In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 874 Everything is ready, all we need is the east wind

Inside the military headquarters, firewood crackled and popped softly.

The fire in the stove was burning at a moderate temperature.

This made the people in the yamen look comfortable.

After discussing some follow-up business dealings with Shi Yu,

Lu Yunyi gave him a look.
Shi Yu immediately understood, and gently waved his hand, signaling the accountant and his son to leave.

Shi Baifeng stood up and left, closing the door behind him.

A deathly silence fell over the yamen.

After a while, Lu Yunyi spoke softly:
"Has the sewing machine sent to the capital arrived yet?"

Shi Yu nodded slightly, his expression solemn.
"Sir, it was delivered safely through the merchant guild's secret channels and is currently stored in a warehouse outside the city."

The letters were also delivered into the city through secret channels, as you instructed.

Please rest assured, sir, my cousin will handle everything.
"We're all on the same side, there won't be any oversights."

After listening, Lu Yunyi nodded slightly:

"Well done, I should thank you for this."

"You flatter me, sir. It is an honor for Taxue Trading Company to serve you."

"Hmm, did people from Yingtian Trading Company come looking for you?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Yu's breathing became heavy, and a fiery light flashed in his eyes:
"My lord, the people from Yingtian Trading Company arrived at the beginning of last month."

There was also a manager from a construction company.

The Ta Xue Trading Company had a very pleasant conversation with them and discussed many potential collaborations.

At this point, Shi Yu couldn't help but laugh, stood up, and bowed deeply:
"My lord, if it weren't for your help in facilitating this connection,"

"The Ta Xue Trading Company's ambition to enter the capital region is wishful thinking. I thank you in advance, sir!"

Lu Yunyi smiled and waved his hand:

Yingtian Trading Company made a lot of money last year.

They are preparing to expand outwards, extending their trade routes throughout the country.

The Ta Xue Trading Company is a local power in Beiping, so it's natural to contact them. I only did some insignificant things.

That being said, Shi Yu was a businessman and knew that things were difficult.

It wasn't just the Taxue Trading Company that was powerful in Beiping.
All the merchant guilds under the Prince of Yan's command are stronger than him.

After a pause, Shi Yu did not sit down, but instead cupped his hands in a fist and knuckles, tentatively speaking:
"My lord, I've heard that the Commander-in-Chief is planning to open a border market, allowing merchants to trade with the steppe people?"

"That's right. The market is already under construction, located about ten miles north of Daning City."

Daning City?
Upon hearing this, Shi Yu was somewhat surprised. Generally speaking, border markets are built near the border, but Daning City is quite far from the border.

He didn't hide his doubts, but asked directly:

"My lord, may I ask what mysteries lie behind its construction here?"

"Hehe." Lu Yunyi chuckled and said calmly:
"The capital is too poor. Apart from Daning City, the other cities are not worth mentioning."

The border market was built in the territory of the capital region, where caravans would always stop to rest and leave some silver for other cities.

Moreover, placing the border markets outside of Daning City would allow the Commander-in-Chief to maintain good control.

Shi Yu pondered for a moment, then his face lit up with realization.

I understand the commander's intention: he wants the cities along other trade routes to profit from the food, drink, and daily necessities of the grassland people.

It must be said that this is a very good method.

"May I ask, sir, is it possible for the Snowwalking Trading Company to also participate?"
All I need is one berth, so that we can have the opportunity to interact.

After speaking, Shi Yu looked anxiously towards the person at the head of the table.

This Lord Lu is very easy to talk to in some matters.

But on some matters, they wouldn't budge an inch, and he couldn't figure out what they were thinking.

The office remained quiet for a long time before Lu Yunyi gently shook his head.
"Let's just forget about it. After all, they are merchants from Beiping. It would be difficult to explain if they got involved."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Shi Yu's eyes; he wasn't surprised by this result.

Since it's about making money, naturally we should let our own family members make money first; there's no reason to let outsiders make money.

