Chapter 607: Chapter 607: Yu Zhou Main City
Entering the Capital, taking the southeast road, from Liu Family Village to the official road of Kaiyang County, no longer heading towards Zijing Mansion, but instead taking the opposite eastern route.
Heading east for two days, they left Zijing Mansion and stepped onto Yu Zhou’s territory.
As the saying goes, every ten miles brings a new village, every hundred miles a new custom. Reaching Yu Zhou, even the mountains and terrain had completely changed.
The flat and fertile fields commonly seen in Zijing Mansion were nowhere to be found in Yu Zhou.
Looking up, it was all dense forest landscapes, with farmland existing in the valleys. Every few mountains, one could see such a scene, the paddy fields unable to connect into a piece, scattered in various crevices.
Such natural geographical conditions led the local people of Yu Zhou to mostly engage in commerce, otherwise relying solely on the harvest from those creviced lands could not feed a whole family.
Therefore, although fertile lands and level fields were scarce in Yu Zhou, due to everyone engaging in business, the towns here were more prosperous compared to Zijing Mansion.
The wide official road and the tea stalls and small stands seen every five or ten miles along the road brought great novelty to Qin Yao and her group.
Coupled with good weather, clear skies for days, they reached the Yu Zhou Main City a day and a half faster than expected.
What could be done with the extra time?
Of course, stay in this bustling main city and savor the local delicacies!
Sitting on horseback in the front, Qin Yao looked up to see the tall city gate built between two mountains.
Under the city gate was a long queue of caravans and ordinary folk preparing to enter the city for business.
The people here had been engaged in business with their families since childhood, none idle, even those loitering under the city gate were brokers seeking business opportunities.
A broker’s sharp eyes immediately noticed that Qin Yao’s group was from out of town.
However, usually, those traveling were mostly merchants, predominantly men, or adult women.
Family groups like Qin Yao’s, including women and children, were not common.
A broker tentatively approached and looked up to ask Liu Ji, who was riding a horse, beside Qin Yao, "Sir, are you visiting relatives?"
On travels, it was typical for men to take the lead, so the broker naturally inquired from Liu Ji, the sole adult male in the group.
Seeing four young heads peeking out of the carriage, the broker admired this handsome gentleman’s courage to travel alone with such a large family.
This whole carriage was full of either children or young women, yet they did not fear being targeted by wrongdoers.
Unbeknownst to him, the woman riding beside him could protect the whole family single-handedly.
If any malefactor dared approach, who knew who would end up with the upper hand.
Liu Ji cautiously glanced at his wife and, seeing no displeasure on her face, lowered his head and replied to the broker:
"Indeed, we are visiting relatives in the Capital and intend to rest in the city for a night today. While we still have daylight, we plan to explore the Yu Zhou Main City."
Upon hearing this, the broker immediately flashed a bright smile, took a step back, and introduced himself with cupped fists:
"I am Zhou Meng, having grown up in this city, I know it very well. If you do not mind, sir, may I lead you and your family to explore the city?"
With a polite smile, he rubbed his thumb and index fingers together, "If you enjoy your time, just a small reward will suffice."
"May I know how to address you, sir?" Zhou Meng asked courteously, with an approachable smile that made it easier for him to make a living as a broker.
When arriving in a new place, encountering a local who seems friendly and genuinely helpful is hard to refuse.
Liu Ji was quite tempted and reported his name to Zhou Meng, also mentioning the lady beside him was his wife.
He then excitedly asked, "What do you think, dear?"
Qin Yao gave Zhou Meng a once-over. His eyes harbored some cunning but were innocent, merely wanting to earn a little money from them.
Having a local guide could indeed be beneficial.
Qin Yao nodded and told Zhou Meng, "First, take us to find a spacious and clean inn, then tell us about the city’s rules. Point out one or two places that locals find interesting, and we will explore them ourselves."
After speaking, she gestured to Yin Le, who took the cue to retrieve half a tael of broken silver from the money bag. "Here, catch!"
Seeing Zhou Meng look over, he casually tossed the silver, which landed perfectly in Zhou Meng’s arms.
Zhou Meng was visibly taken aback, casting a surprised glance at Yin Le before falling upon Qin Yao, whom he hadn’t yet properly looked at.
The woman astride a tall steed, gazed down at him with partially lowered eyes, sporting a quick and neat attire, a dagger at her waist... what ordinary woman travels with a blade? This lady was evidently skilled in martial arts!
Zhou Meng’s eyes darted back and forth as he stowed the silver, then gestured for Qin Yao to lead the way.
From then on, he mainly communicated with Qin Yao, occasionally asking Liu Ji a question.
Liu Ji was used to it, enjoying the leisure, attending to the children who couldn’t quite understand the foreign accents, serving as their interpreter.
To enter the city, all had to dismount for inspection. Liu Ji had the children disembark from the carriage, handed his horse over to Zhou Meng, and took two kids by hand, following Qin Yao, having their documents verified, and entering the city without a hitch.
Whether entering by carriage or on horseback, only one fee was required.
Once inside the gate, Zhou Meng cautioned, "Madam, no riding is allowed within the city."
Qin Yao nodded to indicate comprehension, and the group, leading their horses, followed Zhou Meng to a two-story inn.
Zhou Meng explained, "Although this inn is in an alley, exiting the alley leads to the main street. It’s quiet within the hustle, the place is small, but it’s affordable. You can order meals in the tavern downstairs, the chef’s fish sashimi is amazing. You can try it for just two taels."
Just? Yin Le and Second Lang exchanged a glance; the prices in Yu Zhou Main City were indeed high!
Zhou Meng also subtly gauged the guests’ reactions. Observing their clean and tidy attire, with Mr. Liu even donning a silk shirt, suggested they were affluent.
However, none of them bore expensive ornaments, hinting at a frugal lifestyle.
Thus, he brought them to this inn, a bit less extravagant than the big hotels in the city, and recommended a slightly expensive fish sashimi dish to probe further, to better suggest places matching their preferences.
As expected, Mrs. Liu remained unfazed and faintly intrigued, while Mr. Liu cheerfully said, "Sanlang, Si Niang, later we’ll try Yu Zhou’s fish!"
The dragon and phoenix twins nodded vigorously like pecking chicks; it was lunchtime, and their little stomachs were eager. But rules were rules, no shouting in public. They merely widened their bright eyes and secretly clenched their fists with their equally expectant father.
The children’s adorably excited reaction made Qin Yao smile, signaling Zhou Meng to lead the group into a tavern called Peace Inn.
Hiring someone is definitely convenient; Zhou Meng handled all the check-in formalities.
Yin Le, feeling uneasy, informed her master and followed to the backyard, choosing two adjacent spacious rooms.
One room for women, the other for men, and only after arranging all luggage from the carriage in the guestrooms did she return to the front hall, relieved.
