After making up his mind, Mr. Liu took a sip of tea from the tea cup, with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
This Dong Fuyuan is just the shopkeeper of a restaurant. How could he know so much about what happened between the caravans?
Although restaurants, teahouses, inns, and wine shops are relatively well-informed and are the easiest places to get information, the information he knows is a bit too detailed, right?
Liu Mingzhi thought to himself for a moment, becoming increasingly curious.
"Brother Dong."
"Hey, brother, tell me."
Young Master Liu lifted up the teapot with a smile on his face, leaned forward and filled Dong Fuyuan's cup with another cup.
"Brother, I have a rather presumptuous question. I hope you can shed some light on it."
Dong Fuyuan looked at Mr. Liu with a smile on his face, hesitated for a moment and then happily picked up the tea cup on the table.
"Brother, why don't you tell me what the problem is first.
If I know about it, brother, I can certainly explain something to you.
Otherwise, brother, there is nothing I can do."
Dong Fuyuan did not agree to Liu Dashao's request, but gave Liu Dashao an ambiguous answer, leaving enough room for himself.
He has lived for decades, and this is still very clear to him.
It was only the first time that he and Young Master Liu had met. They had talked about so many topics at once, which was already the limit between the two of them.
If there is more, we can no longer continue the in-depth conversation.
Listening to Dong Fuyuan's ambiguous answer, Young Master Liu understood what he was thinking without even thinking.
However, there was no dissatisfaction in his heart.
There are as many words as there are friendships.
Looking at the whole world, no matter where you go, this is the rule.
Only a fool can do things that are superficial and profound.
Mr. Liu gently stroked the tea lid in his hand, smiled and swallowed the tea leaves between his teeth.
"Brother Dong, you don't need to be nervous.
Brother, I mainly want to ask, how do you know so clearly about these things that happen between various caravans?
Although it’s easy to hear all kinds of rumors in restaurants, you shouldn’t hear them in such detail, right?”
Seeing that Mr. Liu just asked a very ordinary question, Dong Fuyuan breathed a sigh of relief.
He was really worried, worried that Young Master Liu would ask some more sensitive questions again.
Dong Fuyuan let out a silent breath and put the teacup on the table.
"So, brother, you want to ask about this."
Liu Mingzhi nodded cheerfully: "Of course, I would like to ask Brother Dong to help me clarify my doubts."
Dong Fuyuan gently stroked the gray beard on his chin, squinted his eyes slightly and was silent for a long time, and sighed with emotion.
"well."
"Brother, the reason why I know so clearly is because a few years ago, I had a small caravan in my hands.
Brother, the situations I told you are all things that I have personally experienced."
Young Master Liu looked stunned, his eyes suddenly filled with surprise.
"What? Those things just now were all your own personal experiences back then, brother?"
Qi Yun, Hu Yanjunyao, Yun Xiaoxi and the other sisters, as well as Song Qing and others, all had a look of surprise in their eyes just like Liu Mingzhi.
Seeing the surprised expressions on Young Master Liu, Qi Yun, Song Qing and others, Dong Fuyuan breathed a sigh of relief and nodded with a wry smile.
"Yes, these are my personal experiences back then."
Liu Mingzhi put down the tea cup in his hand and nodded with a clear expression.
"That's it, that's it.
Brother, what about this Sifang Restaurant?"
"Hahaha, the situation is not up to anyone. Therefore, we can only settle for the next best thing.
Fortunately, the old customers are taking care of me and business is pretty good.
The money earned in a year is not much less than the money earned from traveling around with a caravan.
The most important thing is that it is very stable and there is no fear of life.
Brother, when you rush from Dalong to the Western Region, you should also know what the situation is like on the road.
If you are unlucky and encounter bad weather such as sandstorms.
It's just a little better that the goods are gone, but I'm afraid I might even lose my life if I'm not careful."
Young Master Liu raised his eyebrows slightly and nodded with emotion.
"Brother, you just quit and run a restaurant here. You are so courageous."
Listening to Mr. Liu's compliments, Dong Fuyuan waved his hand indifferently.
"Hey, brother, I'm so impressed, so impressed.
What’s not courageous is just following the trend.”
"Brother Dong, you are so humble."
"By the way, brother, we have talked so much and still don't know what you do for a living?"
"Silk, tea, spices, porcelain...etc., etc., my brother, I have dabbled in them all."
As soon as Young Master Liu finished speaking, Dong Fuyuan's expression changed slightly, and he gave a fist with a look of surprise in his eyes.
"Hey, brother, I was blind, and I didn't realize that I was so strong."
Liu Mingzhi saw this and waved his hand happily.
"Oh, brother is joking, brother is joking.
A caravan of only about a hundred people cannot be said to be powerful.
It’s just a little fight, a little fight, to make you laugh, brother.”
Dong Fuyuan nodded with a smile and looked at Qi Yun vaguely, the three princesses and their sisters, and the cute clothes.
Then, he pretended to casually glance at the clothes of Song Qing, Liu Song, Du Yu and others.
