Chapter 923 A Cleverly Sent Letter Home
Ouyang Rong was quite familiar with Taoyuan Town.
When he first arrived, he wandered around for a long time in search of Lu Changgeng's grave.
He had his eye on this religious hall since then.
Taoyuan Town was isolated from the outside world, and these post offices were among the few places where letters could be sent out.
It seems to have been opened by one of the nine families in the town.
However, given Yunmeng Jianze's control over Taoyuan Town, letters sent from the post office will definitely be inspected.
But something is better than nothing.
Although Ouyang Rong had taken care of all the affairs of the governor's mansion and the main hall of Jiangzhou before leaving Xunyang, Yan Liulang and Pei Shisan Niang also helped him manage Jiangzhou, one inside and one outside.
Ouyang Rong could continue his sick leave and recuperate, thus maintaining the illusion that he was still living in seclusion in the governor's mansion or Donglin Temple for a long time.
But just in case, Ouyang Rong still had to inform Yan Liulang.
So that Liu Lang can find him in times of crisis.
In addition, it was also to prevent any emergency from Luoyang from reaching my mentor, junior sister, or Li Xian's family.
Li Dalang and Yan Liulang had swallowed the red and black talismans, so they could summon the gods in times of crisis.
However, after arriving at Jianze, Ouyang Rong was unable to gather the three thousand merits required for a divine decree in a short period of time.
Not to mention that he also needs to accumulate an extra "three thousand merits" to invite Cui Hao back.
Even the landlords didn't have any surplus grain.
To be on the safe side, it would be best to establish contact with Liu Lang first. This method of communication is less costly than invoking a deity.
To be honest, he has been buried in Yunmeng Sword Marsh for so long that he knows nothing about the outside world, whether it is the situation in Jiangzhou, the situation in the southwest, or the situation in Luoyang.
The information channels are too blocked.
In addition, Ouyang Rong has been thinking a lot lately, estimating that he might need to use his high position as governor to mobilize some political resources later on.
This requires the cover and help of Yan Liulang and the Jiangzhou main hall.
So be it, I'm just a power-hungry official. I don't care if Lady Zhi Shuang and the others call me a corrupt official. After being the dull and unassuming cook Liu A Liang for so long, it's quite enjoyable to occasionally play the role of "Loyal Minister Ouyang Lianghan of the Great Zhou Dynasty"...
Ouyang Rong arrived at the street outside the Xinfang Hall.
He stood on the street corner and looked around for a while, and found that there were few people coming and going from the entrance of the letter shop, and they were all travelers from the martial arts world.
It looks exactly like a fishing spot.
In this Peach Blossom Town, only outsiders would send letters out, and letters from suspicious individuals would certainly be monitored.
"Brother Hong, why are you being so hesitant? We agreed to come out together to search for immortals and treasures. The boat has already been rented, and we're about to leave. Why are you doing this unnecessary thing?"
“We left home without permission and ran here. Our families must be worried. I was afraid that our whereabouts would be exposed on the way, and that your mother or my father would send people after us. Now we are about to take a boat into Yunmeng Marsh. This town should be the last place with people. I should send a letter to our families to let them know we are safe. Even if they track us down now, it will be too late…”
"Alright, but don't mention me. You're a coward, go and let them know you're safe..."
"Uh-huh."
Hearing a conversation coming from his side and behind him, Ouyang Rong silently turned his head to look.
Next to him was an open-air tavern, and at a table in the corner closest to him, two young men were whispering to each other.
One of the young men, with sunken cheeks and a body as thin as a monkey, drank with an impatient expression.
Another young man, somewhat overweight, spoke calmly and slowly, offering advice to the former.
Both of them were dressed in silk clothing, and their accents did not sound like those of locals.
Sensing Ouyang Rong's gaze, the chubby young man glanced at him, took out a few pieces of silver, placed them on the table, and called out:
"Waiter, check please."
After saying that, he got up and left.
The skinny young man glanced at Ouyang Rong's "fierce" face not far away, his eyes filled with wariness. He and his companion quickly walked away from the tavern and him.
Ouyang Rong remained silent, his eyes fixed on the empty seat, and walked forward into the tavern.
He sat down in the empty seats left by the two young men and said coldly to the waiter who was bending over to clean the tables and chairs:
"A pot of wine to intoxicate the spring south."
"Alright, sir."
The waiter responded enthusiastically and went to fetch the wine as if he knew exactly what to do.
Ouyang Rong glanced at the Xinfang Hall in the distance.
The two young men disappeared through the doorway, seemingly heading home to mail a letter.
His eyes seemed thoughtful.
Soon, a pot of wine was brought over by the waiter.
Ouyang Rong withdrew his gaze, silently poured himself a drink, and drank several bowls in succession.
During this time, a little ink spirit protested and made a fuss in his sleeve.
