There was silence in the hall.

Completely oblivious to the bleeding whiplash on his back, he kept kneeling on one knee and turning his head to the right. The eyes were round under the thick black eyebrows, and the lips that were driven by shock did not open much, but they could not be closed, and the edges of the white teeth could be seen.

Liang Dong no longer struggles, and occasionally twists his legs and feet just to change his posture and make his suppressed body less guilty. The discomfort of the wooden block stuffed into the mouth was still strong, and it was impossible to control the saliva that flowed out along the corners of the mouth. There was an invisible eraser in the space of his mind, gradually wiping away his anger, and sluggishness occupied more and more places.

The hostility in Niu Weibang's eyes obviously subsided, replaced by thinking, and even showing a little appreciation. Of course he remembered this young man named Tianhao, but he didn't expect that the other party would reappear in such a way after not seeing him for a year.

Wu Peng stared at Tianhao with old and cloudy eyes, as if he wanted to see through him.

After a long time, the national teacher made a flat voice: "You are very smart, at least what you have said so far makes me sound very smooth, without any loopholes." But there is one thing I don't understand: since you have guessed so much, why didn't you lead troops to seal the gate north of Mengxiang Village at that time? Caught between the front and back, none of the deer people could run away. ”

"When I was observing in the back mountain of Mengxiang Village, I noticed that the Dawang army sent from Qinglong Village did not use rockets." Tian Hao's voice was a little low, and it sounded like a tone of awe: "This means that in addition to people, we can also get more from this victorious battle." But the situation soon changed, and more and more deer people escaped from the northern gate, and they even lit a fire in their own village. If my people join the battle, seal the north gate, and wait until Mengxiangzhai is captured, the harvest will definitely be much less than it is now. ”

"That's the equivalent of driving the deer people to a dead end. Desperate people can do anything. They are a bunch of crazy people who kill their own people first and then commit suicide. Tianhao is very sure of this: "This is not the result we want. ”

The hall fell silent again.

Niu Weibang peeked at Wu Peng anxiously, and the old national teacher didn't say a word, his face was cold and serious like tree bark. By now, Tianhao has explained the ins and outs very clearly and in an orderly manner. The anger in Niu Weibang's heart has long disappeared, he is very glad that he has such a smart subordinate, and he also appreciates Tianhao's vision. In contrast, Liangdong, who was previously considered a fierce general...... It's just useless waste.

In the silence, Tianhao felt that the attitude of the national teacher Wu Peng had changed.

The old man wrapped in fur was actually very thin, and his eagle-like eyes no longer showed a fierce and intimidating momentum, but became gentle, and there was a little indescribable warmth.

"Stand up." A smile appeared on his iceberg face: "Come closer, let me take a good look at you." ”

Tianhao stood up as he was told, took a few steps forward, and stood at the bottom of the steps with the necessary etiquette.

"Panshi Village ......" Wu Peng read slowly, searching for the name in the depths of his mind, while looking at Tianhao more carefully: "What position are you now?" Five hundred? Or a thousand heads? ”

This is not speculation. As a national teacher, Wu Peng knows most of the walled cities inside the Niu clan well. Compared with what Tianhao said before, Wu Peng felt that this young man should be at least a five-hundred-person leader.

"Down there are 100 heads." Tianhao lowered his head and replied respectfully.

"The head of a hundred?" Even Wu Peng, who was extremely deep in the city, was surprised by this, and he was slightly stunned for a moment: "You are just a hundred heads?" ”

Niu Weibang leaned over from the side and whispered, raised his hand and pointed at Tianhao: "Panshi Village is a small village, with a population of just over 100. Last winter, their former leader fell ill and died, and the elders of the village elected him as his successor. ”

“…… A small village of 100 people? Wu Peng sat up straight, put away the smile on his face, and asked seriously, "Where did you get so much food?" ”

Without waiting for Tianhao to answer, Wu Peng increased his questioning: "You said before that you exchanged more than 400 people from Qinglong Village, what did you exchange it for?" ”

"We went up to the mountains to hunt and we were able to catch some fish from the sea." Tianhao thought about it and decided not to hide it anymore: "We also have a lot of hens, and now there is no shortage of food in the village." ”

"Chickens?" This is a new topic, and Wu Peng suddenly became interested in it: "How many chickens do you raise?" ”