Shu brocade, Yun brocade, Su embroidery, Shu brocade... Su embroidery, Hunan embroidery...
hiss.
Dong Fuyuan took a silent breath and glanced at Mr. Liu who was sipping tea.
"Brother, you are really humble."
"Ah? Ah! Hahaha, a little fight, a little fight."
While Mr. and Mrs. Liu were talking, a loud shout suddenly came.
The younger brother who had greeted Young Master Liu and his group before led seven or eight younger brothers carrying trays to greet them with smiles on their faces.
"Dear guests, the specialty dishes and fine wines you requested are here.
There are also a few hot dishes, which will be brought to you shortly."
"Huh? Dad, why are you still here?"
Dong Fuyuan stood up cheerfully, looked at Young Master Liu and directly raised his hand to pat the shoulder of the younger brother who was in charge.
"Brother, let me introduce to you, this is the dog son Dong Changlin."
"Chang Lin, please give it to your Uncle Liu and all your uncles."
When Dong Changlin heard his father's words, he was stunned for a moment. After he came to his senses, he immediately saluted Mr. Liu and his group with a smile on his face.
"My nephew Dong Changlin, I have met all uncles."
Young Master Liu closed the jade fan in his hand and waved his hand with a faint smile.
"No gifts, no gifts."
Qi Yun, the Queen, Murong Shan and other beauties, as well as Song Qing, Liu Song and others also waved their hands with smiles on their faces.
"Good nephew, no need to be polite."
"No need to be polite."
"No need, no need."
"Thank you uncles."
"Chang Lin, please spread some sad leeks on your uncles."
"yes."
Dong Changlin nodded, immediately turned around and waved to the seven or eight junior brothers behind him.
"Quick, quick, let's serve the wine and the food."
Upon hearing this, the seven or eight junior brothers immediately dispersed towards the table where Young Master Liu and others were sitting, holding trays with food and wine in their hands.
Liu Mingzhi casually put the Wanli Jiangshan jade fan on the table, glanced at Dong Changlin with a faint smile, and cast his eyes on Dong Fuyuan with a strange expression.
"Brother Dong, what is your master?"
Seeing Young Master Liu's somewhat curious and slightly different expression, Dong Fuyuan helplessly glared at Dong Changlin who was standing next to him.
"Brother, I made you laugh.
The dog is otherwise fine, but he just can't sit still.
For this reason, I nag him a lot.
However, he always listens with one ear and speaks with the other.
I obviously promised well, but the next day... just...
Hey, I made you laugh."
Dong Changlin curled his lips in depression when he heard his father's complaining tone.
“Dad, my dear, why don’t I be more diligent?
If I am more diligent, it will be better than me wandering around the streets with nothing to do every day, or going to the land of fireworks and having fun, right?"
When Young Master Liu heard Dong Changlin's rebuttal to his father, he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, hahaha, Brother Dong, what my nephew said makes sense.
It is better to be diligent than to do nothing.
Your son is so sensible, so just have fun secretly."
As Young Master Liu spoke, his eyes turned to Dong Changlin with approval.
"My dear nephew, it's better to be more diligent. It's better to be more diligent!"
"Dad, you heard it, this uncle praised the child."
Dong Fuyuan glared at his son angrily, then looked at Young Master Liu with a wry smile.
"Brother, brother, I didn't say it was bad to be more diligent.
The child is smart, diligent and capable. Brother, I am not happy enough.
The main reason is that this traitor doesn't work hard in a serious way."
"Oh? Where do you start talking about this?"
Dong Fuyuan looked at Young Master Liu's puzzled expression and glared hard at Dong Changlin who looked a little proud next to him.
"Brother, you don't know something. Brother, I am old.
Since then, I have wanted to leave the family business to the dog to take care of it more than once.
However, every time I bring up this topic, this bastard just ignores him and deliberately changes the topic.
He refused to take over a good family business, and insisted on greeting guests as the second brother.
This, this, this, tell me, brother, can I not be angry?"
"Hahaha, brother, if you talk like this, then brother, I have nothing to say."
"Dear guests, please use it with caution."
Young Master Liu lowered his head and glanced at the fine wine and delicacies on the dinner table, and waved to Liu Dong Fuyuan with a smile.
"Brother Dong, the food and wine are already served.
Come, come, let’s have a few drinks together, brothers.”
Upon hearing this, Dong Fuyuan immediately picked up the tobacco bag on the table and waved his hand to Young Master Liu with a smile on his face.
"No, no, I won't disturb you guys from eating."
"Hey, brother, what are you talking about? Why don't you bother me?
We brothers just agreed that after the food and wine are served, we will have three drinks in a row."
Dong Fuyuan put the tobacco bag in his hand away from his waist, leaned forward and picked up the wine bottle on the table, filling a glass of wine for Mr. Liu and himself.
"Brother, just drink three drinks in a row.
Later, brother, I have some things to do later, so it’s really inconvenient for me to drink more.
This glass of wine, brother, I will drink it first as a token of respect.
In the future, when you sell all the goods and come to stay in my store again, I will treat you and we brothers can have a drink together.
