The elder brother who travels through is hard to do

Wazigou is what the locals call it, just because it is located in a remote area surrounded by mountains, and the small mountain village is like a small valley trapped inside.According to Lao Qiu's introduction to Xu Bei, at first the villagers came here indiscriminately to escape the chaos of the war, and later found that it was difficult for outsiders to find them, and the land here was extremely fertile, so they settled down here from generation to generation.

Originally, the population was not large, and the land in the small mountain village could still meet the needs of the villagers for arable land. However, due to the lack of war and the increase in the population, the contradiction between small land and large population became prominent. The villagers had to turn their attention to the surrounding mountains and forests. The herbs and delicacies in the mountains are exchanged for money to buy food.

Parking the ox cart at the entrance of the village, Lao Qiu picked up a child and introduced to Xu Bei: "It's not that the men here haven't thought about going out by themselves these years, but after staying here for a long time, they are no match for those profiteers outside. Occasionally, a merchant would come to collect the goods, and they would lower the price again and again. I would occasionally help them bring mountain goods a few times, but after all, I am not in this business..." Lao Qiu spread his hands, and he could do things like marching and fighting. He said a few words, but when it was his turn to do business, he was helpless, so he could only help people drive the car and lead the way.

It doesn't mean that he believed Xu Bei based on his first impression, but that the terrain around Wazigou is complicated. No matter how good Xu Bei's memory is, he might not be able to remember to look for him next time if he came here once. , if Xu Bei is dishonest, then this business has been done once and there will be no second time.

"It's really a good place to rely on the mountains and eat the mountains. It's no wonder that the people who have been living here are reluctant to go out." Xu Bei looked at the situation in the village and sighed. For example, Shangpo Village was hit by a disaster in autumn, but the village was obviously affected. extremely small.

"Yes, this mountain is enough to feed the people in the village, and because of the need to guard against wild animals in the mountain, the men in the village have to practice martial arts with adults since they were young, and all adult men are good hunters. "Because Lao Qiu lacked one eye, he looked at people sideways. Those who are not familiar with him would feel a little creepy, but the children in the village were not frightened by his ferocious face, but surrounded him. Walking around, the adults in the village greeted him warmly when they saw him.

"Old Qiu is here again. The bows and arrows in my house are a little awkward. Let me have a look later." A middle-aged man carrying a rake spoke loudly to Lao Qiu as he passed by.

"Understood, I'll show you at night." After speaking, he turned around and explained to Xu Bei, "I spent a lot of time at the border, so it's not a problem to repair bows and arrows."

"Lao Qiu, you are not from this valley, how do you know this place? It can be seen that the people here trust you." Xu Bei could tell that these people were very enthusiastic about Lao Qiu. His eyes were vigilant, and only the eyes of those children were innocent, and he only had curiosity about strangers.

He also heard from Lao Qiu that everyone practiced martial arts and hunted here, so Xu Bei couldn't help guessing that the first group of people who migrated here were probably not ordinary people.

"It's the feelings accumulated from beating the barbarian soldiers together," Lao Qiu sighed, remembering the past, "the ancestors here have suffered from the war, especially hate those barbarian soldiers. During the war, there will always be some strong young people who volunteer to go to the battlefield. You also know that the life of the old prince was not easy under the pressure of the old emperor. When the old emperor died, the court was in chaos. Join forces and attack. I was the one who joined the army at that time, and I was also a few big brothers who came out of here. Even my life was saved by Big Brother Tieniu. After I came down, I still stayed in the army, but I didn’t expect this eye to disappear during a mission, so I had to come back.”

Although Lao Qiu said it lightly, Xu Bei knew that the scene at that time would only be more thrilling than he imagined. He walked out and had a lot of contact with people. Hearing people talk about it, he knew the chaos and war back then. The king and the current prince paid a big price to break up the united barbarian tribes and take back the occupied territory. It is precisely because of this that the court was too scared to continue to exert pressure on the Dingbei Palace. Otherwise, who will guard the border for them.

The old king Dingbei was also injured in that battle, and he fought with the old emperor for a lifetime. After the death of the old emperor, the old king Dingbei couldn't last for many years, but luckier than the old emperor, the old king Dingbei was born A son who is also good at fighting took over his class, and the current son is also famous. Such a situation may make it impossible for the court to sleep well.

There was not much sadness on Lao Qiu's face, which showed that he didn't take the injury too seriously, maybe it was just a pity that he could not continue to serve in the army.He brought some snacks such as candy corners and distributed them to the children who followed him. They didn't rush away until they came to a house at the foot of the mountain.

Before knocking on the door, the courtyard door opened from the inside. Standing between the two doors was a sturdy middle-aged man missing his right arm. He looked slightly older than Lao Qiu. Seeing this man, Lao Qiu immediately smiled Kailai: "Brother Tieniu, I brought a little brother over to pick up the goods, so I'll come and see you."

The middle-aged man named Tieniu was different from Lao Qiu, but he was a serious person. Xu Bei only felt two sharp eyes sweeping over him, which made him shiver. Xu Bei's body warmed up in an instant, and he experienced the transformation from the cold winter to the warm spring in just a few seconds.

