Cao Thief

Chapter 523 Cloud Movement ([-])

Xudu, Sikong Mansion.

Even though it was a three-volt period, in Sikong Mansion, one could not feel the slightest bit of warmth, and it even made one feel a little chilly.

Mrs. Huan doesn't seem to have changed much, and she is as moving as ever.

Years have not left too many marks on her face.On the contrary, with the passage of time, Mrs. Huan became more and more charming, like a ripe peach, people can't help but want to pounce on it and take a bite.

Huanping stood with his hands down respectfully, repeating Cao Peng's words in detail.

After Mrs. Huan listened very seriously, a look of joy flashed across her face.

"Is that all?"

"Uh, General Cao finally said, what comes out of my mouth and into your ears, don't let a third person know about it."

Mrs. Huan said casually, "Of course."

However, there was a sudden movement in her heart, and a bright light flashed in her eyes.

Out of my mouth, into your ears, don't be known by a third person.

This was originally just a very common exhortation, but at this time, it seemed unusual to say it.

"Huanping, it's been a hard journey, go and rest."

"Here!"

After Huanping left, Mrs. Huan suddenly stood up and walked slowly to the door.

I saw Huanping's back disappearing beside the small gate across the courtyard.There was a hint of murderous intent in Mrs. Huan's eyes, and then she couldn't bear it, and her face seemed to be hesitant.She already understood the meaning of Cao Peng's words...

If it is in normal times, that sentence is nothing.

But this was originally a secret contact, so it was naturally impossible for anyone to know about it.

There are three people who can know these things, myself, Cao Peng and Huanping.Cao Peng knew that Huanping was his confidant, so he wanted to remind him: Don't let the third person know.Isn't that very clear?

Mrs. Huan, Huanping, and Cao Peng, one of the three must die.

This person can't be Mrs. Huan, and it can't be Cao Peng, so the dead person is just about to come out?

Only when Huanping is dead, is it truly 'unknown to a third person'.

However, Huanping has followed him for many years...

A look of pain flashed in Mrs. Huan's eyes, she gritted her teeth, as if she had made up her mind.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++
Time is passing by quickly.

In a blink of an eye, early autumn was approaching, and Hexi County ushered in the harvest season.

The heavy ears of wheat are like a golden ocean, blowing majesticly, undulating like waves... Seeing the golden color, Cao Peng stood on the gate tower of Hongshui County with a happy expression on his face.Hexi is about to pass the most difficult period.Over the past year, he has invested more than hundreds of millions of dollars in Hexi County?Haixi's income for two years was almost smashed by him at once, and only then did he have today's autumn harvest in Hexi.On the pasture, there was a melodious pastoral song.The sky is very blue and the white clouds are long, forming a beautiful picture scroll with the golden color of the earth, which makes Cao Peng's heart soar.

This is the Hexi he hoped for!
This is the legendary Saishang Jiangnan.

People who go in and out of Hongshui County will bow down from the bottom of their hearts when they see Cao Peng on the top of the city gate...

Cao Peng also responded with a smile.

No one said anything, everything was done in silence.

Cao Peng stood for a while, then turned and went back to the hall of the gate tower.Pound had ordered someone to set up a big chair. Cao Peng sat down and motioned for the Pound brothers to also take their seats.Then, he took a sip of the glutinous rice wine brewed by Hexi people, which was mellow and delicious.

"I didn't expect that Hexi has become so prosperous now."

Pang Ming couldn't help sighing.

Cao Peng smiled, feeling complacent.

"This year, I was away from home and didn't put in too much energy.

The scale of Hexi is all due to the hard work of Zishan and others... Hehe, it is said that it is my credit, but it has nothing to do with me. "

The wind, blowing in from outside the door, passed through the hall.

Cao Peng closed his eyes, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.

His return to Hexi this time was not for the upcoming harvest.As Wuwei County gradually stabilized, Cao Peng wanted to take Buluan and Guo Huan to Guzang.Unexpectedly, news came from Hexi that Bu Luan had broken his body.

Counting the days, the time when Bu Luan was pregnant was exactly the time when Cao Peng left Hexi and went to Wuwei.

Although, Bu Luan is not the main wife, and his background is very ordinary.But in comparison, this Buluan is also Cao Peng's favorite and most sensible person.Her mind is dexterous and meticulous, different from Guo Huan's grandeur of a northern daughter, but a kind of gentleness unique to Jiangnan women.She will not fight for anything, but everything will be done according to Cao Peng's wishes.Now that Bu Luan was pregnant, Cao Peng naturally didn't dare to let her travel long distances, so he rushed back to Hongshui County.

