At dusk, there were four to five hundred herdsmen standing on the grass slope. They were all older men. The representative sent by each household was the head of the family or one of the most important members.
Some herdsmen looked nervous.
Kasaka Nuhu, who was considered the most loyal, even received a hint that he should be well prepared to kill all the invading people from Central Asia when he attended the meeting.
Master Matru has secretly contacted the Khan's army.
However, the Central Continental representative who was supposed to be given a lecture was still not getting out of the car, causing them to whisper to each other.
They were all looking at the artillery carts and the alert cavalry on the edge of the grass slope. Those cavalry included Japanese mercenaries hired by the Montenegrin people, as well as traitors from their own tribe who sold out their masters for personal gain in the Chishui area.
Inside the armored vehicle, Tuoba Lan's beautiful eyes showed some anxiety, but she did not urge Manager Wang who was in deep thought beside her.
Before leaving Chishui, Tuoba Lan had promised to help pacify the surrounding pastoral settlements.
Tuoba Lan was originally supposed to go and reveal her identity to all the pastoralist households in the Tru tribe, and then she would announce the abolition of the household systems of Katabu and Kasaka. From then on, all herders would be free people in the territory of Prince Black Mountain Fort, and each settlement would share the cattle and sheep equally. From then on, they would have private property and be under the protection of His Royal Highness the Prince of Black Mountain Fort.
But when the time came, for some unknown reason, Manager Wang did not allow Tuoba Lan to get off the car.
Tuoba Lan sat there very calmly, the anxiety in her beautiful eyes flashed away for a moment but was concealed very well.
"You are here to seek death, right? Are you ready to make a passionate declaration as the children of the grassland and force me to kill you? Use your blood to inspire your tribesmen in your eyes?" Lu Ming looked at Tuoba Lan and suddenly smiled.
Tuoba Lan said calmly: "If I really do this, am I not afraid that you will get angry and slaughter our Tuoba clan?"
Lu Ming smiled and said, "Anyway, I won't take the risk." He stared at Tuoba Lan and said, "In fact, if you were to give a righteous speech about the children of the grassland risking their lives for freedom, would you find it ironic? In your eyes, are the people of your tribe, those Kasaka, really human beings? Or are they no different from livestock?"
Tuoba Lan said coldly: "That is our own clan's business, but being ruled by a foreign race is a shame for the children of the grassland!" Obviously knowing that he was seen through, he decided to reveal his cards.
Lu Ming nodded: "Of course, you are right. We, the people of Central Continent, came to conquer the grasslands. The first thing we considered was our long-term stability, not to bring freedom and prosperity to the grassland people. However, the prosperity and freedom of the grassland people do not conflict with our goals. At least, under the rule of the Principality of Montenegro, most herders will live better than before. Moreover, I think that in time, the liberated Kasaka slaves will be grateful to His Royal Highness and think that His Royal Highness is their savior. Then, as the people in His Royal Highness's territory, I think His Royal Highness will not fail to help them get rid of poverty. After all, the beef and mutton on the prairie are much more delicious than those in the inland areas. This place may not be very rich in the future, but it will no longer be a poor place."
Tuoba Lan listened to Lu Ming talking and just sneered.
Lu Ming stood up and said, "Well, let's wait and see what will happen in the future!"
…
At the foot of the grass slope, the herders were a little confused as they heard the Central Continent Minister, who would be the future manager of the prairie, announce that from now on, the "Katabu" and "Kasaka" household registration systems would be abolished and the cattle and sheep would be divided equally.
"Big guy, you tell me!" Lu Ming waved to a tall young man standing not far away.
The young man's name was Ma Dahe. He was over 1.9 meters tall, which made him stand out even among the men on the grassland. He ran over quickly, looking very restrained.
"Come, tell everyone about the changes in the Kasakas in Chishui!" Lu Ming patted his shoulder and gave him the position for preaching.
It’s actually just a wooden block, and you can preach by standing on it.
But when Ma Dahe stood up and looked at the crowd below, his face turned red and his dark face turned purple. It was obvious that he had no experience in speaking in front of so many people, and did not have the confidence to do so.
Lu Ming smiled and said, "How about this? You go over there!" He pointed to the crowd and said, "Go and talk to the uncles and answer their questions."
When Ma Dahe joined the crowd, he seemed much more at ease. The originally dull group of herdsmen also became lively. They surrounded him curiously and asked about the situation in Chishui.
On the other side, watching this scene, Matru's eyelids twitched.
At this time Lu Ming waved to him, and he immediately showed a flattering smile on his face and ran over quickly.
Night gradually falls and the bright moon is in the sky.
The grass slope was very lively, and Matruh slaughtered several cattle and sheep to entertain all the guests.
The herdsmen sang and danced around bonfires. Even on New Year's Day, they had never eaten so richly. They drank wine and ate meat, forgetting all their worries and the Montenegrin people, and just enjoyed themselves to the fullest.
Lu Ming was in the snow-white felt tent of Matruh. Both the host and the guest sat cross-legged on a thick velvet blanket with a low table in front of them.
In addition to beef and mutton, there are beer, canned meat and other items on the low table. These are all imported products. Judging from the brands, most of them are made in Montenegro. In the depths of the grassland, compared to barbecued beef and mutton, beer, canned meat and the like are luxury foods.
Inside the yurt, the host was Matruh, and there were more than a dozen guests, including Matruh's five sons, his younger brother, important cousins, and so on.
On the Montenegrin side, there were Lu Ming, Ma Chinar, Kawamoto Lianheng, deputy company commander of the second cavalry company of the Grassland Escort Regiment, and Ma Xiaowei, captain of the fourth squadron of the Chishui Security Inspection Brigade.
Lu Ming and Matru both sat in the main seats. Both sides had their own low tables, but they were placed next to each other.
While chatting and joking, Lu Ming explained the preferential policies for nobles and Kasabu households, saying that as long as they were willing to accept the new policy and swear to serve His Royal Highness, they would still be able to retain some property to maintain a decent life, and would be a wealthy family compared to ordinary herdsmen.
Moreover, those from aristocratic families who had received new-style education could go to the mainland to develop and had many opportunities, including taking the civil service examination.
Matru listened and nodded repeatedly.
"Chief Ma, I have a question. Let me check and see if you have concealed any of the weapons and ammunition you handed over." Lu Ming suddenly asked.
Lu Ming looked at his watch and said, "I'll give you five minutes. I hope you can explain it clearly."
Matru's face changed slightly, and he was about to throw the wine glass to the ground.
Lu Ming had already pounced over and pressed down on him, covering his mouth and thrusting the dagger in his hand in and out. The fat white man's face was full of fear, and he struggled with a whimper, but more and more blood oozed from his body and his struggle became weaker and weaker.
"Bang, bang, bang", the sound of gunfire rang out. Ma Chi Nur and others had already pulled out their pistols, with bullets loaded and the safety pulled.
There was also a burst of gunfire outside.
At the same time, gunshots seemed to be heard in the distance.
Lu Ming left behind the body of Matruh, whose eyes were already rolled up.
At this time, inside the felt tent, all the dignitaries and generals of the Tru tribe were dead.
Lu Ming stepped out and said, "Blow the horn and prepare for battle!"
There was a faint excitement in my heart, as if killing and the upcoming fierce battle were actually the joys of life.