Kaifeng Monster

Chapter 106 Blue and White Notes (2)
After getting up from the bath, I changed into a clean underwear. My whole body felt much refreshed. My half-wet hair was matted, and the few strands hanging on my shoulders soon soaked my clothes.Zhan Zhao didn't take it seriously, he didn't even bring Ju Que, so he walked out and went to the tea shop facing the street to have breakfast.

The owner of the tea shop, Li Laoshi, warmly welcomed Zhan Zhao to his seat. Before Zhan Zhao could speak, he brought up hot soy milk and steamed buns stuffed with fine bean paste, and a small dish of finely chopped pickle stalks as a gift.

Zhan Zhao took a deep breath, a child-like contentment appeared on his usually calm face, he picked up a pickle stalk with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth, chewing slowly, it was obviously just an ordinary pickle, from the eyes of others , It seems to be tasting delicacies from mountains and seas.

The outside of the shop slowly became bustling, with the sound of driving, hawking, and shouting, one after another, Zhan Zhao paused for a moment with chopsticks in his hand, quietly listening to the various affairs outside.

"Boss, here's a big bowl of porridge and two baskets of meat buns!"

The sound was sudden, and at the same time, it was the sound of heavy objects being placed on the table.Out of the corner of Zhan Zhao's eyes, he caught a glimpse of a tall and thick figure from behind, and suddenly thought of someone, and blurted out, "Brother Xu?"

The visitor was taken aback for a moment, turned around quickly, and was amused as soon as he saw each other: "Zhanmao... er, Zhanwei?"

Sure enough, it was the third mouse in the empty island, the mountain mouse Xu Qing.

Counting it, it had been a while since I had met Xu Qing, but it happened that I ran into him here.Xu Qing hastily moved the burden over to sit at Zhan Zhao's table, and the big bowl of porridge and two cages of meat buns could also be at the same table with Zhan Zhao's breakfast.

"Why did the third brother come to Kaifeng?" Zhan Zhao thought about it.

"Hey, it's not because of the elder brother's business in Kaifeng's silk and satin shop. He said that it was time to check the accounts again, and he couldn't leave by himself. Let me take a look. Guard Zhan, it's not that you don't know that Xu Qing is a rough boss. Look I feel apprehensive about getting into the account. Luckily, my fifth brother is nearby, and counting the days, tomorrow is almost here, so I will throw them all to him, and I won’t care.”

"Brother Bai is also nearby?" Zhan Zhao's heart skipped a beat.

"I was in Luoyang a few days ago, and I didn't know what I was busy with. He knew I was coming to Kaifeng, and he said he would come too."

When it comes to the Five Rats of Zikong Island, Bai Yutang's temper is the most eccentric, wandering around the world, and the days of meeting with his brothers every year, I'm afraid I can count them with a slap. We are close, so we will naturally come to meet.

This further confirmed his speculation that it was definitely not Bai Yutang who set fire to leave a book in the imperial city.

Who is it then?Zhan Zhao has a headache.

As the saying goes, some families are happy and others are sad, Zhan Zhao is of course a bit of a headache, but a certain place in the imperial city, to be precise, is an abandoned cupboard in the imperial dining room of the imperial city, which is filled with jubilant atmosphere.

Let's zoom in.

I saw a blue-and-white porcelain bowl with a broken mouth, sitting proudly leaning against the broken wall of the cupboard, and squatting on the left and right, each with a smaller sand bowl, was hard at work helping the blue-and-white porcelain bowl to beat delicate hands. calves.

"Boss, you have worked hard!"

"Thank you, boss!"

"Be willing to cut yourself to pieces, dare to pull the emperor off the horse! Throughout the ages, only the boss dared to set fire in the palace!"

"We have stayed in the palace for most of our lives, and we have never seen such an outstanding bowl of boss!"

"It's worthy of having been with the gods!"

Xiao Qinghua, yes, you read that right, this blue-and-white porcelain bowl that is so happy that it is stumbling around and opening its mouth is exactly the best supporting actor, Xiao Qinghua!
Xiao Qinghua was so happy that she couldn't close her mouth from ear to ear, pretending to be modest: "Where is it, thank you, thank you!"

These two small sand bowls, one was born in the reign of Taizu and the other was born in the reign of Taizong, both of them are bowls with a little age and experience.It's also because they are lucky, the clay used to make them may have been stepped on by some gods, and they are quite spiritual, so on a certain day of a certain year, a certain month, they suddenly became enlightened, transitioning from an ignorant state with black eyes to the beginning. Have a primitive perception of the world.

