Volume 1 Nightfall Border City Chapter 50 Distant Concerns

  The weather is getting hotter and hotter, a dry air hangs over the lush green lawn.

  The white flowers are annoyingly sunny, and even Zhai Zhe in the deep mountains of Hanzhai is restless, always having a bad premonition.

  "A year of great disaster!" Zhai Zhe muttered to himself, thinking of the two consecutive years of drought in Shaanxi.

  Lin Danhan's banditry temporarily cut off the road outside Kuhu Kou, and it was unknown when it would be opened. He secretly rejoiced that he had just transported food and weapons out. The affairs in the mountain stronghold were not busy, Wang Yi urged the craftsmen to build two passes on the winding path where Han entered the mountain, with cliffs on the left and steep walls on the right. Di Zhe was confident that even if they were discovered by Chahar cavalry and besieged, Han's stronghold could hold out for a few days.

  Zuo You was arranged to enter the Prime Minister's mansion temporarily and had no business, wandering around the Han Mansion for several days in a row.

  After seven days, he found Wang Yi to discuss changing the location and patrol method of the outer sentry posts.

  Wang Yi did not dare to make decisions on his own and asked for instructions from Di Zhe.

  "By setting up a sentry post here, the grassland to the east, including that small path leading into the mountain, can be seen at a glance. A sentry post set up there can monitor the road down the mountain. If we follow the current distribution of sentry posts, the western mountain pass is a blind spot..." Zuo Rou led Tie Zhe to re-examine the surroundings of Han Village, explaining one by one.

  Di Zhe nodded secretly, wondering if this Zuo Ruo was really extraordinary or the horse bandits in the village were too amateurish.

  "Alright, from now on, the mountain stronghold's defense will be handled by you!" Zhai Zhe immediately made a decision. Those who are capable should work harder. If talented people aren't used, then that would be even worse than being a bandit.

  "Thank you... thank you for the trust of the master!" It was the first time she said the title of "master", and Zuo Rou still felt a bit unaccustomed to it.

  "Xiao is my elder brother and also your elder brother. You and I are like brothers too. Don't be restrained in the mountain stronghold!"

  Zuo nodded silently.

  Two men chatted along the way, Di Zhe asked: "When you were in Yulinwei, didn't you fight with the Mongols?"

  "It's all over!" Zuo Rou nodded, "So when Big Brother advised us to escape into the grasslands at first, everyone was unwilling. For the Great Ming dynasty that had guarded the border for ten years, who would have thought that in the end they still had to rely on their mortal enemy."

  "Alas," sighed Xiang Xiang, "if it weren't for Hong Chengchou's cruelty and untrustworthiness, we would still be thinking of surrendering to the imperial court."

  In the early stages of the Shaanxi uprising, Hong Chengchou pretended to offer amnesty and deceived a large number of rebel leaders, who were beheaded and displayed in public after entering the city. From then on, no rebel army dared to trust him again.

  Di Zhe burst out laughing and said, "One day, we will all return to the Great Ming! Do you think we will really spend our whole lives as horse thieves on this grassland?" He thought for a moment, then revealed his plan to Zuo Rou and Pan Duo. This plan was known to the Tumote people and also to Xiao Zhiyan. What he needed to do now was not to hide and evade, but to make more people have faith in him.

  Two people walked together, talking all the way. The more Leftuo listened, the graver his expression became. He couldn't have imagined that this young man in front of him had such insight, and had long since made a heavy bet on Tudomu's predicament.

  "Not bad, the outbreak of the war in Moshan is just an opportunity! But... " He furrowed his brow and said: "But what I fear is that we drive out the wolf at the front door, only to let the tiger in through the back door!" The tiger refers to the Jurchen people.

  Di Zhe let out a long breath and said, "The war in Mo Nan is just the beginning!" He was very satisfied with Zuo Ruo's reaction. At least this was someone who could think for himself, unlike anyone else around him.

  He who does not think of the distant future will soon find himself in trouble close at hand.

  The war in the south of the desert is still unknown when it will happen, but the surrounding grasslands are already surging with undercurrents.

  Inside the city of Hu Kou, within a few months, the relationship between De Xiang and Ning Sheng had risen to great heights, already surpassing that of the Cao and Li families. The Tumote Department's goods were not many, but it was enough to support a business, let alone the fact that Zhai Zhe had sold almost all of the war horses prepared by Princess Wulan in just a few months.

  Inside the shop, the stout Wang Zhanggui was counting at the counter. Three people walked in from the outside gate, with the first one wearing a scholar's robe, sparse whiskers, and looking about forty years old.

