Временные трудности / Temporary hardships: Глава 1

Part 1. The melancholy of the humble philosopher.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:33

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Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:25

Chapter 1, in which the hero overcomes his ailments with wisdom

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:34

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Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:26

Han Nao blinked and stared at the watching crystal in his chubby palm as if he couldn't believe that the next episode of Impetuous Blade Bao was really over. He set the crystal aside, scooped up a handful of nuts from the tray, and crunched them, still impressed by what he had seen.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:36

"After all, crystals are better than scrolls," he said meaningfully into the emptiness of the vast room.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:37

He had always been fascinated by the adventures of powerful warriors and had read thousands of scrolls and looked through mountains of crystals. Although the scrolls had many undeniable advantages, such as revealing the inner essence of the hero, allowing him to open the veil over his thoughts and feelings, only the crystals allowed him to truly immerse himself in the world of adventure, to experience everything as if he, Han Nao, were there at that moment, in the thick of the battle. As if he, and not Bao Xiao, had saved beauties, overthrown tyrants, destroyed brigands, and with his own hands had brought down entire powerful Houses that had deviated from the righteous path in favor of the vices of gluttony, idleness, and lucre.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:38

What could be better than watching crystals? Of course, being a part of the adventure yourself! Most of all, Han Nao wanted to become a mighty warrior, bringing justice and goodness with his blade, able to split mountains, chop the sea, and pierce the very heavens! Unfortunately, the poor health that fate had bestowed upon him did not allow him to follow the path of a hero. In his past life, he probably had been a mighty warrior who had accomplished so many glorious deeds that the spirits of his ancestors had sent him to rest for a while in this rebirth. So Nao defied fate and the heavens in another equally honorable way - philosophers and scholars were equally honorable men. And he was both - the number of wise sayings he wrote with his impeccable calligraphy would put any philosopher to shame, and the mountain of scrolls he read (for who in his right mind would say that the tales of heroes' deeds did not contain the very essence of wisdom). - of any scholar. But he was not going to give up his hero's path either, for to give up was to surrender to fate.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:28

111111111111111111

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:28

After scooping up another handful of nuts, Han leaned on the soft pile of the rug and stood up, puffing. He strode to his favorite table with its mirror and scrolls and sat down with a startled sound.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:42

"What a shoddy piece of furniture," he muttered to the groans and creaks of the protesting chair.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:42

Han clapped his hands several times. Unfortunately, it wasn't loud enough, so he grabbed the beater and struck the gong as hard as he could.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:43

''What do you wish, young master?" One of the older servants immediately appeared with a low bow.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:43

"Replace the chair. It's in disrepair! They completely forgot how to make decent furniture. The squeaks make it hard for me to concentrate on what's important!"

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:44

"Of course, young master," the older servant bowed all the way to the carpet. "Immediately everything will be executed."

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:46

The pile of carpets muffled the sound of footsteps, but the three servants bringing in replacements were huffing and puffing. Han stood to the side, crunching nuts and trying to distract himself by contemplating his creations. "Be formidable in business and gentle at home," "The weak cherish grudges, the strong change themselves and the world," "Only cowards huddle together," and other wisdom in impeccable calligraphic handwriting. The scrolls hung from the walls like banners of defeated enemies, and Han felt a rush of inspiration.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:47

Once he'd sent the servants away, he dropped into the chair, satisfied that it was perfectly positioned and didn't even move, not like the last time he'd had to order it rearranged three times. Not too close to the table to make it uncomfortable to sit down, and not too far away to avoid having to stretch. Han spread out the scroll with a quick movement of his hand, skillfully, as if he were performing a martial technique, and snatched up the brush, imagining it to be Bao Xiao's deadly and swift blade.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:49

Han dipped his brush into an inkwell of red ink, handmade from special mussels found only at the bottom of the ocean, and thrust his blade into battle. The brush fluttered about, slashing at the enemies, which were hieroglyphics. His movements were sharp, precise, and swift, but at the same time smooth - without the splashing of drops. After all, he was a master of calligraphy, so he could handle a sword just as well as Bao! "Yes," thought Han, "I already have the technique. I just need to choose a light sword and start practicing. Better yet, invent a sword-brush so I can slash my enemies with it and paint at the same time. Yes, that's right, to paint pictures that would come to life, like in the series Invincible Artist in Search of the Perfect Brush!"

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:51

"Ugh," he finished drawing out the quote, //"If you're worthy, you're worthy, and that's enough.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:52

Han smiled sadly as he squirmed again in his chair, feeling its solidity and stability. Alas, the world was falling apart. Modern furniture, like so many other things, was no good. They were able to make things in the past, not like now! Weapons, qi techniques, furniture, clothes, everything! Fortunately, such a plague had not yet affected the adventure crystals, but he dreaded the times when this outlet of his life would succumb to the merciless flow of time when, instead of mighty heroes, the crystals would show talentless poseurs whose adventures would become as bland as boiled fish Mun Hu without triple lun-yin sauce.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:56

As much as he wanted to rest a little more, the thought that had arisen demanded to be immortalized - he simply had no right to deprive posterity of the results of his thoughts.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 21:57

Han Nao dipped his brush into the inkwell and spread out a new scroll, and with swift strokes, he wrote a flawless string of characters: //"The river of time leads to the abyss. After admiring the result of his labors and making sure that both quotations were flawless, Han panted heavily.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 22:00

Feeling slightly tired and hungry, he clapped his hands, and this time, the older servant appeared without the gong being struck.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 22:01

"Hang it on the wall and make sure it's even! No, I'll make sure it's even! Yes, hang it over there, above the vases from the Dan era. It'll be perfectly visible from the couch! No, asshole, not that scroll, the other one, the one between the spear and the jian," Han ordered, falling into the couch. "Yeah, no! Not this spear. Next to it! I have to explain everything to you, dullards! And bring the table over here at once. I'm hungry!"

