Chapter 26 Chapter 26 Winding
Ten miles outside the Luling Valley, there is a newly built ranch. Among Li Guangcen's tribe, the old and weak, women and children are arranged in the valley, and the young people live in the ranch for daily herding.The dwellings of the shepherds are very simple. Their homes have been placed in the valley, and this is only a temporary residence for their nomads.
The pasture was not too big. When Li Guangcen's people moved from the Tubo grasslands, they had already sold off the slow-moving livestock such as cattle and sheep as much as possible, and brought only a large number of horses.However, these horses consume a lot of forage, and the forage in the pasture has been piled up into dozens of tall grass towers, which are tightly built.This kind of place is the most fireproof, so it is separated by fences, and the Luling River is next to it.The shepherds' residence is on the other side of the river to ensure that the fire will not ignite the grass.
It was dusk, and several shepherds who were in charge of taking care of the forage wandered around the pasture, but found nothing unusual.But on the other side of the river, a few fine horses were seen galloping into the pasture.Several shepherds squinted their eyes and put on the awning to look at those people, and saw them not stopping for a moment, they drove straight into the gate of the pasture, and then the wooden fence gate was closed tightly again.
Grolu, who was wearing a striped robe, stroked his goatee and murmured: "Master Qijin is here too. How many times is this? Most of the adults who came today have settled in the valley and don't usually come out. Look at this Son, it seems that something big has happened."
His nephew Re Jiefu came up and said: "Is there going to be a war? At noon today, I saw Lord Yang Hao's personal bodyguards, Bi Su, Mu Yu, and a dozen people, each with three horses and three horses. He left Luling Valley with the dry food bag, as if he was about to travel a long way. Uncle, should we inquire?"
Ge Luolu glared at him, and reprimanded: "There are not many things. Our job is to take care of the forage field. Big things must be decided by adults, and we should patrol well. If something happens, we must ensure that no accidents occur in the place we are guarding."
Re Jiefu stuck out his tongue, and quickly answered yes.Ge Luolu looked back towards the direction of the ranch again, and murmured: "It's only a few days to live a happy life, may Allah bless us, and the fire of the devil will not burn into our homeland."
Ge Luolu is a Uighur. Since the third caliph Osman of Muhammad in the Tang Yonghui period sent envoys to Chang'an to meet Emperor Gaozong of Tang Dynasty, Islam began to spread in China. Ge Luolu is a Muslim. devout believers.Because his own tribe was wiped out during the battle with other tribes, he fled to the territory of the Tubo people, and finally became a member of Li Guangcen's tribe.
Now that he has settled down in Luling Prefecture, he is very satisfied with his current life. He really does not want his homeland to be slaughtered by war again, and then flee to the grassland to live a life of migration and grazing. He has to deal with the harsh nature every day. The environment is fighting against other unfriendly tribes, but in the face of the premonitioned danger, he can do nothing but pray to Allah devoutly.
Not in the center of the pasture, in the big dome tent, Li Guangcen, deputy envoy of the Luzhou regiment, sits in the middle. The people sitting on the left and right are all seniors in their forties and fifties. These people were all wandering in the Tubo grasslands with him His trusted subordinates, his people are both shepherds and soldiers, and these people are equivalent to the generals who command the army.
In fact, they are indeed going to be officials soon. Yang Hao’s memorial has been submitted to Kaifeng. No, it's just that this official is like the Monkey King in the sky. He has a position but no power. It's just a rope used to tie monkeys.
Li Guangcen said solemnly: "Very well, everyone is here. Today, the old man received Hao'er's letter from Feiyu, Yinzhou Li Guangyan was instructed by Xiazhou to lead a sneak attack with two hundred Qingqi halfway, intending to put my Haoer to death. "
Everyone was startled when they heard this, everyone had strange looks on their faces, but no one whispered to each other, they just stared at him.Li Guangcen took a sip of strong wine, calmed down his mood, and then continued: "Hao'er is safe and has arrived at the Yeli clan safely. But..."
He frowned, and said with a deep smile: "You said, since Li Guangyan has made a move, will Xiazhou Society stop us?"
An old man about fifty years old jumped up and roared loudly: "My lord, I have already said that this Jinan army should belong to you, this Xiazhou should belong to you, Dangxiang Qishi Since I have made an enemy against Xiazhou, it is just for my use. Let us gather the tribes, crusade against Xiazhou, and regain the throne for the lord, even if we die on the battlefield and die for the lord, we will have no complaints or regrets."
Another old man with fierce eyes is also old and hot, and he said angrily: "The lord is kind, and he only considers the people of the clan. He would rather give up his rightful position and retire in this Luling Prefecture. He only hopes to find a place for us. The place of stability. But now it seems that we want to give up, but others are not willing. My lord, raise your banner, let's summon the Seven Clans of Dangxiang, and work with Xiazhou Li Guangrui."
Li Guangcen took a look, stroked his beard and smiled, "Mu Ying, you have such a fiery temper..."
He tilted his neck and took another sip of wine, probably drunk a little too much. When he looked at the grey-haired old man who was as bold as before, his eyes couldn't help but be a little bright: "Well... It's been so many years, we have kept our identities incognito. Wandering on the grasslands of the Tubo people, I have almost forgotten your real name, Muying... Namuhan, you have been with me since you were nine years old, and you have been my wild child. Enjoying the glory and wealth of a warrior every day, even the name and surname have been changed, I am ashamed of you... How many years have passed now, your grandson is also nine years old, Namuhan, you are already old, Her hair has turned gray."
