Speaking of Dragons

Jiangzhou Prefecture City.

Streams of people thronged the gates, all queuing to enter the city.

Aaron was still dressed as a peasant, clad in coarse hemp clothing. Yet when it was his turn to enter, he produced a Daoist certificate!

This was the ancient equivalent of a top-tier residence permit and travel pass!

After all, Great Song also had a system of travel permits, issued by the county. Commoners who wished to travel far had to report to the authorities and obtain approval.

In truth, a farmer would probably never leave the county where he lived in his entire life!

Only scholars—or rather, those with at least the xiucai degree—would travel with swords at their sides, carrying out the creed of reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand miles.

Other than them, there were Daoists and monks with ordination certificates.

With an ordination certificate, Aaron could theoretically go anywhere without needing a travel permit, and could also lodge at any legitimate Daoist temple and eat for free... Theoretically, he now had the possibility of traveling all across Great Song without spending a single coin!

In reality... aside from scholars, monks, Daoists, and major merchants, ordinary people simply couldn't afford to travel far...

The gate soldiers carefully examined the Daoist certificate. It had been specially made and was easy to distinguish from a forgery. They then compared the description of its holder's facial features against Aaron one by one before reluctantly believing it. With a wave of a hand, they let him through. "Please enter, Daoist."

The current emperor revered Daoism, and Daoists had accordingly risen in status—at least a little above monks.

Aaron's expression did not change as he walked into the city.

Jiangzhou Prefecture City was indeed exceptionally prosperous. Money houses, pawnshops, blacksmiths, confectioneries, cosmetics shops, tea houses,