"Ali, how far is it from Nurgan to Harbin? Is it faster to go by horse or by boat?"

"By the witness of the Chief Divine! It’s about three to four thousand li from Nurgan to the various parts of the Fuyu Guard! First, head south for two thousand li, crossing the territories of various Wild Man tribes, to the Wusuli River estuary. Then, head west-southwest for another one to two thousand li, passing through the lands of the Haixi Jurchen clans, before reaching Harbin at the upper reaches of the Songhua River..."

Chief Ali of Harman stretched out his fingers and drew a vertical and a horizontal line on the ancient wild boar skin map. The "vertical" was the two thousand li southward journey, and the "horizontal" was the over one thousand li journey westward, both along the Great River.

In this era, the vast Inner and Outer Northeast was covered by the deep, endless forest sea. High mountains stretched endlessly, and lowlands were filled with swamps. The Great Rivers and streams were the only accessible paths for the northeastern tribes. This wasn’t just for the convenience of boat travel; the riverbanks were generally open and flat, making them easier to traverse. The wide views by the rivers also made travel safer. In spring, summer, and autumn, horseback travel was an option, and in winter, dog sleds could be used.

"Ancestor Shaman! The three to four thousand li journey to buy horses mostly overlaps with the route we take for the southward tributes. If riding on horseback, we could cover a hundred li a day by following the riverbanks. Even if we take it slow and cautious, covering eighty li a day, we could reach the Fuyu Tribe’s herds in forty or fifty days!..."

"If we take the Great River route, going upstream by boat will be slow, perhaps only forty li a day, with energy reserved for unforeseen events. Even if we push it, covering fifty or sixty li a day, it will still take over two months. However, on the way back downstream, the boat can easily run seventy to a hundred li a day, being less labor-intensive and quite comfortable!..."

Pausing a bit, Chief Ali of Harman then shook his head after considering.

"No, that’s not right! If we’re going to Fuyu Guard to buy horses, it isn’t for a mere handful. Small-scale transactions aren’t worth it; we might as well deal with the ’Forest People’ closer by... We should buy a hundred, or two hundred horses at least! Such a large number of horses wouldn’t fit on a boat, and they wouldn’t stay calm... We would have to ride there and bring them back, two or three horses per person!..."

"May the Ancestors bless us! On the outgoing journey, it’s just a group of bow-carrying poor Haman. The tribes along the way, whether Wild Man or Haixi Jurchen, wouldn’t dare stir up trouble. But on the return, with the eye-catching horse herd, it won’t be as safe! In my view, we need to gather two hundred cavalry to bring back two hundred mountain horses, preferably large stallions..."

"Moreover, passing through the domains of the Haixi Clans, it’s best to find a familiar and trustworthy chieftain to assist. We should offer some goods as a toll... What? If there’s any familiar chieftain? Hmm... There are acquaintances, but none close enough, withstanding substantial bribes. It’s best to go to the Yierguli Guard and have their chieftain Shaguda join. Shaguda and I have attended tributes thrice together, and our ancestors have had interactions, so he is trustworthy! They are close to the Haixi Clans and have intermarried for generations, almost forming a part of the Haixi Clans themselves. They surely have networks that ensure safe passage..."

"Chief Divine bless us! Three to four thousand li on horseback? A forty-day journey, only taking three months round trip? Once we have the horses, the travel speed is astounding... Chief Divine! What did you say? Buying a full two hundred stallions at once?!..."

Upon hearing Apprentice Ali’s plan for buying horses, Zuwaro’s eyes instantly lit up. Two hundred stallions, and they are Jurchen Stallions, not the short, small Japanese ones! In just three or four months, making this large deal would be sufficient for the Kingdom’s horses, eliminating the need to buy from the Japanese! But soon, he frowned and asked.

"Ali, earlier you mentioned... for safety and stability, we need to go to Yierguli Guard, get the Jurchen Chief there involved, and find support from the Haixi Jurchen chieftain?..."

"That’s right! Our route covers the territories of the Haixi Clans, and we’ll be noticed over the two months of travel. A party of hundreds of horses will definitely draw attention, possibly attracting scouts from cavalry forces. Over these years, the tribes have constantly clashed with the southward Wild Man tribes from the North, becoming as alert as weasels... We need a familiar chieftain’s assurance, with prior notification!"

"Oh, I see!... Haixi Jurchen? The spying of the Haixi Clans..."

Hearing this, Zuwaro’s eyes flickered at the suggestion of involving the "Haixi Jurchen". His earlier excitement about the two hundred stallions cooled instantly, as if doused with cold water, turning to calm contemplation.

