Tibet

Early the next morning, amidst the chaos, the huge caravan set off again. It was already early winter and the Wuhu River had frozen. The caravan crossed the river on the ice and continued northward along the east bank of the Wuhu River. OK.

Perhaps because he felt an indescribable sense of security after spending the night together last night, Juan Garro specially took his companions to walk with Li Ye's team.

"Sir, it seems that some cavalry came last night and left soon."

Xu Jian whispered to Li Ye: "I heard from the guards at the door that they were almost scared to death last night. They said they were all Persian cavalry, and there were hundreds of them."

Li Ye nodded, "I heard it too. The sound of horse hooves was very neat. It sounded like well-trained cavalry, not chaotic bandits, but there were not as many as four or five hundred. It was too exaggerated. At most, there were about a hundred people. But I was surprised. , this place is thousands of miles away from Persia, where is the home base of these Persian cavalry?”

Li Ye turned around and asked Juan Gallo in Sogdian, "Where is the lair of the Persian cavalry? Does the old merchant know?"

Sogdian is the common language in Central Asia, and most businessmen can speak it. Juan Jialuo hesitated and said: "I heard that there are two places. I just heard that one is Bushi City and the other is Shiguo."

Li Ye didn't know much about Bushi City, but he only knew its location roughly. In the core area of ​​Tochar, the Wangting Prefecture Governor's Mansion was in the area of ​​the capital of Dayuezhi Kingdom in the Han Dynasty. However, Li Ye was more interested in the Stone Kingdom. Why did the Persians Will he collude with Shi Guo?

Juan Garro said worriedly: "If we are targeted by the Persian cavalry, we will be in trouble. Like a pack of wolves, they will always follow us, looking for opportunities to attack."

Li Ye also felt the same way. Last night's Merchant Village was close to Saiga Shen City, which was not very convenient. If the Persian cavalry took action, they would definitely find a place that was closed off and uninhabited.

At noon, a series of mountains appeared in front, blocking the way of the caravan. The Wuhu River passed through the mountains, forming a canyon. This is the famous Wuhu Grand Canyon, which is more than fifty miles long and two or three miles wide. , there are steep mountains on both sides, and the Wuhu River flows through the canyon. However, it is now the dry season, and most of the river bed is exposed and covered with large and small pebbles.

"Everyone cheer up!"

Li Ye ordered in a deep voice: "The Persian cavalry last night will probably attack here."

The soldiers clutched their spears wrapped in cloth.

The huge caravan has entered the canyon and stretches for several miles, traveling through the canyon. They speed up and try to get out of the canyon before dark.

The caravan is very large. A group of people were added last night. Originally there were more than 2,000 camels, but now it has increased to 3,000 camels. There are more than 30 small caravans. In fact, the small caravans are also composed of many independent merchants. It's a typical tour group tour.

For example, Juan Garro's small caravan has a total of nine people and more than 30 camels. It is also composed of four smaller business partners, including brothers, father and son. They can get together because they all make brown sugar. Business will naturally form a guild.

They will recommend a business leader, who will inquire about the market and contact colleagues. Juan Gallo is the business leader, experienced and prestigious. His two sons are very capable, and one son is responsible for inquiring about information. Juan Gallo has Various advantages naturally make it a business leader.

Businessmen don't care what season it is, they focus on the market. The reason why they set out in winter is because the price of brown sugar in Shiguo has soared. A trip can make four times the profit. Excluding the road expenses, it is at least three times the profit, 100%. The profit of three hundred is enough for businessmen to take risks and travel.

Li Ye suddenly had a very interesting feeling. These businessmen were very similar to the game "Navigation" he played when he was a child, looking for business opportunities to make money everywhere.

"Why did the price of brown sugar in Shiguo soar five times?" Li Ye asked with a smile.

"We don't know either. There are just some rumors that the military is purchasing and hoarding in large quantities."

Li Ye nodded. He knew that brown sugar was used to treat wounded soldiers. The wounded soldiers of Shuofang Army drank brown sugar water every day. This rumor had some basis.

At this time, the team suddenly stopped, and someone was shouting in front. Juangalo's youngest son was very clever and immediately ran up to inquire about the situation. After a while, he came back with a pale face and said: "There are Persian cavalry in front of us blocking the way. .”

Suddenly, there was chaos behind them, and the crowd continued to surge forward. Juan Jiaro looked behind him in horror. Li Ye said lightly: "No need to be surprised, the retreat was also cut off by the Persian cavalry."

"Ruined!"

A businessman squatted down and cried, "All my belongings are here!"

"Why are you crying? You're not the only one!"

Juan Gallo angrily shouted with dissatisfaction: "There are thousands of people here!"

Li Ye looked at the sky and saw that it was already dusk. These Persians were very good at timing. Night was often the time when people were most vulnerable, and it was also the time when they were most likely to succeed.

"Has Old Shangtou encountered Persian cavalry before?" Li Ye asked.

Juan Garo nodded, "I've met him three times, and this is the fourth time."

"How was it solved before?"

Juangalo smiled bitterly, "What else can we do to solve this problem? We will lose money and avoid disaster! These Persian cavalry will put forward three conditions. First, join their big food sect, and then they will be their brothers. They will have all the people, goods and wealth. They will also give you a parchment roll, so you won’t be afraid if you meet them again;

Second, do not resist and give them all your money. If they are satisfied, you can keep the camels and goods.

Third, if you give them half of the goods, at least you can still save money on this trip. "

"What if you resist?"

Juan Gallo shook his head, "No one has ever resisted. If you don't resist, your trip will be in vain. If you resist, you will die, and your money and goods will be gone. Everyone will settle this account."

Li Ye was really speechless. He also wanted to mobilize the merchants to take action, but it seemed impossible. All of these merchants had weapons, but no one dared to resist. This sheep character also caused them to be conquered again and again for thousands of years. No wonder Persia Only a hundred cavalry are enough to deal with these merchants.

Time gradually came to one o'clock, and news came from the front: The big merchant had reached an agreement with the other party. If they are willing to accept the parchment scrolls and convert to the Dashi Cult, they will be released immediately. If they are not willing to accept the parchment scrolls, each person must pay fifty gold dinars. Or half of the goods can be released, and all weapons must be turned in.

All the merchants breathed a sigh of relief. The price was not too bad, and they began to collect money.

Another fire chief, Yu Changyang, whispered to Li Ye: "Sir, there is a loophole here! You can accept the parchment scrolls, pretend to be a convert to Dashi, go home and pretend nothing happened, and just pretend again next time you go out."

Li Ye smiled and said: "We businessmen in the Tang Dynasty might do this, but these guys are very devout in their beliefs. They will not do anything that betrays their beliefs. The other party also knows it, so they don't worry about these businessmen cheating."

After speaking, Li Ye said to everyone: "The time has come, let's prepare to take action!"

Everyone pulled off their loose robes, revealing the bright armor underneath, and removed the cloth wrapping the weapons on their helmets. Everyone got on their horses, and Li Ye said to Juan Jialuo: "Please, old businessman, help us take care of the camels. "

Li Ye led 20 cavalry to urge the horse. Everyone was dumbfounded. Juan Jialuo said with trembling lips, "They are the Tang army!"