Three Kingdoms: Domination of the World

The next morning, the red sun rose slowly from the east. The thatched roof and the dead branches on the ground were covered with a layer of crystal-clear white frost, like a layer of gauze. In the sunlight, it shimmered with tiny silver lights, adding a touch of mystery to the dilapidated thatched house.

Suo Chao rubbed his sleepy eyes, got up from the bed and began to embrace a new life.

Today, Suo Chao seemed to have a tacit understanding. He ran into Uncle Qiang. They both said in unison:

"morning!"

"Xiao Chao, how are you preparing? When are we leaving?" Uncle Qiang looked at him.

"Uncle Qiang, wait a minute while I pack my bags!" Suo Chao said as he began to pack his luggage. He packed a few sets of underwear and a few sets of cold-weather clothes into his bag. These clothes were left by his parents. Although some of them didn't fit him and were a bit worn, they were very warm.

"Okay, no rush!" Uncle Qiang said with a smile.

After a while, Suo Chao finished packing his luggage and walked out of the house. There wasn't anything special worth bringing home, just clothes and some daily necessities. However, it's always good to bring a few extra things.

"Let's go! Uncle Qiangzi!" Suo Chao said as he left home with Uncle Qiang.

When the two passed by the cemetery at the entrance of the village, Suo Chao stopped.

"Uncle Qiang, I still want to visit my parents' grave!" Suo Chao's voice was a little low, and his eyes were full of longing and sadness.

"This time I'm leaving my hometown, and I don't know when I can come back." There was a hint of helplessness and melancholy in Suo Chao's voice.

Although transportation was inconvenient in ancient times, Suo Chao possessed the ability to travel at high speed. Returning would not be difficult for him. He had no relatives here, and he had no motivation to return. Returning alone would only add to his sadness.

"Okay! Let's go to the cemetery together!" Uncle Qiang nodded.

The two walked in silence until they reached two new graves, built side by side. On either side stood a small camphor tree. Suo Chao placed the offerings before his parents' graves, then respectfully knelt three times and kowtowed nine times. He said goodbye before leaving.

"Dad, Mom, I'm gone! Please forgive me for being unfilial and not being able to mourn at my grave!"

"Please rest assured, Dad and Mom. I will make a name for myself in this faraway place!" Suo Chao's voice was firm and powerful, as if he was making a promise to his parents.

Uncle Qiang also said:

"Good boy, don't worry, I will sweep your parents' graves every year!!"

"Thank you, Uncle Qiang! It's getting late, let's go!" Suo Chao looked back at the two small camphor trees, his heart filled with strength, and said firmly.

Suo Chao naturally wouldn't use his speed skills this time. He couldn't bring anyone with him, and he was afraid of scaring Uncle Qiang. The two of them walked along the country road, one in front and one behind, slowly heading towards the town. This long-lost peace was precious.

Suo Qiang conveniently packed the roasted sweet potatoes and steamed taro used for the sacrifice into his bag. These could be eaten on the road. In this era, food was a very scarce resource and there were no taboos.

Of course, before crossing over, offerings to ancestors were never eaten, as that was considered unlucky. However, in this world, plagues were rampant, farming had long been abandoned, and food had become extremely scarce, so waste was absolutely unacceptable.

After more than two hours of travel, two figures, one large and one small, finally arrived at Yunyan Town. The streets were bustling with activity and vitality. Various vendors hawked their wares along the streets, their calls echoing in the air, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Wow! Yunyan Town has changed so much!" Suo Chao said in surprise.

There was a constant stream of people on the street, some shopping, some bargaining, and everyone's face was filled with happy smiles. The prosperity here has undergone a qualitative change. It seems that the epidemic in the town has been brought under control. Suo Chao and Uncle Qiang walked to a dog meat stall, and Uncle Qiang asked:

"Boss, when did this place become like this?"

"Oh, brother, you are ignorant about this! Taixiang Pharmacy has obtained a miracle drug for curing the plague, and the news has spread around. It is said that it was left by the young miracle doctor, and people nearby have been rushing here recently!" The dog meat stall owner explained enthusiastically.

"So that's how it is!" Uncle Qiang smiled innocently.

"Manager Zhang is a very good man. He took into consideration the difficulties faced by seriously ill people in traveling long distances to buy medicine here for treatment, so he mobilized many people to go to remote towns to sell medicine for treatment." The dog meat stall owner continued.

"Yes! Give us two servings of your signature fragrant meat!" said Uncle Qiang.

