69novels Chapter 207 Tan Sitong
Chapter 207 Tan Sitong
Chapter 207 Tan Sitong
The sound of horses' hooves was particularly clear on the dirt road, kicking up a light dust.
Liang Kuan reined in his horse and pointed to a cluster of low, dilapidated mud houses ahead, saying, "Sir, Baishi Town is just ahead."
Chen Wen rode up to catch up, his gaze sweeping over the small town.
The wind whipped up sand that stung my face. The streets were deserted, with only a few pedestrians hurrying by, their necks hunched.
On both sides were low adobe houses with peeling paint, revealing straw inside.
The few shops with tattered signs were deserted, presenting a desolate and bleak scene.
"Have you found them?"
Liang Kuan nodded: "The brothers of the Blood Flag Army have already gone to invite them, and we should have news soon."
"Well, let's find a place to stay and wait." Chen Wen spurred his horse toward a shop with a sign that read "tea" hanging at the entrance.
It was a tea shop that also served as an inn, and it was just as dilapidated, with the paint on the door panels already peeling off.
The two dismounted and entered the inn.
Although Baishi Town is small, it is a major transportation route to the capital.
It's clearly not mealtime, yet there are already many guests sitting here.
Liang Kuan looked around curiously, finding everything in this northern land new and exciting.
Upon seeing the two, the waiter excitedly ran over: "Gentlemen, would you like a meal or a room?"
"Let's start with a pot of hot tea." Chen Wen found a relatively clean table and sat down. "The food isn't urgent; we're waiting for a distinguished guest."
The waiter responded and turned to prepare the tea.
Just then.
The sound of horses' hooves came from the street outside again, growing louder as it approached, and soon stopped in front of the shop.
Then, a clear voice rang out: "Nine Jin, look at this place, so peaceful and serene, with lights shining in every home, all so charming—but I wonder, could this be another misunderstanding?"
Another lively voice immediately chimed in, "Young Master! Teacher Kang personally wrote a letter of invitation; how could it be a misunderstanding?"
The voice earlier carried a hint of helplessness: "You always only listen to half of what you're told, but you always say more than you need to say."
"That way you won't get bored, young master!" the boy replied with a grin.
As the sound rang out, two more people entered the inn.
The man in the lead had a lean face and bright eyes. Even in this humble shop, he possessed an air of refinement and integrity that set him apart from ordinary people.
Behind him followed a young man dressed as a servant, with bright eyes and a clever look on his face; he was the one who had been talking a lot earlier.
Seeing that another customer had arrived, the waiter hurriedly went up to greet him warmly: "Gentlemen, would you like to eat or stay overnight?"
The boy named Jiu Jin spoke first, his words flying: "Let's eat first! We've been walking for most of the day and we're starving! After we eat, we'll stay at the inn, take a nap, have breakfast tomorrow morning, then lunch, and then..." The innkeeper was dumbfounded by his string of words.
The man in the blue robe shook his head helplessly and said gently to the waiter, "Brother waiter, please don't be offended. My page is just a bit outspoken and talks too much. Let's eat first."
"Okay, okay!" The waiter quickly led them to an empty table.
Watching from the side, Liang Kuan couldn't help but whisper to Chen Wen, "Sir, that kid is really secretive, he's the complete opposite of his young master."
After he finished speaking, he did not hear a response from Chen Wen.
Turning around, I saw that Chen Wen had a very strange smile on his face!
Where has he seen that smile before?
In Hong Kong, was it Chen Wen who first met Ma Rulong?
But that's not right!
Sir, you've traveled all the way north to this desolate town, isn't it for that person?
What exactly is going on?
Liang Kuan was puzzled.
Nine-Jin, with his sharp ears, seemed to have overheard Liang Kuan's mutterings. He immediately turned around, glaring at him: "Hey, brother, you can't say that!"
As the saying goes, words reflect the heart; being talkative indicates a quick mind and warmheartedness! If everyone were so quiet and reserved, wouldn't the world be utterly boring?
"Besides, my young master is very learned and often ponders things. If I don't speak up for him, my mouth will probably rust, and then—"
He spoke in one breath, quickly and in a convoluted manner, leaving Liang Kuan completely bewildered and at a loss for words.
Upon seeing this, the man in the blue robe quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in apology towards Liang Kuan and Chen Wen, and said with proper demeanor, "Gentlemen, I am truly sorry. I have failed in my duty of discipline, and my son is young and ignorant, so his words were offensive. Please forgive him."
Chen Wen had already stood up and returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Brother, you flatter me. It was my subordinate who spoke without thinking first."
His gaze fell on the man in the blue robe, and his heart stirred.
Tan Fusheng! It really is him!
Seeing Ma Rulong before was a pleasant surprise, similar to seeing a classic character while following a celebrity.
But seeing this person now evokes completely different feelings.
It was a complex mix of overwhelming admiration and a touch of sorrow, quite similar to the feeling I had when I met Sun Yat-sen.
I never expected to see them here!
Chen Wen hesitated for a moment, then quickly extended his hand in invitation: "It's fate that we've met. If you don't mind, sir, why don't you sit down with me?"
Tan Sitong was slightly taken aback. He looked at the other empty tables in the shop, and then at Chen Wen.
Both of them had short hair and wore dresses, making them stand out in this small northern town, which aroused his curiosity.
To be honest, he didn't want to get involved with strangers, but the other person was very polite and dressed so strangely.
Perhaps we could have a chat?
Chen Wen, observing the situation, added with a smile, "We came from Lingnan and brought some southern snacks with us. They're not worth much, but they're quite fresh."
As he spoke, he casually pulled out an oil paper package from under the table, untied the string, and revealed several delicate and exquisite pastries inside.
There were shrimp dumplings with a translucent skin, shortbread shaped like a sparrow's tongue, and several pieces of taro cake with an enticing color.
Liang Kuan's eyes widened instantly, and he subconsciously looked under the table.
Wait a minute? There's nothing down there!
Sir, where did these snacks come from? I've been following you the whole way, how come I don't remember bringing any of these things?
When Jiu Yi saw those exquisite pastries she had never seen before, her eyes lit up immediately. She couldn't help but swallow hard and looked longingly at her young master.
"Young Master—"
Tan Sitong was also taken aback. He looked at Chen Wen's open and honest smile, and then at Jiu Jin's greedy look, and couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.
With a hint of helplessness, he cupped his hands and said, "In that case, I'll trouble you."
Having said that, he calmly sat down opposite Chen Wen.
Nine-Jin cheered and quickly sat down next to his young master, his eyes never leaving the bag of pastries. Chen Wen gestured for Liang Kuan to arrange the tea and snacks, and then called the waiter to refill the teacups. Pointing to the pastries one by one, he introduced them: "These are shrimp dumplings, filled with fresh shrimp, with a thin and translucent skin. This is chicken fat pastry, it melts in your mouth. This is taro cake, savory, fragrant, and soft—"
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"These are all common tea snacks in the Lingnan area, but they may be less common in the north. Brother Tan and little brother Jiu Jin may wish to try them."
Jiu Jin couldn't contain himself any longer. Upon hearing this, he immediately picked up a shrimp dumpling and stuffed it into his mouth, mumbling, "So delicious! So fresh!"
"Nine catties!" Tan Sitong whispered to stop him, bowing apologetically to Chen Wen.
"You flatter me. My name is Tan Sitong, courtesy name Fusheng. May I ask your esteemed name?"