Three hours later, Lu Yang and the old man arrived outside He Chong City. Lu Yang was stunned when he looked at the city in front of him.
This was the first time Lu Yang saw a city. Although it was only a county city, it was still somewhat large.
The Hechong city wall is about five feet high and more than three feet wide at the top. It is filled with guards holding spears, one for every half foot. The city wall is covered with green bricks, which is thick, solid, majestic and deep. The city gate is built on top.
There are city towers, gate towers, and arrow towers, towering in the sky and majestic. Outside the city wall, there is a moat about ten feet wide, with blue waves rippling on the river and flying boats dotted there.
The old man saw Lu Yang standing there blankly looking at the city, with a puzzled look on his face, and said, "My child, what are you looking at?"
He didn't think that Lu Yang was shocked by the appearance of the city, because he felt that Lu Yang lived in Hechong County and could see the city every day.
Lu Yang smiled and did not explain. Besides, he didn't know how to explain. He hurriedly said: "It's nothing. I can go home. I feel a little excited."
The old man glanced at Lu Yang and said with deep understanding: "Looking at you, you must have been out for many days. Now that you are going home, you are naturally excited." He paused and continued: "Okay.
Now, I’ll send it here. You city dwellers don’t have to pay to go to the city. I, an old guy, can’t afford to pay a few coins to go to the city, so I’ll send it here!”
There are three common types of coins in Western Chu: copper coins, silver coins, and gold coins.
One gold coin is equal to ten silver coins, and one silver coin is equal to ten copper coins. Copper coins are also called copper plates.
Of course, there are also rare spirit stone coins, which are more valuable and only used by people in the upper class.
Lu Yang glanced at the old man gratefully, clasped his fists in thanks and said, "Grandpa, thank you very much. I'll go back now."
"Go! Don't be naughty again when you go home. If you meet a bad person, you will be in danger." The old man waved his hand to Lu Yang and said with a smile.
Lu Yang turned around and walked towards the city gate, but after taking just a few steps, he saw that people entering the city in front could only enter after paying copper coins. When he touched his pocket, there were no coins at all. Doesn't that mean he couldn't even enter the city?
Lu Yang suddenly turned around and chased after the old man. In a few steps, he caught up with the old man and panted: "Grandpa, I didn't bring my waistband when I went out..."
Waist badges are actually proof of identity. Only people in the city will have them. Ordinary people can't get them if they want to.
The old man understood the meaning of the words and smiled slightly: "My child, don't worry, I have some ideas here." As he said that, he took out two muddy copper plates from his pocket, handed them to Lu Yang and said, "Here are these for you.
, I haven’t been to the city for a long time. I used to have two copper coins, but now I should have these. If it’s not enough, I’ll go back and get some for you.”
Lu Yang was really moved. He had lived a life of intrigues in the Lu Mansion. Apart from his parents, he had never met anyone who sincerely helped him. As soon as he escaped from the Lu Mansion, Lu Yang met kind-hearted people. How could he not be moved? Lu Yang
He took the two copper coins and said with some choking, "Grandpa, thank you. How can I return these coins to you?"
The old man shook his head and said: "It's just two coins. Just think of it as my gift to you. You must remember what grandpa said before."
"Yes! I will definitely remember it." Lu Yang took a deep look at the old man, turned around and walked towards the city.
The old man looked at Lu Yang's leaving figure but did not leave. He had to see Lu Yang enter the city before he could leave.
In case two copper coins are not enough to enter the city, the old man still has to wait here for Lu Yang to come back, which shows that he is indeed a good person with a kind heart.
Lu Yang came to the city gate and waited in line to enter. After waiting for a while, it was finally his turn.
Outside the city gate, two young guards holding spears held their spears in front of Lu Yang, blocking his way. One of them said, "Little guy, where are your adults?"
The two guards were both young, only over twenty years old. They were wearing armor and exuding a strong aura.
If there are physical arts masters here, you can tell at a glance that these two guards are Xuan-level masters.
Lu Yang looked calm and replied calmly: "My parents have already entered the city. Can't I go in alone?"
As soon as these words came out, not only the two guards were stunned, but the people waiting to enter the city behind them also looked at Lu Yang with some admiration. After all, Lu Yang was too young, only more than ten years old. Judging from his clothes,
It doesn't look like a child from a wealthy family. If he is a noble disciple, he is enjoying the blessings in the mansion at this age. How can he come alone? If he is a child from a poor family, it is even less likely to go to the city alone.
Because of this, many people are secretly guessing about the identity of Lu Yang's parents. Why did they abandon their children and go into the city first?
Of course, everyone thought so, but no one said it out loud.
The two guards looked at Lu Yang in surprise and said nothing more. They followed the city rules and said, "Anyone entering the city, regardless of age, only needs to pay three copper coins."
"Three?" Lu Yang was startled and couldn't help but said, "Wasn't it two before?"
The guard nodded and said: "Yes, it was indeed two coins before, but now the price has increased."
