Taishan Sizhai expressed great concern about the transaction proposed by Xu Ruyu, except for the escorts in this line of twenty people, five of them are extremely heavy people, and they can make decisions on behalf of Sizhai, looking at the bloodshot in their eyes, obviously they didn't rest well last night, and they should have fully discussed the situation that they may encounter today. Xu Ruyu smiled slightly, thinking: This will save a lot of trouble. said: "There was some dirt between me and Guizhai yesterday, and the lord of Yunzhai won't complain about my young and reckless, right?" ”

Yun Yi said: "The younger brother Yunshan instigated Xiao'er Yuansheng to go to the mountains to do this kind of thing, and smeared my Yunqiao Village, this son really thinks that we are all the way to Yuantun?" Mr. Ziyang is also here, and this son of sin will be handed over to Mr. Ziyang for disposal. ”

Zi Yangqiu said coldly: "No one will have sympathy for the people who hunt their own people, and the lord of Yunzhai is willing to hand over his beloved son to me?" ”

Uncle Sun Fangwu said: "The incident of the Yunqiao Village slave hunting team was caused by Yun Shan instigating Yun Yuansheng, Yun Shan is dead, and the Yunqiao Zhai slave hunting team was merged into Wuling Mountain to cause harm to the Baiyi clan, I think this section is better to be revealed, Mr. Ziyang, what do you think?" ”

Uncle Sun Fangwu came forward to explain that it was naturally Xu Ruyu's meaning, how could Zi Yangqiu not know? Now is not the time to be reasonable, Ziyangqiu snorted lightly and said, "Since the uncle and grandson said so, Ziyang should obey his fate." ”

Everyone sat down, Yunyi said: "Yunqiao Village was originally just a cottage of less than 1,000 people, Qingjiang war, unwilling to stay away from the homeland of the neighbors parasitic in the middle, now has accommodated nearly 10,000 people, the village in front of the mountain and the slope can not be cultivated, are planted with mulberry dates, so that spring and summer can eat mulberry, autumn and winter can eat jujube, in order to make up for the lack of grain. Even so, there is still a large shortage of food rations in the village every year. Shengyun Village, Ji Village, and Shao Village are probably the same situation. However, the Yuejun family did not treat Yuantun and my Yunqiao Village differently, and the grain could only be provided by the Puji bandits from the Wenling area. In previous years, the price of grain was extremely high, and everyone could still carry it by tightening their waists, but this year, Gongliang Youqin proposed a trading condition of exchanging slaves for grain, forcing us to attack the Yiren brothers. It was also said that the younger brother saw that someone in the village was starving to death, so he was confused for a while and entered Wuling Mountain. Since General Qingfeng has brought so much food, then we will buy it from you. What conditions do you have, just mention. ”

Xu Ruyu said: "This river valley has nearly a million fertile fields, and now it is barren and vacant, no one cultivates it, what does the owner of Yunzhai think?" ”

Yun Yi sighed: "What's the use of being greedy, in this Qingjiang Mansion where bandits are rampant, with the strength of our four villages, we can't even defend a corner of this river valley." General Qingfeng, please speak up. ”

Xu Ruyu said: "The Southeast Tea and Horse Trade Road has been intermittent for 600 years, if you can restore the old glory of the Tea and Horse Trade Road, you can not only get cheap food and goods, but also sell the products in the village, so as to ensure that there will be no starvation in your village in the future." Xu Ruyu paused, looking at Yun Yi and the others, although the expressions on their faces were surprised, they were not the stunned situation he imagined. glanced at Xu Boying, and continued: "You have seen that we are building a camp and a river port, and if there are fewer people, it will naturally be a little simpler, of course, the defense of the camp is not enough to enter your eyes, maybe only two thousand foot soldiers can besiege and capture it." With that, he glanced at Yun Yi, Yun Yuansheng and others sitting in the guest seat on the left.

Yunyi and others said: "Who dares to pull teeth out of the tiger's mouth? General Qingfeng is to draw a circle on the ground, that is, the Jiancheng soup pool. ”

Xu Ruyu thought to himself: There are no less than 20 spies around the camp in your Yunqiao Village, if there is no gap, I am afraid that the first one to attack is the people and horses of your Yunqiao Village. Yunqiao Village, Shengyun Village, Ji Village, Shao Village and other four villages are the four major villages on Taishan, but for the sake of food, in order to survive, snatch a person who brought 50,000 loads of grain to Xuancheng to swagger through the market, and they will not have any uneasiness in their hearts. Xu Ruyu and Xiangfanhui's force could not completely dissuade their adventurous spirit. smiled and said to Xu Boying: "The price of Sugu in Yongyang is 200 yuan a load, do you think we will sell grain to Taishan, what is the appropriate price?" ”

Yun Yi saw Xu Ruyu talking a few words in a whimsical manner, so he directly talked about the price of grain, leaned forward, and covered the whole case, with a "bell", the teacup was turned over on the sleeve, and the tea overflowed. Yun Yi hurriedly used his sleeves to absorb water, and hurriedly said to Xu Boying: "General Xu, you say it directly, I don't care." ”

Zi Yangqiu is the largest buyer of this grain, Xu Ruyu has given guarantees several times, and he has been here for a long time, so he can understand Xu Ruyu's intentions, so he sits quietly.

