These uninvited intruders were extremely rude. Zhao Cheng, being a guest, remained calm and silent. However, the wealthy merchants, including Boss Mu, couldn't bear the embarrassment and immediately stood up.

Just as Boss Mu Yan was about to be the first to sign a contract and enjoy this historic moment, he was suddenly interrupted. You can imagine how he felt.

He flicked the ink off his brush and said with slight anger, "Who are these idle scoundrels, speaking so rudely here?!"

With a wave of his hand, Jia Zhong summoned his attendants who were responsible for maintaining order.

Jia Zhong said solemnly, "The Yunshang Conference is a major event in Yunjing County. What exactly do you want to do?"

The man who had shouted earlier stepped forward and removed the brown hood from his head.

He was dressed like the others in his group, wearing a brown cloth shirt, the only difference being that he was wearing a hood.

Zhao Cheng noticed that there was another person in the group behind this man who was also wearing a hood and had a tall and straight figure. He guessed that, like this man, he was one of the leaders of this group.

As soon as the man took off his hood, everyone saw his face and was immediately surprised.

This person's face does not resemble that of a Da Jing person.

Many years ago, Dajing, Nanzhou, and Houcang were one country. The people looked very similar, and even the Yedan people looked quite different. They were just a bit rougher because they ate sand and dust all year round. The regions of these countries were collectively called the Eastern Land.

Since everyone felt that this person did not look like a Da Jing person, they assumed he was from the Western Regions.

"It is precisely because the Yunshang Conference is a major event in Yunjing County that my master sent me here to question you all about why no one informed him of such an important event?"

"Who is your master?"

The man did not answer directly, but said calmly, "My name is Tuo Tie Wu Hua."

Zhao Cheng noticed that more than half of the eighteen merchants looked surprised when they heard the name.

Jia Zhong exclaimed in surprise, "You're the Champion King's adjutant!"

"So I don't need to explain who my master is anymore, right?" Tuo Tie Wu Hua smiled.

The Champion King has many lieutenants, but only one adjutant. He is quite famous in Yun Jing County because he is not only from Jin Ran, but also helps the Champion King manage the Three Guards of the Northern Border.

His appearance was indeed that of someone from the Western Regions, but the attire of their group...

Mu Yan asked, puzzled, "Why are you all dressed like this?"

Tuo Tiewuhua said, "Military uniforms and armor are too heavy. I was ordered to come here quickly to stop you all, so I can only travel light."

As he spoke, he removed his black hat turban and revealed his waist tag.

"Truly the champion king..." Mu Yan said, his lips trembling. "I hope General Tuo Tie will forgive me! You all dressed like this and barged in. This old man really didn't realize that the Zhennan Border Army had arrived! But..."

Mu Yan bowed and continued, "Our Yunshang Conference is a matter for merchants. It may be called a big event, but that only applies to us merchants. It's nothing to the Champion King. Besides, the Champion King is busy with military affairs, so how dare we bother him!"

Tuo Tiewuhua turned to the side and clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying, "His Highness said that the Yunshang Conference is not just a matter for merchants, but also concerns the economy and people's livelihood of Yunjing County, so it cannot be taken lightly."

At this point, the merchants realized what was going on.

We must not act rashly; that would be to prevent it.

The eighteen merchants present today all have stable businesses in Yunjing County, so the fact that the champion king sent Tuo Tie Wuhua is not targeting local merchants, but Zhao Cheng.

Mu Yan and Jia Zhong exchanged a secret glance, knowing that they shouldn't get involved in this matter easily, and dared not say anything more.

The merchants had all noticed, and Zhao Cheng had naturally already guessed it.

Seeing that no one dared to speak, Zhao Cheng suddenly burst into laughter, put down his pen, and walked out from behind the desk.

Tuo Tiewuhua asked, "Who are you, and why are you laughing?"

"They're clearly targeting me, yet they pretend not to know me. What's the point?"

Zhao Cheng walked around Tuotie Wuhua, glancing at the men he had brought. Although they weren't wearing armor, they were all full of energy and imposing. Zhao Cheng then glanced at the man who, like Tuotie Wuhua, was wearing a hood. He saw that the man stood motionless, his face hidden in shadow.

Zhao Cheng sneered and continued, "Everyone says that all soldiers in the army are straightforward, but I don't think so!"

Mu Yan made a final probe, and also gave Tuo Tie Wu Hua a way out, saying, "General Tuo Tie, this is our Great Jing's victorious general, the Southern Spy Star!"

"Oh, so you're the Prince Consort!" Tuo Tiewuhua descended the steps, but seemed not to acknowledge Zhao Cheng's military rank and achievements, only addressing him as the Prince Consort.

Zhao Cheng said with a sullen face, "I don't want to waste my breath on someone with such poor acting skills. I just want to know, what is the reason that the champion is stopping me?"

Tuo Tiewuhua said, "The prince said that Yun Jing County is an important border county, and its current economic situation is very good. There is no need for anyone to change the situation."

Zhao Cheng chuckled and said, "The Champion King is in charge of military affairs; the economy of the prefecture is not under his jurisdiction."

Tuo Tiewuhua added, "The prince also said that the economy is not under his jurisdiction, but if the economy affects people's livelihood, and people's livelihood affects the morale of the army, then he will have to take action."

Zhao Cheng said, "What merit or ability do I possess to influence the morale of the army?"

Tuo Tiewuhua turned sideways, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Your Highness said that the Prince Consort caused trouble in Hannan City, with bandits entering the city, and then wreaked havoc in Jiang City, leading to the defection of a prefect and a mutiny of the prefectural commandant. He even interfered in the family affairs of local powerful families, resulting in bloodshed inside and outside the city. Others doing business certainly wouldn't affect the morale of the army, but the Prince Consort's business dealings are very worrying!"

"Pah!"

No sooner had the words "removing the black flower" been spoken than Zhao Cheng spat a mouthful of phlegm onto his face.

"What are you doing?!" Tuo Tiewu pointed angrily at Zhao Cheng, and quickly wiped her face with her other hand.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!