Chapter 332 - Chapter 332: Chapter 332. Jingshi Dao
Chapter 332: Chapter 332. Jingshi Dao
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Su Qing rode at top speed, leaving Mo City in the morning and arriving at Jingshi Road in the evening.
This was the first time Su Qing had come to Jingshi Dao. She heard this city’s name on the way to escape from famine. At that time, it was a bright light in everyone’s hearts, as if there would be good days in Jingshi Dao.
Su Qing was also very curious about this city. She had once thought of planting ten thousand mu of fertile land here and living a peaceful life. Unfortunately, the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with was already taken.
Su Qing took a deep breath and chased away the trace of frustration in her heart. It was okay. He could still open up ten thousand mu of fertile land without him.
The city gates of Jingshi Dao were heavily guarded. People entering and exiting the city had to be carefully checked to prevent spies from sneaking into the city and stealing the resources in the city.
The guards of Jingshi Dao were all veterans of the Xiao Family Army. Their military appearance and discipline differed from those of the towns Su Qing had visited before. The eyes of the soldiers were bright, and there was a murderous aura around them. Their aura was not inferior to the Wan Family Army. However, their military uniforms were old, unlike the Wan Family Army, which was well-equipped.
Su Qing sized up these soldiers. They were not as miserable as the Cheng Yu of Mo City team. At least the soldiers here were all in high spirits, and their faces were glowing. It was obvious that they did not lack food and drink.
The commoners who came out of the Jingshi Dao were not emaciated. They were completely different from the commoners they had encountered before. They were in good spirits and rarely had sad expressions.
Su Qing observed before riding her horse toward the city gate for a while. When the city guards saw her riding the horse, they checked her carefully. Su Qing handed over her travel pass and household registration to cooperate with their inspection.
“What are you doing here at Jingshi Dao?”
When the leader of the city guards saw that Su Qing was from Mo City, he asked her a question.
“I want to buy a house and settle down here.”
Su Qing answered honestly. This was an open matter; there was no need to hide it.
“Why aren’t you staying in Mo City anymore?”
The leader continued to ask, his sharp eyes observing Su Qing’s expression. He was earnest and responsible.
“I can’t stay in Mo City anymore. The Tartan soldiers have already charged through the city gates twice, and more than half of the people in the city have fled.”
What Su Qing said was the truth about Mo City in the past. Jingshi Dao should have heard the news and would not doubt his words.
“Go in!”
After hearing Su Qing’s words, the leader returned Su Qing’s travel pass and household registration to her. He waved his head toward the city and allowed Su Qing to enter.
Su Qing led the horse into the city, observing the situation of Jingshi Dao as she walked.
She discovered that Jingshi Dao was a huge city. It looked at least three times the size of Mo City. It was more inclusive than Mo City. The roads were paved with green stone slabs, and many pedestrians were on the streets. Some wore the Great Xia Kingdom’s clothing, while others wore a foreign dress.
With people around, the city flourished. Both sides of the streets were filled with merchants, especially restaurants. There were grain stores, cloth stores, grocery stores, pawn shops, and other businesses. There was nothing that Jingshi Dao did not have.
Su Qing found it a little strange. Wasn’t Jingshi Road a cold and bitter place where all officials were sent when they made a mistake? Once the officials who made a mistake heard that they were sent to Jingshi Road, they would be so scared that they would seek death.
It seemed that seeing was believing. Rumor had it that the Jingshi Dao was terrifying, but seeing it with her own eyes, not only was the Jingshi Dao not bitter but also very prosperous.
The commoners’ faces were filled with satisfaction and happiness. There was no worry, no fear, no helplessness, and confusion…
The more Su Qing thought about it, the more she felt she had made the right decision to come to Jingshi Dao. This was a paradise for business.
Her goal was to buy a big yard; it would be best to be as big as her parents’ house in Luo City.
They had to find a comprador to buy a house they liked quickly. Generally, wealthy families would find a comprador when they sold their homes.
Compradors usually had official permission, which was equivalent to a modern intermediary. They could entrust two companies with one hand and earn a small intermediary fee.
Su Qing knew she could find a comprador to buy a house, but she didn’t know where to find one. She would have to ask the locals.
The ordinary peddlers on the streets might not know, but the restaurant waiters and managers would know.
The more guests they came into contact with daily, the more they heard. They could be considered half a busybody.
It just so happened that she had been riding a horse for the whole day without resting. She had to find a better restaurant to reward her internal organs. In addition, she had to feed the big black spot with grass and water.
There was a place for the horses to be parked in the restaurant. The horses were fed for free when eating in the restaurant.
Su Qing chose a Jiangnan restaurant. She preferred to eat Hui cuisine. Hui cuisine was characteristic of heavy oil and was especially tasty. It was much more delicious than ordinary bland dishes.
Then there was Sichuan cuisine. It was so spicy that people sweated, but they could eat two more bowls of rice.
Su Qing was looking for these two types of restaurants. After a short walk, she saw a restaurant in Jiangnan. The location of this restaurant was perfect. It was in the middle of the street. It should be a prime location. In such a place, every inch of land was worth money. It was a big business.
As soon as Su Qing arrived at the door, a waiter came up to her and greeted her warmly,
“How many guests are there?”
“One.”
Su Qing handed him the reins.”
“Feed him well and give him some water to drink.”
“Alright, please come in.”
The waiter was all smiles. He held the horse’s reins with one hand and gestured for Su Qing to enter. Su Qing walked into the restaurant and heard the waiter shouting from behind,
“A distinguished guest.”
A professional was a professional. His voice was loud and clear, but it didn’t sound harsh.
The waiter in the restaurant immediately came out and invited Su Qing in with a smile.
“Would you like to eat in the hall or the private room?”
The waiter asked Su Qing politely with an eager look in his eyes. The private room would charge two taels of silver more, and usually, the guests who went to the private room would tip the waiter.
“Let’s go to the hall!”
Su Qing wanted to see how the business of this restaurant was doing. She chose the lobby and found a seat facing the hotel door.
The waiter’s expression did not change even though Su Qing did not choose a private room. He was still beaming as he handed the menu to Su Qing with both hands.
“Sir, what do you want to eat?”
Su Qing picked up the menu. The most famous dish in the region was the hairy tofu. Most people had never seen it before and dared not eat it.
It was a type of tofu that had grown hair. After fermentation, it tasted different from ordinary tofu. It was soft and delicious.
Su Qing glanced at the menu but couldn’t find this dish, not even the most famous stinky Chinese perch.
Su Qing probably couldn’t bring them over. Seeing that there was chicken soup, she ordered one. She also ordered fish, a plate of peanuts, dried bamboo shoots with bacon, two bowls of rice, and a pot of wine. It was enough for one person.
“Please wait a moment.”
The waiter placed a pot of tea and said to Su Qing with a smile. Then, he took the list to the kitchen to order.
Su Qing poured herself a cup of tea and drank it slowly. Her eyes lit up as he drank it. It was comparable to the mountain tea she had bought. It was fragrant and elegant and had a sweet aftertaste. A restaurant used such good tea to serve its customers. It was no wonder that this family’s business was good.
As Su Qing was thinking about it, a group of soldiers entered from outside the door. The frontman was tall, with a pair of tiger eyes full of vigor. His face was dignified, and his eyes were sharp. When he entered the door, he first scanned the circle. When his eyes fell on Su Qing, he stopped..