Na Ke'er in the Khitan language has the same meaning as Ye Ke'er spoken by the Qiang people. They both mean close guards. Li Guangcen's sentimental words revealed his true feelings, and the grizzled old man couldn't help but burst into tears. As soon as he frowned, three horizontal lines appeared, resembling a majestic Siberian tiger.
He pulled the front of his robe violently, exposing his chest covered with black hair, and he clenched his fists and pounded his chest, saying: "My lord, Namuhan is not old yet, he can still ride a fast horse." , If you can shoot a sharp arrow, you can follow the Lord to sweep the entire prairie, making any enemy fearful. As long as the Lord gives an order, Namhan will still be the Namhan back then, the Namhan who will always rush before the Lord mounts his horse .”
Those men in their 40s and 50s left their seats one after another, walked up to Li Guangcen, and said impassionedly: "Master, we are still the most vicious group of prairie wolves under your command, the prairie wolves that make everyone frightened. Don’t be afraid. You order, the enemy has sharpened the butcher’s knife, we can no longer be docile sheep.”
An old man with a long thin face and a deep scar on his face. After healed from the injury, his muscles became tangled, so that the skin on half of his face was tightened. One eye was big and the other was small. The old man said angrily: "Master, now even Li Guangyan can The bullying has come to us, and we can't bear it any longer. What kind of thing is he, Li Guangyan? You offer a generous gift.
But after Li Yiyin usurped the position of the lord, this Li Yijing was like a spineless dog, and turned to curry favor with him.That's all, now Li Guangyan is willing to be Li Guangrui's eagle dog, and he has murdered the young master.The lord is the lord of the Xiazhou Grassland and the king of all the Dangxiang Qiang people. How could he be humiliated by the running dogs under Li Guangrui's tent? The lips of the lord are the shame of all our savages. Please order the lord to let us fight to the death Let's fight, we will use blood to wash away this shame, and maintain the glory of the lord and the young lord! "
Li Guangcen nodded, and said happily: "Jin, of course your bravery has not diminished in the past, and you will always be the most brave wild children under the old man's command. However, the old man's body is broken. All are entrusted to my adopted son Yang Hao. If you obey him, you obey this old man. Originally, Hao’er didn’t want to conflict with Xiazhou, at least not now. But now that he is the first to attack, can we just sit and wait?”
He shook a piece of letter paper in his hand, and said in a deep voice: "Now, my adoptive son sends a message with a flying eagle, asking the old man to mobilize all the warriors in the clan to fight for him. If this battle is successful, at least we can save Luling." There has been no incident in the state for three years, so that my family and the Dangxiang Seventh Clan can calmly recuperate and gather strength. The old man has thought about it for a long time, and feels that although my son's plan is dangerous, it is not without hope of success. Today I call you to tell you……"
He stood up slowly, opened his thick-knuckle palm, swung it down fiercely, and shouted: "We fight!"
The people in front of him listened, their faces were flushed with excitement, and their eyes showed a bloodthirsty murderous look. They stepped back, touched their chests with one hand, knelt down on one knee, and shouted loudly: Fight for the Lord! Willing to fight for the young master!"
The smile on Li Guangcen's face gradually disappeared, revealing a fierce murderous look, and he shouted in a deep voice: "All the men in my clan who are worthy of a battle, a team of three hundred people, each with two horses, resting horses and resting, starry night On the other hand, rush to Yandi Valley to meet up and wait for my son to dispatch!"
In the small tent of Patriarch Suka, the head of the Yeli Clan, two young men are holding tea and sitting across a small table.The person sitting on the left is about thirty years old, with delicate features and fair skin, wearing a male scarf on his head, three small beards under his jaw, wearing a pair of yellow jacquard gauze trousers, and wearing a pair of collar inlays. Straight-leg long gown with black border, purple belt around the waist, and a string of jade ornaments hanging on the purple belt, just like a scholar from the Central Plains. Opposite him was a young man dressed in a long gown with a left lapel, a wolf hair cap, and a wide cowhide belt around his waist. He was dressed like a Qiang, and he was much younger than him. He was only in his early twenties. But it is very attractive, with a kind of manly masculinity, but compared with ordinary Qiang nomadic men, there is a hint of wisdom and wisdom in the eyes. The person dressed as a Zhongyuan scholar is Cheriji, the leader of the Hengshan Qiang Kete Department.And the young man dressed as a Qiang is Yang Hao, the magistrate of Luling Prefecture.If someone broke in at this time and learned the identities of the two, they might feel very strange about their attire.Even though Yang Hao had heard Suka's introduction to the situation of the Kete tribe, and knew that they lived in the place closest to the Han people's villages and towns, and had long since given up nomadic pastoralism and turned to farming and business, he still couldn't help being surprised when he saw Cherridge's attire.Except for his name, Cherit doesn't look like a Qiang at all in terms of dress, appearance, hair accessories, and conversation. This person is too Sinicized.It is said... last year he also took part in the provincial examination for scholar, although he failed... Cheriji crossed his legs and gently turned the teacup in his hand. He laughed when Yang Hao spoke, and laughed when Yang Hao didn't speak. He looked like a cunning and patient businessman.Yang Hao got straight to the point and explained clearly the reason for the secret meeting with him. He still had a leisurely smile on his