It's still early for the baby to be born.

After discussing with Buluan and Guohuan, Cao Peng decided to move to Guzang.

The companions are Cai Yan's mother and daughter.Compared with Hongshui County, Guzang is located on the Hexi Corridor, and Cai Yan has long wanted to visit it.At the same time, she also wanted to memorize those classic books as soon as possible.Guzang's condition is better than that of Hexi County.Maybe in a few years, Hexi County can catch up, but for now, Guzang is still the best choice.

Moreover, since Bu Luan and Guo Huan have left, it's meaningless for her to stay in Hexi, she doesn't even have anyone to talk to...

It's impossible, let Cai Yan find a group of old men to communicate.

Since Cai Yan was leaving, Zhen Mi would also follow.Accompanying her were two maidservants sent from Xudu, both of whom were very sensible daughters who could also read and write.The war in Hebei has come to an end.The collapse of Yecheng also indicates that the battle in Hebei will come to an end.Zhen Mi missed her family in her heart, but she didn't dare to return to her hometown at this time.

I heard that the Black Bandit came out of the mountain!

The entire Zhongshan country was in turmoil.

Cao Cao went on a rampage in Yecheng, slaughtering all the people in Yecheng; Zhang Yan also plundered Zhongshan, which made people feel terrified.

Fortunately, with Zhang Liao and Xu Huang occupying Hejian and Bohai counties, the Zhongshan Kingdom is gradually restoring stability.

Even so, Zhen Mi didn't dare to go back.

She begged Cai Yan, found Bu Zhi through Cai Yan, and then sent a letter home.

I'm afraid the house is also very messy!
I don't know if the mother and elder brother are already prepared?

Under Cai Yan's persuasion, Zhen Mi gradually stabilized her mood.This time Cai Yan is going to Guzang, so Zhen Mi will naturally follow.

"Young master, it's really relaxing."

Just as Cao Peng was resting in the living room with his eyes closed, footsteps could be heard outside, and Bu Zhi walked in with a happy face.

"Zi Shan, sit down!"

Cao Peng quickly stood up and went to meet him.

"During this time, Zishan has worked hard."

"Young Master, where did you start talking? Bu Zhi is here, very stable... It's far from the risk that Young Master experienced in Wuwei."

The two exchanged some polite words, and Bu Zhi asked someone to fetch an account book.

"This is the development of Hexi County these days."

"Uh, I'm really too lazy to read it, Zishan dictated it."

Bu Zhi nodded, and opened the account book, "The population of Hongshui County today has exceeded [-]..."

"Why so many people?"

"First of all, according to the son's order, I stepped up the naturalization of the Qianghu alien race. The son gave such a favorable condition, and many Qianghu were willing to join us. In the past few months alone, there have been several The Xianbei bastard Hu is naturalized, and the population is about 7000 to 5000. At the same time, I would like to thank Gao Gan, who used troops in Hedong, which caused panic among the people in Hedong. Therefore, in the past few months, some people moved from Hedong to Hexi A lot of people... After a rough calculation, Hongshui County has increased by nearly [-] people, while Lianbao has increased by more than [-] people.

The intensity of land reclamation after autumn is bound to increase.

The terrain in Hexi is relatively high, so I plan to open up wasteland along the west of the river. In the coming year, the cultivated land in Hexi will reach as many as [-] hectares.

This population will exceed 40..."

"How about food?"

The population of Hexi is 40, which means that the number of people will increase by nearly half.

The first thing Cao Peng considered was the food issue.Food is the most important thing for the people... Only when you are not hungry can you build a home.

Bu Zhi said: "The situation in Hexi this autumn is very good. I roughly calculated that [-] hectares of land are enough to guarantee the grain storage of the prefectures and counties. Besides, Su Xingshou has sent a caravan to Xichuan to buy grain... …I heard that this year, the weather in Xichuan is good, and it must be another bumper harvest year. The grain in Chengdu has dropped to [-] per cent, which is five times lower than that in the Central Plains. However, it is not yet clear how much grain can be purchased. It is clear, Su Xingshou needs to confirm."

Nishikawa?

Cao Peng's eyebrows twitched, and his heart couldn't help but move.

Li Ru, have you started to act?
He handed over this matter to Li Ru at the beginning, and agreed that he would not ask about it.

So how did Li Ru arrange it specifically, and how did he carry out his actions?Cao Peng is not particularly clear...

But since Li Ru took action, he must speed up his activities in Xudu.

After thinking about it, Cao Peng nodded.

"How much will you invest in the coming year?"

