Zhao Qi looked at the soldiers in front of him with a look of astonishment. If the eldest son wanted to see him at this time, wouldn't he push him into the fire pit? He looked at the heads of the aristocratic families who came out from behind and they all had such expressions. Zhao Qi smiled bitterly.
Even if you jump into the Yellow River, you won’t be able to wash yourself away.,,
"Clan Leader Zhao should leave quickly. Lord Zhou Mu is still waiting?"
Seeing Zhao Qi's hesitation, the soldiers couldn't help but urge him.
"Let's go!" Zhao Qi shook his head. At this time, he could only take one step at a time.
After boarding the carriage that had been prepared long ago, we arrived at Liu Qi's Mansion in a short time. Under the leadership of the guards, the journey was smooth and smooth to the outside of the study.
"Reporting to my lord, Patriarch Zhao is here."
"Let him come in." A clear voice came out immediately.
Zhao Qi took a deep breath and pushed the door in. He was immediately stunned. There were actually two people in the study, and one of them was very familiar to him. He was Chen Xuan, the leader of the Chen clan in Jiangxia.
"Long time no see, Patriarch Zhao." Seeing Zhao Qi, Chen Xuan held his hands in front of him as a salute without any surprise.
Zhao Qi was about to repay the courtesy when he saw Chen Xuan pointing at Liu Qi and said: "This is Mr. Zhou Mu. Chief Zhao should meet him as soon as possible."
At this time, Zhao Qi came to his senses and hurriedly stepped forward and saluted: "I have met Mr. Zhou Mu."
Liu Qi nodded and motioned for Zhao Qi to sit opposite Chen Xuan. He was also a little curious about Zhao Qi. The Zhao family was originally dead. The fact that a small family could develop to this day in Zhao Qi's hands already shows that Zhao Qi's methods and talents are extraordinary.
,
What he lacks now is vision. Without being in Xiangyang, he has no idea about the structure of the entire Jingzhou family. Chen Xuanzhi of the Chen family can see the situation clearly, which is also the reason why the Chen family alone controls the transportation of salt in Jingzhou.
"The main reason why I came to see you two today is for one thing. Although the entire Jingzhou is rich now, it cannot last long. The little tax collected from the people is not enough to supply Jingzhou's hundreds of thousands of troops for war.
Although the Chen family and the Zhao family are not big families in Jingzhou, it is precisely because of this that they can show their talents."
Liu Qi looked at the two of them. Both of them were extremely good at management. However, to become a top-notch family, management alone is not enough. It also depends on the foundation. Middle-class families like the Chen family and the Zhao family can only develop.
For ten years, I was just struggling in those small aristocratic families.
"If your lord has anything to do, just ask, the Chen family will definitely do it for your lord." Chen Xuan's heart moved and he immediately cupped his hands and said. At this time, he had already faintly seen that Liu Qi came to him because he took a fancy to his talents.
"I don't need you Chen family and Zhao family, I only need you two. Now Jingzhou's treasury is still quite abundant, but you should have a rough idea of the current situation. What I want is that Jingzhou's food and grass can be available at any time."
branches everywhere
With an army of 100,000 for three consecutive years, Jingzhou's treasury is at your disposal, but within half a year I want you to use these things in exchange for enough food, grass and military pay, and at the same time, you must exchange these things intact into the treasury.
, are you two confident?"
Liu Qi stared at the two of them closely. He knew the current situation in Jingzhou. Although the treasury seemed to be full, once troops were sent to attack Hanzhong, Yizhou and Jingzhou's treasury would definitely be used up in a short time.
Taxes collected from the hands of the people are just a drop in the bucket.
Chen Xuan frowned. He understood what Liu Qi meant, which was to take out the gold and silver treasures, tools and weapons in Jingzhou's treasury to make money, and the money earned must not only be able to exchange the things taken out, but even
It is to bring back better things to fill the treasury, and then use the remaining money to make money.
To put it bluntly, Liu Qi wanted them to earn wages, food, grass, and even weapons and horses for Jingzhou.
Although Chen Xuan was still able to maintain a minimum of calm, there was a huge wave in his heart. Although this matter was difficult, it was an opportunity for the Chen family, an opportunity to rise. As long as he could help Liu Qi do this,
If so, then the rise of the Chen clan is just around the corner, and it may even be possible to catch up with the Huang clan and other powerful clans in a short period of time.
Chen Xuan saw it and Zhao Qi also saw it. He now somewhat understood why Liu Qi targeted the Zhao family in this way. With the situation of the Zhao family in Jingzhou, there was no other way but to agree to Liu Qi.
He was no longer qualified to refuse Liu Qi.
"I would like to share my worries with you." The two of them looked at each other and saw the heat in each other's eyes, or from today on, even though they were competitors, they were partners.
"Okay, I will have someone send the information in the treasury to you. I hope that within a few days the two of you can discuss a result. If you feel it is not suitable, then you can each mobilize the information in the treasury.
Half of the property."
Liu Qi was not surprised by the attitude of the two people. What he cared about was whether the two people could agree to cooperate. He wanted the two to compete, but he had to wait until they developed.
