Baozi hesitated and said, "I think we should go to the elementary school in the district. Is your place a proper place?"
Her words strengthened my resolve. With Li Shishi gone, it would be better to send Cao Chong to Yucai School to hone his skills than to let him spend his days playing video games with Fatty Ying. As for ordinary primary schools, that was out of the question; no one knew better than me where to truly learn.
Xiang Yu put down his chopsticks and said, "I'll go with you to take a look tomorrow."
Liu Bang, seemingly recalling some fond memories, squinted and said, "It wouldn't be bad to be able to be myself again."
Qin Shi Huang sighed, "I'm a little hungry and want to go back." He glanced at Jing Ke, who was grinning foolishly beside him, and added, "It would be even better if you weren't here." It seems the psychological trauma Jing Ke inflicted on him back then was quite significant. There's something I'm hesitant to say: if everyone here were to make a movie and play themselves, Xiang Yu and Liu Bang would be no problem, even Jing Ke has a killer's aura. But probably no director would choose a fat man to play Qin Shi Huang. Of course, before this, I couldn't accept the idea that Qin Shi Huang was fat. This might be related to the descriptions in historical records. Books only describe King Goujian of Yue as having a "bird's beak and a jackal's voice," and Liu Bang as having a "prominent nose and a dragon's face." No book ever describes an emperor as "fat" (paraphrased)—I simply don't believe that among so many emperors in China, not one was fat!
Baozi leaned close to Li Shishi and asked in a very low voice, "Cousin, are there any passionate scenes in this movie you're acting in?"
Li Shishi blushed and said, "I've read the script. It uses long shots and props for transitions."
I honestly hadn't thought of that. These days, commercial films are either big-budget special effects productions or rely on eroticism to attract viewers. If, as Li Shishi said, you were to make a low-budget art film without a famous director, nine times out of ten it would be a flop. Was Jin Shaoyan really driven mad by my brick-throwing?
The next day, around 9 a.m., I had just gotten up when the little guy was already washed, dressed, and playing in front of the TV for half the day. It seems Cao Cao really wanted to raise his child to be a little politician; at least he succeeded in Cao Chong's strict self-discipline. Speaking of which, I also woke up early for a week to compete for group leader. Our homeroom teacher back then, for some reason, particularly liked early risers. He even put up a "honor board" on the back blackboard, where the first three students to arrive each morning could write their names. Group leaders changed monthly, and priority was given to those who arrived early, or they could be re-elected. That week, I woke up like crazy, but later I found that no matter how early I got up, the first two spots were always taken by kids who lived close to the school. Every time I rushed to the classroom door, I found they had almost finished their homework. Finally, one time I saw only one person still halfway there, so I ran and called his name, pretending I had something to say to him. Surprisingly, this kid wasn't stupid. He dashed into the classroom, wrote his name first, and then turned back to me, saying, "Now you can tell me..."
I deliberately put Cao Chong in a group so that he would understand that no matter when or what dynasty it is, one must be prepared for competition and intrigue from a young age. This is better than his third brother being forced to write the Seven Steps Poem by his eldest brother.
Chapter Sixty-Two: A Life-or-Death Lesson
We went outside, and Xiang Yu looked at his Hyundai and then at my minivan. In the end, he couldn't help but walk up to the minivan and affectionately stroke its body, saying, "Let's drive this one. It's time to return the other one."
He took Cao Chong's hand and habitually walked to the right rear door. He chuckled when he saw the lock on the door: "Xiao Qiang, this is high-tech! Here, give me the key."
I said, "Let's go up from that side. If we go in from this side, we'll have to hold on to it. We can put a latch inside when we have time."
Cao Chong stood outside the carriage watching, then suddenly pointed his little finger at the driver's seat and said, "I want to sit in the front."
I said, "The little one can't sit in the front."
Xiang Yu said, "You hold him and sit in the front, I'll drive the car."
