Chapter 128: Xizi
The scorching sun hung high, baking the vast and boundless land.
Camel bells swayed in the heatwaves, emitting dull clanging sounds.
A caravan of Xizi merchants, dressed in colorful attire and leading camels laden with goods, slowly advanced towards Shangjing.
At the forefront was a middle-aged man named Alimu. He rubbed the wolf tooth necklace around his neck with his rough fingers, squinted at the heat-shimmering horizon, and a look of joy appeared on his face.
“Everyone, put in some effort, Shangjing City is almost here!”
Alimu’s voice boomed like a bell, injecting a spark of vitality into the weary caravan.
The group’s spirits lifted, and they responded with laughter.
Alimu patted the neck of the camel beside him, softly comforting his hardworking companion.
“When we get to Shangjing, I’ll feed you a delicious meal of fresh fodder and give you a good bath to reward you.”
Finally, the silhouette of Shangjing City appeared in the twilight.
The majestic and magnificent city came into view.
That was Shangjing.
The heart of Daliang, a symbol of prosperity.
“Look, Shangjing!”
Someone in the group, visiting Shangjing for the first time, shouted excitedly.
Everyone laughed at him, but they were also full of anticipation and longing.
The camels seemed to sense their masters’ emotions, and their steps became lighter.
At the city gate, a young soldier on guard approached, using the tip of his saber to lift the cargo boxes on the camels’ backs. A pungent aroma of spices wafted out.
“Spice merchants from Xizi?”
Alimu handed over the transit documents and slipped a money bag, his face beaming with smiles, and replied respectfully, “Yes, yes, yes. It was a long journey for this shipment, all to bring authentic Xizi spices to the noble people of Shangjing…”
“And them?” the soldier asked, looking up at the others.
“They don’t speak the Central Plains dialect,” Alimu replied.
“They are all caravan drivers who have been doing business in Shangjing for many years. We hope the officer will be lenient…”
The soldier’s scabbard glided over the cargo for a moment, and he subtly slipped the money bag into his pocket.
“Barbarians from the west, even their bribes smell of sheep.”
He said, tapping the cargo box with his scabbard: “Go on, go. Once you’re in the city, keep your mouths shut, your hands and feet honest, and do your business properly. Don’t cause any trouble.”
Alimu nodded repeatedly, his face full of humility.
“Thank you for your guidance, officer. We will, we will.”
Upon entering Shangjing City, the atmosphere of prosperity immediately enveloped them.
Traffic flowed like water, people came and went, the sounds of hawking and laughter intertwined, a dazzling spectacle.
Alimu led his camels, gazing at the dazzling array of goods on the street stalls. As he was engrossed, a burly tout with bare arms and a ferocious tattoo on the back of his hand, resembling a snarling beast, emerged from behind a stall.
“From the west, tea for spices. Trade or not?”
The tout tossed over a box of tea, “Let’s see the quality.”
Alimu opened the lid, and a rich, mellow tea fragrance wafted into his nostrils.
He examined it for a moment, sniffed again, and nodded.
Then, the man took out a bag of high-quality tea from his embrace, and Alimu handed over a bag of spices to the other party.
“The quality is excellent. That tea merchant master has a lot of goods, where can I find him?”
“Tianshui Inn.”
Both sides showed satisfied expressions, bowed to each other, and parted ways.
Alimu led the caravan onward, weaving through the bustling streets of Shangjing.
Finally, they stopped in front of an inn.
“Here it is.”
Alimu looked up at the “Tianshui Inn” sign. As the innkeeper approached, he smiled and directed everyone to unload the goods and settle the camels.
At this moment, a young servant in green clothes with hurried footsteps approached.
“Esteemed guests, you have traveled far. Our master has prepared a welcoming banquet on the second floor. Please come in…”
Alimu exchanged glances with a few Hu merchants and asked in broken Central Plains dialect.
“Who is your master?”
The young servant in green bowed and smiled, “You will know when you go upstairs, esteemed guests…”
A private room on the second floor.
As a few Hu merchants stepped onto the wooden stairs, a young gentleman of elegant demeanor greeted them.
He wore a brocade robe, his sleeves fluttering, a smile on his face, his every move exuding grace.
“You esteemed guests have traveled a long way and endured hardship. Please, have a seat.”
The Hu merchants quietly observed him, their eyes full of vigilance.
The scene fell into silence…
The young gentleman chuckled awkwardly and asked, “Do the esteemed guests not trust me?”
Alimu placed his hand on the hilt of the curved saber at his waist, tightened his grip slightly, and took two steps forward, his curved saber already three inches out of its scabbard.
“We are strangers to you, sir. Why such a warm invitation?”
Gu Jie’s heart tightened. Cold sweat had already soaked his undergarment. Under their indifferent gaze, he had to force himself to remain calm, making his voice sound steady and sincere.
“My surname is Gu, and I am from Shangjing. I am currently idle at home… I wish to join you esteemed Xizi gentlemen in doing some spice business…”
“You wish to do spice business, do you understand the intricacies of this trade?”
Alimu stared intently at Gu Jie, the hilt of his saber turning slightly, his voice carrying a hint of the harshness honed by the desert winds.
“You look delicate and fair-skinned. I fear you’ve never even touched a camel’s reins. Caravan drivers endure the sun and wind; you cannot handle such hardship…”
As Alimu spoke, the scent of camel milk wafted over.
Gu Jie frowned uncomfortably, cupped his hands, and smiled with a hint of bitterness.
“To be honest, I have studied diligently for over twenty years but have failed to achieve any official position… Although I have not dealt with Hu merchants, I know that Xizi spices are unique and of superior quality, sought after by officials and nobles in Daliang. I believe this business can be successful…”
He said, glancing at Alimu’s expression, “If you do not trust me, I am willing to pay a deposit first…”
Gu Jie turned and brought over an exquisite sandalwood box, placing it on the dining table. He gently lifted the embroidered lid, revealing neatly stacked silver ingots that emitted a soft glow in the candlelight.
Alimu was slightly taken aback.
The Xizi merchants exchanged glances.
“Sir, what is this for?”
Gu Jie smiled, “It’s for business. We in the Central Plains value sincerity…”
Alimu’s gaze was deep, fixed directly on Gu Jie.
“What you wish to buy is probably not spices, is it?”
Gu Jie leaned forward slightly and asked in a low voice, “I heard your caravan has frequent dealings with the Old Mausoleum Swamp, and you even acquired the blueprints for the Divine Arm Camp’s crossbows and siege engines?”
Alimu’s expression changed, his eyes instantly sharpening.
“Sir, you cannot speak such words carelessly. We are honest merchants who trade in Daliang, always adhering to the rules. How could we possess such power…”
Gu Jie pressed step by step: “Two years ago, a female spy from Xizi was captured in the Old Mausoleum Swamp. She secretly seduced the Minister of War and stole classified blueprints before fleeing to the Old Mausoleum Swamp…”
Alimu frowned, his face showing displeasure.
“You are not here to do business sincerely… Our caravan does have business dealings with the Old Mausoleum Swamp, but all our transactions are above board and never exceed the rules. We have never touched any crossbow or siege engine blueprints…”
He snorted forcefully and said coldly, “If we had such divine artifacts, the Xizi sandstorms would have long ago blown through the twelve gates of Liangdu, accompanied by the mournful cry of wolf bone flutes!”
Gu Jie slowly took out a black iron token from his embrace and placed it flat on the wooden table.
“What if Daliang’s Princess Ping Le says you do?”
