Qi Surong did business with merchants from the Western Regions, but had never been to the Western Regions. After a pleasant meal and overnight stay, the Gu family's caravan arrived at the pass just in time for the busiest market in late summer. Nowadays, the situation inside and outside Xiguan is very delicate. Although it is calm on the surface, there is an undercurrent inside, and spies are everywhere.
In the name of inspecting local areas, the emperor sent several officials to various counties and counties. In fact, the main goal was to explore the situation of various ministries in the Western Regions. The Gu family caravan is a hidden line secretly arranged by the emperor, and it is also his real back trick. The official patrol was just to attract the attention of enemy spies so that the Gu family's caravan could act.
In Xiguan City, merchants from all ethnic groups gathered here, with a dazzling array of goods and the sound of buying and selling. When Qi Surong arrived here, he learned that the imperial court had issued an order half a month ago. From now on, all Xiguan merchants must have a quasi-merchant document from the local governor, otherwise they are not allowed to enter or exit the pass at will.
"Sir, what should we do?" In the inn, Manager Yao frowned, "Without quasi-commercial documents, our freight cannot leave Xiguan. If it is traded within the customs, the price will be very different."
Except for Qi Surong, no one in the Gu family caravan knew the true purpose of their trip. All they cared about was the profit from the transaction. When Qi Surong decided to make a long-distance transaction, most of the managers did not agree. However, in the past two years, Qi Surong, as "Zhuo Fan", relied on his foresight to expand the Gu family's business several times and established enough Prestige, so everyone discussed and decided on this trip. Unexpectedly, when they arrived at Xiguan after a long journey, they would not even be able to get out of the pass.
Qi Surong looked as usual and studied the map carefully. This map was purchased from a person from the Western Regions before. Although it only roughly mapped the geographical situation outside Xiguan, it was better than nothing.
"Sir, what are your plans?" Manager Zhang couldn't help but urge.
"I know what you are worried about." Qi Surong raised his head, looked around at the people, and said with a smile, "I can get the quasi-business documents."
Several stewards all looked surprised. Although the Gu family's business has grown in recent years, it is mostly concentrated in the central part of the country and has little contact with border cities and counties. How can Mr. Zhuo be sure to obtain quasi-business documents
"Xiao Liu, come with me." Qi Surong didn't say anything clearly. After sorting things out, he called his entourage and left the inn.
After passing through the market, Qi Surong walked straight into the inner city and arrived outside the government office.
"My lord, my surname is Zhuo, comes from the Gu family in the capital. Today I have come to pay a visit to the county governor. Please inform me," Qi Surong handed the invitation to the guard outside the door.
Due to the restrictions on quasi-merchant documents, many businessmen came to see the county governor every day, but only a handful of them were actually allowed in. The guard was no stranger to this, and just followed the rules and handed Qi Surong's greeting card in.
"Hehe, here comes another one." A fat businessman not far away said with a smile, "We have been waiting for several days and haven't been able to see the governor. The new kid should just wait in line."
"Yes, the Sheriff only issues three documents every day, and today's amount is already full." Another person agreed.
"Oh?" Qi Surong stood with his hands behind his back and asked with interest, "Since the amount is full, why are you still staying outside the house?"
Everyone looked at each other in confusion, and it took a long while before someone laughed and said, "Isn't this because I want to seize the opportunity for you to go out and rob you?"
The words were humorous and caused a burst of laughter, making the atmosphere much more relaxed.
Qi Surong also smiled. Most of the men who have lived in the border area are bold and bold, and are not as cautious and suspicious as the people in the border area.
While they were talking and laughing, the guard who went to report came out, clasped his fists at Qi Surong and said, "This young master, the county guard has affection."
Everyone was surprised when they saw this. Where did this person come from, and why did the county magistrate make an exception to receive him
Qi Surong nodded slightly to them, and then entered the government office under the guidance of the guards, leaving a complicated look in his eyes.
Border counties are no better than Huadu. Most of the buildings are built with military purposes in mind. There are no gorgeous decorations, only solid walls and structures capable of both offense and defense.
Qi Surong walked slowly into the hall and looked at the man in the hall calmly.
"Brother Zhuo, long time no see." The man greeted him with a smile, and there was a bit of joy in his words.
"Master Huang." Qi Surong handed over his hand. The man in front of him is Huang Zheng, one of Xu Chen's disciples. When he passed the Jinshi examination, he was the first to request a transfer and is now the governor of Xiguan County.
"You and I don't need to be polite." Huang Zheng stepped forward and took out Qi Surong's arm, pulled him to a seat, and ordered tea to be served.
When the new emperor succeeded to the throne, many officials were implicated, but none of Xu Chen's students were demoted, and instead were promoted. Huang Zheng has a clear mind. Although he does not know Zhuo Fan's specific identity, "his" prophet has benefited him a lot, and several correspondences have given him a lot of tips.
"Brother Huang, I am here today to prepare business documents." After a brief reminiscing about old times, Qi Surong said straight to the point.
Huang Zheng said thoughtfully: "Brother Zhuo, I never thought you would choose to go into business."
"I'm not suitable for officialdom." Qi Surong smiled.
Huang Zheng disagreed. If the man in front of him was an official, he would definitely be able to achieve great things. He has a foresight that ordinary people don't have. He knows how to make good use of current events, seek good fortune and avoid misfortune. He is also quite talented, dares to be the first, has a calm personality, and is far more mature than his peers.
