Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 190 Promises and Shared Destiny

Jiang Wei and Tang Xian, far away in the northwest, were unaware of the news that the princess was pregnant. The two sat on opposite sides of the table. One was a second-rank general, and the other was a common merchant with no official position. Jiang Wei dared not be negligent in the slightest.

The Tang family's business guild played a crucial role in resolving the imperial court's crisis.

When the Prince of Jin ascends the throne, even if the Tang family doesn't produce a concubine, they will certainly be rewarded with a noble title for their contribution in transporting grain this time.

Outside the military tent, all the soldiers of the Northwest Army happily surrounded the twenty-odd managers of the Tang family. The quartermaster, Wang Fu, though rough around the edges, was meticulous. He arranged a separate tent for Manager Qi and personally dispatched seven or eight soldiers to stand guard at a distance.

"Manager Qi, this is a border area, and the nights are quite cold. If you need anything, please let us know."

Wang Fu shouted loudly across the tent.

Manager Qi, being an open-minded person, responded loudly. She was someone who couldn't sit still. After greeting Wang Fu, she went to help arrange the white cotton cloth outside the military medical tent.

Several officers, who came from various prefectures of the Great Zhou Dynasty, couldn't help but come up and try to establish a relationship with the head managers. In less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea.

“My wife’s younger sister married into Lin’an, and in her correspondence with my wife, she often mentioned the fashionable jewelry from Yongbaolou.”

“My third aunt’s husband’s nephew is an apprentice at Yong’an Pharmacy in Jinzhou. Last year, during the severe drought, he also went with the doctors at the pharmacy to provide free medical services. Our Tang family business’s actions are truly righteous.”

"Zhou Laosan, don't make wild accusations. In terms of relationships, I'm closer to the Tang family's business. Before my wife married me, she was an embroiderer at Yongxiu Cloth Shop. She once said that she personally participated in weaving those lousy brocades, which were all sent as tribute to the palace..."

Manager Zhu of Yongxing Restaurant was shrewd and quick-witted; he could turn a blind eye into a business deal. At this moment, he pulled the man named Mang Niu, who had just spoken, along with him.

"Brother Mang...Niu, I wonder if you brothers, who have been guarding the Northwest for many years, have had the opportunity to return home to visit your families?"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers who had been eager to speak all lowered their heads and fell silent.

"When we arrived, the patriarch often said that the brothers in the army are all outstanding men who protect the people of Great Zhou day and night and have worked hard. This time, you can entrust us with your family letters and items to be sent back. Putting aside other things, our Tang family business is spread all over the country, and we will definitely bring the brothers' thoughts back to their hometown."

These words brought tears to the eyes of the surrounding soldiers, their joy beyond words.

In truth, Tang Xian had not given any instructions, but the other managers would not expose him. Although Manager Zhu was filthy greedy, this was not a business transaction, but a gesture of goodwill.

Before coming to the Northwest, the shopkeepers were unaware of the harsh conditions the soldiers were in. Manager Sun of Yong'an Pharmacy immediately offered to work as a military doctor there temporarily and return to Jinzhou after the war ended.

Mang Niu couldn't help but mutter, "My wife and I were separated less than three days after our marriage, and now three years have passed. I wonder how she is doing. Patriarch Tang is kind-hearted, brothers..."

Having developed a strong tacit understanding through their shared experience of life and death, all the soldiers who were not on duty lined up neatly, respectfully cupped their hands, and performed the highest form of salute to the managers and employees of the Tang Family Merchant Guild.

Under the night sky, the north wind howled, and all was silent.

Inside the commander's tent, Jiang Wei heard the thunderous shouts of the soldiers outside. He briefly put aside his thoughts of the two daughters fighting in the inner quarters of the Prince of Jin's mansion, expressed his gratitude to Tang Xian, and then inquired in detail about the events surrounding the Prince of Heng's raid on the grain.

