Chapter 5

It was not the first time that Zhang Xiaohua had come to Lu Town's market. After all, it was the busiest time of the year. It was also the busiest place within a radius of dozens of miles. Since he could remember, he would come here every year.

But in the past, his memory was full of sugar figurines, pastries, and other food. There was no other content, so he had never thought about what was crowded.

Or perhaps, shuttling through the crowd was a kind of game that he found fun when he was young.

But this time, when he stood at the north entrance of the street, looking at the crowded crowd, looking at the shops and stalls selling all kinds of goods, toys, and food, Zhang Xiaohua only wished that he had more eyes.

Zhang Cai and his family followed the crowd from the north entrance of the street to the depths of the street.

Every time they passed by a shop, they would squeeze in to take a look, whether it was selling silk, antiques, or even a pharmacy. They would stop for a moment.

Zhang Xiaohua and his brothers were not only looking at the things being sold, but also at the crowd around them. In the small mountain village, they rarely saw so many people, especially beautiful and flamboyant girls, which attracted the young man's attention.

Unfortunately, the three of them looked ordinary and dressed simply. At first glance, it was obvious that they lived in a mountain village. The girls' eyes slipped away from them, far from staring at people like they did. Occasionally, a girl felt their burning gaze and naturally shyly walked away. There were also some girls who looked back at them, which made the three of them blush unnaturally.

Zhang Xiaohua only looked at things that were more fresh than when he was a child. Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu looked more at the future. Perhaps they wanted to meet a girl they liked and find their own happiness, but most of the girls did not pay much attention to their eyes, so they did not know what the two brothers were thinking.

In the middle of the street, there was a big shop with a sign that said "Qian Family's Cloth Art".

Seeing this, Zhang Cai's eyes lit up. Beckoning the three brothers over, he led the way in.

There was a shop assistant standing at the door of the shop. When he saw Zhang Cai walk in, he hurriedly greeted him and said, "Sir, please come in. What would you like to see?" He didn't seem to notice Zhang Cai's uneasiness and the fact that his clothes were not brand new.

After Zhang Cai walked into the fabric shop, he didn't go directly to the counter. Instead, he stood next to the door and nervously looked at the many male and female customers running around the shop. He didn't know what to do, and when he heard the shop assistant call out to him, he came back to his senses and awkwardly said, "Um, get some clothes for the children, and also buy some cloth for the children's mother."

While they were talking, Zhang Xiaolong and his two brothers also came in. After all, they rarely entered such a big store. Just now, they were just looking around. Now that they really had to buy things, they didn't know what to say. They were a little timid.

The shop assistant, on the other hand, didn't seem offended at all. He continued to smile as he welcomed them and said, "Then please come over here and take a look to see if there are any suitable fabrics."

As he spoke, he brought them to a corner of the counter and showed them the fabrics on it.

There were very few people at this corner of the counter. There were two groups of people who came first. One group was two young ladies who were looking down at the colors. The other group was a family of three with a child. They had also picked out the fabrics and were being wrapped up by the shop assistant.

Aside from this corner of the counter, the rest of the place was filled with colorful satin and other fine fabrics. There were also many people in bright clothes surrounding the counter, commenting and picking.

It seemed that the shop assistant also had good training and knew the needs of the customers. Looking at the clothes of Zhang Cai's family, he knew that what they needed was durable, not gaudy surfaces.

Although the shop assistant was already very considerate and took Zhang Cai and the others to the right place, Zhang Cai still had a difficult expression on his face. Because in the past, when they came to this kind of cloth shop, it had always been the child's mother who made the decision. What to buy, what to buy, what to buy, what to buy, it didn't need Zhang Cai to worry. This time, because Zhang Cai was at home accompanying the child's grandmother, she let Zhang Cai come to buy cloth. Zhang Cai didn't think too much about it. When he arrived at the shop, he didn't know what to buy.

Looking at the shop assistant's somewhat ugly expression, Zhang Xiaolong was quick-witted. He hurriedly walked forward and said to the shop assistant, "Let's take a look first. You should take care of the other customers first."

After the shop assistant walked away, Zhang Cai couldn't help but say regretfully, "Look at my brain. When I left, I didn't ask your mother what kind of cloth to buy. Now it's great. Us big men have to go back empty-handed."

Coincidentally, the taller of the two girls who had just been choosing cloth just happened to walk behind Zhang Xiaolong and pick up a piece of navy blue cloth on the counter. When she heard Zhang Cai's words, she walked back to her companion's side. Her eyes looked at Zhang Xiaolong again, seeming to discuss something. Then she walked over and said to Zhang Cai, "This uncle, I want to discuss something with you."

Zhang Cai said in puzzlement, "What's the matter?

Miss. "

The taller girl said, "Uncle, I was just about to pick out a piece of clothing for my brother, but he didn't come over. I see that his figure is similar to this big brother's. I wonder if I can ask him to help me try it on?

I heard you say that there's no cloth and no one to use as a reference. In return, how about my sister and I also give you a reference? "

Zhang Cai was overjoyed at the unexpected good news. He slapped his thigh and said, "Good, good."

