The steward nodded with a smile, "Thanks to the Zhao Family Army escorting us, otherwise I wouldn’t dare come to Luoyang. I’ve heard that once you leave Yu State, bandits are rampant outside. I have great treasures with me, and we with our small number dare not take long journeys."

Zhao Hanzhang replied with a smile, "The court is already dispatching troops to quell the bandits. I think it won’t be long before entering and leaving Luoyang will be as safe as in Yu State."

The steward just smiled and didn’t answer this question. He asked Zhao Hanzhang with interest, "Miss, are you thinking of purchasing some goods? I wonder which goods you are interested in. Besides Sichuan pepper, I have silk, Shu brocade, and fine hemp cloth from Shu, all available."

Zhao Hanzhang: "Did you come from Shu?"

The steward replied affirmatively with a smile.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at the scale of their convoy and nodded, "I am somewhat interested. I happen to know a merchant from Shu named Zhu Chuan."

The steward was taken aback for a moment and then said, "Mr. Zhu? He is a very wealthy merchant."

He smiled and stuffed the handful of Sichuan pepper into a cloth bag, tied the bag, and closed the box, no longer recommending to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang pinched the two Sichuan peppers in her hand and asked, "You’re not selling to me?"

"Miss, please don’t tease me. Since you know Mr. Zhu, you won’t lack these things. Why would you buy from me?"

"Has Mr. Zhu come to Luoyang this time?"

"Yes, his family’s convoy alone has forty-six vehicles, the most in this trade. He also has many Sichuan peppers in hand. Since you are acquainted with him, you can go to him."

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head, "We are just acquaintances, not familiar."

Hearing this, the steward brightened up and smiled, "I see that Miss is beautiful; perhaps you might be more interested in Shu brocade. I have several pieces of brightly colored Shu brocade here. The craftsmanship is truly unique in this world. Would you like to take a look?"

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at the torch and shook her head, "The sky is dark. Now is not the time to appreciate Shu brocade’s splendor. Holding a torch, if a spark accidentally falls, it would be heart-wrenching. Let’s look tomorrow. I’m also interested in seeing the goods you’ve brought."

The steward had no objections.

They brought many things and knew many goods were flooding into Luoyang, so of course, they hoped to find suitable buyers as soon as possible.

Zhao Hanzhang casually inquired about their experiences along the way, "Did you encounter bandits on the road from Shu to Xiping without Zhao Family Army’s protection?"

"Alas, we did encounter several, mostly in Shu and Jingzhou. But once we entered the Yu State boundary, there were no more."

Zhao Hanzhang: "Is there war again in Shu? I’ve heard the King of Shu cherishes the people. How could he allow bandits to run amok in Shu?"

"Alas, this year, as soon as war broke out in the Central Plains, it also broke out inside. The King of Shu overthrew Governors Qiao and Wen at once. Although the King of Shu is good, every time there’s a war, banditry and refugee fleeing become unavoidable."

Zhao Hanzhang: "This year, many refugees from Shu have rushed into the Jingzhou Jiangnan area."

Wasn’t it because of this that Wang Cheng was dismissed?

She asked, "The Shu Road is difficult to travel. Was it easy for your caravan?"

"Not easy, just seeking a meal. Currently, the best places for business are in Jiangnan and Yu State," the steward smiled. "If the Great General can clear the bandits along the way, in the future, Luoyang might also be added as a good market."

"From Shu to Luoyang, then through Jingzhou to Yu State is a bit far. It’s better to go directly from Liang State to Yongzhou, then enter Luoyang."

The steward laughed loudly and joked, "Except for bandits, there are near-starved farmers in Yongzhou. How dare we pass through Yongzhou? I’d rather take the longer route through Jingzhou and Yu State than take the road through Yongzhou."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Times have changed. Now Yongzhou is managed by Inspector Fu, known for being fair and strict and cherishing the people. Such things won’t continue to happen."

But the impression of Yongzhou on Shu merchants was too tragic. It was a famine, lasting for several years. People resorted to cannibalism to survive, and in his view, those still alive could hardly be called human. He absolutely wouldn’t pass through Yongzhou, let alone do business with them.

Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t intent on convincing him and changed the subject when she saw his persistence.

The steward was quite talkative. As the convoy slowly moved forward, a soldier approached with a paper, "It’s estimated to be another hour before it’s your turn. Come over to fill out the registration form."

The steward couldn’t write, so the soldier straightforwardly gave him a sample, "Just like this, fill it out. From where, how many people, how many carts, how many horses, mules, and oxen, all need to be clearly written, along with a list of goods brought."

Soldier: "Routine question: carrying any grain or coarse hemp cloth?"

The steward quickly replied, "No, none. I have all fine goods here."

The soldier smirked, "What are you afraid of? We’re not seizing your goods. If you have grain or coarse hemp cloth, there’s a tax exemption for entering the city and a special channel, no need to queue long."

Upon hearing this, the steward was slightly moved and asked, "What if it’s just part of the load? Do the goods need to be separated, or can everything go through the special channel?"

The soldier glanced at him and replied, "As long as the volume of grain or coarse hemp cloth accounts for a third of the load, everything can go through the special channel."

"Is this order valid only this time, or always?"

The soldier said, "A court-issued order, effective this and next year. If changes occur after that, the court will amend it."

The steward decided that if this trip to Luoyang went smoothly, next time he would bring a few carts of grain or coarse hemp cloth to avoid long queues.

And being tax-free...this was a method to gain favor with the Luoyang County Government; even if just to establish good relations with the Luoyang County Magistrate, it couldn’t be missed.

The soldier, having said everything necessary, took the form to the next convoy. Upon turning, he saw Zhao Hanzhang standing not far away, eyes widened, ready to salute, but Zhao Hanzhang shook her head at him.

The soldier looked at her, then at the steward, held back, and turned away.

But he was overwhelmed with excitement, wanting to find someone to share his thoughts, shouting internally because he had just seen the Great General up close!

The Great General had seen him and even shook her head at him.

The soldier bit his hand in excitement, suppressing his inner scream. It was quite a while before he remembered he was supposed to give forms to the next convoy.

He quietly turned back, his face red with embarrassment, walked past Zhao Hanzhang to find the next steward.

Zeng Yue glanced at him and mildly shook his head, thinking these city soldiers still needed training!

As soon as the soldier left, Zhao Hanzhang squeezed over to look at the form he was filling out. After glancing at the sample, she nodded slightly, "What Zhao Zheng set up is quite good, saving a lot of effort."

Otherwise, under the old entry system, even if her city gates were open twelve hours a day, so many convoys would take two or three days to enter.

She asked, "How do you find this form?"