In the dim tropical rain forest, a few clusters of firelight flickered.
More than 20 indigenous people worked together to carry a huge log and walked out, with bright smiles on their faces.
"Everyone, please be careful. Wild beasts come out to look for food at night, so we can't be careless."
"Haha, brother Amu, don't worry, the ferocious beast is here, it's just a meat dish for us."
The two men in the lead were talking and laughing, all because they found a piece of treasure wood.
Using this wood called fragrant tree, you can not only exchange for a large amount of salt, but also for cloth and weapons.
After walking for about half an hour, everyone finally returned to the camp.
When I met patrolling soldiers on the road and saw that the logs they were carrying were so complete, they all smiled kindly at them.
I may not understand the language in a short period of time, but smile is always the best language for human beings.
As soon as we entered the camp, we were immediately greeted by people dressed as stewards.
He said in broken Aboriginal language: "Amu, you have gained a good harvest today."
The indigenous man named Amu bowed respectfully to the steward and said solemnly: "We found a fragrant forest. There are hundreds of fragrant trees there. This one is the thickest. We brought it back to the general as a tribute.
"
The steward was overjoyed when he heard this and said hurriedly: "Okay, okay, don't worry, I will go to the general to ask for credit for you soon. If you can get a boatload of agarwood together, you will be a great hero. No matter what you want, general
It will satisfy you."
At this time, several middle-aged men dressed as businessmen came trotting over, talking happily about the log.
"If you send the finest agarwood to Luoyang, you can get at least five hundred bottles of rose bath liquid."
"Quickly, use a scale to test how heavy it is."
"Now that's good, we've just got enough cargo for twenty ships."
Seeing this, the steward smiled and said, "Don't worry, everyone. It is said that there is a whole forest of agarwood like this."
After the indigenous Amu handed the logs to the steward, he took his brothers back to the camp where the tribe was located.
It was already dark by now, and it was just time for dinner.
A bonfire was lit in the center of the camp, and the women were processing various ingredients to make dinner.
When they saw their man coming back, not only the women, but also the children came over jumping up and down.
"Abba, you eat, it's delicious."
There are two children in Amu's family, a boy is about seven years old, and a girl is just over three years old.
The two of them held meat buns made of white flour in their hands. The white flour used to make the buns was provided by Wei Cheng and purchased by later generations. It is pure wheat flour.
"Oh, there are some meat buns to eat again. You are so good. You can eat them by yourselves. Dad is not hungry."
The little boy shook his head, put the bun to Amu's mouth, and said, "Abba, eat it. I earned it by chopping bamboo."
】
The little girl was a little confused. When she saw this, she followed her brother's example and brought the delicious meat buns to her father's mouth.
Amu felt warm in his heart, and the brothers next to him looked envious.
"Brother Amu, these two children of yours are really sensible. They are much better than that brat of mine. They have delicious food and know how to use it to honor you." A dark-skinned man said.
Amu picked up his little daughter, held his son's hand, and said, "Okay, let's go back to eat. Let's go into the mountains again tomorrow morning. We don't need to bring tools this time. We will be responsible for leading the way."
The men smiled at each other and walked towards the area where their homes were located.
Amu took her children back to her home, an independent bamboo house surrounded by a bamboo fence.
A woman was serving her parents-in-law in the yard. When her husband came back, she stood up with a smile.
Amu walked closer and saw that today there were not only meat buns but also many dishes. He asked curiously: "What is going on? Why is today's meal so rich?"
The woman and her parents-in-law looked at each other and smiled, and the old man said: "It's all thanks to you. Before the sun went down, someone sent food specially, saying it was a reward for you. Come on, sit down and eat, I'll be waiting for you."
Amu asked curiously: "We just found the fragrant tree today, and the reward came so quickly?"
The woman took her daughter from his arms and explained with a smile: "It's not because of the fragrant trees, but because of those stones. I heard that the Lord of the Kingdom likes those transparent and luminous stones very much. The stones you gave to the general are very precious."
tribute."
"The Lord of the Kingdom?!" Amu exclaimed.
At this time, several men were walking from a distance outside the small courtyard, attracting many natives to stand up and salute along the way.
"Amu, is Amu back?" someone shouted.
Amu was stunned for a moment, and recognized the owner of the voice. He hurriedly handed the child to his wife to take care of, and ran outside the courtyard gate to greet him.
Not long after, several men entered the courtyard.
"Amu, this is the general. He has something very important to ask you. You must answer the general's questions honestly."
Amu knelt on the ground respectfully and saluted Sun Ce.
The white-haired old man who led the way said to Sun Ce: "General Sun, those jadeite stones are presented to you by Amu Jin."
