In ancient times, she gave birth to seven daughters and was divorced by her husband's family.

He walked into a stall that specialized in selling jewelry.

The stall owner was an old woman with a wrinkled face. She sat quietly behind a blanket, polishing a piece of turquoise.

Bai Qingze's gaze was drawn to a bracelet.

The bracelet was made of seven small stones of similar size but different colors.

The stone is not a precious gemstone, but it has been polished to an extremely smooth and lustrous finish, gleaming with a warm sheen in the sunlight.

On each stone, a small crescent moon is painted with gold paint.

“This is the July Stone,” the old woman said without looking up, in her broken Mandarin. “The mother of Loulan will give it to her daughter.”

"May they be like the seven moons in the sky, forever pure and forever bright."

Bai Qingze's heart skipped a beat.

This gift is practically tailor-made for the seven little moons.

"I want seven of these bracelets," Bai Qingze said with a gentle smile.

The old woman looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in her cloudy eyes.

She looked Bai Qingze up and down, then nodded and took out six identical bracelets from an old wooden box behind her.

Bai Qingze carefully put away the seven bracelets.

He could imagine how happy the seven little girls would be when they put on the bracelet.

After paying, he continued walking.

Soon, he stopped in front of a leather goods stall.

His gaze settled on a small children's bow.

The bow was made of the unique sand date wood of Loulan, and its body was tough and elastic.

The bow arm is wrapped in a layer of tanned camel skin, which is branded with an exquisite sun totem.

There was also a small quiver next to it, containing five safety arrows without arrowheads.

The arrow fletching was made of eagle feathers, which trembled slightly in the wind.

Bai Qingze picked up the small bow and tried to draw it.

He thought of his son, Bai Zeshu.

He felt guilty because his child was still young and he was often away on business, neglecting to spend time with him.

"I'll take this one," Bai Qingze said to the stall owner.

He also thought of his elder brother Bai Chuyao's three sons.

They were the eldest grandsons of the Bai family, and they had been learning martial arts and studying with their elder brother since childhood. They were calm and sensible.

He carefully selected three short swords unique to Loulan.

The scabbard is made of pure silver and inlaid with tiny turquoise stones that form a wolf totem pattern, symbolizing courage and wisdom.

The handle is made of antelope horn, which has a warm and smooth feel when held.

This knife was not used for killing, but rather as a symbol of honor, a gift that Loulan boys would receive when they came of age!

It's just right to give it to my three nephews.

After wrapping up the gifts, Bai Qingze felt much more relaxed.

Finally, he thought of his second brother, Bai Liezhao.

My second brother is of a fierce temperament, dislikes literature, and loves the battlefield.

If you give him those exquisite antique ornaments, he will definitely not give them a second glance.

Bai Qingze pondered for a moment before entering a shop that specialized in selling weapons.

The shop was dimly lit, and the walls were covered with all sorts of weapons from the Western Regions.

He immediately spotted a curved sword hanging in the center of the wall.

It was a typical Persian-style shoshir dagger, its blade shaped like a crescent moon.

Even in the dim light, the blade still gleamed with a chilling light, clearly forged from refined steel!

What's most special is its handle.

The handle is not made of metal, wood, or stone, but carved from a single, massive eagle bone, retaining the natural texture and powerful feel of the bird's skeleton.

This knife is full of primitive and wild beauty, which is exactly the same as the temperament of the second brother, Bai Liezhao.

"Boss, let me take a look at this knife," Bai Qingze said.

The shop owner was a burly, one-eyed man. He came out from behind the counter, carefully took down the scimitar, and handed it to Bai Qingze.

"Sir, you have a good eye." The shopkeeper's voice was hoarse. "This knife is the final masterpiece of a Persian master swordsmith. There is only one of its kind in the entire Western Regions."

Bai Qingze took the knife; it was extremely heavy in his hand.

He waved it lightly—

Nice knife!

"How much?" Bai Qingze asked.

The shop owner held up five fingers.

Bai Qingze didn't haggle and had his attendant pay the money directly.

He knew that his second brother would definitely like the gift.

As night fell, the ancient city of Loulan lit up with twinkling lights.

Bai Qingze returned to his room at the post station.

Instead of dealing with his busy business, he laid out the gifts he had bought that day one by one on the table.

In the candlelight, seven bracelets made of ginkgo stones emitted a soft glow...

Bai Qingze reached out and gently stroked each gift.

