Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Martial Artists Don’t Have It Easy Either, Medicine King Valley the Local Tyrant

The streets of Yazhou County Town were teeming with people.

Jianghu figures carrying swords and blades were everywhere.

The number of Jianghu figures who had gathered in Tongzhou for Elder Star-Plucker’s birthday was nothing compared to this.

This just went to show the immense influence of Medicine King Valley.

"So many people!" Liu Yuheng exclaimed.

"Indeed." Pei Shaoqing nodded, noticing that queues were even starting to form outside several brothels. The girls who usually had few customers would be overwhelmed for the next few days.

On the side of the street, there were people performing feats like breaking stones on their chests and balancing on the tips of spears with their throats, drawing cheers from the onlookers.

’Life is hard; even a Martial Artist must perform for a living.’ He could tell with a single glance that those performers had real skills.

Many Jianghu figures had also set up stalls to sell goods like swords, Elixirs, Secret Manuals, and medicinal herbs.

This was a sight he had never seen in Tongzhou.

He walked curiously up to one of the stalls.

Liu Yuheng reminded him, "Young Master, everything they’re selling is fake. It’s mainly to trick the ordinary citizens of the town."

"Why weren’t there any Jianghu figures setting up stalls along the streets in Tongzhou?" Pei Shaoqing asked, a little puzzled.

Liu Yuheng replied, "Because it’s all fake. They only set up stalls when there’s a large gathering of Jianghu figures. They pretend their target customers are other members of the Jianghu, so the ordinary folk will foolishly think they’re selling real goods and rush to buy them."

The corner of Pei Shaoqing’s mouth twitched. ’It seems life isn’t easy for the bottom-rung members of the Jianghu in this world.’

’They’ll resort to any scam or trick for a few pieces of broken silver.’

"Hey you two, could you keep it down!" the stall owner snarled, his face dark as he glared at the two tactless people in front of him.

’Do they think I’m dead?!’

"Apologies, may your business prosper." Liu Yuheng gave a dry laugh and pulled Pei Shaoqing aside. "Besides, the Court cracks down on this sort of thing. On one hand, it’s to prevent them from swindling the common people. On the other, it’s to prevent any real, strange items from being sold to the public and causing unrest."

The moment she finished speaking, the situation on the street suddenly changed.

"Shit! The Constables are here! Run!"

Someone suddenly yelled, and all the Martial Arts practitioners with stalls hastily packed up their wares and fled for their lives.

"Out of the way! Move! Make way!"

"Stop! Don’t run! Drop your things!"

A group of Constables with sabers at their waists gave chase from behind.

The Constables were all ordinary people and couldn’t possibly catch up to the Martial Artists. But their goal wasn’t to capture them, just to chase all the stallholders away.

The stall-holding Martial Artists also knew the Constables couldn’t catch them, but they had to run anyway. After all, if they were cornered, their goods would be confiscated, and they’d have to pay a ransom to get them back.

Pei Shaoqing was dumbfounded. It really paid to get out more and see the world. At least in Tongzhou, he had never seen Martial Artists fleeing from Constables like street vendors hiding from city patrols.

Liu Yuheng smiled gracefully. "See? When the governmental officers come on duty, it’s time for them to pack up. There’s another reason no one runs scams in Tongzhou—because you’re there, Young Master. It makes the Jianghu figures not dare to act recklessly."

"So does that mean Jianghu figures can’t do business in the city?" Pei Shaoqing asked, puzzled.

’The Court places too many restrictions on Martial Artists, whether to protect the people or, more accurately, to maintain the foundation of its rule.’

’So passing the civil service exam and getting a government job is the only sure path!’

Liu Yuheng replied, "Usually, in any city where a large number of Martial Artists gather, people will spontaneously organize a Ghost Market somewhere outside the city. It’s only open to Martial Artists, trading only happens at night, and everything sold is genuine."

Because selling fakes at the Ghost Market can get you killed.

The area outside the city is a lawless land compared to the inside.

Martial Artists can fight to the death without being subject to the law.

"With so many Jianghu figures gathered in Yazhou, there must be a Ghost Market. How about we go check it out tonight?" Pei Shaoqing’s interest was piqued.

