5:43.
Almost 5:45 AM.
Otherworld.
In the void, Fang Zheng, wearing a warm cap, protective inner garment, and an ancient-style cotton cloak, appeared out of thin air in a pitch-black alley.
In the corner of the alley crouched a few beggars who, hearing the commotion, dizzily opened their eyes to see a figure striding towards the main street.
On a winter morning, mist lingered, and there were few pedestrians on the street.
Most people walked with hunched shoulders, not fully awake, let alone taking notice of those around them.
"Whew..."
Fang Zheng, blending into the crowd, exhaled heavily, the vapor meeting cold air to form a white fog that dispersed in front of him; the chill invigorated his senses.
After touching the strap at his waist, he inquired at a stall selling porridge and pancakes, then headed south towards the city.
Since he planned to make a fortune in this Otherworld, he couldn’t be a jobless drifter. The primary task was to establish a foundation here, namely, an identity.
With an identity, he could take action.
Currently, Fang Zheng was considered a vagrant and thus needed to find someone to rely on.
The previous dynasty implemented a li-fang system, known as establishing cities with camps, controlling neighborhoods and dividing residences, with city walls surrounding the cities, and within divided into square li-fangs.
Li-fangs are separated by streets, further divided into courtyards for residence.
Li-fangs are encircled by mud walls, much like isolated compounds; people live inside, not allowed to wander out.
This was convenient for management and also segregated the rich from the poor.
Some li-fang were designated for commercial activities, called the Market.
Today the li-fang system has been abolished, high walls pushed down, allowing people to roam freely, and commerce has thrived, yet the former affluent districts still remain.
The Sun Family, cloth merchants,
are indeed a wealthy household!
From noble gates rise influential families, mighty clans encompass nine branches.
Crossing a narrow alley, the courtyards ahead dramatically changed; the three-meter-high walls divide inside and outside, each household occupies significant land.
Passersby were mostly clad in silk and mink, radiating opulence.
"Creak..."
The small gate opened, old Liu examined Fang Zheng with astonishment:
"Brother Fang, this is... did you meet a noble?"
Clothes make the man, indeed.
The attire Fang Zheng wore was evidently not cheap, worth several pieces of silver, which made old Liu reconsider his preconceptions.
He initially thought to easily dismiss someone seeking help, but now had to treat it seriously.
"No."
Fang Zheng mimicked others, cupping his fists and bowing:
"I pawned my watch for some silver coins, but currently don’t have a place to stay, hence seeking refuge."
"Brother Liu, I’d like some guidance on where to head."
He said, handing over a piece of silver.
"No, no..." Old Liu pretended to refuse several times, then firmly gripped the silver, his breath becoming somewhat heavy.
Almost two pieces of silver!
This was equivalent to several months’ wages in the Sun Family.
"Brother Fang."
After pondering, old Liu said:
"If you’re looking for a job to support a family, it’s not hard, the brokerage is always in need of people, though judging by your demeanor, you might not desire such."
Fang Zheng nodded.
He required traveling back and forth, hence working for others was out of the question.
"We are vagrants, without identities, unless registered." Old Liu said:
"Registration has pros and cons, the advantage is having an identity, facilitating movement; the downside is unavoidable annual taxes and labor."
"Of course, with money these aren’t issues."
Fang Zheng understood.
Vagrants were like illegal residents, usually nobody cared, but if discovered, there wasn’t any protection, although they weren’t taxed.
Actually, illegal residents also paid taxes, albeit less, and considered private local assets, not on the Imperial Court’s registry, local officials turned a blind eye.
Registration, brings numerous benefits.
Allows commerce, studying, trading lands, etc., though taxes and labor are indispensable, yet can be offset with silver coins.
"How to register?"
"Young Master Yu can help."
Young Master Yu is a son-in-law.
The Sun Family’s main house had no son, only one daughter.
At present, the Sun Family’s wealth relied solely on the main house’s efforts, so this lineage must have an heir, recruiting a son-in-law was inevitable.
Yu Yanghong and the Sun Family daughter were childhood sweethearts, inseparable since youth, later the Yu Family declined, he straightforwardly joined the Sun Family to mutually support each other.
Though a son-in-law, reportedly their relationship was excellent.
"Fang Zheng."
Yu Yanghong, about twenty, handsome and impressive, his elegant attire adding a bit more charm, no wonder he could marry into a wealthy family, he now scrutinized:
"Brother Fang’s family must be distinguished, right?"
Ordinary people in the Otherworld had to toil day and night for a living, inevitably causing coarse skin and callused hands, unlike those from the modern world with abundant nutrition.
Fang Zheng’s hands were delicate, skin smooth, clearly not from a poor family.
"Not quite." Fang Zheng shook his head:
"Just that I don’t need to do hard labor, that’s all."
"I see..." Yu Yanghong nodded, then said:
"Registration isn’t difficult, I know Mr. Han from the Household Department, just adding a name through him, but it costs silver."
"How much?"
"Fifteen pieces of silver!"
"Alright."
Fang Zheng sighed in relief, initially thought it would cost a fortune, didn’t expect it to be so cheap; perhaps he should familiarize himself with this world’s prices.
"Husband."
As they spoke, a woman came in from outside, followed by two maidservants.
"Why are you... doing such things again?"
Her features were stunning, voluptuous, voice carried a slight chide and bashfulness:
"If you need money, just tell me, the house won’t be stingy with you; you need not associate with shady characters."
She spoke softly, only Yu Yanghong heard.
"My lady."
Yu Yanghong rose, gently gripping her wrist, smiled:
"This Brother Fang is different, he fled to Gu’an County due to hardships, since he’s seeking our help, I think lending a hand won’t hurt."
The woman turned slightly, her beautiful eyes glimmered.
She disliked her husband mingling with people of unknown origin, families like theirs were not easy for ordinary folks to meet.
Only Yu Yanghong was different from others.
Mmm...
After examining Fang Zheng, seeing he didn’t seem from a poor background, Sun Die’s expression eased, nodded and asked:
"Young Master, where are you from?"
"My family has fallen, I can’t face my ancestors." Fang Zheng sighed, literary and refined:
"Currently, I just wish to register and have an identity, a place to stay, when I truly prosper, then talk of my family ancestry."
"I see." Sun Die glanced at Yu Yanghong, considering this person’s situation was much like her husband’s, felt more affinity:
"Young Master wishes to register?"
"Yes." Fang Zheng said:
"Besides registering, I aim to find a residence, not sure if you two could recommend one, the price... is not an issue."
Sun Die’s eyes brightened.
She favored straightforward guests.
"As it happens."
"Our Sun Family has a small courtyard in the east of the city just vacated, if Young Master wishes to acquire, I can sell it, seventeen pieces of silver, renting is two silver a year."
Sell?
Is it selling or pawning?
Fang Zheng paused, momentarily confused.
Sun Die assumed he had other concerns, immediately smiled, "This can be handled by the brokerage, Young Master, feel assured."
"Alright."
Fang Zheng returned to himself, cupped fists:
"Thank you both, I’ll rent for two years first."
"Alright." Sun Die appeared somewhat surprised, then her voice rose:
"Guard Wu!"
As soon as her voice dropped, someone strode out from outside, tall and mighty, with a long saber on the back, unexpectedly the ’Brother Wu’ who had recently accompanied Fang Zheng and old Liu.
"You accompany this..."
"Fang Zheng."
"You accompany Young Master Fang for a visit."
"Alright."
’Brother Wu’ answered with cupped hands.