Bab 16: Chapter Sixteen: Indeed a Rare Find…
Upon her ascension as the new leader, Zuo Qiu Yue immediately set about reinforcing the defenses along the borders and intensifying patrols!
It was anticipated that the Huyan clan, having experienced minimal plunder this year, would undoubtedly face a dire shortage of food, having failed to secure adequate supplies through trade with the Zuo Qiu clan.
Moreover, with the Nalan clan recently switching allegiances, they were likely to adopt a cautious approach, making it improbable for them to engage in trade with the Huyan.
In such circumstances, if the Huyan clan did not resort to slaughtering their horses for sustenance, many of their kin would face starvation.
Under such pressure, they might be compelled to take desperate measures, choosing to raid the food-rich Zuo Qiu clan during the winter!
Yet, Zuo Qiu Yue had enforced a state of high alert for over three months, and as the temperatures began to rise, there had not been a single soldier from the Huyan in sight…
"Could it be they truly consider their precious warhorses as food?"
Zuo Qiu Yue mused, feeling perplexed.
However, the absence of enemy incursions was certainly a blessing.
Moreover, for the current Zuo Qiu clan, the longer they delayed, the more opportunity they had to build their military strength!
Stepping out of her grand wooden leader's abode, Zuo Qiu Yue gazed down the hillside towards the pastures.
After bringing back four hundred seventy warhorses as compensation from the Nalan clan, the Zuo Qiu clan's horse reserves had now exceeded seven hundred.
Having long suffered from a lack of horses, they were finally in a position to form a formidable cavalry!
More importantly…
Zuo Qiu Yue's attention shifted, easily spotting the largest dragon horse among them.
Its scales shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight, exuding an air of extraordinary majesty!
At that moment, it was affectionately nuzzling a few mares.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the dragon horse over the past few months, many of the clan's mares were now pregnant.
Zuo Qiu Yue eagerly anticipated this outcome.
Even if the offspring did not possess the might of a divine beast, they would surely surpass ordinary warhorses, wouldn't they?
With the dragon horse leading the charge, they might stand a chance against the thousands of cavalry from the Huyan clan!
Yet, amidst her confidence in the clan's growing military might, Zuo Qiu Yue felt an inexplicable emptiness within.
"Since the deity bestowed upon us the divine beast dragon horse and then vanished, has it returned to the realm of the gods?
When shall we meet again, I wonder…?"
Zuo Qiu Yue gazed up at the sky, her mind filled with the image of Wang Hui descending like a beam of light from above.
…
Another month swiftly passed.
As the ice and snow melted, life began to flourish once more.
Finally, the Huyan clan made an appearance, yet they did not come to attack or plunder; instead, they presented a renewed demand for trade!
"Lady Yue… oh, I suppose I should now address you as Chief Yue?"
Leading the trade delegation was Huyan Qingbo.
Zuo Qiu Yue keenly observed that, in stark contrast to his visit before winter, the man appeared noticeably plumper!
His physique was robust, exuding a healthy glow.
How could he possibly resemble someone who had endured a winter of deprivation?
Could it be that the Huyan had discovered some special means of acquiring ample food…?
"Lord Qingbo, there is no need for pleasantries; please state your purpose directly."
Zuo Qiu Yue maintained a composed demeanor, exuding the authority befitting her rank.
"Very well!"
Huyan Qingbo responded straightforwardly, turning to clap his hands.
Outside, his subordinates promptly entered, bearing several boxes and placing them on the tables of Zuo Qiu Yue and the other clan leaders.
The boxes, fashioned from animal bones, were as rugged as ever.
But the fragrance emanating from within was irresistible, wafting toward them as soon as the lids were lifted!
"What is this…?"
Zuo Qiu Yue examined the two bone boxes before her.
One contained cheese, while the other held something unfamiliar.
Its irregular shape was porous and loose, entirely unlike the solid flatbreads they were accustomed to.
"Esteemed guests, please sample this divine food!"
Huyan Qingbo gestured invitingly, wearing a grin that suggested he was certain they would be astonished.
