Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 235 The First Warrior 1
  After everyone left Guangshun Pass, Su Can saw that Jia Cong was going to the barbarians in person, and repeatedly asked to follow him. Jia Cong ignored him and only asked him to guard the pass.

Su Can smiled bitterly and accepted the order and retreated.

Wanyanshan rolled her eyes at Su Can and said, "Brother Jia, you Han people are so careless, as if you are afraid that we will harm you."

Jia Cong smiled and said: "They are also worried about my safety."

Wan Yanshan said: "The last time you upheld justice for us, I went back and told my father, and he kept saying that you were a good official. I also heard that you were willing to come to our Yaici Conference, so I told you not to neglect it. you."

"Oh? Your Majesty also knows about me?"

Wan Yanshan nodded with admiration on her face: "Dad said you are amazing. Qian'er personally led the cavalry and defeated hundreds of thousands of Tatar soldiers. He became a guard at a young age. You are really amazing. You are better than us." All the warriors in the clan are powerful."

Jia Cong smiled slightly: "Your Majesty is quite familiar with the affairs of the Han people."

Wanyanshan smiled and said: "My father is the leader of the clan. If he wants to deal with the Han people, he naturally needs to know about the Han people."

"Who did you learn Chinese from? You speak it very well." Jia Cong asked.

"Hehe, I learned it from Mr. Han in our tribe." Wan Yanshan fiddled with her pigtails and said with a smile.

Jia Cong asked curiously: "How come there are Han people in your clan?"

Wan Yanshan said: "They are all scholars who can't live a good life on the border. My father invited them to the mountains to teach the tribesmen how to speak Chinese."

Jia Cong nodded, this clan leader is quite far-sighted.

Talking and joking all the way, we walked along the mountain path trodden by the Jurchens, until the sun turned west, and we arrived at the Blackwater Jurchen settlement, Huanglinggou.

From Wanyanshan's mouth, Jia Cong also learned a lot about girls.

In front of us are lush trees, clear streams and springs at the bottom of ditches, and countless tents and wooden houses built on top of each other on the continuous mountains. Smoke is floating everywhere, and an endless stream of Jurchens from all tribes come from all directions, talking loudly and laughing together up the mountain.

Many children were laughing and playing with wooden sticks on the mountain path, while women were carrying buckets at the stream to fetch water and wash themselves. Downstream, there were many boys bathing and playing with their bare buttocks in the river.

Wan Yanshan pointed her hand and said with a smile: "Brother Jia, this is my home. Do you think it's beautiful?"

Jia Cong smiled and said: "It's really beautiful with beautiful mountains and clear waters and outstanding people."

"The city is not as orderly as yours." Wanyanshan smiled and whistled, and dozens of Jurchen men emerged from the woods beside the road.

"The carriage can't go up the mountain, let them carry the things up." Wanyanshan said, and then jabbered a few words to the women and true men.

Jia Cong watched the Jurchens unload the three carts of goods in an instant, put them on their shoulders, and walked up the mountain as fast as flying. He said with a smile: "No wonder people say that the Jurchens are invincible if they are less than ten thousand. They are indeed much stronger than the Han people."

Wan Yanshan shook her head and said: "That's because the life of the Han people is so good. Unlike us who travel through the mountains and forests all day long and fight with poisonous snakes and beasts, our bodies and bones are naturally stronger."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Don't worry, your life will get better soon."

"Then thank you, Brother Jia, for taking care of me." Wanyanshan said with a smile.

"You know how to hit snakes and catch them with a stick."

The two of them were chatting and laughing as they went up the mountain. After walking dozens of steps, they saw Wanyan Gu leading someone to greet them.

"I have met Mr. Jia. My father and the leaders of various ministries have been waiting in the village for a long time when they heard that Mr. Jia was coming."

Jia Cong smiled and said: "Then let's leave quickly. Sister Wanyan, let's see if you, who travels in the mountains and forests all day long, can catch up with me." After saying this, he rushed out with a lunge.

