Chapter 8
In this dynasty, some crimes could be offset by paying a fine. It seems that Dabu was well versed in the laws of the Yan Dynasty.
"Just pay the fine to me. You probably can't leave the city today. Find a place to rest."
Dabu made a Huihe salute and said, "Thank you, sir. Today, I am grateful for your keen insight. You are like the god of Mount Wuran. You protected me and cleared my name. I really don't know how to thank you. I would like to give you the money I earned from selling things this time to express my gratitude."
Wuran Mountain is a sacred mountain outside the Great Wall. It is said that there are gods on the mountain, and the people in the Western Regions believe in them very much.
"Okay, stop flattering me. If you're really interested, you can help me find some seeds for crops that you think are strange. For example, there is a plant called pepper, which has linear fruits that are green before they are ripe and red when they are ripe. They taste spicy and stimulating. There is another kind. Forget it, just bring me some seeds that you think look strange."
Chili peppers have been in this dynasty for so long. Although we usually use Sichuan peppercorns and dogwood to enhance the flavor of our meals, how can we compare to the refreshing feeling of using chili peppers when eating hot pot, barbecue, spicy hot pot, or boiled fish?
I don’t know how species developed during this dynasty. Maybe cotton, potatoes, and corn were introduced to later generations. Cotton can effectively resist the cold winter in the northwest, and corn and potatoes are important food crops in later generations. In ancient times when productivity was underdeveloped, having one more kind of food meant one more way for the people to make a living.
In later generations, the peppers, potatoes, and cotton grown in the Northwest were of excellent quality and were sold all over the country, right? It is simply adapted to local conditions and is suitable for sowing here.
Western Regions merchants like Dabu traveled far and wide, passed through various places and were familiar with the various countries in the Western Regions. They might have encountered these things. Didn't this dynasty introduce a large number of species after opening up the Western Regions, such as cucumbers and grapes?
Dabu was totally confused, "Sir, do you really want some strange-looking seeds?" Didn't he want jewels and incense powder from various countries in the Western Regions?
"That's right." Lin Shuge said firmly.
Seeing that what he said was true, Dabu had no choice but to nod and say, "Sir, it's winter now, and the area outside the Great Wall is desolate. I will go to the west to sell fur next spring. I will help you keep an eye out then." He pointed to the west, "But sir, I can't go to the Qiang people's place."
The Qiang people were powerful and often had border frictions with the Yan Dynasty. They even invaded the Yan Dynasty many years ago. The two countries had an unfriendly relationship, and Lin Shuge didn't want him to go.
Lin Shuge nodded and let him find an inn to rest.
Seeing Dabu disappearing from sight, Zhou Du hurriedly said, "The Huihe man just now was not around to ask, what are you looking for these things for? What use are they?"
He knew Lin Shuge's character and was definitely not the kind of person who would start a war just for the sake of curiosity.
Looking at the confusion on Zhou Du's fair face, Lin Shuge suddenly remembered that Zhou Du was actually one year younger than this body. He was at the age when he was curious about everything. He must have been holding back from saying anything for too long.
However, Lin Shuge planned to keep it a secret. After all, finding these things depends on luck. "They look great. If I bring them back and grow them and give them to someone, it will be very beneficial to me."
"You're just fooling me. I don't know you. Well, if you don't want to tell me, I won't force you. Anyway, you will definitely leave me a portion after you grow it."
"That's natural."
Zhou Du said excitedly: "It's no wonder that I treat you as my good brother."
"Let's go, brother. We have to go back. The La Festival is over today, but what happened just now is not over yet. If it ends early today, I will treat you to beef noodles."
"Beef? Where's the beef? Have you forgotten that working oxen cannot be killed?" Zhou Du asked vigilantly.
"You forgot that today we are offering sacrifices to the community gods. Among the three animals, there is a cow. Why don't you just be thick-skinned and ask the county magistrate for it?"
The Yan Dynasty had been offering sacrifices since the pre-Qin period. Generally, the three major animals were chosen for sacrifice, namely pigs, sheep, and cattle. Since oxen were used for plowing, eating oxen was forbidden in all dynasties. However, what to do with the cattle after the sacrifice was up to local officials.
The two walked side by side towards the county government office.
The La Festival was over and it was almost the afternoon. Magistrate Li was merciful and allowed all the staff of the county government to go home early. Lin Shuge sat in Zhou Du's carriage with a depressed look on his face.
Although I knew Zhou Du's family was wealthy, I didn't know the truth until I saw him today.
There is a traitor among us who has betrayed the proletariat. He is hateful.
"Don't be depressed, I brought the Bi Guang from Zui Chun Feng's family. I stole it from my father's wine cellar. My father has kept it for many years. Let's not go home until we are drunk tonight."
"Okay, I won't go home until I'm drunk."
I’ll pour you some wine.
Lin Shuge is a top-notch drinker in modern times, and is known for his ability to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. He drinks from beginning to end at every sect gathering without changing his expression or having a clear mind. He can even send his drunken brothers back to the dormitory.
"Oh, by the way, Erlang, I saved a man a few days ago. I will take him to the county government tomorrow. I need you to help him register his household registration."
Their family does not belong to Nanxiang, and the registration of household registration and tax information is under the jurisdiction of Zhou Du.
"No problem," Zhou Du laughed loudly, but suddenly thought of what happened today, and the smile faded a little, "Is the person you saved okay?"
Lin Shuge thought about Xie Chen's usual behavior and words, "He said that he was captured by the Qiang people in his early years and escaped from the Qiang tribe by himself, but his behavior and speech were elegant and generous, not like a commoner, but I have seen that he does not have the mark of a Qiang noble."
