Chapter 85 The Foundation of the World

The two men were exhausted, but they couldn't hide the excitement on Du Biao's face.

"Brother Liu!"

As soon as Du Biao got off the horse, he burst into laughter and rushed over, being very affectionate.

Liu Zheng also asked about her well-being. After not seeing her for nearly half a month, Zheng Yueru looked at Liu Zheng with a little more affection in her eyes.

Originally, he planned to arrange for Du Biao to rest and have a drink. But Du Biao couldn't help it and whispered, "Brother Liu, please don't keep me in suspense! Is what Miss Zheng said... true?"

Du Biao's excitement was also within Liu Zheng's expectations.

What does this Baiya Army do? It is the bandit army that others talk about. Liu Zheng never worries that they will not be interested in refined salt...they are just afraid that there won't be enough!

Liu Zheng laughed: "Brother Du, when did I, Liu Zheng, ever brag? If that's the case, then let's go to my Yintan City and take a look!"

"Silver Beach City?"

Du Biao smiled slightly and didn't take it seriously, thinking it was just something a young man had made up. But when he got here, he was frightened by the scene in front of him.

"Oh My God……"

The vast expanse of land was all under construction. Looking at that stretch of Silver Beach, it was more than just a city. At this time, most of the building structures had been built, and various workshops and dormitories where workers lived had all taken shape. Not only that, because of the special nature of Silver Beach City, Liu Zheng also equipped it with various sentries and defensive fortifications. So, at this time, the three people stood on a hill, looking at the Silver Beach below, and it was completely a solid and huge city under construction!

"Oh My God……"

Du Biao was shocked and looked at Liu Zheng in disbelief: "Brother Liu, this, this, this is..."

"Brother Du, please come this way!"

Liu Zheng laughed loudly, and without further ado, he brought Du Biao to his own Yintan City. When the soldiers saw Du Biao, they looked fierce, which frightened Du Biao, a big man who traveled the rivers and lakes. When they saw Liu Zheng, they put away their killing intent and greeted him.

Then, Liu Zheng took Du Biao to visit the collection workshop, salt drying site, washing workshop, and processing workshop. Every place was strictly guarded. The craftsmen working here had a clear division of labor and strict system. Everyone had their own responsibilities, and there would not be any chaos.

This surprised Du Biao again, and he began to rethink his opinion of this brother Liu.

It is said that the Baiya Army has a developed business, but who would have thought that when he came to Liu Zheng's territory, he knew what real business, real manufacturing, and real workshops were! He was a little angry at this time. The intelligence system of the Baiya Army only described Liu Zheng as a talent of a rich man?

not enough!

Totally not enough!

Liu Zheng’s idea of making salt alone is totally not enough!

Du Biao was so shocked that he forgot to breathe. When he saw the salt-making workshop, the salt-making process, and the finished products, he still couldn't recover from the shock.

So, he didn't know how he ended up sitting in Liu Zheng's lounge.

Liu Zheng and Zheng Yueru looked at each other, then smiled at Du Biao and said, "Brother Du, how is the production?"

Du Biao was speechless: "Enough, enough, absolutely enough!"

Currently, due to the lack of craftsmen, the output is indeed insufficient. But once it gets on track, the output of refined salt in Yintan City will be absolutely unimaginable.

Of course, the craftsman...

This was also Liu Zheng's headache. The disadvantage of insufficient population was highlighted at this time. Conservatively estimated, Yintan City needed at least 30,000 to 50,000 workers! Where could Liu Zheng find them? Besides, if there were 30,000 to 50,000 young and middle-aged people, wouldn't it be good to recruit them? Therefore, Liu Zheng was extremely conflicted now.

so.

When others disagreed with the topic of "How to survive in the world ", Liu Zheng took it very seriously.

How to survive in the world?

Business or military strength?

If there is a conflict, how should we choose?

The three of us sat together, looking at each other.

Du Biao didn't speak, Liu Zheng didn't speak either, and Zheng Yueru was even less so. With Liu Zheng around, she rarely interrupted in discussing business matters.

Finally, Du Biao couldn't help laughing: "Brother Liu, no more nonsense! No matter how much refined salt your Silver Beach produces, my Baiya Army will take it all!"

Liu Zheng raised his eyebrows, but remained calm and smiled.

Du Biao cursed this little fox in his heart, but his face was still enthusiastic. He laughed and said, "For one hundred liters of refined salt, the Baiya Army can pay one tael of silver!"

Liu Zheng and Zheng Yueru looked at each other, and both of their eyes lit up.

One tael of silver? This price is not low! You know, in ancient times, salt and iron were state-controlled commodities, and even strategic materials of the country! In the Longyan Dynasty, salt was limited every month. The amount of salt was 5 liters less than half for men, 3 liters less than half for women, and 2 liters less than half for infants.

The "liter" here is of course not the 1000 milliliters of later generations. In ancient times, 10 he equaled one liter, and one liter was about 200 milliliters. So the 100 liters mentioned by Du Biao is actually 25 catties. In the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, the same amount of salt could be exchanged for 100 times the grain! It is conceivable how precious salt was in ancient times. Someone roughly calculated that in ancient times, the price of one catty of salt was equivalent to 30 yuan in later generations!