Thus, Zhang Xiaolong acted as a clothes rack for a while and helped the two girls try on several pieces of clothing before buying something they were satisfied with.

And Zhang Cai's wish was even easier to fulfill. The two girls helped them pick out cloth and color, making Zhang Cai and his family very satisfied. Even the shop assistant felt that the two girls had good taste.

The only thing that made Zhang Xiaolong dissatisfied was that by the time the shop assistant finished wrapping the cloth and came out, the two girls had already gone far away. He still hadn't inquired about their names.

Zhang Xiaolong gloomily took the cloth and followed Zhang Cai forward. Just as he was about to look at the farming tools in the roadside shops, he suddenly heard the sound of gongs and drums. When Zhang Xiaohua heard it, she said excitedly, "Dad, hurry. The big show is about to start. Let's go watch the show first."

At the same time that Zhang Xiaohua called out to Zhang Cai, the crowd at the market also heard the sound of the gongs. Everyone rushed over. Zhang Cai also hurriedly called out to Xiaolong and Xiaohu, and quickly walked over with the crowd.

Lu Town had a custom for the New Year. In the corner of the market, a large stage would be set up. Every day, a troupe would perform on it until the end of the market.

For the farmers who had no entertainment, this was the highlight of the New Year.

It was no wonder that Xiaohua was so happy.

When Zhang Cai and his family arrived at the stage, the big show on the stage had already begun. There were already three layers of people surrounding the stage. Fortunately, the stage was high enough that the people in front of it didn't block their line of sight.

Although there were many people watching the show, they all held their breaths and listened attentively. It wasn't like the hustle and bustle of the shop just now.

What was being played on the stage was a popular folk story. Everyone was watching with great interest. Zhang Xiaolong also gradually forgot about the regret he had just felt.

Just as everyone was watching the show, there was a sudden noise on the other side of the stage. It was getting louder and louder. However, there were many people in between, so they couldn't hear it clearly.

However, Zhang Xiaohua could hear that the voice of a girl was very familiar. Could it be someone he knew from his village?

Coincidentally, there was a tree not far away. Zhang Xiaohua quickly climbed up and took a look. Aiyo, he really knew her. He said loudly to Zhang Xiaolong, "Big Brother, it's the sister who just picked out clothes for us!

She's in trouble. "

When Zhang Xiaolong heard this, he didn't have time to talk to Zhang Cai. He hurriedly pushed aside the people next to him, squeezed through the crowd, and walked to the other side of the stage. Zhang Cai also hurriedly pulled Zhang Xiaohu and called out to Zhang Xiaohua, who was coming down from the tree, to follow behind.

When Zhang Xiaolong used a Herculean effort to squeeze through the crowd and arrived at the other side of the stage, the scene in front of him made his blood boil.

The stage was built against a high wall. At this moment, there were two lonely little girls hugging each other under the high wall. Their faces were flushed red, and there were two small parcels beside them. Some clothes were spilled out from the parcels. They were probably the clothes they had just bought at the cloth store.

In front of them stood two short, fat men holding folding fans. They were dressed in bright clothes, and they were mumbling and groping the two girls, forcing them to move back and forth under the high wall.

Around the two fat men, there were seven or eight tall servants wearing coarse clothes. They separated the crowd of people who were watching the show.

Among these fierce looking servants, a few of them were smiling as they watched their young master's ugly behavior. A few of them were looking back at the crowd of people watching the show. From time to time, they would give a threatening look to prevent people from intruding.

Although there were a few people who wanted to stand up and help the two bullied village girls, they were all frightened by the evil servants. They could only look over there with unwilling eyes.

After Zhang Xiaolong rushed over and saw the situation, he was thinking about how to deal with it. However, he saw the tall village girl looking at him with a pitiful look for help. Although she wasn't looking at him, he couldn't help but want to rush over.

At this time, Zhang Xiaolong was pulled back by the people behind him. When he looked back, it was his family. Zhang Cai grabbed his arm.

Zhang Xiaolong was anxious and said, "Father …"

Zhang Cai said in a low voice, "Xiaolong, don't be impulsive. We can't beat them."

Zhang Xiaolong said, "But, if we don't help, those two girls will be bullied."

Zhang Xiaohua also said, "Yes, Father. Just now, that big sister also helped us."

Zhang Cai said, "Of course you can help, but you can't not help. Instead, you can't put yourself in trouble.

Look over there, that person wearing black clothes and holding a broadsword. "

The three Zhang brothers followed their father's gaze and looked over. Sure enough, there was a big man wearing black clothes standing over there. He held a broadsword in his left hand and crossed his hands in front of his chest. He leaned against a tree and squinted his eyes as if he was asleep. It seems that he should be the two naked bodyguards.

It seems that a large part of the reason why many people didn't dare to go forward was because of the broadsword in the bodyguard's hand.

What should they do? Zhang Xiaolong was also a bit anxious.

