Chapter 682 A New Discovery at Last!
, just call me Yong Shent. Your mother-in-law is busy greeting guests, your fourth aunt is taking care of the banquet, only I'm here to take care of you."Wenjuan heard Jiayuan talk about the situation...Without saying what the Li family guessed, let's just say that in Xin Du, in front of a tavern, two half-sized boys were sweeping the steps with brooms.
A young man ran out of the house, shoving two white steamed buns into their hands. He grinned and said, "Da He, Xiao He, are you hungry Quickly eat something to fill your stomachs. The shopkeeper specifically told me to bring these for you!"
Two half-sized boys quickly thanked them, but after taking the steamed buns, they put them in their pockets and kept busy with their work.
The young lads were idle at the moment, so they rolled up their sleeves and stood aside chatting idly with them.
The big, honest-looking man named He was diligently shoveling dirt from the steps, muttering complaints to his companions in a low voice.
These wealthy masters, after drinking alcohol, truly have no decorum. Just now, Master Bao vomited right here as soon as he stepped out the door.
"The weather is so cold, I rushed over to fix it, but I still got frostbite."
"Isn't that right!" the young man mumbled, lowering his voice. "Don't be fooled by their appearances; they might be up to no good behind our backs!"
The great river approached him, asking mysteriously: “Xiao Liguo, I heard from Old Master Bao and the others that they are going to some Yaochi. And when they talk about it, their laughter is so strange.”
"What place is that It's really the Queen Mother's Yaochi, isn't it Are there fairies there"
The young man was startled and quickly covered the river's mouth. He looked around warily, relieved when he saw no one.
The big river, as if frightened out of its wits, shrank beside the young man, a look of panic on its face. "Brother," it asked in a hushed voice, "is this something we shouldn't be saying"
Perhaps he was touched by the affectionate "ge," the young man hesitated for a moment, leaning into Dahui's ear and whispering, "This place called Yaochi is not something to be spoken of lightly. That place is incredibly ominous!"
The river shrank back even further and asked, "Brother, you can rest assured, I won't say anything. It was just something I happened to hear. You know this place, right"
The little guy couldn't help but show off, nearly whispering a few words.
"Last time, when the old master and his party finished their meal and left, someone dropped a jade pendant on a chair. The shopkeeper asked me to go after it."
"I chased him all the way to the plum garden near the border of Dongcheng and Beicheng before I could return the jade pendant. I thought the area was interesting and wanted to take a closer look, but someone jumped out and choked me directly."
"It was still the old master who pleaded for me, and I was let go. Mother, I almost died. "
That place is definitely no good. You shouldn't talk about it or ask any questions, or your life might be in danger!
The Big River nodded vigorously, startled like a quail.
The young man felt relieved and went back inside when the shopkeeper called for someone.
The big river at the foot of the steps and the small river met eyes, continuing to sweep snow with all their might until in front of the tavern entrance was spotless.
The shopkeeper walked to the door and glanced at it, quite satisfied. He nodded at the two people.
The original elderly, sick and disabled people from the relief office were just like the rats in this new city, annoying and unwelcome.
Some people, with a bit of pride, honestly beg on the streets. Others, more brazen, engage in petty theft and such underhanded dealings that even mentioning them makes people frown.
Thankfully, Li Boge requested a position from the emperor to manage the relief office.
After several months of adjustments, the Relief Agency has undergone a major transformation.
The original beggars and displaced people all picked up brooms to sweep the streets. In autumn, they swept fallen leaves; in winter, they swept snow.
Each household on the street only needs to pay a few dozen copper coins a month, and their front doors are always clean every day.
Occasionally, I spill something dirty, and someone helps clean it up.
Moreover, these relief workers never bother guests or beg for money; they are very well-mannered.
As time went on, everyone figured out the benefits and grew accustomed to this convenience.
So, those few dozen coins were willingly paid.
Like their restaurant, they are also willing to donate some of the leftover rice and dishes every day.
The fabric shop next door is willing to take even coarse cloth that has been eaten by insects or has become moldy, for a couple of yards.
In general, everyone and the relief organization people have reached a preliminary understanding of mutual benefit.
The big and small rivers lined up neatly and bowed to the shopkeeper before moving on to the next house.
Not until nightfall and the start of street cleaning did they return to the relief agency's courtyard.
Inside and outside the courtyard, it was even cleaner than ever.
There was a faint glow from the stove, and the scent of cooked rice lingered in the air.
Next to the kitchen, an oil lamp flickered, illuminating over twenty children inside who were diligently practicing calligraphy under the guidance of a scholar.
The children were not very old, about seven or eight years old. Their jackets and trousers weren't quite a good fit, patched in places but sturdy and well-kept.
They strained, hands clasped behind their backs and chests puffed out, looking very serious.
The scholar didn't know what he said, but the children all responded loudly and confidently.
The Big River and Little River put down their brooms and still wanted to go into the inner courtyard, but they were stopped by an old woman who came out from the kitchen.
"Big river, little river, hurry up and eat! I've left two bowls of congee for you. Today there are also sorghum pancakes!"
The big river and the small river hurriedly waved their hands. The big river said, "Wang grandma, let us go talk to Zheng manager first, and we'll be right back."
The old woman didn't insist any further, "Go ahead, today Big Zheng is in charge."
Li Bo-ye had two constant attendants, one named Zheng Feng and the other named Zheng He.
When Mr. Li was not at the Relief Office, he would leave an attendant there. The one in charge of Dajing was Zheng Feng.
The little river ran behind and found Zheng Feng when he was eating.
He must have eaten quite well. There was a bowl of porridge, two steamed buns, and a roasted chicken on the table.
The big river and the small river knocked on the door to come in. They didn't want to eat the roast chicken, but instead they carefully recounted the news they had heard.
Zheng Feng heard this and frowned, but his heart was filled with joy.
They had been searching for over a month and finally found the specific location.
"Alright, I understand. I'll remember your efforts today. You don't need to check on things anymore afterwards, just be careful!" Zheng Feng instructed, "As for the Princess's Manor, keep a close eye on it. Report everything, big or small."
The big river and the small river appeared to be very close to Zheng Feng. The big river grinned and asked, "Big Zheng, what do you think Should we brothers go and replace the big sea and the small sea They've been watching over the Wang family for a while now, but haven't gotten anything."
Zheng Feng glared at them. "Mind your own business," he said. "Everyone has their own responsibilities, and we can't just swap them around willy-nilly. That way, we risk missing crucial details!"
Having said that, he tore the two legs of the roasted chicken and gave them to his brothers, saying, "Eat first and then go out. Come back anytime if you have anything."
The big river and the small river rubbed their hands together, then took the chicken leg. After three or two bites, they ran away.
They went to the front and ate up the thin rice porridge and sorghum cakes in the kitchen. As for the steamed buns they had tucked away, they would wait until their younger siblings who were studying finished class and give them those to tide them over.
Although they are called Big River and Little River, they are not biological brothers. They are simply partners who work together on assignments.
They all have younger siblings they need to take care of.
Last year at this time, they held their shivering younger siblings, enduring hunger and cold, suffering day and night, always on the brink of death.
Now they have enough to eat and wear, and their younger siblings can go to school.
All they have to do is be a little clever, acting as their master's eyes and ears...ager. Your Majesty favors your servant, yesterday I went to the palace to accompany the Princess. This morning, just after waking up, the Princess pulled me here to greet you.”It was supposed to be a...