Zhang San held his riding crop and pointed toward the gate tower of Cool Prefecture City as he explained.
"Marquis Su, Cool Prefecture is an important frontier region in western Great Xuan. Farther west lies Great Xuan's borderland, its final line of defense, where Great Xuan meets Great Chu. That is why these city walls were built especially sturdy."
Su Fei nodded, his gaze sweeping over the plaque bearing the words "Cool Prefecture City" above the gate tower.
It was indeed a vital frontier stronghold, imposing and extraordinary.
The three rode through the city gate. The sights within were entirely different from those of the imperial capital.
Pedestrians on the streets wore loose robes with multicolored patterns embroidered on their lapels and cuffs, rich with the flavor of Cool Prefecture.
Stalls lined the roadside like scales on a fish and teeth on a comb, vendors' cries rising one after another as they sold local specialties such as chilled starch jelly, fried dough strands, and yam and potato soup.
Throughout their journey, the three had eaten nothing but dry rations and had not enjoyed a single proper meal.
Su Fei reined in and smiled at Zhang San and Li Si.
"You've worked hard on the road. Why don't we sample the local food first? There's no hurry to visit the Cool Prefecture Thousand Households Office."
"Certainly! Whatever you say, Marquis Su."
Zhang San and Li Si promptly agreed. With good food on offer, what reason could they have to refuse?
The three dismounted and led their horses toward the busiest stall.
When Su Fei and his two companions approached the stall, its owner, a burly man, immediately greeted them warmly.
"One look tells me you three gentlemen are from out of town. Try our Cool Prefecture specialties: chilled starch jelly, fried