Xu Boying said: "Since the lord of Yunzhai, the lord of Zhangzhai, the lord of Shaozhai, and the lord of Jizhai have come in person, my lord, we might as well listen to their opinions." ”

Yunyi was ready to bargain on the ground, but he was really ready to make the last move, but he didn't think that Xu Ruyu and his subordinates would push and push, and then push the problem to the head of Taishan Sizhai. Xu Ruyu's move is to ask Taishan Sizhai to show his bottom limit first. He mentioned the southeast tea and horse trade road and mentioned the shortage of manpower to build the camp, which already hinted at his request. There is also an urgent shortage of grain in Wuling Mountain, Zi Yangqiu appeared at this time, and he will undoubtedly be one of the buyers of this grain, but he is sitting opposite, what does this Qingfeng General mean? Yun Yi exchanged glances with the other leaders of Sanzhai, straightened his body, and said: "In previous years, the grain transported from Puji was all priced at two gold, General Qingfeng, how about maintaining this price?" ”

The price of grain in the black market in Qingjiang is ten times more profitable, Xu Ruyu quickly glanced at Xu Boying and his uncle Fang Wu, looked at Yunyi's gray sideburns quietly, and said: "Lord Yunzhai, at this price, how much grain is your village going to want?" ”

"Three thousand quintals."

"I heard that the lord of Yunshaozhai said that Guizhai still lacks 10,000 quintals of grain to survive the spring famine, and those who say that the owner of Yunzhai can buy 7,000 quintals of grain at a cheaper price in other places?"

Yun Yuansheng said angrily: "The surname is Xu, don't think that with these grains, you can entertain our people in Yunqiao Village." ”

"What did you say, brute?" Yun Yi scolded Yun Yuansheng angrily, turned to Xu Ruyu with a smile, and said, "The son of a sinister doesn't know the number of etiquette, don't blame General Qingfeng." ”

Xu Ru smiled foolishly: "How come? It's me who spoke inappropriately, forgive me, forgive me. ”

Yunyi sighed: "It's not that my Yunqiao Village can buy grain from elsewhere, but the financial resources in the village are limited, and I can only buy 3,000 quintals of grain. ”

Xu Ruyu's expression darkened, and he said sincerely: "Lord Yunzhai, apart from the four of you, what is the situation of those smaller villages in Taishan Village?" ”

"Qingjiang bandits are rampant, and the people who are unwilling to abandon their homeland can only defend themselves according to the danger and resist the intrusion of bandits. The civilians of Xuancheng and Fuzhou are mostly hidden in Taishan, and there are no less than forty or fifty large and small villages, among which our four villages are the largest, and the total number of other dozens of villages is equivalent to our four villages. However, the small village is more difficult to endure than us, and the village is dangerous, but it is even more difficult to get food, and they have the intention to go to Liyang and Wuzhou to rob for the bandits, but they do not have considerable force, and they often return home. They not only have spring famine, but also winter famine, we still have a little surplus money to buy grain, but they can only rely on this mountain. ”

"Then these villages, which have less than 1,000 people, don't have the requirements to belong to your four villages?"

"How could it not? can not even support the people in the village, how dare to accept other people in? Not only did they have to endure starvation, but they could also be forced into slavery at any time by the real thieves. ”

"Eight years ago, I went to Qingjiang with my father, and there were still 160,000 civilians in Taishan at that time, how many are left now?"

"Now there are only 90,000 civilians left in Taishan, and there are no old people over 60 among these 90,000 people. In recent years, it has become even more difficult, just a few years ago, my uncle, who is also Yunshan's father, has not yet reached Huajia, and has begun to go on a hunger strike, and Yunshan has led people into Wuling Mountain. After the old man found out, it overflowed that night, and the body is still resting in the village. ”

There was a sobbing sound behind the tent, Xu Boying heard the voices of Xue and Jue'er, and knew that with Xu Ruyu's skills, he must have discovered it a long time ago, glanced at Xu Ruyu, and said, "Call them in?" ”

Xu Ruyu looked at the tent behind him, and listened to the figures of Xue and Jue'er faintly printed on it, and said, "You go and call Youli to come in together." ”

Xu Ruyu smiled apologetically and said, "I can't control a few people in the camp, so I let a few laugh." ”

Youli led Tingxue and Jue'er into the tent to greet Yunyi and the others in turn. Tingxue and Jue'er's eyes were still red and swollen, and Tingxue's sobbing was not broken, and she said hoarsely: "The mountains are so bitter, Ah Yu, just give them food." ”

Youli secretly tugged at her sleeves and pulled them to sit down on the right side.

