Zheng Anping and others went ashore, and under the leadership of Chen Si, they walked along the winding path. There were not many pedestrians on this road, and the three of them quickly arrived at the foot of Licheng without meeting Gongzi Zhen and his party. This time, Chen Si did not look for that kind of small rebel, but found a large one with a tall gate next to the city gate.
Family members had already arrived at the hall to welcome him. Chen Si asked for a courtyard and asked the owner to arrange a boat to Luoyang. The master was a little embarrassed: "I'm afraid..."
Chen Si stopped and said, "If the master's family is in difficulty, please resign!"
The host hurriedly said: "Although it is difficult, I still have some skills. I don't dare to deceive my distinguished guest. If my family cannot succeed in Licheng, his family will not succeed. I dare to ask our distinguished guest when he will set off."
Chen Sidao: "If you want to handle urgent matters, the sooner the better!"
The host said: "I dare to ask your distinguished guest to rest for a while, and allow me to visit! I will treat my honored guest as soon as possible."
Chen Si said: "I'm sorry, my master!" He followed his family to a courtyard. Chen Si lived in the main room, while Zheng Anping and the stranger lived in the side rooms on both sides. After a while, a stranger came out, fetched water from the well, and brought it into the main room. Then he went to the front and ordered drinks and fruits, which were all moved into the main room. When he was young, Zheng Anping came out and also went to the main room; the three of them tasted wine and fruits together in the room. After eating, the stranger packed up the food and came out and returned the utensils to the hall. Everyone went into their rooms to rest.
At noon, the host of the reverse trip knocked on the door outside the courtyard, and a stranger came in. He went to the main room and reported: "The host is here to visit!" Chen Si said inside: "Please change your clothes!"
When he came out, he bowed his master to the room and said to the foreigner: "Mr. Zheng, please share the table with us!" The foreigner invited Zheng Anping, closed the door and went outside, sitting under the eaves.
The owner of the counter-tourist said: "When I visit, I see that there are only two people left in a group that is going to Luoyang. The common people tell me about my husband and say that there is a little boy. The merchant said that it would be good if another servant can take a boat. ! Sir, if you make a boat by yourself, you will behave and act like others, and live your life as you please, that is also a good thing!"
Chen Sidao: "My master has worked hard. How much is it worth to hire a boat for yourself?"
The host of the counter-tourist said: "This boat is quite large and strong. It can withstand wind and waves. It was built by the people of Chu. It is worth a thousand coins that day. There are three boatmen and three days of food can be placed in the boat."
Chen Sidao: "If the sun is six hundred, it will be suitable!"
The host of the counter-tourist said: "The Hakkas are knowledgeable. The story is six hundred years old. Now Handan is under attack. The soldiers are approaching. It is only a few dozen miles away. Everyone is in panic. So the price is high!"
Chen Sidao: "We came here from where we are, and I know the generals there quite well. How can we pay such a high price!"
The host of the counter-brigade said: "Don't dare to deceive the guests. Several of the troops are Qin people, and several are the cities of Wei. The Qin people came out from Handan and were quite broken. The Zhao people are angry and will seek revenge on Qin. Now the troops are at Huankou, There will be a big move. Li may not be safe!"
Although Chen Si and Zheng Anping were shocked in their hearts, they did not show it on their faces and said: "Li and Ji are looking at each other from a distance. Zhao Jun would rather attack Li Hu than attack Ji Ji!"
The host of the counter-tourist said: "The guest doesn't know something. Zhao wants to conquer Li's boat, thinking it is a tool to attack several countries. He has sent people to stay in Li. He must bribe Zhao's envoys and the boat can be taken out."
Chen Sidao: "The bribe cannot be worth tens of dollars, how can it be worth thousands of dollars!"
The host of the counter-tourist said: "No, no, the Zhao people will have to ask for a hundred coins to get through. Since the Hakka said so, the common people will abandon the mediator's fee and ignore the fee, eight hundred a day, is that okay?"