face, as if wearing a fake smile mask. But he was thinking anxiously in his heart: "The old man Su Kana covered up the news for Yang Hao and even invited me here on his behalf. It seems that the Ye Li clan has hooked up with Luzhou. But... The Ueno Li family and Luzhou are still not enough to see. The Li family in Xiazhou has such a strong foundation. It has been operating for hundreds of years and is deeply rooted. No one can shake it. This Yinzhou city is close at hand, and I am under Li Guangyan's nose Doing business with Luzhou in exchange for some benefits, the Yinzhou side may turn a blind eye and turn a blind eye, but if I want to send a message to Luzhou, let him recruit soldiers from my family, once the Yinzhou side learns about it, it is hard to guarantee If you don't come and embarrass me, you can't agree to this matter. However, my family has a large population and specializes in farming and doing business with the Han people.By doing business with Luling Prefecture, Luling Prefecture can be exempted from taxes for three years, which is a lot of money.It's really hard to give up on this.Hmm..., these few days I heard that Su Ka met with the heads of various ministries one by one in private. It seems that... it was all to match Yang Hao, but I don't know... did the other heads of the ministries agree?These guys were still drinking together yesterday, but they were so secretive that I couldn't think about it, it's really hateful. " Seeing that he was silent, Yang Hao smiled slightly and said, "Master Cherage, if you do business with me in Luling Prefecture, you will be exempted from taxes for three years. I know that Master Cherage's tribe is very large, and he sells and buys a lot of goods. , This three-year tax exemption is a lot of money. As for the exchange of information, allowing me to send someone to set up a pigeon station in your tribe is a secret thing. I won’t say it. As the head of the clan , can't even hide such a little secret?" Cheriji smiled and said: "Master Yang Hao, you are allowed to recruit the idlers from my clan to join the army. What about this matter?" Yang Hao raised his brows, and said disapprovingly: "Isn't this matter beneficial to us? As far as I know, Lord Cheriji's tribe is now engaged in farming and doing business with the Han people. There are some jobless people in the tribe. If these people are recruited to steal chickens and dogs, fights and troubles, your tribe will lose a lot of trouble, what's wrong with it?" When recruiting soldiers in later generations, they all like to recruit good people with clean background and high quality, but the famous generals in ancient times like to recruit more aggressive and ruthless scoundrels. These people are useless in other aspects, but they are the most vicious when fighting.As long as they are restrained by military law and can be trained, they will be an elite army. I don't know how many generals have made great achievements, but their subordinates are all a bunch of uninhibited, brave and ruthless hooligans. Cherage was unmoved, and smiled slyly: "Master Yang Hao, if I allow you to recruit soldiers from your own tribe, I can't tell the tribe clearly that only idlers, rogues, and vagrants are allowed to be recruited? If I There are too many young and strong people in the village, how can they protect themselves in this troubled world? Furthermore, even those rascals, they also have parents and brothers. If they enlist in your army, only one person enlists, and the whole family will support Luling and stand by you. If there are too many people, once something happens to you in Luling, it will be impossible for me, Ke Te, to stay out of it.Master Yang Hao, you dragged me into the water without making a show, and tied me to your chariot. Isn't that too insidious? " "Hahaha, Master Cherage is too suspicious." Yang Hao looked up to the sky and laughed, his face was not red and his heart was not beating, and he looked open-minded: "How can someone with a good family background and a stable life join the army and pay for it? Those who want to join the army must have no property and no wife. A lazy man with no children, no land, and no room, such a person idles around and causes trouble all day long, don't you, Master Cherage, have a headache? What's wrong with throwing off such a burden?" He leaned forward slightly, and said with a smile: "In the past, when Xiazhou fought against Linzhou and Fuzhou, your clan suddenly turned to the left and sometimes to the right, and you got money from both sides. Could it be that Xiazhou fought against Linzhou and Fuzhou? Don't you know? Who can do anything to get you, why are you pushing back and forth at this moment, full of doubts?" Cheriji wiped his eyelids, put the teacup lightly, and said with a smile: "Master Yang Hao, you allowed me to take the risk of offending Yinzhou for the benefits you promised me. I will suffer a loss if I finish this business." .” Yang Hao also said with a smile: "For business, of course you have to bargain. Master Cherage thinks this deal is not worth it, so we can discuss it again. Why refuse it immediately." Cherridge's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked: "Then... I wonder how much Master Yang Hao bid?" Yang Hao said: "The Kete tribe is quite a wealthy tribe among the Qiangs in Hengshan. Of course, this depends on Lord Cheriji's shrewdness. However, as far as I know, although your tribe has a family account of three thousand, it is very rich. However, you are often attacked and harassed by the small tribes nearby, and your Curt tribe is far inferior to them in terms of force, so you often spend money to eliminate disasters after the disputes between the tribes of the two tribes, is there such a thing?" Speaking of this, it aroused the anger deep in Cherage's heart, and his blandishment expression finally disappeared, and he snorted resentfully: "Of course people who are hungry will be more hungry than people who are full." Fierce, more open-minded. My people are used to living a comfortable and wealthy life, and their horseback riding and archery skills