This summer seems hotter than usual. Wang Rou changed into a single shirt and sat leisurely in the newly constructed pavilion. ‘Yan County is quite different from Bing County, and the farms here are far less exquisite than the Wang family estate. Nevertheless, escaping Bing County and coming here is a stroke of luck in misfortune. It’s largely thanks to the seventh daughter in the family if it weren’t for the family’s intention to marry her off, I probably wouldn’t have come here with Wang Wen.’
It’s a pity the emperor passed away at the wrong time; otherwise, the seventh daughter would have been married to Shangdang by now.
Thinking about the betrothal gifts the Liang family sent last time, Wang Rou couldn’t help but feel relieved. Although time was short, the other side showed no signs of negligence. They not only prepared the gifts but even sent live geese. With such a proper betrothal, the subsequent marriage proposal should also be well-prepared.
This isn’t about money but about attitude, and showing sincerity. Moreover, the other party didn’t display the slightest sign of impatience; every move and action exuded the poise and meticulousness that only a distinguished family could possess. Just based on this, they could outshine many wealthy and noble families.
After the marriage, with the military strength of the Liang family, it shouldn’t be difficult to secure the interests of this branch in Bing County. When the daughter marries over there, sooner or later, she will give birth to legitimate sons, thereby supporting the main family and providing a foundation. This is the true essence of marriage between aristocratic families, where bloodlines merge, and they rely on each other, becoming a formidable force that even the court cannot easily shake.
He thought that his branch hadn’t produced a top-notch offspring in who knows how many years, so having such a good son-in-law was indeed a fortunate event.
While pondering when the national mourning would end and wondering when the wedding date would be chosen, someone from outside reported that a letter had arrived from You County.
How could there be a letter from You County? Wang Rou was filled with confusion as he took the letter handed to him by a maidservant. However, as soon as he read a few lines, his expression suddenly changed, and he stood up abruptly!
How was this possible?!
After the shock and anger, Wang Rou sternly asked, “Where is the seventh daughter?”
The maidservant was also startled and quickly replied, “She should be in her chamber…”
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Without waiting for her to finish, Wang Rou walked briskly toward the inner courtyard.
The farm was not large to begin with, and as a branch family, they naturally didn’t receive one of the bigger courtyards. The number of servants was also much fewer compared to their situation in Bing County. So when Wang Rou arrived with his entourage, Wang’s Seventh Daughter was quite surprised. She stood up from her embroidery table and asked, “Father, why have you come?”
Seeing the paper and ink on Wang’s Seventh Daughter’s desk, Wang Rou’s face turned grim, and he almost seemed to sweat. He waved his sleeve and dropped a letter at her feet, asking, “Is this the letter you wrote?”
Upon seeing the letter, Seventh Daughter was shocked beyond belief. Wasn’t this the one she had sent to You County? How had it ended up in her father’s hands? However, after the initial shock, the pent-up anguish that had been weighing on her chest for a long time suddenly burst forth. She sobbed and knelt at Wang Rou’s feet, saying, “Father, Seventh Daughter has her heart set on someone. I only ask for your understanding!”
“Understanding?” Looking at his teary-eyed daughter, Wang Rou felt like his head was about to explode. “Do you know that Prefect Liang has already sent a marriage proposal? The betrothal gifts have been exchanged; you are practically part of the Liang family now, and only the formal welcoming is left. And yet, you…you…”
He was so infuriated that he started trembling all over. Wang Rou wished he could kick his seemingly clever daughter to wake her up!
“That Prefect Liang is much older than me, and he’s a widower. Father, why do you want me to marry him? It’s different with Zhang Lang. He’s devoted to me, and he holds a position in You County. If Father grants his favor, he will surely marry me. Father, can’t you be like General Jia and make this match happen?” Seventh Daughter’s tear-stained face showed her determination, even though she was crying. This was her only chance, and now that her father was aware, why not go with the flow…
“Shut up!” Wang Rou roared, “Such debauchery as Jia Wu’s actions tarnishes even one’s ears just by hearing about it! And do you know the status of the Wang family in Taiyuan? How can you compare yourself to the Jia family?”
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Jia Chong didn’t come from a prestigious family; he only rose through merit. But for the Wang family of Taiyuan, even a distant branch couldn’t tolerate such absurd behavior!
