Chapter 26 Chapter One

The haze is compact, misty and rainy.There are a dozen or so sailing boats moored faintly on the river, and only black silhouettes can be seen in thick water mist.Overlooking Shicuizhou and Baietan, hidden in the deep mist, it seems to be connected with the sky. Tao Gan and Qiao Tai leaned against the stone railing and watched for a long time, silent.In the middle of the river, the ripples are in circles, and the old fish blow the waves.There are jagged rocks under the embankment, and the turbid waves beat.Not far from them, a large merchant ship was unloading, and a group of coolies came down from the side of the ship to the pier with the cargo on their shoulders.

"Brother Qiaotai, I really don't understand. After staying in the capital for twenty years, why did the master suddenly get excited and come down to Guangzhou in person? - You must know that Dali Temple Minister does not leave Chang'an easily if there is no very important matter." "Brother Tao, don't say that the master is getting old and hasn't acted for a long time. Even you and I are in our forties. How can we compare with the muscles and bones when we were arrested in the prefectures and counties. It is also the same to send you and me to follow this time." It's rare. For more than 20 years in the capital, my master and I only meet a few times a year, and we are not as close as before."

Tao Gan also felt sentimental: "Although I was the master bookkeeper in Dali Temple, I was always blocked by official etiquette, and it was rare to talk freely together. In the past, I used to write papers with ink and pen in the official room, and the master lived deep in Gouzhu. The remaining official documents have been exchanged." Qiao Tai sighed: "This time the master sent us two specially, and it also meant to reminisce about the old friendship. It's a pity that Ma Rong is not here. After he married a pair of sisters, blue, white and scarlet, he can no longer be at ease. I heard that Don’t dare to go home when you’re drunk.”

Tao Gan smiled: "You and I are still happy. We are alone, how free we are. In the blink of an eyelid, we arrived in Guangzhou lightly. Twenty years later, I also want to take a closer look at the old places. " Qiao Tai sighed again: "I'm afraid it's the last time I will remember the master. Although I am a captain of Guo Yi in the sixteen guards of the capital now, the discipline is cumbersome and lifeless. How can I be as active as a detective with the master in the past. "After that, he unbuttoned his collar to let in the cool breeze. Tao Gan stepped forward to protect him and said, "Brother Qiaotai, don't reveal your identity. I've already seen the double dragon gold emblem on your inner armor robe. The master has repeatedly instructed, there must be deep danger."

Qiaotai fastened his collar button and looked at the big food merchant ship that was unloading.There are a few beards on and off the boat, and the turbaned overseer is there calling for coolies. "Master told us to pay more attention to the movement of the pier, I'm afraid we need to investigate the illegal smuggling of the boats." Tao Gan said. Qiao Tai frowned: "This should be the work of the officials of the Shipbuilding Department. You and I don't understand the many prohibitions on trade in Haiyi Road." Tao Gan said again: "My lord told you and me to live in two separate hotels and not to show our whereabouts. It must be a precaution. The Five Immortals Hotel you live in is in the Fanfang where the Hu people live, so you must be careful. "

Qiao Tai laughed and said, "Are you afraid that I will be devoured by barbarians? Brother Tao, after walking by the pier for half a day, I'm really hungry. Let's find a restaurant." The two walked west along the pier, and gradually saw more and more pedestrians and vendors.After passing the Shibosi Office, you will see the tower of Xiaonanmen.Outside Xiaonanmen, vendors gathered along the embankment of the river, and the market was lively, with noisy voices, endless stalls, and a thriving market. There is a small hotel at the root of Xiaonanmen.The two lifted the bead curtain and walked into the shop.There was an oil lamp hanging in the middle of the shop, and it was very dim.The diners were noisy, the floor was wet and slippery, the leftover soup and vegetables were spilled on the floor, and there was a strange smell of sour wine and salted fish.

The two found an empty seat and sat down.Tao Gan called wine and vegetables in Cantonese.At this time, a diner with a neat long beard also followed the hotel, sat at the table on their left, and shouted for drinks alone.On a table at the entrance of the hotel sat a hideous dwarf. After a while, the waiter brought up the food and wine.The dishes are served in porcelain bowls with a closed lid and a plate underneath.The tin cup that holds the wine is covered with a small and thin bamboo basket, which is very elegant.Qiao Tai took a sip of the wine, and suddenly felt that it was fragrant and smooth, and he felt it was delicious.Even though the place is sloppy, the food is top-notch.

