Chapter 0008 Yang Fan, Good Morning
In each neighborhood, the small eateries had already opened for business before the sound of drums struck at the Zhetian Gate
At this moment, he was smiling and nodding in greeting to the neighbors, with sun-kissed skin, snow-white teeth, and a sunny, handsome demeanor that was quite popular among women these days. Especially his smile, which always carried a hint of shyness and bashfulness; when he encountered a flirtatious glance from a bold woman, his face would slightly flush.
Yang Fan responded with a sound, and Ma Qiao began to waddle towards the main street with his unsteady "bad person walk". He walked a few steps in a daze, suddenly remembered something, quickly stopped, turned around, and called out to Yang Fan: "Xiao Fan, tonight, same place, same time!"
Yang Fan looked at his back, shook his head inexplicably, and then walked towards Jiang Xuning's stall.
The bare-chested Hu man master was rhythmically pounding the sesame cakes
Do not be deceived by the small size of her food stall; it is fully equipped. The pot is boiling with soup, firewood is burning under the stove, and a large piece of well-kneaded dough rests on the counter beside her. A rolling pin dances deftly in her hands, and in a moment, a thin and delicate pancake is rolled out. With a swift motion of the knife, it is cut into countless strands.
This drowsy young man named Ma Qiao is an only child at home; however, he has many cousins. Among his cousins, he ranks sixth, so the acquaintances in the neighborhood call him Ma Liu.
In the city of Luoyang, both large and small temples joined in the festivities, as monks rang the morning bells in unison. The vibrant drumbeats intertwined with the deep, distant chimes, awakening the divine capital of Luoyang. Millions of citizens gathered to welcome the rising sun, which burst forth from the eastern horizon.
Ma Qiao nodded, yawned, turned around, and was about to leave when Yang Fan suddenly called out to him. After sizing him up, he suspiciously asked, "Didn’t we do nothing last night? Why are you so tired?"
A woman beside him grabbed his ear and shouted, "Get lost, you little brat! Just wait until I tell your mother! Look at Erlang, how polite and well-mannered he is, and he is even two years younger than you. You should learn from him!"
As the ancient figures of the Han and Jin dynasties departed, another person approached from behind. This individual was only slightly taller than a large pot, with hair tied up using a piece of worn cloth, yet it still appeared disheveled. He bowed respectfully to Miss Jiang and, in halting Chinese, said: "My, a bowl, thank you"
Ma Qiao was given a thorough scolding by the uncles and aunts who had watched him grow up since childhood, and he quickly shut his troublesome mouth, feeling as miserable as a rat crossing the street. He awkwardly squeezed to the front of the alley door, took out his key to unlock it, while Yang Er also took out his key to open another lock
Women are like springs; when you are strong, they become weak, and when you are weak, they become strong. When a young and handsome young man, who easily blushes, encounters this, the bored young ladies and wives in the neighborhood often find amusement in teasing him. Each time they manage to make him blush, they would laugh heartily for half the day
The young man on the right, who is two years younger, is named Yang Fan. He has only been in Luoyang for a little over half a year, and it is said that he moved here from Jiaozhi. He has an older brother back in his hometown, so acquaintances call him Yang Er or Erlang.
The elderly man with two curved, hook-like mustaches, Wei Chi, carefully used bamboo tongs to take out the freshly baked sesame pancakes from the oven, placing them in a bamboo basket in an artistic arrangement. The sesame pancakes were golden, crispy, and fragrant, filling the air with their enticing aroma
The young man on the left appears to be around eighteen or nineteen years old, and at this moment, he is yawning like a hippopotamus. As he yawns, he picks at the sleep from his eyes, while his hand fumbles for keys at his waist. His belt is loosely fastened, and his cap is somewhat disheveled. When he walks, it seems as if there are springs under his feet, each step causing him to wobble, presenting an image of a delinquent youth
The young lady's surname is Jiang. Since her parents have only this one daughter, they specially gave her the name Jiang Xuning. Miss Jiang's noodle soup is a specialty in Xiuwen Alley. Drinking a bowl of noodle soup in the morning not only fills the stomach but also warms the body. The nearby residents often come to support her business, and over time, they all began to call her "Noodle Soup" instead of by her name.
With many customers, there is also much work to be done under the shed. She has to knead the dough, roll it out, cut it into strips, and put it into the pot, all while attending to the customers. Remarkably, she manages to handle everything with ease.
An old man immediately slapped the back of his head and shouted, "You little brat, how dare you speak like that, showing no respect?"
Hehe! Perhaps it was some young lady who took the initiative to get close to him for a bit of flirtation. The women of our Tang Dynasty are quite bold; appreciating beauty is not solely a man's privilege. If they see a handsome and charming young man, women are also willing to take advantage of the situation
This red is truly remarkable, instantly stirring the hearts of women.
The youth's appearance is quite handsome, with well-defined eyebrows, a straight nose, and full, clear lips, possessing a delicate charm akin to that of a girl. When he smiles gently at others, two small dimples surprisingly appear on his cheeks. Unlike another worker, he walks with a steady and powerful gait, his shoulders not swaying and his body not shaking.
