Poor Lady

Qi Surong did business with merchants in the Western Regions, but never went to the Western Regions. After dinner and overnight stay all the way, the Gu family caravan arrived at the pass at the busiest time of the market in late summer. Today, the situation inside and outside Xiguan is very delicate. Although the surface is calm, the inside is already turbulent, and spies are everywhere.

In the name of inspecting places, the emperor dispatched several officials to various counties and counties. The Gu family caravan is a secret line arranged by the emperor secretly, and it is also his real back-up move. Official patrols are just to attract the attention of enemy detectives, so that the family caravan can act.

In Xiguan City, merchants of all ethnic groups gather here, the goods are dazzling, and the sound of buying and selling is endless. When Qi Surong arrived here, he learned that the imperial court had issued an order half a month ago. From now on, all merchants in Xiguan must have a quasi-business document from the local county governor, otherwise they will not be allowed to enter and exit the customs at will.

"Master, what should we do?" In the inn, Director Yao frowned and said, "Without the quasi-commercial documents, our freight will not leave Xiguan. If we trade within the customs, the price will be very different."

Except for Qi Surong, no one in the Gu family caravan knew the real purpose of the trip. All they cared about was the profit from the business. When Qi Surong decided to do a long-distance transaction, most of the managers did not agree, but Qi Surong, as "Zhuofan" in the past two years, has expanded the Gu family's business several times and established enough Prestige, so there was a row of discussions, and the trip was decided. Never thought that when they arrived at Xiguan after a long journey, they could not even get out of the pass.

Qi Surong looked as usual, studying the map carefully. This map was previously purchased from a person from the Western Regions. Although it only roughly mapped the geographical situation outside Xiguan, it was better than nothing.

"Master, what are your plans?" Manager Zhang couldn't help urging.

"I know what you are worried about." Qi Surong raised her head, looked around at a few people, and said with a smile, "I can get the quasi-business documents."

Several stewards all looked surprised. Although the Gu family's business has grown bigger and bigger in recent years, it is mostly concentrated in the middle, and there is not much communication with the border city and county.

"Liu, come with me." Qi Surong didn't say anything. After tidying up, he called his entourage and left the inn.

Passing through the market, Qi Surong went straight into the inner city and came to the outside of the prefecture.

"This lord, whose surname is Zhuo, comes from the Gu family in the capital. Today, I came to visit the county governor. Please let me know," Qi Surong handed the invitation to the guard outside the door.

Due to the restrictions of the quasi-business documents, many businessmen come to see the county governor every day, but only a handful of people are actually allowed to enter. The guards were no strangers to this, and just followed the rules and handed in Qi Surong's invitation.

"Heh, here's another one." A sturdy businessman not far away laughed, "We waited for several days and couldn't see the county governor. The new kid, let's just line up."

"That's right, the county governor only issues three documents a day, and today's amount is already full." Another person echoed.

"Oh?" Qi Surong stood with her hands behind her back, and asked with interest, "Since the amount is full, why are you all staying outside the mansion?"

Everyone looked at each other in dismay, and after a long while, someone sneered and said, "Isn't this trying to seize the opportunity for adults to travel and rob the road."

These words were witty, and attracted a lot of laughter, but the atmosphere was much more relaxed.

Qi Surong also smiled. Most of the men who lived in the border gates were heroic, and they were not as cautious and suspicious as people in Guanzhong.

While chatting and laughing, the guard who went to report came out, clasped his fists at Qi Surong and said, "This son, the county governor has affection."

Everyone was surprised when they saw it. Where did this person come from, and why did the county governor make an exception to meet him?

Qi Surong nodded lightly at them, and then entered the mansion under the guidance of the guards, leaving a complicated gaze.

Bianguan County is no better than Huadu. The buildings are mostly military-use, without gorgeous decorations, only solid walls and structures that are both offensive and defensive.

Qi Surong walked slowly into the hall and looked at the man in the hall calmly.

"Brother Zhuo, long time no see." The man greeted him with a smile, a bit of joy in his words.

"Master Huang." Qi Surong handed over. The man in front of him was one of Xu Chen's disciples - Huang Zheng. When he was admitted to the Jinshi examination, he was the first to request an external transfer, and now he is the governor of Xiguan County.

"You and I don't need to be more polite." Huang Zheng stepped forward and pulled out Qi Surong's arm, pulled him to the seat, and ordered someone to serve tea.

When the new emperor ascended the throne, many officials were implicated, but none of Xu Chen's students were demoted, instead they were promoted. Huang Zheng has a clear mind. Although he does not know Zhuo Fan's specific identity, "his" prophet has benefited him a lot, and several communications have given him a lot of advice.

"Brother Huang, I'm here today to prepare business documents." After a short reminiscence, Qi Surong said straight to the point.

Huang Zheng said with a special meaning: "Brother Zhuo, I never thought you would choose to do business."

"I'm not suitable for officialdom." Qi Surong smiled.

However, Huang Zheng disagreed. If the person in front of him was an official, he would definitely be able to make some achievements. He has a vision that ordinary people don't have, knows how to make good use of current affairs, seeks good luck and avoids evil, and is quite talented, dares to be the first, has a calm personality, and is far more mature than his peers.

