When the Tang army built beacon towers, they were very particular about the location. Almost every two beacon towers were at a similar distance, and the base was much higher than the surrounding terrain. At a glance, it was very eye-catching in the wilderness. More
What's rare is that in order to facilitate the soldiers to hold on, deep wells are often dug inside or near the beacon tower. Not only can they provide drinking water for the soldiers, but they also completely solve the supply worries of passing caravans.
After the cannibals took control of this area, all the beacon towers were completely scrapped. However, the wells dug by the Tang army were completely preserved. The local herdsmen regarded them as the source of survival, and passing business travelers also used them as a place to rest and rest.
The best place. At the same time, bandits like to wait near the beacon tower and kill all prey near the water source.
The beacon tower near Andiyan is nicknamed Huangnidun. Because the clay unique to the area was used in its construction, the whole body is golden yellow. Under the setting sun in the Western Region, it looks particularly eye-catching. Here is Qi Dazui and the caravan leader.
It is one of the places to stay along the way that has been discussed in advance. The reason why everyone chose this place is because this beacon tower is very close to the city, only about ten miles away. In line with the principle that rabbits do not eat grass near their nests, local tribal nobles will not be here.
Attack caravans here. If horse thieves in other areas dare to "cross the border", as long as the merchants give them enough benefits, the tribal private soldiers stationed in Andiyan City will rush to the battlefield within half a stick of incense.
Therefore, not only Qi Dazui, an old man with many years of experience in guarding caravans, would regard the beacon tower near Andiyan as a safer place. Other large and small business travelers and swordsmen groups also regard Huangnidun as a safer place.
The first choice for outdoor hunting. As long as everyone does not enter Andiyan City and spends a night under the yellow mud mound, they can go directly to Xiuxun Prefecture the next day. In this way, the city entry tax that had to be paid twice can be saved once.
.In addition, there is an unspoken agreement among everyone. If small-scale caravans meet near Huangnidun, they can gather into a larger one on a voluntary basis. And strong caravans can also gather together at Huangnidun.
After receiving a certain amount of benefits, accept the refuge of the small caravan. In this way, the number of swordsmen protecting the caravan will be greater, and their power will be more concentrated. Even if professional and guest horse thieves want to take advantage of the caravan, they will do so in advance.
Consider whether you can afford the related losses.
Because the war has just subsided, this year's caravans set off at roughly the same time. Therefore, under the yellow mud mound at this moment, there were all kinds of tents pitched front and back. Although the caravan Qi Dazui and others were in was large in size,
But he couldn't bully others here. He could only choose a depression that was slightly sheltered from the wind far away from the well, and slowly stopped.
After the station was chosen, the swordsmen immediately started busy without greeting each other. The old swordsmen led the young people who were new to the profession, and the middle-aged swordsmen with neither old nor new qualifications voluntarily formed a group and acted based on their experience. Everyone was at a loss what to do.
With his feet, he quickly laid a circle of wooden stakes around the perimeter of the station, and then connected the wooden stakes with the straw ropes used to tie the goods. Then, the caravan's guys, big and small, packed the entire basket or box of goods along the straw ropes.
They were stacked in circles, and scattered goods that could not be put into baskets were placed in the gaps in the middle of the bamboo baskets. Then someone took the animals away and fed them with water, cleaned the open space surrounded by bamboo baskets and wooden boxes, and set up tents. A model-like building
Similar campsites were built from the ground.
The vendors are very particular about their looks. The hastily erected tents in the temporary camp look rickety and messy. In fact, they strictly abide by some underlying agreement. The leader elected by everyone lives in the center of the camp and is qualified.
Old and wealthy shopkeepers of large businesses live in the inner circle, while traders with average qualifications and capital live outside. On the outermost edge, near the cargo boxes and wooden piles, are the tents of the swordsmen. They are all covered with thick felt.
They are made of wood, thick and dirty, and some tents are even covered with large and small patches. However, they are the neatest in the entire temporary camp, and they faintly reveal a bit of majesty.
This temporary camp is very large. According to past experience, as soon as the central tent of the caravan leader is erected, small-scale caravans will immediately come to chat with them and request to join the camp. The swordsmen will also be attracted by the addition of outsiders.
, he divided one to two percent from the "draw" earned by the caravan leader, which was regarded as remuneration beyond the agreement. But today's situation was a bit disappointing to Qi Dazui. He stood at the gate of the camp and waited eagerly for a long time. Behind him,
The merchants were all busy making rice, but the other caravans around them didn't even bother to come forward!
"It's strange. Could it be that all the horse thieves on this road have died down? Or maybe all the vendors have taken the courage of the leopards!" Not only Qi Dazui was disappointed, his old partner Chu Duyan was also very dissatisfied with this. He worked hard.
No one would have too much money. None of the swordsmen can guarantee that they will be able to come out to take over the business next time, so every time they go, they hope to earn an extra three melons and two dates, leaving a lot for their wives and children behind them, and giving less to their wives and children.
When they cannot take care of themselves, they are looked down upon by others.
