Chapter 146: Northern Guest

And on the other side, Amuer also bade farewell to his brother Saihan, taking a few attendants and embarking on the journey to the Central Plains.

They rode swift horses across the grassland, leaving a string of deep hoofprints.

Their silhouette stretched out a long glow in the afterglow of the setting sun.

After several days of travel, they finally reached the border of Cangzhou.

This is a vast plain bordering the grassland, yet with a completely different appearance.

The plain was planted with rice and wheat, patches of lush green fields like a beautiful scroll.

In the distance, the mountains appeared tranquil and mysterious in the sunset's glow.

At this moment, Amuer stood at the edge where Cangzhou meets the grassland, gazing ahead at the towering pass—the Peace Pass.

It lay like a sleeping beast, sprawled across the road to Cangzhou, blocking the steps of all outsiders.

The Peace Pass, as an important gateway of the Da Qian dynasty's Cangzhou in the Central Plains, also the border between grassland and Central Plains, was heavily garrisoned year-round with strict defenses.

Amuer looked at this mighty pass before him, which had caused countless grassland youths to break their weapons and sink in the sand.

His face showed no expression.

But he clearly knew that passing through the Peace Pass to enter Cangzhou was no easy task.

The attire and identity of these grassland people easily aroused the garrison's vigilance and inspection; once their whereabouts were exposed, not only would trade be hopeless, but it could also bring unnecessary trouble to the tribe.

Thus, Amuer thought it over and ultimately decided to take a detour.

They chose a small road leading to the Northern Frontier; although the route was much longer, it was relatively safe and could avoid inspection at the Peace Pass.

Their party was not large, and making a detour from the Northern Frontier was somewhat troublesome.

But the advantage was stability.

Although they made a big detour, it was all worthwhile.

Not only did they successfully avoid inspection at the Peace Pass, they also gained valuable experience and insight.

As they approached Cangzhou, Amuer also began preparing for the upcoming trade.

He once again organized his tribe's specialties and advantages, considering how best to present them to the Acting Cangzhou Inspector, the Yun Prince's Heir.

He also deliberately learned about Cangzhou's market demand and conditions to gain an advantageous position in negotiations.

Although Amuer will in the future be the grassland's first War God, the one with the highest martial prowess.

But he will not rely solely on his peerless martial strength.

Rather, he prefers to solve problems with more meticulous methods.

This is the lifelong summary of his master, the Heaven-Reaching Eagle.

Moreover, unlike Xiang Yu, an invincible ceiling of an era.

Amuer has had a master who is also a ceiling since childhood, teaching him day and night.

Telling him that there are people beyond people, heavens beyond heavens.

Thus, this also cultivated his habit.

He will not rely on martial force to charge ahead recklessly.

So in short,

Amuer compared himself to Xiang Yu and Li Yuanba and such.

He has an extra brain.

Combined with his ceiling-level combat power.

This raises his threat level by several notches.

By comparison, opponents like Li Si Shazi are hardly friendly at all.

At least Li Er Feng is not by his side.

Li Si Shazi's threat level drops straight away.

And if Li Si Shazi keeps following Li Er,

then it invisibly limits his range of activity.

After all, Li Er cannot stay idle doing nothing.

He constantly rushes to the most dangerous spots on the battlefield.

Meanwhile, inside the Cangzhou Inspector's residence, the atmosphere was solemn and reverent.

Su Ye sat upright at the head seat, while civil officials such as Xun Yu, Chen Qun, and Li Shan Chang sat on either side.

They were busily and orderly handling Cangzhou's various governmental affairs, discussing how to better govern this frontier stronghold to cope with external threats and numerous internal challenges.

Just as everyone was busy, a light footsteps suddenly came from outside the door, accompanied by a faint scent of wine.

The curtain was lifted, and a swaying figure stumbled in—none other than Guo Jia, the drunkard.

His face was flushed red, and he still held a wine gourd, obviously having just drunk his fill.

"Haha, everyone, good news, good news!"

Guo Jia shouted while staggering to the center of the hall.

"Feng Xiao, what makes you so happy? Have you found good wine again?"

Su Ye's brows furrowed slightly, then relaxed as he smiled and asked.

"No, no, this time I have brought a major deal for Cangzhou."

Guo Jia waved his hand and said.

"The Long Yao Tribe from the far northern grasslands has sent people to seek long-term trade with our Cangzhou."

He paused, looked around, seeing everyone drawn in by his words, then continued proudly.

"Oh? The Long Yao Tribe?"

Su Ye froze upon hearing that.

The Dragon Yao Tribe is a powerful nomadic people in the north, renowned for their bravery in battle and skill in horseback archery.

Their relationship with the Central Plains Dynasty has always been fickle, alternating between submission and tribute, and border raids.

As the Inspector of Cangzhou, Su Ye naturally knew the situation of the Dragon Yao Tribe like the back of his hand.

Moreover, there is more than just this surface-level information.

Su Ye also inferred this from multiple hints from the system.

That person, who in the original trajectory unified the entire northern great grassland, is the Grassland Emperor Star.

He is also within this Dragon Yao Tribe!

"Yes, it is exactly the Dragon Yao Tribe."

Guo Jia nodded, "They have sent envoys this time, hoping to engage in trade with us."

"This is undoubtedly a rare opportunity for us."

Xun Yu and the others thought for a moment, then also nodded in agreement.

Establishing trade relations with the Dragon Yao Tribe is beneficial and harmless for present-day Cangzhou.

The Dragon Yao Tribe shares only a small border with the Central Plains Dynasty.

Most of their territory lies on the grassland.

They border the various different tribes on the grassland.

Once the Dragon Yao Tribe becomes strong in soldiers and horses,

the first to suffer will certainly not be the Central Plains,

but the tribes on the grassland.

This is also how, in the original trajectory, the Northern Emperor Star first unified the entire grassland.

The reason they invaded the Central Plains only afterwards.

Therefore, Cangzhou conducts long-term trade with the Dragon Yao Tribe.

Not only does it strengthen economic ties between the two sides, but more importantly, it allows us to use this to make the grassland more chaotic, reducing the war risk between the grassland and the Central Plains Dynasty.

"Then what exactly do they want to trade?" Su Ye asked.

"Horses, furs, medicinal herbs, and so on."

Guo Jia replied, "The Dragon Yao Tribe is located in the heart of the grassland, producing excellent horses and high-quality furs."

"While our Central Plains region possesses abundant medicinal herbs and handicrafts."

"Both sides can take what they need, achieving mutual benefit and win-win."

Su Ye nodded upon hearing this.

The horses and furs from the Northern Great Grassland have always been popular in the Central Plains market, let alone the powerful Dragon Yao Tribe that resides in the fertile heart of the grassland.

The medicinal herbs and handicrafts of the Central Plains are also deeply loved by the grassland peoples.

This trade is undoubtedly profitable for both sides.

"Where are their envoys now?"

Su Ye asked again.

"They are resting at the relay station."

Guo Jia replied, "They have come a long way and need to rest for a few days before formal negotiations can begin."

"In that case, let us prepare well and warmly welcome these honored guests who have come from afar."

Su Ye smiled faintly upon hearing this, his expression somewhat subtle.

(End of Chapter)