Drive to the Tang Dynasty, where supplies are refreshed daily!

Chapter 44 Entering Chang'an City!

Xiao Ran and San Niang squatted on the riverbank, the river flowing slowly, shimmering with a clear, crystalline light.

Third Sister's little hands rummaged through the sand and gravel, occasionally picking up a smooth pebble and excitedly showing it to Xiao Ran, her little face full of joy.

The surroundings were quiet, with only the sounds of wind, water, and San Niang's clear laughter; everything exuded a peaceful tranquility.

Zhang Dalang, who was cutting grass, would turn his head to look around every now and then.

I'm growing to love this atmosphere more and more; it feels so good not to worry about not having enough to eat.

Zhang Jinhe and Zhang Erya, returning home laden with their catch, found no one at home and knew they were still on the riverbank.

"There's not much water left, Second Aunt, let's go fetch some."

“Okay!” Zhang Erya brought over the carrying pole.

From a great distance, we could see Little Black jumping around on the shore.

Noticing that someone was coming, the dog excitedly ran towards Zhang Jinhe and Zhang Erya.

It rubbed against the two of them.

"Little Black is so white!" Zhang Jinhe patted the dog.

Xiao Ran noticed the dog running away.

"Young master, haven't you picked enough yet?" Zhang Jinhe called out.

"Almost there! We're getting ready to go back."

Zhang Jinhe saw that the basket was almost full, filled with small pebbles the size of soybeans.

Zhang Erya and Zhang Jinhe also squatted down and picked them up.

"Young master, is this alright?" Zhang Jinhe asked, reaching out his hand.

"No, this kind of stone can't be used, and neither can this one."

Zhang Jinhe leaned closer, "It felt about right, I didn't expect there to be such a detail."

Third Sister stretched out her small hand, "It has to be like this."

Zhang Jinhe and Zhang Erya looked at it carefully and roughly understood; they just hadn't paid attention to this issue before.

I didn't expect that these stones were also divided into different types.

I just got home and saw that someone had delivered something.

It includes the money from the previous two transactions, along with detailed accounts.

"Young master, this money is more than enough to buy chestnuts. What should we do with it?" Zhang Jinhe asked Xiao Ran.

"We need to buy wheat to make maltose, save the money for chestnuts and firewood, and divide the rest among ourselves."

"Four hundred coins are enough. Let's divide it into one string of cash!"

Xiao Ran nodded, "Okay!"

These are scattered and not connected.

Zhang Jinhe had to count it, record it in the ledger, and give one guan to Zhang Erya.

It wasn't given directly to Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran didn't keep the money to himself, but instead left it at home so that others could manage it, making it more like a family affair.

This is a huge sum of money.

One thousand coins!
Whenever I feel like I don't have enough money, I think that a bushel of millet costs only three coins.

Being given so much money all at once gives me more motivation to do things.

While Xiao Ran and Zhang Dalang were roasting chestnuts, Zhang Jinhe went to find the person who delivered the chestnuts.

It was Zhang Jialin from the village. He had an oxcart and had been to Chang'an City a few times, so he was quite familiar with the area. People in the village would ask him to deliver things.

He is the only 'driver' in Kaolao Village who transports goods.

He needs fifteen coins to deliver a piece of goods.

Kaolao Village is about 20 li away from Chang'an City, which is not a short distance.

Zhang Huaicai's letter was also returned; it cost 10 coins for the servant to deliver it on horseback each time.

I made two trips because of Xiao Ran's matter.

Zhang Jinhe didn't ask Xiao Ran for the money, and Xiao Ran didn't give it to him either. He had to compensate Zhang Jinhe from other sources, which was considered a favor.

Zhang Jinhe received the letter, opened it, and was a little confused after reading it.

Zhang Huaicai wrote down all the details of his meeting with Qin Tai, and specifically instructed that he should get along well with Xiao Ran.

Zhang Jinhe took the letter to Zhang Mingde and said, "Grandpa, take a look at Father's letter."

"What did your father say?" Zhang Mingde took the envelope.

"The employer agreed and said I could go anytime."

