Chapter 37: Golden Wind and Jade Dew Meet (1)

  After Lü Shi agreed to let Zhou Wenbo allocate the deserted land under the name of Zhao Guo Gong Fu to newly recruited soldiers, Zhou Wenbo finally breathed a sigh of relief. These past few days, various messy tasks had kept him busy and dizzy. Now that this matter was settled, he decided to go find some professional personnel to help out. He couldn't keep doing everything himself; not only would it free himself up, but also prevent further common-sense mistakes.

  The arrival of Zhuge Yu was undoubtedly the greatest help to himself, not only helping him clarify his strategic thinking, but also taking on the heavy responsibility of entering Shu.

  Zhou Wenbo used the variant's acquired skill, "Observation of Qi and Talent", to re-examine Zhuge Yu yesterday. After activating the skill, a bright blue light appeared on Zhuge Yu's body. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that Zhuge Yu's highest attribute, intelligence, reached 90, leaving Zhou Wenbo in awe, feeling like he had stumbled upon a treasure.

  At the same time, Zhou Wenbo was surprised that Zhuge Yu's surrender gave Zhou Wenbo a new achievement [Great Virtue Comes to Surrender].

  A Great Sage Arrives: A great sage with an intelligence value of over 90 has become one of your subordinates.

  Displaying achievements can reward Intelligence +1.

  Zhou Wenbo also discovered several related achievements, which are unlocked when a subordinate with attributes of leadership, military power, politics and charm all above 90 is obtained. These achievements are: [Great General Comes to Join], [Fierce General Comes to Join], [Good Minister Comes to Join] and [Famous Scholar Comes to Join]. If all five sub-achievements are completed, they can be combined into a new achievement [Gathering of Talents], which increases overall attributes by two points when displayed.

  At night, Zhou Wenbo had already made an appointment with Meng Zhiyang, who was about to take office, at the Inviting Moon Building, one of the three major buildings in Luoyang.

  The Zhao Guo Gong Fu and Meng Zhi Xiang can be said to be the most intimate friends and allies. Although Zhou De Yuan died in Shu, before the complete decline of the Zhao Guo Gong Fu, Meng Zhi Xiang was still willing to help to the greatest extent. Although he had been serving by Li Cun Xiu's side since his early years, as a veteran figure of the Later Tang Dynasty, with high status and power, this time taking the post of West Sichuan Governor, indeed far away from the capital, easily suffered from petty people's secret calculations, if ally Zhao Guo Gong Fu could take care of him in the capital, it would be extremely beneficial to him.

  The three most luxurious places for banquets in Luoyang City are Hanhai Building, Yao Yue Building and Wangyue Building.

  Hanhailou is Liu Huanghou's property, which is also why Zhou Dexiu arranged to meet Liu Gonggong at Hanhailou last time.

  The meeting place was arranged by Meng Zhi-Xiang, and Zhou Wen-Bo didn't plan to discuss many secrets with him, so he agreed without hesitation.

  Zhou Wenbo had not strolled through the capital of this era for more than half a month since he crossed over. The city, which had experienced several wars, still had a population of over 500,000 and was now the number one heroic city under heaven - Luoyi City. Today, Zhou Wenbo stole a leisurely morning and suddenly felt like taking a stroll through Luoyi City.

  Zhou Wenbo originally wanted to take two maidservants out for a walk, but Qing'e was pulled away by Lü Shi, and he didn't know what arrangements had been made. So Zhou Wenbo could only call up Liu Meng and Zhou Bao, bringing Hong Zhuang along, and started strolling through the snow-covered Luoyi City.

  The day before, Qing'e had just finished making a big red jacket for Hong Zhuang. It fit perfectly on her body and gave off a festive atmosphere that made Zhou Wenbo very pleased.

  The snow on the street had been swept away by the residents on both sides of the road, revealing a relatively clean bluestone pavement.

