Hanhou

A war with the Xiongnu did not make Yunzhong County depressed.

On the contrary, the Han army intercepted the Xiongnu, and the county and city were not lost, and the bustle soon resumed.Hu merchants, who were unable to go south for several months because the Xiongnu blocked the trade route, formed a larger caravan after the beacon fire extinguished, and rushed all the way to Hanbian in the wind and snow.

The Hu market is still under reconstruction, and caravans can only go through the military market if they want to sell goods.

Every day before dawn, there will be a long queue outside the city gate, including Wuhuan people driving cattle, sheep and horses, Dingling people driving carts, and a large number of Di people, Qiang people and Xianbei people. people.

Hu merchants from the north who want to buy goods in the city must have a wooden sign issued by the official temple.

Many Hu merchants waited for several days, but still did not get permission to enter the city. Seeing the continuous stream of Han merchants coming from the south, and seeing the goods on the carts, one by one went around in a hurry, and there was nothing they could do.

When Zhao Jia arrived in the county, he was catching up with several Hu merchants who were arguing together, almost drawing their swords.After asking other people, I found out that one of the Hu merchants came back excitedly after receiving the wooden signboard to enter the city, but was threatened by another team of Hu merchants and forced him to hand over the wooden signboard.

The latter tribe is more powerful and has a rather tyrannical attitude.But the former withstood the pressure and refused to let go.If you usually give in, you will give in, after all, your own strength is not as good as the opponent's.Now it is about the life and death of the tribe, no matter how tyrannical it is, it cannot back down.

Last year, the grassland was hit by a catastrophe. A large number of cattle and sheep starved to death, and those who were still alive were skinny. The situation was very bad.The Xiongnu retreated back to Longcheng in defeat, and there was no guarantee that they would not make other plans.In this case, it is more important than anything else to exchange enough food and salt for the tribal warriors to have the strength to mount their horses and fight!

Let the tribal warriors eat enough, pick up their knives and desperately, maybe they can find a way to survive.If you make concessions and cut off the opportunity to enter the city, the people in the tribe will starve to death if they are not robbed, so what is the future?

"They are all Di people." A border resident carrying a rattan basket rubbed his big hands vigorously. After rubbing his palms to warm them, he picked up the children who were traveling with him and covered his little face flushed with cold.

Di people?

Zhao Jia took a closer look and found that the noisy Di people were all red-eyed, and some had already started to draw their knives.

The situation became more and more serious, and the Han army on the top of the city ignored them, but the two Wuhuan caravans nearby came forward and warned the Di people who were about to attack. Don't blame them for being rude.

The words of the Wuhuan people reminded the Hu merchants who were watching from the sidelines. Knowing the seriousness of the situation, they stepped forward to persuade them.If it doesn't make sense, just shake your fist and beat these Di people to be honest, and then let them form a team and enter the city together to make goods. The latecomers will share [-]% of the goods as a reward, and the matter will be resolved quickly.

Witnessing the whole process, Zhao Jia couldn't help but look at these Wuhuan people with admiration.

Seeing Zhao Jia's gaze, the Wuhuan turned his head, looked carefully at his attire, and focused his attention on the ox horn bow hanging on the horse's back and the long knife on his waist. With a smile on his face, he stepped forward to salute with a smile.

Zhao Jia thought it was interesting, anyway, there was still some time before the city gate opened, so he simply dismounted and chatted with the other party.

During the conversation, I discovered that the Wuhuan people in front of me came from the Xianchi tribe and were related to Xianchi Yong.They have mutual acquaintances, and chatterboxes are easy to open.

"You want to buy horses in the city?" Zhao Jiashun looked at the point of the Wuhuan people, and found that there were many strong Xiongnu horses in his team, and what was even more rare was that there were more than 20 half-sized horses.

"Your Majesty, do you want to trade?" The Wuhuan merchant paid attention to Zhao Jia's expression, and seeing that he was indeed interested, he immediately ordered his slaves to bring a fine horse and two colts.

The Wuhuan merchants often traveled to the border counties, and had learned a few lessons. When they came to Yunzhong again, there were only Hu slaves in the team, and there was no sign of half of the Han people.The guards are also carefully selected, and those with the characteristics of the Huns are absolutely not wanted, for fear of attracting the resentment of the Han people.

Zhao Jia Xiangma's level is average, and he only knows a few key points.Recalling Uncle Xiong's steps in finding horses, he first looked at the horses and then the foals, and then let the accompanying Ji Bao and Ji Xiong look at them, and finally confirmed that they were all good horses.

Hearing the quotation from the Wuhuan people, Zhao Jia thought that this business could be done, and he would definitely not lose money.

"Ten strong horses, ten colts, according to the price you said, market salt."

Last year, there was a natural disaster, and the fields in Bianjun had no harvest. Only by catching locusts to save the emergency, the livestock farm recovered some losses.Zhao Jia tried to grow big taro but failed, but the piglets he caught grew well, and they were slaughtered and made into jerky, not as good as mutton, and they could still exchange a lot of millet with the caravan from the south.

Zhao Jia was reluctant to exchange food, so he could only use the salt from the livestock farm.

