Chapter 081 Strange Crows from the Western Regions
In February of the second year of Jian'an, Yuan Shu was superstitious about the talisman offered by the alchemist Zhang Jiong, thinking that he was fulfilling the destiny of heaven, so he proclaimed himself emperor in Shouchun and called himself "Zhongjia".
With the governor of Jiujiang as the Yin of Huainan, he appointed hundreds of public officials.
At the beginning of March, Yuan Shu followed the emperor's etiquette and worshiped heaven and earth in the suburbs. He was officially called Gudaowu.
Yuan Shu, a descendant of the Yuan family in Runan, was Yuan Shao's younger brother. However, because he was a direct descendant, he and Yuan Shao were never convinced.
The two brothers dominated the north and the south and did not have much contact with each other.
After Yuan Shao learned that Yuan Shu had proclaimed himself emperor, he immediately expressed his opposition and announced a clear line of demarcation with Yuan Shu, which seemed to mean annihilating relatives in a righteous way.
After all, separatist rule is still acceptable.
But once he proclaimed himself emperor, it was like a rebellion. The fourth generation of the Yuan family and the three princes were equivalent to their lives being ruined in the hands of Yuan Shu. If Yuan Shao did not make his position clear, he would be abandoned by the world. Although the Han Dynasty is declining, the spirit of the Han Dynasty is still strong.
Luck is still there. Even if everyone has ulterior motives, no one dares to be the first to stand up. Everyone knows the principle of shooting the first bird. When Yuan Shu became emperor at this time, he immediately became a traitor in the eyes of the world.
In the early years, Cao Cao had a good relationship with the Yuan brothers.
After learning that Yuan Shu had proclaimed himself emperor, he immediately sent people to Shouchun to try to persuade Yuan Shu to retract his decision.
Cao Cao served the emperor to order the princes, and Yuan Shu was in a state of rebellion. Cao Cao could naturally send troops to conquer. However, not long after the defeat of Wancheng, Cao Cao really did not dare to send troops at this time. Can Yuan Shu be persuaded? Cao Cao doesn't know.
It's just a way for him to delay time. -
In late spring in March, it rains continuously.
There has been no clear sky for more than ten days in a row. The peach and apricot blossoms outside Xudu City have been blown down by the wind and are in a mess.
The winding road is wet and spreads crimson and pink. A group of pine trees outside the city gate moat exudes a majestic atmosphere in the misty rain.
A convoy of chariots came from the end of the road, the wheels of the chariots grinding against the muddy ground, making a crunching sound.
Getting closer and closer, when they arrived outside Xudu City, the guards stepped forward to stop...
"who?"
First there was a one-armed young man, very handsome.
He got off his horse, bowed slightly and said, "We are returning with the purchase on the orders of Dian Zhonglang."
As he spoke, the one-armed young man took out a token and handed it to the guard. The token was made of bronze with tiger patterns engraved on it, and the whole thing looked very rough.
There is a word "Dian" on the front and two words "Hu Ben" carved on the back.
The gatekeeper saw the words on the token clearly and was shocked.
His attitude towards the young man was very apologetic, even a little flattering, and he said respectfully: "Sir, please wait a moment, I will come as soon as I can."
He took the token, walked to the doorman, and handed it over.
After the doorman saw it clearly, he also hurried over...
This time, he was not trying to embarrass the other party, but was counting the cars and preparing to release them.
However, when he saw the wheels of the car that were almost submerged in the mud, he couldn't help but wonder. What on earth was inside this car?
Looking over subconsciously, I found that the chariot was covered with black cloth.
Thirty vehicles in total...
Dian Wei was known as a clean and honest man in Xudu, and his family did not have much property. In addition to a mansion in Xudu, he only had 300 hectares of land outside Xudu and a fort. He bought this all at once
Too many things? Could it be that Dian Zhonglang wants to do business in Xudu?
"Sir, what's on this car? Why does it look so heavy?"
The one-armed young man smiled slightly and said, "They are just ordinary mountain beasts."
Pooh!
Can your local guy suppress the car battle like this?
The doorman murmured secretly in his heart, but did not have the courage to go and check.
