Chapter 884: Black eats black
The border town is called Bamu Town. Although it is the trading place between Western Liao and Western Liang, it does not occupy a very large area. This is mainly because it is a no-man's land and fierce fights often occur here.
People without some power would not dare to come here to trade. If ordinary people come here, they will most likely be robbed, and those with bad luck may even lose their lives.
There are very few local residents here, but most of those who stay here have some courage and means.
When Xiao Yeyang came to buy a horse this time, he found a middleman in the town to act as a go-between.
The town was still quite lively. Xiao Yeyang walked slowly on the street holding Daohua, carefully looking at everything in the town.
On the streets, people from Western Liao are more numerous and active than people from Daxia. This also indirectly shows that people from Western Liao are more powerful in this town. If you think more deeply, you may also get a glimpse of how weak the defense of the Xiliang Commandery has been in recent years.
It’s bad enough that the people of Western Liao can come and go freely in the territory of Daxia, but they also oppress the people here. Isn’t this a sign of incompetence of the government?
“This place is a bit like a wholesale market.”
Daohua talked to Xiao Yeyang while observing the vendors coming and going on the street.
"Wholesale." Xiao Yeyang chewed on the word for a moment, then smiled and said, "That's quite accurate."
Daohua continued, "If the government stepped in to manage it, this place would definitely be more standardized and lively."
Xiao Yeyang agreed with Daohua: "But there is a prerequisite, that is, the army on the Xiliang side must be strong enough to prevent the Xiliao people from invading. They must abide by the rules we set."
Daohua smiled at Xiao Yeyang and said, "You are here, aren't you? I believe that day will come."
Xiao Yeyang smiled, his eyes flashing with determination. Since he had come to Xiliang, he had to make some achievements.
The trade on the main street was relatively normal, but when Xiao Yeyang led Daohua into the back street, it was filled with many improper transactions.
Looking at the woman who was locked in a cage and being sold, Daohua frowned subconsciously.
These women were from both Western Liao and Daxia.
Xiao Yeyang pulled Daohua quickly through the street and soon arrived in front of a courtyard that looked pretty good.
After Defu went up and knocked on the door, a middle-aged strong man soon came out.
Seeing Xiao Yeyang, the sturdy man Ma Teng immediately smiled and saluted: "Master Xiao is here, please come in and have a seat."
Xiao Yeyang: "No, Mr. Ma, I don't have much time. I want to go see the horses now. Is the horse dealer here?"
Ma Teng naturally responded. The client before him was a big client. As long as he could facilitate today's deal, he would get a lot of commission. "Here we are, here we are. We've been here for a while. Shall I take you there right away?"
Xiao Yeyang said 'hmm': "Lead the way."
Since Xiao Yeyang wanted a large number of horses, the horse dealers did not enter the town but waited outside the town.
Just as everyone was about to turn around and leave, Daohua suddenly spoke up, "Boss, I see there seem to be two black and white cows in your yard?"
Ma Teng was stunned for a moment, then nodded hurriedly. "Madam, you have a good eye. There are indeed two cows. A caravan from Western Liao left them with me for sale. Unfortunately, the price is too high, so no one has bought them yet."
Rice Flower: "Can we go in and take a look?"
Ma Teng looked at Xiao Yeyang and saw that he had no objection, so he immediately invited them into the yard.
Looking at the two black and white cows in the yard that were obviously taller than ordinary cows, Xiao Yeyang asked: "Does Western Liao still have this kind of cattle?"
Ma Teng smiled and shook his head: "It's not from Western Liao. It was exchanged by Western Liao merchants with other countries in the Western Regions. Maybe they ate too much and didn't want to keep it, so they left it with me."
Seeing Daohua circling around the two cows, Xiao Yeyang asked with a smile, "Want to buy?"
Daohua nodded quickly. It was a black and white dairy cow, the breed of dairy cow with the highest milk production.
Xiao Yeyang immediately looked at Ma Teng and said, "We want these two cows."
Ma Teng grinned immediately: "These two cows happen to be one male and one female. Master Xiao and Madam will definitely not lose out if they buy them back."
