Since the beginning of spring in the fourth year of Chongzhen's reign, the news that Liu Chengzong, the Qinghai propaganda envoy, had opened a market in Ju'erwan, was like growing four legs and spread throughout Anduo with the spring breeze.
Countless people and herdsmen came from all over the country every day, but most of them just came to find out the news, and their leaders were still watching.
The first order from Juerwan City came from the Seventh Division of Riyue Mountain. Gonpo Dorje exchanged 400 kilograms of gunpowder for fourteen military heavy-covered water boilers of the Lion Army.
Ordinary pots boil water too early here. To solve this problem, Liu Chengzong commissioned Chen Tusi's craftsmen to thicken the pot walls and weight the lid to achieve the effect of a simple pressure cooker and heat the water.
Liu Shishi was reluctant to make this deal... he basically didn't make any money.
It was entirely because Gonpot Dorje heard that they were short of gunpowder that he brought over several hundred kilograms, and then gave each leader of the seven tribes of Riyue Mountain two iron pots at cost price.
The combination of gunpowder went very well, and Liu Shizi hoped that Gonpot Dorje would not use it again in the future.
For this reason, Liu Chengzong specifically asked Chen Shifo to change the quotation and replace the gunpowder on it with saltpetre and sulfur.
The proportion of gunpowder used in the seven parts of Riyue Mountain is that of Liu Ji in the third year of Hongwu, using one pound of saltpeter, two liang and four qian of sulfur, and four qian of charcoal.
The proportion is not much different from the proportion of Qi Jiguang's gunpowder that was used in Jiubian in the Wanli year. The main problem is that the nitrate purification process is slightly worse and the purity is not enough.
Therefore, in theory, it is necessary to increase the proportion of nitrate to at least 90% and increase the amount of powder to achieve the properties of normal gunpowder.
If the saltpeter is sent, even if it is not pure enough, the Lion Army's gunpowder makers can still solve it; but if the gunpowder is sent that has been prepared, it will be difficult to handle.
But Cao Yao has a way.
He asked Shi Cheng me to make this batch of gunpowder into powder packs for lion cannons, which were used to fire cannons.
Aerial artillery is a common tactic used by the Ming army's artillery. Before the enemy enters the firing range, empty artillery is fired at the enemy, so as to deceive the enemy into taking advantage of the reloading time to quickly engage in battle, and then release live ammunition to severely damage it.
With the opening of the Irvine market, the status of Chen Family Chieftain in Xining has also increased.
The reason was that Liu Chengzong's military craftsmen did not have time to cast iron pots, and Chen Tusi's territory was close to the iron smelting field, so the task of casting iron pots was outsourced to Chen Shiwen at Chen Shifo's suggestion.
Chieftain Chen of Xining was happily driving a yak team to transport a new batch of iron pots along the Huangshui River towards Juerwan.
Juerwan is bounded by hundreds of households and has two markets.
The market in the west faces Xifan and Mongolia, and the market in the east faces Xining chieftains and Han people.
In order to transport goods to Liu Shishi, Chieftain Chen and Chieftain A of Nianbosuo went out in full force.
The brigade was led by two Tuqian generals and four Tuqian generals behind them. They led 50 horsemen and infantrymen, fifty yaks, 1,200 iron pots, and 6,000 axes, and rushed forward.
Chen Shiwen walked straight to Juerwan Baihu House and saw his second brother Chen Shifo who was greeting him. He was not in a hurry to hand over the pot, but pulled him aside to where no one was. He asked eagerly: "Are you sure that this batch of pots can be exchanged for six?" One hundred taels? I borrowed one hundred and fifty taels from Chieftain Li to make these iron pots in a hurry."
Seeing his brother in a hurry, Master Chen was secretly relieved.
He followed his elder brother's example, assumed the manners of a local official, took two steps, turned around and asked, "How much do you want to pay back?"
"Three cents per month for one year. You can't pay it back early. You will pay two hundred and forty taels next year."
To be honest, Chen Shiwen has never done anything like this. For a long time, they have believed in being diligent and frugal in managing the family, keeping the water flowing smoothly, and not trying to make someone look fat.
Anyway, they are the chieftains who live together with heaven and earth. As long as the Ming Dynasty exists, they will still be there even if the Ming Dynasty disappears.
One generation spends one generation's money, and the next generation will always have the next generation's money to spend.
Only this time, Liu Shizi entered Qinghai, and his second brother's constant persuasion gave Chen Shiwen the idea of giving it a try.
These iron pots were not easily made by Chen Shiwen's family. According to their productivity, they could make more than a hundred iron pots. The rest were borrowed from Li Tusi and hired Li Tusi's craftsmen to make the pots.
Many chieftains in Xining have their own choices in this matter.
Some people are capable but don't want to mediate, and some are incompetent but want to mediate. This creates such a strange situation.
The little chieftains couldn't wait to become suppliers in Juerwan Commercial Market. The big chieftain was worried that Liu Chengzong would blackmail them with force, so he took advantage of the situation and lent money to the little chieftain to join this handicraft feast.