Bu Zhi hesitated for a moment, and said softly: "Young master, if you stop buying slaves from Mobei for the time being, you probably won't invest too much; but if you continue to buy slaves, I'm afraid you will need a large investment. I will also ask for the specific amount. It can only be confirmed after discussing with Su Xingshou. But according to Bu Zhi's rough calculation, it will cost at least 8000 million yuan..."

Brother Pang De Pangming, who was listening on the sidelines, was trembling all the time.

If you don't come to Hexi, you don't know what a prodigal is.

Just listening to the amount negotiated by Cao Peng and the others makes one's scalp tingle.It can be more than [-] million at every turn, and tens of millions at least.

Pound knows what it means to have strong financial resources.

Wuwei County can also be considered to have a relatively solid family background, but it is full of money, and I am afraid it is not as good as the money spent by others.

As everyone knows, this much money has almost exhausted Cao Peng's pocket.

Since he formed a guild in Haixi, the government sold crude salt and sold salt, and almost all of his income in these years was spent on Hexi.Of course, what he moved was his own pocket.Fengchehou's mansion naturally still has an income, and he will not use it.But even so, Cao Peng also felt the pressure. 8000 million, really fucking took my life!
"The purchase of slaves cannot be stopped.

Not only can it not be stopped, but it must be stepped up... Su Shuang may not be able to widen the road for a while, we have to find a way.Shuofang has not yet become chaotic, and Xianbei is not enough to hurt his muscles and bones.Zishan, don't worry about this matter. The money will not come from the treasury. I will find a way to solve it through the chamber of commerce. 8000 million, still too little! "

The dispute between the Southern Huns in Shuofang seems to have gradually come to an end.

Liu Bao occupied Shuofang, and colluded with senior officials, and quickly stabilized his position.

In contrast, it is a bit difficult to go to the base outside the Hetao.Behind him is the Xianbei of Ke Bineng, who always threatens his territory.If Cao Peng hadn't invited Tanzhe to Mobei to join forces with Qubei, I'm afraid he would have been unable to hold on.Trading slaves is now a big source of income for Tan Zhe and Qu Bei.If Cao Peng stopped the acquisition, it would be difficult for the two of them to survive.Even if it is to give them confidence, Cao Peng can only continue to increase his efforts...

Gently rubbing his cheeks, Cao Peng smiled wryly and said, "I knew that it must not be a good thing for Zishan to come to me."

"Is it a good thing?"

Bu Zhi laughed, "If you want to say something good, there is really one thing."

He clapped his hands, and saw two relatives walking in carrying a basket.

"My lord, do you know what this is?"

Cao Peng glanced at it, and the corner of his eye twitched, "Shi Mo?"

"Exactly... a while ago, when Geng Jun was inspecting, in the northwest of the county, in the Huanghualin where the young master exterminated Shi Kui, he found this kind of graphite. However, it seems to be a little different from the graphite we have seen before. .”

"different?"

Cao Peng stood up, walked to the basket, and took out a black object from it.

"Coke?"

Cao Peng recognized that this black thing was not ordinary graphite, but coke.

How could such a thing appear in Huanghualin?
In Cao Peng's memory, coke seems to be produced only after processing.I remember when I was a child, there was a coke refining factory in my hometown.It is said that the bituminous coal should be heated to about [-] degrees under the condition of isolating the air. After drying, pyrolysis, melting, bonding, solidification and shrinkage, coke can finally be formed.This process is called high-temperature coking, also known as high-temperature dry distillation.

This thing is an indispensable item for blast furnace smelting and casting.

In fact, as early as the Han Dynasty, people discovered coal.

It's just that many people didn't recognize it at the time. Someone once asked the eminent monk of the White Horse Temple and said that it was called "the ash of the ash of robbery".

The ancients respected heaven and earth, ghosts and gods.

He didn't dare to mine aggressively.It's just picked up and used in the exposed coal, so it's not too popular.

Cao Peng threw the coke into the basket, thought for a while, and suddenly said: "Zishan, get Geng Jun and ask him to take me to Huanghualin to have a look."

"Here!"

Geng Jun is now a soldier in Hongshui County, serving under Li Qi.

Brothers Cao Peng and Pang De hurried down the tower, and some soldiers had already prepared their horses.

He turned over and sat astride his horse. Just as he was about to leave, he heard a commotion and noisy sound from the gate of the city...

"We are the family members of General Cao, why stop us from entering the city?"

Cao Peng was startled when he heard this.

my family?

Could it be that Yueying and the others are here?impossible!They sent someone to deliver a letter before, saying that they could not come.Where does this family start?
He raised his eyes and looked towards the gate of the city...

(End of this chapter)