Hoisting the Flag

On the cliff in the back of the Academy's mountain.

The Headmaster of the Academy in black overclothes sat by the edge of the cliff and looked in the direction of Chang'an from a distance. The snow looked like salt flowers spread by Haotian.

"Fifteen years ago, I was sitting here and watching the woodshed in the Official of Counsel's Mansion."

"I watched him as he walked out of the woodshed, palefaced and holding a chopper. I watched him hiding in the well grasping a rope. I watched him climbing over the wall and walking into the crowd. I watched him leaving Chang'an. He reminded me of your Youngest Uncle from a long time ago."

The Eldest Brother stood beside him and asked, "What did my Younger Brother and Youngest Uncle have in common?"

The Headmaster shook his head and said, "I could not tell. Maybe they were both eager for freedom."