I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 223 What's wrong with enjoying yourself? (Bonus chapter for Alliance Leader [Pei Yuanqing Thirteen Years Old])
"I want you……"

Guo Jia's heart skipped a beat, as he had already thought of many things.

If I wanted you, would you say yes?

Hearing that there was still room for negotiation, Guo Jia instinctively wanted to shake his head, but his loyalty to Cao Cao forced him to nod. In the end, Guo Jia stood there dumbfounded, staring blankly at Liu Miao...

Haha! I knew you wouldn't agree!

Liu Miao originally wanted to scare Guo Jia a little more, but seeing that Guo Jia was about to be ruined if he continued to play games, he finally revealed his purpose.

"I need some people."

"Who? Could it be Lord Xun?"

If even Guo Jia is not wanted, then the only one one that can be thought of in Cao Cao's camp is probably Xun Yu!

Liu Miao said helplessly, "What would I need Lord Xun for?"

"I need some craftsmen."

"Craftsman?"

Before arriving, Cao Cao had already figured out what Liu Miao would want.

It's nothing more than provisions, gold, and warhorses...

Xun Yu also advised Guo Jia on these matters and gave him a bottom line.

For example, the grain and fodder amounted to a maximum of 20,000 shi (a unit of dry measure).

For example, gold, at most three thousand gold pieces.

For example, warhorses, at most two thousand.

If there were any more, it would damage Cao Cao's own fighting strength, which would obviously be a loss.

Guo Jia never expected that Liu Miao would actually want craftsmen.
"Which kind of craftsman is Zhongshan referring to?"

“Witch doctors, musicians, artisans, all of these are acceptable.”

Liu Miao interrupted Guo Jia: "Don't say you didn't."

"Back when Luoyang was in chaos, all of Luoyang's top craftsmen fled to the Central Plains with their families!"

Guo Jia made no attempt to hide anything: "Indeed, many artisans who used to live in Luoyang City have gone to the Central Plains in large numbers, but what does Zhongshan want them to do?"

"Nonsense! After fighting for so long, can't I enjoy myself a bit?"

Liu Miao laughed loudly: "Didn't Fengxiao say I was extravagant? Then I should be extravagant to the very end!"

"In the future, I want to build the tallest pavilion! Standing on it, I can reach for the stars!"

"I want to build the longest road ever! So that even a thoroughbred horse can't run from one end to the other!"

"I also want to build the biggest ship! The fastest car! The most beautiful clothes! The most magnificent palace!"

"Then, I'll take you, Fengxiao, to enjoy yourselves properly. Wouldn't that be better?"

"..."

Liu Miao has gone mad!

This was Guo Jia's first reaction!

Liu Miao, who had just made a three-point agreement with the elders of Jingzhou, is now turning around and going to do these things...

How is this any different from a second Dong Zhuo or a second Yuan Shu?
But was Liu Miao that kind of person?
Guo Jia did not believe it.

But was Liu Miao lying just now?
Guo Jia didn't believe it either.

Although Liu Miao's expression and tone were exaggerated when he said these words, Guo Jia could tell that Liu Miao really wanted to do these things!

"Could it be... that I misjudged him?"

Guo Jia was completely baffled, unable to understand why Liu Miao would exchange such a fertile land as Nanyang for some craftsmen...

Scholars, farmers, industry and commerce.

While the status of craftsmen may not be considered lowly, it is certainly not high either.

If Liu Miao only wanted blacksmiths, Guo Jia might have suspected that Liu Miao wanted to forge equipment and armor to secretly build up strength for war.

But Liu Miao would accept anyone!

Shamans, doctors, musicians, and artisans!

There wasn't a single job that Liu Miao disliked!
Guo Jia tilted his head. He always prided himself on being able to see through people's hearts, but when facing Liu Miao, he encountered obstacles at every turn and felt powerless to do anything about it.

For Guo Jia, Liu Miao was a very complicated person.

If Lü Bu was one color, Liu Bei two colors, and Cao Cao three colors, then Liu Miao in Guo Jia's eyes was a multicolored black...

They couldn't see through him, couldn't smell him, let alone reach out and grab Liu Miao to restrain him.

Liu Miao waved his finger in front of Guo Jia: "Fengxiao? What do you think?"

"Surely they can't even send some craftsmen to Jingzhou?"

"It's not that it's impossible, but I still don't understand why Zhongshan wants them..."

"I've already said it, I've been fighting for so long, can't I enjoy myself a bit?"

Liu Miao's expression was sincere.

To be honest, even Guo Jia didn't believe that.

Has the world become this complicated?
Guo Jia stared intently at Liu Miao.

He could sense that Liu Miao had set a huge trap for him and Cao Cao!

But unfortunately, Guo Jia couldn't find out where the trap was.

Even though they knew it was a trap, Guo Jia and Cao Cao had no choice but to obediently step into it.

Compared to the emperor, a few craftsmen are simply too good a bargain!

Guo Jia immediately agreed on Cao Cao's behalf: "Deal!"

"it is good!"

Liu Miao's excitement seemed genuine.

"It's settled then! When can Fengxiao send these people over?"

“It’s not hard to find these people…” Most of the highly skilled craftsmen are concentrated in some large cities, such as Xingyang, Chenliu, Suiyang, and Yangdi.

By searching these large cities, the craftsmen Liu Miao needed could be gathered quickly, so Guo Jia gave him a specific timeframe.

"It will be ready in one month."

"Okay, then it'll be one month!"

"If it is delivered within a month, I will order Ziyi to retreat to the north of Xinye!"

Once the matter was settled, Guo Jia immediately set off back to Cao Cao's camp.

However, on the very night he left Xiangyang, Guo Jia suffered from vomiting and diarrhea, and had a persistent fever...

