Do You Know?: Rule the World

Zhao Han stood with his hands behind his back, and after everyone finished their trials, he said in a deep voice, "Those who are skilled in archery and horsemanship may not necessarily be good at fighting."

"Next, let's have a martial arts demonstration in the training ground. The winner stays, and the loser leaves!"

On one side of the training ground, Shen Congxing lowered his voice and said, "I've already found out. The situation on the border is getting serious."

"This Lord Zhao has signed a military order before all the civil and military officials, pledging to train an elite force capable of rivaling the Western Xia cavalry within a year."

"No wonder they spared no expense, five strings of cash a month for salary, ten strings of cash for household maintenance."

"With such a huge reward, I'm afraid we'll have to recruit all the brave men in the states."

"The emperor actually trusts him so much." Zhao Ceying looked solemn and couldn't help but sigh.

Yuzhou is located at the strategic point of the capital, and is only a day's ride from Bianliang.

They have been walking on thin ice all these years and never dared to make any move to stand out.

Especially his father, at the slightest sign of trouble, he would either stay at home or hide in the farm outside the city.

But even so, Prince Yan and Prince Yong would send people to test them openly or secretly from time to time.

He was really afraid that one day when the emperor became seriously ill and chaos broke out in the imperial city, he and his father would meet with an unexpected disaster.

"Who knows? Maybe he has some outstanding qualities." Shen Congxing said indignantly.

After six or seven days, the selection of Yuzhou Xuanyi Army is nearing its end.

Pei Hu handed over the list and said in a deep voice, "Sir, a total of 213 elite soldiers have been selected, including over a hundred skilled in riding and archery."

Zhao Han nodded slightly and glanced at the soldiers lined up in neat rows on the training ground.

At this time, Zhao Zongquan walked over with his entourage, with a simple smile on his face.

"Master Zhao, I heard that the selection is over, so I came to congratulate you."

Zhao Han bowed and glanced at Zhao Zongquan inconspicuously.

"Zhao Tuanlian is very polite. This trip was only possible thanks to the bravery of the Yuzhou soldiers."

Zhao Zongquan waved his hands repeatedly, showing a bit of panic, and his tone was full of humility, for fear that he would say something wrong by accident and arouse suspicion.

"Master Zhao, you're joking. Yuzhou is just a small place, and there are only a few capable soldiers."

"Lord Zhao has taken the trouble to personally select the candidates. I truly admire him."

"I heard that Your Excellency will be setting sail tomorrow. I have already ordered people to prepare wine at the post station. Although it is not as delicious as the delicacies in the capital, it is all the specialty of Yuzhou."

Zhao Han smiled softly and said, "Zhao Tuanlian is so thoughtful. I am very grateful to you."

After seeing Zhao Han off, Zhao Zongquan breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly returned to his previous life - either working in the fields with a hoe, or fishing by the river.

In the city of Bianjing, for the next period of time.

In addition to being busy with the daily training of the soldiers of the Cavalry Battalion, Zhao Han was also busy purchasing war horses.

The Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun are rich in water and grass, and the Hexi Corridor has vast pastures, both of which are ideal places for raising horses.

It’s a pity that at present, one is under the control of the Liao cavalry, and the other is firmly controlled by the Western Xia.

Therefore, the horses in the imperial guards of the Great Zhou Dynasty were either poor horses that were not capable of charging into battle, or war horses that were exchanged for tea and silk from Dali, Tubo and other places, and they were often held hostage by the Western Xia.

After many twists and turns, it was not until the end of December that they were able to gather 5,000 good horses with shoulder heights of more than four feet.

The Western Xia cavalry has always been elusive, and is accustomed to taking advantage of the wind and sand to suddenly attack like ghosts.

After the Great Zhou soldiers formed up in battle array, they dispersed into cavalry and shot arrows from around the formation.

Therefore, Zhao Han changed the previous conservative training method of the Great Zhou cavalry, with three riders in a group and nine riders in a team.

Using the horn as a signal, each group and team can move around flexibly and respond to each other.

Moreover, the Great Zhou had been fighting with the Western Xia for many years and rarely won.

Whether it was the wing troops or the imperial guards, there was a general fear of the Western Xia cavalry.

Whenever we faced the Western Xia, there were often soldiers who trembled at the sight of the dust.

To eliminate the fear of the enemy in the army and awaken the bloodiness in the bones of the Han men.

Zhao Han deliberately dressed all the scarecrows on the parade ground in Xixia costumes and let the soldiers chop them with real swords and guns.

This method has shown some results after only a month of implementation.

Every time the soldiers chopped the straw men, they were filled with a fierce murderous aura, as if they wanted to wipe out the humiliation of the years.

There will be another chapter later, and I plan to ask the editor to put it on the shelves tomorrow. I hope you guys can give me a subscription then.

Also, please vote for me, please vote for me, I’m going to work hard tonight.

Chapter 78 Wang Ruofu's Loan

As the year draws to a close, the expenses of the nobles' residences in the city are inevitably increasing.

Money is needed for everything, including buying New Year's goods, purchasing new clothes, and maintaining interpersonal relationships.

Kang family.

