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

Chapter 46: A Fishing Rod as a Gift!
Ah? ? ?
Upon seeing Qin Qiong, Xiao Ran momentarily froze.

The old man we met by the river earlier was actually Qin Qiong, the Duke of Ji!

Qin Qiong was much older than Cheng Yaojin and Li Shimin, but the three of them were of the same generation and Xiao Ran could sense that Li Shimin was the one who was respected.

So he was called Uncle Li Shimin, and everyone else followed suit.

I didn't expect Qin Qiong to be so old. But then I thought about it and it made sense. Qin Qiong died in the twelfth year of the Zhenguan era, and now it's the sixth year of the Zhenguan era.

If this is Qin Qiong, then the other one is basically a founding duke, and Xiao Ran naturally guessed the identity of the leader.

Thinking back to when he called out "Erlang," the only person Qin Qiong could treat like that was Emperor Li Shimin.

In other words, the previous encounters were with several princesses.

No wonder she looks so elegant; it makes perfect sense that she's a princess.

"Don't you recognize Uncle?" Qin Qiong walked up to Xiao Ran. "Come in, let's talk inside."

Zhang Huaicai was even more shocked. Xiao Ran and Qin Qiong did indeed know each other, but Xiao Ran was unaware of it.

"I never expected that the Duke of Ji was his uncle."

"Haha! It won't affect anything, it won't affect anything."

Zhang Huaicai said with a smile, "Master, young master, I'll head back now."

Zhang Huaicai now realizes that it's no longer appropriate for him to stay.

"Okay, that works too." Qin Qiong nodded.

Xiao Ran looked at the Shu brocade in his arms. "Uncle Zhang, could you please take this back with you too?"

Qin Qiong wouldn't want the Shu brocade; Xiao Ran had a better option.

"That's good!" Zhang Huaicai didn't ask any more questions, took the Shu brocade and left the Duke of Ji's mansion.

Xiao Ran sat down in the hall with Qin Qiong, and the servants brought over a lot of pastries and other treats.

"Young master, have you ever been to the Duke of Su's mansion?"

"Uncle, not yet! This is my first time in Chang'an. I just strolled around the West Market and came here."

"How does it feel?"

"The Tang Dynasty was amazing!" Chang'an was an international metropolis, and you have to remember this was in the 7th century!

"Haha! Yes! Things will only get better from now on, it's just a pity we're getting old!"

"Oh, Uncle Shi isn't old at all. He's in his fifties or sixties, which is the prime of his life!"

"You little rascal!" Qin Qiong smiled helplessly. "What brings you here, Uncle?"

"I didn't know before that the pond where we fished originally belonged to my uncle."

"That's alright." Qin Qiong was not a stingy person.

"I came here this time to ask Uncle if he would be willing to sell that pond and the mountain next to it."

"Young master, you can take it if you like. Your uncle still owes you a meal!"

"That won't do!" Xiao Ran quickly waved his hand. "Uncle, you have a large and prosperous family, you don't need my meager gifts. Giving money is vulgar. Uncle likes fishing, so I'll give you a fishing rod instead!"

Qin Qiong was still very happy to hear Xiao Ran's words.

I'm so envious of Xiao Ran's fishing rod.

"No, no, that's something precious to the young master, you absolutely mustn't!"

"I have a few more, please accept them, Uncle! I'm new here and don't know anyone, so I might need your help with many things in the future."

"Nephew, if you need anything, just come to your uncle." Qin Qiong's form of address had also changed.

Having accepted Xiao Ran's fishing rod, it's really hard for a fisherman to refuse.

Ever since separating from Xiao Ran, Qin Qiong has been dissatisfied with his old fishing rod, finding fault with everything he did.

"The fishing rod isn't with me right now. If I had known that the Duke of Ji was my uncle, I wouldn't have brought anything else. I'll have someone send it over in the next couple of days."

"Haha, no rush, no rush." ​​Qin Qiong was in a great mood. "I'll send someone back with my nephew in a bit, with the land deed. The land transfer needs to be registered, and we have to go through the procedures in the village and report it to the prefecture."

Qin Qiong, despite being a Duke, still had to follow the proper procedures.

Otherwise, it's easy for others to impeach you.

"Alright! I'll listen to Uncle."

"By the way, how did you come to Chang'an, my dear nephew?"

"I came here this morning by oxcart from the village," Xiao Ran said truthfully.

“If you’re not in a hurry, my dear nephew, you can stay at my house for a few days. Someone will take care of the land deed.”

"Uncle, I still have things to do at home. Please come visit more often when you have time."

"Alright, Uncle will arrange a carriage to take you back later."

Xiao Ran didn't stand on ceremony, "Thank you in advance, Uncle!"

Xiao Ran wanted to get the land deed as soon as possible, and Qin Qiong also wanted to get the fishing rod as soon as possible.

Everyone has the same goal: no one wants to wait.

Li Zhengdian

"Mother~ I'm here~" The little princess entered the front hall and ran to Empress Zhangsun and Li Shimin.

Empress Zhangsun held the little princess in her arms, "Sizi, is it fun?"

