Chapter 626: So That's What It Meant
Tie Niaofei, Zao Ying, and Zheng Daniu were instantly overjoyed to see the Heavenly Lord arrive.
The three of them, leading several hundred cavalry, had traveled far from the Heavenly Lord's territory, searching all over Shanxi for Jin merchants. They hadn't seen the Heavenly Lord in a long time, and a strange emptiness had settled in their hearts. Now, seeing the Heavenly Lord arrive, their spirits soared.
Immediately, their bodies surged with renewed vigor.
Tie Niaofei said, "Heavenly Lord, what brings you here today?"
The Cotton Thread Heavenly Lord sighed softly, "The flood relief efforts in Henan have temporarily concluded, so I took the opportunity to come and check on you all here."
Tie Niaofei quickly composed himself. "Jin merchants traditionally deal in border trade. As they fled north, we pursued them further and further in that direction. Now that we've reached Daizhou, we're not far from the northern frontier."
The Cotton Thread Heavenly Lord nodded. "From Daizhou, twenty li further north lies Yanmen Pass."
Beyond Yanmen Pass, heading further north, is Datong, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Xuan-Da Commander, Zhang Zongheng. That region is perpetually embroiled in conflict with the northern nomadic tribes.
Tie Niaofei continued, "Of the two Jin merchants who opposed me in Hedong City back then, one, named Zhai Tang, has yet to be found. The other, Tian Shenglan, is currently hiding within Daizhou City right before us."
The Cotton Thread Heavenly Lord said, "Zao Ying is right. Daizhou City cannot be directly assaulted and captured like Hedong City was last time. With Sun Chuanting defending it, a few hundred cavalry won't be enough to take the city."
Tie Niaofei asked, "So how should we deal with Tian Shenglan?"
The Cotton Thread Heavenly Lord replied, "Do you have any salt warrants on you?"
Tie Niaofei smiled. "Yes!"
By this time, Xing Honglang had already secured the position of Salt Revenue Commissioner. With salt warrants, when one of your own issues them to another, you can write as many as you like, right? He truly carried two salt warrants, both for considerable amounts.
The Cotton Thread Heavenly Lord said, "Alright, from now on, you are one of the Jin merchants. Present yourself with the bearing of a merchant. Stroll in boldly and openly through the city gates."
Tie Niaofei was also a clever man, and upon hearing this, he immediately understood.
He didn't even need any disguise. He simply pulled out a merchant's robe and draped it over himself. Playing his natural role, he looked like an authentic merchant. He took thirty soldiers with him, ordering them not to carry firearms or armor. Instead, they wore ordinary jianghu-style attire, carried waist-mounted sabers, and followed him into the city.
Zao Ying and Zheng Daniu, meanwhile, hid in the woods outside the city, waiting to provide support.
As Tie Niaofei walked towards the city gates, he whispered, "Heavenly Lord, after your subordinate enters the city, should I find an opportunity to assassinate Tian Shenglan?"
"No, that won't be necessary," the Cotton Thread Heavenly Lord chuckled. "Our main objective in entering the city this time is to make contact with Sun Chuanting."
Tie Niaofei was greatly puzzled. "Why make contact with him?"
The Cotton Thread Heavenly Lord explained, "Due to his dissatisfaction with the Eunuch Party's autocratic rule, Sun Chuanting resigned his post and returned home. However, he's not one to stay idle. All day long, he writes essays, outlining his strategic ideas for the border regions..."
At this point, the Cotton Thread Heavenly Lord chuckled. "His essays on border strategy are highly valued by Zhu Youjian and often adopted."
Tie Niaofei heard this and realized with a sudden flash of insight, "If we inform him about the Jin merchants selling supplies to aid the Manchu, and he includes it in his essays, perhaps the imperial court will finally take notice."
"Precisely!" the Cotton Thread Heavenly Lord affirmed. "The Jin merchants need a thorough rectification. We don't have the leisure to handle such matters ourselves. Let the imperial court sort it out."