At that time, they could not move, and when they saw the world for the first time, they had already been eliminated into the dilapidated cupboard in the backyard of the imperial dining room.The long and lonely time is hard to pass, and the two bowls talk to each other without saying a word. For the convenience of addressing, I also named myself according to my birth date. Xiaoyi can also be regarded as commemorating the brothers Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi who were the founders of the Song Dynasty, and adding some cultural connotation to his name.

Then one day, Little Blue Flower appeared!

At that time, Xiao Qinghua went through a long and arduous trek, and the search for Bai Yutang was still fruitless, but on the way of searching, it heard a story about stealing three treasures.

So it had an idea: Instead of searching for a needle in a haystack, why not use a trick to lure you into it?The so-called mountain can't walk towards you, so it leads you to climb towards the mountain.

So, it came to the imperial city.At that time, it hadn't figured out a plan yet, and urgently needed a hiding place. In this case, it came across this dilapidated cupboard in the backyard of the imperial dining room, and the two spiritual small sand bowls in the cupboard. and Xiaoyi.

Naturally, it directed Dayin and Xiaoyi to complete the upgrade from immobility to activity in the gesture of coming over to the bowl.

Dayin and Xiaoyi's admiration for Xiao Qinghua was in a mess, and Xiao Qinghua's legendary experience of following the gods and defeating the cat demon shocked the two bowls even more.They followed Xiao Qinghua wholeheartedly, voluntarily offered to be driven by him, and even established a gang with Xiao Qinghua as the core leader, referred to as the Qing Gang.

This day is the day when Xiao Qinghua's big plan can be implemented. Seeing the fire in the imperial city, her heart is sweeter than honey. The only fly in the ointment is: the other end of the imperial city also caught fire for some reason. Kind of upstaged it.

A gust of wind blew through, and the loose window lattices creaked.After tossing and tossing for half a night, Xiao Qinghua was also a little tired, and waved her hands in a pompous way to signal Dayin and Xiaoyi to rest.

Of course, it does not rest on its own.

It stared at the gap in the window lattice, looking out from there, you can see the morning sun gradually glowing in the middle of the sky.

After such a fuss, the Bai Engong whom I have been thinking about will appear in Kaifeng, right?If Bai Engong is arrested, it will go to the imperial city and set fire to it, and leave a poem, which indicates that the emperor has arrested the wrong person, then Bai Engong will not have any troubles.

At that time, it will pay a formal visit to Bai Engong to express its willingness to follow him!

Xiao Qinghua secretly clenched her fists.

Zhan Zhao tactfully conveyed to Xu Qing that he wanted to see Bai Yutang urgently.

"I live in the silk and satin village. The fifth younger brother should also live there when he comes. I'll let him find you." Xu Qing smiled honestly, "However, even if I don't tell you, he will still find you."

This is true, whenever Bai Yutang arrives in Kaifeng, he will always drag him to drink and fight, it seems...it has become a habit.

Calculating the time, Mr. Bao should return home, and this matter has to be reported to Mr. Bao.Zhan Zhao bid farewell to Xu Qing, Fang turned around and walked a few steps, Xu Qing called him from behind: "Hey, Zhan Mao...Guard, do you know where the silk and satin village is? Just go west from here, on the outskirts of the city... "

Zhan Zhao responded, and suddenly remembered that the silk and satin village owned by Master Lu in Kaifeng was not far from where Duanmucui lived.

Xu Qing waited for Zhan Zhao to go away, hula la finished the steamed stuffed bun and rice porridge in front of him, settled the bill and left with his bag.His baggage is extremely heavy—it’s not that heavy, his own specialty, two big copper hammers, are all wrapped in it.

He had pointed out the way for Zhan Zhao to go to the silk and satin shop just now, but when he walked by himself, he got confused and looked around at the corner of the winding alley: How did he get here?The last time I came here, it seems that I should turn around from a big locust tree...

Just as he was hesitating, a woman in gray and white gown came over with a basket in front of her. She was about forty years old, with neatly tied hair.She raised her head and glanced at Xu Qing, and saw that this man was tall and thick, with a strong figure, he looked like a storyteller's bandit who robbed houses, she felt a little timid in her heart, avoided the side, and walked next to the wall.

