Delong

Chapter 29: Walking in the Sky Street (2)

Judging from Cao Lin's status, his performance can indeed be called kind, even a bit too kind.But considering the stability of his identity and ability, no matter what he did, he could not damage his authority. It can only be said that this Zhongcheng is indeed a corporal of courtesy to a certain extent.

However, today itself is a bureaucratic system entry process, and it is not a real breakthrough to the fifth floor. In any case, Zhang Xing, who cannot accept any "respect and inferiority", will never be grateful for it.

Or to be more straightforward, when he went out, received the money, and started on the road, this person's mind was full of horses to buy.

A horse, especially a good horse, is very valuable. For ordinary people, if they have a good horse, they are half of the family property... It is really half of the family property. What is the market price of a good horse?

Thirty bolts of silk, or sixty pennies, now in Zhang Xing's pocket, is 36 taels of silver replaced according to the latest market price, for the purpose of portability and preservation of value.

And Zhang Xing came to Dongdu in January, and gathered a lot of wool from Feng Yong and the Herring Gang. The total is only 13 taels of silver and more than a dozen spare money, that is, to eat the unique work benefits of Jinyi Patrol, in order to get a horse. A good horse of its own.

After all, not everyone is a top nobleman like Bai Yousi who can spend so much.

From the island to the east, across three squares, is the famous Eastern Capital Beishi...Beishi is located in the middle of Luoyang County, and it complements Nanshi in Henan County, and each has its own differences.

Nanshi covers a huge area, which is equivalent to four squares. There are four to five thousand businesses in it, which belong to daily operations and sell everything you can think of. However, Beishi, which is only one square in size, mainly deals with luxury goods and large transactions, such as Spices, colored silk and the like.

As for cattle and horses, they are actually high-end goods, but because of the special nature of the goods, they are usually kept in the breeding workshop in the northeast of Beishi, and then a cattle and horse store is set up in the northeast corner of Beishi, and they come here to declare taxes when they want to trade.

"The two officials want to buy a horse?"

"Two officials come to my house, come to my house, my horses are from the northwest, and the witches sent them across the desert, all of them are tall horses!"

"Don't listen to him, the two officials. The horses in the northwest are all good-looking. The officials in Jing'antai still like our Beihuang horses. They are durable, easy to feed, and live long..."

As soon as they arrived at the cattle and horse shop in Beishi, a group of young and middle-aged people swarmed up, soliciting business and pushing each other, but no one really got close to Zhang Xing and Qin Bao, as if they knew the way and knew that this was Jing'an. The Jinyi Xunqi from Taiwan came to buy horses, just wanting to earn five cents to lead the way.

Zhang Xing turned his head to look at Qin Bao.

Qin Bao also just spread his hands: "Don't worry, they all know the pros and cons, and the cattle and horse business behind them is also a long-term business. No one will ruin the reputation of a horse and get into trouble with Jing'antai... just follow what we said on the road. Yes, it’s up to you to decide which one you like, and I’ll pick it for Brother Zhang.”

"Then follow what I said before... Beidi Ma!" Zhang Xing knew that he was a layman and could only choose one model, so he gritted his teeth and made an explanation.

"I guessed that you wanted a horse from your hometown." Qin Bao laughed. "Even if you forget things, you must be used to riding. It's like using a crossbow or a sword to use the ground."

Zhang Xing shook his head again and again... What is his hometown? It's nothing more than that although his body can obviously ride a horse, horse riding itself is a technical job after all, and it tests the mentality. Instead of pursuing excitement, it's better to do it safely.

However, although it was determined to be a durable and easy-to-raise Beidi horse, it was not smooth to pick it all the way-Qin Bao is a knowledgeable man, but according to this expert, any good horse that is on the bright side has long been He was selected by the owner of the cattle and horse shop to be given to the princes and nobles in the city. The remaining horses are not bad, but it seems that he, Qin Erlang, accompanied his brother for nothing.

