Qu Tongzi, meanwhile, was also calculating the time. The letters he had sent a few days prior had received some responses, and it was time for him to set off today.
After leaving Luyao Mountain, he brought out all the jewels he had treasured at home. The several large carts filled with them were truly enviable.
Upon descending the mountain this time, he quickly spread the word that the Myriad Demon King was heartless and lacked virtue, intending to exterminate them, the merchants.
He then dispatched several people to pull carts to Fuping Town to meet with several major merchants, while he secretly leaked this news to Nanhai City.
Soon, the Shadow Guards reported this news to Lin'er, who then informed me.
"Demon King, Chong Dang has already taken action. The location is Fuping Town. It will take at least a day's journey from Nanhai City to get there."
"Good, order them to set off."
"Yes."
Afterward, Lin'er relayed the imperial decree to the Shadow Guards. The Shadow Guards retreated and went outside the city to inform Liu Shinian and others, and then they dispersed towards Fuping Town.
Although Chong Dang was far on his way, he was still calculating the time. He sat in the leading carriage, his mind constantly pondering.
"With the Myriad Demon King's strength, he must have received the news by now. I will arrive at Fuping Town from here, and the army from Nanhai City will also gather at Fuping within a day."
At this moment, someone suddenly entered from outside the carriage and handed him a letter. "Patriarch, this is a letter from the esteemed sir."
He took the letter and waved his hand, signaling for the person to withdraw. Then he opened the letter and took out the paper inside. It read:
"My friend, I am married, but unfortunately, you could not join me. Now, my wife and I have left Dongyue Town to travel the world.
I know you are about to head to Xiziguo. Proceed with caution and withdraw quickly if anything is amiss."
After reading Qu Tongzi's letter, Chong Dang felt a slight warmth in his heart, but his face showed displeasure.
"This fellow didn't even tell me when he got married. Does he really think I can't go see him? He underestimates me too much."
After his complaint, he happily folded the letter and tucked it into his怀.
If one were to observe from a high vantage point, a peculiar scene would unfold: rolling carriage wheels converging from all directions.
Lines of carriages were strung together like candied hawthorns, and many refugees, as if seeing hope, emerged from every corner. Their destination, surprisingly, was consistently Fuping Town.
After a day and a night of travel, upon reaching Fuping, the town was already bustling with activity, packed to the brim.
When the coachman shouted, "We are recruiting two thousand people here," they were immediately surrounded by a large crowd.
Then, one after another, people shouted, "I am recruiting two thousand people here!"
"I am recruiting a thousand people here."
"I am recruiting two thousand here."
The refugees, as if injected with stimulants, ran back and forth amidst these shouts.
Chong Dang slightly lifted the carriage curtain and saw the lively and grand scene outside.
At this moment, he spotted two people wearing bamboo hats sitting by a tea table opposite him, who looked very familiar. Xue Gucheng also saw Chong Dang and nodded in acknowledgment.
They must know they have arrived.
After a day and a night of selection, the eight convoys recruited a total of fifteen thousand people, including ten thousand soldiers from Nanhai City and five thousand civilians.
Subsequently, Chong Dang personally penned another letter, accompanied by a chest of treasures, and sent it by fast horse to the border.
The convoy, fully assembled, stayed in Fuping Town for another night. The next day, they set off with their men and horses, heading majestically towards Xiziguo.
The person who delivered the treasures also sped towards the border town of Taohua in Xiziguo, where the border general of Xiziguo, Ke Erqin, was stationed.
He then rode quickly to Weiyuan Mansion and, after a light knock, a soldier emerged.
"Who are you?" the gatekeeper asked.
"This humble one is ordered by the Patriarch to deliver something to the Great General."
"What is it?"
"The Patriarch said you will know when you see it."
The gatekeeper, however, was not reassured and asked him to hand over the item. The messenger had no choice but to hand over the letter he was carrying.
"Wait here, I will go in and report."
"Thank you."
After receiving the letter, the soldier quickly entered the mansion and handed the letter to Ke Erqin, who was enjoying tea.
"My lord, someone at the gate has a letter for you."
"Who is that person?"
"He didn't say, only that you would know after reading the letter."
"Bring it here for me to see."
"Yes."
The gatekeeper handed the letter to him. He opened it and read:
General Ke, I hope you are well. It has been five hundred years since we last met.