When Tao Gan picked up a piece of scallion and snake shreds and was chewing, he suddenly saw the dwarf on the table at the door looking at them viciously, talking to a guest sitting next to him from time to time, and he was startled.Suddenly, I saw the bearded man on the left table secretly looking at the two of them, but he just dodged on purpose so as not to be noticed. ——Tao Gan has sharp eyes and is a master of the game, how can he hide it from him. He kicked Qiao Tai with his toe, blinked his eyes, nunu at the corner of his mouth, and swiped a few times with wine on the table.Chotai understands.The two were uncomfortable, but saw that there was only one diner sitting at the table on the right. The diner had a wide mouth, a strong physique, and was dressed as a barbarian, like a sailor on a boat.

Tao Gan deliberately went up to strike up a conversation, but the diner was speaking in Guangzhou dialect, so he felt speculative.Seeing that Qiaotai was tall and well-known for being a hero, he moved to a table and chatted while eating. The wine was hot, and there was no suspicion after two sips, Tao Gan asked: "You are not a barbarian, why are you dressed like this?" "My surname is Ni, and my name is Tianji. I run a shipping fleet. I specialize in the business of Haiyi Road, and often go to Persia, Dashi, and Daqin countries. The fleet also employs more foreign customers to operate, so I gradually become familiar with their language and clothing. , I don’t feel the estrangement. In fact, I was born and raised in Guangzhou. —— I guess, the two are from the north, so I don’t know why you come to Guangzhou?”

Qiao Taishi said: "Our master is the new governor of Lingnan, and he is going south for official business, inspecting the trade affairs in Haikou. The two of us are just retinues." Ni Tianji smiled and said: "It is indeed an officer. I will know the news when I see the double dragon golden emblem flashing in your robe." Qiao Tai quickly lifted up his robe, and said with a sneer, "Actually, it's just a Wu Bian." Ni Tianji said: "To tell you the truth, I am also good at swordsmanship, and I have also learned the essence of the scimitar and short crossbow of the Fan people. Therefore, if you go through the wind and waves, you will not be afraid of thieves and pirates."

Qiao Tai was sympathetic: "Seeing Mr. Ni's physique, you know he is a hero. It's too late to see each other today. Mr. Ni doesn't dislike it, and we will be friends for many years." Ni Tianji replied: "I have exactly this intention. The two of you have some free time between official duties, so it would be nice to come to the cold house to get together. Not to mention other things, it is all kinds of bows, knives and swords that I have searched for in the rest of my life. I think the two of you also have It is interesting to watch. Most of them are from Fanbang, which are strange and weird." Qiao Tai was overjoyed: "I can't ask for it. I have free time after breakfast tomorrow." Ni Tianji suddenly asked: "I don't know the name of the strong man yet. Where are you two staying?" "My name is Qiao Tai. I live in the Five Immortals Hotel, behind the Huaisheng Temple. There is an area where Hu people live." "This gentleman is..." Tao Gan laughed and said, "My surname is Gan. I see that I live in Henan and have to travel by boat, which is very inconvenient." Ni Tianji smiled: "Mr. Qiao, I will send a sedan chair to pick you up at the Five Immortals Hotel tomorrow morning." Chotai agreed.Tao Gan paid the bill, and the two bid farewell to Ni Tianji and came out of the hotel.Seeing that the sky has cleared, the sun is sinking to the west, and the river wind is blowing, it is cool.Rows of large and small ships under the embankment are all inhabited, and cooking smoke rises from the stern of the ship.The fishing fire is shining on the river, the sound of the flute is intermittent, and the smoke gradually fades to coincide with the evening mist.The embankment has already been lit with lights, stretching for several miles, and the night market is opening. The two of them turned into the small south gate, and saw that the market was bustling with chariots and horses galloping side by side.Tao Gan planned to take a sedan chair back to the Governor's Office, the place where Mr. Di was stationed.Qiao Tai turned his head several times, searching the crowd with his eyes. "Brother Tao, I feel like someone is following us." Tao Gan quickly looked around, shook his head, wondering. "Qiao Tai, the master asked us to meet at the time when we lighted the lanterns. There is plenty of time, why don't you and I go back to the yamen of the Governor's Mansion separately. If someone is following you, it will be difficult to see both ends." Qiao Tai praised Shan: "I was about to go back to the Five Immortals Hotel to change my clothes, and I was completely soaked. When the alcoholism came, it was the time to hold the lamps, so there would be no delay."