Although the Yellow River Naval Army was still in its infancy, Li Xin's expectations for them were still high. After the inspection, more support was promised and he returned south. Along the way, basically speaking, the places I have gone have changed greatly compared to before.

Especially in some places, when Shuofang was not taken at the beginning, because this place was occupied by the Hu people, the fields were barren and turned into grassland. Today, these places are almost no longer farmland.

Compared with the past, these places are much more peaceful, and the faces of the people are no longer full of food and panic. Especially as the counties are gradually restored, they can be provided with better security, so that these people can stay here with more peace of mind.

From the current situation, all parts of Datang are basically able to achieve self-sufficiency, except for those newly captured areas that still need central support. However, because the population of those places is relatively small, the support is not really much.

When the population of these places gradually increases and production gradually resumes, the pressure on the center will be reduced. When the imperial court no longer needs to allocate materials to support the locality, it will be a time of complete accumulation.

Such a time is the best for Datang, of course, it refers to the time of preparation, not the time of peace. As long as the materials can be continuously stored from all over the country, the pace of the Datang campaign can be accelerated, and the time for rest and recuperation can be greatly shortened.

Compared to the enemy, this is a natural advantage. When everyone else is not ready, but everything is already ready on your side, then your chances of winning are greatly improved.

After leaving Shuofang County and going south, after passing the Luguan, it reached the boundary of Yan'an County.

This place originally belonged to the same land as the north of Luguan, but because this county was too big, and when Yan'an was first taken, most of the north of Luguan was still in the hands of the Xiongnu.

Therefore, Li Xin simply divided the land of Shangjun in the Qin and Han dynasties into two parts, the north of Luguan was Shangjun, and the south of Luguan was changed to Yan'an County, and the county was established in Yan'an County.

If you calculate the time, it has been several years since Gaonu County was renamed Yan'an County.

Because this place occupies an important position on Beishang Avenue, and it is located between the river valleys, it is not particularly far from Guanzhong. Therefore, it has developed quite rapidly over the years, and now, it is almost impossible to see the original decadence.

When he arrived in Yan'an County, it happened to be almost dark, so Li Xin decided to stay in this city for a while. After taking Liuzi and the others into the city to find a post house to live in, he decided to take advantage of the fact that there was still some time before the curfew to take a good walk around the city.

At this time, Yan'an County is very different from later generations, not to mention anything else, just the surrounding forest vegetation is completely different. The river outside the city, clear and large, is the mother river that the people of Yan'an County rely on for their livelihood.

The rules in Datang are different from those in other places, mainly because the curfew in the city is a little later. Unlike other forces, basically, as soon as the sun goes down, the curfew is about to begin.

In all counties in Datang, because of Li Xin's special request, except for wartime, the curfew basically starts at eight o'clock in the evening. After all, later generations are accustomed to spending the night, and Li Xin naturally doesn't want to sleep when it's dark.

It is impossible to have no curfew at all, after all, at this time, there is no developed high technology like in later generations, so many violations of law and discipline are easy to happen under this night. In addition, it is very difficult to find out.

Although it is only more than an hour longer than other places, for many people who are busy with life, this time can be more busy, or do a few more business, and make a little more money!

Therefore, after coming out of the post house~ , the street is still quite lively. Although it is said that under the current weather, the night in Yan'an County is already a lot cooler, but for the people or businessmen, it is the time to relax.

Restaurants, tea shops, restaurants and other places are even more lively at this time. Even on the small stalls next to the street, there are many ordinary people sitting chatting and eating. Although these things are relatively simple and very cheap, in Li Xin's eyes, they are a commendable thing.

After all, such a scene can only be seen in times of peace! Moreover, the market is lively, which means that the circulation of goods is not hindered, at least there is no big problem. Nowadays, the contribution of commercial tax to Datang is not small, so the development of business is naturally a good thing for Datang.

There were officers patrolling the streets, so the security at night was not bad, and there were no disputes.

As he walked, Li Xin came to a remote alley, and he had no intention of staying here, but after taking two steps forward, he suddenly fell back again.

"Your Highness, what's wrong with you?" Seeing this, the six sons who followed behind couldn't help but whisper. He thought there was something unusual, and the whole person immediately became vigilant.

"Do you smell anything?" Li Xin motioned for them to relax and asked.

Hearing this, Liuzi and the others couldn't help but sniff hard, and then said, "It seems to have a special taste, and I feel very uncomfortable!" ”

"It seems to have come from this alley, let's go over and see what it is!" Li Xin looked around, and then looked into the depths of the alley.

Liuzi and the others hurriedly guarded around him, and then the group slowly walked towards the alley.

The alley is actually not very long, only a few hundred meters in total, and it didn't take long for the group to come to the end. At the end of the alleyway, there was a simple courtyard, the door was closed, but from the outside it seemed to be lit with candles, and it was quite bright.

"Here it is! The smell is getting stronger, so knock on the door and see what smells like this! After standing at the door and sniffing it, Li Xin said with certainty.

Liuzi hurriedly stepped forward to knock on the door, and not long after, a middle-aged woman came out of it and opened the door. Looking at the strangers in front of him, and all of them seemed to be unkind, he couldn't help but be a little panicked and asked, "Who are you?" What is the knock? ”

"Don't be afraid, this lady is not a bad person, but a merchant in the past. Just because I just passed by the street and smelled some special smells, so I chased it all the way! Dare to ask, what is the origin of this smell from your house? Seeing this, Li Xin took two steps, first arched his hand, and then asked with a smile.

Seeing that he was quite polite, and there was no taboo about what he asked, the woman seemed to be a lot more relieved.

Just as she was about to answer, a middle-aged man came out of it, and while walking towards the door, he asked, "Lady, who came to the door?" ”

Come to think of it, this is the woman's husband. At this time, the woman hurriedly pulled the man aside and whispered. As he spoke, he looked at Li Xin and the others.

Not long after, the man walked over and said to Li Xin: "It turns out that a few of them are past merchants, and they are really sorry to be attracted by this smell at home!" Come on, come on, come in and talk! ”

The man still seemed to be very enthusiastic, and invited Li Xin and them to come in. After Li Xin thought about it, he said: "So, then it will be bothering!" ”

He only brought six sons inside, while the other guards remained outside the door and waited. A few people entered the door, and after a while they came to the top of the hall, and as soon as they entered the hall, they felt that their eyes were bright, but the unpleasant smell became even heavier.

Seeing that Li Xin and Liuzi's faces changed abruptly, as if they were hiding their noses, the male host said with some embarrassment: "This is what the guest asked just now!" Don't hide it from the two, they are poor in the next family, so they can't afford to buy candle tung oil. But the family also needs to live on a daily basis, so they have to take the stone water back from the river for lighting. Although I feel sick to smell it, I get used to it over time! ”

Only then did Li Xin understand what he had smelled before, and at this time he looked at the lamp in front of him curiously, only to see that what was contained in it was not lamp oil, but something as black as ink.

It was lit like a normal oil lamp, but thick black smoke came out of the wick, and even the beams were already blackened, and I don't know how long it had been used. The lamp is much larger and brighter than a normal oil lamp, but the flame is orange-red.

"Paraffin water? What's that? Li Xin was stunned for a moment, and then asked.

"Oh, the water is endemic to the region, and it can be found by the river just outside the city. Many people in the local area take it home and use it as oil lamps. This thing is as black as ink, and it flows out slowly in the water, like a stone liquid, hence the name. Every time you collect, you will use the pheasant's tail to gently brush the surface of the water, stain it and put it in the urn to store it! The man quickly explained.

"Paraffin water? Stone liquid? That name sounds familiar! And, looking at it like this, it smells like something no matter how you think about it! Li Xin pondered for a long time and thought carefully.

After thinking about it for a while, he suddenly thought of something, and couldn't help but pat his big ~ leg and said, "Isn't the stone fat water oil?" Shen Kuo mentioned this thing in his Mengxi pen talk! Moreover, the two states of Yan and Yan he mentioned are the Yan'an area now! ”