After reading the letter, Zhang Mingde narrowed his eyes. "Young master, do you perhaps know your master?"

Zhang Huaicai is a businessman who is good at reading people and can guess some things from Qin Tai's reactions.

"That can't be! The young master hasn't been back for long, and the master is of noble status; ordinary people can't see him."

Zhang Mingde didn't know how to explain, "Young master seems to be in a bit of a hurry. Go tell him and ask when you're going. It's also been a while since you've seen your father and the others, so go see them together."

"it is good!"

The letter was naturally not to be shown to Xiao Ran, as some of the words in it were inappropriate.

"Second Sister, Third Sister"

Hearing someone call, Zhang Erya came out of the house; it was her second grandmother.

Xiao Ran and San Niang also went to take a look.

"Second grandmother!"

"Young master!" Second grandmother smiled. "Second Aunt and the others have finished making the clothes. Try them on first. If the size is not right, we can alter them."

"Second Grandmother, they said at home!" Xiao Ran pointed inside.

"I won't be going home, but I brought some chestnuts over. Do you want them?" Behind the second grandmother was a young boy carrying a chestnut basket.

"Collect, collect"

Zhang Erya took the six sets of clothes from the three siblings and went to try them on first.

Xiao Ran had to weigh the chestnuts; they were less than two dou (a unit of dry measure), so he would charge for two dou.

Just then, Zhang Jinhe arrived as well.

"Jinniang, this is perfect. Make a note of it." Zhang Jinhe is more suited to do these things.

"Okay!" Zhang Jinhe made a note of it and paid the money without hesitation.

While the group chatted, Zhang Erya and San Niang finished trying on their clothes.

"Second Grandmother, it suits you quite well."

"Okay, okay, that's good."

After his second grandmother left, Zhang Jinhe said helplessly, "I didn't go to my second grandmother's house when I was harvesting chestnuts, but I didn't expect them to be delivered here."

Zhang Jinhe didn't go because his second grandmother's family was better off, and the others needed it more.

"It's alright, it's nothing serious. We needed chestnuts anyway."

Zhang Jinhe stopped worrying: "My father has already asked, and the master said that the young master can go anytime."

"So fast?" Xiao Ran was a little incredulous at how smoothly it went, and he was still looking forward to seeing Qin Qiong.

This was the foremost warrior of the early Tang Dynasty. While others could enjoy a lifetime of wealth and honor after winning one of the four major military merits, Qin Qiong won them more than two hundred times.

An existence defying the heavens.

It makes sense that he was the protagonist of the Sui and Tang Dynasties Romance.

The historical figures were even more formidable than those in fictional accounts, and the fictional accounts even created many more powerful figures who were ranked ahead of them.

It's not in official history!
His horse trampled both banks of the Yellow River, his mace struck three prefectures, six counties, and one hundred and eight districts, he guarded half the sky in Shandong, he was as filial to his mother as Zhuan Zhu, and his friendships surpassed those of Meng Chang. He was a divine fist protector, Qin Qiong, Qin Shubao!

"Hmm, when does the young master plan to go to Chang'an? I also want to go and see Father and the others."

"It's a bit late today, let's go together tomorrow morning when we deliver the chestnuts!" Xiao Ran looked at Zhang Erya and San Niang, "Do you want to come?"

"I want to go!" Third Sister had never been to Chang'an and wanted to see it.

“Let’s go together then! Second Aunt, let’s go buy wheat to make maltose and such,” Zhang Jinhe suggested.

Zhang Erya looked at Xiao Ran, seeking his opinion.

"Okay, let's go together!"

Since Zhang Dalang's village is off-limits, there's no need to consider it.

"It's cold in winter, so I'll buy some blankets and see if I need anything else at home."

Zhang Erya nodded, "Okay!" Not to mention that Third Sister was excited, Zhang Erya was also a little looking forward to it.

Xiao Ran considered what to bring when he went to see Qin Qiong.

After much thought, it seems that only Shu brocade is suitable.

That's valuable; it's hard currency.