have long been put aside. Of course, they are not as good as those who travel all day in the vast grasslands and jungles just for one bite of food. tribe. However, I don't regret it, having great power is originally for living a better life, not for being strong for fighting.My tribe abandoned riding and shooting nomadism and started farming and business. They no longer have to worry about black disasters and white disasters, and they no longer have to support the old and the young, and migrate and live in the open. The life is good and stable, and the tribe is thriving. Compared with I didn't know how much stronger it was at the beginning. If in order to make my people capable of fighting, I have to give up the current good life, let my people take up their bows and arrows, pick up their horses, and return to the desert grassland, then I really don't know what to say.You see, the Yeli clan is the largest tribe in Hengshan, and ranks first among all the Qiang tribes who are good at fighting, so what? What kind of life they live, even their patriarch, Suka Datou, is not as good as a merchant in my village in terms of food and clothing.If you could only choose one between being powerful and enjoying a good life, what would you choose?Anyway... I'll choose the path I'm on now. " A look of surprise flashed in Yang Hao's eyes, and he began to look squarely at the cunning business leader in front of him.In his previous era, many people worked hard to live a good life, worked hard to make money, walked and walked, and finally became money for the sake of making money. They were busy all their lives and never had a day of leisure. The purpose of making money, those people are similar to what Cherage said.Unexpectedly, this person can see clearly and think openly, he is really a different kind. He thought for a while, and said, "Master Cherage, why can I only choose one of the two? Yes, the poorer the people, the more vicious they are, the harder they live, the more they can endure hardships and fight, but the two It is not irreconcilable between them. Your tribe is very rich among the Qiangs in Hengshan, and the people are busy farming and doing business. The skill of bowing horses, riding and shooting must be inferior to those of the nomadic tribes. People have gains and losses. There is no way. But, why must everyone in your tribe be proficient in horseback riding and archery? Do you need to plunder and attack tribes that are poorer than you? If you want to protect yourself... I can do it in Luling Prefecture Give you some help." Cherridge's expression changed, and he asked: "What does Master Yang Hao mean by this, and how do you want...to help me?" Yang Hao said: "My Han people have been farming for generations. In order to guard against bandits and thieves, after thousands of years, I have naturally formed a set of city defense skills. If I send a few people who are proficient in defense techniques to guide you With the city walls and various defensive measures, do you still have to worry about the harassment and invasion of the surrounding tribes? A few days ago, the Qiang tribes who are good at field warfare and jungle warfare attacked our Luling Prefecture. You should have heard about what happened? Also, although Master Cherage's tribe is rich, there is one thing that is extremely difficult to obtain, whether it is Linzhou, Fuzhou or Xiazhou, it is extremely tight for you, and that is steel, right?If you cooperate with us, then... I can gift your ministry two thousand catties of fine steel every year. These steels are used to make knives, guns and arrows that consume a lot of money. Can your ministry have the power to protect itself? " Cherridge's body shook, and he lost his voice: "Is this really true?" After getting an affirmative answer, Cherigi bowed his head and remained silent for a while, his expression changed for a while, he suddenly raised his head, and asked: "Master Yang Hao, have the leaders you met these days...had agreed to your request?" What about the conditions?" Hearing this, Yang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. The assistance of military technology and military weapons had already touched his mind. As long as he changed his mind, the matter would be settled. As for Cherage's fear that Luling's recruitment of troops would cause his Kete Department and Luling Prefecture to become entangled again, that was another bargaining chip for concessions. For business, of course the price had to be higher. He left room for a counteroffer.Supporting the Kurt Ministry and making it stronger will inevitably oppress the living space of the surrounding tribes.When those poor and weak tribes have no livelihood and nowhere to go, Luling Prefecture winks at them like a delicate beauty. Will they flock to them? Yang Hao smiled: Doing business with a tribe, I even want to take advantage of the surrounding tribes. It seems that I have the potential to be a profiteer...
On the fifth day, Yang Hao's caravan finally arrived at the Yeli tribe. Yang Hao immediately greeted them when he got the news of their arrival.Twenty miles away from Yeli's tribe, his caravan met his troops.Although they had heard the news of his safety from Ke'er Ono, Mu En and the others were still inexplicably excited when they saw his approaching figure. Yang Hao got off his horse, and a big man on the opposite side jumped off the horse very neatly, stepped forward a few steps, and after a distance of two feet, he knelt down straight, touched his forehead to the ground, and said loudly: "Mu Kui is not good enough to protect the Lord!" , the young master is in danger of encountering an accident, a serious crime, please punish the young master." Yang Hao was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed, he quickly stepped forward to help him up, and said pleasantly, "Mukui, are you safe and sound? Good! Very good! Are the warriors who followed me all right?" Mukui was lifted up by him, and seeing that he had no intention of complaining, but was pleasantly surprised that he returned safely, he couldn't help being greatly