"I told you I can't eat roasted goose! Ugh! Is Zhongshan trying to poison me?"

------

Liu Miao's plan to exchange Nanyang for some craftsmen quickly became known to those around him.

Most people were puzzled by this matter, or even found it incomprehensible, and Zhang Xiu was the first person to come to Liu Miao to inquire about it.

"Did Jia Xu send the general?"

"No, it's not..."

Zhang Xiu's initial aggressive demeanor suddenly turned into helplessness after being exposed. Liu Miao smiled slightly and invited Zhang Xiu to have tea with him.

"It's normal for him to send you to ask. After all, you entrusted this land of Nanyang to me, and I need to give you an explanation."

Seeing that Liu Miao was not angry, Zhang Xiu no longer concealed his intentions and directly asked Liu Miao: "Did you exchange the land of Nanyang for some useless craftsmen for your own enjoyment?"

Liu Miao nodded: "That's part of the reason."

Zhang Xiu was filled with righteous indignation: "Could it be that the three-point agreement between Liu Biaoqi and the elders of Jingzhou by the Han River was just a charade?"

Liu Miao did not blame Zhang Xiu, but instead asked him, "Does the general know where the grain comes from?"

Zhang Xiu didn't know why Liu Miao asked him this question, but he answered truthfully nonetheless.

"It grows naturally in the ground!"

"No, it is the farmers' hard work that makes the harvest so bountiful. So we should cherish the people."

Liu Miao then pointed to the teacup in his hand and asked Zhang Xiu, "General, do you know where this tea set came from?"

Zhang Xiu replied, "It was made by a craftsman."

"correct."

Liu Miao nodded: "This thing was also made by humans."

“Craftsmen are human beings too. They are no different from farmers. Why does the general despise craftsmen and favor farmers? Why do you say they are all useless people?”

of course?

"Naturally, because food is of paramount importance!"

"Lack of tools does not mean one cannot survive; but lack of food will lead to death!"

Liu Miao patiently guided him: "Is the grain more valuable, or the utensils?"

"Of course, grain is more valuable!"

"Then why can't I use my own tools to exchange for other people's food?"

Zhang Xiu froze on the spot, his arm raised in the air for a long time without being able to lower it.

Liu Miao then said, "Now that we have captured Jingzhou, our troops are exhausted. Zhang Zhao and Gu Yong have written to me several times asking when the war will end."

“Jiangdong has now been exhausted, and Jingzhou also has things to do, such as sorting out household registration, measuring land, redistributing land, and establishing three chiefs.”

"Even though the neighboring Hanzhong and Shu regions are fertile lands, I currently lack the ability to seize them. Yet, I still desire their grain. What does the general think I should do?"

Zhang Xiu immediately understood: "Does General Liu want to exchange the things made by these craftsmen for grain?"

However, Zhang Xiu immediately shook his head: "Zhang Lu and Liu Zhang are not fools. Even someone like me knows that grain is more valuable than equipment, so why would they use grain to buy it?"

Liu Miao was pleased with Zhang Xiu's growth: "So, either we sell what they like but don't have, or we sell things that are cheaper than the tools they produce locally."

However, these two points undoubtedly touched on Zhang Xiu's blind spot, causing Zhang Xiu to tilt his head and look at Liu Miao with a face full of confusion.

Liu Miao could only offer an example: "If the general were to see a Ferghana horse from the Western Regions right now, would the general be tempted?"

Zhang Xiu nodded abruptly!

Akhal-Teke horses!

That's every military commander's dream!

Moreover, Zhang Xiu was born in Xiliang and had personally witnessed the agile and sturdy appearance of the Akhal-Teke horse, which made him linger there!

If someone were to bring in a magnificent Akhal-Teke horse, Zhang Xiu would buy it without hesitation!

Liu Miao then asked, "Does the general know how much a bolt of cloth costs in Jingzhou now?"

"Three thousand coins per bolt."

"If there were cloth that cost two thousand coins a bolt of silk now, would the general still buy cloth that cost three thousand coins a bolt of silk?"

Zhang Xiu naturally shook his head: "Only a fool would buy that!"

Through Liu Miao's explanation, Zhang Xiu vaguely understood Liu Miao's thoughts.

However, Zhang Xiu was also puzzled: "What General Liu said is brilliant, but where are we going to find those precious Ferghana horses and cloth that only sells for two thousand coins?"

Liu Miao laughed and said, "Of course it's thanks to the craftsmen I got from Cao Cao! Otherwise, would it be up to you and me?"

Seeing that Zhang Xiu was still somewhat confused, Liu Miao did not explain further, but simply told Zhang Xiu: "If the general and Wenhe do not understand what I am saying, then I might as well say something more explicit."

"Last time, Cao Cao sent me five thousand warhorses, which almost emptied his coffers."

"If we ask him for anything related to military equipment now, his strength will inevitably decline."

"We still need Cao Cao to resist Yuan Shao for us in the Central Plains, so we can't make too many demands on him."

Without Xuzhou and Huainan as supplements, Cao Cao's strength has already declined.

If Liu Miao were to extort another sum from Cao Cao, and Cao Cao were to be unable to defeat Yuan Shao, allowing Yuan Shao to swallow up the entire Central Plains, that would be the last thing Liu Miao wanted to see.

Zhang Xiu finally understood!

It seems Liu Miao treated Cao Cao like a guest general!
It's like... Liu Biao supporting me before?
　I'm so sorry, I should be updating more frequently, but I'm not the kind of prolific writer who can write three or four thousand, or even five or six thousand chapters per hour. Writing three chapters a day, including the time for brainstorming, takes about seven or eight hours. Writing one more chapter would take almost ten hours. So I can only add one chapter to show my gratitude. I will continue to add more chapters when I have time in the future!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)