Thank God, he finally bought these two cows. You know, after he brought the cows to him, he spent a lot of money to buy fodder. Naturally, he was very happy that someone bought them.
Mei Lan and Mei Ju stepped forward to untie the rope, and each pulled one end out of the yard.
Xiao Yeyang sensed Daohua's happiness and said with a smile, "It's just two cows. Is there any need to be so happy?"
Rice Flower: “You don’t understand.”
Under the leadership of Ma Teng, Xiao Yeyang and his group left the border town and walked about two kilometers before arriving at a fairly large horse farm.
"This horse farm was originally left by our ancestors. Unfortunately, the situation has been unstable in recent years, and people from Western Liao have been coming here to steal things, so I closed it down."
"Master Xiao wanted a lot of horses, so I asked the horse dealer to drive them to my stable."
As Ma Teng spoke, he led Xiao Yeyang and his group into the horse farm.
Not long after, a group of Western Liao people were seen gathering in the distance.
"Just wait for me by the carriage."
Daohua glanced at the Western Liao people in the distance and nodded.
Then, Xiao Yeyang took Defu, Bu Gandang and others and walked towards the Western Liao people.
"Brother Yelu, this is Mr. Xiao who wants to buy a horse." Ma Teng smiled and introduced Xiao Yeyang to the horse dealer from Western Liao.
Yelu Baichi glanced at Xiao Yeyang and said, "Did you bring the silver? I don't want any banknotes."
Xiao Yeyang didn't care about Yelu Baichi's attitude: "Boss Ma said before that it can be purchased with gold. It's inconvenient to carry too much silver, so I brought gold."
Yelu Baichi: "Gold is fine too. If you want me to see it, please."
Xiao Yeyang turned around and looked in the direction of the carriage. Soon, eight secret guards dressed as ordinary people came down from the carriage and carried four wooden boxes.
When the secret guard arrived, Xiao Yeyang asked Defu to open the box.
Looking at the glittering gold bars, Yelu Baichi nodded in satisfaction and gave Ma Teng a smile: "You found a good buyer. We can continue to cooperate next time."
Xiao Yeyang signaled Defu to close the box and looked at Yelu Baichi: "Now it's my turn to look after the horses."
Yelu Baichi smiled and said, "Of course." Then he put the whistle on his neck into his mouth. With a burst of whistles, hundreds of horses suddenly ran in the stable.
After seeing this, Xiao Yeyang frowned: "The number is wrong, I want two thousand horses, and you only have a few hundred."
Yelu Baichi smiled and said, "You have a good eye. It's true that there are only 500 horses. However, you should be content. Let me tell you, the Western Liao royal family has strictly controlled the sale of horses in the past two years. I can only offer 500 horses because I have strong connections. Otherwise, you wouldn't even be able to buy 500 horses."
Seeing Xiao Yeyang's face darken slightly, Ma Teng quickly said with a smile: "Brother Yelu, didn't we agree on two thousand good horses? Do you think we can add more?"
Yelu Baichi interrupted Ma Teng impatiently: "I told you there are only 500 horses. Don't you understand what I'm saying?"
Xiao Yeyang glanced at Defu, and Defu immediately signaled the secret guards to carry away the three boxes.
Yelu Baichi saw this and quickly stopped them: "What are you doing?"
Xiao Yeyang looked at him expressionlessly: "The gold I brought is for buying two thousand good horses. You only brought five hundred now, so naturally I have to take back the extra gold."
Yelu Baichi's face turned cold: "I've never heard of taking something back after taking it out. If you want to buy these 500 horses today, you have to leave all the boxes to me."
Xiao Yeyang looked at Yelu Baichi: "You want to rob me?"
Yelu Baichi sneered: "Don't say such harsh words, I am a businessman."
Xiao Yeyang: "I have to take the horse and the extra gold."
As soon as these words were spoken, the Western Liao people behind Yelu Baichi immediately surrounded him, each of them drawing their swords.
Yelu Baichi has been doing business in the border town for many years. Although he is used to being arrogant and domineering, he still knows how to judge people. When he saw that his people had drawn their knives, but the other party did not react much, he immediately knew that the buyer was not someone to be trifled with.
