Li Xu's troubles only lasted one night. The next day, Qin Shubao, Luo Shixin and others who came to congratulate him discovered the "secret" that there was only one person in Li Langjiang's family.
"It's true, Mr. Pei, since the house has been given away, why bother with a few servants!" Luo Shixin complained softly while waiting for Li Xu to prepare tea in a hurry. These days, the status of domestic slaves is not much higher than that of animals.
, it is a very common behavior among friends and colleagues to give away a few slaves. After complaining about others' stinginess, Luo Shixin naturally had to be relatively generous, "I happen to have a few experienced people at home. If Li Lang doesn't mind, I will let the housekeeper take care of him in the afternoon."
Come here!"
"Presumably because General Li is His Majesty's favorite general, Mr. Pei is afraid that his family members will be clumsy. Even if they are sent here, they may not be easy to use!" Qin Shubao smiled and shook his head, stopping Luo Shixin's reckless behavior. In his opinion,
, The reason why the prefect just gave away an empty house instead of a domestic slave is probably not due to negligence.
General Li Lang was sent to the local area by the imperial court. No one can guarantee whether this person has other tasks besides assisting Zhang Juncheng in suppressing bandits. And if the local government wants to monitor him, the most convenient way is to monitor him under the supervision of his servants or followers.
He placed his cronies in it. Anyway, he came alone, and his family was short of helpers.
The old governor Pei Caozhi did not dare to cause misunderstanding, so in order to avoid suspicion, he had to pretend to be an old fool.
Luo Shixin was only eighteen years old, and he had always regarded Qin Shubao as his brother, and he always followed the other person's lead when doing things. Hearing the hint in Qin Shubao's words, he immediately understood that he was doing a disservice with good intentions, smiled awkwardly, and changed his words: "That's right.
, those clumsy people in my family may not be to General Li's liking. But living alone in such a big house is indeed a bit empty. I heard that there is a family in Mixiang who raised their daughter since she was a child.
Cooking on the stove and making good soup is just to be able to climb the high branches of a wealthy family. Anyway, we have nothing to do today, so you might as well accompany General Li to go out to find one. If the looks are decent, you can also cover up the bed to keep warm.
Quilt or something!”
"You are such a lewd devil. General Li is coming from His Majesty's side. How can you think of a stupid woman like this in our small place? That's you, Luo Shixin, and you won't refuse anyone who comes!" Qin Shubao heard Luo Shixin's dirty words and raised his eyebrows.
He made a kicking stance with his feet and cursed with a smile.
"Because I have no one in my heart, of course I look around. If someone like Brother Shubao hurts me, who would go around messing around with women?" Luo Shixin retorted while avoiding Qin Shubao's big foot.
"You can't wait to lure the fairy from the sky back home. Of course it's impossible for someone to agree with you!" In the blink of an eye, Dugu Lin also joined the "battlefield."
"Yes, my eyes are higher than my head. I was so angry that I sent people all the way from the capital to ask when we would come home to get married!"
A few people chatted, and a relatively sensitive topic was easily bypassed. After a few casual exchanges, they began to help Li Xu with housework.
"Is General Li Lang not married yet?" Qin Shubao walked up to Li Xu, who was squatting by the charcoal basin making tea and entertaining guests, and asked.
"No, Brother Shubao, just call me Zhongjian!" Li Xu filled half a spoonful of salt into the copper kettle that was already making a faint sound, and then replied in a low voice. He had a copper kettle, a porcelain bottle, tea cakes and a silver spoon at hand.
He got up early in the morning and bought it, and it just came in handy at this moment.
What is boiling in the pot is not water, but a kind of life. In the ice and snow outside the Great Wall, there is a copper pot boiling by the stove. It is like suddenly discovering an orchid among the jagged rocks. The impression left on people is definitely not only amazing.
.Reminiscing about the time in Su Chuanbu, except for the part about Tao Kuo taking off her silk, what Xuzi remembers most clearly is Aunt Qing’s every move while making tea. Elegant, natural, and generous, it represents a person’s identity.
A kind of tradition, custom or... Xuzi himself couldn't explain clearly. But he knew that ever since he saw Aunt Qing's skill in making tea, he had a profound understanding of the difference between the Central Plains people and the people outside the Great Wall. He had a deep understanding of this feeling.
He was so infatuated that he couldn't hate the cunning and cold-hearted Aunt Qing at all. Although Aunt Qing was one of the culprits who separated him from Tao Kuo.
"Zhong Jian is actually good at this!" Qin Shubao was obviously a knowledgeable person. Seeing Li Xu's meticulous movements, he exclaimed.
"I learned it by accident. It looked interesting, so I also copied the gourd and the ladle. Not only can I quench my thirst, but I can also relieve my boredom when I am alone." The sound of water in the pot was slightly louder. Li Xu opened the lid of the pot and used another pot.
The silver spoon skimmed off the fine foam on the water. Then, it covered the copper pot again.
"I didn't expect General Li Lang, who ate blood from his sword head, to be an elegant man." Dugu Lin also came over and commented with a smile. "Such an ordinary woman really cannot stand in the eyes of Brother Zhongjian!"
"No, I have been in Liaodong since I was fifteen years old and rarely go home, so..." Li Xu smiled and blushed a little. He was not used to being asked about family affairs.
"It turns out that I am following Huo Qubing's example. No wonder there is no one to warm my bed!" Luo Shixin also came forward and squatted next to Li Xu to watch the fun. At this time, the sound of boiling water in the pot was like falling beads. Li Xu thought about it
Remembering the scene, he opened the lid of the pot again, scooped out two tablespoons of boiling water with a large copper spoon, and poured it into the prepared magnetic bowl. Then, he gently stirred the water with a bamboo tong while stirring.
