The old car of the lone horse went to Dongyi City, the catkins gradually subsided, and the people gradually gathered, Fan Xian and Shadow looked at the scenery in this big city in silence, and their hearts were a little restless. The shadow may have been a little emotional, but Fan Xian was slightly shaken by the scenes that came into view.

Dongyi City really deserves to be the largest city in the world, covering an extremely wide area, the carriage of the two walked in the city for a long time, and it was still very far away from the predetermined location, along the road only to see the various sè buildings mixed in it, the bustling crowd walked through it, the goods from all sides of the world gathered here, countless accents sounded on the street, countless people wearing different clothes, bargaining, using a sign language that Fan Xian was not very familiar with.

Fan Xian sat in the carriage and looked down the street, and found that there were no goods that could not be found in this city. He couldn't help but secretly admire, in this lively and prosperous place, tourists from other places, who would be able to bear not to pay a lot of money?

Although Nanqing began to set up a large-scale commercial port in Quanzhou more than 20 years ago, with the huge production of the inner library, Shengsheng accounted for a lot of the share of maritime trade with foreigners, which not only directly led to the decline and calm of the port of Tangzhou, but also greatly affected Dongyi City. However, Dongyi City is a place where merchants from all over the world gather, especially the fleet that goes to sea here has a lot of intersection with the continent that hangs far overseas, so trade has been prosperous to this day.

Even if Fan Xian now controls the inner treasury, if he wants to take the sea route, it is impossible to go to sea completely by relying on Quanzhou, because many adventurers or merchants from abroad are still used to trading through Dongyi City.

I am afraid that it will take decades for this state of affairs to change - when Fan Xian saw more than a dozen foreigners on the street, he accepted this view in his heart. When he was sitting in Jiangnan, foreigners were only willing to go as far as Quanzhou, so he had never seen one.

"Don't you think it's strange?" the shadow asked in a deep voice beside him, "Foreigners only believe in Dongyi City, so every time Nanqing people see these blue-eyed people, they will feel unaccustomed. ”

Fan Xian smiled and didn't say anything, thinking that in his previous life, he was a cow who had taught all-night mahjong in the International Student Building, how could he feel strange when he looked at foreigners.

"Why don't the foreigners trust us in Nanqing? At most, they are willing to stop in Quanzhou for a few days, and they are never willing to go deep inland. Fan Xian asked softly: "Northern Qi does not have a suitable outlet to the sea, but our dynasty has built three major ports in the south of the Yangtze River, especially the port of Quanzhou has been repaired for more than 20 years, why has it not completely taken away the status of Dongyi City?"

"I don't know very much about that. The shadow pressed down the hat and said indifferently: "But I heard that more than 20 years ago, the relationship between the Quanzhou sailor and the foreigners was good, and then the Quanzhou sailor had an accident, which scared the foreigners away a lot. ”

Fan Xian raised his eyebrows and didn't ask anything more. In fact, he walked all the way into the city today, looking in all directions and listening to the six roads, he savored the market atmosphere of Dongyi City that is very different from this continent, and he has gradually understood the reason for this.

Dongyi City has always been able to occupy the center of the world's commerce, the key lies in the folk customs here, the words and deeds of the merchants, on the streets, except for the officials of the city lord's mansion who maintain law and order, there are not too many official figures. Although he has not yet had the opportunity to see the specific process of trade with his own eyes, Fan Xian already has a strong premonition that the trade in Dongyi City has basically already had the rudiments of some kind of contractual relationship, whether it is the city lord's mansion or the sword house, they should not try to control the behavior of the merchants, but only draw up a general market regulation.

In contrast, although the southern part of the Nanqing River is also commercially developed, this development and prosperity is based on the special product of the inner library. The commerce of Jiangnan relies on the production of the unique place in the inner treasury, so it can be completely set by the imperial court, or by itself, and rarely fluctuates.

The commerce of Qingguo Jiangnan is a kind of business monopolized by the imperial court, so whether it is the Ming family, the Lingnan Xiong family, or the Quanzhou Sun family, they are only a few undertakers under the inner library, if the imperial court wants these three families to die, they have to die, because the imperial court will not care about what contract is sacred with the merchants.