To guard against any treachery from the enemy, a female guard at Zuo Qiu Yue's side stepped forward to taste it first.
She took a bite of the cheese and the so-called divine food, and her expression shifted dramatically.
Zuo Qiu Yue leaned in, whispering, "What is it? Is it unpleasant?"
"It's not a matter of taste…"
The female guard appeared conflicted, struggling to articulate her feelings: "It's truly… something very rare…"
Unfortunately, the general populace of this era lacked education, and she struggled to convey her thoughts accurately.
After a while, seeing that the female guard exhibited no adverse reactions, confirming the food was not poisoned, the others curiously began to sample it as well.
"Mmm…"
Zuo Qiu Yue's eyes widened slowly.
The divine food was remarkably soft, offering a texture unlike anything produced by contemporary culinary techniques!
The cheese was somewhat coarse, but when eaten together with the divine food, the delightful richness flooded her palate in an exquisite experience.
Noticing the astonishment among the assembly, Huyan Qingbo was unfazed, his eyes squinting with satisfaction.
A bunch of country bumpkins, entirely unaccustomed to the world!
After a moment, one of the senior members of the Zuo Qiu clan could no longer restrain himself and inquired, "May I ask, what is the origin of this divine food…?"
Huyan Qingbo waved his hand dismissively, "I cannot divulge the source of the divine food; I have come to negotiate a trade.
Ten bags of divine food and ten bags of cheese in exchange for ten bags of high-quality seeds, along with detailed cultivation methods!"
"You must be dreaming!"
Upon hearing Huyan Qingbo's terms, the female guard drew her sword in anger.
Ten bags of divine food and ten bags of cheese—how much could that possibly be?
They were merely bags half her height; even if they distributed all twenty bags among the Zuo Qiu people, each person would receive barely a mouthful!
And what of the ten bags of high-quality seeds? That could yield enough crops to sustain hundreds for a long time!
Furthermore, Huyan Qingbo also demanded detailed cultivation methods…
This knowledge was the very foundation of the Zuo Qiu clan! How could they possibly share it with their enemies?
The female guard remembered vividly that during last year's perilous conspiracy, Huyan Qingbo had been among those pursuing them.
Had it not been for the summoning of the divine being by Chief Yue, they might have already been captured and subjected to the Huyan clan's cruel torments!
Thus, she harbored no fondness for Huyan Qingbo, and with her sword drawn, she moved to confront him.
"Hold!"
Zuo Qiu Yue raised her hand, halting the female guard with a calm demeanor:
"While the food you brought does indeed possess a unique flavor, your trade demands are utterly absurd, and my clan cannot agree.
Please take your leave!"
As she spoke, she signaled for someone to come and "see him off."
Huyan Qingbo was taken aback by her response, hastily pleading, "Wait! We can negotiate!"
On the other side, a Zuo Qiu elder chuckled softly, stroking his beard.
The young chief was already displaying shrewdness; in a few more years, her wisdom would surely rival that of the cunning Nalan clan!
Amidst the scuffle with the guards, Huyan Qingbo gasped for breath and exclaimed,
"I must take the seeds and cultivation methods back; you can increase your offer!
There are more than just ten bags of divine food and cheese!"
"Is that so?"
Zuo Qiu Yue exchanged glances with her guard, who understood the signal and released Huyan Qingbo.
"First, clarify where all this food comes from, and then we can discuss the trade."
"I…"
Huyan Qingbo rubbed his pinched flesh, frowning as he replied,
"It was bestowed by the deity in early winter; it was originally divine food and divine milk.
Later, since we couldn't finish the milk, we turned it all into cheese for storage…"
Divine being!
The senior members of the Zuo Qiu clan exchanged glances; Zuo Qiu Yue's eyes sparkled.
This made sense; no wonder the food-deprived Huyan clan had managed to survive the winter—it was due to divine intervention…
But why would a deity, who had already promised to protect the Zuo Qiu clan, bestow food upon their adversaries, the Huyan?
Sensing the anxious gazes of her elders, Zuo Qiu Yue's mind raced as she prompted,
"What price did the Huyan clan pay to receive such ample sustenance?"
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone