After leaving the palace, Li Luo seemed to have fallen in love with people outside and inside the city of Zhuocheng.?
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Every day he would go shopping in the west and south of the city by himself, listening to the stories told by the storytellers, and watching the vendors shouting and selling things. If there were people performing arts or juggling on the street, Li Luo would also squeeze into the crowd around him, and he would be in high spirits. Bo Bo's side cheered and handed him a piece of broken silver when he left.
If you feel tired, just find a small teahouse and drink a few glasses of water. Then you realize that the water in the south of the city is free of charge. If there are not many people, the shopkeeper will sit at the table together and listen to the tea guests. of eloquent talk.
But the most talked about thing is the confiscation of the Taishi's residence. However, there are all kinds of strange rumors. Some people say that it was Li Luo who fell in love with a beauty in anger, and Yu Xiuxuan fought for her love with a knife, which made Li Luo not hesitate to kill his wife. The teacher clan.
What's more, there are rumors that the person who likes the girl from the Ling family is actually Prince Chun Li Chengye himself, so he uses Li Luo's name to uproot the Yu family.
However, what everyone generally agrees on is that this matter must have been planned by Prince Chun and Emperor Wanlong. Li Luo was just a dandy with no knowledge or skills. Such rumors were just that Prince Chun planned to find a good future for Li Luo. , Li Luo would chuckle slightly every time he heard this. He couldn't help but agree, but he never lost his temper.
It's no wonder that apart from the royal family, only a few people in Yu Chengyun knew about what happened that day, but they were arrested with all their might, and Li Luo didn't want to publicize it afterwards.
Prince Chun naturally agreed. Although the Dingbei Army and Guanshan Camp present were not strictly ordered to keep silent, they were also warned not to talk about it. Emperor Wanlong did not say much. Not many people knew the whole story, so the matter was left unresolved.
Even the other Jiuqings were dubious, hearing rumors and having a hard time distinguishing the truth from the lies.
On the contrary, it is rumored that Prince Chun would not hesitate to attribute his own contribution to Li Luo for Li Luo's future, which is more credible. On the contrary, it seems a bit shocking. Otherwise, with the favor of Emperor Wanlong and the Queen Mother for Li Luo, how could he not ignore this matter? Promote it vigorously.
Li Luo just heard it and laughed it off no matter what the rumors were.
One day, Li Luo walked too far to the south of the city. It was getting dark and he couldn't go home in time. Li Luo followed a road and walked in, looking for something to eat. He didn't want to go deeper and deeper into the alley. It also gets narrower and narrower as we walk, with fewer and fewer pedestrians, but we can’t see the end.
Li Luo couldn't help but laugh. He had walked into a remote alley, so he simply didn't look at it. He walked forward along the bluestone path, turned the corner, and saw several lanterns popping up in front of him. There were two more mouths under the lanterns. The big pot is still steaming, and it looks quite beautiful when illuminated by a lantern.
Li Luo was overjoyed and started laughing. In the past, even seeing stunning women and dazzling treasures did not make him feel as happy as he did now. Unexpectedly, two ordinary big pots today gave him the satisfaction he had not seen for a long time.
Li Luo quickly approached and saw a noodle stall with three tables placed against the corner. Although the wood was dark and old, it was very clean.
An old man was sitting at a table smoking a pipe. His face was as dark as a sword and covered with wrinkles, but his eyes were crystal clear. In a trance, there were two more stars in the deep alley.
Seeing Li Luo coming over, the old man was slightly startled. Li Luo said loudly: "Old man, make a bowl of noodles."
The old man smiled, blew his pipe, and shouted: "Okay." He answered every word, as if he had been here for many years.
Li Luo found a table and sat down, looking sideways at the old man cooking noodles. There was no one else here except Li Luo and the old man.
The old man put down his pipe, washed his hands carefully in the wooden basin next to him, took out his knife, and cut the vegetables steadily. The sound of the knife connecting to the wooden board in the alley could be heard far away. The old man put it in and stirred it. He was very angry.
Awesome, the old man turned his head and used the lantern to see if the noodles in the pot were cooked.
After a while, the noodles were cooked, and fresh vegetables and seasonings were put on them. The old man brought them over and said, "Sir, eat them while they are hot." After saying that, he put them down and helped Li Luo put a bowl of noodle soup on the table.
superior.