moved, his lips moved a few times, and he said: "Young master, the soldiers who have been found one after another are about Half, the other half already..." He lowered his head, and said again: "After Mu Kui blocked the way and beheaded seven pursuers, he wanted to find and protect the young master, but the fog was thick and it was difficult to distinguish the direction, and he didn't know where to go. The whereabouts of the young master, but you chase after..." Before he finished speaking, Yang Hao patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile: "On the battlefield, swords and guns have no eyes, who can guarantee that people will be well protected. If you didn't sacrifice your life to protect people, I, Yang Hao, would have become a dead body long ago." , I treat you as a brother, like a sibling, not a slave, don't say such things again." Ono Ke'er knew the martial arts abilities of Mu En, Mu Kui and others, seeing that they were loyal and respectful to Yang Hao, he couldn't help showing a little surprise on his face: "Their loyalty and respect to Yang Hao But from the heart, there is no falsehood, Yang Hao... really deserves their allegiance?" Yang Hao patted Mu Kui's shoulder to comfort him, then nodded to Ke'er Ono, and said with a smile, "Ke'er Ono, thank you for your hard work." Ono Ke'er said calmly with a straight face: "You're welcome, I've brought you along, so I'm going back now." "Okay, I'll treat you to a drink when I get the chance." Yang Hao cupped his hands, Ono Ke'er smiled proudly, and with a wave of his hand, three hundred tigers galloped out from the rear, following him. Yang Haofu turned to Mu En, who had already stood aside with a smile, and asked: "After I left, did Li Guangyan do anything unfavorable to you? Ono Keer escorted you all the way here. Did Li Guangyan do anything? Did he chase you?" Come?" Mu En crossed his hands and said: "Young Master, Li Guangyan's ambition is really for you. After you left, Li Guangyan immediately dispatched all the troops to chase after you. The subordinates rushed to the bank of Wuding River according to their orders. Heavy rain began on the riverside. In order to fear that the river would surge, the subordinates camped on a high place, with their backs leaning on the river and facing the grassland. After the heavy rain, the thick fog cleared away. After the rain stopped, Li Guangyan's troops could no longer pose a threat to us. . Presumably he also expected this battle, so he never came to attack.After Mu Kui returned, I asked him to take the ranger to look for the whereabouts of the master. On the road, I met Li Guangyan's people, and there was a small fight between the two sides. The young master was not found on the second day. The subordinates really panicked, but He couldn't give up the caravan, and he was afraid that the young master would come later, so he could only bite the bullet and wait there. After waiting for another day and night, the lord was still nowhere to be seen, and his subordinates were doing nothing, so Ono Ke'er came to find him.According to the command of the young master, Ono Ke'er made the appearance of encountering my caravan on the road, and returned with us.Along the way, the subordinates sent scouts to investigate, but Li Guangyan stayed behind us from a distance, and also sent rangers to follow our movements.It seems that he doesn't know the life and death of the young master now, and he is confused. " Yang Haowei said: "Li Guangyan is not a fool, even if he didn't know my life or death, he should understand now, knowing that I have rushed to the Yeli tribe alone to fetch reinforcements, and he also knows that I must have 'colluded' with the Yeli tribe , haha... Now his dilemma is not whether to kill me or not, but that my caravan and I have arrived at the Yeli clan safely, so should he rush back to Yinzhou City in despair, or break into the Yeli clan? The tribe sabotaged my plan to win over the Qiangs in Hengshan." Mu En said: "Since Li Guangyan has guessed that the young master is connected with the Ye Li clan, will he still go to the tiger's mouth? According to my subordinates, he went straight back to Yinzhou, and Xu Tu's plan is very likely." "Not necessarily." Yang Hao shook his head and said, "From his son, he can also see his father. This is not a good kind for father and son. Even if he guesses that I have colluded with Ye Li, it is impossible for him to guess the real relationship between me and Ye Li. Even if the Yeli family rebelled against Xiazhou in the past, they only harassed and attacked the peripheral tribes of Xiazhou. Li Guangyan was the core figure of the Li family in Xiazhou. In front of the leader, how dare you take his life at the risk of Xiazhou sending troops to exterminate the clan? He has no fear, and he will come here in person in all likelihood, and compete with me again in the Yeli tribe. The weak... have no diplomacy, in him From Li Guangyan's point of view, I, Yang Hao, am an absolute weakling." There was a fierce murderous look in Mu Kui's eyes, and he said in a ruthless voice: "Young master, if he comes, we will kill him on the spot if he comes. News about Shi Yeli." Yang Hao shook his head and said: "Can you guarantee that he will be stupid enough to drag all the troops into the Yeli Clan's stronghold? Although the Yeli Clan has formed an alliance with us, I don't know if the rest of the tribes are determined to fight Xiazhou right now. Under the circumstances, are you willing to let us kill Li Guangyan and form a life-and-death enmity with the Li family of Xiazhou that can no longer be resolved?" He took out a package from his bosom, handed it to Mu En, and said in a cold voice: "Fighting, it must be fought, but the Yeli Clan Qiang Conference was just a literary fight. This is a place for fighting , not here. Mu En, Mu Kui, I will change into official uniforms and take people to the Qiang meeting in a while. But you two can’t go, there is a big event, I want you two to do it separately. As long as you It was a beautiful battle, and I won't even lose this battle in the Yeli tribe!"
