Iron Age

It’s snowing, and the vast expanse of land is white. The adults in thick fur clothing are preparing for the New Year. The railway line that usually transports coal and goods is now occupied by people who come and go to pay New Year’s greetings. They say it’s New Year’s greetings, but they are actually The collection of bills, coal for coking in Liguo Iron Mine, rice noodles, meat, eggs and fruits for daily use, firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar and tea are mostly provided by merchants in Xuzhou Prefecture, eighty miles south of the iron factory, and the luxury goods in the south flow through the canal It is constantly transported to Xuzhou Prefecture, and then sent to various places. It seems to be a transportation center and a thoroughfare for four provinces. It can be called a resort in troubled times.

The merchants in Xuzhou Prefecture obtained the contract from the iron factory through bidding, supplied these daily necessities on time, and settled accounts every once in a while. The pig iron, steel products, various iron products, and weapons produced by the iron factory were also sold to various places in the south through the merchants. Seeing that the end of the year is approaching, merchants come to settle their accounts firstly, and secondly come to work hard for next year's contract.Walk around and give gifts.

The second lady decided to take a stroll in Xuzhou Mansion. The iron works were full of mud, soot, black smoke, and vulgar and savage men. For girls, it was necessary to change the environment every once in a while to cultivate their mood.

After the last wrestling match, the Second Miss never let Liu Ziguang end, and even moved him out of the wrestling camp, into a house with wooden beds and quilts, where he could eat white rice every day.What he enjoys is the treatment of a servant. He hasn’t slept on a decent bed for more than a year. Liu Ziguang is very emotional. Although the living environment has improved, he still always misses escape, but he has no choice but to be heavily guarded and knows nothing about the outside world. I don't know, let's find a chance to escape with the three brothers, he thought to himself.

Miss Er lacked any characters who could fight. Although gladiators could win money and be fun, she suddenly felt a little bit reluctant to let this young man die in the arena, so she gave Liu Ziguang the status of a servant.It's not bad to let him fight with him to show off.

Let the Ministry of Communications hang up a special train. The second lady took a few maids to Xuzhou to purchase new year's goods. Yu Xiaolong was busy with work and couldn't accompany him. Take the general in red.What is the necessary moment, of course it is a fight, the second miss's favorite.

Liu Ziguang changed into the clothes of ordinary servants, black cotton robe, corrugated hat, and three other servants took shelter from the wind on the plank road outside the carriage. The second lady took a maid to rest in the conservatory. The train arrived at Xuzhoufu Station an hour later. , the station has the transfer office of the iron factory stationed all year round. The office prepared a green woolen sedan chair, the bearer carried the second lady, and the rest walked to the city.

Second Miss did not go to the rouge water shop and the silk and satin shop, but first went to the iron shop opened by the iron factory to inspect. There is a workshop in the iron factory that specializes in making steel knives and long swords. There is a semicolon, and the weapons of the Lianfeng are all made of refined steel, which is expensive, but the bodyguard bureaus and martial arts schools all over the world are still flocking to them. The heroes in the world are also proud of owning a steel knife of the Lianfeng .Swords belong to short soldiers, and the government does not prohibit them from wearing them. As for long spears and halberds, of course Lianfeng also produces them, but they are custom-made for the army, and ordinary people cannot buy them at all.

The manager of the shop is a middle-aged man with a scar on his face. Seeing the lady from the host family coming, he hurriedly made tea and entertained him. Let's go shopping in the horse market street, which specializes in dogs and horses.

Horse Market Street is the place where Xuzhou Fu used to sell horses. Later, it gradually evolved into dogs, horses, owls, monkeys and starlings. It sells everything. It is the favorite place for young people in the surrounding cities to shop besides Flower Street and Willow Alley.

