Niu Weibang immediately interjected: "Boy, I have to remind you that there are more than 3,000 deer clan captives, plus a deer clan prince, this king has sealed the surnames of two village leaders at once, and now there is not much reward left for your turn." ”

Tianhao picked up a rag to wipe off the oil stains on his hands, and said, "Please let the king retreat." ”

That's not too much to ask.

Niu Weibang looked at the guard standing beside him and nodded slightly: "You guys go down first!" ”

Without a fourth person present, the national teacher Wu Peng also became more casual. He pushed away the coffee table in front of him, made more space, cut off small pieces of cooked meat with a knife and stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed slowly: "Say, what are you going to do?" ”

"The bull god blessed and captured the two princes of the Stag clan."

Tianhao said seriously: "I will detain them separately, and I will also interrogate all the captured Hundred Heads of the Buck Clan and their personal guards. Compared with Lu Qingdong, the eldest prince who inherited the first in line, the second prince Lu Qingnan was more loved by Lu Qingyuan, the king of the bucks. Many people believe that his succession will surpass Lu Qingdong and become the next king of the bucks. ”

Wu Peng nodded slightly: "It's not a secret, we sent back the same information before we planted the spies of the Deer Clan. ”

Tian Hao sat calmly, his tone with enough awe: "Lu Qingnan is a bargaining chip with enough weight that can be used to exchange more benefits with the Deer Clan. I focused my interrogation on Lu Qingdong, his mouth was very tight, and it was not easy to get the secret out of him. ”

Wu Peng's expression became solemn: "So...... You killed him? ”

"There is no need for him to continue living." Tianhao folded his hands in front of him: "I used some special methods to get the secret of the Deer Clan's loom out of his mouth." ”

"What did you say?" Wu Peng subconsciously asked rhetorically.

"Looms?" Niu Weibang's eyes flashed with suspicion.

Tianhao nodded seriously: "Yes, the loom." ”

The cattle and the deer have been adjacent for many years, loving and killing each other, and the source is actually textile technology. The deer tribe is weak, and the cattle tribe is strong, and this situation has lasted for thousands of years. Successive ox kings wanted to annex the deer tribe by war, but other tribes refused this situation, especially the tiger tribe and the lion tribe, and sent troops to help the deer tribe many times, repelling the attack of the cattle tribe.

For Tianhao, an "ancient man with knowledge", the technology held by the deer clan is actually not a secret.

Spinning and weaving are two very different things.

Taking cotton as an example, the so-called spinning refers to the transformation of cotton from flocculent to cotton thread.

The so-called weaving is the interweaving of cotton threads into cloth.

In the history of Chinese textiles, Huang Daopo's position is extremely important. The low status of the craftsmen at that time did not change the fact that they were highly respected among the common people. The reform of the loom led to an increase in efficiency, which has continued into modern times.

For the cattle people, weaving is actually not difficult. After many years of fighting against the deer tribe, countless villages were destroyed before and after, and countless looms were captured. Ox craftsmen are good at imitation, and began mass production of looms more than 400 years ago. However, the deer people continued to improve, from crude to delicate, and the looms were constantly updated, and the quality of the cloth was getting better and better, and the output was steadily increasing.

The secret of spinning thread was concentrated in the hands of several Lu clan city lords led by Lu Qingyuan. They follow the old clan rule: every year during the harvest season, all villages must transport cotton to the clan town under their jurisdiction, and exchange cotton thread in proportion. In this way, cotton thread production is firmly controlled, and the technology will never be available unless the cattle conquer the large cities of the deer tribe.

The Jenny spinning machine is an iconic product of the British Industrial Revolution. Although the current level of technology of the cattle clan is far from the age of steam, it does not prevent Tianhao from modifying the Jenny spinning machine manually. The existing cattle spinning machine is also operated by manpower, and only one spinning spindle can be used at a time, which is the key to restricting the output of cotton cloth.

"I hit Lu Qingdong ruthlessly." When he said these words, a trace of hideousness appeared on Tianhao's face: "The torture is a little harsh, but it is indeed very effective." ”

Wu Peng asked calmly: "So you gave up all your military exploits to Guangsheng and Jianping?" ”

"They deserve it." Tianhao's expression was as usual.

