Poor Lady Chapter 83: Exit

Qi Surong has done business with merchants from the Western Regions, but has never been to the Western Regions. After eating and sleeping all the way, the Gu family caravan arrived at the pass at the busiest time of the end-summer market. Now the situation inside and outside Xiguan is very delicate. Although the surface is calm, the internal tide is already raging, and spies are everywhere.

The emperor sent several officials to various counties and counties in the name of inspecting the places. In fact, the main goal was to investigate the situation of the various ministries in the Western Regions. The Gu family caravan is a dark line secretly arranged by the emperor, and it is also his real back move. Official inspections are just to attract the attention of enemy detectives so that the Gu family caravan can act.

In Xiguan City, merchants of all ethnic groups gather here, with a wide range of products, and the sound of buying and selling can be heard endlessly. When Qi Surong arrived here, he did not know that the imperial court had issued an order half a month ago, from now on, all merchants in Xiguan must have a business permit document from the local county magistrate, otherwise they are not allowed to enter and exit the pass at will.

“My lord, what should we do?” In the inn, Manager Yao frowned and said, “There is no business approval document, and our freight does not go out of Xiguan. If we trade in the customs, the price will be very different.”

With the exception of Qi Surong, no one in the Gu family caravan knew the real purpose of their trip. All they cared about was the income from the business. When Qi Surong decided to make a long-distance transaction, most of the managers disagreed, but Qi Surong, as a “Zhuo Fan” in the past two years, relied on his foresight to expand the Gu family’s business several times and established a sufficient Prestige, so after a row of discussions, the itinerary was decided. I never thought that 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, studying the map seriously. This map was previously purchased from a person from the Western Regions. Although it only roughly maps the geographical situation outside the West Pass, it is better than nothing.

“My lord, what are your plans?” Steward Zhang couldn’t help urging.

“I know what you are worried about.” Qi Surong raised his head, looked around at the few people, and said with a smile, “I can get the business documents.”

Several stewards showed surprise. Although the Gu family’s business has grown in size in recent years, most of them are concentrated in the central region, and they don’t have much contact with the border city county. How can Mr. Zhuo be sure to get the business approval document?

“Xiao Liu, follow me out.” Qi Surong didn’t say anything, after tidying up, he called his followers and left the inn.

Passing through the market, Qi Surong went straight into the inner city and came to the government office.

“My lord, my surname is Zhuo, and I come from the Gu family in the capital. I’m here to pay a visit to the magistrate today. Please let me know.” Qi Surong handed the greeting card to the guard outside the door.

Because of the restrictions on business approval documents, many businessmen come to see the sheriff every day, but there are only a handful of people who are actually allowed to enter. The guards were no strangers to this, and just passed in Qi Surong’s greeting card according to the rules.

“Heh, there’s 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, let’s line up obediently.”

“That’s right, the governor only issues three documents a day, and today’s amount is already full.” Another person echoed.

“Oh?” Qi Surong stood with his hands behind his back and asked with interest, “Since the quota is full, why are you still staying outside the mansion?”

Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, and it took a long time before someone laughed and said, “Isn’t this just trying to catch the opportunity of adults traveling?”

The humorous remark drew a burst of laughter, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

Qi Surong also smiled, most of the men who live in the border are bold and bold, not as cautious and suspicious as the people in Guanzhong.

While chatting and laughing, the guard who went to report came out, clasped his fists at Qi Surong and said: “Young Master, the Governor is sympathetic.”

When everyone saw this, they were all surprised. Where did this person come from? Why did the sheriff make an exception to interview him?

Qi Surong nodded slightly towards them, and then entered the government office under the guidance of the guards, leaving a complex gaze.

Bianguan County is no different than Huadu. The buildings are mostly military-oriented. There are no gorgeous decorations, only solid walls and structures that are both offensive and defensive.

Qi Surong walked into the hall slowly, looking peacefully at the man in the hall.

“Brother Zhuo, long time no see.” The man greeted him with a smile, with some joy in his words.

“Master Huang.” Qi Surong cupped his hands. The man in front of him was Huang Zheng, one of Xu Chen’s disciples. He was the first to request a foreign transfer when he passed the Jinshi examination, and now he is the governor of Xiguan County.

“You and I don’t need to be too polite.” Huang Zheng stepped forward and pulled Qi Surong’s arm, pulled him to the seat, and ordered someone to serve tea.

When the new emperor succeeded to the throne, many officials were implicated, but none of Xu Chen’s students were relegated, but promoted. Huang Zheng has a clear mind. Although he doesn’t know the specific identity of Zhuo Fan, “his” prophet has benefited him a lot, and several correspondences have given him a lot of pointers.

“Brother Huang, I came here today to prepare business documents.” After a brief recap, Qi Surong said straight to the point.

Huang Zheng said with deep meaning: “Brother Zhuo, I never thought that you would choose to do business.”

“I’m not suitable for officialdom.” Qi Surong smiled.