"This is so much fun!" the little princess exclaimed excitedly. "I saw Little Pouch-kun!"

The little princess gestured, "And there are big dogs too~"

"Hmm? What's going on?" Li Shimin asked.

Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang also brought in Princess Chengyang.

“Father, I ran into Mr. Xiao Ran and Xiao Hei when I went to the West Market to buy roasted chestnuts,” Li Lizhi explained.

"You've come to Chang'an? I wonder if you've visited the Duke of Su's residence to see me."

"Father probably doesn't have it. If he were looking for it, he would have told us."

"We'll go visit Kaolao Village when we have time. We've been quite busy these past few days." It's harvest season now, and also tax collection time. The officials of the imperial court have a lot to do, and Li Shimin is also very busy.

Zhang's Grain Shop
Upon seeing Zhang Huaicai return, Zhang Jinhe hurriedly asked, "Father, where are the young master and Xiao Hei?"

Zhang Erya and San Niang also cast inquiring glances.

“Young Master is still at the Duke of Ji’s residence! He should be back in a while.” After thinking for a moment, Zhang Huaicai said, “Young Master does know his master, but he didn’t know that his master was the Duke of Ji before.”

Qin Shi, Zhang Jinhe, Zhang Erya, and the others were also taken aback.

"Why did you bring back Shu brocade too?" Zhang Jinhe pointed.

"Young master asked me to bring this back. It's probably not necessary. Just put it away and take it back later!" Zhang Huaicai handed the Shu brocade to Zhang Jinhe.

Zhang Huaicai, Zhang Jinhe, and the others realized that they had underestimated Xiao Ran.

I never expected to be able to talk to Qin Qiong.

If Qin Qiong knew Xiao Ran, then his change in attitude upon hearing that a visit was coming would be normal.

"Madam, go find an oxcart to take Jinniang and the others back in a moment." Just as Zhang Huaicai finished speaking, two carriages stopped in front of the grain store.

As Zhang Huaicai walked out of the grain store, he noticed that the people riding in the carriages were all extraordinary; they were not only wealthy but also of considerable status.

Xiao Ran was the first to get off the carriage.

Zhang Huaicai was stunned for a moment, and then Qin Tai followed him down.

Without needing to ask, Zhang Huaicai already knew what was going on: the Duke of Ji's mansion had actually sent a carriage to escort Xiao Ran, and the steward himself had delivered it.

Qin Shi, Zhang Jinhe, and Zhang Erya also came out.

Xiao Hei also got off the carriage and ran to San Niang's side.

Zhang Erya felt awkward at the grain store because Xiao Ran wasn't there, and she felt a little insecure.

"Young master!" Zhang Jinhe called out.

"Young master!" Zhang Huaicai stepped forward to greet Qin Tai.

"Have you prepared everything, Jinniang and Erniang? Uncle Qin, please take us back!" Xiao Ran asked.

Qin Tai nodded with a smile.

"Everything is ready." Zhang Jinhe looked at the carriage. Although it couldn't compare to the ones used by Li Lizhi and the others, it was still quite good.

"Then let's go back!"

Zhang Huaicai and Qin Shi helped put the things on the carriage.

The main items were wheat, quilts, and flatbread. Qin also prepared some pastries for Zhang Jinhe.

The items were placed in Qin Tai's carriage, while Xiao Ran, Zhang Jinhe, and Zhang Erya rode in another carriage.

Little Black lay obediently in the middle, while Third Sister excitedly examined the decorations inside the car.

I must say, horse-drawn carriages are definitely more comfortable; oxcarts simply can't compare.

Zhang Jinhe lifted the curtain and looked outside. "I never expected to be able to ride in a carriage like this. By the way, has the matter with the young master been settled?"

"It's settled. I've received the land deed. Uncle Qin, go back with me to register with Grandpa and the village head, and go through the formalities." Xiao Ran didn't mention the fishing rod incident.

I took the Shu brocade out for a stroll, then brought it back.

On the cart, Zhang Jinhe also took out more than two thousand coins, which was the money for the roasted chestnuts he had bought yesterday afternoon and this morning.

Just like before, one portion was divided, and the rest was kept as capital.

The cloth bag Zhang Erya used to keep her money was now quite heavy; she had never kept so much money in it before.

After the group left, Zhang Huaicai muttered to himself, "Who exactly is this expert? How does he know the master? They seem to have a pretty good relationship."

"Ah Lang wasn't here just now, but Jinniang and Erniang said they ran into acquaintances in the West Market," Qin Shi recounted her encounter with Princess Li Lizhi of Yuzhang.

While Xiao Ran was away, the group chatted, and Zhang Jinhe and Zhang Erya brought up the matter.

Although their specific identities are unknown, the princesses' attire and the carriages they rode in were anything but ordinary.

Upon hearing the description of the carriage, Zhang Huaicai narrowed his eyes. "I remember now, I bought roasted chestnuts here a few times before!"

"Yes, yes, I came to buy roasted chestnuts and just happened to run into you. Do you know who I am?"

