Chapter 135: This Person Looks Rather Pitiful

Chapter 135: This Person Looks Rather Pitiful

Moreover, Fei Nanyu had immense trust in Tang Mingrui. Soon after ascending the throne, he bestowed the Tang family the exclusive title of the Imperial Merchant of Great Xing Kingdom.

As a result, during Fei Nanyu's reign, the Tang family's business flourished even more, becoming a wealthy entity rivaling a nation.

Of course, this was also due to the business acumen of the Tang family's head.

Historical records also mentioned that Tang Mingrui's ancestors were merchants for generations. However, they suffered a calamity orchestrated by the Salt Gang, nearly resulting in the destruction of their family.

Determined to revive the Tang family, at the young age of seventeen, Tang Mingrui, along with his mother and two younger brothers, used their meager savings to flee their hometown.

After years of hard work, they managed to rebuild a substantial business empire. Alongside this, he secretly gathered detailed information on the Salt Gang.

When Nan Qi ascended the throne, Fei Nanyu led an expedition to eradicate the Salt Gang. Tang Mingrui, with great resolve, presented the information he had collected over the years, leading to their acquaintance.

At this moment, He Zhiran and Mo Jiuya simultaneously connected the officials' mention of the Tang family to Tang Mingrui's original clan.

It was highly likely that the Tang family the officials spoke of was indeed Tang Mingrui's ancestral family.

At this moment, He Zhiran was contemplating putting aside any suspicions about Tang Mingrui's connection with Fei Nanyu for the time being.

Upon reaching the northwest, to ensure her family's well-being, she would undoubtedly engage in profitable ventures to provide a cover for her use of the national treasury's silver.

However, in the Daxun Dynasty, those exiled were bound to spend their lives in the assigned region unless granted a royal pardon. They were not allowed to step beyond the city limits.

Therefore, the best strategy would be to find a shrewd merchant to collaborate with.

Considering this, He Zhiran felt that Tang Mingrui would be the most suitable partner for her business endeavors.

"My husband, he seems quite pitiable."

Mo Jiuya understood her unspoken thoughts.

"Mm, I'll go take a look," Mo Chuhan agreed, not thinking much of it, assuming that his Ninth Brother's wife was simply displaying her compassionate nature as a woman.

Thus, he prepared to join Mo Jiuya in his action.

However, Mo Jiuya stopped him.

"Eighth Elder Brother, you're still recovering. Let me handle this minor matter."

Mo Chuhan had also noticed that only a few armed men were in pursuit, and Ninth Brother was more than capable of dealing with them. Thus, he didn't insist on going himself.

Mo Jiuya, having chosen to intervene, wouldn't leave any survivors behind.

Moreover, he had never held a favorable opinion of the Yan Bang members.

Deciding to take decisive action, he aimed his miniature crossbow at the Yan Bang pursuers from his hiding spot.

With a series of whistling sounds, all the Yan Bang members fell to the ground with arrows piercing their foreheads.

Upon seeing the demise of the pursuing men, Tang Mingrui realized he was safe.

Relieved, he continued walking towards Mo Jiuya.

"I am Tang Mingrui. Thank you deeply for saving my life, kind sir."

With a purpose in mind, Mo Jiuya naturally saw no reason to continue hiding.

Scanning his surroundings for any potential danger, he emerged from the shadows.

At the same time, He Zhiran arrived on the scene.

Upon seeing a man and a woman before him, Tang Mingrui had no doubt that they were his rescuers.

He bowed once more, "Thank you, kind sir."

Mo Jiuya offered him a symbolic support.

"It was merely an act of righteousness. There's no need for you to take it too seriously, young master," he said.

Tang Mingrui, now safe, first thought about how to express his gratitude properly.

Reaching into his pocket out of habit, he found it empty.

He clearly felt a bit awkward.

"I had intended to offer both of you some silver as gratitude, but my family has recently encountered a troublesome matter..."

Mo Jiuya recalled from historical records that Tang Mingrui's business prospects were boundless. Even if he hadn't intervened today, Tang Mingrui wouldn't have died here.

Thus, he didn't attach too much importance to his act of saving a life.

Just as he was about to say "there's no need to be polite," He Zhiran beat him to it.

"We are both convicts whose households were confiscated and exiled by imperial decree. We're heading to the northwest, to City Yun. My husband's name is Mo Jiuya. If you truly wish to express your gratitude for our life-saving deed, you may send the silver to us there when you have it. Our future indeed requires a sum of money."

He Zhiran thought that since her motive in getting Mo Jiuya to save Tang Mingrui was for future business collaboration, it would be better to be straightforward rather than engage in vague politeness that might sever potential connections. By giving her name and address, she ensured that he would know where to find them when the time came for him to repay his debt of gratitude.

Of course, He Zhiran was merely taking a gamble with her actions.

After all, the barren northwest was a place no one wished to set foot in.

It was uncertain if Tang Mingrui would truly repay his debt of gratitude by sending silver to the northwest in the future.

She was simply trying to secure herself an additional path.

Should Tang Mingrui genuinely harbor intentions of repaying her favor, it would mean one more connection for her business ventures in the days to come.

Upon hearing the name Mo Jiuya, Tang Mingrui was momentarily stunned.

Evidently, he was not unfamiliar with that name.

Tang Mingrui had no idea why the Mo family had fallen to the point of being stripped of their possessions and exiled.

Ever since he was young, he often heard storytellers recount tales of the Mo family's brave men fighting enemies, leaving a deep impression on him regarding the Mo family.

Especially a few years ago when Third Master Mo personally led troops here to obey the imperial edict and eliminate the Yan Bang's bandits.

He vividly recalled the scene when Third Master Mo had pushed the then-leader of the Salt Gang into a prison cart.

This event was praised by the people living around the Salt Lake for a long time, especially Third Master Mo, who was mythologized by the common folk.

Little did anyone know that within just a few short years, circumstances would change dramatically. The male members of the Mo family perished one after another on the battlefield, only to end up with their homes seized and the survivors exiled.

She expected Tang Mingrui to find her too pragmatic and that he would politely make his exit after some small talk.

To her surprise, Tang Mingrui became even more humble upon hearing her words.

"My family crossed the river by boat yesterday and is now waiting for me in the Ferry City. It's a necessary stop on the way to the northwest, and I haven't decided where to take them yet. Perhaps it would be best if I joined you and your companions, and along the way, I could try to earn some silver."

Hearing this, He Zhiran didn't hesitate for a moment before agreeing.

"It seems that fate has brought us together, Mr. Tang. Let's travel together! It'll be good to have someone to look out for each other on the journey."

Tang Mingrui looked around and pointed at the corpses of the Salt Gang members on the ground, saying:

"Hero, by saving me just now, you have claimed their lives. It's likely that their bodies will be discovered come dawn."

The Yan Bang has numerous members and considerable influence; I wouldn't want to add more trouble to your plates. Thus, I'll refrain from imposing further and will await your arrival at the docks of Duocheng tomorrow."

He Zhiran and Mo Jiuya were not afraid of the Yan Bang members, but neither of them sought trouble unnecessarily.

Consequently, they all endorsed Tang Mingrui's decision.

"Very well, let us meet at the city crossing tomorrow."

After Mo Jiuya finished speaking, he took He Zhiran's small hand and left together, meeting up with Mo Chuhan before returning to the campsite in unison.

He led the way, gesturing towards Liang Hao and his group who were not far away. Soon, Liang Hao brought his people over.