Anyway, even if Liu Chengzong doesn't give the little chieftains money, the little chieftains can't default on their debts.
The situation of Ajia Tusi who came from Nianbo is similar to that of Chen Shiwen. The only difference is that Chen's Tusi supplies heavy cast iron pots, while A'jia Tusi supplies wrought iron axes embedded with steel.
Master Chen calculated the principal and interest in his mind, waved his hand and said: "It's okay, that's enough. Brother, please send the iron pot to the Baihu Office. The Third Master's people will inspect the goods there. After inspecting the goods, don't ask for silver, but ask for lion tickets."
"Lion ticket?"
"Yes, the marshal asked the third master to bring the weavers to make the flower tickets. They can be used as money in Curwan. They are divided into denominations of sixteen taels, eight taels, one tael, five cents and one cent. They are equivalent to silver. One cent Two for one.”
The third master mentioned by Master Chen is Cheng Yun.
Chen Shiwen asked in confusion: "Since one tael is exchanged for one tael, why exchange it for it?"
"You can't buy anything in the East Market without changing. The East and West Markets only recognize lion tickets. What is the cost of these iron pots?"
Chieftain Chen said: "Two coins per mouthful."
"That's enough. You exchange it for silver and go back. It's three hundred taels, so you can only earn sixty taels. After paying back the interest, you can only earn sixty taels."
Chieftain Chen felt... wasn't that the way it was?
His Tusi Yamen's annual income is only a few dozen taels, and he can earn sixty taels from this trip. When he goes back, he will continue to make iron pots, and one year will be as good as the past ten years.
Unexpectedly, the second brother shook his head and said: "But if you exchange it for a lion ticket, you can buy more than 900 sheep in Dongshi. If you go back to Xining, you will get 450 taels for a sheep for five yuan."
Chen Shiwen's eyes widened. How could he earn more than two hundred taels from this trip?
"But we have to act quickly, while there are still sheep in Dongshi."
Hearing this, Chen Shiwen quickly asked the local soldiers to lead people to the Juerwan Baihu House. He also planned to say goodbye to his second brother, but as soon as he took two steps, he still couldn't suppress his curiosity. He turned around and asked: "Master, can you Tell me, how much does it cost to sell an iron pot?"
Master Chen smiled and said, "Brother, I can't say this. Just go buy sheep as soon as possible. Don't tell others about the money you make. After all, if the market price of Xining sheep drops in the future, you won't make any money."
Even though Master Chen is talking to his family here, he seems to have a high position in the Lion Army.
But he knew very well that he was an interpreter.
Therefore, he would do what Liu Chengzong asked him to do; he would never dare to do what Liu Chengzong asked him to do.
Besides, he couldn't say anything about it.
Kampo Dorje from Riyue Mountain exchanged 400 kilograms of gunpowder for 14 iron pots capable of boiling water. Although the quality of the gunpowder sent was a little inferior, it was still worth two or four per hundred kilograms.
The commander said that it was already the cost price of the iron pot. A pot cost six yuan and eight cents... But the Chen brothers knew very well that the production cost of the iron pot was two yuan, and the cost of collecting the iron pot from the commander was two yuan. Five cents.
Not to mention that one or two lion tickets in the west can buy five sheep, while one or two lion tickets in the east can buy three sheep.
It's just a robbery shop. What's there to say about it?
Chieftain Chen nodded to show that he understood, and then asked: "Can we sell pot directly in the West Market?"
"It can't be sold. Both the east and west markets are directly run by Mr. San. No one can sell things there. They can only exchange things for lion tickets."
Master Chen smiled and said nothing more to his brother.
Why is this called Qinghai Xuanwei Envoy? It is just like those chieftains in Xining, they also have a monopoly.
However, what is monopolized here is all smuggling business on the border, and it is also made public.
From Juerwan to Xiningwei, they are all Liu Shishi's people. From now on, there will be no smuggling here.
Liu Chengzong was also at the market.
But he was not in the East Market. He was shopping in the West Market with Baiyan Taiji and Dai Qing.
Baiyan Taiji was so lovable that he wanted everything he wanted while walking around the market, and he kept praising Liu Shizi.
"This knife only needs a lion ticket? Fair, fair!"
Dai Qing, on the other hand, was almost interested. This leader from Mobei was not as poor as Baiyan Taiji, but on the other hand, he was not as wealthy as Baiyan Taiji in livestock.
Therefore, Dai Qing was basically reluctant to buy anything on the market, and looked at Baiyan Taiji as if he was a fool.
Dai Qing said something, but Chen Qindai who brought him here wouldn't translate it for him.
But in fact, there was no need for translation. Dai Qing's biggest doubt was that Chen Qindai was talking about five hundred Han people... To the west of Dangul Bay, when he came over, he saw thousands of Han soldiers.
Liu Shishi asked: "What is this guy muttering about?"