Chen Sidao: "Seven hundred a day, the master should not be stingy!"
The host of the counter-tourist said: "Good, seven hundred a day! On that day, please sir, go to the river, and the money and boat will be clear!"
Chen Sidao: "I would like to see the boatmen and merchants!"
The host of the counter-tourist said: "Sir, please wait a moment! I'll go and invite you."
Chen Sidao: "I would like to visit him!"
The counter-traveler said: "How dare you work, Mr. Labor!"
Chen Sidao: "What's the harm in going to the countryside to visit the Lord!"
The host of the counter-tourist said: "Let me pass!" The young man reported back: "Both gentlemen are here for a visit!"
Chen Si hurriedly came out to greet him, feeling uneasy again and again. Both of them greeted each other frequently. Chen Si invited him to the hall and sat down separately for guest and host. Chen Sidao: "I have just arrived in your hometown, and I dare to ask you to meet my colleagues and find something to eat. How dare you come in person!"
The business owner said: "I have heard from the traveler that he respects his guests, how can he be negligent? Dare you ask what business you are doing? Sooner or later you will obey!"
Chen Sidao: "I have no expertise, but I do it according to the Lord's orders. I went to Luoyang now, but I got cinnabar and salt ears."
The business owner said: "What you see on Guidong Road is really extraordinary. The best cinnabar is built in Shu; and the salt comes from Anyi Salt Pond. Both of them are from Qin and have little access to China. Guidong Road can communicate with Qin, which is really a big deal. Eyes!"
Chen Sidao: "I don't dare to say anything. But my Lord ordered me to do so, and I dare not say anything."
The merchant said: "Would you like to hear where the proceeds are sold? If the price is worth it, we are also willing to share a piece of the soup!"
Chen Sidao: "The master is doing this, so how can we get the details? Maybe it will be sent directly to Handan."
The business owner was surprised and said: "Send it directly to Handan? Isn't this your honorable guest?"
Chen Sidao: "Go out from here and transport goods to Handan. This is the master's order!"
The host of the counter-tourist said: "The people who live in these houses are from Qin, and they come from Handan. That's why they are here."
The merchant suddenly realized and said: "Guidong has big hands and eyes, which are beyond the reach of common people." Countries are fighting, and although they are fighting with each other, the only thing they are fighting for is their interests. If we have sufficient interests, how can we not be able to make peace and have to fight to the death? This wealthy businessman who suddenly appeared was probably going to Luoyang to buy passage money for the Qin army! Thinking about it like this, naturally I can't ask any more.
Chen Sidao said: "I have just arrived above to pay homage to my colleagues. I would like to be recommended by the merchant!" Then he turned to the owner of the boat and said: "This boat must be in good condition. I would like to go and take a look at it."
The two excused themselves for a while, but Chen Si repeatedly refused before agreeing. It was agreed that we would first go to the river to inspect the boats, and then meet up with our fellow travelers on a journey against the river.
Several people came out, leaving the young master alone to look after the house (because he had been in Li and was afraid of being recognized). Chen Si and Zheng Anping followed the boat owner to the river first.
Licheng is located between the branches of the Yellow River, but in order to avoid the overflow of the Yellow River, it is two or three miles offshore. There are many shops, large and small, around the city, but there are not many shops on the side near the river. There are only roads paved with stones on the river beach, leading to various docks. The road on the river beach is muddy and difficult to get close to. There are many bearers on the edge of the city who are sitting on beds waiting for business. ——Seeing that people with status can be carried by these bearers when they want to board the ship.
The boatman pointed to a tall boat channel: "Mr. Danri's boat is there."
Chen Si then asked: "I would like to have three beds. How much is the price?"
Someone came over immediately and said: "I don't dare to pay two prices. The bed is five yuan each."