“Father!” Wang’s Seventh Daughter was completely frightened, her voice choked.
Wang Rou didn’t pay any attention to her and scanned the room with a cold expression. “All the maidservants who serve Seventh Daughter, flog them to death!”
Without these maidservants who indulged in gossip and meddled in others’ affairs, how could an outsider like that man seduce a lady? All these servants attending to Seventh Daughter deserved to be punished!
The trembling maidservants, who were already shivering in fear, immediately began wailing, pleading for mercy in the hope of escaping their fate. But how could Wang Rou spare them? His servants, fierce as wolves, rushed in and dragged them out by force.
Wang Rou turned back to his daughter and said coldly, “Look at the mess you’ve caused. How many more must die because of your foolishness?”
Seventh Daughter was so frightened that her face turned as pale as a sheet of paper, and she kept shaking. After trembling for a while, she managed to ask, “Where is Zhang Lang… why hasn’t Zhang Lang come…”
“That man with the surname Zhang is already dead! How long will you persist in your foolish fantasies?” Wang Rou replied angrily.
Upon hearing this, Seventh Daughter’s body shook violently, as if she couldn’t bear it anymore, and she fainted.
Watching his daughter collapsed on the floor, Wang Rou’s heart felt like ashes. This kind of fool wouldn’t be entering into a marriage at the Liang household; she was practically forging enmity! And why did Wang Pengzu specifically send a letter to him? Even in those plain words, there was a chilling undertone. If this matter reached the ears of Liang Zixi, what would happen? Let alone Liang Zixi, even if his fourth brother found out, he would have a hard time explaining…
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After clenching and relaxing his fist for a long time, Wang Rou finally said, “Take care of Seventh Daughter and make sure she doesn’t leave the house again.”
He didn’t call for a physician for his daughter who had fainted, nor did he mention the word “treatment.”
As if he hadn’t seen that delicate figure at all, Wang Rou turned and left the room.
※
By the time Liang Feng was able to go out, the period of national mourning had ended, and the summer harvest was mostly complete. The cicadas sang loudly, and the heat was intense. Like those literati, Liang Feng dressed in old clothes, wearing loose robes and wooden clogs. Even his black hair was simply tied with a cloth. It wasn’t that he suddenly developed a liking for this style; it was just the relentless internal heat and skin irritation that forced him to adopt this appearance.
“Father, are you feeling unwell?”
A gentle voice interrupted Liang Feng’s wandering thoughts. He lowered his head and saw Liang Rong looking at him nervously, as if ready to rush out and call for a doctor at the slightest nod from him.
Liang Feng smiled faintly, “I’m fine. I’m just deep in thought.”
Hearing this, Liang Rong finally breathed a sigh of relief and earnestly advised, “If Father feels unwell at any point, you must inform Rong’er!”
Seeing his son’s worried expression, Liang Feng couldn’t help but smile wryly in his heart. These days, the little guy had indeed been frightened. He hadn’t been able to visit him for several days, and when he finally saw him, Liang Feng looked like a ghost who had just finished fasting. Anyone who saw him couldn’t help but look askance. To put his mind at ease, Liang Rong hadn’t shed many tears, but he had stayed by his side with red eyes, like a little tail that couldn’t be shaken off.
However, such companionship was also a comfort.
Just a few days ago, the person who had been with him all this time silently left the prefectural office.
He had sent away Yiyan. Because of a battle that couldn’t be avoided.
During this summer, the entire Lishi State had suffered a near-total crop failure. The locust plague had completely devastated the already fragile agricultural system of the Xiongnu, forcing their main forces to shift towards Si County.
For Bing County, this was undoubtedly a good thing. It was precisely because of this that Ge Hong had sent a letter, intending to further clear the Xiongnu forces besieging Jinyang City after the period of national mourning.
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These besieging enemy forces, whether aimed at Jinyang or Yangyi, were causing a severe headache. As long as the enemy remained stationed, regular farming activities couldn’t proceed. Spring planting had already been missed, and if summer sowing was also delayed, it would be a significant loss.
Moreover, the lack of provisions was increasing the instability of this enemy force. Nobody could fight on an empty stomach, so if there wasn’t enough food, they would resort to raiding the surrounding areas and looting for sustenance. This was disastrous news for Jinyang.
