North and South groceries

Chapter 274 Soy Milk Fritters

Crossing the desert and going to distant countries to obtain huge profits is very tempting for many Hu businessmen, but it is also full of dangers.

The climate in the desert is unpredictable, it is very easy to get lost, and there are wolves and robbers. Every year, some people will be left in the desert forever and never come out again.

But even so, every year there are still so many Hu merchants stepping on the dead bones of their predecessors, driving camels, walking step by step along the ancient commercial roads to Datang, bringing rare treasures from the Western Regions, all kinds of goods .

In order to welcome their arrival, Dunhuang people will start preparations early on, and merchants from Zhangye, Liangzhou and other places have also gathered towards Dunhuang.

At the end of May in the lunar calendar, Hu merchants from the Western Regions crossed the desert and came to Dunhuang one after another. Soon, Changle County also ushered in the first caravan from the Western Regions this year.

This caravan consisted of more than 100 people, and it looked quite large, but they seemed to be divided into several groups, and their clothing styles were also different. It looked like a temporary team.

These people came from the Western Regions and didn't stop in Dunhuang, they came directly to Changle County. Obviously they didn't intend to sell their goods in this area.

For the arrival of this caravan, the people of Changle County are very happy. This is not just a business of more than 100 people, it is also a signal, telling the people in the city that the peak season of the year is coming soon, and it is very Soon other Hu merchants will come to their Changle County in an endless stream.

This group of Hu merchants came to Changle County in a hurry, and the people in the city welcomed them very much. There were hot meals and clean bedding in the city.

But first, they had to pass the city gate.This year, there seem to be a lot of new faces among the gatekeepers, which makes Hu merchants feel a little nervous.

The young man in the lead looked to be in his early twenties and had a very handsome face. Compared to the common people in this area, he was a bit too gentle and handsome.

With a sullen face, the young man carefully checked the customs clearance documents of them, and after careful questioning, he returned the customs clearance documents to them, indicating that they could enter the city.

The Hu merchants were relieved, shouting one by one, leading the camels and filing in from the gate of the city.

They are not big merchants, but a temporary team formed to defend against robbers and wolves in the desert. Among them, the largest caravan has more than 30 people, and the smallest team is even less than ten. People, it can no longer be called a caravan, but a small group composed of a few close relatives and friends.

"Does the guest want to eat? The store has ready-made corn porridge, and can make all kinds of dishes."

"Guest, guest, do you want to stay in the hotel?"

"Hey, come here, come here..."

"..."

These shops in Changle County have already tasted the sweetness in the past few months. At this time, they are also very enthusiastic and proactive in greeting business. All of them are in good spirits, with smiles on their faces, and they look very friendly and easy to get along with.

In the end, the more than 100 of them were divided into three groups, and they entered three shops respectively. These three shops were very close to each other. If there was anything to do, they would greet each other, and the others would come over in time.

"The guest should have some corn porridge first?"

"Bring each person a bowl."

"Hey."

"This is the bacon sent by our County Magistrate Luo. Guests can eat it. Would you like some cold salad? It's cheap and delicious. It's a big plate for ten cents."

"Let's have a plate first."

"Hey."

These Hu merchants sat or leaned on the shops, and some of them refused to even enter the house, so they guarded their goods in the yard, snuggled up to the camels, and took a few sips of hot porridge from the porridge bowl.

From time to time, groups of servants passed by on the street. These people were neatly dressed and energetic. At first glance, they were a well-disciplined team. Looking at their rosy complexions and strong bodies, the officials in this city Obviously did not treat them badly.

"It is said that Luo Sanlang is rich, it is true." A Hu merchant put down his porridge bowl, raised his sleeve to wipe the dust off his face, and said to the people around him.

A large part of the reason why they didn't stay in Dunhuang, preferring to travel for an extra day, to come to Changle County to rest and rectify, is because most of these people have heard of the reputation of Luo Sanlang in Lishi, and they also believe that people like him Such a person should not be in trouble with a small businessman like himself.

Although Dunhuang City is bustling and prosperous, there are many forces from all parties, and some chaos will inevitably arise. Small merchants like them, if they accidentally fall into someone's hands, this year's trip may be in vain. If you go away, if you meet someone who is cruel and merciless, you will have to peel off your skin even if you don't die.

