Chapter 96: Hawei

Hawei team leader, you flatter me; I'm just a guard.

Prefect, you are the true master of Wangjiang Cheng!

Jiang Xiaomu responded lightly.

'Sir, I sense a killing aura about you; you must have gone through much bloodshed.'

Hawei suddenly shifted his tone, his sharp eyes fixed on Jiang Xiaomu.

Jiang Xiaomu's heart startled; Hawei's observation is remarkably keen!

He said without changing expression:

'Hawei team leader, you jest; I'm a frail scholar, how could I have experienced any bloodshed?'

Hawei smiled, did not press further, and pointed to a tavern by the road, saying:

'Sir, it's getting late; why don't we go to that tavern, sit, eat, and chat?'

Jiang Xiaomu had wanted to refuse, but then thought it might be a good chance to learn Hawei's background, so he nodded and agreed.

The tavern is named Wangjiang Lou, quite fitting.

They got a private room, sat by the window, and could overlook much of the city.

Jiang Xiaomu observed Hawei without changing expression.

He is about forty, sturdy, full-bearded, with hawk-like eyes gleaming; he hardly looks like an ordinary merchant.

Food and drink arrived quickly, all ordinary dishes.

But Hawei's caravan came from the Western Regions, so they must have brought many Western Region specialties.

Jiang Xiaomu probed without changing expression:

'Hawei team leader, you've come far; you must have brought many Western Region delicacies.'

'Why not take them out so I, Jiang, can broaden my horizons?'

Hawei laughed heartily, clapped his hands, and immediately two assistants carried in a large chest.

Opening it, they found it filled with various rare fruits and several sealed jars of wine.

'Sir, this is our Western Region's specialty grape wine.'

'There are also several fresh fruits; please try them.'

Hawei introduced them enthusiastically.

He took out a large round ball with green skin and black stripes; when cut open, inside was red flesh and black small seeds,

'This is the Western Regions Azure Gate Green Jade Chamber, growing on snowy mountain peaks.'

'It yields only once a year, extremely precious.'

Hawei explained.

'It has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, relieving summer heat, and lowering temperature.'

Jiang Xiaomu sneered inwardly:

'Nonsense, this is just an ordinary watermelon; in my era it sold for two and a half per jin, and you're trying to fool me.'

But he kept his composure, took a bite, and indeed it was sweet, crisp, with juice bursting forth.

'Ah! Indeed it's a good thing.'

Jiang Xiaomu feigned ignorance and praised.

As they ate and talked, Jiang Xiaomu probed indirectly for Hawei's background and the true purpose of their journey.

But Hawei was like a slippery loach, his words watertight.

Every question was answered fluently, with no flaw to be found.

'Hawei team leader, I see you've brought a lot of goods.'

'Along the way, you must have encountered much trouble.'

Jiang Xiaomu probed.

Hawei sighed and said:

'Sir, you may not know, but nowadays the world is chaotic, with war everywhere and bandits abound.'

'We've come this way, it's been a narrow escape, losses heavy.'

'Oh? Then how did Hawei team leader evade those bandits?'

Jiang Xiaomu pursued.

Hawei smiled mysteriously and said:

'The secret of this, I'm afraid I cannot reveal.'

'But sir, rest assured, since we safely reached Wangjiang Cheng, we naturally have our ways.'

Jiang Xiaomu silently cursed, this old fox is truly cunning.

He no longer pursued, instead turning to discuss the current state of Wangjiang Cheng.

'Hawei team leader, what are your thoughts on Wangjiang Cheng?'

Hawei pondered a moment, then said:

'Wangjiang Cheng is a strategic stronghold, easy to defend, hard to attack—a good place.'

'Only a pity that now war continues, people displaced, much left in ruins.'

'Hawei team leader, any lofty ideas?'

Jiang Xiaomu asked.

Hawei laughed and said:

'Sir, I am merely a merchant; I only know how to do business, not how to govern a state.'

'However, I believe that in chaotic times, only strength is the true principle.'

Only by possessing great strength can one protect oneself and survive in a chaotic world.

Jiang Xiaomu's heart stirred; there was more to Hawei's words.

He probed:

"What Hawei, the team leader, means is……

Hawei waved his hand and said:

"Sir, I was just speaking casually; it's not to be taken seriously."

The two exchanged words, their language clashing like swords, yet both were like warriors clad in thick armor, cautiously probing each other's strengths and weaknesses, unwilling to reveal the slightest flaw.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Hawei suddenly rose and said:

"Sir, I still have pressing matters; I'll take my leave now."

Jiang Xiaomu also rose and said:

"Team Leader Hawei, go slowly; I won't see you off."

Hawei clasped his hands in salute and turned to leave.

Watching Hawei's departing figure, the smile on Jiang Xiaomu's face gradually faded, replaced by a cold chill.

He slowly set down the watermelon in his hand, his eyes sharp as a blade.

The thick calluses on Hawei's tiger's mouth revealed when he sliced the melon earlier were certainly not those of an ordinary merchant; they were clearly the marks of years gripping a blade.

"Come here!" Jiang Xiaomu barked softly.

"Sir, what are your orders?"

Xiong Kuohai asked in a deep, resonant voice.

"Investigate that Western Regions caravan, especially its leader Hawei; I need to know everything about them."

Jiang Xiaomu's tone was icy, devoid of any emotion.

"Yes!"

Xiong Kuohai received the order and departed.

Jiang Xiaomu stood alone in the room, gazing out at the bustling street beyond the window, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

At the same time, Hawei returned to the inn where the caravan was staying.

Just as he entered, a lean man came forward to meet him—his younger brother, Ha Di.

"Brother, how did it go? What background does that Jiang Xiaomu have?"

Ha Di asked anxiously.

Hawei sat at the table, poured himself a cup of tea, took a slow sip, and then spoke slowly.

"He's a tough nut to crack, meticulous in his thoughts, not easy to deal with."

"Well… should we…"

Ha Di made a throat-slashing gesture.

Hawei glared at him and rebuked:

"Idiot! You want to resort to violence as soon as we arrive in Wangjiang Cheng—are you wishing we die faster?"

"But…"

Ha Di still wanted to say something, but Hawei cut him off.

"No 'buts'! If we want to establish ourselves in Wangjiang Cheng, we'll still have to rely on this Lord Jiang."

"Now, behave yourself and don't cause trouble!"

Although Ha Di felt resentful, he dared not defy his brother's order, so he grudgingly kept silent.

Hawei summoned a few confidants and instructed:

"Go around the city and see what the people lack, what business is profitable."

"Remember, act discreetly and avoid trouble."

The subordinates received the order and left; Hawei remained seated at the table, his fingers lightly tapping the surface as he pondered his next plan.

His younger brother Ha Di came over, looking worried, and asked:

"Brother, do we really intend to stay long in Wangjiang Cheng?"

"What if that Jiang Xiaomu discovers our identity…"