Chapter 61: Merging Stocks (Part 1)

  Hetao Grassland

  The gloomy weather cannot suppress the Tumet people's cheerful songs, free from Chahar people's surveillance, every day is a holiday.

  The Tumet tribe began to migrate eastward across the river upon receiving Wulan's order. Wuliji galloped on horseback while whistling, trying his best to attract the girls' attention. Even in the most difficult times, he never let his mood worsen, and Gereltu called him "Cheerful Wuliji!"

  The Mongolian grasslands have been experiencing continuous rainfall, and the Yellow River is turbulent. Without war horses, the Tumet people would not be able to cross the river. The Junzi crossing has a broad river surface and slow current, making it the most ideal place to cross. For over a year, Geerdan's efforts have paid off, and the cavalry of each small tribe has been organized. The scene of the cavalry crossing the river is orderly. The elderly, weak, women, and children are taking turns crossing the river in small boats provided by the Hans.

  Killing Hu Kou, two swift horses rushed out of the pass, galloped through the valley, crossed mountains and ridges, and sped straight to the Han camp.

  Di Zhe gently tore open the envelope in his hand, and the knight who had delivered the letter was still unable to suppress his heavy panting.

  Only four words, with a powerful brush stroke, "Jurchen Western Expedition!" This is Fan Yongdou's handwritten letter.

  Dai Yan slowly handed the piece of paper in his hand to Xiao Zhiyan beside him.

  The Jurchen western expedition, the Chahar people are almost certainly defeated. Except for Duoyan Grassland, from now on, the weak Xuan-Da defense line of the Great Ming Dynasty adjacent to the Mu Nan Grassland will be exposed in front of the Jurchen people.

  Xiao Zhiyan looked at the note in his hand and irritably complained, "The Jurchen elite dare to deeply pursue the Chahar people into Mobei, what are the Liaodong Army and the town doing? Can the Guanning Iron Cavalry only be used for defending cities?" Since his thoughts were stirred up by Di Zhe, his emotions became easily agitated and he was no longer as calm as before.

  Di Zhe furrowed his brow and remained silent, with a multitude of thoughts swirling in his mind.

  The Chahar people are doomed, which means that the trade route to Moshan will be opened, and Guihua will become a feast for Shanxi merchants. Kill Hu Kou, Guihua City, all businessmen are eager to make a profit. This is the situation he has been looking forward to for a long time, of course, he wants to take advantage of it.

  Ping Kui is still too weak, and Ning Sheng lacks experience. Cooperating with the eight major families of Zhangjiakou, Zhai Zhe always has a kind of fear, facing Fan Yongdou and his elder brother Zhai Tang, he fears that one day he will be swallowed up clean by these people.

  "De Xiang Kui, Liu Quan!" Di Zhe softly muttered that person's name.

  "I want to go in!" Zhai Zhe raised his head.

  In the continuous mountains not far from Han's village, thousands of Tumet people hid in them. The old, weak, women and children were concentrated and settled, and Han's village transported food every three days. Now, except for war horses, the Tumet people have almost no other livestock left.

  Young and strong Han men were formed into teams, with sweat tent cavalry mixed in as leaders. These people are not warriors who have experienced a hundred battles, but the Han men of the grasslands learned to kill from birth, and hunting on winter days is their way of life.

  Princess Ulan went on an inspection tour, she was the representative of Tumu Khan's chamber, to the Tumet people, the princess's beautiful face was like a full moon in the sky, her voice was more pleasant than the skylark in the forest, and could bring them peace and confidence.

  Dahai Ma rushed towards the Tumet cavalry camp, and Zhai Zhe led a team of more than 20 horses, directly entering the Tumet cavalry's main camp.

  The guardian of the gate blocked the way.

  Di Zhe dismounted and handed the reins to Ji Hong behind him, bowed his head in courtesy, and asked: "Where is the princess? I want to see her!"

  "The princess has just returned to the camp, I immediately ordered someone to inform!"

  Although his power was not great, Ulan's personal soldiers came to convey Zhai Zhe's meeting. In front of many Tumet people, he could no longer be as casual as before when he was on Mount Mote, and every word and courtesy of Zhai Zhe was very careful.

  The princess's yurt stood on a small hill in the midst of a dense forest, surrounded by guards.

  Di Zhe walked up to the entrance, and the guard motioned for him to enter.

  Di Zhe entered the door, bowed his body and said: "The Jurchen people have arrived!"

  This was a situation that had long been speculated, but when confirmed by Zhai Zhe's words, Wu Lan's fatigue vanished, her spirit lifted, and she jumped in front of Zhai Zhe, raised an eyebrow, and asked with a trembling voice: "Is it really so?"

  "It was indeed in the past when we pursued and attacked the Chahar people north of the Great Wall!"

  "Great!" Ulan suddenly choked with sobs, and tears welled up in her beautiful eyes, with an indescribable feeling of relief.

  "Princess, you..."

  Di Zhe was somewhat flustered.

  Wulan wiped away her tears and smiled as she raised her face: "I'm very happy, thank you for these days!"

