Just as he stepped out of the alley, Wang Daoxuan chuckled and said, "This Huang Qianhu sure knows how to protect himself..."
Shangjin City’s troubles were too significant.
At the sa ti, it was an enormous rit.
Having Huang Qianhu handle the errand, with Hundred Households Liu arranged on the side, indicated that his position in the Captain Bureau might be sowhat awkward.
Great rits aren’t necessarily a good thing.
After all, this matter had just begun; if he were to lead and continue the investigation, who knew if soone would deliberately drag their feet?
Once a mistake was made, even his life might not be spared.
And his illness just gave him an excuse to share the rit and take a step back for a more open view, letting others continue the investigation.
Another cunning official indeed...
Although feeling sentintal, Li Yan wasn’t interested in the workings of the court. He and Wang Daoxuan walked through the streets and prepared to return.
At that mont, chaos erupted in the street. The common people fled in all directions, and the vendors quickly pulled their stalls back, not caring about how many pots and jars they broke.
Following that, ca heavy footsteps and the sound of armor rubbing against each other—it was a military unit from the Yunyang garrison, clad in armor and wielding long spears, crossing the street.
Accompanying them was a mounted Colonel.
Soon after, roars arose in the distance, "The Commander has ordered, arrest everyone who charged at the governnt office!"
Instant chaos erupted outside the Yunyang Governnt Office...
On the streets, the onlookers scattered in panic.
Various cursing sounds ca from outside the governnt office.
"Murder!"
Panicked screams followed...
Li Yan’s eyes narrowed as he said in a low voice, "Daoist, let’s make a quick leave; we can circle back through another way!"
With those words, he imdiately turned around.
Wang Daoxuan also shook his head lightly and followed him.
They passed through several small alleys and climbed up a rocky path on the hillside, soon distancing themselves from the place of trouble.
Behind the north side of Yunyang Prefecture were sloping paths, leading them higher as they walked. At the sa ti, they could see the scenery outside Yunyang Prefecture.
It was a scene of chaos; soldiers wandered everywhere, capturing the rioting locals. In so areas, fires broke out, sending up thick black smoke.
Li Yan shook his head and said, "Yunyang Prefecture is becoming more chaotic by the minute; who knows what major trouble will arise next? Tomorrow, grab the Daoist certificate, and we will leave imdiately."
With chaos all over the city, the two had no mood for sightseeing and hastened their steps. In less than the duration of three incense sticks, they returned to the Jiangzhe Chamber of Comrce.
Outside the Chamber, nurous people also stood watching from a distance.
By their look and conversations, they were rchants from Jiangsu and Zhejiang; among them was Chen Jizu, all with solemn expressions.
Among them, one person caught Li Yan’s attention.
He was a tall, burly man, different from the other rchants. Though he also wore a landlord robe, his face exuded a fierce aura, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a beard, appearing more like soone from the pugilistic world.
What was particularly distinct was the large parrot perched on his shoulder.
Parrots, traditionally known as "Ying Ge," have been in the Divine State since ancient tis.
A poem from the Tang Dynasty ntioned, "A thousand ren of Longshan, parrots nest at its summit."
However, the parrot in front of him was particularly special—not only was it sizable, but its colors were also very vivid, brightly multicolored, very eye-catching.
It resembled the rainforest macaws he had seen in his previous life.
Yet, it seed even larger.
"Kill him!"
"Kill him!"
As the chaos continued in the city, the parrot seed quite excited, ruffling its feathers and cursing sharply.
Seeing this, a nearby rchant chuckled and said, "Brother Luo, from such a grand literary family lineage, why keep such a rude Ying Ge?"
"What’s the big deal!"
The big man laughed heartily, feeding the parrot so dried fruit and shaking his head, "This little fellow has been with wandering across the seas; everyone we et is rough, naturally it couldn’t learn anything polite, sotis its curses are indeed unpleasant to hear."
He added with a fond look in his eyes, "But I also owe my life to this little thing’s ssage-delivering, otherwise, I would have been buried at sea and never made it back."
With that said, others showed interest.
Another person spoke gravely, "This ss in Yunyang Prefecture won’t end soon; Brother Luo, continue telling us about your experiences at sea."
"Go on, we are all ears for the important bits!"
The crowd thronged and ushered the big man into the Chamber.
Li Yan, intrigued, hastily pulled Chen Jizu aside and inquired, "Is he just back from overseas?"
Chen Jizu smiled and said, "His na is Luo Rulie, from the Luo family in Jiangnan, always vigorous, skilled in martial arts, and was one of the first to organize a fleet for overseas voyages after the mariti ban was lifted."
"Originally, the returns were substantial, making the Luo family’s fortunes soar, but then disaster struck—a shipwreck wiped out his entire fleet, resulting in a huge loss."
"He’s here now to persuade the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Chamber of Comrce to sponsor him, to reboot his expedition."
"However, the risks are significant, and since he has experienced mishaps before, not many are willing to contribute; hence, he roams around various provincial Chambers, sharing his sea experiences hoping to find willing investors."
"Young Hero Li, if interested, can go listen."
Li Yan was certainly interested—having nothing else to do—and let Wang...
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