Chapter 28 - 28: 28 “Far East City” and “Golden Lion Market” (Chase Reading Requested)
“William, do you know about the largest market in the Far East City?”
From within the carriage, Milton Cheney began to speak.
After the previous interception, this time William had arranged for a dedicated coachman, while he himself remained inside the carriage compartment with Milton Cheney.
Such close protection would ensure that, even if an interception were to happen again, Milton Cheney would remain unharmed.
However, he was unaware that the current Milton Cheney had already become a Peak Knight.
If the same situation were to occur again, Milton Cheney could single-handedly deal with it.
Hearing Milton’s question, William pondered for a moment and arranged his thoughts before telling Milton what he knew.
“The Golden Lion Market is the largest market managed by the family in Far East City. It’s the center for communication, trade, and entertainment in the Far East City. As for the specifics, once we’re there, young master, you’ll understand. I don’t really know how to explain.”
Hearing William’s words, Milton Cheney didn’t probe any further. Since William said that he would understand when they reached there, Milton wasn’t averse to waiting a bit longer.
Time slipped away, and the carriage quickly reached the area of the Far East City.
Looking from afar, Milton Cheney could see the high city walls and the colossal city gate.
The city walls were surrounded by defensive facilities, just like a massive castle.
There were quite a lot of people entering and exiting the city gate.
When the carriage of the Golden Lion Family reached the city gate, it caused a bit of a stir, and the crowd moved aside to give way.
Most of these people were citizens of the Far East Region and hence were familiar with the insignia of the Golden Lion Family on the carriage.
Naturally, the soldiers at the city gate would not stop the Golden Lion Family’s carriage and so, it was given an effortless pass.
Inside the city, the coachman left the carriage at a designated parking area.
Milton Cheney and William alighted from the carriage. Many pairs of eyes on the street were turned towards them, filled with a hint of curiosity. However, they did not dare to stare openly.
Milton Cheney looked around at his surroundings. His first impression of the Far East City was that it was clean.
Yes, it was clean.
Linked to the city gate were several major streets.
There wasn’t trash or debris on either side of the streets. Instead, it was exceptionally clean and tidy.
There were quite a few pedestrians on the sides of the streets.
Although their clothes were not luxurious silk, they were rather clean and tidy, unlike what he had imagined.
They had relaxed and joyful expressions on their faces, and they walked lightly along the sidewalks.
So, at a single glance, Milton Cheney deduced that the happiness index of these people seemed rather high.
Unsurprisingly, the quality of life in the largest city in the Far East Region seemed to be quite good.
Seeing the expression in Milton’s eyes, William softly said:
“Young Master, the area we are currently in is the Outer City District. The Far
East City is divided into the Inner City Area and the Outer City District, and the Golden Lion Market is located in the central area of the Inner City Area.”
Milton nodded and followed after William.
Milton set foot on the street.
The street was wide and made of cobblestones. It was very flat, with shops, cloth traders, and public spaces on both sides of the street.
The Outer City District wasn’t too far from the Inner City Area. Both Milton and William were knights, so they movedrapidly. They soon arrived in the Inner City Area of the Far East City.
The Inner City Area was much broader and tidier compared to the Outer City District.
Moreover, the hustle and bustle were less evident. Milton noticed people donned in luxurious clothing as he made his way. “There’s not even a single beggar?”
A flicker of confusion surfaced in Milton’s mind.
Although the Far East City was prosperous, it was abnormal not to have even a single beggar.
Normally, even the largest cities have beggars.
“William, isn’t there a single beggar in the entire Far East City?”
Seeing his doubt, Milton naturally asked as he did not think this was a taboo topic.
Upon hearing Milton Cheney’s doubts, William began to explain: “How could there not be? Even the royal city cannot claim to be free of beggars.”
“However, in Far East City, beggars are not allowed to appear in the Outer City District or Inner City Area. They are all in a place known as the Lower District within the city.”
“Compared with the Outer City District and Inner City Area, the Lower District is relatively chaotic, filled with all sorts of people.”
“But this situation is impossible to eradicate anywhere, we can’t possibly kill
them all.”
William’s words cleared Milton’s doubts.
When William spoke, he didn’t see anything wrong with it, as this is just the way the Frostwinter Kingdom is.
Nowhere will you find only the rich without the poor, Far East City is no different.’
The clear distinction between classes leads to the lifestyles of the rich becoming progressively extravagant, while the poor only become poorer.”
Despite some stirrings in his mind, Milton did not have much emotional reaction, after all, he himself is of noble status.
Milton was not the kind with a noble status who hypocritically criticized the class rule for its unfairness.
Even if he was that kind of person, he did not possess the ability to overthrow the class rule.
Without further questioning, Milton silently followed behind William.
Compared to the Outer City District, the Inner City Area had many more churches and monasteries, and even had some buildings reminiscent of skyscrapers.
The placement and architectural design of these buildings resonated with each other, forming the unique cityscape of Far East City.
Unlike any city from his previous life with millions of residents, the total population of Far East City was less than fifty thousand.
The two soon arrived at the Golden Lion Market mentioned by Earl Arthur. Upon entering the market, a bustling atmosphere enveloped them.
“It’s really lively!”
Milton exclaimed in surprise.
Indeed, once Milton entered the market, he was instantly surrounded by countless voices.
The loud shouting of the merchants and the bargaining of the customers entered his ears distinctly.
Compared to the quiet atmosphere upon entering the inner city, the Golden Lion Market, situated at the heart of Inner City Area, was incredibly lively.
The market was packed with people, wearing colorful clothes. Some of them carrying shopping bags or baskets.
It was life in all its forms; it made Milton feel like he was back in his previous life, going to the market with his mother.
“Young Master, it’s quite noisy here. We need to first go to the City Hall to handle some procedures,” William said.
There was no way Milton could manage the entire market at the moment, they needed to undergo some procedures first.
The City Hall was the administrative center of Far East City, where Earl Arthur also spent part of the year working.
The City Hall was not far from the market, and after taking over the market, it was also a place Milton would frequently have to visit.
They crossed the market and the surrounding scenes were imprinted into Milton’s eyes.
Though he was someone who preferred quietness, the lively atmosphere made him feel rather relaxed.
The Golden Lion Market could be considered one of the most dynamic and prosperous places in Far East City.
If Far East City was considered the trading center of the Far East Region, then the Golden Lion Market was indeed the center of the center.
Here countless merchants and customers traded goods, ranging from food and fabric to jewelry and crafts.
Inside the Golden Lion Market, there were not only long-term shops, but also many temporary stalls and tents set up by the travelling merchants to display
Moreover, Milton was quite lucky – there was a circus and juggling performance happening in the market.
These performances were attracting many spectators, though Milton did not get closer to watch.
Such eye-catching performances were not rare at the Golden Lion Market, happening every now and then.
The Golden Lion Market was indeed an important part of Far East City’s culture and economy.
The fact that Earl Arthur entrusted this place to Milton showed clearly his expectations and trust in him..