Hanhou

When Zhao Jia arrived at Yunzhong City, there was already a long queue outside the city gate.In addition to the caravans driving carts, there were also herdsmen driving cattle and sheep, as well as border residents who came from nearby counties and towns to market goods in the city.

If the caravan wants to enter the city, it must submit the wooden sign issued by the official temple.The border residents don't have too many restrictions, and they form two teams with merchants, and the speed of entering the city is obviously much faster.

Zhao Jia and his entourage followed the long queue of border residents, and unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance in front of the city gate.

Wang Shichang had a scar on his face, but his complexion was very good. Looking at the cart behind Zhao Jia, he said with a smile, "Mr. Zhao Lang is here to buy?"

"Earlier, I received a gift of silk from the envoy of Wei, and thought of exchanging some millet and salt sauce in the market."

"There is a new soy sauce shop in the city, and Jia people can make good soy sauce. Mr. Lang, go earlier, and you can buy high-quality meat sauce." Wang Shichang said to Zhao Jia.

"Thank you, Wang Shichang." Zhao Jia said with a smile.

Wang Shichang waved his hand, and said: "Thanks to the fur in Mr. Lang's hand, my daughter is safe and well, there is no need to be so polite."

"I have animal skins in my car, including wolves, foxes, and rabbits, as well as sheepskins and cowhide. Do you want to see what they are?"

Wang Shichang was obviously moved. Due to his duties, it was not easy to exchange directly in front of the city gate.He asked Zhao Jia how long he would stay in the city, and he knew that it would be at least until noon. He immediately said that he would go to the city after his shift, and he must leave some high-quality animal skins for him.

"Don't worry Wang Shichang."

Without stopping any longer, Zhao Jia quickly said goodbye to Wang Shichang, and led the convoy to the military city in the north of the city.

It was not too late for them to come, but there were too many caravans entering the city, and many of them were big merchants, carrying several carts of goods, half the street was occupied, it was not so easy to find a good place.

"Lang Jun, here!" Ji Bao found an open space close to the street, the ground was leveled out, and there were a few wooden stakes erected, which were just right for tying the horses.

A caravan also took a fancy to this place, but it was a pity that they were a step behind.Hearing the accent of Ji Bao and the others, he knew that they were the frontier people in the cloud, so he immediately gave up the idea of ​​fighting and unloaded the car across the street instead.

Zhao Jia fastened his horse, and while helping to unload the rattan basket from the cart, he looked at the caravan on the opposite side.Seeing that most of what he unloaded was grain, he gave Ji Bao some instructions, slapped off the broken snow from his hands, and walked over.

The caravan leader is about forty years old, tall and long-armed, and speaks a Chudi accent.Having traveled all over the world for many years, he has seen a lot and learned a lot, and he did not underestimate Zhao Jia just because of his age.Seeing that it was a market product, he immediately asked the family boy to bring some rattan baskets, lifted the lid on the top, untied the rope tied with the linen, and said, "There are both millet and wheat, as well as rice and husks. There are also shells."

The team leader said while grabbing a handful of husked rice from his pocket. It may be due to the variety or processing. The rice grains are a bit broken, but the color is not bad. Zhao Jiapo, who has not eaten rice for more than ten years, To move.

"How to market?"

The leader gestured five fingers and said, "One bucket of rice is exchanged for five buckets of millet, and millet is exchanged for animal skins at the market price."

Zhao Jia pondered for a moment, compared the prices of wheat, pointed three fingers at the team leader, and said, "My fur is all high-quality, one bucket of rice is worth three buckets of millet, and I want half a cart of rice."

Millet is the staple food in Border County, and even wheat is rarely grown. Many border residents have never seen rice.

The rice is produced in the south, and it is transported all the way to the border county. People eat and eat horses, and they have to face many risks, and the cost will inevitably increase.In addition, rare things are more expensive, so it's normal for the price to be higher than wheat, but Zhao Jia doesn't want to be taken advantage of.

"Three and a half buckets, no less, and you have to look at the fur first."

"it is good!"

The two reached an agreement, Zhao Jia led the team back to the cart, asked Qing Zhuang to untie the linen and spread out some wolf and fox furs.Indeed, as he said, the leather has been tanned and looks smooth, without any damage or scars. If you take it to Chang'an and other places, it will definitely fetch a high price.

