Shu Chen

Chapter 152 Wu Envoy
"Longdi, there are nine slopes, and I don't know how high it is. Those who want to go up will go over in seven days; the high place can accommodate more than a hundred families, and the clear water can be poured down four times." - "San Qin Ji"

Longdi and Longban are the ancient names for the area around Xiaolong Mountain (now Guanshan) in Xilong County on Guanlong Road.

When Qin Feizi, the ancestor of the Qin people, was named a "vassal" by Zhou Tianzi, the fief was here.Therefore, in the word of mouth of Li Shu, the name of this place is still called Qinyi (now Qinting County).

The rising Liupan Mountain stretches from north to south to the Qinling Mountains, intercepting water and soil on this strip, forming a natural meadow with vast forests and luxuriant pastures.Before the Qin people were given the name of entering Guanzhong by the emperor of Zhou and had the "Shuiwei Meeting" with more fertile water and grass, this place has always been the main horse grazing land for the Qin people.

After countless years of vicissitudes in the mulberry sea, the surrounding area of ​​Xiaolong Mountain has once again ushered in its original mission.

After the Han recaptured Longyou, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang divided the pasture here and raised more than 2000 horses here.

These horses were either captured through war, or were eliminated from the cavalry governor Zhao Guangjun and reduced to riding animals, or they were bought from the Qianghu tribe in exchange for Shu brocade tea and other things. A war horse that builds rapport.

That is to say, the big man who has always followed the route of elite soldiers due to the small number of soldiers will no longer use these horses as the choice of mounts for building cavalry when he has better choices.

Even if many of the horses are only four or five years old, they are not inferior to fighting on the battlefield.

If Sun Wu does not come to buy them, the big man will gradually turn these horses into auxiliary horses for cavalry (carrying swords, armor, etc.), or sell them to honorable nobles as a ceremonial guard for travel, and as a way for the nephews of wealthy families to train equestrian skills use.

Even, they will be used as draft animals to transport grain and fodder or plow the fields.

But in any case, it is still very suitable to select hundreds of horses to sell to Sun Wu.

Zheng Pu is here now, waiting for the envoy Wu to come from Ji County to discuss.

The envoy Wu was indeed Zhuge Ke.

The characters are inferior, the eyebrows are light, and the forehead appears to be abnormally wide.

He is seven feet six inches tall, one inch taller than Zheng Pu; aged twenty-six, two years older than Zheng Pu.

Perhaps because of his long association with the nobles in Jiangdong, he is dressed in a stately and gorgeous dress, which is made of gauze and tunic, with a curvy train hanging at the back, a crown and a swaying crown, and a flying tassel, even the jade ring on the side of his waist is green and green.

Zuozhi walked like a dragon and walked like a tiger, with a dignified face, and there was a hint of high spirits in Gu Pan.

Such a person as an envoy will not fall into the prestige of the country.

On the other hand, Zheng Pu's hair is tied up with a mop-stained towel, and he wears a half-new military uniform. He has no gold or jade ornaments on his body, and only wears a ring sword on his waist. He has won the military's capable and decisive style; The scars added a bit of sass.

When people see him, they will unconsciously regard him as an old soldier in the army, and forget that he is still leading the prime minister's mansion to join the army.

I don't know if it was due to the fact that he was treated to a family banquet by the prime minister and Zhuge Qiao at night when he arrived in Longyou yesterday. Zhuge Ke still inquired about Zheng Pu's personality in detail.As soon as he arrived, he cupped his hands first, and said with a smile, "I've heard about Zheng Jun's reputation for being resourceful and good at fighting for a long time, and seeing him today is just as expected!"

"Don't dare."

Zheng Pu smiled coyly, and returned a salute, "Ge Jun's name, I often hear brother Bosong mention it, is a talented man from Jiangdong! I am very fortunate to see you now."

After saying that, he stretched out his hand to make a false quotation, "There is a seat for the meeting, please, Mr. Ge."

"Please, Mr. Zheng."

