Sima Qiu Dao smiled and said: "My lord, the last general found out that this brine well is purely a coincidence, a while ago the end of the night and a few of his subordinates to spend the night in the people's homes, accidentally found that the old man in the family was boiling water to boil salt, and was surprised to find that almost every household in this small mountain village will use this brine to boil salt, and a small number of people also boiled salt to exchange rice for meat...... Hehe, the last general thought that this was a good time to make money, so he reported it to the adults. ”

Xu Liang asked, "How many places are there in the brine found now?" ”

Sima Qiudao thought for a while, counted his fingers and said, "Almost in the middle of this valley, if you dig anywhere, the water that flows out is all brine. ”

Xu Liang listened, walked on a high ground, and looked at the dozen or so houses scattered in the valley, at this time it was almost noon, most of the houses were lit with cooking smoke, and on the side of the stone wall of several of the households, a few temporary stoves piled up with soil were faintly visible, and a few iron pots were set up on the stove, and the firewood was piled up next to it.

Xu Liang pointed to the people in the valley and instructed Sima Qiudao: "These brine found are rare wealth, and we must find a way to develop them." Try to make sure that the inhabitants of the valley are safe and that the boiling of these brine is regulated. The best way to do this is to start a salt factory and use the inhabitants of the valley as salt boilers. ”

Sima Qiu was embarrassed, pointed to the valley and said, "My lord, this is a bit embarrassing. The last general took people to investigate, and the brine is also in this valley, but this brine is almost all over the valley, and water can be dug everywhere. If we want to develop, it's hard to guarantee that others won't do the same. When the time comes, if everyone is digging in the valley, then there will be no unity. ”

"Monopoly! Will monopolies? Xu Liang shouted in a tone of hatred that iron is not steel: "The idea is to buy the entire valley." Those who are in the valley will stay. If you don't want to, give some money to settle down and be dismissed! ”

"Hehe, the adults are thoughtful." Sima begged for compliments, then scratched the back of his head, and said curtly, "It's just that, my lord, the last general is not good at these things about opening a factory, and you leave it to the last general to do these things." The last general is afraid that it will be messed up. ”

Xu Liang looked Sima Qiu up and down, and said, "You are also doing it, of course you can't do something like this to open a factory and do business." The official is during the vacation, or not, the official will show a small hand in front of you, so that you can see the means of doing business. ”

Sima Qiudao immediately slapped his ass. When Xu Liang and the others returned to the stove, the pot of salt had been successfully boiled. Xu Liang stretched out his hand and dipped it, put it in his mouth and tasted it. The taste is similar to the salt eaten on weekdays, with a slightly green taste, which is mostly the reason why the boiled salt is not pure enough, but. Despite this, these salts are put on the market for sale. As long as the price is one or two percent lower than the market price, there must be a lot of people who come to buy.

Xu Liang was so happy that his eyes almost narrowed into a slit. Looking at the half pot of snow-white salt particles, it seems to see half a pot of white flowers.

The next three days. Xu Liang and Sima Qiudao took the people to change their clothes, walked around the valley a few times, took the opportunity to chat with the people in the valley, and quickly found out the news in the valley. To put it simply, this valley still belongs to the jurisdiction of Huining County, Gongchang Prefecture, there are a total of seventeen families in the valley, Xu Liang gave some people in the bitter ha, very favorable conditions, and soon acquired the fields of the people in the valley, there are two families who may have a particularly deep affection for their own land, no matter how high the price Xu Liang offered, he did not agree to sell the land.

However, only two days later, the arrest of the Huining County Government came to the door and asked the heads of the two families to go to the county government to inquire about the case, and it is said that two murders were still involved.

I don't know what kind of interrogation they received in the yamen, and the two families obediently sold the land to Xu Liang the next day.

