Chapter 688: Kuan Cheng

Kuan Cheng is the seat of Bei Yang Prefecture in Youzhou, a large city with a population of 500,000, and an economic hub in the north. Before Yunzhou rose to prominence, Kuan Cheng's economy even surpassed the Yunzhou prefectural seat, and many people moved there from Yunzhou.

Because of its large population and relatively prosperous economy, it has produced a massive urban populace; thus, even though the surrounding areas are not very stable, the city itself remains quite bustling. The wealthy and noble families live in the north of the city, while the common people reside in the south.

In the area around Maqu Bridge in the south of the city, a center for commerce and entertainment has formed. It is not only filled with inns and shops, but also theaters, small stalls and vendors, storytellers and singers, fortune tellers and physiognomists, street performers and monkey shows—there is nothing it lacks, and it is extremely lively.

Tang Zhao entered the city through the South Gate and made his way to Maqu Bridge, immediately feeling the bustling, worldly atmosphere rushing toward him. One might say Yunzhou has this too, but here there is a vigorous and wild vitality born from a lack of regulation.

When he first entered the city, he paid a city gate tax twice as expensive as in Yunzhou. Once inside, he discovered that the sides of the streets were covered in tents, and he often saw beggars gathered together, making the already narrow streets even more cramped and foul-smelling. Not to mention that as one went further south, the houses became lower and more dilapidated, gradually becoming little different from shacks—filthy, chaotic, and with sewage flowing everywhere, a sight that made one feel stifled. He gradually developed a poor opinion of the Kuan Cheng government, only feeling able to breathe once he reached this side.

Having heard passersby talking on the road earlier, Tang Zhao learned that a major Yin Calamity had occurred nearby. It seemed to have formed a Demon Cave, implicating tens of thousands of people, which had caused many refugees to flood into the city. The government's failure to settle them in time was the reason for the city's poor state; otherwise, it would not have been like this before.

A Yin Calamity, huh...

It had been a while since Tang Zhao had heard of or experienced one. It wasn't that there were no Yin Calamities in Yunzhou, but ever since becoming a Sword Guest, he had not dealt with them in the capacity of the Land Inspection Division, but had instead been fighting even more powerful enemies.

Although his current mission was important, he still identified as a member of the Land Inspection Division and had an obligation to eradicate Yin Calamities. If he encountered one, even if it wasn't within his official duties, he would certainly take action.

However, the Yin Calamity before him was not his to deal with; Youzhou had its own Land Inspection Division. Each division had its own jurisdiction and they did not interfere with one another; he could not overstep his bounds.

The Youzhou government was quite average, with mediocre governance, but at least they had let the disaster victims into the city and had some plans for resettlement. It was said there was even grain relief. In the experience of Tang Zhao, who had traveled through several prefectures, this was actually above average by horizontal comparison. If the Land Inspection Division's level was on par with their government, it would be enough to deal with a general Yin Calamity.

The most important thing right now was to find the Sui Family Troupe.

The area around Maqu Bridge was a mix of all sorts of people, bustling with activity. A crowd had gathered in front of every street performance, and there was constant cheering. One had to squeeze inside to see what kind of act it was.

Not to mention there were mat-sheds, which were a grade above street performances, enclosed on three sides by mats and blocked off, allowing entry only with a ticket.

With Tang Zhao's strength, squeezing into the crowd was not difficult, but constantly drilling and pushing was a hassle, and buying tickets for every shed seemed unnecessary, while using his strength to sneak in was even more improper.

Therefore, he directly contacted the Five Poisons Society Disciple. After they discovered the Sui Family Troupe, they stopped the business they had been assigned, instead splitting up: one to tail the Sui Family Troupe, and one to stay at a Business Lodging near Maqu Bridge, waiting specifically for Tang Zhao to find them.

