According to what this guy said, the people in the mountains were very panicked when they learned that the road down the mountain was blocked. After all, the economy in the mountains has been transformed over the years. They have no way to be self-sufficient and must trade with people down the mountain. Their ancestors were able to be content with themselves, but now they are used to enjoying themselves. If they are asked to live such a hard life again, I am afraid few people can do it.
The common people naturally didn't care. They just needed to live a little harder. As long as they had enough food to eat, that was their greatest pursuit. They didn't have so many long-term ideas. But it was different for the chieftains and nobles. They lived a very luxurious life now. If the road was blocked, their lives would be affected the most. So the chieftains met as quickly as possible.
"What are the movements of the troops on the mountain? Do you know what the chieftains are talking about?"
Zhang Jiuli said anxiously. He also knew that these two people were not of high rank and could only know some general social situations. But now the lives of his entire family were in Li Xiang's hands. He also wanted to solve the problem at hand as soon as possible. The more information he knew, the greater the possibility of solving the problem.
"I deserve to die. I don't know what the chieftains are thinking, but the troops on the mountain have been moving frequently towards the mountain pass these days. They may be trying to increase the number of local troops."
What these two people said was true. They were like the chieftains' spies in Chengdu City. They only knew some news on the streets. All the news was heard from ordinary people. They had no idea about the situation at the top level.
"Have the armies of the major chieftains ever crossed the border?"
Zhang Jiuli asked an important question. If they crossed the border, they would start a war. If they did not cross the border, it would just be an ordinary alert.
Although the four chieftains advertised themselves as a family, Zhang Jiuli had been cooperating with them for a long time, so he certainly knew what they were like internally. If the benefits were evenly distributed, then these people would be like a family. If there was a problem with the distribution, they would probably turn against each other on the spot. To put it bluntly, these people have not yet fully evolved.
"At present, no one has crossed the border. They are all fortifying the checkpoints under their control, increasing the number of mobile troops, and also relocating some people living near the foot of the mountain up the mountain. The Han people are under closer surveillance."
After hearing this, Zhang Jiuli understood what was going on. There was alert on the mountain, but the alertness was obviously not enough. This was very good for us. If we started to close the mountain with great fanfare, some things might be difficult to say.
"You two did a great job. Go back and meet your families. The money you owe is in the bag at the door. Hurry back and don't let anyone on the mountain get suspicious. I'm going up the mountain after you go back."
After hearing what Zhang Jiuli said, both of them were a little surprised. You know, although Zhang Jiuli and the people in the mountain are in-laws, he has never been there except for the time when he got married.
The chieftains on the mountain have never come down once. From this we can see that although they usually brag about being a family, you put your arms around my shoulders, I beat your chest, and we are like brothers, but if something really happens, these brothers are not reliable at all.
Qian Ping and the others were all very surprised. According to Qian Ping's idea, shouldn't Zhang Jiuli just give orders from the foot of the mountain? Now this old man wants to go up the mountain, is he trying to escape?
"Please take a seat, sir."
When there are people around, Qian Ping naturally stands by. After all, he is a servant and cannot sit casually anywhere. When there is no one around, Zhang Jiuli naturally does not dare to let Qian Ping stand by. He is someone close to the prince, and he is here to help in name only, but actually to monitor us.
"Is what Master Zhang just said true?"
Qian Ping finally came to his senses. The two people in the room had already left. Now he had to figure out what Zhang Jiuli was thinking.
"To be honest, sir, these people on the mountain are too suspicious. If I don't go up, the situation on the mountain will get even worse. Once I go up, the situation on the mountain will settle down. Although they will still be wary of us, it will only be at this level at most. But if I don't go up, I don't know how bad it will get."
What Zhang Jiuli said was the truth. He had been in charge of Sichuan for a long time, and his cooperation with the chieftains in the mountains was not just a matter of one or two days. As long as he could go up and explain what was going on, these chieftains would not be too suspicious. This had happened before.
In the second year after Zhang Jiuli arrived in Sichuan, the imperial court had a conflict with the Longchuan chieftain over the issue of tribute. At that time, the army was mobilized to prepare for an attack. Zhang Jiuli mediated and prevented the conflict from escalating.
To put it bluntly, this guy is just like a middleman. For the chieftains, this person's existence is very necessary, but for the imperial court, this is an act of betrayal. You usually receive a salary from the imperial court, but you actually speak for the chieftains. Who are you fooling?
This was what Zhang Jiuli really thought at the time. As long as they could fool around and nothing happened, they could continue to make money and save their family fortune. But now the situation is different. His son and grandson are in Li Xiang's hands. If he doesn't work hard, these people will all die. What's the point of living then?
"We'll go up with you."
Qian Ping said without a doubt, he also knew that it would be dangerous after going up, and this guy might stay there and not come down. After all, he had two sons-in-law on the mountain. If he really stayed there, his life might not be so satisfactory, but at least it would be much better than at the foot of the mountain.
"Of course, everything is up to the chief steward. It's just that the mountains are different from the countryside, there are many local rules..."
In Zhang Jiuli's eyes, people like Qian Ping came from Chang'an, and there were many rules, but those were the rules of Chang'an. If we go to the mountain, we must respect other people's rules. Don't mess around and get lost. Our lives are small, but it will be a big deal to cause trouble for Li Xiang.
Some things must be discussed in advance, so as to avoid going up and not getting things done, which would be a waste of our lives...