Li Luo swallowed, picked up the chopsticks, mixed it, and took a bite. A scent of fragrance spread down his throat. Li Luo was surprised and said: "My father-in-law is very good at his craftsmanship!"
The old man smiled and said: "Haha, as long as the guest likes it, I don't have anything else to do. It's just that this bowl of noodles is quite edible. Not many of the older generation in this Shiliba shop don't know about it."
"Well, it's well-deserved." Li Luo praised.
The old man was laughing so hard that he couldn't close his mouth. He simply sat at the table next to Li Luo and asked, "The guest officer looks strange. You are not from here. How did you come to such a deep alley?"
"I was just wandering around. I didn't know the road, so I ended up here just walking. But fortunately, I was able to taste my father-in-law's noodles." Li Luo said while eating.
"Eat slowly, eat slowly." The old man pushed the noodle soup bowl towards Li Luo.
Li Luo picked it up, took a sip, and asked: "Old man, why don't you see so many people coming for such delicious noodles?"
"Haha, there are fewer people walking this road now, and there are fewer people eating noodles."
"Hey, why is this?" Li Luoqi asked.
"This is a long story. More than ten years ago, this road was an important road from Bailifang to other places in Zhuocheng. There were many people walking this road at that time. There were still people walking on this road when I arrived. Later, it was newly built.
One road is closer and easier to walk than this one. Gradually people are taking that road, and there are fewer and fewer people on this road. In recent years, when it comes to Youshi, there are not many people left."
Li Luo's heart felt cold, and he couldn't help but feel a little guilty. He was about to speak, but when he looked up, he saw the old man's face was peaceful. He was looking at the end of the alley, as if he was waiting for someone to walk out of the alley, but he didn't feel the slightest bit disappointed.
He said blankly: "My father-in-law."
"Haha, look at me, there is no one here. When someone comes, the little old man keeps talking, Sir, your face is cold, I will warm it up for you." After saying this, he was about to get up, but was stopped by Li Luo.
Stop, Li Luo said with a smile: "It's not cold, how much effort it takes."
"It's fine if it's not cold, it's fine if it's not cold," the old man said repeatedly.
"Old man, when I walked in, there seemed to be not many houses in this alley." Li Luo asked.
"This alley is a little off. The young people in the alley have gone out to work and moved away. The remaining ones are about the same age as young people. They go to bed early as soon as it gets dark, so they look at the guests.
Officer, I know that the guest officer is not from here."
"Why don't I find a place with more people to sell noodles?"
"Haha," the old man smiled slightly and fell into memories.
He slowly said: "Little old man, I have followed my father to make a living since I was six years old. I just came to Zhuocheng at that time, and I was not familiar with this place at all. My life was very tight. I went out at dawn every day, and it was always dark.
I have to go back to the straw shed only if I am very powerful, but I am really happy. I followed my father through the streets and alleys. I never thought that there was a place as big as Zhuocheng in the world. Later, when I told people about the place where my father and I walked, it turned out that we couldn't reach it.
This is half the size of Zhuocheng, especially the big place in the middle, which is called Dingtiantai. The white jade looks really beautiful from a distance." The old man said with a smile on his lips.
"Why don't I go for a walk on the Dingtiantai? If the weather is better during the day, my shadow will be reflected on the white jade underground." Li Luo said with a smile.
"Haha, I want to go too, little old man. When I was young and ignorant, I asked my father to take me there. Who would have thought." After saying this, the old man's face darkened a bit. After a moment, he became happy again and said, "I won't say anymore.
, it’s been such a long time.”
"Tell me, my father-in-law, maybe I can help him fulfill his wish." Li Luo smiled softly.
"Thank you very much, sir, but now that I have seen it, my wish has been fulfilled."
The old man smiled and said, "The official said that we were untouchables and wouldn't let us pass. Dad was stupid. He insisted on arguing with them. As a result, he was beaten by the official. His legs were also bad. He couldn't walk around the streets, so he had to
I was looking for a place to sell noodles. Fortunately, I found this alley. My father and I were selling noodles here, and no one came to chase us away. We looked pitiful. People often came to our place to eat. Fortunately, my father cooked noodles.
It’s not bad. It’s worthy of these kind-hearted people. The little old man and his father have been selling noodles in this alley since that day. My father said that a person must repay kindness. This alley and the people in it are ours.
