Chapter 501 - 442: Warfare

Chapter 501: Chapter 442: Warfare

The Cao Bang’s merchant ship finally arrived in Yan Province.

Once in Yan Province, they were effectively in the Northern Territory.

Although the region was under the control of the Eldest Prince, Li Kang, its close proximity to Shuofang meant that relations with Bai Yuan were good.

Besides, given Bai Yuan’s current power, the Eldest Prince had no reason to make an enemy of him now. Li Kang was already locked in a direct conflict with the Third Prince. If Bai Yuan were to apply pressure from the rear, defeat would be almost certain. There was simply no reason for the Eldest Prince to make a move against him.

The merchant ship docked.

Yan Province was the northern terminus of the Grand Canal. From there, one had to travel by land to reach Yu State. And once in Yu State, one would be deep within Bai Yuan’s sphere of influence.

As Bai Yuan disembarked, he saw several hundred people already standing on the wharf.

At their head was a formidable middle-aged man.

"Lord Bai, it’s been a long journey."

"Han Bangzhu, thank you for everything on this trip."

That middle-aged man was none other than the Cao Bang Leader, Han Jiu.

His name alone suggested a humble background, but through sheer martial prowess, he had clawed his way up from a common Cao Bang member to the rank of Cao Bang Leader. His story was nothing short of legendary.

Han Jiu chose to meet in Yan Province, not Lu State.

This was clearly a consideration for what Bai Yuan had done; it wasn’t convenient for him to linger in Jiangnan.

Han Jiu laughed heartily. "Lord Bai, I’ve long heard of you from Incense Master Qiu. It’s just a shame we’ve never had the chance to meet."

"Han Bangzhu, the fault is mine for not paying you a visit sooner."

Han Jiu’s mood brightened considerably when he heard Bai Yuan refer to himself as a junior.

In the Martial Dao, seniority has never been determined by age.

He and Bai Yuan were both Mingxin Grandmasters; theoretically, they should be peers. For Bai Yuan to call himself a junior was a great show of respect.

"What’s this about seniors and juniors? If you think well of me, just call me Brother Jiu."

"Alright, Brother Jiu," Bai Yuan agreed.

Of course, Han Jiu couldn’t actually accept such deference without reciprocating.

Bai Yuan was the Jiedu Envoy of four states, a formidable man who had slain three Mingxin Grandmasters. His status was, in fact, higher than Han Jiu’s. When someone offered respect, it was only natural to return it.

"Younger Brother Bai, are these the masters from the Demon Hunters?"

Only then did Han Jiu look toward the Old Clan Chief and the others beside him.

"They are."

Bai Yuan then introduced them one by one.

The Cao Bang’s attitude toward the Demon Hunters was far more polite than that of the Dragon Tiger Sect or the Fang Family. While the Demon Hunters were in a weakened state, that was only relative to their past glory or when compared to the Witch Race.

Across all of Xuan Yang, the Demon Hunters could at least be considered a second-rate power, on par with the Cao Bang.

Even if Bai Yuan weren’t the leader of the Demon Hunters, Han Jiu would have still made an effort to build a relationship.

Unlike other factions, the Cao Bang hadn’t taken part in the struggle for the Wang Chao throne. As a result, Han Jiu was able to maintain good relations with all sides.

In the Jianghu, the more friends you had, the better.

Bai Yuan was in no hurry to leave Yan Province. Han Jiu led him and several of the Demon Hunters’ Chief Stewards to the most expensive restaurant in Yanzhou City.

He had booked the entire restaurant.

Although Yan Province was located in the Northern Territory, it had frequent contact with the Central Plains, so the restaurants here mostly served Central Plains cuisine.

The Old Clan Chief and the others all found it a novelty.

After three rounds of wine, Han Jiu finally spoke up. "Younger Brother Bai, the world is in chaos. What are your plans? Can you give your old brother a little insight?"

Bai Yuan smiled faintly. "What plans? I’m just taking it one step at a time."

"Since Younger Brother Bai has no plans, I happen to have a business deal I’d like to discuss with you."

"A deal?"

Bai Yuan’s interest was piqued.

’Right now, every faction in Xuan Yang is begging the Cao Bang to transport their supplies. The Cao Bang must be making a fortune. Why would they even look twice at business from Shuofang?’

Han Jiu chuckled. "Younger Brother Bai, I hear you’re familiar with the Northern Plains. This old brother wants to try doing business with the barbarian tribes again."

It dawned on Bai Yuan.

’No wonder Han Jiu still wanted to partner with him, even though his business was already massive. He was after the Northern Plains.’

Xuan Yang had always traded with the barbarian tribes, but those ties were severed after the Demon Sect’s invasion. With the Demon Sect now in retreat, Han Jiu had revived his ambitions of trading with the tribes.

The Northern Plains might be desolate, but they still held quite a few valuable goods.

The Cao Bang used to be in this line of business. Now that the opportunity had arisen, of course they wanted to reclaim it.

Bai Yuan pondered for a moment. "To be honest, I’m not that familiar with the barbarian tribes either, but I do know a few people. I’ll give it a try."

Hearing this, Han Jiu was overjoyed.

Bai Yuan’s words were enough.

From what he knew, Bai Yuan had apparently spent his year of disappearance in the Northern Plains. He might actually be able to open that door for him.

"My good brother!" Han Jiu was ecstatic. He raised his cup. "Drink!"

His rise from a low-level Cao Bang member to the Cao Bang Leader wasn’t just due to his talent in the Martial Dao, but also his talent for making friends.

The Cao Bang Leader’s friends were all over the world; this was no empty boast.

It was precisely by relying on these friends that he was able to make the Cao Bang’s business so prosperous. ℯℯ𝑙.

"Younger Brother Bai, rest assured. As long as we open up the Northern Plains trade route, we’ll split the profits fifty-fifty."

Hearing this, Bai Yuan was a little surprised.

He hadn’t expected this Han Bangzhu to be so generous, offering a fifty-percent cut right from the start. He hadn’t even left any room for haggling. No wonder the Cao Bang’s business was thriving; Han Jiu’s forthright and generous temperament was plain to see.

"Deal."

Bai Yuan also raised his wine cup.

If this deal truly came to fruition, it meant a massive influx of silver for him, practically for doing nothing. Maintaining Shuofang’s army cost an astronomical amount of silver each year. Even with his deep pockets, he’d eventually be drained dry. The Cao Bang’s proposal was exactly what he needed.

As Han Jiu and Bai Yuan chatted, their conversation inevitably turned to the great affairs of the world.

Han Jiu sighed with emotion. "I never thought the Imperial Palace would fall into such chaos. I wonder which Prince will end up on top."

Right now, the Third Prince, Li Wei, had taken the lead by declaring himself emperor and occupying the Imperial City. With the two great powers of Xuankong Temple and the Zhengyang Sect backing him, his prestige was at its peak. However, the Eldest Prince had the Quanqing Sect and the great clans of the Central Plains behind him. His faction was not to be underestimated.