The threshing floor of Cyan Ox Village was filled with the fresh scent of wheat. Zhang Yifan's wooden ox caravan was fully loaded and ready to go. The oxen carried raisins from the Western Regions, cloud mist tea from Tibet, and the mischievous wooden carvings made by Huwa—each carving having its corners secretly smeared with chili powder by the boy, under the grand pretext of a "bug-proof smile."
"This brat is up to no good again!" The Old Daoist struck Huwa's head with his tobacco pipe. "If those Chang'an nobles get their tongues burned by the spice, you'll ruin our reputation!"
Huwa stuck out his tongue and ducked behind a wooden ox. With a sudden snap, a string of firecrackers tumbled out from the ox's belly—he had actually hidden "wolf-scaring firecrackers" brought back from the Western Regions inside the compartment. "Brother Fan says Chang'an's high officials love liveliness! When the firecrackers pop, ten thousand taels of gold drop!"
Chapter 30