I seek economic hegemony in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 71 Connecting East and West
At this moment, the people below trotted over and said, "Mr. Zhao, there is someone outside who claims to be a businessman from Guanzhong and wants to see you."

"But they are from the Du family?"

"No."

"No see, no time."

"The other party said there was paper."

Zhao Jun immediately ran out.

When he arrived at the door and saw Huo Yi, he hurriedly stepped forward and said with great enthusiasm, "This distinguished guest, please come inside."

Huo Yi was about to introduce himself, but he didn't expect Zhao Jun to be so enthusiastic.

As soon as they were welcomed in, Zhao Jun asked with a smile: "What is your surname, this gentleman?"

"My surname is Huo, my first name is..."

"It turns out to be Mr. Huo Lang. I've heard his name for a long time. How many pieces of paper did you bring?"

"Paper?"

"No?" Zhao Jun stopped, "Send off guests!"

"Bringing tens of thousands of pieces of paper."

"Please come in, Mr. Huo Lang."

Huo Yi was welcomed as a guest.

"Where did Huo Langjun come from in Guanzhong?"

"Come here on the orders of the Prime Minister."

Zhao Jun was startled, and then his expression became serious.

"Is it Prime Minister Zhuge?"

"Yes."

Zhao Jun suddenly had many thoughts. The Zhao family belonged to the Wei State, and theoretically, they were enemies of the Han army.

However, Zhao Jun did not express his position immediately.

"I wonder what brings you here?"

"Sell paper."

"Sell paper?"

"Yes, selling paper, I just said that."

Only then did Zhao Jun come to his senses. What he had just said was true, but after Huo Yi reported his identity, Zhao Jun's attention was focused on his identity.

For a moment, I actually forgot that the other party just said that he was here to sell paper.

"Just selling paper?"

"I also want to tell Mr. Zhao that I want to keep selling paper in the future, and the price will be cheaper than before."

"Before?"

"That's the price I paid you last time I sold paper to you."

"Who sold me paper last time?" Zhao Jun asked.

"You know better than me who sold you the paper."

"How much does your paper cost?"

"Forty thousand pieces, one thousand dan of grain."

Zhao Jun was stunned for a moment. It was only a little more than [-]% of the last time!
Looking at Huo Yi's sincere and serious face, Zhao Jun couldn't tell for a while whether he was killed by Du Yu or whether Huo Yi was lying to him.

"Where did your paper come from?" Zhao Jun asked calmly.

"I made it myself."

"Seriously?" Zhao Jun was slightly surprised.

"The merchant who sold you paper last time got the paper from us. It's understandable that he sold it expensively."

Zhao Jun nodded, agreeing with this sentence.

And he also knew that the reason why Huo Langjun's paper in front of him was cheap was not because he was kinder than Du Yu, but because there were other conditions.

He would rather do business with Du Yu than this.

Pure buying and selling is much easier than transactions mixed with politics.

"How did you make such fine paper?"

"I'm afraid there is no comment on this question."

Zhao Jun thought for a moment and said, "Huo Langjun, wait a moment."

Not long after, another man walked in, his face somewhat similar to Zhao Jun.

Huo Yi knew that his name was Zhao Yu and that he was Zhao Jun's elder brother.

"I've met Mr. Zhao." "Please sit down."

After sitting down again, Huo Yi was even less anxious.

"Prime Minister, are you okay?" Zhao Yu asked in a kind tone.

"Everything is fine."

People in Tianshui County are very familiar with Zhuge Liang.

In the first Northern Expedition, the main force of the Han army was preparing to seize Longyou, and Ma Di guarded the street pavilion to block the Wei army.

Nan'an, Tianshui, and Anding counties all fell into Zhuge Liang's hands.

Although the Zhao family did not have a fort for defense at that time, they did not deliberately fight against the Han army.

Zhao Yu said: "In addition to selling paper, do you have any other requests, but it doesn't matter."

"Now that the imperial court is on its northern expedition, the army is at its peak, and the Wei traitors are gone. I am here on the orders of the Prime Minister. I hope that Duke Zhao will call on the people to eat pots of pulp to welcome the king's army."

Zhao Jun sneered: "How did I hear that you were besieged in Weinan and couldn't move forward?"

"What Mr. Zhao said is wrong. The Wei thieves have fallen into a disadvantage. Now the situation is clear. Both of them are outstanding men."

Zhao Yu and Zhao Jun both fell silent.

Huo Yi said: "In the future, there will be an endless supply of paper, and it will only be sold to Duke Zhao."

"Only sell it to us?"

"Yes, it is only sold to two people. Other families in Longyou want it, but they can only come to Mr. Zhao."

Zhao Yu and Zhao Jun looked at each other.

The real meaning behind this statement is this: We will sell the paper to Longyou, and only sell it to people who seek refuge with us. If Mr. Zhao is unwilling, we will find other families, and then Mr. Zhao will pay a high price to other families.

Zhao Jun said: "It's just a piece of paper. If the prime minister is repelled again this time, the deal will be over."

"Mr. Zhao is unwilling?"

"We are worshiping Lord Wei now."

"Does Mr. Zhao think that Master Wang will not dare to come to Longyou next year?"

"So what if we come to Longyou? You have retreated the first four times!" Zhao Jun said in a strong tone, "Don't think I don't know. Now that you are trapped in Xishui by Sima Yi, you will definitely be unable to move!"

"Okay!" Huo Yi stood up, "Mr. Zhao, remember what you said today, and don't regret it in the future!"

After saying that, Huo Yi was about to walk out.

Zhao Jun and Zhao Yu looked at each other, not expecting the Han envoy to have such a tough attitude.

"Huo Langjun, wait a moment."

"What else is there?" Huo Yi said with an unhappy expression, "Does Mr. Zhao want to detain me here?"

"I don't dare. I, the Zhao family, are also a reputable family. How could I do such a despicable thing?"

"Then what's the matter?"

"Why are Mr. Huo Lang so anxious?"

"The Prime Minister has long heard that Duke Zhao has great righteousness, and he has just been sent here. I am sincere, but the two of you are deliberately humiliating, so let's not talk about it!" Huo Yi said, "When the king's troops come to the city next year, Duke Zhao must not regret today's decision! "

"This matter is of great importance. After all, we are ministers of the Wei Dynasty. How can we surrender in just a few words? Does the Prime Minister want to find someone who is disloyal and unjust?"

"Today, the Wei thieves have ruined the world and the people are in an uproar. You come to vote for me. It is a matter of great justice and the support of the people!"

"Do you think this is good?" Zhao Yu said, "We want the paper and the food will be provided. I would like to trouble Huo Langjun to send a message to Prime Minister Zhuge on behalf of the old man, saying that I admire his great virtue and ambition."

Huo Yi's expression softened slightly and he said no more.

After the two parties made a deal, Huo Yi left.

It is impossible for Zhao to express his attitude at this time.

When will you take a stand?

Whoever wins will follow!

The most important thing for Huo Yi to come this time is to extend a helping hand to Zhao.

When the war situation stabilizes next year and the Han army advances westward, Zhao will know what to do.

Jianxing’s 12th year ended quietly on a snowy night.

This night, the Jianye Palace, thousands of miles away, was brightly lit.

A paper letter sent from Guanzhong was delivered to Sun Quan's desk.

Gu Yong, the prime minister of Eastern Wu, hurriedly entered the palace.

"I see you, Your Majesty."

Under the candlelight, Sun Quan's face was deep. He handed this letter to Gu Yong: "Zhuge Kongming said in the letter that the main force of Cao Wei has been trapped in Guanzhong by him. He hopes that we can send troops north again next year."

(End of this chapter)