Chapter 954: Master Always Has a Way

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Su Binglan noticed the sand blowing in the wind and said, “I wouldn’t have known about this place either if Lin Zheng hadn’t told me about it. I wonder if he’s okay.”

She felt she could not ignore him. After all, Lin Zheng was one of Su Binglan’s first disciples.

He had also told her about his background, but Su Binglan had many things to do and scores to settle. Unfortunately, she did not have time to help Lin Zheng investigate his background.

Not long after Su Binglan went to the prefecture, she received an unexpected letter from Lin Zheng saying that he had gone to Bright Moon City.

The city’s gate opened, and there were two guards at the entrance. They were stunned when they saw the uniquely dressed Luo Jin’an and Su Binglan. They never expected outsiders to find the place, especially during a sandstorm.

Strangers could not find this place without the guidance of the people of Bright Moon City.

Su Binglan asked, “Excuse me, sirs. Are there any requirements for us to enter your city?”

A guard said, “We’ve always sent our people to guide others here. What’s your purpose for visiting?”

“I’m here looking for family. Here’s my token.” Su Binglan showed the guards the token she had received from Lin Zheng.

The guards were shocked when they saw the token. “Th-that’s our city lord’s token! Please follow us, sir and madam.”

The two guards bowed and gestured for Su Binglan and Luo Jin’an to enter. Soon after, the guards brought the couple to an inn to settle down. One of the guards then sent someone to deliver a notice to the city lord.

Once inside the room, Su Binglan told her husband, “It looks like Lin Zheng has become the city lord.”

When they entered the city just now, they noticed how high the walls were. It was as if the citizens had built it to resist the sandstorms. Moreover, the houses and roads were sturdy and built with stone.

Even so, the roads were neat, and the commoners traversed in an orderly manner. There were many shops along the streets, but they looked a little shabby.

Su Binglan and Luo Jin’an stayed at the inn for the time being. The following day, a guard escorted Lin Zheng to the inn. When he saw Su Binglan, he exclaimed, “Master, it’s really you!”

Tears welled in his eyes at that moment. After all, he had not seen Su Binglan for a long time.

She looked at him up and down, saying, “Hey, everyone’s watching. You’re a grown man. Stop acting like a child, Lin Zheng.”

“I’m always like this in your presence, Master.”

Su Binglan smiled at him and said, “You’re so tall and much sturdier now. It looks like you’ve been doing well here.”

Lin Zheng explained, “My biological father called me back to Bright Moon City to pass it on to me. I initially didn’t want to be the city lord, but I thought I should stay after seeing how the citizens lived.

“I wanted to change this place and improve it for them. I didn’t become the city lord for my father but for the citizens.”

“That’s wonderful.” Su Binglan nodded. “This place is a little sandy, huh? I can feel it when I walked through the streets yesterday.”

Lin Zheng sighed, “It wasn’t always like that. Water and grass were abundant here long ago. Everyone herded sheep and cows, too. However, the water and grass gradually disappeared, replaced by sand and dust.

“I think it’s because everyone raised too many cattle and sheep. They tend to eat grass, right? Still, no one raises sheep or cattle anymore now that it’s all dry and sandy.

“There’s a water source near the oasis, so everyone protects the trees and grass there. We’re also protecting our water reserves and using as little as possible.

“The royal palace is in the center of the oasis. We’re currently in the outer perimeter. When I found out that you had come, I brought my people and rushed over. I wondered when you’d visit and was excited when I heard you’d arrived.”

“Is everyone self-sufficient here?” Su Binglan asked.

Lin Zheng explained, “There isn’t much land in the oasis that we can water, so we can’t produce enough food, either. Sometimes, the citizens will exchange their fruits for food.

“Oh, this place is rich in spices. Most of the citizens exchange them for food, too. Spices are costly elsewhere, and high-ranking government officials and nobles use them. However, they’re cheap here because we have a lot. Still, food is what we need, not spices.”

Su Binglan roughly understood what she had to do after listening to Lin Zheng’s explanation. Although she already had plans to improve the city, she still needed to look around for more details.

“Master, I’ll take you to the central area where the royal palace is. You can rest there instead. It’s too shabby over here.”

Su Binglan waved lightly. “It’s okay. It doesn’t matter where Jin’an and I live. I just want to see more of the city. Perhaps we can find a way to increase the food production here.”

Lin Zheng said, “Well, we mostly grow corn and wheat, but the wheat dies too quickly. Most of us rely on corn, so the citizens eat plenty of coarse grain foods.”

Su Binglan said, “I’ll take a good look around over the next few days to assess the situation.”

Lin Zheng noticed his master’s earnest expression and thought of something. He asked excitedly, “Master, do you have a way to improve the situation here?”

He looked at Su Binglan with sparkling eyes, knowing what she was capable of. After all, the Su Teng Villagers always referenced Su Binglan as a guardian angel who descended from heaven to help them.

‘Perhaps Master has a way to help us.’

Su Binglan smiled at Lin Zheng and said, “I’ll have to look around first.”

“Of course, Master,” Lin Zheng said, “Then, please come to the palace to rest first. I’ll show you around afterward. Since you’ve traveled so far, it’s only natural for me to give you a tour of Bright Moon City.”

Su Binglan helplessly shook her head and said, “It’s okay. I’ve already rested enough last night. Let’s go and take a look around now.”

“All right!” Lin Zheng’s eyes lit up.

He desperately wanted to improve the citizens’ lives, especially since he was the city lord. He felt he was responsible for everyone in Bright Moon City.

Even so, Lin Zheng knew he had not done enough for his people. He had only issued a few policies that benefited them. Still, everyone loved him for what he did.

Whenever he went out in plain clothes to lay low, he would overhear people praising him. It gave him an indescribable feeling, making him want to do whatever it took to improve the citizens’ lives.

Lin Zheng had not stopped studying since leaving Tenghe Town to move to Bright Moon City. However, he felt he could do nothing about Bright Moon City’s environment. Whenever he was at a loss, he would wonder what his master would do.

Soon after, Lin Zheng brought Su Binglan and Luo Jin’an on a tour around the city.