Bai Yuwei had changed over the past two years.
Upon hearing this question, a gloomy expression appeared on Bai Zhenming's face.
If he had to use words to describe his feelings over the past two years, it should be pain and happiness.
Just like on the last night before school started, even though he still had homework to finish, he was addicted to eating chicken.
He knew that he had to do his homework, but he couldn't control his hands. It was too heart-wrenching. He played another game and almost got the chicken. He didn't want to give up. He played another game and almost got the chicken. He celebrated and played another game. In short, he couldn't control himself. He felt that something was wrong while he was on a killing spree. He knew that it would be the beginning of the end after daybreak. He was bound to receive the thunderous fury of his homeroom teacher, but … he couldn't stop at all.
It was this kind of happiness that he was addicted to for a while but couldn't stop worrying about the future.
This was probably how Bai Zhenming felt over the past two years.
He was immersed in the happiness brought by the rapid development of the Bai family and the prosperity of the family business. He faintly sensed the hidden troubles under the surface of prosperity, but he didn't know what to do and couldn't do anything about it … this kind of feeling.
He slowly recounted what had happened over the past two years.
The Tianyuan War lasted for dozens of years and was incomparably tragic. There were countless casualties. As the saying went, it was inevitable for a general to die on the battlefield. Long ago, he had mentally prepared himself for his father to die on the battlefield.
After all, even someone as powerful as the Seven Luminaries Sword Sage had died before. Countless generals who commanded armies and strategized had died for their country. Although his father had been an old minister for three dynasties and had fought against the Sky Demon for dozens of years, he didn't dare to say that he would escape the fate of a general. Everyone was very open-minded about this.
But what made him feel incomparably fortunate was that his father had survived. Even though he had participated in the final battle that shook the world and was destined to be recorded in the annals of history, he had still managed to survive as one of the few survivors. This was truly the blessing and pity of the heavens for the Bai Clan. The fact that he had been able to survive until the end of the battle was the foundation and foundation for the clan to prosper for another hundred years.
Not long after, Bai Zhenming received news that his father had decided to return home. However, Bai Zhenming didn't mind it too much. After all, at this point, his father's role in the Bai Clan was far more significant than it actually was. His contributions to the Bai Clan had already spread far and wide. Even if he were to retire and resign from his position, it wouldn't hinder the rise of the Bai Clan.
Moreover, as a son, he also hoped that his father, who had been on the battlefield all his life, would be able to return home and enjoy the rest of his life, and would not be tired again.
Thus, his father returned home, bringing with him countless rewards and honours, as well as countless legends and stories. Under the escort of the Emperor, the farewell of the officials, and the escort of his old subordinates, he set off from the center of Hanzhou City and returned to his hometown.
Along the way, the atmosphere was extremely grand. Hundreds of local officials came to greet him, the aristocratic families bowed their heads, and the emperor specially gave him the imperial carriage to send him off. The ceremony was as grand as the emperor himself. It was a rare honor in the world. When the local citizens heard that Old Marshal Tian Yuan had retired and was returning to his hometown, they even kowtowed and burned incense along the way. For an old hero who had fought against the Sky Demon since his youth, everyone gave him the greatest respect.
When the news reached Qin Province, the entire province was shaken. The Bai Clan Castle was decorated with lanterns and streamers, and the atmosphere was joyous. They spent a lot of money to build a garden for their ancestor so that he could enjoy the rest of his life. Banquets were set up early in the morning, and the villagers, regardless of their status, were all served to fill their stomachs. The Bai Clan also swept away all the opera troupes in Qin Province. The opera troupe was performed for an entire month, and even the idlers on the streets knew that since Old Master Bai had returned alive, the Bai Clan Castle would probably be unparalleled in wealth.
If even the people on the streets knew about it, the Bai Clan Castle naturally knew about it as well. In this joyous atmosphere, they finally welcomed their ancestor back.
On that day, it could be said that all the talents and talents of the Ming Province had gathered. From the Prefecture Overseer and the Great General of the Province to the ninth-ranked Posthouse Officer, the elders of the aristocratic families, and the grandmasters of the major sects, everyone who could attend the banquet was present. Even the most arrogant and righteous person would not dare to disrespect the Bai Clan at this time. On that day, the Bai Clan of the West River's reputation and power had reached its peak.
Naturally, the banquet to welcome their ancestor back in glory was a joyous occasion. After that day, the Bai Clan's various businesses experienced an explosive and comprehensive development. All of their competitors in business took the initiative to give way to them, and the sellers who wanted to purchase land also relented. There were even a large number of commoners who came to the Bai Clan to donate their land. Many heroes and famous people also came to invest … They all seemed to know that the Bai Clan's era had arrived.
Everyone in the Bai Clan still remembered the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction during that period of rapid development. Naturally, Bai Zhenming felt the same way. As the head of the Bai Clan, he was even more complacent. He thought to himself that his father had fought for the country for decades, and finally, His Majesty did not mistreat him. It was time for the Bai Clan to soar into the sky.
But very quickly, he felt a little … unease.
The Bai Clan's various businesses and businesses continued to advance triumphantly. The attitude of the Qin Province officials toward the Bai Clan became more and more friendly. Everything was progressing in a good direction, but he still felt a glimmer of unease.