I helped you when I was most miserable, but I can't do anything else, so I just make things easier for people passing by in this alley and sell a bowl of noodles as a way to repay the favor. The little old man thought that this is also the case. Since thirty years ago,
Since my father passed away, I have been guarding this noodle stall, thinking that when people are tired and hungry, I can just eat a bowl of noodles here and be satisfied."
The chopsticks in Li Luo's hand were frozen on the noodles, and he couldn't lift them up for a long time. He asked in a slightly bitter voice: "How long will it take for me to repay my kindness?"
"Haha, I'll pay it off when the little old man dies." The old man said with a smile.
"Huh?" Li Luo said in astonishment, "Old man, the alley has changed over the years. Why are you still guarding it?"
"That's what I say, but this noodle stall owned by Xiaolao'er is still the same noodle stall as before."
The old man laughed and said, "Someone has tried to persuade me before. I said this just to flatter myself. In fact, there are so many opinions. The little man is timid by nature and is unwilling to change places. If he can
I'll be content just staying here, it would be even better if a few more people could come and eat noodles."
Li Luo said blankly: "How about no one come to eat noodles?"
The old man lit his cigarette and said: "In the past few years, there have been more and more times when no one is around. But if I don't do my own thing, the little old man will feel really uncomfortable. He is already in the business of selling noodles, so he has to pay back
If you don’t do it well, or don’t do it at all, you will really have no shame in living.”
Li Luo looked at the old man carefully. The old man pressed the fire in the pipe with his skillful hand and started smoking. He didn't look impatient or lonely, as if he was already imprinted in this deep alley.
Li Luo thought for a while and laughed. There are still many people who remember the old man in the deep alley. They remember this noodle stall, two lanterns, and a little spark, but they are like a mark, no matter it is windy or raining.
Li Luo smiled and said, "My father-in-law is in a good mood."
"What's your state of mind? The guest officer is joking."
"Look, your two lanterns shine much brighter than the stars in the sky."
"Haha, that's it." The old man was very happy. He stood up and said to Li Luo: "Little old man, let me warm up the noodles for you. After listening to me talking for a long time, the noodles have already become cold."
Li Luo shook his head and didn't let the old man do anything again. He finished the noodles in a few mouthfuls and asked, "How much does it cost, father-in-law?"
"Three small coins."
"So cheap!?" Li Luo said in surprise.
"Haha, this bowl of noodles is only worth two small coins. If you charge a guest three small coins, I will make a profit."
Just as Li Luo was about to speak, he suddenly remembered what the old man had just said. He stretched out his hand and took out a piece of broken silver, about two dollars, and handed it to the old man. The old man took it, looked embarrassed, and muttered: "Your Majesty.
, this can’t be found.”
After a pause, he said: "If you think highly of me, I will treat you to this bowl of noodles." After saying that, he handed the money back.
Li Luo didn't answer, and said with a smile: "My father-in-law, please keep the money first, and keep the more money with you first. I will come here to eat in a few days, and I will bring some friends over. My father-in-law will make some noodles for me."
It’s done.”
"This." The old man looked embarrassed. Li Luo smiled slightly when he saw this, stood up and asked: "Old man, if I want to go to the east of the city, how do I get there?"
The old man hurriedly pointed the way for Li Luo. He was afraid that Li Luo didn't hear clearly and said it again. Li Luo said thank you and was about to leave. Suddenly he remembered, stood still and turned around and said: "Old man, you hate those who injured your father and son back then."
Someone from the government?"
The old man was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said: "I was very angry at first, but then I thought about it. I didn't do anything wrong. My father and I went in carrying noodles and bumps, not to mention who would be hit if it fell.
It's not good anymore, I no longer hate it.
My unlucky son said he wanted to join the army to serve the country, and I let him go. I can't let him follow me in this alley for the rest of his life. Besides, going into battle to kill the enemy and serve the country is what a man should do. Little old man, it's just
I pray that my son can come back safely."
When Li Luo looked at him, the old man had a look on his face, and he was very proud to have a son. Li Luo nodded and said, "Old man, take care of yourself." After that, he walked away quickly.
The old man suddenly woke up and shouted loudly: "Sir, your money."
Li Luo waved his hand far away, and when the old man blinked again, Li Luo's figure had disappeared in the alley.