The Cold Door Hero

Summary

In the capital of the Great Song Dynasty, Jingzhao, the economy thrived with open street shops and commercial hubs known as Wazi. The largest, Wanjiayuan Wazi, was bustling with activity as the New Year approached. Li Yan Qing, the governor-general of Sichuan and Shaanxi, casually explored the Wazi with his chief clerk, Cao Ye. They discussed rising rice prices due to rumors of impending war with Xixia, which Li Yan Qing was investigating. As they walked, they encountered the opening of a fur shop named "Helan Old Sword," piquing Li Yan Qing's interest due to its potential connections to Xixia's renowned weapons. Inside, he discovered exquisite Xixia swords, which were rare and expensive. After expressing interest, he negotiated to purchase all eight swords at a discounted price. Li Yan Qing then inquired about ordering more Xixia swords and other valuable items like bamboo ox horns and Helan horses, which were difficult to obtain. The shopkeeper hinted at possible collaborations for smuggling these goods. After finalizing the purchase, Li Yan Qing returned to his mansion to instruct his subordinate, Zhang Shun, to monitor the shop for potential smuggling activities involving pig iron, a banned item in Xixia.

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