He never thought that keeping all the credit alone was an easy way for him to rise through the ranks. Of course, this kind of thing sometimes depends on the situation. In fact, if Yifeng didn't do too much in the Sizhai battle, even if he took out half of the elite to participate in the war and restrain his timid wife, Tianhao would fairly distribute the Lu prisoners of war.

"So what do you want?" Wu Peng picked up the knife and cut off a piece of roast meat that was placed on the plate in front of him. Although he was old, his withered hands were very strong, and the roast meat was cut open, and most of it was bright red with blood. He chewed the piece of meat slowly, the hard lines between his mandibles and cheeks as he bited, a sense of savage power.

"There are three requests."

Hearing this, Niu Weibang was stunned.

Wu Peng's knife-wielding hand trembled slightly, almost slipping off. He simply put the knife down, wiped the juice and grease from the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief, and did not hide his surprise: "Three requirements? All right...... Tell me, what are the requirements? ”

"I hope the king will give me the power to form cavalry." Tianhao didn't waste time, nor did he whet people's appetites.

The Niu clan is still martial, and the leaders of each village can freely form an army and build weapons. Cavalry is the most special part of all classes. Because there is no herd of wild horses in the Cattle Clan's territory, there are only two ways to obtain horses: either to breed and mate them in captivity on the existing basis, or to buy them from the Tigers on a large scale through trade.

The barbarians were well aware of the role of cavalry in warfare. For a long time, cattle have been searching their territory for large species that can replace horses. Thousands of years have passed, and there have been too many examples to prove that this idea does not work. In desperation, the ruler of the Niu clan could only find another way in terms of weapons and military formations, and delved into a set of infantry fighting methods against cavalry.

The disadvantage of mobility is so obvious that even if they can defeat the Tiger cavalry in a positional battle situation, the Niu infantry will also have to pay a huge price. To make matters worse, the infantry could not outrun the cavalry in any case, and even if the battlefield was won, it would not be able to take advantage of the victory to pursue and expand the victory.

Horses are the most controversial import and export goods in the dispute between the Ox and Tiger Clans. The attitude of the Tiger Clan is very tough: of course, there is no problem in buying a horse, but all stallions must be castrated before they can be exported, and the breed is also determined by the Tiger Clan. In general, there are very few high-quality war horses with tall stature, and they will not even become the agreed trade objects of the two parties. Only low pack horses and pull-backs can be used for export.

For a long time in the history of the barbarians, the Tiger used to sell mules to the Ox tribe under the false claim of horses. The trade lasted for more than 30 years, and the cattle at that time were very new to horses, and there was no systematic study of the breeding process. As many as tens of thousands of mules were recognized as war horses and trained, until the war broke out between the Niu clan and the tiger clan, and when they saw the tall and mighty tiger cavalry on the opposite side rushing over, the Niu clan understood that they had been deceived and deceived.

In that battle, a large number of nobles, including the Niu King, were killed, and more than sixty percent of the elite of the Niu clan were killed. Many guards fought desperately, and finally rescued the seriously injured Niu Wang back to Black Horn City. The Ox King only lasted less than half a day before he died. Before he died, he issued an edict: the control of the cavalry must be in the hands of the royal family (the owner of the surname), and the Niu clan and the Tiger clan will always be feuding and will never die.

For example, the "horses" that Panshi Village bought back from Red Hoof City were actually evolved mules. Horses are precious, and the Tiger people also have a firm grip on the trade. Even Niu Tong, the city lord of Barehoof City, only had five hundred cavalry under his command.

"You want to do business with the Tiger Clan?" Wu Peng frowned deeply, he instinctively objected to this matter: "It won't work. You can't take advantage of it. ”

Tianhao immediately picked up and said, "This is the second request I made to the king: the right to trade with other tribes. ”

Niu Weibang's head was tilted to the left, his right hand played with the braid that slipped from his shoulder, and his eyes were deep under his thick eyebrows: "I knew it wasn't that simple." Last time I was in Panshi Village, I learned how powerful your kid is. You are very shrewd, so many people dream of getting a surname, but you give it up twice in a row, just to get something else from me. ”

"We have been locked down in the north of the continent." Tianhao's words are sonorous and powerful: "The wars between the tribes have lasted for thousands of years, and reconciliation between them can never be reached. The truce is only superficial, and once the peace period of a few years, a dozen years, or a maximum of several decades is over, it will be followed by a large-scale war of life and death. ”

