Food bloggers made fortunes in ancient times

After leaving Songzhou, we headed north, passing through Qianzhou and Youzhou.

Wherever they went, Song Yan would take Shu Changyu to the market, try snacks, and take in the scenery along the way.

Qianzhou's sesame seed cakes and soup dumplings are very famous. The freshly baked sesame seed cakes are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a strong sesame aroma, and the crumbs fall off when you take a bite.

The soup dumplings have a rich broth. Carefully bite a small hole in it and take a sip of the broth. It is so delicious that it will make your eyebrows fall off.

In addition to food, Qianzhou's shadow puppetry is also a unique attraction.

When night falls, artists often set up stages in the streets and alleys. Behind the white curtain, the artists use their nimble fingers to manipulate the colorful shadow puppets, and to the sound of gongs and drums and singing, they perform scenes of joy and sorrow.

Song Yan was so engrossed in watching the film that she dragged Shu Changyu to watch it for three nights before she was willing to stop.

Then rush to the next place.

Shu Changyu was not a person who liked to be in a lively atmosphere, but he patiently accompanied Song Yan for a walk and a stop.

Look at him holding a freshly baked sugar cake with his eyes curved with smile, look at him marveling at the street acrobatics, look at his eyes shining brightly under the lanterns at the night market, as if filled with stars.

It was so vivid and lively that he couldn't take his eyes off it.

When we arrived in Youzhou, it was already early autumn.

This is the gateway to northern Xinjiang, and further north are vast grasslands and deserts.

Youzhou City is more rugged than the cities in the south, with high and thick city walls and wide streets. Most of the pedestrians are tall men from the north who speak in loud and bold voices.

As soon as Song Yan entered the city, she was attracted by the grilled lamb skewers on the roadside stall.

The mutton skewers were huge, with alternating fat and lean parts. They were grilled over charcoal until they were sizzling and oily, and then spread with a special sauce, which gave off a fragrant aroma.

"Boss, give me a hundred skewers!" Song Yan waved his hand proudly.

The boss's hand trembled and the skewers almost fell to the ground. He looked Song Yan up and down. Seeing the tender skin and flesh of this young man from the south, he couldn't help but smile and said, "Sir, these 100 skewers are not a small number. Can you two finish them?"

Song Yan patted his stomach and said, "Don't worry, there are many of us, we can finish it."

Shu Changyu watched from the side with a smile in his eyes. This man lost his sense of propriety when he saw food.

Soon, the roasted lamb skewers were handed over.

Song Yan picked up a string, blew on the hot air, and couldn't wait to take a big bite.

The mutton was tender and juicy, with the aroma of charcoal fire and the richness of the sauce, without any smell of mutton. It was so delicious that it made his eyes shine.

"It's delicious, not smelly at all! You can try it too." Song Yan handed a string to Shu Changyu's mouth.

Shu Changyu lowered his head and took a bite. It was indeed tender and tasty. He nodded slightly: "Hmm, not bad."

Anwu and Anqi had already found a table and sat down. Looking at the table full of grilled skewers, they looked at each other and silently quickened the pace of eating.

It seems that we have to rely on them to cover these one hundred skewers.

The sound of singing and playing guitar came from a tavern not far away. The tune was desolate and majestic, with the unique heroism of the north.

Mixed in with this desolate tune is the drinkers' laughter and conversation, rough and passionate.

Song Yan was eating skewers while listening with her ears cocked. Although she couldn't understand the lyrics, she could feel the vastness and grandeur of the lyrics.

It seemed that even the wind blowing towards me carried a chill and freedom different from that in the south.

After staying in Youzhou for half a month, they visited all the markets in the city, tried all kinds of northern delicacies, and Song Yan even learned simple northern dialect from the locals.

It was August when we finally arrived in northern Xinjiang.

The rolling sand dunes in the distance glowed golden in the sun, and the poplar forest burned like flames on the skyline.

