Tibet

Chapter 235 Persian Cavalry
Early the next morning, amidst the commotion, the huge caravan set off again. It was early winter and the Wuhu River had frozen. OK.

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

"My lord, it seems that some cavalry came here last night, but they left soon."

Xu Jian whispered to Li Ye: "I heard from the guards at the gate 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 horseshoes is very neat. It sounds like a well-trained cavalry, not a mess of bandits, but there are not as many as four or five hundred people. It's too exaggerated. At most, there are about a hundred people, but I'm surprised , it is thousands of miles away from Persia, where are these Persian cavalry lairs?"

Li Ye turned around and asked Juan Jialuo again in Sogdian, "Where is the home 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, but I just heard that one is Bushi City and the other is Shi Country."

Li Ye doesn't know much about Bushi City, but he only knows the location. In the core area of ​​Tocharo, the Dudu Mansion of Wangting Prefecture is the area around the capital city of the Da Yue Clan in the Han Dynasty. However, Li Ye is more interested in the Stone Kingdom. Why are the Persians Will it collude with Shi Guo?
Juan Galo said worriedly: "It will be troublesome if you are targeted by the Persian cavalry. 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 camp was close to the city of Saijiashen, which was not very convenient. If the Persian cavalry attacked, they would definitely find a place that was closed and deserted.

At noon, a continuous mountain appeared in front of the caravan, blocking the way of the caravan. The Wuhu River passed through the mountain and formed 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, but now it is the dry season, most of the riverbed 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 most likely attack here."

The soldiers clenched their spears wrapped in cloth.

A huge caravan has already entered the canyon, stretching for several miles, passing through the canyon. They speed up and strive to get out of the canyon before dark.

The caravan is very large, and a group of people was added last night. Originally, there were more than 2000 camels, but now it has increased to [-] camels. There are more than [-] small caravans. The small caravans are actually composed of many independent businessmen. This is a A typical group of traveling merchants.

For example, Juan Gallo’s small caravan consisted of nine people, more than 30 camels, and four smaller business partners. There were brothers, father and son. They were able to come together because they were all in the brown sugar business. A guild will naturally form.

They will recommend a businessman, who will inquire about the market and contact his peers. Juan Gallo is a businessman with experience and prestige. His two sons are very capable, and one son is responsible for inquiring about news. With various advantages, he naturally became a business leader.

Merchants don’t care what season it is, what they pay attention to is the market. The reason why they set off in winter is because the price of brown sugar in Shiguo has risen sharply. A trip can make four times the profit. If the expenses on the road are removed, the profit is at least three times, [-]% A profit of three hundred is enough for businessmen to take risks.

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

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

"We don't know, it's just some rumors, it seems that their military is buying 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. There is some basis for this rumor.

At this time, the team stopped suddenly, and someone shouted in front of them. Juan Gallo'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 blocking the way ahead." .”

Suddenly, the back also became chaotic, and the crowd kept rushing forward. Juan Jialuo looked back in horror. Li Ye said indifferently: "Don't be surprised, the retreat route was also cut off by the Persian cavalry."

"Ruined!"

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

"Why are you crying? You're not alone!"

Juangalo scolded angrily, "There are thousands of people here!"

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

"Has the old merchant encountered Persian cavalry before?" Li Ye asked.

Juan Gallo nodded, "I've met you three times, so this is the fourth time."

"How did you solve it before?"

Juan Gallo smiled wryly, "How else can it be solved, avoid disasters if you lose money! These Persian cavalry will put forward three conditions. First, join their Dashijiao, and then they will be their brothers. They will also give you a parchment, so you won't be afraid to meet them again before;
Second, don't resist, give them all the money you have, and if they are satisfied, you can keep the camels and goods.

The third is to give them half of the goods, so at least this trip can save money. "

"What if you resist?"

Juan Galo shook his head, "No one has ever resisted. If you don't resist, it's a waste of time. If you resist, you will die, and the money and goods will be gone. Everyone will settle this account."

Li Ye was really speechless. He still wanted to mobilize the merchants to fight together. It seemed impossible. These merchants all had weapons, but none of them dared to resist. This kind of sheep character also caused them to be conquered thousands of times. No wonder Persia Only a hundred cavalry is enough to deal with these merchants.

Time gradually approached one o'clock, and news came from the front: the big businessman had negotiated with the other party. If he was willing to accept the parchment and convert to the Great Food Cult, he would let him go immediately. If he did not want to accept the parchment, each person would pay fifty dinar gold coins. 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 wasn't too harsh, and they started to raise their own money.

Another fire chief, Yu Changyang, said to Li Ye in a low voice: "Master, there is a loophole here! You can accept the parchment, pretend to be a convert to Dashi, and go home as if nothing happened. Next time you go out, just pretend."

Li Ye said with a smile: "We merchants in the Tang Dynasty may do this, but these guys are very devout in their beliefs. They will not do anything that betrays their beliefs, and the other party knows it, so don't worry about these merchants cheating."

After speaking, Li Ye said to everyone: "The time has come, and we are ready to act!"

Everyone tore off their loose robes, revealing the bright armor inside, put on their helmets, and removed the cloth wrapping their weapons, everyone got on their horses, and Li Ye said to Juan Jialuo: "Please, old merchant, take care of the camels for us. "

Li Ye led twenty cavalrymen to urge the horses. Everyone was dumbfounded. Juan Jialuo said with trembling lips, "They are the Tang army!"

(End of this chapter)