The factory's business is booming, and one person wishes he could do the work of two people. But there is no other way. We cannot send the soldiers who are good at arranging troops and fighting to become businessmen. Then who will guard the pass and defend against foreign invaders?
Although the relationship between Huangmo Pass and the foreign tribes has been relatively stable thanks to Lord Lin's trade, the effects of the economic war have yet to be seen. Perhaps the foreign tribes are also cunning and know that they are boiling the frog in warm water, so they are making the tribesmen wary? Or perhaps they already have a countermeasure?
Never let your guard down at any time. This is the principle of the Xing family army at Huangmo Pass. If they had not deployed in advance, how could they have retreated to Huangmo Pass safely? They also did not want to lose Yishu Pass and Xiding Pass, but the imperial court was too incompetent. Food and military pay had not been allocated for more than two years, and it seemed as if they were letting the Xing family army fend for themselves.
The people of Huangmo Pass also have complaints about trading with foreign races. On the one hand, it has indeed improved their living standards, but on the other hand, they are the ones guarding Huangmo Pass. Now that they are trading, these people can eat well and dress warmly. What if they come back and attack again?
Han Wenjing asked Lin Rui about this. Lin Rui thought for a moment and shook his head, saying, "It's not a big deal. The competition for supremacy in the Central Plains also depends on the principle of first come first served. The foreign forces in the south are at their peak, and they and the princes have each occupied the major grain-producing counties to ensure the subsequent food supply. Even if the Dirong and Tak tribes formed an alliance and broke through the Huangmo Pass, they would be defeated and suffered countless casualties. If they faced those tribes, they would either fight to the death or be annexed."
"Furthermore, if the Xing army could be breached and lost so easily, they wouldn't have held Huangmo Pass, Yishu Pass, and Xiding Pass for over twenty years. Huangmo Pass is in ruins now. Even if they took it, what would happen to commercial agriculture and the people? If the war spreads and the people of Huangmo Pass flee, will the herdsmen from the grasslands still be able to farm?"
"Being annexed and having no sovereignty, or cooperating with Huang Moguan to have enough food and clothing, what would you choose if you were the Khan of those tribes?"
Han Wenjing, Xu Shaoxuan and others nodded repeatedly after hearing this. This was indeed the truth, but they didn't know whether tribes like Dirong would develop as expected.
"The Dirongtaktaka tribe on the grassland has over 10,000 men in total. Their cavalry can defeat ten of their own. If the ice on the Huangmo River doesn't freeze, they'll have to take a detour to attack us. So, we should seize the pass and prepare for both scenarios."
Chen Zhidong also nodded: "Master Lin is absolutely right. We should indeed make preparations for both scenarios."
Lin Pingyu: "Recently, many people have wanted to register their household registration in Huangmo Pass from Baituo Town. I have been putting people on hold and need to ask the Major General for a decision."
Xing Lie had been sitting at the head of the table, his composure unfazed. Ever since Lin Rui's arrival, the Xing family army's economy had grown exponentially. The silver earned from the factory in a few days was enough for him to buy thousands of kilograms of grain for the various fiefdoms. Despite strict orders from those fiefdoms to block the export of grain, many merchants were willing to take the risk for such a huge fortune, provided the silver was in hand.
The merchants were minor figures among them, but some high-ranking officials and royal relatives in the fiefdoms of the princes also got involved in this muddy water in order to make money.
Now Xing Lie couldn't help but wonder why there were always merchants willing to smuggle food to tribes like Takatak. It was because the other party gave enough. Just as Lord Lin said, when the profit of a commodity reaches 300%, many people trample on the law and override human life, becoming slaves to money.
But after hearing what Lin Pingyu said, Xing Lie couldn't remain calm anymore. He sat up straight in the armchair and asked, "Isn't Baituo Town good enough? Why did you come to Huangmo Pass?"
Lin Pingyu glanced at Lin Rui and said, "Master Lin, I'll have to explain this to you."
Lin Rui smiled bitterly: "Master Lin, please don't torture me."
Lin Pingyu and Lin Rui both have the surname Lin. Fortunately, there are few people working in the major general's camp, so everyone can recognize Lord Lin when they mention him.
Chen Zhidong usually chatted with Lin Rui more often, so he naturally knew more: "Lord Lin learned that the major general wanted to develop Huangmo Pass urgently, so he came up with a plan for a commercial district."
"Commercial district? What is a commercial district?" Xing Lie thought the word was very new.
Lin Rui explained, "The Major General envisioned a place where businesses could be gathered together. This way, ordinary people could have the same place to buy things. Unlike in the past, when buying small items like needlework required either waiting for a peddler or searching two alleys to find a shop, the establishment of a commercial district would save time and effort and boost consumption."
"Everything from food and clothing to housing and transportation can be sold here. Even foreign furs and wild vegetable specialties can enter the market. We encourage our local people to start small businesses to supplement their family income. If they earn more money, their lives will be better. Commercial taxes will also increase, and the Xing family army will have a huge and stable source of commercial taxes. Together with the hot pot factory, it can continuously provide the army with food and silver."
Xing Lie nodded repeatedly: "Great, great!" He looked at Lin Rui with admiration and patted him on the shoulder: "Master Lin, it's a pity that we met so late!"
Han Wenjing, Xu Shaoxuan, and other aides had previously advised him to find more capable and profitable businessmen to revitalize Huangmo Pass as quickly as possible. However, when they did find them, they simply shook their heads at their barren land, saying that even a god couldn't turn this barren land into a prosperous capital.
Now here comes Lord Lin, who seems to be gifted at making money. In just a short while, even the merchants and people of Baituo Town want to come to Huangmo Pass.
If this had happened a few years earlier, the Xing family army wouldn't have lost Yishu Pass and Xiding Pass!
Alas! But the reason why Lord Lin came early was the frequent natural disasters and the foreign cavalry. If this were the case, the people would have to suffer sooner.
The population of Lin Dynasty has been declining over the years, especially after the fall of Linjing. The population has dropped sharply. The princes have been fighting one after another, fighting each other for territory, and they have become dog-brained.
Today you and I are mortal enemies, and tomorrow you and I will unite to resist the iron cavalry of the alien race. However, we have not completely lost our minds. We know that those who are not of our race must have different hearts, and we know that joining the alien race will not bring us any good in the future.
The princes were incapable of empathizing with the common people; they only worried about their own interests. The aristocratic families who had come to rely on them were even more so, caring only about their own interests. They could support another king, but they absolutely could not allow foreign forces to undermine the power of the ruling dynasty, otherwise these aristocratic families would become the backbone of the court.
Lin Pingyu coughed twice, bringing everyone back to their senses.
Lin Pingyu looked at Xing Lie: "Major General, should I release those household registrations or..."
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