Yuan Shao, the father of Fanghua in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 902 A two-pronged approach
Yuan Xi asked someone to take out a map and hang it up, then walked to the map, called Mi Zhen and others over, and said: "The reason for this is because my next focus on maritime trade is to focus on the Korean Peninsula and the Wonu Kingdom. area."

Mi Zhen brought several shopkeepers of the Mi family closer to the map. These people were all the most capable people in the Mi family business. When they saw the route pointed by Yuan Xi, they understood Yuan Xi's intention.

Someone immediately said: "There is a Gongsundu family in western Liaodong and eastern Liaoning. Is the envoy afraid of being cut off by others, so he used Donglai, Qingzhou as a springboard, first to the Korean Peninsula, and then took advantage of the wind to land on Tsushima Island in the Wonu Kingdom?"

Yuan Xi said: "Yes, the Gongsundu family is an outsider after all. If they rely on the Piaoyuyi port in Yuyang to bypass the coast, they will easily be blocked by it in the event of a conflict in the future."

"Now we have built docks from the inner ring of the Bohai Sea along the coastline, from the four counties of Han Dynasty, and established maritime terminals on the Korean Peninsula. This line should be expanded in use."

"Since ancient times, there has been an escape route from Donglai, Qingzhou, across the sea to Liaodong. The shortest distance is only about three hundred miles, and if you go quickly, it only takes a few days."

"The distance to the Korean Peninsula is a little farther, seven to eight hundred miles, and there is indeed some risk. But if a fixed route is formed and the seasonal sea currents are understood, it should become the most efficient route. Other routes are a bit risky. .”

Everyone agreed. After all, the distance from Xuzhou to the ship would be more than double, and the risk would increase several times. For maritime merchants who require stability and speed, it is obviously better to divide the ship into several sections and use each dock as a springboard to achieve greater safety. .

The fleet from Dongnae arrived in the middle of the Korean Peninsula and could exchange goods and carry out trade along the way. When it arrived in the southernmost part of the Korean Peninsula, near the Busan area in later generations, it was only a hundred miles across the sea from Tsushima Island in later generations. Direct and safe route.

In this way, Yuan Xi can completely connect the areas in the inner ring of the East China Sea and the Bohai Sea. Although he has exerted a lot of strength and wealth in the past few years, it is all worth it.

Although it stands to reason that after Mi Zhen married Yuan Xi, the Mi family business belonged to the Mi family and had nothing to do with Mi Zhen, but if you really think so, you are really crazy. The Mi family really dares to do this. Yuan Xi has There are 10,000 ways to make them unable to gain a foothold, and finally get out naked.

Yuan Xi saw their doubts and said leisurely: "Let me ask you, merchants, why?"

This is Yuan Xi's purpose, to fundamentally nip problems in the bud. In the future or even thousands of years later, those places will no longer have independent countries.

Yuan Xi knew this very well. After all, Mi Fang actually did such a thing in later generations. Therefore, although he trusted the Mi family members on the surface, he could not be unprepared in his heart.

However, in this way, the Mi family is completely tied to Yuan Xi's boat, which also means that they are on the opposite side of Cao Cao and Jiangdong. For businessmen who have both sides, they are one thing on the surface and another in private. There may not be anyone among them who has other thoughts, such as the act of preparing a way out.

So he said: "Now I occupy the four states in the inner ring of the Bohai Sea, and there are dozens of large and small trading houses among them. I can't take care of them, so I am planning to establish a joint chamber of commerce to unify shipping route planning."

The trade objects of the Silk Road are collisions and exchanges between civilizations that have formed relatively mature national cultural traditions. Neither side can take advantage of the other, but can only absorb the essence of each other.

In this era, the Korean Peninsula and the Wonu Kingdom were still in a tribal slave society. Neither writing nor tradition had formed a system. This was the best time for Yuan Xi, who was unable to resist the assimilation of Chinese culture. , the inevitable result is to become an extended part of the Chinese territory.

The clan elders hurriedly said: "This is the founder of our profession, and my subordinates will naturally know it."

Because commerce and trade are the most convenient and quickest way to promote cultural exchanges and integrate various ethnic groups, just as the Silk Road became a bridge for cultural exchanges between the East and the West, this maritime route was also Yuan Xi's first step towards going overseas.

"I plan to let the two ladies name themselves as vice-presidents of the Chamber of Commerce, and each company will decide the seats based on how much they invest."

Several clan elders looked at each other, unsure of the meaning of Yuan Xi's words. Some people hesitated and said: "It is for the sake of the family's prosperity, long-lasting incense, and prosperous descendants."

Several shopkeepers are all elders of the Mi family. They looked at each other and saw the cautious look in each other's eyes. They naturally knew Yuan Xi's appetite. Was he afraid that he would eat them all in the future?
They took refuge in Yuan Xi for the sake of the family's prosperity and survival, but if Yuan Xi's appetite was too big and swallowed up all the Mi family, what else would they have to strengthen the family?

The shopkeepers looked stern, knowing that this was the key point. Yuan Xi slowly said: "The Zhen family and the Mi family are the top two among them, so they naturally have a greater say."

Although the Mi family's trading house has become Yuan Xi's private property in disguise, this is what the Mi family wants. By being with Yuan Xi, the benefits in the future will be immeasurable. How can several fleets compare with it? If you don't bet now, you will lose money in the future. The chance to serve is gone.