Sun Ce nodded slightly and looked at Zhang Fei and Huang Xu beside him.
Zhang Fei said: "Old Baitou, ask him where he found those stones. As long as he takes me there, his family can settle down in Dahan, and they will become my Dahan people from now on."
The white-haired old man was the great Han shaman from before. Hearing this, he looked at Amu with envy.
After hearing this, Amu kowtowed to Zhang Fei respectfully and said excitedly: "I am willing to take the general to that valley."
···
Luoyang.
The year 191 has finally arrived.
On the first day of the New Year, Luoyang City is very lively, with red lanterns hanging high everywhere and firecrackers ringing from time to time in the streets.
Shops in several prosperous places in the city are still open for business. There is no concept of annual holidays at this time.
On the contrary, it is more important for the vendors to take advantage of the crowds during the New Year and make more money.
Not only are the vendors busy, but also some entertainers can be seen on the street from time to time.
Those who lift jars, those who crush rocks on their chests, those who tame animals and juggle, anyone with a little bit of skill can win waves of applause and rewards.
Someone set up an archery stall, with arrow targets at various angles. An arrow cost five cents, but if it hit the target, the profit would be ten times.
Some people are fighting chickens in a cage, and the two chickens are fighting fiercely in the cage. The spectators nearby are gambling and amusing themselves, which is also a good pastime.
Yuan Xi, courtesy name Xianyi, was the second son of Yuan Shao.
"Princess Aruna, this is the cake of Daoxiang Village. Please try it. How does it taste?"
Aruna took the cake and looked at it curiously, and was instantly impressed by the exquisite shape of the cake.
Yuan Xi said: "Don't underestimate this cake. Such a small piece is worth a lot, and you can't buy it if you have money."
Aruna nodded, swallowed, and asked with bright eyes: "How do you eat this?"
Yuan Xi handed her a small spoon made of wood and said, "Just use this to scoop out the food. Of course, you can also eat it in big mouthfuls."
Aruna took the spoon and showed a sweet smile to Yuan Xi.
Yuan Xi's mind wandered. She had to say that this Hun princess was quite beautiful, especially her exotic eyes.
Originally, Yuan Xi was not very enthusiastic about his father's order for him to approach this woman, but now his mentality changed.
After all, this woman is also the daughter of the Xiongnu Chanyu, so marrying her doesn't seem to be considered a disgrace.
Yuan Xi comforted himself in this way.
This matter has to start with Aruna being 'driven' out of Honglu Temple by Emiya.
The lost Aruna met Yuan Xi who was hunting in the city by chance, and was rescued by Yuan Xi's Kang Yi.
And all of this is just a game designed by Wei Cheng. First, Wei Gong plays the bad role, and then the Yuan family sends someone to play the bad side.
Wei Cheng asked Wei Gong to win over Ji Ribaitu, which did not mean that he had turned against the Xiongnu royal family.
The best outcome is to control the entire Northern Huns for their own use, and only the children can make the choice, and of course the adults will not let go of either.
In this way, Wei Gong was responsible for the auspicious day, and the Yuan family took the opportunity to win over the Xiongnu royal family, which not only allowed them to continue fighting among themselves, but also caused them to fight one after another, forming a delicately balanced situation.
And this scene is also happening in Anyi.
Tian Feng has secretly reached a tacit agreement with Jiri Batu, and will form a strong army consisting mainly of light cavalry in the spring, called the Wolf Guard.
The Yuan family also took the opportunity to find the furious Zuoxian Wang An Luo, and gained An Luo's initial trust.
"Hey, what are you selling? There are so many people?"
Yuan Xi looked in the direction of Aruna's finger and frowned slightly when he saw the signboard with the word "Sun" hanging on the eaves of the shop.
"That's a shop that specializes in selling fruits from southern islands. There's nothing new about it." Yuan Xi said disdainfully.
"Dried mangoes are on sale, only fifteen cents per catty, limited to 500 catties, first come first served."
"Freshly squeezed sugarcane juice, sweet and delicious sugarcane juice, only costs five cents a cup. Come and try the specialty of the southern island."
"Our store specializes in selling tropical fruits thousands of miles away in the south. It is a perfect choice for door-to-door gifts and to honor your elders. You deserve it!"
At the door of the shop, several waiters were shouting hard.
More and more people were attracted there, crowding the three connected fruit shops.
Especially the names of unheard-of fruits and vegetables, as well as the strange fruity aroma faintly wafting in the air, are a typical living sign.
In the shop, the young Sun Quan was sitting at the counter, smiling from ear to ear, tapping the chips skillfully, his eyes shining with gold.