Tang Xian said calmly, "Prince Jin is well-prepared, Prince Heng is no match for him, and Minister of Revenue Min has already mobilized provisions. He should be able to arrive safely in a month."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wei stopped asking questions and changed the subject:

"A few days ago, more than ten people came to the camp. The leader claimed to be from the Tang family business and brought a message that saved the Northwest Army from disaster. I have written a secret letter to the Prince of Jin about this matter."

Why does Zhou Bai frequent the royal tribes of the grasslands?

Jiang Wei was known for his caution when he served as a brigade commander under General Lu. In the past few days, he had already learned a lot about Zhou Bai from the spies he had sent out. At this time, his seemingly casual question to Tang Xian inevitably implied something unclear.

After all, if Zhou Bai was a spy sent to the Xiongnu by the Tang family in advance, then Tang Xian's move was truly astonishing... He believed that even if the Prince of Jin trusted the Tang family, he would still harbor a thorn in his side.

When Tang Xian and the others arrived today, Chen Lin and the others were still imprisoned and had no chance to see the head of the family.

It must be said that Tang Xian was a cunning old fox. He knew that Chen Lin and his men had found Zhou Bai, but he showed no sign of it. He picked up the wine pot on the table, poured himself a drink, and his every move exuded elegance and refinement.

"What do you mean by this, General? If you have any doubts about Zhou Bai, you have already detained him and can interrogate him directly."

Jiang Wei paused slightly, clearly taken aback.

Unexpectedly, Tang Xian was even more straightforward than the roughnecks in the army, so he had no choice but to explain:

"Why do you say that, Mr. Tang? Zhou Bai's appearance has indeed been of some help to the Northwest Army, but he has been in the Xiongnu royal court for a long time, so the army has to act cautiously."

Tang Xian frankly stated: "Zhou Bai is from Haijin Town in Jinan, and his ancestral home is Guangyang Prefecture in the northwest. His father was a scholar in the sixth year of Yuanshuo. Nine years ago, he transported a batch of diseased tea from a tea shop in Lin'an, passing through Xuanquan Post Station to the heart of the grasslands. I presume the post chief has a written record of this."

He has been in grave danger all these years, but the trading company has never given up searching for him. Would you allow me to see him?

Jiang Wei had his doubts, but considering the issue of provisions, he didn't want to cause trouble.

Zhou Bai had been in a daze for the past few days. He had been trapped in the Luandi clan for nearly nine years, and if it weren't for his eloquence, he would have died countless times already. Suddenly learning about his niece Meng Shu and Huan Yun from Chen Lin, he felt grateful to the Tang family business, but also deeply ashamed and remorseful.

Tang Xian emerged from the commander's tent with a solemn expression. After a moment's thought, before going to see Zhou Bai, Chen Lin, and the others, he summoned Manager Gong of Yongbaolou.

"Send word to the capital immediately that you have found Zhou Bai. Have Madam personally go to the Prince of Jin's residence to inform Hua Yan, that girl, that..."

Regardless of Zhou Bai's fate, the Tang family will surely bring him back to the capital safely.

In this way, he made a solemn promise to Hua Yan.

After all, Jiang Wei's suspicions were not unfounded. Zhou Bai had been trapped by the Xiongnu for nearly nine years, and at a time when the two countries were at war, the Great Zhou would certainly be scrutinizing him with exceptional rigor...

Beijing.

High in the vast sky, the starlight is dim.

The Prince of Jin walked out of the Ciyuan Palace, calmly gazing towards Ankang County, and sent a secret letter to Pingzhou. A guard beside the emperor bowed and received it, then disappeared into the night.

Considering Tang Xian's painstaking efforts, Prince Jin said softly, "Send a message to Jiang Wei, handing Zhou Bai over to Tang Xian and bringing him back to the capital."

Jingming bowed his head and agreed.

The Prince of Jin then took out a love pendant from his sleeve, and a dignified and elegant figure flashed before his eyes.

"Tomorrow morning, return to the manor and hand it over to Consort Zhen."

The princess is pregnant, and Consort Zhen must be feeling uneasy. So Jingming asked, "Does Your Highness have any message for me to convey?"