Xichun and Qiangzi set off early in the morning in their mule cart. To avoid trouble from Chen Lizhong, everyone else returned to the village today to lay low.

Guangming Prefecture is about three days' journey from Weinan County. It was the first time for both of them to visit Guangming Prefecture. Xichun had asked someone for directions beforehand. She originally wanted to ask someone to help her find the way, but she was worried that if the county magistrate found out, it would end up causing trouble for others.

"Xichun, you should rest for a bit, we'll switch places later." Since neither of them was familiar with the roads and dared not travel through the night, they could only rest at each inn they came across, trying their best to reach the next inn.

"I heard that the governor of Jiannan Circuit is coming to Guangming Prefecture. I wonder if he can really clean up some corrupt officials this time. I heard that many villagers have raised their taxes and have nowhere to turn for help."

"I haven't heard that taxes are going up. Could it be that they're so bold as to raise them on their own?" someone whispered. However, Xichun and Qiangzi, who were eating in the lobby of the inn, also heard the discussion.

"Haven't you heard that the common people can't fight against the officials? Besides, those people are all in the same boat. What's the use of suing them? The officials above might not only ignore it, but also tell the officials below. Think about it, will you still have a way to survive then? We are all people with families and businesses. Who dares to stand up for others?"

"Sigh, officials protect each other. We're just here to sigh. Once we leave this room, we won't say a word to anyone."

It turns out that this wasn't just happening in Weinan County, but throughout the entire Guangming Prefecture. It seems that this time, filing a complaint will be even more difficult. The officials of Guangming Prefecture must have their own countermeasures, and they might not even be able to see the so-called governor.

"Brother Qiangzi, this journey seems more dangerous than we imagined. If anything happens, preserving your life is the most important thing," Xichun advised Qiangzi.

"Alright, let's all go and rest then. We need to continue our journey early tomorrow morning." The two of them had brought a lot of prepared chili peppers with them. They were going to Guangming Prefecture under the guise of selling things.

Xi Chun lay in bed, unable to fall asleep despite her long journey. As she tossed and turned, she suddenly heard the outside become eerily quiet. Xi Chun had a strong feeling that something was wrong, but she didn't dare to go out to check. She wondered if Qiangzi, who slept in the room next to her, would have gone out.

It wasn't until much later, when the sounds of birds chirping and insects returning to normal, and even the inn seemed to be filled with human voices again, that Xichun dared to relax. Just as she was about to get out of bed and go out, she saw a tall figure, seemingly wearing a hat, appear in front of her room.

A series of thumping sounds, like the approaching death, came over. Xi Chun dared not make a sound and pretended to be asleep.

Seeing that there was no movement in either room, the man left. Xichun was no longer moved; perhaps he was just testing whether she was asleep.

The next morning, Xichun woke up suddenly and only dared to open the door when she heard voices outside. She saw that Qiangzi was already awake and saw Xichun opening the door: "Xichun, you're awake. I've already fed the mule. We'll set off after we eat."

Qiangzi seemed unaffected, and Xichun couldn't help but admire his mental fortitude.

When Xichun went downstairs for breakfast, she noticed that there seemed to be fewer people in the lobby than the night before, but the innkeepers seemed to be doing nothing wrong and were still as enthusiastic as they had been the day before.

"Gentlemen, did you hear anything last night?" The waiter asked tentatively as he saw the two preparing to leave, offering to help lead the mule.

"A sound? What sound? I slept soundly all night and there was nothing. Could it have rained last night? The ground looked dry," Qiangzi said, looking completely bewildered.

"Yes, I didn't hear anything. I had been traveling all day and was very tired. I fell asleep as soon as I got inside," Xichun said.

"I heard someone's dog barking all night, it kept me awake. I'm so glad you two gentlemen slept so well," the waiter said with a smile.

"It's nothing special. We're in a hurry to do business in Guangming Prefecture. It's all small business. I heard the prices are higher in Guangming Prefecture. If my brother and I sell it sooner, we can go home sooner. Our family is waiting for this money to help me get married," Qiangzi said honestly.

"Then I wish you both a safe journey." The waiter cupped his hands in farewell to Xichun and Qiangzi.

Xi Chun felt that the waiter was not simple, and she didn't dare to tell Qiangzi the truth until she had walked for a day and did not see anyone following her. Only then did Xi Chun feel at ease.

"Brother Qiangzi, I heard some noises last night, and then they disappeared. This morning, I couldn't find the people who were talking last night, and even their horses were gone. Did you see them when you got up?"

“I noticed it too. Those people seem to have vanished all of a sudden. They were driving the cart last night, but I got up so early and didn’t see them or their things. I’m afraid there really is something going on here.”

"It seems we need to be more careful on this journey." Xi Chun became even more wary of the people from Guangming Prefecture. It seemed she had to be careful about what she said to people along the way, otherwise it would be bad if she were being watched.

Fortunately, the two of them followed the official road all the way, and there were many other travelers on the road, so it was relatively safe. They finally arrived at Guangming Prefecture on the afternoon of the third day. There were people coming and going at the city gate, and it seemed that nothing had happened.

"Where did you come from, and what are you doing here?" the soldiers guarding the city asked, looking at the two men.

"Gentlemen, we've come to Guangming Prefecture to sell our goods." Qiangzi lifted the lid of the mule cart and showed them the jars of chili oil inside.

"So they're business people. The entrance fee is two coins per person." The officers checked and confirmed it was true, so they let them in after they paid the entrance fee.

"The governor will be arriving in the next couple of days. Keep your eyes peeled and don't mess things up," a man in a long robe said to the soldiers guarding the city.

Xi Chun did not linger any longer. The two found an inn, booked two lower-class rooms, and then began to plot how to meet the governor.

"Tomorrow we'll drive the cart to sell the goods and find out the direction of the government office. With the goods as a cover, we won't attract their attention." Xichun and Qiangzi discussed it and decided to proceed with this safe method.

Early in the morning, the two set off in their car and arrived at the busiest street they had asked Xiao Er about the day before. They originally planned to find a place to set up their stall at random, but they found that there were so many people along the way that there were basically no spots available. It took them quite a while to find a stall.

"I heard that the governor is coming in the next couple of days. I wonder what he looks like and whether he will pass through here." Some people were talking about this, and Xichun quietly went over to listen.

"I think so. I remember the governor came to inspect several years ago, but he walked this street back then, as it's the closest to the government office."