Mountains and seas have a home

Chapter 188

The hunting ground villa has been vacant for a long time after his wife passed away. Bai Zhu dismissed the servants in the villa, leaving only a few old mothers who tidy up dozens of rooms in the villa on time every day. The 70-year-old gardener lives in his small building, moving all the fragile and precious plants into the warm room, and laying hay and reed mats.Whether it is an elegant villa or a limewashed hut at the foot of the mountain, the movable fence on the balcony has been removed, and the dry vines of grapes and wisteria are all over the rocks.

After Bai Zhu's car drove into the manor, it stopped under the pine tree that had lived since Zhao Kuangyin became emperor.A few of the paper strips of the pine tree were broken, but the thick and solid trunk made it stand firmly in the snow without moving at all.

The housekeeper came to guide Bai Zhu, reminded her to pay attention to the ice under her feet, and promptly swept the snow off the path in the garden for her.Bai Zhu was still deeply distressed by the sinking of the "Abu Shiron", the expression on her face was not happy, and the melancholy between her brows was lingering.

"Madam, are you going to leave this time?" the butler asked after stepping on the porch in front of the door. "The storm still hasn't dissipated. The radio is reminding citizens to stay indoors as much as possible. Look, there are antiques that have never been used before." The fireplace, too, is lit at this time. It's too cold."

Holding the leather bag, Bai Zhu stood in the hall and looked around. The glass walls and floor-to-ceiling windows were polished as if they were newly opened, and the concave roof was decorated with Parisian gilt copper columns and ribs.Some rooms on the second floor still retain the style of the early Republic of China, but the stairs leading to the upper floor are a proper interpretation of classicism. The steps are covered with carpets sprinkled with gold and flowers, which are said to be inspired by illustrations in the early 20th century.

The villa has stood here since the Ji family's first-generation hunting ground owner was young, and has undergone countless repairs, decorations and expansions to form the scale it is today.Poplars and elms are planted in the garden, and the avenue often reflects the pond in the deep garden in summer.

"Let's go," Bai Zhu said affirmatively, she didn't even take off her snow-stained coat, she just stood in the middle of the bright hall covered in snow, "I'm going to the mansion of Lord Zanying, will live there in the future.”

"Oh, then this place will be vacant for a long time." The housekeeper felt a little regretful. She brought warm boiling water to Bai Zhu, and then smoothed the linen lining on the sofa cushions without leaving any wrinkles. "A few days ago, there was a The couple rented this villa and took a group of wedding photos."

Bai Zhu turned to the fish tank, looked down at the clear water in the white porcelain tank, and the lotus leaves floating on the water, and said, "It's really hard for them to come here to take wedding photos in the snowstorm. Be happy, it doesn't look too decayed."

The housekeeper smiled and joked, "Young people seem to be getting married because of this storm. I always receive calls one after another to rent a house, but I reject them one by one. After all, this is a private villa. It seems that in their eyes Come on, the storm is going to destroy the world, we must get married before the end of the world."

Bai Zhu laughed softly, walked up the stairs, and stepped on the soft gold-woven carpet: "When I got married, the sun no longer rose, and the whole earth was struggling in the long night. At that time, we didn't feel anything, We are hopeful that the void crisis will be resolved one day. We don't think it's the end of the world because humans have evolved for 1400 million years and there is always a way to continue for the next 1400 million years. There will always be a way, actually the sun is shining every day It's rising, we just can't see it."

After she went upstairs to her wife's former bedroom, she opened the door and went in. There was a cool air blowing in her face, with the fragrance of wooden furniture.The bed remained the same, the wedding photos were still hanging on the wall, and the heavy curtains still covered the windows tightly, this time even the small windows in the corner were not left.

"The wife's bedroom has been tidied up and spotless." The housekeeper said, "I don't know what to do with these photos, so let them be left where they are. The wife's personal belongings have been cleared out, sealed and kept in the basement , including all jewelry and antique collections. Madame, is there anything else I need to do?"

"Well, no need." Bai Zhu shook her head. Standing in front of the drawer, she picked up a photo frame and put it back after looking at it for a while. "Send the news in a few days that Mrs. Xu passed away at home." , at the end of his life. Tell them all to come to the funeral."

"Okay, ma'am. But let me ask one more question, where is my wife's body now?"

Bai Zhu glanced back at her, didn't answer, just warned her lightly: "Don't ask so many things, what I say is what you should listen to, and what I don't say is what you don't need to know. After following me for so many years, you You shouldn't know my rules yet."