Xiang Yu's movements—starting the engine, disengaging the handbrake, shifting gears, and accelerating—were incredibly smooth. This was the first time Cao Chong had ever seen someone start a car, and he leaned over, watching Xiang Yu's actions without blinking. Xiang Yu asked him, "Want to learn?"
Cao Chong glanced at the distance between the seat and the accelerator and said in his childish voice, "My legs aren't long enough." The little guy was exceptionally gifted; he realized so quickly that driving requires the coordination of hands and feet.
Xiang Yu grabbed Cao Chong and lifted him onto his lap, saying, "Now I'll teach you how to drive. My legs are your legs, you just need to step on them; my hands are your hands, you just need to tell me what to do and I'll do it." Cao Chong excitedly replied, "Okay, okay!"
Xiang Yu pulled the handbrake again, turned off the engine, and then demonstrated to Cao Chong from the beginning. When the car had started and traveled less than 3 meters, Cao Chong patted the steering wheel and said, "Okay, okay, I got it." Xiang Yu turned off the car again, and as soon as he pulled the brake, Cao Chong reached out his little hand and turned the steering wheel, pointing to the handbrake and saying, "Put it down."
Xiang Yu chuckled and did as he was told. Cao Chong placed his left foot on Xiang Yu's leg and said, "I've already pressed the clutch. Help me shift into first gear." Xiang Yu smiled and said, "Understood." Cao Chong's little foot touched Xiang Yu's right leg, and the chariot slowly started moving. Cao Chong waved excitedly and shouted. Suddenly, Xiang Yu placed both of his hands on the steering wheel and said, "Little Elephant, now you're in charge of the steering. My life and your father's life are in your hands. Can you guarantee our safety?"
Cao Chong's nose was sweating, but he still stubbornly nodded. Xiang Yu actually let go. I had been smiling and not taking it seriously, but now I was completely stunned and exclaimed, "Brother Yu, haven't you gone too far?"
Xiang Yu shook his head slightly at me and said, "You must trust the little elephant."
And so, under my direction, Cao Chong actually managed to drive the car out of the alley, still gripping the steering wheel. Once on the main road, Cao Chong was even less willing to get off; a child's innate curiosity and desire for control were fully satisfied at the steering wheel. At first, he could adjust the direction reasonably, but later, his playful nature took over, and he simply drove the car in a serpentine pattern on the flat road. I turned pale and my scalp tingled; I asked him to get out of the car several times, but the two of them ignored me. Xiang Yu, on the other hand, simply put his hands behind his head, leisurely letting Cao Chong do as he pleased.
Once they reached an open area, Xiang Yu, at Cao Chong's instruction, shifted the chariot into third gear and sped forward at a constant speed of 65 miles per hour—a speed that would have resulted in a fine in the city.
The thrill of speed had flushed Cao Chong's face, but it had to be said that his steering wheel skills were already quite proficient. Just then, a busy intersection appeared ahead, with traffic police directing traffic from the platform, various vehicles flowing past him in a constant stream. Although they were still some distance away, Xiang Yu didn't slow down at all. I forced a smile and said, "Brother Yu... are you still playing?"
Xiang Yu completely ignored me, leisurely looking at Cao Chong on his lap, showing no intention of interfering.
At this moment, Cao Chong panicked a little. His small hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his eyes wide open, but he couldn't think of any way to take action. Our car overtook many drivers who had already slowed down with crazy and light movements, and launched a suicidal charge towards the center of the intersection.
I felt completely blank, both mentally and physically, like a cardboard doll that could be blown away by the wind. Now I understand completely that whether you're a hero or a traitor, it's already quite difficult to shout something before you die, even if it's just "Hero, spare my life."
At this moment, Cao Chong was much better than me. Just as our car was about to cross the stop line, Cao Chong shouted with a sob in his voice, "Stop!"
Gaa—
The screeching sound of brakes echoed far and wide. The traffic policeman, who had his back to us, turned around in surprise, but not understanding what was going on, he immediately went back to work.
