Since the beginning of winter, I have led my troops to gradually gather together some small tribes around the Mida River Valley, but the real battle has not yet begun.
Right now, the focus is on getting the soldiers of the Thunder Battalion adapted to their horses and the grassland climate, as well as training in coordination with the knights of the grassland tribes.
In the tribes of the Mida River Valley, the total number of newly migrated Dongyue people is nearly two thousand.
It is said that even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. The Dongyue tribe was once a member of the Di royal court, and even now, despite its fragmentation, it is still a large tribe.
That was the real battle.
If Ayun were to rashly enter the grasslands, she might very well stumble into a battlefield, which would be far too dangerous.
"Ayun, the ice on the Huangsha River won't freeze solid for another month. It's slippery and windy by the river right now, so you shouldn't go to the grassland."
If anything happens, have Commander Luo bring me a message!
Song Liyun tilted her head to look at him: "Ashi, the tribe is in danger. You said you couldn't hide it from us."
She used a statement of certainty, not a question.
When Ashi left Suijin Town last time, he didn't explain things very clearly, but Song Liyun knew that the garrison had sent out four hundred soldiers.
These soldiers went to the grasslands, not for a vacation, but more likely for war, especially now that Ashi doesn't want to go to the mouth of the Yellow Sand River Valley by himself.
After much deliberation, Zhao Tingduo explained the current situation of the Mida River Valley.
The Mida River Valley is the best pasture for cattle and sheep to spend the winter, and every winter, different tribes of all sizes migrate here.
After defeating several tribes in their first year back on the Dilu grasslands, the Wuda tribe reclaimed some pastures and gained a foothold in the region.
Now, when we return to the valley, it is no longer a small tribe with only a few dozen knights.
Four hundred soldiers from the Lei Battalion disguised themselves and mingled with the tribe. They were strong and well-equipped, and many small tribes in the surrounding grasslands came to join them.
The rapid expansion of the Uda tribe made the Dongyue tribe, whose strength had been greatly reduced, realize that it was in danger. It also humbled itself and established close ties with other tribes, and even formed a marriage alliance just this month.
Song Liyun frowned as she listened.
It seems that the Dongyue tribe is a stumbling block on the road to the Wuda tribe's power, and this battle is inevitable sooner or later.
Song Liyun asked, "The tribe has now gained four hundred able-bodied men. Will we have enough food to fight a war?"
Zhao Tingduo assumed she was going to bring several bags of grain on horseback again, and said with a smile, "There are caravans on the grassland, and we have already ordered grain from them. This year, with Tianxianglou helping to sell beef and mutton, we don't have to worry about the price of furs being driven down, and the tribe has enough money."
At this point, he leaned forward and grasped Song Liyun's hand: "Ayun, thank you! Life in the tribe is so much better now!"
Song Liyun suddenly sat up straight: "What kind of caravan is it? Will we buy from them from now on?"
Zhao Tingduo found it amusing to see her so easily startled: "There are always caravans traveling across the grasslands, entering to buy furs and dried meat from the beginning of winter."
Song Liyun urged him to explain in detail.
It turns out that every year starting in October, the grass on the grasslands withers, and the sheep that have begun to dry their grass stop fattening up. The cold weather becomes a natural freezer. This is also the slaughter season for the herders to kill their sheep.
Braving the cold, the caravan managed to deliver a shipment of grain, salt, and tea before the heavy snow fell, in exchange for meat and furs.
The tribes needed salt and tea the most, but caravans could do without buying furs.
Both markets were clearly biased towards the Wu Dynasty caravans, with the prices of meat and furs entirely dependent on the caravans.
The reason for slaughtering sheep at this time is that caravans cannot transport fresh meat at other times.
Song Liyun's eyes widened in surprise. "We could build a cold storage facility here!"
I must personally establish a caravan.
Thinking of this, she suddenly asked, "I heard that the Lin family of Pingyang Prefecture has close ties with the imperial merchants. Ah Shi, do you know what those imperial merchants buy and sell? Do they trade with the tribes in the Mida River Valley?"
Zhao Tingduo already knew that Young Master Lin had caused trouble with Tianxianglou in Qili County, and said in a deep voice: "That family is surnamed Qi, and it is run by the family of Consort Duan. They also buy furs and gemstones."
I have given orders to all tribes: from this moment forward, cease all trade with the Qi family unless Young Master Lin personally comes to the grasslands to apologize.
After speaking, he looked at Song Liyun with some nervousness: It was Young Master Lin who brought Song Lao Er from Xiaoshi Village, but now he has not directly dealt with the culprit.
Song Liyun didn't speak, but lowered her head and pondered.
To strike a snake, strike its vital spot; Young Master Lin is just a tiny flea.
This also means that within the territory occupied by the Wuda tribe, the Qi family and the Lin family have no business to do.
Song Liyun's eyes flickered slightly. Could it be that Zhao Tingduo had also thought of the caravan?
The Qi family has been operating in Hecheng for many years and has had dealings with many Di tribes.
In particular, the Wuda tribe used to rely on the Zhenbei Army and had a lot of contact with the Qi family caravan.
Having their own caravan would inevitably lead to conflict with the Qi family, and would also involve the Zhenbei Army's influence...
Young Master Lin is just a pretext for starting trouble!
Song Liyun and Zhao Tingduo exchanged a glance, and both saw a knowing smile 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 find and love is fleeting, but it is rare to find a soulmate who understands your heart.
Now Ayun can understand herself.
Since both of them were interested in building their own business district, they immediately began to talk enthusiastically about their plans for the future!
Caravans, tribes, and later, the vast grasslands.
Song Liyun also mentioned cold storage and fresh food transportation, saying that ice needs to be made even in summer to keep the mutton fresh, which amazed Zhao Tingduo.
The tension and oppression of the impending battle, as well as the resentment and embarrassment of facing heartless relatives, were all forgotten by the two at this moment.
Just then, a horse came galloping towards them from the front.
The night was dark and the stars were dim. Before Song Liyun could identify who it was, she heard Zhao Tingduo whistle, and the horse neighed and stopped.
Abu leaned closer: "Young Master, we've caught up with Song Lao Er. He's just ten miles ahead at the thatched hut."
Inside the thatched hut, Song Lao Er's hands and feet were bound, his mouth was gagged, and he was staring with terrified eyes, making "woo-woo" sounds.
He changed routes several times along the way and ran for most of the night, how could he have been caught?
Besides the coachman, there were three men in the thatched hut, all wearing fur robes and veils. The package containing the silver had been opened, and the gleaming silver was laid out there.
Despite being surrounded by people, the thatched hut where passersby could rest was eerily quiet.
The night wind rustled the edges of the thatched hut, and the dim yellow light of the lantern cast a gloomy and hazy glow over the surroundings.
Song Lao Er sat on the ground, feeling both scared and cold. These people just stared at him silently, as if they were looking at a dead man.
Not long after, the sound of horses' hooves echoed again on the dark official road, heading towards the thatched hut.
With a series of footsteps, a woman wearing sheepskin boots and a snow-white cloak entered the thatched hut accompanied by a tall and handsome man, and walked straight to Song Lao Er, slowly unfastening her hood.
When Song Lao Er saw Song Li Yun's face clearly, his eyes immediately lit up with hope for survival, and he struggled desperately to crawl over.
Song Liyun wouldn't let him get close to her at all, and turned around and walked to the side, as if she had only come closer to see Song Lao Er's face clearly.
At this moment, the stranger who had followed Song Liyun in spoke: "Take the cloth out of his mouth!"
Someone stepped forward and removed the cloth from Song Lao Er's mouth.
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