National color raw owl

Of course, Chu Huan knew very well that the salt shortage in Xiliang would be a heavy blow to Maha Zang. If the salt shortage continued, the civil war in Xiliang would inevitably end in Maha Zang's defeat.

Chu Huan did not want to see a unified Xiliang. The more serious the civil strife in Xiliang, the greater the benefits to the Central Plains.

Of course he didn't want to see Maha Zang's final failure because of salt, so when he learned from Gusa Heiyun that Maha Zang lacked salt, he immediately made up his mind that he must ask Maha Zang for help. Provide salt to ensure that the civil strife in Xiliang can continue.

But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and of course Chu Huan cannot let it go.

For Chu Huan, although the Xiliang Kingdom is big, there are only two things he cares about.

Qi Luo is the person he cares about the most, every time he thinks of being separated from the ends of the earth, Chu Huan feels a sharp pain in his heart.

Apart from Qi Luo, what interests him the most is naturally the war horses of Xiliang.

Xiliang war vests are the best in the world. This statement is absolutely true. Chu Huan has seen the endurance and speed of Xiliang horses with his own eyes. In the Battle of Black Mountain, he saw the charge of Xiliang cavalry. The strong and strong horses under the soldiers' crotches made Chu Huan happy Zhong is envious.

One of the important reasons why Xiliang invaded the Great Qin Dynasty was invincible. It was because they had a powerful cavalry army. In the era of cold weapons, cavalry was definitely a powerful combat force.

With such an opportunity, Chu Huan would never miss it, and Chu Huan didn't feel any guilt in his heart for taking advantage of others.

An individual is an individual, and a nation is a nation. The Xiliang people plundered a large amount of wealth from the Northwest and returned to Xiliang. Chu Huan exchanged [-] catties of salt for a war horse, and still felt that the Northwest was still at a disadvantage.

The summer is scorching, although the hottest time of summer has passed, but the air in the northwest is still filled with stuffy heat.

In the main hall of the Governor's Mansion, besides Chu Huan who was sitting in the main seat, several officials including Yuezhou Zhizhou Gongsun Chu were also sitting in the hall, and the atmosphere seemed quite relaxed.

"This is a good deal." Gongsun Chu said with a smile: "In terms of quality, Xiliang horses are really hard to find. Before the founding of Xiliang, we traded with us, and there were horses traded among the people. At that time, there were quite a few The best Xiliang horses have flowed into our Central Plains. Although there are horses produced in the Northwest, they are still inferior to Xiliang horses in terms of endurance and speed."

"Master Gongsun is very true." A wide-mouthed official next to him immediately said: "Actually, the best horse in the Northwest today is not a purebred Northwest horse, but a cross between a Xiliang horse and a Northwest horse. Although there was a horse trade between Xiliang and us at the beginning, the horses they transported had to pass through the Jingulan Desert, and there were quite a lot of losses on the way. When the horses arrived here, the price was surprisingly high. It is simply unacceptable for such a price, and only the Hofushi gentry can buy a few horses as a facade at home."

It was Han Hai, the director of the Ministry of Industry, who spoke.

Before Chu Huan came to Shuoquan to take office, most of the yamen of the Sixth Division of Xiguan had been infiltrated by the Zhu Party. Only the remaining two officials, Han Hai, the head of the Ministry of Industry, and Fan Xuan, the head of the Ministry of Rites, were not members of the Zhu Party.

Fortunately, Chu Huan came in time, otherwise the two yamen would have been occupied by the officials of the Zhu Party headed by Dongfangxin at that time. Chu Huan came to Xiguan and acted vigorously to eradicate the Zhu Party. Everyone knows that if it is not for Chu Huan, not to mention the future, he might not even have his life, so he is very grateful to Chu Huan.

Now Xiguan is carrying out the land equalization order on a large scale. Chu Huan handed over the important task of overviewing the overall situation to Wei Wuji.

According to the law of the imperial court, the head of the department is also a high-ranking official, and must be instructed by the official department. However, before Chu Huan went to Xiguan, the emperor decreed that he could act cheaply. If the power of Xiguan was completely handed over to Chu Huan, so Chu Huan first Pull Wei Wuji to the position of head of the household department, and at the same time send a report to the official department. Before the official order is issued, Wei Wuji can only be regarded as the temporary head of the household department.

However, the Ministry of Officials has not yet officially issued an official statement, but the Xiguan Household Department has been completely handed over to Wei Wuji.

The land equalization order implemented by Wei Wuji is a major event for the people of Xiguan when they come to Xiguan. Gongsun Chu, the magistrate, fully supports and participates in it. When it comes to the affairs of the Ministry of Industry, the Department of Industry also fully cooperates.

Gongsun Chu nodded and said, "It wasn't that many Xiliang horses flowed into the Central Plains. Later, Xiliang blocked the trade. Although there were some underground trades in private, it was really difficult to get Xiliang horses. The racecourse on the Xiguan side later specially bred Northwest horses and Xiliang horses to produce hybrid horses, and this kind of horse must be used as a war horse. It is better than purebred Northwest horses, but it is still weaker than Xiliang horse."

Chu Huan said: "I've seen Xiliang horses before. They have amazing endurance and are extremely fast. They charged and roared past."

