Tomb Robber: I, Chen Yulou, am dedicated to cultivating immortality!

Five or six days passed in a flash.

Outside the ancient city of Hanzhong.

The old wharf of Shibalipu on the Han River.

Chen Yulou and several others led the horses and watched the men move the goods, box by box, into the two large ships. The horses were sent to the bottom cabin.

Listen to the locals.

This ferry has a history of nearly three hundred years.

Since the town was built in the Ming Dynasty, Shibalipu has come into being, with busy water transportation and prosperous commerce and travel. Ships can go directly to the three towns of Hankou from here.

Thousands of sails sail down to Xiangyang in the autumn water.

It describes the scene of thousands of sails passing by on the Han River.

However, it is winter now and the river is frozen, so there are not many ships coming and going.

Apart from them, only a few ferries or fishing boats could be seen on the vast waters.

The team arrived here yesterday.

After a night's rest and a brief discussion, they finally decided to split their forces into two groups.

Hong Gu, Guaizi, Hua Ling and Yuan Hong, along with their men, escorted the funerary objects along the Han River from Hanzhong, through Jinzhou, Yunyang, to Xiangyang, and then all the way to Yueyang City.

Finally returned to the mountain.

As for the few of them, they traveled light, carrying only a few days' worth of food and water, and crossed the Qinling Mountains from the ancient city of Hanzhong to Yang County on the Yellow River.

exactly.

It’s Fangjiashan.

This is where Yang Fang was born.

As for why we took a detour, it was naturally because we had promised him this before in Kunlun Mountains.

Find the whereabouts of the golden abacus.

only……

Knowing the outcome, he couldn't bear it.

To Yang Fang, Jin Suanpan is both his teacher and father figure, and his kindness is as heavy as a mountain. How can he feel at ease if he cannot find the whereabouts of his master?

It is more and more so.

Chen Yulou couldn't say anything.

I can only ask him about his worst-case scenario in a friendly tone during casual conversations.

At least be mentally prepared.

wow-

While he was thinking.

At the dock, on two large ships, the sailors walked onto the planks and pulled the sails hard. In an instant, the canvas rose up.

As the strong wind swept over the river, it was blown with a rustling sound.

"Boss, we are about to set off..."

Kunlun, who was following behind him, saw that he was a little distracted and reminded him in a low voice.

"I saw it."

Chen Yulou nodded.

Look up.

A few kidnappers were standing at the side of the boat, leaning forward and waving their hands vigorously at them, with expressions of reluctance on their faces.

Especially the two girls, Hua Ling and Hong Gu Niang.

The red dress is like fire and the black hair is like a waterfall.

Her brows were slightly furrowed, her lips were pursed, tears were shining deep in her eyes, and reluctance was written all over her face.

Seeing this, the old foreigners couldn't help but secretly glance at him.

Everything I want to say is in my eyes.

Chen Yulou understood their thoughts very well.

only……

This trip is too rushed.

Destined to be on the go.

Sleeping overnight in the wilderness is the norm.

Bringing two girls along would make it unbearable for them, so it would be better to return to the village as soon as possible.

According to his plan.

They should be able to return home in half a month at most.

"Everyone, hold on tight."

"It's time to set off!"

Not long after.

On two large ships.

The captain's head emerged from the cabin.

He greeted the people on the side of the boat, then each of them took out a boat stern from his waist, put it to his mouth, and blew it hard.

The sound of the whistle spread in all directions.

See this situation.

The crowd on the boat couldn't help but cheer.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for them to let go of the kidnappers.

Waving hands.

Saying farewell words.

Unfortunately, they were too far apart and the voice was quickly drowned out by the whistling wind.

Seeing that Chen Yulou had no intention of keeping him.

What don't those old foreigners understand?

I had to put my mind aside.

Wave goodbye to everyone.

People are coming and going behind me, and the wind is howling on the river.

The boat also broke through the water surface and sailed out from the dock along with the endless flow of the river, drifting with the waves. In less than a moment, the ship as big as a mountain was reduced to the size of an insect or ant.

Gradually disappeared from the sight of the group.

"call--"

See this situation.

Several people breathed a sigh of relief subconsciously.

It's not because of relaxation, on the contrary, it's to hide the complex thoughts in my heart.

After all, we were walking together yesterday, but now we are going to separate.

Even though I'm used to seeing these things, it's still hard to experience them leaving.

"It's just a brief separation of a few days, why do you make it like a life-and-death separation?"

Chen Yulou withdrew his gaze and turned it to the people beside him.

Seeing that they all looked sick and listless, I couldn't help but make a joke.

"No... no way."

The old foreigner waved his hand and smiled awkwardly.

Although I really feel reluctant.

After all, over the years, the three brothers and sisters have always been together and have almost never been separated.

“They’ve all gone far away.”

"Let's go find a restaurant and have a drink to warm ourselves up before we go."

Because of the existence of the ancient ferry.

Merchants from Sichuan and Gansu, with horses and camels in their carts.