"We're here!" Song Yan lifted the car curtain and excitedly leaned half of her body out.

The dry wind mixed with sand blew on his face, but he was unaware of it and was only concerned with greedily gazing at this strange and magnificent land.

Shu Changyu reached out and pulled him back: "Be careful or you'll fall out."

Song Yan fell into his arms and pointed out the window excitedly: "Look at that poplar forest! It's more spectacular than what you see in the paintings!"

An Qi said in front with a smile: "Brother Song, this is just the beginning. Going further north, it will be even more interesting!"

That night, they set up tents in the wild to spend the night.

Late at night, Song Yan lay outside the tent, looking at the starry sky above his head.

The night sky in northern Xinjiang is exceptionally clear, with the Milky Way like a silk thread and numerous stars.

Shu Changyu hugged him from behind and wrapped the cloak around both of them.

Song Yan turned around, held Shu Changyu's face with both hands, and kissed his lips.

In this vast universe, they embraced and kissed each other passionately, like two poplar trees leaning against each other, with their roots tightly intertwined underground and their branches leaning against each other in the wind.

The next morning, they continued their journey north.

The further north you go, the denser the poplar forest becomes.

Golden leaves rustled in the wind, and occasionally a wild camel leisurely crossed the road.

Seeing such a magnificent sight, Song Yan simply abandoned the carriage and rode on horseback instead.

Facing the wind, Song Yan opened her arms and laughed happily, feeling that all the bumpy journey was worth it.

Shu Changyu looked at his flying hair, a faint smile appeared in his eyes, and he spurred his horse to catch up with him, riding side by side.

We traveled at a leisurely pace and finally arrived at Feiyun City on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Feiyun City is located on the border, with towering city walls and fluttering flags.

After entering the city, they went straight to the general's mansion.

Shu Changwu had already received the news and was waiting in front of the mansion with his wife.

Since Shu Changwu quelled the rebellion in the southwest and made great contributions, he was named Dingyuan Marquis by the new emperor and guarded Feiyun City.

After that, he brought his family to Feiyun City.

Couples and fathers and daughters who had been separated for several years were finally able to meet each other.

At this time, seeing the carriage approaching, Shu Changwu took two steps at a time and stepped forward to meet it.

"Finally you're here!" Shu Changwu lifted the car curtain, revealing two rows of white teeth. "You guys are so slow, waiting from the beginning of summer to the Mid-Autumn Festival. I thought you were going to celebrate the New Year halfway!"

As soon as Song Yan stuck her head out, Shu Changwu's big hand, like a palm-leaf fan, lifted her out of the car and she almost stumbled.

Shu Changyu then jumped off the carriage and calmly brought Song Yan to his side. He glanced at Shu Changwu and said, "How reckless."

Shu Changwu let go of his hand awkwardly and scratched his head: "I am not happy."

Mrs. Deng smiled and walked up to Song Yan and said, "Don't pay attention to the two brothers. I'll take you to see the yard prepared for you."

Mrs. Deng has been in Northern Xinjiang for half a year, and even her speech has a bit of the northern cheerfulness: "Knowing that you were coming, I had already cleaned up the yard. I have been waiting for half a month, and finally you are here."

Song Yan scratched the tip of his nose and laughed, "I was delayed on the road for some time."

Mrs. Deng smiled knowingly and beckoned them to go inside: "Come on, settle down first. I'll welcome you tonight!"

"Where are Yinyin and Wenwen?" Song Yan asked curiously when she couldn't see the twin sisters.

"They went out to race horses. These two crazy girls were like wild horses that had broken free from their reins once they arrived in the northern border. They never came home all day." Mrs. Deng smiled and shook her head, but her tone was doting.

"I should be back soon. I'm sure I'll be very happy to know you're coming."

As soon as he entered the house, he heard the sound of horse hooves outside, followed by the girl's crisp shout: "Dad! Mom! We're back!"

"Have the eldest and youngest uncle arrived?"