The housekeeper stopped talking, and Bai Zhu glanced at several photo frames, and then moved to the ceiling.There was a lamp hanging in the center of the ceiling, and it was shining brightly at this moment, illuminating the wooden cabinets in the room with an ancient look.The murals on the ceiling are illuminated by lights, and the raging fire seems to be burned out of the paintings, giving people a heavy sense of oppression.The four giant eagles in the four corners stretch their wings in different poses. Against the dark background, the artist paints glowing magma in bright red, depicting a hell-like scene.

"Is the artist who painted this picture still there?" Bai Zhu asked.

"Not anymore. At the end of last year, people found that he died at home at the age of 65. He died of natural causes." The housekeeper answered her, "After his best friend left, he lived in reclusive life, didn't care about world affairs, and even passed away the corpse. Genius discovered by neighbors."

"He has no children. He is the most rebellious member of the Xu family. He committed crimes in the first half of his life and redeemed his sins in the second half of his life. It is his blessing that he can die naturally. Will I live to be too old and die like him? My crimes are much more serious than his."

The housekeeper didn't make a sound. Bai Zhu didn't expect anyone to answer her question. In fact, she was like a mirror in her heart. Good and evil will be rewarded, and there are some things that don't need to be said.The room fell into silence, and the housekeeper talked about the painter again: "I heard that the painter has lived with one of his best friends all his life. That best friend used to be a Taoist priest, and he is a wonderful person. They are like this After a lifetime, the Taoist priest passed away first."

Bai Zhu smiled when she heard the words, and she thought for a while before saying: "Maybe they are not just friends. For them, it doesn't matter whether they are friends or not. The best jade in the rough."

She seemed to be talking about the hidden history of a surname, or the rise and fall of a family. The older generation died one by one, while the younger generations were going further and further down this old road.Talking softly about a person's name and past after death seems to be the most tender remembrance and yearning for the deceased.After many years, when Kalber is no longer the North Star, all these histories will be forgotten, the living have already turned into sand, and the dead are as light as smoke in the memory of the living.

"Remove the chandelier." Bai Zhu said to the housekeeper, "Ask a few people to remove the chandelier, be careful not to damage the mural. Especially the picture blocked by the base must not be damaged or scratched. There are also these photos, which are all put into the display cabinet and covered with a glass cover, so as not to get dusty, it is best to put them in the basement and send someone to maintain them."

After she gave these orders, she left the room, and before going out, she looked at the wedding photo on the wall, as well as the oil paintings of the previous family heads.The oil painting has a soft luster under the light. The hostess is in a suit and leather shoes, with dignified eyebrows. The facial features of the Ji family man are very recognizable and inherited; the hostess has her hair in a bun, her eyelashes hanging down, and her lips are like red carnation flowers.Bai Zhu didn't say anything, just sighed softly, and then left straight away.

Sandie sat in the living room on the first floor and waited. There was a strong fire burning in the fireplace behind him, illuminating half of the villa brightly.The water under the floor pierced through, making a ding-dong sound, and the koi in the porcelain vat jumped out of the water, but the lotus had already withered.

"Ma'am." Sandie greeted politely, Bai Zhu was coming down the stairs, it seemed that she was about to leave here.A few cars suddenly stopped outside the villa's wall, and then the bride in a dress was helped out of the car.

The servants in the villa quickly went to receive them. Bai Zhu stood in front of the French window next to the foyer and put on his gloves, and Sanyi stood next to her to watch the bride walk into the garden surrounded by a group of people in the heavy snow. Clouds in the autumn twilight.

"This is another couple that was scheduled for today. They came early, an hour earlier than the scheduled time." The housekeeper said to Bai Zhu, and she watched the new couple walk up the steps under the guidance of the servants, with a smile on her face, "Yes A happy couple. Perhaps on the day the young master gets married, his bride must also have a beautiful face like clouds, and a pair of vivid eyes that will never be forgotten."

The "young master" that the butler said was Ji Yao, but the butler only met this young master once or twice, and she didn't even know what Ji Yao looked like.But just looking at the hanging portraits of the previous Patriarchs, she knew that this young master must have the appearance of Xu Gong in the north of the city.

Bai Zhu's eyes were bent, showing a smile, probably because she heard the housekeeper's blessing, which made her feel relaxed for a while.After the crowd entered the foyer, the servant whispered something to the newcomers, and they quickly saluted Bai Zhu politely.Bai Zhu didn't pass by, she stood far away in front of the window and nodded to the people.A gust of wind blew snowflakes into the porch and onto the carpet, with the bride's silver high-heeled shoes among the snowflakes.