Salt, cotton, tea, paper, gold, silver, and porcelain came in an endless stream and constituted a large quantity.

This also contributed to the prosperity of Pu Town.

Although it is a small town with less than tens of thousands of people, for three hundred years from the Ming Dynasty to the present, the town has been paved with four crossroads and eight streets and a constant flow of people.

Especially near the dock, there are hundreds of shops.

Everything you need for accommodation, restaurants, food, clothing, housing, transportation, firewood, rice, oil and grain is available.

Therefore, Pu Town is known as the "largest town in southern Shaanxi".

When Chen Yulou rushed here from the city early in the morning, he saw many wine shops along the way, which were similar to the fly-infested restaurants hidden deep in the alleys in later generations.

Business is excellent.

Although most of the people who come here are porters who do hard labor at the docks, only those who really know the business know that these small shops are often quite good.

After all, we do business with repeat customers.

It's large in quantity and cheap in price, and the taste is okay.

"it is good."

They left the city early in the morning and had a simple meal in the restaurant where they were staying. Then they went out of the city and all the way to the dock to contact the ship and negotiate the transportation.

In the blink of an eye, it was almost noon.

I was so focused on seeing you off that I didn't even notice feeling tired or hungry.

Now he is a little bit.

Several people only felt their stomachs rumbling.

How could I refuse?

After crossing Hexi, although the temperature was not as low as in the Western Regions, the cold and dampness penetrated directly into the bones, making me feel extremely uncomfortable all over.

Those traveling merchants, if they had the means, would light a charcoal stove in their carriage; those who didn't would carry a small copper stove to warm their hands.

As for the fellows on the road.

They can only rely on clothes to keep warm and strong liquor to stay alive.

Otherwise, people could freeze to death at the end of the day.

I saw that everyone agreed.

Chen Yulou couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and smile, "Why are you standing there? Let's go!"

Although there are not many boats docked at the ferry, there are quite a few people unloading cargo, waiting for work, and carrying cargo boxes back and forth selling cigarettes and drinks.

Walk through the crowd.

Not long after.

When they arrived at the place where the horses were tied, they did not choose to ride, but instead each led their own horse and walked away.

Walk slowly all the way.

I picked a small shop with the best business.

It was lunchtime, and the store was bustling with activity, with almost all the people coming and going being dock laborers.

In the very cold weather, everyone was wearing thin clothes, gathered around the stove, ordered a few pancakes, ate some pickled vegetables, and most importantly, had a glass of wine.

I saw a group of people stopped at the door.

The boss, who was greeting guests, was startled.

After all, not everyone can afford to raise a horse these days, especially a top-notch horse. Judging from their clothes and demeanor, you can tell that they are definitely not poor people from the city.

The boss wiped his hands and hesitated for a long time.

I didn't even dare to step forward to greet the guest.

The originally noisy shop suddenly became quiet.

The porters lowered their heads and dared not even say a word, for fear of disturbing the nobleman.

Looking at those pairs of evasive eyes.

How could Chen Yulou not understand?

Nowadays, the hierarchy is strict and the rich are high and mighty. They are just coolies at the bottom of the society who sell their lives for money. If they accidentally dirty a noble person, their life may not be worth as much as a piece of clothing.

He sighed secretly.

He did not hesitate, but handed the horse to Kunlun, stepped over the threshold, and with a gentle look on his face, asked the boss for two baskets of baked buns and a few pancakes.

To have food.

Finally, he pointed at the big jar of wine in the corner of the store and laughed.

"How do you sell this wine?"

"A big buck will do."

At this point, the boss came back to his senses and forced a smile on his face, but the slight tremor still exposed his inner emotions. He pointed a finger and said.

"Well, give each of us brothers a bowl to try first."

While talking.

Chen Yulou looked back at Kunlun who had already tied up his horse and came in. Needless to say, the latter had already taken out two copper coins and placed them on the counter.

"No... Gentlemen, there is no need for so many."

The boss's eyes twitched.

He quickly grabbed it and was about to return it.

Two copper coins are enough for a poor family to spend for a month.

No matter how good the food is in the restaurant, a meal will cost at most five or six dollars.

"Take it. If the wine is good, the rest will be the money for it."

Chen Yulou waved his hand.

After saying that, he walked straight towards the table where Partridge Whistle and the others were sitting.

See this.

The boss, holding two copper coins, stopped where he was.

After a long while, he finally reacted, a look of joy appeared on his face, and he quickly went to prepare food and drinks.

The guests around also breathed a sigh of relief.

The quiet store gradually became lively again.

"Here we are, gentlemen... Here are the wine and food you requested, please enjoy."

Not even a moment's effort.

The boss came over with drinks and food.

The aroma of the hot baked buns and pancakes filled the air, whetting the appetite of everyone. They started eating without hesitation. Chen Yulou picked up the ceramic bowl first, tilted his head back and took a sip.

As soon as the wine goes down his throat.

A strong spicy feeling surged and spread, as if what was drunk was not wine, but a ball of fire.

