My game can make money starting from the Three Kingdoms period.

How could Lu Congtian not tell that Cheng Dong was lying?

They didn't seem to mention money, but it was as if the price increase was written all over their faces.

Seeing Deng Kai's statement, "I see. I am willing to privately contribute 100,000 coins, which will be used by the Cheng family head to appease his family and reward the workers who participated in the relief efforts. Since the flood control work needs to be done quickly, we are willing to increase the price by 20% on top of the original price so that the Cheng family head can mine and transport the ore quickly and safely."

Deng Kai did not undermine Cheng Dong.

They're both in charge of their own companies, so how could they not know what the other is thinking?

As for the extra cost, it could only be covered by the county government's taxes.

Lu Congtian was grateful to Deng Kai, who was willing to take risks to support him.

Cheng Donglu smiled, cupped his hands, and said, "Then I will thank the county magistrate on behalf of my servants."

The price increase is disguised as a sacrifice of workers' lives.

This is what is meant by being reasonable and well-founded.

Thanks to this contact, the supply of materials from the Cheng family returned to normal.

However, this speed is far from enough.

Since the taxes had already been used, Lu Congtian, in order to speed up the process and meet the deadline, used warships to carry tax money to purchase supplies in counties such as Jiangzhou and Linjiang.

They transported supplies back to help control the floods, trying to bypass the Cheng family as much as possible.

A few more days

I thought Cheng Dong's appetite had been satisfied.

结果

The Cheng family cut off supplies again, and the officials they had placed in the county government began to exert their influence, conducting unwarranted inspections and inquiries into procedures, and obstructing the normal entry and exit of supplies.

After learning about this, Lu Congtian's expression changed repeatedly.

He must have held a grudge because he didn't let Cheng Dongyan pluck his feathers.

Cheng Dong, who was full of benevolence and morality, saw that the flood control project was halfway done and knew that Lu Congtian would not give up halfway, so he deliberately raised the price on the spot.

The key point is, you can't do anything about him.

Their argument is reasonable and well-founded, and it is morally sound. Moreover, all the inspections and inquiries are legitimate and legal.

Look, I supported your flood control efforts at cost price, and you raised the price voluntarily. Now you're buying supplies from other places, preventing me from making a profit.

You won't let me make money, huh? Fine, now I'll show you who's in charge in Dianjiang.

With supplies unable to move in and out normally, flood control efforts will have to be abandoned halfway through. Let's see who the people will be cursing.

Who exactly looks like a corrupt official who embezzled funds meant for flood control?

Who abandoned the project, leaving everything to start over when the water rises next year?

In any case, the Cheng family has always been "doing their utmost to cooperate and fulfilling all their obligations."

How could Lu Congtian not see through Cheng Dong's ulterior motives?

Does this mean he's the only one who can earn this money?

Before Lu Congtian could come up with a solution...

Cheng Dong actually took the initiative to host a banquet and sent someone to invite Lu Congtian and Deng Kai.

Deng Kai was indignant. "Now all of Dianjiang's tax revenue has been invested in flood control. General, Cheng Dong has pushed us into a dilemma!"

Lu Congtian was well aware of his current situation.

In order to help him control the flood, Deng Kai used the tax revenue from Dianjiang.

If the flood control project fails to be completed, all efforts will be in vain, and they will be held accountable.

Deng Kai clenched his fist. "His intentions in hosting this banquet are not good!"

"Even if he's not a good friend, he has no choice but to attend the banquet and see just how big his appetite really is!"

The two suppressed all their emotions and went to the banquet.

During the banquet, Cheng Dong dismissed his concubines and singers and chatted amiably with Lu Congtian.

"Now that the Commandant's flood control efforts are halfway complete, I will no longer conceal anything. I am willing to reach a final agreement with you two, to cooperate with your accounting, and to have funds allocated from above to continue the flood control work. However, I want to double the current prices, and all materials entering and leaving the country will pass through my hands."

The two looked at each other and understood what Cheng Dong meant.

They've joined forces to embezzle money from higher-level finances. Cheng Dong's ambition is terrifying.

Especially regarding the import and export of supplies, if Cheng Dong agrees to this, how much he can extract from it will be entirely up to him. He will then have complete control and leverage over Lu Congtian and Lu Congtian!

"How much do we need to carve?" Lu Congtian asked calmly.

Cheng Dong, assuming Lu Congtian was inclined to join him, laughed with satisfaction, "Haha, naturally, we'll take as much as your appetites allow!"

Although Cheng Dong held no official position, he wielded immense power in Dianjiang. He was certain that the two men would collude with him.

After all, who would turn down money?

The previous negotiations were all minor skirmishes; now we're going to lay everything bare and negotiate. As long as Lu Congtian agrees, everyone will benefit.

Deng Kai did not express his opinion, but followed Lu Congtian's lead.

Having understood Cheng Dong's true nature, Lu Congtian cupped his hands and said, "This matter concerns the lives of both me and the county magistrate. We need Patriarch Cheng to give us some more time to consider it."

"Of course."

After briefly mentioning the important matter, Cheng Dong changed the subject.

The meaning has been made clear to the other party; if they continue to discuss this topic, it will seem as if Cheng Dong is deliberately begging them to embezzle.

How can this be allowed?

Cheng Dong is the real king behind Dianjiang!

Cheng Dong wasn't afraid that the other party wouldn't agree. He practically controlled the economic lifeline of Dianjiang and also had a considerable number of private soldiers.

Since cooperation is impossible, we can simply replace the county magistrate and the military commander with someone more compliant.

Until someone who can cooperate comes instead.

He took his leave.

"General, what's the next step?"

Deng Kai was undecided.

Lu Congtian firmly declared, "I, Lu Congtian, rose from the ranks of the military and have received great favor from His Majesty. I will never become a corrupt official!"

"General, I am willing to stand with you through thick and thin!" Deng Kai immediately declared.

"Excellent! I refuse to believe that this flood cannot be controlled without the Cheng family's help!"

Suddenly, Deng Kai asked solemnly, "General, what is your determination in controlling the floods?"

Lu Congtian replied without hesitation, "It will succeed!"

"Excellent! I hope the general will give me several dozen ships so I can return home."

Deng Kai knew that if he didn't exhaust his entire fortune to complete the flood control project, his life would come to an end.

Rather than being exploited and embezzled by Cheng Dong, who held them by the throat and used their backs to embezzle, it would be better to bring in supplies from the Deng family's tenants.

I refuse to believe we can't control this flood!

Lu Congtian immediately agreed, even though it was against the rules, even with the risk that Deng Kai would abscond with the boat.

However, everyone has a temper, and Lu Congtian was no exception.

Cheng Dong went too far, and Lu Congtian certainly wouldn't cooperate with his embezzlement, thus being dragged into an abyss.

October

Judging by the timeline, Deng Kai will be returning soon.

Lu Congtian had no doubt that Deng Kai would run away elsewhere; Deng Kai was not that kind of person.

"Report! A battle appears to have broken out thirty miles from the city!"

The sudden report disrupted the peace of the military camp.

"Combat?!"

Lu Congtian was greatly alarmed and immediately sent people to investigate who the two sides were and how many troops and warships they had.

Then, the deputy general was ordered to mobilize all the troops stationed in Dianjiang to enter the city in order to prevent the enemy from attacking it.

"Who could it be? Could it be troops from Jiangdong who have infiltrated?" Lu Congtian dismissed his own guess. "Impossible. If it were troops from Jiangdong, how could they have entered the heart of Yizhou so quietly?"

After Lü Meng crossed the river in disguise, the checkpoints along the river strengthened their inspections of merchant caravans.

It is no longer possible for civilians to be conscripted to row boats and disguise themselves as caravans to launch surprise attacks.

"Could they be barbarian river pirates?"

That's very likely.

Especially in Linjiang, there emerged the bandit Gan Ning, known as the "Jin Fan Thief."

The Sichuan region is mountainous and watery, making it an ideal hiding place for bandits. It's not impossible that bandits would gather, attack undefended cities, and then be recruited into their ranks.

One hour later.

Inside the earthen rammed city of Dianjiang, Lu Congtian was in charge of command.

The city gates were tightly shut, soldiers drew their weapons, and the people stayed indoors.

The standard for soldiers in a county is 1,200 men in three units. Now, most of the soldiers in Dianjiang have been transferred to Hanzhong, and the garrison in the city is less than 400.

Lu Congtian had a bad feeling, and at this moment, he would rather hope that it was a bandit attack than guess correctly.