“He’s a local rascal from Chang’an, loafing around all day. Lately, he’s been coming here to drink often. Sometimes, when the ward gates are closed, he just finds a place to lie down at random, or simply refuses to leave the tavern… He mainly makes a living by swindling and trickery…”

“Sir!”

Leonard Grant noticed John Adams’s odd expression and quickly stepped forward to whisper a warning.

John Adams immediately snapped out of it, turned his head, and saw a military officer not far away, looking at him with a suspicious gaze.

“Don’t meddle in other people’s business. We should get going.”

“Alright, alright!” John Adams quickly smiled and said, “We’re leaving, we’re leaving.”

At this moment, Brandon Young and the city officials had finished their conversation, turned, and walked over to the corpse, squatting down beside it.

Chapter Two: Chang’an, Chang’an (Part Two)

“Sir, we still need to find a broker.”

“I know, I know.”

Although John Adams was a bit reluctant, with Leonard Grant urging him, he could only agree.

Leonard Grant was right—he still needed to find a broker to look for a place to stay.

For the next few years, he would be living in Chang’an. Securing accommodation was a top priority; there was no time to delay.

Of course, he also wasn’t very interested in this case.

Just now, by reading lips, he had already learned about the victim’s situation, and honestly, it didn’t pique his interest.

Leaving the crowd, John Adams stretched lazily.

By now, the Western Market was gradually becoming lively.

Wine banners stood in rows, and crowds thronged the streets.

This place was not far from Kaiyuan Gate, the starting point of the Silk Road in Chang’an. Many foreigners lived in the surrounding wards, and outside the Western Market, there was a highly international trade market. Here, there were merchants from Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, and Wa (Japan); there were also Hu merchants from Persia and Arabia. Since the Tang Dynasty was the most powerful empire of its time, many Hu merchants, after arriving in Chang’an, were so captivated by its prosperity that they simply settled here, making the Tang capital a legendary international metropolis.

The Western Market was divided into nine districts, filled with warehouses and taverns.

Hu girls from the Western Regions either solicited customers outside or sang and danced in the taverns, adding an exotic flair to the Western Market.

John Adams had grown up in Taiyuan, and today was his third day in Chang’an.

In all his life, had he ever seen such sights?

As he walked along, he couldn’t help but feel a bit intoxicated by it all. If not for Leonard Grant’s reminder, he might have forgotten his purpose for the day.

“Huaiying, Huaiying!”

Just as John Adams was walking down the street, he suddenly heard someone calling his name.

He stopped and turned his head.

He saw a young man, four or five years older than himself, coming out of a tavern, waving at him as he walked over.

On his handsome, fair face, there was still a faint trace of rouge.

“You are… Brother Bolton?”

John Adams was momentarily stunned at the sight of the man, then immediately recognized him.

Brother Bolton laughed and said, “I thought I’d mistaken you for someone else just now, but it really is Huaiying. So, are you here in the Gold Market for some fun too?”

The Gold Market was another name for the Western Market.

John Adams quickly waved his hand and said, “Brother Bolton, you misunderstand. I’m here to find a broker.”

“A broker?”

“Yes, I heard your suggestion yesterday and decided to look for a place to stay elsewhere. I don’t plan to live in the dormitory.”

“I see… I thought so. Although the dormitory is close to the Imperial Academy, the rent there is at least thirty percent higher than elsewhere, and the rooms are cramped and uncomfortable. Since that’s the case, it’s better to find another place to live. It’s just a bit more walking, that’s all. We’re young—what’s a few extra steps? The money saved can buy a few more books.”

John Adams smiled and said, “You’re absolutely right, Brother Bolton.”

“So, have you found a place yet?”

“Not yet… I just came in and saw there was a murder by the stone bridge, so I was delayed for a bit.”

“A murder?”

“Yes, it seems a local rascal was killed. The authorities from Chang’an County have already sent people over.”

Brother Bolton didn’t seem very interested in such matters.

After listening to John Adams, he curled his lip and said softly, “Things like this happen all the time. Those rascals loaf around all day—who knows what enemies they’ve made. You’re new to Chang’an, so you might not be used to it yet. After a while, you’ll get used to it.”

“Get used to it?”

“There are nine markets and four districts in Chang’an, with a population of nearly a million.

Almost every ward has a gang leader, and every district has a big boss. The rascals fight for petty gains; the bosses fight for territory… But these people won’t bother us. We just watch and don’t get involved with them.”

“Gang leader” was the term for the head of an underground force.

In vast Chang’an, there were countless big and small gang leaders.

Under them gathered groups of rascals and hoodlums, and acts of bullying and market domination happened from time to time. Ordinary people naturally dared not provoke them, but for John Adams and other Imperial Academy students, there wasn’t much to fear—just keep to themselves and all would be well.

“By the way, you said you’re looking for a place to stay?”

“Yes.”

“Any requirements?”