Chapter 1002: Lake City

The capital of Shang State is called Shangcheng, which is named after the country. However, people in the southern border do not call it Shangcheng, but only call it Lake City.

The reason is that the capital of Shang State is located in the center of the largest lake in the southern border.

Zhou Ran went to the capital of Shang State by boat.

When he arrived at the foot of the city wall, an old friend immediately came to greet him.

It was none other than Jia Gui, the royal merchant of the Shang Dynasty.

Although Zhou Ran's appearance had changed, Jia Gui still recognized Zhou Ran and whispered: "Marquis Guanjun, the king asked me to greet you."

"Yes."

Zhou Ran said lightly. Jia Gui was so cautious. It seemed that there should be spies of the Sword Sect in Lake City?

"Please follow me!"

Jia Gui took Zhou Ran into Lake City.

Lake City is worthy of being the capital of Shang State. Its luxury is comparable to Tianfeng City in Song State in the western border.

Unlike Tianfeng City, which is built on water, the lake city is located on a huge island in the middle of the lake. There is no waterway in the city, but it is bustling with traffic.

Although the Jianzong is shrouded in dark clouds, it does not affect the crowds of people in the city, and there are countless various markets.

Jia Gui brought Zhou Ran into the inner city. As a businessman, Jia Gui has a mansion in the inner city, which shows that he has a high status in Shangguo.

Zhou Ran came to Jia Gui's house and admired the scenery in the mansion.

Jia Gui hurriedly said: "Marquis Guanjun, please go to the inner hall for a chat. I have prepared fine wine and delicious food. I hope to drink with Marquis Guanjun until dawn!"

"Okay!"

Zhou Ran was not vague, and followed Jia Gui to the inner hall.

The fine wine and delicious food were already on the table. Zhou Ran and Jia Gui sat down and ate heartily.

While eating, Jia Gui talked.

"The Lord knows you are coming, but this matter is extremely secret and cannot be told to outsiders, so the Lord dare not see you. He knows that I am a friend of the Champion Marquis, so he asked me to wait outside the city gate. Tomorrow morning, the Lord will stop court for a day and meet you alone."

"That's great!"

Zhou Ran nodded.

The three countries in the southern border are all under the control of the Sword Sect, and the capitals of each country are naturally full of the Sword Sect's spies.

It is reasonable that the Lord of Shang is cautious.

Jia Gui said again: "Marquis Guanjun, you will be in Lake City for one day, and I will take care of all your food and daily life! Whatever you want to eat and drink, just ask! In addition, if the Champion Marquis feels empty and lonely, you can pick any beauty in Shang Kingdom, even a royal princess, I can find her for you!"

"Thank you, no need!"

Zhou Ran refused. This royal merchant is really capable.

After three rounds of drinking, Zhou Ran asked again: "Brother Jia, the Sword Sect seized the southern border, and the rulers of the three countries suffered terribly. Why is the capital of Shangguo still prosperous? Isn't everyone's life affected?"

"How can it be?" Seeing that there was no one around, Jia Gui began to complain, "In the past, merchants only took 30% of the profit from trade, but after the Sword Sect came, the profit took 70%! Merchants have been busy all their lives, but they have made wedding clothes for the Sword Sect. How can they accept it? Unfortunately, even the ruler dare not provoke the Sword Sect, let alone a mere merchant? Fortunately, I am the royal merchant of Shangguo, responsible for purchasing materials for the royal family, and I have exempted the 70% miscellaneous taxes of the Sword Sect, but other friends are getting more and more difficult. Thanks to the initiative of the Lord, the market in Lake City has barely continued, but it is ultimately a false prosperity and will not last for a few days."

"I see."

Zhou Ran's mouth curled up slightly, and the wine in the wine glass immediately flew out.

Jia Gui was surprised to see this.

"Marquis Guanjun,

What do you mean?"

Zhou Ran ignored Jia Gui, and vomited his true energy, and the wine shot towards the wall beside him like a sword.

"Crash!"

The wall was shattered by the wine, and the man hiding behind the wall was exposed and injured by the wine.

Zhou Ran stood up and brought the man to Jia Gui.

When Jia Gui saw him, he was stunned.

"Jia An, why is it you?"

"Who is this man?" Zhou Ran asked.

"He is my housekeeper, who has been with me for many years. I didn't expect him to eavesdrop on our conversation."

Zhou Ran looked at the housekeeper and said, "Tell me, who sent you?"

Jia An gritted his teeth and said, "Who else could it be? Of course it's the Sword Sect! The Sword Sect is the largest sect in the southern border. All those who violate the Sword Sect will die without a burial place! I also want to live. Only by serving the Sword Sect can I survive!"

Jia An's words made Jia Gui heartbroken.

I didn't expect that the housekeeper who had been with me for so many years would betray me. From now on, how can I trust others?

"Are you really the eyes and ears of the Sword Sect?" Zhou Ran said coldly.

"Yes!"

Jia An said decisively without any hesitation.

"In that case, go to hell!"

Zhou Ran waved his palm and was about to slap him hard, but Jia An suddenly fell to the ground.

Looking again, the housekeeper of the Jia family was already foaming at the mouth and motionless.

Seeing this, Jia Gui couldn't help but feel frustrated and said, "I didn't expect that my housekeeper would also work for the Sword Sect. Champion Marquis, thank you for cleaning up the Jia family!"

"You are wrong, I didn't kill him." Zhou Ran shook his head.

"You didn't kill him? Then how did he die?" Jia Gui asked in confusion.

"If I'm not mistaken, he should have been stuffed with poison in his body. Once his tracks are exposed, he will die of the poison!"

Jia Gui clenched his fist fiercely.

"What a Sword Sect, using others as his eyes and ears, but not even giving them a chance to live! Once they fail, they will be killed!"

"You are wrong again!" Zhou Ran smiled, "This guy was not sent by the Sword Sect. If that was the case, how could he reveal the Sword Sect all of a sudden? Besides, I don't think a mere merchant is worth the Sword Sect's spy surveillance."

Zhou Ran's words made Jia Gui silent.

If the Sword Sect really didn't do these things, then who was the instigator behind the scenes?

Jia Gui wanted to ask in detail, but Zhou Ran said nothing more.

Zhou Ran returned to the table and continued to drink and eat meat. Jia Gui was confused, but he couldn't neglect his guests, so he started to drink with Zhou Ran.

The two drank until midnight, and then went to bed with their clothes on.

Early the next morning, Jia Gui quietly took Zhou Ran into the palace.

Since the king had stopped court, the palace of the Shang Dynasty seemed particularly quiet. Except for the palace servants and guards, there were no other people.

The carriage drove straight into the king's bedroom and then stopped.

There was not even a palace servant in the bedroom, so Jia Gui carefully let Zhou Ran get off the carriage and took Zhou Ran into the king's bedroom.

King Shang had been waiting for a long time, and when he saw Zhou Ran coming, he smiled.

"Marquis Guanjun, we meet again.".

Zhou Ran removed the disguise on his face and revealed his true face.

"Lord, I rushed here non-stop after receiving your letter."