Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 445 Layout
Yang Xiaoshan didn't understand these things, but Guo Xiong and Tang Xing both saw a hint of excitement in each other's eyes.

This trade route is difficult to traverse, but if it can be successfully navigated, it can support a large workforce each year, and these people will be of great use.

Whenever a caravan travels a long distance, it faces the same situation, which requires many experienced people to manage it.

As they traveled these roads more often, not only did their reputation spread, but no one dared to bully them at will.

Yang Xiaoshan asked, "Can the imperial court... agree to let us support so many people?"

The Yang family also engaged in trade, and Yang Xiaoshan knew some of the inside stories. Every time the caravan went out, it would be inspected by the government.

Xie Yuyan said, “Passes are different from ordinary places. Although the two countries have made peace and will no longer send troops to each other, there will inevitably be many private struggles among the people, especially in places like border markets. Goods that are robbed can be sold on the black market immediately, and the border guards on both sides will inevitably profit from it.”

Even if someone pays the protection tax, it only guarantees that the goods will not be seized by the border troops on the surface.

"If bandits and thieves really come, why would the border troops risk their lives for the caravan?"

"Furthermore, those who rob goods can easily slip into the territory of a vassal state after looting them from the Daliang Pass. How can we track them down? Using troops would only be seen as a border conflict. The border army has this advantage and can simply stand by and do nothing."

Yang Xiaoshan was completely stunned. He hadn't expected there to be so many different aspects to the border market business. If someone like him, who was unaware of the inside story, had stepped on it, he wouldn't even know how he died.

"The profits from the border markets support the border officials, while the disadvantages of the border markets enrich the petty scoundrels. If we don't prepare in advance, the profits we gain won't be enough to give to them."

The burning passion in Yang Xiaoshan's heart was suddenly doused with ice water.

"Then..." Yang Xiaoshan said, "If it's this difficult... should we still get involved in this business?"

Xie Yuyan remained silent, while Guo Xiong and Tang Xing pondered.

After a moment, Tang Xing said, "Is it really possible not to do it? Madam is in her current situation because she used coal first, but now Daliang has promoted coal, and merchants have also seen the benefits of coal. In a year or two, our advantage will be gone."

"Therefore, we must take this opportunity to build up our strength and continue to stay ahead of everyone else."

After speaking, Tang Xing looked at Xie Yuyan: "Madam... isn't what I said reasonable?"

Xie Yuyan said, "We don't have much money on hand, so we need to take this opportunity to accumulate wealth. Otherwise, we might not be able to withstand any slight disturbance."

"Furthermore," Xie Yuyan looked at Yang Xiaoshan, "we cannot be strangled. Even if we survive for a while, we will die sooner or later."

"Although this road is difficult, it will allow us to gather manpower. The border market has just opened, which is the time when the two countries are vying for interests. The imperial court will support merchants to go on trade. Once we miss this opportunity, we will have no place to stand."

Yang Xiaoshan said, "Are we going to compete with those vassal states for profits?"

No wonder Yang Xiaoshan couldn't understand these things; he was still just wandering around the streets and had never stood at a high vantage point to observe the big picture.

Xie Yuyan said, "The border people will be more inclined to rely on whomever they can survive. If the vassal states bribe them all, those border people will surely become their allies in the future. With their help to cover things up, or even pretend to be bandits, how will we travel this trade route? Even if we manage to travel it, how much will we have to pay?"

Not to mention, what if the two countries go to war again in the future...

They used the border markets to send troops and provisions to the Western Barbarians.

Before anyone else could speak, Tang Xing said, "Madam, I'm willing to go to the Northwest. I'll definitely find a way to pave a route for the caravan, but... the caravan still needs quite a few people." Xie Yuyan looked at Yang Xiaoshan: "Do you still remember Chen Rong?"

Yang Xiaoshan could never forget: "The fugitives we found in the mountains."

Xie Yuyan said, "Many people have become fugitives and will never be able to return home. I asked Chen Rong to find such people. The money they earn in the caravan is enough for them to support their families, so they no longer need to hide in the mountains."

"Moreover, after they entered the mountains, they sold a lot of smuggled salt and had some contact with the border residents, making them more familiar with the local situation than others."

Yang Xiaoshan was dumbfounded. It turned out that the old lady had thought of this back then.

Xie Yuyan continued to look at Tang Xing: "Chen Rong is only helping to find people; you still need to select suitable personnel from among them for training."

Chen Rong wasn't going to accept just anyone; he wouldn't take anyone with a murder case on their hands, or someone who was cruel or violent. But that wasn't enough; the next step was to select people like Tang Xing, who had served in the military, for further selection.

Those who are timid and cowardly, those who are too scheming, and those who do not know how to obey orders should not be placed in the caravan.

In such a harsh and cold place, there are many refugees. Even with such strict conditions, it is not difficult to find such a caravan.

Xie Yuyan looked at Tang Xing: "After being selected for the caravan, you can receive your wages immediately without having to wait until the journey begins. However, you must make it clear to them that there will inevitably be deaths and injuries along the way, and those who are afraid should not take this job."

"If you take this job, you may die because of it. Don't hold a grudge. But we will compensate you for any deaths or injuries. Furthermore, when we go in and out of the border city, if anyone sends a message to the vassal, we will send it to the government office without any leniency."

Tang Xing nodded in agreement.

Xie Yuyan said, "Go back and discuss with everyone, and select four people to leave Bianjing together."

Although Wang Yan entrusted Tang Xing and the others to her, she did not know them as well as Tang Xing did. Since Tang Xing was to be in charge of this matter, she had to delegate authority.

Tang Xing's ability to use people effectively is better than anything else.

"If you disagree with Chen Rong, discuss it yourselves. If you really can't reach a decision, then send someone to deliver a letter to me."

Tang Xing wouldn't take all his men with him, especially those skilled in martial arts; he needed to leave a few to stay by Madam's side. So, he really needed to think carefully about who to take with him.

Guo Xiong listened with great excitement. If he didn't have a fleet of ships, he would have wanted to go to the Northwest with Tang Xing. He had suffered defeats in the Northwest Army and watched his comrades lose their lives. He still hadn't been able to vent his anger. He had just seen the same emotion in Tang Xing's eyes.

The old lady didn't say many things directly, but they knew this caravan would be very useful in the future. So many people were vying for trade at the border market—wasn't it because they saw profit in the border town?
By firmly securing a trade route, one gains more than just money.

Thinking of this, Guo Xiong felt restless and looked at Xie Yuyan: "Once my fleet is stable in the future, can I go to the Northwest with Tang Xing and the others?"

Xie Yuyan looked at Guo Xiong and said, "Transporting goods will not only be done by land, but also by water in the future."

Guo Xiong almost slapped his head. How could he have forgotten this? His legs couldn't carry him on long journeys, but in the future he could sail the ship to even more distant ports.

Now that we've talked about this, Guo Xiong has completely forgotten that he and Madam Xie still have a three-year agreement.

See you tonight