Outside the Jinguang Gate of Chang'an City, a convoy stretching for miles lined up early in the morning.

These are all merchants from the Western Regions waiting to enter Chang'an; some of them even lined up here yesterday afternoon.

There were just too many people trying to enter Chang'an every day, and even if the guards worked 24 hours a day, they couldn't finish checking everyone.

Why do we need to check? Can't we just let it through?

The answer is naturally no. First, the laws of the Tang Dynasty do not allow it, and second, if they were allowed to pass directly, what would the guards at the gate eat and drink?

The city gate inspections were not only for checking contraband, but also for the Tang Dynasty's tax revenue and the source of their drinking money.

However, there are exceptions, such as the goalkeeper's acquaintance.

"Xue Shisan, you've finally returned from the Western Regions, hahaha!"

Jin Daya, the guard of Jinguang Gate, greeted the old acquaintance warmly. However, the man he called Xue Shisan did not seem to want to chat with him. He even avoided eye contact, as if afraid of being seen by the other party.

"Xue Shisan, I'm talking to you, are you pretending not to hear me?!"

Seeing that he couldn't avoid it any longer, Xue Shisan responded shyly.

"Oh dear, Brother Jin has been transferred to the Golden Light Sect!"

"This place is lucrative; it's truly something to celebrate!"

Upon hearing this, Jin Daya grinned from ear to ear.

"Hehe, I also spent money to get this cushy job!"

"Brother Jin, do you still need to use silver?"

"Aren't you the nephew-in-law of Lord Cheng's wife?"

"Hi!"

"These days, relatives don't matter; without money, you can't get anywhere!"

"Brother Xue, are you leading the team?"

The term "leader" refers to the leader of a caravan of merchants from the Western Regions. They were responsible for both guiding the caravan and ensuring its safety.

Almost all the scoundrels who were discharged from the Tang Dynasty's military service went into this line of work.

Upon hearing this, Xue Shisan awkwardly touched his nose, then pointed to the dozen or so carriages behind him, along with dozens of camels, and nodded shyly.

"I'm just doing a small business to make ends meet, I'm so sorry to have made a fool of myself, Brother Jin..."

Jin Daya waved his hand dismissively upon hearing this.

"Hi!"

"Brother Xue, you're being too polite by saying this to me. We're all in the same boat, and you even saved my life back then. How could I possibly laugh at you?"

"Someone come here!"

"This is my brother's convoy. No need for inspection, just let them go!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Shisan quickly refused.

"No, no, no, we can't let our brothers work for nothing. We have to pay them the due fee!"

Upon hearing this, Jin Daya immediately straightened his face.

"Xue Shisan, do you look down on me?!"

"You really think I don't know how much money you've secretly given to the families of your deceased comrades all these years to take care of them!"

"This money was earned by you through wind and rain, running countless escort missions!"

"My brother is doing you a favor not only because he cares about our brotherhood over the years, but also because he respects you as a man who hasn't forgotten his brothers even after all these years!"

Hearing this, Xue Shisan was quite moved, and his tiger-like eyes filled with tears.

"Who would have thought that in that great battle, only the two of us out of ten were left..."

Upon hearing this, Jin Daya burst into tears on the spot, and then patted Xue Shisan on the shoulder.

“Brother, you’re too sentimental. If it weren’t for killing dozens of Turkic prisoners back then, your official position would definitely be much higher than mine now.”

"Compared to you, little brother, I'm no hero at all!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Shisan smiled and said...

"Brother Jin, you flatter me. Actually, I regret it a long time ago. If I hadn't been young and impetuous back then, I would never have let you ride on my head, hahaha!"

Upon hearing this, Jin Daya immediately kicked out.

"What!"

"We'll ride on your head and fuck your ancestors!"

"Quickly lead these barbarians inside. Come to my house for drinks tonight, and I'll have your sister-in-law prepare some delicious snacks for us!"

Knowing that Jin Daya was busy, Xue Shisan immediately called on the Western Region merchants in his group to follow, and also called over a leading Western merchant to give him instructions.

"My brothers are being lenient by not checking us when we enter the city, but you can't be ungrateful; you still have to give them the proper gifts!"

Upon hearing this, Hu Shang Hadzan nodded repeatedly and then took out a small bag of silver coins to present to him.

"Why are you giving this to me?"

"Of course, I'll trouble you, Mr. Xue, to pass it on!"

"no!"

"If I offer them money, they will never accept it. You should go and give it to them yourself!"

Hadzan had originally intended to get Xue Tou to give him face so he could pocket the money. But seeing that Xue Tou was unmoved, he could only smile and personally deliver it to the guards at the gate.

Other merchants who were queuing up saw that Hadzan had given money and entered the city, and immediately tried to do the same, but were turned away by the guards without hesitation.

"Everyone, stand in line to the side!"

"Why were they able to get in..."

"them?"

"Hmph!"

"Their leader is our general's sworn brother!"

Upon hearing this, Hadzan glanced at the eagerly waiting Hu merchants around him and immediately showered Xue Shisan with praise.

"It's all thanks to Boss Xue's influence; otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to get in even if we had the money, hahaha!"

The other small merchants in the caravan echoed his sentiments.

"Who says otherwise? Not only is Xue Tou highly skilled in martial arts, but he also has acquaintances everywhere he goes. With Xue Tou taking care of us along the way, we've had a very smooth journey!"

Hearing the praise from everyone, Xue Shisan's face showed no pride, but rather a hint of disappointment and melancholy that he could hardly hide.

This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!