Chapter 979: Chapter 910: Who Is the True Master of the Grasslands?
“Hai Danda, you’ve arrived?”
“Old Belly, haven’t you co as well?”
At a nondescript grassy field on the steppe, within a hastily erected tent, there gathered over twenty tribal chieftains from across the grassland.
The tribes they ca from were not particularly large.
Among them, the one with the largest population was Hai Danda, who had just walked in. It was said last year, excluding slaves, his tribe had over 12,000 people.
If slaves were counted as people, the population exceeded 30,000.
“Everyone, since we’re all here, let’s get down to business!”
The speaker was the tribal leader addressed as “Old Belly,” who had greeted Hai Danda earlier.
Everyone knew that Old Belly’s tribe had only five to six thousand people and wasn’t a large tribe.
Moreover, Old Belly and his tribe were truly nomadic throughout the steppe.
Although everyone was a nomadic people, migrating to different pastures after a period, each tribe essentially had its own territory, migrating within that space.
But Old Belly’s tribe was different. After he took charge, he sold off their pastureland and bought a large number of cattle and horses, starting a business on the grassland.
If your tribe needed two thousand sheep, Old Belly could deliver them in two weeks.
If your tribe needed eight hundred warhorses, Old Belly could get them for you in ten days.
So tribes even needed weapons, and Old Belly had his own channels.
Many had heard that Old Belly had business dealings with the Great Sui of the Land of the Midday Sun.
So although Old Belly’s tribe never had large numbers and moved frequently, he was the wealthiest among the tribes.
Otherwise, Old Belly wouldn’t have been able to gather over twenty tribal leaders together.
“Before discussing business, I’m curious to ask you sothing, Hai Danda. Around this ti last year, when I helped you sell cattle and horses, your tribe, including slaves, had over 36,000 people. How many are left now?”
Hearing this, Hai Danda sighed helplessly.
“The fact that everyone is here shows we’re among brothers, so I’ll be honest with you all.”
“Last year, during the plague of rats, I felt there wouldn’t be enough food, so I bought from everywhere and stored a lot. In the end, not many people starved, but we did lose seven to eight thousand slaves. Moreover, recently…”
At this point, Hai Danda glanced around to ensure that everyone had a certain mindset before continuing.
“Not long ago, the Great Khan ordered us to hand over a thousand cattle and sheep, along with a lot of grain. In the end, we had no choice but to send over three thousand slaves to the Land of the Midday Sun to sell. Alas—”
Everyone knew that escorting three thousand slaves to the Great Sui ant it would be good if half survived, and they might not even fetch much money.
But there was no other way; if they couldn’t be fed, they’d starve to death, so it was better to sell them now to offset the losses.
At this point, another tribal leader spoke up: “Recently, the Great Khan also demanded five hundred cattle and five hundred warhorses from . These annual tributes were bearable, but last year there was famine and war, and just as spring begins, he demands so much, it’s like he’s asking for our lives!”
“Our tribe too; he wants to hand over eight hundred cattle and fifty beautiful won. Where am I supposed to get these things?”
At this mont, the chieftains in the large tent all began to complain about the recent demands from Sharlobi Great Khan.
However, it was simply impossible for them to et these demands now.
They could scrape them together with great effort, but it would be devastating for everyone!
Recently, Dashi Bian had declared war on Sharlobi.
This made everyone realize the situation was dangerous, and their tribes had to prepare for the upcoming conflict.
Once everyone had expressed their discontent with Sharlobi, Old Belly, who had gathered them, smiled.
“Since everyone has spoken, let this old fellow have a word.”
Everyone knew that Old Belly wouldn’t gather them just for idle chat and venting.
“I know last winter was tough for everyone. I’m a businessman; I knew the prices you offered last year, and what you’re offering this year. Honestly, I no longer believe in either the Wolf God or the Sun God.”
Everyone knew Old Belly didn’t have faith in the God of Mysterious Strategy from the start, but because he traveled often for trade, he believed in the Sun God and Wolf God, thinking these deities would protect his tribe.
But now, he’s abandoned even these gods?
“I now believe in the Mountain God and river god. My tribe’s business dealings went to them; these new gods not only offered protection but required few offerings. Moreover, they truly answered my prayers!”
“Not long ago, I t with the Mountain God of the Great Desolate Mountain. He told that many tribes had secretly aligned with Dashi Bian. If possible, he could vouch for to do business with tribes over there. So I… gave it a try.”
At this, everyone’s eyes brightened.
Then Old Belly spoke: “The situation over at Dashi Bian is much better. They have ties with the Great Sui, so they receive grain from them. While they’re not completely free from want, they’re much better off than us. But if I defect, it might be hard to continue trading with brother tribes. Today, I’m here to be open with all of you. I’m going to flee. Will you join in aligning with Dashi Bian, or stay here under Sharlobi to suffer?”
“Of course! Although I’m a businessman, our tribe’s weapons and warhorses are of top quality. Even if soone doesn’t trade with , we can still be friends. But if anyone betrays , don’t bla , Old Belly, for not being polite!”
They understood that Old Belly wanted to bring them along to join Dashi Bian.
Besides, Sharlobi hadn’t done them any favors, so why should they remain loyal to such a tyrant?
And at this mont, Sharlobi was unaware that his tribes were entertaining other thoughts.
He only felt that the tributes from the tribes this year were far too little.
Sharlobi stepped out of his yurt and went to where supplies were stored. He heard that when one tribe asked for eight hundred warhorses, they only sent three hundred, with half only fit to pull carts, entirely unsuitable as warhorses.
Slap!
Sharlobi whipped the ssenger from the tribe reporting this.
“The tribe of Sha Qima, is it? Soone, have Kucha Shahhan take his n and wipe out that tribe! I want everyone on the steppe to know that defying my orders carries such consequences!”
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