The boatmen were loading the goods, uniformly packed in thin wooden boxes. Before boarding the ship, the lid of each box had to be opened and placed onto a conveyor belt. The garrison guards would then check them over thoroughly. The checked boxes would then be transported to the other end, where several workers waited to carry the properly sealed boxes onto the ship.

A few days ago, he had heard the local people gossiping about it — the sea and river transportation terminal wasn't quite as strict on merchant ships before, but due to Jiangnan's recent implementation of farming puppets, the imperial court had distributed a large quantity of Ziliujin to the city. To prevent any private reselling, they had tightened the checking process.

As soon as one box was opened for inspection, even when separated by a hundred feet, Chang Geng still couldn't help but wrinkle his nose: "What is that scent?"

Liao Ran wrote on the tree next to them: "Compressed scented balm."

Chang Geng: "What?"

Liao Ran signed: "Your Royal Highness stayed in the Marquis of Order's manor, the balm used there must have been sent down from the imperial court, unlike the cheap goods that the civilians use."

"These are piles of an assortment of spices and herbs left over from the making of scented products, compressed into oil or paste, very strong in scent. After buying, three layers of sealed cans must be added to prevent letting the scent out. Only a small portion is required, after diluting with warm water, it can be used for several months."

"Each scented balm is only the size of a thumb, and using one for nine or ten years is not a problem, and it only costs one string of coins."

The compressed balm was too heavy in scent. After the fragrance had reached a certain degree, it completely turned into a putrid smell instead. Chang Geng's head hurt from inhaling it. He did not even have the mind to correct the monk's misunderstanding. The manor had never used balm; the washed clothes only had the scent of saponin soap.

Chang Geng raised his Qian Li Yan and suddenly saw a figure of a man on the merchant ship. His hairstyle, accessories, and clothing were different from the Central Plains people. Chang Geng recalled the knowledge of foreign countries that Liao Ran once taught him, he asked: "I seem to have just caught sight of a Dong Ying* man according to what you have told me before, then this is a merchant ship to be sent to Dong Ying... What do Dong Ying people require this much scented balms for? Take them home and cook them?"

*Dong Ying is another name for Japan

Liao Ran gave him a look filled with appreciation.