In the small tent of Patriarch Suka, the head of the Yeli Clan, two young men are holding tea and sitting across a small table.The person sitting on the left is about thirty years old, with delicate features and fair skin, wearing a male scarf on his head, three small beards under his jaw, wearing a pair of yellow jacquard gauze trousers, and wearing a pair of collar inlays. Straight-leg long gown with black border, purple belt around the waist, and a string of jade ornaments hanging on the purple belt, just like a scholar from the Central Plains. Opposite him was a young man dressed in a long gown with a left lapel, a wolf hair cap, and a wide cowhide belt around his waist. He was dressed like a Qiang, and he was much younger than him. He was only in his early twenties. But it is very attractive, with a kind of manly masculinity, but compared with ordinary Qiang nomadic men, there is a hint of wisdom and wisdom in the eyes. The person dressed as a Zhongyuan scholar is Cheriji, the leader of the Hengshan Qiang Kete Department.And the young man dressed as a Qiang is Yang Hao, the magistrate of Luling Prefecture.If someone broke in at this time and learned the identities of the two, they might feel very strange about their attire.Even though Yang Hao had heard Suka's introduction to the situation of the Kete tribe, and knew that they lived in the place closest to the Han people's villages and towns, and had long since given up nomadic pastoralism and turned to farming and business, he still couldn't help being surprised when he saw Cherridge's attire.Except for his name, Cherit doesn't look like a Qiang at all in terms of dress, appearance, hair accessories, and conversation. This person is too Sinicized.It is said... last year he also took part in the provincial examination for scholar, although he failed... Cheriji crossed his legs and gently turned the teacup in his hand. He laughed when Yang Hao spoke, and laughed when Yang Hao didn't speak. He looked like a cunning and patient businessman.Yang Hao got straight to the point and explained clearly the reason for the secret meeting with him. He still had a leisurely smile on his face, as if wearing a fake smile mask. But he was thinking anxiously in his heart: "The old man Su Kana covered up the news for Yang Hao and even invited me here on his behalf. It seems that the Ye Li clan has hooked up with Luzhou. But... The Ueno Li family and Luzhou are still not enough to see. The Li family in Xiazhou has such a strong foundation. It has been operating for hundreds of years and is deeply rooted. No one can shake it. This Yinzhou city is close at hand, and I am under Li Guangyan's nose Doing business with Luzhou in exchange for some benefits, the Yinzhou side may turn a blind eye and turn a blind eye, but if I want to send a message to Luzhou, let him recruit soldiers from my family, once the Yinzhou side learns about it, it is hard to guarantee If you don't come and embarrass me, you can't agree to this matter. However, my family has a large population and specializes in farming and doing business with the Han people.By doing business with Luling Prefecture, Luling Prefecture can be exempted from taxes for three years, which is a lot of money.It's really hard to give up on this.Hmm..., these few days I heard that Su Ka met with the heads of various ministries one by one in private. It seems that... it was all to match Yang Hao, but I don't know... did the other heads of the ministries agree?These guys were still drinking together yesterday, but they were so secretive that I couldn't think about it, it's really hateful. " Seeing that he was silent, Yang Hao smiled slightly and said, "Master Cherage, if you do business with me in Luling Prefecture, you will be exempted from taxes for three years. I know that Master Cherage's tribe is very large, and he sells and buys a lot of goods. , This three-year tax exemption is a lot of money. As for the exchange of information, allowing me to send someone to set up a pigeon station in your tribe is a secret thing. I won’t say it. As the head of the clan , can't even hide such a little secret?" Cheriji smiled and said: "Master Yang Hao, you are allowed to recruit the idlers from my clan to join the army. What about this matter?" Yang Hao raised his brows, and said disapprovingly: "Isn't this matter beneficial to us? As far as I know, Lord Cheriji's tribe is now engaged in farming and doing business with the Han people. There are some jobless people in the tribe. If these people are recruited to steal chickens and dogs, fights and troubles, your tribe will lose a lot of trouble, what's wrong with it?" When recruiting soldiers in later generations, they all like to recruit good people with clean background and high quality, but the famous generals in ancient times like to recruit more aggressive and ruthless scoundrels. These people are useless in other aspects, but they are the most vicious when fighting.As long as they are restrained by military law and can be trained, they will be an elite army. I don't know how many generals have made great achievements, but their subordinates are all a bunch of uninhibited, brave and ruthless hooligans. Cherage was unmoved, and smiled slyly: "Master Yang Hao, if I allow you to recruit soldiers from your own tribe, I can't tell the tribe clearly that only idlers, rogues, and vagrants are allowed to be recruited? If I There are too many young and strong people in the village, how can they protect themselves in this troubled world? Furthermore, even those rascals, they also have parents and brothers. If they enlist in your army, only one person enlists, and the whole family will support Luling and stand by you. If there are too many people, once something happens to you in Luling, it will be impossible for me, Ke Te, to stay out of it.Master Yang Hao, you dragged me into the water without making a show, and tied me to your chariot. Isn't that too insidious? " "Hahaha, Master Cherage is too suspicious." Yang Hao looked up to the sky and laughed, his face was not red and his heart was not beating, and he looked open-minded: "How can someone with a good family background and a stable life join the army and pay for it? Those who want to join the army must have no property and no wife. A lazy man with no children, no land, and no room, such a person idles around and causes trouble all day long, don't you, Master Cherage, have a headache? What's wrong with throwing off such a burden?" He leaned forward slightly, and said with a smile: "In the past, when Xiazhou fought against Linzhou and Fuzhou, your clan