Chapter 642 Family's Concern

Hongxiu, Lüyi, and Yingge embark on a new chapter in their lives after leaving Chang'an.

Leaving Jiangnan and heading north, in Shule, a border town a thousand miles from Chang'an, it was already snowing.

The twelfth lunar month is already halfway over, and the border town of Shule has been experiencing continuous snowfalls recently. Although it can't be described as a heavy snowfall, it still brings a chill to everyone.

Although the weather wasn't great, thanks to Emperor Wu's policy of encouraging trade in border markets, the border crossings were bustling with people even as the year drew to a close.

Old Luo took off the sheepskin hat from his head, shook off the snow, and quickly put it back on.

After getting off the carriage, Old Luo directed the dozen or so coachmen to stop and spoke with Wang Zhong, the manager who had come to meet them.

"You're finally back. It's been snowing these past few days, and I was worried you might have been delayed on the road. What if you had encountered heavy snow?"

Thankfully, I'm finally back today.

Wearing a sheepskin hat as well, Wang Zhong stepped forward into the cold wind, cupped his hands in greeting to Old Luo, and said this. Before Old Luo could reply, Wang Zhong turned around and shouted loudly to the cart driver and his men who were unloading the goods by dismantling the hemp ropes: "Thank you all for your hard work. Hurry up and stop the work. Hot water and food are prepared in the house. After you have eaten and drunk, we will give you all your rewards!"

The mutton soup had been simmering on the stove for a whole day and night; it was incredibly delicious.

The drivers and their companions, who had been traveling the trade route for nearly a month, quickly responded to Wang Zhong's words and got to work efficiently.

After saying all that, Wang Zhong turned around and gestured for Old Luo to come inside, saying, "Uncle Luo, come in and warm yourself up."

Without a word, Lao Luo replied, "Yes," and followed Wang Zhong's lifted curtain into the shop. He walked through the shop to the inner courtyard, and then further in, he reached the spacious courtyard.

Wang Zhong, who was following behind Lao Luo, called out to the cook in the kitchen from the yard: "Sister Zhang, bring Uncle Luo a bowl of hot soup first."

After a while, the two men who had taken off their sheepskin hats each held a bowl of steaming hot mutton soup and drank it face to face.

After finishing most of a bowl of mutton soup, Old Luo finally felt that he had regained his strength.

"...That car is something the employer left here for us to spend the New Year with. When you distribute the bonuses to everyone later, distribute those things at the same time."

The boss said that those of us who work in our business, while not necessarily becoming extremely wealthy, will never forget our contributions once the boss has made money.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhong quickly straightened up, cupped his hands in the air towards Chang'an City, and solemnly said to Old Luo, "Our master is benevolent and righteous, as we all know."

"Okay, the unloading will be done soon, I'll go assign the tasks right away."

Old Luo nodded, then continued, "The package wrapped in two layers of oilcloth was specially instructed by the owner to be delivered to the recipient within two days."

The landlord meant that the soldiers of the border city were brave men who shed blood for the Tang Dynasty, and they were all heroes.

If it weren't for these heroes, we wouldn't be able to do business in this city, let alone earn any money, and we might even lose our lives.

Therefore, the packages received in Chang'an must be carefully and promptly delivered to the soldiers.

"Hey, Uncle Luo, don't worry, within two days, all the packages will be delivered to the rightful recipients."

After explaining everything that needed to be explained, Old Luo rubbed his hands together, took out a brocade pouch from his chest, and carefully took out a rolled-up letter from the pouch. Old Luo handed the letter to Wang Zhong, leaned close to Wang Zhong, and whispered to him, "The boss said, what should our business do in the border town's trade market? What is the most suitable and best way to do it?"

I've written it all down here for you. Read it by yourself when you're alone, and then burn it.

Wang Zhong nodded, put the paper roll into the purse he had in his chest pocket, bowed to Old Luo, and then got up to go outside to check on the driver and his men unloading the goods.

As Wang Zhong walked out and stood at the shop entrance, the words "Xing's Grocery Store" came into view.

Yes, Lao Luo and Wang Zhong are both under Xing Yu's command. This grocery store was opened by Xing Yu with his men in this city a while ago.

The package packed by Li's mother and Li San Niang was personally delivered by Li Er Xiong to the merchant caravan under Xing Yu's command.

And so, we finally arrived in the border town before the Lunar New Year.

On the third day, the weather was sunny, but it was still windy.

Old Cui, Xingji's assistant, drove the cart, wearing leather gloves, leather boots, and a leather hat, heading towards the military camp on the outskirts of the city.

Two people sat on the shaft of the cart: Old Cui, who was driving, and his youngest son, Cui Silang.

"When you get to the gate, you must show some respect to the soldiers on guard, lest you embarrass Xingji."

Cui Silang pursed his lips and had no choice but to give a perfunctory "hmm" when Old Cui glared at him. Then he said loudly, "Father, we've been back and forth like this seven or eight times already. General Shi is a great hero, and he is strict in his military discipline. How can I not respect those soldiers who fight on the battlefield?"

I joke and chat with the soldiers because I'm popular; they enjoy talking to me. It's not that I'm disgracing Xingji.

Cui Silang's rebuttal angered Old Cui, who immediately grabbed his riding whip and pretended to hit him.

Why would Cui Silang just sit there and take the beating?

Just then, they arrived at the gate of the military camp. Cui Silang jumped off the carriage and stood in front of the camp gate, where the Deer Fortress had been set up. He saluted the soldiers who came forward and then explained his purpose.

Since it was indeed true, as Cui Silang had said, that they had been here many times, after waiting for a while at the gate, a soldier came forward to check them, and then the Deer Village let them pass.

Thus, a quarter of an hour later, Li Dalang, who was helping Medical Supervisor Sun and Nineteen process medicinal materials in the medical account, heard the whistle.

After the medical bills were issued, someone mentioned that a package from Chang'an had arrived, and soldiers who were not on duty and lived in Chang'an could go to the southeast corner to collect the package.

"Come on, eldest brother, Third Sister must have brought us a package."

Nineteen happily pulled Li Dalang toward that direction, and as he jogged, he turned back to Sun, the medical supervisor standing at the entrance of the medical account, and said, "Wait for me, Medical Supervisor Sun, I'll bring your share back with you."

Sure enough, when they arrived at the destination, Old Cui and Cui Silang divided the work: one called out names, and the other carried the packages.

Soon, Li Dalang heard his name called and hurried forward to receive the heavy gift of concern from his family from Old Cui.