At that moment, Li Yan's carriage was gliding through the lengthy, imposing arch of the city gate. Despite its great span, the tunnel was dry and well lit—the high, wide design ensuring brisk ventilation and plenty of natural light. After what felt like several long stretches of travel, the carriage finally emerged from the gate and entered the bustling city.
Right outside the gate, three roads spread out before them, each paved with bluestone. Years of traffic had polished the stones to a gleaming finish—even the irregular cuts and small gaps between them now appeared smooth and rounded. The central roadway was noticeably wider than the two side paths, marking it as the main thoroughfare, while the two diverging lanes meandered off to unknown destinations. On either side of the roads, rows of modest two- or three-story buildings lined the street. Their doorways were adorned with various canvases and signboards, and the air buzzed with overlapping shouts and greetings. Although it was only early afternoon, the scene was vibrant and full of life.
As pedestrians hurried along, Li Guoxin drove the carriage slowly, giving everyone time to take in the new sights. Seated inside, Li Yan and his companions couldn't keep their eyes from darting all around in wonder. So many things were entirely new to them—some they had only heard about from their father or other villagers, and others were completely alien. Li Yan silently marveled at the vastness of the world outside and felt the sting of his own limited experience.
Before long, the carriage came to a stop in front of a two-story restaurant. Although modest in height, the establishment boasted an impressive street frontage: seven or eight shop-fronts arranged side by side, internally connected so that the main hall was exceptionally spacious and bright. It wasn't yet the peak dining hour, but a few customers were coming and going—a kind of "grab-and-eat" spot that lent the place a casual, lively charm. A bold sign spanning several doors proudly displayed the name "Tiannan Jiu Ju" ("Natural Liquor Residence").
Li Guoxin maneuvered the carriage to the rightmost shop-front of the restaurant, pulling up beneath a large tree and securing the reins to its trunk. He then called out for Li Yu to step down, instructing Li Yan and Li Shan to wait by the carriage while he accompanied Li Yu inside through the central door.
Standing by the vehicle, Li Yan and Li Shan watched the energetic street scene with wide-eyed wonder. But as Li Yu departed, a quiet melancholy settled over them. They both knew that this was one of those inevitable farewells—the moment when life in this strange new place truly began. The earlier excitement and dreams were slowly replaced by a creeping anxiety and the lonely dread of living far from home. Lost in their own thoughts, the two fell silent.
After some time, Li Guoxin returned with Li Yu and, trailing behind them, a portly man in his thirties clad in an oversized long gown. The small group ambled slowly toward the carriage. Smiling warmly at Li Yu, Li Guoxin said, "Please bring out the travel document." Then he turned to the stout middle-aged man and, with cordial respect, added, "Manager Li, I shall take this contract back to the child's parents—he is now in your care. Please, for the sake of our shared clan, look after him well. I thank you sincerely." With that, he clasped his hands in a respectful salute.
Manager Li's round face softened into a smile. "Guoxin, there's no need for such formality. As elders of the same clan, of course I will take care of him. Rest assured—if the child learns to bear hardship, he is destined for success."
Turning back to Li Yu, Li Guoxin waved him off, saying, "Come on then—follow your uncle. From now on, be diligent, work swiftly, and always ask questions and take initiative."
Overwhelmed with emotion, Li Yu clutched the document and, choking back tears, managed to say to Li Yan and Li Shan, "Yan… Brother, Shan… Brother, please come visit me whenever you can." Although his voice trembled with the weight of goodbye, Li Yan and Li Shan forced a smile—one that was more pitiable than tearful—as they replied, "Alright, we'll come by when we can," adding, "Xiaoyu, do your best; Brother Shan will be coming to taste your cooking soon."
Manager Li, seeing the tender farewells, chuckled and said, "Let's be on our way." With that, he bowed once more to Li Guoxin before turning and heading into the restaurant along with Li Yu, who glanced back every few steps with lingering reluctance until he too disappeared through the entrance.
Meanwhile, Li Guoxin called Li Yan and Li Shan back onto the carriage. After unfastening the reins from the tree, he climbed into the driver's seat and said sternly, "A true man doesn't behave like a wimp. You're out here to learn a trade—master your craft and one day be able to bring your parents to live with you. That, my friends, is what being a man is all about." Without another word, he drove off.
The carriage continued its journey, twisting through narrow lanes until it finally stopped at an establishment named "Tieqi Ge" ("Iron Works Pavilion"). As before, Li Shan disembarked to follow Li Guoxin, leaving Li Yan alone by the side of the carriage. After a short while, Li Guoxin and Li Shan returned—this time accompanied by two new figures. One of them was a towering man, well over a meter tall, with a bare, muscular torso that shone darkly in the sun. With every movement, his muscles rippled in segments, as if alive and dancing beneath his skin. His rugged features and thick-set eyes suggested he was in his forties. Alongside him was a robust lad about Li Shan's age, but even more powerfully built. Later, Li Yan learned that this imposing man was the owner of the establishment—named Lü Kui—renowned for his superb metalwork and skill in forging both military equipment and farm tools. No one in the city could match him, and he was reputed to repair armaments for the garrison on a regular basis. The other, slightly younger fellow was his senior apprentice, Liang Shi. As before, after a brief briefing, Li Shan tearfully bid farewell to Li Guoxin and Li Yan before joining the others as they moved on.
That day, the young men had already experienced several goodbyes, and now the weight of separation settled even heavier on their hearts.
Looking up at the sky, Li Guoxin said to Li Yan, "We must hurry to the martial training ground now—it's still early afternoon, and if we delay, we might have to wait until tomorrow." Li Yan quickly composed himself and nodded. The earlier parting from Li Yu and Li Shan had stirred so many mixed emotions in him; he found himself missing his parents, his brothers, and sisters all at once. Still, he understood that for now, he must take things one step at a time—his future remained uncertain and shrouded in mystery.
Soon Li Guoxin drove the carriage a bit faster until they reached a grand gate enclosed by high courtyard walls. The walls arched outward on both sides far beyond the reach of Li Yan's gaze, suggesting an enormous expanse within. Li Guoxin parked the carriage a short distance away, securing it to a post alongside several other horses and vehicles, and then led Li Yan toward the gate.
At the gate, more than a dozen soldiers stood guard, their weapons at the ready, while a similar number of young men and escorts lined up outside. When they saw Li Guoxin and Li Yan approaching, the onlookers exchanged brief glances before turning their attention back to the guards.
Once the two arrived at the gate, one soldier stepped forward and asked, "Are you here to join the Imperial Guard recruitment?"
Li Guoxin pointed to Li Yan and bowed, replying, "Yes, sir—the young man is here for the examination." The soldier nodded, directing his hand toward Li Yan. "Excellent. Then come along and join the others."
Quickly, Li Yan stepped forward and took his place at the back of the group of about a dozen youths. When everyone was in order, the soldier turned back to Li Guoxin and the others, motioning toward a side area. "You all wait over there," he instructed, "the results should be announced around evening."
It was then that Li Guoxin noticed, on the far side of the gate, a dense cluster of people—some seated on the ground, others standing—watching intently. They must have been the early-arriving escorts. Judging by the crowd, it was clear that many had come to participate in this recruitment; serving in the Imperial Guard was a prospect that stirred the hearts of many village folk.
Li Guoxin exchanged a look with Li Yan. Pointing first toward the waiting area and then at himself, he indicated that he would wait there for Li Yan. Nodding quietly in understanding, Li Yan watched as Li Guoxin joined the group and headed toward the designated area.