My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 59 Entering the City

The three arrived in Fuchun County on the afternoon of the second day.

The city gate was narrow, and there were still people setting up stalls on both sides of the street after entering the city. When they saw Lin Ziping's carriage coming, a group of ragged people began to squeeze towards the carriage.

"Young master, sit tight," Master Li said to the people inside the car, and then suddenly accelerated.

Despite being prepared, Lin Ziping still felt like he had almost been thrown out.

After about ten minutes, the carriage gradually slowed down. Lin Ziping lifted the curtain, indicating that they had entered the inner city. The buildings were more densely packed, and the streets were much cleaner than when they had seen the city gate earlier.

It was already getting dark, and the three of them found an inn. Lin Ziping planned to rest for a while and then report to the county government the next day.

After having a meal at the inn and washing up briefly, Zhu Zi inquired about the situation in Fuchun County. Master Li settled the carriage, and Lin Ziping planned to wander around and visit the county government office.

"Young master, it's getting late, why aren't you resting in your room?" He was stopped by the waiter before he even stepped out of the house.

"Having just arrived in your esteemed land, I'd like to take a look around." As he spoke, Lin Ziping took out a few copper coins and handed them to the waiter who had stopped him. When traveling, one relies on social skills and connections.

The waiter looked around, accepted the money, and said with a bright smile, "Young master, just call me Xiao Yi. Fuchun is not like other places, so it's best not to go out at night."

"A curfew? It's not even 7 PM yet, can't we go out on the street?" Lin Ziping asked, puzzled, remembering that the curfew in Qingyang County was at 9 PM.

There weren't many people in the shop at the moment. Xiao Yi pulled Lin Ziping to sit down at an empty table in the hall: "Young master, you may not know this since you're new here. Although Fuchun's name contains the word 'fortune,' he's not wealthy at all. The rich and powerful have all gone to Huaizhou and Qingyang. If you're here to travel, you should leave early."

Upon entering the city, I could already see the signs. The city gates weren't as large as Qingyang's, the streets weren't as wide, and the houses along the main roads were quite dilapidated. All these signs indicated that Fuchun County's GDP was lower than Qingyang's, and its fiscal revenue was also poor. However, since merchant families were no longer allowed to participate in the imperial examinations, I didn't know what to do. Going into business was out of the question; I lacked business acumen. Although this dynasty didn't have the traditional "scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants" social hierarchy, judging from the latest developments, the era was quite harsh on merchants. Farming or learning a skill was an option, but aside from not having that skill now, I had studied for so many years, and although I was among the lowest-ranked, I was still considered a scholar. Plus, I had the background of being a "time traveler." I simply couldn't bring myself to be a farmer or an apprentice. I couldn't bear to leave behind those "long gowns" (traditional Chinese robes). I could only take a roundabout approach. I wouldn't become rich, but at least it would be stable. Fuchun might be poor, but I could endure it.

“I’m not here for sightseeing; I’ll be staying here for a while. Brother Xiao Yi, are there any houses for rent around here?” Lin Ziping asked with a smile.

Hearing Lin Ziping's words, Xiao Yi looked regretful, as if he was disappointed in Lin Ziping: "Thank you for calling me brother. I'll tell you the truth. There are no rivers around Fuchun. When it gets a little dry, the land can't grow any crops. People from the countryside who have connections flock to the city, and those who don't... Sigh, I see you're an honest man, so you should leave as soon as possible. Also, don't go out at night. The authorities might arrest you as a thief. And those street thugs not only rob people but also steal from them."

"This...this government arrests people arbitrarily without verification, and doesn't even care about robbing people?" Lin Ziping asked, somewhat surprised.

"Prove it? If you have money, then prove it. Behind every street thug is a local bully, and who knows what's behind those bullies?" Xiao Yi leaned closer and whispered.

