Volu at Binzhou (1/2)

Volu the older sister of the Gaozu E was founded, while Jiang Wuya and Gaozu were battling for supre Wuya was seriously injured by an assassin, dying on the battlefield Yong, seeing the strength of the enemy, under orders from his mother, took his father’s former subordinates and fled to the Eastern Sea to beco his father’s noble rank as the Marquis of Yongning, he seized control over the Eastern Sea, using his ions Everyone called him the Marquis of the Eastern Sea Gaozu atte Dynastic Records</eraphy of the Marquis of the Eastern Sea</e, Lin Bi and coing a hundred or so personal bodyguards The areas that they traveled through were the noand Northern Han As a result, Lin Bi and co the merchants The entire journey concluded without mishap With ten days, they arrived at Binzhou While Binzhou was situated on the border between Great Yong and Northern Han, it was in reality within the territory controlled by the Marquis of the Eastern Sea When the ions, he used Binzhou to supply his shi+ps In order to ensure the safety of their h seas, the merchants of Binzhou would secretly share information with the overn and the Eastern Sea was gradually dispelled The ’sceased its severe suppression of Jiang Yong’s forces As a result, the Eastern Sea’s power and influence grew significantly in Binzhou, especially after the long-distance oceangoing trade began As a result, Binzhou becaest and h Binzhou, Northern Han and Great Yong sent an unending strea journeys on the old, silver, grains, and other products As a result, both Northern Han and Great Yong desired to control Binzhou However, before they were absolutely certain to succeed, no one dared to act blindly without thinking

Trade between Southern Chu and Eastern Sea was conducted at Hangzhou This ti to force the Eastern Sea to exclude Great Yong’s trade, only trading with Northern Han in the north and Southern Chu in the south—had not co intended to destroy everything, then it would be impossible for Binzhou to continue to serve as a port When the time came, it would only be Southern Chu who could monopolize the profits As a result, Lin Bi was not committed to Southern Chu’s proposal Of course, if Southern Chu were really to succeed, Lin Bi would definitely exhaust her h difficult, it was not iates into Binzhou, everyone was able to experience the welco back and forth were hout the world Were it not for the rustling of the autumn wind, one would suspect that they had arrived at a flourishi+ng city in Jiangnan Nominally, Northern Han was an enemy country in Binzhou As a result, there was naturally no official posthouse for Northern Han However, someone had already made reservations for a courtyard at Binzhou’s est inn

The inn’s name was the Halcyon Inn This name was extremely ordinary However, at present, all of the Halcyon Inns in the world were owned by one o, the first Halcyon Inn opened business in Southern Chu’s Jianye Afterwards, branches were opened in all of the major cities in the world This Halcyon Inn did not rely upon luxury to attract custos and decorations were known for their sih the inn’s service was considerate and attentive, there were nothing special about it Although one could enjoy famous dishes from all of the major cuisines of the world, compared to the dishes fro It would be reasonable to say that the Halcyon Inns did not have anything special that made them stand out However, after the Halcyon Inn had opened numerous branch inns, merchants who frequently traveled the world were astonished to discover that each and every Halcyon Inn was the same The inn’s operation, the structure and layout of the rooms, the flavor of the food and drink, were almost practically the same To these merchants who spent years on end away fro similarities of the Halcyon Inns made them quickly consider the Halcyon Inn as their home away from home Within each and every Halcyon Inn, they were able to enjoy a fa In addition, the Halcyon Inn had another benefit Once a customer had stayed at one of the Halcyon Inns, within a few uest’s needs and wants, arranging each stay—the rooms, the food, the service—to one’s exact specifications, uest feel completely at home

Of course, it was inevitable that there were those orried that the Halcyon Inn would have probleers, had a , these servants would act according to the sers If there were any violations, a servant would be immediately dismissed As a result, each and every Halcyon Inn was essentially the sa characteristics in the details This kind of operation was extremely easy for the local authorities to dispatch spies to enter and investigate However, it was very difficult for these spies to discover anything As a result, until now, no one kneho the Halcyon Inn’s behind-the-scenes proprietor was

The reason that Lin Bi selected the Halcyon Inn was not because of her fondness for this aspect, but rather because the Halcyon Inn had another benefit Each roo flowers and trees, rock gardens, and winding corridors, offering the guests privacy and security If one rented one of the courtyards, then it would be even safer The guest rooularly, actually controlled all of the crucial points As long as appropriate individuals were placed at each of the guest rooms, then they would naturally forh-ranking officials and dignitaries to use After staying at the Halcyon Inn once, row fond of the Halcyon Inn Moreover, although the Halcyon Inn was not particularly luxurious, its decorations and furnishi+ngs were refined and elegant, not degrading their social status

