Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 173 Changes in Mindset
What a coincidence!

Tan Huaike had considered that the merchant's family had fallen on hard times and lost a lot of money in business. After selling off the property and inventory, he would either want to find a place to make a comeback or find a place in the countryside to enjoy his remaining years. If he wanted to make a comeback, he would most likely go to a prosperous and wealthy place; if he wanted to enjoy his remaining years in peace, he would most likely return to his hometown.

It is said that the Li family business originated in the south, so many people speculate that they have returned to their hometown, where they can either engage in trading to make more money or live a comfortable life by maintaining their land. Tan Huaike had previously learned that some people had seen the Li family's shop in Jiangnan, but upon further inquiry, he learned that they were distant relatives with the same surname and were not acquainted with the person he was looking for.

It wasn't until they met this medicine merchant that they realized they had been looking in the wrong direction; unexpectedly, they had gone to the Hexi border.

This inevitably raises suspicions.

At that time, Shentu Jianzhi was also demoted to Zhangye as a clerk of the prefectural governor. The Li family first bought Shentu's mansion, and after the disaster, they secretly moved to Hexi. It was as if they were chasing after a debtor. No matter how you look at it, they were involved with Shentu's family.

Tan Huaike said to Shen Tuheng, "Lord Yansha, I know that the Crown Prince is also paying attention to this old case. Please convey this to His Highness the Crown Prince, and tell him that we will take the opportunity of our return to the west to investigate what exactly happened to the Li family back then, and why they went to Hexi. His Highness has helped us a lot. If we can find new clues, it will be a contribution to eliminating dissidents for His Highness."

Shen Tu Heng nodded: "Madam Shen Tu is intelligent and virtuous, and understands the greater good. I thank you on behalf of His Highness and... Lord Shen Tu."

Shen Tu Zhuo recalled for a long time: "But we haven't seen this family in Zhangye all these years." He subconsciously looked at Shen Tu Heng to confirm, but the latter did not respond.

It seems my brother doesn't remember either, which shows it's not that I'm too young to remember.

“If this family is truly connected to Grandpa, even if they initially avoided meeting him to avoid trouble, they would surely find an opportunity to contact him later, right?” Shen Tu Zhuo wondered. “But we’ve never heard our elders mention them, nor have we ever heard of any merchant family with the surname Li in Zhangye. Could it just be a coincidence?”

“In any case, this is the only clue we have left. Since Tao Wei brought it up and there are some strange things about it, we still need to investigate it carefully,” Shen Tu Heng said. “Perhaps they have a special way of communicating with Lord Shen Tu? Or perhaps they met secretly without telling others, which is unknown to outsiders.”

"Hmm... If that's the case, it might be difficult to investigate, since my grandfather has been dead for a long time and there's no way to verify the facts."

"Uncle, have you thought about asking Aunt Jun?" Tan Huaike suggested. "Aunt Jun comes from an official family; her father was once the Grand Historian. With such a big incident happening in Shentu Prefecture, I don't think she could have stood idly by. Moreover, I always felt that Aunt Jun was quite resentful about Uncle Jun's case and hated the Andu court to the core, to the point that she would rather suffer on the frontier than let your brother and you return to officialdom. Is there some other reason behind this that she hasn't told you?"

Shen Tu Heng looked at Shen Tu Zhuo.

Shen Tu Zhuo understood and nodded: "Okay, I will find an opportunity to sound out Mother's opinion."

Although he knew that he would be severely scolded by his mother and even punished by family law for participating in the examinations, he knew that this was something he had to go through eventually and could not escape.

After exchanging goods and services, Shen Tu Heng departed, reporting the situation to the Crown Prince. Shen Tu Zhuo focused on recuperating and began preparations for opening up trade routes to the west. Tan Huai Ke, as the person in charge of the Guangli Merchant Guild's expansion of business in the western border region, also completed all the handover procedures, aiming to take advantage of this westward wind to lay a solid foundation for the guild's border trade and to increase his chances of winning in the imperial merchant selection.

Soon after, the King of Qin set off for his fiefdom, accompanied and guarded by General Lingchuan of the Zhenxi Army.

Shen Tu Zhuo received a new official document from the Grand Herald and passed through the palace, following closely behind Tan Huai Ke and Fu Feng. Shen Tu Heng did not come to say goodbye, presumably having already gone ahead alone, trailing near the King of Qin's procession.

Ironically, it was Aisha, who was the one who should have returned to Mohe to report, who was forcibly detained. Before leaving, the group gathered again at Yanzhisi in Andu. Tan Huaike was worried about Aisha's situation and asked him how to deal with Da Xuan's disguised detention. Aisha, however, seemed to be enjoying it.

He said, "Although Princess Mohe completed the marriage as scheduled, she unfortunately died. If we want to continue to maintain the alliance between the two countries, someone should be left as a hostage. I, the eldest prince, am the only choice."

"Besides, the situation in Mohe is still unclear. Rather than going back to fight the princess to the death, it's better to stay in Daxuan a while longer. Once the new trade routes are opened, I'll have more leverage. Even if the princess has some other tricks up her sleeve then, ha..."

He didn't want to say anything more, and just slowly drank his wine.

Tan Huaike knew that there were many divisions within the Mohe royal family. Even when the princess and the eldest prince went missing during their marriage, no timely action was taken. It wasn't until they found a replacement for the princess and had no choice but to act that they managed to put together a force to maintain appearances. This shows just how chaotic the Mohe royal court was.

If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't find a place to live in his own country, Alan wouldn't have had to resort to a marriage alliance to seek a way out for himself, and Aisha, as the rightful crown prince, wouldn't have been forced to go to a foreign country to serve as an envoy.

Fu Feng, sitting in the corner, scoffed at Aisha's words: "That may be true, but Your Highness should not underestimate the Princess's methods. Now that you are not in Mohe, the entire royal court is probably following her lead... Haven't you and your brother suffered enough at her hands before?"

Aisha felt there was something more to his words and wanted to investigate further, but Fufeng refused to say anything more.

After the farewell banquet, everyone embarked on their own journeys.
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Unlike his initial anxiety and uncertainty, Tan Huaike was full of anticipation for this journey.

Perhaps it was because she had escaped the fate of being forced to impersonate others, perhaps it was because her business was thriving, or perhaps it was because she had found her direction for the future, but she felt that her state of mind had changed significantly.

Moreover, on the way back to Hexi, the gloom of being relentlessly pursued was gone.

Perhaps feeling that there was no longer a direct threat after they left Andu, and that the opening of the new trade route would be profitable for all parties, the journey was quite peaceful. Apart from the many social engagements with the gentry along the way, Tan Huai Ke traveled almost entirely as a merchant and a traveler, earning money while also enjoying the beautiful scenery of the twelve prefectures.

Upon entering Wuwei County, one of the four counties in Hexi, they suddenly felt a sense of returning home.

The King of Qin is temporarily staying in Muzhou, which is the center of his fiefdom and the future location of the King of Qin's residence. However, after handling the relevant political affairs, he will inspect the border and take complete control of the Zhenxi Army there. There should be another chance to meet then.

Zhou Wencong sent a message to Shen Tu Zhuo using a goose feather, wishing them all the best, but Shen Tu Heng remained silent, as if he didn't exist at all.

The group stayed at the inn that night.

Tan Huaike couldn't help but worry: "Has something happened to Lord Yansha? Is he still protecting the Prince of Qin? Is he currently staying in Muzhou?"

Shen Tu Zhuo snorted: "I don't think so."

Fu Feng shrugged: "If he doesn't want to show himself, there's nothing anyone can do."
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Next chapter: Where did the sound of the Huqin come from?