Chen Si knew that this was the luggage of those bearers, so he said: "The three of us will go forward to the big boat." Zheng Anping took out fifteen coins, and the boat owner hurriedly said: "This is reasonable, and the passengers will pay their own way!"
Chen Sidao: "It's okay to tip people! But if you work hard, you will benefit a lot."
The captain said humbly: "I will not be lazy."
The so-called sitting on the bed is actually a large wooden board or bamboo board, which is fixed on two bamboo poles by hemp, bamboo strips and other materials. Some are like a sliding pole, but far less comfortable. Guests have to sit on the wooden board to maintain balance. Four people lift it, without raising their shoulders. They only lift it with their hands hanging down. The legs of the person being lifted are not high off the ground. If the legs are long, , you also have to shrink your feet intentionally to avoid getting mud. However, the river beach is indeed too muddy, and it is very difficult to walk on it with bare feet. Although it is paved with stones, it is much better to have someone carry it.
The three of them were carried to the dock and put down on the couch. Chen Si and Zheng Anping found that these bearers were very professional. They strictly separated the path where they stood from the path leading to the ship's gangplank. When guests got out of bed, they would not be hit by the mud as long as they walked forward. harassed. This surprised the two of them: Who designed all this and was strictly followed by everyone?
The captain let the two people onto the boat and asked the bearer to wait. They would have to sit back later. The ship owner introduced the facilities on the ship and the prepared supplies to Chen Si; Zheng Anping looked around and found nothing suspicious. Chen Si also talked to the boatmen specifically and confirmed that they were the real boatmen. After a while, the three people got off the boat, and the bearers waiting on both sides of the gangplank came up. The boat owner gave the money back first, saying that he had no intention of taking advantage. Chen Sigong handed over to express his gratitude!
Back at the edge of the city, the captain took the two of them to an adversary. This Nili store is actually a carriage and horse shop. The strong smell of sweat and the smell of livestock are mixed together, making the local air very polluted. After arriving here, Chen Si and Zheng Anping felt relieved. The people who lived in this kind of place were usually small-time long-distance businessmen, and other people couldn't live there at all. In the midst of the sour odor and noise, the business owner introduced his fellow business travelers one by one. Chen Si met everyone one by one, and then announced that he would treat everyone to dinner tonight, and everyone would appreciate it, so that he could take care of them on the way from now on. Since I am not familiar with the place, please designate a wine shop. The merchant thanked everyone on behalf of everyone, and then said: "How about we go to Majia Restaurant?" Everyone cheered!
Chen Si asked someone to take him to Majia Restaurant to make a reservation, but the business owner asked the boat owner to do it for him. So the three of them went to the Ma's Restaurant not far away. It was a small restaurant with three or five seats indoors, but there was a large open space behind the room. Those businessmen may have taken a fancy to this open space, which was enough to accommodate them.
After seeing how Chen Si and Zheng Anping were dressed, and being introduced by the ship owner, the owner of the wine shop immediately agreed. Chen Si paid the deposit. Although it was already afternoon, the owner of the restaurant still ordered his family to quickly go to the city to buy fish, meat, chicken, duck, fruits and vegetables. Chen Si took his leave and returned to his reverse journey first. I will treat you when the time comes.
Returning to Nili, the three of them quickly gathered together and discussed: "If the Zhao people conquer Li Zhizhou to attack, what can they do?"
Although Young Master Yiren consciously sat outside as a boy, he did not miss the discussion inside. He lived in the State of Zhao for half a year and got to know a little about the people of the State of Zhao. When he asked about it, he said: "Zhao people put loyalty first, and they must not use force. They should make friends widely and think about it. If they treat things harmoniously, they must count them." In the future too."
Zheng Anping said: "If we attack several people after a few days, why not be too late? Soldiers are valued for their speed, incorruptibility, and brave generals. How can you be ignorant?"
The stranger said: "If the Zhao army attacks directly, we can arrive in a day, but it is difficult. If we want to get Li's help, it will take a few days!"
