Chapter 239 Whoever has the bigger fist gets to call the shots.
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Finally, the caravan manager left twenty taels of silver before Li Shiyue let Xiao Hei and Da Huang release their bites, allowing the two men, whose hands were covered in blood from being bitten, to leave.
Li Shiliang looked at Li Shiyue with the twenty taels of silver in hand. Li Shiyue stroked Xiaobai's head and said, "The usual rule is to give half to the sisters-in-law to calm their nerves, and exchange the other half for copper coins to distribute among the families."
However, after this incident, Liujiatun was registered with every caravan that passed through the area.
Now, not to mention the large grain and salt merchants directly under the Prince of Zhenbei, even small merchants like Xing Guangzong, Wan Sanbao, and Tian Guilan all know that the head of Liujiatun is a woman.
Furthermore, you absolutely cannot be disrespectful to women in Liujiatun, or they will really set dogs on you!
This is what Li's mother is talking about right now. She's saying, why did Li Shiyue insist on raising a dog back then?
I even got one for each of my siblings!
Thinking back to when Li Shiyue first got her dog, she envisioned not only leading a dog sled team but also unleashing the dogs to bite people!
Li Shiyue listened attentively with her head bowed, her attitude very good. She even raised her head and nodded to her mother, saying, "Mother, don't worry, we're just going to watch the fun. We'll definitely be back before dark!"
Looking at Li Shiyue's shifty eyes, Li's mother knew that Li Shiyue was just being perfunctory.
"You are only allowed to ride horses, but no dogs!"
Yes, the Li family bought two more horses. Although they weren't the best, they were enough for daily transportation.
After repeatedly assuring Li's mother that she would never argue with anyone, Li Shiyue mounted her horse and rode with Li Qiutian, Li Xiatian, and Shitou towards the riverbank.
The weather has been quite nice these past few days. Most of the snow that fell on the ground has melted, and the ground is quite dry after being exposed to the sun, making it very convenient for horseback riding.
Once the horses, which had been confined in the stable for several days, were released, they ran off with boundless joy.
They ran for about half an hour before they reached the outskirts of the trade market.
Anyone can go to the outer perimeter of this trade market; no credentials are required.
This area is mostly frequented by Turkic, Mohe, and Khitan commoners or merchants, as well as some small Han Chinese businesses. For example, Xing Guangzong, Wan Sanbao, and Tian Guilan are located on the outer perimeter of this area.
After wandering around the perimeter, Li Shiyue and the others were genuinely surprised to find that Wan Sanbao's wooden wares were the best-selling items.
Li Shiyue originally thought that Xing Guangzong's silk, tea, and porcelain would be the best items to trade.
"There must be quite a few people who want it, but perhaps not many can afford it?"
"What my sister said is true. There are few trees on the grassland, and wooden utensils are scarce, but they are necessities for daily life, which is why they are easy to sell."
Li Shiyue and his group strolled around the area for a while, seeing all sorts of things, and even had a meal at a stall that specialized in selling mutton soup noodles.
Yes, there are food stalls outside the market, and more than one of them.
As for why Li Shiyue stopped in front of this stall?
This was because there were two slaughtered and skinned sheep set up in front of the stall.
"This must be fresh, let's eat here!"
The mutton soup noodles did not disappoint Li Shiyue's expectations. Although Li Shiyue could still smell a slight muttony smell, the taste was indeed good.
After they had eaten their fill, the group went to fetch their horses and headed into the interior of the trade market.
You need proof to get in here.
The credentials for Li Shiyue and the others were given to them by Yan Jiuniang. She gave them to them before she left, saying, "If you want to come and see, take this and go in to find me!"
Otherwise, it's no fun for me to stay inside alone.
After paying for the horses, Li Shiyue and the others used the voucher given to them by Yan Jiuniang to enter the border market, which was guarded by soldiers.
Once inside, at first glance, it's not much different from the outer area, except that the outer area is full of stalls, with at most a shed made of tarpaulin.
The tents inside are mostly made of felt, which looks more sturdy and durable than the ones on the outside.
The items sold inside were mainly the grains, salt, and a small amount of ironware that were most needed on the grasslands.
As for what the barbarians sell?
There were quite a few: live cattle, sheep, and horses; their hides and meat; various dairy products; and a small amount of jade and jewelry.
Li Shiyue and his group were clearly out sightseeing. They walked around, stopping to look at this and touch that. No one chased them away, but no one greeted them either.
However, this was exactly what Li Shiyue wanted; she wanted to broaden her horizons.
After wandering around for a while and even buying a water sack full of mare's milk tea, Li Shiyue finally found the group of tents belonging to the King of Zhenbei.
Before Li Shiyue could go forward to look for them, Yan Jiuniang, who had been wandering around outside the tent, spotted them first!
"October! Summer! Autumn! Here! I'm here!"
The guards naturally recognized the face of the Prince of Zhenbei's daughter, but Li Shiyue and his group still couldn't get in.
Of course, Li Shiyue didn't intend to go in to see anything. She was just out having fun and didn't want to have any dealings with the other members of the Zhenbei Wang family.
Especially after hearing Yan Jiuniang say that Liu Shuke had also come along.
Stay away from the male protagonist in the original book and have a happy life!
As soon as Yan Jiuniang came out, a group of guards automatically followed behind her. Even though Yan Jiuniang shouted for them not to follow, they did not argue but continued to follow her.
Li Shiyue didn't care. The Xuanjia Army would be safer with them in the market, at least the vendors wouldn't dare to cheat people.
Yan Jiuniang led the group to a stall that specialized in selling dairy products. She ordered a lot of food, sat down at a table, and called Li Shiyue and the others to eat together.
"It officially opens tomorrow. It's nothing yet. It'll be very lively here after tomorrow morning."
"I see there are already quite a few people here, isn't this lively enough?"
Yan Jiuniang rolled her eyes at the soldiers standing to the side watching them eat milk curds before answering Li Qiutian's question: "It's not that lively, there are only a few people."
Haven't you noticed that there are hardly any women here?
There should be quite a few women coming out tomorrow; right now, these are just small fry.
The big merchants didn't even set up tents or stalls, and the Turkic nobles didn't come either; they were all waiting for the opening ceremony tomorrow.
My elder brother said that the Great Khan of the Turks will definitely demand a contest!
This competition is very important. If we win, then our Han Chinese stalls will have a stronger foundation and can gain an advantage in this market.
If the Turks win, we'll inevitably suffer some losses in trade.
Li Shiyue nodded as she ate. She understood; it was basically a matter of whoever had the bigger fist got to call the shots.
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