Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

A biting wind, carrying fine snowflakes, swept in from the depths of the northern grasslands, passing through the border market west of Xinghuo Fortress, rustling the furs on the stalls and bringing with it an even more chilling atmosphere from afar. Yet, in this border market comprised of simple wooden sheds and vendors, the atmosphere was more lively than ever before, even carrying a subtle tension and anticipation. For today, Xinghuo Fortress would welcome a special group of guests—an official delegation from a medium-sized nomadic tribe called the "White Deer Clan," deep in the northern grasslands.

The White Deer Tribe was neither a purely nomadic tribe like the Murong Tribe from which Murong Mingyue originated, nor was it as fierce and warlike as the Balut Tribe, which had been defeated by Xinghuo Fortress. They occupied a fertile river valley in the north with abundant water and grass and a small trade route node. Their population was about two to three thousand households. They were mainly engaged in animal husbandry, with some fur processing and trade to the south. They were relatively pragmatic and maintained a cautious and flexible relationship with the surrounding Han Chinese fortresses and Hu tribes. They neither easily submitted to powerful forces nor tried to avoid unnecessary conflicts. After Xinghuo Fortress rose to prominence, especially after defeating the vanguard of the Black Mountain Army, the White Deer Tribe began to pay attention to this emerging power in the south through sporadic trade.

Meanwhile, at Xinghuo Fortress, the demand for high-quality warhorses has become unprecedentedly urgent as the cavalry expansion plan progresses. Although the Murong tribe has brought a certain number of horses, and those captured are numerous, the proportion of good steeds is low, and long-term breeding and cultivation require time. Scattered purchases through trade markets are limited in quantity, expensive, and difficult to guarantee a stable supply. Establishing a stable trade relationship directly with a grassland tribe possessing certain horse resources would undoubtedly be a shortcut to solving the warhorse bottleneck.

At the same time, from a broader strategic perspective, establishing ties with medium-sized tribes like the "White Deer Tribe" would help break the potential isolation that Starfire Fortress might face in the north, embedding a buffer or potential ally between Black Mountain Commander and other potential threats further north, or at least a neutral party that needs to be won over.

Therefore, when the White Deer Tribe conveyed their desire for "formal negotiations" through a caravan, Chen Xing, Wu Xuejiu, Murong Mingyue, and others carefully assessed the situation and decided to respond positively. After several rounds of low-key preliminary contacts and probing of conditions, both sides finally finalized the exchange of missions. On the Xinghuo Fortress side, Wu Xuejiu served as the chief envoy, Murong Mingyue served as the deputy envoy as a cavalry commander and a familiar grassland noblewoman to the White Deer Tribe, and Chen Wei led a team of elite cavalry escorts to the designated border location to meet them.

At this moment, in a specially cleared area beside the trade market, a large felt tent, reminiscent of the grasslands, had been hastily erected. Newly tanned sheepskins were laid inside, and a charcoal brazier burned in the center. Wu Xuejiu, dressed in a neat Confucian robe, sat regally in the main seat, his demeanor composed and dignified. Murong Mingyue, dressed in the formal attire representing the noblewoman of the Murong tribe, sat quietly to the side, her expression calm. Chen Wei, fully armored, stood with his hand on his sword inside the tent entrance, his gaze sharp. Outside the tent, the banners of Xinghuo Fortress and the banners of the "White Deer Tribe," adorned with white running deer patterns, fluttered side by side.

The sound of horses' hooves grew louder as a troop of about thirty cavalrymen escorted a carriage decorated with colorful felt, slowly approaching the tent. Leading them was a middle-aged Central Asian knight, wearing a sable hat, a brocade-trimmed fur robe, and a jewel-encrusted scimitar at his waist. His face was rugged, but his eyes were shrewd. He dismounted nimbly, his gaze sweeping over the Starfire Fortress cavalry standing solemnly outside the tent, a fleeting hint of surprise and seriousness in his eyes. A white-haired old man carrying a turquoise-inlaid wooden cane alighted from the carriage, along with a young Central Asian youth dressed as a warrior, his eyes curiously surveying their surroundings.

"The White Deer Tribe's envoy, Elder Wuen, along with our young master Hasen, have come to pay their respects to Lord Starfire Fortress and all the distinguished guests on the orders of the Great Chieftain." The middle-aged knight stepped forward and announced in fluent but accented Chinese, while placing his right hand on his chest in a steppe salute.

Wu Xuejiu rose and returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "I am Wu Qian, entrusted by my lord Chen Xing, to respectfully welcome Elder Wu En and Young Master Hasen. My lord is preoccupied with military affairs and unable to personally greet you, so he has specially ordered me and Commander Murong to handle the reception. Please forgive him. Simple food and wine have been prepared in the tent; please!"

