Chapter 15: The Border Town

Chapter 15: The Border Town After consuming the spiritual spring, Yao Zhi was no longer as weak as before. Even with Wang Shen’s walking speed, she was still able to catch up and breathe steadily.


Thanks to this, the two of them managed to reach the border market in less than three hours. Seeing the tall wall in the distance, Wang Shen said, "That’s the border town’s wall. The market is located there."


Yao Zhi stared at the tall wall and realized that it actually looked similar to the wall of the Forbidden City in her previous life.


Thinking that she was stunned by the majestic wall, Wang Shen chuckled and explained, "This is just a small town. But due to its strategic location, it has become a trading hub between our Great Yan Kingdom, Mobei Kingdom, and the grassland tribes."


Hearing this, Yao Zhi finally gained some knowledge about this town. As they lined up, she asked, "Aunt Wang, besides this border town, is there another market?"


Wang Shen nodded when she heard Yao Zhi’s question and replied, "Fifty miles from this border town, there is a post station. One hundred miles from that post station, there is Luo City. That’s the biggest city on the border."


"I heard that there are several market areas in Luo City where countless stores are located. People living in Luo City can buy fresh ingredients every day, unlike us."


"Aunt Wang, you know a lot about Luo City. Have you visited there before?" Yao Zhi asked curiously.


Hearing this, Wang Shen waved her hand and replied with a smile, "That place is too far. I only heard hearsay and never went there personally. But if there is a chance, I want to visit the big city."


Yao Zhi glanced at her and noticed the longing and expectation in Wang Shen’s eyes.


Unlike the convenience of transportation in the modern era, traveling far in this era would take several days, even months. Not to mention how tiring it was, the money needed for the journey was not small. Therefore, unless it was important, most people wouldn’t travel to a faraway place.


Thinking about this, Yao Zhi let out a silent sigh. She didn’t know if she would be able to travel far and witness the beauty of the ancient era. It would be great if one day she could do that.


While she was lost in her thoughts, it was their turn. The town guard stopped them and said, "Identification letter."


When she heard this, Yao Zhi was stunned. She didn’t know that she needed an identification letter at all. She looked at Wang Shen, hoping she had a solution.


Meeting her gaze, Wang Shen knew that this girl must have forgotten about it. Fortunately, she had prepared it beforehand. Patting Yao Zhi’s hand to calm her down, she took out the letter from her sleeve and handed it to the guard.


After the guard confirmed their identity, he waved his hand and said, "Next!"


Yao Zhi didn’t dare to say a word until they left the town’s gate. Patting her chest, she said, "Aunt Wang, thankfully you are here. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to enter the town."


Wang Shen smiled at her and replied, "I knew you must have forgotten about this matter, so I asked the Village Chief to write yours."


"Aunt Wang, do we need an identification letter to travel?" Yao Zhi asked.


"We live on the border, so we need it if we visit another town or city."


Hearing this, Yao Zhi nodded in understanding. The borders were a crucial area of the kingdom’s defense. It was normal for the government to have strict regulations to prevent spies from another kingdom from infiltrating their Great Yan.


"Aunt Wang, this identification letter, do we have to ask the Village Chief every time we visit the town?" she asked again.


Wang Shen nodded and explained, "This introduction letter is only valid for five days. Besides the identification letter, you can show your household registration. But it would be troublesome if it was stolen, so most people choose the letter."


"Is there no other way to prove our identity besides the letter?"


Wang Shen thought for a moment before she nodded, "Well, if you find it troublesome and need to visit the town often, you can go to the Yamen and submit a request to have a token and register your information."


"As long as you have the town’s token, you can enter and exit without a problem. It’s just that you have to pay five taels of silver for a token."


When she heard this, Yao Zhi’s eyes lit up. She didn’t know if she would visit the town often, so she would see how it went first before she went to get a token.


This was not the first time for Wang Shen to visit the border market, so she knew the roads in this border town. With her leading the way, they soon arrived at the border market.


Unlike the traditional market Yao Zhi had imagined, the border market was more similar to a night market in the modern world. On the roadside of the long street, countless merchants displayed their goods on their stalls.


Some of them used wooden stalls, some used bamboo racks, while those in poorer conditions only spread a piece of fabric on the ground. With a single glance, she could differentiate their financial situations.


Besides the people from the Mobei Kingdom and the grassland tribes, the locals also joined the market. Unlike the foreigners, they sold daily necessities and dried rations.


Yao Zhi looked around with wide eyes full of amazement. This was the first time she had experienced the lively marketplace of ancient times.


Noticing her expression, Wang Shen thought she was amazed by the strange-looking goods and said, "When you buy things, be vigilant. Don’t be fooled by those merchants’ sweet words. Most of their goods are not as good as they say."


Hearing this, Yao Zhi nodded and replied, "I will be careful, Aunt Wang."


Wang Shen patted her hand and said, "I need to visit the grain store. Do you want to come with me?"