Our neighborhood has been transported again.

Chapter 86 Du Yu Fights the Tiger
Qin Ziwen glanced at the four people and said without any politeness, "If you suspect that I am a black shop, you can leave directly, I will not stop you."

The three constables were somewhat surprised to see the shopkeeper so assertive.

One of the constables looked displeased and was about to lash out when Di Wu slammed his hand on the table and laughed loudly: "Haha, the shopkeeper is clearly a straightforward person. I, Di Wu, have been judging a gentleman by my own petty standards."

Qin Ziwen said, "My new shop is opening, so there's not much food, just some smoked cured meat, but there are several jars of wine."

Di Wu took out a small silver ingot from his waist and slammed it on the table: "Bring more smoked meat and more jars of wine! Let's drink to our hearts' content today."

A constable standing nearby hesitated, "Fifth Brother, we're still on duty. It's not good to drink alcohol."

"It's so hot, and we've all had a long and tiring journey. Why don't you all have a drink?" Di Wu feigned displeasure. "What, are you not giving your Fifth Brother any face?"

The constable on the left remained silent, while the man on the right raised his head and gazed at the thatched hut of the tavern.

Qin Ziwen served them first, then glanced at the sky outside and frowned slightly.

He was planning to go up the mountain today, so it would be best if these guests left early, otherwise they would be delayed in getting their cards.

First, I took a jar of wine and placed it on the table.

Then they took several large ceramic bowls from the kitchen and placed them on the table.

"Guests, please have your drinks first. I'll go heat up the meat." He glanced at the silver ingots on the table.

In his view, the surface of the silver ingot was emitting a faint yellow light.

Qin Ziwen carefully put away the gold ingot, left through the back door of the kitchen, and took it out again to look at it. The gold ingot still had a faint yellow glow, which was not his imagination.

The yellow light was very faint, and it didn't seem to be emanating from inside the gold ingot; it seemed more like something attached to its surface.

Then, their home appeared.

A message popped up.

【Small Silver Ingot (3 taels): Silver obtained through transactions, usable in certain specific buildings】

The money earned by this tavern has such a purpose.

Qin Ziwen was somewhat surprised.

But I also robbed some silver from the scholar yesterday morning, so why didn't it emit a yellow light? Could it be because it was obtained illegally?

Qin Ziwen gently weighed the gold ingot in his hand, returned to his bedroom and placed it under the drawer. Then he cut a pound of cured pork from the cellar, carried the meat through the back door into the kitchen, lit firewood, and put it in a pot to steam.

He found Li Tieshan midway and explained the situation to inquire about prices.

How much can a jar of yellow wine weighing over 20 jin (approximately 10 kg) plus a jin (approximately 0.5 kg) of smoked cured meat sell for?

Li Tieshan said, "Sir, it mainly depends on the quality of the wine. There are wines that cost a few coins per pound, and even wines that cost tens or hundreds of coins per pound. Of course, this is in the city. As the constable said, in the desolate mountains and remote places, it is normal for the price of wine and food to double. Three ounces is about right."

After a pause, Li Tieshan added, "I was referring to a period of stable governance. If the situation is chaotic, prices could increase several times, even ten times."

Back in the kitchen, while Qin Ziwen waited for the cured meat to cook, several constables in the front hall started chatting loudly.

“Brother Du, the three of us brothers are just following orders. We have offended you along the way, so please forgive us.”

“You are just following orders, so what’s so strange about that?” The speaker’s voice was loud and clear.

The image of the prisoner who had been brought in flashed through Qin Ziwen's mind.

The three constables were all tall and burly, with disheveled hair, but they were still half a head shorter than the prisoner.

The three constables in the front hall clinked glasses and exchanged toasts, and the lively noise gradually subsided.

Qin Ziwen lifted the pot lid; the meat inside was ready. He scooped the meat out and placed it on the cutting board, just as he was about to cut it, he heard Di Wu's voice from outside: "Hey, Brother Du, actually, I've admired you for a long time. Back when Lan County was plagued by tigers, the local county government organized several efforts but failed, and even lost several hunters. Finally, I heard that you went up the mountain and killed that vicious tiger; you're a renowned tiger-hunting hero in Tongzhou."

The prisoner, referred to as Brother Du, said, "That tigress had just given birth to her cubs and was weak. I just got lucky and can't be considered a tiger-slaying hero."

Di Wu sighed deeply: "Brother Du, you killed that bullying scoundrel Liu Er in the street in Tongzhou this time, which was very gratifying. But killing someone in the street has a bad influence. Liu Er was able to run rampant in Tongzhou because of his younger sister who was married to him as a concubine while he was imprisoned. Your exile to Youzhou this time was the result of the prefect's mediation."

“Before we set off, someone sent me a message asking me to harm you along the way. But Brother Du is a hero, and I, Di Wu, would rather die than do something that aids and abets evil.”

"Bang!" A sound of someone slamming their hand on a table came from outside the hall.

Di Wu said, "The key is right here. My two brothers and I got drunk today, so Brother Du, please take the key and go by yourself."

Qin Ziwen listened with great interest, never expecting to actually get to eat fresh, hot melons right there on the spot.

Outside the hall, a stool slid, and Di Wu's voice came: "That shopkeeper must have been eavesdropping in the kitchen for a long time. Let me go and silence him."

Qin Ziwen: "???"

Damn, I've gotten myself into this mess.

He suddenly lost his composure; is this guy crazy?

If you want to play the hero, then release him! Why kill an innocent shop owner like me?

Although I accidentally snatched a scholar's book collection yesterday when the business just opened, it wasn't intentional.

Just as Qin Ziwen was about to slip away through the back door, Brother Du's voice came: "Why bother? For my sake alone, Du Yu, not only have three brothers been implicated, but innocent people have also been harmed. This is not what I wanted."

Hearing the conversation between the three people in the front hall, Qin Ziwen stopped in his tracks.

Aren't you going to come and kill me?

It's good that you're not coming.

You ancient people always kill someone for fun.

It's like something out of Water Margin.

Di Wu said in a deep voice, "Brother Du! That prison guard Ji is a vindictive person. We all call him a petty jerk in private. He failed this time, but he will definitely have other methods. The situation is chaotic in various places, and there are constant uprisings in the south. Brother Du, you should leave."

Du Yu said calmly, "I lost both my parents at a young age and grew up relying on the help of my fellow villagers. I am all alone and have no ties. If Supervisor Ji has any means, please use them as soon as possible."

"Cough cough." Qin Ziwen coughed twice.

He stepped out from behind the curtain.

Di Wu turned his head, his eyes fierce.

Qin Ziwen said to the two men, "Don't worry, I won't report you to the authorities. By the way, if you really have nowhere to go, how about staying here and working as a waiter?"

Di Wu looked at Qin Ziwen as if he were a fool.

"Do you think your place can withstand a government crackdown and a police pursuit?"

Qin Ziwen smiled gently, "Then take another look and see if you can find me."

He lifted the curtain and stepped out in front of the two of them.

After a dozen seconds, Qin Ziwen lifted the curtain again and entered through the main entrance.

Before him stood Di Wu, who was dumbfounded, and Du Yu, who looked astonished.

(End of this chapter)