one's door

"Then it's not too late. I'll go home and report the situation to my father." After thinking for a while, Wu Qingling didn't hesitate anymore, stood up from her chair, and started walking outside.

Because she wanted to roam around more freely, Wu Qingling did not live at home.And Wu Yuan also acquiesced in this behavior, but sent someone to follow Wu Qingling.

After leaving the door, Wu Qingling flashed her "Night Patrol Officer" badge and quickly turned back to the house from the back street, walking by the side door instead of the front door.

"Son."

"Has my father rested?"

"Not yet, the master is in the study. Is there something you need to find, the young master?"

"Hmm." After asking where her father was, Wu Qingling didn't say anything more to the old butler in front of her, and walked quickly towards the study.

Knocking on the door and entering, Wu Qingling's face naturally lost his arrogance and became a docile look, but the unruly flashes in his eyes from time to time made him not look so honest.

"Father."

"What happened?" Wu Yuan didn't raise his head.He kept writing in his hands, and a very important submission document had to be completed today, and it had to be sent away tomorrow morning, otherwise it would be difficult to explain to the sheriff after the time limit.

Moreover, Wu Yuan was like a mirror in his heart. Although he didn't interfere in his son's schemes, these matters would more or less involve some people in the yamen, so how could he avoid his eyes and ears?He received all the news immediately, and Wu Yuan knew everything about Wu Qingling's situation and the situation about that person named Zhang Yan.

The butler silently closed the door of the study and stood guard outside.

In the room, Wu Qingling lowered her head and said, "Father, Zhang Yan was lucky and escaped a catastrophe. The child is about to deal with it again. But now things have changed, and the city guard Zhou Cang directly sent someone to nail him to the door. Before and after Zhuzui Lane, they made it clear that they wanted to protect the Zhang family. Zhou Cang is not someone a child can handle, so he wanted to tell his father to make a decision."

Wu Yuan paused the pen in his hand when he heard this, and smiled after a while: "You also understand that Zhou Cang is someone you can't deal with?"

"Father, you are right. Zhou Cang is the No. 1 military officer in Langyuan City, and his status is equal to yours. How can he be a character that I can handle? That's why I dare not act rashly."

"That's right, I've made some progress, and I know when to be cautious. Zhou Cang made a move, showing off the chariots and horses, which is announcing his protection for Zhang Yan. If anyone dares to touch the bad luck at this time, it will not be given to Zhou Cang." Face will definitely attract Zhou Cang's strong counterattack. So at this time, it is not a question of whether you are afraid or not, but a strategy that needs to be delayed for the time being. And the simple plan to quickly solve Zhang Yan must be discarded.

Because, with Zhou Cang's intervention now, things have become complicated, and there is no rush. "

"My child thinks so too. However, after Zhang Yan went to Yubei Mountain, it is indeed not so easy to handle. If he is left alone, it will be a hidden danger after all." Wu Qingling worried that his father would underestimate Zhang Yan, and carefully reminded him. .

"After all, you have to solve the trouble you caused by yourself. Although Zhou Cang is difficult to deal with, it is not impossible to deal with it. Just take it easy for now, don't rush to confront him head-on."

"What does father mean?"

"Zhou Cang is the city guard, and he is in charge of city defense rather than city miscellaneous affairs. Being a father is the city administrator, and the difference between the two positions is a world of difference. It's good for everyone to take care of each other. If he dares to stretch out his hand indiscriminately, Naturally, there are plenty of ways to force him to back down. At that time, just add Zhang Yan's matter and deal with it together. You should prepare yourself first."

Wu Qingling nodded when he heard the words, so he had a solid idea in his heart.I also understand my father's general plan for the next step.

After a pause, Wu Yuan raised his head and said in a deep voice: "Qingling, this incident is a rare lesson for you. Not everything can go according to your plans and plans, even if you It is not necessarily safe to think that nothing will go wrong. The most important thing is to learn how to deal with tricks and adapt to the situation. After this incident is over, if you learn well, then you can enter the official career to gain seniority. "

Chapter 76

Zhang Yan didn't sleep all night, but he was still in good spirits.After stepping into the Profound Vein Realm, his body has become much stronger than before, and he can bear fatigue better, and he won't be too reluctant if he doesn't sleep for two or three days.And the results of the overnight effort were not bad. The stack of first drafts on the table had already been finished, and the next step was to find someone to try it out.

"Zhang Er, you didn't sleep last night, did you?"

