#235 - Jizhou City

March 13th, Jizhou City.

The tens of thousands of troops loyal to the royal family have now completed their assembly on the border of Jizhou, but have not yet officially begun their attack. Therefore, apart from very strict control over entry and exit from the city, everything in Jizhou City is still operating normally.

"What's your name?!"

"What do you do?!"

"What's in the carriage?! Open it up!!"

"."

At the south gate, squads of soldiers are patrolling, while several city garrison soldiers are strictly checking the identities of everyone entering the city.

However, when several more carriages drove up to the city gate from not far away, the group of soldiers immediately changed their expressions.

"Young Master Xu, you're back."

The soldiers didn't dare to say more, shouting "Let them pass" while secretly glancing at the black carriage following behind the horse-riding man.

The carriage curtain was very tight, and it was impossible to see what was happening inside.

However, since Young Master Xu was personally escorting them back, it must be some extraordinary figure.

"Da da da~ Da da da~".

The sound of hooves gradually rose as the carriage was pulled into the city gate, quickly disappearing from everyone's sight.

"Captain, who did Young Master Xu bring back?"

A small soldier approached the squad leader who had spoken earlier and asked in a low voice, "Shouldn't we investigate? What if they are spies from the imperial court..."

"Shut up! Do you not want to live?!"

"I..."

"Remember! From now on, as long as you see it's Young Master Xu, let them pass!"

"Yes!"

A quarter of an hour later, at the Ruyi Inn.

"Brother Wei, Sect Leader Qin, my mother is holding a banquet at home tonight, and I hope you two will do us the honor of attending."

Inside a luxuriously decorated room, the young man who had been riding the horse was accompanying Wei Changtian and Qin Zhengqiu for tea.

He was the eldest son of the Xu family, Wei Yanyu's own son, Xu Chengwen.

Legend has it that this Young Master Xu is both talented in literature and martial arts, and now Wei Changtian realized that it was indeed the case after seeing him in person.

In every aspect, he's only a little bit worse than me.

"Madam Wei is too kind."

Smiling politely, Wei Changtian nodded in agreement, "We will definitely be there on time tonight."

"That's good. Since you two have traveled far and are tired from the journey, I won't bother you any longer."

Xu Chengwen stood up, cupped his hands, and took out a token from his chest.

"This inn is owned by the Xu family. I have already asked all the other guests to move elsewhere, so you two can stay here without worry."

"If you want to stroll around Jizhou City, you can take this token with you, and the patrolling soldiers won't investigate too much."

"Alright, thank you, Brother Xu."

Wei Changtian also stood up and took the token: "Then we won't delay you any longer. We'll see you later."

"Okay, see you later."

Finally, Xu Chengwen respectfully bowed to Qin Zhengqiu before turning and walking out of the room.

Only after the increasingly faint footsteps had completely disappeared did Wei Changtian turn to ask Qin Zhengqiu.

"Grandpa, what do you think of this Xu Chengwen?"

"He is meticulous in his words and actions, and his cultivation is also not weak..."

Qin Zhengqiu first gave a rather high evaluation, then shook his head.

"But he is not even one ten-thousandth as good as you, grandson."

"."

Good heavens, you're praising me so much that I'm embarrassed!

"Cough."

Slightly embarrassed, Wei Changtian coughed and didn't continue the topic, but instead called Zhang San in.

"Take people to check the inn inside and out, including the innkeeper and the waiters. Keep a close eye on them."

"Also, go check out the nearby alleys and study the shortest route out of the city."

"Yes, I'll go now.."

Zhang San nodded: "Young Master, is there anything else you need?"

"Mm. Where is Youjia now?"

"Miss You is in her room."

"Alright, have her wait for me in the main hall..."

Wei Changtian exchanged a glance with Qin Zhengqiu.

"Just say I want to go for a walk with her."

Jizhou is located in the west of Da Ning's Central Plains, bordering Tanzhou to the east and Yuanzhou to the west. Further west is the territory of Da Feng.

Unlike the humid climate of Shuzhou, Jizhou is dry and has little rain all year round, and the land is barren. Logically speaking, it should be a desolate place.

However, in reality, Jizhou is one of the richest prefectures in the entire Da Ning.

And the reason for such an "abnormal" achievement is entirely dependent on Jizhou's prosperous and complete commerce.

The "Jizhou merchants" all over the country transport local specialties to other states through carriages, carts, and even shoulder poles to earn price differences, completing the original capital accumulation.

After having money, the Jizhou merchants did not sit idle, but continued to expand their business while also reaching out to more profitable industries.

Banks,镖局(bodyguard agencies), salt and iron, military supplies, and even once completely controlled the trade routes with Da Feng, earning a fortune on both ends.

Of course, if you want to do these businesses, it's not enough to have money. You must also have official protection.

Then this will mention another element of why the Jizhou merchants succeeded—banding together.

They deeply knew that the power of one person would never be greater than that of a group of people. Therefore, as long as they were traveling outside, fellow villagers would help each other if they could, and unite as one.

So, when the Xu and Wei families combined strongly and entered the court in one fell swoop, the living environment of the Jizhou merchants was qualitatively improved.

And this is why the people of Jizhou are now willing to stand on the same front with the Xu family when they rebel.

"I didn't expect Jizhou City to still be so lively, as if it doesn't know that the imperial court's army is eyeing it in Peizhou..."

Walking on the crowded street, Youjia whispered with emotion: "And the goods are too complete. Such a small market actually has specialties from all over the world."

"Mm."

Wei Changtian looked around and nodded: "It is said that the people of Jizhou are good at doing business, and now it seems that it is indeed the case. By the way, have you ever been to Jizhou before?"

"I've been here..."

Youjia responded, but her expression was a little unnatural.

Wei Changtian didn't notice her abnormality and casually asked again: "Did you come here because of a Dragon Guard mission?"

"Yes, I came here a few years ago..."

Youjia suddenly stopped talking halfway through, and after a while, she whispered pleadingly in Wei Changtian's strange gaze.

"Young Master, let's not talk about this, okay?"

"...Okay."

Wei Changtian instantly realized that Youjia didn't want to recall the past, and paused in his tone.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

"."

Youjia didn't speak, lowered her head, and wanted to take Wei Changtian's hand.

However, the level of shame of holding hands in the street in this era is almost the same as wet kissing in the street in the previous life, so she finally retracted her hand, just moved her body closer to Wei Changtian.

In the bustling crowd, the corners of the two people's clothes were slightly entangled, and the contrast between black and white was actually a bit pleasing to the eye.

Wei Changtian is handsome and suave, needless to say, Youjia is also a person who once caused a group of men in the Suspended Mirror Division to "kill each other".

Although both of them are currently wearing face veils to cover their faces, this outstanding temperament alone is enough to make a group of passers-by dumbfounded.

Being stared at by so many people is inevitably a little uncomfortable, Wei Changtian quickened his pace, wanting to quickly pass through this downtown area.

However, at this moment, a slightly wretched voice suddenly rang out from the roadside.

"This young master~"

"Come and have some fun~"