The fourth leader exclaimed in amazement, "This Miss Li really knows how to do business; she's practically robbing people!"
Uncle Luo, being a businessman by trade, chuckled and said, "It's not like free lunches are going to fall from the sky. Why would we give them away for nothing?"
In this way, the problem of keeping warm was solved for the original 3,000 refugee soldiers of Black Wind Stronghold, and a batch of new recruits were also attracted.
At the same time, Ziyang Peak recruited three thousand soldiers, and the girl made a fortune, truly achieving multiple benefits in one fell swoop.
Of course, where there are people, there are conflicts and disputes. Some people feel it's not worth it and say that Li Ruo took advantage of the situation.
An old woman had just carried two thick cotton quilts back home when she started complaining, "My jade bracelet used to be worth a house, but it only bought me two quilts."
Her daughter-in-law saw this and said, "Yes, we should at least exchange some more grain for it."
Someone passing by mocked, "You keep talking about the past, but where are you going to find someone to change your blankets now?"
"Yeah, I heard the floodwaters won't recede for years. Can you even eat or wear all that stuff?"
The older woman pursed her lips, "But she can't be that dark-skinned."
These words quickly reached Li Ruo's ears, "You think I'm too dark-skinned?"
It would be best to give it to them for free, right?
But even if you give them to them for free, these people will still be very picky.
Li Ruo never considered herself particularly noble, much less a Bodhisattva like Guanyin.
“Yang Huahua, tell that old lady to return the quilt, and I will return the bracelet to her. When there is plenty of food and grain is cheap, this thing will be valuable. Keep it.”
Liao Fusheng provided receipts for every transaction, so it was easy to get them back.
Upon hearing this, the woman was so frightened that she clutched the quilt tightly, saying, "I was just saying it, please don't take it seriously, please don't take it seriously."
Half an hour later.
Li Ruo bought a large loudspeaker at the mall.
Walk to a crowded place and say in front of everyone, "Listen up, everyone!"
The refugees' ears were ringing.
Good heavens, whose voice is so loud!
"I am Li Ruo from Ziyang Peak! I solemnly tell you today that other people's food and clothing did not fall from the sky. While you were sleeping, while you still did not believe that the flood was coming, they were already making plans. Some even risked their lives to obtain them. Do you think they are worth anything? At this time, I am already being generous by offering them to you. If you still have any objections, you can expect to become corpses. This winter will be the coldest you have ever experienced!"
The echoes reverberated from the mountain.
Everyone: Holy crap, it's Miss Li? This shrewish roar is incredible!
Someone said, "That's right, times have changed. Try buying one elsewhere."
"This year is really cold, with sleet and snow. How are we supposed to survive?"
Complaining is useless; circumstances are beyond our control. Some people are quick to bring out all the things they still have hidden at home, preparing to replace two more beds.
Li Ruo sells more than just quilts.
They even sold some of their grain!
After two rounds, they had almost completely looted the gold and silver from the people on the mountain, even their land deeds, house deeds, and property deeds.
When people lose money and land, they have fewer ideas.
Next, because they have no means of production, they will sell their labor in exchange for supplies to survive.
We must rely on Black Wind Village and Purple Sun Peak.
Although this sounds a bit cruel.
But this was the only way, and Li Ruo used this method to completely control the people of General Mountain.
Because as long as one could survive by selling their labor, cannibalism incidents on the mountain almost ceased. But that's another story.
For Li Ruo and Xie Xiao, the pressure has undoubtedly increased significantly.
The newly formed army needed food, but the weather was terrible and production was limited. On Ziyang Peak, they basically relied on the food stored in her space—fortunately, there was enough.
At Black Wind Stronghold, the grain that Xie Xiao had stockpiled in preparation for a rainy day, and the grain that he later robbed of Song Zhijing, the Prince of Runan, and the Princess of Yongjia, might not be enough to sustain them for long.
"With the current number of people, how long can your food last?" Li Ruo asked Xie Xiao during the meeting.
Because the two gangs cooperated more closely, they would hold meetings from time to time.
Xie Xiao said, "A year and a half is not a problem." Their current army is twice what it used to be, now numbering ten thousand.
"What about a year and a half from now?" Uncle Luo asked with a worried expression. "If it rains like this again next year, we won't be able to grow any crops."
At this moment, the fifth leader returned.
"Boss, General Zhao's information about the Xuzhou granary is true. That granary was a reserve warehouse set up by the Ministry of Revenue to prepare for war. It is estimated to contain about 200,000 catties of grain, as well as clothing and cloth. It is quite well hidden and built halfway up the mountain. Although it was flooded, the water is only about 5 zhang deep."
"Two hundred thousand catties!" Upon hearing this, several key members of Black Wind Village were eager to try. "Even half of it would be great."
"Boss, hurry up! Let's take some people who are good swimmers and go with General Zhao and the others to retrieve that grain," the fourth leader said, slapping his thigh.
The third leader rolled his eyes at him. "Fourth brother, you're always so impulsive. First of all, can we trust General Zhao? Don't stab us in the back."
Xie Xiao said, "Old Zhao is still trustworthy; the problem isn't with him."
The fourth leader asked, "What is that? Boss, if we hesitate any longer, it will get even colder and we'll have to wait until next year. If the grain is soaked until then, it really won't be edible."
Li Ruo said, "How about we wait a few days and see?"
In the book, the fact that Xie Xiao was able to meet the Prince of Jiangning there indicates that the Prince of Jiangning was also keeping an eye on that granary, waiting to see what he would do before making his move.
Xie Xiao glanced at her. "That's exactly what I was thinking. Let's wait a few more days."
The fourth leader, with his impatient nature, sighed and even considered taking his own men.
After the meeting, Xie Xiao grabbed Li Ruo and asked, "What do you mean by making me wait a few days?"
Li Ruo couldn't very well say that she learned from a book that his trip would be dangerous, could she? "When I was making offerings to my father a couple of days ago, he said to be careful lately."
Moreover, that granary is so important that the imperial court is definitely keeping an eye on it. What if you work so hard to salvage it, only to have it stolen by someone else? That would be a huge loss.
Xie Xiao smiled. "That makes sense. But do you know there's another reason why I'm hesitant to act rashly?"
"Why?"
"Because in my dream, I vaguely went to Xuzhou and was ambushed by the Prince of Jiangning. Xie Ying was seriously injured. Although I can prevent her from going this time, the process is still fraught with danger. I don't want the other brothers to die."
Li Ruo's heart stirred slightly. "I see. So what's your plan?"
It's impossible for him to give up such a large amount of supplies.
Moreover, if they don't get it, it will benefit the Prince of Jiangning.
Xie Xiao's eyes flashed, "What if the Prince of Jiangning makes the first move, and we follow?"
"You mean we let them retrieve the grain, and then we'll rob them?"
That's a great idea! Her space can hold much more at once; she can take his entire ship.
But the premise is that they can't see it; if someone sees it, the system won't allow it to be collected.
“That’s right.” Xie Xiao looked at her, “but this mission is quite far away and it’s cold, so you shouldn’t go.”
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