The carriage sent the two of them to a gazebo outside the city. There were already servants of the Marquis' mansion waiting there. The steward was very nimble in his work and very quickly brought over two fine horses. He then bid farewell to the two of them.
Sun Lang and Curry were both skilled in archery and horse riding. After all, both of them were the most valiant soldiers in their respective countries. Their riding skills had long been maxed out. The two of them quickly left, and the steward went back to report.
They were heading north. Their destination was Hucheng.
This was a mountainous city with steep cliffs. It was the military headquarters of Mingzhou's general, Qi Guanyan. It was also the military center and strategic center of Mingzhou. It was also the general's nest and the core of his strategy.
Sun Lang turned his head. Even though he was galloping on a bumpy horse, he still sat steadily. His voice was full of energy. "We're going to Hucheng?
Is Qi Guanyan there? "
After all, Courrier had never practiced martial arts. Even though she had rich battle experience and strong fighting skills, she could not challenge the limits of the human body and the instincts of living creatures. She could not do as she pleased like Sun Lang.
She rode the horse with the most standard riding posture. Her healthy body moved up and down in sync with the horse's gallop, maintaining the coordination between man and horse. She turned to answer Sun Lang's question. "I left the border for Mingzhou without permission, so Qi Guanyan doesn't know where I went. We left our contact information just in case … So we're going to Hucheng and give the token to the general's people. Then they'll inform Qi Guanyan through the internal military intelligence network of the Qi Family Army."
Sun Lang nodded. "Then let's hurry. We'll try to get to Hucheng before it gets dark!"
Creel nodded at first, then hesitated for a moment and said loudly, "I have a question … So, you are a great master of martial arts, and I am the driver of the Blazing Angel. Why do we need to use such an inefficient method to travel?
There's obviously a more convenient way of transportation! "
Sun Lang smiled. "For example?"
Courrier said, "The Blazing Angel Equipment has the ability to fly. It's extremely fast and has a lot of power. It's more than enough to carry one person. I can definitely fly over with you!"
Sun Lang revealed a meaningful smile. "Although I'm no longer the deputy commander of this country, if I can walk, it's best not to fly. Besides, you're the pilot. I'm afraid of crashing."
Courrier obviously did not understand this joke, but Mao Mei was used to understanding Sun Lang's words with her own way of thinking. She nodded and said, "I see. I was being presumptuous. After all, no matter how strong the warriors of the Empire are, they are not very good at fighting in the air. Asking you to put your life in my hands after knowing you for less than a day is really a thoughtless suggestion … Caution and suspicion are the qualities a king should have."
He did not know if this Mao Mei was trying to provoke him. In any case, Sun Lang did not care at all.
The two of them spurred their horses forward, galloping along the official road towards the North. The horses galloped on all four hooves and the surrounding scenery rapidly flew by. Their speed could be considered quite good. These two horses were originally carefully selected and bred by the Marquis Jing 'an fu in case of emergency. Their appearance and quality were not inferior to military horses.
As a Li Huo Yan Guard, Courrier's eyesight was naturally very good. Very quickly, he sensed the extraordinariness of these two fine horses. He praised, "That Marquis Miss Zhao has extraordinary wealth and family background. The two horses that she casually took out are actually excellent military horses from the Dragon Sparrow Dynasty."
Sun Lang nodded. "It's indeed the work of the Green Wood Country."
— — The Green Wood Country's biotechnology was the best in the world.
Due to the interference of the Sky Demon, the technological development of this world had already embarked on a completely different path compared to the original Earth. All kinds of reverse analysis of the Sky Demon's legacy of black technology emerged in an endless stream. Although the Empire scoffed at the Li Huo, Rui Jin, and Xuanshui's firearms, machinery, and steam engines, this did not stop them from using their status as a simple and robust agricultural country to vigorously introduce some powerful and special technologies.
For example, running to the Green Wood Country all day to ask for crops.
Back then, the Green Wood Country had obtained the biotechnology legacy of the Sky Demon. They were good at further domesticating and transforming creatures, whether it was plants or animals — whether it was wheat and rice seeds that had better harvests and consumed less land, or brand-new crops that were highly resistant to drought and could take root and grow in any kind of barren land — as long as the peasants could fill their stomachs and pay enough taxes, the Empire was very fond of them.
Moreover, the social activities of an agricultural country were indispensable for the participation of domesticated livestock. Cattle and work horses with more endurance and strength, dairy cows with more milk production, and even more loyal and ferocious war dogs … There were also other powerful and shocking exotic beasts that accounted for a large part of the annual export share to the Houtu Empire. It had also become an important export project of the Dragon Sparrow Dynasty to earn foreign exchange.
