Zhao Hao followed the old man along the narrow stone-paved road as the bustling atmosphere of Qingyang City began to come to life. The sounds of street vendors shouting their wares, the rhythmic clip-clop of horse hooves, and the laughter of children blended together, making the ancient city feel vibrant and full of energy. Stalls lined the streets, selling everything from rice and noodles to pottery and coarse linen clothing. The vendors wore simple cloth tunics and spoke with a rural accent, eagerly calling out to passersby.
As Zhao Hao walked, he observed the unfamiliar city with quiet curiosity. The roads were narrow and muddy, with many houses showing signs of age and neglect—wooden beams were exposed, and the thatched roofs sagged unevenly, clearly lacking maintenance. The drainage system was even more rudimentary. The ditches along the streets were clogged with fallen leaves, rotting vegetables, and dirt, emitting a foul stench. No wonder the old man had mentioned frequent flooding. From the looks of it, a heavy rain would easily turn the streets into a swamp.
"Young Master Zhao, this is the Qingyang City market," the old man said, gesturing ahead with a hint of pride in his voice. "On the first and fifteenth of every month, people from all the surrounding villages come here to trade grain, cloth, and livestock."
Zhao Hao nodded thoughtfully. Though Qingyang City was a small place, there was a clear sense of commerce. With proper infrastructure planning, there was potential for it to thrive.
Just as he was pondering, a commotion ahead caught his attention. A ragged beggar was being held down by two constables dressed in dark blue robes, each wearing a wooden plaque at their waist. The beggar struggled desperately, but the constables showed no mercy, kicking him and shouting, "You insolent scoundrel! Caught stealing at the market? Take him to the magistrate's office!"
The crowd murmured quietly, but no one dared intervene, as though this kind of scene was a regular occurrence. Zhao Hao frowned. While he didn't know if the beggar had actually stolen anything, the constables' brutal treatment raised questions about the law and order in this city.
The old man sighed quietly. "These days, the magistrate's office is full of corrupt officials. The constables bully the common people, and ordinary folk don't stand a chance against them."
Zhao Hao's heart tightened upon hearing this. Though he had only just arrived, he sensed that the governance in Qingyang City was far from just. If he wanted to make a place for himself here, he'd likely have to navigate this kind of power struggle.
After bypassing the market, the old man led Zhao Hao to a relatively spacious courtyard. A wooden sign hanging at the entrance read, "Qingyang Magistrate." Two servants stood by the gate and greeted the old man warmly as he approached.
"Old Liu, what brings you to the magistrate's office today?" one of the servants asked with a friendly smile.
The old man returned the greeting with a bow. "I bring a young man who's knowledgeable about water management. He might be able to offer some ideas for improving the city's drainage system."
The servants exchanged curious glances as they sized up Zhao Hao, but nodded in agreement. "The magistrate is currently in a meeting. I'll go inform him right away."
As Zhao Hao stood at the gate, he couldn't help but reflect on his next steps. This was his first true test in this world, and if he could seize this opportunity to showcase his skills, it might secure him a place here.
Moments later, the servant returned and said respectfully, "The magistrate requests your presence. Please, come in."
Zhao Hao took a deep breath, steeling himself for the first major challenge he would face in Qingyang City as he stepped across the threshold of the magistrate's office.
— End of Chapter 2 —