But he did not seem dissatisfied, instead his eyes lit up.

"Good wine, boss, what is this wine called?"

"This... is just the muddy wine I brewed at home. It doesn't have any special name. I just gave it the name of "Muffled Donkey" because everyone praised it."

Stunned donkey?

Hearing this easy-to-understand name.

Several people at the table couldn't help but look expectant.

"That's a good name. It looks like a strong liquor. Let me try it."

Yang Fang put down the pancake in his hand, rolled up his sleeves, pinched the rim of the bowl, tilted his head back and took a sip.

next moment.

His fair face turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye.

It was so spicy that I kept sticking out my tongue.

"Brother Yang Fang, how is it?"

Several people couldn't help laughing at each other, and Chen Yulou rubbed salt into the wound by asking a question.

"No, no, no."

"It's so damn spicy. Anything like Shaodao is no match for this."

Yang Fang, who had been a little disdainful at first, now no longer dared to be stubborn.

They tasted dozens of kinds of wine along the way.

Even the Naiman that the Turkic tribe drank that day was nothing compared to it.

"So exaggerated?"

"Can you do it, kid? It's true."

"You can't drink it. Go to the children's table for dinner from now on."

Seeing what he said was so bizarre, Kunlun and the old foreigner became more and more curious, but before that, they did not forget to tease him.

"You two are just being stubborn."

"Try it and you will know whether what I said is true or not."

Yang Fang was convinced. Looking at the shaking wine made his scalp tingle. He just picked up the pancake and continued to eat it.

Now, even Partridge Whistle couldn't help but feel curious and took a sip from the bowl.

A spicy feeling rushed to my head.

Then, a ball of fire seemed to ignite under his chest.

The whole person felt like being on a boat, light and floating, with no feet touching the ground. After a long while, when the effect of the alcohol had slowly worn off, only then could he smell a hint of wine in the air.

"The name is just right."

After thinking about it, Partridge Whistle felt emotional.

No wonder Yang Fang, who never admits defeat, dared not to be stubborn after being criticized.

Seeing that he was silent.

Kunlun and the old foreigner had actually guessed it, but since the words had been spoken, they could only go ahead and take a sip each.

Then the two of them looked extremely excited.

"What do you think? You don't believe in evil, as if I, Yang Fang, could deceive you."

See this.

How could Yang Fang miss such a good opportunity to ridicule?

The two looked at each other, stammered, and couldn't find any words to refute. They just picked up a toasted bun and swallowed it with gusto.

"My dear gentlemen, the alcohol content of this Donkey is too high. If you are not used to it, I will go to the restaurant and get you some good wine?"

The boss standing by looked apologetic.

His small shop has been open on the dock for so many years and has remained standing, and business has been able to maintain its current level. Mendaolu definitely deserves a great contribution.

Unloading at the dock is extremely tiring.

Otherwise they wouldn’t be called coolies.

A sip of wine can refresh you and relieve your fatigue, and the most important thing is that it is cheap.

What did these nobles drink?

"No need, no need. I think this wine is good."

Chen Yulou waved his hand.

I felt cold and damp before, but now my whole body is warm.

and.

As the alcohol slowly came back.

The mellow aroma is just like tasting tea, and the aftertaste is quite delicious.

"That……"

Hearing this, the boss finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He is not afraid of anything else.

I'm worried that something bad might happen if I drink too much.

By then, he won’t be able to afford the compensation even if he mortgages the store.

"Okay, Boss, go do your thing. We'll drink slowly and call you if there's anything."

He was seen standing aside awkwardly.

The store is bustling with people.

There were only him and his wife, and they were far too busy to handle everything. Chen Yulou waved his hand, signaling him to just go and entertain others.

The boss immediately looked grateful, thanked me repeatedly, and then hurried away.

"Drink slowly, it's still early."

Seeing several people staring at him, Chen Yulou held the ceramic bowl and started drinking by himself.

That's the thing about alcohol, especially strong liquor.

Can't drink fast.

Yang Fang seemed to be thinking about something. He imitated him, gritted his teeth, raised the cup and took a sip, and then... he became completely obedient and didn't dare to touch it again.

"Brother Chen, how do we get through the 800-li Qinling Mountains? We haven't planned the route yet, right?"

The wine is half full.

Partridge Whistle put down the plate and looked outside. Although it was noon, the sky was gray and hazy, which might be a sign of snow.

There are also map routes to the Western Regions.

If you cross the Qinling Mountains without a plan, it would be easy to get lost in the mountains.

"Shouldn't this matter fall on Brother Yang Fang's head?"

Chen Yulou was holding chopsticks with a plate of peanuts. Upon hearing this, he just nodded at Yang Fang who was eating a cake.

"I?"

"Oh... yes, the last time I came here, I took a small path in Qinling Mountains."

"I found out from an old hunter that it's called the Qin-Chu Ancient Road, which connects Zhongnan Mountain and Qinling Mountains. It must have a history of thousands of years."