Chapter 28: The Prefectural City

Yuzhou was governed by five commanderies, among which Xin'an Commandery was the most prosperous.

Within Xin'an Commandery, the adjacent Xinyang County town was the most bustling, and people habitually referred to it as the Commandery City.

It took two days to travel from Leping County to the Commandery City, passing through Changning and Fuquan counties along the way. The imperial roads were wide and security was good, with merchant caravans passing through in an endless stream.

Chen Yuan traveled by day and rested by night, galloping on horseback, and arrived at the Commandery City in only a day and a half.

Wei Wuding had given him seven days, but he could not truly wait until the seventh day.

The Commandery City was far more prosperous than Leping County. Three-story buildings could be seen everywhere along the streets, and carriages and sedan chairs were common sights. Pedestrians often wore silk or cotton clothing and possessed healthy, ruddy complexions.

Chen Yuan led his horse by hand, walking all the way to Chongxin Ward in the west of the city.

This was the headquarters of the Tiger-Subduing Gang, and all four ward gates were guarded.

Chen Yuan arrived at the northern gate. After presenting his waist token, the guard immediately replaced his stern expression with a smile.

After Chen Yuan broke through to the Bone-Refining stage, he had replaced his waist token; these guards were merely at the Skin-Refining stage, so they were naturally extremely respectful toward him.

Following the guard's directions, Chen Yuan found the hall of the Hundred Weapons Hall and stated his purpose.

A gang member led the way, guiding Chen Yuan to a training ground.

On the training ground, Wei Wuding was leading thirty martial artists in practicing punches and martial arts.

Seeing Chen Yuan's arrival, Wei Wuding signaled for everyone to continue their training on their own, then led Chen Yuan into a side room and asked

"Has your family been settled?"

Chen Yuan replied

"They have been settled. My parents were worried and insisted I stay home for a few days. I have arrived a bit late; I ask the Deacon for his forgiveness."

Wei Wuding smiled and said

"A mother worries when her child travels a thousand miles; this is only human nature. I gave you seven days, and today is only the sixth, so you are not slow. However, since you have come to the Commandery City, you must not leave without cause. A great man's ambitions lie in all directions; only by working with focus can one strive for a good future."

"Yes, Erniu obeys all the Deacon's orders!"

Wei Woding nodded with a smile, pulled a jade bottle from his robe, handed it to Chen Yuan, and said

"This is the Marrow-Refining Pill bestowed upon you by the Hall Master after I reported your merits. Take it."

Chen Yuan was overjoyed and said

"Thank you for the Deacon's reward!"

He took the pill with both hands, intending to open the stopper to look inside, but then lowered his hands, though he still gripped the jade bottle tightly, his eyes constantly glancing upward.

Wei Wuding laughed and said

"Open it and look, lest there be something wrong with the pill; then it would be hard to explain."

Chen Yuan gave a sheepish smile, opened the jade bottle, and poured the pill into his palm. Looking at the small, round pill and smelling the rich medicinal fragrance, his gaze was fervent.

The market price of a Marrow-Refining Pill was over one hundred taels of silver. As the name implied, it could assist a martial artist in breaking through to the Marrow-Refining stage, making it extremely precious.

"Have you seen enough?"

Wei Wuding's teasing remark startled Chen Yuan.

He hurriedly put the pill back into the jade bottle, tucked it into his robe, and smiled bashfully.

But Wei Woding did not mind. It was precisely because Chen Yuan was honest and straightforward, making him easy to control, that he valued him so much.

"You possess immense strength, so your physical toughness is certainly sufficient. I will give you seven days; after consuming this pill, breaking through to the Marrow-Refining stage should be no problem. When that time comes, I can arrange duties for you."

Chen Yuan responded respectfully

"Yes."

He then called Yu Zhanchuan from the training ground, instructing him to take Chen Yuan to get settled first.

Watching Chen Yuan's departing figure, Wei Woding said softly

"Erniu, do not let me down, otherwise..."

...

Yu Zhanchuan and Chen Yuan had met at the manor, and having witnessed him kill Jiang Feng with his own eyes, Yu also knew how much Wei Woding valued Chen Yuan, so his attitude was extremely warm.