suddenly turned to the left and sometimes to the right, and you got money from both sides. Could it be that Xiazhou fought against Linzhou and Fuzhou? Don't you know? Who can do anything to get you, why are you pushing back and forth at this moment, full of doubts?" Cheriji wiped his eyelids, put the teacup lightly, and said with a smile: "Master Yang Hao, you allowed me to take the risk of offending Yinzhou for the benefits you promised me. I will suffer a loss if I finish this business." .” Yang Hao also said with a smile: "For business, of course you have to bargain. Master Cherage thinks this deal is not worth it, so we can discuss it again. Why refuse it immediately." Cherridge's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked: "Then... I wonder how much Master Yang Hao bid?" Yang Hao said: "The Kete tribe is quite a wealthy tribe among the Qiangs in Hengshan. Of course, this depends on Lord Cheriji's shrewdness. However, as far as I know, although your tribe has a family account of three thousand, it is very rich. However, you are often attacked and harassed by the small tribes nearby, and your Curt tribe is far inferior to them in terms of force, so you often spend money to eliminate disasters after the disputes between the tribes of the two tribes, is there such a thing?" Speaking of this, it aroused the anger deep in Cherage's heart, and his blandishment expression finally disappeared, and he snorted resentfully: "Of course people who are hungry will be more hungry than people who are full." Fierce, more open-minded. My people are used to living a comfortable and wealthy life, and their horseback riding and archery skills have long been put aside. Of course, they are not as good as those who travel all day in the vast grasslands and jungles just for one bite of food. tribe. However, I don't regret it, having great power is originally for living a better life, not for being strong for fighting.My tribe abandoned riding and shooting nomadism and started farming and business. They no longer have to worry about black disasters and white disasters, and they no longer have to support the old and the young, and migrate and live in the open. The life is good and stable, and the tribe is thriving. Compared with I didn't know how much stronger it was at the beginning. If in order to make my people capable of fighting, I have to give up the current good life, let my people take up their bows and arrows, pick up their horses, and return to the desert grassland, then I really don't know what to say.You see, the Yeli clan is the largest tribe in Hengshan, and ranks first among all the Qiang tribes who are good at fighting, so what? What kind of life they live, even their patriarch, Suka Datou, is not as good as a merchant in my village in terms of food and clothing.If you could only choose one between being powerful and enjoying a good life, what would you choose?Anyway... I'll choose the path I'm on now. " A look of surprise flashed in Yang Hao's eyes, and he began to look squarely at the cunning business leader in front of him.In his previous era, many people worked hard to live a good life, worked hard to make money, walked and walked, and finally became money for the sake of making money. They were busy all their lives and never had a day of leisure. The purpose of making money, those people are similar to what Cherage said.Unexpectedly, this person can see clearly and think openly, he is really a different kind. He thought for a while, and said, "Master Cherage, why can I only choose one of the two? Yes, the poorer the people, the more vicious they are, the harder they live, the more they can endure hardships and fight, but the two It is not irreconcilable between them. Your tribe is very rich among the Qiangs in Hengshan, and the people are busy farming and doing business. The skill of bowing horses, riding and shooting must be inferior to those of the nomadic tribes. People have gains and losses. There is no way. But, why must everyone in your tribe be proficient in horseback riding and archery? Do you need to plunder and attack tribes that are poorer than you? If you want to protect yourself... I can do it in Luling Prefecture Give you some help." Cherridge's expression changed, and he asked: "What does Master Yang Hao mean by this, and how do you want...to help me?" Yang Hao said: "My Han people have been farming for generations. In order to guard against bandits and thieves, after thousands of years, I have naturally formed a set of city defense skills. If I send a few people who are proficient in defense techniques to guide you With the city walls and various defensive measures, do you still have to worry about the harassment and invasion of the surrounding tribes? A few days ago, the Qiang tribes who are good at field warfare and jungle warfare attacked our Luling Prefecture. You should have heard about what happened? Also, although Master Cherage's tribe is rich, there is one thing that is extremely difficult to obtain, whether it is Linzhou, Fuzhou or Xiazhou, it is extremely tight for you, and that is steel, right?If you cooperate with us, then... I can gift your ministry two thousand catties of fine steel every year. These steels are used to make knives, guns and arrows that consume a lot of money. Can your ministry have the power to protect itself? " Cherridge's body shook, and he lost his voice: "Is this really true?" After getting an affirmative answer, Cherigi bowed his head and remained silent for a while, his expression changed for a while, he suddenly raised his head, and asked: "Master Yang Hao, have the leaders you met these days...had agreed to your request?" What about the conditions?" Hearing this, Yang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. The assistance of military technology and military weapons had already touched his mind. As long as he changed his mind, the matter would be settled. As for Cherage's fear that Luling's recruitment of troops would cause his Kete Department and Luling Prefecture to become entangled again, that was another bargaining chip for concessions. For business, of course the price had to be higher. He left room for a counteroffer.Supporting the Kurt Ministry and making it stronger will inevitably oppress the living space of the surrounding tribes.When those poor and weak tribes have no livelihood and nowhere to go, Luling Prefecture winks at them like a delicate beauty. Will they flock to them? Yang Hao smiled: Doing business with a tribe, I even want to take advantage of the surrounding tribes. It seems that I have the potential to be a profiteer...