"Second brother, Xiang'er wants to eat pineapple."
Xiaoxiang Xiangxiang ran into the counter, hugged Sun Quan's thigh and swayed for a while.
Sun Quan put down the account book, picked up his sister, and frowned: "Xiangxiang, dear, it's time to have lunch soon. If you eat pineapple again, you won't be able to eat anymore. What will you do if your mother scolds you again?"
When Sun Shangxiang heard this, he opened his big eyes with aggrieved expression and looked at Sun Quan eagerly.
Sun Quan couldn't bear her stare and sighed helplessly, "Okay, okay, eat pineapple, eat pineapple, my second brother is really afraid of you."
The shopkeeper next to him saw the brother and sister being so close, and reminded him with a smile: "Second Master, I don't dare to let the young lady eat it again. Too much pineapple will make your teeth sore, and you have to go to the palace for a banquet tonight, so what's going on in the palace?"
The delicious food is the best in the world, it would be a shame not to be able to eat it when the time comes."
Hearing this, Sun Shangxiang tilted his head and asked, "Uncle Han, is the food in the palace better than pineapples?"
The shopkeeper knelt down, rubbed Sun Shangxiang's head, and said with a smile: "That's for sure, and the royal chef in the palace also uses pineapples to cook dishes. The pineapples in the dishes will not become sour no matter how you eat them. If Miss has tasted it,
You will definitely like it.”
Sun Shangxiang stuck out his little tongue and licked his lips. Apparently he was so greedy that he hurriedly pulled Sun Quan's sleeve and said, "Second brother, Xiang'er wants to eat the delicacies of the palace and the dishes made from pineapples."
Sun Quan laughed, hugged his sister and said, "Yeah, Xiangxiang, be obedient. My second brother will take you to the palace to eat delicious food tonight."
"Oh yeah!" Sun Shangxiang waved his little hands happily.
In front of the store, several teenagers came together.
Seeing Sun Quan at the counter, the leading young man shouted: "Junior brother, okay, we are looking for you everywhere, but we don't want you to be lazy here."
Sun Quan looked up and couldn't help but said with great joy: "Why are these senior brothers here? Come on, please come to the tea room behind."
A handsome young man waved his hand and said: "I won't sit down, I won't sit down anymore. Junior brother, please ask someone to pack some dried mangoes and five papayas for me. If I had known you were the owner of this shop, I wouldn't have done it myself."
Just took a trip."
Sun Quan heard this and said with a smile: "It's easy to say. From now on, senior brother, you just need to inform me, and I will have someone send it directly to your house."
Several other teenagers also placed orders one after another. They were all students of Heluo College, and they were also supporting Sun Quan.
The leader of the young men walked up to the counter and said sincerely: "It seems that your brother is very powerful in the south. Transporting so many strange fruits all the way to Luoyang is impossible without some skills."
"Isn't that right? It is estimated that in the near future, I will have another king with a different surname. Junior Brother Sun, congratulations."
Several young men looked at each other and their eyes towards Sun Quan showed subtle changes.
Several people present were from aristocratic families, and they naturally knew what a king with a different surname meant to the family.
Let’s not talk about the distant ones, let’s just say that when Gongsun Zan was granted the title of queen, it can be said that one person achieved enlightenment, chickens and dogs ascended to heaven, and the Gongsun family suddenly became the top family in the Han Dynasty, and it was unparalleled in the limelight for a while.
If there were a king with a different surname in the Sun family, then Sun Quan would be the heir apparent, and their classmates would all bow down and salute when they saw him. They would not be able to regard themselves as seniors like they do now.
Sun Quan was young and mature, and when he saw the changes in several senior students, he smiled with them on the surface, but said nothing.
If he becomes complacent because of the fact that he has not yet written about his horoscope, he will definitely be isolated when the academy starts again.
It's better to wait until the dust settles.
Regardless of whether the eldest brother can be crowned king, at least with his current military exploits, the Sun family's future height will not be too low.
It's just that Sun Quan wanted to keep a low profile, but someone didn't allow him.
Seeing that his second brother had neglected him, Sun Shangxiang took Sun Quan's hand unhappily and said, "Second brother, when are we going to the palace? Xiang'er is hungry, and Xiang'er wants to eat the food cooked by the imperial chef."
The teenagers were startled at first, and then exclaimed: "Junior Brother Sun, are you going to be invited to the banquet tonight?"
Sun Quan gave a wry smile, nodded and said, "Bucai, because of my brother's meritorious service, I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation letter."
"Oh my god, you actually... I heard from my father that Wei Jun only distributed thirty-six invitations, but I didn't expect you to get one."
The teenagers looked at each other with envy and admiration.