Young Master System: My Mother Is the Matriarch-Chapter 196 - 195: A Time and A Place

Li Wei did not waste a second longer deliberating his next course of action, it was imperative that his allies were given time to regroup and reinforce their territories. The young master had heard from local townsfolk nearby that the local authorities had begun imposing the will of their emperor.

Although the imperial court would not admit it, there was a growing concern that these pockets of unrest would eventually flare into a civil war. Thus under the order of the emperor, his magistrates fortified the barracks in every province from the Qianlong Province all the way to the imperial capital.

Enlistment into the imperial army became mandatory for any man over the age of 16 and under the age of 30. This horrified many commoners that were raising a child, who would likely inherit their parent's legacy after they passed on. However, there was no room for negotiation and batches of young and prospective men were transported to royal outposts to begin training.

This tyrannical behavior was typical on the Oolong continent, where the strength of a faction determined the fate of the general populace. Li Wei was surprised by the resistance of numerous sects that did not have any intention on complying with the royal family, who were exercising the limits of their influence.

From his standpoint, it was very likely that other hands were at play here. Although the emperor possessed a fair amount of sway on the day to day operations of his territory, another party was clearly involved. Mobilizing the full force of a nation's army could not be accomplished solely by the word of a single faction.

The young master was curious as to the nature of the faction at work, due to the fact that his future plans would be influenced by the state of affairs around him. One factor that would continuously work against him were his origins, which had been constructed on a basis of rumors and stories disseminated by him personally.

His status as a foreigner was a destabilizing trait that would not aid his cause, but this would not affect his aspirations greatly. Li Wei traveled under the cover of darkness before resting in local inns during the daytime to monitor any new developments.

Despite the fluctuations from the heart stone, which likely hinted that Leng Yue and the others would be expelled from the secluded domain very soon he did not rush back to them for the time being. He held a firm belief in the abilities of his subordinates, who had already done very well up until now.

Li Wei knew that the only way for Ning Xue, Mei Yu and Jia Lin to actually develop into seasoned practitioners in their respective fields, he would have to allow them to operate under minimal supervision.

Unlike most practitioners his age, he was already aware that nurturing a pupil closely would likely impede their growth rather than assist them. This cycle of roaming during the night and resting at daybreak went on for nearly a fortnight until he was nearing his destination.

The Zhongzhou Province resided at the very heart of the empire and was the site were the emperor had placed his capital city, a process that had marked his ascension to power over 50 years ago. The scenery around had undergone a staggering change as the walls of the imperial capital drew closer, from the humble landscapes and hilltops that had welcomed him at the provincial border to a vast metropolis of pavilions and market centers.

The economy of the province had undergone a decline due to the unrest of the surrounding regions, but that could barely be perceived from the outside. Li Wei admired the skill of the imperial council that had fed the local people propaganda about the actual events transpiring around them, which gave day to day traders and entrepreneurs a false sense of safety.

Li Wei chose to stay at an abode near the city centre due to easy access to commodities and a lush scenery, as a future sect leader he considered many things in advance. After dismissing the servants in charge of maintaining the courtyard, he was alone with his thoughts and decided to use his time wisely. 'My meeting with the local secretary will take place at dusk, in the mean time….'

The young master picked out a blank parchment from the shelf in his study and picked out a piece of charcoal from one of the drawers. The young master began to sketch out a peculiar formation that he planned to erect around his courtyard during his stay, which would be determined on the outcome of his conversation with the royal secretary.

It was hard to describe the pressure he felt, the risks were rather high and anything could go wrong. He breathed for a moment and sipped a warm brew he had concocted himself during his travels and gazed at the vast blue sky above with a slight smile on his face, "In any case, only time will unravel the mysteries of this world…."

It did not take long for the sun to dip lower, with light stretching across the tiled rooftops like a final blessing before nightfall. Li Wei stood at the edge of a narrow balcony overlooking the street below him.

Both hands resting lightly on the stone railing, as the city was beginning to change its rhythm. Shopkeepers folded away awnings, lanterns were lit one by one. Much of the evening crowd flowed outward from alleys like water released from a gate.

Footsteps overlapped in uneven patterns and a cart rattled over worn stone, Somewhere nearby, a stringed instrument played a wandering tune. The capital never truly slept, but it did soften at this hour, its sharper edges dulled by routine and fatigue.

An hour remained before his meeting.

The young man exhaled slowly with thoughts drifting aimlessly, but along paths already worn by repetition. Tang Li's voice returned to him, measured as she had spoken of her uncle Tang Shu.