After staying in the villa for a while, Bai Zhu was about to leave. While buttoning up the collar of her coat, she said to the butler, "The villa is cleaned every day as usual, and there must be no dust in any place. The owner will be back soon." , the real Patriarch."

"Oh my god, is it the male master of the Ji family? My dear madam, is the husband coming back soon? This is the first good news I heard this year. I have to take good care of this villa." The housekeeper Suddenly he became incoherent, after hearing the word "Patriarch".

Bai Zhu ignored the housekeeper, and after she buttoned the last button, she walked out of the porch, seeing the frozen / hard / stone road in front of the courtyard, and the cobblestone paths passing through the flower beds and orchards.It's hard to imagine that in such a large deserted and dead garden, every summer, it is full of green shade and scorching heat. The huge stones in the pond spew out streams of cool spring water in all directions, and the statue of the mountain god standing in the center of the pond is silent. Listen carefully to the sound of gurgling water.

Two hours later, they arrived at the mansion of Lord Zanying, located in the hinterland of Daxinganling Mountains. The black asphalt road was covered with snow on both sides, and the pebble beaches and sandbar islands beyond were completely invisible.In the past, several small islands were surrounded by reeds, and the wind passed through the reeds, and the sound was like the echo of the shepherd playing the flute in the forest.At this time, those reeds had been crushed by the heavy snow, and they were connected together bare.

After Sandie handed over his luggage to the steward of the mansion, he followed Bai Zhu down to the underground laboratory, where he had to change his original body back.Professor Qi Mingli came out of the laboratory to shake hands with Bai Zhu when he learned that Bai Zhu had returned. He had a ruddy complexion, and his coat was clean and neatly ironed. He was a very airy old man.

"The experiment has made new progress. I have discovered the gene that decodes the memory of the human body, which means that I can retrieve the memory of the dead." Qi Mingli said, he told Bai Zhu the good news very excitedly, "the future extraction work It will no longer depend on human consciousness, but on genes. With just a drop of blood, I can activate the brains of any living beings and extract their memories one by one."

"Indeed, indeed, Professor, this is a remarkable discovery. I dare say you will receive an invitation from the highest award committee for it. But now is not the time to talk about it. I need you to perform a consciousness transfer operation immediately."

"Oh, are you operating on the young man behind you? I remembered, this is Mr. Yan Suizhao, the peace ambassador. It's a great honor to see you again. I think you will be going to New York for a meeting soon." Qi Mingli shook hands with Sandie and winked at him.

After the operation, Sandie was sent to a separate room to recover, and Bai Zhu stayed in the experiment. She stood outside the glass door with a warning sign and asked, "So do you have a way to retrieve Guzhou's memory?"

Qi Mingli lowered his head and wrote down a few notes on the folder, and pushed open the door to indicate that Bai Zhu could go in: "My team has found the exact DNA that decodes human memory. As long as this small segment of gene is expressed, the expression product will guide us to extract it in a directional way." Memory codes, including graphic codes, sound codes and meaning codes, can be combined to restore memories. If necessary, new memories can be combined after special editing, splicing, additions and deletions.”

"Like editing a video? It sounds unbelievable. You are so crazy, Professor Qi Mingli, you have developed such a crazy technology." Bai Zhu said, standing in front of the screen to watch the simulation animation of the memory extraction technology.

"New inventions are based on new needs, and only one problem after another can lead to new technologies one after another." Qi Mingli said while supporting the table, "I have been forced by the gangsters all my life to come up with new technologies." I can't even imagine the results of so many researches."

"Sometimes pressure is the source of inspiration. But I know that Professor, you are a person who dedicates yourself to technology. Even if you are not a gangster, you will have such brilliant achievements."

Qi Mingli shrugged, moved his sore neck, and said: "When I was young, I wrote 'I want to be a scientist when I grow up' on paper, and it became a prophecy. I really dedicated my whole life to the laboratory. My old partner Kui Ann Arbil is buried, and I'm alive."

"Have the professor heard the story of the artist in Colo? He wants to make a perfect cane. He feels that time does not exist in any perfect work. When all his partners are dead, he is still alive; When the city of Kolo is annihilated into ruins, he is still alive; when the Kandahar dynasty is over, he is still alive, and there is no sign of aging. As long as you do not compromise with time, time will have nothing to do with you, except There's no other use for moaning beside you."

"Are these the things that the Time Bureau taught you? I know that the Time Bureau is dealing with time. They see time better than anyone else, just like you."