Before Chen Qindai could say anything, he pouted his lips and used the bad Chinese he learned last winter: "Commander, don't pay attention to him, he will only complain... He doesn't even look at where this place is or where to buy it." Got such a good thing.”
I don't think these things are expensive, quite the opposite.
If it weren't for the fact that the Lion Army's equipment production productivity hasn't increased yet, Taiji would be very willing to use all his livestock to unleash a wave of equipment on Liu Shizi, directly change the equipment of his troops, and then turn around and kill Dai Qing.
Now that Liu Chengzong has approved his request to be stationed in Mu Haibei, the only stumbling block in front of him is Dai Qing.
Their tribesmen are all herdsmen, and the pasture land in Haibei is only that large.
The Baiyan tribe has many people and the Daiqing tribe is well equipped. Therefore, if Daiqing does not go elsewhere, sooner or later the two families will start a war over the pasture land.
"You have also seen the things. The quality is just like this. The bows, arrows and waist knives are all weapons made by the guards. The guards' cotton armors without armor plates are the same price as the knives. The guard's sleeveless cotton armors with armor plates cost more. Eight taels of lion tickets.”
Liu Chengzong smiled and introduced the prices of weapons and equipment to the two of them one by one: "A full set of cotton armor costs twenty taels. Take a look, and then buy some daily necessities for the tribe. Don't buy weapons and armor."
Baiyan Taiji was not happy when he heard this: "Commander, what do you mean, you don't want to sell it to me? This is not interesting enough. I also plan to ask Lazun to come here to buy things. Many people will come!"
"It's not that we won't sell it." Liu Chengzong shook his head with a smile and raised a finger: "Come with me to fight. You send out troops and bring your own food. When you come back, I will give you one tael for every two people who have weapons and horses. Lion ticket.”
"If someone is injured, one tael will be given to each person; if unfortunately killed in battle, two taels will be given to the family."
Bai Yan calculated in his mind that if he sent two thousand troops, he could make a guaranteed profit of 500 taels of lion votes, which was equivalent to 2,500 livestock.
If they are both dead, then only two... Thinking of this, Baiyan stopped quickly, shook his head one after another, and secretly cursed himself for being so greedy.
Suitable, so suitable.
"Are we going to go to war with the imperial court?"
Bai Yan Taiji geared up: "I've long wanted to enter Xining!"
Unexpectedly, Liu Chengzong waved his hand and said: "It's not Xining, it's Baili. Do you know that place?"
"Malcon?"
Bai Yan suddenly realized that although he still didn't know how Dunyue Duoji provoked Liu Chengzong, he knew very well that Liu Chengzong led his people to fight.
plateau.
Thinking of this, Baiyan chuckled and glanced at Dai Qing: "Commander, don't take this guy with you. He only has 800 people, and he has never been to Weizang. They can't... How many people do you want, I will give them to you." Come on!"
Seeing that he agreed so readily, Liu Chengzong was stunned for a moment.
He thought that Bai Yan might be willing to send troops, but he didn't expect soldiers to be so easy to recruit, so he simply waved his hand and said: "Three thousand, but not everyone can do this. I have requirements."
Hearing this number, Baiyan became even more happy.
His tribe has three thousand herders. Isn't this job tailor-made for him?
He immediately took care of them: "Commander, these three thousand people are all on me! Just ask for anything."
Liu Chengzong smiled and said: "You can't plunder on the road, can you do that?"
As soon as these words came out, Baiyan's face turned ugly.
"No plundering... Commander, I can let the people go to fight." He said, "But it's too difficult not to plunder. What are we going to eat?"
Liu Chengzong still smiled and said nothing.
He knew very well what the Mongolian army next to the Ming Dynasty looked like in this era.
They are all so poor that it is impossible to start a war without looting. In fact, the biggest motivation for fighting is looting.
Because of this, on the surface it seems that poverty only affects their living conditions, but in fact it also affects their combat effectiveness.
Baiyan suddenly said: "Commander, we won't rob on the road, but go over and rob Dunyue Duoji, okay?"
Before Liu Chengzong could say anything, he just said, "If I can't grab Dunyue Dorje, then after I defeat Dunyue Dorje, I have to go to Tibet and grab Zangba."
Liu Chengzong looked at Bai Yan with a complicated expression, and he was very envious.
Envy: To Wei Yan, the Qinghai-Tibet area seemed as easy as walking on flat ground.
For him, taking Xining as the center and leading the army southward to Yushu and westward to Hami is almost as far as he can imagine that he can go.
Dai Qing said something, and Chen Qindai said: "Commander, Dai Qing said that if he goes to Tibet, he will go too."
"Lazun will also go, haha, Marshal, can we have more people?"
The more he thought about it, the happier he became. If a battle into Tibet was organized, Lhazun and Guru might be able to get back together during the war: "Six thousand, six thousand troops. Commander, don't worry about others. Give me two thousand lions." Just a ticket.”
"Our brothers will help you deal with Dunyue Dorje, and the commander will help us enter Tibet."