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 22:03

It would be nice to snack on a tender singing duck marinated in plums and leaves from a hundred-year-old oak tree, moderately peppered and browned, with newborn chickens in the juice of island lemons lying around as a garnish. Just thinking about it made Han's mouth fill with saliva, and he even missed the moment when his priceless scrolls with fresh, barely dried sayings almost hung at various heights. He didn't have time to resent this or the fact that the food hadn't arrived yet; a servant appeared at the door.

Camrad_RIP 06.01.24 в 22:08

"I humbly beg your pardon, young master," he bowed all the way to the carpet, "but Mr. Guang requires you to attend the family dinner!"

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 10:47

"To reprimand me again," Han's lips curved unhappily. "I won't!"

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 10:48

"Young master," the servant fell back into the carpet, "Mrs. Lihua asks you to condescend to the request of Mr. Guang, your father, and attend the family dinner, for Mr. Guang is leaving for the capital!"

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 10:49

"All right, all right," Han grumbled, "just for Mother's sake. I keep my eyes on you! If you hang it wrong, I'll punish you! How can I train and lead a decent life when I am always distracted by something?"

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 10:50

He remembered his mother's request that he not walk around the house half-dressed, and he pressed his lips together in frustration. Why go out at all, when he had everything in his chambers, and what he didn't have, the servants would bring anyway? It was no fun listening to his father's grumbling, either. One could sit and wait for his father to leave, and everything would be as before: calm and measured, without demands, reproaches and cries about the family's disgrace.

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 10:51

"Young Master, the latest issue of the Hero's Almanac has arrived," another servant appeared.

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 10:52

An almanac with a list of heroes and their deeds for the good of the whole Empire, with descriptions of techniques and circumstances of their deeds, colorful pictures, and each of them was accompanied by a contemplative crystal with a battle scene, a real one! Han's hands and lips shook as if by themselves, and he felt the desire not to go anywhere, but to lie down and enjoy reading, imagining himself on the pages.... No, not on the pages, but right on the cover!

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 10:53

Like Bao Xiao, but better!

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 10:53

But how can you be a hero here, when cruel reality distracts you every now and then? The thought was beautiful and worthy of a new saying, but alas, there was no time to immortalize it in a scroll because of the rush. He had already created two quotations today, but to write down a third would have been a rush unworthy of a philosopher.

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:22

"Put it on the table and don't get it dirty," he ordered condescendingly, and yet he left the room.

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:23

The contentment of his power of will and spirit did not last long, not until he reached the door. He remembered his mother's request again, sighed heavily, turned, and went to dress. Just an unbearable life, full of torment every minute! But it's nothing, Han thought as the servants dressed him, it would soon get easier. When his father was gone, he could practice without anyone pushing him around and spoiling his mood. Yes, tomorrow! But no, there's still the Almanac and the crystal with the Mighty Juba, the Lord of Stones. Then the day after tomorrow, that's when the new half-dozen days begin. Yeah, that's right, that's the best way.

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:25

"What is it?" He asked unhappily, feeling a heaviness in his chest and shoulders. "Oh, you rascals, did they wash my robe badly again?! It has shrunk again, and it's pressing hard!"

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:26

It's a disappointment all around! But this time, at least the servants had the sense not to deny their guilt. Han still left the room, thinking that all of this was worthy of a separate quote on the wall. Something about that a noble and patient man changes circumstances to suit himself and never denies guilt.

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:27

Satisfied with himself, he walked down the long corridor, enjoying the sight of the paintings on the walls and the servants bending before him. The old fragile vases had not been removed from the corridor, so one of them fell and broke again, but Han didn't stop as he smelled the aromas of dinner.

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:28

"Three-layer plum pie," he whispered, licking his lips, "and pulled pork on ribs.'

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:28

His favorite rib pork! He quickened his step, almost falling down the stairs. He was out of breath with excitement and worry that they would eat it without him. The sculptures trembled as he approached, and the mocking glances of the guards in lacquered armor slid past him, but Han ignored them graciously and, driven by the sweet aromas and the anticipation of his prey, rushed inside like a conqueror into a besieged city.

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:30

"Good day to you too, Son!" came his Father's voice.

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:30

Han stumbled and slammed his hip onto the edge of the table, howling quietly in pain and at the sight of the pie falling apart. His father, still gray-haired and stern, with hard, merciless eyes, stared at Han as if he wanted to burn him with his gaze.

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:31

"My dear, there is no need to shout at poor Haonyu," said his mother, sitting beside his father. "You can see that the poor boy is out of breath. He was in such a hurry to come at your command. Haonyu has a weak heart!"

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:33

"You have a weak heart here!" His father pounded his fist on the table, and Han nearly burst into tears.

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:33

Dishes were flying away, the pie was falling apart, such a cruelty!

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:34

"When he smelled food, he rushed over like a boar-- No, like a fat pig full of lard!"

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:34

"How can you say that, dear," said Mother softly, "he's just broad-boned, for he grew into you."

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:37

"The eldest, Zhiqiang, is the one who took after me, he is already leading the fortress on the border and beating the barbarians! The middle one, Xiulan, is famous throughout the Empire for her medicines, and she became the wife of Renshu Toubao himself! And the youngest only lies there and dishonors me, the General of the Empire! And people whisper behind my back that how can I lead my troops into battle if I can't even command my youngest son?"

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:38

"Now, look what you've done to our poor, gentle boy," Mother Lihua groaned, fussing over the settled Han.

Camrad_RIP 07.01.24 в 11:53