Everyone knows that Dian Wei is trusted by Cao Cao. He has been newly promoted to General Hu Ben and is a serious confidant of Cao Cao. Even those children from aristocratic families are not as favored as Dian Wei. Moreover, Dian Wei is famous for his bad temper and often gets angry.
He will retaliate with old fists. Who dares to provoke him?
Forget it, he can do whatever he wants. It's not the turn of little people like me to worry about it.
When the doorman thought of this, he waved his hand and prepared to let him go.
Thirty carriages creaked toward the city, and the one-armed young man took out a money bag and threw it into the wooden box at the city gate.
This box is used to collect the city gate tax.
The main purpose of the city gate tax is to increase tax revenue. After Cao Cao welcomed the emperor to Xudu, he spent a lot of money to repair the capital, distribute salaries to hundreds of officials, and worship the Han Emperor. Based on past tax revenue alone,
It's hard to break even.
So Cao Cao established a city gate tax, the main object of which was levied on bulk commercial goods.
The more goods that come in and out, the greater the taxes levied. And the small merchants have not been greatly affected.
The one-armed young man paid almost twenty guan in taxes. His behavior also showed that the purpose of these thirty carts of goods was business.
I don’t know, what exactly is inside?
That's how people are, the more they don't know, the more curious they become.
The doorman kept chatting with the young man and watched the motorcade heading towards the city.
Creaking, creaking, the wheels of the vehicle crushed the ground, making a harsh sound. The gravel paved on the road broke and splashed because it could not bear the weight of the vehicle.
Suddenly, a car collapsed.
The car couldn't bear the pumping and suddenly broke...
The goods on the car were immediately scattered all over the floor.
The doorman's eyes widened because he discovered that all the carriage was loaded with black stones.
"This is……"
The one-armed young man's expression changed, and he quickly stepped forward and yelled.
A group of coachmen hurriedly cleaned up the mess, and three carriages were fetched from the carriage post outside the city gate to reload the black stones.
"Sir, these are..."
"This... is called Xuan Tie Stone. It was collected by Dian Zhonglang's order."
"Black Iron Stone? What is it used for?"
"Of course it's used to make knives!"
The doorman's expression suddenly changed again.
Knife making is a sensitive topic.
Now that the world is in chaos, Cao Cao has extremely strict control over salt and iron.
Dian Wei, do you want to make a knife?
"You know this in your heart and don't spread it out."
The young man gave a stern warning, Menbei Weiwei was the only one.
"Dian Zhonglang, do you want to make a sword?" However, the doorman couldn't help but ask one more question.
The young man inquired around mysteriously and whispered: "Dian Zhonglang found a hidden master craftsman from Nanyang to make a knife for Dian Zhonglang... Following Dian Zhonglang's instructions, it seems to be of great use.
You must be stricter about this matter, otherwise Mr. Nori will only ask you."
The doorman was startled and nodded repeatedly.
But I was complaining secretly in my heart: You overturned at the gate of the city. I don’t need to tell you. I guess the news has already spread in Xudu City by now.
"Dian Wei bought a lot of black stones?"
In Xufang City, Xili, Xudu City, several scribes were sitting by the window, whispering.
This Xili Xu should be a commercial district in later generations, with many merchants and connected restaurants. The entire Xu capital is divided into four miles, east and south, and is close to the imperial city. It belongs to the official family and the residence of the emperor's relatives. Xili Xu
, is the commercial district, and Beilixu is where ordinary people live.
"Mr. Wen, what do you think Dian Junming would use for buying so many black stones?"
The speaker was a scribe, dressed in a green shirt, holding a round fan, shaking it gently while asking questions.
Judging from his age, he is probably in his forties, with fair face, black beard, sword-shaped eyebrows and bright eyes, with gorgeous demeanor and extraordinary appearance.
This person is Kong Rong, a famous scholar from the State of Lu.
The man he asked about seemed younger than Kong Rong, probably in his thirties and less than forty. He was very tall, with broad shoulders and round waist. Among a group of scribes, he looked particularly eye-catching. He had thick eyebrows and big eyes.
, with a bronze complexion and a short beard under his chin.
"This... how can I know?" Wen Gong scratched his head and replied with a smile: "Maybe Dian Junming wants to add a bit of elegance to his home?"
"Ha, you are joking, Nori Junming...can a few black stones make it elegant?"