Liu Yuheng smiled faintly, replying like a mother placating a child, "Alright. Since you’re curious, Young Master, I will accompany you to have a look tonight."

......

「At noon, Pei Shaoqing arrived at Ya Pavilion for his appointment.」

Ya Pavilion was the best restaurant in Yazhou.

"This lowly one greets the Baron of Pingyang. Lord Hundred Households is waiting for you upstairs. Please, follow me." Liu Wenfeng had arranged for a subordinate to greet them downstairs. He led Pei Shaoqing and Liu Yuheng to a private room on the second floor.

Seeing Pei Shaoqing and Liu Yuheng enter, Liu Wenfeng and another man in the room—a middle-aged scholar in his thirties—rose to greet them. "We greet the Baron of Pingyang."

"And this is..." Pei Shaoqing gave Liu Wenfeng a slight nod before his gaze shifted to the middle-aged scholar.

Liu Wenfeng quickly made the introduction, "My lord, this is our County Magistrate of Yazhou, Zhao Ze."

"The Baron of Pingyang honors us with his presence. As the chief official of Yazhou, it is only right that I come to welcome you personally," Zhao Ze said with a smile.

Pei Shaoqing hadn’t expected to meet one of the Old Faction of the Crown Prince from Li Yi’s list so soon. He smiled and said, "County Magistrate Zhao, you’re too kind. Please, be seated."

"Baron of Pingyang, please take the seat of honor." The two men gestured to the main seat, waiting for Pei Shaoqing to sit before taking their own seats.

As the food and wine were served, the three exchanged some simple pleasantries and became acquainted, at least on the surface. Liu Wenfeng asked tentatively, "If I may ask, Baron of Pingyang, what brings you here?"

The letter Lu Dingchuan had sent him only said that the Yazhou Hundred Households was to follow Pei Shaoqing’s instructions; it didn’t specify for what purpose.

He didn’t think Pei Shaoqing was here for the Medicine King Valley’s Sect Leader succession ceremony. The Valley didn’t have that much clout. Besides, attending that ceremony wouldn’t require the assistance of his Yazhou Hundred Households, would it?

Pei Shaoqing didn’t answer directly. Instead, he turned to look at the dense crowd of pedestrians on the street below and remarked casually, "I never imagined Medicine King Valley’s influence was so great, to draw so many Jianghu figures."

"Indeed. Just maintaining order these past few days has been a headache for myself and County Magistrate Zhao," Liu Wenfeng replied.

Pei Shaoqing asked again, "As officials of Yazhou, Hundred Households Commander Liu and County Magistrate Zhao must have dealings with Medicine King Valley. I imagine your relationship is quite good?"

The two men exchanged a look, both with wry smiles on their faces.

"You think too highly of us, Baron of Pingyang. The officials Medicine King Valley usually interacts with are either high-ranking prefectural officials or nobles from the capital. What are we?" Liu Wenfeng downed a cup of wine and said, "To be honest with you, Baron, the Jing’an Guard may strike fear into people’s hearts elsewhere, but here in Yazhou... we have to yield to Medicine King Valley."

"Baron of Pingyang, do you know who the biggest landowner in Yazhou County is?" Zhao Ze asked, setting down his cup.

Pei Shaoqing answered, "Could it be Medicine King Valley?"

"Exactly! It is Medicine King Valley!" Zhao Ze let out a breath and said helplessly, "Through various means, Medicine King Valley has annexed a vast amount of land. They use this land to grow medicinal herbs, not grain, and they don’t pay any taxes on it. It makes my job as County Magistrate incredibly difficult."

"Doesn’t Medicine King Valley know better than to not send you any benefits?" Pei Shaoqing asked bluntly.

"They do," both men answered frankly.

However, Liu Wenfeng’s tone shifted. "But this isn’t about the silver. Elsewhere, how could we, dignified Court officials, be trampled on by a mere Jianghu sect? Even taking their silver feels uncomfortable."

’Officials like to be given silver.’

’Not to be given handouts of silver.’

The most crucial point was that Medicine King Valley controlled all the industries in Yazhou, which meant their biggest source of income could only come from the Valley. There was no way for them to rake in more.