Therefore, when Ge Hong raised this matter, the defenders within Jinyang City highly concurred. Linghu Kuang had preserved a considerable amount of military strength in the previous major battle. With the reinforcement from Shangdang, this plan had a good chance of success.
With these factors considered, sending troops became a natural course of action.
However, in recent days, Liang Feng’s mind kept flashing back to the day when Yiyan had departed. There were no unexpected pleas, no expressions of anger or despair; he simply followed orders as he always did. However, his blue eyes seemed to burn into Liang Feng like a searing brand. Though there were no words, they spoke volumes.
In the end, it was just the difficulty of quitting an addiction. If it were someone else at a different time, Liang Feng might have been more ruthless and straightforward. But now, he couldn’t be so.
Gently adjusting his posture, Liang Feng used his large sleeves to cover his slightly trembling arm. Wasn’t the conversation earlier exactly about his predicament?
“Lord Liang, Chief Scribe Duan and Chief Clerk Cui request an audience,” reported Cang Lan softly from outside the study.
If both of them were coming to see him at the same time, it certainly indicated an important matter. Liang Rong, understanding the situation, withdrew to the inner chamber, and then Liang Feng called the visitors into his study.
Indeed, Duan Qin and Cui Ji both had stern expressions. After paying their respects, Duan Qin handed over a letter and said, “My Lord, a letter has arrived from Yanzhou. It’s about… a funeral.”
Liang Feng’s heart skipped a beat. “Is it about Wang Zhongzheng…”
“No, it’s about Wang Jia’s Seventh Daughter,” Duan Qin replied gravely.
Liang Feng was completely taken aback by this answer. He was momentarily stunned before reaching out to take the letter. The letter was written by Wang Wen himself, and his writing was quite eloquent. He expressed his sadness, explaining that Seventh Daughter had suddenly fallen critically ill a few days ago, and despite all efforts, they couldn’t save her. This newlywed bride was now forever resting in the Wang family.
After lamenting the unfortunate fate of the Seventh Daughter, Wang Wen offered comforting words, attributing this tragedy to fate and advising Liang Feng not to grieve too deeply. He also mentioned that although they had exchanged the betrothal gifts, they hadn’t officially completed the marriage. His words were carefully chosen to ensure Liang Feng didn’t feel any obligation. However, after reading the letter, there was no further mention of the marriage.
“It seems that I won’t be able to shake off my reputation as the ‘marriage curse’,” Liang Feng sighed lightly as he put the letter down.
In such unexpected situations, it was possible to replace a person and arrange a new marriage. However, for some reason, the other party hadn’t mentioned it at all, whether because there were no suitable unmarried women left, or due to genuine concern about the sudden tragedy. It appeared that the marriage with the Taiyuan Wang family was coming to an end.
Duan Qin couldn’t help clenching his teeth. “It’s possible that something fishy is going on in You County…”
“Even if that’s the case, what can we do?” Liang Feng leaned against the table. “At this point, overthinking is pointless. Besides, for the time being, I can’t get married.”
What Sishisan could destroy wasn’t just the surface. Liang Feng even suspected that after heavy metal poisoning and drug-induced addiction, he might not be able to father healthy children. And as for intimate relations, he didn’t even want to think about it in the short term. In this situation, marrying a wife would only complicate matters.
Cui Ji furrowed his brow. “My Lord is still young, and with Jiang Ji’en’s help, you can surely regain your health.”
Liang Feng waved his hand. “Those are minor issues. I’m just wondering how to handle things in Shangdang.”
Without the betrothal on Wang Wen’s side and now bearing a grudge with Wang Jun, it was uncertain whether the Taiyuan Wang family would still be his support.
Duan Qin sighed softly. “It all depends on whether we can lift the siege in Jinyang. And there’s also the arrangement in Luoyang…”
If they managed to repel the Xiongnu forces besieging Jinyang, it would be a significant achievement. Regardless of who would succeed the position of Governor of Bing County, they couldn’t ignore such a distinguished merit. However, to put it bluntly, the ultimate decision would still depend on the intentions of the uncrowned king in Luoyang.