I heard you are doing well and am very happy. I should not have come to ask for your help, but the situation is sudden and unavoidable.
Now, demons and monsters are rampant, killing and desecrating bodies, and even we merchants who seek no trouble have been innocently implicated.
Xiziguo is vast and prosperous, with elite soldiers and capable generals. I wish to flee to Xiziguo with my family to seek refuge.
However, during this special period, entry is not permitted without the General's authorization. Therefore, I have boldly sent someone to seek your inquiry.
To express my respect, I specially present this chest of treasures. I hope the General will accept it.
Sincerely, Chong Dang.
After reading the letter, he recalled that five hundred years ago, he was merely a stable boy for the Great General.
He had been arrested and whipped for three days for offending the then-city guard. Later, Chong Dang passed by and paid money to save him, allowing him to retain his life.
"Where is that person?" he asked.
"That person is still at the front gate."
"Go and invite the gentleman in."
"Yes."
Upon receiving the order, the gatekeeper quickly ran to the front gate and brought the family servant in.
"Who are you?"
Facing Ke Erqin's question, the messenger replied truthfully, "This humble one is Chong Dang's family servant."
"And where is your Patriarch?"
"He is on his way. The Patriarch instructed me to bring something to the General."
As he spoke, he took out a red wooden box from his satchel and presented it to Ke Erqin. Ke Erqin smiled slightly and opened it to find it filled with rare treasures.
Whether it was a luminous pearl, purple coral, or blood agate, any single item was priceless. He had only known Chong Dang to be wealthy before, but he never expected him to be so rich.
He had saved his life back then, and now he was sending a chest of treasures just for a permit. This deal seemed very worthwhile.
Thus, he immediately ordered someone to fetch paper, brush, and a seal.
He wrote an entry permit on the spot, affixed his unique general's seal, and then placed it in an envelope and handed it to the messenger.
He instructed, "When your Patriarch arrives, be sure to have him come to my mansion for a drink."
"I will certainly convey the General's wishes. This humble one will take his leave."
"Go, go."
After the messenger left, he opened the treasure chest again, taking out the treasures one by one to examine them closely, lest anything be amiss.
Upon receiving the permit, the messenger sped back to Fuping Town.
However, this time he did not have to work so hard, because after traveling for a day, he encountered the large convoy heading to Xiziguo halfway.
He then rode his horse around the convoy and discovered that the one at the front was his Patriarch's convoy.
It was no wonder. To ensure the convoy's smooth entry into Xiziguo, they had even changed the color of the carriage tops to white, creating an illusion at first glance. It was no wonder he couldn't tell which carriage was theirs.
After finding the convoy, he approached the carriage window, excited.
"Patriarch, Patriarch, I have obtained General Ke's entry permit."
"Bring it in."
The messenger handed the letter from his怀 through the window.
Also sitting in this carriage was Xue Gucheng.
Chong Dang handed the permit to him. "You can copy this permit at most three times. Any more will arouse suspicion."
"Thank you, sir."
As he spoke, Chong Dang handed him the prepared paper, brush, and the unsealed seal.
Xue Gucheng began to copy it. After copying, he picked up the unsealed seal and, following the imprint on the permit, began to carve it onto the new seal.
In a short while, he had replicated an identical seal. With red mud applied, there were now three identical permits.
"Sir, you have been a great help this time," Xue Gucheng said gratefully.
"Since I have accepted the charge, I must do it well. Young Master Xue, please distribute them as soon as possible."
"Alright, thank you, sir."
He thanked him again and then, carrying these fake permits, got off the carriage and went to the center of the convoy, handing them to Xue Ruyi.
Xue Ruyi immediately changed his appearance and slipped out of the convoy to personally deliver the permits to the twenty-four Mountain Masters.
Afterward, the messenger remembered General Ke's words and approached the carriage again, saying, "Patriarch, General Ke said that after you enter, you should go to his mansion for a gathering."
Chong Dang smiled slightly and asked him, "Tell me, how did you enter the town without a permit?"
The messenger chuckled and explained.
"It was that simple. As soon as I reached the border, I told them I was here to deliver a letter to their general, and then I gave them the treasure you gave me, and they let me in."
"You clever little thing, you have been a great help this time."
"It is my honor to be able to help the Patriarch."
"When we return, I will compensate you for all your losses."
"Really? Really?" He was so excited he couldn't contain himself.
"Yes, you can pick yourself when we get back."