"No." The two of them cupped their hands.
"You guys please step back. I hope I will get a satisfactory answer in a few days." Liu Qi looked at the two of them and said.
"promise."
………………………………………………………………
"Lord, are you giving these two people too much power by letting them use the treasury?" As soon as the two left, Zhuge Liang came out from behind the screen and said with a worried look.
"If you don't do this, I'm afraid there won't be much food left when the army conquers Hanzhong in a few months. Please take a look at the intelligence that Zhao Lei sent back a few days ago." Liu Qi handed the bamboo slips on the table to Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang took the intelligence and opened it, but his expression changed drastically. He looked at Liu Qi in disbelief: "Master, this..."
"There's nothing surprising. Every generation of aristocratic families will annex land, falsely declare their property, and hide their slaves. Jingzhou is already doing well."
After speaking, Liu Qi shook his head and said: "Jingzhou has been relatively peaceful in the past ten years or so. There have been no wars or natural disasters, so the people's homes have a lot of surplus food. Even if the land annexation is serious, it has not affected the people's lives. And Jingzhou
It is also because these treasuries and granaries are full. But if Jingzhou wants to expand its power, it is obviously not enough to rely on these alone. Only by solving the problem of grain and grass can we start to deal with the problem of land annexation."
After speaking, Liu Qi also smiled bitterly. There is no family in this family that does not annex land. Almost all the families in Jingzhou are involved. Even big families like the Huang family and the Pang family are also involved. What they do is just more consistent with the methods of ordinary families.
Just for a moment. At this point, all the aristocratic families in Jingzhou will not stand on his side, so they can only obtain the support of the Huang family and the Pang family without any worries.
"My Lord, it's better to think carefully." When it comes to the interests of all the aristocratic families, Zhuge Liang has no choice. This time, the Huang family and several other wealthy families have helped Liu Qi, so they can't fall out with him immediately.
Although the bamboo slips only recorded the annexation of land by aristocratic families in one county of Guiyang, there was not a single aristocratic family in the entire county who was not involved, which really shocked him.
"Can Wenpin and Wang Wei properly handle the affairs of the generals?" Liu Qi frowned. The Feilong Army and the Flying Tiger Army left Wenpin and Wang Wei without knowing what kind of chaos would result.
"My lord, the two generals just sent back the news yesterday, saying that the situation in Jiangxia has almost been dealt with and that the 10,000 Flying Tiger Army has gradually withdrawn from Jiangdong and replaced it with Jiangxia's troops and horses. The Flying Dragon Army is stationed at Chaisang at any time.
Just in case. It's just that it may take some time for the two generals to return to Jingzhou."
Zhuge Liang shook his head and said, "The Feilong Army and the Feihu Army have too many things going on, and among Wenpin and Wang Wei, who else can suppress these two troops?"
"Let Shi Yuan go to Jiangxia to command the Feilong Army first, in case there is any action in Jiangdong. In addition, let the soldiers and horses in each county be ready. Once Wenpin and Wang Wei come back, they will directly start selecting soldiers and horses. These two soldiers
The horses were handed over to Huang Zhong and Zilong, and they were asked to go to the army to train the soldiers together with Wenpin and Wang Wei. After they became familiar with each other, Wang Wei and Wenpin were sent back to the army."
Liu Qi thought for a moment and realized that the only people in Xiangyang who could do anything at this time were Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun. Wei Yan had just been appointed as the prefect of Nanyang, so it would be inappropriate to promote them at this time.
"promise."
"What's going on with the map of Hanzhong? Is there any news from Yizhou?" Thinking that Hanzhong will be attacked in a few months, but the map of Hanzhong has not yet been obtained, Liu Qi couldn't help but feel a little irritated.
"The news came back from Yizhou that the map will be delivered to the Lord on the day of his expedition." After thinking about it, Zhuge Liang sighed and said that if he got the map in advance, he could also plan the march route.
"Is there any news about Zhang Lu in Hanzhong?" Jingzhou's intention is very obvious with such a big fanfare. Zhang Lu in Hanzhong will definitely not remain indifferent.
"Zhang Lu has ordered the strengthening of defenses near Jingzhou not long ago. The troops and horses in the county have also been mobilized frequently, so they should have taken precautions."
"This Lu has been able to resist Liu Zhang for more than ten years. His methods and resourcefulness are quite good. However, our army's long journey to supply food and grass is somewhat unsustainable. It is better to make preparations in advance. Do you think Liu Zhang will lend it to us?"
, let us attack from both sides?"
Thinking of Liu Zhang's invitation to Liu Bei to pacify Hanzhong in history, Liu Qi's heart moved. It would be much easier if he could use Yizhou to attack from both sides.
"This..." Zhuge Liang was stunned. If he were Liu Zhang, he would definitely not do this.
However, before Zhuge Liang could speak, Liu Qi had already spoken again: "Send people to Hanzhong in a few days. If Zhang Lu does not agree to give up the fiefdom, we will immediately send people to Yizhou to persuade Liu Zhang to borrow the way."
As long as Liu Zhang takes advantage of the road, then attacking Yizhou might not be like attacking from both sides.