In a short time, powerful families and wealthy clans in the Sili region began to organize caravans, wanting to follow the Shaofu caravan and prepare to head west.
On the other side, Zhang Rang, escorted by a troop of Imperial Guards, swaggered back to Wen County, attracting a huge crowd and making quite a spectacle of himself.
Upon returning to the Zhang residence, Zhang Rang immediately instructed his elder brother, Zhang Zhong, to contact the local powerful figures who had previously "lent" them money.
As a close advisor to the emperor, Zhang Rang was escorted home by the Imperial Guards, demonstrating the emperor's high regard for him. Consequently, none of the powerful figures from Wen County who received the invitation to Zhang's residence were absent; they all rushed to Zhang's residence immediately, hoping to curry favor with him.
Zhang Zhong was also beaming. He immediately instructed the servants of the Zhang residence to prepare a banquet to entertain the invited powerful figures from Wen County.
Zhang Rang's return home with the Imperial Guards greatly enhanced the Zhang family's status in Wen County. Even the local magistrate came uninvited, showing them great respect.
After everyone was seated, Zhang Rang, escorted by two Imperial Guards, slowly walked out from the back hall and into the living room.
"Greetings, Attendant Zhang!"
Upon seeing Zhang Rang, everyone in the hall stood up, bowed respectfully to him, and spoke with expressions of awe.
Zhang Rang smiled and nodded, saying politely, "Please, everyone, no need for formalities! Please have a seat!"
"Thank you, Attendant Zhang!"
After everyone was seated, Zhang Rang said with a smile, "I have been in the palace for many years and have not been home. I often miss my family and the elders of my hometown! Now, thanks to His Majesty's grace, I have been able to return home to visit my family. To express my gratitude for your presence, I would like to say..."
My family has specially obtained a favor from His Majesty—a chance to make a fortune. I wonder if any of you are interested?
"Attendant Zhang, you have worked very hard to serve His Majesty, and now you still think of your hometown folks. Your character is truly admirable!"
The magistrate of Wen County also offered a timely compliment, and the others began to echo his sentiments.
A powerful local magnate bowed respectfully to Zhang Rang and asked, "May I ask, Attendant Zhang, what opportunity is it?"
Zhang Rang parted his lips slightly and said slowly, "Let's trade with the Western Regions!"
"Trading with the Western Regions?"
The powerful figures couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. As powerful figures in their own right, they were knowledgeable and naturally knew that goods from the Western Regions had been very popular among the upper class in Luoyang recently.
Especially those women from the Western Regions... oops! I mean grapes, they're so beautiful and delicious, and when they get to Luoyang, the price increases many times over, they've long been envious.
"Hehe~ Originally, this was a reward from His Majesty to our family, so he specially sent a team of Imperial Guards to escort our Zhang family's caravan."
"but!"
Zhang Rang paused for a moment, glanced around at everyone, and then said, "Considering that you once helped our Zhang family by donating money and land, we owe you a favor. Therefore, we have decided to take this opportunity to repay that favor. After you return, you can organize your respective caravans and head to the Western Regions!"
"Thank you, Attendant Zhang!"
The powerful figures were overjoyed!
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