Chapter 53: Offering Treasures

Chapter 53: Offering Treasures

At this moment, inside a side room of the reception hall.

Bao An was entertaining the heads of the Four Great Clans.

They were chatting and laughing when Steward Diao gently knocked on the door.

“General.”

After hearing Steward Diao’s words, Bao An responded.

“Come in.”

Steward Diao entered the side room and bowed slightly to the other four clan heads.

Bao An spoke to Steward Diao, “Steward Diao, is there something the matter?”

Steward Diao said respectfully, “General, there is a matter that requires your decision.”

Seeing this, Bao An said to Steward Diao, “These gentlemen here are all insiders. Speak plainly.”

Seeing that Bao An had said so, Steward Diao clasped his hands and said, “General, the eldest young master of the Qian Clan Trading House has come personally to offer congratulations this time, bringing with him gifts of considerable value, including ten thousand taels of Silver, as well as two crates of Tianshan Snow Salt and Tianshan Snow Frost Sugar, fifty pounds per crate. So, I was wondering if he should be permitted to enter the main hall.”

After hearing this, Bao An was somewhat surprised. “Oh? The Qian Clan Trading House? Is that the trading house from the Central Plains? The one selling that ridiculously expensive Snow Salt and Frost Sugar some time ago?”

Steward Diao nodded.

“They know their place. To do business here, it’s only right they show some respect to me. But is the inner banquet hall somewhere a lowly merchant like him can enter? Forget the young master of the Qian Clan Trading House; even the Family Head of the Qian Clan Trading House could only sit outside. Isn’t there a chance later for him to personally present the congratulatory gifts?” Bao An said.

Steward Diao nodded and said, “General, I understand.”

With that, he withdrew.

After the steward left.

The other clan heads said excitedly, “General Bao, you might not be aware. That Snow Salt and Frost Sugar are heavenly goods. We bought some; they are indeed extraordinary. After consuming some, the body really felt some subtle changes. The Qian Clan Trading House previously claimed they had no stock. So it turns out they were preparing it all for you, General.”

“Yes, General Bao, these items are truly excellent. I wonder if we might have the chance later to obtain a portion from you? We are willing to pay.”

Several clan heads began requesting to buy some.

Bao An had indeed heard of this Snow Salt and Snow Sugar, though rumors outside made them sound mysterious and miraculous.

However, when you get down to it, aren’t they just sugar and salt?

He always thought that anyone who spent two thousand taels of silver to buy a pound of Snow Salt or Snow Sugar had something wrong with their head.

He hadn’t expected that there were four such people with something wrong with their heads.

Moreover, listening to their praise, it seemed there were indeed remarkable effects.

If others said this, Bao An would definitely remain skeptical.

But these clan heads were all shrewd men. If they said so, it meant these things were truly unusual.

“Gentlemen, if you want some later, just take a portion. Isn’t that young master from the Qian Clan Trading House here? From now on, have them offer us a hundred pounds every month as tribute. Otherwise, let him get lost. He shouldn’t do business in our Northern Desert.” Bao An said with a laugh.

The other clan heads naturally laughed and agreed.

They were all shrewd; they wouldn’t refuse getting benefits for free.

Anyway, Bao An would be the one to play the villain.

…

As night gradually fell.

More and more people took their seats. Since they were outside in the open-air area of the hall, only a few dim red lanterns provided light.

From one table away, they couldn’t clearly see who was sitting at the next table.

Moreover, although it was already October, the weather in the Northern Desert was still very hot.

There were also many mosquitoes.

From time to time, the sound of slapping mosquitoes could be heard nearby.

“This isn’t a banquet; this is torture!” Xiao Ce muttered.

Qian Lai, beside him, took a scented pouch from his person and handed it to Xiao Ce, saying, “Prince, this pouch contains some herbs that have the effect of repelling mosquitoes…”

Xiao Ce didn’t stand on ceremony and took it; he was really suffering from these mosquito bites.

As he spoke, Xiao Ce glanced towards the main hall.

Inside the hall, it was brightly lit, shining very clearly. Strangely, logically, mosquitoes should be attracted to bright light.

However, they seemed to be using some mosquito-repelling method inside, as no mosquitoes entered.

“It’s almost dark; why haven’t they started the banquet yet?”

Qian Lai said from the side, “Young Master, it should be soon. It’s the custom here in the Northern Desert; wedding feasts must begin after dark.”

Xiao Ce rolled his eyes. “What kind of ridiculous custom is this…”

Amid Xiao Ce’s complaints, a group of people walked in from the entrance.

Xiao Ce spotted Bao An at first glance—this old fellow in his forties, wearing a bright red embroidered wedding robe.

