Cui Jiuyang chuckled and made no attempt to hide it. He said frankly, "Then I really must apologize for the trouble, brother.
"Earlier on the train, when you spoke about merchants traveling far and wide to make a living, and how hard it was, it gave me an idea.
"Since merchants travel north and south, leaving their footprints everywhere, why couldn't they take me north with them?
"So I was just thinking of finding a mule caravan or wagon train here that was heading for the Greater Khingan Range and traveling with them. Wouldn't that be much more convenient than setting out alone?"
Hearing this, Liu Jingye immediately clapped his hands in approval. "Exactly right, Brother Cui! If you want to go to the Greater Khingan Range at this time of year, following an experienced mule caravan or wagon train is undoubtedly the safest approach."
Liu Jingye was a sharp man. A moment's thought was enough for him to guess that Cui Jiuyang was strolling and browsing along this street because he had yet to find a suitable caravan.
The sun was already sinking in the west, and evening was drawing near.
So he asked with concern, "Brother Cui, from the look of things, you've only just arrived here? Have you found somewhere to spend the night?"
When Cui Jiuyang shook his head to indicate that he had not, Liu Jingye warmly invited him. "If you don't mind, Brother Cui, why not come with me and stay for a while at the freight depot my trading company has reserved?"
Cui Jiuyang naturally would not refuse such kindness and readily nodded his agreement.
He followed Liu Jingye to the freight depot where he was staying, only to discover that the Tongxing Trading Company truly had considerable resources. On this freight-depot street,