at the same time.
A large caravan left Shuozhou, carrying Shuozhou's specialties of high-quality ironware, cigarettes, honeycomb coal, glass, as well as Dayin's silk, tea, porcelain and other goods, and headed westward in a mighty manner.
The leading businessman was none other than An Dehai, a Hu merchant from the Western Regions who had reached his first cooperation with Zhao Muyun.
There was also a squad of guards in this caravan, led by Chen Wu, the squad leader of the scout battalion sent by Tang Yanhai to escort An Dehai to Shuozhou.
Hidden close in his arms was a secret letter from Zhao Muyun to Pei Lun and Tang Yanhai who were far away in Longyou.
The caravan left the border from the west of Fengzhou, followed a route consisting of oases in the desert, and after enduring wind and sand and many hardships, headed for Ganzhou, an important city on the Longyou Road.
Although Ganzhou City is not as prosperous as the big cities in the Central Plains, it has a unique exotic charm.
Merchants and travelers of all ethnic groups came and went constantly, and the sound of camel bells could be heard everywhere.
Pei Lun and Tang Yanhai had been in Ganzhou for less than five or six days. Thanks to Pei Lun's connections when he was the governor of Hedong and the introduction of Ganzhou Commandant Guo Xiaoti, they were soon received by Zhang Zan, the governor of Longyou.
Zhang Zan, about fifty years old, with a gaunt face and deep eyes, has been in charge of Longyou for many years and maintained a delicate balance between various forces.
He had met Pei Lun once and had some impression of him.
Inside the Jiedushi Mansion, Zhang Zan looked at the dusty Pei Lun and the calm Tang Yanhai beside him, with a slight smile on his face:
"Brother Pei, after not seeing you for so many years, you're still as charming as ever! I never thought that you, the Jiedushi of Hedong, would be willing to be inferior to the newly promoted General Zhenbei. I can't believe it!"
Pei Lun clasped his fists and saluted, looking like an old acquaintance. He sighed, "I can only say that this year has been a turbulent year for Dayin, with the Tartars and rebels coming one after another. Being able to survive in such a chaotic world is already a blessing."
"Yes! In the first half of the year, we were still under the command of Minister Yang, encircling and suppressing Li Jingang together. Who would have thought that he would enter the capital in just a few months!" Zhang Zan looked sad when he heard Pei Lun's words.
"The new emperor is still alive, and there are many loyal ministers and righteous men in the world. Dayin hasn't forgotten!" Pei Lun said immediately, "General Zhao sent me and Captain Tang to Brother Zhang to discuss a plan to support Dayin."
"Please!" Zhang Zan nodded and invited the two into the study.
After a brief exchange of greetings, Pei Lun presented Zhao Muyun's letter.
Zhang Zan took the letter, read it carefully, and looked at the terms of trade cooperation listed in it.
Especially when it was mentioned that Shuozhou would provide sophisticated weapons and crossbows, a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
He knew very well that Longyou was located in a remote area and was surrounded by enemies. Cooperation with Shuozhou would be of great benefit to consolidating his rule in Longyou and enhancing his military strength.
"General Zhao is a man of great talent and strategy. He swept through the Northern Di and recovered lost territory. I admire him. Opening a trade route is mutually beneficial. I agree in principle."
Zhang Zan stroked his beard and smiled, "Brother Pei can arrange for someone to discuss the specific details with the person in the mansion. We've been reunited for a long time, so we should have a good drink!"
Pei Lun felt relieved and quickly thanked him, "I'll definitely drink with Brother Zhang until we're drunk!"
"Haha! Okay, I will arrange a dinner now and introduce Brother Pei and Captain Tang to officials of all levels in Longyou." Zhang Zan laughed loudly.
Seeing that the atmosphere was harmonious, Tang Yanhai gestured to Pei Lun.
Pei Lun nodded and took the opportunity to say, "Brother Zhang, we have something else that we need the strong support of Longyou!"
"Okay, go ahead!" Zhang Zan said with a smile.
"Master Zhang, it's like this! Earlier, the Northern Di army on the right was defeated, and the remaining leader, Temur, led thousands of remaining soldiers to flee into the territory of Chechi State in the Western Regions."
"If you don't cut the grass at its roots, it will grow again in the spring breeze!"
"The Chechi Kingdom is located on a strategic route between the Western Regions and Longyou. If this bandit is not eliminated, trade routes will be in jeopardy. Lord Zhang, please ask the King of the Chechi Kingdom to cooperate with us in the pursuit of Timur."
Tang Yanhai said loudly.
"So that's what's going on!" Zhang Zan frowned upon hearing this. "But I have to ask the Governor!"
Um?
Pei Lun and Tang Yanhai looked at each other, somewhat puzzled.
Zhang Zan asked his followers to invite the governor.
According to Dayin's local administrative structure, the governor was in charge of government affairs, the military governor was in charge of the military, and the finance governor was in charge of finances, and they supervised and checked each other.
But in the later period of Emperor Yongchang's reign, the central government was short of money and asked the local governments to find ways to raise money on their own.
In many places, the governors who controlled the military made money to support the army, and instead jumped to the top and became the people with the most say.
The same thing happened when Pei Lun and Zhao Muyun were involved in smuggling salt. There was basically no work for the governor and the finance minister in Hedong Road.
A well-dressed civil servant came in with his entourage.
"This is Lord Li She, the Governor of Longyou Province! The reason we asked him to come here is because the King of Chechi is Lord Li's father-in-law."
"Lord Li was the one who contacted and negotiated with Longyou and Chechi Kingdom."
I see!
Pei Lun and Tang Yanhai stepped forward to greet him.
After a few pleasantries, Tang Yanhai repeated it.
However, Li She said, "Captain Tang, this is wrong! Although Chechi is small, it is a friendly country in Longyou and has always been respectful. So far, we have not received any news of the remaining Tartar soldiers in Chechi."
"We say this because we have received accurate information!" Pei Lun's heart moved.
An Dehai's news should be true. Tang Yanhai's scout camp also went to investigate. The King of Chechi Kingdom, Yuchi Ming, must have taken in Timur's bribes to take them in.
Now that the Governor Li She is Yuchi Ming's son-in-law, things have become a little complicated.
"Obviously..." Tang Yanhai heard Li She's intention to protect him, and was about to speak when he was stopped by Pei Lun.
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