At noon.
Linghu Wetland Park.
Due to the heavy snow last night, the pine forest was covered with snow. The white snow was dazzling in the midday sun.
Carrying a hemp rope on his left shoulder and a hunting bow on his right shoulder, the boy exhaled a breath of white mist and looked up at the south gate of the park.
The twisted steel bars were hung with icicles, and a wooden board as wide as a table was tied to the highest point, with a string of numbers engraved on it.
"404."
After staring at the wooden sign for a while, Yu Hu whispered the number.
This is the method that old Charlie taught them, and it is also a habit he has developed recently.
He said that as long as you see a word on the road, you can read it out in a low voice and count the strokes silently in your mind.
The more you recognize, the more familiar you will be.
This method is quite effective. Recently, he has learned to write his own name, Xiaoyu, his parents, his brother and his sister-in-law, and basic numbers and addition and subtraction.
If it were a few months ago, this skill would have been considered as a cultured person on Beth Street.
But now, it is just average.
Recently, the enthusiasm for learning in the town is ridiculously high, especially the young men. Since everyone heard about the treatment of the new industrial zone from Li Niu and others, they have all become regular visitors to the literacy class and wish to live there.
Of course, this may also be partly because it is warmer in the castle, and people don't want to leave after going there once.
The most dangerous road has passed.
After taking a short break at the entrance of the park, Yu Hu tightened the rope on his shoulders and continued to walk forward on the snow that was over his knees.
It is not an easy task to wade through the snow with prey, but for experienced hunters, there is no problem.
He made a raft with wooden boards, tied the mutant wild boar he killed to it, and dragged it with a rope.
In this way, there is no need to worry about the prey getting stuck in the snow and freezing. It is much easier and safer than dragging the prey directly.
As long as you are careful with your feet and don't walk on unfamiliar roads, there will be no problem.
After passing through the woods for several hundred meters, the view in front of you suddenly opened up.
Rows of wooden stakes piled with snow stood on the open ground outside the trench. In front of them were the walls and the south gate of the outpost base, and behind them were the houses built by the blue coats, and then Brother Chu's home.
Compared with a month ago, the changes here are simply too great.
The tall chimney behind the wall and the clanging sound of ironmaking disappeared along with the trees outside the wall.
In their place are small houses with unique styles, straight streets paved with stone bricks, more and more people, and more and more abundant things on the stalls.
Yu Hu is not well-educated. He has only recently learned to recognize a few words. He can only think of some beautiful words to describe these houses. He just thinks they are strangely beautiful.
Some eaves are tilted upwards, brick and wood are mixed, square, majestic and majestic. Some are completely cylindrical, made of stone bricks, solemn and mysterious.
Although the styles are different, these houses are very neat and the height is uniform, and none of them exceeds the roof of the sanatorium in the center of the settlement.
Yu Hu didn't know what those houses were used for. He only recognized the warehouse and the small wooden house with a plaque wrapped in rattan and elegant decoration.
He bought clothes there once and bought two meters of cloth for his family. His sister's scarf seemed to be made there.
Occasionally, when he caught some prey with beautiful fur, Yu Hu would bring it here to ask. The shopkeeper who looked like a child would give a little more reward than the warehouse not far away.
Anyway, according to Brother Chu, as long as he brought the things here for trading, he could help him, so Yu Hu didn't care who he sold them to.
But forget about the wild boar.
Yu Hu thought that the cute little shopkeeper should not need this kind of rough leather, so he dragged the wild boar directly to the warehouse.
The rope was left at the door. Just when he was about to ask the manager to help weigh the prey, he suddenly saw a familiar face from behind the wooden table.
The man also saw him and was instantly delighted.
"Yu Hu?"
"Zhao Shu?" Yu Hu looked at him in surprise, "Aren't you in the brick factory?"
As he spoke, Yu Hu looked up and down at the fur coat worn by the fellow villager, and a trace of envy appeared on his face.
This guy is living a good life.
He even changed into new clothes!
Seeing the surprised expression on the fellow villager's face, Zhao Shu smiled and said proudly.