There is a salt official in Yanmen County, and Yunzhong County is not far from Yanmen, and there is little shortage of salt in the county.

Zhao Jia originally wanted to go north with the caravan, but unfortunately natural and man-made disasters followed one after another, and the plan was interrupted halfway.The accumulated salt and sauce are piled up in the warehouse, the quantity is too large to be used up for the time being, and it just happens to be used to sell horses with the Wuhuan people.

The people of Wuhuan were very happy to conclude a deal before entering the city.Salt is as precious as food. Except for the needs of the tribe, the rest is transported to the grassland for sale, and the profits obtained are at least several times higher.

The two of them made a deal in a few words, and the other Hu merchants were eager to see it, and they began to move around.The team leader took the initiative to talk to Han merchants, trying to order a batch of grain on the spot, and immediately register with the county magistrate after entering the city to avoid being preempted by others.

When it was busy, the guards at the head of the city changed their guards, and the closed city gate was opened from the inside.The Han army with halberds came out in a line, and the noisy line immediately became quiet.

Zhao Jia asked Ji Xiong to gallop back to the livestock farm to fetch salt for the horse.Then hand over the wooden sign to Ji Bao, and let him and the Wuhuan merchant go to the city to register and pay taxes.He led his horse into the city, checked his identity at the garrison, and went straight to the prefect's mansion.

Watching Zhao Jia go away, the Wuhuan businessman couldn't help being curious.

"My lord has a title." Seeing the expression of the Wuhuan people, Ji Bao grinned, "Before going to battle to kill the enemy, he fought with the Huns and beheaded more than ten levels."

The Wuhuan people gasped, and even though they were curious, they didn't continue to inquire. They hurriedly turned around and organized a team, and went to the military market with Ji Bao.

Zhao Jia walked through the east of the city and came all the way to the prefect's mansion.

There are three carts and more than 20 horses parked in front of the mansion.

The healthy servant in front of the door recognized Zhao Jia, quickly went forward, led him to bypass the cart and horses, and directly entered the front yard.Immediately afterwards, a riding boy stepped forward and led the bay red horse to the stable.Zhao Jia was led by a healthy servant, walked through the corridor, and walked to Wei Yue's study.

Passing the duty room on the way, several civil servants hurried over, all holding bamboo slips in their arms.One person walked too fast and almost bumped into Zhao Jia.It was the colleagues behind him who helped to avoid an embarrassment.

Zhao Jia went in and out of the prefect's mansion many times, and there were few civil servants in the mansion who he didn't know, but the few in front of him were a little unfamiliar.They greeted each other, passed by each other, and only found out after asking the health servants that they were transferred from Yangshou County to the county seat, so it's not surprising that Zhao Jia didn't know each other.

Looking back at the appearance of a few people, you know how busy they are.Thinking about what Wei Yue wrote in the letter, Zhao Jia suddenly felt that his estimated workload was very inaccurate, at least doubled.

Leaving the value room, and passing through another courtyard, he entered the back house of the prefect's mansion.

Wei Yue's study is located on the east side of the back house. Zhao Jiayou often comes here, and he can find it without the guidance of a healthy servant.

Taking off his leather boots in front of the door, Zhao Jia stepped on his socks and walked into the inner room.

There is a brazier burning in the room, and there are wooden shelves on three walls, on which are piles of bamboo slips.Several wooden boxes were placed on wooden frames, and inside were all ancient books of the previous dynasty, many of which were written in big seal script.

There are two wooden tables in front of the bookshelf, one is full of bamboo slips and wooden tablets, and the other is only inkstones and knives and pens.Wei Yue was crouching between the bamboo slips, picked up a pen and landed on the bamboo slips, stopped halfway, and picked up a knife to scrape off the last few words.

"I have met the third son." Zhao Jia stepped forward to salute.

Wei Yue got the report from the health servant earlier, beckoned Zhao Jia to come closer, pushed more than a dozen bamboo slips in front of him, and said: "These need to be re-excerpted, and I have something else to discuss with Ah Duo after the recording."

"promise."

Zhao Jia didn't say much. He opened a book of bamboo slips and found that it contained information about grassland tribes, but the records were very messy. To obtain useful details, he needed to gather all the information and sort it out further.

After flipping through several bamboo slips in succession, Zhao Jia had a good idea. He didn't need to ask Wei Yue. , carefully compared and carefully excerpted.

After handling some of the government affairs, Wei Yue put down his pen and turned his head to see Zhao Jia Fu's case, with smile lines on the corners of his mouth, and a trace of nostalgia in his eyes.Sensing the other party's gaze, Zhao Jia paused, resisting the urge to raise his head, and continued writing stroke by stroke.

After a long time, Wei Yue withdrew his gaze and took a volume from the mountains of bamboo slips. His slender fingers brushed over the slips and read the contents. The smile on the corner of his mouth gradually disappeared. The strips were tied again.

About half an hour later, the servant brought hot soup, Wei Yue went around the wooden table, and patted Zhao Jia on the shoulder.

"Hodor, take a break and have some hot soup."

