Tomb raiding: Intercepting Yin Xinyue and building a family of immortals

Within Changsha City.

As the disaster victims gradually dispersed, Changsha City returned to its former prosperity.

The streets were bustling with pedestrians, and vendors were hawking their wares everywhere.

As the group walked down the street, the aroma of steamed buns and noodles filled the air, and Su Yitian and the others' stomachs immediately began to rumble.

Su Chen smiled faintly and said casually, "I'm a little hungry, let's go eat first."

Then, he led a few people to a breakfast stall, where each person ordered a bowl of plain noodles and a few side dishes.

Su Yitian and Su Yihu hadn't tasted noodles in a long time, so they took the plain noodles and began to eat them with gusto.

Of the three, only Su Ling'er ate in a more refined manner.

Su Chen turned his head and saw the noodle stall owner. An idea struck him, and he took the opportunity to start a casual conversation.

The owner is in his forties, a local from Changsha, and has been running a stall here for over twenty years.

He was also very talkative, and in no time he had told me most of the interesting things happening in Changsha City.

What concerned Su Chen the most was what the boss said: a new city defense officer had recently arrived in Changsha City.

"The new city defense officer?"

"Yes, I heard his surname is Zhang, a young man in his twenties, a graduate of a military academy. That's why he personally escorted the disaster relief grain distributed to the victims recently."

Upon hearing his boss's words, Su Chen's heart stirred, and he guessed that this city defense officer must be Zhang Qishan.

That is, the one who later took charge of the Nine Gates and was respectfully called Zhang Dafoye.

However, he has just arrived in Changsha City, and his family does not yet possess the large Buddha head, nor has he become the leader of the Nine Gates of Changsha.

It seems that the train demon coffin and mine tomb incidents are still two or three years away...

Thinking these things to himself, Su Chen said aloud, "It seems that this city defense officer is a good person."

As he spoke, Su Chen casually took out a dozen or so coins from his pocket and slapped them on the table.

A "big coin" is a currency that is slightly larger than a regular copper coin; one of these coins is equivalent to two copper coins.

Fifty coins could be exchanged for one hundred copper coins or one silver coin.

After paying for the noodles, Su Chen led Su Yitian and the others to continue searching for a shop to identify wild ginseng.

Generally speaking, the best place to identify medicinal herbs is a traditional Chinese medicine shop.

However, after thinking for a moment, Su Chen decided to go to the Huo family pawnshop from last time.

Firstly, the Huo family is also in the same industry, and their conduct is relatively fair.

Secondly, Su Chen wanted to interact more with people from the Nine Gates to see if there was an opportunity to meet new characters and advance the family's level.

Among the Nine Gates, Zhang Qishan and Er Yuehong are not difficult to get acquainted with. One is the garrison commander of Changsha City, and the other is a famous Huagu Opera actor.

Others, like Half-Cut Li, are ruthless, low-key, and live a secluded life.

It's difficult to meet him unless you're a member of the Nine Gates.

People like Qi Tiezui, who wander aimlessly, are even harder to find.

Thinking of this, Su Chen turned to him and instructed, "Go to that pawnshop again. Once inside, speak as little as possible and don't reveal your secrets."

"Don't worry, Brother Chen, we understand." Su Ling'er nodded, indicating that she understood.

The group quickened their pace and headed to the Huo family pawnshop.

A moment later, the group arrived at the north of the city.

The pawnshop remained unchanged, with no one to speak of.

That's how it is in this business: three years without business, then three years of feasting when business starts.

Upon entering, everyone saw Manager Wang of the pawnshop holding a plum vase, examining it closely.

He was so engrossed in admiring the sights that he didn't even notice someone enter the shop.

Su Chen smiled faintly, stepped forward and tapped the table: "Manager Wang, is there a business opportunity you'd like to do?"

Manager Wang, who was engrossed in appreciating the items, was only brought to his senses when Su Chen spoke.

Shopkeeper Wang was taken aback when he saw the newcomer and exclaimed in surprise, "Are you the little brother who sold the blood jade cicada the other day?"