One tael of silver was equivalent to six hundred yuan in later generations.

So, twenty-five jin should actually be seven hundred and fifty taels!

but……

This is the selling price!

At this time, Du Biao gave the purchase price! This one tael of silver was already a very high price. After all, Liu Zheng didn't have to consider the various costs later.

Liu Zheng was about to speak.

Who would have thought that Du Biao would burst into laughter again: "Also, Brother Liu, my Baiya Army can also be responsible for taking back the refined salt!"

"ah?"

Liu Zheng and Zheng Yueru were even more surprised, as this was an additional transportation cost. In business terms, Du Biao must have his own demands for this.

Liu Zheng looked at it in confusion.

As expected, Du Biao took a big sip of wine, and then he said in a carefree manner: "Brother Liu, to be honest, there have been many frictions between the Baiya Army and the Xiongnu recently... The Xiongnu cavalry is not weaker than our Liangzhou cavalry... I heard from Miss Zheng that Brother Liu has a type of soldier and weapon that can restrain cavalry, so... Of course, my Baiya Army will not be stingy with our war horses..."

boom!

Du Biao's words made Liu Zheng stand up suddenly with an excited look on his face.

This scared Du Biao and Zheng Yueru, and they were confused.

Liu Zheng shouted, "Hahaha, I understand, I understand!"

He hurriedly told Zheng Yueru that everything was fine and left it to Zheng Yueru and Du Biao to discuss it while he went back to the city.

How to survive in the world?

How to survive in this world!

He finally figured it out!

What he had been pondering over but could not figure out was suddenly pointed out to him by Du Biao!

How did Yinzhou come to be?

This sounds like a big question, but in reality? It's very simple. How to gain a firm foothold in this upcoming chaotic world and rely on your own advantages!

Therefore, this advantage is not about any policy, nor is it about some empty issues like governing the country or loving the people.

He needs something that he can truly rely on to survive in the world, at least something that can keep him from being disturbed by others in troubled times!

So, why can't we refer to the Baiya Army? The Baiya Army, people call it the bandit army! But how did the Baiya Army grow and become stronger? War horses! The Baiya Army has the strongest war horse production base and the strongest horse farm in the entire Longyan Dynasty!

This is enough!

Who in the world doesn't want to protect the Baiya Army, who doesn't want to do business with the Baiya Army? Who doesn't want to buy excellent war horses from him?

This is the equivalent of the United States during World War II!

How did he make a fortune from the war? He first declared neutrality, and then sold advanced weapons and equipment to make a fortune. Who would mess with an arms dealer? There was no need, and it was not in line with maximizing profits.

Same reason.

The reason why the Baiya Army was able to grow and develop in Liangzhou was that no one wanted to see them destroyed. It was very simple. They were very satisfied with the supply of war horses of the Baiya Army. Once the Baiya Army was destroyed, no matter who got the horse farm, they would not be able to guarantee the share and price they could get before.

Then why not protect him together?

Therefore, Liangzhou nowadays also needs to have its own real advantages to survive in troubled times. After thinking about it, Liu Zheng couldn't think of any advantages of Yinzhou. What soap and perfume? Come on, once the war breaks out, these are all dregs. Refined salt? What kind of advantage is this smuggled stuff?

Now he understands!

I already have a rough outline in my mind.

Arriving at Fengming Tower quickly, he no longer went to his own private room, but stared with burning eyes at the woman who was sitting on the couch in Fengming Tower, talking eloquently and scolding several scholars so badly that they left in tears.

"ah!"

Hu Xier was startled by Liu Zheng who suddenly ran in front of her.

"My lord, please don't use force!"

“We are all men of letters!”

Hu Xier took a sip of wine to give himself courage and said tremblingly.

Liu Zheng laughed: "I am Liu Zheng."

Hu Xier looked confused. Do people from Yinzhou like to get straight to the point and introduce themselves directly? She also pretended to be so, stood up and clasped her fists: "Hello, Mr. Liu, I am Hu Xier... What, what is your name?"

The next moment, she stared at Liu Zheng in a daze.

The shopkeeper laughed loudly: "Miss Hu, this is my son, Liu Zheng, the son of the Marquis of Zhou, and the governor of Yinyang!"

Hu Xier looked at Liu Zheng curiously and tilted her head: "Are you the Liu Zheng who said 'I write books for a living'?"

Liu Zheng smiled bitterly. Is there no way to get over this joke?

"It is indeed me!"

Hu Xier looked at Liu Zheng carefully again, then snorted coldly, grabbed two bottles of wine on the table, and fled quickly.

"I won't play with you!"

"Why!"

The shopkeeper was getting anxious.

Liu Zheng waved his hand, smiled indifferently, mounted his horse, and slowly followed behind Hu Xier.

No matter who is behind this little girl, he will not let her go this time!

"You, you, you, why are you following me!"