After settling down, Lin Bi dispatched so card to the residence of the Binzhou Prefectural Magistrate, Huang Wei Huang Wei was no However, in reality, he was a fa This was a fact that everyone ell aware of Although Jiang Yong’s influence had already extended all the way to Binzhou, Jiang Yong himself was not present in Binzhou In order to attend the wedding banquet, one must first deliver one’s invitation Afterwards, the Marquis of the Eastern Sea would dispatch a shi+p to welcouest and carry him or her out to sea

Lin Bi wanted tobanquet However, the Southern Chu envoy had boarded a shi+p fro it i banquet As a result, Lin Bi could only let things happen

When the Northern Han contingent had settled doang Ji was lying in bed, finding it difficult to sleep The entire journey, Lin Bi had kept a tight watch upon hi with his compatriots Now that they had checked into the Halcyon Inn, if he remembered correctly, this would be the only way for him to communicate with his co his former master’s directives, then hoould he be able to pay his respects to his forhth day of the ninthday of the Marquis of Eastern Sea’s beloved son And on the second day of the tenth month, it would be the first birthday for his for Ji hesitated

Just as wang Ji was tossing and turning restlessly in bed, someone knocked on his door and stated, “This lowly one is here to deliver tea Would the guest please open the door?”

Raising his voice, wang Ji allowed, “The door is open Come in!”

The door was pushed open, and an inn waiter dressed in azure and wearing a small cap walked in As he closed the door behind hiuest, our huions I do not know if the honored guest has a particular preference, so as a result, I have brought souest does not like it, I can replace it at any tih the waiter said those words, his conduct was extre down the teapot, he swiftly shed his clothes and took off his cap wang Ji was first startled before he noticed that the waiter had placed a jade pendant on the table A look of joy appearing on his face, he began to undress as well wang Ji said, “Longjing is great Oh, that’s right This one wishes to take a short nap Be sure to not disturb ed into the waiter’s clothes and put on the cap The two’s figures were sihtly hidden, they closely rese his head with the blanket and pretending to fall asleep, while wang Ji took the tray and walked out He rele word, he walked straight out of the courtyard As he stepped through the doorway, he saw another waiter waiting for hi behind this second waiter Afterseveral twists and turns, they arrived at an extreuest roo with his hands behind his back Hearing a sound, he turned around The two exchanged looks, barely discernible tears appearing in their eyes Both of thehtly exclaimed, “Chiji! I haven’t seen you for three years!”

wang Ji, no, Chiji, replied, “Lü’er, having not seen you for three years, you’ve beco master well? Are all the brothers well?”

Lü’er opened his in since there were a lot of things to say Pulling Chiji down into a chair, Lü’er arranged his train of thought before responding, “The youngthetheir roht now, the littlemiss, Roulan, is vivacious and adorable Acco, and Head Maid Zhou, they are filled with boundless joy”

Hearing all of this, delight lit up on Chiji’s face He replied, “That’s great! Before the young master went into seclusion, he dispatched me to wander the barbarian lands These last several years, I have wandered the world I felt like I was nowithout any dependents Now, I can finally return to the young et to celebrate the littlerees with you,” said Lü’e with a s the Halcyon Inn, causing me to wander the lands I only returned to Binzhou a few days ago Seeing the young ain causedate ence and popular sentiinally concerned about you, afraid that you would be harht that you have not only returned safe and sound, but have also returned with the nickname, ‘Divine Doctor Bo Le?’ I have heard that the barbarians have esteemed you as one of their deities I had expected that you would be too happy to think of home⁴ Who could have expected that you would stillmaster were to learn of this, he would definitely beup the teacup on the table, Chiji drank it in one gulp He tranquilly recounted, “The barbarians are no away their time In late autumn when the horses are fat, the barbarians plunder the Central Plains, killing and pillaging, perfor all manner of evil deeds We would naturally view them as vicious, ruthless, and barbaric In reality, in the two years I spent in the barbarian lands, I found that the average herdsuileless After I arrived on the prairies, Imy rations and h the barbarians are rough and uncultured, they are also unsophisticated by nature Their e with them Unfortunately, there are not only herdsmen on the prairie; there is also nobility, composed of each tribe’s leader and their families It is these people who are filled ild aold, and silk, they not only raid the Central Plains, they also fight against one another In those tribes, those herdsmen are no better than slaves They perform arduous labor on a daily basis In tio into battle If they win, they naturally get a share of the spoils However, if they lose, their wives, children, and property are snatched away by their ene, because victory and defeat are closely linked with life and death, honor and disgrace In all honesty, even if they win, the spoils of war are iven some leftovers”

Baffled, Lü’er asked, “Since those herdsmen have to endure such a pitiful existence and they are brave in battle, why do they not resist?”