A Business Lodging is a gathering place for business people of the various "Gold Skin Color Hanging" schools of the wandering life. It is a place specifically for receiving such business people, with its own unique rules that outsiders cannot know. If an outsider wants to stay at such an inn, they are told there are no rooms. If a wanderer wants to stay, they will squeeze out a room even if there isn't one. This is the sense of loyalty among these wandering people.

Although the members of the Five Poisons Society were not wanderers, they were grounded enough. Being people who mixed on the streets, they were very clear on these ways. Even if they couldn't be a "dragon crossing the river" in a strange land, finding a room was no problem.

Tang Zhao entered the Business Lodging and walked inside. He said he was looking for someone, and sure enough, he found them immediately. It was even an acquaintance.

It was actually Zhang Xu. The one with whom he had had a small conflict as a child, and whom he had seen once more back home after growing up.

Meeting again, as the saying goes, the first time makes you strangers, the second makes you acquaintances; now, the third time, they were truly old friends. And Zhang Xu's fawning and flattery no longer required any psychological preparation; it was smooth and practiced.

"YoungMaster, I've been longing for your arrival. If you hadn't come, this lowly one wouldn't have been able to close his eyes for a single night..."

Tang Zhao smiled and said, "You've worked hard. Are they still here?"

Zhang Xu said, "It must be said that your timing is unfortunate..."

Tang Zhao was startled, thinking to himself: Could it be that the path to a good outcome is fraught with obstacles? Is it impossible to meet again?

Zhang Xu had already continued, "They didn't set up their stall today; they went to perform at a Hall Gathering. It's the Hall Gathering at the Che Mansion in the North City."

Huh, the Sui Family Troupe can even perform at Hall Gatherings now?

Although it felt a bit apologetic to say so, Tang Zhao remembered that the Sui Family Troupe's skill level was quite average. It wasn't that Tang Zhao now had the strength to look down on those wandering tricks; in fact, he had felt that way since he was a child.

Back when they were wandering, they would go to Temple Fairs, Society Plays, and large markets, at most setting up in a county town; they rarely had the opportunity to enter large cities, let alone perform at Hall Gatherings. They could be called the "Suburban County Heavenly King."

How much money could one make performing at a rural market? Why not take the most lucrative Hall Gatherings? Was it that they didn't want to?

No one invited them, that's why.

Of course, juggling and acrobatics were inherently difficult to present in high-class settings. The Hall Gatherings of wealthy families were for those who sang grand operas or Drum Stories; at the very least, they had to be able to spin Empty Bamboo or Top Large Vat. When would they ever need someone to perform with a Flower Spear? Which of the wealthy families that could still stand tall today didn't have their own true martial arts? Were they crazy to want to watch street tricks?

In Tang Zhao's mind, in such a bustling area, the Sui Family Troupe's business might not necessarily be good. Hearing that the Sui Family Troupe could land a big job like a Hall Gathering in such a large city, Tang Zhao was quite surprised.

Zhang Xu and the others hadn't been idle these past two days; they had basically figured out the background of the Sui Family Troupe and immediately replied, "The Sui Family Troupe has been lucky these past two years, latching onto a popular female singer of Drum Stories. That girl..."

He opened his mouth, but remembering Tang Zhao's different status, he didn't dare use crude language, and said, "That Drum Story singer sings well and looks good too. Because of this, they've had a major turnaround. I heard they've made quite a bit of money these past two years. Aside from occasionally using the Soft Rope, they don't perform with the Flower Spear anymore. The old man just plays the strings for that singer, and their daughter and an adopted girl both follow her to learn Drum Stories. Now that eldest girl can already sing short segments. This time, when the Master Che was celebrating his YoungMaster's birthday, he invited that Drum girl, and he was very generous with his payment."

Tang Zhao was very gratified to hear this. Although regardless of whether the Sui Family Troupe was doing well or not, since Tang Zhao had come, he would always be able to change their fate, but hearing that old friends had become better off over the years made him happy in his heart. He thought the Sui family were all good people; wasn't it a good thing for good people to live well?

