Chapter 21 Someone gave me wine and food (asking for monthly ticket) In the old alleys of the ancient city, there is an old man curled up against the wall and a young scholar standing with his back bent. One turbid and one clear looked at each other. "Can this be fixed?" "The ceiling can be repaired and remade with bamboo. The cloth inside is also torn. It needs to be sewn with needle and thread." "It's good if it can be fixed." "You have to pay for two things!" The old man was dark-skinned and had wrinkles all over his face. He looked at Lin Jue with some worry, as if he felt sorry for him and as if he was afraid that he would be unwilling. "how much is it?" Lin Jue also became worried. "Sewing cloth costs three cents, and repairing bookcases costs five cents." The old man gestured with his hands as he spoke.
"Hachimon..." Lin Jue couldn't help but be dazed for a moment. Hearing what the old man said earlier and seeing his expression, he thought he would have to pay a large sum of money, or be asked to pay a huge price. It turned out that Danxun County was just like Shu Village. What the old man was worried about, and what he was going to earn after all his hard work, was just a mere eight cents. "Thank you, old man." Lin Jue paid the money first, agreed on a time and place to pick it up, and then left. After walking a long way with my schoolbag on my back, I suddenly walked in the city with empty hands. I felt light all over, and without anything pressing on my shoulders, I felt extremely comfortable. While walking around, I tend to look around more often. But mainly I want to buy a knife. The world has been in chaos in recent years, with people, demons and ghosts all around. Traveling merchants have to carry weapons for self-defense, and a small knife is really not enough. At the same time, the demons and ghosts in this world are obviously not able to kill people as easily as killing chickens once they have achieved enlightenment. Most of them are made of flesh, so an iron weapon can not only defend against people, but also against demons. Even for ghosts, which are more illusory and ethereal, the weapon in your hand is more powerful, and your courage and blood are stronger, so it is not easy for ghosts to take advantage of you. Lin Jue had also heard of legends about martial artists slaying ghosts at night. It was also said that the sword's blade would remain frozen for three years without fading, but he didn't know how much of it was true. Anyway, I have to buy a knife. The first choice is the Pudao. As the saying goes, an inch longer, an inch stronger. Even though the masters in the army all claim that they can break spears and halberds with a single sword, once they go into battle, they all carry spears and halberds, not swords. This is true for the masters, and even more so for the weak. It is also cheaper, more functional, and less obtrusive. Lin Jue took a look around and quickly bought it. Because the Pudao is so common. This is a combination weapon: A hatchet;
A whistle stick. Usually, they can be separated and used separately, or the axe can be placed in a bookcase and carried on the back with only a whistle stick, which can be used as a crutch. Use the axe when you need the axe, and use the whistle stick when you need the stick. If there is danger, they can be combined. Because it itself is the result of the previous strict control of long weapons by the imperial court. At that time, the imperial court did not allow people to carry long spears and swords at will. Even long sticks had to have holes punched in the front end of the sticks, so that they would make a whistle sound when swung. These were called whistling sticks. Those without holes were called stun sticks. This is what the so-called stun stick means. This was not allowed. However, when warriors traveled around the world, they had the need to defend themselves and fight, so they combined the hatchet used by ordinary people to chop wood with a whistle stick. The handle of the hatchet itself was hollow and could be equipped with a wooden handle. It just so happened that the top of the whistle stick had a hole. Once combined, the knife became longer and the whistle stick stopped making a sound, killing two birds with one stone. The Pudao came into being. This is very practical for Lin Jue. Not only did he have a walking stick, but he also had a hatchet. If he were to go to Yishan, where the mountain road was difficult to travel, and he encountered branches and thorns blocking the way, the hatchet would be more useful than a sword. The scholar carrying a book on his back and a wooden cane looks harmonious. So he walked back to the inn, leaning on the stick. Lin Jue smelled a bit of odor on his body. Last