"Brother Zhuo, you should know that the current situation at the border is unstable." Huang Zheng said, "It is quite risky to leave the border. I hope you will ship the goods within the border. Although the profit is less, at least it is safe."
"Thank you for your concern, Brother Huang, but this matter has been decided long ago and it is difficult to change it midway." Qi Surong declined, "Zhuo is just an ordinary businessman, and the various tribes outside the customs should not be embarrassed."
"But..." Huang Zheng knew that Zhuo Fan's decision must have been carefully considered, but as an official, it was difficult to say something clearly.
Qi Surong seemed to be aware of it. He slowly dipped his finger into some tea and wrote the word "Explorer" on the table.
A trace of surprise flashed in Huang Zheng's eyes, and then he showed a clear smile.
"Since you have made up your mind, I can't say more." Huang Zheng said sternly, "I'm just out of the confinement and weak. I'm afraid I can't be of much help."
Having said that, when Huang Zheng handed her the quasi-business document, he gave her a brocade handkerchief.
"Brother Huang can make an exception and sign the document for me, which is a great help." Qi Surong took a quick glance and saw that this was a brocade handkerchief with the characteristics of the Western Regions. It probably had other magical uses.
She silently put away the brocade handkerchief and quasi-business documents, refused Huang Zheng's request to stay, and walked out of the government office with her entourage. The businessmen who were waiting outside gathered around her as soon as they saw her coming out, asking her whether she had got the documents.
Qi Surong nodded. She couldn't hide this matter even if she wanted to, after all, she would be leaving the country soon.
After getting the affirmative answer, everyone immediately made a noise.
"Does the young master have any past relationship with the prefect? Can you recommend me to him on your behalf?"
"Sir, we are in the Wu family in Xiayan City. We must cooperate with you if we have the opportunity in the future."
"Master, Master, if you are free tonight, I would like to treat you to a drink."
Qi Surong had expected that she would be surrounded, and raised her eyes to signal the guards outside the government office, who immediately stepped forward to help her out.
"Everyone, this trip is quite urgent, and the return date is uncertain. When Zhuo comes back, I will talk to you all." After leaving these words, Qi Surong walked away.
Back at the inn, the stewards looked in disbelief when they saw the quasi-business documents in Qi Surong's hands. It only took an hour or two to actually get the quasi-business documents. Mr. Zhuo's ability to do things is really unfathomable.
After resting for two days, Qi Surong left a few people on standby in the pass, and then led the caravan across the Western Pass and into the vast Western Region.
The Western Regions have lush pastures, fat cattle and horses, delicious and juicy fruits, and are rich in treasures, medicinal materials, and spices. It’s just that food grains are scarce and there is a huge demand for all kinds of daily necessities. Merchants in the pass often exchanged the abundant grains of the Central Plains for treasures, horses and medicinal materials from the Western Regions, and the profits were considerable.
Qi Surong's goods this time were mostly grain, as well as cloth, ornaments and daily utensils.
There are forty or fifty tribes in the Western Regions, scattered all over the country. Although their people are strong in customs and skilled in bow and horse, they have never been noticed by the imperial court because of the scattered population. However, with the integration of several major tribes into alliances, their strength has become stronger and stronger, and they have gradually become a hidden danger at the border.
In Qi Surong's memory, two years later, the border will usher in an extremely powerful army, numbering about 30,000 people and composed of more than a dozen tribes. She only remembered a few of the most powerful tribes, and the other tribes still needed to be investigated.
However, she can at least confirm that the Huxia tribe did not participate in the rebellion. There are only three to four hundred people in this tribe. They live in a corner and never pay attention to the complicated current affairs. Qi Surong's first battle was against Hu Xia.
The Hu Xia people are hospitable and welcome the arrival of the Gu family caravan.
While Qi Surong was arranging his entourage to unload the goods, he accidentally saw an old man in the distance leading a man on his horse to leave.
The man's back was so familiar that she almost forgot to breathe.
Jinyun! Qi Surong ignored the surprised looks of the people around him and quickly chased in that direction, but unfortunately the two horses had already disappeared.
"Jin Yun..." Qi Surong stood alone on the vast grassland, looking at the direction of the horses leaving in ecstasy, "Is it you? Is it you?"
She couldn't believe that she had just entered the Western Region and met someone she hadn't seen for a long time. Sadly, she passed by him before she even met him.
Qi Surong took a deep breath and told himself not to worry, as long as he was alive, he would definitely be found. Besides, she didn't have any clues.
Back at the caravan, she took advantage of the transaction to inquire about the old man's identity.
"You name him." A Huxia girl laughed, "He is a famous witch doctor in our Western Regions, named 'Tut'. He specializes in treating people from various tribes. He has a weird temper, but his medical skills are really good."
"Oh? Then the man following him is his apprentice?"
The girl thought for a while and replied: "It's probably not the apprentice. The man looked stupid. I don't know where Tut picked it up."
Silly? Qi Surong's heart tightened. Could it be the sequelae of the injury? If so, it would also explain why he had not contacted his family for two years because... his mind was damaged.
Qi Surong was filled with worries, hoping it was Jin Yun but not hoping it was him. She wished she could fly to him immediately to see what condition he was in.
Jinyun, wait for me. I'll find you soon!