Wang Ruoyu looked at the growing deficit in the account book and couldn't help but frown and look gloomy.

But her husband Kang Haifeng only knew how to seek pleasure all day long. In just half a year, he took two concubines into the house.

Let’s look at the Sheng family. Although the brother-in-law favors the concubine, he still abides by the rules.

He didn't touch a single cent of his sister's dowry, his career was on the rise, and his son-in-law was also highly valued in the court.

After a comparison, Wang Ruoyu felt more and more unbalanced. She was outstanding in appearance and had been proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting since childhood.

Why did he lose to Wang Ruofu, this stupid girl from the countryside!

Just when Wang Ruoyu was feeling depressed, a maid stepped in and said cautiously, "Madam, the Madam of the Sheng family is here."

Hearing this, Wang Ruoyu's expression immediately changed. He stood up to greet him with a smile, and his voice was filled with indescribable warmth.

"My dear sister, you are here at last."

Wang Ruofu walked into the room with a cold air, looked up at Wang Ruoyu, and sat down on the chair without any formalities.

"Sister, why did you call me here so urgently? What's the matter?"

"I'm busy at home and can't leave you alone for a moment."

Wang Ruoyu personally poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to her, "Look at what my sister said. We are sisters. Can't we talk to each other even if there is nothing wrong?"

"If you want to talk, just come to my house anytime."

"Just a few days ago, Brother Han sent someone to deliver some fine tea gifted by the emperor. Sister knows more about tea than I do. We can try it together."

After Wang Ruofu finished speaking, she picked up the hot tea on the table and took a sip.

Wang Ruoyu was furious when she heard this. She forced a smile and sighed softly.

"When I go to your house, I can't avoid meeting your mother-in-law. That old lady has never liked me, so why should I go over to her and make myself unhappy?"

Wang Ruofu pursed her lips and said helplessly, "My mother-in-law has always been kind to everyone. I don't know when you offended her."

"Forget it, forget it. Why bring up that old woman?" Wang Ruoyu said as he leaned closer and lowered his voice, "I specifically asked you to come here today because I have a great opportunity."

"What Qiao Zong'er?!" Wang Ruofu immediately looked at her with curiosity.

"If you are not my biological sister, I will not tell you even if you beg Po Tian."

"I know a few wealthy merchants who lend money at interest rates starting at 3%. If you're willing to partner with me, you only need to provide the capital, and I'll take care of the rest."

"Over the course of a year, the interest earned is more than two or three times what you earn from your farms and shops. The interest is compounded."

While talking, Wang Ruoyu kept looking at Wang Ruofu's expression. Four or five years ago, she had been secretly lending money at high interest rates.

After marrying into the Kang family, she only gave birth to a son and two daughters: Kang Jin, Kang Yuaner, and Kang Yuner.

Kang Haifeng also had ten concubine daughters and five concubine sons.

If she hadn't lent the money out at high interest, her dowry and the Kang family's ancestral property would have been squandered long ago, and her three children would have been laughed to death when they got married in the future.

"Usury!" Wang Ruofu exclaimed upon hearing this.

"Sister, you're too bold! If someone files a lawsuit against you and takes you to the government office, you'll be finished!"

She stared at her sister with wide eyes in disbelief.

As an official's family member, if this matter is exposed, the official will be dismissed from his post and even have his property confiscated and exiled!

"Don't make such a fuss. Your family is getting more and more prosperous now, but when Bo'er becomes an official in the future, he will have to make a lot of money."

"Hualan's dowry was like flowing water when she got married. When Rulan gets married, you can't leave too little."

"I won't hide it from you. Madam Li, the Minister of East Street, earned this much just last month..." Wang Ruoyu held up five fingers and gritted his teeth, "A full five thousand taels! Where do you think they got the money for all those silks, satins, and jewelry?"

"Besides, your mother-in-law may look kind, but she has a lot of plans in her mind."

"If she cared about you, why did she let Lin Xiaoniang into the family back then? She's still putting pressure on you."

"I'm your biological sister, how could I possibly harm you? If you don't want to, just pretend I didn't say anything, and I won't have to worry about you."

As she spoke, she made a gesture to stand up and see the guest off.

He tried to win over Wang Ruofu to lend money with him, in order to drag her into the trap and then use the power of the Sheng family to make those who borrowed money dare not default on their debts.

Secondly, the capital she has is a little stretched at the moment.

After hesitating for a moment, Wang Ruofu whispered, "Is this really okay?"

Seeing that she was moved, Wang Ruoyu's eyes flashed with a triumphant smile.

"Don't worry, we're all dealing with legitimate banks, and the IOUs are clearly written. Besides, we have mother backing us up."

"First, take out one thousand taels of silver. After some time, I promise to send you fifteen hundred taels."

"In short, if you miss this opportunity, you'll miss it forever."

Seeing his sister's confident look, the profit seemed even more tempting.

She couldn't help but feel warm in her heart, and gritted her teeth and said, "Okay, I'll send it to you in a few days."

"But this matter must not be spread out, otherwise, given my husband's temper, he will definitely not forgive me."

Wang Ruoyu smiled brightly and held Wang Ruofu's hand affectionately.