time he washed in a roadside river. Although the river water was cool, it was not as refreshing as hot water. So he asked the waiter of the inn: "How much does it cost to have a bucket of hot water for a bath?" "Sir, do you want a small bucket or a big bucket? A small bucket is full. There is a special place for bathing downstairs with a cloth to cover it. It only costs five cents a bucket. A large bucket can be used for bathing and can be moved to the room. It only costs twenty cents a bucket including water and the wooden bucket. Moving it to the room costs two cents more." The waiter of the inn said, "The water we use is canal water. This place is right at the upper reaches, so it is very clean." The price is more expensive than Lin Jue thought. It must be because water and firewood are expensive these days, and salary is always an important expense for city dwellers. Lin Jue couldn't help but hesitate for a moment. Although I have just made some money, I don’t know how long the road ahead is, so I have to save money. What's more, most of his uncle, aunt and cousins at home are still living frugally, and this road overlaps with the route of Shu Village merchants. Lin Jue also thought that if he happened to meet merchants from the same village on the road, he would ask them to take ten taels of silver back to repay their kindness. But I just changed my mind and let it go. It's a rare opportunity to have a good rest. If I miss this opportunity, I'm afraid I'll be thinking about it and feeling unhappy for days. "Give me a big bucket and heat up the water!" "Do you want to move upstairs?" "Save you some energy." "Okay! Sir, please take a rest for a while. I'll be there for you soon!" The guy went to fetch some water and boil some water. It wasn't long before steam began to rise in the bathroom. Lin Jue sat in the wooden tub and soaked himself. He rubbed himself clean and then sat still. His entire body from the neck down was soaked in the hot water. He immediately felt an indescribable comfort. This kind of comfort was not only something he had not felt in the past half month, but also something he had never felt since he came into this world. When his pores were opened by the hot water, and even his head began to feel dizzy and sleepy, all the unhappiness he had felt since coming to this world was temporarily diluted by this extreme comfort, and he felt as if everything was a dream.
"Sir, would you like some hot water?" "Do you charge money?" "Four cents a barrel, two cents for half a barrel, and I'll bring it to you when it boils." "No more." "But we have to cook first?" "Just have some fried eggs with angelica peel." Lin Jue didn't have the strength to speak anymore, so he paused, "And another bowl of rice. A big bowl of rice. White rice." "okay!" It seemed like being intoxicated for a moment, and also like having a nap. "Wow..." Lin Jue finally stood up and picked up his original clothes. He suddenly felt that the smell was even stronger. Fortunately, there were clean clothes next to him. As he walked out, he happened to meet the innkeeper who was walking over. "Are you enjoying your bath, sir?" "It's half a pound lighter." "The food is ready, I was just about to go and invite you." "Okay, let's go." Lin Jue was too lazy to go upstairs to put things away, so he went out, put his clothes on the bench, and started eating. The so-called Acanthopanax bark is actually a wild vegetable in this area. It grows in spring and summer and can be used for cold dishes, stir-frying, or cooking soup. It is free and is a wild vegetable commonly eaten by locals. The inn did not skimp on the oil and gas, and the food was even a bit oily. The wild vegetables and eggs tasted pretty good and were nutritious. Served with a bowl of white rice, it would have been a bit simple in his previous life, but at this moment, Lin Jue felt extremely satisfied. I am used to drinking porridge at my uncle's house. It brings satisfaction and comfort. After all, it's your own money. The young scholar lowered his head and vigorously digged the small pieces of egg flowers, the loose white rice with distinct grains, and the oil and water mixed together, and it went into his mouth very smoothly. But he didn't notice that someone was looking at him. At this time, the innkeeper came out holding a jar with steam coming out of it. He used a wet cloth to insulate the heat and walked quickly to the table next to him. Unexpectedly, the person at the next table suddenly spoke: "Is this the young man who killed the strange monkey outside the city with the chivalrous knights this afternoon?" "Exactly." Before Lin Jue could say anything, the waiter had already answered for him. "Give my pot of soup to you, my dear!"