Zhuge Ke also said politely.

Even after dozens of steps, his expression became slightly unswerving.

What Zheng Pu set up in the horse ranch was really a "seat".

It is a sandy place beside a tributary of the Qingshui River. There is no half tile on the roof to shade the sun. There is a bamboo feast on the bottom, and there are two straw woven mats, separated by a short table in the middle.There is no candied meat or candied fruit on the case, only two wine cups and a huge leather wine bag.

Even Li Shu, who can afford food and clothing, would not be so stingy with such a simple hospitality.

Not to mention that this is the envoy of the allies.

Therefore, a person who was half a step behind Zhuge Ke was the first to be angry and reprimanded, "I am here by the order of the emperor, and I am the ear of the country! You treat him like this, and you want to humiliate our country!"

He is Sun Xi, the grandson of Sun Jing and the second son of Sun Jiao.

Although he is only in his twenties, but because of his father's close friendship with Zhuge Jin, he also had a lot of contacts with Zhuge Ke. This time, he was sent by Sun Quan as a deputy follower, and Quan regarded it as a matter of experience.In terms of emotion and reason, regardless of his status or status, he deserves the courtesy of a big man, but now Zheng Pu is stingy with him even for a seat, so he is furious.

"Humph!"

A cold snort came from behind Zheng Pu.

It was Guan Xing, whose beard was nearly three feet long, and he was standing on the side of the straw mat, leaning on a saber.

Hearing the words, he stared angrily, "The boats in the south and the horses in the north are true! The people in Jiangdong don't know that there are only stables and houses for horse slaves in the land of grazing horses, and they are rude and noisy! If you are greedy for food, wine and meat The music is so overwhelming, I went straight back to Chengdu to find the Dahonghe Office, I am not short of you alone for food and music!"

"you!"

Immediately, Sun Xi's face turned red.

Just about to argue a few more words, Zhuge Ke stopped him with his eyes.

Because last night Zhuge Qiao specifically instructed him, claiming that a few days ago, Guan Xing asked Prime Minister Guan Xing to act as a deputy in the negotiation of horse sales.Naturally, due to the battle of Xiangfan in the past, Zhuge Ke could also guess that Guan Xing was definitely one of the people who was unwilling to sell his war horse to Wu.

If Sun Xi is allowed to continue arguing, I am afraid that the two sides will break up unhappy, and the matter of the war horse transaction will still be dead.

There is a need for others, and there should be no fighting between emotions.

Furthermore, as Guan Xing, Zheng Pu asked him to stand by the side, why is it so strange that Sun Xihou is beside him?
Putting away all the unswerving colors of just now, Zhuge Ke smiled and said, "I heard that everyone in your country respects purity and simplicity, and is ashamed of glory and joy. Today, seeing Zheng Jun's banquet, it can be said that the rumors are true."

After saying that, he came to his seat and took practical actions to ease the dispute between the two parties.

"Oh, Ge Jun is a wonderful person."

With a praise, Zheng Pu also sat down, raised the wine bag to fill up the cups for both of them, and explained with a smile, "I didn't mean to be harsh on your country, it is indeed a place where horses are herded and not a place to welcome guests. But if it is in the government office He couldn't let Ge Jun witness the posture of the horse, so he had no choice but to make a bad plan. It's inappropriate, but I hope Jun Ge won't be blamed."

When the words fell, he held up a cup and invited, "Ge Jun, have a drink!"

This explanation made Zhuge Ke feel relieved, and he smiled happily and invited them together, "Drink!"

Just as soon as the drink was in his mouth, he frowned and bared his teeth.

The wine made from mare's milk is too sour!
At least, Zhuge Ke, who drank for the first time, couldn't adapt.

This son is pretending to be playing tricks, making me look ugly and evil!

Embarrassed in his heart, Zhuge Ke, who took half a sip and put the wine cup on the table, stared at Zheng Pu.

But seeing that he drank it all in one gulp with no change in expression, when he put down the wine cup, he seemed to be full of meaning, and took out the wine bag again to pour it out.