He had been working hard these days, his legs were bouncing as if they were equipped with springs, and he took three or four steps with a single step. His figure continued to accelerate on the mountain road, and he rushed up along the main road, his face intact. I almost didn't keep up.

Wan Yanshan was dumbfounded. When she saw Jia Cong's figure quickly disappearing around the corner, she stamped her feet and hurriedly chased after him.

After a while, Jia Cong and others followed the mountain road to the back mountain and saw a large village stretching across the mountain, with a stream of people, cattle, sheep and horses everywhere.

Panting, Wan Yangu followed him and said, "Master Jia, this is our village, please." After saying that, he led the way.

Jia Cong, Lei Tai, Xie Hui and the soldiers who followed them followed Wanyan Gu and others downhill slowly and entered the Jurchen's village.

There are very few Han people in the village, so Jia Cong and others attracted everyone's attention as soon as they came in, especially many young girls and young wives who stared curiously at the handsome Jia Cong, who was wearing a golden crown and a jade belt around his waist. Smirking and whispering from time to time.

Lei Tai and Xie Hui were both a little embarrassed and looked away.

Jia Cong felt a little like a star. He smiled and waved, and he immediately received warm and charming looks from many young girls.

Wan Yanshan finally arrived from behind, as if declaring her sovereignty, she ran over and took Jia Cong's arm, glaring at the girls around her angrily, causing a burst of teasing.

Ahead, a group of middle-aged and elderly people came out of the village's spacious meeting hall and greeted Jia Cong.

"Wanyan Tong, the head of the Blackwater Jurchen clan of the Qilimi tribe, pays homage to Lord Jia and respectfully welcomes Lord Jia to our village." A middle-aged man in a white robe came up and cupped his hands with a smile.

Jia Cong returned the courtesy and said: "Clan Chief Wanyan is very polite. Cong has long admired the aristocratic style. I am grateful for the invitation."

Wanyan Tong was very happy. The Han guards respected the Jurchens so much, and the headquarters was very prominent in front of other departments. He hurriedly raised his hand and said: "Thank you for the honor, sir. Please come in."

As he walked, he introduced the heads of each department to Jia Cong. "This is the head of the Mohe Jurchen clan..."

"This is the leader of the Luonie River Jurchen clan..."

"This is the head of the Ohu Jurchen clan..."

"This is the Jurchen clan leader of the Huosu Pavilion..."

"This is the head of the Aoyan Jurchen clan..."

Wanyan Tong introduced more than a dozen tribes in a row. Jia Cong was confused and couldn't remember any of them, so he had to smile and nod, trying to fool him.

The chiefs of each tribe had obviously heard about Jia Cong's deeds in advance, and also learned that the Blackwater Tribe had made a lot of profits in Liaohaiwei not long ago, so they all enthusiastically introduced the native products of their tribes.

Fortunately, the patriarchs of these mature tribesmen can all speak Chinese. Although it is not standard, they can barely understand it.

Jia Cong smiled and nodded to deal with them one by one, and took the time to whisper to Wan Yanshan next to him: "It's hard to remember their names. I can't remember any of them. You have to carry me later."

Wanyanshan covered her mouth and smiled: "Don't worry, I will remind you."

Everyone entered the meeting hall and sat on the floor. In front of everyone was a simple low table with wine, food, vegetables and fruits.

Wanyan Tong asked Jia Cong to sit at the head of the table, and he sat down to accompany the Prime Minister. The two columns below are the chiefs and important figures of each tribe.

Jia Cong couldn't refuse, so he had to sit down. Lei Tai, Xie Hui, Zhang Yuanba, Yan Shuangying and others stood behind him, while the other guards stood at the door.

Wan Yanshan looked like a little secretary and sat next to him obediently.

After exchanging pleasantries, Wanyan Tong gradually brought the topic to trade.

"The last time the Lord Guard judged the case impartially, he saved a huge loss for our clan. This time he gave generously. I will lend you flowers to offer to Buddha and give you a toast within five days of Minggan."

