Liu Bei POV

Shouchun’s street market were mostly pretty cramped, and could only fit 2 people walking side by side at most. And it was this narrow distance which had to fit effectively almost half of the inhabitants of the city. Add to that the merchants and moving carts and it’s really, really cramped.

Even though it aas called a street market, Shouchun city’s street market wasn’t actually a simple street market. Normally, street markets would be empty in the wee hours and the various peddlers and merchants would gather during the normal operating hours and display their wares. In the evening, business would slowly wind down and they would pack up. Some would go home, while others would head on to the next market or city.

As for Shouchun city, many of the merchants and peddlers actually lived in the city. Their homes were where their stalls were so when they left their house in the morning, they just picked a convenient spot and set up shop. in the evening, they would just pack up and turn around to head back home.

And most of the merchants in this city gathered in the north of the city. During the normal operating hours, they would continuously advertise their wares and services using their voices. This made it seem more like a market than a loose and spa.r.s.e collection of street stalls.

Though the goods seemed a little lacking to me, and some were even calling for barter trade, it was very vibrant and crowded indeed.

“It’s really bustling with activity huh.”

“Hmhm, impressive isn’t it? My big sister and I really put in a lot of effort into building up this Shouchun city.”

I couldn’t help but be impressed and voiced my thoughts while the red haired girl who bounced along beside me puffed out her chest just like the wolf-eyed girl and bragged in a very cute expression.

“Very impressive, very impressive.”

“Wu, that reaction of yours is a little too patronising.” Sun Quan pouted.

Well I did hear the same words from your big sister just now.

“But you really are different huh,” She frowned as she looked at me with a wry smile and a meaningful expression, “You actually know who I am.”

Well of course I do.

“I am a merchant after all so I hear things during the normal course of my business.”

I continued to use the setting that Sun Quan had unilaterally applied onto me. I didn’t have any purpose for doing this, I just did so because it seemed like it would be more interesting.

“But even so, you didn’t seem surprised at all when you saw me.”

Well of course I wasn’t.

No, to be honest, I was a little surprised inside. But the surprises I’ve been met with since coming to this era have been far too many and perhaps I’ve also had the mental preparation that ‘this person ought to make an appearance soon’ so I wasn’t all that surprised. At least not to the point where it would show on the surface.

“What a weirdo,” Sun Quan didn’t pursue the matter at my silence, and increased her pace.

“But that’s good too as it means less trouble for me.” She said as she looked about at the various curios on display.

“But even if I’m alright about it, won’t the ordinary people of the city recognise you?”

“That’s fine. Though I have appeared before the ordinary people, my teacher instructed me not to descend from the city tower so I just yelled out to the city as I stood high up. The people couldn’t see me then but my throat really hurt after that.” She said, and hen added on, “Ah, I have quite a few teachers. The one I was just talking about is Jiangdong’s famoys Zhang Zhao Zhang Zi Bu.”

Another familiar name. I’d heard Zhang Zhao’s voice back in Xu state but I’ve never seen her. After our short meeting, I could tell she wasn’t a simple person so I’ll very likely get to meet her soon.

But what can I say? Should I say as expected of the old hand Zhang Zhao? That said, I personally feel that having that sort of high and mighty show is a little too early. But that’s just my personal thought.

“What do you think about this?”

While I was occupied with my thoughts, she’d picked up a small wooden carving from a stall and brought it to me. It was carved in the shape of a lion and seemed like one of those Chinese Imperial Lions you see outside famous buildings or temples, but it also had some differences from those. Perhaps this might be a mythical creature from a Jiangdong folklore that has been lost in time.

I received it, and felt about the carving before taking a close look, “The craftsmans.h.i.+p is very good.”

I don’t really know how to appreciate carvings but I gave that conclusion from the smooth texture and intricate lines. It really hits me at times like these, and I’m really impressed at how good the craftsmen of this era are.

“Master carpenter, how much for this?” But my answer seemed to please Sun Quan and she asked the carpenter for the price.

“2 ‘合’ of grain.”

Looks like he wants grain huh, but I don’t know how much 2 ‘合’ is.

(TL: Neither do I, it’s difficult to find the correct reference as measurements differ every dynasty nor was there a common unit throughout China even.)