However, Lu Yunyi changed the subject:
"Roads will be built in Liaodong soon. At that time, I will join forces with Lord Pan to open up trade routes between the four regions."
At that time, the Snowwalking Merchant Guild can participate and get a share of the profits.

Of course, a significant amount of money needs to be invested upfront.

Shi Yu was stunned. Road construction? In four places?

He had heard about the road construction in Liaodong; the news came from the capital.

But what does it mean to connect four places?
"Please enlighten me, sir, is Liaodong also going to participate in trade with the grassland people?"

"A grassland person?" Lu Yunyi was taken aback, then smiled, realizing he had misunderstood, and said:
"The four places connected are Beiping, Daning, Liaodong, and Goryeo. What is their connection with the grassland people?"

If Liaodong wanted to do business with the grassland people...
Why bother building a road? Just head north.

Goryeo?

Shi Yu stood there, stunned, for a moment.
But soon, his breathing became rapid.

He realized what a commercial route it would become once the road was completed!

It appears to be a trade route connecting four places, but in reality it connects five places, with grassland people to the north.

In this way, a business involving tens of millions of people came into being.

"My lord, will the court agree?" Shi Yu stammered.

Lu Yunyi waved his hand:
"Man proposes, God disposes; Goryeo is in chaos now."

Regardless of who holds power, it is essential to stabilize the external environment.
And my Great Ming is the one they need to curry favor with first.
It is foreseeable that Goryeo goods will enter the Ming Dynasty from Liaodong at extremely low prices. At that time, will there be any worry about not making money?

Shi Yu understood, his eyes glowed red, and his heart pounded.

If this matter is accomplished...
It's a certainty that he wants to pass on the title of third manager to his son!

Taking a deep breath, Shi Yu became even more respectful:
"My lord, while we merchants are still entangled in disputes over a single city or territory..."
The great man has already leaped thousands of miles, affecting four regions; I, a humble man, admire him.

Please, sir, grant me this opportunity, and give the Taxue Trading Company a chance.
"To allow us to participate and witness its wonders."

Lu Yunyi's lips curled slightly, and he nodded almost imperceptibly.
"Don't worry, Manager Shi. We've been working together for a long time, so how could I forget my friends when something good happens?"

"Thank you, sir!"

Shi Yu's lips curled into a smile.

"But before that, you have to do me a favor."

Shi Yu's grin froze instantly, a hint of unease flashing in his eyes, but he didn't hesitate to speak:

"Please give your orders, sir!"

"Use your own money to build a caravan in Daning City."
The number of people doesn't need to be too large, fifty or sixty will suffice; but we need to prepare plenty of carriages, more than twenty.

Yourself?

A hint of doubt flashed in Shi Yu's eyes. Why would such a small caravan need him?
"I understand. I will make arrangements when I return."

"Yes, it must be kept absolutely secret, especially from the people of Beiping and Daning."

Once the caravan is settled, we'll wait in Daning City.

"Take on occasional jobs, but don't give anything away. I'll give the order when I need you."

“Thump, thump.”

Shi Yu's heart was pounding in his chest.

Although it is unknown what is being done, this kind of action is undoubtedly extremely secretive.

To do such a thing for such an important person, one must undoubtedly be a trusted confidant!

"Don't worry, sir, my wife and I run a trading company."
"I will have them assemble a caravan to come, and not only will the people of Beiping not notice, but even the people of the Taxue Trading Company will be completely unaware."

"Heh," Lu Yunyi nodded in satisfaction.

"I enjoy dealing with intelligent people."

That's settled then. You can go back now. If you need anything, you can send me a letter.

If His Highness the Prince of Yan wishes to cooperate, please do not refuse.

Remember this well: the more friends you have, the bigger your business will be.

Shi Yu bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your guidance, sir. I shall take my leave now."

Shi Yu slowly withdrew, and the yamen room fell silent.
Lu Yunyi sat in the chair, his eyes deep-set, his expression unreadable.
A short while later, Gong Xianzhi hurriedly walked in:
"My lord, the person has already left. Shi Baifeng even gave me a stack of banknotes, saying he wanted to treat us to wine."