At the same time as the animal skins were being spread out, several merchants stopped together and approached one after another, asking how the animal skins could be exchanged.

"I have silk and fine cloth!"

"Your Majesty, can you exchange for copper coins? If not, I have gold!"

There were more and more competitors, the leader didn't hesitate any longer, he waved away the two businessmen who shouted the most, loudly ordered the children to unload the car, and moved the rice to Zhao Jia.

"Do you want beans, Mr. Lang? The ones I brought are all high-quality." Picking up the traded fox fur, the team leader couldn't put it down, rolled it up and wrapped it up, and was ready to send it back to the car.

Zhao Jia took out the wooden slips, and indeed there were villagers who wanted to buy bean, and there were quite a few of them.What the other party wanted to exchange was animal skins, and he had to pay the price in silk. Although it was a bit troublesome, it was not too difficult.

"Market, according to the market price."

The team leader was overjoyed when he heard the words, and repeatedly ordered the family boy to unload the truck, opened the bag containing the beans on the spot, took out a handful of beans, and said to Zhao Jia: "Don't worry, sir, my beans are very good."

In order to prove what he said was true, the team leader asked the family boy to fetch rattan baskets, asked Zhao Jia to choose a bag at random, and poured the whole bag of beans into the basket in front of everyone, allowing Zhao Jia to inspect it.

"It's really good." Ji Xiong grabbed a handful of beans and nodded to Zhao Jia.

After confirming that they were correct, Zhao Jia and the team leader each took out their wooden signs and handed them over to the city flag hanging place for registration.For this business, both parties are very satisfied, it can be regarded as happy.

The rice was loaded into the cart, and Zhao Jia handed over the booth to Ji Xiong to take care of it, and took Ji Bao and a few young adults to the city to find the goods needed by everyone in the village.

Passing by several shops on the street, Zhao Jia suddenly remembered Wang Shichang's words, immediately slowed down, looked inside the door carefully, and soon found a shop selling sauce.

The shop was very spacious, with wooden boards of different heights erected on the floor, and there were no less than twenty clay pots on the boards, the small ones were only as big as a palm, and the big ones could weigh more than twenty catties.There are also several large pottery jars against the wall, with wooden lids on them, and washed stones on the lids.

Zhao Jia stepped into the shop, and Jia Ren immediately came up to meet him, and said with a smile, "Mr., do you want market sauce?"

"Do you have meat sauce?"

"Yes!" Jia Ren took a clay pot, opened the lid, scooped out half a spoonful of sauce, and said, "Try it, sir, the sauce I made is different from other people's, and it has a different taste besides the saltiness."

Zhao Jia dipped a little into his mouth, and found that there was a hint of spiciness in addition to the salty fragrance, his eyes lit up immediately, and he asked for the price.I thought it was not expensive, so I bought five cans and prepared to take it back to the farm for everyone to taste.

"Maybe long-term market change?" Zhao Jia asked.

"How much does your lord need?"

"This number is required every month."

"Five cans a month?" Jia Ren paused, with a hint of surprise on his face.All Zhao Jia wanted were jars weighing more than two catties, which could be eaten in a month. How many people were there in the family?

"Yes, yes?" Zhao Jia nodded and said, "If you eat well, you will add more in the future."

"Yes, yes! No matter how many there are!" No matter how surprised, it is good for the Jia people to do business, and he immediately smiled, "Do you pick it up yourself or ask someone to take it out of the city? You can also leave your home. , set a date, and I will send it for you.”

"No need to trouble, I will let my family pick it up."

This place is not far from the city flag, Jia Ren handed over the shop to his eldest son, and went to make a contract with Zhao Jia himself.After returning, he took another clay pot from the warehouse, containing newly made pickles, as an addition to this business.

The earthen jars containing the sauce were heavy, and Zhao Jia couldn't move them away by himself.In addition, there are also market goods, so I simply store them in the shop temporarily and pick them up when I leave the city.

Jia people are different from merchants, they stay in one place all year round, and they are registered in official temples, so naturally they won't ruin their reputation for a few jars of sauce.After Zhao Jia left, Jia Ren specially moved the clay pots to the shelf, told his eldest son to take good care of them, and taught him the principles of business.

