Lao Ji explained this, and Su Qian accepted it with a smile. Lao Ji, a businessman, was not an ordinary person.
He is still very famous among the merchants in Zhongzhou. His business is very large in Zhongzhou. Not to mention the richest man, he can at least be ranked among the top three.
Unlike other merchants, he accumulated huge wealth and did not retain it. Instead, he invested in the construction of Zhongzhou and used money to make friends.
After so many years, the wealth in his hands is about the same as that of ordinary merchants.
And most of the wealth he spread has accumulated a large number of connections for him in Zhongzhou. It is not so strange that the county magistrates from all over the country are familiar with him and buy his face.
Su Qi'an didn't dwell on this issue. He could accept what Lao Ji said. Even if there were some unknown secrets, they were other people's private matters.
These days, no one has a secret. As long as it doesn't hinder you, there is no need to be serious.
When the convoy entered the city, Su Qi'an did not intend to stay long. Zhenshan County was just a small, remote county, and everything that needed to be understood was clear at the gate of the city.
We stayed for at most half a day and then continued our journey.
Originally, he planned to say goodbye to Lao Ji, but after experiencing the trouble at the city gate, Lao Ji was worried about Su Qi'an and was afraid of any retaliation in the future, so he planned to continue walking with him until he escorted Su Qi'an to a safe place.
This is not Lao Ji's alarmist talk. Beishan Camp still has a great influence in Zhongzhou.
The soldiers below are not scary, but the three commanders of Beishan Camp are scary.
These three commanders are not only good at fighting, they have strength, and more importantly, they have a lot of background.
Among the three commanders, two are said to be close associates of the two princes in the Imperial City of Kyoto.
It was specially arranged to control this powerful army.
It is precisely because of this status that the county guards and county magistrates in Zhongzhou are quite afraid. Moreover, the commander of Beishan Camp is very protective. Even if his soldiers commit crimes, they will be dealt with.
But those who offend Beishanying will never be let off like this. Although the matter is handled by Zhenshan County Magistrate, even if he wants to cause trouble, he will go to Zhenshan County Magistrate.
But it is inevitable that there is no guarantee whether someone will be sent to find trouble with the caravan privately. At least Lao Ji has some respect in Zhongzhou. With his colleagues, some things should be able to be solved.
After hearing Lao Ji's explanation, Su Qian did not reject Lao Ji's kindness and nodded in agreement.
Su Qi'an never expected that Su Zhe and Su Tai's hands would stretch so far. They even had people from Zhongzhou.
But think about it, after all, the two of them are the most powerful princes in Great Liang, and their power is not for nothing. If the small city of Kyoto is a turtle, how can it take power in Great Liang without adding local people.
"Old Ji, these two people have such backgrounds, what about the third commander? Is he a close associate of some royal family?"
Lao Ji shook his head and continued, "That's not true. The third commander has nothing to do with the royal family. He is a man assigned by Zhongzhou Mu'an."
"These are all open secrets. There is nothing shameful. You should have guessed that local forces always have to cultivate a few locals. This is not only a kind of control, but also a balance."
Su Qi'an agrees with what Lao Ji said. There must always be a balance of power between the local government and the royal family.
In today's Great Liang, this is the only way to avoid chaos. No one, whether it is the royal family or the local area, can have the absolute upper hand. Maintaining this balance will be good for both parties for the time being.
"Secure your own manpower, and don't offend the two princes. This Zhongzhou Mu is somewhat capable."
Su Qian sighed, but Lao Ji smiled and said nothing.
"Old Ji, stop being so pretentious. You should know something that no one knows. Tell me about it."
With Lao Ji's silence, how could Su Qian not understand his thoughts and asked with a naive look on his face.
This time Lao Ji was not so happy. He looked hesitant to speak and shook his head.
"Hey, there's nothing to say about this matter. It's just my guess, so don't mention it. Let's go and enter Zhenyuan County. Let's take this opportunity to take a good look."
"If you really want to know something, I will talk to you when you leave the city."
Lao Ji
Having said that, Su Qi'an naturally would not force himself, and he and Lao Ji wandered around Zhenshan County.
Zhenshan County is not a big city, and you can see almost everything in about half an hour, but the city is quite lively, the vendors and the people get along relatively harmoniously, there is a sense of fireworks, and the security is pretty good.
Half a day passed by in a flash. Lao Ji's caravan did almost everything in Zhenshan County. Without stopping too much, he and Su Qi'an quickly left the city.
It was about an hour after the two caravans left Zhenshan County.
Suddenly, the ground outside the city gate shook faintly, and in front of the dark end, about four to five hundred soldiers on horseback came in force.
They were not even close, and a strong sense of oppression came over them.
The people who had been lining up to enter the city just now dispersed immediately, almost consciously.
Afraid of being affected by this sudden group of soldiers, everyone had a look of panic on their faces.
These soldiers on horseback are none other than the men and horses of Beishan Camp.
And the leader is the second commander of Beishan Camp.
