The autumn wind rises, the sky high and the clouds vast, a long wind sending the wild geese ho over ten thousand miles.
The morning fog just dispersed, and the gates of Yunyang City are already wide open.
Inside the eateries near the docks, it’s packed with people.
"Three Harmony Soup, Three Harmony Soup!"
"Sour Broth Mixed Noodles here~"
"Servant, a bowl of Rice Flower Tea."
The working laborers, the ship workers ready to board, the coachn in the city... people of all sorts gather in one place, making quite a commotion.
Today’s Yunyang Prefecture is far more prosperous than before.
The reason is simple: the court’s grand army is on the move, driving the mountain people of Jingxiang Mountain Area out completely.
According to the thod of Yunyang Governor Yuan Qun, all the mountain people are dispersed and resettled, and new villages rise up one after another.
Ezhou is a land of fish and rice; as long as they endure the first two years, they may not be richly clothed and well-fed, but the people at least can settle down.
Moreover, this ti, the court has decreed to exempt all taxes in Yunyang Prefecture for three years, with reductions for the following two years.
All matters in the world cannot escape the word "money."
The court now has a new approach, naturally conducting affairs with grandeur.
To this day, there are already millions of displaced mountain people, needing money for clothing, food, shelter, fuel, rice, oil, and wherever needs money, money can be made.
Yunyang Governor Yuan Qun is fad for his administrative skills; after a series of decrees were issued, although the surrounding areas of Yunyang are still in need of developnt, they already show a vibrant scene.
rchants and peddlers from various places flock here alike.
There’s another reason, which is not good to declare openly.
Previously, the heavy clouds hung over Yunyang Prefecture, with two hundred thousand troops stationed there, enforcing a curfew, and the inspection of passing travelers was extrely strict.
There were also those with ill intentions setting up checkpoints seeking benefits.
After the army left, trade and comrce resud normally.
And distant conflicts have beco topics of idle chatter in eateries.
"The large army of Tusi City launched a night assault on Yichang, killing many; fortunately, Commander Yuan Kejian of the Captain Bureau gave an early warning, Huang i’s Lei Family burned grain at midnight, the city’s populace rose in resistance, and barely held the city..."
"Zigui County faced a great disaster, the court used the Sky Shattering Bomb Cannon, it’s said the mountaintops on the opposite side were nearly flattened..."
"It is said that the Tuo God guards the river?"
"Indeed, I’ve seen it with my own eyes, a fish monster was about to make trouble, toppling passing ships, and ended up torn to shreds by more than a dozen Tuo Dragons..."
"So effective, it seems we’ll need to worship more often in the future..."
"Say, when will this turmoil subside?"
"Who knows..."
Common folk are like this, as long as the knife is not at their throat, distant wars are no different from stage plays.
The changes in the military situation are not important.
What captivates them is the ergence of so hero or brave figure.
...
"Going to cross the river."
Within the Jiangzhe Chamber of Comrce, Huang Thousand Households spoke of this matter as well.
He leisurely sipped his tea, then covered his mouth with a handkerchief, coughing twice, his face full of weakness, but the aura of the Households Commander beca all the more apparent.
"Is Lord Huang alright?" Li Yan asked in a deep voice.
"I’m fine."
Huang Thousand Households shook his head, "Previously in the mountains, I was ambushed, my lung ridian injured, afraid I won’t be able to act in the future, like a cripple."
Li Yan chuckled softly, "Lord Huang uses his mind, there are others for taking action. I know Wang Jingxiu of Wudang Mountain, his dical skills are excellent, may I introduce him to you?"
"Then I’ll trouble you."
Huang Thousand Households did not decline.
Though he holds high status, ranking among the top few figures in Yunyang Prefecture, he truly has no acquaintance with soone like Wang Jingxiu, a distinguished Taoist.
After saying this, he continued to speak: "The court’s two hundred thousand troops are pressing the border, Tusi City suffers consecutive defeats, retreating into the mountains, relying on the advantages of the terrain to continue maneuvering."
"I estimate the Emperor’s intention is to take advantage of this pacification to complete the conversion from Tusi to central governance, even to conquer Miaojiang entirely."
Li Yan pondered, "In that case, it will take ti."
Huang Thousand Households took another sip of tea, nodding: "To stabilize Southern Border, Miaojiang must be completely controlled, His Majesty’s grand strategy surely won’t leave any hidden dangers."
"But after the army crosses the river, the Yangtze River area will also be stable, if you wish to enter Shu, it’s just the right ti."
Speaking, he hesitated a bit, then said: "The situation in Ba Shu is sowhat complicated. I’ve heard so news, King of Chengdu is a bit restless, and there may be issues with the Captain Bureau there."
"If you go, be extrely cautious."
"Oh?"
Li Yan’s pupils narrowed, he cupped his hands, saying: "Thank you, Lord, for the reminder."
His relationship with Huang Thousand Households is quite good.
The other leveraged his intelligence, rising step by step, entering the garrison governnt; while there might be difficulties, in Yunyang, he’s at his peak.
The other speaking these words surely isn’t without reason.
Huang Thousand Households, a man busy with affairs, after saying these matters, imdiately rose to bid farewell, taking several subordinates as he left.
After they left, Li Yan took down the Three Talents Demon Suppressing Coin Blade Tassel hanging from the door fra.
This ti returning to Yunyang, Li Yan and his companions initially planned to find an inn to stay, not intending to co to the Jiangzhe Chamber of Comrce.
After all, as Hidden Treasure Man Lin had said, the Chen Family of the Jiangzhe Chamber of Comrce isn’t of a benevolent kind; although seemingly amicable and often offering small favors, one careless move might lead to being taken advantage of by them.
Yet many matters are beyond one’s control.
Upon arriving in Yunyang, they found rchants from various places had co, and all the inns big and small in the city were already packed, compounded by the enthusiastic invitation from Cao Gang Elder Han Kun, thus they ca to the Jiangzhe Chamber of Comrce.
However, Li Yan took an extra precaution.
He had Wang Daoxuan set up a small Fengshui arrangent in the room, so during discussions of important matters, hanging the Demon Suppression Coin on the door fra would interfere with Divine Skills probing and prevent eavesdropping.
Sure enough, soon Chamber’s young master Chen Jizu ca knocking, still in that scholarly deanor, "Young hero Li, my father is hosting a banquet tonight, inviting rchants in the city, Elder Han will also be there, might you..."
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