He paused, and then continued, "I tested him and asked him some questions about the Qiang tribe. He answered them all fluently without any questions."
"Or did he come from there?" Zhou Du pursed his lips, and the meaning was very clear, he was talking about Kyoto.
The environment in Ganzhou City is harsh, and there are often exiles coming here. These people have either committed crimes themselves or been implicated by their families and are exiled here. Some will be sent to do physical work like repairing city walls, and some will be sent to garrison on the border to replenish troops. These people are generally very brave in killing the enemy in order to escape punishment.
"It shouldn't be. No one has been exiled here during this period of time. I just sorted out the household registration of the exiled people yesterday."
Moreover, Xie Chen had a clear and upright look and was generous and dignified, not like a treacherous and evil person.
"Anyway, I have already accepted him as my younger brother. Even if there are any problems, I will take responsibility." Lin Shuge patted his chest.
"I understand. But if you want me to help him register tomorrow, I will ask as usual." Zhou Du was afraid that he would think he was making things difficult for him.
Lin Shuge said with a smile: "It's just routine, how can I blame you."
The carriage ran very fast and arrived home in a short while.
The two got off the carriage, and Zhou Du said to the servant driving the carriage, "You go back first and come pick me up in the evening."
The servant responded, got in his carriage and drove off, raising a trail of dust.
Lin Shuge was just about to push open the gate when he heard Lin Qingyuan's voice from behind.
"Brother, why are you back so early today? Is this... Zhou Lingshi?"
Lin Shuge looked back and saw that the twins, Xie Chen and the other two were each carrying a backpack filled with dry firewood and leaves. The dry firewood was used to make fire, and the dry leaves were used to heat the kang.
"We're off duty today after the La Festival," Lin Shuge wanted to help the three people, "Zhongxuan, why are you working when your injury hasn't fully healed yet?"
Xie Chen dodged his hand and said, "I'm fine, brother. This little bit of firewood won't take much effort." He was wearing his old clothes, which were a little white from washing. He was dressed in cloth, but he had a tall and straight figure and was extraordinarily handsome.
I was lying there and didn't notice it. Zhongxuan is only fourteen, but his height is almost catching up with him. Lin Shuge is about 1.8 meters tall in modern times. If he came here, his original body should be about 1.75 meters tall. However, his original body is only seventeen years old, so there is still room for growth.
"Brother, Erlang is amazing, he is very strong, and he can shoot rabbits," he took down the backpack, "this is the pheasant that Erlang shot with stones."
Most children admire the strong, especially a brother with such high fighting skills, which makes them feel excited and proud.
Lin Shuge thought that he had long guessed that Zhongxuan was good at martial arts. After all, he had escaped from the Qiang tribe, so his intelligence and martial arts could not be held back. Moreover, the boy had solid and powerful muscles, and his walking posture was also in the style of a warrior. He did not expect that he was so powerful.
There were so many unexpected things today, he laughed at himself silently.
"Okay, okay, you are all awesome, but do we have to go in first? It's freezing cold out there." Zhou Du, who was standing nearby, was ignored and could only speak for himself.
"I forgot to introduce you, Zhongxuan. This is the Zhou Lingshi I often mention." Lin Shuge pointed at Zhou Du and introduced him, "This is Wei Zhongxuan."
"Oh, you often mention me. What did you say? Did you say that I am particularly helpful and helpful, and that I am particularly suitable to be a friend?" Zhou Du said with a smile as he pushed Lin Shuge in.
Lin Shuge carried Lin Xuan's backpack on his back, "Yes, I say you are wise and brave, and you are the most suitable to be my friend."
Lin Xuan shook her head and followed him in.
"Ji Lang, let's go. What's wrong with you? Are you unhappy?"
"No, let's go." After saying that, he stepped inside.
Only Lin Qingyuan was left, confused.
Lin Shuge washed his hands and went into the kitchen, preparing to cut the beef into pieces and cook it first. It was cold in winter, and the beef had been frozen hard on the way home, so it was perfect for cutting into pieces.
Just as I took it out, I saw Xie Chen coming in, "Do you want to deal with the rabbit?"
"Well, let's prepare it and make some spicy rabbit cubes."
"Okay, I'll go out and take care of it," and then he went out carrying the rabbit.
"etc."
"What's wrong?"
Lin Shuge took out a piece of sesame candy from his arms, "I passed by Zhenshiji today and bought a bag of sesame candy. I just asked Axuan to take it in and share it. Why did you follow me in? This is what's left. Come on, open your mouth."
Xie Chen stared at him blankly for a long time without moving, until Lin Shuge handed the candy to his mouth. Then he slowly opened his mouth, as if he realized something, and took the candy into his mouth in a lightning speed. He sipped the candy lightly, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
"I knew you liked it. Now, go and take care of the rabbit."
"Okay, I'll go."
He was overjoyed. At this moment, let alone dealing with the rabbit, it would be no problem for him to catch ten or eight more rabbits.
Watching Xie Chen walk out, Lin Shuge thought: Children really do need to be coaxed.
He didn't think any more about it, cut the beef brisket into large chunks, blanched it with onion, ginger and garlic, then took it out and washed off the foam on the surface. Wrap star anise, bay leaves and other seasonings in gauze and put them into the beef to stew.
After processing the beef, Lin Shuge started to make the dough. He added ash to the flour to make the noodles more chewy.
He was quick and efficient, and had finished all the preparations in no time. All that was left was to stew the beef.
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