In this way, after picking four or five families in a row, they still couldn't find a good horse from the Northland that could be compared with Qin Erlang's own yellow pussy horse, and even watched Wu Yungaixue being taken away by others first, and he couldn't help becoming more and more anxious , but Zhang Xing was not easy to persuade, so he had to wink at the seller.

The shopkeeper of the cattle and horse shop is not those recruiting boys in Beishi, and he may not be interested in the business of this single horse, but he doesn't want to offend the Jinyi Xunqi. He hesitated, then cupped his hands and turned to Qin Erlang:
"This official...it's not too early. If the official really wants to pick up a leak, then the old man boldly point out a place and the two of you. If there is no place there, come back tomorrow, or come back and choose a good-looking Beidi horse. I'll give the two officials a set of saddles as a gift...it's all right."

Qin Bao was surprised for a moment: "Is there any other place where cattle and horses go?"

"That's not true." The shopkeeper shook his head. "It's a ghost market. The ghost market that opens during the day is located in the wild alley in Shiyifang, southwest of Beishi. The place that Boss Jiang watched was replaced by someone else. I dare not point it out, but the two are the uncles of Jing'an Terrace. Moreover, you are a knowledgeable official, so you dare to take the risk... If the two of you are willing to go, I will ask my boy to lead the way for you. Although the two of you are in brocade clothes, you will honestly do business during the day. It’s okay to think about it.”

Qin Bao hesitated for a moment, then nodded immediately.

The shopkeeper immediately turned around and called for his son.

"What is a ghost market?" Zhang Xing, on the other hand, became interested at this time... He really didn't know. "Does it have something to do with practice? They are all pretending to be gods and tricks, but are there any treasures?"

"It's a private market, where are the people from the world?"

Qin Bao frowned slightly, and answered in a low voice. "The country's laws and regulations are strict... I live in the workshop and trade in the street market, but the street outside the workshop and the three cities of Dongdu are also closed in time. It seems that the tax is quite heavy, but the workshop can avoid taxes a little bit, and you can trade at any time, but it happens. Surrounded by walls, it is destined not to have all the goods... Therefore, in Nancheng, where there are few Jinwu guards, people often do business in the sewer at night. Even so, they often wear masks or paint their faces with ashes for fear of being reported. At night, in the sewers, under the cover of everyone, it is unavoidable to buy and sell second-best goods by force, and there are even frequent fights and killings. It is appropriate to call it a ghost market... There is also a city in Beicheng, but it is a long-term experience. "

Zhang Xing immediately came to his senses. To put it mildly, it was "the system cannot keep up with the people's growing economic and living needs."

In any case, it was considered something within the scope of his own cognition.

Unexpectedly, the son of the shopkeeper of the cattle and horse shop was only eighteen or nineteen years old, and he was actually studying. After being yelled at a few times, he got out from behind his stable. He was first scolded by his father and threatened to tear up the book, so he could only lower his head and forcefully laugh , stuffed the book into his bosom, and then walked quickly to the two of them, and then bowed politely: "Xiao Ke Yan Qing, I have seen two officials... Xiao Ke will take the two of you there."

Zhang Xing's sharp eyes saw that it was a paperback version of "The Spring and Autumn Annals of the White Emperor".
"At such a young age, don't keep reading these official history books. If you have time to read some famous novels, that's the way to cultivate your temperament."

While leading the way, Yan Qing replied awkwardly in a low voice: "I'm not afraid of your jokes. I come from a family of cattle and horses. When I was young, there were only four or five horses in my family. I can only raise them for others. I have to get up early and get up late. Yes, I really missed the best time to get started with spiritual practice. Now that my family is better, and I read books again, I don’t expect any culture, but I want to use my spare time to read some classics and history, and then see if I can pass the imperial examination. Spend some more money and get another official to do it..."

Zhang Xing suddenly realized.