"Recently, the base has been under construction, and the warehouses and dormitories are being expanded. We are short of manpower. I saw that the treatment was good, so I took the initiative to ask to be transferred from the brick factory!"
In fact, he didn't want to come here at first.
Although the brick factory earns a few less silver coins, it is as warm as spring, and there are always people with stories written on their faces who are sent in to work.
Those old guys are all talented, nice to talk to, and especially love to brag.
When they open their mouths, they think about the past, and when they close their mouths, they talk about a long story. When asked where they came from, they were either mercenaries from the Wandering Swamp or centurions from the Far West... In short, they were all places he had never heard of.
Zhao Shu had never left Qingquan City in his life, and the farthest he had been was the dungeon of the Blood Hand Clan. He vaguely remembered that the leader of the Blood Hand Clan seemed to be called the Centurion?
At his peak, the man who looked like a bear had about a hundred people under his command, and he was rampant and evil in the northern suburbs of Qingquan City.
But what was the use?
In the end, he was wiped out by those blue jackets. Now he is probably working in the mine in Honghe Town, and I don't know if he is still alive.
So... a centurion only manages a thousand people?
This is nonsense!
Zhao Shu thought that all the people he had met in his life might not add up to a thousand! He has a headache when he has to remember dozens of names. If he really has to take care of so many people, can he remember who is who?
In short, Niuma Brick Factory is a good place. Even if he doesn't believe the nonsense those old guys say, Zhao Shu always likes to listen to their bragging.
If he didn't plan to move his family from Beth Street here in the spring of next year and buy a house while the base expands to the north, he really wants to stay in that good place with summer all year round.
It's simply heaven there.
"... Let's not talk about me. How are you over there? Is the blizzard having a big impact? Also, is my family okay?" After talking about his own situation, Zhao Shu immediately asked Yu Hu about his family.
The blizzard last night blew away another roof. Thinking of the shack at that house, he didn't sleep well all night.
"We are doing well there. Your father asked me to bring you a message yesterday, saying that you should not worry about home and take care of yourself..." After relaying the greetings that Zhao Shu's father asked him to bring, Yu Hu and the fellow villager continued to talk about the recent situation of Beth Street.
Although this winter is colder than everyone expected, and the blizzard is so fierce that it makes people tremble, thanks to the help of those blue coats, they have moved into brick and wood houses of uniform style early, and the disaster situation is not as serious as last year.
If it were the shack before, it would be hard to say, and it is estimated that many people would die.
In the most difficult days, old Charlie let those poor people whose houses were blown down by the blizzard live in the castle of the former mayor, and arranged for people to repair the damaged houses.
Under the organization of the street office, everyone is very united when facing difficulties.
Facts have proved that without the rule of the old mayor, they will only live better.
After listening to Yu Hu's description, Zhao Shu's face was full of emotion.
"This was simply unimaginable in previous years."
Yu Hu nodded in agreement.
"Yes."
When the old mayor's family was still around, they had to work hard just to survive, how could they be as comfortable as they are now.
Not to mention opening the castle gates to let the victims in.
Even if the victims gathered together to save themselves, he would send those lackeys who only dared to bully their own people to drive away the people who gathered together.
"Speaking of which, Yu Hu."
"What's the matter?"
Zhao Shu hesitated for a while and spoke.
"Why don't you come here too!"
Before Yu Hu could speak, Zhao Shu continued to persuade.
"Life here is much better than Beth Street, and there is a shortage of manpower everywhere. You are so good at hunting, you will definitely find a job here! It will definitely be better than mine!"
To be honest, seeing the changes here, Yu Hu was indeed a little moved.
Anyway, he didn't get married, and moving out would mean one less mouth to feed at home.
But after thinking about it, he finally shook his head.
"... Let's forget it."
Zhao Shu was stunned, obviously not expecting him to refuse, and asked hurriedly.
"Why?"
Yu Hu said frankly.
"You also said that I only have that little hunting ability, and this damn weather is of no help at all. I may not be able to catch a prey in a few weeks. Instead of coming here to trouble you, it's better to stay at home and learn more characters. Maybe it can be useful."
