Yuan Xi had already said that he would give Ma Chao a huge cavalry.

Now, again, it's time to cash in.

Ma Chao couldn't help but be excited, and arched his hand: "But according to the lord's orders." ”

Yuan Xi said: "The most important thing in forming cavalry is war horses. I still lack some now, I need to mobilize from the two states of Youji, you first form an army of 100,000, wait for the horses to arrive, and then train them in riding and archery skills. ”

"One hundred thousand....

Pound and Ma Dai both showed surprised and happy expressions at the same time, and secretly exchanged ears.

Ma Chao was even more excited.

However, he soon sobered up: "100,000 cavalry is not a small number, and the equipment and food required are far more than 100,000 infantry troops. Even the rations of 200,000 infantry troops were needed to supply 100,000 cavalry. ”

Yuan Xi said: "I know all this. Now that I've decided that I want to form cavalry, I'm not going to change that. You must know that the next big war is about the belonging of the world, even if I tighten my belt, I must build up the cavalry, only in this way can I threaten Cao Cao and make him dare not fight with me in the field. Only then can our army have an absolute advantage in the battle situation. ”

"But..."

Yuan Xigang said a few cruel words, but slowly got up again, with a contemplative expression: "What you said is not unreasonable. Forming a cavalry is indeed costly, and it may drain our money and food. It's better to retreat and settle for the second, I transferred 20,000 iron horsemen from Youhe Erzhou to join the Xiliang Army. Then transfer 5,000 cavalry from all over Jizhou, and you will recruit another 50,000, plus the Xiliang army under your command, there will be almost 100,000. This cost may be smaller. ”

"Fifty thousand is not a lot, where should these soldiers come from?" Ma Chaodao.

Fifty thousand is a huge number for the barren Xiliang, but in Jizhou, Hebei, it is still bearable.

Everything was done to prepare for the extermination of Cao Cao.

Even if after the formation of the cavalry, the agricultural output in Jizhou declined, and the people were more difficult, they had to do it. Because only a huge cavalry group can control Cao Cao.

"You don't have to worry about this matter, I will ask the Ministry of War to issue a notice to collect it from Hebei and the two states. Your task is to select a group of capable soldiers and generals who are good at cavalry warfare, and when the recruits are recruited, let them take up important positions so that you can lead them later. Yuan Xi said.

"The last will obey."

Ma Chao wants to come too.

Hebei is different from Xiliang, and if you think of a way, you can recruit soldiers.

Yuan Xi said goodbye to Ma Chao and got up to leave.

..............

Time flies.

In the blink of an eye.

It's the end of the month.

Yuan Xi and Sun Shangxiang have been married for two months.

Sun Quan sent congratulatory gifts and once again established an alliance with Yuan Xi. This alliance, unlike the past, is an alliance established on the basis of in-laws, and it is relatively reliable.

In the process of dealing with Jiangdong, Yuan Xi got a message.

Sun Quan had already built the first steam engine warship by himself!

15 days ago, the sea trial was conducted at the mouth of the Sanjiang River, and the speed was no worse than that of the warships in Hebei. Moreover, Sun Quan has ordered that all the warships in Jiangdong be refurbished and a large amount of coal will be purchased.

This means that Sun Quan's future naval army also has the same advantage.

This news surprised Yuan Xi greatly.

He knew that in the last great war, Gan Ning captured a warship and sent it to Jiangdong. At that time, Yuan Xi felt that shipbuilding was very complicated, and even if Sun Quan had a model, he might not be able to build it.

Unexpectedly, in less than a year, he really built a warship of his own.

this day.

In the Military Administration.

Yuan Xi talked about it.

"Sun Quan can even build a steam engine warship, so other things must be able to build it too. Like salt, paper, wine... Wine, in particular, can be used on the battlefield and is extremely useful. If Sun Quan made liquor and paired it with a steam engine warship, his strength would increase exponentially. At that time, we will eliminate Cao Cao, and I am afraid that it will be difficult to eliminate Sun Quan. This was said in front of Fu Zhu and Tian Feng, and there was no one else around.

"What the lord said is true. Sun Quan has made great progress this year, and we should find ways to curb this trend. ”

"Have you figured out a way to do that?"

"It's... Chancellor hadn't thought of it yet. "Fu Zhu also just learned about this, and he didn't have the heart to prepare yet.

Tian Feng said: "The minister has a way. ”

"Yuan Hao, let's hear it."

Yuan Xi looked at Tian Feng.

Tian Feng said: "Whether it is to build a steam engine warship or something else, we must have enough financial support, why don't we use our strength to suppress the economy of Jiangdong, so that Sun Quan can do nothing." ”

"Well, that's a good idea." Yuan Xi said: "That's it." ”

"You send someone to call Zhen Yan and Guo Tu, and we will have a secret meeting. Let's discuss how to suppress Koto's economy. This has to be done in secret, not quietly, and I don't want a fire in my backyard. ”

"Yes..."

Tian Feng pursed his lips and smiled secretly.

.........

Night.

Zhen Yan and Guo Tu quietly came to the Military Administration Office to participate in the meeting.

In addition to them, there are also Fu Zhu and Tian Feng, who are also among the meeting.

"It is a very important matter to gather you to consult with you. Sun Quan had already built a steam engine warship, and to be honest, I was shocked. When we built a steam engine warship, it took a lot of effort, but Sun Quan actually built the warship in just one year, and after sea trials, whether it is the speed or the load-bearing and stability of the ship, it is not worse than our ship. This makes me have to worry, will our white paper, wine, and these high-end products all be made by him? Therefore I have called you to consult on what to do. ”

Speaking of this, Yuan Xi looked at Tian Feng: "During the day, Mr. Yuan Hao gave me a suggestion, saying that we should use our strength to suppress Jiangdong's economy, so that Sun Quan would not be able to do anything. I decided it was a good idea, what do you think? ”

Zhen Yan and Guo Tu glanced at each other, and they both agreed one after another.

Guo Tudao: "In terms of economy, Jiangdong cannot be compared with us, this is our advantage. Once we attack, they are defenseless. Chancellor was very much in favor of this. ”

"Since you all agree, let's talk about it, how to make a move?" Yuan Xi asked Zhen Yan what he said. Because in terms of the economy, the officials present seem to be inferior to him. It is necessary to know that Zhen Yan can support Nuoda's Zhen family, in addition to Yuan Xi's relationship, his own strength is also very strong.

Zhen Yan said: "It's very simple. We first wholesaled a large amount of paper and salt to Sun Quan, and after he hoarded a large amount of goods, we lowered the prices in Yangzhou and the counties of Jiangdong, so that what was originally 1,000 yuan was sold for only 100 yuan, or even 50 yuan. In this way, all the goods that Sun Quan wholesaled were smashed into his own hands, and if he wanted to work capital, he had to sell them cheaply. ”