flstandardbreds Chapter 140: The Deal is Made, and the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and the Dragon Cavalry are Born!
Chapter 140: The Deal is Made, and the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and the Dragon Cavalry are Born!
"General Gongsun's bravery is commendable, and I admire him greatly."
"However, General Gongsun must have heard the saying, 'Even a clever housewife can't cook without rice.'"
"If we run out of food, even the brave warriors of Youzhou will probably turn into sick cats in no time."
"you!!!"
The guards beside Gongsun Zan were getting anxious.
Gongsun Zan waved his hand.
He strongly agreed with what Man Chong said.
Without food, no matter how capable the soldiers are, it's useless. When they're hungry, they have no strength left, and rushing into battle would just be a waste of their lives.
"This general is deeply troubled by this matter. Does Mr. Man have a solution?"
"If Mr. Man can solve the problem of food shortage in Youzhou, I will treat you as an honored guest!"
Man Chong smiled and said, "General Gongsun, you are too kind."
"No need for such formalities, esteemed guest."
"But if we're talking about solutions to the food shortage, the fastest way is to buy it, and the most fundamental way is to grow it ourselves. Which one would you prefer, General Gongsun?"
Gongsun Zan shook his head.
The cold weather in Youzhou is really not suitable for crop growth.
Furthermore, the people of Youzhou were known for their fierce and warlike nature, and the region was constantly harassed by the Wuhuan, making it almost a nation of soldiers.
There are certainly people who can settle down to farming, but the proportion is far lower than in other states.
Gongsun Zan wasn't stupid; he knew that the most reliable way was to ensure a stable grain production from his own fields.
But the truth is, the people of Youzhou are in a difficult situation; the grain they produce is simply not enough to meet their needs.
"Mr. Man, let's be frank. How much grain can Mengde provide for this general?"
"This general is willing to pay 30% above the market price!"
"In addition, losses incurred during transportation shall also be attributed to this general."
Gongsun Zan was very sincere, and his expression suggested that if Man Chong was not satisfied with the price, he could continue to negotiate.
Unexpectedly, Man Chong laughed and said:
"General Gongsun, you misunderstand. My lord naturally hopes to make this deal with you."
"But my lord hopes that General Gongsun can trade grain with warhorses and salt and iron, rather than copper coins."
"What!?"
"You're taking advantage of our misfortune!"
Shan Jing, who was standing to the side, was furious.
Although food is precious and essential for survival, it can at least be bought with money.
However, warhorses and salt and iron were scarce and unavailable on the market.
The feudal lords aren't fools.
Warhorses and salt and iron are important strategic resources!
Therefore, besides trading among the feudal lords, the only other way to purchase warhorses, salt, and iron was through smuggling from the common people, such as from powerful merchant families like the Mi and Zhen families.
However, the quantity is also strictly limited.
Man Chong proposed that Gongsun Zan exchange warhorses, salt, and iron for grain, which was quite unequal for Gongsun Zan's side.
However, Gongsun Zan did not immediately become enthusiastic like Shan Jing, but instead stroked his chin and pondered the feasibility of the matter.
After a long silence, Gongsun Zan spoke:
"This general is willing to do this business with Mengde."
"But as a condition, I hope that Mengde can sell some more furs."
"The people of Youzhou are suffering too much."
"Without warm clothes, I really don't know how I'm going to get through this long and cold winter..."
Upon hearing this, even Man Chong, whose conscience had long been considered worthless, remained silent for a long time.
He accepted the request on Cao Cao's behalf.
Cao Cao's camp has stockpiled quite a lot of furs.
The demand for fur in the Central Plains was far less than that in Youzhou.
Although the furs sold to Gongsun Zan were below the normal market price, Cao Cao's side actually got a great deal from the exchange rates of warhorses and salt and iron!
In total, nearly 10,000 strong warhorses were transported from Youzhou to Yanzhou and Xuzhou.
Even if some die on the way due to acclimatization issues, the remaining eight thousand-plus warhorses, along with the several thousand warhorses that Cao Cao's camp has accumulated over the years, can form two brand-new cavalry legions!
These two cavalry units, one of which was called the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, was commanded by Cao Chun.
The other force was modeled after the White Horse Cavalry, but with improved close-combat capabilities, and was led by Zhao Yun.
Of course, that's a story.
The transaction on Manchong's side is not yet finished.
……
After the initial deal was reached, Man Chong, with the help of Shan Jing, stayed at the post station in Youbei Pingcheng.
Looking out at the snow-covered landscape, Man Chong shook his head.
Gongsun Zan was a complex figure. He was said to care for the people, yet he also killed his superior Liu Yu and increased taxes in Youzhou, making the burden on the people even heavier.
It is said that he does not love the people, yet he would rather spend money to purchase an extra batch of furs and intends to distribute them to the people free of charge.
"Well, we can only wait for our lord to come and save Youzhou in the future."
"If the world were unified, the lives of the people of Youzhou would surely be much better than they are now, wouldn't they?"
Man Chong thought to himself.
Before she knew it, perhaps because of the large temperature difference between indoors and outdoors, Manchong gradually began to doze off.
But just as he was about to fall asleep...
The sound of gunfire rang out!
Man Chong was greatly alarmed.
He was currently on the second floor.
If you take the stairs downstairs, you'll definitely encounter that group of soldiers who are either friend or foe.
But if you don't take the stairs, then there's only...
"boom!"
Man Chong jumped down and ran towards Gongsun Zan's governor's mansion at his fastest speed.
Although the pain in his legs made him feel uncomfortable.
But he knew in his heart that if someone really wanted to kill him, then the mastermind behind it was definitely not Gongsun Zan.
after all.
The deal has just been struck, and the grain is still in Yanzhou and hasn't been brought over yet. How could Gongsun Zan possibly make a move against them?
At this moment, the only one who can save him is Gongsun Zan!
"Mr. Man, what's going on...?"
Not far away, Shan Jing saw Man Chong running wildly in the snow and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"Quickly take me to General Gongsun!"
Man Chong chose to believe Shan Jing, because Shan Jing was not surrounded by any soldiers at the moment, making it unlikely that he was one of the people in the post station who wanted to kill him.
Man Chong made the right bet.
Shan Jing led him to Gongsun Zan's location.
Gongsun Zan immediately led a team to capture the group of soldiers in the post station.
Not long after, Gongsun Zan returned to the governor's mansion.
The masterminds behind the scenes were Tian Kai and Wang Men, who were secretly colluding with Yuan Shao.
In order to give Man Chong an explanation and to facilitate the transaction, Gongsun Zan ordered the execution of Wang Men and Tian Kai.
However, due to his leg injury, Man Chong had to stay in Youbei Pingcheng for an extra month.
Looking at the bandages wrapped around his legs (at this time, they were mostly made of hemp), Man Chong was eager to return home.
But I don’t know.
During his suffering.
Su Yu and Cao Cao are currently indulging in a life of extravagance and debauchery.
……