Chapter 2248: Chapter 2223: Cooperating Again

The situation within the pass is not good, and it’s hardly better outside the pass. Gaochang was destroyed because they colluded with the Turks, made outrageous statements disrespecting the emperor and the Great Jin, and stopped paying tribute.

This indicates that there is a significant force among the fleeing Turks in the Western Regions.

Furthermore, the countries in the Western Regions were never truly submissive to the Great Jin; they only submitted due to the power of the Great Jin and the emperor. Once unfavorable news about the emperor spreads, these people will rebel.

Regarding this, General Meng bluntly said, "These people are opportunists; when His Majesty is well, they cry poverty and ask for money. The court provides them with money and grain for support, but once His Majesty is not well, a few words of incitement from others will have them all riled up, turning previous deep sentiments into false ones."

"The rumors about smallpox are not yet settled, but the news of the improved situation in Xiazhou should soon spread among the people." General Meng was much more forthright than Governor He on this point, directly stating, "In one month, we will send troops to quell the bandits along the way to Suzhou. At that time, the horse thieves outside the pass will be somewhat deterred, which will take about two to three months. You can leave the pass then."

He paused and continued, "However, by then the weather will be turning cold. You will need to ride fast to reach the Western Regions before the heavy snow blocks the roads."

Manbao calculated the time and frowned slightly.

There wasn’t much here that interested them enough to stay, even for rest; it would be fun only if they were interested. Otherwise, staying in one place for two or three months just for the sake of it would be too dull.

Manbao and Bai Shan couldn’t help but look at Mr. Zhuang and Assistant General Nie.

Assistant General Nie was responsible for their safety, but he also had to consider efficiency, so he was not too willing to stay here, lest he seemed too incompetent.

Mr. Zhuang hesitated as well; he could see that Bai Shan and the others did not want to stay here for too long, but he himself was not keen on taking such a risk.

The risk-averse Bai Shan and Manbao were also hesitant for this reason.

They asked General Meng, "Is there no other way besides waiting?"

"Oh, there is," General Meng said, "luck. Although there are now fewer merchants reaching Yumen Pass, there are still some. If they’re lucky or strong enough, they won’t encounter horse thieves."

Manbao perked up upon hearing this and modestly said, "Actually, we have pretty good luck too."

Bai Shan nodded repeatedly, glancing at Manbao before saying, "Manbao is the most blessed; this should not be a problem."

Bai Erlang agreed, after all, she had the reputation of a reincarnated fairy, showing her luck.

Assistant General Nie immediately said, "We are not lacking in strength either."

Not to mention the Bai and Yin family’s guards, he himself had brought 100 men, more than enough against ordinary horse thieves.

They were in defense, and the opponent was on the attack, so the opponent had the advantage.

Assistant General Nie thought of something and whispered to Bai Shan, "Young Master Bai, perhaps we can ask Dayu’s group to accompany us for a stretch of the journey."

But the money...

Assistant General Nie looked at Bai Shan.

Bai Shan remembered too; if what Governor He and the others said was true, there were indeed forces planning to plunder in the desert. If their journey had been safe so far, it wasn’t luck but because of their guides and the threat they posed.

Different groups of horse thieves all have a degree of respect and fear for each other, coupled with their considerable numbers not being mere show.

Bai Shan considered it and then gathered five people to discuss, "Should we pay more to have them travel with us again?"

Manbao and Bai Erlang were used to hardship, feeling that even if spending the money hurt, life was more important.

On the contrary, Liu Huan hesitated, "That would cost a lot of money. I think our numbers are sufficient, maybe we won’t need their twenty men?"

"But what if we do?" Bai Erlang said, "I don’t mind spending the money, why do you?"

Liu Huan glanced at him, "Is it just about money? I feel it’s not worth it, paying a high price for a small risk."

Being the grandson of the Minister of Revenue, even if he seemed frivolous, he was influenced to weigh these things.

Bai Erlang insisted, "No, if there’s no risk, fine, but knowing the risks, how can we be unprepared? My parents only have me, and I’m just engaged, not yet married; I can’t let Princess Mingda down."

Bai Shan nodded in agreement, "My parents especially only have me; if I die, what about my grandmother and mother? And with Manbao, if something happens to us, it’s two."

Manbao nodded repeatedly, "It’s just money; we can earn more if it’s gone. The jewelry we divided last time is worth a lot; we can sell a piece or two back in the capital to recoup the cost of hiring them."

Yin Huo, who wasn’t fond of money, was less cautious about life than Bai Shan and the others, but he wanted to see the Western Regions. Since that’s the case, he needed to stay alive and so he agreed, "Hire them."

Zhou Liru naturally followed her sister-in-law’s lead, "I got some good fabric among last time’s loot... I mean spoils of war; selling them in the Western Regions should cover my share?"

Manbao nodded, "That’s enough, let’s go negotiate with them."

It was Dayu who made the decisions for those from the Small Town. Upon hearing Zhou Man and the others were willing to pay 200 taels for their company to the Western Regions, he instinctively haggled, "That’s not right, going to the Western Regions is farther than coming from the Small Town, at least 300 taels."

Manbao: "This time we’ll speed up and won’t stay long on the road; if the weather is good, it should only take about twenty days, just a few days longer than this journey."

Dayu looked at her; was it their fault this journey was long?

Was it not because you stopped often, curious about this and that?

Manbao seemed to realize her weak position, so she coughed lightly and brought the topic back, "Can you make it a bit cheaper? This time we have a set timeframe; barring unforeseen circumstances, we’ll arrive in a month."

"What do you mean by unforeseen circumstances?"

Manbao enumerated, "Like encountering horse thieves, someone in our group falling ill and needing to stop, or encountering a storm. Basically, natural disasters beyond our control."

Upon hearing this, Dayu immediately said, "That means a higher price, don’t you know? The Western Regions and our inner pass are different. Not only is the weather different, but also the food; people easily get acclimatized. Imperial Doctor Zhou, your heart is too soft; if someone falls ill, we’ll be delayed. Just make it 300 taels, I’m not asking for more beyond our relationship."

He added, "This is considering our relationship; no other trade convoy could hire us for this silver."

Bai Shan asked, "Are you bringing goods to the Western Regions?"

Dayu’s gaze became evasive.

Bai Shan said, "If you’re bringing goods, I can introduce you to Old Master You."

Dayu, who had planned to see Old Master You after negotiating the price: ...

Eventually, both parties settled on a price of 260 taels.

As Dayu saw them out, he couldn’t shake the feeling he’d lost out, but since he had agreed, there was no turning back.