"what?" "Bring it quickly." The innkeeper who had just walked in front of him was surprised, but did not dare to refute. He nodded quickly, turned a corner, and walked quickly towards Lin Jue's table. With a bang, the earthen jar was placed on the table. The guy immediately let go and pinched his ear. In the pot was half a free-range chicken, not chopped up, mixed with some light seaweed-like stuff, and immersed in chicken soup, with the soup sloshing around. "Ok?" Lin Jue was surprised. Sitting at the next table was a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance, who was bowing to him: "Don't be surprised, young master. You don't have to be polite. My brother runs a tea shop outside the north city gate. I lent you a broadsword today." "Is that your brother?" "Exactly." "In that case, I should thank your brother, but you are..." "My dear, please don't be polite. The group of strange monkeys outside the city have been causing trouble for a long time, and we have been very angry for a long time. Today, the city is full of rumors that someone has killed it and took a monkey head on horseback to the county government to receive a reward from the county magistrate. Everyone who heard about it was very happy and admired the courage and heroism of the two heroes. I am the same, so I came to find you specially. There is no other reason, just to see that you have worked hard to kill the evil. It is not enough to eat only a small dish and a bowl of rice, so I will treat you to a pot of chicken soup to replenish your body." "How can this work?" "Why not? I'm afraid you don't like it. If that's the case, please bring another plate of incense!" "Don't, don't, don't..." Lin Jue felt embarrassed and immediately stopped them. Looking at the man again, he had already forced a smile and bowed to him again: "Thank you, young master, for your kindness." "This……" But it’s hard to refuse anymore. Lin Jue had no choice but to continue eating. "We have many rainy days here, and the weather is often humid, so stone fungus often grows in the damp cracks of cliffs and river banks. It looks thin, soft and slippery and not very tasty, but it is actually delicious." The man continued to talk to him, "I don't know if you eat this in your hometown, but we do eat it here. I like to use it to stew chicken soup, which has a unique flavor." "Not much." After hearing what they said and looking at you, you have no choice but to get a bowl to try. This is an inn in the city, located on the main street. There are other people in the inn, so Lin Jue is not worried about any problems. A bowl of clear chicken soup with some light and fluffy stone ear mushrooms floating in it. Lin Jue blew away the oil on the surface and the hot air, then lowered his head to take a sip. It’s definitely different from regular chicken soup. This stone fungus looks like seaweed and tastes about the same, but its impact on the taste of the soup is not as great as seaweed.
"how?" The man looked at him and asked. "good." "As long as you are satisfied, my dear! If there are any other dishes you like, just let me know!" "Don't be like this." Lin Jue refused again and again, then changed the subject and asked, "Are many people in the city talking about this?" "What's the matter? Is it about you getting rid of the strange monkey?" "Of course it is." "Indeed, many people are talking about it. I had heard about it before my brother came to see me. That group of strange monkeys is really a big scourge to our Danxun. Many people said that if they met you, they would definitely treat you to a bowl of wine." The man said, "But I am the only one who got what I wanted." "It's not just me who did this. The bulk of the blame lies with that person." "I wonder where that person is?" "Left out of town." "That's it." The man asked the waiter to bring some wine, poured himself a glass, gave Lin Jue another, raised his glass and drank with him, sighing, "Fortunately, not many people know that you are staying in this inn, otherwise, you might not be able to leave tomorrow." “That’s exaggerated.” Lin Jue didn't like drinking, but the alcohol content of the wine at that time was not very high. Others were kind enough to give him big dishes and raise their glasses, so he also took a sip. It is rice wine with a strong rice aroma. The man continued to talk to him across the table, with many words of praise, and in a trance it really felt like the hero, poet, or talented person in the story who is always flattered and treated to dinner wherever he goes. (End of this chapter)
