Chapter 69: Shen Shu's Global Connections

  When Shen Qing came in from outside, Qin Shui had already spread a layer of oilcloth on the carpet, arranged cold-cut beef, roasted rabbit, stewed marten, and even picked up crucian carp from the water bucket. The clever Qin Shui also made a soup. Adding some salt and sprinkling some wild onions and garlic that grew by the river, the rich fragrance stirred the hungry people's appetite after a day of hard work.

  Shen Qing and Ma Zhi met with a hint of parting emotions. At this time, Qin Baisui brought up the last large plate of wild vegetables and said to Qin Lei: "Your Highness, you can have your meal now."

  Qin Lei ordered Shen Bing, "Go get two jars of burning wine." Shen Bing happily jumped up from the ground and ran out of the tent. At this time, burning wine had just appeared, and neither Qi nor Chu accepted this kind of spicy and intoxicating high-proof liquor. Even in Qin State, it was not favored by the nobility, but only circulated among the lower classes. If it weren't for Qin Si Water, Qin Lei wouldn't have known that burning wine existed in this era.

  But there is a kind of person who is crazy about this strong wine - soldiers. After Qin Lei drank it that day, he felt that all other wines were tasteless and dull, so he let Qin Xiangshui only go to the Xianren Burnt Wine. This time when going north, Qin Lei was afraid that he wouldn't be able to drink the strong wine, so he actually had Shen Qing buy up all of the Xianren Burnt Wine's inventory, filling five large carts. The boss of Xianren Burnt Wine, Hua, was overjoyed for several days and would wake up laughing in his sleep.

  Qin Lei and his men traveled lightly, abandoning their heavy loads and bringing only ten jars of old wine. Originally, they had planned to drink enough for themselves, but unexpectedly, the wine became a rare commodity on the vast grassland with huge temperature differences, attracting the envy of all the guards. Qin Lei didn't mind them drinking, but after they drank for the first time, they all got drunk and fell asleep until sunset, delaying their journey for an entire day. Therefore, Qin Lei strictly controlled the amount of wine they drank, supplying only one jar per day to the whole group, with no exceptions.

  The more unattainable it is, the better. This group of drunkards has lost interest in their own bland and tasteless water wine after getting drunk once, and they pester Qin Lei every day, hoping he will show mercy and bestow more strong liquor upon them.

  Qin Lei's liquor was divided and placed on the back of each guard, but without his permission, no one had the intention to move. Because from the first day, he subtly instilled a thought into his subordinates: what belongs to you, the master will definitely give it to you. What the master doesn't give, absolutely don't covet. Day after day, it finally became a good habit.

  Shen Bing brought in ten large wine jugs and wanted to open them for Qin Lei to inspect. Qin Lei shook his head, "No need, I trust my brothers. Today, let's drink freely!"

  There were no guards on duty, and both inside and outside the tent, people cheered in unison, with some even shouting out taboo words like "Long live".

  Qin Lei furrowed his brow, knowing that this was a genuine outburst and unguarded words, so he didn't say anything. As the coarse ceramic bowls in front of everyone were filled with wine, Qin Lei took a glance at his subordinates sitting around the tent, their eyes fixed on him.

  Qin Lei laughed and scolded: "Don't look at me with that hungry and expectant gaze." He didn't say anything else.

  He picked up the white porcelain bowl on the table and raised it: "Today, I meet Ma Zhi again, tomorrow I arrive at Beishan Pasture, cheers!"

  Everyone raised their bowls and clinked them together in the middle of the table, saying loudly: "Thank you, Your Excellency." They all took a drink and finished it off. Qin Lei also drank up the strong liquor in his bowl, the burning sensation scorching his eyes shut. Looking at his subordinates who were still staring at him with eager eyes, Qin Lei smiled slightly, picked up a piece of beef and put it into his own bowl, saying to his greedy subordinates: "Help yourselves."

  A group of starving men pounced on the food like hungry tigers. For a time, the entire camp was filled with the sound of people eating with their heads down, the clinking of chopsticks against plates, and the gasping for air from those who were choking.

  Qin Lei sat beside Ma Zhi and Shen Qing, the food was personally prepared by Qin He's own hands, and added to that, his subordinates were somewhat restrained when eating with him. So a few people slowly ate and chatted, without the lively scene of other places.

  Qin Lei carefully asked about Ma Zhi's situation after they parted ways. Ma Zhi closed his eyes to recall, then began to recount the process of breaking through the siege and returning to their country.

  Because Qin Lei's large team suddenly rushed forward and shook off the spies from all sides for a while. Taking advantage of this time difference, Qin Lei forcibly sent away Zhang Jianzhi and Shen Luo, and at the same time gathered the scattered fine works in Yingzhou. This move was so smooth that when the spies came back to their senses and re-attached themselves to Qin Lei's main force, no one discovered Qin Lei's switch.

  It wasn't until a day after they set out that Shen Luo and Guan Tao were finally released. At this time, the two could only smile wryly at each other.

  As Shen Luo, the great merchant of the capital, as long as he didn't follow Qin Lei, that scourge, and didn't expose Guan Tao, that disaster star, with everyone's attention in Qi country focused on the background of Xifeng Pass to the west, he easily achieved unimpeded progress.