What kind of reason is this?
After listening to Yu Hu's words, Zhao Shu looked at a face that didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Well, the granary next door is almost full, how can they lack your food? And you don't have to learn to write on Beth Street. The factories here have night schools just like the guards!"
"That won't work either," Yu Hu said stubbornly, "Brother Chu has helped our family so much, how can I take advantage of him!"
Seeing that this guy was as stubborn as a rock, Zhao Shu shook his head and sighed.
"You... Forget it, I can't persuade you."
Yu Hu touched the back of his head and said with a grin.
"You don't have to persuade me, I know what I'm doing. Besides, Brother Chu said that if I come next spring, he will find something for me to do, and I'll come back then!"
Brother Chu is such a smart person, he must have arranged everything long ago.
It will definitely be right to do what he says!
The two didn't talk about moving. With the help of Zhao Shu, Yu Hu weighed the mutant wild boar and quickly sent it to the slaughterhouse.
The man in the blue jacket holding a butcher knife stood in front of the chopping board, skillfully pulling out the tendons, peeling the skin and taking out the meat, throwing the bones and offal into the bucket, the movements were dazzling and dazzling.
The price of prey is much higher now than before. The purchase price of mutant wild boar skin has increased from 10 silver coins to 20 silver coins, which is 400 grams of coarse salt!
In the past, although the price of salt was cheaper, it could only be exchanged for 300 grams of coarse salt at most.
The price of meat is the same. The prices of things sold here have almost doubled, but the price of collecting prey has also risen with the tide, which does not affect him much.
Prey can be exchanged for more things, which is a good thing.
The raw hides are stored in the warehouse, and a tanner will come to pick them up later. The raw meat is divided into two parts, the larger one is Yu Hu's, and the smaller one is the reward for slaughtering, which will be returned to the base warehouse as agreed.
Zhao Shu took out the account book, made a mark on it, and then carefully counted out 20 silver coins from the drawer and lined them up on the table.
"This is 20 silver coins, keep them."
Looking at the silver coins on the table, Yu Hu picked up one and looked at it, weighed it in his palm, and asked curiously.
"Why did this silver coin change its style?"
It was much heavier than before and looked newer.
Zhao Shu explained.
"The manager said that the previous coins were inconvenient, and this new silver coin will be used in the future."
Although he couldn't say where it was inconvenient, this was what the manager said.
"What about the original silver coins?" Yu Hu remembered that there were still some at home. If these couldn't be used, he had to ask his brother to exchange them all for salt.
Expecting him to ask this, Zhao Shu waved his hand and responded skillfully.
"It's okay. The manager said that the warehouse and the bank will accept all the new and old coins, but they won't give change when they need money."
Seeing that it didn't affect his family, Yu Hu was relieved and put the silver coins on the table into his pocket.
Looking at Yu Hu who was packing up his things, Zhao Shu asked.
"Are you going back directly?"
Yu Hu said.
"I'm not in a hurry. I have to go see my little sister later. Do you have anything you want me to bring back? I can take it for you on the way."
Zhao Shu continued.
"No, we are now paid monthly... Otherwise, please tell my family to take care of their health. Wait for another two weeks, and it will be my turn to take a vacation. I will take time to go back home to see them."
Yu Hu nodded.
"Okay, I'll pass on the message for you."
After receiving this promise, Zhao Shu showed a comfortable smile on his face.
"Thanks!"
At this time, several residents of the shelter came running over from a distance, pointing at the shelves and chattering something.
The voices were as excited as a quarrel.
"Pepper, I want pepper!"
"I want it too!"
"Fuck! Don't cut in line, I came first!"
Looking at the Elf King Fugui who was in the front, Ye Shi, who didn't run faster than him, couldn't help but spit.
"What's the use of pepper for a hunter like you?"
Brother Fugui rolled his eyes and said confidently.
"Who cares! Hunters are not allowed to be cooks?"
How could he, the Elf King, miss this opportunity to enter the Hall of Fame!