“I don’t have grain with me now, why would someone go around shopping with grain on her?” Sun Quan complained but she still wanted to buy it.

As for the carpenter, she paused for a moment before waving as he continued, “If you really like it, then take it first. Just bring me the grain tomorrow.”

Eh? So easy-going?

“Alright, thanks.” Sun Quan didn’t hold back at all, nor did she bp ake any further a.s.surances and left with the wood carving.

I followed up, but was still feeling lost, “Umm, can you really leave with it just like that?”

“Yes, didn’t he say that it would be alright to bring him his compensation tomorrow?”

And just 2 ‘合’ too, Sun Quan added, but I still didn’t know how much that was.

“Isn’t he afraid you might regret the purchase or the price later on? What if you don’t bring the grain tomorrow?”

An agreement between strangers should be written down in black and white at least. If it were in the present era, it would have been normal to at least leave a cellphone number. But even though what I said was logical, Sun Quan gave me a look that seemed like she didn’t understand what I was saying.

“Why?” She said relaxedly, not moving her gaze away from the wood carving, “I’ve already bought it so why won’t I give him the grain? And what does he have to suspect me for since I’ve already bought it?”

That and that isn’t the point, is what I wanted to say but I felt like it was because my sense of values was different from them. In the end, it all boils down to trust.

Perhaps I’m just ignorant of the ways of this era.

“What’s up?”

“No, just take it that I didn’t say anything just mow.” I retracted what I said before, and accepted the setting before me.

There’s nothing strange about a peaceful city where its inhabitants do not keep what isn’t theirs and have no need to bolt their doors at night. In fact, wouldn’t that be a good thing?

“Hai…” Just then, Sun Quan sighed all of a sudden, and her mood seemed to skydive all of a sudden.

“Umm, what’s the matter?”

“Hai, just my own problem.” Sun Quan turned her head away and pouted before continuing in a helpless tone, “I’m actually supposed to go meet this Imperial Uncle from the north today and it’s troubling me.”

So you’re sighing because of me huh, But since you’re talking about me, and since I’ve asked, I might as well continue the conversation.

“What’s wrong about meeting that Imperial Uncle? He came from so far to see you too.”

“But I don’t even know him,” Sun Quan seemed to be a little withdrawn as she said so, “Teacher Zi Bu said that I was new and was afraid that I would fall for diplomatic tricks.”

I don’t even know how to use diplomatic language effectively so how could zi possibly trick you?

“And I’m tired out enough everyday as it is already.” Seems like Sun Quan’s complaints are not over, “Gong Jin teaches me military strategy and tactics, Zi Bu teached me governance, Tai and the rest keep fighting me. Lu, Ji, Y, Fan are all not kind either. Do you know how much I have to study everyday?!”

Her voice grew louder and louder as she went on, and by the end of it, she was practically yelling angrily.

“I can understand.”

“No, how could you possibly understand?,

No no no, I really do understand. Hearing that she is also going through that sort of crammed education really makes my heart ache. Even though our backgrounds differ, it was clear that Sun Quan was now facing the same issues as I was.

It’s so touching to meet someone who is suffering the same way I am.

“Ah, why are you crying?”

“Ah? Ah.” Only when she said so did I realise that I was moved to tears,a nd hurriedly wiped them, “No, I understand you too well.”

She looked at my expression and her suspicion seems to have grown.

“What a weirdo,” After a long while, she finally said these words again and continued, “But you aren’t off-putting.”

She began to swagger ahead. I didn’t pay much heed to her words either and followed behind her as I considered if I should reveal my ident.i.ty to her.

I smiled bitterly inside. It’s going to be difficult to do so at this point in time, “But maybe that Liu Bei fellow is a good person.”

“Ah, that Imperial Uncle did have that name.” She clapped in realisation but then felt that something was wrong and looked at me with a frown, “But how did you know of that name?”

“Umm…”

How am I supposed to explain this away? I sank into silence, not knowing what to say when all of a sudden, a voice came from behind me.

“Xuan De! You better be prepared!!!”

Eh?

Before I knew what was going on, I felt my neck get grabbed and something was held against my back so I lost my balance and fell backwards.

When I finally opened my eyes amidst the pain, the Xu state 3 and Zi Long appeared before me.