"Sir, are we really going to Sumao?"
After they were completely settled, Zhe Shijiu looked at Shao Bowen with a worried expression.
"We still have to make the trip. After all, these things we have are only most valuable in that place!"
Shao Bowen understood Han Mo's situation the best. At this time, there was no urgent need to fill the domestic deficit with large quantities of grain.
If they wanted to obtain a large amount of grain, they had to take a risky path.
Only by making the "savage" people understand the preciousness of these medicines could they exchange for what they wanted.
"But your health..."
Looking at Shao Bowen's noticeably thinner body, Zhe Shijiu said with some concern.
"It's nothing. My health is fine. It's just that traveling by boat and carriage has made me a bit uncomfortable. We'll rest here for two days, and then set off tomorrow!"
Shao Bowen smiled and waved his hand.
"Yes, I'll go arrange it now!"
"Tell the brothers to rest well. When we get back to Mingzhou, the lord will have generous rewards. Running this trip two or three times a year could allow them to buy houses and land in Mingzhou City."
Of course, for a descendant of a military family like Zhe Shijiu, this might not hold much appeal. But for the ordinary soldiers, the reward money was a powerful motivator to risk their lives.
"Yes!"
After resting for two days in place, Shao Bowen led his team into the mountains once again.
Fortunately, their mission this time was only to exchange for grain, so the cargo they needed to carry was not much, just two wooden chests.
To avoid drawing attention, Shao Bowen specifically spent money to purchase a batch of tea and silk in Ruxi Village.
He was originally worried that they might encounter some local natives along the way.
However, after traveling a few dozen miles, Shao Bowen felt relieved.
Compared to the merchants within the Song Dynasty, the local natives were actually more fearful of malaria.
After all, compared to the people of the Song Dynasty, these natives lived in more difficult environments. With limited medical care and medicine, they could only endure malaria head-on.
Now that the government had issued notices, how would these people dare to act recklessly?
They arrived at Sumao City without any mishap. Looking at the low city walls and narrow, cramped streets, Shao Bowen could hardly believe that this place could be considered a major city.
Let alone comparing it to cities like Mingzhou or Quanzhou, even cities like Qinzhou or Yongzhou were no match.
"Halt, who are you people?"
As they reached the city gate, Shao Bowen and his group were stopped by the guards at the entrance.
"We are merchants from the Great Song, and this is our official permit!"
Although a major war between the two countries had ended not long ago, maintaining trade with the Great Song was a top priority for the Jiaozhi people.
After all, their country was small and poor, and they basically needed trade with the Great Song to complete every aspect of their lives.
The nobles needed tea, porcelain, and silk from the Great Song to maintain their luxurious lives, while ordinary people needed patent medicines, cloth, and other goods from the Great Song.
Therefore, even at this time, upon seeing the official permits they held and confirming that their goods were in order, the guards directly let them pass.
One of the soldiers even took the initiative to lead them to the local government office.
"At this time, you still dare to come to Sumao City?"
Zhang Jing asked in disbelief, looking at the dozens of camels and horses following Shao Bowen.
"Man dies for wealth, birds die for food. Since others dare not come now, isn't this a good opportunity for us? Lord Zhang, wouldn't you agree?"
Shao Bowen spoke while cupping his hands towards Zhang Jing.
"You know this official?"
Hearing Shao Bowen's words, Zhang Jing couldn't help but be a little surprised.
"Your Lordship jested. When doing business here, of course, one must find out who the master of Sumao City is!"
"Interesting. You look unfamiliar. You must be here for the first time? What goods have you brought this time?"
After giving Shao Bowen a deep look, Zhang Jing asked again.
"I see malaria rampant throughout the city. Besides some common tea and silk, I also have a batch of special medicine for treating malaria. I wonder if Your Lordship is interested!"
On the way here, Shao Bowen had already spent a considerable amount of silver to inquire about everything clearly.
Although Zhang Jing was just a small city lord, he was a distant nephew of Zhang Boyu.
Unlike official positions within the Great Song, Jiaozhi's civil officials were headed by the Minister of Personnel, and military generals were headed by the Commander-in-Chief.
Zhang Jing's uncle, Zhang Boyu, was the current Minister of Personnel and Grand Tutor of Jiaozhi, a powerful minister in charge of national affairs.
If not for this connection, how could a young man in his early twenties like him have managed to secure the position of Sumao City Lord?
"Special medicine for treating malaria? What do you mean by that?"
As soon as Shao Bowen finished speaking, Zhang Jing was stunned.
Even as the city lord, his heart had been filled with panic recently.
After all, malaria didn't discriminate!
Even his most favored concubine in his mansion had now contracted malaria.
He had invited all the renowned physicians in the city, but they had yielded no results so far.
If he hadn't heard that merchants from the Song Dynasty had arrived, he wouldn't have even bothered to come forward to take a look.
"A miraculous medicine that cures instantly, specifically for treating malaria!"
Shao Bowen said with full confidence.
"Does such a thing truly exist in this world?"
Hearing him say this, Zhang Jing's pupils constricted involuntarily.
"Of course, it does. However, it is not easily obtained, hence it is expensive. Even within the Great Song, only the nobles can afford to use it at this time!"
These were all the explanations he had thought of on the way.
"How do I know if this is true or false? Why haven't I heard of such a thing before?"
After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Jing asked again.
"I just heard that Your Lordship's beloved concubine has also unfortunately contracted malaria. I have two pills here. Your Lordship can take them to try on your concubine. Once Your Lordship witnesses the effect, we can make further plans!"
As Shao Bowen spoke, he took out a porcelain bottle from his sleeve.
"What is the price for this item?"
After giving Shao Bowen a deep look, Zhang Jing asked again.
"Your Lordship also knows the situation in the Great Song. This time, I don't want money; I only want grain! Fifty shi of grain per pill, no haggling!"
After hearing Shao Bowen's words, even Zhe Shijiu couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat for him.
For such a small pill, asking for fifty shi of grain – wasn't he trying to rob them...