After all, the Houtu Empire was essentially an agricultural country.
Not to mention that it was also a military power … The excellent war horses and other exotic beasts from the Dragon Sparrow Dynasty had once solved a problem that had troubled the military of the Empire for a long time.
Back then, the warriors of the Empire had tempered their bodies and trained hard for ten years. They had broken through the limits of the human body and even cultivated their minds to become dragons among men. They had been recognized by the Imperial Army and became the elite soldiers of the Empire, ready to shed their blood for the Empire at any time. They had even made contributions to the Empire, risen rapidly, married noble ladies, and walked to the pinnacle of life … Then, they discovered a fatal problem.
Damn it … I can carry the Heaven Seeking Spear of the Imperial Army that weighed four hundred kilograms, but the war horses can't carry it …
This awkward situation led to a very awkward result, which was that for a period of time, the elite soldiers of the Empire were basically distributed in the ranks of the infantry. The position of the generals who were too heavily armed on the battlefield was basically equivalent to that of the mounted infantry …
It wasn't until the Kingdom of Green Wood, or the Dragon Sparrow Dynasty, finally brought enough sturdy mounts that this terrible situation was alleviated. The fierce generals of the Empire finally got qualified mounts that "wouldn't kill the enemy in front of them together with their own mounts". The ordinary cavalry troops also changed to mounts that had better bloodlines and performance, and their combat ability was significantly improved, even leaping by leaps and bounds.
However, this also made the style of the generals of the Empire develop in a strange and even strange direction, making the solemn military appearance have a hint of the flavor of ancient myths.
This was especially so during the War of Heaven's Origin, when the human countries were forced to abandon their previous prejudices and conflicts and cooperate with each other and advance hand in hand. Under deeper communication, the style of the generals of Heaven's Origin became even stranger.
For example, wearing three layers of heavy armor, the Twin Horned Moon-Gazing Boar, which was also known as the Rhinoceros, was a creature that was very popular with many generals.
Of course, the War Bear, which had rolled in the mud all year round, had a layer of impenetrable thick skin, and wore an iron helmet to slap people like flies, was also very fierce.
There was even a certain general who came from Sanskrit Temple who chose an Iron Arm Azure Ape as a mount. Even though it could be ridden, even though it was still extremely nimble and agile, its appearance really wasn't all that great, immediately receiving mockery from his comrades. However, when he returned, he taught that extremely intelligent monkey a set of Great Vajra Fists …
Then, he went into battle, one man and one ape both wearing iron armor, wearing fine steel gauntlets. Under the protection of his personal guards, they were unstoppable. If they encountered a powerful enemy, the general would abandon his weapon, and the Azure Ape would stand upright. One man and one ape would raise their fists and randomly beat the troublesome bastard in front of them to death.
Meanwhile, this Sanskrit Temple general who was proficient in the Great Vajra Fist also received a nickname, called Substitute Emissary. Even though the meaning was unclear, and it sounded extremely strange, not catchy at all, there was nothing that could be done about it. This nickname was given by a certain person, so even though everyone didn't understand the meaning, they still called him this. As such, this nickname that wasn't domineering at all quickly spread, not giving the victim the chance to protest at all …
"You're daydreaming again!"
Sun Lang who was deep in thought was startled awake by Courrier's voice. When he snapped back to reality, Mao Mei pointed forward. "Pay attention to the road, there's about to be a turn up ahead, there are carriages and pedestrians!"
Sun Lang nodded, indicating that he understood. He looked at the undulating horse manes in front of him and fell into deep thought again. He suddenly thought of something.
The Houtu Empire and the Dragon Sparrow Dynasty could be considered the purest of the five great empires in the world. Both of them were agricultural civilizations with a long history, vast territories, large populations, and strict social classes. They had a lot in common, like being content with the status quo, being proud of their current achievements, being a dark old feudal society, and snorting disdainfully at new things …
These similarities and common understandings were the basis of business. The Empire didn't have much interest in the Metal, Fire, and Water Kingdoms, and only had a good impression of the Dragon Sparrow Dynasty because of this.
The Empire had to import large amounts of horses and livestock from the Green Wood Kingdom every year, and even introduced improved breeds and breeding techniques. The Dragon Sparrow Dynasty also had to purchase large amounts of luxury goods and excellent weapons from the Empire. They would also send military officers and students to the Empire to receive military training and martial arts training. Both sides relied on each other, but they also firmly guarded their core techniques. This was the current situation of the Houtu Empire and the Green Wood Kingdom.
Of course, this was only the official situation.
