Chapter 24: Though Humble, One Never Forgets to Worry About the Nation
It was morning. The Boss, Duan Huai’an, walked through the porch and entered the side hall.
Zhang Wangyue, Huyan Lei, and the Steward had already been waiting for a long time.
“Boss!”
“Please sit,” Duan Huai’an said to the three who had risen. He sat on a rosewood chair, picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and then said, “What are the specific details of the merchant?”
The first to come into contact with the merchant from Jingzhou was Huyan Lei. He had his runners quickly find the Boss to report, and then he entertained the guest. By the time Duan Huai’an arrived at the Escort Bureau, he and Zhang Wangyue and the Steward had already understood all the relevant information clearly.
Escort Huyan Lei said, “The merchant is from Jingzhou. The escorted goods are over two hundred mules and horses, and more than thirty escort carts of medicinal herbs and leather goods.”
The Steward said, “The accountant has calculated that if this escort mission is accepted and successfully delivered, the escort fee alone will be enough for the Escort Bureau to operate for half a year.”
Duan Huai’an, being in charge of the Escort Bureau, was not someone who would disregard safety for profit. He nodded slightly upon hearing this and then said, “But we have never undertaken an escort mission involving mules and horses.”
The Steward said, “Could the merchant be a horse dealer? These are chaotic times, especially for escorts heading south. They must pass through areas of Song-Jin confrontation. Aside from the dangers of war, there are bandits rampant in the region. Ordinary horse dealers lack the ability to hire protection.”
“What does the Head Escort think?”
Zhang Wangyue pondered deeply, “I think there are two possibilities. The first is that they are horse herders.”
Horse herders are households that raise official horses as a form of tax.
“And the second?”
Zhang Wangyue said, “This merchant is either someone from the Lin’an Court, or someone with intricate connections to the court. They are buying horses for the Lin’an Court.”
As the Head Escort spoke, the hall suddenly fell silent.
Huyan Lei had not anticipated this. His expression became fervent upon hearing it.
As an escort who traveled extensively, Huyan Lei knew the special significance of horses.
Whether it was the Liao, Jin, or Western Xia, cavalry had always been a major concern for the Song court. During the founding of the nation by Emperor Taizu, the court typically purchased warhorses from the Western Regions. By the time of the Lin’an Court, they were forced to turn to Guangxi and Dali for purchases. Not only were the mountains high and the roads long, but the journey was fraught with danger. Furthermore, it was expensive; an ordinary warhorse cost sixty to seventy taels of silver.
Given the Head Escort’s special status, this analysis was likely accurate. Escorting mules and horses for the Lin’an Court to resist Jin was undoubtedly a good deed for the country and its people.
The Steward immediately said, “This escort mission cannot be accepted. If the Jin soldiers find out, the Escort Bureau will be in grave danger.”
Duan Huai’an asked Zhang Wangyue, “What is the Head Escort’s opinion?”
“I am merely analyzing. To put it another way, what is presented to the Escort Bureau is a special ‘Personal Safety Escort’ for hundreds of mules and horses. The Escort Bureau only needs to deliver them to Jingzhou. As for the specific destination of the mules and horses, it is of no concern to the Escort Bureau.”
“Well said!”
“Boss!” the Steward tried to dissuade him.
Duan Huai’an waved his hand. He picked up his teacup, the lid brushing against the tea needle, and said with profound meaning, “We are all family. I will state my position: though my position is humble, I have not forgotten my duty to the nation.”
The Steward’s lips moved, and shame appeared on his face, “I understand.”
Duan Huai’an drank his tea. After putting down the cup, he stated resolutely, “We must win this escort mission, no matter what.”
Suddenly, he seemed to recall something and instructed, “Doesn’t Zhou Yan have a knack for training horses?”
“That’s right!” Huyan Lei exclaimed.
“You will be in charge of the mules and horses. Have Zhou Yan accompany you.”
Huyan Lei patted his chest and said, “Boss, rest assured. I guarantee that not a single mule or horse will be lost and they will be delivered to Jingzhou.”
Zhang Wangyue said, “I will be in charge of this escort mission.”
“I wouldn’t trust anyone else.”
The two exchanged a knowing smile.
“Let’s go and meet the merchant.”
“Alright!”
…
Zhou Yan was practicing in the Martial Field when Huyan Lei strode over. He went to meet him and asked, “How is it, Old Brother?”