Let's say, in this world, since the Qing Emperor enlightened the various races and laid out the civilization, there have been writings handed down, and it has been eight thousand years since now.Although the development of civilization in the early stage was extremely slow, there were more clans fighting in chaos, and the ruthless characters such as the Black Emperor, the Red Emperor, and the White Emperor were forced out to prove the Supreme, but the population base is here, and there is still Knowledgeable gods are in charge, so cultural communication is still very important.

Up to now, there are not only the classics handed down by several supreme lords and gods; when the dynasties change, there are also cases of official history books being revised; in the future, as the style of writing accumulates, it is inevitable that there will be literary masters who appear by chance Produce some good articles and good books... In the past few hundred years, there has been a wave of literary novels represented by "The Story of the Heroine Li Yue", which is where the momentary splendor lies.

At least in Zhang Xing's view, the literary level of this world has reached a certain level of feudal culture.

But how should I put it, the gods and dragons are there, the clans and military aristocrats exist objectively, coupled with the fact that culture and education are difficult to flourish in the marginal and barren areas, it is inevitable that this "right way" of true energy cultivation... Therefore, although the first emperor created The imperial examination system has been established, but one is not recognized by the society, and the other is not perfect. At present, it is basically the way of relying on the nobles to read the papers and appreciate them. member.

That is to say, people like Yan Qing who came from a humble background and have no connections, and who have no practice, but they are unwilling to be lonely, so they think about taking this path.

Of course, Zhang Xing knew it well, big brother, don’t laugh at second brother, don’t look at him and Qin Bao having cultivated to the fifth main channel, and everyone called him an official, but at this moment, Jinyi Xingtian Street is still being whitewashed by the great nobleman. Yousi was taken a fancy to and praised.

that is it.

Thinking of this, Zhang Xing felt a little awe-inspiring again, and then instinctively reflected, he only felt that he was getting carried away these days.

However, after thinking about it again, the reason why I am proud is not because I was promoted, changed jobs, and received better treatment.That is to say, under the entanglement that day, I gritted my teeth and took the risk to choose to hoe the strong and help the weak. Upward, I got Bai Yousi's approval, and changed my current brocade clothes; and the respect of honest people; in the middle, I can be regarded as a happy grievance, avenging the vengeance of the couple who plotted against me, so I feel a little smug and willful.

Thinking about it this way, Zhang Xing restrained himself a little, but he became calm again - he had done a good deed and performed a behavior that he admired, so why can't he be calm and composed?
All kinds of thoughts are just a change of mind.

Yan Qing, the son of a cow and horse expert who led the way, was a proper person. He joked along the way, neither humble nor overbearing. He was both cunning in the market and the two-point bearing of a scholar. It has already caused a patrol rider in Jinyi behind him to turn his head for countless times along the way.

"The two officials are here."

Not long after turning into Shiyifang in the southeast of Beishi, Yan Qing suddenly stopped walking, only pointing to an alley ahead to speak. "My house is a serious cattle and horse shop, so it's not good to go in in front of Boss Jiang's people... The two officials are free, if you can't buy a suitable one, you can go back to my house and talk."

Qin Bao nodded first.

But Zhang Xing suddenly bowed his hands solemnly, and said surprisingly, as if he changed his style of painting on his own: "Your Excellency is a hero, and he is a hero who is eager to learn, and he will surely achieve success in the future."

Qin Bao was dumbfounded.

That Yan Qing was also stunned for a moment, and hurriedly waved his hands: "But I can't afford to be a gift from an official, let alone the word "hero."

At this point, Yan Qing paused for a moment, and quickly said seriously: "I'm not being polite. I read in the book that a person standing in the world is like a dragon coiled around a snake. You can tell it at a glance. Eighteen or nineteen years old, I have read books for several years, but I am still just a helper of the cattle and horses, without the bravery of the two officials, and without the show of culture, how can I be considered a good man?"

Zhang Xing quickly waved his hands, and answered with a straight face: "That's not the case, you were not recognized by others because no one looked at you before, but today my brother and I looked at you seriously, and felt that you are studious and polite. The juvenile dragon's head and horns are tall, and it's not the same as the snake next to it...you don't have to be humble!"