"Thank you third son." Zhao Jia stopped writing, turned his wrist twice, moved his fingers, and took a sip from the lacquer cup.The slightly spicy taste made him startled, looking at Wei Yue, he couldn't see anything, he simply put aside his doubts, drank the hot soup one after another, the warmth transpired from his stomach, and gradually spread to his limbs and bones.

The body warmed up, and the winter sun came in through the window, Zhao Jia really wanted to stretch his waist.He stretched his arm halfway before realizing that the occasion was wrong, and hastily retracted it, not surprisingly hearing a few chuckles.

Wei Yue leaned against a few sides, her expression relaxed, and a smile filled her eyes.The handsome face became more and more gentle, without any sharpness of conquest on the battlefield.

"I remember when I first taught Ah Duo calligraphy, it was the same every time I was tired. But at that time, Ah Duo was still young, and he would sleep in my arms when he was extremely tired." Third Young Master Wei's expression and tone all revealed nostalgia.

Suddenly caught in memory, Zhao Jia's expression was blank.

Who would have thought that a young man who is as tall as a bamboo has the potential of an octopus.

Back in the day, he was hugged by the third son of Wei like a big baby, and all protests were ignored.I can't finish hugging him during the day, and I have to hug him when I go to bed.Hugging and not letting go, just like upgrading from a hand warmer to a pillow.Several times Zhao Jia woke up from the dream, almost thinking that he was being crushed under the mountain.She lowered her head and realized that Wei Yue was sleeping soundly with her head on her pillow.

It is really unbearable to look back on the past, and looking back is full of bitter tears.

Seeing Zhao Jia's expression, Wei Yue coughed lightly, and took two bamboo slips from the table, mentioning what Wei Taishou had explained.

"Caravan?" Zhao Jia was pulled out of the memories and asked in surprise, "Going north at this time?"

Wei Yue nodded, unfolded a book of bamboo slips, and said, "Did you read carefully the tribal roster that was given to Ah Duo before?"

"I've seen it." Zhao Jia nodded and said, "Is this the tribe you're going to go this time?"

"Yes." Wei Yue pushed the bamboo slips in front of Zhao Jia, and said, "Last year, the disaster was severe. The Xiongnu were defeated and returned to the north. All the tribes in the grassland must be short of food. During this battle, the Xiongnu suffered a lot, and Xu Buyong was captured alive. , Xubuli begged to surrender, and it is a good opportunity to send people north at this time."

"Start with Xu Bu?" Zhao Jia fell into deep thought as he recalled the information Wei Yue gave him.The Xubu family is a noble family of the Xiongnu, with more than [-] string-controlling cavalry, in terms of strength, they are definitely not on the same level as the Tuoba Qiang tribe that Zhao Jia planned to attack.

Wei Yue took another bamboo slip and continued: "Since the time of Maodun Shanyu, the Xubu clan has been attached to King Zuo Tuqi. At the peak of the tribe, there were more than [-] cavalry and millions of cattle and sheep. At the beginning of Shanyu’s ascension to the throne, he received strong support from the Xubu clan. After the military minister Shanyu took control of Longcheng, the Xubu clan gradually declined.”

"Before Xu Buyong, the leader of the Xu Bu family was Xu Buli's father. This man killed his father and seized power. He was protected by King Zuo Tuqi from death and has always been loyal to King Zuo Tuqi."

"Xubu Yong killed his brother, he didn't want to be dealt with by King Zuo Tuqi, so he turned to King Zuo Guli."

As Wei Yue spoke, he dipped his pen in ink and sketched on the wooden tablet, listing the rights system of the Huns headquarters.

"Nominally speaking, the Xubu clan is a noble family in the headquarters, governed by the Great Shanyu, and does not belong to any corner, and only sends troops with it in wartime. In fact, it is not the case. The previous leader of the Xubu clan was loyal to King Zuotuqi, Xubu Yong is willing to be driven by King Zuoguli, and his tribe cannot be unified, and it has been divided as early as ten years ago."

However, Yi Zhixie didn't trust Xubu Yong, and in the previous battle, he even planned to let him die in the rear, so that he could go back and receive Xubu's soldiers and livestock.

"That is to say, Xu Buyong can't order all of the Subu family?"

Wei Yue pointed at the handwriting on the wooden tablet, and said in his mouth: "Even if he can't give orders to all, he is still the big leader in name. Xu Buli confessed that all his elder sons died in battle, and the youngest son was still young, and he still couldn't convince the people." This time the Xiongnu retreated, and a dispute was set up within the tribe. The method is appropriate, and it may not be useless for me."

Speaking of this, Wei Yue changed the subject: "A Duo captured Xu Buyong alive, which can be said to have made a great contribution."

Facing Wei Yue's smiling eyes, Zhao Jia's heart skipped a beat.

He killed his son before, and captured Lao Tzu alive this time. The news spread that the Huns loyal to Xu Buyong probably wanted to kill him in their dreams.

But so what?

Now that the ambition to step on the grassland is set, these are inevitable.If the Xiongnu dared to send troops southward, they must have the consciousness of being killed.He is willing to bear this blame, no matter how angry the Huns are, in the final analysis, everything must be done with a knife!