Striking iron?

Su Liuye looked puzzled.

The owner of the pastry stall had already seen her, and when he saw that she was paying attention to others, he hurriedly said, "Little lady, you have just arrived in our town, right?" ”

"Auntie, how do you know?"

"At first glance, you are a foreigner." The aunt laughed, "There are several iron mines outside our town, all of which were requisitioned by the imperial court. Generally, when the snow closes the road, the mine will stop working, and the workers on the mine side will be able to go home for the New Year. ”

"Most of the young guys in our town work in the mines, and they come back every year for the Chinese New Year. But this year, I don't know why, I have already notified that I am going to stop work, but a few days ago, I was temporarily notified to start work and give triple wages! ”

As she spoke, she held out three fingers, her tone full of surprise.

"Triple wages?" Su Liuye was unexpected.

"Yes, it's tripled! Many people who had decided to go home for the New Year rushed back, and it is estimated that they will not come back for this year. As she spoke, the aunt took out a paper bag from the side and asked enthusiastically, "Little lady, do you want some pastries?" I made it myself, and it was all fresh out of the pot, but it was delicious! ”

"Okay, auntie, you can give me three portions like that."

Su Liuye originally wanted pastries, but the stall owner also told her some news, so she naturally wouldn't clap her hands and leave.

"Great!"

Seeing that there was business coming to the door, the aunt became more enthusiastic and asked curiously, "Little lady, did you come to our town at this time to find someone?" ”

"Auntie, do you know that too?"

"Of course I do." The aunt smiled, "Look at it, it's only a few days before the Chinese New Year, who would come over at this time if it weren't for something?" Moreover, a lot of people have come to the town last month, and they are about to fill up all the inns in the town. ”

"Who's here?"

Su Liuye suddenly became curious about this matter.

Originally, I didn't dare to mine anymore due to heavy snowfall, but this year I would rather pay three times my salary to find someone to mine, and it was really strange that so many people suddenly came to the town last month.

The aunt was asked, frowned and thought for a moment, "I don't know about this, I was also setting up a stall on the street that day, and I saw a large group of people!" Coming over there! The aunt opened her hand and gestured, and then pointed to the inn not far away, "I watched the group of people walk into the inn, and it is said that all the rooms in the inn have been covered." ”

Su Liuye looked over and was surprised to find that the inn that her aunt was talking about turned out to be the inn where she lived.

"But they seem to have moved out after about three days, saying they moved to a house outside the town." The aunt recalled, "That's right! A few young men came to me that day to buy pastries and mentioned some generals, but I didn't listen carefully. ”

"General? Could it be that some soldiers are going to mine in the mountains? ”

"I don't know! If it were really the matter of the imperial court, it wouldn't tell us about these people, hahaha, you're right. The aunt handed over the packaged pastries, "Little lady, this is your pastry, it tastes best when it's hot." ”

"Okay, I'm in trouble, auntie."

Su Liuye paid the silver.

When I left, I happened to hear others still whispering about the iron mine, their voices were too quiet, and Su Liuye couldn't hear it clearly, but when they passed by, they heard "generals" and "soldiers" again.

Is it the imperial court building weapons?

Su Liuye frowned, last time she was in the capital, she talked about it with others, but she didn't expect to hear it in Pingyang Town.

Back in the inn, Xiao Wu hadn't come back yet, she ate several in a row while the pastries were still hot, and found that the taste was still quite good.

But the pastries were not enough, so she went downstairs and ordered a bowl of hot soup.

Waiting for Xiao Er to come over to serve the food, Su Liuye took out a string of money and put it on the table, and asked, "This little brother, I am the first day to come to Pingyang Town today, can I ask you about any news?" ”

"Okay, okay! Absolutely! ”

Seeing a string of money, Xiao Er immediately nodded, "This objective, I don't know what you want to inquire about?" As long as I know, I'm sure Bean tells you! ”

Su Liuye didn't beat around the bush either, "I heard that there were a lot of soldiers living in the inn before, is that the case?" ”

"Soldiers? No, I don't. Xiao Er looked confused, "Some time ago, the inn was indeed full of people, but they were all going to run a business, and they were not soldiers at all." ”

"Running a merchant?"

"That's right." Xiao Er asked, "Is there anything wrong with this objectivity?" I asked the customers to find out that they were running merchants, and they were still coming with goods. ”

Hearing Xiao Er say this, Su Liuye didn't continue to ask.

After eating, she asked Xiao Er for hot water to freshen up.

Xiao Wu also came back at this time, and there were still snowflakes on his clothes.

"Little Wu, come over and have a sip of hot tea."

"I'm tired of Madame."

Xiao Wu took the hot tea she handed over and took a sip, and said, "Mrs. Chu, I have already asked Gongzi, they are a little busy now, and they will not have time until a few days, but Madame can still follow me over tomorrow." ”

"Good! Xiao Wu is really bothering you! Su Liuye's eyes lit up, he didn't expect to see Chu Yan so soon, and he thought he would have to wait a few more days!

Xiao Wu was busy all day and didn't eat, so Su Liuye went down and asked Xiao Er to prepare a hot meal.

After eating, Xiao Wu took Su Liuye to wander around the town, and when he came all the way, he found that there were many shops in the town that were related to iron, and there were many unopened knives hanging outside.

After some inquiry, Su Liuye learned from Xiao Wu that Pingyang Town is the most famous place to build weapons in the vicinity, and the weapons used by many officers and soldiers in the capital are made here in Pingyang Town.

They bought some things in the town, and when they saw that it was snowing again, Su Liuye and Xiao Wu went back.

The next day, Su Liuye had been on the road for a day yesterday and woke up at noon.

After washing, she followed Xiao Wu down to eat, took the New Year's goods packed by Uncle Zhou and got into the carriage, and went all the way to the mansion outside the town

The house looks so large that there is no end in sight, and the walls are covered with snow.

Waiting for them at the door was an old man, who said hello to Xiao Wu and led them into the house, poured them hot tea, and brought pastries, "Two of you, please wait here, Mr. Chu and Master Xiao have something to deal with and go out early in the morning, and they will probably come back later." ”

"Okay, we'll just wait here."

Xiao Wu nodded, turned back to Su Liuye and said, "Mrs. Chu, Mr. Chu, they have something to do here, let's wait first." ”