diymy What does Chapter 27 mean?
What does Chapter 27 mean?
After the young master's death, Zheng Tu knew nothing about the enraged family, the arrest warrants issued, and the reward offered for his capture. He was too lazy to know.
However, his yellow horse eventually broke in the woods, and Zheng Tu had no choice but to walk through the mountain path.
Although he had lived two lives, he had little experience of trekking long distances through such deep mountains and forests.
Bited by mosquitoes and flies during the day, sleeping in wetlands at night, and inhaling some forest miasma, he developed a high fever after three to five days.
At first, Zheng Tu felt dizzy and lightheaded, but he still managed to keep going. Later, his whole body was burning hot, his vision was going black, and he could no longer walk. He finally managed to reach a small village in a mountain valley.
The village has only twenty or thirty households, with mud walls and thatched huts, where the sounds of chickens and dogs can be heard.
Zheng Tu found a kind-looking old man, asked for a bowl of water, and inquired whether there was a doctor in the village.
Seeing his flushed face and unsteady gait, the old man sighed, "Sir, you've been infected by miasma and caught a cold. That blind man Li at the east end of the village knows a little about medicine; please come with me."
The blind man, Li, wasn't truly blind; he simply suffered from an eye ailment that caused him to squint. After taking his pulse and examining his tongue, Li shook his head and said, "Evil qi has entered the lungs; he needs rest and recuperation."
He prescribed several kinds of wild herbs and instructed the patient to avoid meat, fish, wind, and cold.
Zheng Tu then rented a woodshed at his father-in-law's house to live in. The illness came on suddenly and he lay in bed for more than a month before his condition improved. After another two months of recuperation, he finally recovered completely.
Although the county officials inspected the village twice during this period, the village was remote, and the officials only asked a few questions at the village entrance before leaving without investigating further.
Although the village was peaceful, it was ultimately too shabby.
Having grown accustomed to bustling crowds, Zheng Tu felt increasingly uncomfortable after three months in this small village. Moreover, overhearing villagers discussing a major murder case and the ongoing manhunt, he dared not linger any longer.
Once he was fully recovered, Zheng Tu thanked the old man, paid for the room and medicine, and continued on his journey.
He thought to himself: This time I must find a bustling place to settle down properly, because I can't bear to live these days of running around and working hard any longer!
After traveling for another seven or eight days, they crossed a mountain ridge and suddenly the view opened up before them: they saw fertile plains, crisscrossed by paths, and in the distance, towering city walls, high city gate towers, and fluttering flags.
Upon closer inspection, the plaque above the city gate bears three large characters: Qinghe County.
Although Qinghe County was not a large county in the prefecture, it was a bustling place due to its location at a key point on the Grand Canal, attracting merchants from all over.
Zheng Tu immediately perked up: this place was indeed nice, quiet amidst the hustle and bustle, which perfectly suited his desire for a peaceful life.
So he straightened his clothes and strode into the city.
The county of Qinghe was indeed bustling: the streets were three zhang wide, paved with bluestone; shops lined both sides, their wine flags and tea banners fluttering in the wind; people carrying loads, pushing carts, riding horses, and sitting in sedan chairs came and went in droves; the sounds of hawking, shouting, and laughter filled the air. It was truly a densely populated and bustling place.
Caught up in the lively atmosphere, Zheng Tu's gloom of the past few days vanished, and his spirits soared.
He was already tall and strong, with broad shoulders and a thick back, and he had also developed a strong physique.
Now that his martial arts skills have improved, he walks with his chest out and head held high, his steps steady and powerful, with the air of a dragon and the stride of a tiger, exuding an aura of authority that is sure to attract attention.
As they were walking, they suddenly heard someone beside them loudly praise, "What a fine man!"
Zheng Tu turned his head and saw a handsome man of about twenty-five or twenty-six standing on the side of the street.
This man was tall and handsome, with a tasseled hat and a golden hairpin on his head, and a golden and jade bracelet around his neck; he wore a green silk robe and a silk sash around his waist; he wore fine-soled Chenqiao shoes and plain cloth socks; and he held a gold-flecked fan in his hand, which made him look even more like Zhang Sheng and Pan An.
However, there was a hint of frivolity in his brows, and his flirtatious eyes were intently scrutinizing Zheng Tu.
Seeing Zheng Tu looking at him, the man didn't flinch. Instead, he strode forward, bowed deeply, and said with a smile, "Hero, what a fine appearance you have! I run a small business in Qinghe County. To see such a heroic figure today is truly an honor. Meeting you is fate; would you like to join me for a few drinks?"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Tu couldn't help but chuckle.
People praise people, and this is the first time he has ever been praised as a hero since he came from Weizhou.
I couldn't help but look him up and down: his clothes were luxurious and elegant, and although his manners were frivolous and dissolute, he certainly looked like a son of a wealthy family.
As the saying goes, a person's reputation is based on their appearance, and a tree's on its bark. Given this man's discerning eye, Zheng Tu didn't rush to refuse.
He thought to himself, "This fellow is quite handsome, no less so than me. Judging from his speech and clothing, he's not some petty scoundrel. I'm new here, and if I want to make a name for myself, I need to make connections and gather information. He's come at just the right time."
After thinking for a moment, Zheng Tu returned the greeting with a cupped hand and said in a deep voice, "I am Zheng Tu from Shaanxi, and I am honored by your kindness, sir. Since you have invited me, let us go for a drink and have a chat."
The wealthy man's face immediately lit up with joy. He snapped his fan shut and laughed, "Excellent! Meeting Brother Zheng today is a perfect occasion; we should drink to our hearts' content. How about I treat you?"
Zheng Tu nodded: "I shall obey your command."
The handsome man pondered for a moment, then called over the servant beside him and instructed, "Dai'an, you're quick on your feet. Go to the big restaurant under the Lion Street Bridge and inform them to reserve the 'Canglang Pavilion' upstairs facing the street for me."
Teach them to choose the freshest vegetables and finest fruits, and make sure all the necessary dishes are prepared. Bring on all the delicacies, don't embarrass your great-uncle. Also, bring a few jars of 'Jade Pot Spring' wine from the cellar in the mansion!
The servant boy's real name was Dai'an. He was handsome, clever, and fair-skinned. He nodded repeatedly and ran off in a flash.
Upon hearing the name "Dai'an," Zheng Tu felt a sense of familiarity, as if he had heard it in some book before. However, his attention was quickly drawn to the man's words.
But for our first meeting, this fellow has prepared such a lavish feast?
What does this mean?
I realized that I had nothing of value, was a complete stranger in this place, and had not done anything wrong to anyone, so I was not worth someone spending so much money to cheat me.
Zheng Tu was puzzled.
The handsome man then turned to Zheng Tu and gestured for him to enter: "Brother Zheng, the restaurant isn't far from here. Let's walk slowly and talk."
The two then walked side by side, heading west along the street.
This wealthy man was quick-witted, pointing out the street scenes and talking about local customs along the way. Zheng Tu listened with a smile, occasionally responding with a word or two.
After walking less than a mile, a three-story restaurant stood by the river, with flying eaves and bracket sets, exuding an extraordinary grandeur. The plaque above the entrance bore three large golden characters: Lion Tower.
A waiter was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing the man, he bowed and smiled as if he were seeing a living Buddha, saying, "Sir, Canglang Pavilion is ready. Freshly slaughtered lamb and freshly caught river carp are waiting for your distinguished guest."
It is said: A chance encounter amidst life's hardships, a carefree youth recognizes a hero. What they discuss at the feast remains to be seen; let us find out in the next chapter.