"So happy, thank you, Patriarch."
"Alright, alright, watch the road carefully."
"Yes."
Xue Ruyi delivered the three permits to the twenty-four Mountain Masters. Due to their large numbers, they had to divide into three groups to enter Taohua Town before entry.
Chong Dang's convoy finally arrived at Taohua Town after traveling for a day and a night.
The town was no longer as freely accessible as before. Heavy troops were now stationed at every checkpoint, and barriers had been erected.
The guards, upon seeing a large group of people approaching from a distance, panicked and rushed to block them with their troops.
However, they then saw neat rows of carriages and the people escorting them on both sides, a mighty force like an army breaking through.
The carriages slowly stopped before the checkpoint. Chong Dang dismounted first and walked to the checkpoint guards, bowed to them, and then said,
"I am merely a merchant. However, due to the chaotic times and the ravages of demons, I have been forced to flee to Xiziguo. Those behind me are several major merchants."
As he spoke, the other seven wealthy merchants began to disembark from the convoy one after another. They gathered in front.
The leading general looked troubled.
"What you say is true, but the demon forces are currently powerful, and we must be cautious. Therefore, please return."
Chong Dang asked, "Do we need a general's permit to enter?"
"Naturally."
Upon receiving the reply, Chong Dang slowly took out Ke Erqin's personal letter from his怀 and said, "This is General Ke's personal entry permit."
As he spoke, he handed over the letter. The general took the letter and opened it to read:
Mr. Chong Dang saved my life five hundred years ago. Now, I only ask for my family to be allowed to enter and seek refuge. After careful consideration, I have decided to let them enter. Guards who see the bearer of this letter may allow them passage.
Sincerely, Ke Erqin.
Looking at the black and white characters and the seal at the end, it was evident that it was indeed General Ke's personal letter.
"It is indeed the General's personal letter, but the General's letter only mentions Mr. Chong Dang's family, not others.
Therefore, no one other than Chong Dang's family is allowed to enter."
Upon hearing this, the wealthy merchants smiled slightly and began to argue with him.
"We have known Mr. Chong for over a thousand years. If we were to count, we have already regarded each other as family."
"No matter what, we can be considered Mr. Chong's family. Since we are family, we should be allowed to enter."
The young general was momentarily speechless. At this point, the merchant Gui Zhizi ordered someone to bring a chest of treasures and presented it to the young general on the spot.
The young general, being upright, repeatedly refused. However, Gui Zhizi said displeasedly,
"General Ke has already sent word for us to gather at his mansion after entering. Little General, are you trying to disobey the General's orders by blocking us?"
The young general's expression became difficult. Finally, after weighing the pros and cons, he allowed them to enter.
After entering Taohua Town, the others led the convoy to the main city of Xiziguo, while Chong Dang stayed behind to meet with the general.
He personally went to Weiyuan Mansion and knocked on the door. A gatekeeper then came out.
"I am Chong Dang. Please inform the General."
The gatekeeper hurried back to the inner mansion to report to Ke Erqin.
Soon, Ke Erqin personally came out to greet him.
"I am grateful for your life-saving grace that day, Mr. Although I am now a border general, I have never forgotten your kindness."
Chong Dang could tell that his words contained seven parts truth and three parts falsehood. It seemed there was still some sentiment.
"It was merely a small effort. I am grateful for the General's remembrance even to this day."
"I have always been looking forward to your visit. Today, I have finally waited for you. Please come in."
At Ke Erqin's invitation, Chong Dang entered Weiyuan Mansion and followed him to a quiet spot in the backyard, where good wine and food were already laid out.
It seemed he had received the news in advance.
"Please take the seat of honor, Mr."
"I dare not, I dare not. General, please."
After some polite exchange, Ke Erqin finally took the upper seat. During the meal, Ke Erqin asked about Chong Dang's current life.
"Why did you come to Xiziguo instead of going to Beishendu?"
Chong Dang sighed with helplessness.
"Alas! My original intention was to go to Beishendu, but Beishendu is full of wealth, and they did not accept me. Coming to Xiziguo, I can still enjoy the feeling of being a wealthy merchant."
"Hahaha, I see you care so much about this vanity."
"Alas, I am more respected here, so I am unwilling to remain an unknown nobody. Xiziguo is the most suitable place for me to live."
After the conversation, Ke Erqin's initial doubts gradually subsided, and then he drank heartily with him.