Bai Zhu raised his eyebrows, lowered his lips, spread his hands and said: "I quit the time bureau as early as 2013, and now they have nothing to do with me. But I still learned a lot in it, about time, universe and nature."

"Those are also some amazing fields." Qi Mingli said, "The artists in Kolo City are right. For all perfect things, time does not exist. Not only objects, but also human emotions and thoughts. , family and friendship, and of course love. Ancestors lit up civilization, and the light of wisdom is still hanging above our heads.

What Qi Mingli said made Bai Zhu nod thoughtfully, and repeated "the light of wisdom", as if that was the essence of Qi Mingli's words.Afterwards, Bai Zhu looked around the laboratory and asked about irrelevant things: "Is this place not bad?"

"It's really good. After all, this is one of the most advanced laboratories in the world. My old partner, Kuian Aibier, always wanted to come here to see the true face, but he failed to realize his wish after all." Qiming Lilio With regret, "Now I'm here to help him fulfill his last wish."

"Professor Abil once stayed in the 'Air One' laboratory of the Gnaard Military Factory. That laboratory is located in space. The exclusive laboratory of the military factory is also very remarkable in the world."

Qi Mingli suddenly smiled and said: "It seems that Abil and I can communicate with each other and learn from each other. I have never been to 'Sky One', but I don't think I have the chance to go either. But it doesn't matter, wait for me Now that the coffin is in the ground, I can go to Abil to continue talking about the unfinished topic, and let him tell me about the magic of 'Sky One' in detail."

Bai Zhui nodded and refused to comment. He glanced lightly at the tunnel cabin next to him, turned his back and left the laboratory: "Then I hope the professor can put the new technology into practice as soon as possible. I urgently need Guzhou memory."

Qi Mingli also agreed very lightly. He didn't leave the laboratory, fiddling with two gloves in his hands, and the mask was pulled down under his chin.He leaned against the table and rubbed his eyes. After a while, he raised his head to look at the overhead light and blinked, sighing slightly.

The mansion of the Marquis of Zanying has also undergone years of training and dynasty changes. The elm tree in front of the gate knows when the cuckoos of Emperor Wang flew over here, and the roses climbing on the wall know the orioles who once sang the old base of the Three Kingdoms.There are still buildings of different styles in the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties in the Houshan Scenic Area, such as Queti Dougong, Biwa Feiqi, courtyards and gardens are all built along the mountain, and these were once part of the Hou Ye Mansion.Due to its age, it is no longer suitable for living, and it has been opened up as a hot spring park open to the public.

The Nashrykin-style building behind the hot spring was built by a Russian architect, with a four-cornered base and an octagonal tower on top of it.The exquisite and well-preserved exterior wall decoration makes this hidden treasure in the deep mountains of Daxing'an Mountains the most eye-catching touch in the Hou Ye Mansion.

The lights of the octagonal tower were still on, and the wind and snow covered the stone edge of the outer wall, only revealing the vine decorations and grape-shaped statues inlaid on the edge of the window frame.Bai Zhu walked up the spiral staircase in the middle of the building with her clothes on her hem. She heard a soft waltz from upstairs.

The door of the room was ajar, and the wine-red curtains embroidered with gold were only half-drawn. The light spilled from the room and poured into the carpeted corridor, casting a reflection of the room on the opposite window.The wind was still strong, and the snowflakes pressed the window lattice tightly.

Bai Zhu clasped her hands, stood by the window and looked in, she didn't make a sound or make any noise.Music leaked from the cracks in the doors and windows, and a puff of smoke disappeared into the wind.There are people dancing in the small circular hall inside the door. Four bronze pillars support the entire hall. The bees on the pillars are painted with gold paint, and the upper part is engraved with patterns of squirrels and grapes.

Bai Zhu knew that Tang Chu was locked in this jewel-like building, but she didn't know that Tang Chu would be in the mood to dance.A certain waltz was played on the sound system at the side, and Tang Chu stretched his limbs in such a peaceful music, dancing in the hall full of flowers.

Tang Chu was wearing a loose top and trousers, and the light penetrated through the gauze-like clothes to outline her thin body, which had electric shock scars, drug injection needle holes, bruises from binding, and whip wounds.These traces all show that Tang Chu had an uneasy life.

At this time, the scent of flowers and music overwhelmed her, she was immersed in the lonely dance, she didn't notice Bai Zhu standing outside the window, nor did she care about the white-headed and snowy mountains outside the house.Bai Zhu's eyes fell on the place next to the small hall that was covered by the curtain, where a corner of the desk was exposed, and a mountain of books was pressed on it, and the white paper was laid out in a casual posture among a pile of books that were also spread out .

