Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity
Chapter 60 - 56: Arrived at the county

Chapter 60: Chapter 56: Arrived at the county

The bullock cart slowly approached Shanhe Town, and Gu Chengyu finally saw that the town gate was inscribed with the traditional characters "Shanhe Town." He secretly felt relieved; fortunately, the characters were the same traditional ones as in ancient times, otherwise, he would have to relearn them from scratch.

"Changqing! I’ll drop you off here. Today is the big market day, and I need to make another trip back. You’ll definitely return late, right? So I won’t wait for you?" Old Wang would wait for everyone to gather before heading to the town, stopping the bullock cart at the tail end of South Street, waiting for over an hour before returning. If many people wanted a ride, two trips would be necessary. But today, it was as if the cart was chartered by the Gu Family. Normally, going to the town cost three coins per person, with a cart seating up to six people. Today, the Gu Family paid twenty coins! But not every day yielded business for the bullock cart; usually, only on the fifteenth, when the big market was held, were there more people.

"I don’t know when we’ll be back, probably not until late afternoon, and then we’ll have dinner after getting home, so you don’t need to wait for us." Mr. Gu, having decided to visit his elder sister’s house, would certainly stay for lunch before returning; it’s been so long since they’ve met, one meal at the very least is necessary.

Seeing Mr. Gu and the others unload their things, Old Wang waved his whip at the old ox, "Alright then, I’ll head back first."

Gu Chengyu watched Old Wang leisurely drive the old ox back home, "Dad, how are we going to the county? Where is there another bullock cart?" He looked up at the town gate; the town was bustling with people, and there were quite a few driving bullock carts, but they were all owned by individuals. It seemed they’d have to find somewhere to rent one.

"Let’s go inside first to South Street; there’s a place that specifically rents carts, but it’s a bit expensive. Oldest, keep the things safe, don’t lose them. Xiao Bao, follow Dad, there are child traffickers in the town! If you get snatched by one, Dad won’t be able to find you." Mr. Gu hoisted a sack of honeysuckle on his shoulder, reminded Gu Chengli to carry the other sack properly, and felt worried about Gu Chengyu, wanting to caution him again.

"Dad, don’t worry! I promise I’ll stick close to you." Gu Chengyu assured repeatedly and went up to grab Mr. Gu’s clothing hem.

Gu Chengyu followed Mr. Gu and the others into the town, coincidentally catching the big market held on the fifteenth. It happened only once a month, so there were many people. The crowd was bustling; the street buzzed with activity. The ground was paved with blue bricks, shop-lined streets beside them, signs fluttering in the wind—a tavern, snack stalls, drugstores, restaurants, teahouses, cloth houses, and more.

Gu Chengyu followed Mr. Gu and the others down the street, passed various vegetable stalls to the southern end, where rows of bullock carts were parked. Gu Chengyu noted that shop numbers were more during entry from the gate. Here in South Street, smaller vendors with poorer attire were mostly setting up stalls by civilians, prices were reasonable, and more passersby came around. A wonton stall already had a lot of customers; the elderly couple making the wontons were busy with both feet barely touching the ground. Meanwhile, the bun stall owner was shouting while wrapping buns in lotus leaves, packed snack stalls had seated customers too. There were stalls selling rouge and perfumes, jewelry, oil paper umbrellas, amidst vendors’ cries all around. Farmers also brought produce and eggs from home to sell, and of course, muscular butchers wielded large knives cutting meat. Upon seeing the pork, Chengyu looked a few more times. In the five years since crossing over, meals containing meat were so rare they could be counted on one’s fingers. Although his space had ready-to-eat cooked meat, it was seldom used for extra meals. Once the honeysuckle sold for money, they’d let father buy two pounds back to please Second Sister. After her previous outburst at dinner, she had been sullen and silent recently and needed coaxing—the child she still was!

In front of the parked bullock carts laid South Street’s residences. From exterior appearances, these houses had small layouts, just about two or three rooms. Gu Chengyu guessed that the western part connected with the southern part was for shop and commoner residences, whereas northern and eastern parts might contrast completely—homes of the affluent with greater consumer areas over there.

"How much does it cost for this cart to go to the county?" Mr. Gu stopped before an old man clad in brown short robes.

The old man replied excitedly, "My bullock cart is cheap, only thirty-five coins. Look, my bull is in prime years, well-built, fast on the road!"

Mr. Gu nodded; the price seemed fair, and he eyed the robust bull with anticipation of swift travel; as they were heading to sell ginseng for silver coins, if they engaged a sturdy carter, there might be risks of greed en route!

The three boarded the bullock cart to the county. On the journey, Mr. Gu handed out steamed corn buns to each one, an early morning start requiring sustenance. At home, Xiao Bao always had breakfast, even if it were just a bun or a piece of cake.

When the bullock cart reached the town’s entrance, they unexpectedly encountered Wang Yue again. The Gu Family of three pretended not to see her; Mr. Gu detested such flirtatious women the most. Wang Yue found it odd that the Gu Family was riding a bullock cart towards the town’s exit with a bag whose contents she couldn’t discern—perhaps heading to the county? She sneered behind them, calling them old things! The young one had a cunning look, just like a vixen her mother was.

This bullock cart certainly surpassed Old Wang’s speed; it meant reaching the county well sooner than planned. Along the way, scenes mirrored those headed for the town—farmlands, farmsteads, and trees, which had long ceased to intrigue Chengyu, who nestled on the quilt fetched from home, napping.

Gu Chengyu awoke to a clamor, scanning the surroundings to realize they had arrived at the county. They awaited their turn to enter at the county gate. The walls there towered higher than those in the town; two government officials guarded the gate. Before them stood bullock carts and horse-drawn carriages waiting for entrance, but paid a two-coin city tax while those with shoulder poles and baskets were simply glanced over, permitting entry. Evidently, inspections were not strict.

"Brother, if you’re not in a hurry, wait at the gate for us to come back together, alright? I’ll add ten coins for you, though it may take us an hour or so, would that be okay?" His suggestion stemmed from concerns over costly carriage fees in the county, preferring the solid drive provided by the current carter. Waiting for them to return meant he could also take them to his elder sister’s house.

"Sure thing; I’ll wait here. But only for an hour. If customers arrive, naturally, I’d have to go." The old man felt pleased; waiting was no task—county bullock carts were abundant, with many horse-drawn carriages too. As a newcomer without business, he couldn’t compete with locals possessing carriage companies. An empty cart returning with an earned ten coins was better than waiting unprofitably, with many bullock carts in queue!

Mr. Gu saw the old man agreed, jumped from the bullock cart, and with Gu Chengyu and the others, queued into the county.