This summer seems hotter than usual. Wang Rou changed into a single shirt and sat leisurely in the newly constructed pavilion. ‘Yan County is quite different from Bing County, and the farms here are far less exquisite than the Wang family estate. Nevertheless, escaping Bing County and coming here is a stroke of luck in misfortune. It’s largely thanks to the seventh daughter in the family if it weren’t for the family’s intention to marry her off, I probably wouldn’t have come here with Wang Wen.’
It’s a pity the emperor passed away at the wrong time; otherwise, the seventh daughter would have been married to Shangdang by now.
Thinking about the betrothal gifts the Liang family sent last time, Wang Rou couldn’t help but feel relieved. Although time was short, the other side showed no signs of negligence. They not only prepared the gifts but even sent live geese. With such a proper betrothal, the subsequent marriage proposal should also be well-prepared.
This isn’t about money but about attitude, and showing sincerity. Moreover, the other party didn’t display the slightest sign of impatience; every move and action exuded the poise and meticulousness that only a distinguished family could possess. Just based on this, they could outshine many wealthy and noble families.
After the marriage, with the military strength of the Liang family, it shouldn’t be difficult to secure the interests of this branch in Bing County. When the daughter marries over there, sooner or later, she will give birth to legitimate sons, thereby supporting the main family and providing a foundation. This is the true essence of marriage between aristocratic families, where bloodlines merge, and they rely on each other, becoming a formidable force that even the court cannot easily shake.
He thought that his branch hadn’t produced a top-notch offspring in who knows how many years, so having such a good son-in-law was indeed a fortunate event.
While pondering when the national mourning would end and wondering when the wedding date would be chosen, someone from outside reported that a letter had arrived from You County.
How could there be a letter from You County? Wang Rou was filled with confusion as he took the letter handed to him by a maidservant. However, as soon as he read a few lines, his expression suddenly changed, and he stood up abruptly!
How was this possible?!
After the shock and anger, Wang Rou sternly asked, “Where is the seventh daughter?”
The maidservant was also startled and quickly replied, “She should be in her chamber…”
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Without waiting for her to finish, Wang Rou walked briskly toward the inner courtyard.
The farm was not large to begin with, and as a branch family, they naturally didn’t receive one of the bigger courtyards. The number of servants was also much fewer compared to their situation in Bing County. So when Wang Rou arrived with his entourage, Wang’s Seventh Daughter was quite surprised. She stood up from her embroidery table and asked, “Father, why have you come?”
Seeing the paper and ink on Wang’s Seventh Daughter’s desk, Wang Rou’s face turned grim, and he almost seemed to sweat. He waved his sleeve and dropped a letter at her feet, asking, “Is this the letter you wrote?”
Upon seeing the letter, Seventh Daughter was shocked beyond belief. Wasn’t this the one she had sent to You County? How had it ended up in her father’s hands? However, after the initial shock, the pent-up anguish that had been weighing on her chest for a long time suddenly burst forth. She sobbed and knelt at Wang Rou’s feet, saying, “Father, Seventh Daughter has her heart set on someone. I only ask for your understanding!”
“Understanding?” Looking at his teary-eyed daughter, Wang Rou felt like his head was about to explode. “Do you know that Prefect Liang has already sent a marriage proposal? The betrothal gifts have been exchanged; you are practically part of the Liang family now, and only the formal welcoming is left. And yet, you…you…”
He was so infuriated that he started trembling all over. Wang Rou wished he could kick his seemingly clever daughter to wake her up!
“That Prefect Liang is much older than me, and he’s a widower. Father, why do you want me to marry him? It’s different with Zhang Lang. He’s devoted to me, and he holds a position in You County. If Father grants his favor, he will surely marry me. Father, can’t you be like General Jia and make this match happen?” Seventh Daughter’s tear-stained face showed her determination, even though she was crying. This was her only chance, and now that her father was aware, why not go with the flow…
“Shut up!” Wang Rou roared, “Such debauchery as Jia Wu’s actions tarnishes even one’s ears just by hearing about it! And do you know the status of the Wang family in Taiyuan? How can you compare yourself to the Jia family?”
Advertisement
Jia Chong didn’t come from a prestigious family; he only rose through merit. But for the Wang family of Taiyuan, even a distant branch couldn’t tolerate such absurd behavior!