In silence, Yelu Baichi suddenly saw Daohua and Plum Blossom, Orchid, and Chrysanthemum standing in front of the carriage. Daohua's face was covered by a veil, so his face could not be seen, but Plum Blossom, Orchid, and Chrysanthemum could be seen clearly.
Yelu Baichi especially loved the beauties of Daxia, especially the fair and smooth skin of the Daxia noblewoman married by the eldest prince, which made him feel itchy.
Seeing that the plum, orchid, chrysanthemum and other flowers were all growing well, Yelu Baichi couldn't help but turn his attention to the rice flowers.
If the maid is so beautiful, the master must be stunning, right?
Xiao Yeyang noticed Yelu Baichi's gaze, and a cold light flashed in his eyes. However, Yelu Baichi didn't show any reaction and said desperately, "You can buy these 500 horses, but give me that woman."
As soon as these words came out, Defu, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but tremble, and looked at Yelu Baichi with the eyes of a dead person.
This guy really lives up to the name his parents gave him, he is indeed an idiot!
Next to the carriage, Daohua saw the leading Western Liao man pointing at her. She was feeling confused when she saw Xiao Yeyang turning around and walking towards her.
"Get in the car, let's go!"
As soon as Xiao Yeyang arrived in front of the carriage, he helped Daohua get on.
After getting on the carriage, Daohua looked at Xiao Yeyang's slightly unhappy face and asked, "What happened? Didn't you buy the horse? Didn't you agree on the price?"
Xiao Yeyang shook his head: "No, I bought the horses, but the quantity is a little small." As he said that, he knocked on the car door, and soon the carriage started.
Daohua didn't ask any more questions. When the carriage turned and drove out of the horse farm, she saw through the curtain that the secret guards brought by Xiao Yeyang attacked the Western Liao people.
Half an hour later, Defu, the secret guards and Xiao Yeyang gathered together.
Xiao Yeyang got off the carriage: "Is it clean?"
Defu stepped forward and replied, "Don't worry, Master, there are no traces left."
Xiao Yeyang looked at Ma Teng, whose face was a little pale, and said, "Boss Ma..."
After witnessing Defu and his group killing Yelu Baichi and his men, Ma Teng was fine except for his somewhat stiff expression.
Obviously, middlemen like him who do business in border towns are no longer surprised by robberies and murders.
However, after seeing that Defu and the others were very skilled, Ma Teng began to guess Xiao Yeyang's identity: "What are your orders, Master Xiao?"
Xiao Yeyang: "Let's just pretend what happened today never happened."
Ma Teng nodded quickly: "Don't worry, Master Xiao, I know about this."
Xiao Yeyang: "I'm short of horses here. If you meet horse traders from Western Liao again, please let me know." After saying that, he looked at Defu.
Defu immediately took out two gold bars and handed them to Ma Teng.
Ma Teng did not refuse. Taking money to do things was what people like him should do. He took the gold bar with a smile and said, "Thank you, Master Xiao, for the meal."
Xiao Yeyang nodded, turned around and prepared to get on the carriage.
Just then, an old woman came over with a basket: "Master Ma?"
Ma Teng looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was someone he knew. He immediately walked over and said, "Mrs. Feng, why are you here?"
The old woman lifted the basket in her hand and said, "My son went to Yunlian Mountain again last month and found a lot of Cordyceps. I want to bring it to you so that you can help sell it."
Ma Teng looked at the straw-covered basket and picked it up. "Okay, I understand. You can go back first. I'll have your son come to see me in a couple of days."
The old woman nodded and was about to leave when Daohua suddenly lifted the curtain of the carriage and said, "I heard you were talking about Cordyceps. Can you bring it over and show it to me?"
Ma Teng glanced at Xiao Yeyang and seeing that he had no objection, he immediately trotted over with the basket. He did not dare to get closer to the carriage, but handed the basket to Defu.
"This Cordyceps is a herb that grows in high-altitude cold regions and snowy mountains. Eating it regularly is very good for your health."
Defu handed the basket to the car window.
Daohua flipped through it, a look of surprise in her eyes: "It really is Cordyceps sinensis." Then she looked at the old woman and said, "Old lady, how much do you sell this herb for?"
