The lingering autumn rain brought with it a bit of autumn chill. The bustling pedestrians on Xining Street could not help but shrink their bodies, and the hawking sounds in the market seemed to be less confident than before. Yin Ji followed the master closely, holding an umbrella, but from the corner of his eyes, he caught glimpses of the bustling roadside. When he saw the shop owners along the street tempting him with all kinds of toys, he would smile happily, but he followed closely. I hugged Master, for fear that Master would get wet from the raindrops.
After walking only a few steps along the street, we came to the Xinghua Restaurant next door. The waiter leaning on the door saw Mr. Lu approaching from a distance, and he quickly straightened up and waved hello.
Lu Zuo came downstairs and said with a smile: "Young man, you are doing this business early!"
The waiter chuckled and said, "Mr. Lu, you came early too. Why are you so early today?"
"Nothing. Is it convenient to rent a carriage from you?" Lu Zuo said politely.
"What did Mr. Lu say? Of course it's convenient!" the waiter greeted enthusiastically, "Just wait, I'll go get your horse right away!" The waiter rushed into the rain, ran around the restaurant and ran to the stable inside the side door to lead the horse. carriage.
When Yin Ji saw the waiter walking away, he asked his master strangely, "Master, didn't you say you were looking for brother Gao Er? Why don't you wait at Xinghua Restaurant? If a carriage is coming, where are you going to meet him?"
"It's inconvenient here!" Lu Zuo whispered, "This place is too close to Prince Ning's Mansion. If Gao Yun often runs here, he will easily be suspected by others, so it is better to find another place."
"Then where are we going?"
"Gao Yun and I made an appointment a few days ago to meet at the 'Kun' restaurant in Furong Wine Shop." Lu Zuo replied in a low voice.
"But isn't it time for him to go to the morning court now?"
"The competition has been going on for two days, so today the Emperor has specially allowed one day of rest."
At this moment, the waiter in the shop came slowly with a smile and led the carriage, "Mr. Lu, the carriage is here! Do you want to call a coachman to drive it for you?"
Lu Zuo waved, "No need!" and then gestured to Yin Ji to give the waiter money for the car.
When the waiter saw that Yin Ji wanted to pay, he quickly pulled over the horse and handed the reins to Yin Ji's hand, "There is no need to give this money. We have said on behalf of the boss that as long as Mr. Lu uses this restaurant, you can use it." No money is allowed!”
"Oh!" Lu Zuo suddenly smiled, "How can I afford this?"
"Mr. Lu, there's no need to be polite. This is the boss's order. We don't dare to disobey it!" The waiter said and bowed to Yin Ji and Lu Zuoyi again. "If you two are fine, the younger one will go greet the guests first. You two, please be careful on the way!"
"Drive..." The riding whip in Yin Ji's hand whipped the horse, and the carriage moved slowly, passing through the flow of people and disappearing into the street.
The gatehouse of Furong Restaurant is tall and majestic, with extraordinary momentum. When they arrived at the restaurant, before Lu Zuo and his apprentice got off the carriage, two people dressed as shop assistants enthusiastically came up to them. One enthusiastically helped Yin Ji lead the horse, and the other greeted Lu Zuo to come. Please come in.
In front of the gorgeously decorated lobby, Lu Zuo stood at the door and looked at the layout of the restaurant, observing whether there was anyone suspicious among the guests coming and going. After making sure there was no suspicious person, he walked slowly to the counter.
The shopkeeper behind the counter saw that he was neatly dressed and looked like a scholar in royal robes. He thought he was a rich scholar, so he quickly nodded and bowed in greeting, "What do you want me to do? Our restaurant has everything you need for food, drink, accommodation, and entertainment." , look, what can I do for you?"
"Is there a man named Gao who has opened a private room here this morning?" Lu Zuo asked politely.
The shopkeeper replied without thinking: "No!"
Lu Zuo was shocked after hearing this. It shouldn't be. According to common sense, this place is closer to his house, and he rides a horse, so he should be much faster than our carriage. How could he be late?
"This master..." The shopkeeper called twice before Lu Zuo reacted, and then he continued to ask, "Look at this..."
Lu Zuo didn't talk nonsense and said calmly: "'Kun' is named Yajian." After saying that, he placed a brand new five taels of silver on the table.
Seeing how happy he was, the shopkeeper didn't want to let him go. He just smiled and said, "Sir, our barracks are broken today. You see..." What the shopkeeper meant was to ask again if he wanted to change the money and give him the money right away. , but he said it tactfully, "Do you think the shop I went to can grind some broken silver back for you? I'm just afraid that you'll have to wait!"
Lu Zuo also thought it was funny. He really looked like a businessman. He was afraid that he wouldn't be able to wait since he came here. He said coldly: "Don't bother me. I'll just reward you with the remaining silver."
"Hehe... thank you!" The shopkeeper seemed to be waiting for his words, then opened the store book, and immediately changed the topic and asked, "Sir, your name, surname and place of origin need to be registered. It will be done soon. We are about to go to war with Fanbang. The inspections have been strict recently. Officials come to check the store books every day. They used to check once a month, but now they check once a day. May I ask this gentleman what your name is?"
Lu Zuo said, "I'm just here to sit here, do I have to take my name?"
"Sir, I'm sorry, I have to ask for it now." The shopkeeper smiled awkwardly, "Sir, I think you're kind. If it's really inconvenient, just come and sit down."
"It doesn't matter!" Lu Zuo smiled and nodded, "I'm Gao Kun."
The shopkeeper cupped his hands and said, "Master, this is a good name!"
"My friend will come back here to find me later. He is my brother. If he asks where Master Gao is, just bring him to the 'Kun' room." Lu Zuo ordered.
"Okay..." The shopkeeper nodded repeatedly, "Don't worry! Everything is ready for breakfast upstairs. I'll serve it to you in a moment!"
At this time, Yin Ji also put away the carriage and entered the lobby. The shopkeeper quickly called the clerk from just now and asked him to lead the two guests upstairs.
Master and apprentice Lu Zuo came to sit down in the private room. The waiter then brought the breakfast and placed it on the table. He respectfully said "please use it with caution" and then left.
The four or five breakfast items placed on the table are all the characteristics of this wine shop. Yin Ji, who couldn't hold back his hunger for a long time, had already started to eat voraciously. After taking a bite with a steamed bun in his left hand, he picked up a spoon in his right hand and sucked on the bowl of meat soup in front of him while eating. , while not forgetting to greet the master, "Master, aren't you hungry? Eat quickly! Wait..." After swallowing a mouthful of food, he continued, "When the second brother Gao comes, you won't have a share!"
Seeing Yin Ji enjoying the food, Lu Zuo also found it interesting and nodded silently, "You can eat it! Grow taller!" Then Lu Zuo thought to himself, "It shouldn't be, why haven't you arrived yet?"
"Master, what...shouldn't it be?" Yin Ji said while eating.
"Why hasn't Gao Yun come yet? Is there something wrong?" Lu Zuo started to ask suspiciously. Too many things have happened recently, and I can't help but think about it.
There was a gentle knock on the door outside the house, "Brother, it's me!"
"Here we come, Ji'er, go and open the door!" Lu Zuo knocked on the table twice to signal Yin Ji not to eat.
Seeing the master's urging, Yin Ji quickly wiped the oil stains on his mouth and swallowed the food in his mouth in one bite. Then he went to open the door and muttered, "It's just the right time!"