However, the commerce of Dongyi City is rooted in the basis of reciprocal transactions, and no force can be forced like the Qingguo Imperial Court, and no one can be like Fan Xian, just by virtue of the power in his hands, he can make the Ming family vomit 3,000 liters of blood and lose countless losses.

Obviously, for the merchants, the latter prosperity was more reliable, or longer-lasting, and more trustworthy. Dongyi City is like a settlement of the world's merchants, the Dominion, they use their sweat or cunning to seek benefits, life and death in the sky, not in the imperial power.

Fan Xian's gaze was retracted from the door of a large business, and a trace of absurdity suddenly surged in his heart, if Dongyi City really fell to Qingguo, with the powerful power of His Majesty the Emperor, how could he be willing to remain unchanged for fifty years? How could he be willing to let so many merchants in the territory under his rule not listen to his call?

If the glory of Qingguo's powerful imperial power really descended on the head of Dongyi City, would this prosperous or secretly dirty city still be able to maintain its vitality today?

Fan Xian and Shadow chose an inconspicuous inn to live in, and after settling the carriage, they walked out onto the street and joined the crowd. At this time, it was still early, and it was not convenient to do what they wanted to do, so these two strong men with their own ideas in their hearts simply followed their daughter's family situation and went shopping again in the noisy coastal city.

The reason why Dongyi City is big is not only because of the amazing amount of trade that attracts merchants from all over the world, but also because all kinds of strange people gather here, such as the Jiangyang thief Wang Qinian, and even the earlier Miss Ye and the blind young servant beside her. There are strange people, naturally there are legends, there are legends, coupled with the glorious name of Sigu Sword, I don't know how many homeless people have been attracted to settle down and survive, and how many young people from Northern Qi and Nanqing have come to travel.

Even the Hu people in the grasslands and the snow barbarians in the north once came from thousands of miles. In this way, year after year, the population of Dongyi City increased, and the city expanded more and more...... Looking at the various styles of buildings on the street, Fan Xian was amazed, and secretly thought that the Bund was just like that, but the Bund was mostly Western buildings back then, but the buildings of Dongyi City here were all kinds of styles on the mainland, the black and green cornices inherited from the Great Wei Dynasty in the Northern Qi Dynasty, the Zhuangsu Fangzheng building in Qingguo, the domed arch house on the grassland, and the gilded rain arrow tower in Nanzhao...... It is said that back then, the architecture of foreigners was also in Dongyi City for a while, but later, with the rise of the old Ye family, the status of foreigners was ruined, and the trade on this continent began to go in the direction of net entry.

The reason for this is very simple, the silk tea and porcelain that foreigners want to buy, they can't make it. And the extremely expensive glass, mirrors and other goods they sold back then, the old Ye family can also make them, and they do better and sell them cheaper.

Therefore, in today's maritime trade, the kingdoms of the overseas continent are very difficult, because Dongyi City no longer needs their goods, and they must settle the accounts with cash. If it weren't for the fact that more than ten years ago, it was said that a large amount of silver mines had been discovered in a wild place on the overseas continent, I am afraid that they would have already been emptied of the treasury by the cunning and ruthless merchants on the side of Dongyi City, as well as the old Ye family who fell from the sky, and could no longer support the luxury needs of their domestic nobles.

After listening to Fan Xian's emotion, the shadow said coldly: "There is no difference between foreigners and us, it's just that their force is like their mage, they look good, but in fact, they are useless at all, so they can only be exploited by us, and they just come to complain every year." ”

Hearing this, Fan Xian couldn't help laughing, he still remembered that when he was reborn in this world at the first moment, he saw the shadow beside him, flying over like an eagle falcon, killing a mage in seconds...... Although the shops are gradually closing, the sound of dogs and horses in the streets of each side street is beginning to prepare to light up the red light.

"Have you finished reading?" asked the shadow suddenly.

Fan Xian gently pulled the hat with his fingers, and after a moment of silence, he said, "Yes." ”

He is a traveler from another world, but in this life he can't be a simple traveler, when the rare half-rì Dongyi tour is temporarily over, Fan Xian will return to the darkness, get rid of the joy of sightseeing, and pick up the dagger of Hei Sè again.

