Three Kingdoms

Xu You previously reported to Yuan Shao that Zheng Xi's taking of the elixir was just a side dish, and the big meal was yet to come.

Would Xu You be satisfied that he was just running an errand for Yuan Shao to find out some information, and then just throw it aside like the used one, and wait until Yuan Shao remembered it again before washing it and using it again?

Obviously not.

Although Xu You said that as long as you have me in your heart, it will be fine, and there is no need for any title or position, but in fact, he still wants to seize the opportunity and quickly get to the position. Who knows what other stores are there after passing this village? , just like anyone who doesn’t want to be a real wife is not a good mistress.

Xu You took a trip to Pingyang and suddenly felt that his horizons were broadened. He discovered that in addition to people's livelihood and political affairs, there was also very significant room for manipulation in business matters! In terms of strategy, government affairs, etc., he admitted that he was indeed no match for those guys, but when it came to doing business, I was definitely better than anyone else!

With such a strong belief, Xu You coughed, cleared his throat, and said in a very serious manner. Although his three strands of beard were curled up, it was inevitable that there was still a little cunning look revealed: "Zheng Xi I once said that I would like to serve under Duke Ming and provide military equipment, war horses and other items to help Duke Ming in his great cause, but..."

"What's the matter?" Yuan Shao asked.

"What Zheng Xi said... all of them can be presented to the Ming Dynasty. However, these weapons and weapons all require manual mining, smelting, hammering and forging. Most of them are not easy, so they can be reduced from the original price... Haha, 20%, if Ming Gong has no money to borrow food, so he can send some refugees to Bingbei and provide some transportation funds... Ming Gong only needs to take care of the caravan as much as possible..." Xu You looked at Yuan Shao and slowly said.

Yuan Shao stroked his beard and thought about it.

If Fei Qian, the General of the Expedition to the West, said that he would give it away for nothing, Yuan Shao would find it a bit unbelievable. The so-called courtesy for nothing is a crime or a theft. Yuan Shao is not a three-year-old child, so how can he believe that there are free gains in the world? Therefore, when Xu You said that the cost of transportation and construction costs would be included in the expedition to the west, and even said that he could use manpower to offset the cost of weapons, Yuan Shao found it acceptable.

Jizhou's population ranks at least among the top three in the world...

These untouchables usually try their best to survive when they are told to have fewer children, but now they are going to war, and when they are asked to give birth to more and have more manpower, they run away desperately. It is really a headache. The refugees captured in the four fields were originally used as laborers, but if they can be given to Zhengxi in exchange for some weapons and equipment, it would not be bad. Anyway, Zhengxi did not say that all of them should be strong. Besides, if Zhengxi wanted to Yuan Shao would definitely not give him strength.

There are still some captured Youzhou who have surrendered their troops and civilians. The soldiers are okay and they have been collected as much as possible. But the women, children, old and young among them should be moved inward. There is no place they are willing to take. They can be killed. If the news spreads, will anyone surrender? ?

I am worried about wasting food and grass every day...

Xu You raised his eyes and glanced at Yuan Shao's expression again. Seeing that he seemed to be a little moved, he said: "I was sent as an envoy to Pingyang and observed the changes in the market. I gained a lot of insights... When I arrived at Pingyang at the beginning of the expedition to the west, the soldiers If it is less than a thousand, it will be less than ten. Now the army is strong and the horses are prosperous. Why? Because we have promoted farming and mulberry cultivation, we have launched a large-scale trade... So I thought, Yuan Hao, Gong Ze and others are well versed in farming and mulberry farming and people's livelihood. They can help. Ming Gong, only business matters... If Ming Gong is interested, I am willing to do my part and establish Humao and Bian to increase wealth and supply the needs of Ming Gong's great cause..."

Yuan Shao pondered.

In a war, it is definitely not just a matter of sending out a few soldiers or generals. Look at the camp where Yuan Shao is now. It has only been established in northern Jizhou for less than half a year. It is already a noisy scene of people and horses, no less than a village or town.

It is not an easy task for tens of thousands of people to travel to northern Hebei. It requires more supplies. In addition, in preparation for a long-term war, the number of military supplies and food to be prepared is even more astonishing.

For transportation, mules, horses and vehicles are naturally needed. These important things for marching must come and go almost every two or three days. Then there are countless service organizations that accompany the army from the soldiers down.

The mules and horses’ harnesses and fodder must be prepared. In the winter, these mules and horses will inevitably lose some weight. Now they need to be active, and they may be ready to fight at any time, so they must re-adapt to the battle. The sound of fighting with golden drums. Among them, those who serve as draft horses and pack horses also need to gain weight to make it easier for them to walk long distances.