"Brother, don't worry, you can handle this. Staying up late on Yubei Mountain is commonplace." Zhang Yan put away the blueprints and went to his brother Zhang Shun's house to help him deal with the filth.

"What do you write and draw?"

"Hey, it's a good thing. I've seen some real things before, and I know the general idea, but it's the first time I made it myself. It may take some time to finish it. I will give you a surprise when the time comes."

"Surprise? What are you going to do weirdly?" Zhang Shun's mood is much better now than before, and his second brother's return has calmed down a lot, which made him let go of his previous mentality of blaming himself for being useless.From time to time, I can also make a few jokes.

"It's a secret, it won't be a surprise if you tell it. By the way, do you know where there is a woodworking craftsman nearby? The craftsman is good, and the kind is responsible."

"Carpenter? There are several carpenters with good craftsmanship in Zhuzui Lane. But when it comes to honesty and duty, it can only be Carpenter Liu opposite our house. When our family moved here in the first year, many of the houses in the house were It's bad, and Carpenter Liu didn't confiscate the money, and he just came to the door to help tidy it up. I haven't seen it broken like this until now. Your little sister insisted on giving money for the few female celebrities you sent as thanks, very sincere .”

"Just across the door from our house? That black and thin uncle?"

"Well, that's right. In fact, with Lao Liu's craftsmanship, he wouldn't be able to live in Zhuzui Lane. The main reason is that his mother-in-law's lung disease is too serious. It takes only one medicine for two days. From time to time, he has to go to the hospital for two days, which is too expensive. Yes, it is also a hard life."

Zhang Yan knew it in his heart when he heard the words.

After breakfast, Zhang Yan helped clean up at home and chatted with his mother.The younger sister, Zhang Huiyuan, went to the embroidery workshop early, saying that there would be a big job to be picked up today, and she would have lunch there before coming back.

"Yan'er, aren't you going out today?"

"Don't go out, there will be guests coming later."

"Huh? Guests?" Wang Lanping was wondering, what kind of guests could come to the house in this situation?Even many of the neighbors in Zhuzui Lane didn't like to see their house, saying it was the house of "beheaded son" and avoiding it.

Before Zhang Yan could explain, there was a knock on the door.

"Here we come!" Zhang Yan looked at his mother and smiled, then went to open the door, and Wang Lanping also reacted, and quickly brought the hot tea that had just been made to the table in the main room, and at the same time was curious about who was the guest at home.It shouldn't be those bastards like Xiao Chongwen, right?

A few thoughts came to mind, and when Zhang Yan opened the door, Wang Lanping was stunned by the sentence "Grassman pays homage to your lord".

The guest that Yan'er mentioned was Lord Zhou, the city guard? !Wang Lanping's heart beat fast, nervous and excited.Last night, Yan'er went to see Mr. Zhou, and he didn't say much when he came back. Now Mr. Zhou came to the door early in the morning. Does this mean that Mr. Zhou likes the "Dan" sent by Yan'er?Otherwise, how could he come to the door so formally?

Wang Lanping carefully served hot tea to Zhou Cang, then found an excuse and went to the kitchen instead of staying in the main room.But like Zhang Shun in the back room, they pricked up their ears to listen to the conversation outside.

I don't know if it's an illusion, but Wang Lanping always felt that the smile on Master Zhou's face this time was more kind than the time he came to the house two years ago. Even when the tea was served just now, Master Zhou got up and thanked her, which made her very flattered.

In the main room, Zhou Cang sat at the top, and Zhang Yan sat at the bottom to accompany him. Last night, the adjutant was standing behind Zhou Cang with a smile, and nodded to Zhang Yan, very kind.

"My lord comes to the door, the humble house is full of brilliance, and the grassroots are more fortunate to listen to the lord's teachings." Zhang Yan sat on the chair and said the words to make up the scene. He knew why Zhou Cang came today, even last night when Zhou Cang asked Zhang's family to protect Zhang Yan. I guessed that the other party would definitely come to the door this morning.

Zhou Cang laughed and said: "Zhang Yan, you are as humble as Lin Zedong said in his letter. Your skills are no longer the same as mine. What can I teach you? I came here to thank you. Yesterday you The effect of the Bone Strengthening Pill sent here can be said to be against the sky, and it has greatly benefited me, so don’t blame Zhang Yan for disturbing me early in the morning, it’s all due to his haste. Hahaha..."