  All along the way, they passed through large and small cities of Qi State. As long as they saw Shen Luo's big flag, the city guards not only didn't dare to make things difficult for them but also welcomed them with a smile. As a result, this group of refugees actually had shops to stay in, cars to ride in, and all along the way, they ate delicious food and drank spicy wine, living a happy life. The most absurd thing was that they even stayed in the governor's mansion several times, and the county magistrate's residence was like their own bedroom, sleeping at will.

  Qin Lei's heart felt a chill, and he thought of his own miserable life, silently lamenting: "We're all human, how can the difference be so great?"

  Shen Luo and his company finally passed through Yan State and exited You State, leaving the border of Qi State and entering the vast Dongguo Le'er grasslands. After the Tang Dynasty defeated the Turks, they implemented a policy of both kindness and severity towards the northern ethnic minorities, drawing them in with divided and fragmented policies. Under the intimidation of strong military power and economic strength, the north never saw the emergence of a powerful unified nomadic people, but instead formed signs of gradual internal migration of grassland residents and mutual fusion between ethnic groups.

  Of course, all this must be based on a strong foundation. The decline and fall of the Tang Dynasty's national power at the end of the Tang Dynasty reignited the ambitions of many grassland wolves, who began to try to unify the grasslands and invade the Central Plains. Inviting heaven's prosperity, three powerful countries were quickly established, basically ending the chaotic situation. Through nearly a hundred years of repeated struggles, the grassland tribes were beaten back to their original state during the Tang Dynasty. However, the harmonious scene between nations that existed during the great Tang era could no longer be found.

  Shen Luo, due to business reasons, had some connections with the leaders of various tribes on the Dongguo Le'er grasslands. Along the way, there were tribal escorts, and crossing the vast grasslands wasn't as arduous as imagined. However, the grassland people were passionate about hospitality, and if one didn't visit when passing through a tribe, it would be considered a great insult. Thus, they walked and stopped along the way until ten days ago, when they finally left Dongguo Le'er and entered the Hetao area of Qin State. Without making any stops, they headed south, and while resting at the North Mountain Pasture, they unexpectedly ran into the vanguard guards, only to discover that Qin Lei was also heading to the North Mountain Pasture. Shen Luo decided to wait for him there. Ma Zhi had been sent out to welcome them.

  Ma Zhi finished speaking, Qin Lei laughed and scolded: "Following the old master is just enjoying blessings, damn it, if I had known earlier, I would have followed my uncle too."

  Everyone burst out laughing. Then they took turns holding Ma Zhi down and forcing him to drink, shouting for him to experience the thrill of being surrounded and caught.

  Qin Lei watched them laughing and joking, but didn't stop them. His heart had already flown to the Beishan Pasture.

  He is now eager to meet Shen Luo and Guan Tao. Ever since he found himself very immature in politics, he has been longing for someone to help him out.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  But on the second day when they set off, it was already high noon. This was still because Shen Qing used his whip to urge them on one by one, of course Qin Lei couldn't blame them, he had let them drink after all.

  A road that should have been finished by morning was still unfinished when the sun began to set.

  As Qin Lei crossed a small hill, he saw a earth castle appearing on the vast grassland, and finally arrived at Beishan Pasture.

  A few riders galloped out of the city and rushed towards Qin Lei. Qin Lei let out a long whistle, urging his warhorse to meet them halfway.

  War horses galloping in opposite directions meet at the focal point, Shen Luo and Zhang Jianzhi, who have been separated for many days, gaze at Qin Lei with big smiles. The three dismount their horses, hands tightly clasped together.

  After traveling thousands of miles and circling back, we finally met again on this northern grassland.

  Shen Luo and Zhang Jian gazed at the temple below, which stood upright like a spear. Although their faces were covered in dust, their eyes, which had once been dim and obscure, now shone brightly like an eagle's, captivating the heart with their firm and sharp gaze. Zhang Jian clasped his hands together in congratulations, saying: "Congratulations to Your Excellency, felicitations to Your Excellency."

  Qin Lei smiled and returned the courtesy without saying a word.

  Shen Luo grabbed Zhang Jianzhi's arm and scolded, "You broken pot, all you know is to speak in a mute language. I've tolerated you for a long time. Do you know that?" He also shook his fist threateningly, saying, "Finish what you're saying, or else I'll beat you until your face blooms."

  The guards behind him secretly cursed, when did Shen Zhi become so violent?

  Zhang Jianzhi knew that Shen Luo had been worried about Qin Lei's safety, and now that he finally saw him, the joy in his heart couldn't be directly expressed. He took the opportunity to vent a bit, smiling and scolding: "You old Shen, I'm telling you, hurry up and let go. This is my only decent set of clothes, if you ruin it, you won't be able to afford to compensate me."

  Qin Lei hastily pulled open Shen Luo and grasped his hand sincerely: "Uncle, thank you."

  Shen Luo's body trembled, and he felt a sourness in his nose. He hastily turned his head and said in a loud voice, "If you don't want to say it, then don't. You can keep playing mysterious. I'll go see if dinner is ready." After finishing speaking, he mounted his horse and fled back to the earthen city without looking back.

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  During Sanjiang period, over 10,000 per day, persistent and intense. Everyone collects and recommends a lot.