I trade in both worlds

If it weren't for the comfort of travel, Xu Ziqing would not compromise so easily.

Seeing that she had agreed, in order to prevent her from regretting it, Xu Ziqi stood up and walked out: "I will go to Hongbang Escort Agency to find out the situation first, you go back first."

Before Xu Ziqing could react, he disappeared. He couldn't help but complain, "Big liar."

Xu Xu looked at her with amusement: "Shall we go back now?"

"Go back." Xu Ziqing stood up and shouted outside, "Waiter, settle the bill."

After leaving the restaurant, Xu Ziqing directly chartered a carriage to go back.

Xu Ziqi walked and asked along the way, and finally arrived at Hongbang Escort Agency.

Hongbang Escort Agency faces south and occupies a vast area. It is surrounded by a circle of towering walls and the gate is majestic and simple.

Hongbang Escort Agency is one of the most famous escort agencies in Guoyue County. Its escorts are highly skilled in martial arts and have an excellent reputation.

After crossing the threshold, Xu Ziqi was shocked by the scene before him.

Inside the courtyard, there is a large open space that has been carefully transformed into a martial arts training ground. The ground is paved with fine bluestone, which has withstood wind and rain but remains solid.

At this time, there was a group of bodyguards practicing here. Some of them were wearing tight clothes, while others were wearing loose training robes. They were all energetic and looked very powerful.

Their figures leaped, their fists whistled, and every move and every style revealed their profound internal strength and superb skills.

On one side of the martial arts training ground stands a tall martial arts platform, on which are set various weapon racks, with swords, spears, swords and halberds, all available, and every weapon is well maintained and looks as bright as new.

Several faded silk banners were hung around the martial arts arena, with the four large characters "Hongbang Escort Agency" embroidered on them.

Xu Ziqi looked around and saw that the buildings in the escort agency were neatly laid out. There were both a martial arts training ground for daily training and dormitories for the escorts to rest.

There are also stables and warehouses for storing valuable goods and escort vehicles. Everything is in order, demonstrating the rigorous and efficient management of the escort agency.

He nodded secretly in his heart, knowing that he had come to the right place.

With the introduction of the escort agency manager, Xu Ziqing met the chief escort of the agency.

The chief escort was a burly middle-aged man in his fifties with a resolute face and sharp eyes.

After the two exchanged greetings, Xu Ziqi directly stated his purpose: "Captain Escort, I plan to travel to the capital this time. My family is worried about my safety when I travel alone, so I would like to find a few escorts to accompany me."

"That's no problem. How many escorts do you need?" The chief escort leader smiled and reminded, "You will be responsible for all the expenses of the escorts and horses on the road."

This was within his expectations: "This is all as it should be. However, my family does not have a carriage. I wonder if the escort agency can provide one as well?"

The chief escort nodded and said, "Why not? If you trust me, I will select four escorts for you, two to drive the carriage and two to escort you on horseback. How do you think?"

Xu Ziqi was overjoyed when he heard this, and immediately bowed his hands to express his gratitude: "I couldn't ask for more, so I'll trouble you, Chief Escort."

"You're welcome. This is what I should do." The chief escort smiled slightly and then called four escorts.

These four escorts are all very skilled. Two of them are good at driving, and the other two are excellent riders and archers.

After successfully inviting the escort, Xu Ziqi happily hummed a song as he went to rent a donkey cart to go home.

After Xu Xu and Xu Ziqing brought the children home, they rested for a while, then picked up two boxes of Snow Meringue, two boxes of egg yolk cakes, and prepared to go to Xu Jizong's house to pay New Year's greetings with their four children.

When he arrived at Xu Jizong's house, Xu Xu found that his door was closed from the inside and the yard was quiet.

Xu Xu felt somewhat puzzled, as the courtyard gate would usually not be closed when someone was at home.

What's more, it is Chinese New Year now, and relatives come to pay New Year's greetings from time to time, and the courtyard gate is open to welcome guests at any time.

Xu Xu went up and knocked on the door. After a while, the door opened, revealing the amiable face of Second Aunt.

"Oh, it's Xuxu. Where did you go this morning? I wanted to ask you to come over for lunch. Come in and warm up first." Second Aunt warmly invited them into the house.

Xu Xu and Xu Ziqing walked into the house. Their second uncle Xu Jizong was sitting on the kang. When he saw them coming to wish them a happy new year, a smile appeared on his face.

Xu Jin: "Second uncle, second aunt."

Xu Zhun: "Second uncle, second aunt."

Xu Qiwei: "Second Grandfather, Second Grandmother."

Xu Jizong and Aunt Xu smiled and answered, carrying the three children to the kang, and gave each of them a handful of snacks on the kang table.

Xu Tiantian was unhappy when she saw this, and stretched out her hands towards Second Aunt Xu: "Make a fuss, make a fuss, make a fuss."

This made everyone laugh. Aunt Xu took Xu Tiantian over, and Xu Jizong handed her a piece of brown sugar steamed cake.

After settling the children, Second Aunt Xu called Xu Ziqing: "Come, Xiaoqing, sit on the kang."

"Second Uncle." Xu Xu introduced: "This is Xu Ziqing, you can just call her Xiaoqing. Her mother was also a capable person by the nobleman's side."

Xu Jizong and Aunt Xu looked at each other, then looked at Xu Xu, who nodded slightly.

Xu Ziqing handed over the gift bag in his hand: "Uncle Xu, Aunt Xu, Happy New Year, here are a few boxes of cakes I brought for you to try."

Second Aunt Xu took the gift box and said politely, "Oh, you are so polite. You are here, why do you bring anything with you?"

Xu Xu also said politely: "It's just a small token of my appreciation, it's not worth much."

Second Aunt Xu put down the gift box in her hand and said, "Come, come, sit down."

Xu Xu pulled Xu Ziqing to sit down opposite Second Aunt Xu.

Aunt Xu smiled and pushed the food on the table towards her: "Xiaoqing, come and eat. These are all homemade food. Try them and see if you can get used to them."

"Okay, thank you Aunt Xu." Xu Xu took a fried cake.

"Oh, you are such a polite child." Aunt Xu looked at her with a smile: "Just take whatever you want to eat, don't be polite."

"Okay." Xu Ziqing was a little overwhelmed by Second Aunt Xu's enthusiasm.

Seeing her uncomfortable look, Xu Xu smiled and said, "Second Uncle, Second Aunt, why did you close the gate today?"

"Oh, your second uncle and I were cleaning the oven in the backyard. We were afraid someone would come directly to the backyard, so we simply closed the door."

Xu Xu nodded, looked around, and asked, "Where are Big Brother and Youyin? Why aren't they home?"

Second Aunt smiled and explained, "Oh, they took their wives to visit relatives. They said they were going to give Youliang to Erya's aunt's house, and Youyin to his wife's uncle's house. They left early in the morning."

Xu Xu nodded: "Second Aunt, when do you plan to open the shop?"

"The day after tomorrow, on the eighth day of the first lunar month, we will open the shop."

When Aunt Xu heard about the opening of the shop, she felt very relieved. In just a few months, she paid back the money she had borrowed from Xu Xu and saved some money.

After chatting for a while, Xu Ziqing saw that it was getting late and wanted to go back early to see if Xu Ziqi had returned.