Chapter 228 Why are so many people going to Shuzhou?
Half an hour later.
Just when Lu Jingyao and Qiu Yun appeared in Qingyu Alley at night, nervously and anxiously rushing to a security bureau in the city, Wei Changtian and his party had already secretly left Shuzhou.
Shuzhou is not too far from Jizhou, but it is not too close either. There are three states in between, about four to five thousand miles.
However, this time they were not out for sightseeing, so they had to go faster. If nothing unexpected happened, they would be able to reach Jizhou City in about three days.
"... Young Master, after Xu Shixing's death, the person in charge of the Xu family now is his widow, Wei Yanyu."
"This is a portrait."
In the carriage, Chu Xianping handed over a piece of paper with a beautiful woman on it, and at the same time continued to introduce:
"The Wei family, like the Xu family, is also a well-known wealthy businessman in Jizhou. The family is mainly engaged in the weapons business. There was a clan official who worshiped Zhang Jing, the minister of the Ministry of War and the military aircraft department..."
Like most ancient dynasties in previous generations, Daning implemented a "differentiated weapons management system."
Folks can forge and hold some types of weapons, but some powerful weapons such as crossbows are strictly controlled and can only be equipped by government violence agencies and the army.
"Um."
Taking the portrait, Wei Changtian glanced at it casually and wrote down the appearance of the woman in the painting.
"Have we notified the Xu family about our trip to Jizhou?"
"It's natural."
Chu Xianping nodded: "The Wei family is aware of this matter and has sent people to wait at the border of Jizhou."
"good."
Wei Changtian paused for a moment, pulled back the curtain and looked back at another carriage following closely behind.
The black carriage almost blended into the night, with only a touch of snow-white on the head of the horse pulling the carriage.
"Brother Chu, Grandpa, I have something to tell you..."
He looked away and lowered his tone.
"Youjia, actually, he was originally from Ning Yongnian."
...
Beijing, Wantong Escort Agency.
Unlike other shops, escort agencies and brothels are probably the only "service industries" that are "open 24 hours a day" in ancient times.
After all, the goods that many people consign involve some secret matters and they don't want others to know, so they often deliver the goods in the middle of the night.
And the more turbulent the situation is now, the more this happens.
"Just rest assured, steward, your goods will leave the city tomorrow and will be delivered to Peizhou within ten days..."
Behind the high cabinet with flickering candlelight, the white-haired old man sent away a man who looked like an official with a smile. Just as he was about to take a rest, he saw two tightly wrapped women walking in from the door.
Although both of them were covered with thick cloaks and veils around their faces, the old man who knew many people could guess their identities instantly.
One must be a young lady from a wealthy family, and the other is probably a maid or something.
"You two girls, do you have goods to send elsewhere?"
"..."
Lu Jingyao tightened her cloak and replied in a low voice: "We are going to Shuzhou. I wonder if your escort agency can send us there."
"It's natural."
The old man smiled, not surprised by this request.
Escort agencies are designed to deliver goods as well as people. As long as the money is enough, they can deliver a dog, let alone two women.
"It takes about ten days to go from the capital to Shuzhou. I wonder when the two girls are planning to set off?"
"Leave tonight, the sooner the better!"
Lu Jingyao hurriedly said: "Money is not a problem!"
"..."
Narrowing his eyes slightly, the old man took a deep look at Lu Jingyao.
Obviously, his guess just now was correct.
They don't even understand the principle of "don't leak wealth to others". These two women are definitely a pair of masters and servants from those wealthy businessmen.
Although he didn't know which family he was from, the purpose of doing business was to make money, so he didn't bother to care about it.
"Haha, in that case, I will make some arrangements for the two girls. If nothing else happens, we can get out of the city before the curfew."
"But now that the current situation is turbulent and you two are leaving in a hurry, the escort fee will naturally be higher than usual..."
Lu Jingyao asked: "How much do you want?"
"Fifty taels."
The old man smiled and reported a number that was several times higher than usual: "As long as the girl can get it, I can guarantee that the two of you can set off tonight."
Fifty taels, this is already at least two or three years of income for ordinary people, but for Lu Jingyao, it is about the same as fifty taels.
"Crack!"
A bag of broken silver was thrown on the counter, no more, no less, exactly fifty taels.
The use of broken silver instead of ingots shows that Lu Jingyao is not too stupid.
But actually it doesn't matter even if she doesn't.
The most important thing in the bodyguard business is credibility, especially a big bodyguard like "Wantong", which will not engage in "killing people and stealing goods".
"Okay, the two girls please go to the side room to drink tea and rest for a while. I will arrange the carriage and escorts."
After shaking the money bag, the old man's face beamed with joy.
He was just about to order someone to take Lu Jingyao and Qiu Yun to a quiet room to rest, when suddenly another woman walked in outside the door.
Compared to Lu Jingyao and the other two who were wearing mink velvet cloaks, this woman's clothes were very thin and ordinary.
Wearing a blue linen garment, a blue linen skirt, and a pair of worn-out cloth shoes on her feet, her white ankles were exposed.
It would be okay to wear such clothes in the hot summer, but it would be a bit strange in early March when the ice on the river has not yet disappeared.
"This girl..."
The old man ordered the waiter to take Lu Jingyao and leave first through his eyes, and asked: "I wonder if you want to transport goods or go on a long trip?"
"Please, how much does it cost to take a carriage to Shuzhou?"
The woman said weakly: "I want to find my husband..."
Why are so many women going to Shuzhou today?
"Girl, the current situation is turbulent..."
The old man had a strange expression. He glanced at Lu Jingyao who had stopped and said what he just said again.
"...If you leave tonight, it will cost twenty-five taels of silver. If you are willing to wait a few days, then ten taels of silver will be enough."
"Twelve..."
The woman looked a little embarrassed, obviously she didn't have so much money.
She hesitated for a long time, but in the end she didn't say anything. She just nodded lightly to the old man and prepared to leave.
But at this moment, Lu Jingyao, who had been standing not far away, suddenly called out to her.
"Girl, stay!"
"Well?"
The woman turned around blankly and asked timidly: "What's wrong with this sister?"
"You just said you were going to Shuzhou to find your husband?"
"Yes, it is."
"Well......"
Lu Jingyao looked at Qiu Yun, who immediately walked to the high cabinet and took out another twenty-five taels of silver from the purse.
"I paid for this girl's escort fee. Just let her go with us."
“Of course it’s no problem!”
After earning another twenty-five taels, the old man quickly put away the money and complimented her repeatedly with joy: "Young lady is really kind-hearted. I think she will be blessed in the future."
"Please hurry up and prepare the carriage."
Lu Jingyao replied calmly, then walked up to the woman who was stunned and asked softly:
"Girl, what's your name?"
"ah?"
Only then did the woman come back to her senses and quickly replied gratefully: