Colorful years

And so, Congcong happily spent the entire two-month summer vacation with his father.

These two months were quite different from the past, because they spent them in the deep, quiet, and secluded mountains and forests.

During the day, when the scorching sun shines on the mountains and forests, and the cicadas chirp like waves, Congcong will humbly learn from his father how to dig up gourds.

At first, he struggled to get the hang of it, either breaking the gourd or creating a rough, uneven surface that lacked aesthetic appeal. But after several days of persistent effort, Congcong finally mastered this unique craft with ease.

Every time he successfully dug out a perfectly intact gourd, he felt a great sense of accomplishment.

As night falls, accompanied by the natural symphony of the stone frogs' cheerful croaking, Congcong will snuggle up to his father and listen intently to the captivating stories.

This time, he finally had a rare opportunity to sit down and listen attentively as his father systematically recounted various historical stories to him. Moreover, his father seemed to have an endless supply of stories to tell, and he told them far more vividly and excitingly than his grandfather.

In just two short months, Congcong seemed to have read through three thick historical novels. From *Investiture of the Gods*, he learned about the love-hate entanglement between the tyrannical King Zhou and the seductive Daji, and the thrilling power struggles between the resourceful Jiang Ziya and the treacherous Shen Gongbao.

They also witnessed the heroic spirit of Huang Feihu, who bravely and resolutely rebelled against the five passes, as well as Nezha's heroic deeds of causing havoc in the Dragon Palace on the shore of the East Sea. Furthermore, they saw the extraordinary supernatural powers of a group of celestial beings, such as Yuanshi Tianzun and Taiyi Zhenren.

In the epic and magnificent novel *Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties*, he seemed to travel through time and personally experience the astonishing talent and ambition of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. This emperor of all ages, with his extraordinary wisdom and decisive decisions, ushered in the glorious chapter of the Tang Dynasty's golden age.

Xu Maogong, with his resourcefulness and decisiveness, navigated the ever-changing political arena with ease, repeatedly offering advice and solutions to the country and resolving numerous crises.

Although Cheng Yaojin may seem reckless, he is actually very loyal and devoted to his friends. His deep affection for them is truly touching.

Yuchi Jingde, on the other hand, was as hard as steel. His integrity and loyalty were admirable. He never backed down, no matter how powerful the enemy or how difficult the obstacles, and always adhered to his beliefs.

In addition, there was Xue Rengui, the wise minister who appeared in a dream. His appearance was like a bright star illuminating the entire sky of the Sui and Tang dynasties. He was not only highly skilled in martial arts but also exceptionally intelligent. He repeatedly made great achievements on the battlefield and became a legendary hero in people's hearts.

The young hero Xue Dingshan is equally remarkable. He is young and promising, full of vigor, and with fearless courage and tenacious fighting spirit, he is writing his own magnificent life story.

This historical scroll depicting the rise and fall of the Sui and Tang dynasties unfolds slowly, with each character and story so vivid and lifelike that he is completely immersed in it.

When he entered the world of "Water Margin," he was captivated by the vivid and diverse heroic figures. The origin of Chao Gai's gathering of heroes is full of passion and heroism. Dissatisfied with the darkness and injustice of the society at that time, they resolutely stood up, gathered together, and resisted tyranny.

Song Jiang was forced to join the Liangshan outlaws out of desperation. Originally, he wholeheartedly wanted to serve his country and people, but he was framed by treacherous officials and had no choice but to join the bandits. However, even in the Jianghu, he still had the world in his heart and demonstrated extraordinary leadership skills.

Lin Chong was originally the instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards, but he fell into trouble because Gao Qiu's son, Gao Yanei, harassed his wife, ultimately leading to the destruction of his family and his own death. His fate reflects both the darkness and cruelty of feudal society and his own foolishness and tragedy.

Wu Song is deeply loved for his brave and unrestrained image. His fight with the tiger on Jingyang Ridge fully demonstrates his heroic spirit, and his killing of Ximen Qing is to avenge his brother, which is very satisfying.

Lu Zhishen's chivalrous spirit is truly admirable. He intervened to help those in need, killed Zhen Guanxi with three punches, and rescued Jin Cuilian and her father from dire straits.

Although these heroes came from different backgrounds and had different experiences, they all had a heart of justice, dared to fight against evil forces, and interpreted the true meaning of loyalty and righteousness through their actions.

It is because of such heroes among ordinary people that the wheels of history have been able to roll forward and continue to write new chapters.

Summer vacation ended happily, accompanied by gourds and stories!

When Congcong emerged from that mysterious deep forest and the frightening Black Dragon Valley, he had transformed into a truly handsome young man, officially embarking on his youthful journey to pursue his dreams.