Xingyang!
With the construction of brick roads, the trade routes in Xingyang were smooth and prosperous. It even became an important trade center on the Longhai route, second only to Chang 'an and Luoyang.
Although the seven families of the Five Kingdoms encircled the Mo family and lost the biggest source of goods, the trade center was still bustling with caravans.
A long transport team attracted the attention of the Xingyang government runners. Each carriage of the team was pulled by four horses and moved slowly. Obviously, they were loaded with goods. More importantly, they were coming from the direction of Luoyang.
"Arrester, our superiors have told us to pay attention to the big caravans coming from the west!" A runner whispered.
"Yes!" A runner dressed as an arrester nodded. They knew that their task was to intercept the goods of the Mo family, so they stood up immediately.
"Stop and be checked!" The arrester came forward and said fiercely. The Zheng family had made it clear that they would stop all the caravans carrying the goods of the Mo family. Even if they lost their official duties, the Zheng family would protect them.
On one side was the Mo family thousands of miles away, and on the other side was the Zheng family of Xingyang. These arresters knew how to choose.
"Crack!"
Following the violent crack of the horsewhip, the whip almost struck the head constable's face. Fortunately, the head constable was nimble and managed to dodge the attack in the nick of time.
"Are you blind? How dare you intercept the caravan of Duke Ying!" A cold voice suddenly stunned the furious arrester.
"Duke Ying!" The arrester was shocked. Duke Ying was not like Mo Jiazi who had no real power. He was the founder of the Tang dynasty.
"Why not? This is Duke Ying's token and travel permit. I don't think anyone in the Tang dynasty dares to impersonate Duke Ying's banner! "The rider on the horse said proudly.
The arrester carefully checked the token and was convinced that it was real. He quickly apologized, "It's my fault. I didn't recognize Duke Ying's caravan. Guards, let them go!"
The rider snorted and didn't argue with the arrester. He waved his hand and left.
The constable heaved a sigh of relief and secretly rejoiced in his heart. However, before he could rest for a while, he saw a luxurious motorcade rushing over.
"Duke Kui's caravan!" The constable was shocked. He didn't expect to meet two duke caravans in a row.
The constable cautiously stepped forward and asked. The steward of Duke Kui did not make things difficult for him. Instead, he generously showed his token and travel pass. After the constable checked that everything was fine, he immediately let them pass.
However, this was not the end of it. Soon after, Duke Jiang, Duke of E, and Duke of Yu's carriages arrived in an endless stream.
"Something's not right. Go and check their goods." Usually, it was already difficult for them to see a convoy from the House of High Duke. But now, they had seen five of them in a row, and each of them had the correct travel pass and token. More importantly, these High Dukes all came from Chang 'an, the same place as the Village of Mo that they intercepted.
A bailiff braced himself and went over to look for an opportunity to inspect the goods in the convoy.
"You thief, you actually dare to steal the property of my Duke of Wing's Mansion!" Very quickly, along with the sound of metal, an explosive shout was heard.
"Constable, save me!" A familiar voice shouted in horror.
The constable's heart trembled and he hurriedly rushed over. He saw a valiant old soldier holding a knife to the neck of the bailiff he had just sent.
"It's all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. If there's anything, we can discuss it!" The constable hurriedly advised.
"I didn't expect that an imperial court official would be willing to be a rat and learn how to steal things." The old soldier sneered.
The bailiff exclaimed, "I didn't steal. Constable, they are transporting the goods of the Village of Mo."
The constable suddenly realized that all the carriages from the House of High Duke were probably like this today. He did not expect that Mo Jiazi could actually get these House of High Duke to help them.
"Please understand. We are under the orders of the Zheng family. All the goods of the Village of Mo are not allowed to pass through." The constable directly mentioned the Zheng family. He knew that with his status, he could not stop these carriages from the House of High Duke. He could only hope that they would do it for the sake of the Zheng family.
The old soldier sneered, "I don't care about the Zheng family or Fang family. First, we are not transporting contraband goods. Second, we are not carrying stolen goods. All the procedures are clean. I'd like to see who dares to stop us. Do you think that the Zheng family can suppress my Duke of Wing's Mansion?"
The constable looked at the old soldier's cold eyes and instantly knew that this was not something he could decide. He immediately admitted defeat, "Sorry!"
The constable waved his hand and signaled the people in front to let them pass.
The old soldier sneered and threw the bailiff who was so scared that his whole body went soft to the side. He sneered, "The Old Man is wrong. You are not willing to be a rat but a dog!"
The constable was so angry that his face turned pale. However, when he thought of the Zheng family and the House of High Duke that he could not offend, he could not help but feel discouraged. He waved his hand weakly and said, "Go! Tell this to the Zheng family. This is not something that we can handle. "
"The carriages of the House of High Duke!" The father and son of the Zheng family heard the report from the bailiff and could not help but be shocked.
"Mo Jiazi can actually get the help of a group of High Dukes?" Zheng Chang said in disbelief.
The head of the Zheng family shook his head and said, "Mo Jiazi is not that influential. The attitude of the Five Hopes and Seven Families is very clear. Those High Dukes will definitely not be so unwise."
"I know, it must be Qin Huaiyu and that group of bastards. They were originally on good terms with Mo Jiazi. They must be helping Mo Jiazi." Zheng Chang gritted his teeth and said.
"Mo Jiazi is really difficult to deal with. He actually used these High Dukes to intimidate others." The head of the Zheng family frowned.
"Father, what should we do? If Mo Jiazi uses these carriages of the House of High Duke to transport goods, I'm afraid our plan will become a joke. " Zheng Chang frowned. They relied on the power of the government. Perhaps these officials could intercept the carriages of the Village of Mo for their sake, but they definitely would not dare to intercept the carriages of the House of High Duke who were in the imperial court and could decide their official positions. If these carriages of the House of High Duke were allowed to do as they pleased, their plan to encircle the Village of Mo would completely fail.
"Looks like we have to share some benefits with these House of High Duke!" The head of the Zheng family said with a pained heart.
For ordinary officials, they could easily command them. However, for the high ranking dukes, if they wanted to ask for help, they would probably have to pay a hefty price. Fortunately, these benefits were not paid by the Zheng family, but by the seven families.
"Mo Jiazi is really good at scheming!" At this moment, he really realized Mo Jiazi's plan. He lured these High Dukes with benefits. Not only could he take the opportunity to empty the Village of Mo's inventory, but he could also make the Five Hopes and Seven Families pay a huge price.
"However, you are just struggling before death!" The head of the Zheng family sneered.
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