Lv San’s hawks patrolled the area, and Li Yan had naturally discovered that people from the Law Enforcent Hall were tailing him long ago. He didn’t try to hide it and directly inford them about the Miao workers and the kiln workers.
"Miao workers and kiln workers?"
Cheng Jue’s expression didn’t change after hearing this, but disappointnt was evident in his eyes.
Li Yan seed thoughtful, "It seems the master had already known?"
Cheng Jue fell silent for a mont, "This poor monk had so suspicions long ago. Please, everyone, don’t spread the word and risk startling the snake."
Seeing this, Landlord Tian could no longer pretend to be oblivious to what was happening. A hint of anger rose in his eyes, "It seems you have all treated the Tian family as bait. I have never been stingy with my donations to Baotong Zen Temple, and yet you have gone too far!"
"Landlord Tian, please calm yourself."
Cheng Jue brought his palms together solemnly, "Those Miao people are but fools used by others. The mastermind hides in the shadows with grand sches."
"Why the Tian family was targeted is the key. If we don’t find the person behind this, the matter will not co to an end."
Landlord Tian was burning with rage internally but also knew the monk was right. He could only snort coldly, "I might keep silent, but I hope you all will fulfill your duties and find the real culprit soon."
"That is natural."
Cheng Jue, not at all angered, quickly departed with his followers.
Watching the monks’ departing figures, Landlord Tian sighed helplessly, "Young Hero Li, it seems we will need your assistance for a while longer."
"I really can’t comprehend what those demons see in my Tian family."
Li Yan nodded, "You can count on us, Landlord Tian."
In fact, he was increasingly puzzled.
Cheng Jue’s cultivation was remarkable, and for the Zen Temple to make even Zhenwu Palace give up control over the important docks of the three towns, one could imagine its strength.
But seeing how cautious these monks were...
The matter was probably no small issue!
...
The next morning, Li Yan had risen early.
Although Landlord Tian was weary from traveling, he had donned new clothes and brought along Tian Wei.
They were set to make a trip to Wuchang.
First, they were going to the Chamber of Comrce to register Li Yan for the challenge tournant and to inquire about the Mystical Sect craftsman on the side.
Secondly, Landlord Tian wanted to et with his second brother and clear up the situation.
Thirdly, he planned to take Tian Wei to visit Wuchang Academy and inquire when his teacher, Mr. Lin, would arrive.
Since Wang Daoxuan and the others had to protect the Tian Mansion and the family, only Li Yan accompanied them.
Han Yang City was just across the river from Wuchang City.
As soon as they arrived at the docks, they saw firecrackers crackling at the entrance of a rchant establishnt, and a sizable parasol tree collapsing. Hooded n lifted the tree and ran off, while the shopkeeper bead with joy.
The scene before them was indeed peculiar.
Seeing Li Yan’s curiosity, Tian Wei explained with a smile, "Young Hero Li, please don’t be surprised. This is the tradition of stealing the Dragon Boat timber."
"Dragon boats are long and narrow, requiring good quality wood that is both strong and light. Parasol trees are the best choice for this purpose."
"In the past, there was a custom of stealing the desired tree under the cover of night and then setting off firecrackers to celebrate. The owners wouldn’t bla you. It’s a formality that nowadays happens even in broad daylight."
"The old parasol tree at this shop’s entrance is very old and treasured. The fact that they’ve agreed to offer it this ti... I wonder which family it is for..."
"So that’s how it is." Li Yan suddenly understood.
Looking around, the place was filled with people selling wormwood incense bags, five-colored ropes, and realgar wine for the festival, as well as Daoists peddling peach charms along the streets.
These Daoists, being ordinary folk of the pugilistic world, naturally didn’t have much use for the peach charms they sold, but people were eagerly buying them nonetheless.
The Dragon Boat Festival in Ezhou was indeed livelier than in Guanzhong.
Not only that but there were noticeably more pugilistic perforrs on the docks than usual, along with opera troops arriving by boat, unloading their boxes for a performance.
Seeing this, Tian Wei hesitated before saying, "Young Hero Li, during the Dragon Boat Festival in previous years, wealthy families would invite opera troupes to set up a stage and perform at their doorsteps as a form of competition."
"If the Tian family does not follow suit, we will inevitably be talked about..."
"Don’t complicate things unnecessarily!"
Landlord Tian spoke sternly, "Haven’t you seen how careful the Baotong Zen Temple is being? Inviting opera troupes brings a crowd and chaos, which could lead to potential issues."