The impression of Zhang Yan in his heart was not low before, and his status as a "miscellaneous learning" was enough for Zhou Cang to treat him with peace of mind.What's more, yesterday's bone strengthening pill disturbed Zhou Cang's mind so much that he stayed up all night. He came early and threw away Zhang Yan's polite words as soon as he opened his mouth. What he wanted was a more equal speech environment. That's right.It won't make Zhang Yan feel awkward.

"My lord has given me too much credit. The grass-roots associations are all small tricks. I'm really glad that I can help you. Before, the grass-roots were still worried that the elixir they made wouldn't meet your needs. Now they're relieved." Zhang Yan didn't intend to beat around the bush. Speaking of scenes, he knows what his value is in Zhou Cang's eyes now, and he also knows what doubts Zhou Cang has in his heart.That being the case, it is better to be straightforward, so as not to cause misunderstandings when you guess or I guess.

Sure enough, as soon as Zhang Yan uttered these words, Zhou Cang's eyes lit up.He even leaned forward a little, and asked anxiously: "So, Zhang Yan made that bone-strengthening pill yourself?"

"Yes, my lord. I made it at home yesterday afternoon. It's a pity that I didn't have enough medicinal materials at that time. I only picked some ingredients from the mountains. I bought some auxiliary materials yesterday, and I failed a few times in the end. Only two pitiful pills were obtained. My lord laughed." Zhang Yan showed some embarrassment on his face as he spoke, as if he felt ashamed of his medicine refining results, but he spoke the truth honestly.

Zhou Cang felt mixed feelings when he heard this.Although I was very happy to get Zhang Yan's acknowledgment that the bone-strengthening pill was refined by himself, rather than inheriting the teacher's relic.But the other party's look of "I actually did a terrible job, don't laugh" really made him a little unsure how to answer.

Two such miraculous and heaven-defying pills were refined in one afternoon, what's the point of "joking"? !Already great!Besides, after hearing what Zhang Yan said, if there are more medicinal materials, wouldn't it be possible to refine more?And this kind of thing should also have the saying "practice makes perfect", right?In the future, if Zhang Yan is allowed to refine frequently, will it be smoother?

When Zhou Cang changed his mind, he couldn't help but feel agitated in his heart again.

Chapter 77 Elixir

Zhou Cang had great expectations and purpose for this meeting.The same is true for Zhang Yan.

The focus of both of them is on the pill.

"The bone-strengthening pill has such a heaven-defying effect, the medicinal materials needed must be extremely rare?" Although Zhou Cang understood that it would be a bit abrupt to ask directly, this matter is very important to his subsequent words, so he must ask it out, so try his best Let the smile on your face be more kind and your tone more gentle and natural.

Zhang Yan shook his head, and replied: "Actually, it's not that rare, but some of the medicinal materials are more expensive, and the grass people are short on money, so they didn't dare to buy them, so they found a few by luck in the mountains on the way back, and now they are all used up. Adjuvant medicines are cheap and don’t cost much.”

"Cough, cough, cough..." Zhou Cang coughed without turning around.He thought it was rare, but it turned out to be because of Zhang Yanqiong.This, this is a fart question!I can't help but have a new opinion about Zhang Yan: these people with miscellaneous studies are too honest, don't they have a crooked mind?With this kind of ability, can you go without money?

"Well, can you tell me which medicinal materials are mainly bad? I can help you with this." Zhou Cang hesitated for a while, but still asked tentatively.He even made a plan to change the subject as soon as Zhang Yan refused.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yan didn't mind at all, nodded and said: "There is nothing we can't say, 'Dan' is completely different from ordinary medicines, and there is no taboo to take out Dan recipes, adults don't have to be so cautious."

Zhou Cang laughed, but felt that he was petty. If the methods of others were so easy to learn, they would not be so difficult to meet now.

"It's mainly the golden whiskers, meaty grass, and cypress..." Zhang Yan reported eleven herbs in one breath.They are all precious medicinal materials with the highest prices in Yuan Pharmacy.Of course, these are not all, but the most expensive part of the medicine has been included.

However, only Zhang Yan knew that the medicinal materials he mentioned had nothing to do with Zhuang Gu Pill.This is the prescription of another kind of elixir that he prepared for himself.

Bi Qing Dan.One pill in the stomach can increase life by ten years!

It was also a pill prepared by Zhang Yan for himself.

