Chapter 9: Qin Qiong Sells Horses, Liu Mu Sells Mouths

Qin Qiong was already on the verge of tears, the story is fictional, yet it is based on real events, making it even more touching than reality. Among the lines, one phrase is indeed true: heroes appreciate each other.

En! Qin Qiong merely nodded

I have fragrant soap, and ten miles to the west is a wealthy household. That lady who enjoys wearing red may perhaps buy a box, but I do not even know how to approach the door of that wealthy household.

Moreover, they are all prominent figures in the court; saying that nine out of ten are familiar with each other is somewhat understated. As for A Bao, he truly embodies the words of Qin Qiong; they should be completely acquainted with one another.

A willow wood plate of Qin Qiong selling horses

At this moment, Qin Qiong spoke up: "Please inform Lady Li that I have a fine horse, a good bow, and a treasured sword. I would like to exchange them for some money and silk from her."

This section was simply summarized in a few words, with the concept of loyalty mentioned five times and the idea of heroes valuing each other mentioned ten times

The next day, starting from early morning, Qin Qiong's exercise routine, including the duration and intensity. Then what to eat, at what time to take medicine, Liu Mu specifically instructed his elder sister Liu Ru Yan to keep a close watch, ensuring that Qin Qiong followed the requirements completely

The door that Liu Mu refers to opening in that direction does not indicate the direction of the door itself, but rather the qualifications for entering through the door

The horse has been led outside the flower hall; it is indeed a fine steed from the Western Regions. It is a horse that Emperor Li Yuan of the Tang Dynasty cherished, allowing Qin Qiong to personally select it from the imperial stable.

Bai Zhenren noticed Liu Mu was deep in thought and asked him what he was thinking about

Qin Qiong originally raised his hand to perform a fist salute, but upon seeing Liu Mu, he thought for a moment and decided to use the same gesture as Liu Mu.

Yet Qin Qiong was filled with emotion

The esteemed Duke of Wing State actually complied entirely with the arrangements of a mere seventeen-year-old girl. Although the soup was bland, lacking even a pinch more salt, Qin Qiong accepted it without the slightest displeasure.

"No." Liu Mu stepped forward, standing three paces in front of Zhang Chuchen: "Madam Li, please allow me to finish speaking. If you are displeased, I, Liu Mu, will accept the consequences."

Upon hearing these words, Zhang Chuchen was astonished

Qin Qiong claims to be aware that A Bao Zhang Chu Chen knows this. Yesterday, he also learned from Bai Zhenren that Liu Mu would come, but today, Qin Qiong also came to see himself, what does this mean

Indoors, Zhang Chuchen was reading the Records of the Three Kingdoms, the version by Chen Shou. A maid rushed in and said anxiously: "General Qin, General Qin has arrived, looking sullen and quite frightening. He claims to be A Bao. Also, there is the young master of the Liu family. According to your ladyship's instructions, he has been allowed into the residence. He says he has something to present to you, my lady."

Liu Mu briefly explained this fragrant wash.

In those years, my father, who I refer to as Da, greatly admired the brave men of Shandong, yet even the great General Qin of today has faced his share of difficulties. However, back then, there were heroes who recognized that General Qin was indeed a true hero

Bang... Zhang Chuchen slapped her hand on the table: "Are you two mocking me?"

Liu Mu turned around, smiled foolishly, and said: "I am thinking about how to exchange for some money and silk. The autumn harvest is approaching, and it will get colder day by day after the harvest. If the house is not repaired and there is no food stored, how will we get through the winter"

Zhang Chuchen was bewildered

"Back then, haha!" Zhang Chuchen chuckled twice and said, "You were not yet of age; what you know about those events is merely hearsay.

About half an hour later, Zhang Chuchen, dressed in formal attire, appeared in the flower hall. Liu Mu quickly stood up to pay his respects. He was a commoner, and under the strict hierarchical system of the Tang Dynasty, it was necessary for him to observe the proper etiquette when meeting a noble.

Zhang Chuchen looked at it with envy, but she actually wanted to temporarily take care of Qin Qiong for a while. However, just because Liu Mu said it was not allowed, it would be too insincere to give up on it.