Wu Peng, who was in high spirits, looked at him: "Ah Hao, do you think we will lose?" ”

"No, it won't." Tianhao shook his head: "Even if we can't win the battle on the main battlefield, we can at least maintain the security of our own territory on the existing basis." The territory of the Niu tribe is mountainous, and the cavalry cannot take advantage of this terrain. In the same way, the Deer Clan is a buffer zone between us and the Lion and Tiger Clans. The deer clan is weak, and whether it is the tiger clan or the lion clan, it can be easily annexed. But none of them did this, at most they annexed the marginal villages of the Deer Clan in the form of skirmishes, which was actually the same as the last time we dealt with Mengxiang Village. ”

"They know very well that if there is no Deer Clan, they will face us directly. When the time comes, the battle between each other will be endless. For this reason, the Deer Clan must exist, and the Lion and Tiger Clans will also lend a helping hand when the Deer Clan is attacked by us. ”

Niu Weibang was speechless.

He picked up the flask in front of him and filled his glass. There was not much residual wine in the pot, only half a cup was poured and it was gone. The wine made from grain is very cloudy, there is no clarification and filtration, and there is no secondary distillation that is considered extravagant and wasteful by the barbarians. He raised the liquid to his lips, thought about it, forced down what he wanted to drink, sighed imperceptibly, gently placed the cup next to the national teacher Wu Peng, slowly pushed it with his fingers, and sent it over.

"Your method of building the city is very special, and the rock village is the most wonderful village I have ever seen." Niu Weibang took an empty cup from the side, poured a full glass of water, drank the water with indescribable regret, and slammed the clay teacup on the ground: "This time you won the Deer Clan, but it doesn't mean that the same method can be used on the Tiger Clan." And...... Not necessarily winning. ”

He didn't say it explicitly, but Tianhao could feel the deep worry and jealousy of the Lei Niu Patriarch. Not because of himself, but from other powerful barbarian tribes in the south.

"I'm from the Niu tribe, and I'm the leader of a stockade. I can't just enjoy power to sit in this position, I have to feed the people below, keep them warm, let them live longer...... Happiness...... And joy. ”

The bland sound echoed through the room, as the temperature of the coals gradually rose, burrowing into the ears of Wu Peng and Niu Weibang, and penetrating into their brains.

During this time, Wu Peng met with many village leaders in the territory of the Lei Niu Clan. They are very excited, very fanatical, and worship and respect more because of their status and the spokesmen of the gods. There are very few leaders who really know how to govern, and they don't understand the importance of governing their territory and increasing their population. Those eyes full of eagerness, flattery, excitement, nervousness, and fear reflect the colorful world, encompassing all the utilitarian things.

Wu Peng was disappointed, he didn't see even the slightest bit of dedication to responsibility, only a desire for a surname and a higher status.

There is no problem with the loyalty of these people. The point is, they are not the people Wu Peng wants.

A bunch of stupid idiots who only carry out orders, but don't know how to be flexible.

That's how Wu Peng defined them.

What's the use of handing over so much grain every year? If you don't leave enough food for your village to survive the winter, a large number of people will die at that time, and the entire cattle clan will simply lose more than it gains.

As a superior, you can't reprimand or even reject this kind of behavior in person. Doing so will cause the people below to wonder if something is wrong and provoke the anger of the ruler.

The current cattle tribe is a pool of stagnant water, and all the fish sink to the bottom of the pool because of lack of oxygen, and they don't even dare to come out of the atmosphere.

"I grant you the two requests you just made." Wu Peng lowered his head and looked at the half glass of wine handed over by Niu Weibang very pityingly: "But I have to add a condition———— no matter what method you use to get the war horse from the Tiger Clan, through any channel, you must hand over half of it, and it must be sent to Thunderhorn City." ”

Tianhao silently chewed on the meaning of this sentence. After a long time, he raised his head, his eyes full of questions: "Does it have to be Thunderhorn City?" Red Hoof City is closer to Rock Village. ”

"It's a prerequisite, it's not negotiable." Wu Peng shook his head, his attitude was very tough.

Tianhao nodded: "I will follow the orders of the great master." ”

A smile appeared on Wu Peng's old face: "Now let's talk about your third condition!" ”