Ouyang Rong dipped his fingers in the wine and slipped them into his sleeve.
The little ink spirit in the sleeve quieted down for a moment.
In the next instant, Ouyang Rong pulled out his finger and retracted it in time, almost having it bitten off by a copper tooth and iron tooth hidden in his sleeve.
Ouyang Rong shook the wine pot; there was still some wine left, so he poured it all out into a bamboo tube he carried with him.
After doing all that, pay the bill and leave.
Instead of going to the Xinfang Church, they headed in the opposite direction and left the street.
Ouyang Rong seemed to be returning the way he came, heading towards the ferry crossing in Taoyuan Town.
As night deepened, fewer people appeared on the streets, but the shops were busier, marking the end of the dinner rush.
"I've had the worst luck following you, you only know how to eat all by yourself. You finally come down the mountain, and you have time to come and drink, but no time to find me any ink sticks to eat. Just like Xiao Taozi, you're both big pig trotters..."
As they passed through a secluded spot, the chirping of crickets came from behind Little Ink Spirit's sleeve.
Ouyang Rong remained expressionless and stuffed the bamboo tube into his sleeve.
"Hmm, it's barely somewhat conscientious, though not much, but it's still a little... By the way, is this stuff really that good? This fairy maiden wants to try it..."
Miao Si, clutching the bamboo tube in her sleeve, smacked her lips and began chanting a spell in Ouyang Rong's ear:
"Sigh, I've really had a tough time following you. After staying in Jianze for so long, my mouth was so bland, but now I actually find this wine delicious..."
She wondered:
"Tell me, has my mouth gone mad? Hmm, how about we find a restaurant and order a table full of food? And then go to the ink shop to buy some desserts? I think that biggest restaurant up ahead looks pretty good, turn left..."
Ouyang Rong simply replied:
"If you're sick, see a doctor. Your scheme is so clever, even your junior sister in Luoyang can hear it."
Miao Si buried her head in the bamboo tube, smacking her lips as she drank, her voice muffled as she said, "Xiao Rongzi, you're the most annoying, without a doubt..."
Ouyang ignored her and returned to the ferry in silence.
At the ferry crossing, many boatmen were preparing to finish their work, and most of them were heading out.
Ouyang Rong, however, went against the current and approached a few old boatmen chatting as they finished their work, handing them a string of silver coins:
"I need to rent a boat, tonight. It needs to be sturdy and durable. Also, please prepare a month's worth of provisions for me..."
The boatmen looked at each other in bewilderment.
Immediately, one of the boatmen beamed with delight and nodded eagerly, "Alright, just a moment..."
The other boatmen immediately reacted, rushing forward to surround the audacious and ruthless young man in front of them.
They rushed to take on the jobs.
Ouyang Rong remained expressionless, glancing at their varied gazes out of the corner of his eye.
He nodded to himself, thinking that he had done a good job of being the sucker.
Ouyang Rong raised his hand and pointed to the first boatman who stood up to accept the job.
"You're the one. Get ready and wait for me. I'll be back before midnight. Time for drinks."
After saying that, he tossed out a string of coins and walked away with a flourish.
...
Are you sure this is the right road?
Ouyang Rong glanced at the dark alley in front of him and asked with a stern face.
A confident voice, full of ingenuity, came from within the sleeve:
"That's right, you'll arrive after you pass this alley."
They were in the southeast corner of Taoyuan Town. After leaving the ferry, guided by Miaosi, Ouyang Rong quickly crossed several streets and found this place.
He looked around and asked again:
Are you sure?
Miao Si sniffed, searching for something as she pointed to the alley ahead:
"That's right, go through it. Don't you believe me? Have you forgotten how I took Xiao Lingjiang to catch you and Xiu Niang in the act?"
As she spoke, seemingly sensing the change in Ouyang Rong's gaze, her voice softened, and she peeked out from her sleeve, glancing up at his expression:
"Alright, alright, let's not dwell on past glories. Keep going. There are only a few places with a scholarly atmosphere in this Peach Blossom Town, and they're all quite sparse. I, this fairy, have just picked one out of the best for you. It's sure to be a good place; it should be selling writing implements, so there will definitely be ink sticks. Just bring enough money, hehe..."
She was happy for a while, and her tone was somewhat gratified: "However, it's good that you remembered to buy ink sticks to show your respect to this fairy, little Rongzi. Not bad, not bad."
As soon as they left the ferry, Ouyang Rong asked her directly where the most cultured place in Taoyuan Town was. Without a second thought, Miao immediately led the way like a lackey, showing great enthusiasm and initiative.
Ouyang Rong remained silent, walked through the alley, and arrived at a less crowded street.
This place seems to be a wealthy street in a nearby town where big families live.
He searched around and soon found an elegant ink shop on a street corner with a sign that read "Chen's Ink Shop".
If I'm not mistaken, they should belong to the Chen clan, one of the nine clans in the town.