There were a lot of people on the street, and the second lady got out of the sedan chair and walked. The 16-year-old girl was wearing a brocade and cloud satin jacket, a cloak of feathers in a white fox with a plain flower feather gauze, gold and cloud suede boots under her feet, and ermines on her ears. He warmed his ears, held candied haws in his hand, and gnawed them while walking. The two red blushes on his pink face were extremely cute, and he looked like Miss Jiao from a wealthy businessman.

The second lady saw a crowd of people watching something lively, and became very curious, so she pushed aside the crowd and got in. It turned out that a merchant who spoke the northern dialect was selling dogs. With two fox tails hanging down, his attire is very different from that of the Central Plains, it seems that he is from outside the Guan.

There are two dogs in front of the merchants. They are of medium build, covered with thick gray fur, a pair of blue eyes in the shape of almonds, and ears raised high. They look like wolves, but are as docile as pugs and are not afraid of others. Compared with the stubborn and savage dogs at home, the hands that are friendly and caressed by the surrounding people are simply too graceful and cute.The second lady's eyes straightened immediately, she stroked one of the dog's heads, and generously fed the candied haws in her hand to the dog.

The merchants spattered: "This kind of dog, named Husky, came from the Raksha Kingdom thousands of miles away as a tribute. In Dajin and Daliao, only the royal family and nobles could afford it. It can be used for fun in normal times, and it can be used for pulling sleds in winter. Gentle and cute, can understand people's words, not to mention the Central Plains, even the Yanyun area is very rare, these two were obtained from the mansion of the sixth prince of the Dajin Kingdom, the price is huge, so today I want to sell it for a good price, listen It is said that Xuzhou Prefecture is full of rich and powerful people, I think you will not disappoint me."

"Okay, don't say any more, this lady wants it all, you can offer the price." The second lady hugged the dog's head, reluctant to let go, and waved for the maid to come and pay the bill.

"Miss Hui, the price of two husky tribute dogs is 2000 taels of silver." The merchant replied humbly with his head bowed.

"Qiuxiang, give me the money." The second lady's tone seemed very casual, as casual as buying stinky tofu for two yuan on the street.

The spectators around exclaimed, 1000 taels of silver to buy a dog is simply too expensive, and an ordinary clerk in the government office only earns a hundred and ten taels of silver a year, and this hundred taels of silver can support the life of a medium-sized family for a year. It was very moist and comfortable.

Standing at the back, Liu Ziguang changed his expression in surprise when he heard such an outrageous price. You must know that the iron factory bought these slaves for 25 taels of silver, and forty slaves can be exchanged for a dog.

Surprised to be surprised, the spectators are experts after all, this kind of husky tribute dog is indeed rare, the rare is the most expensive, and the asking price is reasonable. This little girl is not simple, it seems that she doesn’t understand, asking for prices, sitting on the ground and paying back the money Reasonable, I agreed without frowning, it seems that wealth is certain.

Qiu Xiang is the second lady's maid, and she is also a gentleman, and she casually takes out two banknotes with huge face value from her purse, and is about to pay the bill.

"Wait a minute, this tribute dog is our son's first fancy. Whose girl are you, dare to fight with our son?" A domineering butler-looking fellow among the spectators said, behind him was a son wearing a fox fur cloak. , wearing a square scarf on her head, her two wretched eyes were staring at the rosy face of the second young lady.

Qiuxiang is worthy of being the second lady's close maid, and she acts with the arrogance of the second lady in every gesture, "You guys are worthy of my family's fight? Not to mention that my lady asked the price first, just let you buy it, you buy it Can you afford it?"

The butler still wanted to open his mouth, but the wretched young man stretched out his folding fan, stopped the butler, and said with a smile: "What a pretty girl with sharp teeth, Xiaosheng is going to fight today, not for Xiaosheng's own face, but also for Xiaosheng's own face." For my father's face. To make money, take money, 3000 taels."

