Liu Qi returned from Jiangdong and immediately transferred Guan Yu to Nanyang. The news spread to the Central Plains, shocking the army and the people.
A few days ago, Liu Qi just issued an order to withdraw defenses in Ye County, and announced that this place would be used as a transit point connecting the Central Plains and Jiangnan. Regardless of merchants and travellers, as long as they pay their taxes in full and do not cause trouble, their identity will no longer be investigated.
During the war, there was a backlog of goods, and merchants were already impatient. Many caravans poured into Ye County overnight. Everyone knew that this was extremely risky, but the profits were also extremely considerable.
In three days, all the streets and alleys in the city turned into a market. The shops and houses were sold out. Goods of all sizes were gathered in the city. The lights in Ye County were brightly lit all night long.
Just when everyone was immersed in the joy of counting money, the news of Guan Yu's arrival in Nanyang came, as if a basin of cold water was poured on them. Many people's joy was halved, and they even felt a little depressed.
Guan Yu's reputation has long been resounding throughout the Central Plains. If he leads troops to attack Xuchang, Ye County will bear the brunt of the disaster. For a while, everyone began to wait and see again, hesitant to move forward.
Zhang Liao had previously suspected that Liu Qi's withdrawal of troops was an act of mystery. Sure enough, Guan Yu arrived at Wancheng and immediately sent additional scouts to find out what was going on in Jingzhou. He quickly reported the situation at least twice a day.
The town of Ye County is in turmoil and people are in panic, but there is only one person who is calm and calm. He is still mobilizing goods in an orderly manner and going to various markets every day to make money.
"My eldest son, I made more than 30,000 yuan today. It's time to stop."
At dusk, a housekeeper walked quickly into the compound with a ledger and a mixed look on his face.
However, Xia Houmao leaned lazily on the Grand Master's chair and chuckled: "Don't worry, the more chaotic they are and the more eager they are to get rid of the goods, the more I will make, so that I can better prepare military supplies for the Prime Minister."
The steward said anxiously: "My lord, this old slave thinks he is content with enough, so he should stop in moderation. Everyone has said that Liu Qi is preparing to attack Xuchang, and Guan Yu is likely to attack tomorrow. By then, everyone will be dead, and his hands will be empty!"
"Everyone says it, is that right?" Xia Houmao picked up the tea bowl, took a sip, and said slowly: "We earn 30,000 yuan a day, and Liu Qi can probably earn 100,000 yuan a day. Ye County is a cash cow now. , cornucopia, how could he be willing to destroy it? Don’t worry, I understand Liu Qi!"
The housekeeper was doubtful and went to adjust the goods again, but Xia Houmao sighed. Although he made a lot of money every day, to him, he felt that he had suffered a big loss.
Liu Qi originally said that he would set up a market in Ye County. He also suggested to Cao Cao that Kunyang should also be withdrawn and set up as a market. However, Cao Cao scolded him and treated him as a donkey for his genuine kindness.
Now that he sees the grand situation in Ye County, he laments that he is not kind to others. If he cooperates with Liu Qi, it will be easy to pocket the world's wealth.
Now Liu Qi is sitting back and enjoying his success, making money every day. Xia Houmao sees it in his eyes and feels anxious in his heart. The more he makes, the more he feels he will lose.
"Come here, change your clothes!" As night fell, Xia Houmao went out as usual.
He likes to walk on the busy streets, watching the bright lights, the bustle of people, the shouts of hawkers, and even the quarrel over a few coppers, as if everyone's breath is full of the smell of money.
"My eldest son, Hanyuan Bank opened today. I heard that new money tickets have been issued. You can go directly to Rangxian, Xiangyang, Jiangling, and Changsha to exchange them. You no longer have to worry about money."
"Money tickets?" Xia Houmao was startled and waved his hand: "Go and have a look!"
Turning around the street, you will find the busiest intersection on the left near the government office. The original three-story restaurant has been converted into a gilt-gold building, with a wooden sign on it: Hanyuan Bank.
