Although it is the hottest day of the year, I can't feel any warmth at all in Sikong Mansion, and it even makes people feel a little chilly.
Mrs. Huan didn't seem to have changed much, she was as charming as ever.
Time has not left many traces on her face. On the contrary, as time goes by, Mrs. Huan becomes more and more charming, like a mature breast, which makes people want to pounce on her when they see it.
, take a hard bite.
Huan Ping stood with his hands down respectfully and recounted Cao Peng's words in detail.
Mrs. Huan listened very carefully, and a flash of joy flashed across her face.
"Is that all?"
"Well, General Cao also said in the end, if it comes out of my mouth and into your ears, it must not be known to a third party."
Mrs. Huan said casually: "Of course."
However, something suddenly moved in her heart, and a glint suddenly flashed in her eyes.
Out of my mouth and into your ears, let no third party know.
This was originally just a very common warning, but at this time, it seemed unusual to say it.
"Huan Ping, it's been a hard journey along the way. Go and rest."
"Here!"
After Huan Ping left, Mrs. Huan stood up suddenly and walked slowly to the door.
Huan Ping's back was seen disappearing by the small door across the courtyard. Mrs. Huan's eyes showed a murderous intent, and then she couldn't bear it, and there seemed to be some hesitation on her face. She already understood the meaning of Cao Peng's words...
…
If it were normal times, that sentence would be nothing.
But this was originally a secret communication, so it was naturally impossible for anyone to know about it.
The people who can know these things are himself, Cao Peng and Huan Ping, a total of three people. Cao Peng knew that Huan Ping was a confidant, but he also wanted to remind him: not to be known by a third person. Isn't that very clear?
Mrs. Huan, Huan Ping and Cao Peng, one of the three must die.
This person cannot be Mrs. Huan, nor can it be Cao Peng, so isn't the dead person just ready to be revealed?
Only when Huan Ping dies can he truly be ‘not known to third parties’.
However, Huanping has been following him for many years...
A flash of pain flashed in Mrs. Huan's eyes, she gritted her teeth and seemed to have made up her mind.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Time is passing quickly.
In the blink of an eye, early autumn is approaching, and Hexi County is ushering in the harvest season.
The heavy wheat ears are like a golden ocean, undulating like waves with the majestic wind blowing... Looking at the golden color, Cao Peng stood on the gate of Hongshui County with a look of joy on his face. Hexi is about to overcome the most difficult situation.
period. In the past year, he has invested more than hundreds of millions in Hexi County. He almost poured in the income of Hexi County in the past two years, and today's Hexi Autumn Harvest is achieved. In the pastureland, melodious pastoral songs are heard.
Sound. The sky is very blue, the white clouds are long, and the golden color of the earth form a very beautiful picture, which makes Cao Peng's heart soar.
This is the Hexi he hopes for!
This is the legendary fortress in Jiangnan.
When people entering and leaving Hongshui County see Cao Peng on the city gate, they will bow and salute from the bottom of their hearts...
Cao Peng also smiled in return.
No one said a word, everything happened in silence.
Cao Peng stood for a while and then turned back to the hall of the gatehouse. Pang De had ordered someone to place a big chair. Cao Peng sat down and motioned for Pang De brothers to sit down as well. Then he took a sip of the Hexi people's home-brewed wine.
Glutinous rice wine, mellow and delicious.
"I didn't expect that Hexi would become so prosperous now."
Pang Ming couldn't help but sigh.
Cao Peng smiled, feeling a little proud in his heart.
“This year, I was away fighting and didn’t put in too much energy.
The scale of Hexi is all due to the hard work of Zishan and others... Haha, they all say it is my credit, but it has nothing to do with me."
The wind blew in from outside the door and passed through the hall.
Cao Peng closed his eyes and enjoyed 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. But unexpectedly, news came from Hexi that Buluan unexpectedly
Bad health.
Counting the days, Buluan was conceived at the same time that Cao Peng left Hexi and went to Wuwei.
Although Buluan is not the main wife, and her background is very ordinary, but in comparison, this Buluan is also the most loved by Cao Peng and the most sensible person. She is clever and thoughtful, unlike Guo Huan, who is a northern daughter.
It is 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 he heard that Buluan was pregnant, Cao Peng naturally did not dare to let her travel long distances.
, so he rushed back to Hongshui County.
It's still too early to give birth to a baby.
After Cao Peng and Buluan Guo Huan discussed it, they decided to move to Guzang.