Putting aside the improved breeds and cattle for the time being, the military horses imported from the Green Wood Kingdom were completely controlled goods. Apart from the Imperial Court, who dared to touch them privately? They would be punished for the crime of rebellion and all of them would be killed. Therefore, although the Zhang family could establish a trade route to the Lifire Kingdom, no one dared to try the route of the Dragon Sparrow Dynasty.
In other words, in the eyes of the Empire, the improved breeds of the Green Wood Kingdom were more threatening than the overbearing firearms of the Lifire Kingdom.
Therefore, these two excellent horses from the Dragon Sparrow Dynasty must have been bought by Miss Zhao at a high price from the Imperial Court. If she wanted to obtain some overbearing firearms with extraordinary lethality, she only needed to send someone to the black market at the border of the Ming Province … Some things were just that outrageous.
However, being outrageous meant an opportunity …
"I've been away for two years. I don't know what the situation is like now …" Sun Lang mumbled to himself. "Obviously, those idiots in the Imperial Court don't know what a biological invasion is, what a geno art is, and what a T-virus is. I didn't have time to remind them back then. Well, it's a good thing that the idiots of the Dragon Sparrow Dynasty haven't realized what terrible things they have in their hands yet …"
Thinking for a moment, he raised his head and asked Courrier, "Is the Lifire Kingdom connected to the Green Wood Kingdom?"
Courrier nodded and said, "Yes. As far as I know, the Theocracy Kingdom imports a lot of food from the Green Wood Kingdom every year and has also hired the experts of the Green Wood Kingdom to breed and strengthen the cold-resistance of the Lifire Horses … Even now, there are Green Wood Kingdom people in the Fire Order who have converted to the Spirit of Fire. They are responsible for domesticating and raising the Saber-toothed Tigers, Mammoths, Icefang Wolves, and other beasts unique to the Theocracy Kingdom."
Sun Lang asked again, "Then, do you have any relationship with the people of the Green Wood Kingdom?"
Courrier was stunned for a moment. Although it was difficult for her to speak because she was still galloping on a horse, she still tried to put on a disdainful expression and snorted. "Those mutants with beast ears and beast tails are just like those people in the Country of Metal who put on mechanical parts for themselves. They have abandoned the glory and pride of human beings. They can't be considered human anymore!
Those pathetic idiots, why would I have to deal with them? "
Sun Lang nodded and said, "I also think that the Supreme Dog and the Harmonious Pig are all scum. However, according to the Basic Law of Moe Two, beast-eared girls and modified people can be treated differently … In other words, you don't know them."
Courrier frowned and said, "Why are you looking for them?"
Sun Lang gave a thumbs up and said, "Of course it's to promote the diversity of the harem … Bah, I mean to promote the diversity of talents. I just suddenly thought of something interesting."
He looked up and said cheerfully, "In the past two years, the Empire has been clamoring to open borders, but it's all talk and no action. They have a lot of scruples and don't dare to let go … For example, the livestock and military horse business of the Green Wood Kingdom is controlled very strictly by the Imperial Court, especially the military horse business. If anyone dares to smuggle it, they are usually punished with the crime of rebellion. However …"
Sun Lang laughed and said, "I'm a f * cking traitor. I've even killed officials and rebelled. Why would I be afraid of this?
Ha, I've taught all the civil and military officials in the Imperial Court what war is. Now, I'm going to teach them what reform and opening up are! "
Although he didn't know what Sun Lang was talking about, judging from his expression and appearance, it must be something to be happy about. Courrier thought for a while and said with a smile, "You want to communicate with the people of the Green Wood Kingdom?
I don't know about other things, but Qi Guanyan is the Great General of Mingzhou. He's in charge of the military affairs of a province. There must be officials and supervisors in charge of horse management under him. There must be experts from the Green Wood Kingdom among them! "
Sun Lang slapped his forehead and said, "Damn, I've forgotten about this after not fighting for two years … In other words, we have to go to Hucheng!"
Courrier nodded and said, "Yes … There's no time to lose. Riding a horse is too slow. Let's change to another way!"
Sun Lang rejected, "No, you'll definitely crash if you bring me along. Don't say that you didn't warn me!"
Mao Mei couldn't stand the speed of riding a horse and said, "Then I'll summon a seraph to fly, and you can use your qinggong to hurry. What do you think?"
"That still won't work!" Sun Lang said firmly, "Why can you fly in the sky, but I have to take the No. 11 bus?
What if you suddenly fly? "
"… Didn't you say that I can fly as much as I want?"
"No means no!
Who told you to say that I'm not handsome! "
"… It's because of this?"
Their voices gradually faded away, and the two rode toward Hucheng.