I Built a Territory in Ancient Times

In addition, all the way west, you can build official residences in suitable places. It is convenient for the caravan to rest, and of course its supporting facilities must be improved. These are all places that need to spend money.

Ming Yu believes that after the rise of the Xiqi Corridor, there will be more caravans coming and going, and people will inevitably live together, and then gradually develop into large and small towns. In this way, the administrative capital of the Xiqi Corridor must also be built, which means that there must also be a plan, so that every part of the construction of the Xiqi Corridor is realistic, and there can be no negligence.

Therefore, not a cent of the money that should be spent in the early stage of the construction of the Xiqi Corridor can be saved. Ming Yu has only roughly calculated a few accounts, and his heart has already started to hurt. These budgets are really like running water! It seems that the first batch of funds he raised will bottom out soon.

However, there are priorities. The most important thing is to train troops and build defenses. This is the top priority. The progress of Mo Jiang's recruiting work is still very good, and many people have responded. So far, more than half of the recruits have been recruited.

He guards the soldiers of the battalion, and can train a brigade of troops by simply pulling one out. If you step up your training, it will only take a year and a half to have a fight.

Although there are so many things, Ming Yu has a plan, as long as the people underneath can implement the details of the plan step by step. Therefore, people up and down Liangzhou began to act, and the entire Liangzhou was like a machine, running rumble.

Gradually, merchants came to send follow-up silver taels, and many well-informed merchants learned the news and had an idea to go to places where food and materials were cheap to buy. Then they will be transported to Liangzhou, and once they are sold, they will be able to cover their half-year trading income in one trip.

The goods from Liangzhou are then shipped to the south, which is another benefit. They traveled back and forth. Although they worked hard, they could think of the money they earned, no matter how much suffering they suffered, they would still be happy.

The Ma family became the biggest winner this time. They waited for about half a month, and when the watermelons were ripe, they took all the watermelons in their pockets. Because of the publicity effect of Ming Yu, after these watermelons were returned to Beijing, officials and nobles rushed to buy them at high prices.

They have all heard that the emperor and the concubines of the harem like to eat this watermelon. Before King Duan presented it to His Majesty, only the royal clan and several important officials in the court were fortunate enough to taste it. Now that some people are selling watermelons, how could they not seize the opportunity to buy them and try them?

It is a pity that it is too expensive, but a small piece will cost more than ten taels of silver. But this is the case. Watermelons are in short supply, and many people miss the opportunity a little later and can't buy them.

In just two days, more than a dozen carts of watermelons were sold out. Ma Jinyu looked at the ledger, dumbfounded. Although they also spent a lot of money to buy watermelons, they earned several times the original amount.

"Father, it would be great if the watermelon trade could be done by our family alone." Ma Jinyu sighed, such a high profit is really reluctant to let go.

Ma Siyong shook his head, "How is this possible?"

Ma Jinyu frowned, "Father, we have already expressed our willingness to follow King Duan. It stands to reason that we are our own people. If we go to King Duan and talk to him, maybe we can do it?"

"You're thinking too easily." Ma Siyong disagreed with Ma Jinyu's words, "Not to mention that watermelon is a new specialty in Liangzhou, and how many merchants are staring at this area, no matter how big our Ma family is, it is impossible for us to communicate with all merchants. Besides, King Duan has his own plans, so why would he treat us differently because of our Ma family?”

Having said this, he paused for a while, then turned his head and said to Ma Jinyu very seriously: "Our Ma family follows the prince, we do it with our heart, and we must not cause trouble to the prince."

Ma Jinyu's expression froze, and he said solemnly, "Yes, father, son, keep this in mind."

Ma Siyong sighed, "Our Ma family seems to be full of flowers, but we can only know when we are the head of the family. Flowers are full of brocade, and we must be careful with every step under the fire. If you take half a step wrong, it may be It will be shattered. You must know that the higher you stand, the harder you fall. It’s just a merchant, too many people can step us into the mud.”

Ma Jinyu was stunned. He had never seen his father so helpless, and he had never heard his father worry so much about the Ma family's situation.

For a long time, their Ma family was at the top, but he never realized that even if the merchants stood at the top, their status was still the lowest. There is a saying that the wood show will be destroyed by the forest wind. If the Ma family does not restrain their sharpness, what good ending can they wait for?

Ma Jinyu's face was pale, and he was at a loss. Ma Siyong couldn't bear to see it. After all, it was his son, the future head of the Ma family, who realized these problems early on. For him, he didn't know whether it was right or wrong.

Thinking of this, he touched the top of Ma Jinyu's head lovingly, "Don't worry, my father can endure for a few more years, and he can help you pave the way. But now you have to grow up, you have to watch more and learn more, etc. One day, when the Ma family is in your hands, the Ma family will be stable."

Ma Jinyu was touched and nodded, "Yes! Father!"

"For King Duan, we must always remember our duty. Since the Ma family follows King Duan, King Duan knows that he will not treat us badly. Don't underestimate King Duan. King Duan is a man of great wisdom. It's not as much as him." Ma Siyong sternly taught.