  I learned from Zhou Bao that the most bustling places in Luoyang City are the East and West Markets. The East Market is near where many high-ranking officials, nobles, wealthy merchants, and large landowners live, so the goods sold there are more elegant and precious. The West Market is where ordinary people live, so the goods sold there are more down-to-earth and mostly used by common people in their daily lives.

  This vast Luoyang City, if one were to walk around with open steps, would probably not be able to make a complete turn in a day. Zhou Wenbo chose to sit in the carriage and look at the scenery on both sides of the street through the small windows on either side. If there was an interesting place, he would get off and walk.

  "Master, unfortunately it's winter now, and people don't want to come out because of the cold. If it were another season, this western city would be bustling with people playing with monkeys, selling tonics, performing knife and gun tricks, and blowing sugar sculptures - there would be too many to count."

  Zhou Bao has known Zhou Wenbo for two years, so he naturally knows that his young master, although the son of a noble family, spends all day cooped up in the mansion, either going to his teacher's place in the countryside to study and read books every day, never coming out to idle around and have fun on the streets. Not to mention competing with other young masters from noble families, racing horses, visiting brothels, and not doing anything proper. So he specially introduced him to Zhou Wenbo.

  "We don't have much time, let's go take a look at East City instead." Zhou Wenbo also felt that West City didn't seem to have anything worth seeing this season, so he gave the order.

  Liu Meng swung his whip and cracked it loudly, then the horse carriage turned around and headed straight for Dongshi.

  After arriving in Dongshi, the main street, which was originally about three zhang wide, had mostly two- or three-story buildings on both sides. The windows along the street were adorned with signboards, creating a lively atmosphere.

  There weren't too many pedestrians on the street, far from the crowded temple fairs of later generations. Zhou Wenbo saw that it wasn't too crowded and pulled Hong Zhuo down from the carriage, walking along while looking at the scenes on both sides of the street.

  Zhou Bao also carried a bundle on his back and jumped off the horse cart, following Zhou Wenbo. He had strolled through these streets many times before and knew exactly what was sold in each place, but usually he only had a few copper coins on him, so he could only gaze longingly at the valuable goods in each store.

  Today, the young master gave him a cloth bag with more than four strings of money in it, which is enough to cover his reward for one or two years. This made him extremely careful all the way, and he didn't even dare to walk quickly.

  Walking in the streets of over a thousand years ago, Zhou Wenbo felt more authentic and real about this era, rather than just staying at home and guessing about the world through imagination. This realistic scene gradually merged with his imagined history, becoming one.

  If Zhou Wenbo walked through this street with a mindset of verification and sightseeing, then for Hong Zhuang, it was truly a rare and enjoyable experience.

  She was just a thirteen or fourteen year old girl, usually serving by the side of Zhou Wenbo. The vast Zhao Guo Gong Fu made her feel no warmth, only staying by Zhou Wenbo and Qing E could give her a feeling similar to home.

  Today, Young Master suddenly took her out to stroll through the streets of Jingzhong, making her so happy that she almost jumped for joy, and she didn't even realize that her small, rosy hand was tightly grasping Zhou Wenbo's warm hand.

  Just as two young people were enjoying the rare winter sunset, their figures caught the eye of a middle-aged man.

  This middle-aged man is about 1.8 meters tall, with a strong build and sharp facial features, a white face without a beard, and strangely, the earlobes of his two ears are larger than those of ordinary people by one circle, somewhat similar to the Buddha's ears.

  He was sitting on the second floor of Qiming Chamber of Commerce, sipping tea by the window facing the street. Although it was winter, the wooden windows were still propped open, and he saw Zhou Wenbo and Hong Zhuang from this very window.

  He was originally carefree and at ease, but in an instant when he saw that small figure, he stiffened up and his whole person froze.

  With a "crash", the middle-aged man's teacup fell to the ground, and the scalding hot tea splashed onto his feet, shocking him awake.

  "Li Dafu, come quickly and take a look. Does this young girl resemble the mistress and master?" The middle-aged man was completely unaware that his voice was trembling with unprecedented intensity, caused by excitement and joy beyond expectation.