Tie Niaofei now fully grasped the Heavenly Lord's intent and instantly felt confident.
Before long, the group arrived at the gates of Daizhou City.
Not long ago, the combined forces of Chuǎng Wang and Chuang Jiang had launched an attack here. Consequently, Daizhou City's defenses were now exceptionally tight. Not only were city guards stationed at the gate, but also a large number of militia. Even several of the Sun family's retainers patrolled the top of the city gate.
The moment Tie Niaofei and his thirty men appeared at the city gates, they attracted the attention of the guards.
A city guard shouted loudly at Tie Niaofei's group, "Who goes there?"
Tie Niaofei replied, "I am a merchant."
"A merchant? You look like one, but you carry no goods," the city guards said, a little suspicious.
Tie Niaofei produced a salt warrant and waved it towards the city wall. "I haven't traveled this trade route before. I only recently acquired a salt warrant, and I'm eager to try this new route. So I came ahead to scout it out. Naturally, I wouldn't carry goods while reconnoitering."
That made sense!
The city guards were still half-convinced, but they inspected Tie Niaofei's salt warrant and confirmed it was genuine. It wasn't just a fake drawn on a piece of paper. This dispelled their remaining doubts.
At that time, many merchants traveled through Daizhou City, both north and south.
Many Jin merchants would pass through here and then cross Yanmen Pass to transport various goods to the Datong border army in the north.
The city guards had seen many merchants like Tie Niaofei.
"Alright," the city guard said. "Entry tax, five copper coins per person."
Tie Niaofei dutifully paid the tax. Then he asked the gate guards, "I've heard that Master Sun Chuanting is in this city. I have long admired Master Sun and wish to pay him a visit at his residence. Could you tell me how to get to the Sun estate?"
This time, the city guards didn't answer. Instead, they turned to look at the Sun family's retainers on the city wall.
One of the Sun family retainers immediately became alert. He quickly walked over to Tie Niaofei. "You wish to see my master? What is your business?"
Tie Niaofei chuckled. "I have some matters concerning the border that I'd like to discuss with Master Sun."
"Border matters?"
Hearing this, the retainer dared not be negligent.
His master loved discussing "border matters." He was almost obsessed with them. If someone wished to speak with him about it, he would certainly be pleased.
"In that case," the retainer said, "I will lead the way for you."
The retainer led the way, guiding Tie Niaofei and his companions to the Sun estate.
The Sun estate was a prominent residence in Daizhou City, covering a vast area. It was a typical mansion of a wealthy landlord, with gardens, streams, rockeries, pine trees, lotus flowers...
The Cotton Thread Heavenly Lord couldn't help but inwardly grumble: "This Sun estate's backyard was built like a 5A scenic area."
The group arrived at the back garden. There, they found a small stone table and a few stone stools.
A middle-aged man, appearing scholarly, was seated at the stone table. From his appearance, it must have been Sun Chuanting.
Standing before Sun Chuanting was a young scholar. He showed profound respect towards Sun Chuanting, much like a student towards his teacher.
The student-like figure sighed. "Master, the affairs of the world seem beyond salvation; everywhere there is ruin and despair. Perhaps you should cease to trouble yourself with them and simply live your own life in peace."
Sun Chuanting snorted. "Let it begin with me; whether it succeeds or fails, that is fate."
The Philistine Heavenly Lord couldn't help but be startled. *Damn it, I didn't understand! I really am a philistine.*
Fortunately, Tie Niaofei understood it.
He was there on orders to forge a connection with Sun Chuanting. Seizing on the phrase, he quickly showered praise: "What a profound sentiment: 'Let it begin with me; whether it succeeds or fails, that is fate!' To instigate change starting with oneself, and as for success, that is for Heaven to decide. Master Sun, your righteousness is lofty, and I, your humble servant, am deeply impressed."
The Philistine Heavenly Lord thought: *Oh, so that's what it meant.*
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