"Your Majesty, the spies have just come to report that the Qin envoy Lu Buwei met with the Yan envoy and the Qi envoy respectively. Because there are experts from the three parties nearby, our people could not get close and did not eavesdrop on the specific content of the conversation." Liu Ping reported.
"I understand." Zhao Kuo nodded. Qin is not a fool. Zhao can unite with Han, Wei and Chu to suppress Qin. Qin can naturally unite with Yan Qi to suppress Zhao. If Qin does not move, Zhao Kuo will have to worry about it.
I'm not holding back any bad water. "Keep watching. As long as there is no excessive behavior, don't reveal your identity."
"No." Liu Ping said.
"During this period, the flow of people in Zhao has increased dramatically. Please work hard and send more people to prevent trouble. In addition, some important places, such as workshops, paper mills, cement plants, etc., must be strictly guarded by personnel.
, Don’t let the spies sneak in. If necessary, you can directly pull the army over and take charge." Zhao Kuo said.
In the past few days, there have been two attacks on the paper mill, and it was found that both were committed by the Qin State.
Compared with the other five countries, Qin is more powerful and more unscrupulous. As long as it can achieve its goal, it doesn't care about the process at all.
"No." Liu Ping said, cupping his fists.
"By the way, where did the Qi convoy arrive?" Zhao Kuo suddenly thought of something and asked.
"We are almost arriving in Pingyin," Liu Ping said.
"Let Yan Ju personally lead Zhao Feiqi to greet him. Don't let any accidents happen on the way." Zhao Kuo said.
"promise."
In late September, envoys from various countries and nobles and celebrities from all over the country gradually gathered in Handan. Whether they wanted to form an alliance with Zhao or had other purposes, this trip was inevitable. Even Eastern Zhou and Western Zhou also sent envoys to send congratulatory gifts.
,
Qi State also sent the princess here, but she was not attacked on the way.
Civil and military officials from all over the Zhao Kingdom also rushed to Handan before Zhao Kuo's wedding, and gave them gifts one after another. Even Li Mu, who was in charge of Northern Xinjiang, also rushed back. He had just defeated the Huns, and the Huns would not attack again in a short time, and Northern Xinjiang could be stable for a while.
time.
Most of them were businessmen from the Central Plains. They were not even qualified to be entertained by Zhao Kuo personally, so they still traveled long distances just to meet this legendary king who could never run out of money.
Others are trying to find opportunities to see if they can buy some cement or paper. Although cement is not sold in Zhao State yet, businessmen who are naturally keen have sensed the huge business opportunities.
As long as you know how much effort Qin spent to build a road without grass, you will know how much profit there is in cement.
Moreover, the ground made of cement can be walked on whether it is sunny or rainy, which is more convenient than the roads in Qin.
"It's not that I don't want to, it's just that the current cement production is too low, and it is not enough for our country, Zhao." Zhao Kuo looked at the King of Wei and the King of Han and said helplessly.
Early this morning, the two of them actually approached Zhao Kuo together and expressed their intention to buy cement.
If the cement production is sufficient, Zhao Kuo doesn't mind selling it to them. Anyway, it can make money, so why not do it.
Moreover, they have repaired the road now, saving Zhao Kuo trouble in the future.
However, the current cement production is not enough for Zhao State to use itself.
In order to keep the cement technology secret, Zhao Kuo only built three cement plants in Zhao State, located in Handan, Jinyang and Dai County. Roads were also built from three places.
Now, except for the road from Handan to Yecheng, which is almost completed, the other roads are still far away. Even Zhao Kuo's first goal has not been completed.
"King Zhao can sell the cement production technology to our two countries, and we can make it ourselves. The price is whatever King Zhao decides. As long as it is not too outrageous, we will never bargain." King Wei said matter-of-factly.
Zhao Kuo stared at King Wei with his eyes fixed on him. King Wei looked at him calmly and remained calm.
After a while, Zhao Kuo gave up and looked away.
He could finally see that those who could become monarchs, even if they were not that outstanding, were still extremely thick-skinned. In comparison, he was still far behind.
"King Wei should know that this is impossible." Zhao Kuo shook his head.
He didn't think King Wei's goal was cement production technology. If that was the case, then there would be no need for the two parties to continue talking.
"Then let's take a step back. Zhao Guo will build a cement factory in Xinzheng, South Korea, and Daliang, Wei Guo. All the cement produced will be purchased by our two countries." King Han said.
"This request is no different from the previous one." Zhao Kuo shook his head again.
"King Zhao doesn't regard Korea and Wei as allies." King Han said, pretending to be angry.
"The King of Han is joking. If our country, Zhao, does not regard South Korea as an ally, we will not help South Korea train cavalry. But your request is no different from directly giving you cement technology." Zhao Kuo said.
"No matter what, Wei and South Korea have decided to buy this cement. King Zhao will set a price." King Wei said firmly.
[A book-chasing app recommended to me by an old book friend I have known for ten years, Yeguo Reading! It is so easy to use. I rely on this app to read and listen to books while driving and before going to bed. You can download it here]
Cement is too important to Wei State.
The territory of Wei State is in the shape of a thin strip, which is thousands of miles long from the westernmost point to the easternmost point, and is only less than a hundred miles at its narrowest point. This is because Hanoi now belongs to the Wei State.
When Hanoi belonged to South Korea, the territory of Wei State was cut off directly in the middle and divided into two parts. As a result, Wei State had no choice but to abandon Hedong and manage the Central Plains.
If there is cement, the Wei State can build a cement road that runs through the Wei State from east to west. Once a war breaks out in the east of the river, the Liang army can support it within five days.
These words were told by Fan Zuo to the King of Wei, and Fan Zuo told the King of Wei that the pressure exerted by the Wei State was not strong enough. It was best to bring the King of Han together and first make an excessive request, and then lower the conditions. King Zhao would inevitably
promise.
"My Han Wei Qiang is the Three Jin Qiang, and the Three Jin Qiang is Zhao Guoqiang. If Zhao Guo sells cement to me, South Korea and Wei Guo, he will not only get money, but also become stronger. Why not do it."
I don’t know who King Han learned this from, but he sounded like an old MLM salesman when he spoke.
"Since the King of Wei and the King of Han have said so, it would be a bit unkind for me to refuse to agree. However, the two monarchs also know that cement was just developed not long ago. Due to technical reasons, the output is too low. No matter what this year,
There is no more cement to sell to the two countries.”
"In this way, starting from the first month of next year, our three countries will jointly build a road from Handan to Daliang, then from Daliang to Xinzheng, and finally from Xinzheng to Handan, connecting the three countries. If any one country is in trouble, the other two countries can quickly provide support. All countries
We are responsible for the portion within each country. The price is set at 300 yuan per stone and cannot be lowered."
Zhao Kuo held out three fingers. He originally wanted to say five hundred dollars, but he was afraid of scaring away the kings of Wei and Han.
After all, if the labor cost is not included, the cost of this thing is almost negligible.
As for labor costs? Haha, labor costs are negligible these days.
Zhao Kuo's selling of three hundred yuan per stone was simply a money grab.