The True Lord has arrived

Chapter 13 Fish

The heavy hooves pounded the mud, bursting open like a flower.

The black warhorse was like a dragon, and the tall man protected Zhou Yan as they moved forward.

In the days leading up to the departure of the Tang Dynasty's elite troops, Shen Cangming and Zhou Yan traveled at breakneck speed for several days, passing through several villages along the way, but they were all deserted.

After cleaning the room, Zhou Yan picked up some usable small items.

We finally found a village with people.

Shen Cangming had Zhou Yan watch the horses outside, and then he removed his armor.

One of the Thirteen Masters of Tang Dynasty.

It was made of oracle bones similar to the character for "mountain," interlocked with each other using a staggered method. Inside was a thick robe, but some of the inner garments were stained with blood, and many were shattered.

It's only slightly better than the clothes Zhou Yan ripped off a hungry ghost.

Shen Cangming carried some game he had hunted along the way into the village, while Zhou Yan stayed outside to cook something. They found a clay pot, which was a bit broken, but still usable.

Just as the meat porridge started bubbling, Shen Cangming returned, bringing back a set of clothes. He tossed them to Zhou Yan, who said, "This is..."

Shen Cangming sat in front of the meat porridge and said, "You can't use those clothes you took from the monster. Change into something else."

Zhou Yan noticed that Shen Cangming's robe was old, torn, and stained with blood.

"Uncle Shen, what about yours?"

Shen Cangming said, "I don't need it."

Zhou Yan could only say "oh" and change into the clothes, but they were too big. The war had not yet ended. Even if the government troops pacified Chang'an and order was gradually restored, and the people returned to their hometowns, the trading system had not been restored immediately. People in small towns preferred to barter.

This was obtained by trading meat that had been hunted.

Shen Cangming said, "Take it off."

Zhou Yan took off his clothes, and Shen Cangming took them. He took out a small bag with his left hand, which contained needles and thread. He was skilled in martial arts and could do many things even with only one arm. He altered Zhou Yan's clothes.

Zhou Yan's eyes widened: "Uncle Shen, you can sew clothes?"

Shen Cangming said, "Since I came from a military background, I have to do these things myself."

“When I first joined the army, an old soldier bullied me and made me sew clothes for him. I got into a fight with him, and we never got along. Even though I didn’t sew clothes for him, I still had to sew my own, so I learned how to do it.”

Shen Cangming thought of that old rogue soldier, of that comrade who had shoved him aside with his shoulder and was pierced and nailed to death by the Tibetan cavalry's spear, and of how, in the end, he was the one who sewed up his clothes and buried him.

Shen Cangming tossed the slightly repaired clothes to Zhou Yan.

Although the repair wasn't perfect, at least the clothes no longer hindered movement.

He was dressed in the kind of clothes that ordinary people usually wear. The cloth was made of kudzu, which was not dyed, so it was a rough brown color. He wore a short-sleeved, round-necked blouse, long trousers, and a pair of straw sandals.

In addition, there is a turban.

This was a common headdress worn by men in the Tang Dynasty, used by both officials and commoners, with the only difference being the material.

Zhou Yan hid his somewhat conspicuous short hair, changed into a more decent set of clothes, and then hurriedly clasped his hands in a salute. For some reason, he started to laugh. Shen Cangming looked at the person in front of him and thought he was a young man from a respectable family in the Tang Dynasty, a young man full of energy and spirit.

Just like this country used to be.

Shen Cangming remained silent for a long time.

"Let's go."

After finishing the porridge, he continued to leave with Zhou Yan. He still planned to drop Zhou Yan off in a safe place. On the fourth day, they arrived at a relatively prosperous town to replenish their necessary supplies.

After Shen Cangming and Zhou Yan entered the town, they split up. Zhou Yan wandered around, having spent the last few days learning to read from Shen Cangming under the pretense of amnesia. In this not-so-large town, he found a pawnshop.

The pawnshop manager bowed with his hands clasped and said with a smile:

"Young master, are you planning to pawn something, or buy something?"

The Tang Dynasty pawnshops are divided into three categories: government-run, privately-run, and monk-run. This one is privately-run and can only pawn small items. Zhou Yan saw a round-necked robe that had expired and was being sold. It was black, clean, and well-made.

He was drawn in by this coat.

Zhou Yan touched his clothes and took out the Swiss Army knife from his pocket.

When it was placed on the table, it made a crisp, metallic click.

? ! ! !
The pawnshop owner's expression turned slightly grim.

He took a half step back and slowly picked up a rolling pin with his right hand.

Zhou Yan touched the multi-functional Swiss Army knife.

This multi-module device is his last connection to the past world. Measuring 91 millimeters, it is ideal for wilderness hiking and rescue. Zhou Yan has used this device to save several people and help even more.

But now, old friend.

I need you to help someone else. Zhou Yan ran his fingers over the rough side of the Swiss Army knife, then placed it on the table and pushed it forcefully toward the pawnshop owner.