Everyone was amazed that the people from the Beishan Camp came so quickly. Seeing their menacing appearance, Zhenshan County was afraid that disaster was about to happen.
The four to five hundred soldiers of the Beishan Camp, led by the second commander, did not enter the city, but stopped about twenty or thirty feet away from the city gate.
It looked like it was almost like siege, all it took was an order.
The moment the men and horses of Beishan Camp stopped, a group of soldiers stepped forward and shouted loudly.
"Tell your county magistrate to come out of the city and see you!"
There was a strong coldness in the words, and anyone could feel the intention of these soldiers to call for punishment.
The government officials at the city gate noticed the soldiers from the Beishan Camp very early. They quickly closed the city gate and went into the city as quickly as possible to report.
The leader of the second commander looked at this scene, with his arms folded across his chest, riding on his horse, saying nothing, silently watching the officer's report.
Originally, he was not the one who came this time. Logically speaking, it was not his turn to come forward for the sake of a few of his top soldiers.
But who knew that he happened to be patrolling outside with a group of soldiers, closest to Zhenshan County.
And after hearing about this, it was difficult not to make the second commander angry.
Not to mention that the people in his Beishan Camp were beaten by a caravan escort, but he did not expect that the Zhenshan County Magistrate would deal with it so perfunctorily, locking up his people and letting the caravan escort go.
He even called it an uneven road, drew his sword to help, and settled the matter hastily with a fine of fifty taels of silver.
Isn't this a naked slap in their face? And with a face-breaking attitude.
You must know that their Beishan camp is very influential in Zhongzhou. Even a county guard has to give them some face, let alone his status as a close confidant of King Zhao.
Even if soldiers from the Beishan Camp were to rob civilian women, they would not be treated with such double standards.
Since the Zhenshan County Magistrate is so shameless, don't blame him for turning against him later.
This kind of waiting did not last long, and the Zhenshan County Magistrate soon appeared on the tower.
"Oh, I didn't expect the second commander to come. I wonder why the second commander came to a small county like mine?" Zhenshan County Magistrate cupped his fists and cupped his hands.
The second commander below had a cold look on his face and said in a cold voice, "Hmph, Magistrate Zhao is really asking questions knowingly. What is the purpose of my coming here? Does Magistrate Zhao not know?"
"If you don't know, fine, I will lead the soldiers under my command and let you know why I am here today."
After saying that, the second commander raised his arms high, as if he was going to lead his troops to forcefully enter the city.
Even though the second commander only had four to five hundred people, it was more than enough if he really wanted to enter the small county in front of him.
In Zhenyuan County, there were only a hundred or so soldiers in total, and the city walls were made of loess. It only took a second commander to charge, and it would only be a matter of time before they broke into Zhenshan County. ..
Seeing the attitude of the second commander who was about to charge into the city, Magistrate Zhao quickly spoke up.
"Second Commander, wait a minute. I know that you are standing up for your subordinates. I feel that my punishment is unfair, so I deliberately slap your Beishan Camp in the face."
"Isn't it?" The second commander snorted coldly, his raised arms still showing no intention of lowering them.
Magistrate Zhao, who was standing on the city tower, shook his head and said, "I know that it is impossible to block the second commander's army with Zhenshan County, but the second commander, please understand the situation before taking action, and don't let it happen for a moment. If you get angry and make a big mistake, it will be too late to regret it.”
"Oh, does Magistrate Zhao want to threaten me with this? I would like to see what Magistrate Zhao is capable of saying such arrogant words." The second commander looked disdainful.
Magistrate Zhao didn't say anything, but looked at him. After a while, the closed city gate opened, and a group of ten soldiers rushed out of the city.
When the second commander saw this, his eyes flashed. He naturally didn't believe that the dozen or so people in front of him planned to fight them.
Judging from their posture, they must be delivering letters.
Sure enough, the leading soldier stopped about four to five feet away from the second commander, then took out a letter from his arms, placed it on the ground, clasped his fists at the second commander, and then turned and left without even looking at it.
The second commander did not send anyone to pursue them. He didn't even bother to conduct a sneak attack on these ten people. Instead, he wanted to know what magistrate Zhao was going to do after all the trouble he had put into this incident.
The soldier behind him got off his horse, quickly picked up the letter on the ground, and then handed it to the second commander on the horse.
The second commander's face was indifferent. He opened the letter and glanced at the letter. His expression, which was indifferent just now, suddenly flashed with a look of surprise on his face.
At the same time, Magistrate Zhao's voice sounded again, "Second Commander, you are a smart man. You should know the strength of the person who wrote the letter. Of course, if the Second Commander insists on leading troops into the city and wants to repay his soldiers justice, I will The officials will never stop me."
"But before taking action, I would like to ask whether the second commander can afford the cost of taking action."
"Come here, open the city gate."
Under the order of Magistrate Zhao, the closed city gate slowly opened, facing the soldiers and horses of the second commander.
As long as the second commander is willing, these four to five hundred people can enter the city in just a few breaths.
But at this time, the second commander looked at the letter in his hand and looked at the open city gate in front of him, and he hesitated for a moment.