As for the other borderless places in the valley, it was even simpler, a few hundred taels of silver smashed in front of Huining Zhi County, plus Xu Liang slightly flashed the brocade clothes in his hand in front of Huining Zhi County, and Huining Zhi County immediately respectfully sold the valley and the two mountains to Xu Liang.

After the issue of the ownership of the land was solved, Xu Liang began to prepare for the construction of the salt factory. However, Sima Qiudao, the owner of the artillery battalion beside him, was really not the material for business, so Xu Liang ordered someone to rush back to Pingliang City and transferred Wu Side, the treasurer of the Xu Mansion.

With Wu Side, the salt boiling factory was quickly built.

Xu Liang took the men and horses of the artillery battalion to drill seven brine wells in the valley according to the demarcated spacing, the well was 15 or 6 feet deep, the four sides of the well were stacked with green bricks, and the canopy was set up on the top, and the preliminary brine well was built.

While waiting for Wu Side to bring the iron pot, Xu Liang saw that the road in and out of the valley was narrow and difficult to navigate, so he assigned more than 500 artillery battalion soldiers to widen the mountain road.

The soldiers of the artillery battalion are building the road in full swing, and a road stretching from the valley to the outside of the mountain is gradually emerging.

Xu Liang has walked along the newly repaired road two or three times in the past few days, fantasizing about the days when he will make a fortune selling salt in the future. As we all know, salt was one of the few items in the Ming Dynasty that needed to be taxed. Moreover, the operation of salt must also have a salt quotation issued by the government, which can be regarded as a monopoly industry dominated by the court.

Profiteering inevitably leads to competition. Although the salt dealers are doing the business of losing their heads, they can't stand the amount of money they earn, and the money comes quickly.

One afternoon, Sima Qiudao accompanied Xu Liang for a walk along the newly repaired route, and then hesitantly asked Xu Liang how he planned to deal with the salt.

Is it official salt or private salt?

Xu Liang didn't think about it, and replied quite naturally: "This official is a high-ranking official from the fourth rank of the court, and of course he must be upright in business." The smugglers of salt dealers are disdainful of the officials. Of course, this official has to be an official salt. ”

Sima Qiu listened to it and kindly reminded: "My lord, the last general heard that the court levied a very heavy tax on official salt. A pound of salt can be sold for about 50 wen in the Jianghuai area, and it is more expensive in the northwest area, which can be sold for 200 to 300 wen, and the court will collect 20 wen when collecting taxes, which is ...... The last general listened to the shopkeeper's calculations. In addition to the wages of the workers, the firewood used to boil the salt is consumed. The cost of purchasing an iron pot and the cost of transportation along the way. This pound of salt is calculated, and the cost of boiling is about fifty yuan, and I heard that you have to honor the local salt eunuchs from time to time. ”

Xu Liang glanced at Sima Qiudao, and said lightly: "When did this official say that he would pay taxes to the court?" ”

"Huh?" Sima Qiudao asked suspiciously, "My lord, can you sell official salt without paying taxes?" ”

Xu Liang snorted lightly and walked forward with his hands behind his back. He said a word in a quiet way.

"What this official does is official private salt, referred to as official salt."

"......" Sima Qiudao looked at Xu Liang in amazement, chased after him violently, and came to Xu Liang, like a tide: "High!" It's really high! Your Excellency, you are so godly! ”

When the road out of the valley was about to be repaired, Shopkeeper Wu rushed back with a team of wagons, which were full of large and small iron pots.

Shopkeeper Wu shouted at the soldiers of the artillery battalion to help unload the truck, and smiled flatteringly at Xu Liang. Said: "My lord, this time I bought all the iron pots that can be bought in Jingning City." ”

Sima Qiudao smiled and said: "I said shopkeeper Wu, you have moved all the iron pots in the city here, if the people in the city can't eat raw rice." Then your sin will be great. ”

Shopkeeper Wu smiled.

Xu Liang's gaze passed over the shopkeeper Wu and fell on Hong Shenzheng, who had just jumped out of a carriage.