The faces of his loved ones seemed to appear before his eyes.

His seven little nieces chattered around him, reaching out their little hands to let him put on the bracelet.

The son, Zeshu, held the small bow and tried hard to draw the bowstring, his little face turning red.

The three nephews received the daggers... and the second brother, he would definitely hold the knife, laugh heartily, pat himself on the shoulder, and say, "My third brother understands me best."

Thinking of these things, Bai Qingze's cold and stern face softened unconsciously, and a warm smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He picked up his pen and began writing a letter to his younger sister, Bailu.

In the letter, he gave a detailed report on the caravan's progress in the Western Regions.

At the end of the letter, he wrote in a lighthearted tone:

"...Loulan has unique scenery and customs. I've selected some trinkets for the children, which will be sent back with the next caravan soon. Also, I've acquired a fine knife, which I quite like, Second Brother. I hope you'll like it."

After writing the letter, he carefully folded the paper and sealed it with sealing wax.

Outside the window, a bright moon hangs high in the night sky, its light like water, sprinkling across the vast sea of ​​sand.

Qingzhou and Loulan are thousands of miles apart.

But at this moment, they are gazing at the same moon.

"The moon is so beautiful."

Bai Lu gazed at the horizon, missing Bai Qingze a little.

"I wonder how Third Brother is doing in the Western Regions right now..."

Bai Qingze's caravan from the Western Regions has been on its journey for half a year.

In the past six months, the trade route from Qingzhou to the Western Regions has been initially stabilized.

The Bai family's new products have opened up a huge market in the Western Regions.

The first caravan to return brought back a massive amount of gold, silver, jewelry, and specialties from the Western Regions, which shocked the entire Bai clan!

Several elders of the Bai clan, who had previously voiced strong opposition, had no choice but to shut up at this point.

On the sand table in Bailu's study, starting from Qingzhou and heading west, seven or eight small flags representing the Bai family's strongholds have already been planted.

She knew this was just the beginning.

For trade routes to operate stably in the long term, it is not enough for Bai Qingze to be the only one charging ahead.

The management and talent development in the rear must keep up immediately.

Bai Lu put down the account book in her hand and gently rubbed her temples.

She looked at Lady Luo, who was standing in front of the desk, waiting for a long time.

"Madam Luo".

Bai Lu spoke, her voice calm.

"Lady White Snake, please speak."

Madam Luo bowed slightly, her attitude friendly.

The two of them were partners who had weathered many storms together. Even after Bai Lu became a marquis, Luo Niangzi would not call Bai Lu "marquis" but only "Bai Niangzi." This was the name she was most familiar with and the one that Bai Lu felt most affectionate towards.

Bai Lu stood up, walked to the sand table, and pointed to the location of Liangzhou.

"I want to entrust the business in Liangzhou to you."

"There's no communication between that area and the Western Regions, so basically... we did all the business together before. You've seen me do business personally, so I trust you to manage it."

"I'll probably be staying in Qingzhou for a while to do business in the Western Regions, so I really can't spare any time for Liangzhou!"

When Lady Luo heard the appointment, she visibly paused for a moment.

She looked up, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

"But what if I don't do well with the business in Liangzhou?!"

"I believe you."

Bai Lu only said these three words.

Lady Luo felt this heavy trust, and her eyes reddened.

Without further hesitation, she took a deep breath and straightened her back.

"I will certainly live up to my mission and protect Liangzhou for you!"

Her voice was strong and resolute, full of determination.

"it is good."

Bai Lu nodded, her expression remaining largely unchanged.

She took out a pre-prepared letter and a seal from the drawer of her desk and handed them over.

"Set off immediately. Once you arrive in Liangzhou, you will be in full charge of all matters. The team I left there will fully cooperate with you."

"it is good!"

Lady Luo solemnly accepted the seal and carefully put it into her bosom.

After Lady Luo left, Bai Lu did not rest.

She instructed her maid to invite Shen Congyun, Mudan, and Tumi over.

Fifteen minutes later, the three of them arrived at the study.

"Lady White Snake, what brings you here?"

Shen Congyun spoke first. He and Bai Lu were good friends, so he spoke much more directly.

He walked into the study, his gaze sweeping over the huge sand table, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Bai Lu gestured for them to sit down and personally poured them tea.

"Congyun, I have something important to ask for your help with."

Bai Lu handed the teacup to Shen Congyun, her expression serious.

