The spring of the 3,153rd year of Longchang, Great Qian—February seventeenth.
Nearly eight years had passed since Wang Shouzhe transmigrated.
It was the season when spring warmed the earth, flowers bloomed, and all things revived.
Dingpu Ferry.
A large ferry slowly docked in the deep-water harbor.
The moment the gangway was laid flat, the crowd disembarked in an orderly fashion. Holding cards in their hands, they passed through the gate one after another.
The cards were no larger than a child's palm, yet exquisitely crafted—neither quite gold nor jade, with a faint violet sheen beneath the sunlight.
Inside each card appeared to be an embedded paper slip, inscribed with the holder's place of origin, name, age, and simple descriptions of their appearance and build.
Whenever a cardholder passed through the gate, the fully armed gate guards merely gave the card a brief inspection before smiling and gesturing them through. "Welcome home."
Those passing through would likewise offer their thanks. "Thank you for your protection."
Those without cards, however, had to use another gate. That gate was rather crowded, and the guards wore stern expressions as they scrutinized each traveler. They required Great Qian's official travel permit; anyone without one was immediately sent back where they came from.
Even those with travel permits were questioned by specialists about their origins, purposes, how long they intended to stay in Ping'an Town, and so on. The interrogation was exceptionally strict. If anything seemed amiss, they were immediately sent back.
After passing the interrogation, they would be issued a thick paper card and warned that they could not remain in Ping'an Town for more than one month. They also had to pay one Big Copper as a processing fee.
They could refuse, of course—but then they would have to return whence they came, pay