His surprise stemmed from the deep impression Su Chen had left on him that day.

Huo Sanniang recognized Su Chen's background and knew he was a fellow farmer, so she offered him a very fair price to buy the Blood Jade Cicada.

Setting up a cauldron to search for treasures is even more leisurely than a pawnshop; it's truly a case of not opening for three years, but then making enough to live on for three years.

It's only been less than half a month since the last sale of the Blood Jade Cicada, and now there are already more treasures?

Even Old Wu, the foreman of Changsha City, probably doesn't have the ability to open two tombs in a row...

The thought flashed through Manager Wang's mind, and he immediately realized it, putting on a smile and cupping his hands in greeting.

"Of course we'll do business if there's any. It's our honor to have you patronize our shop."

As they were talking, Manager Wang didn't rush to look at the goods, but instead turned his head and called out to the inside of the counter.

"Where have all the people gone? Come and serve the tea to the guests."

A moment later, two waiters hurriedly came out from behind the tall counter, carrying teapots to brew tea for Su Chen and his group.

Su Chen calmly picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea.

Seeing his composure, Manager Wang guessed that this treasure must be of great importance, and immediately smiled and said, "Sir, may I take a look at the treasure?"

Su Chen smiled slightly and took out a piece of red cloth from his pocket.

He placed the red cloth on the table and slowly unfolded it.

As the wild ginseng inside was revealed, Manager Wang's eyes widened instantly, and he exclaimed in surprise, "A hundred-year-old wild ginseng?"

After the initial shock, he quickly took out a magnifying glass from his pocket and examined the wild ginseng closely!

After a long while, Manager Wang straightened up with satisfaction and said solemnly, "Sir, this is truly a fine treasure! However, this treasure is too expensive, and I cannot make the decision on my own. I must report to the owner for a decision."

"No problem! Manager Wang, please go ahead."

Manager Wang apologized, not daring to touch the wild ginseng on the table. He immediately grabbed a shop assistant and told him to go to the Huo family to report.

It's no wonder that Manager Wang was so serious, because wild ginseng, especially wild ginseng that is over a hundred years old, is extremely precious.

Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty was particularly fond of ginseng, and a large amount of ginseng was sent as tribute every year.

The Qing Dynasty's Imperial Household Department classified these ginsengs into five grades.

The lowest grade of ginseng, the fifth grade, which includes six-year-old and nine-year-old ginseng, costs twenty or thirty taels of silver per root.

The higher-grade, fourth-grade, third-grade, and even first-grade century-old wild ginseng were never sold by the Qing Dynasty's Imperial Household Department; they were reserved for the imperial family's personal enjoyment.

It can be said that wild ginseng that has been aged for many years has always been very valuable and is not something that ordinary people can afford.

at the same time.

Huo family.

Huo Sanniang was sitting in the pavilion, her face anxious, as if she was waiting for something.

A moment later, her attendant, Deaf Wu, hurriedly entered the backyard.

Seeing this, Huo Sanniang quickly stood up and asked:

Have you found any information?

"We found out. A few days ago, Second Master went into a tomb with Young Master Zhang and was accidentally poisoned. He is still unconscious. Young Master Zhang has sent people to search for century-old ginseng in pharmacies all over the city, hoping to save Second Master's life."

"How could he be poisoned? Second Master is so skilled!"

"It's said to be to save that young master of the Zhang family, but the specifics haven't been clarified yet..."

"Go investigate again!"

Seeing that Long Wu had left to carry out his orders, Huo San Niang hurriedly said, "Wait a minute. There are no century-old ginseng roots in Changsha City. Go and inform the merchants in various places to buy century-old ginseng roots at high prices. Let me know as soon as you have any news."

After Long Wu left, Huo San Niang hurriedly picked up her handbag, ready to take a carriage to visit Er Yue Hong.

But as soon as she stepped out the door, she saw the clerk from the pawnshop in the north of the city rushing over.

"Master, a big order has come in at the pawnshop. The manager wants you to come over and give us some advice..."