There is a row of eye-catching red characters on the left and right: Jingzhou official business; money notes, deposits, loans, pawns
I saw a crowd of people at the door, all asking about the origin of this bank. Although bank loans and pawns are common, some wealthy families use this as their main income.
But this was the first time that a government-run bank appeared. Especially the two items of money tickets and deposits were extremely novel and unheard of. Everyone came to find out.
"Jingzhou official camp?" Xia Houmao looked at it from a distance and was greatly surprised. His eyes lit up immediately and he clapped his hands and said, "Since this bank is opened by Liu Qi, it must be profitable. Go and find out."
He walked forward quickly with his two followers, when suddenly a person was thrown out of the gambling room on the left and hit Xia Houmao directly. A loud curse came from inside: "You dare to come here to gamble without money, next time I will take your waist!"
Xia Houmao was knocked back several steps and was about to scold him when the man quickly got up to apologize. His eyes widened: "You, you, you...are you Zhang Wei?"
The man was startled. When he saw that it was Xia Houmao, his expression suddenly changed. He stood up and was about to run away, but was held down by two followers.
Xia Houmao's face was gloomy, he stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "Boy, this is really a narrow road for enemies. You deceived me so hard in Xiangyang last time. I can't forgive you!"
Seeing that he could not escape, Zhang Wei knelt down and begged for mercy: "Master Xiahou, this villain is also a victim! Now that all my family property has been lost, I am penniless and desperate. Please spare my life!"
"Are you still pretending?" Xia Houmao said angrily: "You are clearly a trick arranged by Liu Qi, and you deliberately deceived me."
"The conscience of heaven and earth!" Zhang Wei cried bitterly: "Liu Qi and I have sworn hatred, so how could it be his work? If so, how could it be reduced to such a state?"
Xia Houmao looked around and saw that Zhang Wei had a thin face, disheveled beard and hair, and looked down and out. He signaled an entourage to go to the gambling house to find out the news, and took Zhang Wei back to the village first.
Zhang Weize complained all the way, saying that he rushed from Xiangjiang River to the lower reaches that day and luckily survived, but he could not return to Xiangyang and fled to the Central Plains to avoid Liu Qi's pursuit.
However, the two armies were at war, and border checks were extremely strict, so he had to hide in the mountains. Recently, he heard that Ye County would no longer check his identity, so he sneaked in and swindled in the casino every day. He was discovered and kicked out just now.
Not long after, the entourage reported that everything was exactly as Zhang Wei said. Xia Houmao believed him to 70%. He thought that he had so many gold bricks and his huge manor had been reduced to nothing, and he felt a little sympathetic.
After thinking for a while, he asked: "Now I am employing people, are you willing to serve me?"
"If you ask me to join the humble business of merchants, please don't speak respectfully!" Zhang Wei suddenly became tough: "After my noble ancestors, my ancestors studied and served as officials for many generations. How can I be a person who is interested in making profits?"
"Bah!" Xia Houmao was so angry that he yelled: "You hang out in casinos, cheat and deceive like a beggar, how dare you talk so shamelessly?"
"I am poor and ambitious!" Zhang Wei said proudly: "Although I am in the casino, I still live by my sharp tongue. As the saying goes, I can emerge from the filth without staining! Once I enter a lowly industry, it will be difficult to Wouldn't it bring shame to our ancestors if we ever stand up again?"
"You bastard... OK, OK!" Xia Houmao was half scolding, and suddenly he clapped his hands and nodded, "You are so down and out, but you still don't forget your origins and have high aspirations. You are indeed a talent, I admire you very much! "
Zhang Wei was startled, and then turned his head: "Young Master Xiahou's name is as loud as the thunder in my ears, but he is just running a family, and his money is nothing but smoke and mirrors. The young master is not the wise master I am looking for, so I will not be able to obey my orders."
"Do you really think I'm just a businessman?" Xia Houmao smiled coldly, crossed his arms and said slowly: "What if I am acting under the Prime Minister's secret order?"