Kong Rong couldn't help but laugh, and seemed to be quite disdainful of Dian Wei in his words.
"What Mr. Wen Ju said is true. Dian Wei never attaches importance to these things. He is known for his bravery. What do you want to do with elegance?"
The speaker was a young scholar, about twenty-six or seven years old.
Slender figure, slightly thin.
The face is a little pale, and a pair of eyes as bright as stars are extremely energetic.
"Fengxiao, what do you think?" Kong Rong asked.
The handsome young man smiled and said, "I'm afraid this Dian Junming is preparing for the fight between the two tigers in July."
Cao Cao appointed Dian Wei as Huben Zhonglang General and asked him to form the Huben Army.
At the same time, an order was issued for a contest between the Tiger Guards and the Tiger Guards of Xu Chu.
Everyone knows that Xu Chu’s Tiger Guard is an elite force mainly composed of the Xu clan, and Dian Wei wrote to Cao Cao, determined to draw elite soldiers from Cao Wei’s army to form the Tiger Guard. But in terms of combat effectiveness, Dian Wei’s formation
The tiger guards of Xu Chu may not lose to Xu Chu; but after all, they were temporarily formed and wanted to compete with the Xu family's tiger guards who had been drinking with them for a long time. There seemed to be a lack of time. Therefore, many people in Xu Capital City began to discuss it. Four months later,
Who can win, Huben or Tiger Guard?
Kong Rong said with a smile: "In my opinion, even if Dian Jun Ming formed the Tiger and Ben troops, he still wouldn't be able to defeat Xu Zhongkang."
"That's why Norinakaro needs to make preparations."
Wen Gong was stunned for a moment, suddenly remembered something, and clapped his hands, "Could it be that Dian Junming wants to make a sword?"
"Making a knife?"
"I once read a book in my early years, saying that there are strange stones in the Western Regions, called Sewu... that can be turned into magic weapons after a hundred refinements, and can cut iron like mud. Could it be that the black stones Dian Wei bought are the rare black stones from the Western Regions? If he could practice
With a batch of good knives, Xu Zhongkang may not be his opponent..."
Kong Rong was slightly startled, looking thoughtful.
"Qiwu from the Western Regions?"
A glint flashed in the young man's eyes, "But with only four months, can Jun Ming be able to develop a magic weapon?"
Wen Gong thought for a while and laughed!
"That's definitely impossible... Even if there are exotic birds from the Western Regions, it's simply impossible to make a good knife. A good knife requires very stringent conditions. Not only the conditions of the materials, but also the memory of the caster is required
Outstanding. As far as I know, even if Ou Yezi is reborn, he may not be able to create a batch of good knives within three months. In my opinion, Dian Junming was ill and sought medical treatment urgently, and he has already messed up."
The young man said: "What if Dian Junming has an expert by his side?"
"Impossible, I know the names of most of the major casters today. These people are either controlled by princes from various places, or attached to high-ranking families. As far as Xu Du is concerned, the best casters are concentrated in Zhuye
In prison. Even if Dian Wei asks those people to take action, it is impossible to succeed in four months."
The young man rolled his eyes and took off the white deerskin bag around his waist.
"There are three pieces of gold and twenty pieces of copper coins in it... How about I make a bet with the princes that Dianjun Ming can make a good sword?"
Kong Rong laughed and said: "Fengxiao, you are giving us money."
"Mr. Wen Ju, do you want to gamble or not?"
"Gamble!" Kong Rong responded immediately, "How can I not gamble with this money that I am bound to win?"
But Duke Wen did not speak.
The young man drank a few more glasses of wine and then stood up to say goodbye.
After the young man left, Kong Rong grabbed Wen Gong and said, "Wen Gong, are you really sure that Dian Junming can't shoot a good sword?"
Wen Gong thought for a while and said, "As far as I know, it is difficult to make a good knife without a lifetime left, let alone a batch of good knives within four months. But I think Fengxiao is determined, and he is a little hesitant."
Duke Wen Ju, there are many strange people and scholars in this age. If Dian Wei is really..."
He didn't finish what he said, but the meaning behind his words was clearly expressed.
Kong Rong frowned and said to himself: "Could it be that Dian Junming really invited the master?"
