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

Chapter 34 The Cao Family's Bet

"Miss Miaoyu."

Although Cao Zhang is the third son, he is away from home all year round, so he looks more haggard than the head of the family, Cao Xiong.

He took out an exquisite wooden box from his sleeve and said, "I was in a hurry to travel this time, so I didn't prepare any good gifts for you. This is a 300-year-old ginseng. Take it and make soup for you to nourish your body."

"Third Master, it's a good idea, so I'll accept it on your behalf."

Miaoyu nodded.

As the saying goes, a third-rank official is in front of the prime minister. As the eldest maid in the governor's mansion, the Cao Xiong brothers were extremely polite to Miaoyu.

Moreover.

Cao Ruixue is still at home. If she offends Miaoyu and makes things difficult for her own daughter, Cao Xiong will have no place to cry.

Arriving at the backyard, he called Cao Ruixue and said, "Master Cao and the Third Master are in the main hall. You go and serve them."

"Thank you, Sister Miaoyu."

Cao Ruixue was happy and went to the main hall.

The father, daughter, uncle and nephew were reminiscing about the past when Xiao Han arrived late.

He was still yawning.

"Did you come so early?"

He walked out from the back of the hall, and Cao Ruixue immediately stood up and pulled the chair away.

"I've met my lord."

The Cao Xiong brothers saluted.

"No need to be polite."

Xiao Han waved his hand: "This time I still rely on your Cao family's full support."

"It's my job."

Cao Xiong replied.

"Master Cao, I heard that you travel a lot and are very familiar with the tribes on the grassland."

He sat down, picked up the teacup and drank it in one gulp, only then did he suppress his sleepiness. He was really too tired.

Cao Zhang felt uneasy, but when he saw the look in his elder brother's eyes, he gritted his teeth and said, "Yes."

The Cao family is now bound to Xiao Han.

Not to mention Cao Ruixue who worked as a maid in the governor's mansion, even many of the Cao family's children joined the Black Armor Army.

In addition to the previous donation of troops and grain, this time we have provided great assistance to the governor's office in providing relief to various counties.

The Cao family invested a huge amount of money.

"The Governor's Office is still short of a Commercial and Travel Department to manage the flow of goods within Xiliang. I wonder if Third Master is interested."

Return the peach.

Xiao Han is not the kind of petty person. As long as the Cao family behaves honestly, he doesn't mind giving them some sweet treats.

Cao Xiong and Cao Zhang were overjoyed.

Cao Zhang nodded hurriedly: "Thank you, sir."

Xiao Han said leisurely: "After a few days, I will arrange my family affairs and come to the government office to take up my post."

In this way, the Cao family has officially stepped into the upper echelons of power in Xiliang.

"Good job."

Xiao Han said: "You will get some benefits, but you can't embarrass me."

While giving some dates, also give some reminders and taps.

"I understand."

Cao Zhang nodded.

This was a deal, in which the Cao family handed over the trade channels on which they relied in exchange for the power of the Commerce and Travel Bureau.

This means that from now on, the Cao family’s caravan will be under the jurisdiction of the Xiliang Governor’s Office and will be transformed from civilian to official.

Although he would have to give up most of the profits, what he gained in return was Xiao Han as his backer.

"Master Cao, all the weapon workshops under your command should also be handed over to the Armory Department."

Xiao Han smiled and said, "The Cao family can keep the iron mine. In the future, all the weapons produced in the weapon workshop will be purchased by the governor's mansion at 50% of the price."

It is only a matter of time before the weapons shop is taken back.

Cao Xiong knew it in his heart, but he was just waiting for the right price.

Now that Xiao Han offered a satisfactory price, he no longer insisted and said, "I will hand it over to the Ordnance Department tomorrow."

Although they are not conspicuous now, as time goes by, the sons of the Cao family who join the Black Armor Army will be gradually promoted based on their military exploits.

The status and power of the Cao family will also rise.

