Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 648: South of the City [Thank you! Goodbye! 38k more to go]

Bianjing City,
During the Qingming Festival,
Even if it doesn't rain, the sky is still gloomy, and this year is no exception.

morning,

Outside Nanxun Gate,
Hulong River,

Xu Zaijing rode his little black colt and stopped under a tree, looking at the city gate under the city wall in the distance.

Through the city gate, there was a constant stream of people passing through the city.

Qingming Festival is a day for worshipping and sweeping away the dead.
But over the years, except for those who had new graves in Bianliang who would pay homage on this day, most other people would do it a few days in advance.

On the day of Qingming Festival, more people go out of the city to relax and enjoy the spring, and have dinner and banquets outdoors to feel the spring atmosphere.

Xu Zaijing looked at the sprouting branches of the trees by the river, took a deep breath, and felt the atmosphere of spring.

Today the spring breeze is pleasant and the air is moist. The surroundings are neither too cold nor too hot, which makes people feel very comfortable.

Outside Nanxun Gate,

Xu Zaijing also came here several times.

A few years ago, I accompanied the envoys from Northern Liao with the young master of England to practice archery in Yujing Garden, not far from here.

At the end of previous years, the grand Nuo ritual procession from the palace would also leave the city through the Nanxun Gate.

At this time,

There was a sound of horse hooves,

Xu Zaijing turned his head and saw Gu Tingye, Liang Han and others riding horses, followed by their personal servants, rushing towards this side together.

"Shut up!"

After circling Xu Zaijing in a small circle, the horses stopped one after another, raising a lot of dust.

This forced Xu Zaijing to wave his hands to clear away the dust in front of him while steering his horse to the side.

"Hahaha"

Looking at Xu Zaijing's expression, Gu Tingye grinned wickedly.

As a result, after just two laughs, the dust was blown away by the south wind.

"Bah, bah, bah"

Gu Tingye, who was also eating dirt, kept vomiting.

Liang Han glanced at the embarrassed Gu Tingye and said with a smile: "Brother Jing, you came really early. Didn't you bring a maid?"

Xu Zaijing smiled and said, "Let them take the carriage and wait outside the Huangyuan Garden."

"Oh!" Gu Tingye smiled and nodded, then turned around and waved at the carriage behind him, saying, "You guys go wait outside the garden of Shoushanbo's family too."

"Yes, son."

Liang Han, who was standing by, looked at the crowd on the road and sighed, "It's such a pity that the weather is so good today! There are too many people on the road, otherwise there would be at least one match."

On the other side, Gu Tingye, who had 'sorted' himself, smiled and said, "By the way, Wulang, why didn't His Majesty detain you in Quyuan Street this year?"

After glancing at Gu Tingye unhappily, Xu Zaijing said nothing.

Liang Han said, "Erlang, when Brother Jing was detained at home last year, you went out to play. Didn't you think of causing trouble for that guy from the Zhang family?"

Gu Tingye glared and said, "It's not too late for me to go and cause trouble for him today!"

Qiao Jiulang, who was talking to his friend on horseback, said with a smile, "Second Brother Gu, I heard that the Zhang family guy went out of the city to worship before dawn and returned to the palace before the sun came out. If you want to cause trouble for him, you may have to go to the palace."

"Enter the palace? That's not possible." Gu Tingye frowned and stood up on the stirrups.

After looking around, Gu Tingye said, "Why hasn't that guy come yet? Is that okay?"

Liang Han turned his head and said, "Erlang, Huang's brother has joined the palace guards. Today he will lead the cavalry guards out of the city for a parade to boost military power. I'm afraid he can't come so soon.

"Going out of the city for a tour?" Gu Tingye's voice suddenly became louder, and he asked, "Which city gate is he going to?"

"Wansheng Gate in the west!" Liang Han said, looking at Gu Tingye's changing expression, and asked in confusion: "Erlang, what's wrong with you?"