Among those traveling with her were Cai Yan and her daughter. Compared with Hongshui County, Guzang is located on the Hexi Corridor, and Cai Yan had long wanted to visit it. At the same time, she also wanted to finish memorizing those classic books as soon as possible. Guzang
The conditions in Zang are better than those in Hexi County. Maybe Hexi County can catch up in a few years, but for now, Guzang is still the best choice.
Moreover, with Buluan and Guo Huan gone, it would be meaningless for her to stay in Hexi, without even anyone to talk to...
It's impossible, let Cai Yan find a group of gentlemen to communicate with him.
Since Cai Yan is leaving, Zhen Mi must also go with him. Accompanying him are two maidservants sent from Xudu, both of whom are very sensible and can read and write. The war in Hebei has come to an end.
The defeat of Yecheng also heralded that the battle in Hebei was coming to an end. Zhen Mi missed her family, but she did not dare to return to her hometown at this time.
I heard that the Black Mountain bandits are out!
The entire Zhongshan Kingdom was plunged into turmoil.
Cao Cao went on a killing spree in Yecheng and slaughtered all the people in Yecheng; Zhang Yan also looted and looted in Zhongshan Kingdom, which made people feel frightened.
Fortunately, with Zhang Liao and Xu Huang occupying the two counties of Hejian and Bohai, Zhongshan Kingdom is gradually returning to stability.
Even so, Zhen Mi did not 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 wonder if my mother and brother are prepared?
Under Cai Yan's persuasion, Zhen Mi gradually stabilized her mood. This time Cai Yan was going to Guzang, so Zhen Mi naturally wanted to follow him.
"Young Master, you are indeed so leisurely."
Just when Cao Peng was resting in the hall with his eyes closed, the sound of footsteps came from outside, and he walked in with a spring breeze on his face.
"Zishan, sit down quickly!"
Cao Peng quickly stood up and stepped forward to greet him.
"Jang Zishan has worked hard during this period."
"Young Master, where do you start with these words? Bu Zhao is very safe here... far less risky than the risks that Young Master experienced in Wuwei."
The two exchanged a few polite words, and Bu Zhi asked someone to fetch an account book.
"This is the development of Hexi County these days."
"Well, I'm really too lazy to read. Zishan just dictated it."
Bu Zhao nodded and opened the account book, "The population of Hongshui County today has exceeded 40,000..."
"Why are there so many people?"
"First of all, according to the instructions of the young master, I have stepped up my efforts to naturalize the Qiang and Hu aliens. The young master has given such generous conditions, and many Qiang and Hu are willing to join us. In the past few months alone, several Qiang and Hu people have
The Xianbei bastard Hu Guihua has a population of about six to seven thousand people. At the same time, I also want to thank the high officials. That guy used troops in Hedong, which caused panic among the people in Hedong. Therefore, in the past few months, those who moved from Hedong to Hexi
There are also quite a few people... A rough calculation shows that Hongshui County has an increase of nearly 5,000 people, while Lianbao has an increase of more than 3,000 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 west of the river. In the coming year, there will be as many as 100,000 hectares of arable land in Hexi.
This population will exceed 400,000..."
"What about food?"
Hexi has a population of 400,000, which means an increase of nearly half of the population.
Cao Peng's first consideration was the food issue. Food is the most important thing for people... Only when they are not hungry can they build their homes.
Bu Zhi said: "The situation in Hexi this autumn is very good. I made a rough calculation and found that 60,000 hectares of fields are enough to ensure the grain storage of all counties. In addition, Su Xingshou has sent a caravan to Xichuan to purchase grain...
...I heard that the weather in Xichuan is going well this year, and it must be another good harvest year. The grain supply in Chengdu has dropped to 20 guan and 1 hu, which is five times lower than that in the Central Plains. However, the specific amount of grain that can be purchased is not yet available.
It’s clear, it needs to be confirmed by Su Xingshou.”
Nishikawa?
Cao Peng's eyebrows twitched, and his heart couldn't help but move.
Li Ru, have you started taking action?
He had left this matter to Li Ru at the beginning and had promised not to ask questions.
So how did Li Ru arrange it and how did he take action? Cao Peng is not particularly clear...
But now that Li Ru has taken action, he must speed up his activities in Xudu.
After thinking about it, Cao Peng nodded.
"How much more investment will be made in the coming year?"
