Chapter 110: The King fears death

The King supports eight thousand soldiers, plus all the palace personnel of the great You King's Mansion and the clerks of Zhuque Avenue, roughly estimated at over ten thousand. With so many mouths to feed, fortunately there are Myriad Phenomena City and Aquatic World, these two money-making tools.

The Bai family's koi fish business is booming in the south; the King's oxygen tablets and glass tanks sell beautifully. The sand-and-rock scenery inside can be imitated, but these two items must be bought honestly from him.

As for Myriad Phenomena City, merchants from the south who come to restock always discover new novelties.

Everlasting Peace isn't lacking imitations, but compared to goods procured from You Prefecture, the difference is worlds apart; even those of modest means may buy substitutes, but the sought-after items are still the original goods from You Prefecture.

For example, those long Thousand Rivers and Mountains night lamps: the knockoffs lack solar panels, and the imitations just add a few small wax-filled lamps on the back, but they can make the appearance ninety percent similar. While strolling through Myriad Phenomena City, the King heard the merchants' complaints and was delighted; he wished the people of Great Jin would, for profit or otherwise, seriously study these otherworldly things—that's progress! However, solar panels are indeed too difficult; the Internal Affairs Department has taken apart several, yet still remains clueless and bewildered.

Time entered May; Wei Shen had not yet left. Chang Prefecture only sent a letter telling him to stay low-key and, in matters, listen to the Prince and the Chancellor. Seeing the letter, Wei Tinghou was reluctant to abandon the King himself in the northern borders, so he only instructed Wei Shen to write back as often as possible when he had the chance; he wanted to see again. Meanwhile, the Jin family's caravan arrived in You Prefecture once more.

This time, from afar they saw the city wall under construction; its gray-black height already surpassed every city along the way, yet it still lacked a roof?

"Has the wall of You Prefecture City expanded this far?" Those who had been before couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Jin Guanshi narrowed his eyes, scanning ahead, but saw no city gate; resigned, he turned south to look for the West City Gate. They had headed straight for Zhuque Avenue, not knowing the wall had been built enclosing it, making them miss the turn.

No need to wonder—the North City Gate must be near the border; whether it opens and whether commoners are allowed to pass are matters in themselves.

The assistant visiting for the first time was delighted beyond expectation, never imagining the north had such a great city.

"How mighty! So high and still no roof—hey, look ahead, there are laborers still working." Upon approaching, not only the inexperienced assistant but even Jin Guanshi was stunned.

A large crowd was busy on the city wall, wearing brand-new uniform short jackets—so novel, besides soldiers he had never seen such a large-scale uniform clothing.

The city expanded outward, yet they built such a high wall—even the laborers' treatment seems decent? Jin Guanshi pondered, and the only aspects that could bring wealth to the You King were Zhuque Avenue and that large ship.

And they came again delivering money—this is to fatten up the You King!

Those clothes aren't new, are they? It's already May, spring has arrived; this batch of laborers will work until June, spanning two seasons, yet they might end up with a spring outfit, while the issued gear for tasks is still padded winter clothing.

For this, the King was pleased for a while, and another three thousand people obtained cold-weather clothing. Awaiting the spring garments, he saw the commoners' happiness index rise a bit, and he also acquired three hundred tents. This item is highly effective against the cold; last year, over ten households' homes in the city were collapsed by heavy snow, he awarded them a dozen or so tents, and no one froze to death that winter.

The caravan went further south for a long way before finally seeing You Prefecture's West City Gate.

The group simply stopped in place and stared for a while; this bore no resemblance to the former You Prefecture City, which had lost two characters from its three-character name.

The lofty gate tower exterior was already finished, standing several dozen zhang high; black tiles, white walls, ancient and solemn, the gilded characters 'You Prefecture City' sparkled in the sunlight, exuding a vigorous, upward spirit.

Standing down below for a close look, it felt even more towering and majestic. Examining it closely, like the wall, it is built of heavy blue stone, already imaginable how sturdy it is. The watchtower on the gate tower stands tall, its height sufficient to monitor not‑far distances.

Jin Guanshi naturally considered things from the Second Prince's standpoint; seeing this, he felt a bit wary. The You King's contentment with staying in a corner would be fine, but this relentless tossing and turning will eventually become a hidden danger.

If he knew the King had only discovered the breach after enemy attacks reached the doorstep and the guards noticed, having ordered a telescope from his estate, he would feel even more exposed. They see farther than he imagines.

Just now the watchtower had them in sight as their party headed straight for the old gate, then half a day later turned back……

After the gate guards checked their travel documents, the caravan entered the gate, and the gate's width once again refreshed their understanding.

"How can this be wider than Everlasting Peace City?"

"Heavens, even speaking produces an echo!"

"This is a border city; the south can't compare, and northern barbarians may attack at any moment, so we must be solid!"

"Makes sense—say they'll come attack, and they do."

"Outside they say the King's personal guards who followed him were all slaughtered by the northern barbarians; my maternal aunt's hometown has one such case. But the You King is generous, heard he gave considerable condolence money, and there's a tablet inscribed with name and number, stating that if direct relatives lose their livelihood, taking this tablet to the You King's Mansion in You Prefecture can arrange a subsistence job. Change the place and it's fine—who would dare come to You Prefecture?"

"Then what counts as direct relatives?"

"The deceased's parents, spouse, and children, right?"

After walking a long distance, the team still marveled at how wide it was—several carriages could run on the wall, at the very least one could ride a horse……

Such heated discussion, as they traversed the wasteland between the new and old walls, ceased abruptly upon entering the old city.

"Probably the You King devoted the city's entire strength to building the wall……" This was the first‑time assistant's summary after seeing the frightening appearance of You Prefecture City.

"The You King truly fears death."

"Hahaha, understandable—how old is he?"

The assistant who had been before sighed; outside it rivals Everlasting Peace and treads on Jiankang, but inside it's still that familiar sheep‑dropping smell.

Jin Guanshi, however, let out a sigh of relief.

On the road they inquired of the locals; learning that Zhuque Avenue had opened a new inn, they went straight there to lodge, and upon entering the door they saw a familiar‑looking beauty behind the counter, still as green and lush as ever.

"Shopkeeper Zhu?" He grew more suspicious that Myriad Phenomena City belonged to the You King—all of this is one family; where in the north would such a great merchant come from.

"Jin Guanshi? Welcome back to You Prefecture City. Has the journey been smooth? Come, I'll give a discount to the major clients of Zhuque Avenue—rooms come in four sizes: heavenly‑character large, 10 taels per day; earth‑character large, 5 taels; mysterious‑character large, 3 taels; yellow‑character large, 1 tael."

Hearing those figures announced so bluntly, he suddenly felt embarrassed to choose the lowest‑grade room. Though the inn is brand‑new, the low‑grade rooms should also be fresh and clean.

Jin Guanshi politely said, "A medium‑grade room will do."

Zhu Ti said, "All right, is the earth‑character large size five taels? How many rooms do you want? I'll give the major clients an eighty percent discount."

……A medium‑grade room shouldn't be the mysterious‑character large size, should it.