Huang Zheng didn’t think so, if the person in front of him was an official, he would be able to make some achievements. He has a vision that ordinary people don’t have, knows how to make good use of current events, seek good luck and avoid bad luck, and is quite talented, dare to be the first, calm personality, and mature in thinking far beyond his peers.

“Brother Zhuo, you should know that the situation at the border is unstable.” Huang Zheng said, “Exiting the customs is quite risky. I hope you will ship the goods inside the customs. Although you will earn less money, at least you will be safe.”

“Thank you, brother Huang, for your concern, but this matter has been decided long ago, so it’s not easy to change it midway.” Qi Surong declined, “Zhuo is just an ordinary businessman, and the tribes outside the pass should not be embarrassed.”

“But…” Huang Zheng knew that Zhuo Fan’s decision must have been carefully thought out, but as an official, it was difficult to say something clearly.

Qi Surong seemed to be aware of it, slowly dipped his finger in some tea, and wrote the word “Tan” on the table.

A trace of surprise flashed in Huang Zheng’s eyes, and then he showed a knowing smile.

“Since you’ve made up your mind, it’s inconvenient for me to say more.” Huang Zheng said seriously, “It’s just that I’m out of customs, and I’m weak. I’m afraid I can’t help you.”

Having said so, Huang Zheng gave her a brocade handkerchief when he handed her the prospectus documents.

“Brother Huang made an exception and signed the document for me, which is a great help.” Qi Surong glanced at it quickly.

She silently put away the Jinpa and quasi-business documents, refused Huang Zheng’s persuasion, and walked out of the government office with her entourage. The merchants who were waiting outside surrounded her as soon as they saw her come out, and asked her whether she had received the documents.

Qi Surong nodded. Even if you want to hide this matter, you can’t hide it, after all, she will leave the customs soon.

Getting an affirmative answer, the crowd immediately burst into an uproar.

“Is the son old with the magistrate, can you introduce him?”

“Young master, in the Wu family in Xiayan City, we must cooperate if we have the opportunity in the future.”

“Master, son, are you free tonight? I would like to treat you to a glass of water and wine.”

Qi Surong had anticipated 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 date of return is uncertain. When Zhuo returns, I will discuss it with you.” After leaving these words, Qi Surong walked away.

Back to the inn, the stewards were all in disbelief when they saw the business approval documents in Qi Surong’s hands. It took only an hour or two, and he actually got the business approval documents. Mr. Zhuo’s ability to handle affairs 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 West Pass and entered 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 and grains are scarce, and there is a great demand for various living materials. Merchants in the customs often exchanged the abundant grains of the Central Plains for the treasures, horses and medicinal materials of the Western Regions, and the profits were considerable.

Qi Surong’s goods this time are mostly food, and there are also cloth, accessories and living utensils.

There are forty or fifty tribes in the Western Regions, scattered all over the place. Although the folk customs are tough and skilled in bow and horse, but because of the scattered population, they have never been looked down upon by the imperial court. However, with the integration and alliance of several major tribes, their strength has grown stronger and stronger, and they have gradually become a hidden danger at the border.

In Qi Surong’s memory, two years later, the frontier will usher in an army with a strong fighting force, with a population of about 30,000 people, composed of more than a dozen tribes. She only remembered a few of the most powerful tribes, and other tribes still needed to be investigated.

However, she can at least be sure that the Hu Xia tribe did not participate in the rebellion. There are only three or 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.

Hu Xia people are warm and hospitable, and welcome the arrival of the Gu family caravan.

Just as Qi Surong was arranging for his entourage to unload the goods, he accidentally saw an old man in the distance leading a man on his horse and preparing to leave.

The man’s back was so familiar that she almost forgot to breathe.

Jin Yun! Regardless of the surprised gazes of the people around, Qi Surong quickly chased there, but unfortunately the two horses had already disappeared.

“Jin Yun…” Qi Surong stood alone on the vast grassland, staring at the direction of the horse’s departure, “Is it you? Is it you?”

She couldn’t believe that she met someone she hadn’t found for a long time when she first entered the Western Regions. The sad thing is that she passed by before she even met.

Qi Surong took a deep breath and told himself not to worry, as long as he was alive, he would definitely find it. Besides, she’s not clueless.

Back in the caravan, she took advantage of the transaction to inquire about the identity of the old man.

“Talk about him.” A girl from Huxia laughed, “He is a famous witch doctor in our Western Regions, named ‘Tuter’, who specializes in treating people from various tribes. He has a weird temper, but his medical skills are really good. Not bad.”

“Oh? Is the man next to him his apprentice?”

The girl thought for a while, and replied: “It should not be an apprentice, that man looks stupid, I don’t know where Tut picked it up.”

Stupid? Qi Surong’s heart tightened, could it be the sequelae of the injury? If this is the case, it can also explain why he has not contacted his family for two years, because… his mind has been damaged.

Qi Surong was full of worries, he hoped that it was Jin Yun, but he didn’t want it to be him. She wished she could fly to him immediately to see what was going on with him.

Jin Yun, wait for me. I can find you in no time!