Li Yuan woke up before dawn as was his habit, but this time he was greeted by a very different sight from the beaches of Sancheng or the silence of the sea. From the inn's window, he could see the city waking up in terraces following the contours of the mountains, with the morning light slowly illuminating the beautiful but segregated structures.
After a simple breakfast at the inn—warm bread with mountain honey and tea with the aroma of local herbs—Li Yuan decided to explore the city systematically, starting from the level he occupied as a "merchant class" and then observing how this system worked in daily practice.
The merchant level turned out to be the most vibrant area of the city. The streets were filled with shops, workshops, and warehouses. There was a familiar hustle and bustle of activity—merchants negotiating, craftsmen showcasing their work, customers browsing and bargaining. On a surface level, this seemed like a healthy commercial district in any city.
But through his Wenjing Realm, Li Yuan began to hear more complex undertones. There was a simmering resentment toward the restrictions that prevented merchants from moving up to a higher level. There was anxiety about sudden inspections that could downgrade their status if "irregularities" were found. There was frustration with an increasingly heavy tax system to support the luxurious lifestyle of the noble class.
The economic engine of this kingdom, Li Yuan observed, but treated as a necessary evil rather than valued contributors.
In a workshop that made furniture with exquisite craftsmanship, Li Yuan met Master Chen, an artisan in his fifties with hands scarred from decades of working with tools and wood.
"Beautiful work," Li Yuan said, observing a table that Master Chen was working on—carved with intricate patterns that showed a masterful skill level.
Master Chen nodded with a subdued pride. "Thank you. This piece is for a noble family on the upper level. They appreciate quality, but..." he paused, glancing around to ensure privacy, "they don't appreciate the artisan who created it."
Through his Wenjing Realm, Li Yuan heard a complex mixture of pride in his craft, bitterness about his social position, and a resignation that had developed over years of systematic disrespect.
"What do you mean?" Li Yuan asked.
Master Chen set down his tools and looked at Li Yuan with an assessing expression. After a moment, he seemed to decide that Li Yuan was trustworthy.
"The noble family will display this piece in their mansion, they will boast to guests about their 'exquisite taste' in commissioning it. But my name will not be mentioned. The credit will go to the noble who 'supervised' the project, as if the artistic vision came from them rather than from the craftsman who actually created it."
Li Yuan felt a familiar anger rising—not explosive, but cold and controlled. Theft of dignity, he realized. Not just exploiting labor, but claiming credit for the creativity and skill that belonged to others.
"And is this a common practice?" Li Yuan asked.
"Standard," Master Chen replied with a bitter laugh. "Nobles are not supposed to 'soil their hands' with actual work, but they are entitled to take credit for anything beautiful that is produced in their domain."
Master Chen gestured to the workshop around him. "Every piece in this shop—furniture, carvings, decorations—all will be attributed to the 'refined taste' of the nobles who commissioned them. We craftsmen are just... tools. Interchangeable tools."
Li Yuan studied Master Chen carefully. Through his Wenjing Realm, he could hear that the man was intelligent, passionate about his craft, and deeply frustrated with a system that denied him proper recognition.
"Master Chen," Li Yuan said thoughtfully, "what would happen if craftsmen like you refused to work under these conditions?"
Master Chen looked shocked by the suggestion. "Refuse? That's... that's not possible. Craftsmen depend on noble patronage for their livelihood. And the system is designed to ensure that we don't have alternatives."
"Explain."
Master Chen glanced toward the doorway again, then lowered his voice. "Craftsmen are not allowed to sell directly to customers from the same level or lower. All work must go through noble intermediaries who take a large percentage and claim the artistic credit. And we are not allowed to establish businesses in other kingdoms without special permits that are... never granted."
Economic slavery, Li Yuan realized with a growing anger. A system designed to trap skilled workers in dependence while systematically robbing them of their dignity and fair compensation.
"And are there enforcements for these rules?"
"Oh yes," Master Chen nodded grimly. "Regular inspections, informants, penalties for 'unauthorized commerce.' Last year, Master Wang—a furniture maker two blocks from here—tried to sell pieces privately. He was caught, fined heavily, and forced to work exclusively for a single noble family for reduced wages."
