Jiangzhou Prefecture was one of Great Qian's nine prefectures, situated in Jiangnan.
The old city lay on low, level ground. Carriages and horses thronged its streets, while houses stood shoulder to shoulder, their white walls and dark tiles rising in uneven rows.
The roads were broad and bustling. Lin Nan looked around at the passing crowd: scholars in long robes, monks, Daoists, merchants, women in low-cut ruqun dresses...
In the distance were willow-shrouded bridges fit for a painting, fluttering curtains, and green awnings. Even from far away, Lin Nan could make out the boundless lakes and paddies to the north. It truly looked like a prosperous capital.
"Brother Lin, what are your plans once we're inside the city?" Liu Feng asked.
Months of hard travel had left them all reeking, making passersby cover their noses.
"We'll find somewhere to rest first. What about you?" Lin Nan replied.
"We're going to stay with relatives, of course. I have a relative here in the tea business. We lost touch during the chaos of war, and only just managed to reconnect," Liu Yuanjun said with a smile.
"Once your Uncle Liu finds his feet here, you're welcome to come find me anytime."
"Of course, of course."
They exchanged addresses with Liu Feng and the other three from the Far Army Escort Bureau, then said their goodbyes.
Lin Nan, Li Nianru, and Han Luo found an inn near the south of the city and settled in for the time being.
Three days later, the exhaustion of their journey had finally eased.
"You're going to stay with relatives too?"
Lin Nan looked at Han Luo in surprise. He hadn't expected Han Luo to have relatives in the prefectural capital as well.
So everyone had a bright future ahead of them.
"That's not staying with relatives.