Guanzhong region.
The carriage stopped, and Ying Zheng, dressed in plain clothes, stepped down, as did Li Si and Wang Jian, who were accompanying him.
From afar, Ying Zheng saw a long queue forming at the city gate and couldn't help but wonder, "Isn't the Guanzhong region always very open?"
The Guanzhong region was the main grain-producing area of the Qin Dynasty. This fertile land produced more than 70% of the Qin Dynasty's grain.
As a result, countless people come here to do business every year, so it has always been relatively open.
Wang Jian was also quite puzzled, "We used to be able to go in directly, why is there such a strict check now?"
Realizing that something was amiss, Ying Zheng led a few people toward the city gate.
Although the line was long, almost everyone at the front was driven away with just a few words, and only one in a thousand people could actually get in.
Seeing many people leave dejectedly, Li Si frowned. "What kind of conditions are so harsh that so many people can't get in?"
Soon, only three people were in line ahead of them.
The guard in charge of the inspection shouted back, "I'll say it again: only grain merchants with passes personally issued by the Inner Historian are allowed to enter. Everyone else, please go back and don't waste any more time!"
Li Si looked puzzled. "Whether it's grain merchants or other business people, direct access would undoubtedly be the most beneficial to the economy. Why would a pass be needed?"
Wang Jian looked puzzled.
Ying Zheng's gaze darkened slightly. "He's clearly a talented person, yet he did something so foolish. Do you think that's reasonable?"
Li Si and Wang Jian exchanged a glance, their expressions turning serious, realizing that there must be something wrong here.
The three quickly reached the front, and the guard looked at them and asked directly, "Do you have any passes?"
Li Si stepped forward and pulled out a token. "We come from Xianyang and are responsible for transporting this year's tribute grain!"
The guard glanced at the token, his expression suddenly changed, and his attitude became respectful. "Please wait a moment, sir, while I go and inform him."
Soon, the guard arrived in a hurry with a middle-aged man.
The man was dressed in a black robe, was somewhat overweight, had a mustache, and possessed a very noble air.
Approaching Li Si, the man cupped his hands in greeting, "This humble official, Li Tuo, the Prefect of Grain Supply, pays his respects, Your Excellency!"
Li Si looked at him coldly, "Can we go in?"
Li Tuo stepped aside to make way, "Please!"
Li Tuo led the way, and Ying Zheng and his entourage entered the city.
The streets were deserted, the shops were closed, and there was no one in sight; it was a desolate scene.
Ying Zheng looked puzzled. "It's broad daylight, so why are there almost no people on the streets?"
Li Tuo frowned. "It's a sad story. The city used to be very prosperous, but not long ago it was robbed by a large number of bandits. Many people in the city lost their lives here. Everyone is in danger and no one dares to do business anymore."
"To save lives, they even closed the shop, which is why it's so deserted. I feel very sorry for them."
"That's why there are strict checks when people enter the city now."
Ying Zheng then said, "Such a big matter should have been reported, so why is there no news about it in Xianyang?"
Li Tuo frowned. "It should have been reported, but I am aware that Great Qin is being harassed by foreign enemies. Our troops should be stationed there. It is really inappropriate to draw troops away for such a trivial matter."
"Fortunately, the troops in Guanzhong are strong and have already repelled the mountain bandits, so there is no need for Qin to go through the trouble of cursing Zhou again."
Ying Zheng's gaze was indifferent. "So you do know how to think of the Qin Dynasty."
Li Tuo replied modestly, "Not at all, this is what a subject should do."
As they were talking, several ragged beggars rushed out and knelt down in front of Ying Zheng and his companions.
"My lords! Wake up so we can have something to eat!"
"Please have mercy, sir! We have no food left, but we have three sons waiting to be fed!"
"My lord! My wife is pregnant and will starve to death if we don't have anything to eat! Please wake up and give her some food!"
Ying Zheng's expression changed slightly, and Li Si and Wang Jian also looked slightly surprised.
How could there be beggars in such a prosperous place as Guanzhong?
And there seem to be quite a few people?
Li Tuo's eyes turned cold. "What are you all standing there for? Will you take responsibility if you disturb these officials?"
Upon receiving orders, the accompanying soldiers drew their longswords and roughly drove the man away.
Li Tuo then explained to the group, "These people were harmed by bandits. I was already making arrangements to settle them down, but I didn't expect such rudeness."
Ying Zheng narrowed his eyes. "These bandits are truly despicable."
Li Tuo nodded without saying anything.
Leading the group to a luxurious mansion, Li Tuo stopped and cupped his hands, saying, "My lords have come from afar, please rest for a while."
Looking at the magnificent gate, Ying Zheng's eyes flickered slightly. "It seems to be a good place."
Li Tuo smiled and said, "Whatever you want to eat or drink, just give the order, sir."
"The beauties are already waiting, each one a young and beautiful flower."
"Very moisturizing."
As he spoke, Li Tuo gave the others a knowing look.
Ying Zheng looked at Li Si and said, "The Minister of Grain Supply is indeed a talented man!"
Li Si's face was extremely ugly. With this kind of behavior, he was clearly a corrupt official!
I really don't know how they found that information.
They've completely lost face!
Wang Jian's expression suddenly darkened, and his gaze shifted to his right. "Killing intent?"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a figure suddenly darted out from the right, a long sword whistling through the air, gleaming coldly in the orange light.
Their target was not Ying Zheng, but Li Tuo.
Wang Jian reacted extremely quickly. With one hand, he pulled, and the long sword wrapped around his back fell into his hand. Then, he swept his spear horizontally with one hand.
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