Chapter 627: Beyond Our Grasp
The moment Tie Niaofei spoke, both men by the stone table were startled and turned their heads to look at him.
A family retainer quickly stepped forward to introduce him: "My lord, this merchant's name is Tie Niaofei. He claims to be a Jin merchant and carries a salt certificate. He says he's here to scout the route, intending to run his trade along this line in the future. He also mentioned he wishes to discuss some frontier affairs with you."
Sun Chuanting had met countless Jin merchants and generally paid them little mind, but the mention of "frontier affairs" instantly captivated his attention, his eyes brightening with interest.
*Frontier affairs? You've come to exactly the right place!*
Sun Chuanting’s spirits lifted. He gestured to a stone bench beside the table. "Please, Mr. Tie."
Tie Niaofei adjusted his merchant's attire, then walked over with a smile and sat down opposite Sun Chuanting. The Puppet Heavenly Lord followed, seemingly settling in opposite Sun Chuanting as well.
Sun Chuanting cupped his hands in a respectful salute. "I am Sun Chuanting. This gentleman beside me is my student, Feng Rong."
Feng Rong also saluted, but his expression was clearly displeased. He had recently been advising his teacher to stop concerning himself with national affairs, to avoid getting entangled. But his teacher wouldn't listen, still showing fervent interest in border matters. Now, a self-proclaimed merchant had shown up, wanting to discuss frontier affairs with him—this was a direct affront to Feng Rong.
How could Feng Rong be happy? He said with ill humor, "Mr. Tie wishes to discuss frontier affairs? You're a merchant; what frontier affairs could you possibly have to discuss?"
"Oh?" Hearing him speak so gravely, Sun Chuanting truly grew interested. "Do tell me more."
Tie Niaofei cupped his hands, then performed a gesture of worship toward the sky. "Our dynasty's Grand Ancestor established rules, setting up the Nine Border Garrisons to protect our frontiers..."
Feng Rong cut in, "Who doesn't know such trivialities? Get straight to the point."
Tie Niaofei continued, "The point is, these Nine Garrisons are all located along the northern frontier, in places of extreme cold and hardship, making material supply exceedingly difficult."
Sun Chuanting nodded. "Indeed! The provision of supplies to the border garrisons has always been a matter of paramount importance for our dynasty, crucial to the nation's foundation."
Tie Niaofei explained, "Therefore, the Grand Ancestor established regulations for merchants to provide grain, cloth, salt, ironware, and other necessities to the soldiers of the Nine Garrisons. To compensate them, the imperial court specifically issued salt certificates to these merchants."
As he spoke, he produced a salt certificate and displayed it to Sun Chuanting.
Sun Chuanting, always immersed in frontier matters, was deeply familiar with these facts, yet he listened patiently without interruption.
Feng Rong, however, couldn't help himself. "Why do you keep repeating these old platitudes?"
The Puppet Heavenly Lord chuckled inwardly. *Tie Niaofei is actually speaking for my benefit,* he thought. *He's worried that I, a deity from the heavens, might not be entirely clear on mortal affairs.*
Tie Niaofei suddenly shifted his tone. "Lord Sun, merchants, armed with the imperial court's trading privileges, can easily transport large quantities of goods to the border. If we sell these goods to our soldiers in the Nine Garrisons, that would, of course, be excellent. But if these goods never reach our border soldiers, and are instead secretly transported across the border to the Mongols or the Later Jin... Heheheh..."
At these words, Sun Chuanting's face paled. Feng Rong, who had been looking utterly impatient moments ago, instantly sprang to his feet, exclaiming in anger, "How dare these villains!"
Sun Chuanting turned to Feng Rong. "Sit down! Why are you so agitated? Wasn't it you who advised me to let go of national affairs? Now, hearing of this, you're jumping higher than your teacher."
Feng Rong looked awkward and sat down sheepishly. "Ah, yes, no national affairs. I truly dislike discussing national affairs."
Having said that, he actually stopped talking about it, but his ears perked up, like a long-eared rabbit.
Sun Chuanting's expression darkened. "Mr. Tie, since you specifically came to me with this, you must already have some clues, I presume?"
"Precisely!" Tie Niaofei said with a solemn face. "I know of a scoundrel among the Jin merchants who trades with the Mongols, and he is currently in this very city of Daizhou."
Sun Chuanting's eyes narrowed. "What is this man's name?"
"Tian Shenglan!"
Feng Rong's perked ears twitched. "Teacher, this man... he visited our residence just a few days ago."
Sun Chuanting remembered him, of course. "Hmm, he seemed a rather composed merchant, spoke little, but gave a very reliable impression."
At this point, Sun Chuanting's expression grew even more serious. "Mr. Tie, you say Tian Shenglan colludes with foreign enemies. Do you have any evidence?"
Tie Niaofei spread his hands. "None! But many of us Jin merchants know about this."
Sun Chuanting pressed, "Many know about it?"
Tie Niaofei nodded. "Yes! As fellow merchants, we naturally have more intelligence and news regarding the business world. People in the trade also discuss this privately. Some things can be hidden from outsiders, but not from those within the industry."
Sun Chuanting shook his head gravely. "I require concrete evidence."
Tie Niaofei hesitated. "Uh, well... there isn't any at the moment."
Sun Chuanting nodded. "Very well, Mr. Tie, I am now quite clear on what you've told me. I will dispatch people to investigate this matter, but without evidence, I cannot act on rumors or your sole account to punish Tian Shenglan."
Tie Niaofei clasped his hands. "Naturally, my purpose in coming this time was simply to inform Lord Sun."
Sun Chuanting replied, "Hmm, now I am informed. Thank you for the information, Mr. Tie."
With that, he lifted his teacup, a clear signal for dismissal.
Tie Niaofei understood. Without further unnecessary words, he clasped his hands and took his leave.
Both Sun Chuanting and Feng Rong rose to see him off.
Just as they stood in unison, Tie Niaofei's arm dropped, and a miniature Puppet Heavenly Lord, smaller than a palm, slid from his sleeve and fell to the ground.
The Puppet Heavenly Lord landed with a soft "clink," but at the same instant, Tie Niaofei deliberately stamped his foot. His hard shoe sole hit the ground with a "thump," completely masking the sound of the Heavenly Lord's descent.
It happened completely undetected by human eye or ear.
The Puppet Heavenly Lord instantly darted into the grass beside the stone table.
Tie Niaofei announced, "Once I have evidence of Tian Shenglan's treason, I will visit again."
Sun Chuanting responded, "Then I shall trouble you, Mr. Tie."
The family retainer led Tie Niaofei out of the manor.
Sun Chuanting's expression, however, remained grim. After a moment of silence, he declared loudly, "Someone! Bring me paper and brush!"
Feng Rong grew anxious. "Teacher, what are you going to write now?"
Sun Chuanting replied, "Even without evidence, this matter concerning the Jin merchants is most likely true. Although I cannot act on rumors to deal with these corrupt traders, I can at least write a memorial to warn the imperial court to be vigilant against Jin merchants colluding with foreign enemies and transporting supplies to the northern barbarians."
Feng Rong protested, "This is beyond our grasp! Teacher, it's beyond our grasp!"
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