Chapter 4: Loulan (3b)

You're not looking for me to fight, are you? Wang Xun scanned his surroundings vigilantly, and he was guilty in his heart.

He is not afraid of fighting, from childhood to adulthood, he has fought with others no less than a hundred times for various reasons, and he has always won more and lost less. The problem is that that little Luo girl obviously has nothing to do with herself. For her to fight with the surname Shi in a daze, this is really too wrong!

Shi Huaiyi's senses are very keen. As keenly as all teenagers who fell in love, he noticed that Wang Xun's expression was wrong, and immediately took half a step back, clapped his hands, and added with a smile, "I just want to invite you to a glass of wine, nothing else!" Why, Brother Wang doesn't want to appreciate the light?! ”

Hongmen Feast! Wang Xun whispered in his heart again. He smiled and shook his head slightly, "Of course not." It's just that I still have wounds on my body....."

Before he finished speaking, Shi Huaiyi quickly leaned up again, knocking on the bricks and nails, "Wine is a man's blood." It doesn't matter if you drink less! If you're afraid that Xiao Luo will talk about you, you'll put all the blame on me later! ”

It's not anyone, who doesn't even dare to come out in front of Miss Xiaoluo. Wang Xun pouted quietly. Now that people have talked about this, he can only see the moves. It would be best if you could make it clear, so as not to be remembered by others all day long. If the other party is really unwilling to be reasonable, he is not afraid to fight. Stirring up this nameless valley has just broken the host's mind of trying to trap guests with tenderness.

Thinking of this, he smiled and lightly arched his hand: "Then bother Brother Shi!" After living here for so many days, I haven't had time to walk around! ”

"Brother Wang, please come with me!" Shi Huaiyi threw his mount aside and walked side by side with Wang Xun. How to look at the smile on his face, how stiff.

It was already evening, and the valley was full of people. Men and women, who had been tired all day, gathered in front of their homes before the sun had yet set, and took care of the chores that would never be finished. And the carefree children, running around their felt tents and the dry cow dung heaps for fires, one moment you push me to the other, the next I pull your braids. The noise and shouting did not stop for a moment.

Among all of them, the most eye-catching are the young guards and people under Wang Xun's command. In the long and narrow valley, you can see the Janissaries and the people almost everywhere. The sand pirates were unsuspecting of their guests, and seemed to have no regard for their status as officials and soldiers not long ago. And in order to repay the enthusiasm of the master here, the guards and the people did their best. Whether it's helping blacksmiths build and repair weapons, or helping carpenters make trendy furniture, or helping local girls cook wild vegetables from the hot springs into delicacies, and so on. Whenever they showed a new trick that was rare in the Western Regions, the Loulan girls who watched the excitement around them did not hesitate to give praise from the bottom of their hearts. So in the continuous applause and screams, the red-faced guards and the people worked harder and harder, and all their energy was concentrated on the work of their subordinates, without noticing that their top boss Wang Xun walked by on the periphery of the crowd, and his eyes were full of helplessness that hatred of iron could not become steel.

"There are more than a dozen hot springs in this valley, so it's warm all year round. It's just too small to accommodate a lot of people! Silently accompanying Wang Xun for a while, Shi Huaiyi began to look for a topic.

"Hmmm! What a blessed land! With a little dissatisfaction in his heart, Wang Xun agreed casually. It's no wonder that some people are starting to get happy! ”

The second half of the sentence is obviously a flattering eye for the blind to see. Although Shi Huaiyi can speak fluent Tang dialect, he doesn't know anything about idioms and allusions. Blinking the big eyes of the cowbell, he thought for a long time before he muttered back, "Brother Wang is saying that your people are having a good time here, right?" That's good, I'm afraid you won't get used to it. Kang Lao has always told everyone not to treat guests slowly! ”

"Then I saw Kang Lao another day, I have to thank him well!" Wang Xun grinned, and stabbed with a gun and a stick. The old fox played this trick too yin, so that even if he was angry in his stomach, he couldn't find an excuse to vent. After all, people have a life-saving grace for everyone, and they didn't use knives to force anyone to stay. As for some people who can't resist the temptation of red faces and troubles, it is because their own concentration is too poor and Wang Xun, the top boss, is too weak to bind, and they can't blame the old fox at all.