"I'm afraid there is a team nearby that is stronger than ours!" Qi Dazui thought about it and could only come to this conclusion. But as long as it set off from Shule City, what other team could there be?
The caravan is bigger than the one behind me. After all, where is Qi Dazui's reputation in the world? As long as someone is slightly familiar with the situation in Shule City, who will be the first to hire a swordsman?
Remember him, Lao Qi?
"Impossible!" Chu Duyan narrowed his eyes, and the cold light swept around. "The news of the truce has just spread. Even the traders from Kucha can't set off earlier than us. Unless they don't think about the war at all.
Seriously, we set out from Chang'an in the spring and arrived here at about this time?"
This conjecture is reasonable. Chang'an City is the most prosperous place in the world. It is also the gathering place for all the special products from China and other countries in the world. Businessmen from Persia, Flynn and even further countries, driven by huge profits, are often willing to
It takes three to five years or more to go back and forth. If there is such a group of desperate merchants, transporting goods westward from Chang'an in the spring, they can just avoid the time when the ancient Silk Road is closed due to the war.
A caravan that can conduct business thousands of miles away will naturally not be too small in scale. Compared with the team that was put together temporarily behind Qi Dazui, the small merchants and hawkers are naturally more willing to take shelter under the wings of the former. However, in this way
, the expected extra money could not be obtained, and the swordsmen from Shule City couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. While they were cursing, they heard a very majestic voice scolding: "A group of short-sighted guys, someone needs help.
, wouldn’t it be better? I’ll go out and see what kind of immortals are here in Huangnidun today? Lao Qi, please ask someone to come with me!”
Don't look at Qi Dazui, who was majestic among the swordsmen. When he saw the person speaking, he immediately put on a smile, "Yes, Brother Mo is right. No matter how much money you have, you have to spend it with your life! Old man
Chu, the two of us are going to learn skills with Brother Mo. Brother Mo, please go this way, be careful, the brothers just scattered horse nails in the sand!"
"These few nails are useless!" The strong man known as Big Brother Mo curled his lips in disdain and scolded with a smile. "The horse thieves swept them away with a bamboo rake and they were all cleaned up. It's better to leave them alone.
Just keep the door open and worry free!"
"Your brother is right! But after all, brothers have learned a lot. Being able to do something is better than being idle, you always say, right?!" Qi Dazui nodded repeatedly, his mouth was smoother than oil.
Seeing him being so arrogant, Chu Duyan couldn't help but feel angry secretly. However, he was angry because he knew that Lao Qi was doing this for everyone. The strong man in front of him, named Mo Da, was the confidant of the caravan leader. Just look at that
With his size and the glint in his eyes, you can tell that he is a guy who is used to eating at the tip of a knife. Chu Duyan would definitely not take the initiative to provoke such a person unless absolutely necessary. Moreover, when Qi Dazui insisted on dragging him along, the caravan
The leader originally thought that the price of hiring him was too high, but thanks to the guy named Mo muttering next to him, he reluctantly agreed.
Although the man surnamed Mo has an unruly temper, he has a lot of experience in the world. He took Qi Dazui and Chu Duyan for a short tour, and then casually asked about the specific location of another group of large caravans. With a few
Feeling picky, he walked quickly towards his target. There was still a long distance from the opponent's camp, but he suddenly stopped hesitantly and stood there in a daze!
"What's wrong, Brother Mo?" Qi Dazui reacted extremely quickly, immediately putting his hand on the handle of the knife, and Chu Duyan, one on the left and one on the right, sandwiched the strong man named Mo in the middle.
"Don't be impulsive. They are definitely not horse thieves in disguise!" The strong man Mo Da quickly stretched out his palm and grabbed the arms of Qi and Chu. "Hurry up and don't get too close to them. Don't mention it to anyone when you look back. Just treat it as a joke.
Didn’t see anything!”
"Yes!" Qi and Chu both agreed in a muffled voice, but their eyes couldn't help but continue to drift forward. What was it about the other party that made Mo Dalian not have the courage to step forward and say hello? In confusion,
The door of the temporary camp in front had been opened, and several people quickly came to greet it.
If he left now, it would only arouse suspicion. Without Mo Da's instructions, Qi Dazui and Chu Duiyan quickly released the hilts of their knives and greeted each other with clasped fists in the courtesy of Jianghu. Seeing that the strong man Mo Da couldn't walk away, he had no choice but to stand upright, clasping his fists and smiling bitterly.
He said hello to the visitor, "Shopkeeper Cheng of the time-honored Cheng family in Anxi was passing by here and sent the young man here to see if there was any chance of joining us!"
"It's you, Mo Qi..., why are you here?" Among the people who came, the leader obviously had a 'friendship' with Mo Da. He stopped ten feet away vigilantly and pressed his hand on the handle of the knife.
"Do you know me?!" Mo Da, who had been extremely arrogant before, suddenly lost his arrogance after being called out his real surname. "Ah, I remembered, you are General Yuwen, the young cousin of the Yuwen family... Don't
Misunderstanding, don’t misunderstand. Wanqi is just a general who looks after goods for others. He is definitely passing by, passing by. I don’t dare to tell you a lie! "
