Many of the ores obtained from beyond the Great Wall were meteorites, a fact Qin Mu only discovered some time after returning to Shuofang. This demonstrates that meteorites are indeed abundant beyond the Great Wall. However, Qin Mu primarily needed ordinary ores, both for civilian use in Shuofang and for upgrading the weapons of the Six Doors constables. Both required large quantities of ores.
Fortunately, this time he made good relations with the four major families of Tianshui. Through Baili Bing, he purchased a lot of ore and grain from Tianshui. These powerful families who occupied the area had no shortage of grain, and they sold a lot of it to Qin Mu. All Qin Mu gave in return was the Rugui Lou brand.
The term "franchise fee" appeared in this world for the first time. Qin Mu used the design drawings of Ruguilou, along with the menu and management methods, to exchange for a large amount of grain.
Qin Mu offered two franchising options. The first was a buyout: Qin Mu would provide the design plans, menu items, and management methods, and then the partnership would be complete; he would no longer be involved in Ru Gui Lou's affairs. The second option was a long-term cooperative franchise, where the store's name would be prominently displayed on the signboard. Whenever Ru Gui Lou introduced new dishes in Chang'an, they would be promoted to these stores. Furthermore, Ru Gui Lou headquarters would periodically send personnel to inspect and guide the stores' operations and management.
Not only that, but customers of Rugui Lou's directly operated stores will also enjoy the right to priority purchase of Qin Mu's affiliated products, such as fine wines, furniture, and other products launched by Qin Mu in the future.
The four major families, of course, did not hesitate to choose directly operated stores, with five directly operated stores in one prefecture and four counties, and construction started simultaneously.
Qin Mu couldn't help but admire the choice of these aristocratic families. After all, they were families with a solid foundation, and their vision was not so short-sighted. They were also very willing to make sacrifices for those with whom they had a beneficial relationship.
While managing the people's livelihood, Zhang Gongjin was also actively preparing for war, mainly by repairing city walls and roads in preparation for the upcoming battles.
A battle was inevitable in the autumn; everyone knew this except for the ignorant common people. The common people might think that the Tang Dynasty's strength deterred the wolf tribes from making any moves, and that the Great Wall had a large military force to protect them.
But the wise among them understood that the wolf clan, having suffered such a great loss, couldn't possibly let it go unpunished. They knew that Shuozhou was one of the most important gateways southward, and now that it had been closed by the Tang Dynasty, how could they accept it willingly? Moreover, Liang Shidu had previously been their pet dog; even when beating a dog, one must consider its owner. If they didn't retaliate, who would listen to them in the future?
That's only one reason. Even if the Wolf Clan didn't make a move, the Tang Dynasty would. In the past two years, the Wolf Clan had been restless. Having followed Li Shimin since the Qin Prince's residence, how could Zhang Gongjin not understand this emperor who was inherently strong and warlike? Having only recently ascended the throne, it was precisely the time to establish his authority with a great victory. How could conquering Liang Shidu be enough for him?
This autumn, Shuozhou was a very important place, even if it wasn't the main battlefront. Zhang Gongjin, who was also a military general, would certainly not think that his contribution was too small. Even if he did a good job in preparation and logistics, his contribution would not be too small.
Zhang Gongjin was most pleased with Qin Mu. Looking at the heavy ears of rice in the fields, he couldn't help but sigh with a smile, "If it weren't for Huai Dao's help, we wouldn't have this scene today."
"You flatter me, Governor. I have only done my humble best," Qin Mu replied modestly.
He was quite satisfied with the scene before him. He deserved a large part of the credit for what had happened outside the city. He knew that although the people worked hard, most of the land in Shuofang had been abandoned, let alone irrigation. Even with fertile soil and good weather, the summer heat meant a lack of water.
If it weren't for the hard work of the triangular oxen in digging small ditches in the ground, it would have been impossible to irrigate so much land. Furthermore, Qin Mu personally led his students, teaching them how to measure, calculate, and dig these small ditches; even then, these irrigation ditches couldn't have been created. After all, these were just hastily arranged, temporary ditches; proper irrigation canals would still need to be built later.
"If it weren't for you, it would be a miracle if I could even manage to get things in Shuozhou sorted out these past few months. How could we have had such a bountiful summer wheat harvest and fields full of autumn rice?" Zhang Gongjin patted Qin Mu on the shoulder and sighed.
"I…"
Before Qin Mu could speak, Zhang Gongjin raised his hand to stop him, and continued looking at Qin Mu: "You don't need to be modest. I know what I'm doing. If it weren't for you managing Shuofang so well, so that other counties could learn from you, I wouldn't have had the energy to do anything else."
The grain you lent to Shuozhou helped them through their most difficult days, and I have already reported this to His Majesty. However, don't have too high hopes; the court is not wealthy either, and the chances of it returning to you are slim.”
Seeing Zhang Gongjin's apologetic smile, Qin Mu smiled understandingly and cupped his hands, saying, "General, please don't worry about it. I had already thought of this. Now that I am a third-rank official, it is impossible for me to be promoted. His Majesty will only bestow some land upon me."
But none of that matters. Saving the people and improving their lives is enough.
"Good! Good! To be wholeheartedly devoted to the people and to have the world in one's heart—this is the true scholar. I truly envy Uncle Bao for having such a fine son," Zhang Gongjin exclaimed.
"Governor, don't think that just because you praised me a few times, you'll make me forgive your debts. You promised to repay them with taxes." Qin Mu shrank back and looked at Zhang Gongjin warily.
"You brat, of course I won't forget," Zhang Gongjin said with a laugh. He knew Qin Mu was joking; the court had a three-year tax exemption, so where would the tax revenue come from? Although Qin Mu had said there was a way to make money without harming the people, Zhang Gongjin didn't believe him. He would never let Qin Mu do anything reckless and leave a stain on Qin Mu's childhood.
"The rice from Guanzhong ripens earlier, and the leaves should already be turning yellow by now," Qin Mu said thoughtfully, his brows furrowing slightly.
“Yes! The rice harvest has already begun in Jiangnan, while there should still be two more in Guanzhong.” Zhang Gongjin stroked his short beard and nodded slightly.
"In other words, the deployment of troops is imminent!" Qin Mu said, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
"After the rice harvest, the soldiers will assemble. There isn't much rice in Guanzhong, so the harvest is quick. The vanguard should set off in early September. They will arrive in Shuofang in mid-September."
"If I'm not mistaken, the imperial court has actually been preparing for war all along. If it weren't for the shortage of manpower, they could have already sent troops," Zhang Gongjin explained to Qin Mu.
Qin Mu was genuinely unaware of these matters. He had only ever led a few thousand or tens of thousands of troops before, and that was not for war. Even so, a great deal of preparation work was required. A large-scale mobilization by the imperial court involved hundreds of thousands, even millions, of soldiers and laborers. The amount of work involved was unimaginable.
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