Morning sunlight spilled down, bringing a trace of heat. Spring had passed, and midsummer had arrived. The summer of Wuling City was not as scorching as that of Songyi City, carrying a faint coolness in the air. 0

Lin Zheyu strolled along Nanming Street, where peddlers and laborers lined both sides, pushing carts and hawking goods. The loud cries of vendors filled the street, imbuing the bustling city with a lively and noisy atmosphere. This was one of the most prosperous streets in all of Wuling City.0

Lin Zheyu rented a small courtyard for 1500 taels of silver near Nanming Street and settled there. After over a month of gathering information, he gained a deeper understanding of Wuling City's situation. When Xu Shixin had introduced the customs of the Central Plains, it had been a mere overview, enough only for a general sense of the region's landscape. To truly understand the factions around a specific city or area, one had to inquire from the locals.2

"This way, Sir. Please...0