Shi Huaiyi's ability to comprehend language coincides with his surname, and he is extremely dull. smiled and continued to be humble for his own people, "No, we Loulan people have always done everything we have to treat our friends." In fact, even if you don't have Kang Lao's words, everyone will treat you as brothers! ”

"Yes, brother. Closer than a brother! Wang Xun was made to have no temper, so he had to respond stupidly. Brother, what is mine is yours, and what is yours is yours. Dozens of carts of weapons have been delivered to you without blood, can you still be a brother?

Shi Huaiyi smiled, very happy that Wang Xun could describe the relationship between the two sides in this way. "Brother Wang, please go this way, be careful of your step, Aslan likes to dig pits everywhere!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a big yellow-haired dog more than seven feet long suddenly burst out of the crowd and jumped on his shoulder. Shi Huaiyi was pounced on and took half a step back, and then held the dog's paw on his shoulder with both hands, "Okay, okay, our Aslan is the most capable, and we never go around digging traps for people." Don't lick and say hello to the guests! ”

It was as if I could understand his commands. The yellow-haired dog turned half his head from his shoulder, and made a "purr, purr" sound at Wang Xun, his warm eyes were full of curiosity.

What a mastiff. Although he was accustomed to seeing the world's famous dogs in Chang'an City, Wang Xun couldn't help but let out an exclamation from the bottom of his heart. The big guy in front of him is much better than the famous breeds used by the princes and grandsons to gamble, and his head is as big as a fence. The long snout reaches to the ear, the upper and lower jaws are open, and the mouth can swallow half of the bull's head. The fangs exposed outside his lips shone coldly, like a dagger that had just been bladed. What is even more rare is the thick long hair on the dog's neck, golden and shiny, completely shaken away, and it is alive like a lion from across the sea.

"Go, you lazy fellow. Salute the guests and lead the way! Shi Huaiyi slapped the big dog Aslan on the back and ordered with a smile again.

Aslan snorted a few more times and reluctantly jumped out of his arms. Turning to Wang Xun, he stretched out a front paw. In front of such a smart hunting mastiff, Wang Xun immediately put away all his precautions, stretched out his hand, shook Aslan's front paws, and then introduced himself with a smile, "My name is Wang Xun, Wang Xun from Chang'an." Do you know how to get to the tavern? Lead the way, and I'll treat you to meat later! ”

The big dog looked at him with disdain, drew his paws, and turned and ran towards a large, dirty tent not far away. Ran to the tent and rushed inside, "Wang, Wang, Wang, Wang!" He screamed a few times, then ran back triumphantly, turned around and walked in front of Wang Xun.

The cute appearance immediately caused a chuckle. After laughing, the distance between Wang Xun and Shi Huaiyi was suddenly very close, and they chatted in a mixed manner as they walked.

"Has Brother Wang ever had a dog? I heard my mother say that the elders of Chang'an City have collected almost the most famous dog breeds in the world! After the estrangement was put aside, Shi Huaiyi's eyes were full of curiosity about the unknown world.

"The Great Elders of Chang'an City have mixed interests!" Although some words felt awkward, Wang Xun still accommodated the other party, "Some people like to raise horses, some people like to raise dogs, and some people like to collect swords and swords." But I've seen a great elder who has more than 300 famous dogs at home, but none of them are as good as Aslan! ”

"Then they must be rich. Otherwise, you can't afford to raise so much! Shi Huaiyi blinked his eyes, unable to imagine how much meat more than 300 big dogs like Aslan had to feed every day, "I can't afford to raise Aslan alone." I had no choice but to let him come to Uncle Camel to help. Earn your own meat and bones to eat! ”

"No wonder it knows how to get around the tavern!" Wang Xun laughed happily, half because of Aslan's cleverness, and the other half because of Shi Huaiyi's honesty. If he had changed himself, he would definitely not admit that he was short of money. Especially in front of a rival in love, gritting his teeth, he has to slap his swollen face and become fat.

