The Golden Age Chapter 941: If you don’t enter the tiger’s lair, you won’t get a tiger.

Xuanyuanchong asked Qin Xiao to let the court call for peace, and Qin Xiao did not delay. Gu Baiyi asked Gu Baiyi to write a note and send someone to Kyoto immediately.

Although knowing that the saint will allow Zhaoan and even incorporate the Black Mountain bandits in all likelihood, Qin Xiao did not act rashly before the will arrives. He only asked Yuwen Chengchao to set up camp at the foot of the mountain, cooperating with Xuanyuanchong to put pressure on Baimuzhai. .

He knows that Xuanyuanchong is a smart person. Although he didn’t say it directly last time, he knew what he meant. When the imperial court’s order for security arrives, he must ensure that the entire Black Mountain can be attached. So Baimuzhai’s problem must also be Resolve before the will arrive.

However, once and again, it will take at least one month for the decree to be awarded.

Qin Xiao hasn't waited for his will, but he has waited for a special guest.

In the big tent, warm as spring, Qin Xiao smiled, looked at the dusty middle-aged man in front of him, and smiled: "I didn't expect Mr. Simon to go out in person. You are a southerner, here I'm afraid the climate is not very suitable, right?"

The visitor was Ximenhao, the horse businessman Qin Xiao met in Hangzhou.

Although Ximenhao is not one of the seven surnames in Jiangnan, he is also a very famous person in Jiangnan. The biggest business of the Ximen family is the tea and horse business. Being able to become a rich man in Hangzhou is actually relying on horses from the grasslands. The business started.

In the early years, the business was prosperous, and the profits were full, but since the ban on horses was imposed on the grassland, the tea-horse business was unable to trade with integrity, which also caused a big blow to the Ximen family.

But after all, it is a horse merchant with deep roots. The Ximen family has traded with the grasslands for many years, and they have deep connections on the grasslands. There are still many opportunities for private trade. After all, the ban on horses has harmed the interests of many tribes. Although the tribe did not dare to trade openly with Datang merchants, they would still secretly seek opportunities.

"The general has orders, how can the villain dare to delay?" Ximenhao is grateful to Qin Xiao. If Qin Xiao hadn't turned things around in Hangzhou, the Ximen family might not stay in the family. It is so kind, Ximenhao will naturally remember it in his heart. , With a respectful expression: "After receiving the general's letter, the villain immediately finished the matter on hand, and prepared a batch of goods, organized a caravan, and now let them go to Pingcheng in Liaoxi County to wait." /

Qin Xiao nodded and asked: "How is the situation in Jiangnan?"

"The imperial court transferred troops from Jianghuai to garrison." Ximenhao said: "They did not disturb the people, but I heard that there will be a group of officials to be replaced. The specific situation is not clear to the villain."

Qin Xiao thought that as long as Jiangnan was peaceful, everything was fine. After all, his own military resources would be transferred from Jiangnan. Under this situation, he was more worried than anyone else that Jiangnan would be chaotic again.

Ximenhao said: "General, you said in your letter that you want to trade horses with the grassland, and you also asked the caravan to wait in Liaoxi County. If the villain is right, does the general want to trade privately with the real feather department? ?"

"Yes." Qin Xiao naturally stopped concealing: "You also know that if the court wants to train troops here, there must be a supply of war horses, but the Liaodong Army controls the entire northeast horse source, and I have no horses to use. The horses raised by the imperial court had to supply the four northern towns and the Southern Army Corps. In this case, it was too stretched, so there was no way to approach the Long Rui army. Under such circumstances, we can only support ourselves and find a reliable source of horses by ourselves."

Ximen Hao nodded and said: "General, there are no less than fifty or sixty tribes of large and small grasslands. There are some tribes in Monan who have very good war horses, and they are counted.

The amount is quite a lot, but it was either annexed by the Durhu Ministry, or it had long been an affiliate of the Durhu Ministry. It was obligatory to the Durhu Ministry and it was difficult to obtain horses from them. Our business in Monan has been very unsuccessful over the past few years, relying on secret trade by some bold officials from various ministries, each time the number of trades is small, it is better than nothing. At present, he can still have his own right to speak on the grassland, and there are not many who keep a large number of horses, and this Mahabe is one of the best. "

"I also heard that the horses of the True Feathers are second to none on the grassland." Qin Xiao said: "The True Feathers is one of the three tribes of Xile. It has been hit by the other two tribes of Xile and can support it. Now, it’s because they have excellent means of raising horses."

Ximenhao laughed and said: "The horse-raising skill of Ma Yube is indeed outstanding. They control the Ma Yu grassland, and there are seven or eight racecourses. The largest one is said to have tens of thousands of horses, but These racecourses are forbidden by the real feathers, and outsiders cannot cross the thunder pond." The body leaned forward slightly and said softly: "Each racecourse is guarded by heavy soldiers, and a tutun is in charge. The grassland has not issued a ban on horses. At the time, I had a lot of business dealings with Mahabe. After the horse ban was implemented, Mahabe was pressured by Durhube and did not dare to trade with us anymore. Tutun has a good friendship. Over the years, he has also done some business secretly with Chirog, and he can buy two or three hundred war horses every year from him."

"Is this Rogge the official in charge of the racecourse?"