However, Zhang Yan, who has experienced the practice of Zhuang Gu Dan, is very clear that his current alchemy skills are basically the kind of beginners. Although it is enough to refine the threshold of Biqing Dan, there are still many ways to truly refine it. to go.At the very least, it will take many trials.

He had calculated in his mind before that one batch of Biqing Dan's medicinal materials could consume more than half of the salary he earned on Yubei Mountain in the past two years, and he even failed four or five batches of Bone Strengthening Pill before he succeeded. Once, followed by consecutive failures.So when refining Biqing Dan, don't you have to try it ten times?Dozens of times to succeed?

Zhang Yan understood why the four treasures of Taoism, "wealth, spouse, law, and land" would put "wealth" first.This is really costing money!

I have no money, and I don't want to throw my money into the water, but Biqingdan must be refined, what should I do?Just pass on the cost of alchemy to others.

So the bone-strengthening pill was thrown to Zhou Cang as a "favor" and also a bait.Now Zhou Cang has taken the bait, and in the future, he will use the medicinal materials Zhou Cang gave to practice Biqing Pill, and then give the other party Bone Strengthening Pill in return. Zhou Cang is also happy, and Zhang Yan has no pressure.

In addition, isn't human relationship deepened through such exchanges?

Not only did Zhou Cang memorize the eleven herbs reported by Zhang Yan, but the adjutant next to him also memorized them firmly in his heart.

"These medicinal materials are really not cheap, but they are not rare. I can find them for you at any time." Zhou Cang's eyes were fiery, and he seemed to see Zhang Yan putting handfuls of bone strengthening pills on the table. The look in front of him.

But what Zhang Yan wanted was a long-term relationship, not to coax Zhou Cang for a while, and there was no need for it.Therefore, Zhang Yan had to make some misunderstandings about pills clear at the beginning, so as to avoid misunderstandings in the future.

After considering his words, Zhang Yan put away the smile on his face, and said seriously: "My lord's kindness is naturally grateful, but maybe my lord has misunderstood the bone-strengthening pill, or the method of elixir, please allow me." Grassmen report."

"Hehe, you don't have to be polite, Zhang Yan. If there's anything I don't know, you can just tell me. I'm also very curious about how such a magical thing as the Strong Bone Pill can be."

Zhang Yan: "Your Excellency has also taken the Bone Strengthening Pill, and its effect is indeed very good, and it is based on the strength of the user's own bones and muscles, so the higher the martial artist's cultivation, the greater the gain after taking it. But this thing also has a limitation, or all pills have a common limitation, that is drug resistance."

"Drug resistance?" Zhou Cang heard this word for the first time, but the literal meaning is not difficult to understand, so he frowned slightly after hearing it.

"Yes, drug resistance. The effect of the pill will be the best when you take it for the first time, and then it will decrease until it has no effect. And the speed of resistance to different pills is also different. Some only have the first pill If it is effective, it will no longer be effective. And some will be slower. For example, the bone strengthening pill will no longer be effective after ten pills."

"This..." Although it was not good news, it did not surprise Zhou Cang too much.He was thinking about the possible limitations of the Bone Strengthening Pill last night.This is indeed the case today.

"How much muscle and bone strength can be gained after ten?"

"Because the diminishing effect varies from person to person, it's hard to say the fine scale, but generally speaking, ten can increase the strength of muscles and bones by at least [-]%. Of course, it refers to the specific percentage rather than the specific increase." Zhang Yan left Some leeway, in fact, the alchemy book says [-]% to [-]%, at least.

Enough said here.Zhou Cang, as a martial artist in the Tongqiao Realm, has a much clearer understanding of muscles and bones than Zhang Yan.Once the bone strengthening pill's drug resistance comes out, the usage of this pill will definitely change.But it ignores the realm of cultivation, and the effect of iron-strength medicine to increase the strength of muscles and bones will not be cut in half because of drug resistance.The actual impact is not great.

Because in Zhou Cang's view, this bone strengthening pill is destined not to be a treasure that low-level warriors can use.

In addition, Zhang Yan's words revealed a piece of news that surprised Zhou Cang, that is: other pills.

Does the implication mean that Zhang Yanhui is not limited to the pill of strengthening bones?What are the effects of other medicines?With Zhuanggu Pill as the first gem, other pills must not be so simple.

"If your lord needs it, the grassroots can help you refine two furnaces of bone-strengthening pills. However, if the refining is useless, I hope your lord will be happy. After all, the grassroots who are alchemy are not capable of it, and there will always be a waste of time." .”