On the fifth day, Yang Hao's caravan finally arrived at the Yeli tribe. Yang Hao immediately greeted them when he got the news of their arrival.Twenty miles away from Yeli's tribe, his caravan met his troops.Although they had heard the news of his safety from Ke'er Ono, Mu En and the others were still inexplicably excited when they saw his approaching figure. Yang Hao got off his horse, and a big man on the opposite side jumped off the horse very neatly, stepped forward a few steps, and after a distance of two feet, he knelt down straight, touched his forehead to the ground, and said loudly: "Mu Kui is not good enough to protect the Lord!" , the young master is in danger of encountering an accident, a serious crime, please punish the young master." Yang Hao was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed, he quickly stepped forward to help him up, and said pleasantly, "Mukui, are you safe and sound? Good! Very good! Are the warriors who followed me all right?" Mukui was lifted up by him, and seeing that he had no intention of complaining, but was pleasantly surprised that he returned safely, he couldn't help being greatly moved, his lips moved a few times, and he said: "Young master, the soldiers who have been found one after another are about Half, the other half already..." He lowered his head, and said again: "After Mu Kui blocked the way and beheaded seven pursuers, he wanted to find and protect the young master, but the fog was thick and it was difficult to distinguish the direction, and he didn't know where to go. The whereabouts of the young master, but you chase after..." Before he finished speaking, Yang Hao patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile: "On the battlefield, swords and guns have no eyes, who can guarantee that people will be well protected. If you didn't sacrifice your life to protect people, I, Yang Hao, would have become a dead body long ago." , I treat you as a brother, like a sibling, not a slave, don't say such things again." Ono Ke'er knew the martial arts abilities of Mu En, Mu Kui and others, seeing that they were loyal and respectful to Yang Hao, he couldn't help showing a little surprise on his face: "Their loyalty and respect to Yang Hao But from the heart, there is no falsehood, Yang Hao... really deserves their allegiance?" Yang Hao patted Mu Kui's shoulder to comfort him, then nodded to Ke'er Ono, and said with a smile, "Ke'er Ono, thank you for your hard work." Ono Ke'er said calmly with a straight face: "You're welcome, I've brought you along, so I'm going back now." "Okay, I'll treat you to a drink when I get the chance." Yang Hao cupped his hands, Ono Ke'er smiled proudly, and with a wave of his hand, three hundred tigers galloped out from the rear, following him. Yang Haofu turned to Mu En, who had already stood aside with a smile, and asked: "After I left, did Li Guangyan do anything unfavorable to you? Ono Keer escorted you all the way here. Did Li Guangyan do anything? Did he chase you?" Come?" Mu En crossed his hands and said: "Young Master, Li Guangyan's ambition is really for you. After you left, Li Guangyan immediately dispatched all the troops to chase after you. The subordinates rushed to the bank of Wuding River according to their orders. Heavy rain began on the riverside. In order to fear that the river would surge, the subordinates camped on a high place, with their backs leaning on the river and facing the grassland. After the heavy rain, the thick fog cleared away. After the rain stopped, Li Guangyan's troops could no longer pose a threat to us. . Presumably he also expected this battle, so he never came to attack.After Mu Kui returned, I asked him to take the ranger to look for the whereabouts of the master. On the road, I met Li Guangyan's people, and there was a small fight between the two sides. The young master was not found on the second day. The subordinates really panicked, but He couldn't give up the caravan, and he was afraid that the young master would come later, so he could only bite the bullet and wait there. After waiting for another day and night, the lord was still nowhere to be seen, and his subordinates were doing nothing, so Ono Ke'er came to find him.According to the command of the young master, Ono Ke'er made the appearance of encountering my caravan on the road, and returned with us.Along the way, the subordinates sent scouts to investigate, but Li Guangyan stayed behind us from a distance, and also sent rangers to follow our movements.It seems that he doesn't know the life and death of the young master now, and he is confused. " Yang Haowei said: "Li Guangyan is not a fool, even if he didn't know my life or death, he should understand now, knowing that I have rushed to the Yeli tribe alone to fetch reinforcements, and he also knows that I must have 'colluded' with the Yeli tribe , haha... Now his dilemma is not whether to kill me or not, but that my caravan and I have arrived at the Yeli clan safely, so should he rush back to Yinzhou City in despair, or break into the Yeli clan? The tribe sabotaged my plan to win over the Qiangs in Hengshan." Mu En said: "Since Li Guangyan has guessed that the young master is connected with the Ye Li clan, will he still go to the tiger's mouth? According to my subordinates, he went straight back to Yinzhou, and Xu Tu's plan is very likely." "Not necessarily." Yang Hao shook his head and said, "From his son, he can also see his father. This is not a good kind for father and son. Even if he guesses that I have colluded with Ye Li, it is impossible for him to guess the real relationship between me and Ye Li. Even if the Yeli family rebelled against Xiazhou in the past, they only harassed and attacked the peripheral tribes of Xiazhou. Li Guangyan was the core figure of the Li family in Xiazhou. In front of the leader, how dare you take his life at the risk of Xiazhou sending troops to exterminate the clan? He has no fear, and he will come here in person in all likelihood, and compete with me again in the Yeli tribe. The weak... have no diplomacy, in him From Li Guangyan's point of view, I, Yang Hao, am an absolute weakling." There was a fierce murderous look in Mu Kui's eyes, and he said in a ruthless voice: "Young master, if he comes, we will kill him on the spot if he comes. News about Shi Yeli." Yang Hao shook his head and said: "Can you guarantee that he will be stupid enough to drag all the troops into the Yeli Clan's stronghold? Although the Yeli Clan has formed an alliance with us, I don't know if the rest of the tribes are determined to fight Xiazhou right now. Under the circumstances, are you willing to let us kill Li Guangyan and form a life-and-death enmity with the Li family of Xiazhou that can no longer be resolved?" He took out a package from his bosom, handed it to Mu En, and said in a cold voice: "Fighting, it must be fought, but the Yeli Clan Qiang Conference was just a literary fight. This is a place for fighting , not here. Mu En, Mu Kui, I will change into official uniforms and take people to the Qiang meeting in a while. But you two can’t go, there is a big event, I want you two to do it separately. As long as you It was a beautiful battle, and I won't even lose this battle in the Yeli tribe!"