8mi #2080 - Prosperous Jinping Prefecture
#2080 - Prosperous Jinping Prefecture
Jinping Prefecture was also an outer prefecture under the jurisdiction of Tianzhu Kingdom. The best comparison for Jinping Prefecture is naturally Fengxian Prefecture, which is also an outer prefecture.
When Tang Sanzang and his companions arrived at Fengxian Prefecture, the prefecture had suffered three years of drought, was desolate and dilapidated, and the people struggled to survive. The entire prefecture city was a sorry sight.
"This Jinping Prefecture looks quite good."
Just by observing from outside the prefecture city, one could see that Jinping Prefecture was indeed very prosperous and wealthy.
The citizens and merchants entering and leaving the city gate were in an endless stream, all with happy smiles on their faces. Within the prefecture city, one could vaguely see the streets bustling with traffic and the thriving shops on both sides.
This scene was far better than Fengxian Prefecture and Yuhua Prefecture, like heaven and earth.
"How is it? Our Jinping Prefecture is not bad, right? I didn't deceive you elders, did I?"
The old man said, pointing proudly in the direction of the prefecture city.
"It looks good indeed, but we can't just look at the city gate."
"Perhaps the city gate is just a facade."
"It's not appropriate to draw conclusions too early."
Although Sun Wukong and the others also felt that Jinping Prefecture was indeed more prosperous and wealthy than the previous places.
However, they had traveled west all the way and were too aware of the ways of Xitian. Xitian was no better than demons, exploiting the people to an outrageous extent.
Moreover, Xitian was accustomed to disguising itself, not only being hypocritical but also frequently putting on a show to deceive the world.
"Haha, Jinping Prefecture is the same inside and out. You elders will know once you enter the city."
The old man led Tang Sanzang and his companions through the city gate and into Jinping Prefecture.
Jinping Prefecture looked prosperous and lively from the outside, and it felt even more prosperous and wealthy from the inside.
Its commercial prosperity, traffic flow, and the people's well-being were already faintly comparable to the Tang Dynasty's golden age.
Many places were even decorated with lanterns and colored banners, creating a festive scene, which was extremely rare in other places.
"Elders, do you have any more questions?"
The old man asked Tang Sanzang and the others with a smile. The current scene was even better than what he had described.
"It is indeed like an oasis in the desert, a lonely island on the vast sea."
Tang Sanzang couldn't help but sigh.
In the land governed by Xitian, to actually have such a prosperous and wealthy scene was even more surprising than seeing paradise.
"Master, perhaps Jinping Prefecture is inherently rich in mountains and rivers, and the people are inherently wealthy."
Sun Wukong speculated to Tang Sanzang.
"That must be the case. Otherwise, with Xitian's nature, how could there be such an unexpected situation?"
Zhu Bajie also agreed with Sun Wukong's view.
"Reasonable, reasonable."
Tang Sanzang nodded, then turned to the old man and continued to ask.
"Old man, could it be that there are gold or silver mines in Jinping Prefecture, or does it produce valuable items such as jade and gemstones?"
If there were gold or silver mines in Jinping Prefecture, or if it produced high-value items, then it would not be surprising to see such a scene here.
"Elder, don't joke. Although Jinping Prefecture is a treasure land, it is only an ordinary prefecture under the jurisdiction of Tianzhu Kingdom. Where would there be any gold or silver mines?"
The old man shook his head, denying Tang Sanzang's speculation.
"Then could it be that commerce is convenient here, and crops yield high harvests?"
Tang Sanzang continued to ask speculatively.
"Elder, we don't have any special features here. You're overthinking it."
The old man still shook his head, denying Tang Sanzang's speculation.
"Could it be that your officials here are upright, fair, and capable?"
If there were nothing special here, then it was very likely that there was a good official who governed well and fought for the people's interests.
"Although the local prefect is indeed a good official who loves the people like his own children and is upright and honest, the reason why Jinping Prefecture is so prosperous and wealthy relies on the grace and blessings of Xitian and the Buddha's teachings and merits."
Hearing the old man say this, Tang Sanzang and the others felt even more incredulous.
They were too clear about Xitian and the Tathagata Buddha. Xitian had no grace or blessings, only oppression and exploitation.
The Tathagata Buddha was also hypocritically using the guise of saving the world, but in reality, he was secretly deceiving and plundering wealth to satisfy his own selfish desires.
This was very different from what the old man said. Why was there such a stark contrast? Could it be that Xitian's way of doing things had suddenly changed in Jinping Prefecture?
At this moment, Sun Wukong and the others all made some discoveries.
They found some large water vats placed outside the residences and shops of the people in Jinping Prefecture, and the water vats contained some liquid.
After getting closer, they could perceive that the liquid in the water vats emitted a refreshing oily fragrance.
"Master, look at what this is?"
Sun Wukong said to Tang Sanzang, pointing at the water vats.
Tang Sanzang looked at it and couldn't help but shake his head, not knowing what the liquid in the water vats was.
"That is fragrant crispy lamp oil, which is a representative thing of our Jinping Prefecture. This crispy blended lamp oil cannot be seen in other places.
Its value is also extremely high, with every two taels of lamp oil worth two taels of silver, and one catty of lamp oil being thirty-two taels of silver."
The old man said to Tang Sanzang and the others.
"This lamp oil actually has such a high value. Could it be that Xitian treats Jinping Prefecture so well because of this crispy blended lamp oil?"
Tang Sanzang couldn't help but speculate.
"Master is right. Looking at this situation, Xitian should be making the people here offer lamp oil to them, and only then are they showing leniency to the people."
"This is just a change in the method of exploitation, and its nature is the same."
"Playing tricks is really hateful."
Sun Wukong and the others all felt that Tang Sanzang's speculation was reasonable.
Chu Hao, who was on the side, also looked at the lamp oil. Although this crispy blended lamp oil seemed to be a good thing, it didn't seem to have any great significance to Xitian.
"Things may not be so simple. The methods that Xitian has come up with here are relatively clever."
Chu Hao couldn't help but speculate, and he did not agree with the views of Tang Sanzang and the four others.
Just as Tang Sanzang wanted to continue to ask the old man to see if his speculation was correct, the old man spoke first.
"I invite the elders to sit in the restaurant and enjoy some delicacies and wine, which can also be regarded as expressing my gratitude to you."
The old man said, pointing to the restaurant in front.
This was an extremely luxurious restaurant, and the aroma of the restaurant and the lively laughter of many diners could be heard from inside.
"Thank you very much."
Tang Sanzang and the others also felt hungry now, and since the restaurant was so lively, it would be more convenient to inquire about news, so they did not refuse.