The shadow tilted his head slightly, turned to the right, brushed past a row of ice stalls selling saury, and disappeared into a small alley, and the hat disappeared in an instant.

The western Luo rì lost the honor of taking care of the East China Sea, and was even more miserable to be blocked by all kinds of tall buildings in Dongyi City, turning into patches of darkness, Fan Xian walked in and covered his whereabouts.

――――――――――――――――――― the city lord's mansion in Dongyi City was brightly lit, although it was not yet completely dark at this time, and the warm sunset was still shining on the high eaves of the city lord's mansion, but the people in the mansion had already lit up the lights, and it seemed that they were all a little afraid of the arrival of the night in Dongyi City.

The envoys of Nanqing and Northern Qi were about to arrive in Dongyi City in a few more years, and everyone knew that the great master in the Sword House was about to decide the future direction of Dongyi City after this opening. But everyone knows better that as long as the Sword Saint is gone, no matter how Dongyi City chooses, it will be a dark night with no end in sight for these people who are happy in the name of zìyóu merchants.

And among all these people, the most nervous is of course the city lord of Dongyi City, because whether Dongyi becomes an overseas territory of Nanqing or Northern Qi, he, the nominal city lord, naturally has no need to continue to exist.

The reason why he is said to be the nominal lord of the city is because the real owner of Dongyi City is Sigu Jian and Jian Lu, and he just sits on the glory and wealth and performs simple administrative work on his behalf.

The City Lord looked at the middle-aged swordsman on the opposite seat worriedly, and said with a faint sigh: "Master Yun, if you say something unlucky, the Lord Sword Saint will not be able to do it when he sees it, as the head of the Sword Mansion, you must have an idea." ”

Yun Zhilan, the head disciple of the Sword Mansion, lowered his head slightly, and remained silent for a long time before he spoke: "Master has his own measure, and the city lord doesn't have to worry about it. ”

"Even if I don't cāo for myself, I must always cāo for the people of this city. The city lord stared into his eyes and said, "If Nanqing is really descended, it's a big deal that I will go to Nanqing Kyoto to be a free marquis...... But I have worked hard to build the city in Dongyi so far, do I really want to give my hands to the great enemy of Emperor Nanqing?"

Yun Zhilan knew that the city lord deliberately said it so high-sounding, in fact, he was not worried about the city being broken and scattered, his own way out, if this person really dared to go to Nanqing Kyoto to be the Marquis of Xiaoyao, why should he ask himself so solemnly today...... Everyone knows the ambition and frightening ruthlessness of the emperor of Nanqing, and the city wants to be a free marquis, but he is afraid that he will usher in a cup of poisonous wine if he can't do it for two years.

But Yun Zhilan had to admit that he was extremely consistent with the City Lord's Mansion's thoughts. As a powerhouse of the ninth grade, of course he is not worried about his future after the city is broken, even if he is Emperor Qing, he will definitely welcome him. It's just that he grew up in Dongyi City since he was a child, and he has a sense of belonging and love from the deepest part of his soul for this city and that side of the sword, no matter what, he can't accept Dongyi City to surrender without a fight, so he was included in the territory of Nanqing.

If it can still be outside the two forces in the world, it is of course the best future for Dongyi City, but if the momentum is irreversible, Yun Zhilan would rather join forces with the relatively weak Northern Qi court to fight against Nanqing!

Yun Zhilan frowned slightly, his eyes moved twice weakly, revealing two cold rays that flashed inside, he knew that at this moment, an important person was in the sword house, and he had an extremely important conversation with Master Shizun.

If this negotiation can be successful, then Dongyi City will stand up bravely and put up the most decisive resistance against the mighty Nanqing.

Yun Zhilan raised his eyes, looked at the city lord and said, "A certain will not descend." ”

The city lord of Dongyi City was slightly stunned, as if he didn't expect the other party to promise so happily, but to be honest, the city lord has been in a state of tossing and turning for the past two years, no matter what choice he makes, he can't make him happy, unless Lord Si Gu Jian's injury improves, repeating the divine power of the year.

