"That's right. Furthermore, cotton is beneficial to the development of Northeast China in our great Han Dynasty. This method is entirely beneficial to our great Han Dynasty!"

Liu Hong nodded, then looked at Zhao Zhong and said in a solemn voice, "Zhao Zhong, immediately notify all members of the Royal Trading Company and tell them to do everything they can to purchase cotton from the Western Regions! Buy it no matter the price..."

"promise!!"

"Furthermore... From now on, when the Royal Merchant Guild goes to the Western Regions, whether it is to buy cotton or sell goods, it will only accept the Han-made Wuzhu coin. I not only want the countries of the Western Regions to grow cotton for my Great Han, but I also want them to be able to use only the coins of the Great Han!"

Cao Song's eyes lit up: "Your Majesty's method is brilliant. In this way, the Western Regions can not only continuously supply wealth to our Han Dynasty, but our Han Dynasty can also firmly grasp the Western Regions without shedding a drop of blood!"

Sun Tzu said: The best strategy is to attack the enemy's plans; the next best is to disrupt their alliances; the next best is to attack their army; and the last best is to attack their cities.

While conquering cities and seizing territory is the most direct and effective method, it is also the most foolish one.

Although the national strength and military power of the Han Dynasty are on the rise, Liu Hong knows that the Han Dynasty cannot withstand a major war at present.

Even if the army wins the battle, the occupied territories will be difficult to recover in a short time, and will also consume the Han Dynasty's energy, seriously slowing down the Han Dynasty's development.

Therefore, Liu Hong has been using economic means to take advantage of the Han Dynasty to deal with them, in order to achieve economic and cultural invasion. Once the Han Dynasty is free to act, it will surely be able to defeat both the Western Regions and the grasslands in one fell swoop.

Inside the Deyang Palace, after a detailed discussion, Liu Hong, Cao Song, Zhao Zhong, and Lü Qiang finalized the various details of the economic war against the Western Regions over the next ten years.

Upon returning to the Royal Trading Company, Zhao Zhong immediately gathered the other ten members, including Zhang Zhong, together.

The group gathered together and chatted happily, their faces beaming with excitement and joy.

Now, backed by the Emperor and the court, and with the technical support of the Research and Manufacturing Bureau and three academies, the Royal Trading Company has, after nearly a year of development, produced almost all daily necessities. The Royal Trading Company can now be seen everywhere in the lives of the people in the Sili region, from clothing and food to housing and transportation.

Its business area has expanded rapidly to areas outside Sili, and royal merchant shops can be seen everywhere in the surrounding counties and prefectures near Sili.

These member families, relying on the vast resources of the Royal Trading Company, also made a fortune.

In particular, Zhao Ning and the Zhen and Mi families, who were among the first to pledge allegiance to Liu Hong, benefited the most. Their family assets naturally ranked among the top powerful families in the Han Dynasty, making them the envy of countless people.

Zhao Ning picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and then looked at Zhen Yu beside him, saying with a smile, "The caravan that Patriarch Zhen sent to the Western Regions has now returned fully loaded. It's truly enviable!"

Zhen Yu waved his hand: "Master Zhao, please don't make fun of me. Who here doesn't know that your Zhao family is now in the military industry and has also undertaken the construction of highways in Henan?"

"How could the little money I've earned possibly be of any interest to you?"

"Well, Patriarch Zhen, you're getting a bit too arrogant, aren't you? Your caravan alone brought back over a hundred women from the Western Regions. Add in the other goods, and you'll make at least six hundred million coins this time. And that's just small change...?"

Zhen Yu sighed softly, "Patriarch Zhao, you may not know this, but the people in the Western Regions are quite wealthy and basically self-sufficient. Their daily necessities are all provided by the nobles and officials there."

Aside from the nobles, ordinary people rarely trade with us, so many of our goods remain unsold. Fortunately, their goods are still popular in the Han Dynasty, otherwise we would have suffered losses!

Zhao Ning frowned: "Doesn't that mean that the Western Regions are only taking in and not giving out?"

Zhen Yu nodded: "Yes...!"

"Then what kind of business are you doing?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying..."

Several neighboring businesses also voiced their grievances.

For businessmen like Zhen Yu, although trading in the Western Regions was very profitable, it did not achieve the expected results. The original plan was to earn 1 billion, but they only earned 600 million, which was a loss.

"Attendant Zhao has arrived!!"

Just as everyone was discussing, Zhao Zhong came out from the back hall with a loud shout, and everyone hurriedly got up and went forward to greet him.

"We have met Attendant Zhao!"

"No need for such formalities, everyone!"

"Thank you, Attendant Zhao!"

After everyone was seated, Zhao Zhong looked around at them and then said, "I have invited you all here today to convey an imperial edict from His Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned serious, and they quickly stood up again.

"His Majesty has stated that cotton from the Western Regions is beneficial to our Great Han Dynasty, and has ordered our Royal Trading Company to purchase cotton from the Western Regions with all its might over the next few years. No matter how much you purchase, the Royal Garment Factory will buy it back at double the price..."

"We are acting under imperial decree!!"

Upon hearing this, everyone responded in unison, instantly realizing the enormous profits hidden behind the cotton purchase.

"Very good! Then, after you all return, immediately arrange for more people to go to the Western Regions..."

"promise!!"

Soon, these families, upon returning home, immediately began organizing caravans to prepare for their journey to the Western Regions.

Liu Hong also ordered that the cotton purchased by the court and Zhang Zhong be handed over to the royal clothing factory to be made into cotton clothes and quilts.

A few days later, after all the civil and military officials had received a set of cotton-padded clothes and quilts, these two winter-keeping items became highly sought after after the officials promoted them.

At the same time, the Royal Merchant Guild issued another cotton purchase order, setting the price at twenty coins per pound of cotton.

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