Lin Zicheng, Lin Zijun and Lin Changtai were carrying two baskets of bean sprouts, which were delivered by Lin Changxi in an ox cart early in the morning.
Now, of the four cows in Lin Rui's family, two of them are foreign cows that are kept in the fields to open up wasteland, and the other two, after being carefully raised by Lin Changfa for a period of time, are now used to do some simple chores, such as delivering bean sprouts to Lin Zicheng and his two companions during the day, and the other one is carried by Lin Rui and Sanliang to deliver bean sprouts to the military camp.
The three men had never done business or shouted before, so they felt a little restrained when faced with the sudden increase in the number of people at the market.
When the three of them came, they had originally planned to set up stalls separately on the way so as not to steal each other's business. However, as soon as they carried the bean sprouts into the market, many waiting people swarmed over them.
"Why aren't you the same guy from yesterday?"
"Are soybean sprouts still two cents a pound today?"
"I am the steward of Mr. Qian's family. I want to order 50 kilograms from you. From now on, I will send it to you every day whenever I have it."
"I want half a pound."
"I want two kilograms. This stuff is good. Children and adults like it."
Lin Changtai, Lin Zijun, Lin Zicheng and others started selling their goods without even taking a breath after putting the baskets on the ground. They were surrounded by people before they could even hawk their wares on the street as they had planned.
The bean sprouts made by the patriarch are not only loved by the people at the border, but also by the herdsmen of other ethnic groups. They either exchange them for the fur of gray rabbits or trade them for copper coins from the court.
They actually prefer furs, although they are badly damaged and the palm-sized furs are full of holes from archery practice, but they can be patched up to make gloves for the children, or some can be saved to make a breastplate.
Bean sprouts, a winter vegetable, have entered the homes of people in Huangmoguan since this year. Whether they are used to make soup or stir-fry, they have a unique crisp and tender taste. They are also fresh vegetables. Who can not love them in winter?
In the Xing family army camp, Xing Lie and his trusted advisors such as Han Wenjing, Xu Shaoxuan, Chen Zhidong and Lin Pingyu were discussing important matters.
Han Wenjing and Xu Shaoxuan put the salt they had bought from Lin Rui last time on the table. Each grain of salt was pure white, which made everyone present stunned.
Even Xing Lie, who always prided himself on being knowledgeable, couldn't help but wonder, "What is this? Salt?"
Han Wenjing nodded: "The young general really has a keen eye, it is indeed salt."
Seeing this, Chen Zhidong couldn't help but pinch some in his palm, then licked it with his tongue to taste it, his eyes widening: "It's really salt! But...but how can it be so white? The salt in our salt warehouse can't compare to this."
Xu Shaoxuan continued, "Not only that, but the merchant heard from foreign merchants that this salt is added with a medicine called iodine."
Xing Lie raised his angular face, frowned slightly, and asked curiously, "Iodine?"
Xu Shaoxuan didn't really understand what the iodine Lin Rui was describing was, but he did know its effects clearly: "The merchant said that if you eat this salt, you won't get goiter. In short, it's magical."
Xing Lie looked at the scattered salt in front of him that looked like a small snow mountain and said, "This is really good stuff."
Han Wenjing also nodded. "Yes, he spent half a pound of salt to exchange for two oxen from the foreign tribes. He gave me the other half pound in exchange for merchant qualifications. Merchants are profit-driven. You see, as soon as he escaped the plight of fleeing famine, he started thinking about making money."
Lin Pingyu waved his feather fan. "Actually, the existence of such merchants is actually a good thing for Huangmo Pass. Only merchants can revitalize this remote city."
"It's difficult. You also said it's remote. If it were that easy, so many guards of Huangmo Pass wouldn't have to endure such hardship for their entire lives."
"That's not necessarily true. Others are others, but the Xing Family Army is the Xing Family Army."
"Alright, alright, I won't give you any salary increase despite your flattery." Xing Lie knocked on the table with his fingers, making a dull "dong dong" sound, which silenced the conversation among the think tanks.
Xing Lie looked at Han Wenjing: "Have you asked this merchant if he can find the foreigners from before?" Anyone with a discerning eye can see the preciousness of this snowflake salt. Salt and iron have been highly profitable industries since ancient times. If the method of refining this snowflake salt is mastered, the Xing family army will no longer have to worry about military expenses.
Han Wenjing shook his head regretfully. "Major General, I've already thought about this. But that merchant was only found by chance through trade with foreign nations. Since the turmoil in the Lin Dynasty, the ports for trade with foreign nations have long been closed. Foreign nations are unwilling to risk the danger of continuing to trade with Lin Dynasty merchants. Trying to track down that foreigner in this chaotic time is like looking for a needle in a haystack!"
Xing Lie sighed heavily in disappointment, stood up and paced back and forth in the study. "This won't work, and that won't work. If this continues for long, I'm afraid the Xing family army's financial and material resources will be difficult to sustain. My father may not be able to withstand the pressure and marry into the Xinyang Marquis!"
Han Wenjing, Chen Zhidong, and the others couldn't help but stare wide-eyed. "Absolutely not! The Marquis of Xinyang is the epitome of a nobleman. He's so proud of his status that he enslaves and exploits the people, squandering their wealth. Marrying such a man would only chill the hearts of the soldiers at the border!"
Xu Shaoxuan also said, "Major General, what Mr. Han and Mr. Chen said is absolutely right. The main reason why the Xing family army is invincible is that the soldiers are united. What kind of army is the Xinyang Marquis's army? They are all drunkards who live for the moment. Even if I have no contact with them, I can hear about the Xinyang Marquis's soldiers burning, killing, looting, and raping people's wives and daughters. How can they let a wolf into the house and ruin the atmosphere of the entire Huangmo Pass?"
"I heard that Yishu Pass is just a facade of peace, but it's actually hell on earth."
"The Marquis of Xinyang is a spineless man who only dares to oppress his own people. I fear that one day he will ally with foreign tribes and expose our Huangmo Pass to attack from all sides. These jackals and tigers must be killed as soon as possible. Comparing them with our Xing Family Army would only bring disgrace to the Xing Family Army."
Xing Lie rubbed his head and said, "My father meant to unite first and then annihilate."
"What?" Xu Shaoxuan's eyes widened. "Are you using a beauty trap? Sacrificing your beauty, Major General?"
Xing Lie covered his face with his hands, looking as if he didn't want to talk, which was considered as his tacit agreement with this statement.
Han Wenjing shook his head. "That's not right. If the old general and the deputy general turn against each other and ruthlessly kill the Yue family, the dirty water will never be washed away. If they compete for supremacy in the future, who would dare to unite with our Xing family army? Wouldn't they be constantly on guard against our Xing family army's backstab?"
"This doesn't work, that doesn't work, nothing works. What can be done? You guys should think of a solution for me!" Xing Lie banged the table loudly. What he wanted was a staff who could solve problems, not a staff who would give him difficult questions again and again!
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