He led Chen Yuan through several small alleys to the gate of a small courtyard in the northeast corner of Chongxin Ward and said

"Junior Brother Chen, this is the residence Deacon Wei has arranged for you. I happen to live next door, so we will be neighbors from now on. We can look out for each other if anything happens..."

This small courtyard was similar to Chen Yuan's courtyard in Leping County, consisting of a main room and a side room, though it had an extra latrine. A weapon rack and a stone table were set in the courtyard, though it lacked the old locust tree.

Chen Yuan placed his luggage in the main room, and Yu Zhanchuan enthusiastically helped him clean and tidy up.

After Chen Yuan tried to decline, Yu Zhanchuan insisted, so he had no choice but to accept the kindness.

By the time the cleaning was finished and Yu Zhanchuan had accompanied Chen Yuan to collect daily necessities like cotton clothes, quilts, food boxes, and water buckets, it was already dusk.

Yu Zhanchuan looked up at the sunset clouds and said

"It is getting late. Since you rushed here from Leping County, Junior Brother Chen, you must be hungry. Let me treat you to drinks at Cuiyun Pavilion to welcome you."

Chen Yuan declined

"Senior Brother has been busy running errands for me; how can I let you spend more money? Let me treat you instead."

"Hey, I am the local..."

"Senior Brother, please do not refuse. It is settled then. I also have matters I wish to consult you about; you must give me this face."

Seeing Chen Yuan's determined attitude, Yu Zhanchuan laughed heartily and agreed

"Fine, then I will let you treat me this once. Next time, it's my turn!"

...

Chen Yuan locked the door and, led by Yu Zhanchuan, walked through streets and alleys until they reached a prosperous street in the south of the city.

Two and three-story buildings lined the streets, hung with colorful lanterns bearing shop signs, illuminating the bluestone roads below.

Pedestrians jostled one another, and the sound of laughter and conversation was incessant.

Occasionally, a carriage or sedan chair passed by, and the drivers and porters would stretch their voices to request that people make way, their tones long and melodious, as if they were singing.

As they walked, Yu Zhanchuan introduced the area

"On this East Street, you can find everything—restaurants, brothels, theaters, money changers, and shops. No matter what you want to buy, this is the place. The Cuiyun Pavilion we are going to today might not compare to Huixian Pavilion, but it is still one of the top three restaurants in the Commandery City. Their signature roasted mutton has absolutely no gamey smell; I guarantee you'll swallow your tongue from the deliciousness..."

Yu Zhanchuan spoke incessantly, leading Chen Yuan into a three-story restaurant.

As soon as they entered, a waiter rushed up to greet them

"Master Yu, you have arrived! Please, upstairs!"

The waiter led the way, and Chen Yuan and Yu Zhanchuan went up to the second floor and sat in a private booth.

The waiter bowed and scraped

"Master Yu, what would you like to eat today? The usual, or something new?"

Yu Zhanchuan looked at Chen Yuan and said

"Junior Brother Chen, what do you think..."

Chen Yuan waved his hand and said

"Whatever Senior Brother Yu arranges is fine."

Yu Zhanchuan turned to the waiter and instructed

"The usual: four meat dishes, four vegetable dishes, and twenty white flour pancakes. But change the roasted mutton to a large portion, and add a pot of Cuiyun Brew. Go!"

"Right away! Please wait a moment, gentlemen!"

The waiter left the booth and, a short while later, pushed the door open again carrying a large tray.

He set down two pots of wine, two wine cups, a plate of dried fruit, a plate of broad beans, a plate of small appetizers, and a plate of braised beef, smiling as he said

"Master Yu, Master Chen, these are appetizers from our establishment for you two. Please enjoy your drinks first."

Yu Zhanchuan waved him off, and the waiter poured the wine for them before respectfully withdrawing.

Yu Zhanchuan raised his cup and said

"Junior Brother Chen, try this Cuiyun Brew. It is brewed by Cuiyun Pavilion itself; it is mellow and intoxicating. You won't find anything this good outside."

Chen Yuan did not enjoy drinking, but he did not refuse Yu Zhanchuan's kindness. He picked up the cup and drained it in one gulp, praising

"Good wine!"

"Haha, Junior Brother is indeed straightforward! Come, come, let me toast you to celebrate your joining the Main Hall. You and I both serve under Deacon Wei; we must support each other in the future..."

The two exchanged toasts and chatted casually as the dishes were gradually brought out, eventually filling the table.

