In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 875 Audacious and Unlucky Hu Chongyi
The gates of the government office were opened, and a gust of cold wind swept through the warm, damp room, creating a cloud of white mist.

Two soldiers held the door firmly down to make it secure.

Several grassland soldiers were seen carrying three large boxes.
He walked in step by step, looking very heavy-hearted.

After they left, Bayar stood up with a smile and gestured for them to proceed.
"My lord, please come and see!"

After saying that, while Lu Yunyi stood up, Bayar stepped forward and opened the box himself.

The first box was opened, and the black and red iron ore was neatly arranged, with a rusty smell emanating from it.

Lu Yunyi was originally sitting at the head of the table, watching silently.

Upon seeing that it was iron ore, he immediately stood up, strode forward, and exclaimed in surprise:
"They dug it out?"

Bayar smiled smugly and lowered his voice:
"Sir, ever since you said you wanted to cooperate with us in mining..."
Our department immediately gathered manpower and began excavation.

Fortunately, there have been a lot of people fleeing to Fishing Lake recently, and they've all gone to mine.

Finally, a month ago, these iron ore deposits were unearthed.
I had the clan's craftsmen examine it; it was top-quality ore, and after some smelting, it could be forged into a fine iron longsword!

"Good! Good!"

Lu Yunyi's eyes widened in surprise.

He gained a new understanding of the ruthlessness of these grassland people.

Mining ore in this freezing cold is risking lives!

"From now on, however much of this ore you sell, the Commander will take it all!" Lu Yunyi said decisively.

Bayar laughed and nodded repeatedly:

"Please rest assured, sir, the mining will not stop for a moment, and the price will definitely be at least half that of the Liaodong ore!"

"Good, Bayar, you've done a great job."

"You flatter me, sir. Without your support..."

The Bai Song tribe simply couldn't sustain so many people, let alone have the resources to mine such ore.

Bayar stepped forward and opened the second box.

In the candlelight, the dark golden light flickered in and out.

Pieces of gold, each the size of a stone, lay quietly in the wooden box.

Lu Yunyi froze on the spot, then turned to look at Bayar:
"Why is there still gold?"

Bayar lowered his voice even further:

"Sir, it was also found in the mine."

In the deepest part of the cave, they dug out this box, which resulted in the deaths of dozens of people.

I plan to send someone in next spring to check how many are inside.

"Gold mine?"

Lu Yunyi frowned and looked at Bayar.

I think this person really has a knack for luck, even stumbling upon gold mines by sheer chance.

However, he quickly calmed down, his voice clear and cold:

"Now that a gold mine has been discovered, why would Bayartaiji bring the commander along?"

"Sir, these ores were originally intended as a gift for you."

"Now that gold has been found in the mine, we can't rest easy if we don't tell the adults."

Bayar was very sincere, with a fawning smile on his face.

"Hmph," Lu Yunyi snorted lightly, looking at him with a half-smile, and said calmly:
"Tell me, what's the matter?"

Bayar's face lit up with joy, and he quickly bowed deeply, saying sincerely:
"My lord, there are now many fishing tribes in the sea."

The Bai Song tribe is able to maintain order for the time being thanks to their manpower.

But our troops are just for show; we can't even defeat the elite Jurchen forces.
I fear that as their numbers grow, they will pose a threat to the stability of Buyur Lake.

Therefore, this humble man dared to try and buy some discarded military equipment from the adults.

This will replenish our strength, suppress all sides, and prevent them from causing trouble.

After he finished speaking, he cautiously looked up.
He was met with a pair of calm eyes that were devoid of any emotion.

Bayar's heart skipped a beat. He quickly took a step back, bowed respectfully, and lowered his head tightly.
"My lord, our people fled from the land of Tatars to the Lake of Buyur, and we know the importance of peace and tranquility throughout the land."

During this period, Shiramatsu received support from the adults.
This made the clan the most prominent in Fishing Lake for a time.