"Thousands!" Tianhao smiled and gave a general number: "Eight thousand, maybe nine thousand." ”

Wu Peng and Niu Weibang gasped at the same time, and said in unison: "So much? ”

"I have to find something to do for the old people and children in the village." Tianhao spread his hands and said helplessly: "They are either too old or too young to do heavy work, and they can't follow the men to hunt and fish." If the village wants to develop, everyone must do their part. ”

The national teacher looked at Tianhao with a deep gaze, he suddenly understood that this was deliberately distracting his attention, but things were so wonderful, all this that the young leader said was full of charm, whether it was the round-up of the deer people before, or the hen he talked about now, it made Wu Peng curious about the distant rock village.

"You're not just here to offer those deer people, right?" Wu Peng asked seriously.

Tianhao nodded, and took out another small animal skin from his pocket: "The number of villagers in Panshi Village exceeds thousands, and the priests and elders have recommended me to become the head of a thousand, and I hope that the king will approve it." ”

"A thousand heads?" When he took over the animal skin, Niu Weibang, the patriarch of the Lei Niu tribe, was stunned: "There were only about 200 people in Panshi Village last winter, how can it increase so much this year?" ”

Tianhao's answer was simple: "We exchanged it for food." ”

Niu Weibang subconsciously glanced at Liangdong who was held down by the guards at the foot of the steps: "Including the more than 400 people in Qinglong Village? ”

Tianhao smiled and shook his head: "Not included." ”

Wu Peng asked bluntly: "To tell me an accurate number, how many people are there in Panshi Village now?" ”

"Two thousand three, fractions are not counted."

"How is this possible?" Niu Weibang, who was extremely shocked, stood up from the throne suddenly, his breathing became basic, his nostrils were dilated, and the huge voice of the gaffe echoed in the hall, and he pointed at Tianhao with a trembling finger: "Last year...... It's only been a year...... Two thousand three ...... Wait, you say, tell me honestly, what did you do? ”

Everyone's eyes were focused on Tianhao, he spread his hands and looked calm: "I just did what a leader should do." Let the people in the stockade be fed and clothed. ”

"It can't be!" Niu Weibang took a deep breath, and his broad shoulders rose and fell with the slight tremor of his body: "How long has it been since last year, no...... I don't believe it's true. ”

Reason told him that everything was true. But the pride of being the leader of the clan made Niu Weibang really unacceptable.

"If there is anything to say, even if it is fake, others are here, and they can't escape." Wu Peng's eyes were as sharp as a blade, and he raised his hand and pressed Niu Weibang's arm weakly, motioning for him to sit down.

He can understand Niu Weibang's gaffe.

The population growth rate of the northern barbarians is actually not slow. A woman's pregnancy period is short, and a child is considered an adult when he is ten years old. Eleven and twelve-year-old women carrying dolls on their backs can be seen in all the walled cities. Men bear heavy physical labor, and the burden on women is lighter. Throughout the year, the biggest goal is to be well fed and clothed.

It's simple, but it's extravagant.

In the eyes of the whites who occupied the southern part of the continent, the northern barbarians were a whole. In fact, there is intrigue between the various tribes, and wars of different scales break out. Each other wants to get technology, exchange and cooperation, this kind of thing has been clamoring for hundreds of years, and it is still at the surface stage. No one is a fool, and everyone wants more as a basis for ruling over the other.

Taking the cattle tribe as an example, there are deer tribes, tiger tribes, lion tribes, and eagle tribes around the residence...... The best situation is in the walled areas of the central area of the clan, where there is no threat of war and where the crops in the fields are guaranteed. The walled cities on the fringes were different, and they could be attacked by other tribes at any time, and in severe cases, the city could be destroyed.

The Lock Dragon Pass is a point of equilibrium, where all clans draw their elite warriors to guard against threats from the south of the continent. This is only a superficial cooperation, and on the premise of ensuring the security of the passes, the various tribes are still fighting privately and strife.

With the exception of the lions, all other tribes did not have enough food to eat. The Leons claim that this is because they have mastered the art of farming, but in fact, they have better varieties of crops than other tribes, as well as two things that are crucial.

Corn, but also potatoes.