Although the total number of horses, mules and horses in Yuan Shao's army is not as amazing as that of General Zhengxi, it still takes up a lot of manpower. Even the main camp is not enough to hold such a big scene. They all go to the horse farm specially set up for the army in the valley to the south. Do these preparations.

The maintenance of long-distance vehicles is also a technical job. In this era, there are hundreds of various parts and utensils on a large vehicle. If something is left aside for a long time, it will either rust, rot, or be incomplete. Most need to be refurbished. A special blacksmith shop was set up in the camp, and a furnace was set up to make missing iron parts for carts. At the same time, wood is also consumed, and it needs to be constantly transported in, sawn or planed, making the camp look like a workshop.

Military equipment needs to be counted, sorted and placed, and the accompanying grain also needs to be protected from moisture, insects and rats. The trivial matters are scary...

Big bags of rice and wheat, piles of horse materials, arrows and crossbows from all over Jizhou, are constantly transported here, ready to be sent to the front line at any time, or one day they can reach Yijing City. Although so many supplies have been allocated at the moment, they are still not very sufficient in fact, and there are still many deficiencies. This is also the reason why Yuan Shao has not launched an offensive against Gongsun Zan.

Once an offensive is launched, it is impossible without follow-up supplies. In terms of these preparations for the northern Jizhou camp alone, I am afraid that they need to be doubled again, which is almost enough, and these materials will naturally cost money. At the same time, these materials need to be transported into the camp from all over Jizhou. It also costs money to hire mules, horses and vehicles. It also costs money to hire military servants. Although some civilians are captured to serve as laborers, after all, they still belong to the camp. The people of Jizhou should not be too cruel.

In addition to food and grass, the army also needs to pay these soldiers. Although the Jizhou nobles are currently perfunctory, it does not mean that Yuan Shao can use this reason to not pay anything to these soldiers.

Although Yuan Shao is slightly embarrassed at the moment, the Yuan family's savings over the past century are still considerable at this moment, so they can still sustain it to some extent, but it would be good to have more sources. In real history, even after Yuan Shao was defeated in the Battle of Guandu, he could still muster a large number of troops. If Yuan Shao hadn't been severely beaten and died of illness, he would still have the ambition to cross the river. , the final outcome of Yuan Shao and Cao Cao is still open to debate.

Yuan Shao thought about it again and again, but nodded. Since Xu You is willing to shoulder the burden and give it a try, why not allow it? Even the son's body was sold here. As a result, the noble nobles in Jizhou seemed not to be satisfied. Therefore, if the family could control a business center, it would be good...

…………………………

Zhao Yun took some guards and patrolled the camp as usual. The army is temporarily stationed. The chief general of the army will inspect once every two hours, and the deputy general will inspect once an hour. Military law is strict, and those who are lazy and slack will be subject to military law.

Fei Qian, the general who conquered the west, led his army northward. Naturally, it was impossible not to prepare some generals to accompany the army, so he transferred Zhao Yun back from Hedong, leaving Tai Shici to guard Hedong.

Zhao Yun and other senior generals have changed into new equipment this year. They are all wearing black light armor and a blood-red cloak. They are solemn and solemn. Even a big-faced person like Zhao Yun wears it and adds a certain majesty.

General Zhengxi's expenditure on armor and equipment has always been staggering. Not to mention weapons, even the two-tier armor worn by ordinary soldiers like vests in later generations has gradually been replaced by the sleeve armor. , this Xiaoxiu armor was used by the princes in other regions as an armor equipped only for upper-level officers, but now it is equipped by ordinary soldiers in Fei Qian's army.

With strong equipment, the sense of self-honor in the army will be stronger. In addition, Fei Qian is following the route of elite soldiers. When the elite soldiers directly under his command are released, the ordinary soldiers can change their positions, so they become more arrogant. Whoever sees him on weekdays Du was proud of himself, but he couldn't stand up in front of Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun patrolled the camp all the way, looking around with a cold face, everyone he saw was solemn. Everyone knows that this young general is a ruthless man who doesn't talk much and abides by military discipline. He is really not to be messed with. If we were idle and stationed in Pingyang, we would occasionally fight for two coins, have some drinks, etc., that would be fine. Now, once we send out troops, although it is not yet time to fight, it is equivalent to marching according to military law. In addition, Everyone is dissatisfied with the merits Zhao Yun has accumulated over the years, so no one has the kindness to offend him if he gets into trouble.