"That is indeed improper. How can a mere Jianghu sect lord it over officials appointed by the Court?" Pei Shaoqing nodded in sympathy.

’No wonder Medicine King Valley dared to injure my subordinate in Tongzhou. They’re used to acting with impunity here in Yazhou.’

He could also tell that the two men were deliberately bad-mouthing Medicine King Valley in front of him. But it was clear they were speaking the truth and were already deeply dissatisfied with the Valley.

Liu Wenfeng poured him a cup of wine and probed again, "I still don’t know what use my lord has for me on this visit to Yazhou. The entire Yazhou Hundred Households will go through fire and water for you, without hesitation."

"There’s no rush. You will know when the time is right." Pei Shaoqing smiled, raised his cup, and took a sip. "Next, Jing’an Guard from other counties in Shu State will be arriving in Yazhou. As the host, I’ll have to trouble Hundred Households Commander Liu to arrange for their accommodation."

’He’s bringing in men from other regions?’

Liu Wenfeng was startled. He asked, "Roughly how many men? So I can make preparations in advance."

"Prepare for two thousand men," Pei Shaoqing said.

Upon hearing this, Liu Wenfeng and Zhao Ze both drew in a sharp breath. Two thousand Jing’an Guard gathering in Yazhou—what was going on? They couldn’t guess, but they didn’t dare ask any more questions. "Yes, I will make the arrangements."

"By the way, Hundred Households Commander Liu, do you know if there’s a Ghost Market outside the city? Where is it? This official would like to take a look tonight."

Liu Wenfeng replied, "There is one, but the new Ghost Market in Yazhou is held every other day. It was open last night, so it won’t open again until tomorrow night."

"Oh." Pei Shaoqing clicked his tongue lightly.

Liu Wenfeng quickly added, "But if my lord wishes to go tonight, then this subordinate will have them open it tonight. Otherwise, they can just stop opening it altogether."

"Oh?" Pei Shaoqing smiled, raising an eyebrow.

Liu Wenfeng declared forcefully, "Medicine King Valley may be able to push us around, but any other Jianghu figure who comes to Yazhou is still at the mercy of us Jing’an Guard!"

He wanted to curry favor with Pei Shaoqing.

And he also wanted to regain some of his lost pride.

"Good! Now that’s the spirit of our Jing’an Guard, Hundred Households Commander Liu. This calls for a large cup!" Pei Shaoqing laughed heartily in praise, then added, "In that case, I will be visiting the Ghost Market tonight. Where is the location?"

"Where does the Baron of Pingyang wish for the location to be?" Liu Wenfeng didn’t answer but posed a question in return.

Pei Shaoqing’s smile grew wider. He set down his wine cup and said, "Last night, I entered the city through the South Gate. There’s a bamboo forest not far outside. I thought the scenery there was quite nice."

"Very well. Then tonight’s Ghost Market will be in the bamboo forest outside the South City Gate, opening at the first quarter of Hai hour." Liu Wenfeng agreed through gritted teeth. This was something he had to make happen.

Pei Shaoqing raised his cup. "Let’s drink."

"To the Baron of Pingyang." Liu Wenfeng and Zhao Ze quickly raised their cups as well, holding the rims slightly lower than Pei Shaoqing’s.

After seeing Pei Shaoqing and Liu Yuheng off, Liu Wenfeng and Zhao Ze exchanged a look, returned to the private room, and closed the door.

"Hundred Households Commander Liu, what do you think the Baron of Pingyang is planning, bringing so many men to Yazhou?" Zhao Ze asked, pouring a cup of wine for Liu Wenfeng and sitting down beside him.

Liu Wenfeng held his cup, shook his head, and said with a profound look in his eyes, "I don’t know. But it’s definitely something big. And for the two of us, this is an opportunity. After all, Yazhou is our territory."

Zhao Ze was noncommittal about the word "opportunity." Given his identity as part of the Old Faction of the Crown Prince, a promotion was impossible in this lifetime.

"Can the matter of opening the Ghost Market outside the South Gate tonight really be done?" he asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

Liu Wenfeng’s reply was decisive. "It must be done!"

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