"Although we are of humble origin, there are rules for how we do things. Don't get a bad name for small profits, you need to remember it firmly!"

As it approached noon, the military market became more lively. Walking on the long street, there were people crowded and crowded, and the sounds of horses neighing and sheep, as well as merchants bargaining.

Zhao Jia squeezed through the crowd with difficulty and joined Ji Bao.It was a crowded meal before returning to the place where the cart was parked.

After a whole morning, most of the fur on the car was gone, and a lot of silk cloth was also released.There were many people around the booth, and Ji Xiong was very busy.Seeing Zhao Jia, Ji Bao and others return, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

After a group of market merchants left, Zhao Jia fetched steamed cakes and steamed buns from the car.Can't make a fire, naturally can't bake, but fortunately, it's cold, it's still soft to bite, hot water is bought from the shop next to it, and it's eaten with a small jar of pickles, and it's enough for a meal.

From Zhao Jia's point of view, it was just enough, but the nearby merchants were envious.

Zhao Jia and the others ate bread made of fermented noodles, but what they ate were dead noodles. The weather was cold, and even if they were soaked in water, the taste would not be very good.

Finally, a well-built businessman couldn't bear it anymore and came over to discuss with Zhao Jia whether he could exchange some steamed buns and steamed cakes.

Zhao Jia did not refuse.

The speed of the exchange of goods is faster than expected, and there is no need to stay in the city overnight. There are so many steamed cakes and buns in the car that everyone can't finish them, so it is better to exchange them out.No matter how small a mosquito's legs are, it is still meat. Zhao Jia carries the livelihood of the two villages on his shoulders. Iron roosters can't do it, and careful planning is a must.

The businessman took ten steamed cakes and five steamed buns in exchange.After distributing the steamed buns to the old servant, he grabbed the buns and took the first bite, his eyes lit up.After three or two bites, pick up the second one, and the speed of eating is obviously accelerated.

In the following time, people came to Zhao Jia's booth to exchange steamed buns.In less than a quarter of an hour, all the food in the rattan baskets had been emptied except for those in everyone's hands.If someone came again, Zhao Jia could only shake his head.

After a meal, Zhao Jia started to count the goods exchanged in the market, asked Ji Bao and Qing Zhuang to bring the silk cloth copper coins, first went to the sauce shop to pick up the goods, and then went to the cattle and sheep market, and brought the ordered fat sheep and bullocks bring.

"Lang Jun, Xiong Boyan still needs iron tools in the livestock farm." Ji Xiong reminded.

There are craftsmen who can forge iron in Zhao's livestock farm, but the imperial court has strict restrictions on iron making. No matter how good the craftsmanship is, the scarcity of iron materials is useless.Take the Quyuan plow in the livestock farm as an example. The parts that need iron are basically made in the iron shop in the city.The court decree is like this, no matter how troublesome it is, you have to follow it.

"I know." Zhao Jia nodded, "The iron shop is in the east of the city. When the goods are brought back, I will go with you."

"promise!"

The military market was full of people, and when it was busy, a convoy of cavalry and infantry guarded entered Yunzhong County, traveling through the night and night, passing the post station without stopping, and speeding up to Yunzhong City.

The team sent newly made harnesses by fate, and there were several craftsmen who specialize in horseshoeing.Before starting from the fiefdom of the Marquis of Tangyi, he first went to Chang'an, and then went north to Bianjun.

On the way, the convoy also encountered Zhidu's team.If the other party hadn't taken the initiative to reveal his identity, no one would have thought that the new Yanmen prefect would be sitting in the carriage just by relying on the carriage and a few healthy servants.

Transporting the horse gear was an urgent task and no delay was allowed. The Marquis left Zhidu and led the team to continue northward.Zhidu ordered the servants and guards to hurry up and arrive at Yanmen as soon as possible.

Before taking office, he carefully understood the situation in Yanmen County. It can be said that compared with Yunzhong County where Wei Shang is in charge, the situation in Yanmen County is very bad, even bad.

Every time the Xiongnu went south, Yanmen County was the first to bear the brunt.Since Emperor Jing's reign, two consecutive prefects died in office, and the number of border residents who died in battle and were taken away decreased by more than [-]%.

To change the status quo, extraordinary measures must be taken.