Zhang Huaicai shook his head, "I don't know, but at the very least, they're from the Duke's mansion, and might even be members of the royal family."

There are many dukes in Chang'an, and possibly powerful families and clans; there are too many top-tier nobles, and Zhang Huaicai really doesn't recognize any of them.

But I feel that their background is no worse than that of the Duke of Ji's family.

“We underestimated how frightening it was.” Zhang Huaicai shook his head. “These people are actually refugees? And they’re even dependent on Second Aunt’s family.”

Zhang Huaicai found it difficult to give an immediate assessment.

Horse-drawn carriages are more comfortable and faster than oxcarts, and before we knew it, we had arrived at Kaolao Village.

Qin Tai first took the group to Zhang Erya's house, then took Zhang Jinhe there, and also looked for Zhang Mingde.

The pond and mountain to the east belong to Kaolao Village, and these land transactions must go through Zhang Mingde.

"Young master, I'll take Jinniang there first and handle the transfer of ownership while I'm at it," Qin Tai said with a smile.

"Okay, thank you, Uncle Qin. I'll take the things to the village head in a bit."

"Alright, young master, I'll head over now."

The arrival of the horse-drawn carriage in the village attracted a lot of attention, after all, this thing was comparable to the luxury cars of later generations.

The villagers were also curious about who this person had come to visit.

Qin Tai was the steward of the Duke of Ji, and Zhang Mingde had met him twice. Qin Tai was in charge of matters such as contracting land.

Zhang Mingde was also surprised to see Qin Tailai.

The transfer registration was handled promptly without delay.

Xiao Ran also brought a fishing rod to Zhang Jinhe's house.

"Uncle Qin, please pass this on to Uncle Shi."

Xiao Ran prepared some fishing line and hooks, but didn't provide any bait, so Qin Qiong didn't know how to mix it.

Qin Tai carefully took it, knowing that this was the treasure his son had been longing for.

"Alright, alright, young master, don't worry, I won't bother you any longer. I need to head back soon too."

"Take care, Uncle Qin!" Xiao Ran and the others watched Qin Tai's carriage leave.

Qin Tai, sitting in the carriage, stared blankly at the material of the fishing rod. It had been called a fishing rod, but this one didn't look like one at all.

"Isn't this fishing rod too short?" Qin Tai couldn't see anything special about it, but the material is unusual.

Back home, Zhang Mingde was still in shock. "Girl, what happened? The steward personally arranged for a carriage to bring you back!"

"Grandpa, it was arranged by the Duke of Ji. It's not for me; to be precise, it's for the young master. The master knows the young master."

Zhang Erya recounted what had happened to Zhang Mingde, who listened in stunned silence.

The Shu brocade prepared in the end was not given to the Duke of Ji's mansion, but the land was given to Xiao Ran.

Third Sister was very excited when she got home. It was her first time visiting Chang'an City, and she saw many people and it was very lively.

It was my first time eating roasted mutton and flatbread, and I happily shared it with Zhang Dalang.

I found the carriage very comfortable; I had never experienced it before.

Zhang Erya smiled as she listened to her sister and put the money out of the cloth bag.

After returning home and putting their things down, Zhang Erya and San Niang changed out of their new clothes and put on their old ones.

Xiao Ran returned home with Xiao Hei, and San Niang ran over, "Young Master!"

"Okay!" Xiao Ran pulled San Niang back into the house.

"Young master, are you roasting chestnuts again today?" Zhang Erya asked.

"Let's rest today and talk about it tomorrow. I'll go and collect some chestnuts later."

"Okay!" Zhang Erya didn't want to rest; roasted chestnuts were making too much money.

I've earned more in the last few days than I did in a whole year before.

The first thing Zhang Erya did upon returning was to check on the persimmons.

Actually, Zhang Dalang had been searching through the materials before, and Zhang Erya had specifically instructed that this matter was very important.

Zhang Dalang's cowshed is ready; now he's at home cutting grass.

From now on, Zhang Dalang will be in charge of feeding the cattle.

Although I'm tired, I'm very happy. Having so many cows is something I never dared to dream of before.

"Big Brother, don't cut grass anymore."

"Young master, what will we do in winter? This is far from enough."

"We can hire others to do things like mowing the grass. Aren't there lots of kids around ten years old in the village? Let them do it, and we'll pay them."

Zhang Dalang wanted to say that he could do it too, and wanted to save money.

"I have something important to do and I need your help."

"Alright, young master, please speak."

"The pond is mine now. I want to build a house there. Dalang, can you lend me a hand?" Having the land deed makes me feel safer now, and I'm not afraid of anyone causing trouble.

"I can only contribute my physical strength; I don't know anything about building houses." Zhang Dalang scratched his head awkwardly. He really wanted to help, but he genuinely didn't know how.

"For now, it's just the two of us. We'll definitely need to find more people later. We'll try to get it built before winter comes so we can move in."

"it is good!"

Although they didn't understand why Xiao Ran wanted to move there, the three siblings chose to support him.

Xiao Ran plans to build a house over the cave and hide it behind it.

(End of this chapter)