However, the Oirat court was incompetent.

More and more tribes will be forced back to the vicinity of Lake Buyur.

Several major factions are dissatisfied with the current status of the Bai Song tribe and are currently recruiting soldiers and grooming for their own forces.

A major battle is imminent!

A few days ago, bandits on the grasslands angered the adults, and trade was suspended.
Those major departments were sharpening their knives, even making statements...
If trade cannot resume within a month, then target Shiramatsu Province.

They stole our territory, cattle, sheep, and women!
"I implore you, sir, considering the Bai Song tribe's unwavering loyalty, to sell some military equipment to our people, so as to stabilize the situation at Buyur Sea."

After saying that, Bayar stepped forward and opened the third box.

Inside was a box full of ears, and the smell of blood permeated the air.

It added a touch of solemnity to the quiet government office.

"My lord, these are the ears of more than a dozen leaders of the grassland bandits."

And the ears of some of their own people who colluded with them.

These people have all been killed by the villains.

Furthermore, some members of the Purple Snow Tribe and the Red Sun Tribe are also colluding with bandits. I originally intended to kill them all as well.

But now that they've grown up and have the protection of the Pegasus Clan, they actually dare to disobey the orders of this villain!

Having no other choice, I could only bring these.

Seeing that the adult still didn't speak, he wanted to continue, but Lu Yunyi raised his hand:
"Alright, I know the situation on the grasslands better than you do."

If you're going to talk business, then talk it out properly. There's no need to play the victim here.

"Sir, little one."

Bayar's voice stopped abruptly, and his knees, which were about to kneel, straightened instantly.

She looked up at him with a blank expression, staring at him in disbelief.

Discuss business?
Lu Yunyi turned back to the head of the table, sat down silently, picked up his teacup, drank it all in one gulp, and said calmly:
"At the beginning of next year, Quanningwei, Kaipingwei, and Yingzhoutunwei will need to replace a batch of military equipment, and the remaining military equipment will have nowhere to go."

"Since you want it, bring something to trade for it—cattle, sheep, furs, grain—anything is fine. No silver required."

"This this."

Bayar was stunned, not expecting things to go so smoothly.

"Alright, close that blood-soaked box of yours first."
"Don't you find it disgusting to have so many ears?"

"Yes, yes, you are right, sir. I was just being ungrateful."

Bayar quickly locked the three boxes, tentatively stepped forward, and asked timidly:

"Sir, may I purchase military equipment?"

Why can't I buy it?

"This scoundrel has heard that in the Ming Dynasty, smuggling weapons on the border is a serious crime."

"It is a serious crime, but aren't there plenty of open weapons on the grasslands?"

Which of you Tatars, Oirats, and the elite troops of the Northern Yuan Dynasty didn't carry long swords from the Ming Dynasty?

Oh, right, not a longsword seen in the open.

These are long swords forged for you by Ming dynasty craftsmen who came to the grasslands; they are considered grassland swords.

"This this."

Bayar looked shocked, never expecting that the adult before him would even know this.

Iron smelting and knife forging were top secrets among the various tribes of the grasslands, with only the most powerful tribes and the imperial court having complete control over them.

Other.
Tribes like the Baisong tribe could buy forgings if they had money, and if they didn't, they would hire skilled craftsmen from the Ming dynasty to forge them within their own territory.
Although the price is expensive

But it's much sturdier than the longsword I forged myself.
In the middle of the year, Bai Song's troops also invited a group of craftsmen from Liaodong to help manufacture weapons.
At this point, Bayar completely believed the words of the adult before him.
News from the grasslands couldn't be kept from him.

"Sir, may I ask why the commander doesn't want money? There is still some silver in the clan that can be sent immediately."

Lu Yunyi smiled slightly and asked in return:
Can you eat or use silver?

Bayar was taken aback, his mind filled with doubt. Couldn't silver be used to buy food?

"Alright, you can go back now."
Tomorrow, the Japanese official will send someone to discuss with you and set a price.