The Escort lowered his voice, “Let me tell you, the Boss has given the order that this escort mission must fall to Fu’an. The Head Escort suspects that the merchant is transporting horses for the Lin’an Court.”
Zhou Yan suddenly understood.
“Oh, and the Boss also said that I will be in charge of the mules and horses, and you will accompany me.”
“Great!” Zhou Yan was overjoyed. The mules and horses were for resisting Jin, which was for the country. Moreover, on the return trip from Jingzhou, he could visit Xiangyang and see if he could find Dugu Qiubai’s “Sword Tomb.”
“I wonder how the competing escorts will be? The other party is just full of schemes,” Huyan Lei said.
Zhou Yan smiled, “The Escort Bureau relies on its strength to escort. The examination will naturally be based on the escorts’ martial skills. It’s not about mere words. We’ll deal with whatever comes our way.”
“Exactly!” Huyan Lei laughed heartily.
…
At noon, Zhou Yan was arranging for the runners to polish their weapons. The sabers, spears, swords, and halberds on the racks by the Martial Field gleamed brightly under the Autumn Sunlight, their cold light flashing.
The Boss, the merchant, and Zhang Wangyue came through the corridor.
“Everyone, be alert!” Huyan Lei shouted, and the runners practicing martial arts became energetic.
Zhang Wangyue glanced at the Martial Field and said, “Escort Zhou.”
“Here.”
Zhou Yan put down the Strong Bow he was maintaining and quickly stepped forward.
Zhang Wangyue said to the merchant, “This is the youngest escort of the Fu’an Escort Agency. Not long ago, he single-handedly traveled all the way to Datong Prefecture to deliver a Letter Escort.”
The merchant looked at Zhou Yan’s distinguished appearance and abundant Essence, Qi, and Spirit, and smiled, “A young hero.”
“Thank you for your praise, sir.”
“Escort Zhou, Mr. Lu is going to the Four Seas Escort Agency. Please lead the way.” Zhang Wangyue said.
“Certainly, sir, please.”
The two escort bureaus were not far apart. Zhou Yan hurried ahead. The merchant, surnamed Lu, bowed to the Boss and Zhang Wangyue and followed.
The three walked along the street outside the escort bureau. The merchant asked, “What do you think of the Four Seas Escort Agency, Escort Zhou?”
Zhou Yan smiled, “Competitors often belittle each other. Aren’t you worried that I might say something disparaging about the Four Seas Escort Agency?”
Merchant Lu was taken aback. He truly hadn’t expected such words from such a young escort.
The next moment, he heard even more astonishing words from Zhou Yan.
“However, I know how they would answer if you asked an escort from Four Seas the same question.”
“Tell me.”
“The escorts from Four Seas would mention any troubles Fu’an has had during their escorts, and how much cargo they’ve lost. They would also say that some escorts from Fu’an have flirted with the ladies they were escorting during Personal Safety Escorts. Perhaps they would also mention that Fu’an escorts have tampered with letters during Letter Escorts, exposing the privacy of merchants. They might even say that Fu’an has engaged in embezzlement.”
Merchant Lu smiled slightly, “So, is there any truth to that?”
“To hear from all sides leads to enlightenment; to hear from one side alone leads to darkness. Sir, you will know if you inquire further.”
“Where should I go and whom should I ask?”
Zhou Yan smiled inwardly. He’s still testing me.
“Ahead is Songhe Tower, a top-tier restaurant in Zhongdu. You might inquire there when you have a banquet.”
Merchant Lu thanked him, “Thank you, young man.”
“You are too kind, sir.”
The three weaved through the bustling crowd, passing Songhe Tower, which had lanterns hanging high and resembled a crane spreading its wings from afar. They arrived near the Four Seas Escort Agency. Zhou Yan stopped and bowed, “I will escort you this far. I must stop here.”
“Thank you!”
Merchant Lu bowed and walked straight ahead. After about ten steps, he asked his attendant, “What do you think of this escort?”
“Young and learned, quite good.”
“Yes, his conversation is refined,” Merchant Lu said. “I will go to Four Seas. You go to Songhe Tower and inquire.”
“Why not just choose Fu’an directly?”
“No, this concerns the court’s warhorses. We cannot afford the slightest carelessness. Only the strongest can win this escort.”
“Understood.”
The man turned, glanced at Zhou Yan’s receding back in the crowd, and quickly headed towards Songhe Tower.
A bonus chapter for monthly votes. There will be another chapter tonight. Thank you to all who have supported with monthly votes and recommendations. I am deeply grateful.