Yunyi noticed that Xu Ruyu was not angry because of this girl's words, and couldn't help but have a little hope, so he stared at Xu Ruyu's face, and saw the faint smile in Xu Ruyu's eyes, only to find that he was stunned, and he panicked and looked elsewhere, and the afterglow still fell on Xu Ruyu's face.

Xu Ruyu said: "There are 90,000 civilians in Taishan, 280,000 civilians in Wuling Mountain, and no less than 300,000 civilians in other parts of Qingjiang Prefecture. I came to Xuancheng through Qingjiang, should the lord of Yunzhai hear anything? If you want to send grain to the Qingjiang River for a long time, you must expel the river bandits on the Qingjiang waterway, and there must be a water camp that makes the Liyang water camp fearful. But can food delivery from the outside world ultimately save these people in the mountains? Yunzhai master, Mr. Ziyang, don't talk much to you, Hekou 50,000 quintals of grain, of which 40,000 taels I will sell to you at a price of 400 yuan per quintal, and the amount of grain sold will be distributed according to the proportion of each family. The other 10,000 quintals of grain belong to the owner of the private grain ship who came here with me, and I will pay 10,000 gold to buy it, so you don't want to get involved. ”

Yun Yi and Zi Yangqiu asked in unison, "Really? ”

Although Xu Ruyu sold 40,000 quintals of grain at double the price, in order to protect the interests of the private grain shipowners who came with him, he also wanted to control the price of grain, and bought the grain from the private grain shipowners at five times the price, and the income just offset the losses. Xu Ruyu thought to himself: It seems that we have to charge them some escort fees.

Xu Ruyu said: "The words have been spoken, so naturally they will not take it back." Three of the Dazhai owners are estimated to be waiting for news in Yunqiao Village. Today, it is said that two boats of grain can be sent into the cottage along the Lishui, but the owner of Yunzhai, as well as the owner of Zhangzhai, the owner of Shaozhai, and the owner of Jizhai, will have two grain ships and two warships along Lishui to enter Wuling Mountain, hoping to ensure the safety of the waterway by the four families when crossing Taishan. There is also the master of Yunzhai, please immediately bring a message to other small villages, I Xu Ruyu can give food on credit. ”

"Really?"

Xu Ruyu nodded, turning his face slightly, not wanting to see the tears flashing in his eyes.

Xu Boying said: "Lord Yunzhai, you also know that our move will definitely anger Yuantun, Gaotang Zhai and other forces, and we must guard against it. The camp outside has just been built, and the gallop road needs to be built, and there is an urgent shortage of manpower, and it is hoped that the mountain can support 4,000 laborers. We are in charge of food and shelter, and each person is paid a load of grain in a month, what do you think? ”

A load of grain plus some wild vegetables and poplar bark can feed a family, and the key is that you can still be full when you come here to work, and no one will want to come. But in the surrounding wilderness, there are really strong thieves who forcibly invade, and with the ability of General Qingfeng, I am afraid that it will be difficult to shelter all the weak people.

Xu Boying saw Yun Yi hesitating and asked, "The master of Yunzhai thinks our conditions are too harsh?" ”

"No, no... I heard that when General Qingfeng was guarding Yongyang, the sergeant's pension was fifty gold, but is there such a thing? ”

Xu Ruyu saw Xu Boying tilt his head slightly, knowing that he suggested that he should not agree to this condition, if the service worker was injured, he would also enjoy such a high pension, which would definitely lead to the enemy massacring a large number of his own civilians in the future, and he could not afford it financially. Xu Ruyu said: "I understand what the Yunzhai Lord means, but this head is not easy to open. We set up a tree village here in the hope that this place can become a transit station for the Southeast Tea and Horse Trade Road, which is beneficial to everyone. If the owner of the cloud village feels embarrassed, then this way, please ask the owner of the cloud village to bring a message to the small village in the mountain, as long as they are interested, with the letter of recommendation of the owner of the cloud village, come here to negotiate. ”

Zhang Xu, the second pawn of Shengyun Village, sat down under Yunyi's head and pulled the corner of Yunyi's clothes, this subtle action naturally couldn't escape Xu Ruyu's eyes. Xu Ruyu looked over and asked, "What is the opinion of Master Zhangzhai?" ”