  "Is the master of the house in?"

  Wang Zhanggui raised his head, slightly furrowed his brow, and asked: "Who are you?"

  "I am Da Shenggui's Ke Zhanggui!"

  "Welcome, Mr. Da Sheng Kui! Please take a seat!" Manager Ke hastily came out from behind the counter. Da Sheng Kui was a prominent figure in Fan's family and had become the leader of Dongkou since last year, renowned throughout Shanxi Province.

  Ke Zhanggui also cupped his hands in greeting, praising: "The only thriving business in the mouth of the Hu is your esteemed company. I've come all the way from Dongkou to pay my respects to Master Guidong!"

  "The master is in the inner house, please sit down for a moment, I'll go and inform him!" Wang Zhanggui ordered his assistant to move out a Taishi chair, and he himself quickly went to the back hall.

  Liu Quan heard that the boss of Da Sheng Kui had arrived, and personally went out to welcome him. Although De Xiang Kui has made some progress recently, compared with Da Sheng Kui, it is like a fishing boat compared to a large ship.

  Two people walked into the inner house chatting and sat down, Liu Rui served tea.

  Ke Zhāngguì lightly lifted the lid of the flower-patterned teacup, glanced at the floating tea leaves and said: "I came this time to ask Master Dong for some information!"

  "Speak without knowing!" Liu Quan's face was full of smiles.

  "Are these businesses of the Dong family all from Tumet?"

  Liu Quan's expression changed slightly. He had never privately inquired about Ning Sheng, but he could also guess that Ping Kui and the Tumet tribe must have a relationship. If Ping Kui was backed by the Chahar people, the transaction volume would not be so small. But if it was the Tumet people, why would they find him?

  "I really don't know!" Liu Quan sneered and said: "Our goods all come from Ping Kui!"

  "Ping Kui?" Every big and small business owner in Hu Kou knew that there was no one named Ping Kui.

  "It was newly established a year ago, and it came from outside!" Liu Quan lowered his voice, these were no secrets within the Kill Hu mouth.

  The two chatted for a while, and Liu Quan saw that Ke Zhuang was somewhat distracted, knowing he must have something on his mind. He said: "After passing by De Xiang's house and crossing two streets, you'll reach Ping Qu. Why don't you go ask around there?"

  "That's fine! I'll come visit Dong's house again after I've finished my business!" said Ke the shopkeeper as he stood up to take his leave.

  Following Liu Quan's directions, Ke Zhang led two attendants out of the door and turned east, soon finding Ping Kui.

  Ping Kui's shop door is wide open, the shelves are empty, and the entrance is cold and quiet. The goods sent by Di Zhe were quickly sold out, and Ning Sheng's business here is busy for a while and then idle for a while.

  Ke Zhanggui stood outside the door for half a day before walking in.

  Ning Shengzheng was sitting at the counter settling accounts and didn't see anyone come in.

  Ke Zhanggui arrived in front of him and asked: "Ning Zhanggui?" which gave Ning Sheng a fright.

  "I am Da Shenggui's Ke Zhanggui!"

  "Ke Zhanggui?" Ning Sheng's face was full of doubt, he had been in Xikou for many years, and Da Shengkui had just begun to make a name for himself, but he really hadn't heard of him.

  Ke Zhang guessed that this person had not been in business for long, and his mind inferred that it was true to eight parts. If Ping Kui's back wasn't a Tumet person, it would be strange. If the Chahar people had such awareness, they would have trampled on Zhangjiakou early on. So he asked: "When did your master enter the business?"

  Ning Sheng suddenly became alert and said: "Don't bother Master Dong for now, just tell me about Ping Kui's matter!"

  Ke Zhanggui hastily explained: "I have no ill intentions, please help me pass a message to the master, just say that the people from the seaside want to meet with him. If the noble master responds, would you trouble yourself to send it to Dashun Quifenhao in Datong? I'll be waiting for news there."

  "Someone from the seaside?" Ning Sheng was filled with doubts.

  Ke Zhanggui smiled and nodded, "You just mention it and they'll know!"

  He came this time to kill Hu Kou, shouldering a heavy responsibility. The Jurchen people ordered him to secretly contact the remaining Tumet troops, and their goal was the Chahar people on the south of the Gobi Desert.

  Since arriving in Liaodong last year, the Jisi uprising broke out soon after. Ke Zhanggui stayed in Liaodong for less than half a year before surrendering to the Ming dynasty. The more he came into contact with the Manchu people, the more terrifying they seemed to him. Now he has sold his life to Yoto Beile of the Manchu people.