Chapter 0008: The Little Blacksmith of Zhangqiao

When one is both hungry and famished, holding a bowl filled with such a generous and steaming portion truly brings great satisfaction in eating

By the dim light of the oil lamp, everyone joyfully ate soup pancakes from large ceramic bowls

The Qin family in Licheng can be considered a local powerful clan, even regarded as a prominent gentry family in the region. In contrast, Luo Feng and his companions are truly rustic country folk, especially since, apart from the third uncle, the others are merely a bunch of half-grown boys.

The location arranged by Magistrate Zhang is quite good, with beds and bedding, and meals were also sent over. Not only were there soup pancakes made from white flour, but there were also several dishes, along with a pot of wine, which made Uncle San and Xiao Qi, along with a few others, extremely excited.

During the Sui Dynasty, there were many slaves, and slaves were classified as low-status individuals in the household registration. The law also stipulated that free citizens were not allowed to marry low-status women; otherwise, they would be subjected to corporal punishment, sent to labor reform, and their marriages would be declared invalid

Luo Qi is about the same age as Luo Feng, being just a little over half a month younger. Although he has just turned sixteen and has entered the ranks of young men, for the precocious boys from the countryside, this age is already considered suitable for courtship and marriage. In fact, in some well-off families, young men over the age of fifteen begin to seek marriage proposals.

Uncle Luo and the others were like hungry ghosts reincarnated; such a large ceramic bowl, containing at least over 3 jin of soup and water, was devoured by them in just a few breaths.

Zhangqiu County borders the North China Plain and is located at the northern foothills of the Taiyi Mountains, with mountains, hills, and plains each accounting for one third of the area

Although he admires and reveres Zhang Xutuo in his heart, the difference in their statuses is too great; Zhang is a deputy magistrate of a county, while he is merely a young lad who has just begun to grow facial hair. Even if he were to go, he would likely only be seated at the end of the table, unable to utter a single word, so he has no desire to attend.

The large ceramic bowl can hold at least two to three jin, of which one third is not filled and two thirds is soup. After eating a few bites, he realized that the noodles were cooked in mutton fat, and a sprinkle of green scallions was added on top

After days of travel, coupled with encountering bandits on the road today, Luo Feng and the others were also exhausted, and they had no objections to the arrangements made by the county magistrate

The so-called soup noodles are actually boiled noodles, but the Sui people prefer to refer to wheat products as various types of cakes. For example, noodles are called soup cakes, steamed buns are referred to as steamed cakes, and there are also baked cakes and fried cakes.

Qin Qiong is a person of great humility. Although the Qin family has significantly declined since the Northern Qi dynasty, especially after the death of his father, the Licheng Qin family has been deteriorating day by day. Nevertheless, it can be said that a lean camel is still larger than a horse.

Therefore, it can be calculated that from the time of the Northern Qi dynasty when the county seat was moved to the construction of the city here, it has been merely fifty to sixty years, and the name Zhangqiu has existed for no more than ten years

Typically, the land is narrow and the population is large, but the county town is quite small

Originally, the county magistrate had someone invite Qin Qiong and Luo Feng to the yamen for a banquet, stating that they were to accompany Zhang Jun Cheng. However, Qin Qiong declined the invitation, and Luo Feng followed suit in his refusal

The county magistrate's daughter is quite generous, having actually given so many gold leaves to Xiao Wu. I estimate they must be worth twenty thousand coins, Xiao Wu has struck it rich. In comparison to the county magistrate's daughter's maid, Uncle San is more interested in the gold leaves that the county magistrate's daughter gifted to Luo Wu.

As night has fallen, Lord Zhang has instructed you several to temporarily rest in the county for one night. Tomorrow, the Blue-faced Ghost will be dealt with publicly, and you will be rewarded for your contributions.

Although it is somewhat regrettable that there is no red oil and spicy noodles, nor any meat sauce, I am indeed very satisfied with my meal

However, Qin Qiong still declined the arrangement made by the county magistrate and took the initiative to propose sharing this warehouse with Luo Feng and the others

It was already dark when entering the city, and the city gates were tightly closed, with guards stationed.