"You said."

Shen Congyun took the teacup and his gaze fell on Bai Lu's face.

He knew that something that could make Bai Lu speak in such a tone was no ordinary matter.

Bai Lu's gaze shifted from Shen Congyun to the faces of Mudan and Tumi.

"I would like to invite you to the Western Regions."

Bai Lu revealed her plans.

The atmosphere in the study instantly became quiet.

"What are you going to do in the Western Regions?"

Shen Congyun put down his teacup and asked seriously.

"Help me, and help Bai Qingze, to truly pave the way for trade."

Bai Lu did not hide anything.

She briefly described her and Bai Qingze's plans, as well as the problems they were currently facing in their business.

"Although Third Brother has opened up several strongholds, they are all old subordinates left behind by Zhao Bingyu. Their morale is unstable and their foundation is not solid."

"Moreover, the various states along the trade route are complex and intertwined, and my third brother alone cannot handle them all."

Bai Lu speaks slowly but clearly and logically.

“I need trustworthy people to go there. Peony is skilled in social interaction and can help us establish connections with the upper nobility. Tu Mi is meticulous and proficient in mathematics, and can help manage the accounts and goods. And you…”

Bai Lu looked at Shen Congyun.

"Cong Yun, you need to lead a guard team to ensure the absolute safety of personnel and goods. You are the backbone of everyone."

"Moreover, you previously held the title of viscount over there, making you a nobleman of the Western Regions. You are considered one of our own there, not a foreigner... So, if you could help me open up trade routes in the Western Regions, that would be ideal."

Shen Congyun remained silent after listening.

He understood Bai Lu's plan, and after thinking for a moment, his eyes became clear and firm.

"Okay, I'll go."

He agreed without the slightest hesitation.

He stood up and walked to Bailu.

"Bai Lu, you trust me, and I trust you. I'll help you with this."

"Anyway, I've been to the Western Regions before, so this is perfect."

Peony and Rose also stood up immediately and walked behind Shen Congyun.

“We’ll go with Young Master Shen.”

They said it in unison.

"Okay, you can go ahead. I'll take care of all the logistics for you."

Bai Lu said solemnly.

After seeing off Shen Congyun and the other two, Bai Lu was left alone in the study.

She felt a little tired and was just about to sit down and rest for a while when a guard's voice came from outside the door.

"My lord, Young Master Shangguan requests an audience."

Bai Lu paused in her movements.

Shangguan Fusheng? Why is he here?

Shangguan Fusheng was one of Bailu's few close friends.

He has a cold personality, doesn't like to talk, and rarely takes the initiative to interact with others.

Having stayed in Qingzhou for a long time, Shangguan Fusheng rarely saw him.

"Let him in."

Bai Lu gave the instructions.

A moment later, a young man dressed in white brocade walked in.

He was tall and handsome, but his face was expressionless.

He exuded a cold aura that kept strangers at bay.

It was Shangguan Fusheng.

"Lady White Snake".

He spoke, his voice as cold and devoid of warmth as he was.

He walked into the study, his gaze not lingering anywhere, but landing directly on Bai Lu.

Bai Lu actually discovered that many people who were close to her were unwilling to call her "Lord Marquis" and preferred to call her "Lady Bai".

"Brother Shangguan, what brings you here today?"

Bai Lu stood up, her tone becoming more casual.

Her relationship with Shangguan Fusheng has always been like this.

Shangguan Fusheng neither answered her question nor made any move to sit down.

He stood there, like an ice sculpture.

“I have a good business in Pingzhou.”

He stated his purpose directly.

Bai Lu was somewhat surprised.

Pingzhou?

Bai Lu repeated the place name.

Pingzhou is located in the Central Plains, facing Qingzhou across the sea... Relatively speaking, it is more prosperous than Qingzhou.

"I'd like to ask you if you'd like to do business with me?"

Bai Lu did not answer immediately.

She knew Shangguan Fusheng was a man who never did anything without being sure of success.

If he says a business is good, then it must be an excellent business.

“I have some connections in Pingzhou.”

Shangguan Fusheng added another sentence.

"what business?"

Bai Lu asked.

She became interested in this unexpected opportunity.

Shangguan Fusheng did not answer directly.

He walked to the sand table and ran his finger across the map.

His gaze eventually settled on the vast area north of Pingzhou.

"Beyond Pingzhou are the various Jurchen tribes."