First, it was the court … His Majesty's attitude was too warm. His father had just settled down when the emissary from the court came again. He inquired after the Great Ancestor's well-being and asked him if there was anything he was unaccustomed to since he had just returned home. He also brought with him the rare treasures and precious medicinal herbs allocated by the Inner Manor. Bai Zhenming was feeling proud of the vastness of the Emperor's grace. Not even half a month later, the Emperor's emissary came again.
The grandeur of the Emperor's favor was indeed a good thing, but there was also a saying that being in the Emperor's company was like being in the company of a tiger. The Emperor's warmth at first made one feel touched and proud, but this warmth was too frequent and could lead to unease.
After all, it was hard to know what was in a person's heart. Human feelings would slowly fade. Furthermore, since ancient times, Emperors were naturally cold people. If you didn't work for him all day, how could he remember your kindness all day long? Usually, even if a famous official was retiring, the Emperor would at the beginning pretend to inquire about their well-being. Over time, at most, he would send an emissary to express his concern during the holidays. That was already a great kindness.
If you met someone who didn't pay attention or if your rank wasn't high enough, you could only wait for a political mission to arrive. Only then would there be news of XXX visiting a retired comrade.
Thus, the Emperor had actually maintained a high frequency of concern and concern for a full two years. This made Bai Zhenming think too much. He had read too many history books, and there were many examples of the Emperor's unpredictable power, so he was a bit flustered.
What was worse was that in this world, there were far more stupid people than smart people. There were far too many people who didn't know what was going on.
Ever since the Elder Ancestor returned home and the Bai family's reputation reached its peak, the Bai family's strict family style gradually couldn't stop. After all, people's hearts were shallow and easy to change. Even an honest man would gradually become arrogant after being bowed to and fawned on for a long time.
People were creatures that were easily swayed and changed by inertia.
Furthermore, the Emperor's high frequency of sending an emissary to express his concern, in the eyes of an astute person like Bai Zhenming, this implied a faint sense of danger. However, in the eyes of the people below, this was irrefutable evidence of the Emperor's grandeur of the Bai family. Since the Emperor was supporting them, what were they afraid of?
They could do it with all their might!
Don't panic!
When someone took the lead and benefited from something, the other people who were still watching would also rush forward to take the lead and drag the few who were calm into it.
Thus, the Bai family's family style gradually deteriorated. As for running amok in the village and bullying the people … that was no longer a problem. In any case, no one dared to interfere.
Yes, no one dared to interfere. Even if they wanted to interfere, they couldn't.
Although Bai Zhenming wanted to rectify the family style, he was only the head of the Bai family and the head of the Bai family. He couldn't control his uncles from the branch family. He didn't have the ability to do so. There was only one person who could control the Bai family, and that was the Elder Ancestor, his father. As long as the Elder Ancestor said a word, everyone would treat it as an imperial edict.
However, this was the second thing he was worried about.
Since his father returned home, he didn't see any clues at first. However, as time passed, he found that his father was a little abnormal.
He became a little gloomy and introverted, no longer as enthusiastic and forthright as before. At first, he thought that the Elder Ancestor had gone through such a fierce battle in the Great Barren Mountain, where many of his comrades died and he survived alone.
However, he seemed to be wrong. His father's gloomy temperament didn't change, but his memory and patience were getting worse and worse. Sometimes, he would yell, lose his temper, hit the air, and shout some words that no one understood. Sometimes, his behavior was even worse.
For example, he strictly forbade others from praising him or praising him.
If you praised his military achievements and honor in front of him, his face would immediately darken.
If you dared to mention his great service in protecting the country in the Great Barren Mountain battle, he would probably flip the table and give you a beating.
His father's actions became more and more abnormal, and the frequency of his madness increased. Bai Zhenming's heart became more and more panicked.
He couldn't rectify the family style of the Bai family, and he was also worried about what kind of unforeseen event would happen if news of his father's madness spread. At the same time, the frequency of the Emperor sending envoys to express his concern increased. The Bai family's power grew greater and greater, and the family's reputation grew worse and worse. He always felt that this was a very bad omen, but he didn't have the courage or methods to stop it all.
Not long ago, a great change occurred in Mingzhou. At the same time, his father went into an unprecedented bout of madness, and then brazenly ran away from home. No one knew where he went.
Then, his father came back. He was brought back by someone. The person who brought him back was someone who should have died on the Great Barren Mountain.
As soon as he appeared and said a few words, Bai Zhenming knew what he was here for … His guess about the Great Barren Mountain had obviously become reality.
After listening to Bai Zhenming's story, Sun Lang slowly nodded.
A strange light flashed in his eyes, and he slowly said, "You mean, when Old Bai first came back, although he was somewhat introverted and gloomy, he was still relatively normal, and didn't do anything openly crazy. However, as time passed, he became crazier and crazier. Moreover, every time the Emperor's envoys came, he became crazier?"
Bai Zhenming's heart thumped, and he felt his heartbeat accelerate a little. He said in a low voice, "Yes … yes."
Sun Lang smiled, "Then, do you think, during this time, there is some connection between the blowing of the silk threads?"