Hong Shenzheng stood on the spot and patted the dust off his body and walked in front of Xu Liang. He looked around again and sighed, "The battle outside is raging. You have the leisure to dig wells and build roads in this ravine! ”

Xu Liang glared and said, "Why are you here?" ”

Hong Shenzheng said: "If you hadn't transferred Shopkeeper Wu here, the official really didn't know that you would be hiding in this valley." ”

Xu Liang smiled. led Hong to his residence, which was actually a larger shed built by the soldiers of the artillery battalion with local materials and plants and trees in the valley.

The two sat down on a simple stool in the shed, Xu Liang poured a glass of water for Hong Shenzheng, and gestured: "This is clean spring water specially taken from outside the valley, it is sweet, Lord Hong tastes it." ”

Hong Shenzheng smiled, picked up the cup and took a few sips. For example, he took out the handwritten warrant of Wu Zhiwang, the governor of the three sides, from his arms, pushed it in front of Xu Liang, and said solemnly: "Lord Wu's order, please immediately lead 30,000 troops and follow me to support Liu Zhilun, the governor of Shaanxi." ”

Xu Liang picked up the warrant and looked at it, calculated the date in his heart, and said: "Liu Zhongcheng has been sending troops for almost ten days, even if I lead the troops at this time, I'm afraid that the war will end long ago, right?" ”

Hong Senzheng shook his head and said: "Before this official came, he got news from the front line. Governor Liu led more than 6,000 soldiers of the Ming army to fight with the civilian army that attacked Xi'an, and won successive battles, and had penetrated into the hinterland of Xi'an Mansion and was confronting Huang Ziren's men and horses. Guozhong, if you lead the troops at this time, you will definitely send charcoal in the snow and decide the victory in one fell swoop. ”

Xu Liang was silent, and suddenly asked, "Is this what Liu Zhongcheng meant, or is this what Governor Wu meant?" ”

Hong participated in politics for a longer time than Xu Liang's, and nodded heavily: "This is the common meaning of Liu Zhongcheng and Governor Wu. ”

Xu Liang sneered, although Hong Shenzheng said it tactfully, Xu Liang could guess with his heel, this must be the personal meaning of Liu Zhilun, the governor of Shaanxi.

With the loyalty of the trilateral governor Wu Zhiwang, and taking good care of himself, if Governor Wu wants, as early as when the Liang army occupied Hutou Pass in Hanzhong Mansion, Governor Wu could directly give instructions to Xu Liang, why wait until now?

"What happens if I don't go?" Xu Liang asked.

Hong Senzheng was stunned, sighed and said: "Although Liu Zhongcheng has won consecutive battles at the moment, he has not yet confronted Huang Ziren, Gao Yingxiang and others, the main force of the people's army, and the strength of the people's army should not be underestimated. Guozhong, if you don't bring troops to support, the official is worried that Liu Zhongcheng will go and never return. ”

Hong Shenzheng looked directly at Xu Liang, as if he wanted to see through the deepest part of Xu Liang's heart with his eyes.

"I know that Guozhong has too deep a grudge between you and Liu Zhilun, the governor of Shaanxi, if it is only Liu Zhongcheng, Guozhong You will definitely not send troops. It's just that the generals brought out by Liu Zhongcheng this time are all famous generals in the northwest such as He Huchen, the general soldier of Yansui, and Wang En, the general soldier of Ningxia. Liu Zhongcheng is dead, don't worry, don't even tire the general soldiers of He and the general soldiers of Wang! ”

Xu Liang thought about it, nodded slightly to Chao Hong's participation in politics, and said, "That's really the truth." ”

Pingliang Tongzhi Xu Liang and Shaanxi political participation Hong Chengchou returned to Pingliang City, at this time it had been twelve days since the day Liu Zhilun, the governor of Shaanxi, led the troops to go on the expedition.