The old woman felt a little embarrassed and looked at Ma Teng for help.
Ma Teng smiled and said, "Madam, we usually sell this Cordyceps for one ounce of silver per pound."
Daohua: "I want all the Cordyceps in this basket."
Hearing this, Defu took out a few taels of silver from his pocket and handed it to the old woman without waiting for Daohua's instructions.
The old woman thanked him repeatedly after receiving the silver and handed the smallest piece to Ma Teng.
Ma Teng smiled and refused: "Mrs. Feng, since I didn't help you sell it this time, I won't charge you any money. You should go back quickly. It's getting late."
The old woman looked happy, bent down a few times towards the carriage, then turned and left.
Seeing that the old woman was agile, Xiao Yeyang raised his eyebrows and said, "This old woman is in good health."
Daohua: "Eating Cordyceps regularly is good for your health."
Xiao Yeyang looked at Ma Teng: "A lot of people ask you to help sell things?"
Ma Teng smiled and nodded. "They are all nearby villagers. People from Xiliao in Bamu Town come and go frequently. They don't dare to come alone to buy things. I have some connections, so I help them buy things and charge a small fee to make a living."
Xiao Yeyang glanced at Ma Teng and said, "You have been living in Bamu Town. You should be familiar with the things here, right?"
Ma Teng looked at Xiao Yeyang, his mind turning several corners, and then he smiled confidently and said, "There is nothing about Bamu Town that I, Ma Teng, don't know."
Xiao Yeyang looked at Ma Teng again, turned around and got on the carriage.
Watching the carriage departing, Ma Teng lowered his eyes in thought, "This Mr. Xiao seems to have a rather unusual background."
As a middleman, in order to avoid trouble, he actually didn't want to inquire about the background of the buyer and seller, but today, the oppressive feeling given to him by Mr. Xiao was too strong. The Western Liao people led by Yelu Baichi were quite powerful, but they were all wiped out by Mr. Xiao's men. They were definitely not ordinary businessmen.
He had to find a way to find out who this Mr. Xiao was.
On the other side, Xiao Yeyang reunited with Daohua, Bu Gandang and others.
Xiao Yeyang looked at the five hundred horses surrounding the secret guards and asked, "How are the horses? Are they still obedient?"
Bu Gandang took out his whistle and said, "With this whistle, the horses won't run away."
Xiao Yeyang nodded and said, "That's good. You guys take care of the horses and send them to the newly built Ganxuan Town overnight. When I get back, I'll start training the soldiers in riding and archery."
Bu Gandang took the order and left.
In the carriage, Daohua saw Xiao Yeyang frowning and asked, "But there aren't enough horses?"
Xiao Yeyang nodded and said, "Ganzhou Guard originally had about a thousand horses, and the five hundred horses we got today only add up to a total of fifteen hundred. It's enough for small fights in normal times, but it's not enough to quickly reclaim Dan River."
"I went to the Dan River to take a look. There are 20,000 Western Liao troops stationed there. If we want to win a quick victory, we must train at least 5,000 cavalry."
"If time drags on for too long, the Western Liao army will come to support us. If we are not careful, it may trigger an all-out war."
"Right now, the Emperor's uncle's attention is all on the navy. He certainly doesn't want chaos in the northwest. Fighting on two fronts is too much for the national treasury."
Daohua thought for a moment and said, "Have you noticed that Western Liao seems to be particularly short of tea? I just took a closer look at the business in Bamu Town and found that someone actually exchanged a cow for a can of tea."
Xiao Yeyang: "The people of Western Liao lived on nomadic life, and their diet consisted mostly of hot, greasy, and difficult-to-digest foods like beef, mutton, and milk. They needed to drink tea regularly to improve their health. In Western Liao, tea is actually considered a good medicine."
Daohua: "Since they are in such need of tea, you can exchange it with them."
Xiao Yeyang pondered for a moment, "This method does work, but judging from what that Western Liao man just said, Western Liao has been very strict on horse trading in the past two years. If I want to buy a large number of horses, I'm afraid it won't be possible without some acquaintances."
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
