"They want us to find ways to collect all the copper coins in Yizhou and exchange them with them for food, cloth, jewelry and other things."

"In addition, they also said that they would pay twice the price to acquire Shu Brocade."

Qiao Zhou did not hesitate and conveyed Jiang Wei's words to Huang Quan and others honestly.

Hearing this, the Yizhou people present were a little confused.

They originally thought that Cao Wei wanted them to be traitors and betray Liu Bei.

In the future, when Cao Wei attacks Yizhou, he will start an uprising in the rear.

But he didn't expect that Deng Ai, Jiang Wei and others would offer such conditions.

"What does Cao Wei mean?"

Zhang Yi frowned slightly.

"Cao Wei's move is so cruel. He doesn't need a knife to kill, and he doesn't need to see blood!"

Huang Quan figured it out and couldn't help but sigh.

"What does Gongheng (Huang Quan) mean by this?"

Ma Zhong looked at Huang Quan doubtfully.

"Let me ask you, what is Cao Wei's purpose in trading grain and jewelry with us? It can't be that they have good intentions, right?"

Huang Quan asked rhetorically.

Seeing that everyone was still a little confused, he patiently explained,

"The purpose of Cao Wei's move is very simple, which is to plunder Yizhou's copper coins. Have you forgotten what Dong Zhuo did back then?"

Although everyone present has never been to Chang'an, they have heard that Dong Zhuo minted low-quality and low-quality five-baht coins, which caused prices to skyrocket and the people were living in dire straits!

"As for Cao Wei's purchase of Shu brocade at a high price, I'm afraid he is following the example of Qi's plan to destroy the country by purchasing Lu's silk from Lu during the Spring and Autumn Period!"

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the textile technology of the Lu State was extremely developed, and the Lu silk produced was extremely popular.

With the help of Lu Guo, Lu State transferred a lot of money.

In order to contain Lu, Guan Zhong, the prime minister of Qi, came up with a trick. He suggested that Duke Huan of Qi and his ministers take the lead in wearing clothes made of Lu silk.

It didn't take long for people in Qi to take pride in wearing Lu silk clothes.

As a result, the supply of Lu silk exceeded the demand, and the price skyrocketed.

Seeing this situation, all the people in the State of Lu gave up farming and turned to weaving silk to make money.

As a result, not long after, Guan Zhong suddenly issued an order banning the import of Lu silk.

This will be a hard time for the State of Lu.

Not to mention the piles of Lugan in the warehouse that cannot be sold, the farmland is deserted and there is no food at all.

As a result, the treasury of the State of Lu was empty, and the people fled in large numbers. The monarch had no choice but to surrender like the State of Qi!

Although Yizhou has the fertile Chengdu Plain, it still lacks arable land.

As long as you give up farming for one season, there will be a food shortage the next year!

"What, Cao Wei's thoughts are so vicious?!"

"I'm just telling you, how could Cao Wei be so kind!"

When everyone heard this, they were shocked and angry!

"In my uncle's opinion, should we agree to Cao Wei's side?"

Qiao Zhou said tentatively.

Everyone fell silent, all looking at Huang Quan, waiting for his final decision.

Huang Quan touched his chin and fell into thought.

For Liu Bei, a foreigner, the local gentry in Yizhou like Huang Quan, Ma Zhong, etc. did not have a good impression of him.

After he stole the land of Shu and established himself as emperor, he did not reuse the Yizhou faction.

Waging war abroad also harmed the interests of the Yizhou faction.

As a result, Huang Quan, Ma Zhong and others were naturally a little dissatisfied with Liu Bei!

"Yunnan, you are the smartest among us, you might as well share your opinion."

Huang Quan suddenly raised his head and looked at Qiao Zhou.

Qiao Zhou thought for a moment and then said,

"In my nephew's opinion, we should agree to Cao Wei."

"Oh? Tell me in detail."

"Everyone, please listen to me. Whether it is Liu Yan and his son, or Liu Bei, what benefit will they bring to us when they rule Yizhou?"

Qiao Zhou asked calmly.

Everyone shook their heads.

Just kidding, Liu Yan, Liu Bei and others manage Yizhou. It would be good if the Yizhou faction is not suppressed. How can it be beneficial?

"If that's the case, then why should we help Liu Bei?"

Qiao Zhou sneered and said slowly,

"Now, all the thirteen states in the world, except Yizhou, have fallen into the hands of Cao Wei."

"How can the land of Yizhou resist Cao Wei's millions of soldiers?"

"Under such a situation, if Liu Bei continues to resist stubbornly, the people of Yizhou will only suffer!"

"But if we help Cao Wei, how can Cao Wei treat us badly after the world is peaceful?"

Including Huang Quan, everyone present showed expressions of deep understanding.

When Liu Bei entered Sichuan, except for 10,000 to 20,000 soldiers and horses, there was not much food and grass left.

Once they fight against Cao Wei, the people of Yizhou will not only have to contribute money and effort, but they may even have to risk their lives!

After all, Huang Quan and other Yizhou gentry were similar in nature to the Jiangdong gentry headed by the four major families of Gu, Lu, Zhu and Zhang.

They don't really care who rules them.

But what they care about is whether their own interests will be damaged!

After Qiao Zhou's persuasion, many people showed signs of excitement.

But Ma Zhong was a little worried and said,

"If Liu Bei knew about this..."

"Mr. Dexin, please rest assured that whether it is buying and selling grain, vigorously promoting the cultivation of mulberry and hemp, or purchasing Sichuan brocade, these are normal business practices."

"Unless Liu Bei seizes our dealings with Cao Wei, what excuse would he have to attack us?"

Qiao Zhou was confident and authentic.

"Yes, what Yun Nan said makes some sense."

Huang Quan seemed to have made up his mind, nodded slightly and said,

"Then I'll leave this matter to you, Yun Nan. You have to be careful and don't be careless!"

"Uncle, please rest assured, my nephew will definitely make it perfect and beautiful!"

Huang Quan nodded happily.

…

During the following period, Qiao Zhou, who was instructed by the Yizhou faction, continued to trade with Deng Ai, Jiang Wei and others.

He used the copper coins collected from Yizhou to purchase a large amount of grain, salt, cloth, jewelry and other items from Cao Wei.

It's just that Qiao Zhou secretly stored all the grain, and only used salt, cloth, jewelry and other things to sell them, so as to continue to collect copper coins.

Under the cooperation and cover of the Yizhou nobles, all this was going on quietly in the dark, but the Shu Han had no idea about it!

Spring passes and autumn comes, and the end of the year comes in a blink of an eye.

At the end of each year, it was the time when the treasury's money and provisions were compared, and the whole court was extremely busy.

The person responsible for this matter was none other than Zhuge Liang.

On this day, he was sitting in the hall, holding an account book in one hand and making calculations in the other hand, checking whether the accounts were correct.

However, at this moment, Ma Su was seen running in in a hurry.

"Prime Minister, something serious has happened!"

Zhuge Liang was slightly startled, then asked in a deep voice,

"What happened?"

"There are no more copper coins in the city!"

It was already the depth of winter, but Ma Di was so anxious that the big man at the dock was in a hurry.

Zhuge Liang was a little confused when he heard this.
Chapter completed!