Chapter 61 Thunder on the Flat Ground
Walking on the streets of Tai'an City, Wu De felt a little dizzy. The streets were full of people, the noisy voices, and the dazzling array of goods. The rows of shops made him feel like he was back in Chang'an West City.
Also a famous city outside the pass, Tai'an City is much more popular than Zhenwu City.
If Zhenwu City gives people a solemn feeling, and makes people feel a sense of iron and blood everywhere,
then staying on the streets of Tai'an City now, Wu De feels that money The flavor is extra strong.
It is hard to imagine that in a city outside the customs, such a rich variety of goods can be seen.
“Boss, I just saw that pepper and other spices are so cheap here that you can’t believe it. If nothing else, we can make a lot of money if we each bring a few dozen kilograms back. !" One of his subordinates said happily.
"With a few dozen kilograms, can you survive Yangguan?" Wu De looked at his men and said calmly.
"As long as you are the leader, you will be able to survive!" said his subordinate.
Wu De said nothing and walked forward.
Many things that are as expensive as gold in Chang'an are as cheap as cabbage here. On the contrary, some needles and threads that are worthless in Chang'an are quite expensive here.
Wu De knew that in the past two years, the imperial court had begun to restrict trade outside the customs. It was no longer possible for many strategically important materials such as salt, iron, tea, tung oil, hemp, etc. to leave the customs freely. Outside the customs, the prices of such materials have skyrocketed in the past two years. The greater the shortage, the easier it is for people to stock up on goods. The more people stock up on goods, the more the prices rise. This is a vicious circle.
Some people lost their families because of these policies of the imperial court, while some made a fortune from it.
No matter how strict the confinement is, it cannot stop those with connections.
These restricted materials will still be shipped out continuously, but the profits earned from the same goods are several times higher than in previous years.
"Four people, four taels of silver a day, and only one breakfast is included. This is much worse than our Chang'an." Four people, living in two rooms, couldn't help but sigh when they got together. "Boss, we can't stay here for a long time. This is not in our itinerary. There is no way to reimburse us when we go back."
"Stay in peace, all the expenses will be on my head!" Wu De said with a smile: "Tai'an is a famous city outside the Pass, and it is also a famous gold-selling cave outside the Pass. Everything is expensive, but it is said to be the safest place outside the Pass. Just don't cause trouble here."
" Does everything count on the head and body? Can we go to the Yingchun Building? I took a quick look when I came here. It’s a brothel. I’ve been here for a few months and it’s almost killing me!”
“Where are you really going? Let’s go.” when you I'm going to be left there as a big teapot!" Wu De smiled and said: "I won't reimburse you for this."
The subordinates screamed, "Then we can just live with it. ?”
"Having seen all kinds of things here is also a kind of qualification. Although it was hard to come out this time, and several brothers even lost their lives because of it, for you, you will have more to rely on for promotion in the future." Wu De stood up and straightened out. He straightened his clothes and said, "You can wander around the city as you like. I have something to do and I'm going out for a while."
Out of the door of the inn, Wu De looked around and strode towards the west of the city.
When he came back, it was already the time when the lanterns were on. When he opened the door of the inn, Wu De was surprised. Three of his men were feasting at the table in the corner of the hall. It was a young man he didn't know who was trying to persuade him diligently.
Seeing Wu De coming in, one of his men stood up, his tongue a little tangled: "Boss, you still have old acquaintances in Tai'an City! This young man is so enthusiastic. He heard that we I'm your subordinate, so you insist on treating us to a drink. The wine in Tai'an City is so good, so good!"
Wu De frowned slightly and held his hands to the young man: "I don't dare to ask, brother. Who is it? Wu asked himself that his memory has always been good, but he doesn’t remember ever meeting Xiongtai!”
The young man returned the greeting with a smile: "Wu Tixing doesn't recognize me. I just met Wu Tixing for the first time today, but Tixing and my master are old acquaintances. My master is grateful for Wu Tixing's kindness. I heard that Wu Tixing, when you came to Tai'an City, you wanted to invite Tixing to get together. Unfortunately, when I came, Tixing was out, and I only met these few brothers. It's better to meet by chance than to invite them, so I invited these few Let's have a drink, brother."
"Who is your master?" Wu De became more and more confused. Where did he come from in Tai'an City?
"Please ask Wu Tixing to come with me and it will become clearer!" The young man said politely, "The Lord's name is taboo, but it is inconvenient to say more here."
I heard that the young man said this Said, Wu De was a little hesitant.
"Wu Tixing, but please don't worry, this is Tai'an City. No one dares to commit crimes here. My master also has status and status in Tai'an City. I just want to thank Wu Tixing for his past kindness." That's all." The young man said.
"Okay, then I'll go with you. I wonder what your name is, brother?" Wu De nodded.
"My name is Luo Ying." Hearing Wu De's agreement, the young man was happy. He turned to look at Wu De's subordinates and said: "These brothers, you can eat and drink whatever you want. Although Just put it in Luo Ying's account."
The policemen who were a little confused from drinking nodded happily. The wine in Tai'an City is not the kind of drinking water outside. Erba Jing's good wine is also extremely expensive. One pound costs as much as two taels of silver. Most people cannot afford to drink it. It is rare for someone to be taken advantage of, so there is no need to be polite. Naturally, they will drink until they are full. As for where Wu De is going, they don't care at all. This is Tai'an City. No one dares to use force or kill people here. This is something everyone knows outside the customs.
