Chapter 95

These past few days, Jiang Xiaomu would guide his younger sister Jiang Xiaoyu in martial practice every morning.

Xiao Yu's martial talent is extremely high; with a golden snake sword, in her hands it displays vigorous might, progressing rapidly.

Day after day, it was rather leisurely.

That day, Xiong Kuohai came running anxiously to find Jiang Xiaomu, raising his voice as he said:

"Lao Da, a Western Regions merchant caravan has arrived outside the city, saying they came to Wangjiang Cheng to do business."

Jiang Xiaomu furrowed his brows, feeling doubtful.

Nowadays, with warfare raging, why would these Western Regions merchants not stay in their own territory but travel all the way to Wangjiang Cheng to do business?

"How many people? What goods are they carrying?"

"About thirty or forty people, driving a dozen or so large wagons."

"They say they're bringing silk, spices, as well as wine and food and such."

Xiong Kuohai scratched his head.

"Lao Da, should we let them in?"

Jiang Xiaomu pondered for a moment.

"Don't let them in for now; take the City Guard Team to keep watch on them, I'll go take a look."

"All right!" Xiong Kuohai departed after receiving the order.

Jiang Xiaomu changed into ordinary clothes, only taking a short dagger hidden in his sleeve, and then left the city.

Outside the city, the Western Regions merchant caravan's camp had already been set up, a dozen or so large wagons forming a circle, with a bonfire rising in the middle; several merchants dressed in Hu style were gathered around the fire roasting meat, speaking in unintelligible Western Regions speech.

Jiang Xiaomu approached, and one of the merchants immediately came forward, speaking halting Central Plains language, saying:

"Sir, are you looking to buy something?"

"We have fine Persian silk, various spices and food, guaranteed good quality and low price!"

Jiang Xiaomu waved his hand and said:

"I'm not here to buy anything; I'm just curious why you've come to Wangjiang Cheng at this time."

The merchant gave a hehe laugh and said:

"Sir, you may not know, but our trade route originally led to the capital."

"But the road is not peaceful; I've heard that the lands under Wangjiang Cheng are relatively stable."

"Thus we detoured here, hoping to see if we could do some business."

Jiang Xiaomu observed the merchant without changing expression, feeling that his eyes were darting, as if deliberately concealing something.

"The capital isn't peaceful? I've heard the capital enjoys favorable weather and peace and prosperity."

The merchant gave a hehe laugh, his expression unchanged, and said:

"Sir, you jest; I'm merely a merchant, I only know how to do business."

"How would I know so many state affairs? I'm only hearing what people on the road say..."

Jiang Xiaomu gave a cold smile.

"Really? I think you're not merchants, but rather..."

He deliberately paused, observing the merchant's reaction.

Beads of fine sweat appeared on the merchant's forehead, his eyes darting about, clearly nervous.

"Like what?"

"Like a spy." Jiang Xiaomu's tone was icy.

The merchant's face changed drastically, and he instinctively stepped back.

"Sir, please don't speak nonsense; I truly am a merchant..."

Jiang Xiaomu stopped wasting words, lashed out, grabbed his collar, and lifted him up.

"Speak! Who exactly are you? What is your purpose in coming to Wangjiang Cheng?"

The merchant, intimidated by Jiang Xiaomu's aura, stammered:

"I... we really are merchants... just... just..."

"Just what?"

Jiang Xiaomu increased his grip, and the merchant felt his breathing become difficult.

"Just... just passing by, hoping to see if there were any business opportunities..."

The merchant's face turned deathly pale.

Just as Jiang Xiaomu was preparing to press further, a steady voice came from behind the caravan.

"Please, sir, calm your anger!"

The crowd parted, and a tall Western Regions merchant with two small mustaches stepped forward.

He wore a luxurious silk robe, his head adorned with a jeweled hat, and his every gesture bore the air of a superior.

What surprised Jiang Xiaomu most was that this Western Regions speaker's Central Plains language was extremely fluent, without any trace of a Western Regions accent.

"Sir, I am Hawei, the leader of this caravan."

"My associate was rude and offended you; please forgive him."

Hawei bowed slightly, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant.

Jiang Xiaomu narrowed his eyes, sizing up Hawei from head to toe, inwardly on guard.

Just then, a system voice suddenly sounded in his mind:

【Ding! Detected special individual—Hawei.】

【This person is versed in Western Regions mystic arts and also possesses strong business talent.】

【However, this person is both righteous and wicked, profit-driven; it is suggested that the host may try to befriend him.】

Jiang Xiaomu's heart stirred; the system actually prompted him to befriend Hawei—it seems this Hawei is indeed not ordinary.

However, he did not show it right away, but asked calmly:

"Team Leader Hawei, you just said you were just passing through—where is your destination?"

Hawei smiled faintly, waved his hand to let the attendant retreat, and said:

"My lord, please see clearly—our original destination was the capital."

But now, with war erupting everywhere, the trade routes to the capital have been cut off.

I've heard that under the City Lord's governance, Wangjiang Cheng enjoys orderly peace and its people live in contentment.

That's why we deliberately took a detour here, hoping to find some business opportunities.

And also to give my brothers a chance to make a fortune.

"Oh? Wangjiang Cheng is in dire need of revival—what business opportunities can you find?"

Jiang Xiaomu asked with a half‑smile.

Hawei's eyes flashed with sharpness, and he said:

"My lord, in chaotic times, business opportunities are endless."

"Although Wangjiang Cheng has suffered from war, precisely because of that it needs more supplies and circulation."

"We have brought silk, spices, fine wine, and various daily necessities from the Western Regions."

"I'm sure it will meet the needs of Wangjiang Cheng's people."

"At the same time, we also hope to purchase some local specialties from Wangjiang Cheng."

"For example, medicinal herbs and furs, to be transported back to the Western Regions for sale—mutual exchange and mutual benefit."

Jiang Xiaomu smirked inwardly; these words were spoken with righteous pretense.

But actually, aren't they just trying to profit from the chaos and make a fortune from war?

However, since the system advised him to befriend Hawei, this Hawei surely has other uses.

Thinking this, Jiang Xiaomu decided to first steady the other party and see what medicine he's selling from his gourd.

"Team Leader Hawei is indeed a shrewd businessman with a keen eye."

"If that's the case, please enter the city."

"However, I'll say this up front: if you dare cause trouble in Wangjiang Cheng, I will show no mercy!"

Hawei hastily clasped his fists and said:

"My lord, rest assured—we are merely merchants who just want to do business peacefully."

"To be able to scrape a living in these troubled times, we dare not harbor any improper ambitions."

Jiang Xiaomu nodded, signaling Xiong Kuohai to let them pass.

The convoy slowly entered the city, with Hawei riding a tall camel alongside Jiang Xiaomu.

"My lord, I see you are young."

"Yet you govern Wangjiang Cheng with such order—truly admirable."

Hawei offered the compliment seemingly offhand.