While they were talking, the two of them and a dog had already walked to the door of the felt tent. When the people who were eating and drinking inside saw Shi Huaiyi, they all stood up with a smile and warmly invited, "Little stone, come and sit here." I invite you and your friends! "Brother Shi, sit at my table, I haven't had a bowl with you for a long time." "Stone, come over me. I just ordered a sheep's back, and I haven't served it yet! ”

In the midst of the noise, Shi Huaiyi put his hand on his chest and bowed around, "Thank you, thank you." I invited you today, so I won't get together with everyone. Another day, everyone will go to my felt bag, and I will invite you to eat the meat of the black blind man! ”

"Okay!" Everyone laughed and agreed. "Then you'll have to hold on. As soon as winter passes, the black blind man loses fat! ”

"Definitely, definitely!" Shi Huaiyi responded with a smile, took Wang Xun, and walked towards the northwest corner of the felt tent.

In the northwest corner, there were a few butter lamps lit brightly, but no one sat at the table under the lamp. When the men saw this, they first roamed it, and then hurriedly trotted forward, removed the mess on the table, and relaid a scrubbed cooked cowhide. Then, the hunchbacked shopkeeper also walked over at the fastest speed, raised the big copper kettle in his hand, and poured a bowl of tea soup into the copper bowl that had just been placed on the table. Shi Huaiyi picked up the tea bowl, raised his hands between his eyebrows, and handed it to Wang Xun, "Brother Wang has come from afar, brother, I have nothing to entertain." This bowl of milk tea, even if you get off the bar! ”

"Dismount wine?" Wang Xun was slightly stunned. immediately remembered the folk customs of the Western Regions that Zhou Laohu had told him. There are many tribes here, with different customs and beliefs. But almost all tribes, whatever they had previously believed, were influenced by Buddhism to some degree.

The northwest corner, that is the direction of Master Xuanzang's return from learning scriptures. Obviously, the miscellaneous things that were placed on the table before were not casual. Therefore, this bowl of milk tea should never be drunk casually. Otherwise, you will have to commit the wrath of the people.

Thinking of this, Wang Xun smiled lightly, took the copper bowl, and raised his hands between his eyebrows, "I am a foreigner, and I don't understand the rules here." But there is no reason to drink tea first, but let the old man serve by the side. This uncle, Wang borrowed flowers to offer Buddha, I respect you first! ”

After that, he bowed down and held the milk tea in front of the hunchback shopkeeper.

This contrivedness is definitely not in line with the etiquette of the Loulan people, but it makes everyone unable to find fault with it. The hunchbacked shopkeeper hurriedly put down the copper kettle and took the tea bowl with both hands, "It's broken, it's broken." You are a distinguished guest, how can I drink your tea......."

"Uncle Camel, you're welcome! After a while, I will take care of a few dishes, and I will thank Brother Wang! Shi Huaiyi took over the conversation and smiled to pave the steps for everyone.

"Alright, alright, then I'll not be verbose. You two talk slowly, I'll go to the back and see if I can get something delicious. In the big winter, there is a lack of everything! Alas. You're talking, you're talking! The hunchback shopkeeper drank the milk tea, then handed the teapot to the man, turned and ran behind the tent.

"Sit down, it's brighter and quieter. Don't worry, Loulan people are not so particular. You don't deliberately make trouble for guests! Seeing the shopkeeper leave, Shi Huaiyi smiled and invited Wang Xun to take a seat.

The man poured two bowls of milk tea again and laid them out in front of the two guests. Then he bowed and trotted away. The felt tent was immediately filled with noise again, and the drinkers continued to make loud noises, as if they had a tacit understanding with each other, and no one took the initiative to look at the northwest corner again.

Milk tea is made with coarse tea, milk, and salt, and is lit with a layer of butter, which exudes a very strange aroma. All the tribes in the Western Regions use it as a thing to quench their thirst and melt food, and three meals a day are indispensable. But for Wang Xun, a noble son, the tea in the bowl is too unpalatable. The tea leaves for the rough girls in Chongrenfang are finer than those in this bowl. As for the oil beads on the surface of the tea soup, after drinking these, do you still expect to eat something tonight? (Note 1)

"Isn't it to Brother Wang's taste?" Seeing that the tea in front of the guest did not move for a while, Shi Huaiyi was a little unhappy, grinned, and asked with a forced smile.

"No, it's just a little hot!" Wang Xun was ruthless and drank all the "medicinal juice" in the tea bowl.

His grandmother's is out of the way, and it's like that sooner or later anyway. Cut to the chase, everyone is safe.

Note 1: Milk tea has a very good effect on detoxifying fat and supplementing vitamins. Therefore, it is a must-have for the nomadic people of northern China. To this day, it is still the best quality of hospitality.