Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 167

“My Lord, a caravan is entering the city!” reports the yamen runner stationed at the city gate. Upon receiving the news that a group of people on horseback and driving carts is approaching, he hurriedly grabs someone to take his place and dashes off toward the prefecture office.

Pei Che looks at the sweat-drenched yamen runner and says, “Sit down and rest for a moment. It’s certainly good news that people are coming, but we must still follow the proper protocols without any negligence.”

These merchants have traveled from afar, undoubtedly drawn by the tea produced in the area. If there is no profit to be made, they wouldn’t bother stopping here. However, if the people of Cangzhou are overly friendly upon their arrival, it might give these merchants the impression that there is room for bargaining. At that point, the situation could become unnecessarily complicated.

The yamen runner takes a deep breath. After listening to Pei Che’s words, his excitement gradually subsides. He replies, “My Lord, I understand.”

“Good. Be stricter with the inspections at the gate, and then have someone guide them to one of the nearby inns so they won’t get lost when they first arrive,” Pei Che instructs.

The three inns designated for receiving merchants are chosen by Jiang Miao after surveying Cangzhou’s businesses. These establishments are known for fair dealings, pleasant environments, and high-quality service, ensuring a good impression on the visiting traders.

“Understood!”

After acknowledging the order, the yamen runner rests for a while, then gets up and returns to the city gate.

The others are still curious about his sudden departure earlier and gather around to ask questions.

He recounts the situation and begins assigning tasks to each person, instructing them to remain in their most energetic state and ensure that the outsiders don’t look down on them.

The sense of pride and responsibility among the gatekeepers is strong. Upon hearing his words, they quickly form two neat lines at the city gate, standing upright and alert. Their sharp eyes scan everyone passing by, and their firm grip on their spears radiates authority.

This is the scene witnessed by the merchant surnamed Hu from Liangjing. He can’t help but remark to those around him, “I heard that Cangzhou is poor and assumed the people here would all be listless. I didn’t expect them to be so energetic.”

His companion replies, “Even a sinking ship still has three thousand nails. No matter how poor Cangzhou is, there are bound to be some wealthy folks. Besides, the city gate represents Cangzhou’s image. If they don’t put on a proper display here, wouldn’t it invite ridicule?”

As they converse, the caravan arrives at the city gate.

Just as the leader is about to speak, one of the officers at the gate announces, “Please dismount and stop your vehicles. Prepare your documents and travel permits so we can conduct an inspection.”

The merchant surnamed Hu frowns upon hearing this. In the past, when they conducted business in smaller towns, not only are their carts never stopped for inspection, but they are also warmly received by locals eager for them to buy more goods. Yet here in Cangzhou, a place known for its poverty and weakness, the conduct resembles that of a prosperous major city.

“Please cooperate with us,” the yamen runner calls out again, raising his voice when he notices their hesitation.

Hu Shang and the others exchange glances, each showing a hint of frustration. They have turned off the official road and spent several days traveling to get here. If they turn back now, wouldn’t all that effort be wasted?

With that in mind, they reluctantly dismount from their carriages and retrieve their documents from their bags for inspection.

Although the yamen runners aren’t highly literate, they are skilled at verifying the authenticity of official seals. After confirming that everyone’s identities are legitimate, they also lift the cart curtains to check for hidden passengers.

Noticing the merchants staring at them with furrowed brows, the lead yamen runner explains, “This is for the safety of the townspeople. I hope you don’t take offense.” With that, he waves them through and orders the barricades blocking the city gate to be removed.

The merchants mount their carriages again and ride their horses into the city, but they soon find themselves in a predicament. It is their first time in Cangzhou, and they are unfamiliar with the market. Not finding a place to stay for the moment would be one thing, but even if they do find an inn, what if they are taken advantage of and fleeced like fattened sheep? Entering Cangzhou has already proven difficult, and leaving might be just as troublesome. Will they end up trapped here, left to be exploited?

The more they think about it, the darker their expressions become. In their minds, they begin to equate Cangzhou with a den of thieves and a bandits’ stronghold. Even the previously spirited yamen runners now seem to radiate an aura of banditry in their eyes.

“Guests? Guests?” A yamen runner standing beside their horses calls out, noticing their grim faces and motionless state. They seem lost in thought, and he has other duties to attend to.

“Huh?” One of the merchants snaps out of his thoughts and points at himself. “Are you talking to me?”

The yamen runner nods. “Dear guests, you’ve come a long way and may not be familiar with Cangzhou. Please follow me. There’s an inn not far from here where you can settle in and rest. You can handle other matters afterward.”

Overly attentive kindness without reason is either a ploy or a scheme. The merchants grow wary, suspecting that the local government and businesses might be colluding to swindle their money. They’ve encountered such tricks before—everything seemed fine at first, only for attitudes to change drastically when it came time to pay the bill.

“Everything there is clearly priced,” the yamen runner says, noticing their hesitation and guarded demeanor. His tone turns sour as he adds, “I’m only responsible for showing you the way. Whether you stay or not is entirely up to you.”

Seeing this, the merchant on horseback cups his hands and says, “Then I’ll trouble you, sir.” After all, they are a group of people—if the situation doesn’t seem right, they can always leave immediately.

The yamen runner leads the way in front, while the merchants follow slowly behind. They feel a sense of relief upon noticing that the route stays on main streets rather than detouring into quiet alleys.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, they arrive at a street. Compared to other areas, this street is relatively deserted.

Over the past few years, Cangzhou hasn’t seen much business activity, and most inns here are running at a loss, with some even shutting down. However, one inn remains open because it has been passed down through generations. With no other trade to rely on, the owner has kept it running, just barely making ends meet without expecting much more.

In recent days, the innkeeper has noticed people frequently inspecting his inn. He doesn’t know what’s going on and has been feeling uneasy.

Then, to his surprise, good news arrives—the government has designated his inn as a lodging for visiting merchants. If he seizes this opportunity, it might save his struggling business!

For days, he has been filled with hopeful anticipation. So, when he sees the yamen runner leading a group of merchants toward his inn, he is elated.

The yamen runner brings the merchants to the inn, gives a brief greeting, and leaves without forcing them to stay or saying anything to promote the inn.

The merchants feel reassured, realizing their earlier suspicions have been unfounded. Still, they know that when traveling, a sense of vigilance is essential for survival.

“Honored guests, are you looking for lodging? Our humble inn offers upper, middle, and lower-class rooms, as well as shared bunks. The backyard also has a stable, with dedicated staff to feed and care for the horses,” says Innkeeper Ding of Fulai Inn, mustering his courage and stepping forward to list the inn’s advantages.

Although his words aren’t as eloquent or exaggerated as some, his plain and honest tone leaves a good impression on the merchants. They also notice a wooden signboard outside the inn listing its services, which appear to be quite comprehensive.

Compared to other places, the prices at this inn are indeed reasonable, and the transparent pricing system is rare. Everything is clearly listed, from the cost of a night in an upper-class room to the price of a small plate of pickled vegetables. Most reassuringly, the list bears the official seal of the government, stating that any deceptive practices will result in a triple compensation upon verification of the claim.

“How about we stay here?” the merchant surnamed Hu asks, turning to the others.

The rest nod in agreement. If the government is willing to back such a guarantee, what reason do they have to doubt it? Each merchant selects accommodations according to their needs, and the inn’s staff comes out to lead the horses and carts to the backyard for rest. Thus, the group of thirty-five merchants settles in.

In the following days, several other merchant caravans arrive one after another.