Horses for Food 2

Chapter 67: Horses for Food 2

The caravan repaired and built a fire to cook. The north wind carried the aroma of meat sauce to every corner of the tribe. A group of young children stood at the door of their tent, looking in the direction of the caravan, the longing in their eyes and mouths was self-evident.

But not long after, he was carried back to the tent by his parents. Previously, the Dongzhu children had to lead a pony to exchange for food, so it was obvious that the people in this caravan would not give their food to anyone for no reason.

The caravan members sat in a circle around the fire in groups of ten.

"Boss, the meat sauce prepared by the master this time is so damn delicious. I can eat ten steamed buns just by dipping them in the sauce."

"Eating can't even stop you from talking! You've been learning to read with that scholar for a few months, but how come you still speak so rudely?"

"Hey, I was so excited that I couldn't help myself. I understand, I understand. We are all scholars now, and we should behave respectably."

"Boss, it's really delicious. I wonder if the master will do business with this meat sauce. I even want to bring some home during the holidays."

"Well, I'm just a small captain, I don't know what the master thinks. I'll ask Manager Zhang later to see if our people can have priority in purchasing."

"Well, you are still loyal. Shaha, eating this in winter will warm you up all over."

"Yes, it's absolutely delicious. I like it very much."

"Go to hell, you've been studying with the scholar for half a year, and now you're showing off your knowledge."

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The guards were noisy and in a good mood even in this desolate place.

The steward listened to the laughter and scolding while he himself ate a steamed bun dipped in meat sauce. It was indeed delicious. The master was generous. Knowing that their journey to the northwest might be full of dangers, he had provided them with ample food and drink, and did not treat them poorly at all.

He knew a few things about this meat sauce. One of the most important ingredients was a kind of flower that was among the several carts of gifts sent by the Feng family last month.

This flower is delightful to look at, with its vibrant red fruits and emerald green leaves. It's said to have come from a foreign land. The eldest daughter of the Feng family planted two pots of it at home and gave one to the imperial concubine for her enjoyment.

This flower had just been in the concubine's yard for one day when it was plucked by the prince, and then this meat sauce was made.

The master said that the raw materials are scarce this year, but when the crops are harvested next year, there will be more meat sauce available. Of the five caravans under the master's command, only his own caravan can enjoy the food.

After lunch, the manager asked everyone to pack their bags and prepare to set off to the other two tribes.

The Tuoba clan leader sent the steward away with many thanks, and some small thoughts began to sprout in his mind. However, given the current situation of confrontation between Daxia and Mongolia, this thought was likely to be strangled in the cradle.

At this time, the Mongolian envoys had already entered Fengjing.

Chu Huaibei sent people to follow the envoys. These envoys really didn't want to cause trouble in Daxia. After all, they needed help from others.

The envoys had little food and fodder to bring, so they had no other choice. Originally, they had planned to hunt all the way to Fengjing. But after Chu Huaibei spoke up and traded his gems for a meal of steamed buns, the envoys became even more unstoppable.

It turns out wheat can be made into such delicious food! Originally, they just hulled the wheat and cooked it into wheat rice or porridge, which inevitably had a rough texture and was hard to get used to.

By the time they reached Fengjing, more than half of the gemstones and pearls the envoys wore on their bodies and heads had disappeared. Even the gemstones on Haiyi's braid were missing by a third.

When the leader of the Zhenbei Army proposed to exchange gems for food, Na Hai had a premonition that the King of Zhenbei must have a trick up his sleeve waiting for them.

The people of Daxia were cunning. Since wheat could be made into such a delicious and convenient food, no one had told them. He would definitely go to the Third Prince and file a complaint against Daxia when he returned!

After entering Fengjing, the envoys suddenly became very imposing. In the inn specially designed for receiving foreign envoys, they first demanded a large amount of exquisite food and then asked for an interpreter to accompany them on their trip. They wanted to visit Fengjing City.

The people in the Ministry of Rites were overwhelmed by these barbarians. Looking at their burly bodies, the thinner officials felt that one Mongol was equivalent to two Daxia people, and the largest one, Na Hai, was equivalent to three Daxia people!

The King of Zhenbei has been fighting against these brave Mongolian troops for many years and has never lost a single battle. His title of the God of War in the North is not exaggerated. No wonder the generals of Fengjing went to the North and became obedient one by one...

Some of the young leaders of the six ministries began to secretly admire the King of Zhenbei. Before the King of Zhenbei returned to Fengjing, some people deliberately waited near the east gate to secretly observe him.

The imagined Zhenbei King was a man of broad shoulders, tall and mighty, with a fierce look on his face. The real person was indeed heroic, tall, and handsome.

Someone had leaked the portrait of the Prince of Zhenbei, and all the ladies in Fengjing knew what he looked like. Hearing that he already had a favored concubine in his mansion, many young ladies from aristocratic families were unhappy.

The emperor left the envoy alone for five days before formally summoning him.

Although the envoys' leader submitted petitions daily requesting an audience with the emperor, he was well aware that the emperor was forcing them to meet. It was fine, eating, drinking, and strolling.

The emperor only left them alone for five days. If it were their Khan, he might not even summon him for ten days.

"Emperor Sheng An of Daxia."

The leader performed a Mongolian royal salute and then continued speaking.

"The Khan sent us here hoping to strike a deal with Daxia. The Khan is willing to exchange fine horses for Daxia's grain."

Compared with Mongolian horses, the horses of Daxia are shorter, run slower, and have less endurance.

Only the horses in the north are somewhat decent, and generations of King Zhenbei have been working hard to breed war horses.

If Daxia could have a powerful cavalry, it would naturally be beneficial rather than harmful.