"Come, Junior Brother, try this roasted mutton. It's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. And this Golden Silk Tripe Soup and the Two-Color Kidney are also signatures of Cuiyun Pavilion..."

Yu Zhanchuan continued to invite him to eat while enthusiastically sharing anecdotes about the Tiger-Subduing Gang.

After eating for a while, Chen Yuan put down his chopsticks, toyed with his wine cup, and smiled

"Senior Brother, I am new to the Commandery City and know nothing. I don't even know how the gang's halls are divided. I ask for your guidance so that I do not cause trouble and bring inconvenience to Deacon Wei in the future."

Having finished more than half a pot of Cuiyun Brew, Yu Zhanchuan's cheeks were slightly flushed. Full and merry, he smiled and said

"Then I shall explain it clearly to you. The gang is divided into three halls: the Hundred Weapons Hall, the Shennong Hall, and the Law Enforcement Hall. Our Hundred Weapons Hall deals in ironware and has dealings with bandits, the garrison, merchant firms, and powerful clans. We have the best business and the strongest strength. Our Hall Master, Hou Yan, is a peak Gang-Strength expert; he is highly respected and holds high seniority. Even Gang Leader Luo must show him respect."

"The Shennong Hall deals in medicinal herbs and pills. The Nourishing Essence Pills we received were made by the Shennong Hall. If you want to buy pills, I know several seniors in the Shennong Hall who can help facilitate it for you."

"The Law Enforcement Hall has the fewest people but the greatest power. If anyone in the gang violates the rules, they must be handed over to the Law Enforcement Hall for disposal; one must never offend them. However, we serve under Deacon Wei, and Deacon Wei is a disciple of Hall Master Hou. Even the Gang Leader speaks highly of him, so even the people from the Law Enforcement Hall have to give Deacon Wei some face. You don't need to worry too much..."

Yu Zhanchuan spoke eloquently, giving Chen Yuan a clear understanding of the Tiger-Subduing Gang.

The Hundred Weapons Hall and Shennong Hall each had one Hall Master and two Deputy Hall Masters, all of whom were Gang-Strength martial artists; there were three Deacons, who were Internal-Strength martial artists; and several managers and guard captains, all of whom were Marrow-Refining martial artists.

The Law Enforcement Hall was somewhat special, with six Internal-Strength Deacons and thirty Law Enforcement disciples, all of whom were Marrow-Refining martial artists; there were actually fewer Skin-Refining gang members.

After Yu Zhanchuan finished speaking, the meal was just completed.

The two went downstairs to settle the bill. Chen Yuan pulled out the silver, but the waiter said that Yu Zhanchuan had already paid when he went to the restroom midway through.

Chen Yuan complained that Yu Zhanchuan was "unreliable," but Yu Zhanchuan argued that since Chen Yuan was new to the city, it wouldn't be right to let him pay, so Chen Yuan dropped it.

By the time the two walked out of Cuiyun Pavilion, it was late, and the moon was high in the sky.

There were few pedestrians on East Street, and most of the lanterns along the street had dimmed. Only at the entrances of a few brothels was it still bustling and crowded.

Yu Zhanchuan wanted to drag Chen Yuan to a brothel to enjoy himself, but Chen Yuan, drawing from his past life's experiences, feared such things like a tiger, dreading catching a venereal disease. After several refusals, Yu Zhanchuan could only give up.

Just as the two turned to leave, a shout rang out

"You dare fight back? Break their legs!"

Chen Yuan turned to look and saw two groups of people brawling with clubs in a small alley.

One group had over a dozen people, while the other had only six, yet the larger group was clearly at a disadvantage, with nearly half of them lying on the ground.

Chen Yuan did not want to meddle in other people's business, so he quickened his pace to walk past.

Having drunk more than half a pot of Cuiyun Brew, Yu Zhanchuan was slightly tipsy. He gave a lazy glance and did not pay it much mind.

But the two groups saw Chen Yuan and Yu Zhanchuan as well. Among the larger group, one person suddenly shouted

"Senior Brother Yu, help! These bastards from the Sanjiang Gang are trying to break our legs!"

Yu Zhanchuan let out a soft sound of surprise, blinked, looked closely, and then shouted

"Stop! You dogs, how dare you attack members of my Tiger-Subduing Gang!"