Start with a red name

In short, Song Mingzhu's strategy was to "exchange meat for grain".

However, compared to the system implemented in Xuanqinghai, there are many differences in its specific implementation.

First, the exchange rate changed from "one to one and a half" during the Xuanqinghai period to "one to two".

That is, one shi of horse meat can be exchanged for two shi of grain.

If that's all there is to it, it's undoubtedly tyranny.

The situation that has just been suppressed is bound to be disrupted again.

However, through his ingenious design, Song Mingzhu completely smoothed out any potential turbulence and created a win-win situation for all parties, making everyone feel that they had gained something.

His specific plan was to take 350,000 shi of horse meat and 70,000 Canglan horses for this "grain and meat exchange".

A single Azure Blue Horse, after being skinned and deboned, yields an average of 600 catties of clean meat, which is about four shi (a unit of dry measure).

This is still due to the "Black Wind Army's" lack of manpower and time constraints.

If processed more meticulously, an additional stone or so of edible material could be extracted from the skin, bones, blood, internal organs, and offal, which would be more than enough.

The manpower and time that the "Black Wind Army" lacks are precisely the things that the various sand tribe settlements have the most of and the cheapest resources for.

Therefore, even disregarding the various values ​​of a live Azure Horse, and treating it as simple food, there is no problem in "pricing" one Azure Horse at five shi (a unit of dry measure) of food.

For a fully grown Azure Horse, its body is merely its minimum value.

If used properly, it is not difficult to create value far exceeding that of a horse's meat.

The ingenuity of Song Mingzhu's design lies precisely in this.

The "grain and meat exchange" included 350,000 shi of "dead meat" and 70,000 Canglan horses, which were also estimated to be 350,000 shi of "live meat".

All exchanges were conducted at a ratio of one to two.

In other words, if the entire operation were carried out, a total of 700,000 shi of horse meat would need to be "exchanged" from the various sand tribe settlements for 1.4 million shi of grain.

However, the key point is—

Now, participating sand tribe settlements only need to contribute 700,000 shi of grain.

For example, if a certain sand tribe settlement is willing to contribute 7,000 shi of grain in exchange, then the settlement can immediately reap 3,500 shi of horse meat and 700 Azure Horses.

At this moment, the settlements that participated in the exchange are actually the ones who benefit.

Even if we kill the Azure Horse and take its meat immediately, we will not suffer any loss.

Of course, based on the exchange rate of one to two, the settlement still owed seven thousand shi of grain.

However, this debt does not need to be paid immediately, but can wait until the first quarter of this year's grain is stored.

That would be at least three or four months from now.

Not to mention, in such a long time, the Azure Horse has already earned its own "value".

More importantly, the situation in Xuanyou and Erzhou will become clearer in three or four months.

If the "Black Wind Army" fails to establish itself, then naturally "debts are settled upon death," and they will not need to pay the remaining debts.

However, if the "Black Wind Army" were still alive at that time, it would mean that the world of Xuanyou and Erzhou would change, and the agreement would continue to be fulfilled.

Besides, they are not at a disadvantage.

After listening to Song Mingzhu's explanation, Geng Xuan understood.

This seemingly "trading meat for grain" is actually "buying horses on a mortgage."

"...Of the 700,000 shi of grain we received in the first batch, we can take out 300,000 shi to provide relief to those tribesmen who are suffering from food shortages."

The remaining 400,000 shi (a unit of dry measure) were allocated to military logistics.

With an additional 100,000 shi (a unit of dry measure) of grains and horse meat, the needs of men and horses for the next month should be basically met.

If we add the 300,000 shi of grain that were lent out, and the 700,000 shi of grain that were not paid for under the "mortgage purchase of horses", the grain consumption for the next few months will be basically covered.

However, Song Mingzhu still looked somewhat uneasy when explaining his idea.

He had racked his brains to come up with this solution.

A method that can quickly extract food from the sand people without causing negative consequences.

They could also conjure up some food out of thin air to provide relief to the tribespeople.

At the same time, it reduced the burden on the "Black Wind Army" and also resolved the potential food shortage in the coming months in advance.

Although this only partially addresses the enormous needs of the "Black Wind Army".

But this can already be considered comprehensive.

This can be considered Song Mingzhu's "peak strategy" in recent days.

