A colossal vessel broke through the mist, its huge bulk docking at the slender pier. The gangway was slowly lowered, after which the people who had been eagerly awaiting on deck hastily disembarked.
The first to walk down the gangway was a soldier, and behind him were still soldiers, a dense mass of them, one after another, forming silent ranks on the dock.
They didn't shout any slogans, simply lining up spontaneously, and once everyone was assembled, they immediately left with their weapons without looking back.
Soon, an entire unit of soldiers had finished disembarking, including their weapons and a sufficient supply of ammunition to fight a battle.
The crane lifted cars from the ship's hold, followed by howitzers, and then boxes and boxes of ammunition secured together.
Suddenly, at the neighboring dock, another cargo ship stabilized at its berth, and sailors coiled the ropes. The gangway of this massive vessel was also slowly lowered, and similarly, rows of soldiers disembarked in silence, as if worried about disturbing others, before departing from the port.
An elderly woman setting up her breakfast stall that morning saw the troops leaving the port. She was stunned initially, but then a smile appeared on her face.
She even stopped hawking her wares, simply spreading out her ingredients and frying golden-brown youtiao in her sizzling wok—this food item had come over from Dongwan Island and was said to be very popular in Brunas.
Initially, the recipe had spread from Tang Mo's kitchen, and later it became the nobility's favorite breakfast. Paired with soy milk, it was simply irresistible.
What's more, it came with a beautiful legend: the youtiao, golden in color like gold bars, so eating it was thought by some to bring a touch of Tang Mo's wealth, thus it was also called "fried gold bars."
So the tale spread further and wider, eventually becoming a trend, and then a craze, transforming into a popular food for the masses. Stay updated through empire
As the construction of Linshui City continued to improve, so did the quality of life for those who made their living around here, and as a result, such a breakfast began to gain popularity.
In the past, such an extravagant breakfast would have been unimaginable, for even the main meals here were never so luxurious.
But as everyone's earnings increased and their standard of living improved, material desires rose accordingly. Shops selling clothing began to appear in the city, and in some wealthier households and in the buildings owned by the Great Tang Group, they even started using electric lights.
Where there's demand, there's market, just like the egg pancakes sold outside schools; once summer or winter vacation ended, that vehicle would inevitably park there, rain or shine.
"Come here, young man! Take this!" The old lady fearlessly offered the freshly fried youtiao to a passing soldier shouldering a gun.
The soldier smiled and nodded, his blue eyes brimming with mirth as he declined, "Thank you, but no need! We've already had breakfast."
Behind him, another person with black eyes also gestured, "Taking the common people's stuff is not right! Old lady, this area is not safe, you should hurry back home!"
"Nonsense! I've been looking forward to this day, how could I possibly go back now?" The old lady knew that her youtiao were not to their taste; she casually set them aside, smiling as she watched the troops passing by her stall, as if she were looking at her own children.
Early rising workers and some on their way to work also saw these troops emerging from the port; unexpectedly, they simply stood by the roadside, curiously observing the strange appearance of these troops they had never seen before.
The soldiers all wore grayish-green uniforms, helmets on their heads, and vests covered in bulging pockets.
Each soldier carried a backpack that looked very large and heavy, and their belts were hung with shovels, canteens, ration pouches, and bayonets.
Of course, the ordinary citizens of Linshui City couldn't comprehend their gear, but the sight of their orderly march, and the forest-like gun barrels that swayed slightly with each step, instinctively filled onlookers with a sense of awe towards these troops.
"Clap, clap..." A dockworker planning to go to work at the pier couldn't resist starting to clap his hands at the sight of these troops.
Ever since he had heard of the Great Tang Group and learned that a sinner would return to lead them to a better life, he had been looking forward to this day.
Now that he had finally seen the troops of the Great Tang Group, and the arrival of the day when they would come to rescue them, he excitedly clapped his hands in welcome to this majestic and orderly military force.
After hearing the applause, another passerby joined in clapping their hands, and gradually more and more joined until cheers began to erupt.
Curious people opened their windows, then shouts of excitement emerged, people brought out water pitchers, and some held cheap fruits; others even generously grabbed eggs.
Offering modest food and drink to welcome the king's army!
At the Lord's Mansion, a guard rushed in frantically, reporting the news he had just received to his superior, "My lord, my lord! Trouble! Trouble! At the port, many foreign troops have suddenly appeared..."