Lao Qiu also realized that he turned his head and patted Xu Bei's arm with a smile and said, "Don't mind, Big Brother Tieniu is such a person who is cold outside and hot inside. You will know when you come here a few more times. I stayed here with Big Brother Tieniu, and he didn’t object, so he agreed with you to go in, let’s go.”

Xu Bei rubbed his nose, and followed Lao Qiu in. He was always familiar with people, but he had no choice but to lose his temper when he met someone like Tieniu.This guy is called Tieniu. Although he is missing an arm, his body is still strong. It can be seen that his physical disability did not discourage him. Only now did he realize why those children did not continue to follow, probably because of such a number one figure as Tieniu.

The courtyard in all directions is not big, and the house made of stones is covered with a layer of moss. Xu Bei didn't see anyone else living here, but it was tidy. There were a few pieces of cut wood and sawtooths It looked like he was making traps or something, because the man who came, Tie Niu, did not continue to make it, but got into the kitchen and started a fire.

A few folks came outside the courtyard, and Lao Qiu ran to receive them. Seeing that those people were bringing food, Xu Bei followed Lao Qiu to greet them, talked for a while, saw smoke coming out of the chimney, and stood up. Going to help in the kitchen, Lao Qiu didn't treat himself as an outsider, and he, Xu Bei, couldn't feel at ease treating himself as a guest.

It was getting dark early in the mountains, and the iron ox who was sitting in the fire was reddened by the fire in the stove, and his face was reddened. When he heard the footsteps, he turned his face, and Xu Bei grinned and said, "Brother Tie Niu, I'll come to you!" Help, I’m staying here with Big Brother Tieniu today, I’m sorry for the inconvenience.” Xu Bei also had a cheeky face, and followed Lao Qiu to call him Big Brother, but in fact, this Tieniu seemed to be about the same age as the original body’s father, and might even be slightly older Some, but he lived to be in his 30s in his previous life, so he picked up the title of big brother.

The cold glance swept over again, this time Xu Bei was much calmer, stood there and was stared at by someone, the man got up and walked out, started washing pots and rice, Xu Bei sat down on his seat very consciously. Continue to burn fire in place.

When Tieniu started steaming rice, Lao Qiu finally came in, carrying a lot of vegetables from the villagers and a piece of roe deer meat. Seeing Xu Bei stuck his head out from behind the earthen stove and greeted him, Lao Qiu Qiu Huan was stunned for a moment, and then he laughed. This little brother Xu Bei really knows how to behave. He has found a way to get along with Brother Tieniu so quickly. The face was scared away.

The three big men were busy in the kitchen for half an hour, and they got a table for dining table. Lao Qiu moved another table out of the house, and the three of them ate dinner in the yard, and ate dry food for two days. After finally eating a mouthful of hot food, Xu Bei was so moved that he almost burst into tears.

The rice was steamed by Tie Niu, and the dishes were cooked by Xu Bei. In fact, he saw that Tie Niu and Lao Qiu had no skills, but could only cook the dishes well, so he reached out to take them when he couldn't bear it.Lao Qiu took a piece of roe deer meat, chewed it, and praised: "Haha, little brother, your cooking skills are much better than mine and brother Tieniu's. He and I can cook a big pot of vegetables." Yes It turned out that Tieniu planned to cook the washed vegetables and chopped meat in one pot. In Xu Bei's view, it was similar to pig food. After Xu Bei took over, it was fried and stewed. Tieniu's eyes on Xu Bei were not as cold as before.

"I am now a father and a mother with my younger brother. I can't do without learning how to cook, otherwise my younger brother won't even be able to eat a hot meal when he comes back from school." When the two chatted on the way here, Xu Bei talked about his own situation, such as his parents passed away and he lived with his younger brother.

"It's not easy for you, little brother," Lao Qiu sighed, and when he saw Tieniu's gaze turned, he explained, "Brother Xu Bei's parents were killed by bandits, and they were separated from their families. His younger brother studies in Kang County and spends a lot of money, so he can't come out to do business to earn money to support his younger brother." At that time, he also saw Xu Bei working at a young age, so he asked a lot, thinking about this little brother It was not easy, but after seeing him as a real person, I couldn't help but brought him here.

"Bandit? Where's the bandit?" Tieniu put the chopsticks holding the vegetables on the table, staring straight at Xu Bei and asked.

If you were a timid person, you would think that this Tieniu would be difficult for others. Although Xu Bei felt something strange, he glanced at Lao Qiu and replied: "The thief cut off his head when he was passing by Mang Mountain. The yamen said It was killed by bandits."

Tie Niu's eyes sharpened and he slapped the table heavily, causing the dishes and chopsticks on the table to shake a few times. Seeing the color, Lao Qiu quickly pressed Tie Niu to persuade him: "Speak well if you have something to say, don't scare the little boy." Brother, you also know that this world is like this, and now the north is still good."

Tie Niu snorted coldly: "Officials and gangsters are colluding and treat ordinary people as human beings. If his surname Xiao is really up-to-date, he should have been killed in the Golden Palace a long time ago."

A piece of meat in Xu Bei's mouth fell out.