When Fatty Zhao woke up, a white light was already shining outside the tent, and the surrounding area was quiet.
Today is the first day of the stock market. Fatty Zhao thought about yesterday's arrangements, quickly got up, put on his armor, put on his hood, and left the tent.
There was already some fish belly white in the east, the patrolling guards began to change their guard, and the barracks at the gate of the camp were also pulled away.
The dew in the morning was quite heavy, and the yellow sand on the ground was wet with a layer of moisture. The spear standing on the shelf outside the tent was covered with mud.
Carrying a relatively clean waist knife with him, Fatty Zhao inspected the camp once and when he saw that everything was fine, he walked towards the gate of the camp.
After greeting the guards guarding the camp gate, Fatty Zhao left the camp and walked towards the designated Hunhe River Mutual Market.
In order to ensure that the mutual market could proceed normally, the location was chosen on a flat land two hundred steps outside the camp. There was a river on the north side for easy access to water, and the other three sides were flat grassland, which was suitable for doing business.
Fatty Zhao entered the designated trade market and saw Zhang Lu, who had recently been promoted to Viscount.
After Diaoyin established Jiedufu, Hunhe Camp was isolated and became an isolated city just like the original Tianlan City.
However, the second brother did not treat Zhang Lu badly and made him the commander-in-chief of the Hunhe camp. He also raised 20,000 border troops and placed him directly under the control of the Ministry of War.
"Grand Governor, I checked yesterday and the Border Trade Department has almost prepared everything. Don't worry."
Fatty Zhao walked up to him and spoke.
Zhang Lu nodded: "I know, but I'm just worried. Come over and have a look."
"This time, the prince acted arbitrarily and promoted the mutual trade with Thule. Others can't see that the prince has worked hard. How can you, Fatty Zhao, understand?"
"Our country, Han, has been at war with Thule for decades, with fewer wins and more defeats. This time, the prince used the power of victory to suppress Thule, which gave us the opportunity to trade with each other. If the mutual trade goes well, what will happen to the prince behind him?
The plan will be much more convenient."
Fatty Zhao cursed bitterly: "It's a pity that the princes in the imperial court are ignorant, and all these traders in the country are useless. Except for two Shanxi merchants, the rest are all fronts of the Border Trade Department."
Lu Xiong, a merchant from Shanxi, came over and said with a smile: "Captain Zhang and General Zhao, I feel relieved to see that you two attach so much importance to this mutual market."
Fatty Zhao glanced sideways at Lu Xiong and said, "Why, if we don't pay attention, you will have to evacuate the stall."
Lu Xiong said with a smile on his face: "General Zhao is wrong. I dare not hide it from you two. When I used to do business with the Thule people, I was always on tenterhooks for fear of being taken advantage of by the Thule people. That's it.
It has fallen into the hands of the Thule people countless times."
"Although this mutual market was opened by the imperial court, I, Mr. Lu, would not dare to stay without a strong army to suppress it. Now that I see that the two adults attach great importance to this mutual market, I feel relieved."
Zhang Lu sent Lu Xiong away, and while observing, he ordered Fatty Zhao:
"The Thule people are different from us. They are very enthusiastic about this mutual trade. According to the intelligence of Dingxiang Guard, there are more than 80 tribes participating in the mutual trade this time. If there are enough interpreters, there will be more tribes coming."
"The Thule people are very brave and fierce, so you have to watch over me when it comes to suppressing each other."
Fatty Zhao laughed and said, "Don't worry, Commander, I promise not to kill anyone."
Zhang Lu smiled and said nothing. The two of them followed each other until they reached the back door and saw the Thule people who were blocked by the horse and the gate.
Outside the market, there were densely packed Thule people, leading cattle and sheep, carrying baskets and carrying bags, all kinds of lively scenes.
Fatty Zhao's face was full of pride, "There are still many Thule people, and my second brother's strategy will definitely not cause any problems."
Zhang Lu also narrowed his eyes: "Of course the prince is not wrong. The princes from the three provinces were so confused that they could not recognize the reality. They always thought that the prince was not good enough and obstructed him. They were serving the country and your majesty. In fact,
It’s all a pushback.”
At dawn, officials from the Border Trade Department also arrived. The person in charge of the exchange was a director named Han Yu, from the eighth grade.
When Han Yu saw Zhang Lu, he hurriedly came over to greet him.
"I have met the Governor and General Zhao. The Tule people are barbaric, and the safety of our trade depends on these two adults."
Zhang Lu said with a smile on his face: "It's your duty, Mr. Han, you don't have to be polite. The mutual market is something that the prince values. Mr. Han's official position is small, but if you can get into the eyes of the prince, Mr. Han's future is limitless."
Han Yu also laughed: "Thank you for your advice, sir. I didn't know the importance of this matter before. I thought I was sent here. I was so disheartened that I almost missed the prince's important event."
Zhang Lu waved his hand: "As long as you know, go ahead and get busy."
The back door was wide open, and merchants from Thule rushed in. The scene got out of control. The guards on duty at the door were crowded into a mess, and the gate pillars were squeezed out of shape. The merchants who were squeezed out hugged the lamb and screamed.
Fatty Zhao raised his hand, pulled out his waist knife, and stood in the way: "Where are the guards on duty?"
In an instant, more than a dozen guards came from all around, stood behind Fatty Zhao, and all pulled out their sabers, pointing at the crazy Thule people.
Fatty Zhao shouted sternly: "Everyone, stop here. This is an important place in the Han Kingdom. If you don't want to move your head, please come in slowly."
The steel knife was sharp, and a trace of red light flowed from the sharp blade, and the Thule merchant calmed down instantly.
The Han army had just defeated the Thule coalition forces, and the tribal army suffered heavy casualties. Most of these people were tribal people. Naturally they knew the bad reputation of the Han army, so they all stopped one by one and walked forward slowly with their packages in hand.
"I'm going to trade the lamb for a pot. The pot at home has been leaking for a few days."
"I traded a cow for a pot. My pot also leaked. It was so hard to live without a pot."
"I want to sell horses. I have fifty horses at home, and it's almost impossible to get rid of the pot."
"I have a bag of copper coins. Can I exchange them for a bag of salt? The tribe has been without salt for a while and has no energy to work."
For a time, the market was full of shouts of buying and selling.
Han Yu led a group of employees and petty officials, rushing back and forth, instructing the Thule people to pay to rent stalls, determining the value of exchange, and all kinds of busy things.
The sun was gradually getting hotter. Zhang Lu stood under the shade of a tree and looked up at the sky. There were white clouds in the sky, a high blue sky, and a hot wind blowing against his face, just like the rising enthusiasm in the market.
Near noon, Han Yu came over to inform Zhang Lu about the market situation.
"So far, the Border Trade Department has sold more than 800 iron pots and 600 bags of salt in exchange for 3,200 cattle and sheep, and 78 horses. The profit is huge."
Zhang Lu nodded and asked the clerk next to him to finish transcribing the detailed information and show it to Han Yu.
Korean read it again: "No problem."
Zhang Lu nodded: "Come here, hurry up for 800 miles, send it to the capital, and pass it to the prince. In order to wait for the opening of the mutual market, the prince has even postponed the day of going south. The prince's plan cannot be delayed because of the mutual trade."
Fatty Zhao glanced to the south: "Commander, did the Tang and Qin Dynasties in the south use troops against our Han country again?"
Zhang Lu sneered: "Although it doesn't happen now, it will happen sooner or later. Huh, Zuo Guangping is ineffective and can't stop the powerful Tang Dynasty. He actually has the intention to support his troops and respect himself. I really don't know how to write the word "death"."