Just as Zhang Xiaolong was hesitating, the situation on the other side of the high wall became worse. The two short and fat young masters had already pulled the two village girls away and were using all their strength to drag them to the small alley at the corner of the high wall.

Zhang Xiaolong couldn't hold back anymore. He forcefully shook off Zhang Cai's hand and quickly ran over. The group of evil servants also thought that the crowd next to them had been frightened by them. Seeing that a "good show" was about to begin, they all moved closer to the small alley. They didn't expect that someone would rush over at this time.

Zhang Xiaolong rushed to the side of the two village girls. First, he reached out and grabbed the two girls' arms and pulled them to his side. The strength of the two short and fat young masters couldn't compare to him who worked in the fields all day long. They were pulled over in an instant. While they were stunned, Zhang Xiaolong loudly said, "What are you doing?"

The two short and fat young masters saw that the prey in their hands had been taken away and their faces were very angry. The two of them looked at each other and one of them wearing orange clothes said, "We're not doing anything.

Who are you?

What are you doing? "

Zhang Xiaolong was stunned for a moment and then said, "I'm their older cousin. Why are you pulling them?

Be careful, we'll go report you to the officials. "

The other person wearing black clothes said, "Report you to the officials?

Okay, then let's go together. In Lu Town, your master, I, am the official.

Your cousin just stepped on my shoes. I want her to pay for my shoes. I want to see if the official will report to you or me. "

At this time, Zhang Cai and the others also rushed over. Zhang Cai hurriedly bowed to the two people and said with a smile, "Two masters, please calm down. My two girls don't know any better. You see, they stepped on your shoes. We'll pay for it. Today is a good day to go to the market. You're a big man and have a big heart.

This year, you'll be rewarded. "The person wearing orange clothes said with a sly smile," Well said. Seeing that you're a tactful old man, I, your master, will do a good deed and pay for my shoes.

Zhang Cai was startled and carefully said, "Then may I ask how much copper coins should I pay you?"

The person wearing orange clothes stretched out a palm.

Zhang Cai let out a sigh of relief and said, "So it's five copper coins. I'll give it to you."

Zhang Cai took out five copper coins and handed it over. The person wearing orange clothes didn't even look at the five copper coins in front of him and slapped them to the ground. He fiercely said, "You country bumpkin, you think these are your straw sandals? Your master's shoes are only worth five copper coins. Listen carefully, five taels of silver!"

Zhang Cai thought this was bad and immediately said with a smile, "Master, you must be joking. My family's annual food rations are only three taels of silver.

Are your shoes worth that much? "

The person wearing black clothes said, "You little old man, are you suspecting that we're lying?"

At this time, the village girl behind Zhang Xiaolong had recovered. She poked her head out from behind Zhang Xiaolong and said, "Uncle, they're accusing us. We didn't step on them at all. We just came to watch the show. Before we even got close, they already surrounded us."

Zhang Xiaolong also angrily said, "Father, they're obviously trying to blackmail us. Let's hurry up and take this girl to the authorities to sue them."

The person wearing black clothes laughed loudly and said, "You bunch of bumpkins, you haven't seen the world. You don't even know your Master Zhao and you're still talking about suing the authorities.

Little ones, come and tell them what an official is. "

This Master Zhao waved his hand and the servants who were originally standing to the side watching the show immediately surrounded them. Zhang Cai saw that the situation wasn't good and said to Zhang Xiaohua, "You and these two girls find a chance to run away. We'll protect you."

After he finished speaking, he took Zhang Xiaolong and Zhang Xiaohu to fight with the servants who surrounded them. Zhang Xiaohua also pulled the two girls and ran into the crowd watching the show.

Zhang Cai, Zhang Xiaolong, and Zhang Xiaohu, although they were strong laborers from the countryside and had some strength, they were slightly better than the servants in a one on one fight. However, a strong man couldn't withstand a large number of people. After a few rounds, they were thrown to the ground by several vicious servants. The servants' fists and feet rained down on them. The three of them were injured on their bodies and faces. Zhang Xiaohua and the two village girls were clever at first. They avoided several servants and were about to rush into the crowd, but they were unexpectedly blocked in front by the bodyguard. After several turns, they were unable to escape the bodyguard's figure. The bodyguard didn't make a move. He just blocked them and didn't let them go forward. When the servants caught up, he stood to the side and watched as Zhang Xiaohua and the two village girls were blocked by Zhang Cai and the others.

When Zhang Xiaohua saw his father and brother being pressed to the ground and beaten, he anxiously rushed forward to save them. However, he was kicked in the chest and fell to the ground on his back. His body was covered in mud. When he was about to struggle to sit up, two more servants came and pressed him against the wall. They slapped him a few times and blood flowed out from the corner of his mouth. These two servants saw that Zhang Xiaohua was still young, so they didn't make a move. They just pressed his body and didn't let him move.

No matter how Zhang Xiaohua struggled, he couldn't break free from the two strong men's hands. Seeing his father and brothers being beaten under the vicious servants' fists and feet, his heart ached and tears flowed down in an instant.