Zhao Shu carefully stuffed an ocher square brick into the wooden box, and poured the remaining scraps from the cloth into the bamboo tube with stone firelight nearby, and then tamped it down with a medicinal pestle.
"This is the last batch." Zhao Shu looked at the several wooden boxes in front of him. Boss Wu's cart of dragon blood fat was mixed into spices by Zhao Shu, and it was finally processed today.
"This box is for Mr. Wang." Zhao Shu handed the wooden box to the clerk in front of him: "Mr. Wang has been very busy recently, and I saw that his face is not looking good. This box of Qingyunlong cigarettes is specially prepared by me.
Come out. Please tell him on my behalf that when he is at his desk every day to deal with official documents, he should take two spoons of spices and put them into the furnace to infuse them, which can soothe the liver and activate blood circulation."
"I will definitely tell Mr. Wang." The clerk lowered his head and said, "In addition, Mr. Fang has another copy, which I will also send to you."
"I will personally deliver Mr. Fang's share." Zhao Shu said, "After all, our Huaiying Pavilion borrowed his property to settle down, so we should also pay a visit to the landlord. Just ask someone to show me the way."
Shi Huoguang came over holding two bamboo tubes: "Zhao Shu, there are excess spices in here, what do you want to do with them?"
"Leave one for Luo Xixian." Zhao Shu sighed: "He is leading his troops to leave Yanze City. I will give it to him when he comes back. You can take the other one."
"Ah?" Shi Huoguang was stunned.
Zhao Shu said: "You also put in a lot of effort in handling this batch of dragon blood fat. You took care of the fire for me for several nights. This is what you deserve."
Shi Huoguang lowered his head and murmured. Zhao Shu picked up the wooden box and said, "Just accept it. Don't give it away just because others ask for it."
Zhao Shu knew very well that Shi Huoguang had a cowardly temperament. He was in charge of teaching at the Baiqi Academy, and some young students in the academy had tried every means to ask him for heavenly materials, earthly treasures, and talismans. They were even repeatedly reprimanded by Zhang Duanjing for this.
Zhao Shui had been taught by Shi Huoguang attentively in enlightening magic objects and refining magic weapons. The two were both teachers and friends, and he could not stand the ridicule and bullying of Shi Huoguang.
Holding the wooden box in hand, he left the courtyard and was led by the government servants down to another residence of Mr. Fang. After being informed, he went straight into the hall and Mr. Fang came to greet him in person.
Mr. Fang is tall, but his clothes are simple and thick. When he cupped his hands and cupped his fists, you could see that he had two broken fingers on his left hand.
"The presence of the Reverend Zhao Xian in person really makes this humble abode shine brightly." Mr. Fang bowed and bowed.
"Master Fang is too polite." Zhao Shu said, "I was the one who was waiting for you to bother you, so I shamelessly came to your door today to express my gratitude."
Zhao Shu handed the wooden box containing the incense of Qingyun Dragon to the servants of the Fang family, and took out the brocade bag from his arms: "Here is a charm to stabilize the house, which can prevent spirits and monsters from causing trouble. Please accept it, Mr. Fang."
.”
Mr. Fang repeatedly declined: "Zhao Xianzhang doesn't have to be like this, it doesn't have to be like this! It's really embarrassing for me to say so."
Zhao Shu asked: "Is it possible that this spell is not sincere enough?"
"What the hell!" Mr. Fang said quickly, "I'm just a lowly citizen, I'm afraid I'll pollute the immortal family's spiritual talisman."
"If it is true as Mr. Fang said, if there is an immortal magic talisman to protect the house, there is no need to worry about being polluted." Zhao Shui straightened his face and pretended to be angry: "Could it be that Mr. Fang looks down on Zhao?"
Mr. Fang waved his hand quickly: "Oh! Look at my bad mouth! I will accept it, accept it."
The two of them pushed and sent each other, and Mr. Fang asked Zhao Shu to take a seat and let his servants serve cakes and tea.
"Zhao Xianchang came to the door in person. Could it be that there is something else important?" Master Fang asked.
Zhao Shu held the tea cup in his hand and raised his eyebrows when he heard this: "Why does Mr. Fang think I have something else?"
Mr. Fang's face remained as usual: "This... now that the story about Zhao Xianchang has spread throughout Yanze City, who doesn't know the heroic deeds of the Xianchang who opened the altar to kill the fox demon? General Wei and Wang Juncheng both regarded the Xianchang as their honored guests. I want to
It's not possible to visit yet. If the Immortal is condescending to visit you, there must be something big and important."
Zhao Shu smiled and shook his head: "It's really embarrassing. Mr. Fang, don't call me Immortal Chief anymore, just call me Zhao Fulian. In fact, in addition to expressing my gratitude this time, I also want to ask Mr. Fang about something.
.”
"But it doesn't matter." Mr. Fang said.
"I heard that the house where everyone in Huaiying Hall is currently housed is your property, Mr. Fang." Zhao Shu asked: "I found that the foundation and walls of that house don't look like they were built in recent years. I wonder what kind of building it was before?"