"I'm from the next county. A relative helped me find a job in the county government. If I go back now, I won't be able to explain it to my family. I can't stay at my relative's house all the time either. Brother Xiao Yi, do you see any places to stay nearby?" Lin Ziping took a step back, his eyes showing a clear sense of foolishness and helplessness.

Xiao Yi clicked his tongue twice: "Today, another person came to the inn who was also going to the county government. It's not easy to make a living these days. This inn is run by my uncle's family, so you can stay here without worry, brother."

"Brother, you can just call me Ziping. This inn is nice, but it's not a good place to stay long-term," Lin Ziping said with a worried look.

Xiao Yi patted Lin Ziping on the shoulder: "I think you're a few years older than me, so I'll call you Ziping. When you go to the county government, be careful of Magistrate Feng. The county magistrate doesn't really do anything; it's Magistrate Feng who makes the decisions. If you want to rent a house, go to the north of the city. The east and west sides are where rich people live, and the south side is full of all sorts of shady characters. Ziping, don't live there..."

"Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi, hurry up and greet the guests. Are you slacking off again?" Xiao Yi's words were interrupted as a middle-aged man walked in through the door and called out.

"Coming, coming!" Xiao Yi replied quickly. "If Ziping needs anything, just let me know."

Lin Ziping quickly stuffed a few copper coins into Xiao Yi's hand: "Thank you very much, Brother Xiao Yi."

Xiao Yi glanced at Lin Ziping, and the two smiled at each other.

Lin Ziping returned to his room, and soon after, Zhu Zi came to knock on the door.

"Come in quickly, Zhu Zi." Lin Ziping opened the door and let Zhu in, poured him a glass of water, gestured for him to sit down, and asked, "How is it?"

Over the past few years, Zhu Zi had become increasingly composed under Steward Tao's guidance. He bowed to Lin Ziping and sat down. After taking a sip of water, he recounted what he had learned, which was roughly the same as what Xiao Yi had told him. He had also taken a walk around the streets. There were no yamen runners patrolling, but they encountered several groups of people gathered together, who scrutinized unfamiliar faces.

“A few years ago, Steward Tao and I passed through this place with the master. Although it wasn’t as prosperous as Qingyang or Huaizhou, it was still quite prosperous back then. Now it’s somewhat dilapidated and desolate. Young master, why don’t you go back?” Zhu Zi added.

Lin Ziping didn't speak, but after thinking for a moment, he shook his head and said, "My uncle has taken care of me for many years. I have no face to be a burden to him anymore. The teahouse that I opened with Ji Xun and Fang Zhili in Huaizhou is now thriving, but it's just a small business of ours. Besides, I didn't participate in it at all. What can I do if I go back?"

"Young master can continue his studies. Perhaps... perhaps in two years he can participate in the imperial examinations," Zhu Zi advised.

“Zhu Zi, you know me. I’m not as good as you in academics, and not as good as Shun Zi in martial arts, but I’m doing pretty well now.” Lin Ziping sighed and continued, “Zhu Zi, you can continue your studies. Maybe you can take the imperial examination in a couple of years.”

Zhu Zi's eyes dimmed: "I am but a lowly servant. It is already a blessing from the master and young master that I can read and write. I no longer want those things."

"Next time I go back, I will ask my uncle to remove your slave status. We grew up together and are like brothers. If it weren't for Granny Liao stopping me last time, I would have told my uncle long ago."

“We understand the young master’s intentions. There’s no need for you to make things difficult for the master; he has no choice.” Seeing that Lin Ziping was about to say something, Zhu Zi changed the subject, saying, “Tomorrow, after you go to the county office, will you go with Master Li to find a place to stay?”

Seeing that Zhu Zi was unwilling to talk about the matter of being removed from the register, Lin Ziping said no more: "I will go to the county government office by myself tomorrow. You and Master Li can look around and see if there is a suitable house for just the two of us. It doesn't need to be too big, but it should be as clean and safe as possible. Let's choose one in the north of the city."

"Yes. Young Master, please rest early." Zhu Zi noted Lin Ziping's request, then bowed and took his leave.