, while using a silver spoon to scoop out some tea powder as fine as broken rice from another azure porcelain bottle, and slowly put it into the boiling water.
The drunkenness flowed throughout the room, and both Qin Shubao and Dugu Lin closed their mouths, fearing that they would disturb the artistic conception. Luo Shixin, however, could not appreciate the taste at all, widened his eyes, and asked: "Isn't it just a drink?
Why do you need to go to such trouble to make water? When you boil it, the impatient person will die of thirst."
"Shixin, the master personally prepares tea for the guests. This is a gift. If you keep messing around, be careful of being kicked out!" Qin Shubao turned his head and glared at Luo Shixin, scolding him in a low voice.
"Trouble, I would rather drink cold water!" Luo Shixin muttered unwillingly.
"It's okay, I don't have any wine at home, so I have no choice but to treat the guests here." Li Xu was amused by Luo Shixin's naughty appearance and laughed dumbly. He shook his head and explained in a low voice. After a while, the tea was full, and he invited everyone to sit down.
, stood up, took out the white porcelain tea cup, picked up the pot, and poured half a cup in front of everyone.
The host raised a cup to invite the guests, and the guests returned the favor with a smile. If there was another person in the room who did not know the identity of the four people, they would definitely not be able to associate them with the image of the tiger general on the battlefield. Half a cup of tea went down the throat, and the four of them
The relationship between them immediately became closer. Dugu Lin put down the tea cup, thought about it for a moment, and then asked with a smile: "Didn't Brother Zhong Jian bring any servants with him when he took office this time?"
It’s no wonder that Dugu Lin asked this question. Going thousands of miles away to take office alone was indeed not in line with the norms of Sui Dynasty officialdom. Xu Zi had his own difficulties, but it was difficult to tell a few colleagues he had just met. He pondered for a moment and explained with a smile.
: "Hi! It's a coincidence. I was injured while fighting near Luoyang in the fall, so I left the army and returned home to recuperate. After I recovered from the injury, His Majesty happened to drive by my house in his car, so I simply returned south with the imperial team.
I planned to return to Xiongwu Camp to take up my post, but I didn’t find a new entourage. Who knew that on the way, the court suddenly ordered me to serve in Qi County, so I had to rush here."
"Your Majesty also has a firm belief in Zhong Youjia, so he won't give you a chance to take a break from your busy schedule!" Qin Shubao interrupted with a smile. He had heard some rumors about Li Xu. But after a few days of contact, he discovered the facts and rumors.
It doesn't match the number at all. Not only is this person not as arrogant, domineering, vulgar and savage as the rumors say, but he is actually a man of real talent and learning. On the contrary, in the dispute between Li Langjiang and others, who is right and who is wrong?
It’s also clear at a glance.
Qin Shubao has been fighting among the county soldiers for more than 20 years, and his life experience is far beyond the comparison of the few young men in front of him. After careful consideration, he has understood that the emperor ordered Li Xu to come to Qi County to assist Zhang Juncheng, and I am afraid that he wanted him to take advantage of the arrangement.
Make some military exploits and silence some people's mouths. It can be predicted that this person will be promoted to a higher position soon. In this way, the prefect Pei Caozhi was so polite to him, and he gave him both credit and a house.
It's not surprising. Thinking of this, Qin Shubao put down the tea cup and suggested in a low voice: "Logically, we shouldn't interfere in Zhongjian's private affairs. But he is not familiar with the place, and it is true that he can handle all the chores by himself."
I'm too busy. Why not, before everyone disperses and goes home, I will take you to the military camp tomorrow to select a few soldiers. In the name of General Li, stand in front of the team and shout. There must be many people.
I wish I could serve in front of the horse. As for the servants at home..."
"That's not easy to handle. Anyway, we all have nothing to do today, so why not go for a walk in the market together. Spring is about to start, and my family has to hire a few more laborers. I just don't know if there is any leftover goods at Lao Xu's side in the military market.
That guy is always quick!" Luo Shixin finally found a chance to interrupt, and before Qin Shubao could finish speaking, he immediately jumped up and started shouting.
"That's fine. But I don't know what Zhong Jian's intention is?" Qin Shubao nodded and turned his eyes to Xu Zi again.
"I'm willing to listen to Brother Shubao's arrangements!" Li Xu nodded and replied with a smile.
"Then why not go now and buy a few boys, hire a cook, and hire a housekeeper. Brother Zhongjian doesn't have to spend the money. It's all covered by the rest of us. It'll be a gift for you to move into your new home." Luo Shixin
He was the most enthusiastic. Seeing Li Xu agreed, he immediately suggested loudly.
Xuzi now has a small amount of savings, so he naturally refuses to ask his colleagues to pay for slaves. Qin Shubao and others did not agree, and wanted to send this gift anyway. The four of them were polite while riding their horses and talking.
While we were talking, we were already in the downtown area before we knew it.
Due to the war in surrounding counties and counties, many people who were originally well-off had to flee. As the only paradise nearby, the streets of Licheng naturally revealed a kind of morbid prosperity. Asahi clearly saw the people in front of a rice shop.
On the white board, the sky-high price of twenty-five cents per bucket was written on charcoal, and there was an endless stream of people buying rice. (Note 4)
Thinking about the price of rice before leaving the country, the price of rice was clearly six cents per dou. Xuzi was not only secretly dumbfounded. Taking a closer look, the prices of firewood, rice, oil, salt, pots and pans, as long as they were related to life, were the same as those in his memory.
More than twice as much.
The only thing that is cheap in the whole market is people. Qin Shubao found a dentist he knew well and just said he wanted to hire a housekeeper. Countless pairs of eyes were already looking around. (To be continued)