Although he can't cook at all, it doesn't matter!
Isn't it enough to have hands to cook?
If the seasoning is in place, are you still worried that it won't taste good?
So the key is to grab the seasoning!
Zhao Shu looked down at VM, skillfully took the last two bags of pepper from the shelf, handed them to the person standing in front, and said with a non-standard pronunciation.
"This is the last one, there is no more."
Hearing this, the people behind him instantly dispersed with disappointment.
Only the man in the blue coat who bought something looked happy. After saying "thank you", he generously took out VM to pay and walked away in a hurry.
Watching the back figure going away, Yu Hu asked curiously.
"What did he buy just now? Salt?"
"It's 'pepper', a seasoning, it tastes weird, anyway, I don't like it very much." At this point, Zhao Shu paused and added, "Unless it is sprinkled on barbecue."
Barbecue.
Yu Hu swallowed unconsciously and thought of the barbecue stall at the north gate.
The food sold there tastes absolutely amazing!
When looking towards the north gate, Yu Hu suddenly noticed that there was something unusually lively there. Many people in blue coats were running around there, some taking things from the granary, some carrying things to the granary, and some moving some wooden tables and sheds from the carpenter's hut there.
Usually there would be more people there in the evening, why was it so busy at noon today?
"What's going on over there?" Yu Hu felt that he was curious more times today than in the past week combined.
Zhao Shu said with a smile.
"You mean there? There's a celebration in a week!"
"Celebration?!" Yu Hu looked at Zhao Shu in surprise, "Is anyone getting married?"
Holding a celebration a week in advance, he must be a very high-ranking person.
Could it be...
Is it Brother Chu? !
"What marriage? That's called... New Year's Day!" Zhao Shu was not very familiar with the pronunciation of that word. He thought for a long time before he remembered, "The residents of the shelter plan to celebrate the arrival of the new year. The last day and the first day of the year seem to be very important festivals for them. I don't know the details, but it's something like a celebration."
Yu Hu knows about celebrations.
For example, recently, when the old mayor's youngest son was just one month old, he gave them a sheep's horn potato and asked them to go to the castle to work for free for half a day.
Except for the old mayor and his lackeys, no one was happy.
However...
Celebrating the New Year, for him who heard about this new thing for the first time, still made him curious.
Seeing through the expression on Yu Hu's face, Zhao Shu said with a smile.
"It's not the most lively time now. Wait until the last night of December. If you have time, you can come and take a look."
"I bet it will be lively!"
Yu Hu nodded vigorously and said with interest.
"Well! I'll remember that... But it's not convenient to go back at night, right?"
"Why go back? Just stay here," Zhao Shu patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "There's enough space in my dormitory, so I'm sure we can sleep!"
...
The north gate of the outpost.
It was very lively at the moment.
The players showed off their skills, either busy setting up stalls or boiling something in a big pot. The whole north gate was filled with a strange smell that even the north wind blowing through the forest couldn't blow away.
Qiu Ye, who was next to her sister, blinked curiously.
She had never seen such a lively scene before.
"Night badger! Flathead from the wasteland! Anyone want it? Just caught outside Changjiu Farm! Bring your price if you want it, hurry up."
"Sweeping the buildings on 76th Street, are there any brothers willing to get on board? I heard there's a hyena den there."
"Three-man team waiting for a perception department, newcomers are also fine."
"Laona, what did you throw into the pot just now?!"
"Boss Crow!! Help Tail check if this is poisonous!"
"Check it for me too!"
"Hey!! Just put it on the table, don't stuff it into my mouth!" The cries of crows echoed on the mushroom beach, attracting the guards to look over there, and then walked away when they saw nothing was wrong.
Not far from the market entrance.
Elf King Fugui shook the two bags of pepper in his hand at Ye Shi, and walked proudly in the direction of his teammates. Mole Brother and Irena were waiting for him.
After kicking the guy's back, Ye Shi walked to the side of his teammates with a curse.
"Fuck! I didn't buy the seasoning! It's outrageous that all the pepper is sold out!"
When did these people become so rich!
