Yi Xing Town, Jianghuai Marshlands.
Boats came and went, water birds darted through the air. Urgent hoofbeats sent fallen leaves flying, making the young men at the Fishing Wharf straighten their backs and look up.
"Good news! Good news..."
Along Azure Stone Street, a black fine horse galloped past. The mounted courier cracked his whip and loudly proclaimed the joyous news.
Before long, Chen Zhaoan led the townsfolk in surrounding him at the end of the street.
The courier did not mind. Knowing what the townsfolk wished to ask, he reined in his horse.
"Elder Chen!"
"Lord Zhang!" Surrounded by the crowd, Chen Zhaoan hurried forward and asked the question everyone cared about most. "The Earl Xingyi you mentioned—is he Lord Liang from our Yi Xing Town?"
The courier tugged on his whip and deliberately teased him. "I had heard Elder Chen of Yi Xing Town was a man of understanding. Could it be that you do not know noble titles cannot be duplicated?"
"Of course the titles differ. I was only worried they sounded alike. I'm getting on in years, and my hearing has grown poor."
"Hahaha, set your minds completely at ease! It is indeed Lord Liang of our Pingyang Prefecture! Grandmaster Yang's prized disciple! Lord Liang has blazed a trail for Da Shun, and the Sacred Emperor is overjoyed. Thus, there will be a Grand Feast for the World for two days!"
The townsfolk exchanged delighted looks.
One hot-tempered fellow immediately craned his neck and shouted.
"Are taxes waived?"
"They are!" The courier laughed heartily as his fine horse turned in place. "This time, it is not only the counties surrounding Pingyang Prefecture. Apart from Lan Province, all fourteen counties of Pingyang Prefecture, including Merfolk River, will have their head tax waived for three years!"
"Good!"
Cheers