Chu Xunyu and the three of them were discussing finding a place to live in the village, but an unfamiliar voice interrupted them, and the three of them looked back, only to see a young man standing behind him, and he said carefully: "I know where to live." ”

This young man looks ordinary, his whole body is covered with mud, only a pair of big eyes flickering, dressed as a typical Miao person, with a short knife hanging from his waist, it seems that he has not practiced, judging from the calluses and muscles on his hands, it is estimated that he has practiced some knife techniques, Chu Xunyu asked strangely: "Little brother, what did you say?"

"I know where to stay. The young man raised his voice and said again, looking at the three of them expectantly, "I'll take you there, just give me the silver." ”

"Silver?" Mu Yuan lifted the silverware in his arms, "It's all of them, you can pick whatever you want." ”

"No, no. The young man hurriedly shook his hand, "I don't want these, I want silver taels, you Han silver taels, preferably official silver." ”

"Oh! The tone is not small, and it also needs official silver. Mu Yuan shook his head amusedly, "Brother, you don't want to have the official silver, there is the official seal of the household department on it, you can tell me where to live first, we are talking about the silver two." ”

"Good, good. The young man hurriedly stepped forward to explain, "There is a river outside the village, and I have set up many tents by the river, all of which are made of animal skins, and there are bedding and blankets in it, and some firewood or something, which is very close to the village, there will be no beasts to attack, and it is convenient to get water. ”

"Huh?" Mu Yuan asked strangely, "You mean that your kid built an inn for the Han people, but it was made of tents?"

"Well......" the young man thought for a moment, "the name of the Han people seems to be called 'inn', I don't remember it very clearly, it's not expensive, you three of you only need to give me a penny of silver for one night." ”

"Three people for one night is a penny. Chu Xunyu nodded, "That's not expensive, lead the way." ”

"Okay, follow me. The young man hurriedly mounted his horse and led the way in front of him, setting off for the gate of the village.

In the back, Mu Yuan glanced at Chu Xunyu again and again, hinting not to run around with this Miao boy of unknown origin, Chu Xunyu responded not to worry, and freed his right hand while following behind, waiting for him to draw his sword if there was a slight mistake, and at the same time he also wanted to see, what the hell is this little guy playing, in the Miao Village, how can there be any Han inn? It is estimated that someone estimated that he was asked to earn his three people out of the village, and it is unknown what conspiracy there is.

But the three of them were disappointed, and when they reached the destination, they found that the boy was not lying, it was really not far from Miao Village, and they could see each other with the naked eye, and there was really a river, and there were also really many tents supported by the river, judging from the traces of the bonfire, there were indeed many people who had lived here, Chu Xunyu asked the young man in surprise: "You rely on this for a living? Your village allows you to do this?"

"We are Han Miao, we can. The young man bolted his horse and opened a large tent to signal to the three of them, "Come and see, are you still satisfied?"

The three of them stretched out their heads to take a look, the conditions were much better than in the wild, at least the animal skins paved were genuine, very warm, and they were even more surprised at the moment, Chu Xunyu and the three of them casually found a stone to sit down, and the young man explained: "It's just spring, and all of your Han merchants haven't arrived yet, and after half a month, it is estimated that all of them will come." ”

"You kid is really rich. Mu Yuan sighed with emotion.

"Yes, it's a tael of silver, take it. Chu Xunyu handed it over.

The young man was taken aback, and was about to speak, when Chu Xunyu continued, "No need to look for it, but you have to stay with you for one night tonight." ”

The young man agreed without thinking, and such an attitude made the three of them even more stunned, because Chu Xunyu's purpose was understood by both Forget Chen and Mu Yuan, and he was still not at ease with this young man, in case it was a trap, it would definitely be a trouble at night when people were unaware, and it would be considered a hostage if he was left behind, but if there were three long and two short, Chu Xunyu would not let him see the rising sun tomorrow, but he was unexpectedly so bold in agreeing.

At this time, the sun began to slowly set down the hillside, and everyone lit a bonfire to roast some dry food to eat, Chu Xunyu asked the young man: "Little brother, what is your name?"

