Chapter 788 - 550: Investigation
Near the Zhenbao Temple, there is a tavern.
The roof is neatly covered with blue-gray tiles, and at the entrance hangs a half-old blue cloth banner, with the words "Zhang Family Tavern" written in ink!
The tavern isn’t big, and as soon as you enter, there are seven or eight greasy square tables, frequented by laborers from the surrounding area.
To them, coming here for a bowl of rough wine after a hard day’s work is the most treasured moment of relief, allowing them to shed their exhaustion.
This "Zhang Family Tavern" was originally temple property of the Zhenbao Temple, now run by a couple.
The man’s surname is Zhang, thin and lean, usually busy in the kitchen out back.
The woman’s surname is Wang, called Madam Wang by everyone, broad-shouldered and stout, with a loud voice, vigorous and assertive, she handles all the work inside and out.
The couple is relatives of a temple registrar, and thanks to this connection, they were able to take over this tavern and earn a stable living.
Behind the counter, Madam Wang deftly wipes a coarse porcelain bowl while noticing someone walking in at the door, immediately she puts down the bowl and hurriedly goes over to greet:
"Daoist Xuanyang, you’ve come! Please come in!"
The visitor is Chen Sheng, his Daoist topknot neatly tied, and his Daoist robe clean and tidy, with an air of Daoist charm in his every move.
Chen Sheng nods slightly, his gaze casually sweeping over the tavern, seeing several diners by the square tables, he walks straight to an empty table by the window and sits down, speaking in a calm, moderate voice:
"Bring me a bowl of rice wine, warmed, and a plate of sliced chicken."
"Alright! Daoist Xuanyang, please sit tight, it’ll be right up!"
Responding quickly, Madam Wang turns and shouts towards the kitchen:
"Fifth Zhang! Quickly bring the warmed rice wine, and slice a plate of the newly braised chicken, be careful, don’t spill it!"
After shouting, she quickly walks over to Chen Sheng’s table, chatting with a smile:
"Daoist, please wait a bit, everything is fresh, guaranteed to suit your taste."
Soon, Madam Wang quickly brings over the items.
She also brings an extra dish of refreshing pickled cucumbers, crisp and covered in a light sauce, smiling as she says:
"Daoist, these pickled cucumbers are homemade, very refreshing, try them with the chicken for the best taste!"
Chen Sheng does not refuse, simply says "Thank you" and lifts the rice wine, taking a light sip.
His visit to the tavern is partly to indulge, as the temple meals are bland daily, and occasionally coming here for a bowl of wine and some meat dishes satisfy his cravings.
Another reason is to gather local news and devise a Ning County investigation plan.
Chen Sheng pondered:
"The tavern is a gathering place for the lower classes..."
"A mix of all walks of life, the news is most plentiful and chaotic, yet it reflects the real situation in Ning County more closely."
...
The lively atmosphere in the tavern gradually thickened.
Not long after, two more people walked in at the door.
Chen Sheng glanced up casually, seeing familiar faces as usual.
Old Li, nearing forty, with hair half black and half white, carrying a faint scent of soapwort and razor oil, is a street barber, with steady hands and ears for all sorts of news.
Following behind him is young Wang, seventeen years old, whose father died of illness a few years back, leaving the family with little savings and just a coppersmith kit.
This boy is lively, quick-tongued, and warm-hearted, unable to hide anything, but also admirably straightforward.
Without a household head, the family was not bullied by neighbors, a small blessing amidst misfortune.
...
As soon as Old Li entered, his sight fixed on Chen Sheng in the corner.
Seeing him in a Daoist robe, quietly by himself, he immediately wore a smile and hurried over.
"Daoist Xuanyang, you’re here for a drink too? You’re quite early today."
Chen Sheng nodded slightly, with a calm demeanor, casually gestured to the empty seat beside him.
He continued sipping his warm rice wine and slowly savoring a piece of chicken, his ears already perked up, discreetly collecting every bit of idle chatter in the tavern.
Young Wang also came over, carelessly finding a long bench, sitting close to Old Li.
The young lad fished out a string of coins from his pocket, counted eleven, and slapped them on the table, shouting towards the counter:
"Aunt Wang, bring a bowl of house wine and a plate of broad beans! Make sure they’re crispy, don’t try to fool me with damp ones!"
"Alright, coming right up!"
The crowd grew larger, and the once sparse tavern soon filled to the brim, mixed with the smells of sweat, wine, and food.
Before long, a porter who frequently hauled goods outside the city downed a large bowl of strong wine, wiped his mouth, and shouted loudly, instantly drawing the attention of most patrons:
"Folks, have you heard? There’s trouble in the west! A bunch of rebels has emerged, their momentum fierce, causing an uproar, even the authorities can’t stop them!"
Chen Sheng’s fingers paused slightly on the wine cup, and his heart sparked lightly, instinctively focusing his attention.
Rebels?
No!
"Fellow travelers!"
These were the first words that popped into his mind.
While others listened for excitement, he listened for tactics, methods, and the successes and failures.
Whenever someone rises up, regardless of success or failure, it’s a living lesson for him.
Someone immediately echoed:
"Exactly! I heard from an out-of-town merchant that the leader is called ’Black Demon God,’ nine feet tall, stout and powerful, with shoulders wide enough for horses to run on and hands that can draw a bow. He’s gathered tens of thousands and captured over a dozen cities!"
Another horseman who regularly delivered provisions to the station put down his wine bowl, shook his head with a look of "you’re out of date":
"That’s old news. A few days ago, when delivering grain, I heard directly from the station runners that the Black Demon God was recruited by the imperial court, given an official post, and his brothers are about to disband."