Wei Du secretly brought some drinks two days ago, but he was caught by Zhao Yun. He didn't show any kindness before, and ordered forty lashes without saying a word! Even though Wei Du begged for mercy and tried to keep the wine, it was still in vain. Not only was the wine confiscated on the spot, but such a thick and rough man also spent two days lying on the baggage car!

So when Zhao Yun glanced over, these soldiers would concentrate more on their work if they had something to do, and if they had nothing to do, they would stand solemnly, standing upright, not even daring to take a breath.

After patrolling the camp, Zhao Yun turned around and returned to Fei Qian. He met Du Yuan who came to look for Fei Qian. The two were discussing something. When Zhao Yun saw this, he wanted to evade first, but Fei Qian stayed behind.

Fei Qian said with a smile: "We, as horses, can open up new territories when we are on horseback, and we can guard the territory and people when we are dismounted. Zilong will also need to sit on one side in the future. There is no need to avoid it. Just listen. If you have any questions, you can ask..."

Zhao Yunma can be said to be invincible at every step. He stands upright, has strict military discipline, and can share the joys and sorrows with the soldiers. He is simply the seed of a natural famous general. However, after all, he is a bit simpler, perhaps related to his origin. In history, he is like a complete He was not influenced by the big dyeing vat, and it was still the same even when he arrived in Sichuan. He was not affected by the so-called "young people will not enter Sichuan, and old people will not leave Shu" in later generations. Some things are still stubborn and offending.

Zhao Yun is not necessarily unintelligent. He comes from a poor family, and he is more or less from a poor family. Over the years, he has also known that the great Han Dynasty has gradually collapsed, and the various princes are basically running their own territories as independent kingdoms.

Zhengxifei dive here is no exception.

But having said that, when Zhengxi Feiqian came to Bingbei, the imperial court did not give much help. Therefore, one cannot blame Fei Qian for treating Bingbei's army as his own soldiers. After all, interests come first in many things. Therefore, it is impossible to say that Fei Qian owes the court anything, and it cannot be said that the court owes Fei Qian anything. Therefore, Fei Qian now uses the name of the Han Dynasty Court. As long as Fei Qian does not rebel, he can always be in Bingbeiguan and other places. If he can stand firm, I am afraid that the soldiers and generals under his banner will always be loyal to him.

Including Zhao Yun. So since Fei Qian had such a request, Zhao Yun sat aside and listened.

Du Yuan raised his hands to Zhao Yun as a gesture. After a moment of silence, he seemed to have made up his mind and said in a deep voice: "My lord, Zijing has been in Xihe for more than a month, organizing people and teaching the science of farming and mulberry... But, This method of intensive farming... After all, Xihe is a mixed-race place of Hu and Han people. If this knowledge of farming and mulberry farming is spread... I hope my lord will think twice..."

Xihe was originally a large county during the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, but now it has shrunk to the point where only a few larger counties, Lishi and Jiexiu, are left. Fortunately, after Fei Qian captured Yinshan, he temporarily unified Yinshan into Xihe Management was carried out, and in this way the prototype of a large county was barely restored.

It is precisely because of the situation before Xihe that there are not many nobles who have passed down traditional poems and books, but there are some handsome men who have combined with the Hu people. On weekdays, they put on Han clothes and pretend to be scholars, throwing down their books and covering their heads. The kind of person who can look like a horse thief with his face, but because he is not very strong, Cui Jun still used some airs when he was there. As a result, Zhengxi was replaced by Du Yuan. When he saw the momentum of Zhengxi behind Du Yuan, he He immediately changed his body, showing that he was a beautiful sheep, light and soft, easy to push down...

Therefore, Du Yuan didn't have much favorable impressions of these people, so he was a little confused. Zao Zhi had already led people to launch a pilot project to promote mulberry farming in Xihe. These big-tailed wolves in sheep's clothing were also busy following Zao Zhi. After walking, even though these guys didn't have much ink in their stomachs, the knowledge of farming and mulberry farming that could increase the yield per acre still made their eyes glow green, making them drool all the way.

According to Du Yuan's idea, they should be screened and suitable candidates should be selected to teach these farming techniques. Only in this way can Fei Qian's interests be ensured and the technology will not be lost.

After Du Yuan finished speaking, he looked at Fei Qian with some anxiety. After all, Zao Zhi came to Xihe to promote mulberry farming technology and must have received Fei Qian's permission. But now Du Yuan is calling it mutual discussion at best, and disobeying Fei at worst. With a hidden will, even Zhao Yun, who was listening in the audience, cast his eyes over with some worry...