"Our town can be in this situation thanks to Manager Zhang, who has made great contributions. Of course, we also have to thank our little miracle doctor! They are all our saviors!" The dog meat stall owner boasted proudly while slicing the fragrant meat.

"It's too cold in this weather. Eating more dog meat can keep you warm! Well! Dogs are so cute, how can we eat them?" Suo Chao said innocently.

"Boss, please put more salt in my portion!" Suo Chao added.

"Alas, it's a pity that there were no chili peppers in the Eastern Han Dynasty, otherwise it would be spicy dog ​​meat, hehe!" Suo Chao said as he imagined the delicious taste and almost cried.

Dog meat stalls were famous during the Han Dynasty, and Fan Kuai, a founding general of the Han Dynasty, was a dog meat seller. Of course, pork was also sold, as evidenced by the later Zhang Sanye. However, the flavor of the pork was far inferior to that of later generations, and the strong stench of uncastrated boars was quite strong. Even this kind of meat was not affordable for ordinary people.

The salt of this era contained many impurities and was a bit bitter, and could not be compared with the refined salt of later generations.

"If there is a chance to make all these, it will be a good way to make money!" Suo Chao thought secretly in his heart.

Although it didn't taste like what we'd get in later times, Suo Qiang still ate it with gusto. In this era of famine and plague, having meat to eat was an extremely luxurious thing. However, the two were about to separate, and Uncle Qiang didn't think about saving money. After they finished eating and left the stall, Suo Chao said:

"Uncle Qiang, let's part ways from now on!"

"Child, take care on your journey! If you are not happy while you are away, you can come back to see your uncle anytime. I will work at Grandpa Li's house! Uncle Qiang will help you if I can." Uncle Qiang's eyes were full of concern and reluctance.

Suo Chao felt inexplicably touched. He knew Uncle Qiang was truly kind to him. Although they weren't related by blood, their bond was deeper than that of even blood relatives. Perhaps this was the kindness of sharing weal and woe.

"Uncle! That's enough. If I'm settled there, I'll write to you." Suo Chao waved his hand and said goodbye.

Uncle Qiang felt warm in his heart and thought to himself:

"This cheap nephew is pretty good."

After they parted ways, Suo Chao immediately went to Taixiang Pharmacy on the street. A long line stretched outside, filled with people from nearby towns seeking medicine and medical treatment. The staff assigned to the pharmacy prioritized treating the most seriously ill patients, leaving them with no time to care for those with less severe symptoms.

Suo Chao tried to squeeze in, but the crowds were simply too numerous—comparable to the rush to buy train tickets during the Spring Festival travel rush! Back then, electronic ticket grabbing wasn't popular, and some students would go in the middle of the night, blankets in hand, to buy tickets.

"You little brat, do you have any sense of reason? How dare you cut in line?" said a middle-aged woman in her thirties.

"The owner of the drugstore said that if you don't queue up, you won't be seen. It's useless for you to squeeze in." An uncle next to him also echoed.

Suo Chao ignored them and shouted at the top of his voice:

"Shopkeeper Zhang, I, Suo Chao, am here!"

When Zhang, the shopkeeper who was busy inside, heard the sound, he immediately ran out of the house with a smile and shouted anxiously:

"Everyone, everyone, please make way! Wang Er, you take care of this store first!"

"Okay! Grandpa!" Wang Er said respectfully.

When the people queuing around saw Manager Zhang, they quickly made way for him.

"Little miracle doctor, you are here! Welcome to our shop!" Shopkeeper Zhang greeted sincerely.

Upon hearing this, the people around them all revealed expressions of extreme surprise. Some opened their mouths wide, their eyes widening; others frowned slightly, their brows filled with disbelief. Then, they began to whisper among themselves.

"Ah? This is the legendary little miracle doctor!" A tall and thin man exclaimed, looking him up and down with an expression of disbelief on his face.

"Comparing yourself to others is always frustrating. The kid in my family is older than him and he still wets the bed!" A fat woman shook her head and sighed helplessly, with a hint of envy on her face.

"What a cute baby! I want to have one too!" A young girl put her hands together in front of her chest, her eyes sparkling with admiration, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, she looked like a fangirl.

"Go away! With your ugly looks, how can you give birth to such a handsome child?" At this time, a plump aunt rolled her eyes at the girl and scolded her unhappily, pouting while speaking, and her expression seemed to say "Stop dreaming."

The people around them couldn't help but burst into laughter when they heard this. At this time, the surrounding market was bustling with activity, and all kinds of noisy sounds intertwined together. Their small group was particularly eye-catching in this lively environment.