"I approve. You will discuss this with the Ministry of Rites and submit your findings in three days."

The emperor glanced at the Minister of Rites Peng Xuan.

"I obey your order."

After the court session, all the officials of the Ministry of Rites and the Department of Guests tidied themselves up, not even a wrinkle on the corner of their clothes, and walked towards the inn with proud and heroic manners, following the Minister of Rites and the two vice ministers.

The Mongolian envoys were also on high alert, sitting upright in the meeting room of the inn, waiting for the Daxia officials to take their seats opposite them.

Minister Peng took the lead and sat in the first seat on the left, facing the leader of the Mongolian envoys. The people behind him sat down one by one, waiting for the leaders on both sides to speak.

"Our Khan is willing to exchange a thousand fine horses for one million dan of grain from Daxia."

"Oh, really? Your Majesty is willing to exchange 10,000 dan of grain for 1 million fine Mongolian horses."

Everyone else: As expected, adults are still the best...

Then the two sides started to fight, and for a while, spit was flying everywhere in the conference room, and some people even cursed at each other face to face.

Two hours later, there was not a single respectable person in the conference room. Even Minister Peng's chest was covered with wrinkles from being pulled by hands.

Of course, the Mongolian envoys were not much better. The only decent one was Na Hai, who ran outside and stood there as soon as the people from the Ministry of Rites entered. He even blocked his ears with cotton wool...

"That concludes today's meeting and we will continue tomorrow."

"Okay, let's continue tomorrow."

Minister Peng regained his gentlemanly demeanor as he had when he first entered the room, stood up and took the lead in straightening his official robe.

The officials of the Ministry of Guests and Guests began to tidy themselves up and pick up the official hats, jade pendants, purses, shoes and other items thrown at them by the Mongolian envoys and return them to them.

The officials were now all politely clasping their fists in thanks, with no trace of their previous angry and ferocious expressions.

After both sides had finished packing, in order to show the magnanimity of the great country of Daxia, Minister Peng invited the envoys to have a meal in the banquet hall, which the imperial chef had already prepared.

The team leader politely thanked the other party for their hard work and that the arrangements were very good, and they were very satisfied. The two groups chatted and laughed while having dinner together.

The second and third days replicated the "friendly exchanges" of the first day and finalized the final number: Mongolia provided 10,000 good horses and Daxia provided 300,000 shi of grain.

Both parties are very satisfied with this amount.

The next day, when the emperor went to court, Minister Peng reported the transaction amount aloud. The emperor twirled the jade ring on his thumb with his right hand and announced after a moment, "I approve. Minister Xu and Minister Peng will complete this transaction together."

"The Emperor of Great Xia is wise and wise, and the Eternal Heaven blesses you with health and longevity."

The leader spoke at the right moment, and his tone sounded sincere.

The Ministry of Revenue was very efficient and prepared the grain for the transaction in just two days.

The emperor specifically ordered Wei Zeng to escort the horses to the northern border. Once the Mongols had delivered the horses, they would leave the city to exchange them. Two thousand horses were to be given to the Prince of Zhenbei, and the rest were to be transported back to the Fengjing Imperial Horse Farm.

Wei Zeng never thought that he could take over this matter. Shouldn't he send a general to support him?

Your Majesty, I do not really want to be valued by you.

At this time of year, it has snowed in the north, the weather is bitterly cold, and the road is difficult to travel on. This job is truly a tough one.

The emperor's order was difficult to disobey, so Wei Zeng set off the next day, hoping that there would be less winter snow along the way and that they could reach the northern border safely.

The long line of grain carts had just set off, and in the northern border, Chu Huaibei also officially began this year's major patrol.

This year, Chu Huaibei followed the same route as last year, but he was still a little lazy. In fact, Chu Huaibei also knew that Mongolia would not do anything weird this time. Without food, they could only stay in the tent.

The speed of this patrol was much faster than last year. Even though it snowed lightly along the way, it did not hinder the normal march.

The day after Wei Zeng arrived at the northern border, Chu Huaibei returned to Youzhou with his patrol troops.

The Mongolian envoys had already left the city and returned to the grassland the day before, and I believe the horses will arrive here soon.

Within three days, Chu Huaibei, standing on the city wall, saw thousands of horses galloping in the distance. The kelp people were driving ten thousand horses towards Youzhou.

After stopping his horses ten miles outside the city, Na Hai sent one of the envoys to negotiate with Daxia. He knew his limitations and was not capable of such smooth talk.

Besides, if he really went there, the insidious King Zhenbei might shoot him to death with a crossbow and then pay more food to Mongolia as compensation. At this critical juncture, the Khan would not send troops immediately.

If he died, it would be in vain. The Third Prince had already told him before he came. Humph, King Zhenbei, don't even think about getting his attention.

Chu Huaibei felt a little sorry when he saw that Hai had stopped ten miles away.

After the envoys and the accompanying officials from the Ministry of Rites completed the initial handover, Chu Huaibei sent his deputy general to keep an eye on Mongolia. A group of people completed the first transaction between Mongolia and Daxia ten miles outside Youzhou City.

After both sides have counted the quantity, the envoys and the people from the Ministry of Rites sign each other's names on the transaction post and exchange the post. This post needs to be taken back to the country and kept by the historian.

Na Hai led the grain carts toward the grasslands first, and then the people of Daxia began to drive 10,000 horses into the city.

Unexpectedly, the horses that had been well behaved in the hands of the Mongols became disobedient in their hands and the herd began to become restless.

Chu Huaibei saw that the horses were about to scatter on the city wall, so he waved his hand and asked the horse officers who had been prepared in advance to help drive the horses.