The Great Seminary

Chapter 217 Half truth and half lie
It was still early in the morning.

The sun was only a semicircle resembling an egg yolk peeking out from the distant horizon.

However, crowds had already gathered on the streets of the inner city of Dalongdu.

Those who need to work should go to work, and those who need to open a shop should open a shop.

There were also shepherds and pig herders who drove herds of livestock into the city, delivering the freshest live meat to the market.

The car market is truly bustling with activity, a constant flow of people.

According to the intelligence provided by the black-haired parrot last night, although the Yuanshan Empire's palace is built in the center of the inner city's central axis in the 'Great Dragon Capital'.

However, Changsheng Tiemu had long resided in the 'Qiexue Imperial Guard Camp' tent at the foot of Tianyuan Mountain.

Therefore, the closer one gets to Tianyuan Mountain, the more distinguished people gather there.

Mr. Huaihe's newly opened study is most likely located here.

So Zhang Gui ate a unique breakfast at a roasted mutton soup stall on the street.

I wandered around the streets for a while, then found a clothing store and changed into a light and cool linen shirt and thin-soled boots.

I went outside and waved down a two-horse-drawn carriage with a pure white body.

"Master, go to the foot of Tianyuan Mountain."

The middle-aged coachman glanced down at the badge on his waist, then stretched out his five fingers.
“That’s far. I won’t be able to get back here until tomorrow night. That will cost me fifty taels of gold for the carriage.”

That's clearly asking for too much money.

It wasn't that Zhang Gui was unwilling to give, but rather that in an unfamiliar place, flaunting wealth in a carefree manner was a major taboo.

Others may have initially only been after money, but seeing how agreeable you seem, their greed may have grown stronger and stronger, eventually leading to murder.

Although I'm not afraid, it's always a hassle.

Therefore, he shook his head and countered:

"That price is a bit steep."

Here's twenty taels of gold.

"And I'll also cover your lunch and dinner when you go."

"Twenty-five taels it is, I won't haggle."

But the two meals provided must be delicious food with meat.

"Alright, let's go."

That's enough to convey the meaning.

Zhang Gui nodded and climbed into the carriage.

The two-horse carriage set off immediately.

A rented carriage can't possibly be very comfortable.

Inside the carriage were just a few straw cushions, and leather bags filled with clear well water hung on the walls.

Zhang Gui sat down on a cushion, lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, and looked outside.

The carriage turned left and right on the street and came to a very wide stone-paved road that seemed to be only passable by carriages.

Suddenly accelerating, it headed towards the majestic and continuous Tianyuan Mountain Range.

"Sir, I never expected that even you wolves would have a dedicated road for carriages."

"And what about those who ride horses, or those who ride exotic beasts? Do they also have designated paths?"

"Whether it's a horse, a mule, or a strange beast, it's all a mount."

There are also two main roads that run back and forth within the inner city.

And then there are the motorboats in the canal; those are the most comfortable ones.

The distinguished guests prefer to sit there.

The performer craned his neck, braving the hot wind, and answered loudly.

Seeing that he was struggling to answer, Zhang Gui didn't press further, thanked him, and fell silent.

The scenery outside was already monotonous, and he had no desire to lift the carriage curtain again.

He sat cross-legged with his five hearts facing the center, and closed his eyes.

Once you enter a meditative state, time flies by.

When Zhang Gui felt the carriage gradually slow down, he opened his eyes and it was already noon.

"It's time for lunch, sir. What would you like to order?"

"How about some roasted lamb? Two lambs, plenty of baked buns, and a big plate of meat noodles."

"You're so generous, sir. I'll have a taste too."

Upon hearing this, the coachman swallowed hard and smiled broadly.

"Then please find an established shop."

Zhang Gui gave one last instruction and lowered the carriage curtain.

After a short while, the carriage stopped. The driver got off first and helped Zhang Gui lift the curtain.

"Please get off the bus, sir."

Zhang Gui smiled politely and got off the carriage.

Across from us is an old shop with tables and chairs blackened by smoke, and a signboard with the words "Roasted Fatty Lamb" hanging high above the door.

Go inside and find a table to sit down.

Immediately, a waiter came over and quickly wiped away non-existent dust from the table.

With a cheerful and crisp voice, she greeted them:

"You two are here again. Today we have top-quality lamb ribs from a one-year-old lamb."

There's also a new hot oil mixed noodles dish, which is half mixed ingredients and half noodles, and it's very smooth.

"What would you like to order?"

"Two freshly roasted lambs..." Zhang Gui casually began ordering, but was suddenly interrupted.
"Two lambs won't do; we need at least ten."

In addition, I was also given 100 jin of lamb ribs from a one-year-old lamb.

Forget the hot oil noodles with offal, they're too cheap. Let's get twenty roasted lamb legs instead.

The shopkeeper noticed that the newcomer was dressed like a street thug, but the rhinoceros horn thumb ring on his thumb subtly indicated that he was either an old man from Yuanshan or the son of a nobleman.

Following behind were seven or eight companions, both men and women.

The smile on his lips immediately began to tremble.

"Young master is joking. Our little shop doesn't even sell ten lambs a day..."

"Shut up, do you think we're here to freeload?"

Zheng Changgong Baoyin glared at the shop assistant, then walked over to Zhang Gui's side and got down.

"The people from the West haven't changed their clothes all night."

Didn't you say you wanted to see me at noon today to discuss something?

Now I'm here.

You have to provide meals, right?

"Your Excellency has excellent eyesight; it seems I have indeed found the right person."

"Hey buddy, bring me the dishes my friend ordered."

Zhang Gui smiled at Zheng Changgong Baoyin, took out a 'worth 100' gold dog head from his sleeve, and tossed it to the shop assistant.

"Refund if overpayment, additional payment if underpayment."

Having received the money, the shop assistant's expression softened. He chuckled awkwardly, turned around, deposited the gold nugget into the counter, and then ran off to the kitchen.

"West Continent people, you have quite the generous hand, and your business is certainly not small."

"It's not exactly a small business, but if you say it's a big business, my face gets a little hot."

However, it's true that I'm not naturally inclined to make quick money through "one-off" deals; I prefer long-term, sustainable businesses.

Zheng Changgong Baoyin nodded with a forced smile, then suddenly turned to the coachman sitting at the opposite table, who was staring blankly, and said:

"Brother, I need to talk to your guest about something."

"Could you move aside and sit with one of my classmates?"

"No need, no need, I'll just take some food and eat it in the car."

The driver snapped out of his daze, stood up as if his hair had been singed by fire, and stepped aside.

Zheng Changgong and Baoyin then looked at Zhang Gui with satisfaction.

"Since we're going to get to know each other, I can't keep calling you a Westerner."

Please give me a name.

“You may call me Sir Winter.”

"Sir Winter, that's a rather unusual name."

Then please stop calling me "Zheng Changgong Baoyin, Zheng Changgong Baoyin".

Just call me Baoyin the Swordsman.

Tell me, what do you want us to help you with?

“I had an older man in the Ming and Song dynasties who did business with me in the ‘slow and steady’ way. His son was originally a student at the ‘Qingdou Academy’.”

Big Wolf came running.

Because Yuanshan and Ming-Song are now enemies, that official was at a loss for what to do.

Once I found out, I came here on my own initiative.

They wanted to take the person back.

(End of this chapter)