At the city gate, Steward Li quickly jogged forward to present their official documents and travel permits, apologizing obsequiously to the soldiers already lined up at the gate, "Our miss has been traveling through the desert for over ten days, and she got a bit excited upon suddenly seeing a big city. Please understand, please understand."

The deputy general guarding the city gate flipped through their documents, realizing they were on official business, his expression softened considerably. Coupled with Steward Li’s compliments, they reluctantly forgave their recklessness, waved dismissively to disperse the soldiers, and then began checking their documents and travel permits, "Are you planning to leave the pass?"

"Yes, we are heading to the Western Regions."

The deputy general frowned, "It’s not easy to travel outside the pass now; things are a bit chaotic. To leave, you need to obtain papers from General Meng, and if it’s too dangerous, the general may not allow you to leave."

Riding on his horse, Bai Shan dismounted upon hearing this, "Then, are the Western Region merchants coming east and the Central Plains merchants heading west also unable to pass through?"

"They can pass through," the deputy general looked up at him and said, "Private individuals are not prohibited from passing through the checkpoint."

"Then why can’t officials?"

"Because if officials encounter trouble outside the pass, our General Meng must dispatch troops to rescue them."

The merchants passing through the checkpoint are seeking fortune amidst danger; they should be aware of this beforehand. If the military at Yumen Pass encounters them, they will save them, but if not, they won’t specifically go to rescue them.

But officials are different, not only because the court will have demands, but also out of consideration for the prestige of the Great Jin, for camaraderie, they must dispatch troops to rescue upon receiving news.

But the journey across the vast lands outside is unpredictable, and the expenses are substantial.

Therefore, for safety of life and property, it’s better not to leave the pass.

He flipped through the documents, stamped them, and returned them, "You may enter."

Steward Li received them respectfully and casually asked, "Sir, do you know how to get to the post station in Shazhou City?"

The deputy general glanced him up and down, then turned to look at Bai Shan, noticing the elaborate dark patterns on his sleeves, his spirits lifted, "Are you planning to stay at the post station?"

Bai Shan didn’t understand why this was an issue; they were on official business, where else would they stay if not at the post station?

So he nodded.

The deputy general gestured casually towards the city, "Walk inside, turn right at the third intersection, walk straight to the end, and you’ll see the signboard."

Finished speaking, he smiled widely, showing two rows of teeth, "If you don’t want to stay at the post station, there’s a nice inn nearby."

When Bai Shan and his group followed the deputy general’s directions to the end, they finally understood the meaning behind his words.

The entire group of over a hundred people was stunned on the spot, momentarily silenced.

Manbao rode on her horse, craning her neck to look at the post station’s signboard. Perhaps feeling her hat obstructing her view, she adjusted it upwards and blinked, but the post station before her hadn’t changed; half of the door was patched with wooden slats, the characters on the signboard were somewhat blurry, and from the entrance, the entire two-story post station looked dingy and rundown.

Manbao couldn’t help but swallow, and the attendant sitting inside on a small stool noticed they hadn’t left. He stood up, walked to the door, and hesitantly asked, "Are you looking to stay, guests?"

Everyone’s gaze dropped from above onto him.

The attendant was startled, seeing the hundred-plus people staring at him, he backed away and pointed to the inn next door, "You can go stay at the inn across the street, the rooms there are nice."

Bai Shan gave him a deep look, asking, "Can’t people stay at the post station?"

The attendant hesitated, "They can, but are you going to stay, sir?"

Manbao spoke up, "We are officials."

The attendant instantly understood, quickly pointing to the inn across the street, "Officials can stay there; any official staying at the post station gets 20% off, and complimentary hot water and soup."

Manbao insisted, "We stay at the post station for free."

Bai Erlang and the others jumped out of the carriage, glanced around at the post station, and sighed, "This post station rivals those abandoned ones on the Liangzhou grasslands."

Though those post stations were on the grasslands and the people inside had already left, leading to such desolation, this one was situated within Shazhou City.

Manbao pressed her lips together, solemnly addressing the attendant, "Where is your Post Station Steward?"

Although the attendant had been at the post station for several months, it was his first time encountering guests wanting to stay, especially with such a large group that looked quite daunting. He was apprehensive, thus pointed to the bustling entryway across the street almost crying out, "Our Post Station Steward is over there."

Just after he spoke, the commotion attracted attention from the opposite side. An inn attendant there, after arranging for new guests, quickly ran over to greet Steward Li with a broad smile, "Are the gentlemen looking to stay? Our inn is more spacious, why not take a look inside?"

Manbao and Bai Shan looked down at him and then glanced past him to the shrinking attendant. Snorting coldly, they asked, "Where is your boss?"

The attendant’s smile froze, "Are the guests seeking our owner? Our owner isn’t here, but you can make any requests to us."

Bai Shan and Manbao said nothing, causing the scene to stiffen.

Mr. Zhuang tapped the carriage, and the two regained their senses, immediately dismounting to wait outside the carriage, "Sir..."

Mr. Zhuang instructed, "If you’re undecided, enter the post station first, leave the luggage on the carriage, and unload it once you’ve decided. You can use this opportunity to inspect the place."

With Mr. Zhuang as their solid backing, Bai Shan and Manbao didn’t feel like they were only quarrelling or making trouble, so they waved a hand, "Let’s go, into the post station."

The inn attendant’s mouth hung open, hurriedly reaching out to block, instinctively saying, "You, you can’t go in..."

Assistant General Nie’s soldiers furrowed their brows, lifted their sabers, and shouted, "Bold, dare to disrespect the officials!"

The attendant flinched, withdrawing his hand, and Bai Shan glanced at him, holding Manbao’s hand as they entered.

The post station attendant didn’t dare block, but also stood wide-eyed as the guards went to remove the threshold, quickly snapping back to help dismantle it. Only once the carriages were led inside did he recall that they should have entered through the side door...

The attendant scratched his head, not managing his thoughts before hastily leading Bai Shan and the others. But... 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

He didn’t even know where to direct them; inside, there were no bedding materials, though at least it was relatively clean, just with a musty smell, indicating it hadn’t been occupied in a long time.

Bai Shan touched the table with his finger, asking the anxious attendant, "Who cleaned these rooms?"

He quickly bowed, "It was me, it’s me."

Bai Shan nodded, inquiring, "What’s your name?"

"My name is Ren Ergou."

Bai Shan couldn’t help but chuckle, suppressing his smile, he said seriously, "Good name."

The attendant’s face flushed excitedly.