However, he still couldn't guarantee that Geng Xuan would fully approve of his proposal.

Because if they want to gain any further benefits, the "Black Wind Army" must be completely rooted in this place.

And in the crucial battle that will inevitably erupt with Dong Guan, we cannot afford to falter.

Although Geng Xuan has already made his stance clear to them.

But who can really say what he's thinking?
Song Mingzhu's plan largely restricted the Black Wind Army's strategic maneuvering space for the next few months.

Geng Xuan noticed Song Mingzhu's unease but didn't say anything more. Instead, he praised her, saying:

“Very good, your plan is really good. Let’s proceed according to your plan… If there’s anything you need me to do, just let me know.”

Song Mingzhu was overjoyed and assured him:
"With your approval, I have the greatest confidence... I guarantee that within a month, I will give you a peaceful and stable rear area!"

With that, he and Cao Ao prepared to take their leave.

Seeing Song Mingzhu had retreated to the doorway, Geng Xuan had an idea and said, "Wait a moment."

Song Mingzhu was slightly surprised, but immediately stopped in her tracks.

Cao Ao, who was beside him, was also slightly taken aback, paused for a moment, and then continued to retreat outside.

His expression remained normal, but his mood was clearly somewhat down.

Seeing this, Geng Xuan found it somewhat amusing, but still spoke up before the guy left, saying, "Why don't you stay and listen too?"

Cao Ao's face immediately lit up with joy.

With such a smooth change, Geng Xuan began to suspect that this guy's emotional shift just now might have been a deliberate performance.

Good grief, working under me doesn't require time for honing your skills, you're already starting to work on your acting, huh?!
With such thoughts swirling in his mind, Geng Xuan still reviewed the ideas that had just surfaced in his head once more.

Previously, when Song Mingzhu was reassigned to an "administrative post" to be in charge of the general affairs management of the "base area," Geng Xuan did not have high expectations for him.

If they can simply follow Dong Guan's governance model and ensure stable interaction between the "Black Wind Army" and the local community, that will suffice.

But Song Mingzhu's new version of "exchanging meat for grain" made him start to have more expectations.

Some thoughts that were originally suppressed in my heart began to rise and fall uncontrollably in my mind.

After calling out to the two and sorting out his thoughts, Geng Xuan looked at them again.

At this moment, the two of them were still standing not far from the door.

Geng Xuan gestured for them to come closer and sit down beside him before speaking:

“Except for some key areas, Dong Guan’s governance of the localities was actually very rough. His control was also quite average.”

His seemingly straightforward opening caused the two men who had just sat down to immediately straighten their backs. "Whether it's the various tribes or the sand people's settlements, they are all highly autonomous internally."

"Each tribe and each settlement thus spontaneously formed a rather complete ruling structure."

"Because of the long duration and the consensus among the people, this has even formed a powerful spontaneous inertia."

Even someone as powerful as Dong Guan would find it extremely difficult to make any changes, facing many unexpected obstacles.

"And now is the perfect time for us to get involved."

At this point, he looked at Song Mingzhu and said:
"You should have seen this as well. Resettling and providing relief to those returning tribesmen is a great opportunity."

If done well, it can reshape the original tribal ecosystem.

Break free from the constraints of existing relationships and embed our power within them.

Song Mingzhu nodded slightly, somewhat surprised.

His actions were more a matter of instinct for someone in a high position of power.

In addition, the division between the two factions within the "Black Wind Army" has begun to emerge.

This ultimately led him to have this idea.

The others, on the other hand, didn't think as thoroughly as Geng Xuan.

Now, thanks to Geng Xuan's pointing out, and looking at it from a higher perspective, we realize the profound significance behind it.

All I can say is that it was a mistake.

Geng Xuan looked at Song Mingzhu and continued:
"...Have you ever thought about taking this opportunity to go even further?"

"How do we do it?" Song Mingzhu asked hurriedly.

Geng Xuan said:
"In my observation, compared to the tribal people, the lives of the lower-class sand people are more difficult, and the gap between the rich and the poor, as well as the differences between the noble and the lowly, are also greater."

“In many sand settlements, the lower-class sand people are practically servants of the upper-class sand people.”

"The vast majority of the wealth, money, and food in the settlement were in the hands of the upper-class sand people."

