Chapter 1112: Chapter 1112: Erging from the Pass
Xia Ruqing no longer objected, and Zhao Junyao did not mind.
Half a month later, the Crown Prince Zhao Qichen and Marquis Zhongyong Xia Tingfeng led ten thousand elite soldiers heading towards the Northwest.
Because they were traveling incognito.
The two of them loaded over a dozen carts of goods, disguised as a rchant convoy, bringing fewer than a hundred n with them.
The remaining ten thousand elite soldiers secretly protected them along a small path.
The rchant convoy moved slowly.
Every ti the ten thousand soldiers arrived at a city, they had to temporarily garrison there for a few days.
Although it was very inconvenient, there was no better way!
Carrying so many goods made them a conspicuous target in the Northwest.
The opponent wouldn’t even spare the ager savings of poor commoners, let alone such a heap of wealth!
They could disguise as bandits at any ti, erging from so unknown corner.
A rampage of burning, killing, and looting.
By then, capture the ringleader first, strike at the snake’s vital point! They must succeed in one attempt!
...
The ’rchant convoy’ traveled for more than half a month and was about to enter the Northwestern territory.
That day, as it turned dark, they passed by an inn.
Xia Tingfeng waved his hand broadly.
"We’ve been traveling for so many days; everyone rest here for the night and set off again tomorrow!"
The people below responded eagerly.
Everyone unloaded the cargo from the carriages, taking turns to guard them.
The horses were handed over to the innkeeper to be taken to the backyard for watering and feeding.
With so many people around.
Xia Tingfeng, posing as a generous rchant from the south and north, booked the entire inn.
The innkeeper, who hadn’t had any guests for days, was overjoyed at the sudden influx of people.
His grin almost reached his ears, and he was extrely attentive in hospitality.
After entering the rooms.
Fetching water, sweeping the floor, dusting, and wiping tables, almost as if greeting his own father.
"Please co in, sir!"
Xia Tingfeng was very pleased; after a round in the room, he sat down on a chair.
Opening the window, he saw the desolation around the rchants, feeling puzzled.
"What’s going on here?"
"It used to be quite bustling here, why does it look like it’s seen a ghost today!"
rchants, they speak bluntly.
Xia Tingfeng had been mixing in rogue circles too long.
Understanding what these various types were like, he naturally spoke with the flavor.
Crude language, with so regional dialects from the north and south.
The innkeeper presented a cup of tea, quickly responding with a grimace.
"Oh sir, don’t ntion it!"
"A few days ago, there suddenly ca a band of bandits from the north!"
"They are just thirty miles north at Black Cloud Stronghold!"
"They supposedly occupy the mountain path, committing murder and robbery, leaving no travelers unscathed, taking even a single copper coin!"
"It’s been terrible for the townspeople here!"
"What used to be a good transportation hub is now ruined; everyone goes the long way to avoid it!"
"It’s really a disaster!"
The innkeeper lanted for a while, suddenly rembering sothing, and quickly advised.
"Sir, where are you heading? Haven’t you heard?!"
"If you go further, you must take the long route, around the other side of Mount Black Cloud; it’s safer there!"
rchants prioritized profit, conducting business with familiarity.
As long as the money was right, they treated their patrons with great care.
If they could help, they would; speaking all they knew!
Xia Tingfeng feigned slight fear, but not panic, and pulled out a silver ingot from his chest.
"Thanks to the storekeeper for the advice!"
The innkeeper cheerfully accepted, pretending to decline as he tucked the silver into his sleeve.
"Sir, you’re too kind!"
Xia Tingfeng waved it off with a smile.
"On the road, more friends an more opportunities!"
"I just returned with goods from the south, planning to ship to the north!"
"Who knew bandits would arise in this half-year gap!"
"If not for your kind warning, would this batch of goods... still be safe?"
The innkeeper, seeing such a savvy rchant, skillful in words and actions like an old hand in the industry, was delighted to share more.
"Oh!"
"You’re heading north, I hear bandits are rampant there now!"
"This ti you missed trouble, next ti be cautious and very careful on your journey!"
Xia Tingfeng’s expression gradually turned solemn.
"Is it that serious?"
Speaking, he pulled the innkeeper to sit down, personally pouring him tea.
"Please, tell
more clearly!"
With money and tily communication, the two quickly reached an understanding.
Xia Tingfeng managed to extract a lot of information from the storekeeper’s mouth.
First:
Currently, bandits are rampant in the north, and it’s said this group is exceedingly greedy, unlike others who are selective; they plunder the rich and poor alike, utterly shaless!
Second:
These bandits surged in the last three months, and rumor suggests the various mountain gangs are in contact!
Soone once saw their lost goods in another location, suspecting the bandits transported it elsewhere after collecting it.
As to where, nobody knows, as their movents are too mysterious!
Third:
And this highlights the bandits’ shalessness.
Not only do they plunder wealth, but they also take won and children.
Won are sent away, children taken too, and the remaining old and infirm who are useless, are all killed, with the money thoroughly looted.
"It’s downright insane!"
The innkeeper spoke with increasing intensity, grinding his teeth!
Xia Tingfeng, having heard all this, echoed the outrage, and soon he and the innkeeper were as close as brothers.
Zhao Qichen watched in astonishnt.
Even though observing all along.
He still couldn’t understand his uncle’s clever maneuverings!
No wonder his father insisted he go out to gain experience.
Turns out, there are countless lessons beyond books!
And staying in the palace with self-satisfaction, he truly seed insignificant!
Like a frog in a well, unaware of the wider world!
"Is this... your son?" The innkeeper asked.
Xia Tingfeng nodded.
"My son is ten; he’s never been out. I took him with
to see the world, which will help him soday take over my business!"
"Splendid! Your son has a fine outlook, full of promise, surely to surpass his father in the future!"
"Hahaha!"
Xia Tingfeng laughed heartily.
"Show gratitude to the elder now!"
Zhao Qichen quickly cupped his fists.
"Thank you for your praise, elder!"
The innkeeper nodded with a smile, complinted a few more words, and then left the room.
...
Dinner was simple.
Afterwards, everyone rested.
Zhao Qichen couldn’t sleep; seeing the moonlight was nice, so he studied the map by the window with a lamp.
Xia Tingfeng pushed open the door and entered.
Traveling outside didn’t require formalities, so he sat directly on a chair.
"Uncle!"
Xia Tingfeng, slightly uncomfortable but trying to remain calm, asked.
"What are you looking at?"
Zhao Qichen handed over the map.
"The Northwest has many mountainous and barren areas, especially after leaving the pass! We must be cautious!"
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