After exchanging greetings, the two sides entered the tent and took their seats as host and guest. Following brief pleasantries and the exchange of gifts, the atmosphere gradually eased, but they quickly got down to business.

Elder Wu coughed lightly, stroked his wooden cane, and said slowly, "Mr. Wu, Commander Murong. Our White Deer tribe resides in the northern river valley and has always lived in harmony with our southern neighbors, exchanging goods and resources. In recent years, we have heard that Starfire Fortress has risen in the south, governing its people effectively and maintaining a disciplined military, especially renowned for its victory at Wild Wolf Slope. Our chieftain deeply admires it and wishes to establish a lasting friendship with your fortress."

Wu Xuejiu stroked his beard and smiled: "Elder, you flatter me. My fortress lord often says that both Han and non-Han peoples are descendants of the Yellow Emperor. In times of chaos, we should help each other to survive. Your esteemed tribe has come from afar to discuss friendly relations, which is a great welcome to our fortress. But I wonder, what specific plans does your esteemed tribe have for this 'long-term friendship'?"

Negotiations officially began. Elder Wun, representing the White Deer tribe, presented their core demands: to establish a stable "peaceful trade" relationship with Starfire Fortress. The White Deer tribe could exchange furs, cheese, livestock, and some medicinal herbs for Starfire Fortress's grain, salt, ironware, cloth, tea, and other goods. They particularly emphasized the security of the trade routes, hoping that Starfire Fortress would guarantee the safe passage of their caravans within its controlled territory and grant them certain tariff preferences.

Wu Xuejiu listened attentively, occasionally exchanging glances with Murong Mingyue. Murong Mingyue added her own insights from the perspective of the grassland tribes, offering professional opinions on fur grades, livestock health standards, and transaction timing. This earned frequent nods from Elder Wuen and the young master Hasen, subtly bridging the gap between them.

"What your ministry has raised is quite reasonable." After the other party finished speaking, Wu Xuejiu slowly began to speak, "Exchange of goods and resources benefits both sides, and our fortress is also happy to see it happen. Ensuring the safety of trade routes is of course our duty. However..." He changed the subject, "our fortress also has a few concerns that need to be clarified with your ministry."

"Please speak, sir."

"Firstly, in business dealings, honesty and fairness are paramount. Our fort is willing to trade with your ministry at fair market prices, but we need to agree on basic quality standards for goods and pricing methods, and establish a resident trade council to handle daily disputes, so as not to let minor disagreements ruin our goodwill."

Elder Uen nodded: "That is the truth. Our tribe also abhors deceitful acts."

"Secondly," Wu Xuejiu's gaze narrowed slightly, "our fortress knows that your tribe is rich in fine horses. Our fortress's cavalry is expanding, and we have a great need for horses. We hope that in this trade agreement, it can be specifically stipulated that your tribe should sell a certain number of strong warhorses to our fortress each year at a predetermined price, at least... three hundred horses. In return, our fortress can provide your tribe with some of the items that your tribe urgently needs and that are unique to our fortress at a preferential price, such as... higher-quality iron farm tools, specific medicines, and even assistance in building more sturdy winter sheds."

Warhorses were the core objective of Starfire Fortress's negotiations. Elder Uen and Young Master Hasen exchanged a glance, their expressions turning serious. Warhorses were a vital strategic resource for the grassland tribes, and selling them on a large scale to a rising power with a strong infantry and emerging cavalry required careful consideration.

"Three hundred horses...that's no small number," Elder Wun pondered. "Moreover, warhorses are different from ordinary livestock; selection and training both require time and effort. As for the price..."

Murong Mingyue then spoke, addressing the young master Hasen directly in fluent Hu language: "Young master, you are young and should know that fine horses are a fitting match for heroes. My Xinghuo Fortress cavalry now numbers nearly seven hundred, all of whom have trained diligently according to the laws of the grasslands and the military discipline of the Han people. If they acquire fine horses, they will be like tigers with wings. Your tribe's friendship with my fortress and the provision of fine horses is both trade and investment. In the future, when my fortress cavalry gallops across the grasslands and wipes out villains like the Black Mountain Commander who are plundering and threatening the peace of all herders, our friends from the White Deer tribe will surely gain a longer period of peace and broader business opportunities."

Her words highlighted both Starfire Fortress's potential and its common enemy, while also elevating the warhorse trade to the level of strategic cooperation. Young Master Hassen, full of youthful vigor, brightened slightly upon hearing this and looked at Elder Uen.