“Father!” Wang’s Seventh Daughter was completely frightened, her voice choked.
Wang Rou didn’t pay any attention to her and scanned the room with a cold expression. “All the maidservants who serve Seventh Daughter, flog them to death!”
Without these maidservants who indulged in gossip and meddled in others’ affairs, how could an outsider like that man seduce a lady? All these servants attending to Seventh Daughter deserved to be punished!
The trembling maidservants, who were already shivering in fear, immediately began wailing, pleading for mercy in the hope of escaping their fate. But how could Wang Rou spare them? His servants, fierce as wolves, rushed in and dragged them out by force.
Wang Rou turned back to his daughter and said coldly, “Look at the mess you’ve caused. How many more must die because of your foolishness?”
Seventh Daughter was so frightened that her face turned as pale as a sheet of paper, and she kept shaking. After trembling for a while, she managed to ask, “Where is Zhang Lang… why hasn’t Zhang Lang come…”
“That man with the surname Zhang is already dead! How long will you persist in your foolish fantasies?” Wang Rou replied angrily.
Upon hearing this, Seventh Daughter’s body shook violently, as if she couldn’t bear it anymore, and she fainted.
Watching his daughter collapsed on the floor, Wang Rou’s heart felt like ashes. This kind of fool wouldn’t be entering into a marriage at the Liang household; she was practically forging enmity! And why did Wang Pengzu specifically send a letter to him? Even in those plain words, there was a chilling undertone. If this matter reached the ears of Liang Zixi, what would happen? Let alone Liang Zixi, even if his fourth brother found out, he would have a hard time explaining…
Advertisement
After clenching and relaxing his fist for a long time, Wang Rou finally said, “Take care of Seventh Daughter and make sure she doesn’t leave the house again.”
He didn’t call for a physician for his daughter who had fainted, nor did he mention the word “treatment.”
As if he hadn’t seen that delicate figure at all, Wang Rou turned and left the room.
※
By the time Liang Feng was able to go out, the period of national mourning had ended, and the summer harvest was mostly complete. The cicadas sang loudly, and the heat was intense. Like those literati, Liang Feng dressed in old clothes, wearing loose robes and wooden clogs. Even his black hair was simply tied with a cloth. It wasn’t that he suddenly developed a liking for this style; it was just the relentless internal heat and skin irritation that forced him to adopt this appearance.
“Father, are you feeling unwell?”
A gentle voice interrupted Liang Feng’s wandering thoughts. He lowered his head and saw Liang Rong looking at him nervously, as if ready to rush out and call for a doctor at the slightest nod from him.
Liang Feng smiled faintly, “I’m fine. I’m just deep in thought.”
Hearing this, Liang Rong finally breathed a sigh of relief and earnestly advised, “If Father feels unwell at any point, you must inform Rong’er!”
Seeing his son’s worried expression, Liang Feng couldn’t help but smile wryly in his heart. These days, the little guy had indeed been frightened. He hadn’t been able to visit him for several days, and when he finally saw him, Liang Feng looked like a ghost who had just finished fasting. Anyone who saw him couldn’t help but look askance. To put his mind at ease, Liang Rong hadn’t shed many tears, but he had stayed by his side with red eyes, like a little tail that couldn’t be shaken off.
However, such companionship was also a comfort.
Just a few days ago, the person who had been with him all this time silently left the prefectural office.
He had sent away Yiyan. Because of a battle that couldn’t be avoided.
During this summer, the entire Lishi State had suffered a near-total crop failure. The locust plague had completely devastated the already fragile agricultural system of the Xiongnu, forcing their main forces to shift towards Si County.
For Bing County, this was undoubtedly a good thing. It was precisely because of this that Ge Hong had sent a letter, intending to further clear the Xiongnu forces besieging Jinyang City after the period of national mourning.
Advertisement
These besieging enemy forces, whether aimed at Jinyang or Yangyi, were causing a severe headache. As long as the enemy remained stationed, regular farming activities couldn’t proceed. Spring planting had already been missed, and if summer sowing was also delayed, it would be a significant loss.
