At the beginning, I gave up my military power with a cup of wine, and I ascended the throne

Chapter 19: Hitting Cao Xiong
Xiao Han said: "I believe that Patriarch Cao is also aware that several counties on both sides of the Yellow River will soon begin the autumn harvest."

"I have received news that the Zaohu tribe in the west will move east in large numbers this year."

"What do you want me to do, my Lord?"

Cao Xiong's face looked solemn.

"Of course, I cannot just sit there and watch the barbarians trample on Xiliang and slaughter our people."

"Ugh."

Xiao Han sighed.

Seeing that Cao Xiong did not respond, he continued: "It's a pity that my heart is willing but my strength is not enough."

"What difficulties have you encountered, sir?"

Xiao Han had to answer.

"Yes."

Xiao Han frowned: "Although the palace soldiers are well trained, they lack war horses, bows, crossbows and armor."

"These past few days, I was so worried that I couldn't eat or sleep well at night."

It feels like he's here to take advantage of me.

Cao Xiong's mouth twitched, and his expression immediately turned bitter: "Your Excellency really works for the country and the people. I admire you."

Then he gritted his teeth and said, "Since it is for the purpose of resisting the barbarians and protecting the people of Xiliang, I will pay another 50,000 taels to purchase war horses and weapons."

"it is good."

Xiao Han clapped his hands and praised, "As expected of Patriarch Cao. When the war is over, I will report to the Marquis and ask for credit for Patriarch Cao."

"It's all thanks to you, adults."

Cao Xiong thought that he could get rid of Xiao Han with 50,000 taels of silver, and a smile appeared on his face.

"But."

Unexpectedly, Xiao Han changed the subject and frowned again.

Cao Xiong's heart clicked.

"It may not be easy to purchase enough war horses and weapons in such a short period of time."

Xiao Han looked at Cao Xiong and said, "I heard that the third brother of the Cao family has been doing business abroad for many years. He must have channels in this regard."

Xiao Han said: "Why don't I give this fifty thousand taels of silver, together with the fifty thousand taels that Patriarch Cao promised before, to the Cao family."

"Have the Cao family purchase two thousand strong bows, five hundred powerful crossbows, two thousand war horses, and three thousand sets of armor for men and horses. The men must wear full body armor, and the horses must wear light armor."

"I hope Patriarch Cao will not refuse."

The more Cao Xiong listened, the more depressed he became.

In the end, he was already suppressing his anger.

As expected, this God of Killing had no good intentions in mind, and he came here today just to cause trouble.

Cao Xiong smiled bitterly: "Sir, please don't embarrass me."

"The Cao family is engaged in legitimate business, such as bows, crossbows and armor. If they are caught trading privately, they will be beheaded. We have never dared to touch them, not to mention that you are asking for so much."

"Even if we sell the Cao family, we still can't get it out."

"It turns out that the Cao family is doing legitimate business."

Xiao Han was surprised, and then cursed: "I guess it was Pan Yuanshao who tricked me."

"I will go back and conduct a thorough investigation."

"My Lord, what did Minister Pan say?"

Cao Xiong's heart moved and he asked quickly.

"nothing."

Xiao Han said lightly: "There are a few petty officials in the prefecture who are in the prison and are accusing the Cao family of colluding with the Zahu tribe to smuggle military equipment and weapons to the Zahu. They are also secretly opening iron mines and several weapon workshops."

"This is slander."

“It’s a frame-up.”

Cao Xiong jumped up suddenly, his face pale, and he was even shaking with anger: "Sir, the Cao family is innocent."

"Don't believe the framing of these villains."

A few words.

Xiao Han then revealed all the details of the Cao family. Cao Xiong no longer cared about how the man in front of him knew it.

"Yes."

Xiao Han nodded: "I also believe that Patriarch Cao is innocent."

"but."

Xiao Han shook his head: "There are too many people who have pointed out the identity of the Cao family leader. If I don't investigate carefully, I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince everyone."

"Since Patriarch Cao is innocent, there is nothing wrong with investigating him."

"I'm not afraid of investigation."

Cao Xiong was sweating coldly. "And some people also said that the Cao family master has private soldiers."

Xiao Han tilted his head, as if he couldn't remember clearly: "How much was it, nine hundred or two thousand?"

"By the way, it seems to be a thousand private soldiers."

"Nothing."

Cao Xiong's face turned pale.

He kept private soldiers, opened an armory, mined iron ore, colluded with the barbarians, and smuggled weapons.

Any one of the charges would be a serious crime that would lead to the confiscation of property and the extermination of the entire family. In serious cases, even nine generations of the family would be implicated.

No matter how stupid Cao Xiong was, he knew that Xiao Han's main purpose today was probably not to get something for free.

But to hit yourself.

There is another question. Cao Xiong is not sure whether Xiao Han has any evidence.

But he didn't dare to gamble.

Because even if there is no evidence, as long as Xiao Han wants, there will be evidence.

This governor is not like the previous ones, who can be controlled by him at will.

If he is angered, he will transfer the Northern Army here. Not to mention dealing with the miscellaneous Hu tribes, he will have no problem dealing with himself.

Not to mention the Cao family alone, even if ten Cao families were tied together, they would not be enough to be killed.

A myriad of thoughts raced through Cao Xiong’s mind, and in the end he could only sigh inwardly.

The head must be lowered.

If you don't bow your head, you will die.

"My Lord, these are all fabricated stories."

Cao Xiong smiled bitterly: "It's all because many villains are jealous and are framing me and the Cao family."

"The private army thing is also fake?"

Xiao Han narrowed his eyes.

"My Cao family does have a thousand-man guard team, but it is only to guard against bandits and cavalry when the caravan goes out."

Cao Xiong hesitated for a moment, but decided to be honest.

"I see."

Xiao Han suddenly realized: "I was wondering, how could a loyal and brave man like Master Cao raise private soldiers?"

"Then the iron mine, the weapons workshop, and the collusion with the Zahu tribe are also fake?"

"There are several small workshops that specialize in forging weapons for the guards."

Cao Xiong spoke vaguely.

"It's ok."

"I can understand."

Xiao Han nodded slightly.

"As for colluding with the Zahu tribe."

Cao Xiong smiled bitterly: "Sometimes doing business is helpless. If you don't sell, others will grab it."

"Understandable."

Xiao Han still nodded.

"But you still have to be careful with this kind of business in the future. Otherwise, even if I, the governor, want to protect you, gossip can make a person a tiger. If the news gets to Jizhou, I won't be able to report it to the Marquis if he asks me about it."

"No more."

Cao Xiong immediately stated: "In the future, the Cao family will never do business with the Zahu tribe. The Cao family is also from Xiliang and has an irreconcilable feud with the Zahu tribe."

"Business, we have to do it."

Xiao Han chuckled: "But it's better to let me know."

"Thank you, sir."

Cao Xiong's heart became active.

Xiao Han doesn't look like he wants to destroy the Cao family, but more like he wants to use them for his own benefit.

If Xiao Han, the Governor of Xiliang, could be on the list, he might be able to make further progress.

"Is there a problem with the weapon I want?"

Xiao Han asked.

"no problem."

Cao Xiong said hurriedly: "Even if it rains knives from the sky, I will bring back the horses, bows and crossbows you want within half a month."

"very good."

Seeing that the head of the Cao family was so tactful, Xiao Han also smiled.

(End of this chapter)