bookandnovel Chapter 6 Neighbors
Chapter 6 Neighbors
She turned her head and found that Old Huang had come again today, and the two people with him were wearing standard fine leather armor, which was very different from the leather armor worn by the garrison soldiers. Having lived in the northern frontier for many years, although she was a woman, she could still tell the difference. Only the platoon leader of the city guard was qualified to wear this kind of armor.
Especially one of them, wasn't he the boy who came to drink with Lao Huang?
It was Lu Yuan who had just called out, and Widow Li didn't ignore him. After all, the man wanted meat and vegetables, so this was practically delivering business to her. Therefore, she immediately replied, "Coming!"
After giving a shout, he brought out a plate of small cold dishes from the kitchen and placed a jar of wine on the table: "Please enjoy your drinks, the hot dishes will be ready soon."
Taking this opportunity, she glanced at Lu Yuan.
There's no doubt about it; they are indeed wearing standard armor of the rank of Shichang.
Not only was he young, but he also had a rugged and masculine appearance, far superior to the other rough men in this Icefield City.
Most importantly, he's so young! She's never seen a squad leader this young before.
However, still unsure, after leaving the table, she deliberately went to Wei Yong's table and, while pouring wine, whispered, "That young man over there, he was with Lao Huang yesterday, why is he wearing armor today?"
She seemed to be asking casually, while Zhang Gun, who was drinking nearby, whispered, "This sergeant position originally belonged to Brother Wei, but who the hell knows how it ended up with that newcomer."
He spoke with a hint of resentment.
Widow Li remained expressionless, smiled, and left.
But he felt a little uncomfortable. This sergeant position originally belonged to Wei Yong, but now it's gone.
However, considering that the other party was a local resident with savings and a shop on the street, I felt a little better. Besides, Wei Yong had also entered the country.
He doesn't seem any worse than a squad leader from out of town.
Lu Yuan, unaware of the intricacies involved, simply drank with Zhou He and Lao Huang.
After finishing their meal and leaving the restaurant, the three of them had become quite familiar with each other.
They each went home.
Back in Ice Valley Alley, Lu Yuan looked at the broken door, spent three hundred copper coins to get a new door panel from the carpenter next door, and then installed it again.
At this point, he didn't have much silver left in his pocket, only about seven taels. It was enough for him to live on, but buying pills was out of the question.
Although military merits can be exchanged for cultivation resources in the military camp, the main problem is that there are no military merits available right now.
Therefore, if you want to speed up your cultivation, you must find a way to make money.
We just finished installing the gate.
"Creak!"
The gate to the neighboring courtyard opened, and a young girl came into Lu Heng's view. She was about the same age as him, quite tall, only half a head shorter than him, and her snow-white skin reflected the sunlight.
With large, dark eyes, a delicate nose, and exquisitely beautiful features, she seemed to have been sculpted.
She was wearing a plain cotton dress and a snow-white sheepskin vest.
But it couldn't hide her already perfectly developed figure.
Her long hair was casually tied up.
Upon seeing Lu Yuan, she blushed at first, then stammered, "Big brother, my stove keeps smoking, could you help me take a look?"
The mother and daughter depended on each other for survival; there were no men in their household.
When minor problems arise, the neighbors always help.
But now many families in the alley have just lost someone, and the only person they can turn to for help is Lu Yuan.
"Oh, let me take a look."
He did not refuse and walked towards the girl's house.
Upon entering the courtyard, I was immediately struck by how bright and clean the small yard was.
Coughing could be heard from inside the room from time to time.
"My mother is in poor health and can't stand the smell of smoke, so I had no choice."
The girl twisted the hem of her clothes, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"It's alright, it's only right for neighbors to help each other out." Lu Yuan said as he pushed open the door and went inside.
The room was filled with a faint smell of medicine. A middle-aged woman lay on the bed, her face looking unwell. She wasn't very old, but her hair was already gray.