On his arm was a young woman, as fresh and lovely as a flower.

This girl was very pretty, but looking at her expression, she didn’t seem too willing either.

Behind Bao An followed a row of women, a full dozen or more.

These were probably his concubines, all with fiery figures, each with ample bosoms and curvaceous backsides.

Say what you will about this Bao An, he certainly had an eye for picking women.

Xiao Ce originally wanted to hide, as it wasn’t yet his time to appear.

However, Xiao Ce’s worries were unnecessary.

Because Bao An’s eyes were looking upward; he didn’t notice Xiao Ce sitting in the darkness at all.

…

Bao An was living more comfortably than an Emperor on this day.

After he entered and took his seat, he announced the start of the feast.

Xiao Ce noticed the food inside and outside the hall was different. They had all paid money to be here.

What they were given to eat was a piece of grayish meat and some unknown vegetables.

For the people inside the main hall, it was different; the tables were loaded with various dishes.

This Bao An was clearly just robbing them openly.

However, the people sitting outside seemed accustomed to it.

These people were all merchants making a living under the protection of prominent families.

After the feast was announced, families began presenting gifts one by one.

“Chanda City Cai Family presents a pair of South Sea night pearls, valued at eighty thousand taels.”

As Steward Diao announced loudly.

A young man from the Cai Family walked up, holding an exquisite wooden box.

In the darkness, after opening the beautiful wooden box, it immediately emitted a dazzling fluorescent light.

He bowed and said, “The Cai Family congratulates General Bao on his joyful wedding, wishing you a harmonious union for a hundred years!”

The entire venue was shocked.

Everyone craned their necks to look.

However, those outside the hall could only see the glow even with their heads stretched out.

Xiao Ce watched with interest; he had never seen such natural night pearls before.

He wasn’t in a hurry; after all, these things would all be his later.

“Wushan City Lin Family presents a thousand-year snow lotus…”

“Qingshan City Kan Family presents a Nine-Dragon Treasure Bow…”

…

Calling it treasure offering was actually quite boring.

Xiao Ce kept yawning as he watched.

Qian Lai said to Xiao Ce, “Young Master, we will probably be last in line.”

Xiao Ce looked at the sky and nodded.

Thinking to himself, if things went smoothly, Yan Jia and the others should already have infiltrated!

Xiao Ce guessed correctly.

Outside Lingxiao City at this moment, Yan Jia led a Cavalry force of five thousand men, approaching grandly.

They were all wearing Bao Family Army uniforms.

The leading Military Advisor shouted, “I am Sun Qiang, Military Advisor under General Cai Wu. By order of the Young General, we are entering the city to assist in defense.”

Perhaps heaven itself was helping Xiao Ce.

After Sun Qiang shouted, soon a Centurion on the city wall called out, “Sun Qiang, weren’t you at Yanmen Pass? Why have you come here?”

Hearing the voice from the city wall, Sun Qiang grew excited and said to Yan Jia, “General Yan, the man guarding the city is my sworn brother, named Zhao Long. I can make him surrender!”

Although Sun Qiang was previously a Military Advisor under Cai Wu, he actually didn’t respect that fool Cai Wu.

Plus, the benefits Xiao Ce offered were too good, and before they set out, they saw tens of thousands of troops gathered at Yanmen Pass.

He was a smart man; he knew the Northern Desert was about to change.

So, after surrendering, he acted very proactively.

Yan Jia glanced at Sun Qiang and said, “If you can persuade him to surrender and let us avoid a fight, I will definitely report your merit to the Prince tomorrow. But don’t you dare try any tricks.”

Sun Qiang nodded repeatedly, clasping his hands and saying, “General Yan, this humble officer wouldn’t dare! I understand the situation. I long wanted to stop being a lackey for traitors! I am also from the Four Northern Desert Prefectures! I don’t want to see our countrymen taken by the Turks to be treated like beasts worse than pigs and dogs.”

Yan Jia nodded, signaling Sun Qiang to continue.

Sun Qiang stepped forward. “Zhao Long, open the city gate quickly. Don’t you trust me? This is Commander Cai’s military tally!”

“Sun Qiang, I’ll open the gate now!”

Sure enough, not long after, the city gate opened.

However, although a team of men walked out, the remaining soldiers still seemed alert at the gate, watching the situation.

A strong, powerfully built man wearing armor led the men out.

Because it was dark, he couldn’t see the people clearly over there, and he didn’t act rashly.

“Sun Qiang, where is Commander Cai? Since it’s the Young General mobilizing troops, why isn’t he here? Moreover, Commander Cai only has a little over three thousand troops. Did you bring them all? Then who is guarding Yanmen Pass?”