Chapter 1711: The famous Jiuyuan, the guide's business
Chapter 1711: The famous Jiuyuan, the guide’s business
The tall and thin guide danced and told Bi Zaiyu about his glorious experiences in the past.
The Xia Kingdom and the Jin Kingdom in this generation were bounded by the Yellow River. The Yellow River went north, passing through Wuzhou, Ningbian Prefecture, Dongsheng Prefecture, and Yunnei Prefecture, and then entered the Xia Kingdom in the south of Jiuyuan to the west.
within the territory.
Jiuyuan here is the hometown of the famous Lu Bu, the first general of the Three Kingdoms.
Although Jiuyuan City is located in a remote place, it has a long history. I think back then, this was the border area of Zhao State, one of the Seven Heroes of the Warring States Period. In order to resist the barbarians and the Huns from invading the border, King Wuling of Zhao built Jiuyuan City.
Jiuyuan City existed attached to the Great Wall and was located on the side of the Yellow River, controlling the south and the north. It was one of the most important strategic locations at that time.
It was not until Mongolia later moved south that these nine plains were renamed "Lucheng" and "Baotou"! This name is actually taken from the Mongolian "Baoketu".
After the Yellow River entered the territory of the Xia Kingdom, due to the terrain, a branch appeared at Wuliangsuhai and circled north. The north of this section of the circle was where the Heishan Weifu Military Division of the Dangxiang people was stationed. This was also the case.
It is the largest garrison place in the world, and not far from the garrison place is the so-called Wu Ci Sea Area.
It is precisely because of the year-round military garrison here that it has become a gathering place for military families. With people there, business will naturally begin to grow.
This guide was obviously transporting prohibited items such as grain, grass, ironware, etc. to be sold to the Xia and Liao soldiers, and then transporting the abundant jade here to sell it to the nobles of the Jin Kingdom. Both parties benefited.
"The most important thing we need to pay attention to during this trip is a Xia Liao military fortress located in the Muna Mountain area. They are responsible for patrolling this generation. If they encounter it, they will naturally be in trouble."
Because the land here is sparsely populated and there are basically no cities, it is not easy for the party members to garrison troops.
Therefore, the party members arranged four military fortresses along the Yellow River with Heishan Weifu Military Division as the center. These fortresses were all built extremely solidly. As long as you hide in them, even if they are surrounded by several times the number of troops and horses, you will not be able to defeat them in a short time.
Attack it.
According to the route, the only fortress they needed to pass was the Muna Mountain in the Urad Mountains at the fork of the Yellow River.
Bi Zaiyu was shocked. Before, they really didn't know much about the layout of this generation of party troops. They didn't expect that this guide actually knew a lot.
"How many soldiers and horses are there in the fortress?"
Bi Zaiyu asked.
The guide chuckled and said, "Usually there are only about two thousand soldiers and horses stationed, and sometimes even less."
"Do you want to build these fortresses?
I advise you not to bother! Your troops are naturally numerous, and they look powerful, but the fortresses are all made of huge stones according to the terrain, and there is only a very small door. If the door is blocked with huge stones,
Even if you are all dead, you may not be able to get in."
"And there is no shortage of food and grass in these fortresses. The food and grass reserves are enough for half a year, so we are not afraid of being surrounded by your army. After all, you will definitely not be able to hold on for long."
Bi Zaiyu was even more excited. If he could get this fortress, it would be the best thing.
Not only do you have enough food and fodder, but you can also confuse the opponent's food team.
He had no doubt that the fortress must be on the grain road.
It might even be the place where soldiers and horses transporting grain from the rear were stationed.
"It will be difficult for us to defeat it, but you should have a way to let us in."
The guide showed a greedy smile and said, "If the general insists on taking this fortress, I will naturally have a way. However, the price you gave me before is just to guide the way. Taking the fortress does not include it."
"Price?"
Bi Zaiyu smiled disdainfully, "Although our trip is a simple one, we can certainly find some way to scrape together some silver. Do you think I can't afford you the price?"
"The general is a fierce general who controls the army, so he is naturally richer and nobler than the villain. If the general gives out 10,000 taels of silver, the villain will naturally be able to help the general capture the fortress!"
Bi Zaiyu squinted his eyes. Ten thousand taels of silver was really not a lot. The net profit of Shen Tang's business every month was hundreds of thousands, and millions of silver each year. A mere ten thousand taels. It's nothing.
However, ten thousand taels is not too small. If you want to find a stable place for the rest of your life and just live a life where men farm and women weave, ten thousand taels may be enough for an ordinary family to spend a lifetime.
Looking at Bi Zaiyu's face, the guide said hehe, "General, don't even think about crossing the river and destroying the bridge. After all, it's not worth it for ten thousand taels of silver! Besides, there are not many people who are more familiar with this area than me. A living guide is better than a dead one." A knowledgeable guide would be more suitable.”
"We all know that you people from the Song Dynasty pay great attention to your promises, so the villain will do this business with the general. If it were the Jurchens or other party members, the villain would not be too troublesome."
"Furthermore, although the villain has some worth, he was hit by a military disaster before and was robbed by these murderers.
Otherwise, the villain will not be reduced to being a guide for the general. The villain is getting older. After doing your business this time, it is time to wash his hands and close the mountain."
"Don't worry, ten thousand taels of silver is not worth breaking my promise! Which of my sons is worthless?
If we attack forcefully, we will lose our troops, but if you can help me, it will be much easier, and I can still make up for this loss."
"If you really have a way, I will give you ten thousand taels of silver without any loss!"
The guide chuckled and said, "General, please pay off the money first. There are of course smaller ways.
After all, the villain is in the hands of the general. Even if he wants to go back on his word or deceive the general, the general can kill the villain with one knife.
But if it succeeds, the general wants to default on the debt, but the villain has no ability to argue with the general."
"snort!"
Bi Zaiyu sneered, "I hope you won't lie to me, general!"
After that, he went to summon the generals and discuss the matter with Zhong Yan. Everyone had no objection to this, but if he could exchange ten thousand taels of silver for a fortress, he would definitely make a lot of money.
Even if it really fails or is deceived, it's just ten thousand taels of silver, so what does it mean?
It's just that they were traveling far away to fight, and each of them didn't carry much silver. They had to piece it together, even the silver belonging to their soldiers and horses, as well as the silver ornaments on their weapons, so they could barely scrape together enough. Ten thousand taels.
Bi Zaiyu asked someone to carry the silver to the guide and said, "I have brought the silver. You can let your people check it at will!"
Without saying anything, the guide directly called two followers to count the money.
"The general is indeed a trustworthy person, I admire him!"
After counting the money, the guide said to Bi Zaiyu.