Chapter 88

"Why did Tang Chuxue invite me over?" Jiang Xingchen was somewhat surprised when the old man informed him. He really couldn't think of what the prestigious First Legion Commander could want from him.

"The First Legion's horses are getting old, and we are currently negotiating with the Beastman Alliance to purchase new ones. Coincidentally, someone hunted a Level 5 demonic beast, the Yellow Unicorn Sheep, in the Vast Mountains, so they want you to handle it and prepare a feast for the Beastman Alliance's guests!" the old man replied.

"Level 5 demonic beast!" Jiang Xingchen's eyes lit up. This was a great opportunity to develop his array. Without hesitation, he agreed.

However, he was also a bit puzzled. When he saw the massive Sword-spined Pig, which was just a beast despite its ferocious appearance, how could it be that small animals like the Snow Pheasant, rabbit, and marten were higher-level demonic beasts? The Yellow Unicorn Sheep, regardless of how many horns it had, was still a sheep by name.

Although puzzled, he didn't think much about it. He then noticed what the old man had said earlier and asked, "Can't the Empire raise its own horses? Why do we need to buy from the Beastman Alliance?"

The old man explained, "We can raise horses, but they are far from suitable as warhorses. Whether in terms of strength or endurance, they are far inferior to the horses bred by the Beastman Alliance!"

"Oh!" Jiang Xingchen nodded, his mind stirring. He continued, "The Beastman Alliance is better at raising cattle. I wonder if they have domesticated wild bulls?"

"They do raise cattle, but for meat. Whether they are domesticated from wild bulls is unclear; it's their secret!" the old man replied.

"Meat cattle! As long as they are docile, they should be fine for plowing. It's exactly what we need!" Jiang Xingchen's eyes brightened even more.

Just as he was thinking, the old man asked, "Aren't you thinking about raising cattle again? Let me tell you, don't even think about it. They don't sell live cattle, only beef, and it's ridiculously expensive!"

"Uh!" Jiang Xingchen was taken aback, surprised, "If they don't sell live cattle, how do they transport the beef? It's such a long journey; wouldn't it all go bad?"

"You fool! They drive the cattle here and slaughter them on the spot, but they don't sell live ones... You're usually so smart, what happened today?" The old man squinted, finally finding a chance to tease Jiang Xingchen, speaking in a tone and manner similar to Jiang Xingchen's.

"..." Jiang Xingchen's eye muscles twitched, wanting to kick this old guy, but considering the significant difference in their combat abilities, he didn't act on it.

"Kid! You always have the upper hand, using words I've never heard before. This time, it's my turn!" The old man was delighted, waiting for Jiang Xingchen to ask more about the beef cattle, so he could enjoy the conversation.

But after waiting for a long time, Jiang Xingchen didn't say anything, just lowered his head and thought deeply.

"Huh?" The old man was puzzled. After waiting a bit longer and seeing no sign of Jiang Xingchen looking up, he said, "Why don't you ask me why you've never seen the Beastmen slaughter cattle for meat?"

Jiang Xingchen then looked up, a smile playing on his lips.

"Damn!" The old man, seeing Jiang Xingchen's expression, wished he could slap himself. He lamented, "I'm too talkative! This little brat is too cunning, I fell for it so easily!"

"Old man, you're really stupid. Of course, you haven't seen it because the season is wrong. In such harsh winter, how could they drive cattle here? You actually think I don't know such a simple thing... Did a pig sit on your brain?"

"Phew!" The old man swayed, almost spitting out a mouthful of blood from the blow, instantly speechless.

"Alright! No more jokes!" Jiang Xingchen waved his hand and asked, "Old man, what do the Beastmen usually need... I mean, do they use Yellow Crystal Coins for trade with us, or do they exchange goods directly?"

Seeing Jiang Xingchen's serious expression, the old man also became solemn and shook his head. "Yellow Crystal Coins don't circulate in the Beastman Alliance. For transactions between the Profound Yuan Heavenly Sect, our Qiankun Empire, the Beastman Alliance, and the four kingdoms in the central region, we generally use Essence Stones! Or we exchange goods directly..."

"Do you want to know what the Beastman Alliance needs?" The old man then asked, a bitter smile on his face.

"Um!" Jiang Xingchen nodded, still thinking about the term "Essence Stones," which was like the gold standard on Earth.

"They need vegetables, alcohol, and grain... But in winter, we can't provide vegetables and grain to the Beastman Alliance; they buy from the four kingdoms in the central region! As for alcohol, they don't even consider it, and in years of poor grain harvest, we don't have enough surplus grain to make alcohol..."

Hearing this, Jiang Xingchen also looked helpless and said, "So, we have nothing they want except for Essence Stones as hard currency!"

The old man nodded and sighed, "If it weren't for the Profound Yuan Heavenly Sect's strength and the need for balance, the Beastman Alliance wouldn't be our allies!"

"I understand!" Jiang Xingchen thought for a moment, turned, and walked towards the door, saying, "Just call me when it's time to go! Also, I'm bringing Meier this time!"

