Chapter 34: Evil hexagram
After sending the martial arts master away, the Li family's house was guarded more strictly. There were many thieves and bandits these days. Not to mention Lijia Village, even the area around Jinling was not peaceful.

After all, there was chaos every year. First, the foreigners invaded, and then the Taiping Rebellion. They were able to rest and recuperate for only a few years. The Ming Palace in Nanjing was destroyed by the Taiping Rebellion, not to mention a village like theirs.

Therefore, in recent years, the landlords in the countryside have also contributed some money to form rural militias for their own safety, so that they can protect themselves from attacks by bandits. The Li family mansion is naturally not short of these things, including foreign guns, firearms, knives, forks, sticks, and everything else.

Li Daoxuan looked at the foreign guns. They were discarded Dingniao guns in the army. They had been equipped in the Qing army before, but were beaten badly by the foreigners. So they discarded the Dingniao guns and replaced them with new ones. But even if they were discarded, they were still treasures for the people. Master Li spent a lot of money to get these Dingniao guns.

Seeing that Li Daoxuan was so interested in playing with guns, Master Li was ready to give him one. But after playing with it for a few times, Li Daoxuan lost interest. After all, he was a man who had seen good things. What was the use of this kind of bird gun? I'm afraid it would be difficult to hit the female thief.

At that time, foreigners used breech-loading rifles, so the Qing army was naturally at the mercy of others. Li Daoxuan wanted to see what the foreigners' guns looked like, so he asked Mr. Li curiously.

Seeing his youngest son showing interest, Master Li's habit of doting on his son came back. He immediately said that he would take him to the new army to have a look when he returned to Nanjing. If he really wanted those foreign guns, he would also be willing to spend time to get a few. As long as his son was happy, Master Li would be happy too.

Li Daoxuan could only be speechless and felt that there was no hope for Master Li's problem.

A day later, Mrs. Li also came back, and just in time the Wang family sent an invitation to everyone to attend Mr. Wang’s 80th birthday.

Being able to live to eighty years old at this age is really a good thing. Mr. Li naturally would not refuse, after all, there are future in-laws to visit this time. These in-laws are the Wang family that Li Daoxuan's elder brother is engaged to.

This Wang family is not the other Wang family, but a branch of the Wang family. After all, the main family is pursuing a career in government, and would not be interested in the Li family, a merchant family. However, the two Wang families are also related by blood, and the branch Wang family has been doing well by relying on the influence of the main family.

Master Li was attracted by this leg, so he was willing to marry the daughter of the Wang family's side branch. By building a relationship, he would be more stable in Jinling in the future. Besides, the daughter-in-law's family is not too strong, which is also a good thing for the eldest son. When he hands over the power of the family in the future, the eldest son will not be suppressed by his wife's family.

Looking at the satisfied Master Li, Li Daoxuan could only sigh. His elder brother was obsessed with marrying that brothel girl, and his relentless attitude would probably not change just because of the engagement.

Thinking of this, Li Daoxuan climbed up from the stove, went back into the house and took out three copper coins.

According to the divination method taught by the old Taoist priest, Li Daoxuan predicted the future marriage of his eldest brother.

"Or jump into the abyss, no blame?" Li Daoxuan looked at the hexagram with a look of surprise.

He thought that his elder brother's marriage would always experience some twists and turns, but he didn't expect it to be a good omen.

The saying "Either leaping into the abyss, there is no harm" means that the dragon may leap into the sky or stay in the abyss. It implies that as long as we make changes according to the current situation, there will be no major disasters.

"So I don't have to worry about my elder brother's marriage. It seems that good fortune will come to those who are destined to be together. Maybe my elder brother has met a noble person and has let go of his worries." Li Daoxuan grabbed the copper coin with satisfaction and became interested in fortune-telling.

Thinking that he would be attending a banquet at Wang's house, he decided to ask for another fortune.

The copper coins are scattered, but they form a trend.

Li Daoxuan looked at the hexagram and a solemn look appeared on his face.

"First Yao: Yang in Yang position, in the right position but not in the middle."

"The Yao Ci: Zhen comes with a snarl, then laughs and speaks in a hoarse voice, auspicious."

"Xiang says: Zhen comes with a roar, which may bring good fortune. The smile and speech are hoarse, there will be rules in the future." "...It is actually the Thunder Hexagram." Li Daoxuan's heart skipped a beat and he had a bad feeling about this hexagram.

The thunder and lightning bring fear and reflection.

This hexagram is an ominous one, but there is hope within it.

The implication is that shocking things will happen, and sudden changes can easily make people panic, so it is said that shocking things will happen.

But the hexagram also shows that as long as you remain calm and face the danger calmly, you can turn danger into fortune.

Li Daoxuan put away the hexagram and put the copper coin into his purse. He thought about the hexagram with a little worry in his heart, and didn't understand why he would encounter danger when attending the 80th birthday party of the old man of the Wang family.

Moreover, the danger is not small. If not handled carefully, it may lead to disaster.

After thinking it over, Li Daoxuan decided to talk to Master Li about this matter. After all, the hexagram showed that it would not be wrong, and something would definitely happen when he went to the Wang family.

Arriving at the central hall, Master Li was leisurely reading a book while being served by a maid, while Madam Li was embroidering flowers, preparing to make a pair of shoes for Li Daoxuan.

The eldest brother and the second sister disappeared, probably because they went out to play. After all, in this era, feudal etiquette is not as strict as before. No matter whether it is a young lady or a rich man, they can go out and hang out. The reason why these people are not seen on the street is because the road is too dirty, there are many thieves, and there are not many interesting things.

So young ladies and gentlemen usually go to the other family to visit and stay as guests. Few people go around by themselves like Li Daoxuan.

Li Daoxuan walked up to Master Li and whispered something in his ear. Master Li didn't care at first, but then he frowned, put down the book, sat up and looked at Li Daoxuan.

"My son, are you serious?"

"Of course it's true." Li Daoxuan said uncertainly. After all, this was his first time fortune-telling, and he didn't have much confidence in whether the fortune-telling was true or false. This thing has too many variables, and different interpretations will lead to different changes.

"But we are just visiting, what could possibly happen?" Mr. Li couldn't figure it out.

"But the hexagram indicates this. If something happens, it won't be good." Li Daoxuan advised. "If we can avoid going, it's best not to go. If something really happens, it will be troublesome."

"San'er, you don't understand." Master Li sighed. "Dad has to go to this party even if he doesn't want to."

"We have some matters in Jinling that we need to ask of Mr. Wang. If we accept the invitation and don't go, the Wang family will definitely bear a grudge against us. The Wang family is quite powerful in Jinling, and we can't afford to offend them."

"..." Li Daoxuan had not thought of this. He just wanted to tell Master Li that the Wang family banquet was a bad omen.

Just like what his cheap father said, he had to go to the Wang family's banquet even if he didn't want to, even if knives rained down from the sky and fire burst out from the ground. The knives had to fall to the ground and the flames had to burn his feet.

Li Daoxuan thought about it and told Master Li his idea. Master Li nodded, which was considered as agreeing with him.

(End of this chapter)