"Well, when I was building a house in that place, I only found a sacred plaque with the word 'Weiling Iron Lord' written on it. Maybe it was originally a shrine. But the people had already demolished the house, and there was nothing left.
At that time, I saw that the wall roots were still there, so I built the house for convenience." Mr. Fang rolled his eyes: "To be honest with Zhao Fu, I was not born and raised in Xingluo County, and I really can't tell you anything about the local culture.
clear."
Zhao Shu thought and said: "I have heard that Mr. Fang was also a general who made meritorious service to the country back then. Xingluo County was in dire straits after the Five Kingdoms War, so Mr. Fang settled here."
Mr. Fang felt ashamed and said with a smile: "These things cannot be taken seriously. They are just lying on their merits and sleeping on them."
"You can't say that." Zhao Shu said bluntly: "We worked with the county government to ask the wealthy gentry in the city to pay for spices. To be honest, this is to ask you to collect extra money and food for the suppression of bandits. I can't tell others.
Mr. Zhao’s generosity is really admirable.”
The main buyer of this batch of Qingyunlong smoke incense made from dragon blood fat is Mr. Fang. Even if ordinary wealthy gentry landowners like incense, they don't need to buy so much in one go. What's more, Xingluo County is currently in the midst of a war.
Precious spices are no better than gold and silver, and may not be resold in a short period of time.
"It's also for the sake of peace." Mr. Fang said with a smile: "What's more, this batch of spices was prepared by Zhao Fuli. In the future, after the bandits in Xingluo County are calmed down, Zhao Fuli will become famous. This batch of spices in my hand, said
Maybe the value will double!”
"Then I will accept Master Fang's auspicious words." Zhao Shu paused for a moment and said carefully: "Also, I have one more thing to ask."
"Official Zhao Fu said straight away, I know everything I know, and I can tell you everything I know."
"The former county governor was assassinated by bandits." Zhao Shui's eyes flashed: "I heard that the occasion was the banquet for the former county governor to marry his wife. Does Mr. Fang know anything?"
Mr. Fang's face stiffened, and then he sighed: "Oh, this is unfortunate. I was also at the banquet at that time, and the thieves assassinated the county governor. In a hurry, I had to hide under the table. I was so scared that I didn't know anything else."
Zhao Shu nodded: "Oh...I was rash."
…
After bidding farewell to Mr. Fang, Zhao Shui returned to Tiegong Temple and took out the talisman that recorded the true form of the mountain god. While he was meditating, he saw Mr. Wu coming.
"Li Zhao Fu, I'm here to say goodbye," Boss Wu said.
"Oh?" Zhao Shu asked, "Have you received the money from the county government?"
Mr. Wu's face looked a little happy: "I just came back from the county government office. I have finished counting the money and signed for it."
Zhao Shu understood Boss Wu's joy. After all, for a smuggling businessman like him, it would be a good thing if the goods were not seized, and he could still get money after purchasing them from the government, which was quite lucky.
"Is the money sufficient?" Zhao Shu asked.
"Exactly." Boss Wu took out a bulging cloth bag from his arms: "This is a little respect from the common people. Please accept it, Zhao Fu."
Zhao Shu waved his hand and refused: "Forget it, I just dragged you into the water, so I won't take it."
Boss Wu stepped forward and stuffed the cloth bag into Zhao Shu's arms very quickly. Even Zhao Shu was not prepared for this, which made him secretly surprised.
"Zhao Fuli!" Boss Wu took two steps back and bowed deeply. He raised his head again, with an expression a little excited, like a soldier seeing a general: "If it weren't for Zhao Fuli, I am afraid that the common people would have died in Xingluo County. If it were not for Zhao Fuli, I would have died long ago."
Without Zhao Fu's advice to the county government, I'm afraid I would still be empty-handed. I am not the kind of person who is ungrateful. I will keep Zhao Fu's kindness in my heart for the rest of my life!"
Such a call left Zhao Shu speechless. He didn't feel that he really had many good intentions. At first, he used coercion to force Boss Wu to cooperate with his plan.
Zhao Shu looked away: "Then you plan to leave Yanze City now?"
"Yes." Mr. Wu said: "Now that the imperial army has arrived, the common people have also obtained the county gates. The road to the south is smooth and safe, and there is no need to worry about bandits anymore."
Zhao Shu nodded and said: "Okay, then I would like to advise you one more thing, don't do this business in the future."
"Yes." Boss Wu lowered his head and handed over his hands.
"After you get the money, settle down and live a new life again to avoid other troubles." Zhao Shu said: "Also, don't deal with the people in Chiyundu anymore. They are well-informed. I'm afraid they will retaliate afterwards."
Boss Wu was silent for a long time. When Zhao Shu saw this, he asked: "What? Is there anything else?"
"Zhao Fuli, I dare not say this in front of others, but I still have to tell you." Boss Wu said with a solemn expression: "Chiyundu are not all thieves and robbers who rob homes and homes. You may not be happy to hear this.