Wu Peng and the king of the Niu clan have always wanted to change this situation. They've tried a lot of things. However, the Lion King's attitude is very tough: he can exchange weapons made by the ox clan for cornmeal and potato flour, regardless of the quantity. But when it comes to the seeds of these two crops, it is absolutely non-negotiable.

Every year, many cattle people starve to death.

The barbarians eat a lot, and even if the city is located inside the tribe's settlement and is not affected by the war, the annual harvest is only enough. Barely maintained. Even the tribal capital, Black Corner City, has only had half a year's surplus grain under the painstaking management of the national teacher Wu Peng for many years.

Panshi Village is not far from Qinglong Village, and from the perspective of regional division, it also belongs to the tribal boundary. In such a region, where the population is growing at an extremely slow rate, it is good to be able to maintain an annual growth rate of 10 percent. Last year, there were more than 200 people, but this year the number suddenly increased by more than 2,000...... If this kind of thing is true, it is simply a miracle.

Wu Peng instinctively questioned Tianhao's words. But the identity of this young man's "witch walker" made him hesitate. "Honesty" is a necessary quality for a sorcerer, not to mention that he carefully looked at the small animal skin that Tianhao took out earlier, which was covered with the fire paint symbol unique to priests, and it could not be faked.

After a short period of thought, Wu Peng quickly made a decision.

He stood up from his chair and scanned the surroundings with a majestic gaze, his gaze fixed on Tianhao.

"Let's go, take me to your stockade."

The national teacher's decision came as a surprise to everyone. Niu Weibang was unprepared for this, he subconsciously stopped: "Great master, I'm afraid this is ......"

Wu Peng raised his hand to interrupt him: "The snow has stopped, calculate the time, winter is almost over." It's not easy for me to come from Pointe-Noire, so I'm taking this opportunity to walk around your territory. ”

He then looked at Tianhao: "Young man, you'd better not lie. Vanity and an aura of status are important, but they tend to kill people. I can give you a chance: if you were making up nonsense just now, just admit it now, and I will order your tongue to be cut out and you will be spared. But if I go to your stockade and see that the status quo is not at all what you say, I will make you suffer the most cruel punishment. ”

Niu Weibang nodded solemnly: "A thousand knives, not a single one." ”

Tianhao tilted his head and took a step sideways, making way for a sufficiently spacious passage: "You'll see." ”

……

A sturdy cavalry marched out of Thunderhorn City.

The height of the horse is about the same as that of the Bighorn deer, and its appearance is not much different from that of civilization. It has horsehair on the back of the neck and hard hooves under the feet. The knights, also equipped with saddle sheaths, stepped on steel stirrups and turned over on their horses, and lined up in a neat line.

The number of cavalry was small, about two hundred or so. Along the way, the walled city will provide food and forage, so you don't have to worry about supplies.

Tianhao did not bring the Deer Clan prisoners of war to Thunderhorn City. Traveling long distances with thousands of elderly and infirm people in such cold weather can lead to massive attrition. He just rushed to show his attitude and present the prisoners in the effective time. According to the plan, a large number of prisoners of war left the Rock Village and went to Thunder Point City, which could only be carried out in the spring when the ice melted and the snow melted.

The feeling of riding a horse for the first time was amazing, and for some reason, Tianhao felt that the variegated horse under his crotch was afraid of himself. It was quiet, without the madness of a beast.

Gangdian is next to Tianhao. Although he was punished, he was the captain of Niu Weibang's guard after all, and he kept in mind the king's order: keep an eye on this kid at all times, and if he wants to escape, arrest me immediately.

There were too many suspicious and unkind eyes from the surroundings, and Tianhao could only smile at this. He knew that it was useless to say anything now, and only when he got to Panshi Village, which was his home field.

……

As the sun rose, Wu Peng saw the tower standing in the distance.

It is made of stone blocks and filled with marl. This is a common method used by the northern barbarians to build cities, but I didn't expect to see it in the distant frontiers of the Niu tribe.

People who live in small villages usually don't put the effort to do this. They are more concerned about food and would rather spend a lot of time out hunting.

Tianhao drove his horse to Wu Peng's car, and saluted sideways: "Qiqi National Teacher, please let me go to the front to report, otherwise the people in the village will release arrows when they see so many soldiers and the situation is unknown." ”

Gangdian said coldly beside him: "You don't want to take the opportunity to escape, right?" ”