"Katong. The young man smiled embarrassedly, "There are no Han names yet." ”

"Then how did you make this deal?" Chu Xunyu asked again, "And you also want the Han people's silver taels?" ”

"I ......" Katong was silent for a while, smiled bitterly, and said a rough idea, it turned out that Katong was born in this Miao village, is an orphan, died since childhood, father and uncle went to the Central Plains together, but by mistake joined the army, after the father died on the battlefield, Uncle also came back with injuries, and fell into a disability, it was he who pulled Katong to grow up, and the Chinese language was also taught by him, Uncle is old, and the old injuries on his body are not convenient to go out to work, and Katong is now grown up, and will go hunting in the nearby mountains with the young people in the village, and occasionally trade with the Han people to make a living, but it is already very difficult to rely on him as a teenager to earn some rice noodles and come back to support himself and his uncle, not to mention marrying and having children in the future, if it weren't for the relief of others in the village, their lives would be difficult.

Two years ago, Uncle Karma discussed the current plan, his old man walked around the Central Plains for a long time, and he had a wide range of knowledge, it was Uncle who found that the Han people who came to the village every year to trade had no place to live, so he wanted to emulate the Han inn, and let Karma set up tents around the village to make a living, not to mention that the business was okay every year, and he did it for two years and saved more than a dozen taels of silver. Katong is not willing to live in southern Xinjiang for the rest of his life, he once heard Uncle said that the Central Plains is vast, and it is more beautiful and rich, so Katong has always wanted to go to the Central Plains to have a look, which is why he wants to save Han silver, he needs money, and it is a lot of money, so that he has the capital to go to the Central Plains, and bring Uncle to live together.

Speaking of this, Chu Xunyu and the three of them understood his intentions, and it was not the first time that Katong himself had encountered a vigilant guest like Chu Xunyu, after all, everyone would be wary when he went out, and there were often merchants who asked him to stay overnight together. Chu Xunyu asked, "How long have you been doing this?"

"It's been more than two years. Katong snapped his fingers and replied, "I guess it will take another five years to save up." ”

"How much money do you want?" Chu Xunyu asked again.

Katong thought for a while: "Even with food and housing, I still want to open a small business, it is estimated that it will cost more than fifty taels." ”

"It's a lot of money. Chu Xunyu nodded and asked, "I have a job here, are you willing to take it?" If you do, I am willing to give you a rich reward to save you from all these years of hard work. ”

"I don't do anything that is illegal. Katong looked at the three of them warily.

"There is no need to break the law. Mu Yuan explained funny, "It's the first time we've come here, we need a guide, you speak well in Chinese, you can be our guide." ”

"It's as simple as that?"

"It's as simple as that. ”

"How much do you give?"

"I'll give you fifty taels at a time. Chu Xunyu stretched out his hand generously.

"What the hell do you want to do?" said Katong, his brow furrowed, and it seemed that he was also very defensive.

Chu Xunyu smiled and said: "Didn't I tell you that we are here for the first time, we need you to be a guide, and I am very interested in the customs of southern Xinjiang, I want to record the story here, I heard that there are many legends in the ancient songs of your Miao people, so I want to collect them, you help me translate them into Chinese, and in the future, I will go back to the Central Plains to find a bookstore to organize and make money, and I will also share your share." ”

"That's ......" Katong probably understood, but he still asked in confusion, "I've heard ancient songs too, but they were all from many years ago, and I don't remember very well, so it will take a long time for you to inquire about them." ”

"It's okay, we have a lot of time. Mu Yuan hurriedly signaled.

"Alright then, I promise you. Katong nodded, "Tomorrow I will go back and talk to my uncle to see if he agrees, but you have to pay me some money first to take care of my uncle's life, and he will also sing a tune of an ancient song, you can listen to it." ”

"Can he sing?" the three of them were taken aback.

"Yes. Katong smug, "This thing is passed down by word of mouth among the older generation, but it is incomplete, after all, it is too long, you can try it first." ”

"Okay, that's it. Chu Xunyu was very satisfied with this answer, no matter whether his uncle really could sing or not, but at least he was familiar with the people in the village, in addition to him, he could also find other Miao old people to sing, and the final word was made at the moment, "Rest for one night, and go to your uncle tomorrow ......"