"Yes," Wang Yong didn’t hide anything and shook his head, "Ever since the Grand Ancestor established Yunyang Prefecture after closing off the mountain, that place has seen a new scene every day. It has now beco a resounding pier on the waterways of the Divine State and connects six provinces."
"In Ezhou, it’s second only to the nine-province hub Han Port and it’s also the territorial boundary between the Cao Gang and the Pai Sect."
"Originally, everyone was at peace, the Cao Gang occupied the North City Pier and the Pai Sect occupied the South City Pier, but at the beginning of the year, for so unknown reason, the Pai Sect crazy tried to swallow our territory, and naturally, our gang brothers wouldn’t agree, so it caused quite a commotion."
"Well, it’s just the east wind pressuring the west wind, the south wind pressuring the north wind. In a few years, it will still be the sa."
While speaking, he looked outside the boat and laughed, "Ladies and gentlen, we have arrived at Shangjin City, which borders Manchuan Pass. Here, it is as they say: facing Qin in the morning, Chu in the evening. Reaching this place ans we have arrived in Ezhou."
"Gentlen, rest for a night, change your clothes, and tomorrow I will take you to Yunyang Prefecture."
"Old brother, you are too courteous."
Li Yan shook his head slightly, smiling, "We have been hurrying for days and are a bit exhausted. We plan to rest for a couple of days in Shangjin Ancient Town before moving on."
"Brothers from the pugilistic world hustle back and forth, needing to make a living. It would be rude to trouble Captain Wang further."
To tell the truth, even though they had co down from Hua Mountain, staying the nights in the open and having barely rested properly, it wasn’t such that they couldn’t even withstand a single night.
Li Yan said this on purpose.
Even emphasizing bonds from the pugilistic world has its limits.
Helping to deliver soone is fine, but being overly involved can cause complications.
On the way, Sha Lifei had already found out that the Cao Gang and the Pai Sect had long been at each other’s throats. If they were too close to the Cao Gang, they might inadvertently get dragged into it.
Such troubles were best avoided.
Despite Wang Yong’s hearty talk, as old rivers and lakes could use tricks and deceive people quite cruelly.
Sure enough, a hint of disappointnt flashed in Wang Yong’s eyes, but he did not insist further and took them to the ferry, then waved goodbye and returned to Manchuan Pass.
Upon reaching the pier, Li Yan and his companions looked up and saw the small town ahead, built with blue stones and with an ancient mottled wall.
"Is this Shangjin City?"
Li Yan was sowhat surprised, "Isn’t this supposed to be the gateway to Yunyang Prefecture? It doesn’t look very large."
Wang Daoxuan laughed, "I have been here before. Although it is a small town, since the Tang Dynasty, it has been a Cao Yun Pier, a place where traders gather to rest, and the four city gates are fascinating, respectively nad ’eting Qin,’ ’Reaching Chu,’ ’Connecting Han,’ and ’Linking Yun.’"
"Only, the town was burned down several tis due to uprisings by the mountain people and rebuilt, so it is sowhat dilapidated."
"Oh, that’s how it is..."
Li Yan imdiately understood what Wang Daoxuan ant.
Indeed, it also related to the history of this place.
This area is near the Jingxiang Mountain Area and has always been a refuge for displaced people since ancient tis. Whenever there was large-scale chaos, refugees would pour in.
For instance, during the Qin unrest, many people fled here to live in seclusion, like Tao Yuanming’s famous "Peach Blossom Spring not knowing of Han, regardless of Wei or Jin," which is located in Wuling County of Yunyang Prefecture.
Later, significant events occurred such as the Western Jin’s Eight Princes’ Rebellion, Song-Jin wars, and standoffs between previous dynasties... In short, refugees continuously flowed in reaching millions.
The vast Jingxiang mountain area provided them with hos, resulting in them staying in the mountains, totally ignoring imperial commands.
Millions of refugees hidden in the mountains always worried the successive courts, which launched several military campaigns to clear them out.
However, not only were these unsuccessful, but they also sparked peasant uprisings.
At the founding of Great Xuan, the court issued a command to close the mountainous areas and also set up Yunyang Prefecture specifically to manage the refugee issues.
Of course, this also led to several large-scale rebellions in Jingxiang.
The most recent involved a hero nicknad "Heavenly Saint King," who gathered hundreds of thousands of refugees, attempting to establish his own nation, not abiding by the imperial laws.
Naturally, he was harshly suppressed.
But, this "Heavenly Saint King" was a first-rate formidable figure in the pugilistic world at the ti. Even decades later, his followers were still causing trouble secretly, seeking revenge.
Just last year, there was an attack on Shangyong County by these refugees, which even reached as far as Xianyang.
Wang Daoxuan ntioning this was naturally a reminder for them to be cautious.
Everyone understood and lowered their bamboo hats as they walked toward the city gate.
However, no matter how inconspicuous they tried to be, they couldn’t stay hidden.
A bladesman, a Daoist, a fierce-looking bald man, and another with an eagle on his shoulder...
They attracted attention wherever they went.
Sure enough, before they could enter the city, they were stopped.
"Halt, where are you from!"
The guards at the gate were full of vigilance.
Li Yan, having no choice, presented the Daoist certificate, "We are from Chang’an, heading to Ezhou to visit friends. Do not worry, we will register at the City God Temple in Yunyang Prefecture."
Although the court had strict control over Xuann Practitioners, there were also benefits.
For instance, his Daoist certificate served as a pass throughout the land.
At each place, by just registering at the City God Temple, they could undertake various Xuann business.
This was a clever arrangent by the court.
Although the Taixuan Orthodox Sect was vast, the nurous Xuann practitioners, dispersed throughout Divine State, were still sparse.
In so places, when evil spirits caused trouble, practitioners had to be summoned from elsewhere.
With this certificate, as long as the Xuann Practitioners didn’t deceive people or misuse spells for wrongdoing, the court would rather they roam everywhere, exorcising demons and suppressing evil spirits.
These were presumably explained to the gate guards.
As expected, upon seeing the black Daoist certificate, the guard’s eyes instantly showed panic, and he quickly bowed, saying, "Gentlen, my apologies, please enter the city."
"Shall I accompany you to the inn?"
"No need, just direct us there."
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