Wanyan Tong raised his glass and said with a smile: "Heads of the clan, please try it quickly. This is the fine wine of the Han family brought by Mr. Jia."

Everyone hurriedly raised their glasses and drank it all in one gulp. They were all surprised and amazed that there could be such good wine in the world.

Jia Cong drank with a smile and said: "A mere gift is not a sign of respect. I would like to use this wine to wish good communication between Han and Yi."

All the clan chiefs sighed: "We have suffered a lot of losses from doing business with the Han people in these years. It is rare for Mr. Jia to act fairly. We are all willing to come to Liaohaiwei to trade. Please take care of me."

This was exactly what Jia Cong wanted, and he said with a smile: "Don't worry, everyone, as long as you trade in Liaohaiwei, we can't guarantee anything else. There are two things that can be guaranteed. One is safety, and the other is fairness. If you don't believe me, just ask. Clan Chief Wanyan, how did he sell his goods last time?"

Everyone only knew a rough idea, but they didn't know the exact price yet, so they hurriedly asked Wanyan Tong.

Wanyan Tong smiled and said: "As far as fur is concerned, in the past our ermine skins cost only 1 cent of silver each, and gray rat skins, white rat skins, and black rat skins were even cheaper, costing only a few cents of silver each.

Now under the rule of Mr. Jia, Han merchants no longer dare to lower prices randomly. It is much more fair. The skin of ermine is worth at least 3 coins per piece. If it is replaced by cotton cloth, it can be exchanged for half a piece. If you replace it with salt, you can replace it with 3 pounds.

As for other furs, such as wolf skins, tiger skins, leopard skins, bear skins, lynx skins, fox skins, lamb skins, etc., their prices have also increased significantly. "

Everyone was overjoyed and asked hurriedly: "Sir, my tribe is rich in old wild ginseng. I don't know how to change it?"

Jia Cong was already prepared. He took out a price book from his pocket, flipped it over, and said with a smile: "Based on the year, if the old wild ginseng grows in ten years, it will cost 5 taels of silver. If it grows in 100 years, it will cost taels of silver." One plant.

If it is a small ginseng that is less than ten years old, it should be no less than 5 taels of silver per catty based on its size and appearance. If it is chopped ginseng, it should be no less than 3 taels of silver per catty. What do you think? "

Everyone couldn't hide their joy. The price was several times higher than the current price elsewhere.

Someone asked about the price of cattle, sheep and horses, someone asked about the price of Dongzhu, someone asked about the price of sea turtles, eagles, eagles and other birds, and Jia Cong answered them one by one.

Everyone was so excited after hearing this that they wanted to fly back to the tribe immediately and sell all the goods to Jia Cong. They also hated the Han merchants for their treachery, as they had really suffered losses in the past.

Suddenly someone said: "Master Jia, if we transport all the goods to Liaohaiwei, how many Han merchants will buy it?"

Everyone was also stunned, yes, how much goods can one Liaohaiwei buy? There are hundreds of thousands of Jurchens among us, plus the Fuyu, Wuhuan and other tribes, that's a lot of stuff.

Jia Cong smiled and said: "Don't worry, everyone, since I dare to speak, I have the confidence. If the goods you bring cannot be sold, I will eat as much as you can."

Everyone was overjoyed and hurriedly toasted to each other, saying how heroic you are.

When Jia Cong drank wine until the glass was dry, the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves happily.

Suddenly a real maid came over and said something in Wanyanshan's ear.

Wan Yanshan nodded and whispered: "Brother Jia, I'm going out for a while."

"It's up to you." Jia Cong smiled and nodded in agreement.

After everyone had finished talking about serious matters, they relaxed and drank and ate meat. None of the clan leaders had ever tasted the Immortal Drunkenness, so they would drink it vigorously.

After a while, someone came to report that the warriors for this year's Dragthorn Conference had been selected.

(End of this chapter)