Chapter 337: Hidden Secret! (1/2)

Chapter 337: Hidden Secret!

The might of forty True Martial realm veterans immediately showed through. Reminiscent of steel were the many True Martial halos; wherever they crossed, bandits would fall.

The raid was reaching its end, and they would soon be able to return victoriously. But at this moment, Wang Chong's mind was filled with the final words of that Arab assassin.

Wang Chong had interrogated him without much expectation, but who knew that he would actually manage to obtain some useful information.

”What did that fellow say?”

The refreshing fragrance of lotus leaves drifted up from behind him. Bai Siling took one last glance at the Arab assassin before walking up to Wang Chong.

Compared to everything else, Bai Siling was far more interested in Wang Chong's peculiar reaction.

”It seems like the Tibetans are up to something.” Without hiding anything, Wang Chong told her what Ma Song had told him before, as well as the dying words of the Arab assassin.

That Arab assassin used to serve as a bodyguard of a wealthy Arab merchant, but on a journey to the Central Plains, the merchant party was raided by a bandit band, and the wealthy merchant died. By some stroke of luck, he managed to escape, thus surviving the ordeal.

But at the same time, he was left with nothing. In this foreign land, there was no kin or friend he could rely on, and even communication with the locals was an issue. Thus, the only local possible option left for him was to become a bandit.

He hoped that he could earn sufficient money to return back to his homeland.

But due to the language barrier, he ended up operating alone. In fear of the powerful armies of the royal court, he had to tread warily, so he hadn't been able to make significant gains yet. But one day, he met a Tibetan man.

The other party promised him that as long as he followed orders, he would help him to return to the Abbasid Caliphate, and even help him arrange his redemption.

”Redemption?” Bai Siling asked in confusion.

”Un. While I described him as a bodyguard, he was actually a slave. To be clutching onto life despite the death of his master whom he had sworn to protect with his life, he could easily be sentenced to a death penalty back in the Caliphate. Even if he were to return, all that would be waiting for him is death,” Wang Chong replied.

The Abbasid Caliphate operated by a hierarchical structure far more rigid and stern then Great Tang, and slavery was commonplace there. As Bai Siling had never come into contact with that aspect of it before, she was unaware of it.

Hearing those words, Bai Siling fell into deep thought.

”Did he describe the appearance of that Tibetan man?”

”He couldn't remember much of the characteristics of that person. All he recalled was that the other party had instructed him to limit his activities to this area and cause as much trouble to Great Tang as possible. In fact, he had never even met the group of bandits below, or interacted with them before,” Wang Chong replied.

”What are the Tibetans thinking? Is there any meaning to such actions?” Bai Siling fell into deep thought. The actions of the Tibetans were incomprehensible to her.

”While we don't know their true motive, it is a fact that the royal court and His Majesty have always viewed the route to the west with great importance. If there is a spike in the activity of the bandits along this stretch, that would pose a great threat to Great Tang's economic activities. Out of consideration for their safety, it is possible that the merchants from Abbasid Caliphate and Charax Spasinu might even avoid trading with Great Tang altogether.

“Ü-Tsang has always been antagonistic with Great Tang. Regardless of the reason, the breaking of relationships between Great Tang and the Western Regions could only be beneficial for them. The only thing I don't understand is that the Tibetans should understand that the royal court will not give up on developing this road so easily. At the very most, they will only be causing slight disturbances to our goals, and that has little significance in the big picture. Besides, with the Western Protectorate Manor standing guard at the other end, it is unlikely for the bandits to gather sufficient strength to pose a significant threat.” Wang Chong was bewildered.

The Silk Road to the west wasn't a mere trade route, it was the livelihood of the Western Protectorate Manor, as well. It was the taxes from these merchants that provided them with sufficient money for their development.

With the eyes of the Western Protectorate Manor fixated on this road, the Tibetans should understand that this level of harassment wouldn't pose any threat at all.

”That is hard to say. If the royal court stays out of this matter, considering the length of this road, it'll be hard for the Western Protectorate Manor to maintain it by themselves. On this aspect, there is indeed a chance that the Tibetans just might succeed. But still, I am of the same opinion as you. Considering how they went through so much effort to rally the bandits, their goal couldn't possibly be that simple,” Bai Siling replied contemplatively. Unknowingly, her thoughts had been brought into Wang Chong's momentum.

”Bai Siling, do you know if there is any Tibetan envoy party to the capital in recent days?” Wang Chong suddenly asked.

”Are you joking with me? I have been cooped up in Longwei Training Camp all this while. If it's something that even you don't know of, how could I possibly know? When have you seen any ladies being allowed to interfere in politics?”

Bai Siling rolled her eyes as though she was looking at a fool.

”Hahaha, pardon me, I misspoke.” Realizing her point, Wang Chong slapped his head and burst into laughter.

Soon, the battle came to an end. After clearing up the den, the forty Great Tang veteran cavalrymen left swiftly.

Not a single bandit of the entire den survived the raid.

And in this den, Wang Chong earned yet another two hundred thousand gold taels. That was equivalent to his gain from selling Wootz steel in a month.

Adding to his gains from before, he already had around seven hundred thousand gold taels. Even with Wang Chong's fortune, he had to admit that dealing with the bandits did bring great returns.