"Hey, auntie, let me ask you." Xu Qing carelessly stepped forward to block the woman's way.

This woman is none other than Aunt Liu invited by Zhan Zhao to take care of Duanmucui.

Let’s talk about Aunt Liu, who has kept her life safe all her life and has never been outside of Kaifeng. She is a typical timid and responsible woman, and she would be terrified for several days when she occasionally heard about some bandits.Seeing Xu Qing like this, she felt apprehensive, and unconsciously used him to trap the bad guy. Now that she saw him stretching out his hand to block the way, she panicked even more, and she didn't hear what Xu Qing said to her at all.

"It's in broad daylight, what do you want to do..."

As soon as Xu Qing heard it, he knew that Aunt Liu had misunderstood it. To be honest, it was not the first time he encountered such a situation. Who let his old lady give birth to him like Zhong Kui? Yes, but in my spare time, I always scare the two dolls to tears from time to time...

"Hey, Auntie, you're overthinking!" Xu Qing stamped his feet and tugged at the burden belt on his shoulders.It's also because he was unlucky. With such a pull, the corners of the burden, which were usually tied tightly, were loosened, and the daily changes of laundry fell all over the floor. The key point is that the two big copper hammers made two bangs When it landed, it smashed all the corners of the paved bluestone slabs.

Now Aunt Liu was really scared, she screamed and hid back.

This can't be blamed on Aunt Liu's lack of knowledge. In modern times, the effect of carrying two AK47s may be similar to that of carrying two AK[-]s. People who live a peaceful life, don't they tremble in fright when they see such a murderous weapon?

Xu Qing hurriedly leaned over to pick it up. At this moment, Aunt Liu ran away with the basket like a frightened rabbit.

Xu Qing felt very sorry, wrapped his clothes under his armpits, and stomped his feet in the direction Aunt Liu was running with a big brass hammer in each hand: "Hey, Auntie, what's the matter?"

With a creaking sound of the door, Duanmucui opened the door and came out.

As soon as he opened the door, he bumped into Aunt Liu who was still in shock. Aunt Liu was out of breath, shaking with one hand pointing outside.

Duanmucui poked his head out curiously.

Scary, what is it like for such a man like an iron tower, with a copper hammer in each hand, to open a mountain?Duanmucui rolled up his sleeves, fully prepared to make two moves with Xu Qing.

But after a while, she changed her mind.

The person in front of him looked a bit fierce, but seeing the awkward eyes, the expression of being unable to explain, and more importantly, the two majestic sledgehammers in his hands, when he saw her coming, he unexpectedly He took a few steps back awkwardly.

Duanmucui stopped, looked at Xu Qing, and then looked back at Aunt Liu.

Aunt Liu poked out only one head, looking this way nervously.

Probably a misunderstanding, Duanmu Cui burst out laughing.

At the end of the matter, Xu Qing was invited into Duanmucui's yard and drank a big bowl of tea.

Aunt Liu also knew that she had misunderstood, so she panicked with embarrassment and complained repeatedly that Mr. Storyteller was harmful.

Xu Qing sat on the edge of the flower bed foolishly, Gu Lulu drank the bowl of tea upside down, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and scratched his head: "Girl, why doesn't a single grass grow in your flower bed?"

Duanmucui pursed her lips and laughed.

Xu Qing blushed, hesitantly didn't know what to say, suddenly remembered the business, and asked Aunt Liu where the silk and satin shop was.Aunt Liu came to a sudden: "That Zhuangzi, so it belongs to your family?"

"It's not from my family..." Xu Qing was stupid, and Aunt Liu muttered for a long time, but she didn't figure out what kind of relationship he had with the Lu Fang he was talking about. Fortunately, Aunt Liu didn't care at all.

After asking where the silk and satin shop is, it seems that it is not good to bother here, Xu Qing hung up the bag bag, took two steps outside and turned back: "Then... girl, I'm leaving."

Just leave, no one can keep you, Duanmucui laughed: I have never seen such a funny person.

Xu Qing made her laugh so nervously that she stepped out the door in three steps at a time, as if fleeing from famine.

After walking for a while, he looked back secretly, the gate had been closed from the inside, and there was a cluster of lavender flowers crowded against the courtyard wall, the petals were white, very elegant.

this girl...

Xu Qing scratched his head: It's really pretty.

