xymnovel Chapter 126 Trading
Chapter 126 Trading
On the vast northern grasslands, the wind whips up fine grass clippings, which dance wildly in the air.
The vastness of the grasslands and the height of the sky intertwine to create a magnificent and mysterious picture.
The envoys dispatched by Su Ye from Cangzhou trod on this solid land, facing the scorching sun and sandstorms, and slowly made their way forward.
The envoy's party was not large, but each member appeared spirited, their eyes revealing determination and courage.
After several days of trekking, the messengers finally arrived at the settlement of the first small and weak tribe.
Looking into the distance, you can see a cluster of low tents, with wisps of smoke rising and blending with the clouds on the horizon.
The tribespeople either ride horses or work on foot, working diligently on this land to maintain the tribe's livelihood.
The arrival of the messengers attracted the attention of the tribespeople.
They all put down what they were doing and gathered around, curiously looking at these guests who had come from afar.
Their eyes were filled with vigilance and curiosity, after all, on this unpredictable grassland, any outsider could bring unknown risks and opportunities.
The messengers did not rush to state their purpose, but first extended sincere greetings to the people of the tribe in accordance with the etiquette of the grasslands.
They brought exquisite gifts and distributed them to the children and elderly people who were watching, conveying friendship and goodwill in this way.
The envoys stopped in front of the tribal chief's tent, dismounted according to the etiquette of the grasslands, and respectfully bowed to those inside the tent.
The tribal chief, an old man with a wrinkled face but sharp eyes, slowly walked out of the tent, followed by several tribal elders and warriors.
"Guests from afar, what brings you to our territory?"
Although the leader's voice was old, it carried an undeniable air of authority.
A young and handsome man stepped forward from among the envoys and respectfully replied, "Respected tribal chief, we are envoys from the Great Qian Cangzhou."
"We have come here hoping to establish friendly relations with your tribe and achieve mutual benefit through exchange."
The leader nodded slightly, signaling the messenger to continue.
The envoy continued, "Our Cangzhou possesses a large quantity of weapons and armor, all of which are exquisitely crafted and incredibly powerful."
"We hope to exchange these weapons and armor for your tribe's warhorses."
"We believe that such an exchange would be beneficial to both sides."
The leader fell into deep thought after hearing the messenger's words.
He knew perfectly well that the weapons and armor of the major dynasties in the Central Plains were renowned throughout the grasslands, and their sharpness and sturdiness were enough to multiply the power of any tribe.
For the nomadic tribes, warhorses were as vital as life itself.
They were not only tools for transportation and logistics, but also powerful assistants in combat and hunting.
"Your proposal is very attractive."
The chieftain spoke slowly, "But our warhorses are the pride of our tribe; they carry our history and glory. We cannot make this decision lightly."
The envoy smiled and said, "We fully understand your concerns."
"But please believe that our lord proposed this exchange out of sincere and friendly intentions."
"We know how important warhorses are to your tribe, so we are willing to exchange them for the best weapons and armor."
"This is not only a recognition of the value of the warhorse, but also a symbol of respect and friendship for your tribe."
Whether it's the latest version or not is not important.
As long as it looks new, that's fine.
In order to be a good neighbor to the grassland.
The number one troublemaker.
Su Ye specifically mobilized a large number of craftsmen.
They simply refurbished all these old or second-hand standard-issue weapons.
It shouldn't be a problem to fool these small tribes of different ethnicities.
As for the larger tribes, there are naturally other, more refined groups...
Hmm... secondhand goods.
Looking into the envoy's sincere eyes, the leader couldn't help but waver.
After hesitating for a moment, he turned around and whispered to the elders behind him.
The elders behind him expressed their opinions, with most supporting the exchange, believing it to be a rare opportunity;
After all, there's suddenly an ambitious, hungry wolf standing nearby.
Having a better weapon at night at least provides some comfort.
Others disagreed, fearing it would cause unnecessary trouble.
"We are willing to make an exchange with you."
"But we have one condition: the weapons and armor exchanged must be the best and most sophisticated."
"We cannot trade our pride for inferior products."
After much discussion, the leader finally made up his mind and turned to the messenger.
Although they couldn't tell whether it was the best or not.
But that doesn't stop them from speaking out.
The envoy was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly assured him, "Please rest assured, the weapons and armor we brought are all top-quality items that have been carefully selected."
"Our lord attaches great importance to this exchange and will certainly not let you down."
Um...
This "carefully selected" refers to the fact that it has been carefully refurbished.
The two sides then began detailed talks and discussions.
The envoys displayed the samples of weapons and armor they brought, each piece gleaming and exuding a chilling aura.
These items are indeed new.
The tribal chiefs and elders carefully examined the weapons, occasionally nodding in approval.
Looking at these brand-new weapons and armor in front of him.
The tribal chiefs and elders were immediately moved by the envoys' sincerity (acting) and decided to send their best men to select warhorses to ensure a fair and smooth exchange.
After careful consideration, the leader decided to engage in more in-depth negotiations with the envoys.
They engaged in a heated discussion about details such as the exchange ratio, timing, and method.
The envoys fully demonstrated the sincerity and strength of Cangzhou, while the chieftain firmly upheld the interests of the tribe.
The negotiations lasted for several days, with both sides striving to find a mutually beneficial solution.
Ultimately, moved (or perhaps tricked) by the envoys' patience and sincerity, the leader agreed to the terms of the exchange.
...
The arrival of these envoys from Cangzhou was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.
The tribes on the grasslands sent out scouts to observe this unfamiliar group from afar, trying to guess their intentions.
After finalizing the trade agreement with the first tribe, they immediately headed to the next tribe—the White Deer tribe.
The leader of the White Deer tribe, a middle-aged man with a robust build and resolute face, led the tribe's warriors to greet the envoy at the tribe's border.
The envoys dismounted, bowed, and presented a personal letter from the current governor of Cangzhou, Su Ye, along with exquisite gifts.
The leader of the White Deer tribe unfolded the letter, read it carefully, and a complex expression appeared on his face.
The envoys took the opportunity to explain their intentions for the exchange, and they displayed samples of weapons and armor they had brought—sharp swords, sturdy shields, and exquisite armor, each radiating a cold light.
After intense discussion and careful consideration, the leader of the Bailu tribe finally decided to accept the exchange.
He sent the most knowledgeable elder in the tribe, skilled in trade, to discuss the exchange ratios and details with the messengers.