The Mongolian steppe, with an area of about three million square kilometers. If you include the many nomadic tribes to the north and west that have not yet been clearly belonged. It can even cover an area of four million square kilometers. Able to connect all the way to Central and West Asia.

Later, China's area was only 9.6 million square kilometers, including the vast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Xinjiang, as well as more than 1 million square kilometers of Inner Mongolia. In this comparison, we have an intuitive understanding of the vastness of the grassland.

But on such a vast grassland, when Temujin unified the grassland, it was estimated that there would be only about two or three million people on the grassland. By the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, because of the outward migration of the Mongols, there were not even a million people on the steppe. By the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, there were probably more than 3 million people on the grassland. But by the end of the Qing Dynasty, the population of the grassland had dropped to less than one million. The decline in the population of the Qing Dynasty was mainly due to the prevalence of Lamaism.

With such a vast area and a population of two or three million, it stands to reason that a nation with all the people in the army should easily have three or four hundred thousand soldiers. But under the rule of the Liao people, a big tribe like Balbegan only has more than 20,000 capable soldiers. More scattered tribes, a few hundred, three or five thousand people, are also a big force. The steppe that Temujin took over was such a steppe.

On the grasslands, food comes from grazing. This premise already restricts the growth of a tribe.

Not all of the bald cadres with a population of less than 100,000 live together, and there are tents everywhere within a few dozen miles. When it is time to migrate, these people will gather together and head north. Spring, summer, autumn to the north, winter and spring to the south, roughly like this, the north and south switch back and forth for pasture grazing.

The advent of the 8,000 iron horsemen is the end of the range of these dozens of miles.

Eight thousand horsemen, there is no need to even gather in one place, each team of one hundred and ten people, coming out from all directions. Then they can bring back the cattle and sheep that are all over the mountains, and bring back the shepherds who are tied together.

There are no young tribes, and there is no ability to resist at all. Even if the shepherd who fled on horseback and left the cattle and sheep will die in this vast grassland, even if he survives by luck, he will become someone else's slave.

Attacking the grassland, from the combat level, is much simpler than attacking the city, the victory is determined in a battle, there is no room for success, and there is no chance to start over. It's just that it's hard to implement at the strategic level. As long as there were enough horses in the Central Plains Dynasty, it would be the end of the grassland.

Zheng Zhi walked from camp to tent after tent after camp, and most of the people kneeling under the horses' hooves were ragged and black, and their knotted hair looked as if it had not been washed for ten years. The hardships of nomadism are revealed in the appearance of these people.

Zheng Zhi suddenly spoke: "After seeing the Jurchens and the Dadan people, I know that the people who cultivate the fields are the happiest." ”

Hearing this, the seed master nodded and said: "The Heavenly Empire is not a lie. ”

The Seed Master is very much in agreement with the definition of the Heavenly Empire since ancient times. Together with Zheng Zhi, he also somewhat agreed at this time, the land of the Han people is really blessed.

"Pedant, send fast horses to turn back, urge the caravan to speed up the pace of coming, the cattle and sheep all over the mountains, we can't take them away, we still need them to do it." Zheng Zhi turned his head and said to Wu Yong.

Wu Yong nodded, and asked again: "Your Highness, I don't know how to calculate this price?" ”

This was the first transaction, and the cattle and sheep were sold at 30% of the price of the Daimyo's house, and the grain purchase price was twice the price of the Daimyo's house. In this way, the caravan will come and go with huge profits, and there will be more and more merchants accompanying the army in the future. Zheng Zhi obviously had some thoughtfulness as well.

Ensuring the interests of the caravan with the army is naturally also protecting Zheng Zhi's own interests. The caravan carried grain, grass and ordnance with the army, and brought back low-priced cattle and sheep to obtain sufficient profits. In the future, more caravans will accompany the army, and it will be more convenient for the army to fight.

Wu Yong nodded, took out a pen and paper to record, but asked again: "Your Highness, I'm afraid that those merchants who accompanied the army didn't bring too much money." ”

"Money doesn't matter, write a contract and pay it when you go back. If the money is insufficient, it can also be offset with food and materials. Zheng Zhi doesn't care about the problem of credit, no one in Hebei dares to owe money to Yanwangfu.

With a population of 120 million and a huge consumer market, no matter how many sheep can be eaten, no matter how many cattle can be used.

With a smile on his face, the breeder took two steps forward, arrived at Zheng Zhi's side, and said with a smile: "The prince is really a good means, extremely clever." ”

The seed master admires from the bottom of his heart, and since ancient times, wars have been a matter of the imperial court. Zheng Zhi was the first to introduce the power of civilian merchants into the war.

Zheng Zhi smiled and nodded, this trip to the grassland, Zheng Zhi's plans are all continuous. If you take away the cattle and sheep of the Dadan people, you will also give the Dadan people a way to live.

So where is this way of life? Here in Zheng Zhi, Zheng Zhi needs more people to fight, and he needs more skilled cavalry to fight.

Countless old and weak women and children knelt on the ground, waiting for the soldiers to come forward and tie them up. Zheng Zhi passed by like this, looking extremely relaxed.