He looked at Yun Zhilan hesitantly and said, "But...... What does the Sword Master mean by that? I haven't seen him in over two years. ”

Yun Zhilan didn't answer this question, and his face was slightly weird, because to this day, he, the first disciple of the Sword Mansion, still doesn't know what Master Shizun thinks, whether it is to fight or surrender?

However, he immediately calmed down, thinking of the big man in the sword house at this time, he took a deep breath and said, "Shizun must not want his life's work to be buried. ”

The city lord locked his eyebrows, glanced at Yun Zhilan, and said tentatively: "Everyone in the world knows that Lord Sword Saint was injured by Emperor Qing on Dadong Mountain two and a half years ago, originally I and other dull people would never think that Lord Sword Saint would be interested in Nanqing, but in the past two years, news has gradually come that Wang Shisanlang is a close disciple of Lord Sword Saint, but he has a good relationship with Nanqing Fan, I don't know, what Master Yun thinks about this matter." ”

As soon as these words came out, Yun Zhilan's expression became stern, and he said awe-inspiringly: "Thirteen Lang is my junior brother, and everything he does is arranged by his master. ”

"It was precisely because his friendship with Fan Xian was arranged by Lord Sword Saint that this was what I was most worried about. The city lord looked at Yun Zhilan and said seriously.

Yun Zhilan fell into silence, he had also felt an endless chill from this arrangement in the past, he had never thought that Master Shizun, who had been arrogant and arrogant all his life, would be willing to put aside his deep hatred and make secret contact with Nanqing before he died.

"Thirteen Lang, ......" He sighed in his heart and said to himself: "Senior brother has no opinion on you, even if the master wants you to take over the sword house, I will only obey you, but ......"

The light on the wine table suddenly dimmed and brightened, reflecting Yun Zhilan's cold face. He knew that the most important thing at this time was not to let the people from Nanqing disturb the important negotiations in the Jianlu. On the side of the Sword Mansion, he had already arranged for countless masters to ambush outside, and outside the Meipu Courtyard, he had also arranged many strong people.

Yun Zhilan picked up the wine glass, took a shallow sip, and said, "I have already made arrangements for Thirteen Lang, Lord City, please rest assured." ”

The city lord frowned slightly and said, "It's so good, as long as it's not Nanqing Fan Xian who comes in person." ”

"That little Fan is still on the way. Yun Zhilan's eyes were solemn, and he said calmly and resolutely: "However, if he dares to go to the junior brother alone, I will leave him there forever." ”

............ Fan Xian has already come, and the two of them have admired the eaves of the city lord's mansion like tourists, but no one in Dongyi City knows, and at the same time, Fan Xian doesn't know that Yun Zhilan, the first disciple of the Sword Lu, began to protect the Sword Lu because of his loyalty to Dongyi City and his heart, and even did not hesitate to hurt Wang Shisanlang, but also to leave the people of Nanqing in this land forever.

At the beginning of the night, Fan Xian came to a mezzanine courtyard on the outskirts of Dongyi City, looked at the green flags hanging on the wall of the low courtyard, and couldn't help but smile slightly. At this time, he naturally didn't dare to step forward and knock on the door directly, but made a few turns, passed through the back of a plum garden, and prepared to meet Wang Shisanlang, who had been waiting for him.

As he walked through the plum, about five or six steps from the back door, Fan Xian stopped, because he did not hear the dog barking in the courtyard, and when Thirteen Lang was chatting, he had told him that he had a soil dog with the sharpest nose.

――Dogs may be made into dog meat hot pot, but Mei will not leave a single sprig behind.

Fan Xian's fingers were slightly bent, his eyes were lowered, and he stared at Yizhimei in front of his feet, knowing that there was an ambush here, and the people in the ambush were all masters. Because when his body was in shape, he felt a blow of wind swept in front of him, cutting off a plum, and then, the strong sword intent seeped in all directions.

He didn't know why Shisanlang didn't show himself in advance, but he clearly noticed that Dongyi City was a ghost place...... The swordsman of Jiupin is really mass-produced.