Chapter 4: Thieves cry when thieves see each other Lord Lu, whose name is only Lan
"That's right! This little thief must be new here, not from Pingjiang Prefecture. He dared to steal in front of Lord Lu. It seems that he is itching for a new one."
The young man in the straw rope shop by the dock worked efficiently. He carefully picked out the bundles of hemp rope in his hands and even praised the red figure.
"Look at our Lord Lu, he catches a petty thief himself."
Before he could finish his words, the thief who stole someone's wallet was kicked to the ground by the man. The two guards beside him rushed over and handcuffed the man and took him away in the blink of an eye.
A purse embroidered with peonies cut through the mist and was thrown from a distance, landing accurately in the arms of its owner.
"Hey, this is something my wife embroidered for me. I can lose the money but not this purse."
The owner clutched the purse, looked at the departing figure, stroked his beard, and said firmly, "I'm a fur merchant and travel a lot, but I rarely see young men like this."
He did catch a glimpse of his appearance, and although he couldn't see clearly, he could tell that it was actually a young man!
"Of course not."
The young man had worked in the rope shop for five or six years and had seen Master Lu every day. Seeing the stranger's curiosity, he couldn't help but explain, "Our Master Lu is only eighteen this year and the second child in the family."
He quickly sipped his tea and continued, "Everyone in Pingjiang Prefecture respects him. Lord Lu is a seventh-rank inspector, in charge of patrols along the Zhenze coast and within the county. He commands over a thousand elite soldiers, dedicated to apprehending thieves and protecting trade routes. Two years ago in the autumn, the Black Wind Gang in Zhenze robbed merchant ships. Lord Lu personally led his troops from Wujiang County, both by land and by sea. In less than ten days, they wiped out the bandit's den and captured their leader alive!"
"...Now that you've come to Pingjiang Prefecture, have fun! The security is excellent! With Lord Lu here, the common people can sleep soundly at night!"
He had said this countless times to outsiders, and not only did he speak with wit and logic, he could finish his words without even taking a breath.
The year before last?
Wei Jinyun steadied himself and squeezed into the crowd to watch the fun and listen to the young man's talk.
Others were already fighting bandits at the age of sixteen, but she was still thinking, "Oh, how dangerous it is!", "Why don't I go out for morning exercises today?", "Which door should I go out from? How many seconds should I run to get the limited fried chicken legs in the cafeteria today?"...
"After all this talk, we still don't know Mr. Lu's full name."
The waiter finished his bowl of tea and placed the large bowl on the table. "Listen carefully, our Lord Lu, who is known as the thief who cries when he sees the thief and the thief who fears when he meets the thief, is named Lu, and his given name is 'Lan'."
As soon as he finished speaking, the listeners clapped their hands out of respect, making the young man very happy.
"You don't want to do this anymore, right? Try storytelling instead."
After hearing the boy's storyteller's shouting, the owner of the straw rope shop came out of the shop and tapped him on the head with his finger.
He let out a cry of "ouch" and continued to move the straw rope with his neck shrunk.
The passengers looked at this scene and laughed. Perhaps it was the effect of the waiter's words, but the passengers at the back got off the boat in an orderly manner and were no longer crowded.
Wei Jinyun and his companions checked their pass again, squeezed out of the Changmen Gate, and slowly stepped into the city of Pingjiang Prefecture.
The plum rain came in waves and stopped at the beginning of the morning, and a ray of light shone through the dark clouds.
"Sister Ling, please walk slowly. Be careful not to slip."
Wei Fuling ran at the front of the group, her feet treading on the bluestone pavement. Pingjiang City was rich in water and bridges, connecting here and there. She leaped up one arched bridge and dashed down another, having a blast.
However, she insisted on asking for a bag to carry. Wang Qiulan couldn't persuade her, so she spread a square cloth, put two pieces of clothes for the two sisters in it, and tied a small bag for her to carry.
She was very proud of herself and showed off that she could also help her grandmother and sister carry the gifts.
Wei Fuqiu didn't have as much energy as her sister to play around. The red bean paste buns made by her grandmother had been eaten up during the few days of sailing, but she still helped carry the empty basket.