Chapter 78 Carpenter

Open a shop to sell pills?This idea has never been in Zhang Yan's mind.Obviously, it can be disposed of casually at a high premium, so how can it be possible to make it into a store that pays for the goods?

To put it bluntly, Zhang Yan is currently the only alchemist in Huangtianyu, even if he is just a beginner, he is the only one in the world.Wasn't someone rushing to get some kind of elixir?

There is a saying called: seeking pills.

It means to prepare the medicinal materials by yourself, and then invite alchemists to refine them.If it's done, give the alchemist a benefit; if it doesn't work, just smile and go to prepare the medicinal materials, not to mention the loss, but also thank you for your help.

Don't think this is a joke, many classics in Longhushan describe alchemists in this way.Of course, it is the treatment that only great alchemists have.

And Zhang Yan, in Huangtianyu, is the ceiling of alchemists.The word "seeking alchemy" is naturally the normal state needed to find him for alchemy in the future.Zhou Cang is the evolution process of this rule at the beginning.

From entering the gate of Zhang's house to when Zhou Cang said goodbye with a smile, he stayed in Zhang's house for a whole hour, during which he talked with Zhang Yan about some interesting things about Yubei Shanlin Zedonglin.Both of them tacitly hoped to use Lin Zedong's relationship to narrow the distance between them.

As for the troubles that Zhang Yan was carrying, the two also tacitly did not mention a word.With the elixir involved, Zhang Yan is confident that Zhou Cang will not just sit idly by.Zhou Cang is also confident that no matter what troubles there are in Langyuan City, as long as Zhang Yan himself does not commit crimes, he will be able to protect the Zhang family.

"Brother Zhang, please go back!"

"Go slow, my lord!"

This scene can be said to scare those neighbors who peeped at the Zhang family through the crack of the door, or people with ulterior motives.

What did Zhou Cang call Zhang Yan when he left just now?Brother Zhang? !This... It seems that Zhou Cang is the first time in the whole Langyuan City to call someone so affectionately.Even in the face of Wu Yuanshi, an equal political officer, Zhou Cang is commensurate with his position.

It's just a commoner who has returned from a cleansing crime. Is it necessary for a big man like Zhou Cang to hand it over like this?

The jaw dropped and it scared a lot of people.

The neighbors in Zhuzui Lane all knew in their hearts that this family might be different from everyone else, not to mention making friends, but at least no one would dare to make trouble with them in the future, right?

Those people with ulterior motives left in a hurry from the other side of the alley. The news must be passed on as soon as possible. Zhou Cang's attitude towards the Zhang family has exceeded the limit of previous judgments.

After Zhou Cang left, the old mother and elder brother naturally asked curious questions again.But their knowledge is limited, and the importance of the bone strengthening pill only exists in the four words "unknown and aware".What's more is to understand that Zhang Yan and Zhou Cang are really on friendship now.

There is a sense of emptiness like a dream.There is a sense of security.

No one dares to bully our family now, right?My mother Wang Lanping thought so.

Could it be that Zhang Er wants to take advantage of Mr. Zhou's power to take revenge this time?To Xiao Chongwen and the others?Or is there another secret?Zhang Shunru thought about it, but he was still a little worried.

After seeing off Zhou Cang and appeasing the family, Zhang Yan went out and went to the small wine shop at the entrance of the alley first. He didn't choose, so he bought five catties of the strongest wine.This wine doesn't even have a name, it only has one characteristic, that is, it burns like a knife, and usually a light drinker will wait for a day to sleep after two or two drinks.Just like this, people in Zhuzui Alley are generally reluctant to call for a drink, and put it at the bottom of the box in the shop.

I don't know if it's because today's incident has spread widely. When Zhang Yan paid the money, some two pieces were wiped off by the shop owner, and the smile on his face was even more enthusiastic.Even sent out a few steps.

Opening the wine cork and sniffing it curiously, Zhang Yan immediately raised his head back and let out a "hiss".Undoubtedly, he has gradually accepted the cruel reality of his alcohol consumption.Even smelling it now makes my nose burn.

Naturally, Zhang Yan didn't ask for such strong wine to drink, but he planned to come to the door later as a meeting ceremony.A jug of good wine, in front of a person who is said to be good at it, will make it easier to talk about it later.

dong dong dong.

Katz... opened the door, and inside was a middle-aged man in his fifties with dark skin and thin body, looking carefully at Zhang Yan outside the door.