Chapter 1727 776: Involution_2

This time it truly brings benefits and makes things convenient.

Fang Yu watched the guard at Entrance No. 1, strictly interrogating and screening, even some blatantly reaching out for money before allowing passage, which startled him inwardly.

The Capital, the largest city in the Da Xia Dynasty, the highest in stature, the safest town in the entire dynasty, could it have become so corrupt?

Has this kind of extortion and bribery already become overt?

Fang Yu was just pondering, when a voice suddenly sounded beside him.

"Does Young Master Diao find the guards' behavior excessive?"

Fang Yu turned his head towards the voice's origin; it was Uncle Zi approaching on horseback.

The queue had started, and even the Suo Family couldn't manage to cut in line, so there was no need for him to pave the way; they obediently queued, waiting for their turn to enter the city smoothly.

However, Uncle Zi coming over to cozy up was something Fang Yu hadn't anticipated.

Previously, Uncle Zi had always maintained a kind of boundary with him, seemingly not wanting much interaction.

Fang Yu assumed Uncle Zi's intention was to escort them into the city, thus repaying the favor of saving a life, hence terminating their relationship.

But now, it seems the situation isn't like that.

This deliberately released goodwill, emerging only at the foot of the Capital...

Fang Yu pondered, quickly comprehending that it's... fearless now.

The Capital's domain, regardless of one's background, can't be taken for granted; thus, the Suo Family dared to conduct a certain amount of probing and dialogue.

Shaking his head slightly, Fang Yu spoke.

"Every place has its circumstances; regarding the matter of the guards, I have no comment."

Mature beyond his years, composed like someone far from a youth.

Could it be... actually an ancient demon?

Yet among the champions, there isn't a lack of this level of prowess, so a conclusion can't be rashly drawn.

Uncle Zi squinted his eyes slightly and said with a smile.

"Actually, the guards collecting money provides an opportunity for the grassroots populace."

Fang Yu, hearing this, was momentarily stunned.

"How so?"

"Do you know, the Capital is not some small city or town, not just anyone is eligible to step onto this land. Beneath the Emperor's throne, every inch is worth gold! Even stepping through this gate has a threshold. This threshold, as time passes, slowly lowered, hence now, as long as you have enough funds, you have a chance to glimpse the magnificence of the Capital, otherwise ordinary folks, exhausting their whole lives, can only watch from outside, unable to step even halfway into it."

Listening to Uncle Zi, Fang Yu suddenly understood.

In other cities, population, to them, is akin to fuel, akin to demand, akin to necessity, continuously releasing goodwill to attract more people to reside in the city.

However, the Capital is different.

The Capital... lacks not people!

Indeed, what the Capital lacks the least is people!

Everywhere are people, everywhere are talents, and in the competitive environment of the Capital, those without capability can only be ousted; once someone leaves, there's always someone ready to come in to fill the position.

This crazily competitive environment is oddly similar to today's exploited workers.

According to Uncle Zi, previously the Capital was about high-quality talents competing; now it's exhaustion within, thus opening permissions, letting in low-quality crowds to be exploited workers, making the lower profiles compete, leading to... market saturation...

Fang Yu scratched his head; this Great Xia Capital environment, why does it feel so familiar, overwhelming indeed??

"Looks like Young Master Diao has understood. If the guards didn't charge, the lower layers wouldn't even qualify to peek at the Capital's edges; now, it actually grants an opportunity, which counts as goodwill from above."

Uncle Zi smiled, stroking his goatee, seemingly slightly pleased to see Fang Yu enlightened, bridging their relationship closer.

However, he wasn't aware that what Fang Yu thought was...

The sentiment is that those getting exploited to enter the city should still be grateful to you all.

Entering the city begins with shedding a layer of skin outside the nine gates, then at the city gate, one must pay respect to the Big Head before truly setting foot on this land.

The weight of this taxation is akin to a Fierce Tiger.

Fang Yu was amazed; how the Capital harvests that way, aren't they afraid that eventually no one would come to the Capital to serve anymore?

Yet, upon further consideration, the Capital is indeed akin to Blue Star's top-tier city, and the only one of its kind.