Bai Zhu left the tower, as quietly as when he came.The next morning Tang Chu was brought into the dining room, and Bai Zhu was sitting at the dining table waiting.She was wearing a dressing gown, but the jewelry was well worn. It was a completely different set from yesterday, and turquoise shone under her ears.

"Have you been living well in the mansion recently?" Bai Zhu put down the newspaper in his hand, stirred the coffee in the cup, and asked Tang Chu while raising his eyes.

Tang Chu sat sideways, with a gray cashmere sweater over his white blouse, the cuffs were neatly folded out, and all the buttons were neatly in their place.She folded her hands, her eyes were a little cold, and she replied, "Tang Lin hasn't troubled me for a long time. Of course I live well. A while ago, someone sent a few plates, saying that Tang Lin asked someone to give them to me. It happened to be The ones I like. I don’t know what his heart is, but I am very happy listening to the music.”

Bai Zhu smiled, threw two pieces of candy into the coffee, and said, "Who taught you how to dance?"

Tang Chu glanced at Bai Yi when she heard the words, she seemed a little surprised, but soon she returned to normal: "I have learned dance since I was a child, and I went to college at the best dance academy, but I didn't finish college. As for the reason, you should I understand."

"Because Tang Lin kidnapped you? It lasted ten years." Bai Zhu said, she took a sip of coffee, "And your brother was also controlled by Tang Lin, doing evil things outside. Tang Lin is an out-and-out You bastard, look, even I said that."

"My brother is doing evil outside?"

"Ah, yes, he once murdered my own son." Bai Zhu said with a smile, as if she was talking about something unimportant, "My son once walked around the King of Hades because of this, but he refused to accept him He was sent back. In order to protect you, Tang Ji took all the crimes and was arrested and imprisoned. After that, he took the opportunity to escape from prison. Tell me, is this a crime?"

"You investigate me?"

"Yes, Tang Chu, I asked someone to check the information about you, and I confessed it. I got to know your family, and I also know why you hate Tang Lin so much. I have to say, your family's fate is very important. Tragedy. You three brothers and sisters were very happy when you were young, but later you turned against each other and parted ways. Isn’t this uncomfortable? Those spotless times will never come back.”

Bai Zhu sliced ​​the Bretonham ham cold cuts, the grilled salmon was covered with egg pancakes, and the red wine of Monchechet was placed next to the toast and the specially prepared tuckahoe pancakes.She stated the facts unhurriedly, always looking confident.

"So? What do you want to say? You specially asked me to have breakfast together. You shouldn't just want to show off your ability to find out people's details, and then sneer at me?" Tang Chu asked, she shrugged as if indifferent Shrugging, the breakfast in front of him remained unchanged.

"Thinking about the good deeds your brother Tang Ji has done outside, it is enough to cause him to be shot several times. Just because he murdered my son, he is unforgivable. Do you think he can fight me alone? Can it beat my family? Can it beat the whole gang?"

"Of course not. I know some things in my heart. Tang Lin used me to blackmail my brother. My brother was forced to do those things. The real culprit is Tang Lin. I hope you can understand this."

"Of course, that's what I was going to say. You beat me to it." Bai Zhu put down his hand, stared into Tang Chu's eyes and said, "The real culprit is Tang Lin. As long as you can prove that all the bad things are caused by Tang Chu If Lin did it by himself, then you and your brother will be able to escape completely, and you won't have to be oppressed by that bastard again."

Tang Chu brushed his hair, propped his forehead and said, "You are thinking of yourself, right? Ma'am. Your two families are fighting, black and white, and you can get a lot of benefits if you bring down the Tang family. clear."

Bai Zhu always kept smiling, wiped the wine bottle with a white cloth, and poured a glass for Tang Chu: "It's just that different routes lead to the same goal, each takes what he needs. You avenge your revenge, and I will avenge mine, but the enemy happens to be That's all for Tang Lin. Try this red wine, it should taste good."

"Will you let my brother get away with it? He is the one who murdered your precious son, and he is still alive." Tang Chu shook the wine glass, watching the light reflected from the transparent wine juice.

"Of course, I always keep my word. After all, I represent a big family. Nothing makes me feel better than killing Tang Lin, and I need your help."

"Do you need the help of my legal books? Anyway, I was the one who was threatened."

Bai Zhu didn't answer her.Tang Chu smiled, leaning on the dining table, and clinked wine glasses with Bai Zhu.