"Think it over carefully tonight. If the price doesn't satisfy the commander, then it's better not to do the deal."

Bayar's doubts were dispelled by joy, and he repeatedly clasped his hands in greeting:
"Rest assured, my lord, Shiramatsube's intentions are sincere!"

"Then I shall take my leave?"

"Go." Bayar bowed and left, unable to suppress the smile on his lips.

As the leader of a large group, he deeply understood one principle.
On the grasslands, a knife is everything!
After Bayar left, Lu Yunyi sat at the head of the table, looking at the three large boxes in the room in silence.

After a long while, he let out a sigh, his face showing sorrow.

It's been almost a year since the Dusi (military command) started promoting pig farming, and they've invested countless sums of money, building countless pigsties.

But strangely, the people of the grasslands don't seem to have a talent for raising pigs.

If you raise ten, you'll be lucky if five survive.

On the contrary, the Ming people in the south of the city were very good at raising them, and some of the ones that were growing well were already ready to be sold.

Lu Yunyi planned to get them some cattle and sheep.
I may not know how to raise pigs, but I'm sure I won't go wrong raising cattle and sheep.

Thinking of this, Lu Yunyi stood up, grabbed his cloak, and gave the order:
"Return to the manor and send men to keep a close eye on Bayar and all the merchants in the city!"

"Yes!"

Gong Xianzhi responded and quickly followed, waving his hand to signal the others to move the boxes away.

As Bayar left the military headquarters, the wind and snow intensified.

He wrapped his leather robe tightly around himself and hurried south of the city with his guards.

The streets were deserted, with only a few pedestrians hunching their shoulders and struggling through the wind and snow.

The sound of horses' hooves echoed through the quiet streets, splashing up snowflakes.

Before long, they arrived at a mansion.

The mansion gates were tightly shut, and the stone lions at the entrance were covered with a layer of snow.

Bayar dismounted and gestured for his guards to go forward and knock on the door.

"Boom boom boom",
The heavy knocking echoed through the wind and snow.

A moment later, the door creaked open.

A man who looked like a butler poked his head out. Upon seeing Bayar, he paused slightly, then smiled.

"So it's Lord Taiji, please come in."

Bayar followed the butler into the mansion.

After passing through a long corridor, we arrived at the main hall.

The main hall reeked of alcohol, and Hu Chongyi was slumped in a chair.

He was still holding a wine jug in his hand, his eyes glazed over with drunkenness.

Seeing Bayar enter, he tried to sit up straight, his voice muffled:

"How did you come?"

"Oh, I guess I've had too much to drink, I'm all confused."

Bayar frowned, looking at Hu Chongyi's disheveled clothes and flushed cheeks, feeling somewhat puzzled.

He waved his hand, signaling the butler and guards to leave.
Then he walked over and sat down next to Hu Chongyi, and said:

"Brother Hu, how much have you drunk? How did you get so drunk?"

Hu Chongyi hiccuped, rubbed his eyes blankly, and then suddenly raised his voice:

"Is it really you? What brings you here?"

"Can't I come?"

"Nonsense! This is Da Ning City, with countless elite troops. You managed to leave last time, but you dare to come back this time? Are you out of your mind!"

"Oh, don't worry, Brother Hu. I'm here to apologize. I've already met with Lord Lu."

Hu Chongyi stood there stunned, trying to regain his composure.

"What are you doing here? Why aren't you going to the Mi residence?"

Bayar laughed.
"Although the Mi clan has had close ties with our clan..."

But Brother Hu is also a good friend of mine, how can I not come and see him?

Hu Chongyi shook his head and smiled wryly:

"You'd better not come. You've really ruined my life."

"Two years of hard-earned money, all gone in one go! It's all your fault!"

"What happened?"

Hu Chongyi then proceeded to recount in detail the disputes that had occurred in the government office a few days prior.
Bayar exchanged bewildered glances, inwardly marveling at how ruthless Lord Lu was, so decisive in turning on his own people.

