children, at first glance, look like children from the slums.
Their clothes are shabby and stained, and some of them can no longer even see the original color. Their hair is messy and scattered on their foreheads. Their cheeks are covered with dust and unknown stains. Their little fingers It has also become rough and dark due to long-term labor.
Although they look dirty and messy, their eyes are clear and bright... The desire for knowledge and the expectation for the future shine with determination in their eyes.
Tang Jiao was stunned.
Her eyes stopped on the face of the white-haired old man. In her mind, the appearance of her father's friend gradually became clearer, gradually overlapping with the old gentleman in front of her.
At that time, Mr. Nan still had black hair, but now, it is all gray.
There were many more wrinkles on his face and his back was stooped, but Tang Jiao could still see the sparkle in his eyes.
This kind of brilliance was also seen in my father's eyes back then...
(End of this chapter)