Are you crazy? Trying to trick him into military service? He's the number one dragon on the fro

The State of Chu.

The capital city of Danying has a history of four or five hundred years. The people of Chu have always regarded this city as a sacred place in their hearts. Whether they are high-ranking officials or ordinary people, they walk on the road with their heads held high and their faces full of pride and self-esteem.

After arriving at this place, Fan Changshan first pretended to be a normal merchant and took the opportunity of conversation to inquire about matters related to Xiong Zhao's family.

At this moment, gazing at the bustling street, he couldn't help but sigh:

"The State of Chu is indeed a land of abundant resources. Even the clothing and manners of its ordinary people are much better than those of our country."

"Ah, if only our country could be so prosperous!"

Fan Changshan's sentiment was heartfelt; after all, who wouldn't want their country to be strong and prosperous?

A passerby from Chu overheard his lament and, out of curiosity, came over. He picked through some items at his stall and bought a few, then proudly exclaimed:

"Of course!"

"Although my Chu Kingdom is not located in the Central Plains, it is still one of the most prosperous countries in the world. Naturally, as you say, the people are wealthy and the country is powerful."

"Judging from your attire, you've come from the State of Yan?"

Upon hearing the other person's words, Fan Changshan shook his head repeatedly, then his eyes filled with indignation as if he had just thought of something:

"To be honest, I am a traveling merchant from the Great Zhou Dynasty. I have spent all my wealth to purchase a large quantity of goods, intending to sell them in your country and make a fortune. However, just as I reached the border between Zhou and Chu, my two countries were at war, and I was stopped on the way by villains in the army."

"If it weren't for the help of a good friend from the Yan state, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to save this cart of goods, or even my life!"

"Alas, though the two countries are at war, what wrong have we merchants done?"

The people of Chu were not too surprised to hear that he came from the Great Zhou.

These days, although countries and powers are constantly at war, they never cut off trade routes, so it is normal for merchants from other countries to appear in one's own country.

Some forces that don't even qualify as nations can be engaged in a life-or-death struggle one second and shake hands and make peace the next, opening up trade routes.

In addition, the people of Chu liked to collect goods from various countries, so it was even more common for them to encounter merchants from other countries.

After hearing this, the man from Chu smiled wryly and offered a few words of comfort:

"How could I not feel the same way?"

"To be honest, due to the war between our two countries, I haven't been able to buy any porcelain from your Great Zhou for quite some time."

"Since we get along so well, why shouldn't I give you some?"

As they spoke, Fan Changshan hurriedly took out several porcelain vases and enough bowls and plates for a family of ten from the car, and presented them to the other party with a smile:

"I had thought that because of the war between our two countries, I would face discrimination upon arriving in your country and even be unable to do business. But now it seems that I was just worrying unnecessarily."

"Actually, there's something else I'm quite curious about. I wonder if you could tell me a little about it?"

Upon hearing this, the man from Chu immediately nodded, indicating that he was willing to hear the details.

Therefore, Fan Changshan raised his request to know the residence of Xiong Zhao's family.

He said that this was his first time in the State of Chu, and that after being rescued by his friend from the State of Yan, he encountered the Chu army on the way.

He thought he would be robbed or even detained by the army as before, but unexpectedly a passing Chu army appeared and rescued him!

At this point, Fan Changshan said with great gratitude:

"According to what the Chu general said, it turns out that this was all ordered by General Xiong Zhao."

"It's true that the old general said the two countries are hostile, but that's a matter between the high-ranking officials of the two countries. How innocent are we ordinary people?"

"I am deeply grateful for the old general's kindness. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have been able to come to the State of Chu alive. However, I don't know when the old general will be able to return to the capital. Therefore, I would like to take the liberty of visiting the old general's home to bring some gifts as a token of my gratitude!"

Seeing his gratitude, the man from Chu immediately pointed south and began to introduce him:

"You truly repay a small kindness with a great one; I will certainly oblige!"

"Go straight ahead, and when you reach the intersection of the second street and alley, turn right. After about seven or eight houses, the house with the Xiong Mansion plaque hanging at the door is the residence of General Xiong."

Thank you!

Fan Changshan was extremely grateful.

The man from Chu, having accepted his porcelain, wished to reciprocate in some way, and thus offered a suggestion:

"Once you arrive at the Xiong residence, you may offer some goods as gifts to the General's wife. This will grant you entry; otherwise, you will certainly be turned away!"

Fan Changshan bowed again, expressing his gratitude repeatedly. Then, he took out his own portrait and said rather embarrassedly:

"I am not afraid of being laughed at, but I am illiterate. When I first entered the business world, I was worried about being cheated, so I asked an artist to make a portrait of me. I traveled around with this portrait, and my business gradually improved."

"From then on, wherever I went, I would take out this item and give it to those who were destined to receive it."

"If you have the opportunity to visit the Great Zhou in the future, you can take this portrait to the Fan Family Trading Company, where you can purchase their goods at 80% of the original price!"

The man was overjoyed to hear that he had only mentioned a few things that were common knowledge in Chu, and immediately said that he would definitely go there in the future.

After seeing the person off, Fan Changshan packed his things and headed to the Xiong residence.

On the way, he visited the shops that the Fan family had opened in the area to inquire about the specifics.

The shopkeeper told him that the general's wife was greedy and had a fierce temper. When the old general was at home, he obeyed his wife completely and dared not resist at all.

She herself is rather timid and afraid of trouble.

Fan Changshan was overjoyed, feeling even more confident.

Just now, he asked the Chu people, mainly to see their attitude towards the Zhou people. If it was extremely hostile, he would take Xiong Zhao's family and leave.

Now we can take further action and expand our gains!

Before long, Fan Changshan arrived at the gate of the Xiong residence. Following the advice of the Chu people and his own shopkeeper, he took several boxes of expensive pastries and rare items from the Great Zhou Dynasty and knocked on the door.

Soon, a woman with gray hair, who looked no younger than Xiong Zhao, opened the door. She was his wife, Madam Wang.

At first, Wang was wary, since Fan Changshan's clothes were not in the Chu style. But after hearing the purpose of his visit, she immediately smiled and welcomed him inside.

After presenting the gifts, Fan Changshan spoke with a worried expression.

"Madam, to be honest, I am acting on the General's orders to urge you to flee immediately and leave Chu as soon as possible. We cannot afford to delay even for a moment, or the Xiong family will be in grave danger!"

Why is that?

Wang was greatly alarmed and even began to doubt the man's intentions.

Fan Changshan remained calm. After cautiously looking around, he took the jade pendant out of his pocket and, seeing Wang's surprised expression, lowered his voice and said:

"The general was framed by treacherous officials at court, resulting in him falling into the Zhou army's encirclement and sustaining multiple injuries!"