Wang Huixi's words shook Lin Yi's heartstrings. Indeed, this might be the last year Wang Huixi lived. Then he really couldn't let his second grandfather embark on a long journey with him in this year's thirties, risking dangers and
Eat and sleep in the open air.
Lin Yi thought to himself that he should let his second grandfather and father celebrate the New Year happily.
Lin Yi quietly withdrew.
At this moment, the sound of festive firecrackers and people's laughter are heard all over the house.
Lin Yi walked out for a while and happened to meet the childlike Zeng Xiaotong, who was leading a group of children to play with cannons.
The little boy is smart and prudent. And he doesn't have to accompany his wife and children, so he might as well let the little boy go with him.
Lin Yi walked over.
When the children saw Lin Yi coming, they surrounded Lin Yi and asked for lucky money. Lin Yi gave them all the money he had and let them play first.
The children took the silver and left happily.
Lin Yi said to the little boy: "Little boy, I'm afraid you will have to spend this year on the road."
Zeng Xiaotong said: "Prince Lin, what are your instructions?"
Lin Yi said: "It is reported that Linghu Zanghun led his people to the Southern Territory. I am worried that he will be unfavorable to the Marquis and Jin'er. So I am preparing to go to the Southern Territory. You and I will go. This New Year, you and I will spend this New Year on the road."
The little boy smiled and said: "It would be a lot of fun to celebrate the New Year on the road with King Lin. King Lin, it's just you and me, do you need to bring more people?"
Lin Yi said: "You pick eight smart people with good martial arts skills to accompany you. Get ready now. We will set off in a while."
Zeng Xiaotong said: "Yes."
As soon as Zeng Xiaotong turned around, Lin Yi stopped him again and told him not to tell Zeng Tengyun about this.
When everything was ready, Lin Yi and Xiao Tongzi led eight southern border experts out of the small door of the mansion. Lin Yi did this so as not to alarm others. Lin Yi also asked Hua Zizai to tell Zeng Tengyun and the others the whole story after he left.
A few people rode horses for a few miles when they saw a horse blocking the road ahead. The man on the horse was wearing brand new clothes. He looked at Lin Yi running over and whistled loudly.
Surprisingly it was Zeng Tengyun.
When they got closer, Zeng Tengyun looked dissatisfied and said to Lin Yi: "Brother Lin, why didn't you inform me when you went to the southern border? Didn't you promise to drink with me from this year to next? If you leave, who will I find to drink with?"
Lin Yi glanced at the little boy.
It must have been the little boy who told Zeng Tengyun about this.
It turned out that when Zeng Xiaotong went back to clean up in a hurry, he happened to be bumped into by Zeng Tengyun. Zeng Tengyun then asked Zeng Xiaotong the reason. Zeng Xiaotong originally wanted to lie, but Zeng Tengyun slapped him in the face.
Zeng Xiaotong was watched by Zeng Tengyun when he grew up. How could he hide anything from Zeng Tengyun?
Zeng Xiaotong no longer dared to deceive the Lord, so he could only tell the truth.
Then Zeng Tengyun asked Zeng Xiaotong to pretend that nothing had happened and quickly pack up his things. Zeng Tengyun also packed up and came to block the road first.
Lin Yi said: "Brother Zeng, I would not hide it from you if I were normal. Today is the New Year's Eve, and my sisters and children have been looking forward to your return. You go back and celebrate the New Year with your mother. I can handle this little thing."
Zeng Tengyun sighed and said: "Even if I go back now, I have to be kicked out by your two sisters. After the little boy told me, I told her again. Then she urged me to come and help you like a ghost. She also let me go all the way.
Take good care of you. Otherwise, you are not as good as me. You are really closer than your own sister. So, you can only take me in. Otherwise, I will have nowhere to go."
Zeng Tengyun's words really made Lin Yi feel warmer.
Lin Yi said: "Good brother, let's go together!"
Zeng Tengyun said: "This is right!"
Then Lin Yi and Zeng Tengyun galloped forward on their horses, with Little Tongzi and the others following closely behind.
Although Lin Yi was anxious, the southern border was thousands of miles away and could not be reached in just three to five days.
As they ran towards dusk, snowflakes began to drift in the sky. The wind picked up the snowflakes and beat them against them, and the snow fell all over them like broken jade.
Lin Yi took a look at the weather and said to Zeng Tengyun: "It seems that tonight is a snowy night, and we can't continue on our way. We have to find a place to stay, and we have to celebrate the New Year."
Zeng Tengyun smiled and said: "Then tonight you and I will drink from this year to next year."
After walking for more than two miles, the sky became darker and the snow fell more quickly.
At this time, Lin Yi heard the faint sound of firecrackers. As he walked looking for the sound, he saw a few scattered houses on the side of the road. In the front, there was an inn about ten feet away from the road.
There were two children setting off firecrackers in front of the house.
Lin Yi said: "Although it is simple, it is an inn at least. We will rest here tonight."
Several people rode down the official road and headed towards the inn.
When they got close, Lin Yi and others dismounted.
The two children who set off the cannons were one seven or eight years old and the other ten years old. They were not afraid when they saw Lin Yi and the others carrying weapons. They ran over to pay Lin Yi and the others New Year greetings and ask for lucky money.
The little boy gave some copper coins to the two children.
A few people went outside and shook off the snowflakes on their bodies before entering the inn.
This inn is composed of several yellow mud houses. The largest one is used as a dining room. There are five long tables in the house. Horseshoe lanterns are hung on both sides of the wall.
There were no diners in the hall.
In front of the counter, a middle-aged man wearing a sheepskin jacket was doing calculations listlessly with his head down.
When he heard someone coming in, he raised his head.
Unexpectedly, on New Year's Eve, more than ten guests came. And they were all dressed in brocade clothes and weapons. At first glance, they were wealthy gangsters. The shopkeeper hurriedly came over with a smile on his face. He took a rag and diligently wiped it out.
The two tables were wiped down, and the stools were wiped down. Lin Yi and the others were invited to sit down.
Tonight is the New Year's Eve, and everyone is out. For the sake of fun, Lin Yi ordered people to put the two tables together, and then all eleven of them sat together.
The shopkeeper asked: "Gentlemen, what do you want to eat? We have..."
Zeng Tengyun interrupted him and said: "Don't tell me the name of the dish. There is nothing special about your small shop. Just bring us the best food and wine in your shop. Then stew a pot of mutton. Today is the New Year."
Thirty, I will give you double the money. By the way, you will also cook two hot pots for us. We will stay here tonight."
When the shopkeeper heard that he had doubled the money, he immediately became happy. He hurriedly said: "I will go and prepare the best food and wine."
At this time, Lin Yi also untied the scarf around his neck.
When the shopkeeper saw Lin Yi's true appearance, his heart suddenly clicked.
The shopkeeper tried his best to conceal his inner fluctuations. As he walked towards the back room, he shouted: "Brother-in-law, sister, come on, there are guests. You hurry up and cook..."
Then the shopkeeper returned to the back room, where a woman was putting up window grilles.
She is the shopkeeper's wife.
The shopkeeper lowered his voice and said, "My dear mother, where is that portrait?"
The woman pointed to the wall and said, "I'm pressed under that red box."
The shopkeeper quickly pulled out a portrait from the bottom of the box and unfolded it.
The one painted on the portrait is Lin Yi.
The shopkeeper looked at the portrait carefully, and his hands began to tremble.
He said to the woman in a trembling voice: "Mother, the person in the portrait is here."