“Did you hear? Our Pingxi Prefecture was changed to Qiyun prefecture. It’s no longer under Gan Province management but Qiyun Protectorate management…”
“Huh? How come I didn’t know about this?”
“Your intel is lagging. A relative of mine working in the Pingxi Prefectural Governor’s office told me this. The news came out from there and will spread soon…”
“Yes, yes, yes, I heard about it too. The earliest news came from Gan Province. The Gan Provincial Governor has already written the official document…”
“Then who is the Qiyun Protectorate General?”
“Are you dumb? The Qiyun Protectorate General is Young Master Yan of course. Who else other than Young Master Yan can take this position…”
On the sixth day of the seventh lunar month, it was searing hot at midday. In a restaurant in Pingxi City, the place was filled with guests. Whether they were in common rooms or private rooms, the guests were all discussing the change in Pingxi Prefecture’s management.
“The imperial court is resetting the Qiyun Protectorate’s Office. Do they want to attack the Gulang Plains again?”
“Impossible, didn’t you see the army retreat? They probably won’t be sending an army anymore. Plus, I heard people say that the soldiers were cursing once they heard they were fighting for the Shatu on the plains. If there weren’t people suppressing this, there would be a ruckus in the barracks. The imperial court probably knew this didn’t work so they set up the Qiyun Protectorate and tried a different way…”
“But I don’t know if it’s good or bad that we’ve changed. I feel that our future lives won’t be good!”
“What’s there to worry about? This is good. Look at the things the Yan family has made. The manufacturing bureau allowed all the worksmiths inside to get rich. The nearby villages followed in their steps and also earned money. Life is getting better day by day. Look at the archery academy too — it’s creating prosperity for the villages. With the rise of the Yan Fortress, the nearby villagers are all living better lives. Quite a few people made a fortune. Then there are the Yan Benevolence Halls that operate inside and outside the city. They build bridges and roads as well as help those in need. Did they not do enough good things? The Yan family earns clean money and then spends money outside. They don’t just get wealthy themselves. Their power is huge, but since when have people seen them invade other people’s wealth? Young Master Yan is wealthy and generous. He has a great fortune and can even dream about deities. Those who worry about the future are scared of greedy officials who are stringent on the citizens. Look at what the Yan family does — do they lack this bit of money at all? To be honest, the manufacturing bureau’s income is more than Pingxi City’s taxes. Young Master Yan wouldn’t even be interested in this small amount of money so don’t worry. It’s the fortune of our Pingxi citizens. Under Young Master Yan’s lead, our lives will only get better and better…”
“That’s right…”
“Yes, our little money is nothing. The Yan family can buy more than half of Pingxi City…”
“That’s right, that’s right. We have a few relatives who deliver for the manufacturing bureau. They praise Young Master Yan nonstop, saying that the work benefits are so good at the bureau. Everyone has a share and all the worksmiths in the northwest want to get in. Young Master Yan is indeed someone who accomplishes great things. The Emperor chose the right person to be the Qiyun Protectorate General…”
A lot of people heard this and all nodded. The kind acts the Yan family did these years were seen by everyone. Almost all the citizens in Pingxi Prefecture praised them.
Suddenly, there was a sudden sneer, “Pfft, I think there’s no more talent in Pingxi Prefecture. Letting a little kid be some Qiyun Protectorate General, this is really ridiculous…”
With this, the top level of the restaurant fell silent.
All the customers looked around for the source of the voice. Sitting by the window were two people. The older one appeared to be in his thirties and wore a purple robe. The younger one seemed to be in his twenties and was dressed in white robes. There were two swords placed on the table. The older man looked at the younger one with slight surprise. The younger one seemed quite handsome but his brows were raised in a frown. He held a cup in his hand and had a smirk on his face. He looked at those looking at him with contempt…
The white-robed young person had said that.
After two seconds of silence, people immediately sneered back, “A toad is yawning, no wonder he talks so big. Young Master Yan taught the method of saving the drowned when he was ten and famous. The entire Great Han Empire pretty much knew this method and each year, countless drowned people are saved. Just from this, not many can compare with Young Master Yan. Plus, he’s inherited the title of first-grade Baron, the Heavenly Master Craftsman of the Great Han Empire, the number one archery master of the northwest, and the Crown Prince’s archery master. Which of these titles aren’t famous and respected? If Young Master Yan isn’t considered someone great, then I really don’t know who deserves it. Why don’t you tell us your name and let’s see who has heard of it?”
“Exactly!” someone added. “Some people are just arrogant with words. If he speaks his name, he’s just a nobody. Compared to Young Master Yan, he’s probably not even worth one hair…”
The people in the restaurant started laughing like crazy.
Slam! The white-robed young man slammed the table and got up. He grabbed his long sword and narrowed his eyes, glaring at the people who had belittled him.
“What? You want to play it tough? Since when did the men of Pingxi City fear others? You want to go spar outside?” Immediately more than ten people got up and grabbed their swords.
The northwest citizens were ferocious and fighting was a common scene. Seeing that there was about to be a conflict, none of the people there retreated and instead watched the show.
“Sorry everyone, we just came here and didn’t know about the situation at Pingxi Prefecture too well. Please forgive us for our disrespect!” The blue-robed person got up and saluted with his fists to everyone. Then, he took out a tael of silver and crushed it flat in front of everyone. Then he placed it on the table as money for the food. Then, he dragged the young person downstairs.
Seeing this, everyone gasped a breath of cold air. Those few people who got up glanced at each other and said nothing as they sat back down. In the blink of an eye, the place became loud again.
The two who just left the restaurant came out onto the streets. The blue-robed person’s face sunk immediately, “Junior Martial Brother, did you forget the rules of the sect? Coming out here is for experience and practice, not to start trouble…”
“Senior Martial Brother, I was just a bit angry, please forgive me!” The white-robed youth’s face went serious, his tone still a little angry, “I just heard those people overpraise him, and that’s why I couldn’t resist talking. Plus, since when were we the Divine Sword Sect members scared of anyone?”
“Senior Martial Brother, you’re too young. this isn’t the problem of who’s scared of who but that we don’t need to start trouble for no reason. The Yan family is the local power of Pingxi Prefecture. It’s said that Yan Liqiang’s archery prowess is also very powerful. Since the Yan family and Yan Liqiang didn’t mess with us, why do we need to mess with them? Plus, the things in the imperial court aren’t up to us to decide. No matter what Yan Liqiang is like, it has nothing to do with us. If we really start then it’ll be difficult for us at Pingxi City!”
“Yes, thank you for your teachings Senior Martial Brother, I will remember this!” The white robed youth looked down but his hand was clenched in his sleeves. Even his knuckles were white. Yan Liqiang’s name was like a poisonous snake going in and out of his heart, devouring his flesh.
“Mhm, that’s good, Junior Martial Brother. I heard the scenery at the Gulang Plains is very beautiful. If we have the chance, let’s go there and see it. With our power, even if the Gulang Plains are chaotic, it’ll be fine…”
As they spoke, they went along the street but soon, the two frowned. They both sensed a small tail behind them. He seemed to be a hoodlum of Pingxi City.
The two glanced at each other and soon they saw a small alley so they turned into it. The hoodlum also followed them…