Yuan Xi and Mi Zhen discussed the Mi family's choice of a port in Donglai. Several shopkeepers stood by to make suggestions. They were all members of the Mi family, and they had no objections in their hearts. Instead, they were extremely supportive.

Therefore, compared with Mi Zhu and Mi Fang who took refuge with Liu Bei, the remaining Mi family members who stayed in Xuzhou were eager to hug Yuan Xi's thigh. Many people even felt that they were wrong to bet on Liu Bei back then. Without occupation, how can it compare with Yuan Xi?
However, what reassures the Mi family members is that Yuan Xi and Liu Bei are now considered in-laws, and they are not at a disadvantage either way.

Yuan Xi smiled and said to everyone: "Do you know Fan Li?"

Yuan Xi smiled and said: "Then, are their descendants safe now?"

Only then did the clan elders suddenly realize.

Fan Li was said to be as wealthy as his country back then, but his descendants are unknown to him. He is probably hiding or his family has fallen into decline, and the latter is more likely. Yuan Xi's meaning is obvious. No matter how much money you make, if your descendants can't keep it, what's the use?

To become a wealthy family, you must first become a wealthy local, accumulate power and become a wealthy family, and then after several generations or even more than a dozen generations of accumulation, you can accumulate popularity and connections in the circle of court ministers, and then you can become a long-lasting and prosperous family. You can’t do it with money!
Yuan Xi said slowly: "Whether it is the Korean Peninsula or the Japanese slave country, the Chamber of Commerce will cooperate with the army and they will be included in China sooner or later."

"This is an eternal legacy that will lead to the expansion of the territory, and the Qingyun Road that will allow the family to take further steps. Can it be bought with money?"

"Some people want this opportunity, and I don't want to give it to them yet."

When several clan elders heard this, they immediately knelt down and said, "The Mi family is willing to give everything they have to support the envoy!"

Yuan Xi nodded with satisfaction, "Okay, you all go back, I'll wait to see your sincerity!"

After the clan elders left, Mi Zhen covered her mouth and smiled and said, "My husband is really a keen observer of people's hearts, and he has a clear eye for fire."

"Although I am in charge of the Mi family's business in name, I only know a few things on the surface. I don't know how much savings the Mi family has in private."

"And my husband's move may expose all the misunderstandings of the Mi family."

Yuan Xi also laughed, "Didn't Madam not remind the Mi family?"

Mi Zhen glanced at Yuan Xi angrily, "I am now my husband's wife."

Seeing that Mi Zhen was as beautiful as a flower, Yuan Xi couldn't help but feel a little impatient. He stood up and said, "Let's go into the house with me."

Mi Zhen looked at the people coming and going outside the trading house and couldn't help but blush, "Although there are no people waiting in the backyard of the trading house, there are still..."

Yuan Xi knew that Mi Zhen was thin-skinned, so he was just teasing her, so he smiled and said: "I'm scaring you. By the way, in a few days some Southern Huns envoys from Beixin City will come to negotiate, which involves commercial trade. You Come with me."

Mi Zhen nodded after hearing this, and then said: "On the southern Xiongnu side, just looking at trade, I'm afraid it won't be of any benefit to us within a few years, right?"

"And I'm afraid that almost all the benefits of the Xiongnu tribal system in the south have been withheld by the leaders of each tribe. I'm afraid the real tribesmen will be dissatisfied if they can only exchange cattle and sheep for some food?"

Yuan Xi touched Mi Zhen's head, "Madam has guessed the first half, can't she guess the second half?"

Mi Zhen was startled, then suddenly realized, she covered her mouth and said with a smile: "My husband is really evil-hearted."

Since marrying Yuan Xi, she has gradually broadened her horizons from being a pure businessman in charge of business routes, and slowly figured out the truth. Although Yuan Xi does business to make money, there are more important political issues behind it. Consideration, this is the fundamental driving force of its behavior.

Just like the purpose of allowing the Mi family trade route to enter the Bohai Sea was to expand territory, Yuan Xi actually had no good intentions when discussing trade with the Southern Huns, Xianbei and other barbarians.

At first, Mi Zhen looked at Yuan Xi's trade goods list and found that there were many luxury goods in it, but they were sold much cheaper than those in the Central Plains. However, the prices of real necessities, such as iron tools and grain, were much higher than the market price.

This idea is simply obvious. Under this guidance, the leader of the Hu tribe must focus on buying things for pleasure, and will reduce the share of necessities for farming. After all, as a leader, he cannot be hungry.

The direct consequence of this is that the upper class of the Hu people will develop a trend of enjoyment and extravagance, regardless of the life and death of the people below, and their people will inevitably be very resentful.

If there is a good year, there is no problem, but if there is a natural disaster, there will be something good to see. Wasn't it like this before the Yellow Turban Uprising?
By then, the already ununited Hu people will be in disarray. If Yuan Xi takes some measures, the already unstable anti-Han alliance of the Hu people will inevitably fall apart.

Of course, there is another key here.

Mi Zhen spoke up: "What if the leaders and the people are determined not to negotiate peace, but only want to gain benefits, and even launch an army to plunder?"

Yuan Xi smiled, "Madam has already considered this, and naturally knows that there is only one way to deal with people who are too stubborn."

“Leave no place but no one.”

(End of this chapter)