“We can take advantage of their open opposition and hostility towards us to carry out a major reshuffle... This will not only reshape the ecology of various sand tribe settlements and strengthen our control, but also bring us a lot of money, food and supplies.”

Upon hearing Geng Xuan's account, Song Mingzhu was greatly alarmed and hurriedly said:

"Wouldn't this cause the situation that had just calmed down to be thrown into turmoil again?"
This...this goes against our original intention!"

Geng Xuan gently shook his head and said:
"I need a stable home front, but I don't mean I can't tolerate even the slightest disturbance."

There's no need for you to make peace with the existing high-ranking members of the Sand People in exchange for a superficial harmony.

...The hearts of this group of sand people are the most unreliable and the least trustworthy.

Even if we offer them ample benefits and show them plenty of goodwill, we still cannot win their gratitude or their loyalty.

“If you treat them badly, they will resent you.”

If we treat them well, they'll think we're trying to win them over.

Regardless of the circumstances, they will continue to sit on the fence and wait and see.

I can even guarantee that they will never sever their private contact with Dong Guan.

"Putting your heart into them is no different than throwing money into the water."

"On the contrary, those at the bottom of society, or those who are oppressed and persecuted, are the easiest to win over."

"If we just slip a little benefit through our fingers and give them a chance to stand up straight, we can immediately win their hearts."

"To put it more discreetly, as long as they have received benefits from us..."

They've essentially boarded our pirate ship and become accomplices in the fight against Dong Guan.

Even if it was just to protect the benefits they had gained, they would pray that Dong Guan would die suddenly.

They will be just like those tribal people, becoming our most steadfast supporters!

As they listened to Geng Xuan's account, Song Mingzhu and Cao Ao both widened their eyes.

The two were completely terrified by the scene described by Geng Xuan.

Before this, their biggest idea was to give the Xuanyou and Erzhou a new head and a new master.

Aside from that, they implicitly believe that nothing will change.

Wasn't the Xuanyou and Youzhou regions like this before?

In the centuries of chaos before Dong Guan's rule, and in the decades since Dong Guan took control of the two states, apart from a change of leadership and the damage caused by the "aftermath" of that change, the two states have not undergone any fundamental changes.

Not only in Xuanyou and Youzhou, but in other states as well, isn't it the same?

But now, according to Geng Xuan's description, not only does the "head" need to be replaced, but the "body" also needs to be replaced.

It's not just a minor repair; it's a complete overhaul, a complete redesign.

Just thinking about it made their scalps tingle.

It was as if boundless blood had filled their vision.

"This...this will kill a lot of people, won't it?" Song Mingzhu stammered.

"It won't be too many... Based on my understanding of the population structure in the Shamin settlements, it won't exceed five percent at most."

"..."

Seeing the military commander's nonchalant expression as he uttered these words, Song Mingzhu was utterly speechless.

"No more than five percent" sounds easy, but given the population size of the jurisdiction, that's millions of lives lost!

However, Song Mingzhu, who already knew just how cold and hard-hearted his military commander was, did not emphasize this point, but instead pointed out another obstacle.

"If we do this, it will surely plunge the powerful and influential people of Xuanyou Prefecture into complete panic and make them our mortal enemies."

Dong Guan's strength will also be greatly enhanced!
...Not only in Xuanyou and the other two states, but also in the other seven states, we will find it difficult to move an inch.

We will become the mortal enemies of all military lords and nobles in Kyushu.

Geng Xuan nodded slightly, his face showing no surprise.

Song Mingzhu's "intimidation" was entirely within his expectations.

He smiled slightly and "comforted" Song Mingzhu, whose emotions were fluctuating too much:

"Don't take things too seriously. Things are done step by step, and it's not something that needs to be implemented immediately."

My main purpose today is to let you know this is something, and as for how to actually do it, you can try it out yourself.

Try to slow down the rate of outward spread.

Living in this era, Geng Xuan has a feeling that the speed of information dissemination is really, really slow.

Perhaps, such dissemination is normal in the eyes of "locals".

But in his eyes, everything was no different from slow motion.

In the early stages, as long as there is some basic concealment and the speed of spread is slowed down as much as possible, or in other words, as long as it is not actively publicized, it can be allowed to spread naturally at the normal speed of this world.

By the time his "infamy" spread, his actions had already taken place. (End of Chapter)