Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1500: A Show of Force

Iron is a military supply under regulation by Great Chu, Da Rong, and Dongqing.

Upon entering the Northwest, iron regulation becomes even stricter. Not to mention buying an iron pot, even buying an iron fire poker requires registration at the government office, and it’s very difficult to obtain ironware.

Therefore, Beicang Prefecture has become a supply hub for officials, merchants, and soldiers traveling to the Northwest, where many stop to purchase iron goods.

"Company Commander Qin, come quickly, look at who I brought for you!" Company Commander Jin pulled over a stout man in a gray jacket with a black face, yellow teeth, and a limp: "Jin Fu, a member of Old Jin Family, he’s well connected in Beicang Prefecture. As long as he helps, we can get whatever we want at a fair price!"

Jin Fu bowed to Qin San Lang with a yellow-toothed smile and said, "I am Jin Fu, residing within Beicang Prefecture, with relatives across the Four Cities, Eight Streets, and Twenty-Four Alleys. I heard from Brother Jin that you need to buy supplies. Oh, you’re late, large armies have been coming to our Beicang Prefecture since before the Lantern Festival, nearly buying everything out."

Jin Fu spoke extensively about how hard it was to purchase things within Beicang Prefecture, then changed his tone and said, "But you’re in luck meeting me. I have relatives both inside and outside the city. Just tell me what you need, and I’ll try my best to get it for you... but the price will be higher than in the south."

He added hastily, "Not just twice as expensive, but starting at triple, even quadruple, if the item is hard to find, it might start at five times the price!"

After hearing this, Qin San Lang looked at Company Commander Jin: "Is this your brother? How long have you known him?"

Company Commander Jin was a bit embarrassed: "Same surname, we’re from the same clan, but we haven’t known each other long. This lad came on his own, I thought he was familiar with Beicang Prefecture, so I brought him along as we might need his help."

He added quickly, "San Lang, please don’t be angry. I truly didn’t mean to bring someone to cheat us here. This guy initially promised he could buy ironware for us at southern prices, which I thought was great because it could save us a lot of silver, that’s why..."

The further you go into the Northwest, the more expensive things get. Cotton here costs more than twice as much as in the south, and that’s for a fair price. Other items are also pricier, especially ironware, which is priced over threefold compared to the south on the official side, yet still unavailable.

However, Jin Fu claims to know people who can secretly help them procure ironware at prices comparable to the official rates.

Jin Fu was displeased and said, "Brother Jin, how could you say that? I’m not cheating you; this is indeed a fair price."

He then looked at Qin San Lang and, pointing at him, sneered coldly: "Lad, don’t be too impetuous. The Northwest is different from your south. It’s not just about getting ironware; even to find a place to set camp, you must first pay respects to the local lords, or the consequences will be unbearable. And you’re bringing your families, so better be careful."

These words were almost a threat.

Qin San Lang’s face darkened. In a flash, he was in front of Jin Fu, and with a crack, a snap, Jin Fu’s arm was dislocated, and his kneecap was kicked by Qin San Lang, forcing him to kneel. His face turned ghostly pale from the pain, constantly screaming: "Ah, ah, my hand, it hurts!"

Qin San Lang disdained his noise, looked at Hong Dao, and said, "Shut him up, tie him up and take him away."

"Yes." Hong Dao immediately stepped forward, stuffed Jin Fu’s mouth with a wad of burlap, and after a few loops with a rope, tightly bound Jin Fu.

Company Commander Jin was shocked and quickly said, "San Lang, you really want to capture Jin Fu? You can’t, he has accomplices in the city. If you tie him up, you’ll attract his help."

No sooner had he said this than several men rushed over, brandishing large knives and yelling at them: "Stop! A bunch of blind fools, daring to touch members of the Jin Family here in Beicang Prefecture!"

What status?

Qin San Lang examined them—they bore similar faces to Jin Fu and had the same stout stature. Has the whole family come out? If they really had any skills, they should have called for servants, Protectors, or thugs by now.

"Hong Dao, tie them all up!" With Qin San Lang’s order, Hong Dao led his soldiers to charge, and in the blink of an eye, the few men were beaten down and tied up.

Company Commander Jin was alarmed: "San Lang, these people surely have masters behind them. We can’t capture them since we’re newcomers; we might offend people. Let them go, pretend nothing happened."

But Qin San Lang refused to comply.

His hand pressed on the hilt of his blade, his sharp gaze sweeping over the onlookers, his voice low and authoritative: "No matter who it is, if you dare oppose the Kangrong army, you’re a rebel against the court, punishable by death without mercy!"

With that, Qin San Lang raised his hand, and Hong Dao and his men lowered two chests.

With two kicks, the chest lids flew open, revealing and rolling out partially decayed heads.

"Bandits from the Hundred Wolves Mountain Nine Villages, we killed them!" Hong Dao shouted.

Upon hearing this, some onlookers frowned and spat in their direction before turning away.

Others lurking in the shadows, or squatting by the post roads and highways, were also frightened off.

The remaining ones were truly there for business.

After scaring off these people, Qin San Lang turned to the other Company Commanders and Chief Commanders and said: "The Northwest is different from our south. Once in Beicang Prefecture, don’t easily trust even ordinary farmers."

With prolonged chaos, even good people are forced to become evil for survival.

Company Commander Liu and Chief Commander Tang were quite rattled, nodding quickly: "San Lang, rest assured, we will be more vigilant and won’t trust unfamiliar people."

Niu Dabao took the chance to lecture Da Jin, Erjin, and Sanjin: "Did you hear that? Learn well from Brother San Lang and don’t foolishly get duped!"

The three Jins nodded quickly, addressing Qin San Lang: "Brother San Lang, rest assured, we’ll be careful and won’t let ourselves be duped, harming everyone."

Qin San Lang nodded and turned his gaze to Company Commander Jin.

Company Commander Jin was staring at the two chests of half-decayed heads, nearly gagging... He didn’t expect Qin San Lang to keep such things. This guy truly lived up to his nickname, indeed a King Yan!

Suppressing the nausea in his heart, Company Commander Jin hurriedly assured Qin San Lang: "Company Commander Qin, rest assured, I won’t act foolishly again."

He knew Jin Fu wasn’t a good person, but they really needed local help to buy supplies, which is why they brought Jin Fu.

Niu Dabao asked: "San Lang, the area within three miles of this post station is occupied by various large armies, with tents stretched as far as the eye can see. Where are we going to set up camp? We are not allowed into the city with the Kangrong army."

The Emperor feared the Kangrong army might rebel and ordered that they should not enter the Prefecture without reason. However, if the Kangrong army encountered bandits or matters of life and death, the county and Prefecture along the way must assist and not leave them helpless.