Chapter 20 — I am the Fourth Thien Co

Three years later. Spring comes again. Peach blossoms bloom all over the capital. The spring breeze carries the scent of young grass and new tea, passing through every street, every awning, every wooden door that has been dyed pale yellow by the sunlight. Today's Dai Chu is very different. That's what we feel every time we step out of Thien Co Ty. Three years ago. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. Three years later. Thien Co Ty was present everywhere. Military medical camp. Things that only appeared in the dreams of three people. Now it really exists. Which makes me happiest. It's not how much money. It's not about how many projects there are. It's not that much of a reputation. But there are a lot of young people. Growing up in a better world than before. Thien Co Ty has three most famous regulations. Almost everyone in the capital knows it. First regulation. Pay in advance. Talk about the ideal later. Second regulation. It is forbidden to use money without paying money. Third regulation. The royal family is no exception. I heard there was one time. A new official took office from another place to the capital. He read the third rule and burst out laughing.

“Which king?”

The person next to him replied:

“Ninh Vuong.”

The mandarin almost spilled the entire cup of tea. Then he immediately stopped laughing. That morning. I went to inspect the newly built school in Dong Thanh. The sound of children reading books could be heard from afar. I don't go in. Just stand outside the window. Look at the little faces inside. The teacher is holding a book. Smiling asked:

“Who was the first person to set up a tent in Dai Zhou?”

The children answered in unison:

“Co Thanh Hoa!”

Resounding sound. Full of vitality. The teacher asked again:

“Who is the founder of Dai Zhou silver law?”

The children answered even louder.

“Thuong Minh Chau!”

The teacher nodded.

“So who established the first military medical camp?”

The children immediately stood up.

“Ky Truong Anh!”

The immature voice filled the room. I'm standing outside the door. Silence. Don't know since when. The corners of my eyes were red. Three years ago. Those three names are still covered in dust in a dark corner. Three years later. The kids in school all know. All can be read clearly. I suddenly remember the day I stood in front of three stele. Remember your promise.

“I took you guys home.”

Home is not just a place. Home is also a memory. It's memorization. It was many years later. There are still people calling the billions' names. I smiled. Then quietly left. When returning to Thien Co Ty. The yard is extremely bustling. A group of people stood in a circle. Laughing so much I couldn't stand up straight. I still don't understand anything. Heard a familiar voice.

“I think I did very well.”

“At least it didn't violate any regulations.”

I step forward. Sure enough, I saw Tieu Lam Uyen. Three years have passed. His old illness has improved a lot. Although I still need a wheelchair when traveling long distances. But he no longer looks as weak as the first day we met. Someone laughed and asked:

“King.”

“How long will you be on probation?”

Tieu Lam Uyen thought very seriously. Then answer:

"Wait for the boss's approval."

The whole yard immediately burst into laughter. A little girl covered her mouth and asked:

“It's been three years and it still hasn't been officially transferred?”

Tieu Lam Uyen calmly nodded.

“Very serious.”

Everyone laughed so much that tears were about to flow. I stand outside the crowd. The corners of the lips also curl up. Three years ago. If someone told me that Ninh Vuong would sit in Thien's yard Co Ty, along with everyone else, calculated the books, checked the supplies, and was asked when the probationary period would end. I would definitely think that person is crazy. But life is always strange like that. Afternoon. An envelope from Tay Canh was sent. I opened it and read it. It's a letter from the military medical camp. They reported that this year the epidemic was much less than before. The number of people saved also increased. At the end of the letter it was written:

“We still keep Miss Ky's stele.”

“No one forgets her.”

I finished reading. Quietly fold the letter. Place in drawer. There were many similar letters there. Letter from medical tent. School correspondence. Letter from the merchant guild. Every letter is the same. They are all people who continue to live. Continuing to do what three billion billions once wanted to do. Spring of that year. I went to the cemetery again. Familiar road. Familiar fields. Even the peach tree outside the gate is taller than before. The three steles still stand next to each other. No more loneliness. No longer cold. In front of the beer there are fresh flowers. There is fruit. There are small letters. Apparently people visit often. We sit down. Like so many times before.

“The medical tent opened thirteen more places this year.”

“There are more children studying medicine than before.”

I smiled. Look at the second stele.

“My dear sister.”

“Last month's silver badge earned a lot of silver again.”

“You can rest assured.”

“No one dares to borrow and not pay back anymore.”

I burst out laughing. Then look at the last stele.

“Tay Canh sent a letter.”

“They said this year no one died because of lack of medicine.”

“The military medical camp operates very well.”

The spring wind blows gently. Peach blossoms fall onto the shoulders of the shirt. I raised my head and looked at the sky. The sky is so blue that it makes people feel peaceful. A while later. I will tell you again. How is Thien Co Ty today? How do people live? Tieu Lam Uyen's salary was deducted several times. Last heard. It's for bringing breakfast into my study without permission. Think about that. I couldn't help but laugh. The sun gradually leans west. Sunlight covers three stone steles. Make the names above light up. Co Thanh Hoa. Thuong Minh Chau. Ky Truong Anh. I looked for a long time. Suddenly I felt extremely peaceful. There were people who said they couldn't return. There are people who thought they would be forgotten. There are people who spend their whole lives to light a lamp. But I haven't seen the light yet. Luckily. That light was eventually passed down. From one person to another. From one generation to another. I stood up. Gently brush the flower petals off your shoulders. Then bow before the three steles. The corners of his lips carried a very slight smile.

“No one really forgets you guys anymore.”

Spring breeze passes by. Peach blossoms fill the sky. In that moment. I suddenly had a feeling. Behind me. There are three people standing. A gentle person. A brilliant person. An arrogant person. Like the first day. It's like never leaving. The sisters said they would not return. But actually. From the day I opened my eyes in that secret room. You guys are always standing behind me. And this time. You guys have really gone home. (END OF FULL TEXT)