S wryly, Chiji answered, “It is easier said than done to resist Life on the prairie is arduous It is extrele person to live by himself As a result, these herdsmen are unable to separate fro the best habitats, the nobility is able to obtain the best horses and weapons As a result, they are able to easily bribe the loyalty of the boldest and most ferocious warriors of the tribe How are the ardless of location or ti as they are able to survive, howto risk their lives?”

Hesitating, Lü’e voiced, “I have once heard that the barbarians commit all kinds of crimes But from your personal experience, I feel a bit sy master were to hear your words, he would be infuriated”

“What kind of person is the young , “He will not blaenmity towards the Central Plains I can see that they are divided between good and evil When the Middle Kingdoulfed in war, the methods employed are just as cruel andhter one another”

Lü’e claiivings”

Nodding his head, Chiji cast aside the vexing s in his heart He asked, “Now that you are the owner of the Halcyon Inn and are very wealthy, naturally it is worthy of celebration! However, I have heard that Daoli is even better off”

“That’s right,” replied Lü’e with a smile “Daoli sailed out into the open ocean twice, each trip traveling tens of thousands of ional specialties that he brought back left all who saw them dazzled Truthfully, the best off is actually Hualiu After that fellow’s real identity was revealed, General Qin and the Elderly Madam did not blame him With his identity revealed, there was no way for him to leave the capital Ulti I have heard that he is now Xiahou Yuanfeng’s deputy in the Bright Inspection Departhest It is a pity that Baiyi, Yulun, Shanzi, and Quhuang are all busy handling the Embroidered Union and the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets They were not even perChiji declared, “What are you worried about? Once Great Yong unifies the world, we can spend the rest of our lives in leisure”

A look of longing flashed across Lü’e’s eyes as he smiled “Yeah, I truly can’t wait for the day when the world is unified When the tiht and kill Oh, that’s right, Chiji, why did you co hable”

“I had no idea that I would run into persons fro wryly “However, et the opportunity to fei, but I also , Lin Bi, who has a sile Alas, while they can truly be said to be a heroic couple, it is a pity that they are subjects of Northern Han Oh, that’s right Does the young fei and Lin Bi both wantto becoent in Northern Han”

Lü’e shook his head “The young eniuses of this age Not only are they both resolute and fir tiain their trust As a result, it would be useless if you serve as an undercover agent by their side The young master has instructed that after you have acco banquet to leave using a pretext Facing these kinds of people, the youngmaster also wants me to tell you that you can’t miss the little master’s zhuazhou”⁵

A cheerful look flashed across Chiji’s face He replied, “Please report to the youngmaster’s orders I will definitely arrive before the second day of the tenth month”

Lü’e nodded his head “I have already ements In a while, your substitute will have the waiter deliver oil for the lae places”

Chiji nodded his head The weight on his ht soifts for the little master I will definitely arrive on the second day of the tenth ifts,” replied Lü’e with a sifts He has just returned from a trip overseas”

Chiji responded, “I had no choice in the ift won’t be excessively inferior This was a gift of thanks given by the strongest tribal chief for treating his horse”

The two continued to converse for a short period of time before a servant ca up an oil lah Lin Bi had assigned ht watch, she had not prohibited the waiters fro Chiji was able to successfully return to his rooed back into his clothes and noiselessly departed Chiji lay down on the bed It wasn’t long before he fell asleep

The next day, Lin Bi allowed everyone to go out and explore the city, only prohibiting the Ji was pulled out of the inn by Lin Tong Although he did not know Lin Tong’s intentions, he understood well Lin Bi’s intentions At present, Lin Bi would absolutely not prevent hiht As expected, the personal bodyguard responsible for Lin Tong’s safety was also given the day off by Lin Bi Taking over his responsibilities were two of Lin Bi’s trusted bodyguards Fro Ji could observe, theJi knew that he did not have the abilities to defeat the two of them It would be impossible for him to find the chance to escape Lin Bi’s behavior was truly cautious However, having alreadyJi freely acco the city of Binzhou