Qin Bao became more and more dumbfounded when he heard that, but Yan Qing's eyes were red and he almost cried. It was obviously rare in his life to be recognized by others, so he became excited.

"It's a great honor to see Zhang Xing in the north, Jing'an Terrace, today." When Zhang Xing saw that the other party was about to lose his composure, Zhang Xing hurriedly reported his name, and solemnly left.

"I'm Dengzhou Qin Bao." Qin Bao also cupped his hands in a daze, then turned around and chased after him in a panic.

For a moment, only Yan Qing, who was an expert in cattle and horses, was left, while wiping away tears, he cupped his hands, and then covered his face and left.

Not to mention Yan Qing, but Qin Bao caught up with Zhang Xing and entered the private market under the hesitation and expectation of some thugs, so he couldn't help but ask first:
"Brother Zhang, just now you were, what were you..."

"How do you make people's blood boil like a scene in an ancient book?" Zhang Xing turned his head expressionlessly and asked back. "Then why do you think that he is a good man? And then you want to learn too?"

"Not bad." Qin Erlang gritted his teeth and admitted.

"To put it in a perfunctory way, you know how to look after horses, and I know how to look after people." Zhang Xing continued to speak expressionlessly. "I can tell at a glance that the kid is not something in the pool...you can't learn it."

"Then to be honest?" Qin Bao couldn't wait.

"To be honest, if he doesn't become a hero in the future, someone will remember it? On the other hand, if he really becomes a hero, wouldn't it be the luck of me and him?" Zhang Xing stopped in his tracks, raised his eyebrows, and asked back with his hands outstretched. . "Besides, let's not talk about the future, let's take ten thousand steps back, such a studious child, but because he is despised by others in the market, even his own father obviously doesn't understand him after reading a book, but he still insists on it. It can be seen that there is a saying on character, so I will do the opposite and encourage it seriously? Is it more effort than the bucket of sour plum soup at noon?
A studious child should be encouraged! "

Qin Bao, who seemed to have learned something again, had nothing to say.

At this time, Qin Bao was stunned suddenly, and then immediately turned his gaze to an alley in the distance.Zhang Xing followed his gaze, and suddenly saw a white and brown Northland horse kicking its hooves, looking up at him.

Immediately, the two were overjoyed at the same time, and walked towards the past together.

But when Zhang Xing stretched out his hand to hold the northern pony, which fell in love at first sight, Qin Bao reached out and grabbed a half-sized colt behind the pony. It looks like a leopard, and there is a sarcoma under the jaw. It looks ugly.

But needless to say by Qin Bao, Zhang Xing also realized in an instant that this ugly horse is the real steed, because when Qin Bao went to pull the horse, the horse hair exploded before Qin Bao touched it. Bao also withdrew his hand in astonishment, but the horse didn't crow at all, just shook its hair, and stood up again.

Zhang Xing had already guessed what was going on, this ugly horse actually drew out Qin Bao's Ding Lei True Qi.

"The private market is cheap, no bargaining..." At this moment, in the alley behind the two horses, a man wearing a bamboo hat suddenly spoke. "Two horses together, 140 strings."

Huama's mouth is just right, fat and strong, according to the rules, the standard market price is [-] guan, and the private market is cheaper, it is likely to be [-] guan or even less.

In other words, the horse seller is not an idiot. He knows that the other half-sized ugly spotted horse has something to say about it, so even though it is so ugly, it is still half-sized, and the price is nearly twice that of the fancy horse.

Qin Bao was momentarily stunned when he heard the words, his war horse subsidy had already bought a yellow puma, but he realized the miracle, how could he have the money to buy another horse, which was obviously so much more expensive than ordinary healthy horses.