"Da da da da." At this time, another donkey swaggered past on the street.

"Whose donkey is this, it looks really good." A Hu businessman saw it and couldn't help but praise it.

The shopkeeper's son was feeding water to the camels in the yard at this time. Hearing this, he looked up and looked outside the yard, and said:

"The donkey of the county magistrate's family, I saw him ride it a few times when he was busy with spring plowing a few days ago. On weekdays, the donkey just wandered around by itself when there was nothing to do."

"Aren't you afraid of being caught?" the barbarian wondered.

"That can't be done, it's just being coaxed out to carry tofu for a few days." The shop owner's son said.

A child from a shabby family in their city used to help the restaurants and guesthouses in the city to grab business and make a living at the gate of the city all day long. Later, their new county magistrate rectified and no one was allowed to rob customers at the gate of the city, so he did not To make a living.

Later, when that fellow saw people making money selling tofu, he always wanted to do that. He coaxed a big man from out of town to help him carry tofu twice. Later, a cement workshop was opened outside the city, and the big man went to work there. .

Later, for some reason, that kid decided to focus on the donkey, and the county magistrate Luo didn't care, so he let the kid drive the big donkey to Dunhuang several times. Hearing that the donkey liked to go there Dunhuang, when it leaves the city, it goes to Dunhuang. If you tell it to go to Jinchang, it doesn't like to go. Jinchang is not as lively as Dunhuang.

"You county magistrate doesn't know?" The children in this city are too courageous, and they can attack the county magistrate's donkey.

"I know, why don't I know." The camel can really drink, and the bucket of water is gone in a blink of an eye. The shopkeeper's son sniffled and went to fetch water from the big water tank next to him with the bucket.

"Then he's not angry?" the barbarian asked.

"Don't be angry, it's a child's joke, as long as the donkey is happy." He also wanted to coax the five couples to help him pull the cart, but it was a pity that they were obviously not interested in this job.

While they were talking, another company of guards passed through the street.

The Hu people were not dissatisfied with the fact that the guards were always walking up and down the streets, and the inspection was quite strict when they entered the city just now. On the contrary, they all felt that it was very safe.

A peaceful and stable environment must be guarded by someone, especially in this era when frictions often occur at the borders of various countries. There are often more bandits and robbers in border areas like this.

Qiao Junlin is a thoughtful person and serious in his work. Luo Yong is very relieved to entrust the safety of the city to him, even more relieved than when he went to battle himself.

Recently, with the increasing number of businessmen and pedestrians traveling to and from Changle County, Qiao Junlin's workload has also increased a lot.

In addition to patrolling the city, he has to follow up the progress of baijiu brewing every day. After several months of exploration, they have basically been able to make baijiu, but the taste is not mellow enough, and there are some miscellaneous flavors. It is not clear what the problem is at the moment Where, those brewing craftsmen have been brewing in small batches every day recently, trying to gain experience, Qiao Junlin always runs there whenever he is free.

He is busy running around, and Luo Yong has not been free for the past few months, mainly because he is busy with spring plowing.

Persuading farmers to teach mulberry is a job that all local officials have to carry out every year. If the farmers have any difficulties, he has to help solve them, usually by coordinating with the rich landlords in those places.

After working hard these days, Luo Yong wore out a few pairs of shoes and worn out several layers of lips.

It was rare to have some free time today, and I spared time to tidy up the internal affairs, but in the end I sorted out a pile of worn socks for him, half of which belonged to him, and most of them belonged to Qiao Junlin. That boy Qiao Junlin spent more money on shoes and socks than he did.

So that night, when Qiao Junlin returned to the backyard of the county government office from the wine shop, he saw the legendary rich county magistrate Luo mending socks in front of the oil lamp.

"Why did you sew it on yourself?" Qiao Junlin picked up a sock and looked at it. The stitches were okay, not too ugly.

"It's just a few pairs of socks." With this little work, he didn't want to bother others. When the time came, he would go back and forth and make a bunch of kisses for himself.

"Do you want my help?" Qiao Junlin asked him.

"No, just rest." Luo Yong said, "Have you eaten yet?"

"I've eaten." Qiao Junlin was indeed a little tired at this time, so he didn't say anything more, just sat aside, resting his chin and watching Luo Yong sewing socks.