Bu Zha hesitated for a moment and said softly: "If the young master temporarily stops buying slaves from Mobei, he probably won't invest too much; but if he continues to buy slaves, I'm afraid it will still require a large investment. I also want 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 80 million yuan..."
Brothers Pang De and Pang Ming, who were listening on the sidelines, were trembling in their hearts.
If you don't go to Hexi, you don't know what it means to be prodigal.
Just listening to the amount of money discussed by Cao Peng and others makes people feel numb. It can easily exceed 100 million, and can range as low as tens of millions.
Pound seems to know what it means to have strong financial resources.
Wuwei County's family can be considered to have relatively strong financial resources, but if they spend a lot of money, I'm afraid it's not as good as the money spent by others.
As everyone knows, this large amount of money has almost exhausted Cao Peng's pocket.
Since he established the guild in Haixi, he has sold coarse salt to the government and sold salt. Almost all of the income in these years has been spent in Hexi. Of course, what he touched was his own pocket. Naturally, the Fengchehou Mansion also had a fortune
He would not use the income. But even so, Cao Peng felt the pressure. Eighty million, it really cost my life!
"The purchase of slaves cannot be stopped.
Not only can we not stop, but we must increase our efforts... I am afraid that Su Shuang will not be able to widen the road for a while. We have to find another way. Shuofang has not yet become chaotic, and Xianbei is not enough to break the muscles and bones. Zishan, this
Don't worry about this matter. If this money doesn't come out of the treasury, I will find a way to solve it through the Chamber of Commerce. Eighty million is too little!"
The southern Xiongnu war in Shuofang seems to be gradually coming to an end.
Liu Bao occupied Shuofang and colluded with senior officials to quickly stabilize his position.
In comparison, Qubei was a bit difficult outside the Hetao. Behind him was Ke Bineng's Xianbei, who always threatened his territory. If Cao Peng hadn't invited Tan Zhe to Mobei to join forces with Qubei,
I'm afraid he can no longer support it. The buying and selling of slaves is now a big source of wealth for Tan Zhe and Qubei. If Cao Peng stops the acquisition, it will be difficult for the two of them to support it. Even if he gives them confidence, Cao Peng can only continue to increase
Intensity...
Rubbing his cheek gently, Cao Peng smiled bitterly and said, "I knew it was definitely not a good thing for Zishan to come to me."
"Is it a good thing?"
Bu Zhi smiled and said, "If you want to talk about good things, there is one."
He clapped his hands and saw two followers walking in carrying a basket.
"Sir, do you know what this is?"
Cao Peng glanced at it, and the corners of his eyes moved, "Graphite?"
"It was... some time ago, when Geng Jun was inspecting, he discovered this kind of graphite in the northwest of the county, where the young master killed Shi Kui in Huanghualin. However, it seems to be a little different from the graphite we have seen before.
."
"different?"
Cao Peng stood up, walked to the basket, reached out and took out a dark thing.
"Coke?"
Cao Peng recognized that the black thing was not ordinary graphite, but coke.
How could something like this appear in Huanghualin?
In Cao Peng's memory, coke seems to have to be processed before it can be produced. I remember when I was a child, there was a factory for refining coke in my hometown. It was said that the bituminous coal was heated to about a thousand degrees under conditions of isolation from the air.
After drying, pyrolysis, melting, bonding, solidification and shrinkage, coke can finally be formed. This process is called high-temperature coking, also called high-temperature carbonization.
This thing is an indispensable item for blast furnace smelting and casting.
In fact, people discovered coal as early as the Han Dynasty.
It's just that many people didn't recognize it at the time. Someone once asked the eminent monk of Baima Temple and said that it was called the "Ashes of Tribulation".
The ancients respected heaven and earth and ghosts and gods.
I don't dare to mine it on a large scale. I just pick it up and use it in the exposed coal areas, so it is not too popular.
Cao Peng threw the coke into the basket, thought for a while, and suddenly said: "Zishan, find 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 hurriedly walked down the tower. Soldiers had already prepared their horses.
He turned over and sat on his horse, and just as he was about to leave, he heard a commotion and noisy sound coming from the city gate...
"We are General Cao's family members, why are you preventing us from entering the city?"
Cao Peng was startled when he heard this.
My family?
Could it be Yueying and the others who are here? Impossible! They had sent someone to deliver a letter before, saying that they could not come. Where can we start talking about this family?
He raised his eyes and looked toward the city gate...