1 silver for 1g of pepper, and they bought two bags at once, which is too much!
Lao Bai comforted him.
"It's okay, forget it if you don't buy it, anyway, you may not use it in the end."
Kuangfeng also said.
"Well, it's better for us to try to use some simple materials. I feel that the probability of winning the game will be higher this way."
It was within Kuangfeng's expectations that the seasoning would be sold out.
After all, the rewards of the event are not only the annual limited title, but also the entry into the Hall of Fame.
It is reasonable that it will be as fierce as a competition. Everyone wants to be the first, after all, it is there.
If no one rolls it, Kuangfeng will have to doubt whether he is playing on the national server.
At this moment, a cracked claw crab is lying next to them.
All the newbies passing by couldn't help but look sideways at this place, and they couldn't help but curse the hateful Europeans in their hearts.
In this winter, the roads are buried, but you can still find the nest of the cracked-claw crab.
Isn't it the emperor of Europe!
Carrying a bag of flour out of the north gate, Zhang Hai saw the big crab and his eyes popped out.
He walked up and took a look, and he couldn't help asking.
"Where did you get such a big crab?"
Ye Shi didn't hide it, and said lazily.
"There is a cave on the north bank of Linghu Lake, and there is a hibernating cracked-claw crab in it. We saw it sleeping, so we found the right opportunity to hit it in the face."
Although it cost a little money, it was worth it.
Zhang Hai cursed: "Mom! Why do you always find such good things?"
Seeing his envious and jealous look, Ye Shi smiled.
"Maybe it's luck?"
Zhang Hai: "#%@!"
Fang Chang and Fried Eggs with Tomatoes stood together, staring at the Claw Crab on the ground and discussing how to cook it.
One is a great eater, the other is a great cook. The two of them standing together are a strange combination.
"I carefully studied the event announcement. The requirement is 'simple and delicious'. We have to use ingredients that are easy to obtain as much as possible, so that the probability of winning should be higher." Fried Eggs with Tomatoes shook his head.
"This requirement is too abstract."
Fang Chang said thoughtfully.
"Indeed, and how to preserve the crab meat is a problem."
Even in winter, the crab meat of the hunting crab is difficult to preserve until the third day, and on the fourth day, even if the meat does not deteriorate, the taste will be much worse due to dehydration.
And now there are still 7 days until New Year's Day!
It was purely accidental to find this hunting crab, and he was not confident that he could find another one.
Fried Eggs with Tomatoes touched his chin and suddenly spoke.
"I have some ideas about preserving crab meat."
Fang Chang looked at him.
"Oh?"
Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes continued.
"I have observed the workers in the brick factory before. They would pick up some grass from the lake to deal with the uneaten fish meat, so that it can be kept fresh even if it is left for the second or third day. I don't know if it works for crab meat, but I think I can give it a try."
Fang Chang had never heard of such a strange plant.
"What grass?"
Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes said.
"Look at the official website illustration, it's called buffalo grass, but it doesn't write the specific effects."
Fang Chang immediately asked the most critical question.
"Can I find it in winter?"
Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes shook his head and said.
"That's not clear, but when I found out about it, I picked a lot out of curiosity, dried it and put it in the locker to study it slowly, but it never came in handy."
Hearing this, Fang Chang was instantly excited and said excitedly.
"Good brother! Here comes the chance to be useful!"
Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes scratched the back of his head.
"But even if the problem of preserving crab meat is solved... what should we make of it? We can't just grill it over charcoal, right?"
Although it's not impossible, it's too unskilled, and it's probably a bit difficult to win the prize.
"That's easy," Fang Chang showed a confident smile on his face, and continued, "I just noticed that the warehouse has temporarily lifted the sales restrictions on green wheat and lamb trotters."
Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes was slightly stunned and didn't understand.
"What do you mean..."
"It's obvious that the answer to 'cheap and delicious' lies in these two things! Otherwise, why lift the sales restrictions at this point in time?"
Fang Chang looked at Brother Scrambled Eggs with a sharp gaze and continued.
"Brother, have you heard of crab cakes?"-