Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 128 Xizi
The scorching sun hangs high in the sky, burning the vast earth.

The camel bells swayed in the heat, making a dull tinkling sound.

A group of Xizi merchants, dressed in colorful clothes and driving camels loaded with goods, were slowly moving towards Shangjing.

The leader was a middle-aged man named Alim. He stroked the wolf-tooth necklace around his neck with his rough fingers, squinted his eyes and looked at the horizon where the summer heat was rising, with a look of joy on his face.

"Everyone, work harder, we'll be in the capital soon!"

Alimu's voice was like a loud bell, injecting a bit of vitality into the tired caravan.

Everyone was greatly encouraged and responded with laughter.

Alimu patted the neck of the camel beside him and whispered to comfort his hardworking partner.

"When we get to Shangjing, I'll feed you a meal of delicious and fresh grass, and give you a good bath as a reward."

Finally, the outline of Shangjing City appeared in the twilight.

The majestic and magnificent city comes into view.

That is Shangjing.

The heart of Daliang, a symbol of prosperity.

"Look, Shangjing!"

Some people in the team came to Beijing for the first time and shouted excitedly.

Everyone laughed at him, but they were also full of expectations and longing.

The camel seemed to sense its master's emotions and its steps became more brisk.

At the city gate, a young soldier came forward and used the tip of his knife to pry open the cargo box on his camel's back. A spicy aroma of spices wafted to his face.

"A spice merchant from Sids?"

Alim handed over the customs documents and put a purse under them, smiling and answering respectfully: "Yes, yes, yes, it's a long journey just to deliver authentic Xizi spices to the nobles in Beijing..."

"Where are they?" The soldier looked up at the others.

"They don't speak Zhongzhou dialect." Alim replied.

"We are all drivers of a caravan. We have been doing business in Beijing for many years. I hope the official will give us some convenience..."

The soldier's scabbard lingered over the goods for a moment, and he slipped the purse into his pocket without leaving a trace.

"After all, he is a barbarian from the west. Even his tribute smells of sheep."

He tapped the cargo box with his scabbard and said, "Go ahead, go ahead. Once you get into the city, keep your mouth shut and be honest with your hands and feet. Just do your business quietly and don't cause any trouble."

Alim nodded hurriedly, his face full of humility.

"Thanks to the official's teachings, I will, of course."

As you enter Shangjing City, the atmosphere of prosperity hits you.

There is a constant flow of traffic, people coming and going, and the sounds of hawking and chatting are intertwined, making it a feast for the eyes.

Alimu was leading his camel and looking at the dazzling array of goods on the street. He was so engrossed in the sight that he suddenly saw a dealer with bare arms and bruises coming out from behind a stall. He had a fleshy face and a ferocious tattoo on the back of his hand, like a wild beast with bared fangs and claws.

"I came from the west, exchanging tea leaves for spices. Do you want to exchange them?"

The teacup owner threw a box of tea leaves over and said, "Let's see the quality."

Alim opened the lid and a rich, mellow aroma of tea filled his nose.

He looked at it for a moment, sniffed it again, and nodded.

Then, the man took out a bag of high-quality tea from his arms, and Alim also took out a bag of spices and handed it to the other party.

"It's of excellent quality. The tea merchant has a lot of goods. Where can I exchange them?"

"Tianshui Inn."

Both parties showed satisfied expressions and bowed to each other to say goodbye.

Alim led the caravan forward, traveling through the bustling city of Shangjing.

Finally, they stopped at the door of an inn.

"It's right here." Alim looked up at the sign of "Tianshui Inn". When the innkeeper came to him, he smiled and directed everyone to unload the goods and place the camels.

At this time, a young servant in blue clothes came over with hurried steps.

"Dear guests, thank you for your hard work. My host has prepared a welcoming banquet on the second floor. Please come in..."

Alim exchanged glances with several Hu merchants and asked in stiff Zhongzhou Mandarin.

"Who is your master?"

The young servant in blue bowed and said with a smile: "Dear guests, please go upstairs and you will know..."

Private room on the second floor.

As soon as a few Hu merchants stepped onto the wooden ladder, an elegant young man came to greet them.

He was dressed in a brocade robe with fluttering sleeves, had a smile on his face, and his every move was elegant.

"You distinguished guests have come from afar and must be tired from the journey. Please take a seat."

Several Hu merchants looked at him quietly, their eyes full of vigilance.

The scene fell silent instantly...

The young man asked with an awkward smile: "Your Excellency, do you not trust me?"

Alim put his hand on the hilt of the knife at his waist, exerted a little force with his fingers, and slowly took two steps forward. The scimitar was already three inches out of the sheath.

"Sir, we have never met before. Why did you invite me so kindly?"

Gu Jie's heart tightened and cold sweat had already soaked his shirt. Under the other party's cold gaze, he had to pretend to be calm and make his voice sound steady and sincere.

"My name is Gu, I am from the capital, and now I am unemployed at home... I want to follow you gentlemen Xizi and do some spice business..."

"Sir, you want to do spice business. Do you know the ins and outs of this business?"

Alim stared at Gu Jie closely, the handle of the knife in his hand turned slightly, and his voice carried a bit of the fierceness honed by the wind and sand of the frontier.

"I see that you are delicate and tender, and I'm afraid you have never even touched a camel's reins. You are a driver of merchants, exposed to the wind and sun, you can't bear the hardship..."

As soon as Alim spoke, the scent of camel milk wafted over him.

Gu Jie frowned uncomfortably, cupped his hands, and smiled with a bit of awkwardness.

"I am ashamed to say that I have studied hard for more than 20 years but have not been able to achieve fame... Although I have never dealt with foreign merchants, I know that Xizi spices are unique and of high quality. All the dignitaries in Daliang City are eager to buy them. I think this business will definitely make a difference..."

As he said this, he glanced at Alim's expression and said, "If you don't believe me, I'm willing to pay a deposit first..."

Gu Jie turned around, brought up an exquisite sandalwood box, placed it on the dining table, and gently opened the cover of the box embroidered with exquisite patterns with both hands. Inside were neatly stacked silver ingots, which emitted a soft glow under the candlelight.

Alim was slightly startled.

Several Xiz merchants also looked at each other.

"Sir, what are you going to do?"

Gu Jie smiled and said, "When doing business, we Zhongzhou people value sincerity..."

Alim stared at Gu Jie with deep eyes.

"I'm afraid what you want to buy is not spices, right?"

Gu Jie leaned forward slightly and asked in a low voice, "I heard that your caravan has frequent dealings with Jiuling Marsh, and even bought the crossbow machine diagram and bed diagram of the Daliang Kingdom's Shenbi Camp?"

Alim's expression changed and his eyes became sharp in an instant.

"Sir, don't say such things. We are honest businessmen who always behave in a law-abiding manner when doing business in Daliang. How could we have such extraordinary abilities..."

Gu Jie pressed on: "Two years ago, Jiuling Swamp captured a female spy from Xizi. She secretly seduced the Minister of War, stole the confidential blueprints, and fled to Jiuling Swamp..."

Alim frowned, a look of displeasure appearing on his face.

"Young Master is not a sincere businessman... Our caravan does have business dealings with Jiuling Swamp, but all our business is aboveboard and we have never violated the rules. We have never touched any crossbow machine drawings or bed drawings..."

After that, he snorted and said coldly: "If there is such a divine weapon, the wind and sand of Xizi should have blown into the twelve gates of Liangdu with the sobbing sound of the wolf bone flute!"

Gu Jie slowly took out a black iron token from his arms and placed it flat on the wooden table.

"What if Princess Pingle of Daliang says you have it?"