Elder Wun stroked his beard, pondering for a long time. He certainly understood the pros and cons. The rising momentum and demonstrated governance of Starfire Fortress were indeed worth the investment. Strengthening ties with a neighbor who was law-abiding, had potential, and also faced the threat of the Black Mountain General, was more beneficial than harmful to Minister Bailu. It was just that the number of warhorses…

After intense bargaining, a compromise was reached: the Bailu tribe promised to provide Xinghuo Fortress with no fewer than two hundred qualified warhorses in the first year, with subsequent annual supplies to be negotiated based on the condition of the horse herd, but a stable supply of at least one hundred and fifty horses guaranteed. Xinghuo Fortress, in return, granted the Bailu tribe's caravans most-favored-nation treatment, halving tariffs, and promised to provide a batch of urgently needed iron tools and some scarce medicines at preferential prices. Simultaneously, both sides agreed to establish permanent representatives in each other's territories, hold regular meetings, and coordinate trade and border matters.

"Thirdly," Wu Xuejiu finally raised, and this was the most sensitive point, "to show our sincerity and jointly defend against potential enemies, our fort hopes to reach a tacit understanding with your ministry: when either party suffers an unprovoked attack from a third party, the other party must remain neutral and in good faith, and must not allow the attacking party's army to pass through or obtain material support. At the same time, we will establish a border intelligence-sharing mechanism to exchange information on major developments that may threaten the security of both sides."

This clause involved a quasi-military alliance, which Elder Uen was very cautious about. Ultimately, both sides agreed to change the wording to "In the spirit of peace and friendship, if either party is attacked, the other party should provide moral support and, provided that its own security is not threatened, consider providing necessary humanitarian assistance and intelligence sharing." This was considered a more relaxed security understanding.

The negotiations lasted a full day. As night fell, a draft of the "Peaceful Trade and Friendship Treaty between Xinghuobao and Bailu Tribe," written in both Han and Hu languages, was finally completed. Although it was only a draft and still needed final confirmation and sealing by the leaders of both sides, the core framework had been finalized.

Inside the felt tent, tallow candles were lit, and representatives from both sides raised their glasses in a toast. The atmosphere was much warmer than when they first arrived. Elder Wu En remarked, "Mr. Wu is incredibly knowledgeable, Commander Murong is charismatic, and General Chen is dignified and imposing. Xinghuo Fortress truly is teeming with talent. Dealing with your fortress has been a pleasure!"

Wu Xuejiu smiled and said, "Elder, you are too modest. Your department is pragmatic, insightful, and far-sighted, making you a good partner for cooperation. I hope that once this agreement is reached, the people of both sides will benefit and live in peace."

Young Master Hasen expressed his admiration for Murong Mingyue's horsemanship and military leadership, and agreed to exchange ideas more often in the future. Murong Mingyue responded politely.

As the White Deer tribe delegation, carrying the draft treaty and gifts from Xinghuo Fortress, departed the border under the escort of Xinghuo Fortress cavalry and disappeared into the twilight of the northern grasslands, Wu Xuejiu and Murong Mingyue stood side by side, gazing in the direction they had gone.

"The warhorse issue has made a good start," Murong Mingyue said softly. "Two hundred horses a year, if this can be sustained, will greatly improve the combat strength of our cavalry within a few years."

Wu Xuejiu nodded: "It's not just about horses. If this agreement is reached, the pressure on the north of our fortress will be reduced, we'll have one more friendly neighbor and one less hidden worry. Moreover, through trade, we can continuously acquire grassland furs and livestock, and export our fortress's products, which will be very beneficial economically. More importantly, once this precedent is set, other observing tribes or forces may follow suit. Our fortress's diplomatic situation will be greatly improved."

When the news reached Xinghuo Fortress, Chen Xing carefully reviewed the draft treaty and expressed satisfaction with the negotiation results achieved by Wu Xuejiu and Murong Mingyue. "The Bailu tribe is a touchstone. The success of this treaty is of great significance. It's not just about the warhorses, but more importantly, it proves that in this chaotic world of Han-Hu intermingling and the survival of the fittest, besides conquest and submission, there is another viable model of interaction based on mutual benefit."

He immediately approved the draft, ordering Li Shu to copy and stamp it as quickly as possible, and to prepare appropriate return gifts and the selection of a representative to be stationed there. At the same time, he instructed Chen Wei to strengthen the coordination and inspection of the newly acquired warhorses to ensure the quality of the horses.

On the diplomatic chessboard of Xinghuo Fortress, a powerful move has been made. This is not merely a commercial agreement, but an extension of its strategic layout. Like a resilient thread, it begins to connect Xinghuo Fortress with the wider world, adding valuable room for maneuver and resource guarantees for its upcoming life-or-death struggle against the Black Mountain General. In chaotic times, survival requires not only high walls and sharp swords, but sometimes also contracts and promises brought by the winds of the steppe.