"Here, son," the butler named Wangcai took out three silver bills, triumphantly, and threw them on the counter of the merchants in the Northland, "My son is from Haizhou, and his surname is Huang. I advise you not to argue. "

There are many salt merchants in Haizhou, and the richest salt merchants are rare in the country. The richest salt merchant has the surname Huang. Tell me, which sister doesn't love money, let alone such a handsome and suave son.

Hearing that she was going to fight for wealth, the second lady became interested.With a radius of hundreds of miles, including the Qunwangfu, there are very few people who can compete with the iron factory in terms of funds.Since this wretched boy in front of him wants to play with an ax in front of Lu Ban, he should play with him.

"Qiuxiang, take 5000 taels of silver."

"Wangcai, take 6000 taels."

"Qiuxiang, 8000 taels!"

"Wangcai, 1 taels!"

The onlookers clapped their hands and applauded, followed by booing, Qiu Xiang's face was blushing, she approached the second lady and said, "Miss, this Haizhou guy has sex with us, look into his eyes, he is looking at you, miss, He's so nasty...do you want the general in red to cut him down?"

The wretched young man unfolded his folding fan with a slamming sound, and looked elegantly at the second lady with his small eyes.

The second young lady waved her hand in a rather general manner, "Bring them all."

Qiuxiang handed over a thick stack of banknotes, and the second lady took it and slapped it on the table, "10 taels, the banknotes paid by the Rishengchang bank, I don't believe you can come up with so much."

The wretched young man's expression changed, and he also waved his hand at Wangcai. After waving for a long time, there was no movement. Wangcai leaned close to the young master's ear: "Today, I brought 3 taels. They seem to have a lot of background, young master, be careful."

"Slave dog, what do you know? No matter how big you are, how can you be better than my uncle? Look at me later and act."

The wretched Mr. Huang laughed dryly, folded his folding fan, took two steps forward, cupped his hands and said: "Young lady is indeed wealthy, and she spends money like water. I am admirable. I would like to invite the young lady to go to the nearby restaurant to have a light meal. Please do me a favor. "

The second lady snorted; "If you don't have money, you can imitate others. This lady doesn't deal with poor people." Ignoring the Northland merchants who were staring at the banknotes in a daze, they took two huskies and were about to leave.

"Hey~~~, today you have to go, you have to go, you have to go, from Haizhou Mansion to Xuzhou Mansion, no one dares to refute our Young Master Huang's face! Little ones!" He stretched out his hands to stop the second lady, and lined up behind him were a few big men, holding steel knives in their hands, and lighting lanterns in the clear sky. Two pairs of lanterns were written with Haizhou Salt Deputy History on one pair, and the main hall of Xuzhou Mansion on the other. , The idlers saw that they were going to grab someone, Hula flashed a large open space.

"Ah, the main hall of Xuzhou Mansion, you are..." Qiuxiang is very suitable for acting, and pretended to be at a loss. It seems that this is not the first time that she pretends to be a pig and eat a tiger like this, and the second lady also pretends to be timid. , Bai Shengsheng covered his mouth with his little hand.The performance of the four servants was very amateurish, and they sat in surprise.Only Liu Ziguang looked angry.

Mr. Huang laughed, and said: "Put the knife away, don't scare the little lady." Then he said to the second lady: "Today, I want a little lady, and I want a dog. Dogs and humans get both. Haha, follow me obediently." My son, let's go quickly."

After he finished speaking, he raised his hand, and the wolf-like servant rushed towards the second lady and Qiuxiang. Before the second lady waved, Liu Ziguang, who was already very angry, went up to him.

After several heavy punches, the servants turned into panda eyes.

"It's wrong, it's wrong, it's a murder in the street, hurry up!" Mr. Huang was furious.

The rest of the servants rushed forward, these bullying guys were no match for Liu Ziguang, they were beaten to death by him, crying for their father and mother.Seeing that his family was not in the upper hand, Mr. Huang pulled Wang Cai back quietly.

