The Taste of Mortal Life

"Here is the Third Squad Dormitory. You'll be living here from now on. Pick an empty room, then come with me to collect your uniform, hat, saber, token..."

Old Liu led Xiang Yuan through the rows of dormitories, explaining the County Yamen's basic rules to him.

Unlike the ancient customs Xiang Yuan knew, the Third Squad here were not lowly yamen runners. They were clerks—without official rank, yet holding established posts, with their appointments and dismissals all approved by the court.

Simply put, constables were not temporary workers.

The reason for this was tied to the martial culture prevailing throughout the land. It was true in Dezhou, true in Western Chu, and true everywhere under heaven.

The folk were absurdly strong. Some great sects of the famed mountains could even stand on equal footing with the court. The messes in the martial world were enough to make anyone shake their head. Under such circumstances, if the constables responsible for keeping every county safe—the ones who patrolled the streets and alleys—were paid too poorly, no one would join.

Xiang Yuan nodded. That made perfect sense. Who would risk their life for a few hundred bucks a month?

In Fengxian County alone, a novice trainee constable like Xiang Yuan received a fixed monthly salary. Not only did he have his own private room in the County Yamen, but at the beginning and middle of each month, he could also collect Pills for cultivation. If he captured a wanted criminal or solved a case with merit, the County Yamen would report it to the prefectural authorities, and the court would grant further rewards.

As long as you worked hard enough and dared to fight, the court would not neglect those who rendered meritorious service.

"The Third Squad is divided into the Ceremonial Squad, the Strong Squad, and the Swift Squad. The Ceremonial Squad stands in court and looks imposing. When Lord Sima goes on inspection, they clear the roads for him. Interrogations and flogging are also their duties..."

"The Strong Squad guards the granaries, treasury, prison, and important positions at the yamen gates. They may also escort official silver and convicted prisoners. If major unrest breaks out, local able-bodied men are drafted into the Strong Squad to assist the soldiers in holding the city..."

"Lastly, there's our Swift Squad—the constables. I'll tell you about that slowly."

"In short, the yamen is neither big nor small. The Third Squad alone has three separate pots. Don't wander around carelessly. If you mistakenly enter the silver bureau or tax storehouse, even Captain Liu won't be able to save you!"

Old Liu spoke with a stern face.

"Don't worry, Old Liu. I'm an honest man. Honest men don't make trouble, and they fear trouble even more. I won't cause problems for our Swift Squad," Xiang Yuan promised.

"It's good that you remember. Let me tell you about several important figures in our County Yamen..."

By important figures, he meant officials. Old Liu did not dare speak carelessly about them inside the County Yamen. Only after Xiang Yuan had carried bedding, a washbasin, and other daily necessities into an empty room, collected his black uniform, saber, and constable's token, did Old Liu lead him outside the yamen.

Xiang Yuan received the smallest set of black clothes. They barely fit him, but once he strapped on his saber, he looked no different from Old Liu.

The new outfit looked fairly decent. There wasn't a "Constable" character on either the front or back, and Xiang Yuan silently gave it his approval.

Being labeled a constable was far too embarrassing. He was only fifteen; he could not handle that kind of stimulation.

"If the clothes don't fit, go back and alter them yourself. Feeling restricted will affect how quickly you can draw your saber."

Old Liu looked Xiang Yuan up and down and teased, "You've got a pretty face, and you're nearly taller than me despite being only half-grown. That's not a good thing. Be careful, and try not to walk at night."

"Wait, what? I'm a constable!"

Xiang Yuan stared in shock. Was Mingfeng really that wild?

"What's so special about being a constable? Fengxian County connects to the Southern Border. A single trade route gathers people from all corners of the world. If bandits knock you out and stuff you into a sack, who's going to look for you? Where would they even look?"

Old Liu had a point, and Xiang Yuan could not refute him.

The two walked out of the yamen. Old Liu turned into a small alley and strolled along the riverside path. "Remember this: the County Magistrate is Lord Sima, the County Assistant is Lord Wu, and the County Commandant is Lord Qin..."

The County Magistrate was seventh rank, the top official in charge of all county affairs and the core figure of Fengxian County's administrative system. Everything large and small in the county was decided by the County Magistrate;

The County Assistant was eighth rank, the County Magistrate's deputy and second-in-command, assisting with administrative affairs such as documents, granaries, and finances;

The County Commandant was ninth rank, deputy to both the County Magistrate and County Assistant, the county's third-in-command. He was responsible for public security, investigations, and capturing bandits and other criminal matters.

"Lord Qin directly oversees the Third Squad, but he rarely fights with others for power. Lord Wu was appointed directly by the prefectural authorities, while Lord Sima comes from the Sima Clan of Dezhou..." Old Liu's voice gradually softened. He stopped there and said no more about the relationship between the three.

