“Brother Liang, Xiaobei, Mulán has news. The Zhou family matter is settled. We can start arranging the capital trip.”
Jin Feng got straight to the point. “Who do you think should go to the capital?”
“Husband, let me go…”
Tang Xiaobei clung to Jin Feng’s arm and acted coquettishly.
In her eyes, the capital was a treasure house full of rich people.
She had waited so long for this chance to dig for treasure. Tang Xiaobei was beyond excited.
Unfortunately, because of Zhou Wenyuan, no matter how much she pestered, Jin Feng never agreed to let her lead the team.
Jin Feng had originally planned for Zhang Liang to go, but Zhang Liang was busy setting up Zhong Ming and truly had no time. That was why Jin Feng called Tang Xiaobei and Zhang Liang over, to discuss who should go.
“Xiaobei, don’t even think about it. Even if sir agreed, I wouldn’t.”
Zhang Liang poured cold water on her again, then said, “Sir, I think Tie Chui and Han Feng should go together.”
“Why?” Jin Feng asked.
“Didn’t sir want to test Han Feng? This is a perfect chance.
Han Feng is quick-witted and eloquent. If anything happens on the road, he can help solve it.”
Zhang Liang continued, “As for Tie Chui, first, I trust him. Second, a few years ago when he was personal guard to Marquis Qing, he lived in the capital for a while. He knows the place better and has met Duke Qing and his wife, so he’ll have an easier time talking to them.”
“Mm, that makes sense.”
Jin Feng nodded. “Then the escort bureau side will be led by Tie Chui and Han Feng. Xiaobei, arrange a capable person from the chamber.”
“Fine. I’ll send Luolan.”
Tang Xiaobei said helplessly.
Luolan’s background was similar to Tang Dongdong’s. She came from a merchant family that later fell on hard times and was sold to a broker.
Her looks were not outstanding, but she had real talent for business. When Tang Xiaobei first sent her to open new markets, she finished first.
After that, Tang Xiaobei sent her to the neighbouring prefecture city. With experience, Luolan did even better and quickly opened that market.
It was to fill that market that Iron Jar Mountain’s soap stock cleared so fast.
Purely on business ability, Luolan was no less than Tang Xiaobei. She was perfect for the capital.
The soap was long ready, and the team was decided. Early next morning, Tie Chui set off with the group.
They carried not only soap, but several dozen black knives.
This was the Jin Chuan Chamber of Commerce and Zhenyuan Escort Bureau’s first outward expansion. Whether they could use soap and black knives to make money from the capital’s officials depended on Tie Chui’s performance.
Jin Feng cared deeply about this trip. He personally brought Guan Xiaorou, Zhang Liang, and others to see Tie Chui’s team off at the village entrance.
West River Bay to Bianjing was thousands of li, half mountain roads. With cargo, even smoothly it would take at least twenty days to reach the capital.
Add the time needed for dealings there and the return journey, feedback would not reach Jin Feng until winter.
That was the drawback of poor communication and transport.
Since results would take time, Jin Feng would not obsess. He watched Tie Chui’s team turn the mountain corner, then prepared to head back.
But before turning, he spotted a thin figure carrying a medicine chest coming round the foot of the mountain towards the village.
The figure looked familiar. Jin Feng squinted, then asked, “Xiaobei, isn’t that Doctor Wei?”
Tang Xiaobei shaded her eyes and looked. “It really does look like him.”
As the figure drew closer, Jin Feng confirmed it was Wei Wuya, Guangyuan’s best physician.
“What is Doctor Wei doing at West River Bay?”
Jin Feng muttered curiously and walked over.
Regardless, Wei Wuya had high prestige in the prefecture city. Jin Feng had heard the prefect say Wei Wuya was raising money everywhere to treat malaria in villages outside the city.
That made Jin Feng respect the stubborn old man even more. He had thought of helping, but got busy and forgot.
He never expected Wei Wuya to come to West River Bay.
“Doctor Wei, what brings you to West River Bay?”
Jin Feng stopped the patrolling veterans from chasing him off and gave Wei Wuya a slight scholar’s salute.
“Master Jin, please save the people of Fengshui Town!”
Wei Wuya clasped both fists and bowed deeply to the ground.
This was the greatest courtesy in Da Kang short of kneeling.
“Doctor Wei, what is the meaning of this?”
Forget Wei Wuya’s reputation among the people, his age alone meant Jin Feng dared not accept such a bow without reason.
He quickly stepped aside and helped Wei Wuya up.
The first time they met, Wei Wuya had looked spirited, almost immortal.
But when Jin Feng helped him now, he saw how wretched the man was.
He had lost a full circle of weight. His hair was messy, his face exhausted. His clothes had not been washed in who knew how long. They were filthy.
“Doctor Wei, what happened to you?”
Jin Feng asked in surprise. “Did you meet bandits?”
“No. I travelled with Jin Chuan merchants. They said ever since sir’s Zhenyuan Escort Bureau started using this route, bandits are almost gone.”
Wei Wuya shook his head, then repeated, “Please, sir, save the people of Fengshui Town!”
He tried to bow again, but Jin Feng stopped him.
“Doctor Wei, you keep asking me to save people without explaining. How can I help?”
Jin Feng asked with a helpless laugh. “Where is Fengshui Town? What happened there?”
“Fengshui Town has a malaria outbreak. Dozens are already dead, hundreds infected, tormented day and night.”
Wei Wuya said, “I truly have no other way. That is why I came to ask sir for help.”
“Malaria?!”
Big Liu behind him grabbed Jin Feng, pulled him back several steps, and glared at Wei Wuya with hostility.
Malaria was incurable in Da Kang. Big Liu feared Wei Wuya would infect Jin Feng.
“This strong man need not worry. I am not infected. I cannot pass it to you.”
Wei Wuya quickly explained.
“It’s fine, Big Liu. Malaria does not spread through talking.”
Jin Feng added.
“Sir has studied malaria too?”
Wei Wuya was shocked.
He had researched it for years without discovering how it spread, yet Jin Feng seemed to know.
“Not studied, exactly. I once heard a master mention it.”
Jin Feng asked, “The Fengshui Town you speak of, does it have many ponds, ditches, and stagnant water?”
