070. Feilian City

In the crowd, a young man, accompanied by several companions, followed behind a group of scholarly travelers.

This group was tall and imposing, moving forward in silence. The scholarly travelers, perhaps out of habit, maintained a certain distance, following quietly. The group walked along the city wall, soon reaching a passageway.

This was the marketplace, a place bustling with people and activity. The white city wall rose majestically, and in the morning light, the uneven bricks shimmered with a faint, metallic luster. The ground was paved with stone slabs of various sizes, worn smooth over the years, and the steps were neatly arranged, the surface clean and well-kept. The stone slabs were interspersed with patches of green moss; in the cracks, wildflowers grew, some in clusters, some solitary, their vibrant colors adding a touch of beauty to the ancient pathway. In the distance, the scholarly travelers' figures seemed to meld with the city wall.

The crowd gathered at the entrance, all focused on the passage. Most were dressed in ordinary attire, but their gazes were sharp, measuring the value of each person who passed by. The passage was not narrow, but because of the crowd, it became somewhat crowded. At the head of the line, there was an official, meticulously checking each person's permit, his gaze sweeping over the faces before him, comparing them to the names on his list. If there was the slightest discrepancy, he would take the person aside for questioning.

The place where they stood was the only way in or out of the city. Beyond the city wall was a vast plain, stretching as far as the eye could see.

At this time, the entire city was bathed in sunlight, and the wildflowers outside the wall swayed gently in the breeze, creating a colorful sea at the foot of the city.

To cross the city, one naturally needed to present a permit, which also served as a proof of identity and was of great importance. Without a permit, no one could enter or leave the city; all could do was wander aimlessly beyond the city wall.

The young man took out his permit, handed it over, and waited quietly for his turn.

After a long line, he finally reached the official. The official scrutinized the permit, his gaze lingering on the young man, as if trying to discern something from his face. After a moment, he stamped the permit and handed it back.

The young man joined his companions, continuing forward.

After passing through the gate, the crowd dispersed, some heading into the city, others heading out.

Inside the city, it was even more crowded than outside, with people flowing continuously, the wildflowers beyond the wall reduced to a distant blur.

To earn a living, one naturally needed to seek opportunities, and the best way was to find work in the city. Without connections or background, one could only rely on luck, hoping to find a suitable job by chance.

The young man’s group wandered the streets, searching for any opportunity, hoping for a bit of luck in this bustling city.

They walked along the main street, observing the shops on either side, each quietly discussing their own prospects.

The young man remained silent, his eyes sharp, scanning the surroundings for anything unusual. He occasionally glanced at his companions, silently communicating with them.

Among the group, the youngest looked around anxiously, clearly more nervous than the others. He tugged at the young man's sleeve, whispering, “Are we really going to find work here?”

The young man nodded.

Another companion asked, “Have you ever found work like this before?”

The young man didn’t answer, only quickened his pace, signaling for everyone to keep up. “Don’t worry, we’ll find something.”

The group moved on, blending into the flow of people and slowly disappearing from sight.

After a while, someone in front shouted, “There’s work ahead! There’s work!”

The group hurried forward, joining the throng of people competing for the job.

The employer was a middle-aged man with a rough voice and a stern expression. He scanned the crowd, then said, “We need strong laborers.”

The group stepped forward, and the young man was among the first to be selected.

The employer looked them over before nodding. “Good. Wait here.” A few more people were chosen until enough laborers had been found.

The employer repeated, “Go over there and gather.”

The selected group stood aside, waiting quietly.

After a while, the employer came over and explained, “The work is simple. You’re to help move some stones from the city wall.”

The young man listened carefully, nodding in understanding.

The work was straightforward—moving stones, a task that required strength but no particular skill.

After explaining the job, the employer left, and the group began to discuss among themselves.

“Is this your first time doing this kind of work?” someone asked the young man.

“It’s not my first,” he replied, his voice calm. He had grown used to this kind of labor, having experienced it several times before.

The others fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts, pondering their present circumstances.

One companion comforted everyone, “It’s just hard work, nothing else. Let’s do it well and get paid.”

The young man nodded, saying nothing more.

After a while, the job began. The group followed the employer to the city wall, where they were assigned their tasks. The stones were large and heavy, some requiring two people to carry, and the work was exhausting.

The young man worked steadily, never complaining, and after several hours, the job was done.

At the end of the day, the employer came to distribute the wages. The pay was meager, but it was enough for a meal.

The group left, tired but satisfied, each clutching their hard-earned wages.

As they walked, one companion said, “We worked hard today. Let’s get something good to eat.”

The young man smiled faintly, his face sweaty and dusty. He felt a sense of accomplishment, however small.

The city wall towered behind them, the setting sun casting long shadows on the ground.

Everything was uncertain, but at least for now, they had found a way to get by.

At the edge of the city, the group found a cheap inn and paid for a night's stay, sharing a room to save money.

The inn was simple but clean, with only a few beds and a single oil lamp. They washed up and rested, eating their simple meal, and soon the room was filled with the sound of steady breathing.

The young man lay awake, gazing at the ceiling, recalling the day’s events. He remembered the crowded city gate, the heavy stones, and his companions’ tired but satisfied faces. Unconsciously, he smiled.

In this city, opportunities were scarce, but as long as one worked hard, there would always be a way forward.

The next morning, the young man rose early, washed his face, and quietly left the inn.

Outside, the city was quiet. The sun had not yet fully risen, and the street was shrouded in a faint mist.

He walked alone to the city wall, where yesterday’s work had taken place. The stones remained, but last night’s debris had been cleared away, leaving behind a neat, ordered scene.

He squatted down, picking up a small stone, rolling it in his palm, pondering the possibilities ahead.

“Why are you up so early?” a companion asked, stepping out of the mist.

The young man stood, smiling. “Just making sure we haven’t missed any work.”

His companion laughed. “There’s always work to be found. Let’s go see what today brings.”

They left together, disappearing into the waking city.

By the time the sun rose, the city was once again bustling with life.

And so, another day began.