Domination of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 476: Visitors from the Grassland 2
During this period of time, more and more tribes came to Hetao to do business with the Northern Army. The Northern Army stockpiled a large amount of goods in Hetao, many of which were necessities for life.

The grassland tribes live in poverty. Those with good conditions eat meat every day, while those with poor conditions continue to gnaw their bones after eating meat.The herdsmen of the grassland tribes basically don't change their tastes throughout the year.

However, it is not bad to have meat to eat.In winter, sometimes if you don't eat, you may have to wait to die.Many elderly people will leave the tribe on their own in the year of disaster, and then die in the belly of wolves.

This is the law of survival of grassland nomadic tribes. In order for the younger generation to survive, the older generation must make sacrifices.Winter is generally the most difficult year for grassland nomadic tribes.

In previous years, nomadic tribes would come to the border of the Han Dynasty every winter to dig grass and valleys. In fact, they may not be able to reap any benefits after spending so much effort, especially those ordinary herdsmen who live at the bottom. It is considered good to earn some food. .

Now that Gongsun Xu has conquered Hetao, it is even more impossible to allow these nomadic tribes to continue to go south to plunder the northern border of the Han Dynasty. In this way, Gongsun Xu will cut off the livelihood of these nomadic tribes.

However, fortunately, Gongsun Xu and his several military divisions have already thought of countermeasures. Anyway, the ordinary herdsmen of the nomadic tribe want to eat in one bite. If they can survive, these herdsmen will definitely not risk their lives to come to Hanbei trouble in Xinjiang.

Gongsun Xu bought a large amount of grain from other places, and then resold it to the nomadic tribes on the grassland through the trade market of Hetao. some precious medicines.

These are what Gongsun Xu needs. He can sell these good things in exchange for grain to other princes or businessmen in the Han Dynasty, and then he can make a lot of money from them.

The price difference is entirely at the discretion of Gongsun Xu. Of course, merchants from other places can also bring their own goods to Hetao to make transactions directly. At least, who told the Northern Border Army to be in charge of this trade route?
Compared with the income of each exchange, the losses and expenses along the way are nothing.In the land of northern Xinjiang, as long as you work hard, you can definitely survive.

This is the key to the fact that more and more grassland tribes are willing to come to Hetao for trade.Gongsun Xu not only led the refugees out of a way of life, but also brought a way of life to the grassland nomadic tribes.

On the grassland more than 200 miles away from Hetao, a caravan camped on the spot.It is said to be a caravan, but in fact they are like an army. There are three thousand cavalry, each with a bow and a knife on their backs. This is not something that an ordinary caravan can do.

And it is not wrong to say that they are caravans, because they carry a large number of cattle, sheep, horses, and many camels. These livestock are full of cargo when they go north, and ordinary troops will not carry so many things.

"Military division, the scouts are here to report that there are six caravans coming towards us nearby, and they seem to be going to Hetao to make a deal." A strong man walked up to a frail middle-aged man and said: They drove them away, and this was the best place to camp within a fifty-mile radius.

There are water sources and forests, so it is convenient to fetch water and firewood. I think it is better not to let these people get close. It is not a good thing for them to discover our whereabouts. "

"Hehe, you are too careful." The middle-aged man smiled and said: "This is not our territory, why should we do this, besides, they are just caravans, they all want to go to Hetao to do business, and we will same purpose.

What's wrong with letting them camp in such a big place.It's not bad to make more friends when you go out. Tell the soldiers on the outside to let them in. You go and arrange a camp for them, just don't get too close to us. "

"No, I'll do it right away." The strong man immediately went down to work, leaving the middle-aged man to read in the tent.If Gongsun Xu was here, he might be surprised, because the middle-aged man in this tent was Li Ru, who was extremely resourceful in the Xiliang army back then.

But now Li Ru can be a scholar. After Dong Zhuo's death, he lost his ambition. After escaping from Chang'an, he took his subordinates and family to the grassland to settle down. I took it.

After Dong Zhuo's death, Li Ru was gradually forgotten by the world. This is in line with Li Ru's thinking. It is always dangerous to be on the cusp of the storm. Li Ru is tired of that kind of life now.

If it wasn't for the survival of the tribe this time, I'm afraid Li Ru would not have taken the risk to come to Hetao to meet Gongsun Xu.After all, the Xiliang Army and the Beijiang Army were enemies back then, and now the Xiliang Army has existed in name only, while the Beijiang Army is in full swing. Li Ru is not sure that Gongsun Xu will let him and his tribe survive.

However, he really had no choice, Xiliang was in constant war, and Ma Teng, Han Sui, and the Qiang tribes each had territory in Xiliang, so it was impossible for Li Ru to settle down there.