"My lord can exchange forty catties of salt for a Xiliang horse. This is something that can never be imagined." Gongsun Chudao: "Even the common people know that we have taken advantage of this deal."

Han Hai worried: "Although they agreed to exchange for a hundred Xiliang horses this time, will the Xiliang people continue with the subsequent transactions? Our Great Qin has a vast land and resources. Compared with Xiliang, it can be said to be rich in materials. They are far away. It's far behind, but the only thing we can't match them is the war horse. Xiliang people know their advantage, and have always forbidden Xiliang horses to flow into the Central Plains... and forty catties of salt can be exchanged for a Xiliang horse, They have suffered a lot, will they feel that it is inappropriate and will not continue to make such a transaction?"

"I don't think so." Gongsun Chu said thoughtfully, "According to what your lord said, the regent of Xiliang is an ambitious person. This kind of person is never willing to admit defeat. He will use all means to win. Their salt passage has been blocked, and the only hope is our side. Without the salt, the regent will undoubtedly lose. He knows this better than us, so in my opinion, even if our conditions are against them It's extremely harsh, the regent still wants to make a deal with us."

Chu Huan said with a smile: "The regent still controls the three major racecourses in Xiliang. For him, there are countless horses. They have no shortage of such resources."

Gongsun Chu said with a smile: "My lord's deal, when the regent knows about it, I'm afraid I'll spit out a mouthful of blood, but after I spit out the blood, the deal that should be done will still be done."

Chu Huan said: "The governor also thinks that this kind of transaction will continue. Within the scope of his control, millions of people need a lot of salt...!" After a pause, he finally said: "Today, please You guys come here mainly because there are three things to be arranged.” Thinking of Du Fu who is beside him, he said: “Director Du, according to the current demand, the supply of only one salt field in Xixia Mountain may be in short supply, so the governor is going to at least continue Open two saltworks, and the three saltworks together can fully supply the needs of the entire Northwest and Xiliang."

Du Fugong immediately said: "The lower officials will arrange this matter immediately. The new salt bureau has a sum of money, and it will not be a problem to build two more salt farms."

Chu Huan said with a smile: "I'll trouble Director Du about this matter."

"Don't dare." Duke Fu cupped his hands and said, "The three major salt farms are fully producing salt, which is enough to supply the Northwest and Xiliang, but if the salt is sent to the pass, the salt farm will be built at that time. My lord, are you ready this time?"

Chu Huan thought for a while, and then said: "The letter for the new salt to enter the customs has not yet been issued, and it cannot enter the customs for the time being, but according to the situation in the world, there will be a salt shortage in the customs sooner or later. This time, we will build two more salt farms. , but at the same time make preparations for the construction of new saltworks at any time, especially the location, which must be selected well.”

Duke Fu nodded and said, "I understand."

Chu Huan looked at Han Hai, the head of the Ministry of Industry, and said, "Boss Han, there are two other things that have something to do with you."

Han Hai got up, cupped his hands and said, "Please give orders, Your Excellency Governor."

"The first thing is, the governor is going to build a trading field outside Yanmen Pass." Chu Huan chuckled and said, "Since the people of Xiliang are willing to do business with us, we are disrespectful and send your officials from the Ministry of Industry to Choose a good address outside Yanmen Pass. The Governor heard that Feng Yuanpo of Hexi Road built the Northern Border Trading Field to do business with barbarians. The Northern Border Trading Field has developed into an important town. We are not that big. We can’t build such a large trade field without sufficient financial resources, but small trade fields can still be established.”

Han Hai hurriedly said: "I will obey the order." After a pause, he asked: "If you want to build a trade field, all the expenses...!"

Before he could finish speaking, Chu Huan had already smiled and said, "I know that the Department of Accounting doesn't have much money now, but we really don't need to pay for this money ourselves. Tell me, who will be the happiest when this trade field is built?"

"Of course those merchants." Gongsun Chu said with a smile, "Your Excellency, you want those merchants to pay some money?"

Chu Huan sighed: "There is no way. Although the sale of new salt has supplemented the government's finances, the time is too short, and the Ministry of Household Department has not much money to use. Now the Imperial Guard is rebuilding, and the cost is huge... ...!" Then he laughed and said, "However, the merchants will strongly agree with this matter. Mr. Han can consult with them, and you can also tell them that after the establishment of the trade field, the business tax will be reduced by half in the first three years. They will definitely agree to it." Bring out the silver."

Han Hai immediately said: "This will be of great benefit to them, the next official will do it immediately."

"Don't worry, there is another matter that Mr. Han has to think about." Chu Huan said: "The official road from Shuoquan to Yanmen is very damaged. Once the trading ground is built, it will be very difficult for goods to exchange. You Let's see if there is a way to re-repair the official road so that the carriages and horses can pass smoothly."

Before Han Hai could answer, he heard footsteps, and the white blind man had already appeared outside the door, "My lord, Su Qiye is asking to see you."

"Su Qiye?" Chu Huan didn't understand for a while, and wondered: "Which Su Qiye?" Instantly understood, it was Su Zhongyan, the eldest son of the Su family, "Oh, it's the Su family's seventh master, why is he here? You go down first Take him to the side hall to wait, there is still something to discuss here...!"

Bai Xiazi didn't back down immediately, he hesitated for a while, and finally said: "My lord, Su Qiye seems to have urgent matters, he looks bad, very flustered...!"