Dengzhou Prefecture, in later generations, has another name: Penglai.
This place is adjacent to the Yellow Sea. Although Korea is still between it and Japan, Fang Er instantly associated it with Mount Fuji.
Experts have statistically estimated that this behemoth erupts approximately every three hundred years, with the last recorded eruption being in 1707.
Just before Fang Er time-traveled, he had seen reports predicting that Mount Fuji would erupt around 2021 to 2022.
The Japanese, who lived quite comfortably, not only did not refute this prediction but also implemented a series of measures to cope with volcanic eruptions, indicating that the prediction and the roughly three-hundred-year cycle have some basis.
Then, counting back from 1707, the current time is 1070, a difference of 637 years, which is precisely two cycles!
The Korean Peninsula also has volcanoes, but most are concentrated in the Changbai Mountain area, and the Hallasan volcano on Jeju Island has not erupted much. Compared to that, Mount Fuji has a much higher possibility.
The fiery pillar that shot up into the sky almost illuminated the entire East, and the volcanic ash, like dark clouds, spread at a visible speed.
In Dengzhou city, countless civilians walked onto the city walls, looking in that direction. This spectacle could entirely be called a "once-in-a-lifetime" event.
Although Ge Luoyang was also immensely shocked, he did not forget that Lu Benwei was waiting for rescue on the helicopter.
He patted the shoulder of the gatekeeper soldier twice, put on a smile again, and asked, "Brother, do you know the physician Qian Yi?"
The gatekeeper soldier was jolted out of his reverie and casually replied, "Qian Yi, yes, I know him."
"He should be treating a child at the home of the governor's sister-in-law's second uncle's mother-in-law's sister's husband's family these past few days. You can go directly to their door to see him if you have business."
Ge Luoyang: ???
What the hell is this jumbled mess? How could this inconspicuous soldier remember such complicated interpersonal relationships so clearly?
It's utterly absurd!
After thoughtfully trying to sort it out for a long time, he looked at the gatekeeper soldier speechlessly and said.
"Can you say that again? I didn't quite catch it just now~"
The gatekeeper soldier proudly raised his head and said, "Physician Qian has been at the governor's sister-in-law's~~"
But he stopped midway, and his expression became a bit awkward.
"Damn, it's on the tip of my tongue but I can't remember the rest. Given the silver, I'll personally lead you there, old brother~"
Ge Luoyang was overjoyed and casually stuffed a five-tael silver ingot into the soldier's arms: "Hahahaha, you're so loyal! Come on, take this to treat the other brothers to a drink!"
The gatekeeper soldier was also happy. He stroked his chest, felt the size of the silver, and then called out to his companions.
"Brothers, I'm taking this gentleman into the city. You guys keep an eye out. I'll treat you to drinks tonight when I get back~"
Money makes the world go 'round. Ge Luoyang successfully used silver to bribe a guide.
Upon hearing the good news he transmitted through the walkie-talkie, Fang Er ordered the helicopter crew, which was still hovering in the air, to land.
To avoid being mobbed by the populace as before, they specifically landed in an inconspicuous location outside the city.
Leaving a few people to guard, they carried Lu Benwei and Chen Qun and walked towards Dengzhou city.
Even though the eye-catching helicopter was gone, their attire still stood out like a sore thumb here.
Ignoring the pointing and murmuring of the civilians, Wang Xuance asked for the location of the inn.
"Oh~ Esteemed guests, are you here for a meal or to stay?" A waiter with a white towel greeted them. Upon seeing the number of people, his face was so happy it was almost wrinkled.
"We're not here for a meal or to stay. We'll be renting out this entire inn for half a month!" Fang Er casually pulled out a silver ingot and tossed it over, "This is for your trouble. The rent will be separate."
The waiter instantly wanted to run home and check if his ancestors' graves were emitting auspicious smoke. These people were incredibly generous!
This humble inn, since he started working here, had never seen such generosity!
He quickly moved aside to let them pass and said flatteringly.
"Thank you for your generosity, sirs. Please come inside~"
Dengzhou city was a border town, but it could not escape the flames of dynastic change. If the Great Song had not permitted maritime trade, Dengzhou's situation would only have been worse than it is now!
If one were to describe the city's dilapidated state, this inn was a clear indication.
This was the best inn in the city. It was a small wooden building with two floors, covering an area of no more than three hundred square meters. The first floor was the lobby and dining area, and the second floor housed the guest rooms.
The six courtyard gates in the back, which were on the verge of falling off, were considered presidential suites here.
A courtyard cost only fifty copper coins per day, and this included three value-added services: hot water, cleaning, and night-soil removal.
Yet, even with this, there were still few guests.
Local merchants lived in their own homes, and foreign merchants who frequented the city had bought their own residences. Only people like Fang Er, who were just stopping by temporarily, would patronize it occasionally.
After asking Wang Xuance to notify Ge Luoyang via walkie-talkie about their lodging, the group entered the back courtyard.
"Can this shabby courtyard accommodate people?" Li Shimin stood there stunned, then turned to Fang Er and said, "Is this thing much better than a chicken coop?"
Fang Er: ...........
You call this a chicken coop? Is that proper?
"Alas, when I was in distress, I would have been content to have a place like this to live!"
Li Xiuning, seemingly sighing, but her eyes were fixed on Li Shimin.
"You dare to be picky about the place my son-in-law found?"
Li Shimin quickly corrected himself: "Hahahaha, eldest sister is right. An Zhi has put in effort. Having lived in carved beams and painted corridors, living in a chicken coop occasionally can help us remember the hardships!"
After speaking, he called out to Xie Bi'an and Fan Wujiu, "You two, take them and tidy up these courtyards. We'll be staying here!"
Fang Er was about to say that it was fine to go out and buy a house, as it wouldn't cost much.
But with the way this brother and sister handled it, saying they should buy a house now would seem too extravagant, wouldn't it?
Fine, they'd just make do for a few days!
As soon as they were settled, the innkeeper, accompanied by a waiter, brought several buckets of hot water. They were tired from the journey, and a hot bath was a great pleasure.
After they left, Ge Luoyang also returned, followed by a middle-aged man who had difficulty walking.
Seeing how he walked, Fang Er's eyes lit up. If his guess was correct, this must be Qian Yi.
Indeed, the next moment, Ge Luoyang introduced, "My Lord, this is the physician Qian Yi you asked me to find."
Fang Er warmly stepped forward, grabbed Qian Yi's hands, and said with a smile, "Hahahaha, thank you for coming, Mr. Qian. Please forgive me for not being able to welcome you from afar."