"Everyone, calm down."
The Cao Gang disciple said with a bitter smile: "The one managing the tax supervisors in Linqing City is Ma Gonggong from the Capital. He has been with the Emperor since his childhood and wields considerable power, even the garrison must be under his orders. We truly cannot afford to offend him."
"So he's an eunuch from the Capital..."
Li Yan shook his head slightly, "Does this an we've passed the test?"
"It's not that simple."
The Cao Gang disciple sighed, "Linqing Currency Pass is the foremost in the realm, where wealth and provisions converge. Everyone wants to take part. Various procedures follow one after another, and even though we, the Cao Gang, often manage things, it still takes an entire day."
"I have made arrangents. You all can enter the city and rest for a night. By tomorrow afternoon, hopefully, you can leave."
"That's good."
Li Yan nodded, without saying much.
They could leave easily, with no trouble to the people here, but it was unavoidable to cause Cao Gang so problems.
Only after obtaining the Red Seal Sticker could the Cao Boat dock.
The prosperity of Linqing City needs no ntion. The story in "The Golden Lotus" happens here, and currently, various vernacular stories circulating are nearly half tied to this place, highlighting its status among the common people in the Great Xuan Dynasty.
There was once a poem describing Zhu Family Town in Songjiang Prefecture:
"Wanjia smoke and fire resemble the Capital, the Yuan Chamber once set up Great Yin. Traders co and go fully loaded, people now call it Little Linqing."
Zhu Family Town in Songjiang Prefecture, was forrly Shanghai, now called "Little Linqing."
Even at night, the bustle and prosperity were overwhelming.
Especially since Li Yan had Sll Superpower and Ear Divine Power, no details escaped his investigation.
By the riverbank alley, Jiangnan bamboo stalks piled like hills were being carried into the shop by porters, the bamboo tips brushing the signs of "Suzhou and Hangzhou Silk" and "Songjiang Cotton," raising a swirl of fine dust and southern accent curses...
At the alley end, the Jin rchants' mule and horse caravan clattered on the green stone slabs, where inside, a few n spoke with Northern Border accents, and the scent of soil and old ginseng faintly emitted from the back baskets and crates, evidently mountain runners working with Jin rchants...
On the west bank, seventy-two official kilns had begun their evening cooking, the black smoke from the kiln mouth tangled with the sunset glow.
The sweaty kiln workers were moving bricks, the brick surfaces still bore the clear stamp mark "Kiln Owner Zhang, Year Thirteen of Jinglong"...
These were Linqing tribute bricks, made with Yellow River "Lotus Soil" through nearly twenty procedures, "resonating when struck, without holes upon breakage," becoming the main building material for the Capital Imperial Palace, with every brick engraved with the firing ti, kiln owner, and craftsman nas.
There were also exquisite pleasure boats from Jiangnan; not only the sound of Silk and Bamboo Music ca from within but also the light laughter of won, slender pale hands tossing discarded peanut shells into the water...
From the dock tavern ca the sound of people guessing fists, the day laborers who had finished carrying were squatting under the eaves, drinking coarsely brewed burning knives with flatbread, soone drunkenly cursed: "Ma the eunuch's claws stretch longer than the Canal!" As others quickly covered his mouth, their gaze darting toward the Tax Collector's lantern...
Looking around, Li Yan inexplicably thought of the "Qingming River Painting."
"It's really lively here, even Chang'an can't compare!"
Even Sha Lifei let out a sigh of amazent.
When night fully descended, the Chen Family Cao Boat finally docked at the South Gate wharf.
Li Yan and the others walked off the gangplank onto the shore, seeing in the distance the city gates not yet closed, revealing the full city lights.
Fearing those minor officials might act on their crooked thoughts again, they then unloaded all of their luggage, called for a cattle cart, and under the guidance of the Cao Gang disciple, creaked towards the city.
Linqing's prosperity, even more so at night.
On both sides of the street, all the shops remained open, brightly lit, and the streets were still crowded with people.
A Cao Gang disciple laughed, "You ca at the right ti, this Linqing City's night offers many places for entertainnt, there are three whole lanes of pleasure quarters, including Yangzhou slim horses, Mizhi wives, even Raksha country won. If you want to listen to music, you can find groups from south to north..."
"Skip the music then."
Li Yan shook his head slightly, "Does this place offer any special delicacies?"
"There's plenty!"
This Cao Gang disciple was evidently a foodie as well, saying unhesitatingly: "This Lincheng is a prosperous place, those rchant gangs are loaded with money, they demand exquisite food, fine dishes, Jiangnan iced shadfish, fragrance noodles, Northern mutton pots, all available. If willing to spend, even 'General of Dishes' might personally cook..."