As the young man rode his horse along, Wu De became more frightened as he walked, because it was obvious that the place they were going to was no longer a place where ordinary people could live.
There are fewer and fewer people, but the road is getting wider and wider. The houses on both sides are more luxurious than the last, and there are more and more patrolling warriors. Obviously, if you want to see your own people, just like Luo Ying Suofang has status and status in Tai'an City.
"Please!" Standing in front of the gate of a house, Luo Ying bent down to greet him.
Looking at this luxurious mansion that was obviously different from the houses on the left and right, Wu De hesitated. "Who is your master?"
"My master is already waiting for you. You will know it as soon as you see him." Luo Ying said with a smile.
Once you have come, make peace with it. Wu De took a deep breath and followed Luo Ying through the door.
Luo Ying actually led him directly past the first two entrances into the courtyard and directly to the third entrance.
The first entrance is the lobby for entertaining guests, the second entrance is the hall for reading, and the third entrance is the quiet room for tea tasting. You can go directly to the third entrance. The owner here really doesn’t care about Wu. Virtue is an outsider.
At the door of the teahouse, a man was standing at the door. When he saw Wu De, he was Yingying and bowed his head.
"Wu Tixing has traveled thousands of miles from Chang'an, and I have helped you take care of me all the way. Qingyun has no way to repay you. Today I heard that Tixing came to Tai'an City, and I took the liberty to invite you. I hope Tixing will forgive me. !”
It turned out to be Zhang Qingyun.
Wu De was filled with emotion.
Women are really born to take advantage of men like them.
We have only been separated for a few days. The little girl who was cautious and timid all the way is now living in a big house in the city of Tai'an, where the land is extremely valuable, with a lot of servants and girls. The girl who just invited me here Luo Ying, if expected correctly, is at least a Qi-bending practitioner, and is actually his slave.
It’s hard to say, this is all the work of Li Dachui.
Li Dachui said that he had property in Tai'an City, which was not a lie. Looking at this, Li Dachui might have become Zhang Qingyun's guest.
"It turns out to be Miss Qingyun!" She was envious in her heart, but she also breathed a sigh of relief. The previous anxiety disappeared at this moment. "I was just doing my duty all the way. Mr. Zhang is a hero in the world, who can disrespect him?"
"Without Wu Tixing taking care of me all the way, it is a question whether my father and daughter can arrive safely. Little girl I'm not good at drinking, but I have some experience in making tea, so I prepared a pot of good tea for Ti Xing. I also asked Ti Xing not to blame the little girl for treating me poorly!" Zhang Qingyun smiled and bowed to greet him.
The soothing sandalwood scent lingers in the house. On the coffee table, silver charcoal is burning brightly in a small red clay stove. Water vapor is steaming from the pottery pot, and a series of tea sets are listed on it.
At this time, some people like the old-fashioned way of making tea, while others like the simpler method of boiling water. Whether it is boiling or brewing, a whole set of tea art has been developed. Looking at the posture in front of him, Zhang Qing Yun obviously prefers boiling water to brew fried tea, which has just become popular.
Wu De also likes this method of drinking tea, which tastes bitter but tastes sweet after a long time.
Nothing else, it's simple, don't be particular, just have a pot of boiling water, twist a pinch of tea leaves to brew, drink it to turn food into food and quench your thirst.
However, Zhang Qingyun was very particular about making tea. Wu De, who was sitting opposite her, couldn't take his eyes off Zhang Qingyun as he skillfully brewed the tea. Just looking at the outer packaging of the tea leaves, I know this box of tea is definitely worth a lot of money.
Beyond this level, tea is also hard currency.
Looking at the green tea in the teapot pouring out, the small tea cup has just been filled up.
After filling the four small teacups in front of Wu De, Zhang Qingyun put down the teapot and said with a smile:
"Wu Tixing, try my craftsmanship!"
Carefully picked up the small tea cup, tilted his neck and poured the tea into his mouth. However, he did not swallow it immediately, but held it in his mouth for a while. After tasting it for a moment, he swallowed it slowly, and then he drank one cup faster than the other.
“Good tea!” Wu De praised.
Zhang Qingyun smiled, picked up a cup of tea and sipped it, looked at Wu De with a pair of wonderful eyes, and said: "Wu Tixing, I invite you to come here today. Firstly, I want to express my gratitude. Secondly, I also want to seek cooperation with you.”
Wu De looked puzzled: “Miss Qingyun, what do you mean?”
Zhang Qingyun grinned and put down the tea cup, "Now I work for the horse bandit Li Dachui. Under his command, there is an organization responsible for collecting intelligence. I don't know anything else except some statistical analysis and financial accounts. That's all I can do. I'm a newbie here, so I'm all alone. I want to make some achievements to get a foothold. After much thought, I decided that Wu Tixing could help me. Fortunately, I was thinking of Tixing. As for you, you have arrived at Tai'an City."
"I am just a police chief. Miss Qingyun asked me to do this, but she asked the wrong person!" Wu De shook his head.
Zhang Qingyun smiled and said: "Our people are now in the grocery store you went to in Xicheng. If nothing happens, I think I will know Wu Tixing's fate right away. What kind of person is he? Wu Tixing, please stop being so busy and reject people thousands of miles away."
Wu De sat up straight as if there was thunder on the ground.
(End of this chapter)