In the thirteenth year of the Tianbao era: I became Yang Guozhong's eldest son.

"On Sale!"

Cui Shenyi slammed the gavel and announced loudly.

"Today, the county government is issuing vouchers for the first batch of one thousand dan (a unit of weight) of official salt from Qing'ao Well. The starting price is three guan (a unit of currency) per dan; the highest bidder wins! Payment will be made on the spot, no credit allowed!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a collective gasp of astonishment rippled through the crowd below.

Three strings of cash per load!

This starting price is a full 50% higher than the price of smuggled salt on the black market before!

This new county magistrate is really going to squeeze every last drop of blood out of the powerful and wealthy!

Several small salt merchants who had originally wanted to join in the fun shrank back in fear upon hearing the price and seeing Tian Chengyi's gloomy, murderous face.

Tian Chengyi snorted coldly and strode forward.

"We, the Tian family, will take all one thousand dan (a unit of weight). Each dan costs three guan and five hundred wen!"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

Three strings of cash and five hundred coins!

One thousand dan is equivalent to three thousand five hundred guan in cash! In the remote Yanjing County, this is an astronomical sum that could crush an ordinary person.

The Tian family is not only buying salt, but also announcing to the whole town: even if the county government issues new rules, the salt from Qing'ao Well can only be owned by the Tian family!

Anyone who dares to compete with the Tian family is courting death!

Cui Shen glanced at Tian Chengyi, then at the silent Manager Song and the people sent by Hu Rong, and knew that these people had already reached a tacit understanding in private and were here to book the entire venue today.

"Three thousand five hundred guan. Anyone else bidding?" Cui Shen looked around.

No one answered.

"Alright! Deal!" Cui Shen slammed his hand on the table. "Verify the silver, hand over the draft!"

The farmhands of the Tian family stepped forward and opened the several mahogany chests.

The gleaming silver ingots shimmered alluringly in the midday sun. The sheer amount of 3,500 strings of cash dazzled everyone present.

Even the old clerks in the county government office started breathing rapidly.

Cui Shen and Han Jitong personally led a team to count and weigh the items.

After confirming that everything was correct, Cui Shen handed the stack of new salt coupons to Tian Chengyi.

"Manager Tian, ​​it's cash on delivery. With these tickets, you can go to Qing'ao Well to collect salt anytime."

Cui Shen said with a forced smile.

Tian Chengyi held the thin stack of salt coupons, feeling as if he were pinching the flesh on his own thigh.

This sum of 3,500 strings of cash nearly drained the cash flow of the Tian and Hu families for almost half a year.

Although the money spent on salt could be recouped once it was transported out of the prefecture, at this moment, watching the real money flow into the county government's treasury like water, his heart was bleeding.

"Your Excellency has some impressive methods," Tian Chengyi said through gritted teeth in a low voice to Cui Shen. "I hope you can sleep soundly tonight after taking this money."

"No need for Steward Tian to trouble himself," Cui Shen retorted without backing down. "The county magistrate is sleeping soundly."

Tian Chengyi snorted coldly and turned to leave with his men.

……

As the merchants dispersed, the gates of the county government office were once again tightly shut.

But the atmosphere inside the county government office was as lively as if it were Chinese New Year.

In the inner treasury of the back hall, several chests filled with silver were lined up in a row.

Standing in front of the box, looking at the real gold and silver, Yang Xuan's tense face finally showed a relieved smile.

"Three thousand five hundred strings of cash, plus the two hundred taels of gold we received yesterday." Yang Xuan reached out and grabbed a handful of silver ingots, feeling their heavy weight. "This is the first real source of confidence we have in Yaozhou."

Back in Chang'an, he was the eldest son of the Prime Minister's family, and had handled countless amounts of gold and silver.

But this money was different; he had risked his life, used his schemes, and even used a knife to steal it from this cannibalistic borderland.

This is the capital he can use to recruit soldiers and make a living!

"Young master, how should we record this money?" Cui Shen asked, holding the account book. He looked both excited and troubled. "If we go through the county government's official accounts, we'll have to hand over the lion's share when the prefectural government comes to audit the accounts at the end of the year."