But Chi Yundu did help a lot of people back then, and many desperate veterans and refugees would seek refuge with them."
Zhao Shu glanced at Boss Wu expressionlessly: "Do you think Chiyun is seeking justice for the bandits in Xingluo County?"
Boss Wu lowered his head: "I'm not sure, but who would take the risk of becoming a thief unless they were forced into a desperate situation?"
Zhao Miao did not answer. He had already learned from Wang Juncheng that after taking office, the previous county magistrate went on a large-scale plundering and ordered the mines in Xingluo County to hand over gold, silver, pearls and jade in order to bribe the nobles in the court.
You can imagine how many bones were buried in those dark and hot mines, and how many blood and tears filled the cups of nobles.
"Don't get involved in these things." Zhao Shu said, "You can leave. I won't send you far."
Boss Wu bowed to Zhao Miao again, turned around and left.
Putting aside the unnecessary distractions in his mind, Zhao Shu walked through the courtyard and found Xin Shunying: "Sister Xin, has there been any evil spirit emerging in the city these past two days?"
Xin Shunying shook her head and said: "No. Brother Zhao doesn't have to come here every day. If I notice the presence of evil spirits, I will naturally tell you."
"I just hope there will be less trouble when suppressing the bandits." Zhao Shu paused and said, "Is it because I have repeatedly bothered you and made Senior Xin unhappy?"
"You just understand?" Xin Shunying put her chin on her hand and said with a smile: "If I had known this, I shouldn't have come to Xingluo County with you."
Zhao Shu did not expect that the other party would admit it so happily. Xin Shunying continued: "The fighting spirit in Xingluo County cannot be said to be strong and blazing. In the final analysis, this bandit suppression is a battle between nobles in the court." Junior Brother Zhao and General Wei
When people come and go frequently, don't tell me you don't understand these things."
"In my opinion, the first priority is to put down the banditry, and the second is to eliminate evil spirits." Zhao Shu said: "As for what the big shots think, I can't care."
"Brother Zhao, don't you think your behavior is a little excessive?" Xin Shun's English became more serious: "I originally thought that with your wisdom, you should be able to understand this simple truth about how to behave in the world."
Zhao Shu raised his eyes and asked, "What does Senior Sister Xin want to say?"
"You are too high-profile." Xin Shunying smiled unapproachably: "Nowadays, the story of your opening a altar to slay demons is spread everywhere in Yanze City. The soldiers got your spell and claimed to be invulnerable."
"It's just a golden armor talisman. Others don't understand it. How can you still not understand it, Senior Sister Xin?" Zhao Shu explained: "What's more, once the talisman is activated, it can last for two hours at most. It has to be re-sacrified afterwards, which is extremely troublesome.
.”
Xin Shunying said seriously: "The problem lies in the fact that 'other people don't understand'! When you talk about exorcising fox demons, others naturally say that you are the one who exterminated the demons. You cast spells on the soldiers, and you were appreciated by General Wei. You are in the limelight."
It might even overtake Chongxuan Pavilion, what do you think other pavilions will think of you? What will Mr. Luo think in his heart?"
Zhao Miao retorted: "I didn't mean to show off. If it weren't for helping Luo Xixian, I wouldn't have come to Xingluo County with him from the beginning."
"Are you really here to help Mr. Luo?"
"Is not it?"
Xin Shunying shook her head gently: "In my opinion, Junior Brother Zhao is doing things out of his own heart. In fact, you don't care about Young Master Luo at all."
"I've done a good job, doesn't all the credit go to him?" Zhao Shu asked.
Xin Shunying asked back: "Is it really true? Brother Zhao, think about it more carefully?"
Zhao Shu was speechless, and Xin Shunying added: "Junior Zhao is to Master Luo just as Huaiying Guan is to Chongxuan Guan. Master Luo is still friends with Junior Brother Zhao, but Chongxuan Guan regards us as offensive people."
of."
"I know." Zhao Shu said no more.
"That being the case, I won't say much more." Xin Shunying bowed with her hands folded and left.
Zhao Shu stood there, feeling confused for a moment.
"You used to see life and death, but you may not really understand the turbidity of the world." Lingxiao's voice echoed in his mind: "On the battlefield, you are fighting to the death, but sometimes it is pure. It's just the hypocrisy and pretentiousness of this kind of people that can do this.
It makes the Taoist heart become dusty."
Zhao Shu asked: "Then what can you do?"
"There is no way." Lingxiao said bluntly: "People's hearts are different. It doesn't depend on the power of refining qi to preserve the spirit. It depends on how you make decisions about your life. I can't make suggestions for you, you can make your own decisions."
Zhao Shu was still deep in thought when he heard footsteps approaching hurriedly, shouting at the same time: "Official Zhao Fu, where is Official Zhao Fu?!"
"I'm here, what happened?" Now that Luo Xixian has left, Zhao Shui is in charge of the Huaiying Pavilion for the time being.
A messenger under General Wei said: "I just received an urgent report that the troops led by Mr. Luo were besieged by most of the bandits. The general asked Zhao Fu to come over to discuss military affairs!"