Outside the city, about three li away from the city, Hsu Fengnian rode his horse on the road that was filled with pedestrians. He deliberately restrained his Qi so that his Fata Morgana was gone. He was sweating profusely like a normal person. Hsu Fengnian was not in a hurry to enter the city. There were trees on both sides of the road, but there were rules and regulations. The watermelon farmers who sold watermelons did not dare to approach the road. They only set up their tents 20 steps away from the road to sell their watermelons. Hsu Fengnian dismounted his horse and led it out of the road. He walked on the gravel road. Merchants and travelers often haggled. Those who were good at haggling could bargain from 50 copper coins to 10 copper coins for a catty of watermelons. Hsu Fengnian led his horse slowly and saw a robust old farmer who had erected a wooden board in front of his stall. Hsu Fengnian looked at the sun-tanned watermelon farmer. The latter, who was squatting on the ground, also looked at him. The latter seemed to have noticed that Hsu Fengnian's money pouch was not empty. He grinned and said, "Young master, pick one? If it's not tasty, I don't want a single copper coin from you! "
Hsu Fengnian, who had wanted to continue forward, stopped and joked, "Even if it's tasty, if I say it's not tasty, will you still take my money?"
The old farmer's eyes were not like those of the unruly people. He said, "I still won't take your money."
Hsu Fengnian let go of the reins and squatted down. There was a pile of watermelons, but he did not know where to start. "Uncle, help me pick one."
The old farmer brought over a small stool for Hsu Fengnian. He knocked on the watermelons and put them down. Then, he picked a watermelon that was not small. It was about seven to eight catties. He skillfully smashed it with his fist. The watermelon was brittle and roughly split in half. He handed it to Hsu Fengnian. Hsu Fengnian opened the watermelon and asked while eating, "This watermelon is not cheap."
The old farmer smiled and said, "Other places can also lower the price to 10 copper coins for a catty. But my watermelon field is good and the melons are sweet. Young master, take a look. My melons here are more than five catties. Some of the bigger ones are more than ten catties. In fact, no matter how I sell them, it's not expensive. If you have shallow eyes and only pick the big ones, a catty of melons won't even be 10 copper coins. But in my opinion, seven to eight catties are the best. They are about twelve or thirteen copper coins. a catty. My family also has some business to make money. I don't want to rely on this to make a fortune. Also, I don't want to have a dirty relationship with the nearby melon farmers who only rely on selling melons to make a living for a few copper coins. It's not easy for people to go out into the world. It's enough to have enough to eat and wear. "
Hsu Fengnian did not expect the old farmer to be so talkative. He smiled and said, "No wonder Old Brother has such spirit. It turns out that you have a big heart."
The melon farmer, who was already sixty years old but did not show the slightest signs of decay, also cut open a melon. He did not eat the core of the melon. He started from the edge and left the good stuff for last. It was the same as Hsu Fengnian's way of eating. He was a little stingy. When the old farmer saw this scene, he smiled and said, "I have also read some books, but not many. When I speak, I like to steal some words from books. I'm afraid that a scholar like young master will look down on me."
Hsu Fengnian said self-deprecatingly, "Uncle, you are scolding me."
The old man wiped the corner of his mouth with his sleeve and laughed heartily, "I don't dare. I really envy scholars."
Hsu Fengnian nodded and said, "All day long, they point at the rivers and mountains, rule the country and pacify the world. It seems like they can do anything. Without them, it is impossible. In fact, they can't do anything. Uncle, if a scholar comes to sell melons, can he sell more than the surrounding melon farmers? "
The old man shook his head and said, "Young master is generalizing. Scholars also have powerful characters who are good at civil and martial arts. During the Spring and Autumn period, there were a lot of Confucian generals."
As if he was afraid that his words would annoy the young master and that Hsu Fengnian would not pay, the old melon farmer said with a smile, "Scholars have a scholar's work. After earning a thousand zhong millet from books and a house of gold, it is better to be able to cry out for the common people. Selling melons will be handed over to an old man like me. Well water does not interfere with river water, and we can all live a good life. For example, young master, when you were young, you carried a book to study. Reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand li was the best thing. "
Hsu Fengnian chewed on the watermelon and said with a smile, "Uncle's experience can be said to be insightful. Indeed, there are crouching tigers and hidden dragons in the marketplace. "
The old melon farmer was particularly happy to be flattered by a scholar. Every wrinkle on his weathered face revealed a sense of comfort and contentment. "Young master, you can listen to this old man's nonsense. You are a real scholar."
Hsu Fengnian smiled and asked, "Then this melon?"