The traffic lights ahead were a blazing red, and the cars flowed smoothly through the road. I slammed my fist on the car window and yelled, "Damn it!" We all knew that if Cao Chong had been two or three seconds later, we would already be engulfed in flames after crashing into one of those cars. Xiang Yu didn't even value his own life, so of course he wouldn't care about the lives of others.
Cao Chong gripped the steering wheel nervously, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. Xiang Yu slowly took control of the steering wheel himself. Cao Chong looked up, his eyes already brimming with tears, and said aggrievedly, "Why didn't you stop sooner?"
Xiang Yu smiled slightly, picked him up and placed him in my arms. After the light turned green, we crossed the intersection and parked the car on the side of the road. Only then did he turn to Cao Chong with ease and say, "We agreed that you would drive the car. I am just a machine in your hands. How can I stop if you don't tell me to?"
Cao Chong wiped away his tears and stared at Xiang Yu again without showing any weakness.
Xiang Yu leaned halfway on the steering wheel and said calmly to Cao Chong, "I'm teaching you to drive so you understand: First, nothing is impossible; those who make excuses are cowards. Second, you must keep your promises. You promised to protect me and your father's safety. You might think I was joking, but as a man, a king's word is law. Finally, never rely on others to get you out of trouble. Do you understand?"
Cao Chong tilted his little head back thoughtfully, and finally nodded vigorously: "I understand, I don't blame you, Uncle Xiang."
Xiang Yu laughed heartily, then noticed my ashen face and asked, "Xiao Qiang, what's wrong?"
I stared at him without saying a word.
Xiang Yu couldn't help but feel uneasy under my gaze, and cautiously patted me, saying, "Hey?"
I rolled down the car window and vomited. It took me ages to pull out a few tissues, wipe my mouth, and say fiercely, "If I ever ride in your car again, I'll be your grandson!"
Xiang Yu and Cao Chong both laughed. I then realized that even if I were their grandson, I'd still be at a disadvantage, because according to the generational ranking, I'd be dozens of generations his great-great-grandson, especially counting from Baozi's lineage. And even little Cao Chong sitting in my lap is actually over a thousand years old this year…
Actually, I understand that Xiang Yu was giving Cao Chong the most important lesson before sending him away—a lesson that was also a life-or-death one.
When we arrived at Yucai, the scene was still bustling with activity. Everywhere we looked, there were scaffolding structures, workers toiling in pits, and the deafening roar of cranes and road rollers made our legs tingle. Although some screenshots suggested a typical construction site, this large-scale collaborative operation was probably unprecedented in civilian life. I estimate that at least a hundred spy satellites from various countries are watching us. They must be utterly baffled as to why the Chinese government would build such a massive military base in a residential area, or wondering why there are no missile launchers or nuclear silos to be seen here.
After getting off the carriage, Cao Chong grabbed my hand and looked around so intently he couldn't take it all in, constantly asking me what this was and what that was. Even Xiang Yu was somewhat stunned by the sight. When he saw the crane effortlessly lifting tons of steel bars more than ten meters into the air, he let out a barely audible sigh. Perhaps he then realized that in this era, "the strength to lift a tripod" was merely the stuff of an ordinary laborer.
I led them to the old building. Although the surrounding buildings were still under construction, these few small structures paled in comparison to the grandeur of the surrounding area. The children had just finished their morning exercises, but they weren't idle; groups of three or five were practicing their splits and boxing around their respective teachers. These teachers were a diverse bunch: there was the Liangshan delegation, mainly composed of martial arts heroes; the Tianlang Martial Arts School interest group, represented by Duan Tianlang and Duan Tianbao; and the women's special training team led by Hu Sanniang and Tong Yuan. Bao Jin, though skilled in martial arts, didn't know how to teach, so he simply practiced silently in the open space, surrounded by a group of children. Xiao Liu and the others seemed to have finished preparing breakfast for the children; they were squatting in a row at the entrance of the canteen, smoking and resting, some even holding a red bean bun…
I asked Cao Chong, "Do you like it here?"