As he spoke, Liang Han also looked at Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing continued to look at the scenery outside the city and said calmly, "Liu Lang, isn't the third sister of the Gu family going to your Wulou today?"

"Yes! Several noble ladies in the capital... cough." Liang Han understood and coughed lightly, and did not continue speaking.

When Xu Zaijing and others were talking,
On the top of Wu Tower outside the western city,
Zhang Jia Wu Niang stood in front of the third-floor window and pointed outside, saying, "Look, look, the cavalry has returned."

The girls in the building stood in front of the windows and looked out.

As the imperial guards, they naturally had tall mounts, bright armor, dazzling spears, and clear flags.

Such a neat team of cavalry looks very imposing when viewed from high above.

"Oh my, my, the leading cavalry has raised the flag again, what does that mean?" Zhang Jia Wu Niang said in a funny tone in front of the window.

Feeling the gazes of the people in the building looking at him, Gu Tingyi pretended not to see them and continued looking downstairs.

"Hmm?" Zhang Jia Wu Niang came closer again pretending to be confused and looked at Gu Tingyi with pursed lips.

Looking at Gu Tingyi who was looking straight ahead, Wu Niang's cheeks gradually turned red and she laughed even harder.

suddenly,

Before Wu Niang could react, she found that her wrist had been grabbed by Gu Tingyi with one hand, while Gu Tingyi's other hand was scratching Wu Niang's waist.

Wu Niang's laughter and pleas for mercy were then heard from upstairs.

"Brother Jing, since Mr. Huang won't be here for more than half an hour, why are we here so early?" Liang Han said again.

"Shoushanbo Huang's family's yard is near Yujing Garden, not far from the elephant sanctuary."

"Before the Lantern Festival, I had nothing to do at home, so I read a few books. One of them talked about elephants, so I thought I would take this opportunity to read it."

After listening to Xu Zaijing's words, everyone nodded. Qiao Jiulang smiled and said, "Brother Jing, why should we go to such trouble? As long as we give a few silver ingots, the elephant farm will send the elephant to your house."

Liang Han shook his head: "Jiulang, that's wrong! There haven't been any grand ceremonies in the capital recently, and it's not easy to drive the elephants out of the park under the pretext of training."

"Ah? Is that so?" Qiao Jiulang scratched his head with a smile.

Xu Zaijing smiled and said, "Liu Lang, do you know the way to the elephant sanctuary?"

Liang Han nodded and shouted, "Diao Che, lead the way!"

"Yes, son!"

Subsequently,

Xu Zaijing and others turned their horses around and galloped towards the south.

along the way,

Everyone was dressed in fine clothes and riding horses, looking very happy and proud.

When running happily, some people would shout from time to time, attracting many people who were enjoying the spring on the roadside to look over.

After the horse had been running for a while,
The crowd gradually slowed down, and when they arrived at the entrance of the elephant shed, most of the mounts were panting heavily.

Looking at this group of young dandies in fine clothes and riding fine horses, some of the soldiers at the gate of the elephant farm turned around and went into the garden to report, while others came forward with a smile.

The servant riding in front smiled and bowed, saying, "This humble man is from the Yongchang Marquis's Mansion. The one behind me is my Sixth Young Master, and this is..."

"Hiss!" Looking at the people behind the fishing boat, the pawn bowed repeatedly: "Please wait a moment, my dears. Our manager will be out soon."

A while after the soldier from the elephant breeding shed finished speaking, a manager in official uniform ran out quickly.

The pawn left at the door hurriedly explained a few words.

The steward smiled and bowed: "Greetings to all the yamen! It turns out that it is the Sixth Young Master. Today, I am really honored to meet you in person."

"Well, today I and a few brothers behind me want to go in and take a look, is that ok?" Liang Han said with a smile.

The steward shook his head repeatedly: "Sixth Young Master, what are you talking about! Of course there is no problem, no problem! But, I suggest that your mounts stay outside the garden to avoid startling the horses."

"Okay!" Liang Han nodded.

