This decision wasn’t something a strong-willed ruler would typically make…

Just as Guo Jia was thinking this, he was suddenly tapped on the shoulder by the leader of the caravan beside him. “Stop staring. Is this your first time traveling far?”

Although this young man dressed plainly among the group and hadn’t spent much more than others to join the caravan, his decent appearance had its perks, like receiving some special attention now.

Especially when he looked back towards Luoyang, no one knew he was pondering over state affairs, assuming he was just reluctant to leave.

But Guo Jia had no emotional attachment to Luoyang, especially since he was still waiting to impress Xi Zhicai with his gift of chicken feathers.

He withdrew his gaze and replied, “Thank you for your concern. It’s not my first time traveling, and I’m not from Luoyang. I simply wanted to take one last look after bidding farewell to a friend on the city walls.”

It was a believable reason.

The area around Beiguo was dotted with small neighborhoods, and beyond those were the winding mountain roads of Mangshan.

From this distance, it was unclear whether anyone was moving in the area or if someone was truly bidding him farewell as Guo Jia had suggested.

He soon resumed chatting with the caravan leader, leaving the previous topic behind.

What struck him as a coincidence was that the caravan leader mentioned a merchant among them was heading to Leping.

To learn more about Leping, Guo Jia immediately claimed he was visiting relatives there and struck up a conversation with the merchant.

Seeing Guo Jia was young and they shared the same destination, the merchant didn’t hesitate to share his thoughts.

Later that night, by the campfire, the two discussed their plans.

“Leping was just a small county a few years ago, but ever since the Marquis of Leping arrived, its status in Bingzhou has changed significantly.”

The temperature drop of an autumn night made the merchant shift closer to the fire before continuing, “There are quite a few new developments in that area, mostly collaborations with major clans in Bingzhou, such as…”

“The mulberry bark clothing, it seems, started with someone offering a formula to the Wang family, but ended up with the Tangs choosing Leping to produce it. But that’s just speculation.”

“I’m afraid this might be the masterpiece of Marquis Qiao,”

Guo Jia’s eyes flashed with curiosity. He realized the businessman before him had an uncommon insight. “What do you mean?”

Merchant continued “Taking full control from top to bottom could bring more profit and fame to the Tangs.

As traders, we understand what it means to haggle over every penny, unless we don’t have control over the initiative.” He shook his head and continued, “However, the ceiling for the price of mulberry bark clothing is set; I’m not interested in that.”

“So, you’re interested in trading Leping marbled paper?” Guo Jia asked.

“Not quite,” the man shook his head seriously. “In these turbulent times, even though Leping marbled paper is more durable than Cai marbled paper, the trading volume remains limited. I want to engage in a more intriguing trade.”

He pointed to the stream near where they were camped and asked, “Do you know how much profit can be made from fishing in these waters in a year?”

Guo Jia thought for a moment before replying, “It depends on the location. If it’s just between streams in the northern regions, it might barely sustain a living. But near the sea or major rivers, hiring fishermen could lead to a significant business.”

The businessman, speaking with a Xu Province accent, chuckled and clapped his hands together. “Exactly, but ordinary fishing and angling are just so-so. Yet Leping has introduced something new.”

“I’m quite fond of good wine. A few days ago, I sent someone to Leping to buy some Geli Sweet Wine.

When they returned, they told me they saw Lord Xi, who oversees winemaking in Leping, fishing on the lake with an unusual fishing rod.”

Upon hearing the mention of Lord Xi, Guo Jia straightened up slightly. “What do you mean by an unusual fishing rod?”

The businessman gestured as he explained, “Typical fishing rods, no matter their length or where the line starts, require a boat to reach the middle of a river to catch fish.

But the rod Lord Xi used was strange.

My subordinate only saw it from afar and couldn’t make out the details, but he said it had a reel on it.

The line was cast out and only dropped into the water far away.”

Though he looked to be only in his twenties, the businessman’s excitement was palpable as he continued, “If I could get my hands on that, and use it in a more suitable place, it would surely be a better deal than mulberry bark clothing.”

Guo Jia wasn’t an expert angler, but he could sense the intrigue in what was being described.

If what the businessman said was true, a tool that didn’t require a boat to reach the middle of a river and could still catch big fish could indeed revolutionize related industries.

“It’s a major opportunity.”

Curiously, Guo Jia asked, “You’re sharing all this with me. Aren’t you afraid someone might beat you to it?”