  Di Zhe smiled and shook his head, asking: "Where is Da Han?" At this time, E Mu Bu Han should have shown up.

  "I don't know!" Ulan saw Zhai Zhe's expression was somewhat disbelieving, so he emphasized in a louder voice: "I really don't know!"

  "The Khan is not here, Your Highness, you are the center of the Tumet people! The Tumet cavalry will move, regardless of which side wins in the north. If it's really the Jurchen who arrived at Guihua City, only a powerful Tumet tribe can gain attention."

  "I will immediately convey the command." Wulan understood the law of the grassland, only strong tribes have status.

  "Guihua City is the center of Mo Nan, Han Zhai cavalry will work with Tumote to keep a close eye on it, clearing all the abandoned Chahar people from the Mo Nan grasslands, leaving no trace. Remember, before the situation becomes clear, do not provoke anyone and do not reveal yourself."

  In war everything is possible; what if the Jurchen people were defeated in the north of the desert?

  "I will enter Xizhou, but I will return soon, so please order, Princess, that no one is allowed to enter the city of Guihua."

  "Why?"

  "That is the spoils of war for the conqueror!"

  Hand over the affairs of Cao Yuan, Di Zhe followed the messenger to rush to Hu Kou.

  The Jurchen army suddenly arrived at the Moshan grassland, which indeed gave the garrison of Xuanda a fright. However, as these people went to the north of the desert, the border alert was quickly lifted. Di Zhe had been waiting in the canyon until it was about to get dark before he brought a messenger into the pass. Da Shengkui had already set up a branch at Hukou, so Di Zhe had to avoid attention.

  For several months, messengers had been coming in and out of the pass frequently, two people going out and two people returning, and the guarding soldiers were already accustomed to it and didn't pay attention.

  Kaihu Town was a bit more lively than at the beginning of the year, with some noisy Xianbei tribal leaders in the taverns on the streets, and their money all came from merchant caravans going out of the Great Wall.

  Di Zhe rushed to Ping Kui with the messenger, and after entering the door, he startled Ning Sheng. After entering the inner house, Di Zhe ordered the messenger to guard the door and instructed Ning Sheng: "Invite Liu Quan over!"

  "Ah, okay!" Ning Sheng was a bit stunned, Zhai Zhe's entry into the pass was too sudden.

  A moment later, Liu Quan came alone with Ning Sheng to Ping Kui. Di Zhe quietly entered the border to see him, and let him smell a different kind of smell.

  Ning Sheng led Liu Quan into the house and announced: "Master, Master Liu has arrived!"

  Liu Quan stepped forward and bowed his hands, exchanging greetings with the two men. Ning Sheng bowed and prepared to withdraw.

  Di Zhe's gaze swept over, he stretched out his hand and beckoned, saying: "Ning Sheng, you stay behind!"

  Ning Sheng stopped in his tracks and stood still inside the house.

  "Bring over a stool and sit down, I have important business to discuss with you!"

  Ning Sheng was shocked, Zhai Zhe had never had such an attitude towards him before.

  "The trade route of the Mongolian steppe is now open!"

  A stone causes a thousand ripples. Liu Quan's heart skipped a beat, and with his identity, he naturally couldn't know such news.

  "Everyone in Zhangjiakou knew the news, but the merchant road to Hu's mouth was not a path they could take at will!" Zhai Zhe's words were rich in meaning, and Liu Quan carefully pondered them.

  "Liu Dongjia, the Tumet people lost 80% of their livestock due to drought. Once the trade route is unblocked, the most needed goods from Hans will be used to exchange for livestock in the north and east of the desert. This will be a huge amount of goods, whoever can provide these goods will have the upper hand at the western pass."

  Liu Quan's eyes were burning with intensity as he said, "Please, Master Dong, give us a clear explanation!"

  "The road for merchants to leave the pass will be in my hands. I can stop them from leaving, as long as you provide these goods!"

  "De Xiang Kui wishes to cooperate with Dong Jia!" By saying this much, if Liu Quan still didn't understand, then he was an idiot.

  "Can Dexiang Qu achieve it?"

  Liu Quan heard that Di Zhe didn't want to cooperate with the Dongkou Eight Families and said, "There are many Shanxi business firms, but in recent years, the Dongkou Eight Families have taken the lead. As long as the road is open, we can get a lot of goods!"

  Di Zhe took out two letters from his bosom and handed them to Liu Quan, which were written by E Wubu Khan last year for Li's family and Cao's family.

  Liu Quan took it over, read it carefully, and a layer of fine sweat appeared on his forehead. He gritted his teeth and said: "De Xiang Kui is willing to merge with Ping Kui, the Liu family only needs two percent of the shares!"

  "Success!"

  "Deal!"

  Di Zhe nodded in satisfaction, Liu Quan was a capable person and also an intelligent one.

  "One share can make you rich enough to rival a nation! I won't interfere with the management of the business, after merging, you'll be the big boss and Ning Sheng will be the second-in-command!"