Suddenly, a half-grown boy jumped up from the ground, his eyes were full of hatred, and he held a stone in his hand and pounced on Zheng Zhi, who was on the horse.

It was this sudden scene, the audience was shocked, the sound of swords, guns, bows and crossbows was loud, and Niu Da flew down from the horses and stepped forward to block.

But it was Zheng Zhi's quick eyes, he jumped up from the horse, raised his leg and kicked away.

The boy in mid-air flew backwards like a kite with a broken string.

But the stone had already flown out of the young man's hand and smashed on Zheng Zhi's iron armor, clattering and sparks splashing everywhere.

Seven or eight iron armor still stepped forward and pressed the fallen boy under him. The young man was already howling and scolding.

The crowd got up and pressed the boy to the ground.

Niu Da stepped forward with a nervous face and said, "Your Highness, the last general is derelict in his duties!" ”

Zheng Zhi smiled and waved his hand, and said, "It's okay." It is the blood of this Dadan person, it turns out that it is all in this young man. ”

Zheng Zhi looked at the panicked people left and right, and suddenly had a feeling in his heart that he had never felt before. Suddenly I felt that I had become extremely important. The original Zheng Zhi, who went on horseback to fight, never considered these things. There is also less consideration for personal safety.

It was at this time that Zheng Zhi looked at these panicked men, and suddenly had an extremely strong sense of responsibility. Some concepts are also quietly changing, that is, they also understand that they should pay more attention to their own safety. The original Zheng Zhi was extremely confident, confident that no one in this world could threaten his safety closely. At this time, Zheng Zhi also seemed to be a little "afraid of death".

There are some things that can't be thought about. If Zheng Zhi dies suddenly, what will be the end of these people who follow Zheng Zhi? and Zheng Zhi's own family, what kind of ending should it be.

Niu Da had already pulled out his waist knife and walked towards the young man.

But Zheng Zhi suddenly said: "Let him live, this young man is a bit bloody, and he must be a good hand when he goes into battle." ”

The young man raised his head slightly, but he couldn't understand the words left and right, even if he saw Niu Da's waist knife pulled out, he was glaring angrily, and he didn't care about life and death at all.

Seeing that Zheng Zhi was going to spare the young man's life, the seed master said worriedly: "Looking at the anger in this young man's eyes, I am afraid that there will be endless troubles in the future." ”

Zheng Zhi smiled slightly. Disapplauded: "With such eyes, I have seen too much." It's just a look, you can't kill anyone. In the future, this young man will definitely be a fierce general in front of the battle. ”

Zheng Zhi is very confident, how similar Mi Zhenwu was to this young man.

When the planter heard this, his face was still worried, but he didn't say anything more. Niu Da put away his waist knife, and the soldiers on the left and right also released the arm that pressed the young man.

But when he saw Niu Da stepping forward and raising his horsewhip, he beat it, but the young man still wanted to resist. But it was this half-grown boy who could beat the five big and three thick cows, so he had to roll on the ground again.

Zheng Zhi had already mounted his horse again and went forward, looking for the largest camp tent before dismounting and entering. The milk wine in the tent was still warm, and the mutton was still in the pot. It's just that the taste of milk wine is slightly sour, and it is not in line with the taste, the mutton is slightly light, and there is some less salt, and the grassland lacks salt, which has been the case since ancient times.

After eating and drinking, Zheng Zhi suddenly felt a slight vibration from the ground. Put on your iron helmet and go out on your horse.

To the northeast, dust has risen. I heard Zheng Zhi smile and said: "After going around, the cavalry of the bald don't dry people is still back." ”

Zheng Zhi just guessed, but he guessed correctly.

You can also take the knights under your command around in a circle, and you still have to return to the tribe after all.

The horse's hooves flew in, getting closer and closer, and seven or eight miles behind him, there was a team of iron armor.

Among the tribes, countless iron armor also began to assemble on their horses, and their movements were fast.

Ye also finally found the iron armor in the tribe, his face was shocked, and he looked back a few times. The horse's speed slowed down unconsciously.

More than 10,000 bald young men slowly stopped their steps with contempt. There is a strong army in front, and there are chasing soldiers in the back. The whole tribe is in the hands of the enemy.

The Han people in front of him seemed to be tall in an instant, and he couldn't laugh anymore, and he no longer felt that the Han people in the grassland were ridiculous.

The Khan on the steppe was only confused and panicked. I kept looking back and forth, but there was no solution to the problem.

Zheng Zhi turned around and asked, "What is the name of the leader of Bald Beigan?" ”

"Back to His Royal Highness the respected King Yan of the Great Song Dynasty, the name of the Khan of the Bald Began people is also contemptible." The guide is respectful, and the grassland has always believed in strength, and strength represents everything. The maintenance of tribal blood ties has always been subjugated to force. At this time, in the eyes of this Mo Ge lost people, there was only awe.

The mutual annexation of steppe tribes will always be the same principle.

"You can be contemptuous, you can be contemptive... Zheng Zhi repeated this syllable a few times, and then said, "You go and call this new servant!" ”

When the guide heard this, he did a good job without hesitation, and went out on horseback.