Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 89 Busy and Careless Cao Mengde (Seeking First Subscription)
Because Liu Yu and Zou Jing checked and balanced each other, most of the officials in Juyong were controlled by Yuan family members, and the Zhuoxian transport station was moved to a different location, so most of the supplies were also controlled by the Yuan family.

The trade even gave rise to a lie—that "the Hu people were unwilling to sell horses to the Han people," and this lie was reported to the imperial court by officials at all levels through various channels.

In reality, the Hu people would even sell their lives...

But this lie was quickly confirmed by the court, and almost all the horses in the trade ended up in the hands of Yuan's men.

The markets in Yuyang and Liaoxi were controlled by Zhang Chun and the Gongsun family, but they could only sell the horses to the Yuan family.

Because the southern market was controlled by the Yuan family and the eunuchs—the Taipu Luji Stable Manager was responsible for verifying the good horses that were conscripted. If he said a horse was suitable, then it was suitable; if he said it was an inferior horse, then it was an inferior horse.

In the end, the Yuan family obtained this trade route.

After realizing that someone had taken advantage of their weakness, Zou Jing and Liu Yu stopped arguing and sought cooperation again.

However, the situation was already quite unfavorable at this point, as most of the personnel in Hushiguan City had already been replaced.

Although both men held imperial insignia, neither had personnel or administrative power. Liu Wei, the governor of Guangyang, was not qualified to manage the Juyong Hu market, and the Zhuojun material transfer station was controlled by Wen Shu. Zou Jing and Liu Yu were effectively strangled.

Some time ago, both of them wrote to Liu Bei, wanting to ask him for his ideas.

Liu Bei's idea was that since the situation was unfavorable, they should make the best of a bad situation. On the surface, Liu Yu and Zou Jing would continue to treat each other as enemies and communicate with the Hu people, allowing the Yuan family to place their own people. But in reality, they would try to undermine the situation by using the Yuan family's claim that "the Hu people don't sell horses to the Han" to shift the real trade market to a place where it would go unnoticed.

—This place, which no one can see, is the Xihe Pavilion.

The horses that Liu Bei acquired were transferred out in this way.

The Xinting area of ​​Juma River is a resale market, and Su Shuang's horse farm serves as a beacon there. Even if something happens to Su Shuang, Xiheting will not be affected; they can simply move the beacon to another location.

Many Wuhuan people from Shanggu would come to Liu Bei's horse farm to trade because Liu Bei offered prices that were twice as high as the "standard price set by the imperial court" in Juyong.

A horse typically costs between eight and ten thousand coins.

Moreover, Liu Bei did not collect taxes here.

This was actually the result of Qian Zhao's efforts. He traveled to many tribes in Shanggu Wuhuan and spent a year gaining the trust of many tribes.

Meanwhile, Zou Jing's personal guards were responsible for maintaining order along the Juma River and preventing anyone from accessing the horse farm—treating it as a breeding ground for military horses.

Liu Bei didn't use any special methods; this was simply something he had agreed upon with Su Shuang, and he was just fulfilling that agreement.

Su Shuang didn't need to handle purchasing or sales; he only needed to stay at the horse farm as the manager, ensuring that the selling price matched the price agreed upon with Liu Bei—Su Shuang was an honest man, and with him around, mistakes wouldn't happen.

This is a stationary merchant, not a traveling merchant.

Cao Cao was in charge of sales.

Currently, in prosperous places like Luoyang and Nanyang, the price of a fine horse has soared to two million coins.

In previous years, fine horses from Luoyang were also expensive, but they generally cost between 50,000 and 100,000 yuan.

Two million—this isn't the price of buying a horse; it's the price of keeping one's official position and currying favor with the powerful.

The horse had become something else entirely at this point.

but……

A disruptor has emerged in this almost monopolistic southern horse market.

Cao Cao, the son of Cao Song, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, was dumping horses at an "ultra-low price" of one million coins per horse.

Moreover, buying Cao Cao's horses would guarantee passing the verification by the stable manager of Luji.

Cao Song still had a lot of face.

For half the price, one could climb up to the position of Grand Minister of Agriculture Cao Song, and both the Grand Minister of Agriculture and the Yuan family had connections within the palace—for many officials, this was the best option.

……

Luoyang Music Hall.

"Mengde has done a good job! Horses are expensive in the capital, why is Mengde selling them off at a low price?"

Yuan Shao was inviting Cao Cao for drinks.

"Brother Benchu, I've only earned a few hard-earned coins. Are you perhaps a little envious?" Cao Cao's face was flushed, giving him the air of a nouveau riche.

A horse earned 700,000 coins, of which 200,000 went to the eunuchs, 100,000 to the He family, 200,000 was given as a tribute to Cao Cao's father Cao Song, and Cao Cao kept 200,000 for himself. With so many people sharing the money for one person's work, this was indeed hard-earned money.

However, Cao Cao had already sold more than 500 horses in just a few days, and he was now a true billionaire.

"It's only right for Mengde to earn money, but I just want to ask... where did Mengde get the horse? Could you take me along to earn some hard-earned money?"

Yuan Shao looked at Cao Cao meaningfully, his eyes friendly, seemingly without any intention of staring at him, as if they were chatting as friends.

"Where did all those fine horses in Brother Benchu's house come from? Brother Benchu... I was just raising some money for my father's palace repairs. It wouldn't interfere with your father's affairs. Why do you need to ask?"

Cao Cao smiled, his shrewd eyes glancing sideways at Yuan Shao: "Brother Benchu, you've devoted yourself to your family and haven't served in office yet... Why not also make some plans for yourself? You and Gonglu have quite a grudge now..."

Yuan Shao remained silent, drinking his wine expressionlessly. Then, a bitter smile appeared on his handsome face as he looked at Cao Cao, a hint of envy in his eyes.

"This is the first time I've earned money for myself, and it's quite different. The clan always has its considerations, but we also have our own ideals to pursue. Brother Benchu ​​is a hero of our time and has already made a name for himself... Why should I restrain myself?"

Seeing that Yuan Shao remained silent, Cao Cao continued, "If you need capital, I am willing to lend it to you, Brother Yuan Shao."

"I need no capital... Mengde, I know your intentions, but can the current emperor... realize your ideals?"

Yuan Shao shook his head, straightened his robes which had become wrinkled from kneeling, and got up to leave.

Cao Cao watched Yuan Shao leave, sighed, returned to the table and drank another cup of wine. He then looked up and called to his servant, "Why haven't I seen Bian Ji today?"

"Doesn't Master Cao know? Lady Bian has been transferred to another prefecture..."

The waiter replied respectfully.

"Huh? Where were you transferred to?"

Cao Cao looked disappointed, as if he were heartbroken.

"I heard they went to Zhuojun..."

The waiter silently took a step back.

"Zhuojun? Zhuojun!"

Cao Cao's expression changed drastically, and he flew into a rage, smashing his wine cup: "You big-eared scoundrel! You actually paid me to let me be careless in my busy work?!"

……

Xihe Pavilion.

"Why did Xianhe come back so late? What happened on the way...?"

Liu Bei was smiling as he welcomed Jian Yong through the door when he saw a beautiful woman standing behind Jian Yong. Upon closer inspection, he gasped and his smile froze: "Bian... Bian Ji?!"

Bian Ji looked timidly at Liu Bei, while the young man beside her looked around. Upon seeing Liu Bei, he even cupped his hands in greeting—Bian Bing also recognized Liu Bei.

"Haha... It's rare to see my elder brother so delighted. You all catch up, I'm going to find Yun Chang for a drink..."

Upon seeing this, Jian Yong burst into laughter and ran away.

He returned late, of course, because he had used the horse as a bribe and was also heading north with Bian Ji. The journey was very slow, and Cao Cao had been at Su Shuang's horse farm for several days to retrieve the horse and sell it before Jian Yong finally returned to Zhuojun.

Liu Bei was inwardly panicked, but was he overjoyed?

I was shocked, but what's the joy in it?

This is Cao Cao's future wife... This is Empress Wu Xuan, the biological mother of Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, and Cao Zhang!
Chien Hsien-ho, are you trying to harm me or help me?!

"Liu Lang... it's been a long time."

Seeing Liu Bei's panic, Bian Ji even smiled slightly—Liu Bei had been just as flustered back then.

Please keep watching, I'm going to take a nap. I haven't slept for two days.

Once I'm clear-headed, I'll try again...

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(End of this chapter)