Chapter 820: Yingshan District
The Great River was named Sheng, taking its meaning from the rising sun—an auspicious character.
Years ago, the Imperial Court marshaled the nation's strength to excavate the Grand Canal. This was primarily to resolve the long-standing divide between north and south, and secondarily to address their economic disparity. Factoring in the situation of scholars in both regions at the time, stabilizing the north and south also allowed the world's qi destiny to rise another level.
Along the Sheng River lay another Market Town known as Yingshan District. It sat at the foot of Mount Ying, which gave the town its name.
As a border district under the prefecture's jurisdiction that sat right next to the Sheng River, this place had been bustling in its early years. However, ever since the Grand Canal was sealed off and tensions rose across the lands, business here had noticeably thinned out.
Looking around, inns and taverns made up the bulk of the town. These businesses had originally sprung up to provide lodging for traveling merchants. Now, however, they sat completely empty. Though some still had their signboards hanging, they had long stopped taking in guests or serving food.
"Little brother, we don't run an inn anymore. Go ask somewhere else."
They asked at two places in a row, but both were dead ends.
Finally, they reached a small inn at the corner of the street. A young woman sat behind the counter. Seeing their group, she asked, "From out of town?"
Chen Changsheng nodded. "You could say that."