Jinan can be governed so that the roads are not picked up, and the house is not closed at night.Yanmen County can also adopt a similar method, but it is no longer the tyrants who are facing each other, but the Huns on the grassland.

When he was in Chang'an, Zhi had the reputation of being a cruel official, and the nickname was "Goshawk".Similar to prisons, this goshawk whose feathers are like blades is also suitable for the border battlefield.

With the blade swinging down, it won't take long for Zhidu's reputation to spread throughout the grassland.After Wei Shang guarding in the cloud, the Xiongnu will usher in another fierce god and face another nightmare.

Changan

After Zhidu and Liu Rong traveled northward one after another, Liang Wang Liu Wu also set off to return to Fengguo.After a few days, Liu Yue, Liu Ji and Liu Cheng also bid farewell to the emperor and went to seal him.

The Xiongnu retreated, the matter of Linjiang King was settled, and several princes and kings left one after another. The court should have been peaceful for a while.The fact is just the opposite. With the emperor's decree to dismiss the prime minister, the cold wind in Chang'an City suddenly blew up, making people more nervous.

Lying on the couch for several months, Zhou Yafu's condition finally improved.However, Emperor Jing didn't intend to give him any more power at all. He sent someone to comfort him, and then decreed to remove him from office, and made Liu She, the imperial historian, his prime minister.

The imperial decree was announced in the court, but no one came forward to intercede for Zhou Yafu.People like Wei Qihou and Gong Gaohou had already expected this.In their view, the dismissal is only the beginning, if there is no miracle, Zhou Yafu will die after all.

When the wind blows in Chang'an, the royal court of the Xiongnu in Longcheng is also experiencing a turmoil.

The headquarters sent troops to the south, although they achieved certain results, the losses they suffered were not small.

King Zuoguli retreated halfway and became a laughing stock in the grassland; King Youguli was chased and killed by Yunzhongqi, and other troops desperately intercepted him before he could run back to the royal court.

When King Youxian and King Zuoxian retreated, they set up an ambush to repel Guanfu's pursuers, but the captive border people suddenly rebelled and attacked the Huns cavalry.The rest were taken back to the tribe and put into the sheepfold, whipped hard, still refused to bow their heads, and killed hundreds of people before the situation was slightly brought under control.

As soon as the turmoil subsided, Da Shanyu suddenly ordered to transfer [-] cavalry under the command of Zuoxian King Yu Shan, and at the same time moved out five other tribes, and put them under the command of Youguli King and Zuoguli King respectively.

Yu Shan was furious, but the military minister Shan Yu had made up his mind that if he dared to get angry in the big tent, he would have to face the blade of Shan Yu's guards.Even if you are not killed on the spot, your rights and status may not be preserved.

Suppressing the urge to draw his sword, Yu Dan left the big tent angrily. Not long after he walked out, he heard a scream.On the wooden posts not far from the big tent, several Da Yue clan maids and slaves in colorful clothes were being hung up and whipped severely.

Recognizing that two of them had been to his tent, Yu Dan's cheeks twitched, he clenched the handle of the knife, and looked fiercely at the big tent, only to be held back by the Wuhuan counselor who was traveling with him, so he did not act recklessly.

"go!"

With red eyes, Yu Dan jumped on his horse, thousands of cavalry galloped out of Longcheng, and the sound of rumbling horseshoes resounded across the grassland.

Passing by a source of water, he encountered a caravan coming from the south. With a grinning grin, Yu Shan drew out his dagger and ordered on the spot: "Kill them all!"

"Your Majesty, they are a Han Chinese caravan!" Advisor Wuhuan grabbed Yu Dan's reins, "Think twice..."

"Go away!" Kicking the counselor away, Yu Shan charged forward, his eyes were bloodshot, and he only thought about killing.

The caravan sensed the danger, and the guards raised their bows one after another.

However, there were too many Huns cavalry, and more than a hundred guards fought desperately, but they couldn't kill a way out. In the end, they all fell under the sword of the Huns.

After counting the goods in the caravan, Yu Dan nodded with satisfaction.

The Xiongnu cavalry turned their horses one after another, and left the place where they fought fiercely amidst the sound of thunder.

The corpses of the merchant and the guards were crushed into mud, not even a single complete bone could be found.Only the spreading blood can prove what happened here.