Chapter 514
Chapter 514 The Woman from the Turkic Tribe
Amidst the clamor, the rhythmic sounds of hooves echoed through the air, accompanied by the gentle jingles of bells. In the distance, a caravan came into view. Several powerful horses charged forward, their backs burdened by large bamboo baskets and wooden crates filled with cloth, tea, and salt. The weight on the horses was so significant that their backs appeared slightly bent.
Within the caravan, men with dark eyes and yellow skin, unmistakably from the Great Hua, were present. However, among them were a few individuals of a different ethnicity: taller than the average men from the Great Hua, with high-bridged noses and pale blue eyes.
"Those are definitely nomads," Gao Qiu said excitedly. "These audacious foreigners dare to pass right in front of us as our mighty army of a million men advances into Xingqing. This is utterly disrespectful! Brother Lin, let's capture them right away. It'll be our first victory!"
As the caravan passed before the army, they maintained a serene demeanor, betraying no signs of panic. It was indeed strange.
Hu Bugui chuckled and said, "Brother Gao, let's not be rash. These are but common traders traveling across the desert. They are not to be attacked. Our border people have been exchanging silk and tea for the fine horses and native products of the Turkic lands for a hundred years. Even during the fiercest times of war, private trade between our people has never ceased."
Lin Wanrong nodded in agreement, "Brother Hu is correct. Warfare is dictated by national interests, while trade fulfills the needs of the people. The two are not contradictory. Since we share a border with the Turkic tribes, it is inevitable that there will be cultural and economic exchanges between us."
Hu Bugui gave a thumbs-up and sighed, "Our people have been at war with the Turkic tribes for years, capturing countless women from the Great Hua. However, there are also women from the Turkic tribes who admire our culture and marry into our families. Inter-marriage and trade have been a part of life for years, resulting in many mixed-heritage children. This is especially common in the regions around Xingqing and Helan Mountain."
Lin Wanrong nodded slightly and said seriously, "Trade and intermarriage are natural human activities and there's nothing wrong with them. However, as we are on the brink of war between our nations, the most pressing concern is how to prevent the Turkic tribes from gathering intelligence. Just like this caravan, who knows if there might be a spy among them."