The large group arrived, causing quite a commotion in the city, with chaos ensuing for a while before they were able to verify their identities and hurriedly opened the city gates to welcome them

Being good-looking is not enough

Qin Qiong has a large appetite and eats at a similarly fast pace

During the Han Dynasty, the central part of Zhangqiu County was known as Yangqiu County, the northern part was known as Jian County and Xiao County, and the southern part was known as Tugu County. Later, Yangqiu and Xiao Counties were merged into Dongchaoyang County, which during the Wei and Jin Dynasties belonged to Le'an State. In the period of the Southern and Northern Dynasties under the Liu Song, Dongchaoyang County was renamed Chaoyang County and was part of Qi Commandery

A subordinate of the county magistrate came to inform them and personally arranged for them to rest in a granary in the county

In the sixteenth year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty, the region of Bozhou, which also included Gaotang, was renamed Zhangqiu County, taking the name from the northern mountain to serve as the county's name

This food and drink are truly excellent; it has been a long time since I have eaten so well. After having eaten and drunk to his fill, Uncle San patted his belly and reminisced, "I remember it was a few years ago, when the current emperor had just ascended to the throne. I, along with Xiao Wu's father and a few others, was summoned by the county to transport a batch of tribute to Chang'an. After completing the task, we were rewarded with a lavish feast of food and drink..."

The type of soup pancake they had today, also known as "bu tuo," is similar to hand-pulled noodles. After kneading the dough, it is placed by hand into the soup for cooking, without the use of a knife

However, Luo Feng appeared too refined while eating, and the result of such refinement was that by the time he finished his noodles, the few side dishes had already been completely devoured by the others. When he finished his noodles, there was nothing left in the bowls, which made him involuntarily smile wryly in resignation

What is there to like? She is thin and weak, resembling a firewood stick, unable to carry a water bucket or chop firewood. Just look at her small hips; she will definitely not be able to bear children in the future. Moreover, this Red Thread girl is the personal maid of the county magistrate's daughter, undoubtedly a lowly servant. According to the laws of the Great Sui, there is a prohibition against marriage between the noble and the lowly; a nobleman cannot marry a lowly woman, otherwise, he will be punished with flogging followed by exile. Don't you remember this?" Uncle Luo raised his hand and gave Xiao Qi two knocks on the head, scolding him discontentedly. Moreover, this Red Thread girl is the personal maid of the county magistrate's daughter, undoubtedly a lowly servant. According to the laws of the Great Sui, there is a prohibition against marriage between the noble and the lowly; a nobleman cannot marry a lowly woman, otherwise, he will be punished with flogging followed by exile. Don't you remember this?" Uncle Luo raised his hand and gave Xiao Qi two knocks on the head, scolding him discontentedly.

Luo Feng followed the crowd into Zhangqiu County. Upon first seeing this county, he couldn't help but feel a slight disappointment. Although it was called a county, it was actually very small, with even the city walls made of earth. There were no tall city gate towers; from a distance, it resembled a large earthen enclosure, and up close, it looked more like the entrance to a rural homestay.

During the Northern Qi dynasty, the city of Gaotang County was established in place of Chaoyang, with the administration set in Huijun Town. In the seventh year of the Tianbao era of Northern Qi, the administration was relocated to build a city south of Mount Zhangqiu

Moreover, in the eyes of Uncle Luo San, this young woman with the red line is merely someone with a slightly better appearance, but her physique is too frail. Such a woman is not suited for hard work, nor is she fit for bearing children, thus she does not meet the standards of a good daughter-in-law

Qin Qiong spoke with Luo Feng about his experiences in the military, while Luo Feng made an effort to recall the life of this body he now inhabited—farming, blacksmithing, and working for the landlord's family. Life seemed to be merely a simple repetition, day after day, year after year, until he appeared now

Marriage with those of low status is strictly prohibited, thus it constitutes a very rigid red line. Even ordinary commoners, despite being unable to afford a wife, must not marry a lowly female servant or slave

In Luo Feng's view, this is nothing more than ramen, or one might say it is a soup made with hand-pulled noodles

On the other side, Luo Feng and Qin Qiong each held a small half bowl of wine, leaning against the straw-covered bunk as they drank and chatted.

What did you eat? Xiao Jiu's eyes sparkled, as if everything related to food could always attract this tall and slender boy

This is actually a very young county town

I find this young lady called Hongxian quite nice; it would be wonderful if I could marry her