She secretly took half a bag of flour from Wei Jinyun's backpack, filled it with flour, covered it with a piece of cloth, and even placed the almost withered lotus on top to conceal it.
Wei Jinyun saw it.
Pretend not to see.
My sister loves her.
It had been about forty years since Wang Qiulan had returned to Pingjiang Prefecture. She looked around and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
It was the same road, the same arched bridge, the one she had walked across with her sister in her youth. They counted the bluestones on this side and scooped up a basket of river shrimp from under the bridge.
Nothing has changed, yet it seems like everything has changed.
Many new shops have been opened, and even if three or two of them are still in existence, the shop assistants shouting in the shops are all completely unfamiliar faces.
The banners were dazzling, the waiters were enthusiastically soliciting customers under the eaves, and the customers were coming in one after another.
All kinds of aromas wrapped in freshly baked hot air emanate from the gaps between the steamers in the shops and stalls.
"Have a piece of this freshly baked crab roe while it's hot! Want fresh meat, crab roe, shrimp, or candied sugar, red bean paste, or jujube paste? Our pastry is a family-made skill, and you can try it for just three copper coins. Buy some back for the old and the young as a snack, and everyone will praise your selection!"
The small sesame cakes were baked in a well-built stone oven until the crust was puffed up. The waiter quickly picked up a few with a bamboo tongs and stuffed them into oil paper, and sesame seeds fell all over the table.
"Sour plum drink with lychee paste, red bean soup with perilla water, two cents a bowl and it's enough to fill you up, come on!"
"Sir, come in and take a look! Feel our Wu silk. It's as smooth as spring water and as bright as moonlight. It's both elegant and cool to wear, and it's perfect for your elegant appearance! If you want to make clothes, whether it's a skirt, a gown, or a jacket or a half-sleeve, we can tailor the material, and the price is fair!"
Not to be outdone, another shop called out across the street, "Look at our water-silk brocade embroidered with gold thread. It's perfect for making a new dress for a festival, or for adding a new garment for your wife or husband. It's exquisite and respectable! These are good products that have been praised by our regular customers. We don't cheat anyone! How about you pick out some material first?"
Wei Jinyun was stunned by the hawking sounds along the way. It seemed that if he wanted to gain a foothold in the huge market of Pingjiang Prefecture, it was not enough to just shout, he had to shout vigorously.
Everyone has a sharp tongue.
The sounds of shouting, carriages, and the faint sound of pipa and stringed instruments were endless. There were countless pedestrians, some in fancy clothes, some in sedan chairs and carriages...
"Sister Ling, come here and have a bowl of soup noodles."
Wang Qiulan stopped at the banner of a soup noodle shop. The words "Qian's Soup Noodle Shop" on the banner had faded, and even the banner itself was edged with yellow. Despite the earlier calls, there were no employees outside the shop.
However, tables and chairs were moved from inside the shop to outside and were filled with pedestrians and porters.
They waited for an incense stick of time before a small table was vacated.
Wei Jinyun skillfully poured vinegar into the two sisters' bowls, causing Wang Qiulan to joke a few times, asking if she had dreamed of this, as she was so skilled.
They had just been on the boat for a few days, the boat was rocking and swaying all the way. The canal was not easy to navigate during the rainy season. Even though Wei Jinyun had found ways to prepare some food, the two sisters were still dizzy on the boat and didn't eat much.
"Eating a bowl of soup noodles will make your stomach feel better."
Wei Jinyun rubbed Wei Fuling's head as she looked around. "I heard from my grandmother that the shop hasn't been moved in decades. I guess we can't start cooking right after we move in. We need to clean up properly. We'll eat outside first."
Wang Qiulan's shop was not far away, just around the corner. She had been eating noodles from this soup noodle shop since she was a child, and she didn't expect that it would still be there after decades.
I wanted to go back to the shop in one go, but when I got here I couldn't help but stop.
The waiter lifted the bamboo curtain in the kitchen and brought out a few bowls of steaming noodles.
You can still faintly see the sound of bubbling in the pot on the stove. The chef throws the dough onto the chopping board, and the noodles as thin as silver threads are shaken into the boiling water while being pulled.
