The small commodity street was filled with a variety of intriguing items; some were rare treasures, while others were imaginative creations. It was a visual frenzy, leaving you dazzled and disoriented.
Ziye remarked, "Young Master, Jiangning seems incredibly prosperous to me."
"It indeed is," replied Zhou Gu. It was hard to believe that such a small place could rival the hustle and bustle of the Capital City. The bustle here was different though; it was closer to the lively spirit of common folk, filled with joy and contentment.
In particular, the citizens here had smiles on their faces, with barely anyone looking miserable.
In the Capital City, every evening, the officials and their minions patrolled the streets, so the common folk dared not venture out at night, lest they got into trouble with the authorities. But in Jiangning, although there were patrolling soldiers as well, the people didn’t feel disturbed. The soldiers were there to maintain order, and the people were rather friendly towards them. Some even went out of their way to give food to the patrolling soldiers.
Ziye wasn’t the only one who found Jiangning appealing, Zhou Gu also found the place quite impressive.
Everyone deemed Su Xu, the Governor of Jiangning, as a mediocre man who lacked big talents and was inflexible in his ways. He had been serving as the governor here for over a decade, always failing his assessments, never transferred elsewhere, stuck in mediocrity. Rumor had it that all his cleverness went into marrying his concubines. It was said he had seven concubines and seven daughters, all roughly the same age. However, upon a closer look, this assessment now seemed inaccurate.
Zhou Gu asked Ziye, "Have you noticed that there isn’t a single beggar in Jiangning County?"
Even the Capital City, the imperial land, had a handful of beggars. The rarity of beggars there wasn’t due to the city’s affluence, but the relentless efforts of city watchmen to maintain the city’s appearance, avoiding troubles with the elite. Over time, the beggars could only roam about in the outskirts of the city.
"You’re right." Ziye nodded, "Young Master, I wouldn’t have noticed if you hadn’t mentioned it. I didn’t see a single beggar. Maybe they don’t come out at night?"
"I’m afraid that’s not the case. Since we entered Jiangning, we haven’t seen a single beggar." Zhou Gu shook his head, "Throughout our journey, we did encounter quite a few beggars. But once we entered Jiangning, they seem to have disappeared."
Ziye wondered, "So, what’s happening?"
"It’s getting late. Let’s return and explore more tomorrow." Apparently, Zhou Gu was also tired and wanted to rest.
Ziye nodded in agreement, he too was exhausted.
The next day, after waking up, Zhou Gu, accompanied by Ziye and Zhou Xi, headed out to roam the streets again.
Zhou Xi suggested quietly, "Young Master, we can’t just keep playing around since we’re in Jiangning. You should visit Governor Su’s residence sooner. We’re going to be here for a long time. You can go sightseeing again after meeting him."
Zhou Gu shook his head, "There’s no hurry. Let the governor’s house make their preparations. They are unaware that I came personally. I assume they’re busy preparing to greet me. If I show up too soon, it’ll create chaos, and they may not be eager to see me."
Zhou Xi thought for a moment and then chuckled, "You’re right, Young Master. I didn’t consider these details, you’re more thoughtful than me."
Privately, Zhou Gu thought that his reason for delaying wasn’t because he was considerate, but that he wasn’t prepared mentally to meet his future in-laws and fiancé. Therefore, he wanted to delay the meeting as much as possible.
Just like the nights, the days in Jiangning were also bustling with activity and brimming with life.
Impressed, Ziye mused, "I thought after the lively nights, the days wouldn’t be as bustling. Turns out, it’s just as bustling during the day. The crowds are amazing."
Zhou Xi responded, "I have learnt that Jiangning is a strategic location with connection to all directions. Therefore, merchants from all over like to trade their goods here. Also, Governor Su has played a great role. He hasn’t just developed agriculture, but also flourishing small-scale industries producing these commodities. Apparently, there are governmental policies to support this. It’s ingenious and unparalleled."
"Oh?" Zhou Gu looked at Zhou Xi.
Zhou Xi knew what he was going to ask, "I’ve only found out so much. You can personally ask Governor Su when you visit him. I’m sure he’ll be happy to answer."
Zhou Gu nodded in agreement.
They roamed around the city for half the day and attracted a lot of attention from the locals due to Zhou Gu’s good looks.
By noon, Zhou Gu and his companions entered a restaurant.
When the waiter served their food, Zhou Gu took this opportunity to ask, "Young man, is Jiangning really rich?"
"Not particularly rich," the waiter answered with a smile. "Our governor encourages small businesses to be self-sufficient."
"Isn’t it wealthy with no beggars?" Zhou Gu queried.
The waiter chuckled before asking Zhou Gu, "Sir, can you guess what other jobs I’ve done?"
"Aren’t you a waiter?" Zhou Gu thought it was a rhetorical question.
The waiter laughed again, thumping his chest proudly, "I used to be a beggar."
Zhou Gu was taken aback, "Then you..."
The waiter interrupted, "Is that a Capital City accent? You’re from there, right? Some time ago, another man who sounded like he was from the Capital City asked the same question. He was good-looking, just like you, and had an air of nobility about him. He seemed a couple of years older than you. As to why there aren’t any beggars here, when beggars who came to Jiangning, they were taken in by the officials. These officials had us learn new trades, showing us elders of over seventy still selling vegetables and trinkets, as well as children selling flowers and playthings on the street. How could we continue begging when we’re neither too old nor too young? So, under the guidance of the officials, we also found ways to earn a living."
Zhou Gu was incredulous yet found the explanation logical. Indeed, during his stroll in the night market the previous night, he had seen many elderly people selling vegetables and making small trinkets. His observations during the day also corresponded with this.
He suddenly realized that in Jiangning, apart from those who were specifically here for leisure, there seemed to be no idle folks.
Zhou Gu rewarded the waiter with two taels of silver, "Thank you for sharing this."
The joyful waiter accepted the silver and left to serve other customers.
Zhou Gu turned to Ziye and said quietly, "Did you hear his words? I think the person who asked him about this a while ago might have been the Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince’s duty call was not in Jiangning, but it was nearby. His detour to Jiangning might have been for the same reason, to understand how this place was governed.
Ziye nodded.
Remembering the Crown Prince’s instructions, Zhou Gu pondered for a moment and then summoned Zhou Xi.
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