I had millet rice for dinner and started to miss Xiao Ran's cooking. I didn't think much of millet rice before, until I ate Xiao Ran's cooking.

"Big Brother, is there anything you need to buy?" Xiao Ran put down his bowl. "I'll buy it tomorrow."

"Young master, there's nothing you need." Zhang Dalang knew that Xiao Ran was generous and would definitely buy him anything he needed, but Zhang Dalang really didn't know what he lacked.

There doesn't seem to be anything I want to buy, and I feel quite content right now.

Back in the cave that night, Xiao Ran found the truth and wanted to take it to Chang'an.

Otherwise, you'll always feel insecure.

Before dawn, the lights in Zhang Erya's house were already on.

Prepare chestnuts and other similar items in advance.

Third Sister also got up early and took Kaolao to feed the chickens, ducks and geese.

When the food was almost cooked, Zhang Jinhe said, "Big Brother, give me a hand, I'm going home to change my clothes."

"Okay!" Zhang Dalang took the spatula and started stir-frying.

"Second Mistress, Third Mistress, you should also get ready. We'll set off once we've packed the chestnuts." Xiao Ran wrapped up the Shu brocade.

"Okay! Third Sister, change your clothes," Zhang Erya called out.

"Here they come!" Children love wearing new clothes, and the same is true in this era.

After changing her clothes, Third Sister looked even more energetic, but Zhang Erya was a little embarrassed.

I don't feel used to it; I still feel more comfortable wearing my old clothes.

"It looks quite nice," Xiao Ran said with a smile. "But isn't this one a bit too big, Third Sister?"

"Second Grandmother said that it's better for Third Sister to be a little older when she's growing up, otherwise she won't be able to wear it later."

I want to wear it for a longer period of time.

Zhang Jinhe also changed into a different outfit, but she still lacked the femininity of a girl and retained her carefree personality.

"Third Sister, this is really beautiful," Zhang Jinhe praised.

"Hehe!" He felt a little embarrassed by what Third Sister had done.

Xiao Ran grew to like this atmosphere more and more, feeling that life was slowly getting better and better, somewhat like a simulation game.

They carried the wrapped Shu brocade out of the room and placed it on the oxcart outside the courtyard.

After setting the roasted chestnuts aside, the group boarded the oxcart.

Little Black is big enough that it can climb up on its own without needing to be carried.

Seeing Xiao Hei get into the car and lie down, San Niang leaned against Xiao Hei.

"Did you bring everything?" Zhang Jialin asked.

The group exchanged glances. "We've taken it. Let's go!"

"Alright! Giddy up!" Zhang Jialin cracked his whip.

This was Xiao Ran's first time riding in an oxcart. Compared to a horse-drawn carriage, this thing did feel a bit like riding a tractor; it certainly wasn't high-class.

However, the carriage that Li Lizhi and the others had previously carried gave Xiao Ran the feeling of nobility, comparable to luxury cars from more than a thousand years later.

Zhang Jialin was older than Zhang Jinhe and the others, and was the sixth child in his family, so Zhang Jinhe had to call him "brother".

Zhang Jinhe took out a Kaiyuan Tongbao coin from his bag and gave it to Zhang Jialin as travel expenses. "Brother, this is for the chestnuts and our travel expenses. Two coins each."

Twenty li away, without having to walk, doesn't sound expensive at two coins, but considering that a peck of millet costs three coins, the fare doesn't seem cheap.

"Jinniang, you're in business, so I'll accept the money for the chestnuts, but you don't need to pay for the travel expenses." Zhang Jialin said, "The young master has exempted the villagers from taxes for three years. If I charge them for the travel expenses, people will gossip about me."

"Liu Lang, just accept it. There are only a few of us here!" Xiao Ran also advised.

"Young master, Jinniang, you're charging ten coins per bushel for chestnuts. We've already made a profit selling chestnuts, so we can't accept this money."

After a long struggle, Zhang Jialin still refused to take it.

Everyone knows how much a bushel of chestnuts costs; ten coins a bushel is indeed a high price.

