บท 68: Chapter 25 Take the preemptive opportunities

9th prince, had He Xun not send the signal in time to show your position, I'm worried you will be just another of the burn bodies in that forsaken village." Helan Jiang shook his head.

Before setting off to Sheng kingdom, 9th prince and Helan Jiang had already anticipated an assassination attempt but they could not predict the location only until Xue ShiMin arrive by the borders. It was risky but Xue ShiMin had always been prepared and he was also confident with his people's skills.

9th prince Xue ShiMin did not reply but just his lips showed a trace of a smile and he prodded his horse forward as if the skirmish that transpired was just another day. Being a royal child was not easy especially when there were many outstanding princes.

Upon arrival to the borders, He Xun was dispatched to locate the 9th prince's private personal army trained by his own father stationed around the corners of the port. Thus, at the first sight of the assassins dressed in Xue military armor, He Xun quickly sent out the signal without confirming the identity of the incoming soldiers. Foe or friends could be determined later.

Turned out the signal sent by He Xun's quick thinking was seen by the people of Helan Jiang and by the time Helan Jiang came with his private army to protect 9th prince Xue ShiMin, it was just in time to kill the escaping assassins.

"Your royal mothers won't be happy about another failed assassination. However, I do have to complain that this welcome pack has been repeated that there's no more surprise factor anymore. And thankfully they had not changed tactic yet, else our loss would be higher," Helan Jiang sighed.

General Murong frowned when he received the soldier's report. Why didn't he receive any royal missive prior to the arrival of 9th prince? Did someone intercept and welcome this prince in his name? This palace drama is truly troubling and hindering him to do his official work for the country.

"Prepare a tent for the 9th prince to rest," General Murong instructed one soldier, and to HeiYing who was behind him, "I don't want that brat to come close to LiEr."

"Receiving 9th prince. Pardon this general for the lack of welcome as there is lack of people and we did not receive any word for your arrival," General Murong came out to greet the 9th prince, whom he had never seen before in the royal palace but had heard about this wastrel prince.

"General Murong, this prince have heard only praises about you and the country is lucky to have the General who truly care and protect them. Please accept a bow from this prince," Xue ShiMin had came down from his horse upon seeing the large figure of the General Murong walking towards him.

"This small General is just doing his job, please prince, come inside. This city is recovering from attacks and recent plague, this general recommends for the prince and your retinue to stay safe within the camp."

Turning towards the other neat and handsome youth next to the 9th prince, "this Gongzi?"

"Greetings to respected General Murong, this humble one is a crude merchant, Helan Jiang. It was a coincidence that I met 9th prince on the way and decided to travel together to cross to Sheng kingdom."

"Welcome Helan's heir to our army, this general will assign a troop to escort and provide safe passage for the 9th prince and Helan clan to Sheng kingdom." Helan clan, such as prosperous and prestigious clan was known to Murong XieChu. This pairing of a royal prince and a wealthy clan backer... sigh, better not know and get involved further.

"General Murong, Helan clan has prepared some grains for your cause and for the people in this city." Helan Jiang had prepared ahead to gift to the General to distribute to the people. He admired this general whom he heard had volunteered to come to borders to aid the civilians, providing grains was of no loss and Helan Jiang was confident the General was those who make sure the civilians would get their portions.

"This General thanks Helan clan heir on behalf of Peace Swallow Town for your generosity."

"This much we can definitely support the people in need. The rise and fall of the nation concerns everyone ," Helan Jiang said humbly and honestly. Helping the needy was also beneficial for merchant family like Helan's as their brand would be exposed to the mass. And in times of need, desperate people would be appreciative to their benefactors and become future loyal consumers.

General gestured for an attendant to bring forth a tray, "We don't have much to provide for refreshments, please have some of the crude wine and snacks prepared by my manor."

Both Xue ShiMin and Helan Jiang did not expect much as they had passed by and seen the sorry plight of the city's situation, but good manners had been inbred into their system and they were courteous to accept the refreshments.

It could be that they had be on the road for long, but the refreshments, which were brought forth looked simple but they looked appetizing, especially the shaped snacks. Elegantly, the two gentlemen tasted the well made snacks, and their eyes widened when they bit down.

Xue ShiMin had been roaming around since young, but he knew good food when he came across one. Helan Jiang, on the other hand, had grew up with fine food, the crispy snack was new to him and he liked flavors and the crispiness of it.

Helan Jiang was about to comment when he saw his young friend, sipping the wine with a surprised look, and he could not wait to try himself.

The wine was high quality, the scent was fragrant, taste refreshing and sweet, reminding him of spring blossoms. The crispness of the snacks sweetened with honey and different kinds of dried fruits were delicious, even more so when paired with the wine. Both snack and wine were wasted in this dreary place! He must have the recipe to sell these in Helan businesses!

"General, this wine and snack are divine! They truly can uplift people's mood." Helan Jiang praised the food and thought how to discuss trade with this stoic general.

"It's just prepared humbly by servants. If the prince and the heir like, this general can ask to prepare for your trip. Please have more wine to warm yourselves from your trip." General Murong gestured for the attendant to pour more wine for the guests, "Helan clan has many store branches around the kingdom, and this general wonder if heir have any insight on Eastern Righteous Alliance?"

The 9th prince merely drank and enjoyed his wine, not batting his eyes, as if this does not concern him. Helan Jiang was not surprised for the the General to ask him about ERA.

"This crude merchant had heard that the Eastern Righteous Alliance's leader love to collect famous paintings and is a avid artist himself. No one knows much about the leader and only knew about the infamous Lao Hai, but my subordinates from our inn had told me that the time Eastern Righteous Alliance had stayed in our business, he saw that the leader is a very young and beautiful, I don't know whether this is any help to the General." Helan Jiang provided helpfully.

General Murong passive face did not show the disappointment of this piece of news, even HeiYing, who was in the room, did not bother to roll his eyes.

'Who cares how the leader look?'

General Murong was about to dismiss the youths and usher them to their tents, especially when he saw the 9th prince swaying on his seat.

"However ..." Helan Jiang was a business man, so he was quite adept to deal with people and everything had a price. He had offered grains in payment for the protection of army but he wanted something else now.

"Let me drink more of your fine wine. General Murong, this wine is truly special, can you spare your chef to me, for me to acquire the recipe?"

"..."

Xue ShiMin covered his eyes, pretending to massage his head as if he was light headed from the alcohol, not wanting to witness his friend's shamelessness.