"I have no choice but to sell this horse." Seeing this, Dou Like was a little impatient. "It's probably a dragon species. I wanted to take a gamble...but it eats meat and drinks alcohol. If you don't give it to you, you'll tear down the stables. It won't be able to raise it until it's half-grown. You don't have the money and strength to wait for it. As an adult, I bet he is a real dragon... If you don't buy it, I have to take the risk of taking it to Tianjie to see if there are any dignitaries who know the goods."

"Be careful if you don't meet a noble person. First, the middle-level officials and the army are interested in it. They will take it away without giving money." Zhang Xing explained the embarrassing situation of the other party in one sentence. "Both of us are paupers from out of town. There is no such thing as 140 yuan... There is no need to worry about selling a fancy horse. You just say how much is this ugly horse with spots?"

"85 guan!" The bamboo hat guest paused and replied in a muffled voice. "No more bargaining."

"Eighty guan, I use all silver. Now silver is in short supply. It is 48 taels of silver. I will give you 49 taels. You can hide it wherever you want... How about it? This is all my silver, and I have a few copper coins left , I have to save some for myself to eat." Zhang Xing tried his best to persuade him while doing the calculation.

The bamboo hat guest pressed the bamboo hat and looked at the brocade clothes and embroidered knives on the two of them, and said in a low voice, "You are not easy to get along with, I will not go with you to withdraw money... 49 taels, I have to bring the cash here!"

"Erlang, you ride fast, go to the cattle and horse shop to borrow a horse, go to my residence and get the 13 taels of silver that is in the bag beside the bed, and I will wait for you here." Without hesitation, Zhang Xing turned around and whispered ordered. "Go back quickly."

Qin Bao glanced at the horse with some reluctance, nodded, then turned around and left immediately.

After Qin Bao left, Zhang Xing stayed at a distance and dragged his horse, only talking to the seller, but since the seller got the letter, he kept silent... There was no other choice, the two could only wait.

Sure enough, Qin Erlang was reliable, and rushed back to Shiyifang with the silver before the street was cleaned. Immediately afterwards, Zhang Xing did not hesitate, and directly counted 36 plus 49 in person, a total of [-] taels of silver, and it was indeed his. Most of the net worth was directly handed over to the other party, and then the local boss checked the silver and received a couple of commissions. The transaction was considered successful, and he led the horse out of the alley.

"Congratulations, Brother Zhang, for getting a dragon horse." As soon as he walked out, Qin Bao cupped his hands to congratulate him, but he couldn't hide the envy in his eyes.

Zhang Xing had no expression on his face, he just wrapped the reins around the opponent's arched hand, and then cupped his hand in the other direction: "Congratulations to Qin Erlang for his insight into horses, and he won a dragon colt. Don't forget, return my yellow puma to me on time."

Qin Bao realized what the other party meant in an instant, and instinctively wanted to decline, because the value of the two horses was really different... But with the reins in hand, he, a horse lover, couldn't bear it for a while.

After a long while, I finally managed to come up with a few words: "Could it be that Brother Zhang thinks that I'm a good man?"

Zhang Xing laughed out loud when he heard the words, and countless appropriate replies had already flashed through his mind...some of them were more straightforward:

Qin Erlang is naturally a hero, and BMW is a worthy hero!
There are also those who rely on the central idea:
All affairs in the world are people-oriented, what is it in front of Qin Erlang?

Similar rhetoric, in the previous world, he who had been in charge of politics and history all day could give him a dozen, which is not the same.

But after thinking about it, Zhang Xing found it boring, so he just nodded his chin, then stretched out his hand and patted the other person's shoulder, and said with a smile:

"No other meaning, I just think Erlang, you are not bad, you can get along!"

Qin Erlang is an insider, so he naturally knew that the other party was joking, so he didn't let himself be too burdened by the matter, so he laughed along with it.But for some reason, when the other party turned around, even though he knew what was going on in his heart, his eyes turned red like that half-baby Yan Qing.

PS: Surprised!It was discovered that Master Tongtang had tipped a leader.

(End of this chapter)