The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 237 Little Guest

How to build the city, how to manage it, and so on, including land allocation, trade, and so on—there are too many things to discuss. No one wants to be careless about such trivial matters because the interests involved are too great.

These merchants, who originally traded with the Taiji of various tribes, were well aware that Wang Xin's proposed method would completely change the trade pattern in Datong.

Many tents were set up, and the merchants stayed on the grassland.

Surrounded by Wang Xin's army, Zhang Can and others had sent their cavalry far out to guard against enemy attacks, and with the protection of the wagon camp, the camp was very safe. Seeing this army, the merchants nodded in satisfaction.

"Strict military discipline, really impressive." Zhang Hui had been inside the tent for a while and couldn't resist coming out for some fresh air.

His companions agreed, saying, "I've heard that the Hexi Market in Tongzhou is not far from the Hexi Camp, and the soldiers of the Hexi Camp never lay a finger on it. It's truly lamentable."

Relying on mountains to eat mountains, relying on water to draft water.

The Five Cities Military Command is responsible for maintaining order in the towns, and which soldier there doesn't take bribes and demand favors?

"It's a good thing for us. Not only do we save money, but we also avoid a lot of trouble," Zhang Hui pointed out.

His companion nodded repeatedly. What he feared most in business was not high costs. No matter how high the costs were, as long as he dared to do the business, it meant there was profit to be made. What he feared most was not knowing the costs. Therefore, the biggest fear in business was trouble.

Because of the trouble I've encountered, I don't know how much it will cost to resolve it.

His companion couldn't help but praise, "They can still win battles. General Wang said yesterday that they are responsible for eliminating the threatening Hu tribe. I still believe what he says and I'm not worried that he can't do it."

This person has been in Datong for less than a year, yet his achievements are astonishing.

Even Fatty Feng's armored cavalry was no match for them; they had never been defeated. With only two thousand men, plus miscellaneous soldiers, they numbered no more than four thousand, yet they swept through the Xiongnu tribe. Although their methods were not exactly honorable, a victory is a victory.

Knowing the personalities of his colleagues, Zhang Hui asked, "What are you worried about?"

"With the right timing, location, and people, even I can make up my mind, let alone others. Will those other families try to take it all for themselves?" His companion couldn't help but worry.

According to Wang Xin's method, the risk has been minimized while the profit is so considerable. Although it requires a lot of money in total, the initial investment is not much. Money makes money, and the later the investment is made, the more the profit is enough to cover the initial investment.

Zhang Hui also frowned; that was indeed a possibility.

Competition among businesses is fierce, so even friends will face some degree of competition among peers. As a result, the tents are scattered in twos and threes, rather than evenly distributed.

Zhou Shiming and another person found Wang Xin.

Li Dexing and the Zhou family were the most powerful in Datong. Li Dexing pulled Zhou Shiming over and said with a smile, "Building a Zhenlu City doesn't cost much. Why does the general need to mobilize so many troops?"

As soon as the man spoke, Wang Xin guessed his purpose.

“Building Zhenlu City is no small matter. Money is one aspect, but the imperial court also needs to pay attention,” Wang Xin advised.

The man remained unmoved and confidently stated, "The imperial court need not worry. We are taking the initiative to solve the court's problems and eliminate potential risks in advance. How could the court refuse?"

"Such a boastful tone," Wang Xin couldn't help but look at Zhou Shiming. Zhou Shiming shook his head, indicating that it was inconvenient to reveal the details.

I don't really understand Datong enough.

Wang Xin really wanted to know the background of the Li family. He could understand Jia Yucun a little better now. He came from a humble family and didn't even know about the four great families in Jinling until someone reminded him.

Wang Xin thought for a moment and then changed his mind, saying, "The more equity capital you have in a business, the better. How could you complain about having too little?"

Li Dexing, thinking Wang Xin was refusing, showed displeasure. Wang Xin, however, was unconcerned and continued, "Zhenlu City is just the beginning. The faster Zhenlu City is built and the more the people can graze their livestock and benefit from it, the better we can build the next castle, right?"

Li Dexing clearly disagreed with Wang Xin's statement and retorted: "General, why don't you build a city on the site of the old Shanyu City? Just build it all the way up and occupy the most fertile places. Then even if the Hu people resist, they will be powerless to stop it."

The Hu people were powerless to attack cities and could not destroy them, so they could not seize pastures. Without pastures, their strength would wane and they would only grow weaker.

Li Dexing couldn't help but praise, "General, you have a truly brilliant plan."

Wang Xin didn't care; this was just the way Russia had done historically.

Russia's eastward expansion was primarily driven by the fur trade.

The same logic applies to the colonial expansion of Britain and France; it was also for commercial interests.

The north holds interests that the Central Plains need, not only in the fur trade but also in the core trade of horses, cattle, and sheep. The Central Plains needs the vast north more than Russia does, but the Central Plains has historically suppressed its merchants.

To support their merchants' trade, Britain issued them legal bandit licenses, allowing them to do whatever they wanted with support. Russia did the same, where merchants expanding eastward could not only gain profits but also titles.

In contrast, merchants in the Central Plains were constrained in many ways, so they could not exert their true efficiency. Since there were no benefits, only troubles, they were naturally unable to solve the problems in the north.

Anyone can do business, but doing business is also a very ruthless industry.

Whoever is more efficient will win.

Before they'd even finished cooking their own dishes, Li Dexing suddenly appeared, wanting to monopolize the business. Is a monopolized business even a business? Wang Xin certainly wouldn't agree. "Business matters should be decided by the merchants themselves, unless it affects the army's fighting and concerns future strategy."

Li Dexing was surprised by Wang Xin's attitude, realizing that he really had no intention of interfering. He looked at Zhou Shiming in astonishment.

Zhou Shiming didn't know much about Wang Xin, but Wang Xin's words and actions were just too wonderful. Why was he so good to merchants? He was always thinking of the merchants' interests. Zhou Shiming really couldn't understand it.

Wang Xin didn't think he had done anything wrong; these were just normal things.

We're still in the early stages, so of course we should support businesses. It's pointless to worry about things before we've even started.

Of course, the necessary measures must still be taken.

Day two.

A carriage appeared on the vast grassland. Xue Baoqin, who was inside the carriage, looked around at the scenery of the grassland for the first time. It was completely different from the scenery inside the pass. Xue Baoqin shouted to her father, "Dad, let me ride a horse, okay?"

"Why would a girl ride a horse?"

Xue Yan was reluctant to agree to horseback riding, in case she fell off. Besides, his daughter was growing up and needed some extra care.

My sister-in-law's family went to the capital. My daughter's mother died early, and there were no proper relatives or elders in the family. I was worried about leaving my daughter alone at home, which was one of the reasons that prompted me to decide to bring my daughter with me.

Rejected by her father once again, Xue Baoqin angrily sat back down, pouted, and ignored him. When she saw her older brother, she asked him to teach her how to ride a horse.

Thinking of her older brother, Xue Baoqin smiled.

My older brother is the most considerate; he definitely won't refuse me.

(End of this chapter)