Before the Kingdom’s Main Force is strong enough, Zuwaro maintained a cautious attitude toward cooperating with other southern Jurchen Tribes. He needed careful engagement, preferably establishing inter-tribal trust through important marital ties. After all, though he had much gold, his main force was still limited. In case of spying from the Haixi Jurchen, an ambush from allied tribes... how would he face the brothers who crossed the sea with him, and fulfill the duties and support given by His Majesty?

"Well, Ali, you also mentioned... only in bulk purchases from the strong Fuyu Guard is necessary. If it’s just a few dozen, it’d be better to deal with the ’Forest People’? What kind of tribes are these ’Forest People’, where are they located? How far are they from us?"

"Uh? Not going to Fuyu Guard, but instead to the ’Forest People’ to buy horses?..."

Upon hearing this, Chief Ali of Harman was taken aback, not understanding why the Ancestor Shaman suddenly changed his mind. But he had no decision-making power and could only follow Zuwaro’s instructions. Therefore, Ali once again drew a long line westward on the map and then marked a red circle at a certain location on the Great River.

"Respected Ancestor Shaman! The Forest People, also known as the Wuliangha Thousand Households, are just to the west of Nurgan... To go there, one must first follow the Henggu River all the way westward, then turn to the tributary of Jingqili River (Shere Mja River), heading slightly southwest, approximately over two thousand li, to reach the Huntong River! This directly crosses the Haixi Clans, arriving at the middle reaches of the Great River, precisely at the red circle, ’Hala Po’ (Hailan Pao). There are many elm trees there, and quite a few deer herds, attracting various tribes for hunting..."

"May the Chief Divine protect us! Once you’ve passed Hala Po and head to the western upper reaches of the Great River, there’s always a chance to encounter the Forest People who ride and herd horses. Their tribal size is small, mostly about a hundred or two, migrating with horses, cattle, sheep, or deer herds. These Forest Tribes, especially those near ’Hala Po,’ mostly speak our tribal language, being half Jurchen and half Mongolian tribes. But as they interact more with the Mongolian Tribes in the upper reaches of the Great River, they are seen as Mongolians. And continuing further west along the Great River is said to lead straight to the Mongolian heartland, to that majestic Bogda Holy Mountain!..."

"Holy Mountain? Bogda Holy Mountain?"

Upon hearing the name of the Holy Mountain, Zuwaro, who hailed from the highlands and revered the Divine Mountain, instantly became interested and wished to see it with his own eyes. But when he asked further and learned about the tens of thousands of nomadic Mongolian tribes around the Holy Mountain, he shook his head significantly. He did not know that the pastures around that Holy Mountain would later have another name, "Kulun," meaning "fenced grassland." Later on, "Kulun" would become "Ulan Bator"...

"Ali, Hala Po is only two or three thousand li away from us, with no dangerous Great Tribes along the way, allowing us to make the round-trip in about two months! When spring arrives next year, we’ll head west, looking for the ’Forest People’ and buy some horses and cattle back!..."

After a brief assessment, Zuwaro made a decision. This vast Northeastern land is too perilous, so first dealing with smaller tribes and gradually growing stronger is the safest approach! However, when trading with the Forest Tribes to the west, what kind of goods should we offer?

"Ali, do the Forest Tribes acknowledge gold?" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Uh! Gold? Well... Ancestor Shaman, these Forest Tribes are quite similar to the southward Wild Man Tribes, very primitive! Cough! Don’t hit me! I didn’t mean the Maha Tribe, I was talking about the Forest People... But, where the Forest Tribes live, the forest isn’t as dense as here and they interact more frequently with the Mongolian Tribes, making it easier to obtain livestock. They have large and small forest pastures suitable for grazing, and that’s why they raise herds... So, gold isn’t really useful to them..."

"Oh? If they don’t want gold, what goods do they lack?"

"Lack? Ancestors bear witness! The Forest Tribes are just like ’Wild Men,’ they lack everything! They lack ironware, armor, and food..."

"Hmm... We don’t have much surplus of ironware, let alone armor, and transporting food there is difficult..."

Zuwaro furrowed his brows, contemplating trade goods that could be offered—light, easy to carry, and perceived as valuable by the tribe...

"Zuwaro Priest! Do you remember the goods that coastal tribes welcomed most during our voyage along the Far North Coast and Western Sea Coast? The Forest Tribes here are also lacking in them!"

"Hmm?! Are you saying?!"

Upon hearing this, Zuwaro’s eyes glinted as he looked at Priest Kui Huo. Priest Kui Huo nodded and pulled out a small pouch from his bosom. He then reached out and gently pinched, revealing grayish-white salt crystals that sparkled in the light of the Sacred Fire.

"Indeed! It’s this! Salt!"

"We can acquire large quantities of cheap salt from the Japanese!"