The young women and wives in the neighborhood often chat idly, and it is widely acknowledged that Yang Fan is the most handsome among the one hundred and eighty-seven apprentices in Xiuwen Lane. Coupled with his amiable and unpretentious demeanor, as well as his shy and reserved personality, he enjoys considerable popularity, particularly among women
As soon as the gate opened with a loud "bang," the eager townspeople rushed out in a throng, some carrying baskets, others shouldering burdens, pushing carts, or leading mules
The butcher walking beside him appeared to be two years younger; this young man was much more pleasing to the eye, with a slender waist and a straight posture, resembling a sorghum stalk that had absorbed ample moisture, exuding vitality from within.
At the entrance of the second alley on Cross Street in Xiuwenfang, there is a small shed. Under the shed stands a large pot, and beside it is a long countertop. A young woman, around sixteen or seventeen years old, wearing a blue cloth apron and rolled-up sleeves that reveal her fair arms, is cheerfully greeting customers while working.
In the Xiuwen Workshop, at each of the small food stalls, the firewood beneath the stove is brightly and warmly dancing.
Ma Qiao yawned and waved his hand, saying: "No, my mother has already prepared the meal, I will go back and eat with her"
This is a person from Japan. Although he is a guest and must spend money, his attitude towards the shopkeeper is very respectful and polite. The Japanese were not like this in the past. However, a few years ago, during the "Battle of Baijiang," the Tang Dynasty completely annihilated their naval forces, and since then, the Japanese have not dared to adopt the arrogant demeanor of "the Eastern Emperor addressing the Western Emperor".
Miss Jiang agreed, took a large bowl, scooped up a handful of noodles from the boiling pot, and added two ladles of old broth. Being a regular customer, he was well aware of his taste, so there was no need for further questions. Swiftly, she sprinkled some chopped green onions, minced ginger, and chive flowers on top. The tall, slender man, reminiscent of the ancient Qin and Jin dynasties, placed down three coins, rolled up his large sleeves, and squatted by the roadside to satisfy his hunger.
Master Meng from Jiaodong lifted the steamer, and a cloud of white steam billowed out, filling the air with the fragrant aroma of dough...
Good morning, Yang Er
Upon arriving at Fangmen, Ma Qiao saw that the "dongdong drum" was still beating incessantly, and he expressed his dissatisfaction, saying: "What are you shouting about, what are you drumming for? It’s not like we are in a hurry to attend a funeral!"
However, Ma Qiao only has the virtue of filial piety towards his parents. He cannot be described as knowledgeable and talented; this fellow does not even recognize a single character. As for his integrity in conduct, well...! It is better not to mention it!
Alright
Maqiao spoke while quickly giving Yang Fan a knowing glance. Yang Fan understood and responded with a light smile, saying, "Got it! Don't worry, Qiao Ge, I will definitely arrive on time"
Yang Fan greeted Ma Qiao: "Brother Qiao, are you going to have noodle soup?"
Ma Qiao shot him a glare and said irritably, "Waking up so early every day, aren't you tired?"
Er Lang, good morning
This small shop only sells noodle soup, and there is no need to specifically mention wanting to eat the noodle slices; in fact, he is greeting this young lady.
The resounding drumbeats rippled outward from the main gate of the palace, followed by the drum towers on the major streets in the east, west, south, and north ringing in succession. The drumbeats were divided into five waves, totaling eight hundred strikes. Amidst the waves of drum and bell sounds, the main gate of the palace, the gate of the imperial city, and the gates of various neighborhoods opened one after another
The young lady possesses quite a bit of charm, especially with her naturally upturned lips, which exude a sense of cheerfulness.
This is a morning in the Eastern Capital, Luoyang, and also a morning in the Xiuwen Workshop of Luoyang
Originally, the role of these artisans was comparable to that of modern urban management personnel. When the guild employed them, the selection criteria were based on their bravery and ability to intimidate others. In this era, such individuals are referred to as "troublemakers"; adopting this demeanor certainly does justice to this title.
Ma Liu and Yang Er stood at the door, unable to move away in time, like two reeds swaying in the wind, being jostled by the crowd. ... Ma Liu was unsteady due to his sleepy state, swaying back and forth, as for Yang Er ...
The diners squatting by the roadside with their soup bowls saw him coming and greeted him warmly
At 2:00 AM, just as the fish-belly white began to appear on the horizon, the bell tower of the main gate of the Tai Chu Palace in the capital city of Luoyang started to announce the dawn to the entire city
Time flows gently, and it is already the first year of Yongchang
Once the crowd gathered in front of the alley gate had dispersed, Ma Qiao and Yang Fan spun around like tops for another two circles before finally coming to a stop.
At the entrance of Xiuwen Workshop, a large crowd of citizens waiting to exit has gathered. As the workshop attendants have yet to arrive to open the gate, some individuals can no longer contain their impatience and rush into the drum pavilion, eagerly striking the "dong dong drum." The two attendants on duty today arrive late, walking side by side along the main cross street of the workshop.
Maqiao is a well-known filial son in the neighborhood, demonstrating exceptional filial piety to the extent that the community even considered recommending him as a candidate for the title of "Filial and Incorrupt" to the imperial court. Unfortunately, in addition to being filial to his parents, the criteria for this title also require extensive knowledge, talent, and integrity.
A tall and slender man, dressed in wide sleeves and stepping in high-toothed wooden clogs, approached the food stall with an air of elegance and simply said: "One bowl of noodles, please"