"Take it; you can't refuse free money."

Lu Yunyi spoke calmly and continued:
"Shi Yu's caravan will be ready soon, and our caravan should also hurry up and make its own arrangements."
Don't panic when you actually need it.

"My lord, arrangements are already being made."

His subordinates sent trusted confidants to Shandong to form a caravan.
Then I'll come to Daning, probably after the New Year." Lu Yunyi nodded and smiled.

"You're good at finding fault in the military, and you never mind doing things in a complicated way."

"My lord, the farther away you are, the more ambiguous the information becomes, and the more difficult it will be to investigate later."

Gong Xianzhe scratched his head, smiled sheepishly, and then asked with some confusion:

"Sir, where are these caravans going to trade?"

If you have any further requests, please feel free to make them, and I will arrange them in advance.

"What's the point of trading? There are caravans doing business everywhere, why bother with such secrecy?"

"That is."

"Pull up the silver!" Lu Yunyi straightened up, his eyes burning:

"The Liaodong incident has occurred, and Lord Pan is unable to handle the current situation, so he can only obtain silver from outside."

With that, everything was ready except for the crucial element: the presence of the Goryeo royal family.

At that time, several caravans will go to Goryeo together to plunder silver, thus creating confusion.

Even if something happens later, we'll have an explanation.

Gong Xianzhi suddenly realized that they were going to Korea to collect money.
However, the ensuing doubts led him to ask:
"My lord, how do you know the Goryeo royal family will agree?"

"If they don't agree, then go ask Yi Seong-gye. It doesn't matter whether the royal family agrees or not." Lu Yunyi waved his hand.

Gong Xian was taken aback, then understood what the adult was thinking, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

"Send some people out to keep a close watch on the main roads. If you receive a letter from Goryeo, let me know immediately."

"Yes!"

Time flies by, and the end of the year is getting closer and closer!

On this day, heavy snow fell, and the entire Beiping Commandery was shrouded in white mist.

Large snowflakes drifted freely in the air.
There's no pattern to it; it goes left and right intermittently.

At the border market north of the city, urgent and forceful calls sprang into action.

Setting up the stalls, flattening the tents, and organizing the goods—everything was in perfect order!

Many people looked up at the heavy snow falling from the sky and began to curse.

The border market was supposed to open for trial operation in the next few days, and all the merchants and grassland people were waiting here.

A heavy snowfall abruptly disrupted the plans.

Many people sighed and looked helplessly at the ever-increasing snow.

They could only pick up shovels and brooms and help clear the snow.

On the official road not far from the market, a caravan of over a hundred people braved the wind and snow.

The wheels left deep ruts in the snow.
The groom cracked his whip, urging his warhorse and donkey to move forward with all his might.

If they were trapped in the wilderness by such heavy snow, they would likely face certain death.

At this moment, the curtain of the central carriage was opened.

A burly middle-aged man in his thirties with a large beard jumped out of the car.

He wore a felt hat and his brow was furrowed.

Looking at the official road ahead, I had a bad feeling.

"Could it be that God doesn't want me to go to Daning?"

As he was thinking this, the guard at the front of the group rushed over and shouted:
"Taij! We've spotted soldiers from the Da Ning army ahead; they say they've come to welcome us!"

The middle-aged man was taken aback, quickly gathering his thoughts. Since things had already come to this point...
Thinking about other things is pointless.

He also shouted:
"Send word to everyone, hurry up and leave before there's too much snow!"

"Yes!"

The middle-aged man was none other than Bayar, the Taiji of Baisongbu. After a month-long disruption of trade,
The Bai Song tribe deeply realized that they were fortunate to have such a good life on the grasslands.
It wasn't because they were particularly brave.
It's because Daning goods are of high quality and inexpensive!

Therefore, he decided to visit during the Spring Festival of the Ming Dynasty.

Before long, the group from Baisong met with the Daning Vanguard soldiers who had come to make contact.

