Chapter 89

In early April, the weather on the grassland had already started to warm up. Green grass sprouted everywhere, and after a harsh winter, the herders could finally start grazing their livestock again.

When Yueyang's convoy entered the科尔沁部落 (Kerqin tribe), many of the herders spontaneously came out to welcome the convoy, which was loaded with goods.

"Ha ha ha... Cousin Yue, look, how hospitable our tribe's herders are. They have been looking forward to your arrival for a long time."

"Indeed, it is quite touching!" Yueyang responded with a forced smile, but inwardly he sneered, "You are just eyeing the grain, salt, and tea bricks I brought. Look at these people dancing, it's like a celebration for Alibaba and the Forty Thieves."

Yueyang's complaint was justified. With a population of about 70,000, the daily consumption of various goods in the Kerqin tribe was astronomical. After a winter with no income and no production, the herders were already in dire straits. The sight of such a large convoy naturally filled them with excitement.

Leaving aside the meaningless chatter between Yueyang and Zaisang, on the other side of the convoy, Haizhulan and Dayu, who had not seen each other for many years, were whispering to each other.

Dayu, looking at the long line of carts, said enviously to Haizhulan, "Sister... the future brother-in-law you found seems quite wealthy. There are hundreds of carts of dowry. Abu must be overjoyed, right?"

Haizhulan let out a light hum and wrinkled her nose in dissatisfaction, "Do you not know Abu's temper? He is almost obsessed with money. If it weren't for that, would he agree to marry me to your brother-in-law?"

"Hei, what's the big deal? It shows that you have face. You know the rules of our grassland. The more gifts the groom brings, the more face the bride has. You have outdone me this time. But now that you are going to the inland, it will be hard to see each other again." As she said this, Dayu's tone carried a hint of sadness. In those days, transportation and communication were not as convenient as in later times, and once separated, it could mean a lifetime apart.

Haizhulan, hearing this, felt a pang of sadness in her heart. She gently held Dayu's hand and said softly, "Bumubutai, don't be too sad. I am just getting married, not leaving forever. I will come back to visit Abu and Mother whenever I can, and you can also come back to visit your family."

Although she said this, even Haizhulan knew it was just for comfort. Dayu had not returned to visit her family for ten years since her marriage, and the long distance to the inland made it difficult for Haizhulan to visit frequently. Both of them felt a sense of sadness.

However, Dayu, who was used to being a side consort, had strong mental fortitude. She quickly recovered and said with a smile, "Well, it's rare for us sisters to meet. Let's not say such sad things. Let's talk about something else."

Haizhulan also did not want to continue the heavy topic and nodded in agreement.

Dayu, regaining her spirits, asked with a smile, "Sister, I remember Abu said that my brother-in-law is just a merchant from the Ming Dynasty. But from what I have observed, my brother-in-law is not simple at all. Look at his guards, well-equipped and well-trained. Although the Fifteenth Prince is a bit impulsive, he has always performed well in battles with the Ming army. Today, he was defeated so miserably by your brother-in-law, with almost all 500 of his men wiped out. This proves how capable your brother-in-law is."

"Bumubutai, you flatter him. Your brother-in-law just had more men, that's all. It's not a big deal," said Haizhulan, though she was still happy to hear someone praise her future husband.

"No, it's not flattery, it's the truth," Dayu said with a smile, then asked casually, "Sister, I noticed that the firearms your brother-in-law's men are equipped with seem quite special, different from the ones I have seen in the Ming army. And I don't think your brother-in-law is just a simple merchant from the Ming. Can you tell me what's going on?"

"I don't know!" Haizhulan shook her head. "I haven't known your brother-in-law for long, and we don't talk much. He never mentions these things to me."

"I see!" Dayu murmured softly, her eyes gradually revealing a hint of unusual interest. She turned to Haizhulan and said with a smile, "Sister, since your brother-in-law is a merchant, why don't you suggest to him that he do some business with our Later Jin? After all, we have business dealings with merchants from the inland every year. It wouldn't be a problem to entrust some of our procurement to him, right?"

Dayu thought her sister would readily agree, but to her surprise, Haizhulan shook her head, "I can't say for sure. I am not yet married to your brother-in-law, and I shouldn't meddle in his affairs. We can talk about it later."

Dayu became a bit anxious, "No, Sister, if you find it hard to speak, let me talk to your brother-in-law alone, okay?"

"Um?" Haizhulan, a woman of great intelligence, had been lost in the joy of reuniting with her sister and had not noticed anything amiss. But now she immediately became alert and said