Judging from her facial features, she must have been a beauty when she was young.
Although she was a sick woman, Lu Yuan didn't know why, but he could feel a faint pressure emanating from her. It had nothing to do with her cultivation level, but rather the aura that a person in a superior position would develop. He had seen similar people in the past.
"I'm so sorry to trouble you," the woman said in a hoarse voice, trying to sit up.
"Cough cough cough..."
But as soon as he moved his body, he started coughing incessantly.
The girl could only help her mother lie down again.
Lu Yuan waved his hand: "Please don't be so polite. I'm young, so please treat me as a junior."
Then they began to inspect the stove.
After a moment, he smiled and said, "It's not a big problem, just that the chimney is blocked. I'll go check on the roof."
As he spoke, Lu Yuan went out the door. He leaped onto the roof and found that it was indeed the case. However, he immediately frowned. A tattered piece of clothing was stuffed inside, which was obviously done on purpose.
But he didn't say much, and threw the clothes away.
He jumped down.
The girl noticed that his palms were covered in dust, so she quickly brought out a basin of water.
"Quickly wash your hands."
Lu Yuan didn't stand on ceremony. After washing his hands, he said, "Is it still smoking?"
"It's all done, thank you big brother," the girl said cheerfully.
"That's good. You can come to me for any small jobs like this in the future." Lu Yuan said, and then prepared to walk out.
But then, the girl tugged at my sleeve: "It's getting late, stay for a meal, don't be shy."
Having said that, Lu Yuan couldn't very well refuse.
He glanced at the woman lying inside and saw that she was also reaching out to persuade him to stay, so he had no choice but to say, "Alright, let's have a meal then."
The girl smiled and said, "My name is Xiao Hua. You can call me by my name from now on, big brother."
"My name is Lu Yuan." The two officially became acquainted at this point.
"Brother Yuan, please sit down for a while. I'll go make the food; it'll be ready soon."
As the girl spoke, she turned and went into the inner room.
It is clear that she is very well-mannered and acts with grace and propriety, qualities that cannot be cultivated in an ordinary family.
A moment later, a cup of tea was brought out for Lu Yuan to drink.
Meanwhile, I started to get busy.
Meanwhile, at the Zhang family residence in Yunzhou, Zhang Hong sat in the living room with no expression on his face, but his eyes held a hint of joy.
Looking at Zhang He, the steward of the second branch, he said, "General Yunzhou has agreed that Zhang Zhe's position can be promoted this year. Our family has enough influence in the local area, but it is lacking in the military."
If things continue according to the family's plan, Zhang Zhe and his generation might produce a general, and then their path will be much easier.
He took a sip of tea as he spoke.
"I have to thank you for your planning, brother. Otherwise, Ah Zhe wouldn't have been able to get promoted, and he probably wouldn't even have been able to keep his job," Zhang He said softly.
"How is A-Yuan now? Have you heard anything from him?" Zhang Hong didn't respond. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then steered the conversation toward Lu Yuan.
"No, I sent people to inquire. After going to the Northern Frontier, it seems to have disappeared. No one knows which fortress they were assigned to. Everyone says they've never heard of this name," Zhang He quickly replied.
"The son of the General of Yunzhou has recently been inquiring about A Yuan's whereabouts."
His father, after all, valued the bigger picture and forbade him from mentioning the matter again.
Since he can't go to A-Zhe now, he's taking his anger out on A-Yuan.
Zhang Hong sighed.
Now is a crucial moment for Zhang Zhe's promotion, and his family also needs the support of the military, so they are powerless to stop him.
"Brother, what do you mean?" Zhang He's heart tightened, fearing that it would jeopardize his son's promotion.
"What could it mean? At this point, we can't let A-Yuan's situation hinder your son's career. In the future, we should take better care of the third branch of the family."
"Understood." Zhang He breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhang Hong remained silent.
But in his heart, he comforted himself, saying that everything was for the sake of the family.