Chapter 441: Chapter 442: Strolling the Marketplace

Perhaps realizing what he had just said was a bit inappropriate, the general store owner immediately corrected himself. "Our ancestors put down their roots here. What else can we do but stay and guard this place?

"As for the lack of goods you mentioned, there’s a reason for that.

"Fewer merchants are traveling from the north and south, and we don’t dare venture out ourselves. With no new sources of supply, isn’t it only natural that our stock keeps dwindling?

"I have so little left as it is that my family doesn’t even want me to keep the shop open every day. If you had come a few days later, I might not have had anything left to sell."

Ancient Wen Heng knew the situation here would be grim, but he hadn’t expected it to be this severe.

"Shopkeeper, as you know, we’ve just arrived and are short on everything. But only a few shops are open, and we still have to live. I was wondering if there’s any way you could help us procure some supplies."

The Shopkeeper glanced at Ancient Wen Heng and, in the end, shook his head. "This old man usually just tends to his own little patch. I don’t know much about what goes on outside.

"If you need something, you could try asking the arrest officers and constables. They know far more people than us common folk."

’Logically, someone from the Prefect’s house shouldn’t have to be out here asking about these things; their subordinates should have already taken care of it all. Although he was old, he knew enough not to get involved. This was no place for a commoner like him.’

Undeterred by the refusal, Ancient Wen Heng simply smiled, asked the Shopkeeper to tally the bill, and paid in silver on the spot before continuing his stroll.

After some difficulty, he found a grain shop. Ancient Wen Heng went inside to inquire about the prices. They hadn’t risen, but the variety of grains was small and the quantities were limited.

’Still, this is already quite good,’ he thought. ’It must be due to Vice General Wang’s earlier efforts. Otherwise, these people would have just hidden themselves away completely.’

Ming Feng pointed to a small alley around the corner. "The market is just ahead. That’s where I bought today’s vegetables."

Ancient Wen Heng glanced back at Jiang Shiniu, who was still following close behind. "Don’t have your men stick so close to us here. Keep your distance."

With so many large men standing guard right next to him, he wouldn’t be able to get anything done.

"Sir, how about I stay by your side? Ming Feng isn’t as skilled in combat as I am," Jiang Shiniu said, glancing at the smaller Ming Feng. The boy was agile, but his fighting strength was lacking.

Under the circumstances, Ming Feng didn’t dare argue back. He agreed, saying, "Brother Jiang has a point. Please let him stay with you!"

Ancient Wen Heng looked at the burly Jiang Shiniu. "I think it’s better if Ming Feng stays with me. With your size, you’d scare people just by standing there."

Without waiting for a refusal, he turned and headed into the nearby alley.

Jiang Shiniu and his men didn’t dare just stand there. They quickly followed at a discreet distance, their eyes defensively scanning the surroundings.

Ancient Wen Heng was surprised that the market in a city this size wasn’t even as lively as the one in Fu County. A few scattered stalls displayed some wilted, bruised vegetables. "The morning market must be much busier, right?"

Ming Feng replied, "It is a bit busier. Many nearby residents bring vegetables from their homes to sell.

"But there isn’t much, and this morning I was only able to buy enough for today."

Ancient Wen Heng squatted down in front of a mustard greens stall. "Friend, how much for these vegetables?"

The old farmer hadn’t learned the official language and mumbled something in the local dialect. Ancient Wen Heng could only catch a small part of it, guessing the rest.

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He turned to Ming Feng. "How did you communicate with him this morning?"

Only then did Ming Feng remember the issue, and an embarrassed look crossed his face as he looked at Ancient Wen Heng. "I forgot. I wasn’t familiar with the area this morning, so I went to find Magistrate Wang. He had one of his men bring me here."

The shopkeepers on the main street had all learned the official language for business, but the common folk had no such need, which naturally made communication difficult.

In the end, through a combination of guessing and gestures, Ancient Wen Heng managed to buy the old farmer’s vegetables.

"Have the cook pickle these when we get back. You should also buy more these next few days. Otherwise, when the weather gets colder and we don’t have any preserved food, life will be difficult."

The last thing Ancient Wen Heng wanted was for a distinguished Magistrate to be reduced to borrowing food from people just to get by.

He made another round. The locals were curious and wary of his unfamiliar face, but at least there was no malice.

This made Ancient Wen Heng feel even worse. No matter the disaster, it was always the common people at the very bottom who suffered the most.

But these things couldn’t be rushed. Until the bandits were completely driven back, he had to suppress any other ideas he had, no matter how many.

Still, at least the market was still operating. The people who remained in the city could continue to get by.

After walking around, he had more or less gained some understanding of Lu City.

Those who could flee, had fled. Those who couldn’t, either couldn’t bear to leave their homeland or had no means of survival even if they left.

Furthermore, after the last incident, General Zhou had personally come to pacify the people and had stationed soldiers to patrol the city, which had alleviated much of their fear.

Things were different for He Gaofei and the others. They had just managed to fill their stomachs with their remaining supplies, and a sense of crisis was already dawning on them.

Although they had some grain left from the journey, it wouldn’t last long with several mouths to feed. Moreover, the food, cooked by a group of men, was barely edible. It seemed they would have to find a cook.

All of this would cost silver. Looking at the paltry amount of family silver they had left, they had no choice but to order their subordinates to make the arrangements.

The three of them huddled together, muttering. Even with their inexperience, they knew their current treatment was unprecedented for new officials.

Normally, the previous officials should have arranged all this. They could understand the lack of arrangements from a new Magistrate. But it was clear the injured officials below them had deliberately forgotten about them.

Wu Yichen said, "What do we do now? I bet all the original officials know about this, but no one is speaking up."

Lu Shenggen said, "What else can we do? Let’s just go to them directly.

"We’re new here, unfamiliar with the people and the place. It’s not unreasonable to ask them to help get things in order first."

He Gaofei scoffed, "Heh, I wouldn’t be so optimistic, you two. Didn’t you see that Mr. Gu has already handled everything himself? If we go asking for help now, won’t it just make us look completely useless?"

"I knew that man Gu had bad intentions! It would have taken just a single word. Why didn’t he remind us this morning?"

Wu Yichen, who said this, had apparently forgotten that they had all gone to the government office early in the morning in the mood to watch a show. Even if Ming Feng had wanted to remind them, there was no one in charge in their courtyard to tell.

He Gaofei sneered, "Don’t forget, the Lord Prefect was kind enough to remind us. Whether or not we can secure our positions depends on our own abilities.

"No matter how dissatisfied you are, in his eyes, you’re just a joke."

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