Xiang Yuan nodded slightly, understanding the meaning behind Old Liu's words.

The County Commandant appeared to hold authority, but in reality, he had already given up. Fengxian County was now a battleground between the County Magistrate and County Assistant. The County Magistrate came from the Noble Families, while the County Assistant represented the court. Each had their own backers and interests.

"Some things are enough for you to know. They're all lords. If there's anything you don't understand, ask me. If I don't understand it, I'll consult Captain Liu," Old Liu warned solemnly.

It did not matter if Xiang Yuan got himself into trouble, but dragging Old Liu into it would be bad.

Xiang Yuan nodded repeatedly, sighing that though a sparrow was small, it possessed all five organs. Fengxian County was a microcosm of Western Chu.

But...

What kind of Noble Family was the Sima Clan? They sounded formidable. The court had actually failed to contend with them in Dezhou.

Xiang Yuan was filled with curiosity. Among the first-rate powers Lu Ming had described, there had been no mention of the Sima Clan.

He blinked his innocent eyes, looked around, and asked in a low voice, "Old Liu, is the Sima Clan that the County Magistrate comes from really that remarkable?"

"Yes. The Sima Clan of Dezhou—they're figures as lofty as heaven."

Old Liu nodded firmly. After pondering for a moment, he said, "The Sima Clan's ancestral home is not in Fengxian County. Lord Sima had his family's support when he entered officialdom. Judging by the time, his term in Fengxian County may not last much longer."

You can figure that out too?

Seeing Xiang Yuan's astonished gaze, Old Liu guessed what he was thinking and said mysteriously, "The court established the Guanshan Circuit Grand Secretariat. King Zhao commands all civil and military affairs across eight prefectures, including Zhendian Prefecture, Dezhou, Puzhou, and Tongzhou. Once King Zhao arrives, the heavens will change."

Xiang Yuan froze when he heard that. Who was King Zhao now?

"Don't ask any more. Those matters are far too distant from you. Let's talk about something closer. I forgot just now—the County Yamen has another important figure."

Knowing that disaster came from one's mouth, Old Liu rather awkwardly changed the subject. "The County Yamen also has Lord Wang the Instructor. He has the air of a scholar and Vast Righteous Qi in his heart. He does not seek fame or profit. He opened an academy outside the city, and unless summoned for some matter, he never sets foot in the yamen."

The Instructor was responsible for the imperial examinations and education. He was ninth rank and had little practical function in daily County Yamen affairs, so his presence there was extremely weak. Old Liu had only met him a few times.

"Lord Wang is from Fengxian County. He spent twenty or thirty years making his way in Shendu. Some say he served as an adviser to a high official and enjoyed every luxury and honor. Others say he was merely an ordinary teacher who squandered his life before returning home to retire."

Old Liu showed admiration. "Lord Wang is indifferent to fame and fortune and never mentions the past. I, Old Liu, have always respected him."

In just a few words, he painted the image of a venerable elder for Xiang Yuan.

Xiang Yuan still wanted to ask more, but Old Liu spoke first and stopped before a restaurant. "It's time. You've traveled a long way, so we'll eat here tonight. I'll pay the bill, but remember that you owe me a meal."

It was a two-story building called Xianglai Tower. A couplet was written on either side:

The taste of mortal life;

Most soothes the hearts of ordinary people.

Xiang Yuan's heart stirred. The perspective of this couplet stood high above all else, as though overlooking the countless beings of the world. Could the proprietor be some reclusive master?

The County Yamen's constables often held gatherings at Xianglai Tower. Old Liu knew the place like the back of his hand, as if he were returning home. Before long, he had ordered all the dishes.

Seeing him order six dishes in a row, Xiang Yuan said awkwardly, "Old Liu, there are only two of us. Isn't that a bit much?"

"Who told you there were only two of us? I called two women over to have some fun."

"That doesn't seem appropriate..."

Xiang Yuan's eyelid twitched. This meal was going on his tab—no, that was not what he meant. Money was not important; having fun was what mattered. But he was fifteen. He was still a child.

Who brought a newcomer along like this?!

Besides, it would not look good!

As a newbie who had just arrived, Xiang Yuan could not exactly criticize an old hand. He made up his mind that when the girls arrived, he would bury his head in his food and not look at them even once.

A moment later, just as the food and wine were placed on the table, the two women Old Liu had called arrived. One was older and one was younger. The older one sat to Old Liu's left—she was his wife. The younger one sat to his right—she was his daughter.

"..."

The old ginger was still the spiciest. Xiang Yuan had learned something again.