Uncle Wen, who had been standing silently to the side, walked over, leaning on his cane.

This old steward, who had spent most of his life working among the imperial family in Chang'an, possessed an unparalleled keenness in managing money.

"My lord," Wen Bo said respectfully, "this old servant has something to say, but I don't know if I should."

"Please speak, Uncle Wen." Yang Xuan held this loyal old man in high esteem.

"This money must not be recorded in just one account," Uncle Wen said, pointing to the boxes. "In my opinion, this cash should be divided into three parts and recorded in three separate accounts."

"The first book is the 'Public Accounts'."

"Set aside one thousand strings of cash for the county government's official accounts. This money will be used to repair the county government, pay the monthly salaries of the constables, and cover the year-end audit by the prefectural government. This money is for the higher-ups to see and to silence the gossips. With this income of one thousand strings of cash, even if the prefecture wants to cause trouble for the officials, they won't be able to find fault with it."

Yang Xuan nodded: "That's right. We have to abide by the rules on the surface."

"The second book is 'The Dark Account'."

Wen Bo continued, "Take two thousand strings of cash as your private treasury. This money must never be exposed. It's your life-saving money. It will be used to recruit elite warriors, purchase weapons and armor, and guard against the Tian and Hu families resorting to desperate measures. In chaotic times, the sword is the strongest weapon. Without this secret treasury, we won't be able to stand firm in Yaozhou."

Pei Zhao listened attentively, nodding repeatedly. His biggest worry was not having enough money to hire people or buy good swords. With these two thousand strings of cash, he was confident that he could quickly assemble a truly fearless team.

"The third book is the 'Living Account'."

Uncle Wen pointed to the remaining small portion of silver.

"The last few hundred strings of cash, along with the two hundred taels of gold, will be kept as a 'live account.' It will be jointly managed by the princess of the inner quarters and Cui, the registrar. This money will be used to make connections throughout the city, gather information, and win over the artisans and merchants who are dissatisfied with the Tian family. If the water is too clear, there will be no fish. In a place like Yaozhou, we can't rely on knives alone; we also need silver to smooth things over with the local officials."

The public account protects the reputation, the secret account supports the army, and the open account lubricates the system.

Wen Bo's proposal can be described as a wise and prudent approach to governing the country, taking into account all the potential risks and needs.

"Good!" Yang Xuan's eyes gleamed brightly. "Let's do as Uncle Wen says!"

He turned around, looked at the core team in front of him, and began the first real resource allocation since arriving in Yaozhou.

"Cui Shen."

"exist."

"You'll be in charge of both the official and temporary accounts. First, use a portion of the temporary accounts to pay off the back wages owed to the former runners in the county government. Tell them that if they follow me, Yang Xuan, and are willing to work, they'll have food to eat and money to earn. If they refuse to work and still want to be traitors, they'll suffer the same fate as Dong Liu!"

"Furthermore, go to the city and find a few experienced craftsmen who truly understand salt wells and machinery. The Tian family doesn't need them, but we will. Pay them handsomely! As long as they're willing to work for the county government, they can name their own terms!"

"Yes!" Cui Shen answered loudly.

Pei Zhao.

"exist."

"I'm giving you all the two thousand strings of cash in the secret account." Yang Xuan looked at the valiant soldier who had protected him all the way out of the encirclement. "Take this money and recruit men for me. I don't want thugs to put on a show; I want real men who have seen blood and are willing to fight to the death. Veterans, desperate wanderers—as long as they have backbone, recruit them all. Equipment, warhorses—buy whatever money can buy!"

Pei Zhao knelt on one knee, his voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Your subordinate will not fail in your mission! Within half a month, your subordinate will forge a true blade for you, my lord!"

Finally, Yang Xuan turned to look at Yan He.

"Yanhe".

"Keep the gold in the cash register. It's for the stability of the inner quarters, the purchase of medicinal herbs, and... if we can't hold out any longer, this money will be your last resort."

Yanhe looked at him, did not refuse, and quietly accepted the brocade box containing the gold.

"If I stay in the inner quarters, the county government won't be in chaos."

Her tone was calm, yet carried immense weight.