He was a man who had climbed carefully and had learned when to bow and when to remain standing. Now, that man was running out of space.

''You don't survive the council by accident,' Li Wei thought. 'If he's still breathing, it's because someone finds him useful.'

Usefulness was a fragile thing and from Tang Li's assessment, her uncle's sympathies lay with the common streets rather than the lacquered halls of power. Grain allotments redirected quietly and patrol abuses buried in paperwork. Small things that were easily dismissed, but costly in the long run.

Support eroded with outrage and with absence. Li Wei turned from the balcony and retrieved his cloak, fastening it with a simple clasp. It had no insignia or ornament.

Tonight was the night he roamed among thousands, as the streets greeted him with noise and color as he descended. Vendors called out final offers and oil lamps flickered beneath hanging banners. The entire scene was painting with everything in amber and shadow.

Li Wei moved with the flow, neither hurried nor slow. Each eye marking corners and doorways, observing elevated walkways out of habit. He did not take the route directly ahead of him.

Instead, he wandered to the adjacent street with signboards passing overhead and merchants nearby with a majority of them making promises both extravagant and absurd.

Li Wei drew closer to the gambling district, as the air grew thick with incense and liquor. Music spilled from open doors and laughter came too quickly and loudly.

'Come one, Come all! Fortune favors the brave.'

'Risk it all! Who knows, your children could prosper for generations.'

'Providence! Has always followed the foolhardy.'

Li Wei heard them all without changing expression.

Even in another life, the messages were familiar. Only the language had changed. A flurry of attendants swarmed the edges of the street, robes dyed in colors meant to catch the eye.

One even had the gall to step into Li Wei's path, arms spread wide, grin stretched thin. "One moment young man! Come in and seize your destiny!"

Before Li Wei could pass, another voice cut in from the side. "Do not be deceived! Locals know their tables bleed customers dry, while Ours reward insight!"

A third joined, jabbing a finger toward the others. "Hypocrites! Every den here rigs their odds except—"

Li Wei slipped between them without a word, the hem of his garments brushing past silk sleeves and grasping hands. Behind him, insults flew freely as the attendants turned on one another. ~Bastard!~

He did not look back, fully aware the gambling district was a pressure valve in the capital. Money vanished here and so did grudges, information, and often people.

Imperial patrols lingered at the outskirts, visible but distant. Order was largely observed, not enforced. Li Wei slowed at a busy intersection and glanced upward. From here, the elevated terraces of the inner districts were just visible beyond the rooftops.

Somewhere beyond them sat men who believed themselves untouchable. ' That dog Magistrate Yun was dispatched on their orders…' Li Wei thought to himself, contemplating on the capable practitioner that had been placed deliberately near unrest.

A lasting reminder that the empire still had teeth, even if it hesitated to bite. Huangjing or Zhongzhou, it made little difference.

Epicenters attracted all types of predators.

Li Wei adjusted his path again, angling toward quieter streets as the gambling noise faded behind him. The meeting location lay ahead, chosen for convenience rather than comfort.

He felt no excitement, the outcome of this conversation would shape more than trade routes or residency permits. Tang Shu was a man standing between currents. If he fell, others would take note. If he survived, it would be because he had chosen a side carefully.

Li Wei paused briefly at a corner shrine, fingers brushing the cool stone as if in passing. A habit. An anchor.

'I cannot cause a fuss' he reminded himself. 'Not here.'

The city continued to breathe around him, unaware of how close it stood to fracture. The venue was far beyond the capital walls, old forces were already moving.

The meeting place had announced itself by what it lacked.

No banners or music. Only a teahouse pressed between a shuttered apothecary and a courier's depot whose doors bore old dents and newer repairs.

The signboard had faded to the color of old bone, the characters uneven from a long-ago rehang. A single lantern burned above the entrance, its flame steady despite the passing air. ~crackle~

Li Wei crossed the street at an unremarkable pace and stepped inside with a warmth greeting him first, then scent. Roasted leaves and aged wood, with something faintly bitter beneath it all.

The interior was narrow, stretching back farther than expected, with low tables arranged along the walls and a thin partition of carved screens dividing the rear rooms. The floor creaked under his weight. ~creak~

A woman behind the counter glanced up from a ledger.

Her hair was pinned tight, as both sleeves were rolled with the careless tact of long habit.

"Tea?" she asked, already reaching for a cup.

Li Wei nodded once. "Whatever is least discussed."