As a devout believer, Little Niu never changed his faith until his death. If loyalty could be quantified, he would surely be at 100%.
Therefore, even though he had concerns weighing on his mind, Little Niu did not choose to leave midway to go home and solve the problems left by Hook, but instead planned to continue to Grantham for the gathering.
And so it was.
After Hook's carriage gradually moved away, the group packed their bags and set off again.
Three hours later.
After two more rests along the way, the group of eight finally arrived at the entrance of a town, covered in dust.
This is a small town surrounded by walls, about four meters high, with a stone monument at the entrance.
The monument is inscribed in English, which translates to Grantham.
Xu Yun, during his two years as an exchange student in the United Kingdom, had been to this small town once and stayed for three and a half days.
After all, this is Little Niu's hometown and, in a sense, can be considered a 'holy place' in the physical world. Most people in the physics profession who visit London would come to check in.
Back then, Xu Yun, who was short on money, stayed at a hotel named Hammer, which was conveniently located near the entrance of Grantham's town wall. Upon entering the town, you could see the door on your right.
The hotel was rated four stars, but the room rate, including tax, was only over 290 Huaxia Coins, which was considered extremely cheap.
However, the hotel's soundproofing was poor, and you could hear some clapping sounds in the middle of the night.
At that time, the hotel owner patted his chest and told Xu Yun that their hotel had a history of over 400 years, but it had been renovated several times in between, so it didn't look very aged.
There was even a John Bull government-certified 400-year history plaque hanging on the wall, so Xu Yun foolishly believed it and even paid three euros to take a picture with the plaque.
But now, seeing Grantham, he really wanted to spit on the hotel owner's bald head, which had almost the same amount of hair as a programmer:
That hotel had no damn 400-year history! In this era, the location of the hotel is clearly a fruit stand now!
Indeed, when traveling these days, nothing should be trusted. Some even doubt local history, while they've fabricated so much themselves. (Note 1)
Apart from the hotel being replaced by a fruit stand, the overall building condition of Grantham Town is also drastically different from the future:
In the future, Grantham still retains classical decorations, but both the buildings and streets are very clean, somewhat similar to local celebrity residences, focusing on the sense of the era.
But at this moment...
Almost all the visible buildings in the town are two or three-story brick houses, with no discernible architectural style, exteriors battered and blackened, shady areas covered with moss.
Xu Yun, with a casual glance, could see several heaps of filth that could be censored at corners and by the roadside.
Although the main road of the town is relatively cleaner, paved with stones into a seven or eight-meter-wide street, constantly bustling with pedestrians and vehicles.
But if you observe closely, you'll notice some of the stone's crevices or edges stained with some inexplicable, faintly yellowish slime.
From the flies occasionally hovering over, it seems likely that the slime is not something good.
But what slightly surprised Xu Yun at first sight was that many ragged, smallish poor folks in the town seemed oblivious, sitting or even lying directly in the filth.
Their eyes were numb, allowing flies, rats, and cockroaches to scurry nearby or even over their bodies.
Xu Yun sighed slightly at the sight.
Whether it was the early colonial period or the future industrial revolution, the lower classes on the British Peninsula did not have it easy.
Some might have been lucky to rise, but many became the denominators of certain statistics, turning into a black cloud over London, unable to rest in peace to this day.
Then, guided by the William couple, the group headed straight southwest.
Grantham is not large; it took just over ten minutes to reach the tallest building apart from the clock tower, the Saint Titus Church.
Saint Titus Church is about twelve or thirteen meters high, overall square-shaped, with three columns in a group, variable spans, a highly contoured facade, and a red cross atop.
Noble and solemn, majestic and oppressive.
Clearly, it is a standard Baroque-style building—Europe's earlier churches were Romanesque, later developed into Gothic, and by this time, Baroque stylings became popular.
However, by the 18th century, architectural styles will cycle once more:
Then, Gothic style will revive comically, lingering spiritedly for centuries, even influencing local architecture design much.
At the church entrance, stood a kind-eyed Priest, about sixty years old, dressed plainly but of fine quality, with slickly combed hair shining in the light.
As each person arrived, the Priest greeted them warmly, unconcerned about their odors or dirt.
Perhaps due to it being the sole gathering point in the town, a long line had already formed at the church door, with people continuously arriving from all directions, filling the queue's rear gaps.
Xu Yun and his group queued for roughly ten minutes before finally reaching the Priest.
The William family evidently are old congregants here; upon seeing them, the Priest unhesitatingly called William by name:
"Hallelujah! Mr. Asku! Seeing you is a joy, may you be anointed by God, may your family find favor!"
"Hallelujah! Pastor Yarlin! Thank God for His guidance!"
William warmly embraced him, followed by Mrs. Williams, Lisa, Lilani, and others...
When it was Little Niu's turn, Pastor Yarlin appeared even more enthusiastic. After all, he was the only fee-reduced student Trinity Theological College had admitted in over a decade:
"Little Isaac! Praise God, your arrival will surely please the Lord! May God guard your heart above all else, for everything you do flows from it."
Faced with Pastor Yarlin's praise, Little Niu displayed a rare humility and respect; such an expression is scarcely seen in daily life:
"Hallelujah, Mr. Yarlin."
Pastor Yarlin gave him a firm pat on the shoulder, then turned his gaze to Xu Yun:
"Oh my Lord... and who is this?"
Little Niu gave Xu Yun a gesture to step forward and introduced him:
"Mr. Yarlin, this is my friend from the East, his name is Donkey Fat Fish, and he is here to worship with us today."
Xu Yun stepped forward and nodded at Yarlin:
"Hello, Mr. Yarlin."
Yarlin seriously examined him and said:
"Welcome, my child, may God bless you."
........
Note:
Chatting in the group about revising the work and suddenly remembering, the original title of this book was supposed to be "The Technology Empire Begins with Eradicating Cockroaches," which many people rejected. Just asking here, does everyone really think it sounds bad?
If so, leave 1 here.
If it's okay, leave 2 here.
Let me see if my naming skills are really that poor....