This is a long-term investment. You won’t see any gains in the short term, and you may even only pay.

But Cao Xiong was a man with a long-term vision, and he had already set his sights on Xiao Han, the Governor of Xiliang.

If you bet right, you will make a lot of money.

If you bet wrong, the worst that can happen is you can start over again.

"After you take office, immediately prepare to collect food and grass from Yizhou and other places, as well as seeds and farm tools for the spring."

Xiao Han looked at Cao Zhang: "The more the better."

"No problem." Cao Zhang nodded.

It seems that my lord will use military force against the Zahu tribe in the early spring of next year.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Sir, are the cattle and sheep we used to wipe out the Ruoqiang tribe still there?"

"exist."

Xiao Han nodded.

"If you can trust me, sir."

Cao Zhang said: "Just give me these cattle and sheep, and I will transport them to the Central Plains, and then exchange them for food, gold and silver and bring them back."

"can."

He put down the teacup, began to yawn, and said to Cao Ruixue, "You have been in the mansion for quite some time. Today you can accompany your father and uncle. In the evening, come to my room."

Cao Ruixue's pretty face turned slightly red. How could she not understand the meaning of this sentence? She was so embarrassed that she was about to bleed.

I could only lower my head and hum softly.

Cao Xiong and Cao Zhang looked at each other and felt relieved.

After Xiao Han left, Cao Xiong pulled his daughter over and said earnestly, "Xiaoxue, the Cao family will depend on you in the future."

Not to mention the three of them talking and chatting, Xiao Han returned to the backyard, fell asleep, and did not wake up until late at night.

Look at Cao Ruixue beside you.

Obviously dressed up.

She wore a white fox fur coat on the outside and a gauze skirt on the inside, her whiteness was faintly visible under the candlelight.

Her pretty face is shy, with a little makeup on, her breasts are prominent, her eyes are clear, and her lips are slightly red.

"Are they gone?"

He turned over and looked at the pretty lady in front of him with interest.

"Ah."

"Later, Dad and Uncle San went back."

Cao Ruixue nodded in a voice as soft as a mosquito.

"Can you tell the difference?"

Xiao Han asked.

“I can tell the difference.”

She nodded, and then said softly: "From now on, I will put you first in everything I do."

"Okay, starting from tomorrow, I will follow Miaoyu to handle the affairs in the mansion."

"Thank you, sir."

She raised her watery eyes, then rushed over without saying a word, and her fox fur jacket fell to the ground.

The body of a young girl in her twenties is as soft as butter, and her figure is as delicate and gentle as orchid.

It was a beautiful night.

of course.

The next day, Cao Ruixue lay in bed for a whole day before she was able to get out of bed.

The snow is still falling.

In the courtyard.

Xiao Han is practicing swordplay.

From time to time, clear laughter could be heard in the room.

"Sister Miaoyu, you are not allowed to make fun of me."

Cao Ruixue sat in front of the study, her pretty face blushing, and she didn't even realize that the document in her hand was upside down.

"My dear sister, you have held your documents upside down."

Miaoyu reminded.

Cao Ruixue let out a cry of surprise, and her pretty face suddenly became even more shy, and she almost buried her head in the mountains.

Not to mention the men, even Miaoyu found her so beautiful that she could not help but take a few more glances.

"In the past, I didn't realize that my sister was so plump."

She teased.

"Sister Miaoyu, if you keep talking, I will ignore you."

Cao Ruixue is like an ostrich.

"Alright, alright, finish reading the document quickly. If there is nothing to be changed, send it back to the county government office, and the chancellor can send the reply letter to the county offices."

Hear the words.

Cao Ruixue raised her head and sat upright. It was not difficult to look through the official documents, but it was a bit boring.

Fortunately, she has a calm temperament and can sit still.

It was already evening when I finished dealing with the pile of documents.

It's snowing heavily outside.

Xiao Han had finished practicing with his sword and was drinking tea and reading a book.

(End of this chapter)