"I'll take this role."

........................

Zhou Yan pawned his Swiss Army knife, changed into a black round-necked robe, and a leather belt. Pawnshops were an important part of the economic system of this era, as evidenced by the poem "Every day after returning from court, I pawn my spring clothes," which shows his daily life there.

The pawnshop also gave him a bundle of copper coins.

Zhou Yan recognized the characters "Tongbao" on the somewhat distorted coins in the motorcycle.

Is it really Tang?
Judging from Shen Cangming's words, it seemed somewhat like the An Lushan Rebellion.

He didn't know much about the history of that era, but he knew there were no demons or monsters, and no one with the strength of Pei Xuanbao or Shen Cangming.

Zhou Yan was somewhat dazed. From the details and Shen Cangming's words, this world was the Tang Dynasty, but there were also monsters and supernatural powers. He sighed, this was definitely not the Tang Dynasty he knew.

Carrying his bundle, he walked towards the town entrance.

Zhou Yan also bought some coarse salt, some snake repellent powder, a little bit of alcohol to act as a disinfectant, some bandages, and some antidiarrheal medicine. When living in the wild, the most terrifying thing is getting an upset stomach, which can really make you weak and exhausted.

Even though he possesses the Hungry Ghost Jade Talisman, is laxatives truly effective for him?
Good idea, why don't we give it a try?
Zhou Yanqing counted the things he needed.

He has a carefree personality, but he is also optimistic and resilient, like a bamboo on a mountain. Right now, all he wants to do is live well, and live well together with Shen Cangming.

I still have some money left, and I'm thinking about whether to buy some better quality food.

The only things the Hungry Ghost Jade Talisman can find are very crude wild rice seeds.

Just then, I heard someone shouting, "Look here! Freshly caught fish! Take it home, steam it, boil it, it tastes great! Don't miss it!"

"Come and take a look!"

fish?
Zhou Yan swallowed hard. He walked over and saw a barefoot man shouting. Next to him, in a wooden bucket, was a fish. The fish was covered in scales, red like fire, with a golden line running from the top of its head down its spine to its tail.

This made Zhou Yan subconsciously think of the poem, "The sunrise over the river is redder than fire."

Good fish!
Even without activating the power of the Hungry Ghost Jade Talisman, Zhou Yan could sense that this fish was definitely extraordinary. Zhou Yan swallowed hard, but saw that the fish seemed sad, and when it shook its tail, it was somewhat weak.

Strange, sad?

Why do I feel sad for a fish?
Zhou Yan froze. He focused his attention on the fish, reaching out to touch it. The moment he touched it, the man slapped his hand away, saying, "Kid, don't touch it if you're not buying! You'll kill my good fish! What if I can't sell it for a good price?!"

Zhou Yan said, "Excuse me, shopkeeper, how much is this fish?"

The man glanced at it and said, "One hundred coins."

Someone nearby exclaimed, "Back then, it was only ten coins a pound! What kind of fish is this? It's worth ten times that price!"

The man said lazily, "The canal transport has been cut off, so we have to catch the fish ourselves, especially here. Besides, the price of grain has skyrocketed due to the war, so this is still meat!"

Zhou Yan touched the package and said, "Okay, I'll buy it."

He counted out a hundred coins and handed them over, then brought over the wooden bucket. The fish seemed to think its life was in danger and struggled violently, making it difficult for Zhou Yan to hold it.

He activated the Hungry Ghost Jade Talisman, and his hands were able to stabilize the wooden bucket.

In this state, he saw a fiery red light emanating from the fish, which was obviously a good thing. The fish, which had been thrashing about, seemed to feel a sense of fear, and its body stiffened.

Should we eat it or not?

Zhou Yan felt a surge of intense hunger rising in his stomach. The influence of the Hungry Ghost Jade Talisman greatly amplified his appetite. He thought for a moment and said, "I'm asking you, if you have any spirituality, just nod."

If it has a spirit, let it go.

The red fish shook its head vigorously.

Zhou Yan was amused.

"They're intelligent, but unfortunately, there aren't many!"

He carried the wooden bucket to the riverbank on one side of the town. Looking at the fish, he first panted, then reached out and stroked the fish. Its scales were delicate and beautiful, and felt like warm jade to the touch.

Zhou Yan flicked the fish head with his finger, making a popping sound, and said:
"Go ahead, but don't get caught next time."

He poured the bucket into the water. The red fish, seemingly still not believing it had been released, surfaced and saw the boy squatting on the riverbank, one hand supporting his chin, smiling and saying, "Hurry up, hurry up."

The young man of Chang'an is like a willow tree.

The fish swayed its body, thought for a moment, and then turned around.

Then something flew out and landed next to Zhou Yan, who reached out and caught it.

It is a red tail scale.

The fish swayed its body, slid to the bottom of the water, and disappeared from sight.

(End of this chapter)