As the oxcart rolled over the frost-covered dirt road, the rising sun peeked out from the Zhongnan Mountains.

The beam of light pierced through the sparse locust leaves, casting coin-like spots of light on the cart floor, reflecting off Third Sister's new clothes.

The little girl leaned against Xiao Hei's body, feeling soft and comfortable. The red ribbon tied in her hair bounced with the car's movements, like a little sparrow fluttering its wings.

The morning mist drifted like a thin veil over the ridges of the fields, and in the distance, the corn-harvested furrows revealed yellow earth, its edges gilded by the sunlight.

Dewdrops clung to the wild chrysanthemums by the roadside. A few grasshoppers were startled as the oxcart passed by, jumping onto the cart shaft only to be flung away by Zhang Jialin's whip.

As they approached Chang'an, the number of oxcarts and pedestrians on the road increased.

They even saw blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigners.

The Tang Dynasty was very inclusive, and because of these blond-haired, blue-eyed, and strangely dressed foreigners, Xiao Ran did not seem out of place.

They were neither like the locals of the Tang Dynasty nor like the Hu people; they were somewhere in between.

"Is that a city wall?" Xiao Ran saw the outline.

"Okay, we're almost there." Zhang Jialin quickened his pace.

More than a thousand years later, Chang'an City no longer exists, so Xiao Ran was naturally very excited to be able to see it.

It wasn't as grand and bright as I had imagined; instead, it exuded a sense of historical weight.

Approaching it, one feels its majestic and solemn grandeur; it is an epitome of the Tang Dynasty's golden age and a place many people yearn for.

Unfortunately, it has already disappeared into the long river of history.

Zhang Erya and San Niang were also very excited because this was the capital city.

"Liu Lang, which gate should we enter through?" Xiao Ran definitely wanted to see Zhuque Street.

I may not know about the others, but I'm quite familiar with Zhuque Avenue.

"The closest gate to the West Market is Jinguang Gate, but it's in the west of Chang'an City. Coming from the south, it's a bit of a detour. Anhua Gate and Mingde Gate are both fine, but there are too many people on Zhuque Street near Mingde Gate. I usually go through Anhua Gate and walk straight to Guangde Lane, then head west."

"Young master, would you like to go somewhere else?" Zhang Jialin asked.

"No need, just walk the way you usually do."

"Alright!" Zhang Jialin entered Anhua Gate.

Xiao Ran felt a little dazed; this feeling was so wonderful it seemed unreal.

It cannot be described in words.

Amidst the shocked gazes of the group, they soon arrived at the West Market.

The West Market is now bustling with people, and shouts and calls for customers are rising and falling.

If it weren't for the large number of Hu people, it would be like a market in later times.

The carriage stopped in front of Zhang's Grain Shop, and several people got off.

Zhang Huaicai emerged from the shop with a smile, "Jinniang."

"Aye!"

Seeing the heartwarming scene of Zhang Huaicai and Zhang Jinhe meeting, Zhang Erya felt a little envious.

"Second Mistress, Third Mistress, Young Master, I've heard so much about you, but I've never met you!"

"Uncle Zhang, I don't have any famous name. You're joking."

Zhang Erya and San Niang also called out.

Zhang Huaicai pointed to the roasted chestnuts, "These taste better hot. I'll sell them first; you guys can play with them for a while."

"Okay, we just wanted to take a look at the West Market. Uncle Zhang, you can go ahead with your work."

Since Zhang Jinhe didn't see her mother, she decided to go sightseeing with Xiao Ran and the others, since it was a rare opportunity to visit.

"Wow! So many people, and it smells so good!" Third Sister smelled the aroma of the snacks next to her.

Xiao Hei's good looks have attracted a lot of attention; it really is very handsome.

"Is this roasted mutton?" Xiao Ran pointed.

"Yes, friend, would you like to try some?" the vendor asked with a smile.

It's very authentic Naan language.

"Give me a few skewers to try!" Xiao Ran also wanted to know what roasted mutton was like in this era.

“Little Nang-kun~” a cute voice suddenly rang out.

(End of this chapter)