"It's truly a miracle that the Juyan Kingdom has survived to this day!"

After learning about the situation in Juyan from Wang Ming, Zhao Si couldn't help but sigh.

Wang Ming smiled and said, "That's because they're lucky! Right now, our Han Dynasty is mainly focused on internal affairs and has no plans to attack the grasslands. In addition, with the deterrent effect of the Bingzhou army, the Xiongnu don't dare to easily occupy this place, so they've been able to survive until now!"

Zhao Si raised an eyebrow and nodded, "That's true!"

"Now that our men have bribed the Left Chancellor of Juyan and some other officials, Captain Zhao can act with peace of mind within the city!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Si's eyes lit up, and he nodded, flattering, "Master Wang is indeed very capable!"

Wang Ming smiled and said, "Alright, that's all for now. I'll take my leave. If there's anything else, I'll send someone to contact Captain Zhao again!"

"good!!"

After bidding farewell to Wang Ming, Zhao Si led his team to continue heading north of the city.

The appearance of Zhao Si and his group quickly alarmed the powerful and influential people in Juyan City, who all sent people to inquire about the origins of this caravan.

After finding out the truth, the powerful and wealthy were both delighted and puzzled.

To their delight, the arrival of the caravan meant they would gain more wealth. But what puzzled them was why such a large caravan had appeared without any prior warning.

Inside the main hall of the Juyan Royal Palace, King Tuoqi of Juyan was chasing and playing with several of his newly acquired young concubines. Although Tuoqi was nearly fifty years old, it was not hard to see from his chasing with the concubines that his energy and physical strength were no less than that of a young man.

With a mere flash, he caught a beautiful concubine. Just as Tuo Qi was about to pounce on her with a smirk, a very discordant voice came in.

"Report!!"

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened inside the city..."

A guard rushed in, and upon seeing the scene inside the hall, his heart sank. Before he could finish speaking, he quickly knelt down.

"You bastard!!"

Enraged that his plans had been ruined, Tuo Qi immediately kicked the guard in the shoulder.

The guard felt a sharp pain and was sent flying backward, crashing to the ground a short distance away. Despite the excruciating pain, he dared not make a sound in the face of the brutal Tuo Qi. He could only endure the agony and kneel down once more.

Then Tuo Qi stepped forward, glared at the guard, and said viciously, "If it's not something urgent, I'll skin you alive!!"

"Your Majesty, a caravan of over five hundred men has suddenly appeared in the city!"

Upon hearing this, Tuo Qi's expression changed, and he quickly asked, "What? A caravan of over five hundred people? Where did they come from?"

"Your Majesty, they came from the Han Dynasty!"

"A big man came from here?"

Tuo Qi was startled. His city of Juyan had not seen any Han merchant caravans for several years, except for the occasional Xiongnu who came to plunder. The sudden appearance of this caravan left Tuo Qi somewhat puzzled.

After a moment's thought, Tuo Qi decided it would be best to discuss it with the officials. Then, Tuo Qi looked at the guard and said, "I understand. You may leave now! And please summon all the officials here!"

"promise!!"

The guard, as if granted a pardon, quickly turned and left.

In the Juyan court, seeing all the officials present, Tuo Qi, seated on the throne, glanced around at everyone and asked:

"Gentlemen, a caravan of 500 men has suddenly appeared in the city. What should we do if they have ill intentions?"

As soon as Tuo Qi finished speaking, the Left Prime Minister Ta Xing stepped forward and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, according to my investigation, they are simply here to trade. As for why there are so many people, it is probably because they are worried that the mob will steal their goods. They have no other intentions!"

Upon hearing this, Tuo Qi nodded, feeling much relieved. Ta Xing was one of his most trusted ministers, so if he said it was alright, then it should be alright.

Although many other officials in the court also had doubts, none of them dared to raise any questions because they were afraid of Ta Xing's power.

Then Tuo Qi looked at Ta Xing and asked, "I wonder what the price of the goods they are trading this time?"

"Your Majesty, according to my investigation, their prices are: a young female slave can be exchanged for twenty catties of grain, half a catty of salt, a jar of fine wine, and two feet of silk! Although it is a bit expensive, it is still much more cost-effective than buying it with money!"

As Ta Xing finished speaking, Tuo Qi and the officials in the court began to silently calculate. They were not calculating the price, but rather how much they could exchange their female slaves for.

Female slaves were worthless in Juyan, because everyone in the entire Juyan kingdom was considered their slave.

Tuo Qi then nodded, "Alright, then let's designate a piece of land in the city for them to use for trading!"

The Right Chancellor also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that, just in case, it would be best to send troops to guard them!"

"Yes, the Right Chancellor makes sense! Let's do it that way!"

After saying this, Tuo Qi left the court in a hurry and then sent people to gather the female slaves in the palace.

On the other side, led by an official from Juyan, Zhao Si and his group arrived at a square in Juyan City. This square was located in the center of the north and south cities, and could be said to be the watershed between the north and south cities.

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