"Everything's getting more expensive right now, but your soup and noodle shop has remained the same for decades. Old Qian, aren't you afraid of losing money?"
The diner mixed his noodles and laughed at the top of his lungs.
"It's not a loss, but a small profit is also a profit."
The chef kneading the dough inside responded, "We still have to rely on you to keep up the good work. It's not easy for everyone to make money."
Several diners were chatting and laughing, and the shop was filled with the sound of "slurping".
The noodles in Pingjiang Prefecture are particular about the toppings. The bowl is filled with snow-white noodles and the toppings are brightly colored, filling several plates.
The eel shreds are braised until they are translucent, with the meat alternating between fat and lean. The fried egg is also placed on a separate plate, and there is also a bowl of peeled shrimps.
Several people ordered three bowls, one bowl each for Wei Jinyun and Wang Qiulan, and the two sisters each shared a bowl in a small bowl.
"I want a big bowl too."
Wei Fuling used a spoon to pick up the shrimps in the bowl and stared at Wei Jinyun's big bowl.
"You always have big eyes and a small stomach."
Wei Fuqiu gave her half of her fried egg and said, "You can finish this half bowl and the braised meat before you talk."
"Sister Qi is so bad."
Wei Fuling puffed out her cheeks, removed the fat from the stewed meat, and scooped the lean meat into her bowl. "No meat for you."
Wei Jinyun choked on his roasted barley tea and laughed silently.
Wei Fuling likes to eat fried eggs, and Wei Fuqiu doesn't like to eat fatty meat.
Although the soup is clear and bright, it is stewed with chicken bones and leg bones, which makes it extremely delicious.
The noodles are cooked to perfect temperature, each one is chewy and springy, and the aroma of wheat mixed with the softness of the braised meat melts on your tongue.
Then scoop a spoonful of river shrimp and mix it with the food. The fresh river shrimp are chewy and mixed with the salty and fresh taste of the soup base. After eating the noodles and the soup, a few mouthfuls will make your whole body warm. The discomfort you have felt from riding the boat for the past few days will soon disappear.
"tasty."
Wei Jinyun took a sip of the soup and even her eyebrows twitched. "No wonder grandma couldn't walk after arriving here."
“Delicious, delicious.”
Wei Fuling bit into the fried egg and looked up, "That's why grandma cried because of it."
Wei Fuqiu handed over a handkerchief.
Wang Qiulan burst into laughter.
The taste of the soup and noodle shop has remained the same for decades, which makes her feel a little nostalgic, but she does not regret bringing her granddaughters back at all.
Qian's Soup Noodle Shop was an honest business. No matter how much money was paid, the portion size was generous. Wei Fuling didn't finish her half bowl of soup noodles, and she insisted that she would finish it next time.
A few people paid twenty cents and ate their fill.
Following the address on the title deed, the four generations of grandparents and grandchildren finally stood in front of the shop.
The location is superb.
It is located on the main street in front of Tianqing Temple. Although it is not the best core entrance and is a bit to the side, the scenery is extremely beautiful. The Lindun River and the Bifengfang River intertwine on the side.
To the left is a stationery shop with a strong scent of ink, and the customers coming in and out are well-dressed. To the right is a delicatessen shop with a booming business and a fragrant aroma.
Wei Jinyun stared at the shop front for a long time and found that it seemed to be very close to his grandmother's old-fashioned pastry shop a thousand years later.
This is Guanqian Street!
It's a pity that such a good location has been abandoned.
The heavy wooden door was a little mottled and covered with cobwebs. Looking above the lintel, the place where the plaque was hung was empty, and many unknown weeds and succulents grew there.
The windows were crooked, the paper covering them was full of holes, the tiles on the eaves were broken, and wet moss was swaying between the cracks.
With a creaky sound, the door was pushed open and the lock on the door fell off, raising a cloud of fine dust.
No locks are needed at all.
"Oh, the sun is rising from the west today. Is there anyone who dares to come to this haunted house?"
The author has something to say:
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Inspector: A local military position in the Northern Song Dynasty, responsible for maintaining public order, arresting thieves, border patrol, etc. within the jurisdiction, and can mobilize troops.
Wu Ling and Shuisi Jin were both relatively famous Suzhou silks at that time.
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