Zhuque County. ?
Luo Fengtang stood at the bow of the boat.
This ship happens to be a large transport ship belonging to the Feiyu Gang.
Of course, the Feiyu Gang is no longer a gang, but a company.
The company is registered with the imperial court, is open and legal, and is protected by the imperial navy. It only needs to pay taxes on time.
"Is this ship a little old?"
Luo Fengtang noticed that a lot of the wood on the deck had peeled paint and turned yellow.
"Master Marquis, this ship is quite old. It has been decades since it was built."?
An old boatman laughed heartily.
"Why not take it for repairs? The ship is old and dangerous to travel."
Luo Fengtang frowned.
"The gang leader also wants to use it for repairs, but the wood used to make dragons in this old-fashioned ship is not good. If you want to repair it now, you must replace the keel. How can this be done? It is better to make a new one than to replace the keel."
The old boatman smacked his lips and shook his head, with a trace of regret on his face.
He took out a rag from his waist, squatted down, and carefully wiped the dirt on the deck.
These dirt are basically inexhaustible. ?
When the boat was sailing, the wind and waves were blowing, and water waves splashed on the deck from time to time. Under such circumstances, the deck was kept clean.
The old boatman's face was full of wrinkles, his beard and hair were gray. He obviously understood this, but he was still wiping it with a very pious expression.
For an old boatman, this boat is his home, and the river is his final destination in life.
"Master Marquis, the dock is ahead. You need to go to Zhuque County. From there, take the inn and hire a carriage. You can enter the city soon."
After the old boatman wiped it, he put away the rag and stretched out the back of his hand to wipe the sweat on his forehead.
Luo Fengtang couldn't help but feel respectful.
No matter what industry you are in, those who take their work seriously and sincerely will be admired. ?
The ship slowly entered the dock and stopped.
"Old man, see you again when you have the chance."
Luo Fengtang clasped his fists and turned to leave.
As soon as he got off the pier, many people gathered around him.
"Brother, do you want to move something?"
"We are all very strong. If you want us to do anything, just ask."
"..."?
Those people talked non-stop.
Although Luo Fengtang was only wearing ordinary coarse cloth clothes, he stood out from the crowd. He did not look like a poor man, but like a rich man who deliberately wore ordinary clothes to experience life.
Luo Fengtang was also helpless. He didn't expect that after entering the master realm, his skin would turn a lot whiter, and he no longer looked like the farmer and hunter he once was.
"Take me to the nearest inn."
Luo Fengtang pointed at someone randomly.
He was the thinnest little boy among them. He was so skinny that he didn't have much flesh on his body, and he looked a little scary.
"Master, are you calling me?"?
The little boy asked quietly in disbelief.
"Yes, I just called you."
"I'll let this guy lead the way today. Let's all disperse."
Luo Fengtang glanced around.
The others wanted to say something, but under his intense gaze, they felt so inexplicably timid that they couldn't leave without leaving.
The kind of timidity that arises from the heart, like suddenly facing a tiger, is a human instinct.
Only those targeted by Luo Fengtang could feel it. The only person next to him who didn't feel it was the little boy. ?
"Lead the way."
Luo Fengtang tried to lower his voice as much as possible.
The little boy nodded, turned and left. He wanted to say something, but was too timid to speak.
Judging from the appearance of this little boy, who is thirteen or fourteen years old, he has a large frame, but does not have a few ounces of meat on his body. It is obvious that he has not eaten enough for more than a day or two. This is a typical malnutrition.
"Is this your first time looking for work at the dock?"
Luo Fengtang asked softly as he walked.
The little boy swallowed, lowered his head, and whispered: "Sir, I, I am very familiar with this area, I won't go wrong."?
Luo Fengtang was stunned at first, but soon he figured out that the little boy must have misunderstood what he meant, and was worried that he would not be satisfactory to others.
"I didn't say you would go wrong."
"What's your name? Where do you live?"
Luo Fengtang changed the topic. He was indeed curious about the origin of this boy.
It’s not that he wants to use this little boy to find fault with the new Zhuque County magistrate. After all, the little boy’s family background is not good, and this was the case during the time of the previous magistrate Cao Wenhua.
"My name is Shi Xiaohu, from nearby Shijia Village. This is really not my first time coming to the dock. This is my second time..."
The little boy said a long series of words in one breath, glanced secretly, and quickly looked away. ?
"Shi Xiaohu, right? OK, lead the way."
Luo Fengtang was not familiar with this place. There were hundreds of docks of various sizes along the river that stretched from the capital to Yizhou. The docks here were considered to be above average in terms of scale, but they were just a piece of scenery along the way he took the boat. , passed by in a flash.
The distance from the pier to the inn is not too far, it can be reached by walking for a while.
Along the way, Shi Xiaohu was very nervous and vigilant.
"Sir, when you get to the inn, be careful not to go out."
Shi Xiaohu suddenly turned sideways and whispered.
"knew."?
Luo Fengtang simply responded with three words, but in fact he had already noticed the tail that was following him along the way.
At first, he was a little suspicious that Shi Xiaohu was with those people.
After hearing Shi Xiaohu's reminder, he gave up the idea.
This little boy has a good heart and knows how to give early warning.
"Sir, don't believe it. There are bad people around here. It's dangerous to be alone outside."
Shi Xiaohu reminded him again anxiously.
"Don't worry, I won't go out casually. I have acquaintances at the inn."?
Luo Fengtang smiled slightly.
"Then it'll be fine."
Shi Xiaohu patted his chest, his ribs cracked.
Luo Fengtang was worried that he would break his ribs.
This child has a very big frame and is so thin. If he doesn't supplement his nutrition, he won't be able to live for long.
Luo Fengtang was surprised that Shi Xiaohu hadn't suffered any serious illness yet, which showed that the child's original physical condition was quite excellent.
The courtyard gate of the inn has appeared ahead. ?
The inn here is quite big. From the outside, there are many carriages parked inside. It can afford to keep so many carriages. This inn may be run by local powerful people.
Shi Xiaohu walked near the door and stopped.
"Sir, we have arrived."
"Let's talk after we go in."
Luo Fengtang knew what Shi Xiaohu meant, he wanted to ask for money.
But Luo Fengtang couldn't let him go.
If Shi Xiaohu is allowed to leave now, he will be sent into the tiger's mouth. ?
Shi Xiaohu pursed his lips, hesitantly raised his foot and then put it down.
"Sir, I'm a rag... If I go in, I'm afraid I'll pollute the noble's land."
Shi Xiaohu finally expressed his thoughts.
This wasn't even a figment of his imagination, it was a fact!
.