Moreover, the lack of provisions was increasing the instability of this enemy force. Nobody could fight on an empty stomach, so if there wasn’t enough food, they would resort to raiding the surrounding areas and looting for sustenance. This was disastrous news for Jinyang.
Therefore, when Ge Hong raised this matter, the defenders within Jinyang City highly concurred. Linghu Kuang had preserved a considerable amount of military strength in the previous major battle. With the reinforcement from Shangdang, this plan had a good chance of success.
With these factors considered, sending troops became a natural course of action.
However, in recent days, Liang Feng’s mind kept flashing back to the day when Yiyan had departed. There were no unexpected pleas, no expressions of anger or despair; he simply followed orders as he always did. However, his blue eyes seemed to burn into Liang Feng like a searing brand. Though there were no words, they spoke volumes.
In the end, it was just the difficulty of quitting an addiction. If it were someone else at a different time, Liang Feng might have been more ruthless and straightforward. But now, he couldn’t be so.
Gently adjusting his posture, Liang Feng used his large sleeves to cover his slightly trembling arm. Wasn’t the conversation earlier exactly about his predicament?
“Lord Liang, Chief Scribe Duan and Chief Clerk Cui request an audience,” reported Cang Lan softly from outside the study.
If both of them were coming to see him at the same time, it certainly indicated an important matter. Liang Rong, understanding the situation, withdrew to the inner chamber, and then Liang Feng called the visitors into his study.
Indeed, Duan Qin and Cui Ji both had stern expressions. After paying their respects, Duan Qin handed over a letter and said, “My Lord, a letter has arrived from Yanzhou. It’s about… a funeral.”
Liang Feng’s heart skipped a beat. “Is it about Wang Zhongzheng…”
“No, it’s about Wang Jia’s Seventh Daughter,” Duan Qin replied gravely.
Liang Feng was completely taken aback by this answer. He was momentarily stunned before reaching out to take the letter. The letter was written by Wang Wen himself, and his writing was quite eloquent. He expressed his sadness, explaining that Seventh Daughter had suddenly fallen critically ill a few days ago, and despite all efforts, they couldn’t save her. This newlywed bride was now forever resting in the Wang family.
After lamenting the unfortunate fate of the Seventh Daughter, Wang Wen offered comforting words, attributing this tragedy to fate and advising Liang Feng not to grieve too deeply. He also mentioned that although they had exchanged the betrothal gifts, they hadn’t officially completed the marriage. His words were carefully chosen to ensure Liang Feng didn’t feel any obligation. However, after reading the letter, there was no further mention of the marriage.
“It seems that I won’t be able to shake off my reputation as the ‘marriage curse’,” Liang Feng sighed lightly as he put the letter down.
In such unexpected situations, it was possible to replace a person and arrange a new marriage. However, for some reason, the other party hadn’t mentioned it at all, whether because there were no suitable unmarried women left, or due to genuine concern about the sudden tragedy. It appeared that the marriage with the Taiyuan Wang family was coming to an end.
Duan Qin couldn’t help clenching his teeth. “It’s possible that something fishy is going on in You County…”
“Even if that’s the case, what can we do?” Liang Feng leaned against the table. “At this point, overthinking is pointless. Besides, for the time being, I can’t get married.”
What Sishisan could destroy wasn’t just the surface. Liang Feng even suspected that after heavy metal poisoning and drug-induced addiction, he might not be able to father healthy children. And as for intimate relations, he didn’t even want to think about it in the short term. In this situation, marrying a wife would only complicate matters.
Cui Ji furrowed his brow. “My Lord is still young, and with Jiang Ji’en’s help, you can surely regain your health.”
Liang Feng waved his hand. “Those are minor issues. I’m just wondering how to handle things in Shangdang.”
Without the betrothal on Wang Wen’s side and now bearing a grudge with Wang Jun, it was uncertain whether the Taiyuan Wang family would still be his support.
Duan Qin sighed softly. “It all depends on whether we can lift the siege in Jinyang. And there’s also the arrangement in Luoyang…”
If they managed to repel the Xiongnu forces besieging Jinyang, it would be a significant achievement. Regardless of who would succeed the position of Governor of Bing County, they couldn’t ignore such a distinguished merit. However, to put it bluntly, the ultimate decision would still depend on the intentions of the uncrowned king in Luoyang.