Xu Zaijing and others also dismounted.

A few people were left to watch the mounts, and the rest walked towards the elephant shed.

Gu Tingye, who was walking side by side with Liang Han, whispered to Liang Han, "Liu Lang, does this steward know your family?"

Liang Han nodded: "If there is anything to sell in this elephant farm, most of them will go through my family's channels."

"Is there anything else in here besides the elephant?" Gu Tingye frowned.

"Ivory."

Seeing Gu Tingye stunned, Liang Han smiled.

Walking in the yard of the elephant sanctuary, you can hear the calls of elephants from time to time.

"Dear guests, please go upstairs." The steward pointed to a wooden building and said with a smile.

Then I saw the elephant in the yard downstairs.

Gu Tingye pointed to a deep pit in the yard and asked in confusion: "Manager, what is that deep pit used for?"

"Go back to Yanei, that is where elephants are trained, and sometimes they are also used to trim the elephants' nails."

Gu Tingye nodded: "Oh!"

As they talked, Xu Zaijing, Qiao Jiulang and others nodded.

Then, everyone looked at an elephant that was surrounded in the yard.

At this time, the elephant was kneeling on its front knees and worshipping at the command of the trainer.

The steward looked at everyone and said with a smile: "My dear friends, that elephant is the smartest animal in our park. It has a name, Lingli."

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye turned around and looked over with a look of surprise in their eyes.

Qingyun and Zhique, who were following, looked at each other with ambiguous expressions in their eyes.

Seeing the confused and frozen expression on the steward's face, Xu Zaijing smiled slightly and said, "I wonder why the steward said that?"

Seeing this, the steward continued to smile and said, "Young Master, I heard from the previous steward that the barbarians who presented the elephant as tribute said that the mother of the elephant was the leader of the herd."

"Because of his injuries, he was captured by the barbarians. Because he was smart and easy to tame, he was presented to our dynasty many years ago."

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Oh? I wonder where the elephant is?"

The steward's expression froze, and he quickly lowered his head and said with some regret: "The old elephant died of illness a few years ago."

Everyone nodded.

Liang Han asked in confusion, "By the way, two or three years ago, did you come to my house and want to sell me a baby elephant?"

"Ah?" The manager of the elephant breeding station raised his head and said, "Sixth Young Master, do you still remember this?"

Liang Han pursed his lips with a bad expression and said, "Of course I remember. When I told this story, I was almost beaten to death by the barbarians of the Jin Kingdom. How could I not remember it?"

Looking at the silent steward, Liang Han waved his hand and asked, "Did he get slaughtered by some dukes and marquises?"

"Ah? How did you know?" The steward's expression froze. After looking at Xu Zaijing and others, he said awkwardly, "Yes, Sixth Young Master."

Looking up at Liang Han's indifferent expression, the manager smiled.

The wooden building was quiet for a while.

The sounds of elephant training, the elephant's steps and breathing from the yard downstairs could also be heard.

suddenly,

From upstairs, Qiao Jiulang exclaimed, "Wow, it's so big!"

The steward at the side said with a smile: "My lord, for things like this, the elephant will come seven or eight times a day."

"He's really good at eating and pooping."

Hearing this, everyone upstairs nodded.

Liang Han laughed and said, "Jiulang, look at how surprised you are. When you exclaimed just now, I thought you were going to try it!"

Qiao Jiulang had a disgusted expression on his face and cursed with a smile: "Go to hell."

The crowd burst into laughter.

After watching the lazy elephant in the yard for a while, everyone felt a little bored, so they turned around and left the wooden building and walked towards the gate of the garden.

The manager of the elephant breeding ward followed behind the crowd, his eyes moving around, obviously having a plan in mind.

Seeing that they were getting closer and closer to the gate, the steward made up his mind and took a few quick steps and came to Liang Han. When he was about to speak, Xu Zaijing turned his head and looked over.

"You're here at the right time." Xu Zaijing said.

The steward was stunned: "Ah?"