"Brother Zhuo, you should know that the situation at the border is unstable now." Huang Zheng said, "It is quite risky to leave the customs. I hope you will ship the goods inside the customs. Although you earn less, at least you are safe."

"Thank you Brother Huang for your concern, but this matter has already been decided, it is not good to change it in the middle." Qi Surong declined, "Zhuo Mou is just an ordinary businessman, and all ethnic groups outside the customs should not be embarrassed."

"But..." Huang Zheng knew that Zhuo Fan's decision must have been carefully considered, but as an official, some words are difficult to say clearly.

Qi Surong seemed to feel something, and slowly dipped her fingers in some tea, and wrote the word "exploration" on the table.

A hint of surprise flashed in Huang Zheng's eyes, and then he showed a clear smile.

"Since you've made up your mind, it's not convenient for me to say more." Huang Zheng said sternly, "It's just that I'm out of prison and I'm weak, so I'm afraid I can't help you much."

Having said that, when Huang Zheng handed her the quasi-business document, he took advantage of the situation and gave her a golden handkerchief.

"Brother Huang can make an exception to sign the document for me, that's a big help." Qi Surong glanced quickly, this is a brocade with the characteristics of the Western Regions, and it is estimated that it has another magical effect.

She silently put away Jinpa and the quasi-business documents, refused Huang Zheng's retention, and walked out of the government office with her entourage. The businessmen who were waiting hard outside, when they saw her coming out, gathered around and asked her whether she had got the paperwork.

Qi Surong nodded. Even if she wanted to hide it, she couldn't hide it, after all, she was going to leave soon.

When the answer was affirmative, the crowd immediately burst into a commotion.

"Does the son have an old relationship with the prefect, can you recommend it on your behalf?"

"Young master, in the Wu family in Xiayancheng, if there is a chance in the future, we must cooperate."

"Master, son, if you are free at night, I would like to invite you to a glass of water and wine."

Qi Surong had expected that she would be surrounded, and raised her eyes to signal to the guards outside the palace, who immediately stepped forward to help her clear the siege.

"Everyone, this trip is quite urgent, and the return date is uncertain. When Zhuo returns, I will talk to you." After leaving these words, Qi Surong walked away.

Back at the inn, the stewards looked in disbelief when they saw the quasi-business documents in Qi Surong's hands. It only took an hour or two to get the quasi-business documents in hand. The ability of Zhuo Shao to do things is really unfathomable.

After two days of rest, Qi Surong left a few people on standby in the pass, and then took the caravan to cross the Western Pass and enter the vast Western Regions.

The western regions have lush pastures, fat cattle and horses, delicious and juicy fruits, and are rich in treasures, medicinal materials and spices. It's just that grains and grains are scarce, and there is a great demand for various living materials. The merchants in Guannei often used the abundant grain of the Central Plains in exchange for the treasures, horses and medicinal materials of the Western Regions, and the profits were considerable.

Qi Surong's goods this time are mostly food, as well as cloth, accessories and living utensils.

There are forty or fifty tribes in the Western Regions, scattered in various places. Although the people are sturdy and skilled in bowing and horses, because of the scattered population, they have always been ignored by the imperial court. However, with the integration of the alliance of several major tribes, its strength has grown stronger and stronger, and it has gradually become a hidden danger at the border.

In Qi Surong's memory, two years later, the border gate will usher in a very strong army, with a number of about 30,000 people, composed of more than a dozen tribes. She only remembered a few of the most powerful tribes, and other tribes still needed to be investigated.

However, she can at least be sure that the Hu Xia tribe did not participate in the rebellion. There are only three or four hundred people in this tribe, living in a corner, never paying attention to complicated current affairs. Qi Surong's first battle was Hu Xia.

Hu Xia people are hospitable and welcome the arrival of the Gujia caravan.

Just when Qi Surong was arranging for his entourage to unload the goods, he inadvertently saw an old man in the distance leading a man to mount a horse and prepare to leave.

The man's back was so familiar that she almost forgot to breathe.

Jinyun! Qi Surong ignored the surprised eyes of the people around him, and quickly chased over there, but unfortunately the two horses had already disappeared.

"Jin Yun..." Qi Surong stood alone on the vast grassland, staring at the direction the horses were leaving, "Is that you? Is that you?"

She couldn't believe that as soon as she entered the Western Regions, she met someone she couldn't find for a long time. Sadly, she passed by before she met.

Qi Surong took a deep breath and told herself not to worry, as long as he was alive, he would definitely be found. Besides, she wasn't without clues.

Back at the caravan, she took advantage of the transaction to inquire about the identity of the old man.

"You talk about him." A Hu Xia girl smiled, "He is a famous witch doctor in our Western Regions, named 'Tute', who specializes in treating people of various tribes. He has a very strange temper, but his medical skills are really good."

"Oh? Is the man following him his apprentice?"

The girl thought for a while and replied, "It shouldn't be an apprentice. That man looked stupid. I don't know where Tut picked it up."

Silly? Qi Surong's heart tensed. Could it be the sequelae of the injury? If so, that would also explain why he hadn't been in contact with his family for two years because of... impaired sanity.

Qi Surong was full of worries, hoping that it was Jin Yun, but not him. She can't wait to fly to him immediately to see what's going on with him.

Jinyun, wait for me. I can find you right away!