CHAPTER 137: CHAPTER 85 SPIRIT HALL_1

Nanwang City was much larger than Tuman City.

Instead of calling it a frontier fortress, it resembled more of a thriving metropolis like Shenzhen.

Merchant caravans were a constant sight, the population was dense, and commerce was extremely developed.

This also explained why the fortress system, including Green Willow Fortress, was so neglected. Yinlang County didn’t have the slightest atmosphere of a frontier region; it was simply Yan’s prosperous ’Little Jiangnan.’

Zheng Fan closed the window, no longer looking out at the bustling streets.

As a new official taking up his post, aside from the old soldier Tie Sanzhu, no one else had come to welcome Zheng Fan.

However, he still needed to pay his superior a visit.

Zheng Fan had no intention of being an isolated official in Yan. At least, not at the moment. Hence, he brought along two boxes of silver ingots this time.

Garrison Commander Xiao Dahai of Nanwang City was the target of Zheng Fan’s relationship-building attempt.

Since he was bringing silver, he couldn’t afford to be too conspicuous. Zheng Fan decided to bring only Fanli and A Ming along. The three of them first found an inn in Nanwang City to settle into, planning to assess the situation before sending out their calling cards.

SQUEAK...

The inn door was pushed open. Fanli walked in, holding a variety of snacks, and said cheerfully, "My lord, Lord North pancakes, Lord North deep-fried dough sticks, Li family buns..."

Although the Li family, the lineage of the Earl of North Border, had been stationed in the north for a hundred years, they were still extremely popular in Yinlang County. After all, Yinlang County was their ancestral home.

As a result, many snacks in Yinlang County were named after the Earl of North Border or the Li family. This was similar to how, in later generations, snack shops would often display advertisements claiming that Emperor Qianlong had praised their food during his tours to Jiangnan.

Zheng Fan took two Li family buns from Fanli and said while eating, "We’ll send the calling cards this afternoon."

There were still numerous issues waiting to be handled back at Green Willow Fortress. They couldn’t have everyone living in tents indefinitely, could they? Were they here to rise through the ranks and get rich, or to seek refuge?

A Ming didn’t eat anything and continued patiently trimming his nails. Hearing Zheng Fan’s words, he nodded.

"Aren’t you going to eat?"

Zheng Fan remembered that A Ming would even eat blood sausages in the past. Why did he now seem to have an air of detachment from worldly desires?

A Ming smiled and said, "Yes, thank you for your concern, My lord. One full meal can last me many days."

Saying so, A Ming subconsciously licked his lips.

"Don’t overeat. Try to maintain a regular diet."

"Yes."

A Ming nodded and went back to trimming his nails.

"Should I change my clothes?" Zheng Fan asked, pointing to the sweatshirt he was wearing.

In Beifeng Prefecture, with its diverse mix of people, it didn’t matter how eccentric your attire was. Here in Yinlang County, however, the local customs were more traditional and unassuming.

"I’ll look for some."

A Ming got up, went to their luggage, and found a white long robe, which he handed to Zheng Fan.

The people of Yan primarily favored black attire. However, because Yinlang County was close to Qian State, it had inevitably absorbed some of their ’literary refinement.’ Scholars or young masters from prominent Yan families in this region often preferred to wear plain white long robes or gowns when out and about.

Siniang had prepared the clothes for Zheng Fan before he left. According to their plan, they would stay in Nanwang City for two days at most to build connections and then return, so they hadn’t brought many clothes.

After changing, Zheng Fan stretched his arms out, admiring himself.

Fanli, who had just stuffed the last piece of a Lord North pancake into his mouth, looked at Zheng Fan and chuckled foolishly.

"Ah Li, what do you think? Do I look like a scholar?" Zheng Fan asked.

Fanli nodded vigorously and said, "Like you’re attending a funeral."

... Zheng Fan was speechless.

「...」

"Are they really holding a funeral?"

In front of the General Mansion in Nanwang City, white lanterns were hung everywhere, and the household retainers at the entrance were all dressed in white mourning clothes. Guests coming to offer condolences streamed in and out.

Zheng Fan stood at the front, A Ming by his side. Fanli stood at the very back, carrying the two boxes of silver ingots on a shoulder pole.

"A Ming."

"Yes."

"Go ask at a nearby shop who in the General Mansion has passed away."

"Yes, My lord."

After a short while, A Ming returned and calmly reported, "My lord, Xiao Dahai has died. They said he died of illness last night."

After confirming this news, Zheng Fan felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. He hesitated for a moment, but since he was already here, he decided he should go in to pay his respects and offer a token of condolence.

"A Ming, do you have any money on you?" Zheng Fan asked.

"I don’t carry money when I go out."

Zheng Fan then looked at Fanli and said, "Ah Li, give me all the loose silver you have on you."

Ah Li put the two boxes on the ground and made a move to open them.

"No, no, no, don’t touch those ingots."

Ah Li scratched his head in confusion. Weren’t these silver ingots meant as a gift for the Garrison Commander?

"When he was alive, two boxes would have been fine. But now that he’s dead..."

A Ming, standing to the side, interjected, "He’s devalued."

"Exactly, he’s devalued."

Fanli nodded and said, "Right. In the market, a dead chicken is cheaper than a live one."

Zheng Fan stepped forward and fished out some loose silver from Ah Li’s pouch. This was what remained after Ah Li had bought snacks on the street earlier.

He weighed it in his hand, judging the amount.

"This should be enough. Ah Li, take the silver ingots back to the inn. A Ming, you’ll come with me to offer condolences. Oh, and Ah Li, when you get back to the inn, wash your mouth out. I have a feeling your words have been a bit too prophetic today."

Ah Li nodded obediently, shouldered the pole with the boxes again, and headed back towards the inn.

Zheng Fan, accompanied by A Ming, then walked through the main gates of the General Mansion.