Ling Weifeng nodded repeatedly upon hearing her simple and blunt explanation. "Indeed, in the past... we were only responsible for protecting the transport of goods. Later, when bandits appeared, we also took on the task of protecting people. It's largely as the Empress Dowager said!"
A security agency, what is it for? It's for protecting goods and people.
But there are still significant differences from modern logistics and express delivery, though there are similarities!
Fan Zehao couldn't contribute to business matters. His role was to support his wife, to offer protection when needed.
Zhao Jiaqi said, "Now, within Yun Kingdom, where are there any more bandits? If Alliance Leader Ling knows, please enlighten us. After all, the two of us here in the mansion are like frogs in a well, only seeing the sky within this inner city!"
Banditry must absolutely not be tolerated. Even local ruffians should be eradicated!
If towns and places are not peaceful, how can the common people find peace?
And how can business be conducted stably!
Ling Weifeng lowered his gaze for a moment and mentioned a location: "Five Li Slope outside Jinzhou City. There's a regular group of horse bandits there. Although they claim to rob the rich to help the poor, they engage in wicked deeds. The local authorities have sent troops several times, but they always end up defeated by the horse bandits, causing quite a headache for the local government."
Horse bandits?
Zhao Jiaqi looked at Fan Zehao. Could it be what she was thinking?
Are these bandits on horseback? Not people running with large sabers in hand, shouting as they go?
"What are their characteristics?" Fan Zehao asked.
This concerns local security, and national security. He didn't want the stable country he personally helped build to become a world rampant with mountain bandits!
Ling Weifeng took a sip of wine and sighed lightly. "This group of horse bandits moves swiftly, robbing and then leaving. However, they don't harm the people they rob. At most, they threaten them to hand over their silver. They show no lustful intentions towards the old, the weak, women, or young ladies. Their target is clear, and once they get what they want, they ride off on their horses. And their horses are all fine steeds, well-fed and strong. These people are quite skilled. You could say they have their own code of conduct among thieves!"
Zhao Jiaqi's mouth twitched. A code of conduct among thieves?
Robbing the silver of wicked people, helping the poor, and not harming innocent citizens—this could be considered a breath of fresh air among bandits!
If they don't harm ordinary people, how can they be considered to have a code of conduct among thieves?
The way people in the martial world think is still somewhat difficult for them to grasp and understand!
That night, the couple lay in bed, covered by a thin quilt, chatting idly.
They discussed it. "Husband, in my impression, horse bandits seem much like what I've read in old storybooks. They travel on horseback, usually forming groups of one to two hundred people, only robbing and not killing!"
Fan Zehao played with her delicate hand. "Horse bandits aren't just from storybooks; they exist. Generally, they form such groups because of hardship in life—people from a village or a town banding together. However, given the current development of our Yun Kingdom, the living conditions in rural areas shouldn't lead to the formation of horse bandit groups like this."
Fan Zehao pondered for a moment, feeling that he shouldn't speak too definitively, especially since that disgusting incident from not too long ago was still fresh in his memory.
He then retracted his statement. "Perhaps, this Jinzhou City is not a peaceful place either. Without personally visiting, no one can truly know what kind of underhanded dealings are hidden there!"
Hearing him say this, Zhao Jiaqi withdrew her hand from his large palm and asked, turning to the side, "Are you planning to go to Jinzhou?"
The man also lay on his side in bed, gazing at the starlight shimmering in his wife's beautiful eyes. He gently touched her tender face and smiled, "Wife, would you be willing to go together?"
"Absolutely. Wherever my husband goes, I will follow!"
Being able to go out for a trip would be a small excursion. It was much better than being confined to this inner city.
Moreover, traveling by boat directly from the inner city would take less than three days to reach Jinzhou City—fast and convenient!
The couple decided that night to set off by boat after noon the next day for a clandestine investigation!
However, the thought of Sen Sen at home worried her. She tugged at his inner garment. "Tell me, what kind of person is this Ling Weifeng? If we just hand our son over to him, will it be...?"
In the darkness, Fan Zehao heard his wife's worries and let out a silent sigh. So much time had passed, and only now was she remembering whether this person was reliable or not. It seemed a bit late.
The second son had already recognized a master. Given what Ling Weifeng had said, could they, as adults, go back on their word?
He put his arm around his wife's shoulders, pulled the quilt up for her, and gently comforted her, "Do not use those you doubt, and do not doubt those you use. If you are worried, you can let Xiao Ce be by the second son's side as a personal guard. This way, not only can Sen Sen's safety be ensured, but you can also observe Ling Weifeng's character. What do you think?"
"That's wonderful! We'll do as you say!" Now, Zhao Jiaqi could sleep soundly.
Watching his wife close her eyes and go to find Duke Zhou, he found himself with nowhere to vent his restless energy. He got up helplessly. Autumn was approaching, so he had to take a cold shower. Now, he was completely free of sleepiness!
He summoned the chief of security and instructed him to select two special forces soldiers to secretly protect Sen Sen.
With their secret protection and Xiao Ce's overt protection, Sen Sen would at least be free from mortal danger.
As for Yao Yao, they planned to take him out for some experience this time. The boy had always wanted to engage in business. He had also been involved in trade with his grandfather Wu Lifeng in private.
It was mostly small-scale dealing, but it was heard that he had made quite a bit of money. Not tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, but certainly over ten thousand taels. That was a good achievement!
He was smarter than himself. When he was his age, he only cared about hunting in the mountains with his life on the line. If he had even a fraction of Yao Yao's capability, he wouldn't have been bullied by Fan Fu and Fan Zhang.
Suddenly remembering the two of them, Fan Zehao's brow furrowed. Although years had passed, the wound in his heart still ached.
After arranging matters at home, they handed the children over to Ling Weifeng the next morning. Then, taking Yao Yao, his personal maids, and guards, they boarded a boat at the pier, heading for Jinzhou!
On the boat, Yao Yao was very excited. This was the first time his parents had taken him out to see the world alone. Compared to the dejection he felt when he learned his younger brother had found a master, his mood was much better now!
He took this opportunity to have a heart-to-heart talk with his parents!
The twelve-year-old boy was growing into quite a young man. It was unclear if it was due to good food or inheriting his father's tall stature, but at twelve years old, he was already about 1.6 meters tall.
Standing next to Zhao Jiaqi, he was about to surpass her. Suddenly, she understood a common saying: children make parents old.
She didn't feel old, really. She was only thirty, but her children had grown up. She wondered if this should be a cause for happiness or tears.
"Father, Mother, you found a master for my brother but not for me. I feel this is unfair."
The couple hadn't expected their son to bring up this topic. However, since the child had spoken, avoiding it or beating around the bush would be disrespectful to Yao Yao.
Zhao Jiaqi sat on the deck, feeling the gentle sea breeze, and asked with a smile, "So, what does Yao Yao think?"