Are all the Suizhi people this impolite?
Do they act so arrogantly and recklessly just because their country is powerful?
Watching the backs of the departing crowd, Xiao Jinheng felt a sense of unease…
Although the Suizhi people hadn't invaded the Central Plains in recent years, it was only a matter of time.
King Harlin led his elite cavalry on campaigns everywhere, conquering all before him. It was said he had razed many foreign countries to the ground…
If these bloodthirsty grassland people were to surge into the Central Plains, the consequences for the common folk were unimaginable.
Thinking of this, Xiao Jinheng shivered and quickly boarded the carriage. "Commander Kong, hurry the horses, let's try to get back to the capital as soon as possible…"
Besides investigating the issue of the Jiangnan grain transport, he also needed to discuss countermeasures against the Suizhi people with his father, the Emperor.
They couldn't just let them roam freely in the Central Plains…
Little Xi Tian’s attention, however, was elsewhere. Seeing the young man looking so lost in thought and burdened, Little Xi Tian smiled slightly. “Young man, why do you think those people were looking for that girl?”
Xiao Jinheng: “…”
How would I know such a trivial question?
“I don’t know!” Xiao Jinheng lowered his gaze and said indifferently.
Little Xi Tian propped her chin with her hands, looking puzzled. “How did a Suizhi girl end up in the Central Plains? Was she kidnapped?”
Actually, Central Plains people and grassland people were easy to distinguish. Besides their appearance and build, grassland people were born with a certain aura of ferocity…
Especially the men, they were robust and imposing, large and well-fed, walking with an outward-turned gait, stout and strong-legged, possessing astonishing strength.
Xiao Jinheng sighed and leaned against the carriage wall, closing his eyes to rest…
Kong Xingzhu cracked his whip, shouting, “Giddy up, giddy up, run, run!~”
The carriage carrying the wine jars clattered noisily, disturbing little Jie Kong’s afternoon nap.
At the same time, on a small road leading south, three dust-covered men appeared…
Leading them was Fan Lao Wu, who had brought Yun Er Man out to sell smuggled salt. Accompanying them was a man named Li Si Hu Zi.
“This is the right road, isn’t it?” Li Si Hu Zi asked softly, scanning their surroundings.
This road was rarely traveled, with dense wormwood and low trees lining both sides…
When merchants smuggling salt transported their goods back, they always avoided the official roads and chose this path for their return journey.
Fan Lao Wu shot him a sideways glance, saying irritably, “Just keep walking, why so much nonsense?”
“I was just asking. We’ve been walking for a day and a night, and we haven’t stopped to rest. My calves are sore from walking…” Li Si Hu Zi grumbled softly.
Alas, smuggling salt was truly not a job for humans. If he had known they would have to walk such a long distance, he would have brought his own cart.
Fan Lao Wu frowned. “If you’re tired, then go back. I didn’t beg you to come. Look at Er Man, has he complained even once?”
Hmph, wanting to get rich without working hard, do you think you’re the Emperor…
Yun Er Man did not respond but continued to walk forward in silence.
For a moment, he even considered turning back…
But thinking of earning a lot of silver notes and giving Shan Shan a good life, he gritted his teeth and walked forward resolutely.
“When we get ahead, let’s rent a horse-drawn cart. I heard that Salt Pond Town is quite far from here, several hundred li away…” Yun Er Man said calmly.
Upon hearing this, Fan Lao Wu felt a flicker of displeasure. “Renting a cart costs money! Unless you pay for it yourself, Li Si Hu Zi and I have no money!~”
Yun Er Man: “…”
Are you trying to get a free ride?
If he could find a channel to sell the smuggled salt himself, why would he have to endure Fan Lao Wu’s attitude?
“Alright, I’ll pay for the cart rental!~” Yun Er Man said.
Fan Lao Wu’s eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward to flatter him. “I knew Er Man was a generous person. It seems I didn’t misjudge you back then. You know, quite a few people wanted me to smuggle salt for them, but I thought they were unreliable and sent them all away…”
Yun Er Man ignored him. Pushing aside a clump of bushes, an inn suddenly appeared ahead.
“You can rent a cart here!~” Yun Er Man said, glancing back at Fan Lao Wu. “You two wait here, I’ll be back soon!”
If too many people came, the innkeeper would become suspicious…
Besides, they needed to rent a large flatbed cart that could carry goods. Ordinary carriages could only carry passengers and not cargo.
“Ah, okay, okay, be careful!~” Fan Lao Wu said with a beaming smile.
Yun Er Man entered the inn and saw a young man standing at the counter, engrossed in working an abacus…
By the window, six or seven men were seated, wearing official swords at their waists and dressed in sturdy attire, eating and drinking.
Without needing to guess, Yun Er Man knew these were local constables on patrol.
Er Man suppressed his inner apprehension and coughed lightly. “Waiter, does your inn have any horse-drawn carts? I’d like to rent one…”
“Yes, yes, sir, what kind are you looking for? For passengers, or for carrying goods?” the young waiter greeted him with a smile. “The deposit is five taels, and the rental fee is four hundred copper coins per day!~”
So expensive!
Yun Er Man grumbled inwardly and reached for the money pouch at his waist…
He hadn’t brought much money with him on this trip. After covering the cost of buying the smuggled salt, he was almost penniless.
“Sir, look, these are top-grade long-eared horses! They are more than enough for long-distance travel or carrying goods…”
The young waiter said this and led Yun Er Man to the stables in the backyard, bringing out several horses for the customer to choose from.
Yun Er Man casually picked two horses and looked back towards the inn, lowering his voice. “Who are those guests?”
“They are constables who specialize in apprehending salt smugglers. They come here to drink every few days!” the young waiter said, leaning closer to Yun Er Man’s ear. “Sir, you’re not a salt smuggler, are you?”
Yun Er Man: “…”
Do I look that much like a salt smuggler?
“Let me tell you, the soldiers cracking down on smuggled salt are now in large groups. Our area is far from the official roads, so many salt smugglers pass through here. If you are indeed a salt smuggler, sir, I advise you to choose another route. This path is no longer safe…”
The young waiter chattered on and on, proving to be quite sharp-witted.
Yun Er Man listened, pondered for a moment, and gave a dry laugh. “Why are you telling me this? I’ve never broken the law in my life. Here, this is the money for the cart rental!~”
“Alright, I’ll help you hitch the cart…” The young waiter got to work and quickly hitched the cart.
Just as Yun Er Man was leading the cart out of the inn, he heard a shout from behind, “You, stop!~”