"Yes." Ximenhao said: "He is responsible for leading troops to guard the racecourse, secretly arranging some from the racecourse, the quantity is not large, it is unconscious, and the trade with us can be sold at a good price, as long as no one is discovered , Naturally everyone is happy. In fact, there are such situations in various horse farms, but as long as the number is not large, even if the people on the real feathers know about it, they will open one eye and close one eye." Frowning, said: "However, The trouble is the Bohai people. The Bohai people have also used trade in these years. Many Bohai merchants went to the grassland and secretly traded horses with other tribes. These tribes did not dare to trade war horses in large numbers. The number of horses secretly traded in Bohai was limited. If people eat the next batch, let’s take one less."

Qin Xiao nodded slightly and said: "Mr. Ximen, this time you will be troubled. Take me to Mahabe."

Although Ximenhao knew that Qin Xiao wanted to buy horses from the grassland, he didn't expect Qin Xiao to go there in person. He immediately changed his color and lost his voice: "The general...will go there in person?"

"Long Ruijun wants to train cavalry. There is no other way but to obtain horses from the real feather department." Qin Xiao said solemnly, "I know it is not easy to buy horses from them, but I will go over this time. , I want to see if I have the opportunity to meet the leader of Mahabe, and if possible, I can even reach some feasible agreements directly with them."

Ximenhao said anxiously: "General, forgive me, your status is honorable. The so-called gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. The grasslands have not yet been civilized and are fickle, even though we have been trading with them for decades. , But never really trusted them. If you go there in person, in case...!"

"It's okay." Qin Xiao said with a smile: "My identity on this trip will be kept secret, and no one except you will be known. And there is a good saying, if you don’t enter the tiger’s den Warhorse, always take some risks."

Ximenhao was still worried, shook his head and said: "General, the villain boldly speaks, if you want to do business with Mahabe, you don't have to go out in person, you can send a trusted subordinate to go."

"I grew up in Xiling, and I have met many Huren." Qin Xiao said sternly: "Their culture is indeed different from ours. We can't trust them, they

Neither will it be easy to believe us. If the two sides want to win each other, they must meet frankly. The True Feather Tribe is a large Modong tribe. It is said that there are hundreds of thousands of people. They want to interact with such a tribe, and even gain their trust to reach an agreement. Only one trusted subordinate will be sent to contact, and their trust will not be obtained. It might even make them think that we are inferior to him. "

Ximenhao nodded slightly, knowing that Qin Xiao's remarks made sense.

"The time is immature, I will not reveal my identity." Qin Xiao smiled and said: "Mr. Ximen, although you can rest assured, this trip to the grassland, I also want to get familiar with the environment there. If there is a better chance, it won't work. , Just take a stroll around the grassland."

Seeing that Qin Xiao persisted in this way, Ximenhao knew that his heart was determined, so he could only say: "When is the general going to leave?"

"You can leave at any time." Qin Xiao said: "I will explain the things here, and I can leave the day after tomorrow at the latest."

Ximenhao whispered: "In order to avoid being noticed, the villain came here in a disguise, very secretive, no one knows. If the general is sure to go in person, we can leave the next night, but the weather is cold... ...!"

"Mr. Ximen, a southerner, can come to meet in such a cold season. How can I not withstand the cold?" Qin Xiao smiled and said, "I will arrange for Mr. to stay and wait for two days."

After setting up Ximenhao, Qin Xiao walked into Gu Baiyi’s tent. Although it was late at night, Gu Baiyi was still reading under the lamp. When Qin Xiao came in, he put down the scroll and asked, "You have already decided. ?"

When Ximenhao arrived at the barracks, Qin Xiao had already explained Ximenhao’s identity to Gu Baiyi, and revealed that he would go to the grassland in person. Gu Baiyi didn’t say much at the time, and listened to Gu Baiyi’s question. Qin Xiao nodded and said: "If you don't go this time, you don't have to worry about it."

"Actually, I'm not worried." Gu Baiyi smiled and said, "Since you have decided, you are naturally sure." After a pause, he said, "But it is not easy to convince Mahabe. The grasslands have always been right. We Tang people are biased and feel that we are too cunning. To gain their trust, we must naturally treat each other sincerely. However, just to win their trust is not enough. Trusting you does not mean that we will provide us with war horses."

Qin Xiao nodded slightly, and said, "Mahabe has been attacked on three sides. The situation is actually very dangerous. I think they also hope to have an ally."

"In their eyes, our threat is not weaker than the other enemies on three sides." Gu Baiyi smiled and said: "How to make them believe that we are sincerely ally with them is not an easy task. A trip to the grassland, you do your best , But I heard that Yuhan is also a wise man. Even if you can’t reach an agreement with him in the end, he will not harm you."

Qin Xiao smiled and said, "Brother, I'll leave it to you and the eldest son."

Gu Baiyi nodded slightly and asked, "How many people are you going to take?"

"Naturally, the less the better." Qin Xiao said: "Lu Xiaolou has been to the grassland. Let him take a few brothers with him, so you can be safe."

Last time, Lu Xiaolou took the initiative to ask Ying, claiming that he could be a guide for Qin Xiao. Although the caravan of Ximen’s house is already a guide, bringing Lu Xiaolou by his side is somewhat of a help.

Long Ruijun is handed over to Gu Baiyi, Qin Xiao is naturally completely relieved. Qin Xiao is a very self-aware person, knowing that the ability to lead soldiers and horses is really not as good as Gu Baiyi, and Gu Baiyi stays behind. It can be said to be foolproof.