Chapter 562: Meeting the Son of Heaven

「Halt, where do you come from? 」

At the gate of Cheng Zhou, a city guard soldier stretched out his hand to block Li Er's path.

Li Er raised his head and looked at the tall city gate before him.

The city walls stood towering, and the banners on the gate tower fluttered in the wind.

The gate passage was deep, and inside could be seen a constant flow of people.

He dismounted from the green ox and stood before the soldier.

The soldier sized him up—a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy in coarse cloth, with a green ox beside him.

This attire, this age... anyway, he looked quite unfamiliar.

"Do you have a dispatch?" the soldier stretched out his hand.

Dispatch.

At this time, it was the travel document issued by the authorities.

Together with the 'tally,' they form the word 'tally and dispatch.'

The tally, called the seal token, is a credential bestowed by the emperor upon his subjects.

The Zhou Rituals, Office of Autumn, records: 'Those who reach all under heaven must have a tally, and the dispatch assists it.'

The city guard soldier naturally did not think Li Er would have such a high-grade seal token, so he only asked about the dispatch.

Li Er nodded and reached into his bosom to take out two things.

A bamboo slip tally, and a jade tablet tied with a silk cord.

He handed both together to the soldier.

The soldier took it, first looking at the bamboo slip—it bore Li Er's identity, origin, destination, and was stamped with the seal of the local government office.

He then examined the jade tablet—warm and smooth, its surface engraved with intricate patterns, a seal token that only the royal family could bestow!

The soldier's eyes widened instantly.

He lifted his head, looking at Li Er, his eyes full of disbelief.

"This... this..."

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but then didn't know what to say.

Finally he just hastily said:

"Young master, please wait a moment; I will go ask my superior."

Having said that, he turned and ran, slipping into the gate passage in a puff of smoke, disappearing from sight.

Li Er stood where he was, patted the green ox's head, and waited patiently.

After a moment, footsteps sounded.

The soldier returned, followed by a better-dressed officer—apparently the Soldier Captain.

The Soldier Captain quickly stepped up to Li Er, his face beaming with smiles, and with both hands returned the bamboo slip and seal token to him.

"My remiss welcome, my remiss welcome!" he repeatedly cupped his hands, "I did not know the young master had arrived here, thus I have been neglectful; I hope the young master will forgive me!"

Li Er received the items and tucked them away.

"No need for much ceremony," he said, "I am also making my first visit."

"May I now enter the city?"

"Of course, of course!" the Soldier Captain nodded repeatedly.

He glanced at the green ox behind Li Er, then at Li Er, his eyes shifting, and he said earnestly:

"Young master, you have just arrived; you must be unfamiliar with Cheng Zhou."

"Would you like me to assign someone to show you around?"

Li Er thought for a moment and nodded.

That would be good.

For a first visit, having someone guide you is better than wandering blindly.

"Then I'll trouble you," he said.

The Soldier Captain's smile deepened; he turned and waved at that soldier.

"Chen Si, you will show the young master the way—do it well, don't be neglectful!"

The soldier named Chen Si hastily nodded: 'Yes!'

He stepped up to Li Er, bowed slightly, and made a gesturing invitation.

"Young master, please follow me."

Li Er nodded, took hold of the green ox, and followed him into the gate.

Inside Cheng Zhou.

The capital where the Zhou Emperor resides, the center of the world, a place where all nations come to court.

As soon as Li Er stepped through the gate, he was stunned by the sight before him.

A broad avenue stretched straight ahead, its surface paved with even stone slabs.

On either side of the avenue, buildings stood in close succession—tall and short, new and old, each adjoining the next.

There were sellers of cloth, grain, meat, wine, and also vendors of various odd curiosities.

On the street, people came and went, shoulders rubbing.

There were commoners in coarse cloth, nobles in fine attire, merchants with travel packs, warriors carrying swords, and scholars in groups of two or three, walking and discussing something.

The cries of vendors, haggling, wheel noises, horse hooves—all blended together, extraordinarily lively.

In the distance, a lofty palace could be faintly seen, its roof glimmering in the sunlight.

That must be the Son of Heaven's royal palace.

Li Er walked while looking, his eyes were already a little strained.

Chen Si walked beside him, and seeing his appearance, couldn't help but smile.

"Young master, this is your first time coming to Cheng Zhou, right?"

Li Er nodded.

"Mm, first time."

Chen Si didn't ask much, just dutifully introduced things to him.

"This side is the East Market, mostly selling everyday items."

"That side is the West Market, selling rare goods brought from various countries, and they're pricier."

"That street is residential; many merchants from out of town rent there."

"That side is the Academy, where many scholars lecture and discuss the Dao; if you're interested, young master, you can go listen."

Li Er listened and took notes.

After walking for a while, Chen Si asked:

"Where in the city would you like to go, young master? I can guide you."

Li Er stopped, lifted his head, and looked toward the palace in the distance.

"I will first go to meet the Son of Heaven."

Led by Chen Si, Li Er passed through the bustling market streets, walked along the palace road, and finally arrived before the Zhou Emperor's palace.

It was an old yet still magnificent building, standing majestically in the sunlight.

In front of the palace gates stood two rows of guards wielding long halberds, each upright and unflinching in gaze.

Chen Si stepped forward, exchanged a few words with the gate officials, then turned back, nodded at Li Er, and stepped aside.

Li Er took a deep breath, straightened his robes, and stepped into the palace.

After passing several corridors and a long passage, a Great Hall appeared before his eyes.

The hall doors were wide open, and faint voices could be heard from inside.

Li Er stopped at the hall entrance and looked up.

Inside, the floor was covered with vermilion mats, and several massive pillars supported a lofty dome.

At the very center, behind a wide table, sat a person.

That was the Zhou Emperor — Zhou Ling Wang.

He appeared middle‑aged, with a slender face, a hint of innate nobility in his brows, yet also a faint trace of fatigue.

He wore ceremonial robes, a crown with hanging tassels, and jade beads that dangled before his face, swaying slightly with his movements.

His slender fingers lightly tapped the edge of the table, as if pondering something.

On either side of him sat two middle‑aged men.

The one on the left was burly, with a square face, thick brows and large eyes, and a neatly trimmed beard.

He wore a dark brown robe, a jade belt at his waist, and his eyes gleamed, occasionally glancing toward the hall doors.

The one on the right was much slimmer, with a scholarly look, three long strands of beard, and an air of literary refinement.

He wore a deep blue garment, held a Bamboo Slip in his hand, and his gaze fell on it, as if indifferent to everything in the hall.

The three were speaking when Li Er entered, and their gazes instantly fell upon him.

Li Er kept walking at an even pace, reached the center of the hall, and stopped about three zhang from Zhou Ling Wang.

He bowed low, his posture just right, and said:

"I, Li Er of Chen State, have seen the Son of Heaven."