However, he was still puzzled and said, "Since she is a popular star, if she wanted to form a troupe, she should have found a good troupe and a good musician. Although my Sui Uncle can play the strings, he is a bit of a novice. Why did she take a liking to him?"

Zhang Xu was a bit excited when mentioning this and said, "That's hard to say, but as I see it, she took a liking to the eldest son of the family. That young man has thick eyebrows and big eyes, a sturdy build, and is honest and loyal. There's something going on between him and that Drum girl. I think there's an eighty percent chance it will happen."

Tang Zhao's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he said, "Is that so? My Sui Dage? That's great! If you count his age, he should be considering it. I always said that with him being such a reliable and good person, how could he not be liked by a girl?"

Hearing good news about old friends, Tang Zhao was even happier and said, "What is the status of this Master Che today? Although he is generous with money, will he do anything that relies on his power to bully others?"

Zhang Xu thought to himself: What is there to fear? If it comes to relying on power, who has more power than you? Besides, this is a reunion of old friends; if they are bullied, you can just step in to save the day, show off a bit, and return home in glory—isn't that even better?

But he still answered honestly, "That Master Che is the grandfather of the local Land Inspection Division Town Guardian. This Hall Gathering is, firstly, to celebrate his youngest son's birthday, and secondly, to celebrate the Town Guardian's successful disposal of the Yin Calamity. I imagine they are people of official standing and are more particular than local wealthy landlords."

Tang Zhao had been hesitating whether to go see the Hall Gathering or wait at the lodging, but upon hearing about the Land Inspection Division, he no longer hesitated and said, "You lead the way, let's go see them. Wait... you take me to buy some gifts suitable for giving first."

Zhang Xu was a shrewd and capable person. In just a few days, he had figured out the surrounding environment clearly. He immediately took Tang Zhao to a shop to buy plenty of fruit and pastries, and then bought some valuable treasures as a congratulatory gift for the Che Mansion. After all, it wasn't good to go empty-handed to eat and drink, and then said, "YoungMaster, do you want to change your clothes?"

Tang Zhao looked down at his own fine cloth blue gown, the most ordinary attire, and asked with a smile, "Then what clothes do you say I should change into?"

Zhang Xu said, "That depends on what you want to wear... You could wear a magnificent brocade robe to dazzle people's eyes; this is called returning home in glory. You could also wear something more ragged to first let people look down on you, then wipe your face to reveal your identity, making everyone gasp in surprise; this is called playing the pig to eat the tiger."

Tang Zhao almost laughed out loud and said, "Read less of those storybooks. According to you, whether I wear poor or rich clothes, is it just this ordinary way that's no good? In my opinion, this is just fine. I'm just going to watch the excitement, not go on stage to sing; I don't have that much of an itch to perform."

The two arrived at the Che Mansion in the North City, only to see the mansion decorated with lanterns and streamers, all four gates wide open, and carriages and horses gathered at the entrance—it was truly lively. Tang Zhao was a fresh face, looking like a poor scholar coming to sponge off a meal. The gatekeeper looked at him several times, but today was a good day, and the old master had given word that even if a beggar came, they were to be given a bag of pastries; not to mention that he looked refined and neat, so he let him in. Later, hearing that he hadn't come empty-handed and had even left a congratulatory gift at the gatehouse, it was an unexpected joy.

Tang Zhao entered the gate, and before he could find the people performing at the Hall Gathering, he heard someone nearby discussing, "So many people have come, they even invited people from the Yanyun Sword Sect. Aren't they afraid of the performance flopping? When the time comes, with so many people watching, won't it be a disgrace if it doesn't match up?"

Another person said, "What flop? It's been tested long ago. Do you think it's really a live match? They already knew this sword was suitable and prepared it specifically for the YoungMaster. It's just to let everyone open their eyes. Master Che is a Sword Guest, and such a young little master can also be a Sword Guest. Two Sword Guests in one family—the Che family is about to flourish."