The casual life of the flat space

"Uncle Zhao, may you be well!" Bai Tieying stood up and saluted again, and then said, "You are so majestic and powerful, and you have defended one side of the country of Yu with outstanding contributions. How can my uncle be compared with you?"

"Hahahaha, you are indeed very smart, but..."

"Please speak frankly, General."

"Your elder brother and I have different ideas." After saying that, General Zhao looked directly at Bai Tieying, as if to observe her reaction.

"Big brother is awake? That's great! I always knew that big brother would be blessed by God!

It's amazing that Big Brother still remembers me. We just met by chance yesterday, but Big Brother was so kind to show me the way. Big Brother is a good person! If I can see Big Brother again in the future, I will definitely treat him to a meal!"

"Haha, you are keen on treating people to dinner."

"Food is the most important thing for people! Oh, Uncle Zhao, I haven't asked you if you have any dietary taboos?"

"You're welcome. I'm just here to have a free meal today." General Zhao said jokingly.

"Oh, Uncle Zhao, if you allow me to call you uncle, then you can just call me Tieying.

Tea Doctor, come here and prepare the restaurant's special dishes for the table."

"Okay, please wait a moment, distinguished guest." After refilling tea for everyone, the Tea Master left.

"Uncle Zhao, to be honest, Tieying really didn't expect you to come in person. I bothered General Li today to ask if we could add some delicacies to the military meals."

"Oh? Why did you say that?"

"As you know, my parents passed away this year, so my brother and I had a hard time. But thanks to the help of the village chief and fellow villagers, we are safe and sound. So when the villagers wanted to sell the mountain delicacies, I volunteered to take over the job.

Before I left, the village chief told me that I had heard that Chunfutang was a century-old store and that several generations of owners had a good reputation among the villagers, so he asked me to go and inquire.

After a detailed discussion with Zhang yesterday, I found that the reputation of the store was well-deserved, so I agreed with Zhang to sell the mountain delicacies to Chunfutang. I wished him a prosperous business, but Zhang said he didn't want to make money.

"Why is that?" General Zhao asked, seeming quite interested.

"To General Zhao, I am Zhang Baoshan. My family runs the Chunfutang mountain goods store in the south of the city for over a hundred years.

The villagers of Xianhe Village work hard to make a living, so we merchants should do our part. However, seeing that this batch of mountain delicacies is of high quality and in large quantities, I thought of the soldiers of our Northern Army who have worked hard to defend the borders and made great contributions. If we are lucky enough to give these mountain delicacies to the soldiers and add them to their meals, it will be an honor for Chunfu Hall.

I have had this wish before, but unfortunately I didn't know the way. Fortunately, Miss Bai heard about my wish and was willing to help me make a connection. Today, I have the honor of meeting the general!"

"Hahahaha, great. If everyone had the broad mind of Shopkeeper Zhang, the soldiers wouldn't have to worry about having a monotonous diet."

"I have only done my humble part. Compared with the hard work of the soldiers, it is really insignificant!"

"But..." General Zhao changed the subject.

"I hope the general will give clear instructions!"

"Although the purchase of vegetables and fruits for the army is handled by our military department, it is not convenient for us to accept gifts from shops. If someone accuses this general of competing with the people for profits in front of the palace, what should I do?"

"I guarantee with Chunfutang's century-old reputation that I have no such intention." Shopkeeper Zhang was so scared that he stood up quickly and bowed.

"Hey, Manager Zhang, don't be anxious. Sit down and talk." General Zhao waved his hand and continued,

"It is a good thing to give the soldiers one or two extra meals, but I am busy with military affairs and have no time to take care of this matter. It is better to let Manager Zhang take care of it and carefully select the villagers' mountain products and send them to the army, and the money will be paid."

"I am honored to be trusted by the general. I will definitely fulfill my mission and send the best delicacies to the army."

"Manager Zhang's sincerity is commendable. You can get closer to General Li in the future." General Zhao turned around and glanced at General Li who was standing behind him.

"Please take care of me, General Li." Shopkeeper Zhang quickly stood up and saluted.

"You're too polite, Manager Zhang." General Li nodded in response.

"Okay," General Zhao said as he stood up. "I have military duties to attend to, so I can't stay for long. I can only let you treat me to a meal next time."

"Uncle Zhao's righteousness makes your niece admire him deeply. If the soldiers knew that your uncle cared about them so much, they would surely be grateful to the emperor for his great grace. The general loves his soldiers like his own sons. Uncle Zhao, take care. Your niece will see you off to show your respect."

"Okay, let's go together. Manager Zhang, please stay."

The two men came downstairs, and a servant had brought a horse. Bai Tieying had been standing respectfully beside him. General Zhao climbed on the horse and suddenly said, "Tieying, can you lend me your gyrfalcon to train for a bit?"

"Uncle Zhao, it goes out by itself during the day, and your niece doesn't know where it is. These days, it usually flies over in the evening and wants to share the wild birds and rabbits with me, but how can I eat raw meat?

If I knew how to communicate with it, the first thing my niece would do would be to tell it not to come again. The situation in the house this morning scared Uncle Dafu! Look, even I can’t sleep well, and my eyes are black and blue!" Bai Tieying said with a sad face.

"Haha, you little girl are really blessed! Go back!" General Zhao said and rode away.

Bai Tieying stood there, watching General Zhao go away, until he could no longer see his figure, then he went upstairs.

"General Li, please forgive me if I was not thorough enough just now."

"That's fine. Tieying, since you already call the general uncle, you don't have to call me General Li anymore. Just call me brother from now on.

"Greetings, Brother Li!" Bai Tieying saluted and replied. "From your accent, you don't seem to be from the north."

"Yes, I am from Yaojing."

"Brother Li defended his country and guarded the border thousands of miles away from home. This is admirable."

"You're too kind. A man should take it as his duty to serve his country."

"My brother admires the soldiers in the army very much and even said that he wants to join the army when he grows up!"

"Your sister is smart and clever, and your brother also has great ambitions. I guess your parents brought you up well."

"Yes, our parents love us, but it's a pity..."

"Oh, I'm sorry that I made you sad by mentioning this. How about this, big brother will place another order of fruits and vegetables with Shopkeeper Zhang this time, as an apology?"

"Brother Li, you must not do that. The rules in the army are strict. I am grateful that you can humble yourself and make friends with me. You must not show favoritism because of me. As long as you are safe in the army, I, your sister, will also be honored."

"Very good, I am very happy to have a sister like you."

"Brother Li, I should have toasted you twice more today because you have recognized me as your sister. But I was asked by the village chief to do some work, and my brother asked the villagers to look after me. We are scheduled to return before the evening. So I can only go ahead this time and let Shopkeeper Zhang accompany you for a few drinks."

"Okay, I'll remember your dinner and we'll meet again someday!"

"Brother Li, please stay. Manager Zhang, please stay. Tieying is leaving!"

Bai Tieying was walking downstairs while thinking: "Well, I didn't even get to eat a single bite and I still owe three meals!"