Li Yuan absorbed this information, his mind working through the implications. Not just a social hierarchy, he concluded. It's a comprehensive system of exploitation that deliberately keeps talented people powerless while funneling benefits to those who contribute nothing.
"Master Chen, may I ask a personal question?"
"Depends on the question."
"If the system were different—if you were free to sell your work directly, to receive full credit and compensation for your skill—what would you do?"
Master Chen's eyes lit up with a dream that had clearly been suppressed for a long time. "I would... I would open a proper gallery. Display pieces with my name on them. Maybe train apprentices in traditional techniques that are slowly being lost because the nobles prefer quantity over quality."
He paused, then added with a wistful voice: "I would create art, not just functional pieces. Sculptures, architectural elements, things that celebrate beauty for its own sake."
An artistic vision trapped by economic oppression, Li Yuan thought. A multiplication of human potential that is wasted because of arbitrary social barriers.
Li Yuan spent the rest of the morning talking with other merchants and craftsmen—a blacksmith who created tools but could not claim his innovations, textile workers who designed patterns that were attributed to noble "designers," food vendors who perfected recipes but could not establish restaurants on the upper levels.
The pattern was consistent: skilled, intelligent, creative people were reduced to anonymous labor while others took credit for their achievements.
In the afternoon, Li Yuan decided to explore the upper levels of the city, even though he knew that as a "merchant class" his access was limited. There was a checkpoint at the base of the steps that led to the noble quarter, manned by guards who were professionally polite but clearly prepared to turn away anyone without the proper credentials.
"Purpose of visit?" a guard asked when Li Yuan approached.
"Delivery consultation," Li Yuan replied, which could technically be true. "Discussing a commissioned work with a potential client."
The guard looked skeptical. "Name of the client?"
Li Yuan realized he didn't have a specific name, but he remembered the furniture piece that Master Chen was working on. "The family that recently commissioned furniture from Master Chen's workshop."
The guard checked a list, then nodded. "Chen's work. Yes, that would be the Zhang family. Temporary pass for consultation only. One-hour limit, escort required."
Interesting, Li Yuan thought as a young officer was assigned to accompany him. Even access for a legitimate business purpose is heavily controlled and supervised.
The upper level of the city was a dramatically different experience. The streets were wider, cleaner, with decorative gardens and fountains. The architecture was more elaborate, with buildings that were clearly designed to display wealth rather than mere functionality. The air even felt different—cleaner, with the scent of expensive incense and exotic flowers.
But through his Wenjing Realm, Li Yuan discovered that this atmosphere had a price. The servants who maintained the gardens worked with an intention that mixed fear with exhaustion. The guards positioned throughout the area carried an underlying anxiety about maintaining security. Even the nobles he glimpsed seemed constantly concerned with maintaining appearances and status relative to their peers.
Prosperity bought with others' labor, Li Yuan observed. But it doesn't bring genuine happiness or satisfaction even to the supposed beneficiaries.
What was most striking was a library that he passed—a magnificent building with carved pillars and stained glass windows. A sign indicated that it contained "the greatest collection of knowledge in the kingdom," but a smaller sign at the entrance stated clearly: "Access Restricted: Noble Class Only."
Knowledge hoarded like wealth, Li Yuan realized with deep sadness. Wisdom that could benefit everyone is kept from those who could most use it to improve their lives.
When the one-hour limit expired and Li Yuan was escorted back to the merchant level, he carried with him a much clearer understanding of the nature of the system that operated in this kingdom.
It wasn't just a social hierarchy—it was a comprehensive system of exploitation that trapped people in roles based on birth while systematically robbing them of their dignity, opportunity, and recognition. And like all such systems, it ultimately damaged everyone involved, including the supposed beneficiaries who lived in golden cages of their own making.
Tomorrow, Li Yuan decided as he returned to the inn, I will explore the lower levels of the city. I suspect the situation will be even more troubling for those classified as 'common folk.'
But tonight, he would reflect on what he had learned and begin to formulate an approach to addressing the systemic injustice that was pervasive and deeply entrenched.
Change will require more than individual conversations, he realized. Change will require people to recognize their common interests across artificial boundaries and work together to build something better.
The question was: were enough people in this kingdom ready to risk what was required to create that change?