The first thing Xu Liang did when he returned to Pingliang City was to gather the generals of the Liang army in Xu's mansion. It was announced that 30,000 Liang troops would be dispatched and immediately ready to go to war.

After appointing the general who would lead the troops, Xu Liang suddenly pointed to Long Feng, the deputy guerrilla general of Pingliang who was sitting on the Taishi's chair diagonally, looked at the strips of white cloth wrapped around his thighs, and asked in surprise: "General Long, what's wrong with you?" ”

When the generals heard this, they burst into laughter. Long Feng's face was red with a smile, and he couldn't wait to crack it in an orderly way so that he could get in.

Xu Liang and Hong participated in politics inexplicably, and when the laughter of the generals was weak and faded, Dai Feng, deputy commander of Pingliang, held back a smile and told Xu Liang and Hong about Long Feng's injury process.

When Xu Liang heard that Long Feng was unwilling to lead troops to accompany Liu Zhilun, the governor of Shaanxi, he came up with a thigh injury during cavalry training. However, in the process of implementation, Long Feng did not happen to choose a stallion that had just been trained and uniformed, and as a result, he was really seriously injured and couldn't get out of bed for several days!

Xu Liang figured out the reason, couldn't help crying and laughing, pointed at Long Feng and scolded with a smile: "What are you called!" Okay, don't go out with the army, just stay in Pingliang City to defend the city! ”

Long Feng responded embarrassedly.

The generals laughed gloatingly. When Hong Shenzheng saw it, he couldn't help but sigh secretly: In order not to disobey Xu Liang's instructions, Long Feng did not hesitate to hurt himself to shirk Governor Liu's order! It can be seen that Xu Liang's prestige in the eyes of the generals of the Liang army is shocking.

Grain and grass, men and horses are basically ready-made, and they are all concentrated in the Liang Jundong camp. After Xu Liang's military order was issued, he basically didn't need much preparation to move south.

Xu Liang told Feng Suqin to pay more attention to the newly established salt factory in Huining County, Gongchang Prefecture, so he ordered the accompanying Tsing Yi guards, and the group came to the East Camp, gathered some soldiers, counted the grain and grass materials, and then marched south.

Shaanxi participated in politics and Hong Shenchou went with Liang Jun.

When the 30,000 Liang army marched to Baishiyuan in Huating County, the whole army stopped and rested. Hong Shenzheng walked to Xu Liang's side and said, "Guozhong, according to the current marching speed of the Liang army, in three more days, we will be able to reach the territory of Xi'an Mansion and find an opportunity to join Liu Zhongcheng and others." ”

Xu Liang looked at Hong Participating in politics, and said nonchalantly: "Who said that the army is going to Xi'an Mansion?" ”

"Huh?" Hong was stunned, "Let's not support Liu Zhongcheng?" ”

Xu Liang took a sip and said: "Liu Zhilun, this guy, arrogant, no one in his eyes, thinks he has a black gauze hat of the governor of Shaanxi on his head, so he doesn't know how many catties and taels he has!" Hmph, he has no soldiers or generals, but he wants to force others to die for him! The character is so despicable that the official is ashamed to be with him! He went to save his Xi'an Mansion, and the official himself led his troops to recover Hanzhong Mansion. ”

"Guozhong!" Hong Shenzheng's eyes widened, and he shouted anxiously: "If we don't support, Lord Zhongcheng is in danger!" Mr. He, Mr. Wang's life is in danger. ”

Xu Liang sneered: "Lord Hong, I call it a plan to encircle Wei and save Zhao, Hanzhong Mansion is the nest of the people's army, and this official will definitely be able to attract most of the main forces of the people's army and relieve the pressure on Liu Zhilun's gang!" If He Huchen and the others still have an accident in this way, it is the will of heaven and has nothing to do with this official! ”

Xu Liang looked at the southern sky, faint, and whispered to himself: "I can give my things, but you can't ask for them!" (To be continued......)