The two of them have lived in the same house since they came to Changle County. They also lived together for safety reasons along the way. When they first arrived in Changle County earlier, the situation was not very peaceful. With such a small body, Qiao Junlin was really worried that if he didn't pay attention, this guy would be tricked.

Living like this, I gradually got used to it. This room is quite big, and the earthen kang is also spacious. There is a kang table in the middle, and the two of them sleep on one side.

"Is there anything going on in the city these two days?" Luo Yong asked him.

"It's nothing serious." Qiao Junlin said, what big things can happen in this small broken city, but they are all trivial things. Recently, he led the guards to patrol around all day long. He used to be a little restless, but now he doesn't dare to make trouble. .

"There are a lot of barbarians these days, so be careful." Not all of those barbarians are good-natured.

"I can save it." Qiao Junlin knew this very well.

They are talking about the barbarians here, and the barbarians are talking about them on the other side.

Some people say that Luo Sanlang has done a good job in rectifying Changle County. The city looks very peaceful. Why don't you rest here for a few days? The journey is so fast that people can't bear it, and the camels are also very tired. .

"It's better not to stay too long, so as not to cause more trouble."

"It's all here, let's carry it again, and rest when we reach Zhangye, where we are familiar."

"I heard that Liangzhou is more lively than Zhangye."

"It's not because of those two concrete roads."

"Why don't we also try the concrete road and go all the way to Chang'an City?"

"You put it lightly. Do you know how far it is from here to Chang'an City?"

"Don't talk about it, rest here for a day tomorrow, and set off the day after tomorrow."

"Hey, let's all rest."

These people discussed in this way, and when the leaders agreed to leave the day after tomorrow, the matter was settled.

Afterwards, everyone took a break. The security in this city is good, and Luo Yong's reputation is good. Living in Changle County, Hu merchants are still more at ease. Although they have arranged people to guard the goods, it is better than before There are many worries along the way.

This period of time was really exhausting, and these people got up later the next day. By the time they got up to move around one after another, the streets outside were already a lively scene of people coming and going.

Those who come and go are basically selling tofu. There are local porters and some from other places. Those loads of tofu are picked out of the city, and they can find a place to sell, and they can earn some difference.

At this time, I saw a man walking by the shop carrying a load of milky white syrup, and behind him was a ten-year-old girl, carrying a wicker basket in her hand. What is it.

"That's the soybean milk and fried dough sticks sold in our county. If you want to eat them, I'll buy them for you." The owner of this shop saw these people looking directly at the father and daughter, so he quickly said.

"What is deep-fried dough sticks?" They understand soy milk. Tang Ren always likes to drink milk.

"Fried noodles are a perfect match with soy milk. This is only available in Changle County. It can't be eaten anywhere else." The shopkeeper said.

"Then go and buy it from us."

"Hey."

Not long after, the shopkeeper came back with a load of soy milk and a basket of fried dough sticks. He was so strong that he didn't need two people for this idea.

Those barbarians couldn't wait any longer. Those who took the bowls took the bowls, and those who shared the fried dough sticks distributed the fried dough sticks. The shop became very lively all of a sudden.

"Dip this deep-fried dough stick in soy milk, it's delicious." The store is also passing on their experience of eating soy-milk deep-fried dough sticks.

"Why are these fritters so crunchy?"

"This is the secret recipe that our County Magistrate Luo brought from Chang'an City. How would I know?"

"Just not full."

"A catty of deep-fried dough sticks is only twelve cents. There is no merchant who can afford it."

"Hurrah! Delicious!"

"Where's the soy milk? Is this gone?"

"Hey, the price of this soy milk is cheap. If you run out of it, the old man will pick a load from you."

"Go quickly, and buy more fritters."

"Buy another three catties."

"Five catties, buy another five catties."

"Hey."

The fried dough sticks served with hot soy milk are really delicious, and the price is quite affordable. After eating this time, these people got up early the next morning and rushed to the store to buy them fried dough sticks with soybean milk.

I didn't say I was going to leave after eating, and I got up early on the third day, urging the store to buy them soy milk and fried dough sticks.Earlier, he said he was going to leave after a day's rest, but no one mentioned it at this time.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like