The next day, Xu Qing got up early, from the shopkeeper to the clerk in the silk and satin shop, everyone respected him when he saw him, and said: "Third Master."

Third Master?What third master?Xu Qing frowned, it must have been done by the elder brother, a man from the rivers and lakes, what kind of master or not.

But he didn't say anything, he stretched his neck to look at the cloth piled high on the shelf, red, green, white, blue, silk, satin, silk, linen, embossed brocade, dark pattern, His eyes were dazzled.

"Third master, is this going to... pick cloth?" The shopkeeper greeted Bafang, looking at his eyebrows raised and his eyes lowered, he could guess people's thoughts eight or nine points, and he was even more accurate when facing the honest and honest Xu Qing. .

"Hmm..." Xu Qing was a little embarrassed to be guessed right.

"This kind of cloth..." The shopkeeper's eyes wandered around the part Xu Qing looked at the most, "But it's all for girls..."

Xu Qingteng immediately blushed.

"Well, the girl's house...the girl's house...the girl from far away..."

The shopkeeper's heart immediately became clear.

These three masters, to put it bluntly, are in their thirties. They were born with a big and three rough, and they are a bit reckless, but they are good people, but they don't know why they haven't got married.I remember that when the Five Rats came together years ago, Elder Master Lu Fang took a chance and told him to help the third master to take care and see if there was any girl he liked. He had been thinking about this all the time.However, this third master is not often seen throughout the year, so this matter has been dragged on until now.

Could it be that the reckless man has also enlightened?

The shopkeeper was secretly happy, the owners of the silk and satin shop were all lenient, and he was also happy that they could do good things smoothly, so he was so attentive that he stepped on the shelf and took down several models from the shop.

"Third Master, look at this... this... and this..."

As soon as Aunt Liu opened the door, she saw Xu Qing and the two pieces of silk he was holding.The silk is light green, covered with a layer of gauze, and it looks like a high-quality product.

"Auntie..." Xu Qing mumbled, "It's nothing, just thank you for the tea yesterday..."

Aunt Liu came here, looked at Bu, then looked at Xu Qing, then looked at Bu, well, she understood everything.

While understanding, it also brought back some memories of her.

Back then, the dead old man of their family also had a face-to-face meeting on the first day, and on the second day he brought half a bag of corn cobs, put them at the door, and smiled silly at her.Half a month later, the matchmaker came to the door.

History is always surprisingly similar...

After Aunt Liu woke up from the memory, Xu Qing had been standing at the door for a long time, flustered, and he couldn't let go of the hand holding the cloth, and he couldn't let go.

"Master Xu..." Aunt Liu was in a dilemma, "The girl hasn't gotten up yet, I can't accept this thing..."

"It's okay, just accept it first." Xu Qing was sweating, "It's not worth much, just thank you for the tea yesterday..."

Such a big man was so nervous that he couldn't speak anymore, so he suddenly stuffed the cloth into Aunt Liu's arms, and seemed to run away.

"Hey, Master Xu..." Aunt Liu stomped her feet anxiously.Seeing if he can't be called back, he had to send the cloth to the hall first, and then went back to the kitchen to make soup for Duanmucui.

When she came over in the morning, Duanmucui opened the door for her, and went back to her room to sleep.She saw that Duanmucui's expression was not very good, and she asked a few more questions. Sure enough, Duanmucui only said that she accidentally bumped into her, and her back felt uncomfortable.

Aunt Liu was in a lot of trouble thinking about what to eat to make up for it. This girl is picky, and she doesn't drink any chicken soup, bone soup, so I can only cook some mushroom soup for her.

While she was busy with her work, there was another knock on the door outside. Aunt Liu wiped her hand on her bib and hurried over to open the door.

Sure enough, it was Zhan Zhao, wearing a crimson official uniform, a black gauze official hat, and a hairband prefix. The official hat was decorated with a shiny white jade, which made the whole person more energetic.

Zhan Zhao usually came here in casual clothes, and seeing his tight official uniform, he knew he wouldn't stay for long.

Sure enough, Zhan Zhao didn't come in: "Is Duanmu up?"

"It is said that he is not feeling well, and he is still sleeping."

Zhan Zhao smiled, and handed the food box in his hand to Aunt Liu: "I just passed by Baiweilou and bought some steamed dumplings with shepherd's purse and mushroom soaked in shrimp paste. It’s just a taste. I buy a lot, and Aunt Liu also tastes it.”

(End of this chapter)