After coming to the grassland, Li Ru felt that it was very good. The soldiers could put down their swords and guns to herd horses and sheep. If there were any provocations from other tribes, the soldiers of his own tribe could handle it.

Not only Li Ru likes this kind of life, but the soldiers under him also cherish it.However, some time ago, Li Ru's tribe had conflicts with other tribes, and finally almost attracted the siege of other tribes.

If Li Ru hadn't taken the initiative to destroy the four troublesome small tribes, I'm afraid he would be busy commanding his subordinates to fight other tribes now.

"Hey, I hope he can let me live." Li Ru stared at the oil lamp and said to himself: "The young man back then has gone so far and so high, sometimes I really envy Wen He, If he is not careful, he will throw it so far away, hehe, this is fate."

Not long after, the strong man who had gone out to work before came back to report to Li Ru, and after listening to his report, Li Ru greeted him to sit down and said, "Dong Fei, come here, I have something to explain to you.

I don’t know whether it’s right or wrong to choose to come to Hetao this time, but we have no choice. There is no place for us in the Central Plains, and there is no place for us to stand in Xiliang.

When we come to the grassland, we still have to face the plunder of those tribes. This is the way of the world. Wherever there are people, there will be battles. No matter where we go, we cannot avoid it.

This time we made such a big fuss, the one from Beijiang must investigate to the end.Instead of letting him send troops to find us, it is better for us to come here and make it clear to him now.

Hey, I don't care about my old life anymore, it's just that you are the only man left in the Dong family, as well as your cousin and my wife. If something happens to you, I really can't explain it to the master. up.

After another fifty miles tomorrow, you will take 2000 people to stay, and I will take all the goods and others to Hetao.Remember, don't reveal your identity to anyone before I come back, I don't want the Dong family to end like this. "

"No, military advisor, the last general will definitely recruit." This Dong Fei is actually the son of Dong Zhuo's third brother, and his personality is completely different from that of Dong Zhuo's elder brother. He is a typical Kansai man.

During the Chang'an Rebellion, Dong Fei had been working by Li Ru's side all the time, and happened to escape the chase.Although Lu Bu wanted to give Dong Zhuo's family a break, not many people survived in the end.

In addition to those collateral children, Dong Zhuo's immediate family members almost lost their lives.In the end, there were only a few people who fled to the grassland with Li Ru.

"Go down and get busy." Li Ru said: "If you don't receive my reply within three days, you should immediately lead people back to the tribe. From now on, this tribe will need you to lead. If something happens to me, you Just lead the tribe to migrate to the northwest, even if you escape to the Western Regions, it doesn't matter."

"I understand." Dong Fei replied: "Military Master, why don't you go, let's just move away, let's go to the Western Regions, I believe that with your resourcefulness and more than 2 brothers, we will definitely be able to live in the Western Regions." The Western Regions have found a way out."

"Hehe, you kid, you think I don't want to." Li Ru smiled wryly, "It's too late, that guy from Beijiang has already set his sights on us, if I don't take the initiative to stand up, I'm afraid that guy from Beijiang will drive the tribe to extinction. .

Don't think too much, I'm just doing business this time, and I don't necessarily lose my life. Besides, I still have acquaintances in northern Xinjiang. It's just fate. I didn't expect that I would get to where I am today. . "

"No, the general understands." Dong Fei nodded and left.

Li Ru continued to look at the book. What he held in his hand was a paper book produced in northern Xinjiang. This thing is very precious now. The princes in the mainland of the Han Dynasty may not have it now, but Li Ru is on the Hetao side. He got two copies, and since then he has been holding them in his hands every day, reluctant to let them go.

"I really don't know what's in his head." Li Ru said to himself: "How can he think of things that others can't think of, and he can do things that others can't do? If so, that would be great, hey,,,,,, "

Two days later, Li Ru's caravan had entered the area of ​​the Hetao. There were not a few cavalry on the outskirts of the Hetao. Tax.

"Stop, where are you from the caravan, quickly stop for inspection." A chief pointed to Li Ru's caravan and said, "Why do you have so many things and so many guards? Who is the leader, come out say."

"Master Jun, the little old man is the person in charge. What we brought are all goods, you can inspect them." Li Ru stepped forward to reply, and at the same time did not forget to send some filial money.

The chief stopped Li Ru and said: "You don't have to pay for filial piety, the caravan is too big, and you have too many people, I can't decide this matter, I have to ask the general for instructions.

Why do I feel that there are problems with these guards of yours, all of them look murderous.Stop quickly for inspection, and everyone stay where they are.If anyone dares to mess around, don't blame the guys in our hands for not having eyes. "

Li Ru stopped obediently and prepared to be inspected. After all, there are so many people and so many goods, no matter where they go, they will attract people. Moreover, Li Ru's guards were all former lieutenant soldiers. Wrong, all of them looked murderous.

(End of this chapter)