Zhang Xu hid a trace of panic in his eyes, calmly looked at Xu Ruyu who suddenly asked him, and thought: This Qingfeng general, who is only a weak crown but famous all over the world, after Yongyang faded out, everyone in the world thought that he was indifferent to power, and no one thought that he would come to this barren city to develop his own power. It's not that people from deserted cities find it difficult to understand the true value of deserted cities, did he see through this before he came? Can he let Yihan get along without incident? With cheap food and good wages, those small villages that have fallen into a desperate situation may go down the mountain. He probably hoped to develop his power in this way, and 50,000 loads of grain would make thousands of civilians willingly join him. Even if you refuse to send your laborers down the mountain, can you refuse his credit? A person who is dying of thirst will not be able to tell whether the water in his eyes is poisonous or not, and if he gives it once, will he have the face to give it a second time? This Qingfeng general is really not simple, it's ridiculous that I thought he was only here for the purpose of tea and horse business.

Zhang Xu said lightly: "General Qingfeng's trip to rebuild the kindness of 100,000 people in Taishan, Zhang Xu is not talented, he has no high opinions, but I just want to express my gratitude to General Qingfeng on behalf of the villagers." Then he stood up, walked to the middle of the tent, and bowed respectfully.

Xu Ruyu looked at this white-faced man with slight beards, the saber decoration on his body played more than a technical attack, the short placket full of patches could not hide his elegant temperament, and his calm and bright eyes were full of wisdom and confidence, haha, it seems that Bo Ying's request for 4,000 laborers is indeed a little more, let him guess something.

Xu Ruyu smiled and said: "The master of Zhang Zhai has been transcribed, and the four villages of Taishan have set up a village in Taishan to resist bandits in order to protect the people, which is much more respectable than my Xu Ruyu." Some simple meals were prepared in the camp, and after the meal, the discussion continued. ”

Zhang Xu knew that Taishan Sizhai was powerless to prevent Xu Ruyu from realizing his intentions on the Lishui River Valley, although the number of people in Sizhai was as high as 40,000 or 50,000, and the number of soldiers was as high as 6,000. The Qingyan Army led by Xu Ruyu is less than 400 people, but they are all the elite of the elite, with sufficient supplies, crossbows, strong crossbow machines, sufficient arrow clusters, warships, the best war horses, high-grade war knives and grain flowing with cold light and cloud patterns, in addition to the best commanders, several peerless masters, and various skilled craftsmen, but the invisible centripetal force that Zhang Xu saw, the huge centripetal force surrounding General Qingfeng, made him give birth to all the forces of Hesizhai, and it may not be able to expel the Qingyan Army from the Lishui River Valley.

Somehow, Xu Ruyu revoked the order that Taishan visitors were forbidden to travel in the camp after the meeting. Yun Yuansheng, Shao Xingkong, and Ji Kailai had already returned to the mountains on the mounts provided by the Qingyan Army, preparing to welcome the first batch of grain that might arrive in Taishan late at night, and at the same time preparing for the grain ships and warships that would pass through Taishan at noon tomorrow. Yun Yi is only interested in grain now, and follows his uncle Fang Wu to visit the grain ship moored on the simple dock. Zhang Xu walked around the camp casually.

The sentinel was outside the camp, and there seemed to be no defense in the camp, Zhang Xu deliberately approached the big tent from behind, and he could feel the murderous intention, as long as Zhang Xu left, the chilling feeling disappeared.

Xu Ruyu and Xu Boying stood on a high rock at the mouth of the river, taking in Zhang Xu's every move in the camp. Xu Ruyu chuckled and said, "This Zhang Zhai master is really not simple. When I started to mention the Tea Horse Merchant Road, Yun Yi and the others were surprised but not very surprised in their eyes, which shows that they realized this before they went down the mountain. When you mentioned borrowing labor at the meeting, he quickly realized our true intention in coming to Xuancheng. ”

"You are foolish and cherish his talent."

"If he had worked with us, things would have been much easier. I'm afraid that the vigilance of the Taishan villagers is not much weaker than that of the Baiyi people. ”

"The work of the villagers in Taishan is much better than that of the Baiyi people, and the villagers are seeking a way to survive in the cottage, they have been living on this land, as long as the safety of the Lishui River Valley is ensured, they will go down the mountain one after another, after all, Taishan cannot support so many people."

"We can't rely on the Xiangfan Society to defend the north for us, Xu Jingcheng will always leave a gap in the northeast for those bandits to invade us, so that we can effectively limit our development. Yunqiaozhai is the first stop of Lishui out of the river valley, but the terrain of Yunqiaozhai is too high, it is not conducive to holding Lishui, and then build a fort and set up a town in the lower lower Lingling District, open a secluded road to connect with the south bank of the river valley, so that the defense of this north can be solved. ”

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