Fighting in the street feels different, you can smash the surrounding things to pieces, and without half a stick of incense, a few servants lie on the ground, groaning, bleeding all over the place, and everyone on the street hides far away Onlookers, the second young lady saw that the beating was over, she clapped her hands unsatisfied, shook off the melon seed shells on the cloak, hid the leftover melon seeds in her purse, and greeted the beaters and actors.

"Go, let's eat."

There is a small hill to the south of Mashi Street. Because the ancestral house of the former minister of the household department is on the mountainside, it is named Hubu Mountain. There is a hotel at the foot of the mountain, called Tongrenju. It is one of the largest restaurants in Xuzhou Prefecture. The second lady won a street fight today. , happy heart, ready to serve under Tongrenju Dayan.

When the waiter saw a distinguished guest coming, he hurried up to greet him, "Several guest officials, invite you to the private room upstairs."

"What an elegant seat! Our lady wants a Tianzi private room!" Qiu Xiang threw out a silver ingot weighing one or two pounds with her nostrils in the air, and the waiter caught it, "Okay, Tianzi private room, eight guests, please, hey , No, should your two expensive dogs be tied to our backyard first? Guest officer."

"Open a local private room for my two dogs." The second lady said, Qiuxiang threw out another ingot of silver when she heard the words, the waiter caught the silver, but didn't dare to put it in his arms, and said in distress, "This... The place name is a private room for VIPs in a small shop, if we entertain your two pet dogs today, I'm afraid we won't be able to do business in this private room in the future."

"What nonsense, call your shopkeeper." Qiuxiang said.

A group of people walked into the Tianzihao private room and sat down. The shopkeeper walked in with a smile on his face. Before he could speak, the second lady placed an ingot of gold on the table, "Two private rooms, two tables with good banquets, please I don't want to hear nonsense."

Seeing the gold ingots weighing one or two weights, the shopkeeper's eyes lit up, "Okay, what would you like to order, my guest, er, take two special guests to the private room of the restaurant."

Dried fruits, candied fruit, and Pu'er tea were put on the table, and the second lady took the menu at a glance, pointing and poking, this.This, and this, ordered more than 30 dishes, two jars of good wine, and the waiter went down.

There was a lot of noise downstairs, there was a sound of people going upstairs, the door curtain was raised, and Mr. Huang walked in. Behind him were two people wearing Fusang warrior uniforms, with three long and short knives pinned to their waists. The three walked into the private room of Tianzihao. Sitting down aggressively, the two warriors were too short, and it was awkward for their long swords to touch the ground after sitting down, so they slapped the swords on the table with a majestic bang, which was truly majestic.

Mr. Huang grinned grimly, ready to speak.Qiuxiang first said, "Miss, it turns out that this person surnamed Huang is still with our family and sells knives. Look at those two dwarfs, they have knives in their waists, hehe." There was a burst of laughter.

Mr. Huang slapped the table and said: "Little lady, don't toast or eat fine wine. It's fine for you and me to buy a tribute dog, but you ordered your evil slaves to hurt my family members. This is a serious matter." You may have heard of the Huang family in Haizhou, today..."

The second lady was very impatient while waiting for the food to be served. Before Mr. Huang could finish speaking, a plate containing dried fruit was thrown at his head, "What's the matter, bring someone to find the place, right? Let's just start the fight."

The Fusang samurai was furious when he heard the words, and before he could make a move, Liu Ziguang had already grasped the handle of the saber on the table first. The Fusang warrior hurriedly pulled out the waist guard, but after all he was a step too late, the sword flashed, and one arm of the Fusang warrior was chopped off.

Another Fusang Lang from "Baga" saw his companion being chopped down, so he swung a knife to kill Liu Ziguang, and the two started to kill Liu Ziguang across the table.

At the same time, the second lady had already picked up the stool and threw it at Mr. Huang with his arms around his head. Immediately, Mr. Huang was bleeding all over his face and fell to the ground. Fusang Lang is picking up his arms, Miss Er is evil