Uh.
Could it be that I am overthinking?
Seeing this, Zhuge Ke was puzzled.

When Zheng Pu was pouring the wine, he saw that Zhuge Ke's wine cup was still full, so he couldn't help showing surprise and asked, "Ge Jun is not good at drinking evil?"

In today's world, good drinking is regarded as a heroic spirit.

As a national envoy, how can anyone be humble and not good at drinking as soon as he touches his lips?
Zhuge Ke shook his head slightly, and replied with a smile, "No. I have never drank this wine, so I want to taste it carefully."

After saying that, he held up the cup and drank it in one gulp, showing the bottom of the cup.

As for the rippling in the belly, that is only known by oneself.

"good!"

Zheng Pu smiled happily and praised loudly.

After filling up again, he held up a cup and invited, "This wine made from mare's milk is sweet and precious in the Northwest! It's rare that Ge Jun likes it, so let's drink it again!"

Hearing this, Zhuge Ke felt helpless, so he gritted his teeth and raised the cup again, "Drink!"

Hold your head up, close your eyes, and be hard-hearted
Alas!
Strong, let's drink up!

It's just that he didn't know that Guan Xing, who was standing behind Zheng Pu, turned his head away at this moment, and quietly covered up the smile in his eyes by lowering his eyes and stroking his beard.When he drank kumiss for the first time, it was a bad feeling.Seeing envoy Wu being teased by Zheng Pu today, he felt extremely happy in his heart.

However, Zhuge Ke is the nephew of the prime minister after all.

Zheng Pu didn't like to play tricks too much, and he didn't invite another cup after drinking the second cup.

Instead, he tilted his head towards Qi Yacuo, the servant next to him, nodded slightly, and then smiled back, "Ge Jun wait a moment, my subordinate will drive the horses here when I was young."

"good!"

Immediately, Zhuge Ke was overjoyed.

When he caught sight of the leather wine bag on the short case from the corner of his eyes, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, and he immediately got up, with a gurgling smile, and said, "I have been fond of riding since I was a child, and now I am lucky enough to be in a place where horses are herded. Impatient to wait. If Mr. Zheng is not bothered, can you lead me to see Qianqi Zongheng?"

"An dare to defeat Ge Jun's Xingxie?"

Zheng Pu got up as well, stretched out his hand to evade, "Ge Jun, please follow me to the stable."

"Please."

Be happy and talk, and act and watch.

In summer and April, the Xiaolongshan meadow is washed under the blue sky. The greenery is winding and flowing from a distance, and the yellow and green are intertwined and winding from a close view.The cool breeze, which is neither warm nor dry, faintly carries the freshness of vegetation and water, as well as the hissing of horses hidden in the wind.

After walking for about three hundred steps, Zhuge Ke and the followers of Soochow all stopped to look at a high slope.

His eyes were blurred, and his face was filled with admiration.

I saw that where the sky was separated by Liupan Mountain, thousands of horses were divided into more than ten groups, dotted in the rolling meadow.Some walked leisurely and gnawed on the rich pastures; some galloped, chasing the floating shadows of white clouds, and shocked people's hearts with their majestic demeanor and majestic neighing.

It is a call that the world is wide and free.

It is also the cry of a man who is proficient in bowing and horses in order to make contributions in the battlefield.

Just as everyone was admiring the majestic appearance of Qianqi, the servant Qi Yacuo came slowly, leading the horse with one hand on the left and the other on the right.

Zhuge Ke also asked Zhuge Ke to look away, turned his head and asked Zheng Pu, "Zheng Jun, are these two horses different?"

"Of course."

Zheng Pu nodded and smiled, "The right one is a domesticated war horse, and the left one is a horse for walking and riding. If you don't Ge Jun let your followers ride, you can see the pros and cons of the two."

"But it's disrespectful."

Zhuge Ke laughed, and after bowing his hands as a salute, he asked his two attendants to try riding.

