Chapter 293 Caravan
Since the beginning of winter, he led his troops to gradually gather some small tribes around the Mida River Valley, but the real battle had not yet begun.
Now the only thing left is for the soldiers of the Lei Camp to adapt to their horses and the grassland climate, and to train together with the knights of the grassland tribes.
Among the tribes in the Mida River Valley, the total number of newly migrated Dongyue people is nearly two thousand.
It is said that a lean camel is bigger than a horse. The Dongyue tribe was once a member of the Dilu royal court, and now it is still a large tribe after being divided.
That's the real battle.
If Ayun rashly entered the grassland, he might run into a battlefield, which would be very dangerous.
"Ayun, the ice on the Huangsha River will take another month to solidify. The riverside is slippery and windy right now, so you shouldn't go to the grassland.
If there is anything, please let Captain Luo bring me a letter!"
Song Liyun tilted her head and looked at him: "Ashi, the tribe is in danger. You said you can't hide it."
She used the word "affirmation", not "question".
The last time Ah Shi left Suijin Town, he did not explain it clearly, but Song Liyun knew that the garrison had sent out 400 soldiers.
These soldiers went to the grassland, not for vacation, but for war, especially now that A Shi didn't want to go to the mouth of the Huangsha River Valley alone.
After much deliberation, Zhao Tingduo finally told the story of the current situation in the Mida Valley.
The Mida River Valley is the best pasture for cattle and sheep to spend the winter. Every winter, tribes of different sizes migrate here.
In the first year after returning to the Dilu grassland, the Wuda tribe defeated several tribes, regained some grassland, and gained a foothold.
Now returning to the valley, it is no longer a small tribe with only dozens of knights.
Four hundred soldiers from the Lei Camp disguised themselves and mixed into the tribe. With strong men and powerful horses, small tribes in the surrounding grasslands came to join them.
The rapid expansion of the Wuda tribe made the Dongyue tribe, whose strength had been greatly reduced, realize the danger it was in. It also condescended to have close contacts with other tribes and even had a marriage this month.
Song Liyun frowned when she heard this.
It seems that the Dongyue tribe is a stumbling block on the road to the Wuda tribe's strength, and this battle will have to be fought sooner or later.
Song Liyun asked, "The tribe has now gained four hundred young men. Will there be enough food for the war?"
Zhao Tingduo thought she was going to send a few more bags of food on horseback, so she smiled and said, "There's a caravan on the grassland, and we've already ordered food from them. This year, Tianxianglou is helping us sell beef and mutton, so we don't have to worry about the price of furs being suppressed, and the tribe has enough money."
At this point, he leaned forward and shook Song Liyun's hand: "Ayun, thank you! Life in the tribe is much better now!"
Song Liyun sat up straight abruptly. "What caravan is this? Will we buy from them from now on?"
Zhao Tingduo was amused by her sudden jumpiness. "There are always caravans traveling to the grasslands. They come in to buy furs, dried meats and so on since the beginning of winter."
Song Liyun quickly asked him to explain in detail.
It turns out that every winter, starting in October, the grass on the grassland has withered, and the sheep that have begun to eat hay no longer gain weight. The cold weather becomes a natural cold storage. This is also the slaughter season for herders.
The caravan braved the cold and brought a batch of grain, salt and tea before the heavy snow fell, in exchange for meat and furs.
The tribe needs salt and tea the most, but the caravan does not have to buy furs.
The markets on both sides clearly favored the Wu Dynasty caravans, and the prices of meat and furs were entirely determined by the caravans.
The reason why the sheep have to be slaughtered now is because the caravans at other times cannot transport fresh meat.
Song Liyun's eyes widened. We can build a freezer!
You must build a caravan yourself.
Thinking of this, she suddenly asked, "I heard that the Lin family in Pingyang Prefecture has a close relationship with the Imperial Merchants. Ah Shi, do you know what the Imperial Merchants are buying? Do they have any transactions with the tribes in the Mida Valley?"
Zhao Tingduo already knew that Young Master Lin was causing trouble with Tianxianglou in Qili County, so he said in a deep voice, "That family's surname is Qi, and it's run by Concubine Duan's family. They also buy furs and gems.
I have issued an order to all tribes: from now on, no more trade with the Qi family, unless Young Master Lin personally comes to the grassland to apologize."
After saying that, he looked at Song Liyun nervously: It was Young Master Lin who brought Second Song from Xiaoshi Village, but now he has not directly dealt with the culprit.
Song Liyun didn't say anything, just lowered her head in thought.
When you hit a snake, hit it at its most vulnerable part. Young Master Lin is just a tiny flea.
This also means that the Qi and Lin families have no business to do within the area occupied by the Wuda tribe.
Song Liyun's eyes flashed slightly. Could it be that Zhao Tingduo also thought of the caravan?
The Qi family has been operating in Hecheng for many years and has had dealings with many Dilu tribes.
In particular, the Wuda tribe used to rely on the Zhenbei Army and had frequent contacts with the Qi family caravan.
If I want to have my own caravan, I will definitely have conflicts with the Qi family, and it will also involve the relationship with the Zhenbei Army...
Young Master Lin is just an excuse to cause trouble!
Song Liyun and Zhao Tingduo looked at each other, and both saw knowing smiles on each other's faces.
Zhao Tingduo held Song Liyun's hand tightly, feeling inexplicably happy.
My mother often said that beauty is easy to get and love is like the wind, but what is rare is to meet a confidant who understands your heart.
Now Ayun can understand herself.
Since both of them were interested in establishing their own business circle, they immediately started talking enthusiastically about their future plans!
Caravans, tribes, and future grasslands.
Song Liyun also talked about the freezer, which is used for fresh transportation and ice making in summer to keep the mutton fresh, which amazed Zhao Tingduo.
The tension and depression of the impending war and the resentment and embarrassment of facing their heartless relatives were all thrown behind their minds at this moment.
As they were talking, a horse came galloping towards them from the front.
The night was dark and the stars were dim. Before Song Liyun could figure out who the person was, she heard Zhao Tingduo whistle and the horse neighed and stopped.
Abu came over and said, "Young Master, we have caught up with Song Lao Er. He is under the thatched hut ten miles ahead."
In the straw hut, Song Laoer had his hands and feet tied and his mouth stuffed. He was staring with frightened eyes and making "woohoo" sounds.
He changed several routes and ran for most of the night, so how could he be caught?
In addition to the coachman, there were three men wrapped in fur robes and with their faces covered in the straw hut. The package containing the silver had been opened, and the white silver was lying there.
Although there were people all around, the thatched huts where passers-by could rest were eerily quiet.
The night wind made the edges of the straw hut rustle, and the dim yellow light of the wind-killing lamp made the surroundings gloomy and hazy.
Song Lao Er sat on the ground, feeling scared and cold. These people just looked at him silently, as if they were looking at a dead person.
Not long after, the sound of horse hooves was heard again on the dark official road, and it was coming towards the straw hut.
Following a series of footsteps, a woman wearing sheepskin boots and a snow-white cloak walked into the straw hut accompanied by a tall and handsome man. She walked straight to Song Lao Er and slowly untied her hood.
When Song Laoer saw Song Liyun's face clearly, hope of life suddenly burst out in his eyes. He whimpered and struggled desperately to crawl over.
Song Liyun didn't let him get close to her at all, and turned around and walked aside, as if she just wanted to get closer to see Song Laoer's face clearly.
At this time, the strange man who followed Song Liyun in had already spoken: "Take the cloth out of his mouth!"
Someone came forward and took the cloth out of Song Laoer's mouth.
(End of this chapter)
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