Tall figures stood tall amidst the wind and snow.

Warhorses charged forward against the wind and snow.

His figure appeared and disappeared intermittently, exuding a natural aura of power.

Upon seeing them, Bayar's pupils contracted slightly. Elite!
You can tell from the fact that they could maintain their formation while standing there, undeterred by the cold wind.
These people are all battle-hardened elites.
The number of soldiers who accompanied him when he last returned to the tribe was not much different.

And those soldiers.
A flicker of fear crossed Bayar's eyes.
As the events involving the Liaodong Jurchens came to a close, more and more news began to arrive.

The incident of the Beiping Military Command using troops to deliver goods caused a great uproar and controversy.
Looking back now, it was all a ruse.
The purpose was to send elite troops from Daning to Quanningwei, and then to cross the border to fight the Jurchens.

Bayar now feels somewhat embarrassed when he thinks back to his smugness at the time.

So they weren't after trade goods.
Just as he was lost in thought, the cavalry ahead slowly parted.

A young general, clad in black armor and riding a warhorse, stepped out. He was none other than Feng Yunfang, the commander of the Daning Vanguard!

He spotted Bayar as soon as he reached the caravan, paused for a moment, and then his pupils suddenly contracted:

"What are you doing here?"

Bayar was somewhat surprised that the person in front of him actually knew him.

He glanced at them a few times and then remembered who the person was!
He quickly smiled and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:

"I have come here to apologize to Lord Lu. I would like to ask the general to lead us to Daning City."

Feng Yunfang's eyes were filled with a strange look, but a hint of admiration flashed in them.

The Baisong tribe was able to stand out among so many large tribes.

This Bayar has made great contributions; at the very least, he is adept at being flexible and adaptable.

"Okay, come with me!"

At the Military Commandery, Lu Yunyi was checking the preliminary calculations of the gross domestic product.

Gong Xianzhi rushed in and said in a low voice:
"My lord, the Bai Song tribe's caravan has arrived, and their Taiji Bayar has also come."

"Ok?"

Lu Yunyi abruptly raised his head, his gaze shifting from the documents, his eyes piercing as he looked at them:
"He's here too? Where is he?"

"We've already entered the city; we should be at the government office in about 15 minutes."

Lu Yunyi blinked, put down the document, and smiled at the students, saying:

"You've worked hard these past few days, even though your time working at the yamen has been short."

But there are still bonuses for the year-end celebrations!

Everyone present looked up, their faces showing surprise.

It has to be said that apart from the cold weather, the treatment at the Beiping Commandery is really good.

"Alright, you all go ahead with your work. I have other matters to attend to. If you have any questions, please ask Xie Jin."

"Yes!"

Lu Yunyi left in a hurry, changed into formal clothes, and returned to the main hall of the military headquarters to wait quietly.

Before long, Bayar, covered in snow, stepped into the government office.

They strode towards the main hall with the powerful strides of dragons and tigers.

His appearance attracted a lot of attention!

Bayar didn't care at all, his expression arrogant!

Upon entering the main hall, the warm atmosphere that greeted him made him feel lighter.
I spotted the young man sitting at the head of the table, taking a sip of tea!

His arrogance quickly vanished, replaced by humility, and his steps changed from large strides to small ones.

Upon reaching the lower seat, he bowed deeply.
"Bai Songbu Bayar greets Lord Lu!"

"Haha, Taiji, it's been half a year since we last met, hasn't it?"

Lu Yunyi smiled warmly, stepped forward and helped him up, patting his shoulder forcefully.

"Looks like you've been doing well lately, you've even gained weight."

Bayar straightened up, looking somewhat embarrassed:
"My lord, it's all thanks to your help."
Otherwise, with such heavy snow this year, I would have frozen to death in the tribe.

"Hahaha, what are you talking about? It's all about mutual benefit."

Seeing his amiable manner, Bayar felt much more at ease and simply waved his hand:

"Come on, bring the things up!"

(End of this chapter)