As they spoke, he already couldn't resist swallowing his saliva.
"Oh?"
Li Yan was also intrigued, but just as he was about to inquire, commotion interrupted him.
Looking ahead in the middle of the street, several pugilistic world mbers stood, weapons in hand, glaring fiercely at each other.
On the left was a lean man in gray cloth, with a boxing stance. His left hand ford an "Elephant Trunk Fist" tucked at the waist, while his right arm's long sleeve hung like flowing clouds, leaving traces on the ground as he exerted Hidden Energy.
Li Yan squinted slightly, "Sun Bin Fist?"
Sun Bin Fist, said to be passed down from the Warring States military strategist Sun Bin, has no clear records. Practitioners often wear long-sleeve attire, hence it is also called "Long Sleeve Fist." It is known for its 360 continuous moves, chicken-legged dragon waist and monkey temperant. The main form is "Elephant Trunk Fist," popular in the Luzhou area.
The boxing stance and long sleeves were too obvious.
"Young Hero Li, impressive eye power!"
An accompanying Cao Gang disciple flattered, then introduced in a low voice while looking ahead: "That person is Yuan Heng, the second disciple of the Yang Family Martial Arts Hall. He likes to fight and cause trouble, often wandering the streets of Linqing City—a reckless fellow."
"The one opposite is no easy target either, nad Tian Fan, who practices Spring Leg. Both groups are part of the Martial Arts but don't do Martial Arts business. Instead, they conspire with city thugs, fighting for territory, often viciously."
Sha Lifei chuckled, "Don't their schools take action?"
The Martial Arts world has its rules—what should and shouldn't be involved in, boundaries must not be crossed.
If such a character erged from one's school, it would bring sha to the master.
"Sigh~"
The Cao Gang disciple shook his head, whispering, "These two lack promise, but they have governnt officials backing them, doing shady deeds. Others are too lazy to provoke them."
anwhile, the bristly-bearded Tian Fan slightly bent his legs like old tree roots, tucked his robe's corners into his belt—a signature of Linqing's Tan Leg. He sneered, "Yuan, take a look at yourself, like a monkey. If you entered Zhao's chamber, you'd frighten her!"
"Nonsense!"
With an angry curse, Yuan Heng of the Sun Bin Fist took action.
He staggered steps swiftly left and right, reaching Tian Fan in a few strides. His wrist shook, and with a swish, the long sleeve swept toward the opponent's face. Concealed within the sleeve was a copper cone aid straight for the Jingming acupoint.
"Hah!"
The bristly-bearded Tian Fan gave a low grunt, twisting his waist to side kick, his big foot roaring through the wind.
It was the Tan Leg's "Iron Broom Sweeping Dust."
Feeling the power in that leg, Yuan Heng's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly stepped back.
Yet the bristly-bearded Tian Fan pressed his advantage, a rubbing kick aiming straight below.
Both their moves were treacherous and venomous.
"Stop!"
A light command ca from the street above.
A white figure leapt down from a window.
It was a Scholar clad in white, with a slightly green face, holding an oil-paper umbrella.
This person's skill was superior, his oil-paper umbrella thrusting in obliquely, tapping gently at Yuan Heng's Quchi acupoint, forcing him back. A reverse turn deflected Tian Fan's Tan Leg, its power dissipated like kicking into a cotton heap by the umbrella's surface whirlpool.
"Confucius says: A gentleman does not compete; must it be archery?"
The white-robed Scholar retracted his umbrella, standing with the tip touching the bluestone slab between the two.
Crack!
The bluestone slab cracked with a spider-web pattern, startling Yuan and Tian back three steps.
The Scholar gave a faint smile, "Uncle Master Yang just wrote in the 'Martial Arts New Record' last month, criticizing martial artists for fighting over territory like street thugs. Today, Master Ming is truly enlightened."
Kong Shangzhao behind him quickly lowered his head.
Yet the sharp-eyed Scholar had already noticed, and chuckled silently: "Junior Brother Kong, you haven't attended martial arts training at the hall for days, and now you don't even greet ."
Kong Shangzhao had no choice but to step forward and salute: "Greetings, Senior Brother."
"Don't worry."
The Scholar chuckled silently, a hint of disdain in his eyes, "I won't ddle in your affairs with Shang Qing, but you know his temper; avoiding is futile..."
Li Yan placed a hand on Kong Shangzhao's shoulder, pulling him behind.
But just as he was about to speak, he sensed sothing and looked upward.
There, lying atop the window, was a young woman in pale yellow attire, bright eyes, and white teeth. She rested her cheek on her palm, her eyes full of laughter, "Mr. Li, long ti no see."
It was the Oiran of Chang'an City, Zhao Wanfang…
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