Looking at the somewhat rough topographical map, Zheng Boyuan thought for a moment and said, "Actually, in recent years, the Great Yan has been recuperating and its army is strong. If they were to use the strength of the whole country, they could really fight against the Great Liang. But if that were to happen, it would be a hardship for the common people."
Xu Di stared at the areas bordering the Great Yan on the map, pondered for a long time, and said, "What you said is indeed true, but now, it is indeed difficult to select famous generals from the court. When you go this time, don't think too much. Just do your job well. Fortunately, these soldiers were originally under Lord Feng's command. Our family and the Feng family also have some connection, so they will take care of you."
Zheng Boyuan, holding the transfer order, led his entourage and rode at full speed from Penglai to the capital.
Needless to say, the journey was arduous. Zheng Boyuan had been away from home for many years and hadn't really lived in the Zheng family mansion properly. Although he was now nominally the head of the family, if possible, Zheng Boyuan would like to stay at home for a longer period of time this time.
After receiving the official report that Xu Rao had been appointed as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Xu Di no longer wanted to sell the Jurchen warhorses to the court. The money for these horses would have to come from the Ministry of Revenue, and Xu Di naturally understood that the Ministry of Revenue had no money. If it were someone else, he could shamelessly ask them for money, but could he do that to his own father? Although it was a matter of public affairs, Xu Di couldn't bear to see his father in a difficult position. Therefore, Xu Di set his sights on General Wang, the maternal uncle of the eldest prince in the southwest.
Xu Di had originally discussed with Zheng Boyuan the idea of selling the warhorses currently grazing on the wasteland outside Penglai County to the imperial court. However, before they could implement this plan, Xu Rao was transferred back to the capital, and Zheng Boyuan left as well. Xu Di then began to consider the possibility of selling them to the southwest. After thinking about it for two days, he felt that the matter was very feasible. What he lacked now was a middleman who could help him go to the southwest to discuss this deal with General Wang in person.
Xu Di didn't want to show up himself because he thought he could profit from this rare commodity and squeeze as much silver as possible out of General Wang. General Wang had been entrenched in the southwest for many years. What was abundant there? Silver mines, of course. Surely General Wang had some silver in stock.
With this idea in mind, Xu Di sent one of his eloquent guards to the southwest to spread the word that Xu Di had acquired a large number of warhorses from Liaodong.
Although the Jurchens were a fishing and farming people, they were brave and skilled in battle. Their warhorses were well-bred, plump and strong. Although they were somewhat listless when they were first brought over, after being cared for for so long, the horses looked extremely spirited.
Xu Di had some businesses operating secretly in the southwest, including not only goods stores but also restaurants. He also secretly held shares in some of these businesses. Xu Di even had business dealings with some local chieftains in the southwest. After all, Xu Di hadn't just been traveling all over the country for the past few years.
The guard named Wang Suiyun was a descendant of the Shen family army. He was quite an anomaly. While others diligently practiced martial arts, he was very interested in doing business. Before he followed Xu Di, he was in charge of managing many of the business dealings between the manor and the outside world. When Xu Di came to the manor to select manpower, he originally wanted to choose a few people with high martial arts skills. However, after meeting Wang Suiyun, he immediately decided on him, which surprised the people on the manor.
Over the years, Wang Suiyun had followed Xu Di to many places. He was familiar with most of Xu Di's businesses. Since Xu Di didn't have time to inspect various places, Wang Suiyun handled these matters. He also took care of the people he had placed in the southwest. As the agent for those businesses in the southwest, it was naturally best for him to negotiate with General Wang.
Wang Suiyun rode swiftly to the southwest. As the local general, Wang Junzhuo had business dealings with many of the local bigwigs. The silver produced in those silver mines that had not been reported to the imperial court had to go through certain procedures to become legal. Wang Junzhuo cooperated with these bigwigs, buying and selling their goods, and then reselling them to turn that silver into his own legal income.
As the largest leather and wool merchant in Southwest China, Wang Suiyun had a very good relationship with Wang Junzhuo's head manager. This time, Wang Suiyun also had the idea of contacting Wang Junzhuo's head manager first.
Wang Suiyun doesn't spend much time in the Southwest each year. Every time he comes, he visits Wang Junzhuo. Before visiting, Wang Junzhuo always chats with his head manager for a while and presents him with some local specialties. This time was no exception. He presented some seafood from Dengzhou. Although they were all processed, the kelp, wakame, dried shrimp, and even dried fish were all very popular.
After chatting with the shopkeeper for a few moments, Wang Suiyun realized that this was a very opportune time to bring up the sale of these warhorses with Wang Junzhuo. Wang Junzhuo's military pay hadn't arrived last year, and the soldiers' salaries were all paid out of his own pocket. If you want the horses to run, you have to feed them. The soldiers followed Wang Junzhuo; they only recognized him as their general. If Wang Junzhuo told them that the imperial pay hadn't arrived and he wouldn't pay them, just wait and see if these soldiers would still be willing to endure the hardships.
Last year, Wang Junzhuo paid his own military pay. This year, he went to great lengths to get some money back, though not much. He then decided to cull the old and weak warhorses and sell them to the local chieftains. But when it came to selling them, the price was entirely up to Wang Junzhuo.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