Although the two horses hoofed at the same time, the rider on the war horse was the best.As for the riding horse, no matter how the rider swings the whip and kicks the horse's belly, it cannot increase its speed.

Seeing this, Zhuge Ke stroked Hu and nodded, and asked, "Dare to ask Zheng Jun, how much are these horses worth?"

Zheng Pu replied with a smile, "The horses to be ridden can be used as draft animals. Each horse can be exchanged for [-] hu of grain and fodder. Rice can be used, but beans can be doubled."

Hearing this, Zhuge Ke raised his eyebrows, nodded slightly and smiled.

Because the price is fair.

It's just that these horses that can only be used for riding are not what Soochow wants.

"Where are the war horses?"

"The price is [-] hu for each horse."

Immediately, Zhuge Ke opened his eyes wide and said in a voiceless voice, "Five thousand dendrobium?!"

Can't blame him for being surprised.

Today, the average annual grain output per mu is no more than three dendrobiums, and one war horse replaces the net output of nearly two thousand mu!
However, he could not blame Zheng Pu for paying too high a price.

War horses are precious.

For example, during Emperor Ling's reign, he set up a horse in the stables, and it cost 2 million yuan to transfer horses from the prefecture.

Although there are reasons for the bureaucrats and tyrants to make profits, the price of war horses has never been less than a million dollars in years when the weather is good and the grain prices are low.

It's just that in the past and present after decades of turmoil in the world, food is scarce and food is expensive, and the food and fodder accumulated by all countries are not much.

How could Soochow, who wanted to buy five hundred war horses, accept such a price?

"Of course, it's five thousand dendrobium per horse."

Zheng Pu nodded, his voice indifferent, "Nowadays, we are also short of war horses. Many important ministers in the court have said that they should not be sold. The prime minister remembered the friendship between the two countries, so that everyone's opinions will be resolved. But if you return If there is less food and fodder, I am afraid that there will be complaints among the officials in the court and the generals in the army."

Zhuge Ke was silent.

Because Zheng Pu's words were not prevarication, but the truth, there was nothing to criticize.

After all, the big man was only over a year old when he recaptured Longyou, so there was naturally a shortage of war horses.

Now that the big man is willing to sell it to Soochow, it is already very rare.

It's just such a price, he can't give back to Sun Quan.

After thinking for a while, he said aloud, "As Zheng Jun said, there is still a shortage of war horses in your country, and it is not appropriate to sell them at a low price. However, my country of Wu and the great Han have an alliance to fight against Wei. If the country makes war horses cheaper, in the future, our country Wu will definitely send troops together with your country to help "

"Clang clang!"

The sound of a sharp knife unsheathing interrupted Zhuge Ke's words.

Seeing that Guan Xing had pulled out his supporting blade, he stared angrily at Sun Wu and the others, roaring like thunder, "Let's fight against Wei, how can Dong Wu send troops to help me, the great Han Xie!?"

Immediately, the scene was chaotic.

"Brother An Guo, don't be reckless!"

After a cry of surprise, Zheng Pu hastily pulled Guan Xing away before Wu's guards drew their blades, and he yelled at the other guards in a low voice to pull Guan Xing away first.

Such a small episode also made Zhuge Ke full of worry, looking at Zheng Pu's back in vain.

Although he already knew about the alliance between the two countries from the prime minister, Guan Xing's anger would not affect the war horse deal.

But no matter what, he couldn't use his status as an ally as a bargaining chip.

After all, before the Battle of Xiangfan broke out, the two sides were also in the relationship of a common alliance.

However, what he didn't know was that the anger in Guan Xing's eyes had long since disappeared.

He also chuckled lightly at Zheng Pu and joked, "Zijin is now an envoy to deceive Wu, and let me hurt my reputation and behave in a state of ignorance of public and private interests. I don't know how to repay it?"

"Hahaha~~~"

Zheng Pu immediately laughed, "Brother is for the benefit of the country! Can you repay it?"

(End of this chapter)