The place name Ruyuan does not refer to the source of Rusui, but to a plain surrounded by mountains and rivers on three sides. The melting snow on the mountains and rivers gathers into springs, streams, and small rivers, traveling between the rolling hills, and winding forward in the dense forest land, accumulating lakes or swamps of different sizes, and finally merge into the winding and twisting Rusui, flowing eastward. The place where complex water systems pass and nourish is Rusui.
Ruyuan is the most important water source for the entire northern grassland. Whenever in summer, rivers overflow on the fields, causing the lakes and marshes in this area to form a whole area of ​​dozens of miles. Aquatic plants and algae turn the water surface into a green carpet, and thousands of gorgeous birds fly and circle on the lake surface, which is extremely dazzling. The nomadic tribes over hundreds of miles away will bring their herds here in time and enjoy the generous gifts of God.
Over the past decades, many Jin people moved here gradually. Most of them were slaves who were captured by Xianbei cavalry over the years, and many of them took the initiative to flee to the grassland to escape the abuse of officials from the Jin court. These refugees had an extremely humble status on the grassland and were regarded as appendices to the Xianbei people. As the private property of the chief Qu Shuai, they undertake some labor that was regarded as low-key within the tribe. Among them, the craftsmen were selected and simply used as slaves for life, working until death in extremely harsh environments. In the eyes of the Xianbei nobles, their status was no higher than a sheep or a hunting dog.
The production level of the grasslands in northern Xinjiang is low, and animal husbandry alone is not enough to provide stable output. In recent years, the winter of the grassland has become increasingly cold, and a sudden cold wave and blizzard will often kill hundreds of thousands of sheep and horses. Even the richest tribes cannot withstand such a blow. At this time, the Xianbei people always habitually go south to plunder and use the material wealth of the Central Plains to make up for the losses. Over time, some chiefs began to notice that using the Jin people who had been browsing to engage in animal husbandry that they were not familiar with was a huge waste. "Although there is something to gain, but their casualties are not enough to make up for each other, it is not a long-term plan." In comparison, although the food supply that can be produced by farming is not favored by Hu'er, who is accustomed to meat, it is also quite beneficial.
Since the late period of Tuoba Liwei's rule, the Xianbei nobles began to consciously recruit Jin people and carry out small-scale farming in limited areas. In order to better play the role of Jin people and refugees in the territory, Liwei also invited officials to manage the Great Jin court. Wei Cao led the clan's children to the grassland at this time.
Through the efforts of Wei Cao and others, the refugees from Jin gradually gathered in the Ruyuan area. With the farming level far exceeding Hu'er, they struggled to survive in this wilderness that was thousands of miles away from their homes, relying on sufficient water to reclaim wasteland and plant food. Because many newly opened fields were too wet, some people even organized their own forces to build a simple ditche system to prevent waterlogging.
After Li Wei's death, the internal conflicts within the Tuoba Xianbei were fierce and the situation was turbulent. In order to protect themselves, the people of Jin gradually built various castles and forts along the coast of Rushui. As the Xianbei chiefs fought over each other, no one was concerned about it. After a few years, Wei Cao was trusted by the Great Shanyu Yiyi and was able to serve as the assistant minister. The general commander of the Tuoba Xianbei government affairs, and his sons and nephews Wei Xiong, Ji Zhan and others gradually became noble. As a result, the refugees gathered in Ruyuan became a grassland force, and ordinary Jin people no longer struggled on the brink of death at least day by day.
But the refugees of Jin were soon in trouble. The Eastern Adult Lu Guan's attitude towards the people of Jin was already very harsh. After the death of Lu Guan, the eastern tribes that had lost control plundered the Jin people in an attempt to expand their power. For more than ten days, the refugees of Jin from all over the grassland were killed and injured under the iron hoof, and most of the rest became slaves and untouchables again. Only some refugees near Ruyuan, led by the Wei clan, relying on the complex river and canal water network to confront the Xianbei Chiluo tribe and Puliru tribe.
"How long can we last?" Wei Xiong patrolled back and forth at the top of a five-foot wall of a camp. The Xianbei barracks were in a very far distance, but in fact he could not see the enemy's movements. He just paced back and forth with habituality, and occasionally sighed with great worries.
This is the southeast corner of Ruyuan. Rushui has turned three consecutive bends here and accepted two tributaries. The dense forests and meadows are intertwined, making it difficult for most areas to pass through. Weixiong’s camp is guarding the only important transportation route and is the front line to resist the Xianbei people.
In order to break through this camp and then break into the depths of Ruyuan, the Jin people and the Xianbei people had fought more than ten times, and Wei Xiong's troops still firmly grasp this key point. Although the Jin people could not break through the blockade of the Xianbei people, the Xianbei people could not be killed.
Just three days ago, the Puliuru tribe organized a surprise attack. About 200 Xianbei dead soldiers sneaked through the two-fold card in the night, climbed over the wall of the village and tried to open the camp gate from the inside. Fortunately, Wei Xiong was alert and good at fighting. After paying a huge price, he finally led his subordinates to oust it. At present, many refugees are busy repairing several walls that were damaged by the Xianbei people. Many people re-digged the trapped horse pit in front of the camp and placed re-made obstacles such as deer antlers.
From the faces of the refugees, Wei Xiong could see that this victory brought them hope. However... this brave general who once accompanied Tuoba Yiyi to fight against Mobei and subdued dozens of countries sighed again. Wei Xiong was a rare Jin general in the Tuoba Xianbei tribe, and he also had a unit composed of Jin refugees. It was precisely through the fighting of this army that so many refugees were able to retreat to the depths of the Ruyuan.
However, the battles over the past fewer and fewer warable soldiers under Wei Xiong's command. With the strength of the Puliuru tribe, a larger attack could be organized soon; and the refugees were just farmers and craftsmen after all, and it was difficult to compete with the fierce Xianbei people. Wei Xiong repeatedly estimated various offensive and defensive situations, but had to admit in frustration that it was really difficult to resist with the troops at hand.
"How long can we last? Could it be that the results of my uncle's decades of hard work will disappear, and these blood-connected compatriots will fall back into the hands of the Xianbei people?" Wei Xiong pinched the hilt of the knife and bit his teeth. No matter what, we will not be able to stand dead. If the Xianbei people want to capture this camp, they should fill in their lives!
"It's time to go, dinner! It's all!" He looked at the sky and shouted irritably: "Only you can have the strength when you're full!"
At this time, an old man ran from the other end of the village wall, shouting, "General! General!"
I'm going to complain about the lack of food and fodder again... This old soldier is a member of the Wei clan. Wei Xiong recognized him and could guess what he wanted to say. Although the refugees in Ruyuan are good at farming, they have very little food reserves. Every year when the grain is harvested, there will always be various Xianbei tribes who will drive troops to rob them and plunder the results of the hard work all year round. The Xianbei people have no concept of tax collection. In their minds, this kind of looting is natural and has no place to be discussed. In this way, even the Wei clan's own family has not much savings available. This time, a large number of refugees pour into Ruyuan to take refuge, and all kinds of food and fodder may be exhausted at any time. Perhaps they are in a hurry to have a meal, which makes the old soldier in charge of military supplies nervous.
Wei Xiong waved inadvertently: "Don't worry about that much! Don't fight on hungry..."
"General! It's not about eating! It's not about eating!" The old man rushed over and pulled Wei Xiong's armor and shouted: "Look over there!"
Chapter completed!