Leaving the room, Jiang Xingchen headed straight for Grandma Yun's house! The Beastman Alliance had domesticated cattle, which he must obtain. Otherwise, even if the land grant for expansion came, he couldn't cultivate the land. Since they liked alcohol, he naturally had to make more distilled alcohol.

The old man, watching Jiang Xingchen leave, chuckled evilly, "Kid, from your question, I know you're thinking about their beef cattle... I was planning to use other methods to get you to make distilled alcohol, but now it's simpler!"

Thinking of the fiery sensation of the alcohol rushing down his throat, making his whole body feel warm and comfortable, the old man almost drooled.

When it was dark, Jiang Xingchen, holding a jar, had just left Grandma Yun's house when the old man appeared like a ghost, scaring him.

"Hehe! Kid, don't be so stingy, give me half!"

Seeing the old man's outstretched hand, Jiang Xingchen's mouth twitched. He knew he couldn't hide it from this old guy and had already planned to share some. But this old guy's appetite was too big, demanding half right away.

"No, at most half a catty, take it or leave it!" Jiang Xingchen said sternly, not giving in.

"Hey! Kid, don't force me to take it by force, or you won't have any left!" The old man rolled up his sleeves, ready to move forward.

But Jiang Xingchen was not afraid at all, pouting, "Either half a catty, or never drink this wine again, old man, you choose!"

"Ah~ You're too much!" The old man's expression fell, gritting his teeth, "Fine, you win, half a catty it is!"

Jiang Xingchen had to go out, so Mo Hongxian and the others didn't stay longer and left. Especially Wan Rou, who was eager to return to Hongyuan City. Although her dance and music foundation was solid, the study of sheet music was complex, and she needed to find several evaluators from the Imperial Academy to research it together.

Although the weather had cleared up, the temperature was still low, and the roads were difficult to travel. By carriage, it might take a month to reach the First Legion.

So, the old man put on his red shorts again, playing the role of a superhero. This time, he wasn't just carrying Jiang Xingchen but also Meier.

Since the old man was faster than a galloping horse, Jiang Xingchen was worried Meier couldn't handle it. He wrapped her in layers, almost turning her into a mummy, leaving only her eyes exposed. The old man was speechless, thinking he was being too careful, was it really necessary?

Meier found it incredibly exciting and laughed happily from time to time...

They first went to Hongyuan City, where they got some pickled radishes from Sun Sanqiang and two frozen big carp, then continued their journey. With the old man's speed, it took nearly five days to reach the First Legion.

In the main tent, Tang Chuxue sat in the main seat, smiling and greeting Jiang Xingchen, "Duke Jiang, thank you for making the trip in such cold weather!"

"Commander, you're too kind. It's just a small favor. Besides, helping the First Legion is helping the Empire!" Jiang Xingchen bowed slightly, appearing extremely calm and refined.

The old man watched in amazement, thinking, "No wonder Chuxue gave him such high praise. This kid's transformation in demeanor is too great; he doesn't seem like the brat who bickers with me at all!"

Tang Chuxue, however, was not surprised. She had seen Jiang Xingchen's composed and dignified demeanor in the previous two meetings.

"The person we are negotiating with for the horses is very particular about food and drink. Whether we can close this deal depends entirely on you..." Tang Chuxue explained, pausing slightly, then suddenly said, "I've already spread your name, calling you the Empire's top chef!"

"Uh!" Jiang Xingchen was taken aback. He really didn't expect this side of Tang Chuxue. Her words made him feel a bit playful, which somewhat颠覆了他对第一军团长的认知。

“军团长过奖了！”江 Xingchen felt a bit strange. How could一顿饭解决这样的买卖！不过，他没有问，而是笑了笑，说道：“我一定尽力而为，希望让他吃得满意！”

The old man thought to himself, “你把那酒拿出来，他不满意才怪呢！”

随后，Tang Chuxue 告诉他可以随意进出大帐，便让人把一头雾水的江 Xingchen 和 Meier 送到了后厨。进了厨房，他也看到了那只独角黄羊。

正如他之前所想，无论外观、大小，这都是一只羊，唯一的区别就是它头上那根足有一尺长的大角，形状笔直，居然是扁平的，两边锋利如刀锋，泛着金属般的光泽，尖端都闪着寒光。

“这就是五级妖兽啊，看着真挺恐怖的！”Meier 小声说道。

“……”江 Xingchen 无语，一只羊有什么恐怖的，唯一厉害的就是那只角而已。

拍了拍 Meier 的肩膀，江 Xingchen 低声道：“没事，一会儿它就要进咱们的肚子了！”

“嘻嘻！”Meier 轻笑，问道：“哥哥这次准备做什么？”

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"这就是五级妖兽啊，看着真挺恐怖的！" Meier whispered.

"..." Jiang Xingchen was speechless. What was so terrifying about a sheep? The only formidable part was its horn.

Patted Meier's shoulder, Jiang Xingchen whispered, "Don't worry, it'll be in our stomachs soon!"

"Hehe!" Meier giggled and asked, "What are you going to make this time?"