The merchant laughed loudly, “Young sir, you underestimate me. Everyone in this world pursues profit.

Marquis Qiao facilitated the mulberry bark clothing deal, ventured into potato farming in the past two years, and since last year has made another fortune by promoting pig farming in Leping County.

It’s clear she’s not only talented in governance but also highly successful in business.

Such individuals carefully select their trading partners to ensure the best outcomes.”

“I am of the Mi family from Donghai. With assets totaling millions, tens of thousands of servants and clients, our ancestral wealth in Xu Province is substantial. That’s the Mi family of Donghai!”

Guo Jia had earlier sensed the man’s unusual demeanor, and now with the explanation, he understood why.

However, he hadn’t expected the Mi scion to travel with so few attendants, accompanying a modest caravan.

After exchanging names and learning he was named Mi Zhu, Guo Jia posed another question.

Mi Zhu, groomed to manage the Mi family’s future affairs, possessed a refined vision and demeanor.

He openly acknowledged his background to Guo Jia, sensing a scholarly air about the young man.

Upon discovering Mi Zhu hailed from Yingchuan, Guo Jia felt there was no need to conceal these minor details.

“Lately, there has been much unrest in Hedong, with bandits repeatedly raiding the borders of Bing Province. While normal caravans might find limited profits, if the flag of my Donghai Mi family were to fly, how many of those bandits do you think would dare to attack?”

Guo Jia seemed somewhat puzzled, so Mi Zhu asked, “Are you wondering why the bandits from Hedong aren’t raiding small squads but instead targeting large caravans?”

“Exactly. Raiding small squads carries minimal risk and guarantees profit. Why bother with riskier ventures?”

“Because every raid they undertake involves risk.” Mi Zhu motioned to his attendant, who handed over a simple map. “Fengxiao, take a look.”

The map depicted the regions of Bingzhou, Sili, and Liangzhou, with Hexi clearly situated around Yong and Liang.

Hedong included Hedong Commandery, Pingyang Commandery, and the southwest of Bingzhou.

If they crossed Taihang Mountain and went through Zhiguan Pass, they would inevitably pass through Pingyang Commandery before entering Bingzhou.

The map Mi Zhu produced had markings in this area.

“At this time of year, merchants conducting business outside fear mountain bandits like these. Naturally, I have to be cautious as well.

Since late spring this year, they have been attempting to invade Bingzhou through the narrow paths along the Fen River. Fortunately—”

“Even among mountain bandits, there are different levels. The Marquis of Leping has gathered the Black Mountain bandits, recruited them into his fold, nominally as residents of Leping County but effectively forming what should be called the Black Mountain Army.

After the Hedong bandits invaded Bingzhou, the governors of Bingzhou, Taiyuan, and Pingyang Commanderies agreed to cooperate with the Black Mountain Army to defend the borders between Bingzhou and Sili.”

“The leader of the Black Mountain Army, Chu Yan, and the County Lieutenant of Leping, Zhao Yun, work together seamlessly in combat, understanding the movements of these mountain bandits like the backs of their hands.

Thus, once the Hedong bandits make a move, they are bound to face encirclement. Therefore, they can only go for broke, gambling on big targets.”

Guo Jia rubbed his chin thoughtfully, realizing this was indeed information he wouldn’t have known without coming to Bingzhou.

As for why these Hedong bandits, after facing such encirclement and interception, still chose to target passing caravans or even local residents within Bingzhou’s territory…

Guo Jia wasn’t just a scholar from a prestigious family; he naturally deduced the reasons behind it.

It was obvious that besides raiding, they had no other means of survival.

While pondering this, he casually replied, “In that case, it seems I made the right decision.”

Mi Zhu smiled, appreciating Guo Jia’s calm demeanor upon hearing unexpected news.

He wondered how credible Guo Jia’s statements about seeking relatives in Leping were.

However, it seemed unnecessary to inquire about such matters during their current conversation.

On the second day, the convoy followed a route similar to the one Qiao Yan took to Bingzhou back then, first unloading goods in Jinyang, so they still traveled through Zhiguan Pass.

Guo Jia had only traveled within the Yan and Yu territories before and had only seen glimpses of Bingzhou’s terrain and scenery in Xi Zhicai’s letters.

Now, seeing it firsthand, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of novelty.

Mi Zhu, dignified yet with a hint of humor, had traveled extensively before and now, conversing with Guo Jia side by side on horseback, added substance to their journey, making it quite enjoyable.

However—