What will happen in the future? If this matter is revealed, how will I cope with it?

One can imagine that anyone else would have already knelt before Zhang Chuchen's gaze; the reputation of the Red Hero in the Green Forest is not something that is merely boasted about

Zhang Chuchen felt embarrassed to let Qin Qiong pay his respects to him, yet he pretended to have a very indifferent expression: "Let us dispense with those formalities, Mu Xiaolangjun. Please tell me about the items in this box; they seem quite interesting. After all, we are neighbors, so feel free to speak up about anything."

If it were just A Bao, that would be one thing, but Zhang Chu Chen is very clear that A Bao is indeed Qin Qiong. At this moment, Liu Mu is fifty percent convinced that A Bao is Qin Qiong. Liu Mu is pondering whether Zhang Chu Chen knows Qin Qiong, and the answer is that there is a ninety percent chance he does. After all, they were both top figures in the green forest in the past

Hmm. Zhang Chuchen became interested

Liu Mu took a deep breath: "My brother Abao seems ordinary now, but who can guarantee that in the future he won't gallop across the Western Regions and point his sword at the heavens? As the saying goes, heroes recognize heroes. Given time, when my brother Abao recovers his health and rides with the iron cavalry of our great Tang dynasty across the world, who can say that my brother Abao cannot achieve great deeds and be granted titles and positions?"

Qin Qiong let out a sigh of relief, as Zhang Chuchen did not explicitly reveal his identity. This horse is worth far more than a hundred guan, yet ten guan is just right at this moment

Instruct to take it to the side courtyard flower hall

In the Tang Dynasty, there was a strict hierarchy of social status, and Liu Mu could only enter the Li residence through the side door

Zhang Chuchen had already tried it out and was contemplating how much silk to give Liu Mu as an appropriate amount

The servants of the Li residence were indeed courteous, allowing the two individuals to enter the house and wait in the firewood room of the backyard, and even prepared a breakfast for them. The servants of the Li residence delivered two elegantly packaged boxes of fragrant wash prepared by Liu Mu to Madam Li.

As they approached the Taoist temple, Master Bai politely asked Liu Mu to stay. When Liu Mu turned to leave, Master Bai said to him: "The day after tomorrow, you may come to my door, and I will help you negotiate. You only need to mention my name to gain entry."

Finally, Liu Mu added, "I am merely a commoner. That lone hero was executed by the court; I do not dare to speak of his merits, nor do I dare to claim he was a man of great righteousness. To say that he helped our Great Tang General Qin is to speak too highly of him. I truly do not wish to say such things, especially for fear that they might reach General Qin's ears and cause him to feel sorrowful as he remembers his friend."

Liu Mu's eyes were directed downwards, yet he was subtly observing Zhang Chuchen's expression with his peripheral vision

On the morning of the third day, Liu Mu and Qin Qiong headed towards the Li residence. Upon arriving at the Li residence, Qin Qiong naturally walked towards the main entrance.

Upon examining these two exquisite boxes, I find familiar items within. I have seen this incense burner with the white gentleman; it is indeed a hundred times better than the one made of jade.

When Liu Mu was about to express his gratitude, the door of the Daoist temple had already begun to close slowly, and the figure of the White True Person vanished within.

At this moment, Zhang Chuchen's gaze became sharp: "I have taken a liking to this horse, I will give you 10 guan of money."

When Liu Mu saw the moment of shock on Zhang Chuchen's face, he also felt a sudden panic in his heart

No! Liu Mu said again

Liu Mu was also bewildered

What are your plans?" Bai Zhenren casually asked.

I, Ada, have mentioned before. Liu Mu also brought up his father, who once served as a corporal in the army and had a somewhat minor reputation in the Green Forest of Chang'an: "In those years, General Qin sold horses..."

Just as Qin Qiong was about to knock on the door, he was stopped by Liu Mu: "Abao, we cannot knock on this door; let us use the side door, let us use the side door."

"No!" Liu Mu shouted loudly as he stood up

Liu Mu immediately realized that Zhang Chuchen was preparing to buy a horse, but at this moment, if Qin Qiong sold the horse, Zhang Chuchen would have helped Qin Qiong conceal his identity, allowing Qin Qiong to pass this hurdle