Seeking Truth with a Sword
Chapter 52 - 51 Tour Guide

Chapter 52: Chapter 51 Tour Guide

"Why await the phoenix’s flight amongst the three mountains year after year, when this place here has always been Ying Province.

Chang’an is right in front of us."

The gray-clad servant boy tasked with escorting the scholars on their tour of Chang’an puffed out his chest, leading the way with a proud expression. Behind him followed scholars from Yizhou, Xuanzhou, Xiangzhou, and several other State Mansions.

Song Shaoyuan, Zhai Yiming, and the others gazed up at the formidable city walls, which seemed to soar into the clouds, and let out heartfelt sighs of amazement.

"Everyone, please follow me. We are now at Mingde Gate, on the southern side of Chang’an."

The gray-clad servant boy, named Wu Shiqi, reminded Li Ang of a tour guide from his Otherworld memories. He smiled as he led the scholars from the various State Mansions along the main road, guiding them into the queue for the city gate tower.

Chang’an’s population could reach a staggering three million. Every day, a vast number of envoys, officials, merchants, farmers, and laborers needed to enter or exit the city.

It was now just past Chen Chu (around 7:00 a.m.), and long queues had already formed on the roads leading to each city gate tower. These lines only continued to lengthen as time passed.

"Chang’an City is square in its overall shape, with three city gates on each of its four sides: east, south, west, and north. The northern gates are Guanghua Gate, Jingyao Gate, and Fanglin Gate. The eastern gates are Tonghua Gate, Chunming Gate, and Yanxing Gate. The western gates are Kaiyuan Gate, Golden Light Gate, and Yanping Gate. And the southern gates are Anhua Gate, Mingde Gate, and Qixia Gate.

These twelve city gates connect to six main thoroughfares, which are the primary traffic arteries in Chang’an City.

During the Yong Chang years, the Holy Empress planned to add several more city gates to the wall. This was intended to alleviate the daily pressure of traffic entering and leaving Chang’an. However, the proposal was rejected by the Three Provinces. Their reasoning was that the Academic Palace had already optimized entry procedures. Unlike in the past, it was no longer necessary to assign hundreds of soldiers to take turns guarding the city gates and meticulously inspecting the baggage of everyone entering the city..."

As Wu Shiqi continued his explanation, the queue began to move faster.

Soon, Li Ang saw soldiers at Mingde Gate, clad in armor and wielding weapons, sitting behind railings with leashed hunting dogs beside them.

Anyone wishing to enter the city—be they envoys, officials, merchants, or farmers—had to approach the soldiers and allow the hunting dogs to carefully sniff their clothes and baggage.

If a dog remained silent, the person could pass through quickly.

However, if a dog barked, the soldiers would stop the individual and meticulously inspect their packages.

"Those hunting dogs are all bred by the Zhong Family of the garrison."

Wu Shiqi said cheerfully, "Their family produced an Academic Palace Master during the Pre-Sui Period. Ever since, they have been breeding various types of hunting dogs for the Royal Family and the Academic Palace.

These range from palm-sized Ba’er Dogs, resembling teapots, to Bloodhounds taller than a man, capable of tearing tigers and leopards apart.

Even the fine dogs used by the garrison and various Government Offices to track bandits are specially bred by them using unique methods.

Every hunting dog from the Zhong Family comes with a booklet detailing its pedigree and the training regimens it has undergone.

For instance, tracking wild animals, long-distance trekking, understanding commands, guiding the blind, or sniffing out scents—whether to help the garrison catch criminals or to help a wife discover her husband’s mistress."

Wu Shiqi pursed his lips playfully and chuckled. "Who knows how many officials and wealthy merchants are chased out of Pingkang Square by Fulin Dogs each year."

All the scholars present had heard of Pingkang Square and chuckled knowingly.

The eyes of the female scholars in the crowd sparkled; it seemed they were eager to get one of these versatile hunting dogs to identify unfaithful men and deal with their paramours.

"However, while many establishments in the world breed dogs, only the Zhong Family truly excels. Without the Zhong Family’s officially stamped registration papers, a dog is just a dog; it can’t be considered a true hunting dog.

Each hunting dog from the Zhong Family costs over a thousand strings of coins.

Those capable of long-distance scent tracking and pursuit are not for sale and are unobtainable through ordinary channels."

Wu Shiqi added with a smile, "Of course, you are all elite scholars. You’ll definitely be able to enter the Academic Palace. Then, you’ll be classmates with the Zhong Family’s scions. Asking for a hunting dog shouldn’t be a problem at all."

A thousand strings... Li Ang tutted to himself. His entire fortune was only four hundred and ninety strings, not even enough for a Zhong Family hunting dog at half price.

"A thousand strings! That could buy ten ordinary houses in Yizhou!"

Nearby, Chai Cuiqiao also exclaimed in astonishment, "Think of how many snacks that could buy! Golden milk cakes, Mandala-shaped Pancakes, Jushengnu, Imperial Concubine Red, Brahmin Light High Noodles, Imperial Yellow Queen Mother Rice, Longevity Porridge, Shengjin Duck Flower Soup Cakes..."

"Are you reciting a menu?" Li Ang rolled his eyes. "Weren’t you full from breakfast?"

"Breakfast is over, so isn’t it time for lunch?" Chai Cuiqiao said with grave earnestness. "I haven’t eaten for an hour."

"Wu Shiqi, quite early today, aren’t you?"

One of the soldiers guarding Mingde Gate recognized Wu Shiqi and asked with a chuckle, "Bringing Academic Palace candidates for a tour of Chang’an?"

"Yes, I am."

Wu Shiqi cupped his hands with a reserved smile and stepped aside, allowing Song Shaoyuan and the other scholars from various State Schools to come forward. They presented their documents, such as their travel permits (passes), for identity verification.

"Hm?" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Li Ang raised an eyebrow in slight surprise. When Wu Shiqi had cupped his hands just moments before, Li Ang had caught a glimpse of what looked like a bluish tattoo on his forearm, just beneath the sleeve cuff.

A gang member?

It wasn’t the Academic Palace itself that sent the guide, but a department under the Ministry of Rites assisting with student recruitment. Still, sending a gang member...

Oh well, it’s not important. Snakes have their paths, and rats have their routes, after all. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Li Ang didn’t dwell on the matter for long and followed Song Shaoyuan and the others forward.