I seek economic hegemony in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 69 Paper enters Luoyang and plots against Longyou

"Who?" Li Heng was stunned for a moment.

"Du Yu, Du Yuankai." Dong Hong emphasized again.

"Why is he here?" Li Heng was really surprised.

The armies of Han and Wei were beaten to a pulp, how dare he come here at this time?
Seeing Li Heng's confusion, Dong Hong said: "Businessmen are still passing through."

Li Heng finally came to his senses, stood up and walked out.

It seems that battles have to be fought and businesses have to be traded.

It is unclear whether Du Yu was doing business with the Han army or Longyou.

When he reached the gate, Li Heng asked, "Where is he?"

"At the gate of the city."

Li Heng didn't ask Du Yu to come in.

Doing business is business, but going to the city is another matter.

After all, the Jingzhao Du family was a high-ranking official in the Wei State. Li Heng had made a deal with Du Yu, which did not mean that he completely trusted Du Yu.

In fact, both sides maintain a good sense of boundaries.

What should be done and what should not be done is clear to both parties.

You are definitely not allowed to enter the city.

Li Heng got on his horse and took Dong Hong all the way to the outside of the city.

"Lang Jun, Mr. Li is here." Du Ling said from the side of the carriage.

Du Yu then opened the curtain and got out of the carriage.

"Du Jun, long time no see!" Li Heng got off his horse, walked up quickly, and bowed to Du Yu.

"Mr. Li, you are fine."

"Everything is fine."

Du Yu said straight to the point: "I am here this time to ask for paper."

"How much?"

"Forty thousand."

"Old rules."

"I brought the food," Du Yu said, "a total of two thousand dan."

"Ziling, take someone to get the paper for Du Jun."

"Didn't Mr. Li ask who I sold it to?"

"Sold to Luoyang."

"If it is sold to Luoyang, will Mr. Li still sell it?"

"Sell, of course!" Li Heng said, "The princes of Luoyang like Shu Brocade, doesn't the imperial court sell it the same?"

"But paper..."

Du Yuhuan said that paper is special, paper is different from Shu Brocade.

"Du Jun wants to say that Luoyang bought paper and distributed it to officials to use it to record official affairs?"

"Indeed."

Du Yu is really an honest person, which shows that he is indeed negotiating with the mentality of long-term cooperation.

If you want long-term cooperation, if you don't speak clearly and arouse suspicion on both sides, problems will quickly arise.

"It's okay."

"Li Gong is righteous."

"This has nothing to do with righteousness." Li Heng said, "Wei is an enemy. Naturally, I will not be kind enough to help them. Everything must be weighed against the pros and cons."

Du Yu immediately became interested and asked, "How did Mr. Li weigh the pros and cons in this matter?"

"Forty thousand pieces of paper, transported to Luoyang, are like several carts of sand poured into the Yellow River. Could it be that they can create huge waves and cause the Yellow River to overflow?"

In order for the Yellow River to flood, the sediment that has fallen into the river must accumulate to a certain extent over a long period of time.

Du Yu immediately understood Li Heng's logic.

Although paper is good, it can promote various states and counties and detail official affairs.

But paper is a consumable product. Use one sheet and use one less.

If the Wei State really wants to implement paper-based office work from top to bottom, it will only be possible with a steady supply of paper.

Forty thousand were a drop in the bucket for a country the size of Wei.Even if [-] pieces of paper were placed in front of Cao Rui, he would not be so naive as to think that paper-based office work would be realized soon.

Therefore, these [-] pieces of paper are most likely used by some powerful people for entertainment.

For example, writing poetry, painting, etc.

"What if it is needed in the future and the demand is getting bigger and bigger?"

Li Heng said: "As much as you want, just come to me."

"Are you sure you are not afraid that Wei will have enough paper?"

"I'm just afraid that Du Jun doesn't have enough food."

"Enough food."

"That's fine."

Half an hour later, Dong Hong ordered someone to send out [-] pieces of paper.

During this half hour, Li Heng and Du Yu lit a fire outside the city to keep warm and chatted.

After handing over the paper, Li Heng suddenly said: "Du Jun, I heard that your father is a senior official in Cao Wei?"

"My father is currently the prefect of Hongnong County."

"I heard that your father is simple and pragmatic. It may not be a bad thing to serve in a local government."

Li Heng said this deliberately.

There is another meaning in this statement.

Your father was too honest and sincere. He worked as a minister of Huangmen in the court for several years and offended many people before he was assigned to a local position.

Of course Du Yu could hear it, and he said: "My father always taught me to be benevolent, righteous, courteous and loving. It doesn't matter whether I am in court or not."

"Your father's virtue is admirable."

There were many people in the Three Kingdoms of the Eastern Han Dynasty who were seeking fame and reputation, but Du Yu's father was a rare pragmatic and sincere person.

Li Heng felt that it was unrealistic to dig Du Yu here now. The line was released and the big fish had to be fished slowly.

"Du Jun, we can't entertain you today. When the war is over, how about you and I moaning in pain?"

"Mr. Li, you're polite. I have something else to do, so I won't bother you."

"Farewell."

After Du Yu left, Li Heng immediately went to Wuzhangyuan and met Zhuge Liang.

"Ji'an, you came just in time. Have you met Du Yu?"

"seen."

"Did you give me paper?"

"Give it."

"Okay, he calls for you to get paper. Give him paper little by little."

"Yes, [-] tickets were given."

"His father is a virtuous man, and Du Yu is also known as a child prodigy in Jingzhao. It would be great if he can be used by us in the future. We can handle the relationship with him properly."

"The prime minister is right."

"There is another matter that I need to discuss with you today."

"I don't know what's the matter?"

"Du Yu went to Zhao's family in Tianshui last time. I want to send someone to Tianshui and arrive in Tianshui in the name of selling paper, just like Du Yu did before."

Li Heng's heart moved, and he really thought of getting together with the prime minister.

Zhuge Liang said: "The counties in Longyou must also be watching the battle. If they had gone to Tianshui a few months earlier, Zhao might not have agreed to cooperate with us. They thought we would withdraw our troops again, but now our army is in trouble to gain a foothold and compete with the Wei army. There is a confrontation and the situation of the war has changed. It is most appropriate to send someone at this time."

"The prime minister is wise, and the lower officials also think it should be so."

"Then I will introduce someone to you." Zhuge Liang said with a smile, "This is Huo Shaoxian, the secretary of the Prime Minister's Mansion. I plan to send him there."

“I’ve heard about Mr. Li’s name for a long time.”

"I am over-flattered."

Zhuge Liang said: "Ji'an, what do you want to explain to Shaoxian?"

"The Zhao family is a wealthy family in Tianshui County. When Shao Xian arrived in Tianshui, the Zhao family must have known about the situation in Guanzhong. At this time, they will not reject us or agree with us, and will continue to wait and see. But they will deliberately look down upon us. You use this to improve your negotiating advantage. Although you have a tough attitude, you must not show weakness!"

Li Heng said.

"Shaoxian doesn't need to persuade the Zhao family with words. The family is prosperous and involves huge interests. It cannot be persuaded by words alone. He only needs to convey two meanings to the Zhao family: first, the court's sincerity in joining them; second, the court's sincerity. Powerful. After we build a city north of the Wei River, they will know what to do."

(End of this chapter)