Li Yan also nodded, "Landlord Tian is right. Until the Law Enforcent Hall finds that hidden mastermind, we can’t afford to be careless."
Tian Wei gave an awkward smile and dropped the topic.
The group took a boat across the river and before long arrived at Wuchang Prefecture. Before they even drew close to the dock, they could see the towering Yellow Crane Tower in the distance.
Its flying eaves and upturned corners were layered upon one another, and coupled with the mist rising from the surrounding water, the view was broad and imposing.
Unlike Han Yang City, there were many governnt offices and the extensive Prince Wuchang Mansion in Wuchang Prefecture, so there were many officials and elegantly dressed people on the dock.
This ancient city had streets that were considerably more orderly.
Like in Han Yang City, the atmosphere of the Dragon Boat Festival was already quite strong, with large stages set up at so street corners and lots of kids laughing and playing around within.
The Ezhou Chamber of Comrce was located to the west of the city. Crossing two broad streets, a two-storied residential compound ca into view.
Unlike the discreet Jiangsu and Zhejiang Guild Hall in Yunyang Prefecture, near the entrance of the Ezhou Chamber of Comrce stood a row of luxurious shops, selling not only local specialties but also a few shops specializing in goods obtained from mariti trade.
There were many visitors, all dressed in finery.
Li Yan even spotted a shop that specialized in Western clocks and music boxes, showcasing lavish goods.
Landlord Tian whispered upon seeing this, "Those are goods shipped back from the Franco, which can fetch ten tis the profit, simply because they are rare. The rich buy them to decorate their hos."
"If Young Hero Li is interested, I can take you to pick out a few pocket watches later. These are made to order and quite good for telling ti."
Li Yan smiled and said, "That would be nice, I’ll have a look later."
Just then, a commotion erupted on the street.
A red-haired and blue-eyed foreigner in servant’s clothes was frantically running for his life, clutching a sharp blade, with his body covered in filth and blood.
Behind him, over a dozen n with angry expressions chased after him.
The pedestrians on the street ducked for cover upon witnessing this.
Li Yan narrowed his eyes, spotted a broken tile on the ground, and with a flick of his foot, sent the tile whizzing through the air like a hidden weapon.
Bang!
The foreigner’s knee was instantly struck, and he toppled to the ground in a heap, only to be swiftly bound by the pursuing n.
The leader of the n, seeing Li Yan’s remarkable skills and noticing Landlord Tian, paused, then quickly ca forward with clasped hands, "Many thanks to Landlord Tian for the help."
Landlord Tian frowned slightly, "What’s the matter?"
The man replied, "This person is a Red-haired Barbarian pirate captured by our fleet. Since he could speak the language of Divine State, our master took him in to teach us their language."
"Who would have thought he’d be dishonest, secretly stealing and harassing maids. Fearing punishnt, he stabbed soone and fled."
"Spare... Spare my life!"
The captured foreigner pled urgently.
Landlord Tian snorted coldly, "I’ve always said that these Red-heads lack courtesy and sha, and we must be careful around them. How could you still dare to take them in as servants?"
"What Landlord Tian says is true."
The man gave an awkward smile and dragged the foreigner away hurriedly.
Landlord Tian shook his head slightly but said no more and led everyone into the Ezhou Chamber of Comrce guild hall.
Inside the guild hall, things were bustling.
There were rchants from various places engaging in conversation, and the Chamber of Comrce managers and servants were hurrying about, with so even arguing loudly.
Landlord Tian, upon seeing this, quickly pulled aside a manager to inquire, "What’s caused such a commotion today, what happened?"
The manager, with a face full of joy, responded, "To report to Landlord Tian, news from the sea has arrived. The fleet has brought back a batch of gemstones from the South Seas, and word has already spread, attracting many rchants at the scent of opportunity."
"Oh?"
Landlord Tian seed to have seen this many tis before, and his expression remained unchanged.
Yet Li Yan found this interesting.
The situation in this world’s Divine State diverged from that of the Southern Song and had completely strayed from the historical trajectory of his past life.
Landlord Tian paid no mind to these people and led Li Yan through the corridors to a hall.
Here was where the mbers of the Chamber of Comrce gathered for discussion.
As soon as they entered, Li Yan sensed sothing was amiss.
There were many people sitting inside, different in stature and appearance, both n and won, each with an extraordinary presence, all being adept fighters from the pugilistic world.
Zhang Xiaoshan of Wudang was among them.
Besides him, there were two other people who gave off no scent...
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