Brother, please."
Young Master Liu picked up the wine glass in front of him with a regretful expression and gestured with a faint smile.
"Brother Dong, please."
"Brother, I'll do it first as a courtesy."
"Drink together."
After the glass of wine went down his throat, Dong Fuyuan gently put down the glass in his hand.
"Brother, dear brothers, please use it with caution."
Liu Mingzhi placed the wine glass on the table and nodded with a smile.
"Brother, you are busy first."
Dong Fuyuan hugged his fist cheerfully, turned around and headed straight to the backyard of the restaurant.
"Chang Lin, go quickly and prepare hot dishes for your distinguished guests."
"Hey, here we come."
Qi Yun, Qi Ya, Qing Lian and the other sisters looked at Dong Fuyuan and others walking away, smiled slightly and returned to their original positions and sat down.
After Liu Mingzhi picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of the cold dish, he smiled lightly and waved to Qi Yun, Wenren Yunshu and the other sisters.
"Use your chopsticks."
"Hey, thank you husband."
Dong Fuyuan opened the curtain in front of him and came to the backyard. He quickly grabbed his sleeves and hurriedly wiped the fine sweat that had appeared on his forehead a few times.
"Dad, what's wrong with you?"
Dong Fuyuan seemed to have not heard his son's question. After wiping the sweat on his forehead vigorously, he took a long breath.
"Willow? Willow?"
"Willow? Willow?"
"Impossible, impossible, he is so busy, how could he come to the Western Region?"
"No, no, I have always heard people say that there is a noble concubine in the palace who is the current king of Gumo Kingdom."
"Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Majesty the Imperial Concubine, Your Majesty King Gumo."
"In this case, then he...then he..."
"Dad, are you okay?"
"It's okay, it's okay, maybe I'm overthinking."
"Ah? What are you overthinking?"
"Nothing, nothing."
"Okay, dad, you're fine. Then I'll go to the kitchen to prepare the hot dishes for the guests."
Dong Changlin had just taken a few steps when Dong Fuyuan suddenly stretched out his hand to signal.
"etc."
"Huh? Dad, what's wrong? What else do you have to do?"
"Chang Lin, I want to ask you, the distinguished guest who spoke to me just now, do you think his accent sounds like our Dalong accent?"
"Ah? Accent?"
Dong Fuyuan frowned and glared at his son fiercely.
"Bunny, what are you doing? Answer my question quickly."
"Dad, it's hard to say!"
"You bastard, what do you mean it's hard to explain?"
"Dad, that distinguished guest's accent is a little mixed. It sounds like Jiangnan's accent, but it's too different.
It doesn't sound like he has a Beijing accent.
Sometimes, there are also accents from various prefectures in northern Xinjiang.
Occasionally, there is also a hint of Shu accent."
After hearing his son's previous words, Dong Fuyuan's face became nervous involuntarily.
However, when he heard Dong Changlin's words behind him, his expression suddenly froze.
"What? And the accent of Shu?"
"Yeah, yeah, occasionally there is a hint of Shu accent."
Dong Fuyuan's eyes suddenly became tangled.
"The accent of Shu? The accent of Shu?"
"This? This? This?"
"I haven't heard that the Empress Qiantai is from Shu.
Could it be that I am really overthinking it?"
"Dad, what are you mumbling about?"
Interrupted from his thoughts by his son, Dong Fuyuan waved his hand angrily.
"Nothing, why don't you go and do your work first?"
"Hey, the kid passed by first."
"Sichuan, Shu, am I really overthinking this?
Business people who travel all over the world will inevitably pick up some local accents.
Maybe, I really think too much.
Yes, yes, he is so busy, how could he appear here in the Western Region?
However, whether it is him or not, you still have to be cautious when you should be cautious.
After all, don’t be afraid of ten thousand, just be afraid of what happens.
Just be careful and you won't make a big mistake."
Dong Fuyuan muttered a few times to himself and walked towards his room with a confused expression.
…
The next day.
Outside the gate of Sifang Restaurant.
After Young Master Liu got on his horse, he happily hugged Dong Fuyuan and his son who were standing outside the gate.
"Brother Dong, see you again if we are destined."
"Brother, we'll meet again when we are destined."
"drive!"
"drive!"
Dong Changlin watched the voices of Young Master Liu and his group gradually disappearing, and raised his eyebrows in wonder.
"My dear, there are about a hundred people in the caravan, and there are at least thirty or forty people on their mounts. They are all hard-blooded horses that travel thousands of miles a day and eight hundred miles a night.
Where did this caravan come from to be so luxurious!"
Dong Fuyuan looked at the retreating figures of Young Master Liu and others, and straightened his robes with excitement.
"The countries in the Western Region are about to change."
"Huh? Dad, what did you say?"
Dong Fuyuan ignored his son's inquiry. After tidying up his robes, he knelt down on the ground with a plop and kowtowed several times in the direction in which Young Master Liu and the others were leaving.
"Dong Fuyuan, a grassroots citizen, sends my best wishes to His Majesty the Emperor. Long live, long live."