Thus, regardless of what happens, within the Da Xia Dynasty, there will be a continuous stream of people striving to break into it, hard to block.

Unless one day the Da Xia Dynasty truly has no people left, only then would such a situation alleviate or disappear.

Otherwise, the competent new generation will always list the Capital as their first choice.

If not for the perilous wilderness routes, many lack the ability to traverse them to reach the Capital smoothly; this Capital's population might further increase.

Take Ding Hui, for instance; she also longed for the Capital, but distant travel along with her settled life and goals in Tianyuan Town curbed the thought.

Now out here, her first thought, still, is to see the Capital.

De-glamorize, de-glamorize, the Capital...

Fang Yu initially wanted to belittle the Capital, yet upon closer reflection, everything about the Capital is top-tier, all first-rate, as long as it remains within Da Xia, the Capital is elite, and everyone yearns for it with good reason.

Materials not obtainable elsewhere, the Capital certainly has.

Experts unseen elsewhere, the Capital surely has.

Artifacts unacquirable elsewhere, the Capital still possesses.

Without visiting the Capital, opening eyes to see the world, ordinary people may not understand what "there are always people beyond others, mountains beyond mountains" truly means.

Taking a deep breath, Fang Yu cupped his hands in gratitude towards Uncle Zi.

"Thank you, sir, for the guidance."

"Young Master Diao is courteous; saving the life of Young Master Zi, our Suo Family owes you endless gratitude. I wonder what Young Master Diao plans to do once inside the city?"

Plans...

Fang Yu touched the several letters and tokens in his pocket.

The first choice is naturally to discreetly inquire about the network relationships provided by Yan Wenxi at Sui Chong Pass, checking the reliability before proceeding.

However, prior to that, tiding over at the Suo Family temporarily doesn't seem impossible.

"No plans for now, but I'll discuss with Madam later to decide."

After contemplating, Fang Yu responded with a smile.

"Ha ha ha! If Young Master Diao has no plans, you can come to our Suo Family for a chat; I believe the elder will definitely host a banquet, warmly welcoming Young Master Diao and Mrs. Diao. Of course, if Young Master Diao has other plans, consider this talk as me being too talkative."

Uncle Zi measured his approach properly, neither causing annoyance nor seeming too close while displaying a certain degree of generosity and courtesy; overall, quite adept at managing interpersonal relations.

Fang Yu cupped his hands, indicating he understood.

Uncle Zi didn't tarry, returning to their Suo Family's squad on horseback.

However, Fang Yu noticed Uncle Zi glancing towards the Zhuge Family's team.

Looking in the direction Uncle Zi observed, the young master of the Suo Family continued chatting happily with the woman in the Zhuge carriage.

Those unaware might think it was the Zhuge Family's woman who saved him.

"Young love blossoming~"

Ding Hui's voice echoed in Fang Yu's mind.

Fang Yu couldn't help but roll his eyes; upon glancing back, indeed, Ding Hui in the carriage winked at him, obviously having eavesdropped on the conversation with Uncle Zi throughout.

"Unfortunately, the falling flower has interest while the running water is indifferent."

Fang Yu smacked his lips in response.

Although the young master of the Suo Family exaggerated expressions and gesticulated overly, indicating something, the curtain of the Zhuge carriage stayed lowered intentionally, communicating through a thin veil, the significance implied clearly.

"My husband truly lacks romantic sensibilities; young people's passion is indeed ardent~"

"... Talk if you must, why stare at me."

"No~~" Ding Hui lengthened her tone: "nothing~"

This fellow, cold and indifferent in front of others, yet increasingly lively in his presence.

Beside them, Diao Xiaohui, still using a blood-soaked sweat towel to cover her face, tilted her head over, only for Fang Yu to expressionlessly redirect her gaze forward.

The queue at Entrance No. 2 began to move, Fang Yu rode closely behind the Suo Family, lest he lose his spot.

Approximately when the team proceeded to the middle of the queue, Fang Yu suddenly felt something, turning back to look.

Only to see people from the Zhuge Family's team carrying a sedan, approaching this side.