Ouyang Rong didn't hesitate for long and went straight in.
Inside the shop, there were many writing implements and various kinds of ink sticks.
It's clearly a shop run by cultured people; it's elegant and quiet, which is quite rare in the remote town of Taoyuan.
What can I do for you, sir?
A manager stepped forward and politely clasped his hands in greeting.
Ouyang Rong asked with a stern face:
"Does your shop have a scholar who can read and write? I can dictate a letter home for you."
His tone was casual and somewhat impolite.
The steward slightly raised his eyelids, glanced at Ouyang Rong's attire, and assumed he was just an illiterate, homesick, and rough man.
That's not surprising, there are many illiterate people in the town, and people often come to ask for help.
Or rather, in this era, literate people in the countryside are a rarity.
The steward said politely:
"Please wait a moment, sir, he will be here shortly."
Ouyang Rong suddenly said:
"etc."
The manager had a question:
"What is it?"
Ouyang Rong hesitated slightly before asking:
"How much does it cost?"
The manager smiled and replied:
"The fee for writing is ten coins, including the letter paper."
Ouyang Rong nodded:
"It's a bit expensive, but forget it, I'll take your place."
The manager went upstairs, seemingly looking for someone.
Just then, Ouyang Rong saw a door in a long corridor inside the shop opened from the inside. He looked closely and saw someone come out and be led upstairs by another manager.
The group encountered the steward who was entertaining Ouyang Rong on the stairwell, and the latter took the initiative to give way, gesturing for them to go up first.
Ouyang Rong glanced at it, his expression unchanged. He stared straight outside the shop for a while, then looked back at the stairwell.
That was an acquaintance.
Madam Chen.
The woman remained very quiet and followed the steward upstairs.
Once Madam Chen and the steward had disappeared down the stairwell, Ouyang Rong looked down at himself. He appeared unharmed and continued to wait.
Madam Chen did not recognize him.
Before long, the steward returned from upstairs, followed by a middle-aged scholar in a long robe.
"This is our shop's accountant. He can read and write letters; you can simply dictate them to him."
Ouyang Rong nodded:
Thank you.
The manager returned upstairs, seemingly quite busy.
Under the watchful eye of the accountant, Ouyang Rong slowly began to speak, and the former lowered his head to take notes.
The letter was very simple; the recipient was a young novice monk with beautiful hair at Donglin Temple.
Ouyang Rong pretended to be his elder brother, telling him to take good care of his family. At the same time, he casually mentioned that he was going to go deep into Yunmeng Marsh to seek immortals and treasures, and told him not to worry.
He added that if Xiufa really missed him, she could come to Peach Blossom Town. He was resting at the Red Dust Inn, so she could look for him there. If she couldn't find him, it meant he had entered Yunmeng, and she could wait for him at the inn...
That's roughly the gist of it; the accountant summarized it for him.
Soon, a letter home was prepared.
Ouyang Rong left ten coins, thanked him, and bought a few ink sticks, saying he wanted to learn calligraphy.
A moment later, he took the letter home and the inkstone, turned around and left.
Leaving the Chen family's ink shop, at the street corner, Ouyang Rong stuffed the ink stick into his sleeve and glanced back.
After seeing off his guest, the shop assistant quickly finished packing up the food.
I don't know if it was because of Madam Chen.
I still remember that during the day, Madam Chen said that she had come to the town with the Yue women from Lantang to run some errands.
Why would he appear in this ink room at night? Could it be that he's here to buy the Four Treasures of the Study?
Ouyang Rong looked thoughtful.
However, he did not wait long. There were not many hours left in the night, and his plan was not yet complete.
Moreover, while he was waiting for the tokens to write the letter, Aunt Chen might have already left, perhaps through the back door.
Half an hour later, Ouyang Rong emerged from the letter shop.
The letter in my hand disappeared; I had already paid for it and mailed it.
Although it wasn't Ouyang Rong's handwriting, he had given instructions to Master Shandao.
After receiving such letters, they would hand them over to Yan Liulang.
Therefore, the coded language in the letter was meant for Yan Liulang to hear.
There's just one last step left to complete tonight's plan.
After leaving the ink room, Ouyang Rong headed straight for the Red Dust Inn.
As he entered the inn, Madam Yu greeted him warmly and treated him politely, without recognizing him.
Without saying a word, Ouyang Rong slapped the silver on the counter.
I made a reservation for a hotel room for a month and even gave the pseudonym I used when I sent the letter.
He wrote all these details in that letter, entirely in the voice of his elder brother, Xiufa.
Upon seeing this letter, Yan Liulang, knowing their unspoken understanding, would surely send an informant to wait at the inn under the guise of a friend or relative, for Ouyang Rong, who had ventured deep into Yunmeng in search of immortals and treasures and had not yet returned…
(End of this chapter)
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