Liang Han on the side frowned and said, "The steward has some connections with my family, so I'll say a few more words."

"Sir, please speak. I am all ears."

"Elephants are rare animals, so managers need to be more careful. If they are well cared for, it's fine. But if they are damaged, it's hard to say for sure."

"I understand. I will take good care of the elephants there as if they were my own family members."

"Ok!"

finished,

Xu Zaijing and others went out of the gate, climbed on their horses, and rode away amid the sound of rumbling hooves.

"Boss, is there any new business?" The pawn who had been standing at the door asked flatteringly while watching everyone leave.

"New business?" The manager turned his head with a grim expression.

"Yes!"

"Pa!" The steward slapped the pawn and shouted angrily, "Bullshit business!"

The pawn, who was somewhat dazed by the slap, covered his face and stared blankly at the steward who was walking back, mumbling: "If there is no money to earn, then there is no money, why slap me?"

They rode away from the elephant sanctuary.

After running for a while, the horse arrived at the east wall of Yujing Garden.

After walking around the wall of Yujing Garden for most of the way and crossing the official road out of Nanxun Gate to the northwest corner, there was a palace to the south. That was the Nanqingcheng Palace, where the royal family used to offer sacrifices to the sky.

After running straight west for a while, they finally arrived near a group of houses.

Xu Zaijing and others rode their horses to a house.

At this time, Huang Qingyue, who had changed his clothes, was walking back and forth at the gate of the house.

After hearing the sound of horse hooves, he took a few steps forward. After seeing the appearance of the person coming, a smile appeared on Huang Qingyue's face.

"You are finally here! But you kept me waiting for so long!" Huang Qingyue said with a smile.

Xu Zaijing and others stopped their horses, bowed in return with a smile, and dismounted.

After everyone dismounted, Huang Qingyue said, "Brother Jing, Erlang, Liulang, all the brothers, come in."

Xu Zaijing passed by Huang Qingyue, patted him on the shoulder with a smile, and stood beside him.

After some greetings, everyone walked towards the yard together.

Of course, Gu Tingye’s expression has always been a little ugly.

Entering the yard,
A burst of charcoal smoke rushed into Xu Zaijing's nose.

"Da Lang, where in the yard is the fire being used?" Xu Zaijing asked.

Huang Qingyue smiled and nodded: "Today we are having roasted mutton. The maids from the brothers' families and the cooks hired by Fanlou are all busy in the yard."

When Gu Tingye heard this, he couldn't help but swallow his saliva.

Liang Han smiled and touched his cheek, saying: "Brother Yue, how do you know Gu..."

Seeing Gu Tingye's glaring eyes, Liang Han changed his words and said, "I love roasted lamb the most, right?"

Huang Qingyue smiled and said, "Aunt told me once, and I remembered it."

"My mother?" Liang Han asked puzzledly.

Xu Zaijing smiled and shook his head: "Liu Lang, Brother Yue is talking about the aunt of Ningyuan Marquis Mansion."

"Oh! So that's it!" Liang Han said with a smile.

Others who heard this also laughed.

Only Gu Tingye's expression looked somewhat helpless.

Entering the yard,
The smell of charcoal smoke and roasted lamb became stronger.

Xu Zaijing looked at his maid standing in front of the grill, her face covered in gray and black, and a smile appeared on his face.

Qingyun behind him hurried forward and said with a smile: "Three sisters, you go and serve the tea and wine, I'll do this."

Xu Zaijing and others entered the house and sat down, and cold and hot dishes began to be served one after another.

room,

Huang Qingyue stood up and raised his wine bowl, looking at him sincerely and said, "Everyone, the Jinming Pond will be opened the day after tomorrow. I'll leave the things that day to you!"

Xu Zaijing and others smiled.

After hesitating for a moment, Gu Tingye also pursed his lips and raised the wine bowl.

Liang Han patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Brother Yue, we are all experienced people, and we will definitely do our best when the time comes!"

(End of this chapter)