Under the operation of Yun Si and Yun Liu, their influence has spread throughout the entire Southern Lands and Cangwu County.
The news that Longtan had completed its restoration and reconstruction and was about to open its doors to investment promotion spread rapidly between the two places.
In preparation for the arrival of merchants, the Longmen Inn and Longtan Hotel in Longtan County opened for business on this day.
The last attack by Nanzhou soldiers on Longtan County did not have a negative impact on the villages.
After hiding at home for three days, they found that nothing seemed to have happened outside.
Those who came to the county town to buy supplies said that the city gate and city wall were in good condition. If it weren't for the new soil that had been filled in on the official road at the city gate and the traces of burning on a piece of wasteland, they wouldn't have believed that the soldiers had been there.
As spring arrives and flowers bloom, many villagers go to the city to buy grain seeds.
They had already planted one crop, and fearing that the seeds they kept wouldn't germinate well, they preferred to spend some money to buy them from the Longtan Grain and Oil Store.
The guards patrolled the city walls, and could spot any situation inside or outside the city gates at a glance.
"Boss, do those two look familiar?" The guard pointed to two people walking down the road, carrying bundles on their backs.
Yun Dong picked up the telescope specially made by Yun Er and looked at the two of them.
What are they doing here?
"Who is it?" the guard asked, puzzled.
"The Zhong family's guards."
The guard's face turned cold, his grip on his sword tightened, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "They still have the nerve to come here? It's just that we've been repairing the road for a few days, and they call bandits to kill us? No way, I'm going down to teach them a lesson."
The guard was about to leave when Yun Dong stopped him, saying, "I'll go with you."
Looking at the city wall so close at hand, Feng Shan and A San felt their hearts pounding. They lowered their heads and slowed their pace considerably.
"Stop right there! What are you two doing here?"
A cold shout rang in their ears, and when the two looked up, they saw a gleaming knife lying across their chests.
Upon seeing the person's face clearly, a light shone in Ah San's eyes, and he glanced at Feng Shan.
See? They're really lucky; they ran into an old acquaintance as soon as they arrived at Longtan.
He excitedly raised his hands and said sincerely, "Brothers, we're here to apologize!"
"Apologize?" The guard looked at Yun Dong, who was equally bewildered.
Feng Shan hurriedly nodded and said, "Yes, yes, yes, what happened before was a misunderstanding. Now that the bandits have been wiped out by you, I hope you will be magnanimous and not hold it against us."
"Did you call those bandits?" Yun Dong's eyes flashed with murderous intent.
Ah San hurriedly waved his hand, "No, it's because we didn't explain things clearly when we got back. The master wants to avenge us."
"Your master is a kind person, he'll even stand up for you!" the guard said coldly.
Feng Shan bowed and scraped, adopting an extremely humble posture. "This is all our fault! I wonder if I could meet your city lord? I would like to personally apologize to her."
The guard said, "Our city lord is very busy; it's not something you can just see whenever you want."
After pondering for a while, Yun Dong said, "If there's nothing else, you can go back now! We will convey your apologies."
Ah San looked into the city somewhat unwillingly, but the guard waved to the two of them, "Let's go, don't get in the way here."
"We've walked a long way and are exhausted. Let's rest for a bit before we continue," the Indian man said with a forced smile.
After they finished speaking, the two sat down on a clod of dirt by the roadside.
Seeing that the two were determined to do so, Yun Dong couldn't just kill them without cause, so he led his guards back and kept a close watch on their movements from the city wall.
As evening fell, the guards changed shifts, but Feng Shan and A San, those two stubborn guys, were still there, sitting against the city wall eating flatbread with water.
As long as they don't do anything drastic, the guards won't drive them away.
After eating, Yun Dong came to relieve the guards on duty. When he reached the watchtower, he saw two carriages slowly approaching Longtan on the official road leading to Xihe County.
He saw through his binoculars that the first driver was his own brother.
The second carriage lifted a corner from the inside, and Deng Kang looked out through the curtain.
When he first saw it, he was awestruck by the imposing presence of the city wall. "It's incredible that they were able to build this city wall in just one year!"
"The Lord of Longtan City is a man of great things!" his trusted steward exclaimed from the side.
As they traveled, they learned that the road from Xihe to Longtan was wide and smooth, and even the nearby villages were inhabited.
Deng Kang knew in his heart that not everyone had the ability to stand up to the Yu family and the Japanese pirates head-on.
As soon as Yun Dong left the city gate, the carriage was already approaching.
"Yunnan, why are you back?" Yun Dong asked in surprise. Yunnan had been stationed at the salt field with Liu Ji.
Hearing the noise, Su Yunyan, who was inside the carriage, lifted the curtain and peeked out.
Yun Dong immediately spotted Su Kunliang sitting upright in the carriage and quickly bowed, "Master Su!"
Su Kunliang nodded slightly and smiled as he reminded him, "The person sitting in the car behind is the head of the Deng family of Cangwu County."
Yun Dong's expression hardened, and he turned to the guards, instructing them, "Quickly inform the city lord and Young Master Su that Master Su and the distinguished guests have arrived."
After both carriages entered the city, Yun Dong turned around and glanced at the two people squatting at the foot of the city wall. He frowned slightly, took out a still-warm meat pie from his pocket, and casually tossed it to Ah San.
The pancake landed in Ah San's arms. It took Ah San a while to come to his senses. He looked at the still steaming pancake in his hand and swallowed.
"Brother Shan, can we eat this?"
"Why can't we eat it?"
Feng Shan glared at him, snatched the pancake, cut it in half, and stuffed the other half into Ah San's hand.
"Brother Shan, there's meat inside!" Ah San said with tears in his eyes after taking a bite.
Feng Shan was lost in thought, "Eating can't shut you up!"
Once inside the city, Yunnan slowed down the carriage. Halfway through the journey, a secret guard came to guide them to the Longmen Inn.
As soon as they entered the city, Deng Kang's trusted steward lifted the carriage curtain.
The city's clean and tidy streets come into view, paved with bluestone slabs and pebbles running through them.
The people of Longtan County are really generous," Deng Kang thought to himself.
The carriage stopped in front of the Longmen Inn. Wu Xingwang, who was in charge of reception, was already waiting at the inn's entrance. Dao Fuzi and Su Yunzhi were still on their way.
Su Kunliang led his three sons and Deng Kang and his servant into the inn, where Wu Xingwang, the innkeeper, and the waiter warmly greeted them.
"Master Deng, you've come from afar, you must be tired!"
Wu Xingwang smiled, stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and then greeted Su Kunliang before leading the master and servant to their room on the second floor of the inn.
"It's getting late today, so the city lord has asked Patriarch Deng to make his own arrangements. He will send a carriage to pick you up tomorrow," Wu Xingwang explained to him.
Deng Kang already knew that the Lord of Longtan City was a woman who had given birth to a daughter last year, and it was indeed not a good time to go out since it was already late.
After a half-day boat ride, they disembarked at Xihe County and then spent most of the day in a horse-drawn carriage to Longtan. They were exhausted and decided to rest there for the night.
"It's alright! It's getting late, we will definitely visit the city lord tomorrow."
Wu Xingwang's expression relaxed almost imperceptibly, and he smiled broadly. "Patriarch Deng is so magnanimous! I'll go to the kitchen to have someone prepare the meal. I won't disturb you any longer. Patriarch Deng, please rest for a while."
After saying that, he left.
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