"Longdi has nine slopes. I don't know how high it is. Those who want to go up can cross it in seven days. The height can accommodate more than a hundred families, and there are four drops of clear water." - "Three Qin Chronicles"
Longdi and Longban are both ancient names for the area around Xiaolongshan (now Guanshan) in Long County, west of Guanlong Road.
When Qin Feizi, the ancestor of the Qin people, was made a "vassal" by the Emperor of Zhou, his fiefdom was located here. Therefore, in the oral tradition passed down by Li Shu, the name of this place is still called Qin Yi (today's Qinting County).
Liupan Mountain rises from the ground and stretches from north to south to the Qinling Mountains. It intercepts water and soil on this sloping land, forming a natural meadow with vast forests and lush pasture. Before the Qin people were given the name to enter Guanzhong by Emperor Zhou,
Before the "Miweihui" with more fertile water and grass, this place had always been the main horse herding land of the Qin people.
After countless years of development, the area around Xiaolongshan has once again returned to its original mission.
After the Han Dynasty recaptured Longyou, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang divided the pasture here and raised more than 2,000 horses here.
These horses were either captured through war, or were eliminated from the cavalry governor Zhao Guangjun and became a riding animal, or they were obtained from the Qiang and Hu tribes in exchange for Shu brocade tea leaves and other supplies. They had been domesticated long ago and were difficult to compete with the cavalry.
The war horse that builds a tacit relationship.
In other words, the Han Dynasty, which had always taken the route of elite soldiers due to the small number of people and soldiers, would no longer regard these horses as mounts for establishing cavalry when they had better options.
Even though many of the war horses are no more articulate than four or five years old, they are not inferior when used on the battlefield.
If Sun Wu did not come to buy them, the Han Dynasty would gradually turn these horses into auxiliary horses for cavalry (carrying weapons, armor and other things), or sell them to nobles for use as ceremonial guards when traveling, and for the nephews of wealthy families to train equestrian skills.
use.
They are even used as draft animals for transporting grain or plowing fields.
But no matter what, it is still very suitable to select hundreds of horses to sell to Sun Wu.
Zheng Pu is now here, waiting for the Wu envoy to arrive from Ji County to discuss the matter.
Ambassador Wu is really Zhuge Ke.
His character is weak, his eyebrows are light, and his forehead appears to be unusually wide.
He is seven feet and six inches tall, one inch taller than Zheng Pu. He is twenty-six years old, two years older than Zheng Pu.
Perhaps because he had been in contact with the wealthy families in Jiangdong for a long time, he was dressed in a rather grand and gorgeous way. His clothes were gauze and embroidered, with a curved train that hung at the back. His crown was swayed as he walked, his tassels were flying, and even the jade on the side of his waist was green.
Zuo Zhi was walking like a dragon and a tiger, with a solemn face, and a faint sense of high spirits as he looked around.
Such a person can serve as an envoy without losing the prestige of the country.
Zheng Pu, on the other hand, has his hair tied up in a Mage-stained scarf, and is wearing a military uniform that is not old. He has no gold or jade ornaments, and only wears a ring-shaped sword on his waist. He has won the military's ability and decisiveness;
The scars add a bit of sassiness.
When people see him, they will unconsciously regard him as an old soldier in the army, forgetting that he even leads the prime minister's office and joins the army.
I don't know if it was because he arrived at Longyou yesterday and was treated to a family banquet by the Prime Minister and Zhuge Qiao at night. Zhuge Ke was quite detailed about Zheng Pu's personality. As soon as he arrived, he took the lead in handing over his hand and said with a smile, "I have heard about Mr. Zheng for a long time."
The reputation of being resourceful and good at fighting can be seen today, and it’s just as expected!”
"Don't dare to take it seriously."
Zheng Puyan smiled and returned the gift, "I have often heard Brother Bosong mention the name of Mr. Ge. He is a talented person from Jiangdong! I feel very lucky to see you now."
After saying this, he stretched out his hand and said, "There is a table for sitting inside, Mr. Ge, please invite me."
"Zheng Jun, please."
Zhuge Ke also spoke politely.
After dozens of steps, his expression became slightly unswerving.
What Zheng Pu set up in the horse ranch is really a "seat".
It was a sandy area beside a tributary of the Qingshui River. There was no tile on the top to provide shade. A bamboo banquet was laid out below, with two straw mats arranged in rows, separated by a short table. There was no preserved meat or candied fruit on the table.
Only two wine cups and a huge leather wine bag were placed.
Even Li Shu, who could barely afford to have enough food and clothing, would not be so stingy with such a simple arrangement for hospitality.
Not to mention that this is the envoy of the communist allies.
Therefore, a man who was half a step behind Zhuge Jin took the lead in making a fuss when he saw this and scolded him, "We are here on the orders of the emperor, and we are the country's envoys! You treat me like this, you are trying to humiliate our country!"
He is Sun Xi, the grandson of Sun Jing, and the second son of Sun Jiao, a member of the Wu clan.
Although he is only twenty years old, because his father had a close friendship with Zhuge Jin, he also had many contacts with Zhuge Ke. This time, he was sent by Sun Quan as a deputy assistant. Quan should have experienced a lot. He has a lot of experience in emotion and reason.
, regardless of status or status, he should be treated politely by the Han Dynasty, but now Zheng Pu was stingy with him even for a seat, so he was furious.
"snort!"
A cold snort came from behind Zheng Pu.
It was Guan Xing, whose beard was nearly three feet tall. He was standing on the side of the straw mat, leaning on a knife.
Hearing this, he looked at him with anger and said, "There are boats in the south and horses in the north. It's true! People from the east of the Yangtze River don't know that the land for herding horses only has stables for horses and slaves, so they are rude and noisy! If you are greedy for wine and meat,
With the sound of joy and joy, I went straight back to Chengdu to find Dahonglu's office. I am a big man and I don't need you to have fun alone!"
"you!"
Suddenly, Sun Xi's face turned red.
He was about to argue again, but Zhuge Ke stopped him with his eyes.
Because Zhuge Qiao specially told him last night, claiming that a few days ago Guan Xing asked the Prime Minister to ask him to serve as his deputy in negotiating horse sales. Naturally, due to the battle of Xiangfan in the past, Zhuge Ke could also guess that Guan Xing was definitely unwilling to
One of the people who sold the war horse to Wu.
If Sun Xi was allowed to continue arguing, the two sides might break up on bad terms, and the war horse trade would be aborted.
We have to ask for help from others, and we should not engage in disputes of will.
Furthermore, given Guan Xing’s identity, Zheng Pu asked him to stand by his side. Is it any wonder that Sun Xihou was by his side?
Zhuge Ke's unswerving expression was gone, and he smiled gurglingly and said, "I heard that everyone in your country values simplicity and is ashamed of honor and pleasure. Now that I have seen Jun Zheng's banquet, it can be said that the rumors are true."
After saying that, he walked over to take a seat and took practical actions to ease the dispute between the two parties.
"Oh, Mr. Ge is a wonderful person."
With a high praise, Zheng Pu also sat down, raised the wine bag and filled the glasses for both of them, and explained with a smile, "I don't mean to be harsh on your country, but it is a place for herding horses, not a place for hospitality. But if it is in a government office
A banquet was held somewhere, but Ge Jun could not see the appearance of the war horse with his own eyes, so he had no choice but to come up with this strategy. I am not careful, but I hope Jun Ge will not blame him."
As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his cup and invited, "Ge Jun, please have a drink!"
This explanation made Zhuge Ke feel relieved, and he smiled happily and invited them all, "Drink!"
As soon as the drink was in my mouth, I frowned and gritted my teeth.
The wine made from mare's milk is too sour!
At least, Zhuge Ke couldn't adapt to it when he drank it for the first time.
This guy is just pretending to make me look ugly!
Zhuge Ke felt a tinge of shame in his heart. After taking half a sip, Zhuge Ke put the wine cup on the table and stared at Zheng Pu.
But I saw him finish the drink with a calm look on his face. When he put down the wine cup, he seemed to still have something to say, so he took out the wine bag again and poured it out.
Well.
Could it be that I'm too worried?
Seeing this, Zhuge Ke was confused.
When Zheng Pu was pouring wine, he saw that Zhuge Ke's wine cup was still full. He couldn't help but asked with surprise on his face, "Is Mr. Ge not good at drinking evil?"
In today's world, good drinking is regarded as a powerful spirit.
As a state envoy, how can he be humble and not good at drinking as soon as he touches his lips?
Zhuge Ke shook his head slightly and replied with a smile, "No. I have never drank this wine, so I want to taste it carefully."
After saying this, he raised the cup and drank it all in one gulp, showing the bottom of the cup.
As for the rippling feeling in the belly, only oneself knows it.
"good!"
Zheng Pu smiled happily and praised loudly.
After pouring the wine again, he raised his cup and said, "This wine brewed from mare's milk is a delicacy from the northwest! It's rare that Mr. Ge will like it, so you should drink it again!"
Hearing this, Zhuge Ke felt helpless and had no choice but to grit his teeth and raise the cup again, "Drink!"
Hold your head up, close your eyes, and feel fierce
Alas!
So majestic, drink it all!
But he didn't know that Guan Xing, who was standing behind Zheng Pu, didn't turn his head at this time, and by lowering his eyes and stroking his beard, he quietly concealed the smile in his eyes. The feeling he felt when he drank kumiss for the first time.
It's really uncomfortable. Now that I see Ambassador Wu being teased by Zheng Pu, I naturally feel very happy.
However, Zhuge Ke is the nephew of the prime minister after all.
Zheng Pu didn't want to be too pretentious, so after drinking the second cup, he didn't ask for another cup.
Instead, he turned his head towards the servant Qi Yacuo beside him and nodded slightly, then looked back and smiled, "Ge Jun, wait a moment, my servant will drive the horses here."
"good!"
Suddenly, Zhuge Ke was overjoyed.
When he caught a glimpse of the leather wine bag on the short case from the corner of his eye, the corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch slightly. He immediately stood up and said with a gurgling smile, "I have loved riding horses since I was a child. Now I am lucky enough to go to the land where horses are herded. I am very happy.
I am impatient to wait. If Mr. Zheng is not bothered, can you lead me to see the majesty of Qianqi?"
"How dare you defeat Ge Jun's Xingxie?"
Zheng Pu also stood up, stretched out his hand and said, "Ge Jun, please follow me to the stables."
"please."
Be happy and speak, act and observe.
In the Xiaolongshan meadow in summer in April, under the clear blue sky, the greenery is meandering from a distance, and the yellow and green are intertwined and meandering up close. The cool breeze, which is neither warm nor dry, vaguely carries the fresh water vapor of the grass and trees, and
The sound of horses neighing in the wind.
After walking about 300 steps, we reached a high slope. Zhuge Ke and Dongwu's followers all stopped and looked at it.
His eyes were blurred, and his face was filled with admiration.
I saw that where the sky was cut off by Liupan Mountain, thousands of horses were divided into more than ten groups, dotted in the undulating meadows. Some walked leisurely and slowly, gnawing on the rich pasture; some raised their hooves to cut off the dust.
Galloping, chasing the floating shadows of white clouds, shocking people's hearts with their majestic grace and powerful roar.
It is a call that the world is wide enough to move freely.
It is also a cry for men to become proficient in archery and horsemanship in order to achieve success on the battlefield.
Just as everyone was admiring the majestic appearance of the thousands of horses, the servant Qi Yacuo came slowly, holding the horses with one hand on the left and the other on the right.
It also made Zhuge Ke look away, turned his head and asked Zheng Pu, "Zheng Jun, are there any differences between these two horses?"
"Of course."
Zheng Pu nodded and smiled, "On the right is a good horse that has been domesticated for war, and on the left is a horse for riding. If Mr. Ge lets your entourage ride it, you can see the advantages and disadvantages of the two."
"It's disrespectful."
Zhuge Ke laughed loudly, bowed his hands in salute, and then asked his two followers to try riding the horse.
Although the two horses kicked their hooves at the same time, the one riding the war horse was the best. As for the horse riding on it, no matter how hard the rider whipped and kicked the horse's belly, he could not increase the speed.
Seeing this, Zhuge Ke stroked his beard, nodded, and asked, "May I ask Mr. Zheng, how much are these horses worth?"
Zheng Pu smiled and replied, "The horses you ride on can be used as draft animals. Each horse can be exchanged for 800 hu of grain. Rice or rice can be used, and beans are twice as much."
Hearing this, Zhuge Ke raised his eyebrows, nodded slightly and smiled.
Because the price is quite reasonable.
However, these horses, which are only used for riding, are not what Soochow wants.
"Where's the war horse?"
"Each piece is priced at five thousand dendrobium."
Suddenly, Zhuge Ke opened his eyes wide and said in silence, "Five thousand dendrobium?!"
You can't blame him for being surprised.
Nowadays, the average annual grain production per mu is only three dendrobiums, and one war horse replaces nearly two thousand acres of net output!
However, he could not blame Zheng Pu for being too high.
War horses are inherently valuable.
For example, during the reign of Emperor Ling, he had a stable and stable minister, and the cost of mobilizing horses from the county was two million yuan each.
Although there are reasons for the collusion between bureaucrats and right-wing officials to make profits, the price of war horses has never been less than one million yuan in years when the weather is good and grain prices are low.
It's just that after decades of chaos in the world, now and then, the people are scarce and food is expensive, and the food accumulated by each country is not much.
How could Soochow, who wanted to purchase 500 war horses, accept such a price?
"Yes, each horse has five thousand dendrobium."
Zheng Pu nodded, his voice indifferent, "Nowadays, we, the Han Dynasty, are also short of war horses. Many important ministers in the court have said that they cannot be sold. The prime minister thought of the friendship between the two countries, so he allowed the public opinion to be eliminated. But if we exchange for the returned ones.
If there is less food and fodder, I am afraid that the ministers in the court and the generals in the army will become resentful."
Zhuge Ke was silent.
Because Zheng Pu's words are not prevarications, but true words, leaving no room for criticism.
After all, it was only more than a year before the Han Dynasty recaptured Longyou, so there was naturally a shortage of war horses.
Nowadays, it is very rare for a big man to be willing to sell to Soochow.
Even with such a price, he couldn't return it to Sun Quan.
After thinking for a moment, he said aloud, "As Zheng Jun said, your country is also in short supply of war horses, so it is inappropriate to make them at a low price. However, we, the Wu Kingdom, and the Han Dynasty have an alliance to fight against Wei. Now, your country has a shortage of war horses."
If the country can make war horses at a lower price, our country Wu will definitely send troops together with your country in the future to help."
"Clang!"
The sound of a sharp blade being unsheathed interrupted Zhuge Ke's words.
I saw that Guan Xing had already pulled out the side blade, staring angrily at Sun Wu and everyone, roaring like thunder, "Together we are fighting against Wei, how can Soochow send troops to help my great Han Xie!?"
Immediately, the scene was chaotic.
"Brother An Guo, don't be reckless!"
After an exclamation, Zheng Pu quickly pulled Guan Xing tightly before the Wu guards could draw their swords. He also scolded the other guards in a low voice and worked together to pull Guan Xing away first.
Such a small episode also made Zhuge Ke full of worry, watching Zheng Pu's back in vain.
Although he already knew from the Prime Minister about the renewed alliance between the two countries, Guan Xing's anger would not affect the war horse trade.
But no matter what, he can no longer use the status of his allies as a bargaining chip.
After all, before the Battle of Xiangfan broke out, the two sides were also in a common alliance.
However, what he didn't know was that the anger in Guan Xing's eyes had long disappeared.
He also chuckled at Zheng Pu and said jokingly, "Zijin is now deceiving the envoy of Wu, asking me to ruin my reputation and act in a manner that is unclear about public and private affairs. I don't know how to repay him?"
"Hahaha~~~"
Zheng Pu immediately laughed and said, "Brother, you are doing your best for the country! How can you repay this?"