The old farmer was stunned for a moment. With a helpless expression, he said, "I'll sell it to you for fifty copper coins. I can't go any lower."
Hsu Fengnian finished eating more than half of the watermelon. He took out a small piece of silver from his money pouch. It was about a hundred copper coins. He handed it to the old melon farmer, who spoke well but could not be considered too elegant. He said, "Don't give me any extra money. Just treat it as buying two melons and giving one to Uncle to eat."
The old melon farmer stared blankly for a moment before praising, "Who said that scholars can't sell melons? If Young Master sells melons, I guarantee that it won't take more than a few years for you to buy a sizable residence in the city."
Hsu Fengnian also said helplessly, "Uncle, if you say so, I really can't eat a second melon."
The old farmer said straightforwardly, "Listen to what young master is saying. In a moment, this old man will give you a cloth bag. Take two melons and hang them on the horse's back. When you get to the city, find an inn with well water to chill them. You can fish them out before you talk. They are very cold."
After Hsu Fengnian finished eating the melon, he sat on a small stool and looked at the scenery in Wuhou City. Perhaps it was because he was in an oasis, he looked along the relay road. The clouds were thick and heavy, layer upon layer, and fell straight down. It was as if they were about to press down on the city. It was as if the clouds of the Ninth Heaven were hanging down. There was only a fine line between heaven and earth.
In this fine line, there was a building with a raised eave in the city that was the most eye-catching.
Following Hsu Fengnian's line of sight, the old farmer said, "That is Lei Ming Temple. Once you enter the temple, you will see two rows of eighteen Heavenly Kings with fearful eyes. Those who are timid will feel guilty and won't dare to burn incense and worship Buddha. Outside the temple is Xihe State's famous Spring of Joy. Even the Bodhisattva who glares at Vajra would lower his eyebrows. Scholars and beauties with prominent status would be happy to tour the temple. The Spring of Joy has become more and more foul in recent years. In fact, there is nothing to see. If young master believes in Buddha, it is better for you to go to Lei Ming Temple. Young master, don't worry. There are many important people in the city. However, it is hard to say that there are none who openly bully men and women, but they can be counted with one's fingers. Young master is also a scholar, so it is even more impossible for them to bully you. "
Hsu Fengnian smiled, "Uncle, if you say so, then it can be seen that Xihe State's Jiedushi not only rules the army, but also governs the government. He is worthy of being a pillar of the imperial court."
The old farmer smiled, shook his head and said, "I said that it is not accurate."
Hsu Fengnian looked at the Lei Ming Temple that really towered into the clouds. He muttered to himself, "Mortals seek freedom all their lives."
The squatting old farmer held a hollow melon and sighed, "The Bodhisattva is happy for nothing."
Both of them looked at each other and smiled.
After Hsu Fengnian stood up, the old farmer really picked two melons and put them in two cloth bags for him. Hsu Fengnian did not refuse and accepted them calmly. He hung one on each side of the horse's back. After getting on the horse, he sat on the horse's back and cupped his fists to bid farewell. The old farmer waved his hand with a smile.
In life, people who meet by chance meet and then part, it cannot withstand scrutiny. Most of the time, they will never meet again. It is very rare for them to not hate each other and even leave a good impression.
Hsu Fengnian did not think about this. He only thought that he met an interesting old man from Beimang. In his heart, he was still thinking about the upcoming sneak trip to Wuhou City. Perhaps it would be as dangerous as Tuoba Chunsun's assassination and hunt.
In the past, in Beiliang, which seemed to be an iron bucket but was actually surging with undercurrents, people from all walks of life came to seek revenge on him. All kinds of stories and legends, countless joys and sorrows, could be compiled into a book, "One Hundred Ways to Assassinate the Butcher Xu Xiao and the Hedonistic Prince" and a book, "Assassin's Men of Sacrifice Encyclopedia". Most of these dead people did not change until death. Even if they had to sacrifice their lives, they would still fly into the fire. However, many of the so-called blood feuds could be traced back to his grandfather's generation. But when it came to killing His Royal Highness, no one would be soft-hearted. Hsu Fengnian knew that when he succeeded the King of Beiliang one day, the number of assassinations would only increase and not decrease. The reason was very straightforward. If he could not kill the Butcher, who claimed that even the King of Hell did not dare to accept him, wouldn't it mean that he could not kill a child of Beiliang who could not even compete for military power?
If Chen Zhibao did not want to kill Hsu Fengnian, there were plenty of people who wanted to kill him. There was no need for the White-clothed Warrior Immortal to kill him with a borrowed knife.
Hsu Fengnian carried his sword, his box, and his melons, and headed straight for Wuhou City.
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