"Brother Hu, that's just how the world is."

One wrong step and you could easily be unable to get back up, but luckily your business is still standing, and you're still here.

"You don't know anything! You have to harvest leeks one crop at a time."

Now I've left a root, but when it grows up, I'll have to cut it off again, and all my efforts will be for nothing!

Hearing him speak, Bayar's lips twitched, and he got down to business:

"Brother Hu, I've come to discuss the ore business with you."
If you have no intention of doing this, then I will take my leave.

Hu Chongyi was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then perked up, sat up straight, and asked:
"Ore? What kind of business?"

Bayar lowered his voice and said:
"Brother Hu, do you remember when Lord Lu said he wanted to cooperate with us in mining?"

After the message was sent back, I immediately gathered people and started digging.

Iron ore was finally unearthed a month ago, and gold was also discovered in the mine.

Hu Chongyi's eyes widened, unable to believe his ears:

"What? You get a gold mine as a bonus while mining iron ore? You're incredibly lucky!"

Bayar smiled:

"I went to the military headquarters today to deliver these ores and gold to Lord Lu."

Lord Lu was very pleased upon seeing it and said that in the future, this kind of ore...

"We'll sell as many as they want, and the commander will take them all."

Upon hearing this, a hint of envy flashed in Hu Chongyi's eyes, but he then frowned:

"Considering we share the same origin, I'll give you a word of advice: be careful. This Lord Lu is no ordinary person; his thoughts are hard to fathom."

Bayar nodded and said:

"That's right, that's why I came today."

I just wanted to discuss with you how to proceed with this ore business.

I plan to sell some of the ore to the commander in exchange for some supplies and money.
Then they would use the remaining ore to smelt and forge some weapons to strengthen their forces.

Hu Chongyi's eyes lit up upon hearing this:
"Your idea is good. What brings you here?"

Bayar sighed and said:

"Brother Hu, forging weapons is no easy task."
I would like to ask for your help to see if we can bring some craftsmen from the open to help us smelt weapons.

Of course, we will offer generous compensation.

"Why not invite them from Liaodong?"

"Liaodong is no longer a good place. After the last battle, many craftsmen were arrested."

"What benefits would I get from this?" Hu Chongyi asked.

"Thirty percent! Thirty percent of the craftsman's earnings will go to Brother Hu!"

Upon hearing this, Hu Chongyi sobered up considerably, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes.
But the thought of backing down flashed through his mind quickly, and he shook his head abruptly:

"I can't do this. If I get caught again, I'm finished."
Furthermore, I don't plan to stay in Daning anymore; I'm going to the interior of the pass.

Bayar was taken aback, looked him up and down, and sneered:
"Brother Hu, if the officials outside the pass eat people without spitting out the bones, do the officials inside the pass not eat them?"
"You're just a bandit from the grasslands. If someone wants to kill you, they can just find some random crime to accuse you of and then wipe out all your possessions!"

Hu Chongyi remained silent, which was also what he was worried about.

"At least you have some connections outside the pass."
If someone really wants to kill you, you can just run to the grasslands.
"Out of consideration for our shared origins, I'll still give you some food. But if you go to the interior of China, you'll be completely exploited sooner or later."

"Even if you rave about it, I won't find you a craftsman; it's too dangerous."

"How about this, you find me some people in Beiping, or if anyone has connections, introduce me to someone. I'll pay you three thousand taels of silver as a reward."

A bitter smile appeared on Hu Chongyi's lips.
A month ago, he wouldn't have even considered three thousand taels.

But now, I'll try to earn whatever I can.

"Alright, send the money tomorrow, and I'll find someone for you."

Let me make this clear beforehand: I'm only responsible for the introduction; you...

What kind of weaponry they're going to use is none of my business, and I have no idea.

"Alright! Thank you very much, Brother Hu!"

(End of this chapter)