Another guard saw that Lu Yang couldn't bring out three copper coins. He snorted and said disdainfully: "Poor people, why do you want to enter the city without coins? If you can't bring out the copper coins, get back here and don't delay others from entering the city."
.”
Lu Yang felt cold in his heart. He had heard so many sarcastic words when he was a child that he was even a little numb. He didn't expect that he could still hear such words after leaving Lu Mansion. This was in stark contrast to the old man's attitude towards him just now.
Comparison. However, Lu Yang did not believe that there were no kind people, and said: "Brother, officer and soldier, look at my young age, can you accept one less copper plate?" As he said this, he spread out the two copper plates in his palms that were already sweating.
The guard who spoke first saw that Lu Yang was too young, so he felt sympathy and said, "I think it's okay, you can go into the city first!"
Just when Lu Yang was about to say thanks, another guard snorted: "Wang Qiang, you have forgotten all the rules in the county? Do you want to violate them?"
"Chen Bo, look at how pitiful he is at such a young age!" Wang Qiang thought for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "At worst, I'll pay for this copper plate, so that's okay!"
Chen Bo glanced at Lu Yang, smiled scornfully, and said: "There are so many poor people. Look at the slums outside the city, how many children rely on begging to make ends meet. If they all go to the city,
Should we pay for them? Besides, a copper plate is not too difficult to obtain. They have the skills and feet, so why not collect three copper plates before entering the city?"
"His parents didn't come to the city early, so..." Wang Qiang was about to refute, but was interrupted by Chen Bo.
Chen Bo waved his hand and said: "Do you believe what he said? I also said that I am a heaven-level master, do you believe it?" After that, he saw that Wang Qiang still wanted to speak, and looked at the crowd behind Lu Yang and said: "What do you think?
, can you believe what this kid says? If you believe it, either raise your hands to support him or give him a copper plate."
Lu Yang subconsciously looked at the crowd, but at this sight, he almost lost his breath. Everyone lowered their heads and didn't even look at him. Not to mention someone gave him a copper plate, they just wanted to raise their hands.
No one could see one. Lu Yang felt the warmth of the world for the first time. He suddenly remembered what his mother had said and smiled bitterly in his heart.
Poor mountains and poor waters, shrewish women and unruly people.
These people are self-centered. They feel that one thing more is worse than one thing less. They think that matters have nothing to do with themselves and they just ignore them.
Regarding the reaction of these people, Chen Bo showed an expression that he had expected, and said to Lu Yang: "Boy, did you see that no one will give you any coins? You'd better get out of here!"
Lu Yang sighed secretly, clutched the two copper plates tightly, and turned to leave.
At this moment, a young man's voice came from behind the crowd, "Wait a minute, I have a copper plate here."
Lu Yang raised his head and looked for the sound, only to see a copper plate flying from above the crowd and landing accurately on top of his head.
Such an accurate technique showed that the opponent was also a master of martial arts. Lu Yang raised his right hand, grabbed it in the air, grabbed the copper plate in his hand, cupped his fist and said, "Brother, thank you very much..."
"Thank you for everything. We are all children from poor families. We should help each other." The young man's voice sounded again. Because he did not show up actively behind the crowd, Lu Yang couldn't see his face clearly, but he probably remembered him.
location.
Lu Yang was not a pretentious person. He handed three copper coins to Chen Bo, straightened his back and said, "Now I can enter the city!"
Chen Bo was deflated and in a very unhappy mood. He glared at Lu Yang and said fiercely: "You're lucky, don't let me meet you again in the future."
Lu Yang walked towards the city without even looking at him. After entering the city, he did not walk away immediately, but stood in an inconspicuous corner and waited.
After about a cup of tea, a chubby young man walked in. The young man looked about fifteen or sixteen years old. He was wearing a blue cloth shirt and carrying a cloth bag behind his back.
Clothes. The young man looks a little fat, but his steps are very light. It can be seen that his cultivation level is not low, at least he has the strength of Huang level.
The young man had no idea what was going on around him. He walked forward. After taking a few steps, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Who!" The young man reacted very quickly, stepped back three steps away, and looked at the other person warily.
The person who suddenly appeared was Lu Yang. He waved his hands and said, "Brother, it's me. Thank you very much for the copper you gave me just now."
The young man touched the cold sweat on his forehead and said depressedly: "Little brother, you scared me to death. I thought that in the city, just like in the village, you would take action when you meet!"
Lu Yang obviously didn't understand and asked in confusion: "Let's meet and do it?"
The young man chuckled and said a little shyly: "This is the custom of our village. Anyone who knows how to do some kung fu should make a few gestures first. In fact, there is no harm in it."
"So that's it!" Lu Yang said without any nonsense, he went straight to the point, "Brother, my name is Lu Yang, can you leave an address and I will return the copper coins to you in the future."
The young man was stunned for a moment, looking at Lu Yang as if he were a monster. He looked at Lu Yang until he felt uncomfortable for a while, and then said, "No way! Are you waiting here for me for so long just to return my copper plate?"