Soldiers guarding the border at the Great Wall of Liaodong.
"Captain, please order everyone."
Beside the Great Wall.
Wang Li, dressed as a Han military lieutenant, was counting his fingers.
It has been more than a month since he joined the Han Dynasty. As a general who is related to the Zhang family, his first position is as a border guard captain.
The salary is pretty good, not much different from that of the captain at Wuhuan, and even a little better.
However, the salary is beyond the limit, but for some reason, 30% of what I get each month is lost out of thin air.
He is still related to the Zhang family.
It can be seen that it is normal for some soldiers in border counties to withhold food and pay.
The border guard captain, like a normal captain, commanded eight hundred to one thousand troops to guard a certain pass of the Great Wall. When encountering a large group of bandits, he had to light a beacon fire.
His three hundred elite tigers and soldiers are now scattered among thousands of people, and they are in charge of the large and small armies.
Although even he was deducted from military rations, the soldiers under his command received full rations that were different from those in the past.
With that simple, Wang Li gathered the morale of the 700 Han troops.
"Report!"
"The prefect ordered that from now on, Wang Li, the border garrison captain, will lead his troops to change defenses and guard Duanchang Town in Wulu County."
"Captain, this is the order from the prefect."
A messenger from the Prefect's Mansion respectfully handed over a piece of cloth. After Wang Li took it, he saluted and immediately started waiting.
Guarding the Great Wall is the key point. He cannot leave with his troops when no one else comes to take his place.
Fortunately, the defense changes and deployments were synchronized. Not long after, a temporary border guard of 300 people arrived here.
After Wang Li made a simple settlement with the opponent, he led his army and left.
Wuhuan.
"Uncle, did you really say that?"
Zhang Qi poured Zhang Guang a cup of tea.
The latter nodded: "Yes, my father controls Liaodong, and he has eyes and ears for any disturbance. This time, the news has indeed leaked, but fortunately, the spy only knows that you are Zhang's nephew, and he doesn't know much else. ."
"That's right. In other words, that young and strong army came to me."
Zhang Qi secretly figured out that now that Zhang Yi's attitude was clear, if he followed him, Liaodong would already be his.
It seems that the battles between the Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu over the years have caused Zhang Yi to completely lose confidence in the Han Dynasty, otherwise he would not have made a huge bet after seeing Zhang Qi's potential.
"Brother knows, why don't you bother your brother-in-law to make such a trip? You can stay and have a meal. Brother will arrange a ship to take you back to Liaodong later."
Zhang Guang nodded: "It all depends on my brother's arrangement."
The changes in Wuhuan are shocking to Zhang Guang. Since last year, the place has changed almost every year, and at this moment, Zhang Guang can't tell whether he is in Beidi or Chang'an.
He had already visited Wuhuan City several times when he came here. There are all kinds of facilities in the city, including all kinds of food, clothing, housing and transportation. The commodities and industries are prosperous, and he is overwhelmed by the various outputs.
The only thing that puzzled him was where these things came from. If it was trade, his father, the governor of Liaodong, had not received any news about the transit of bulk commodities.
Looking at the situation now, it seems that his brother has a stable supply route for goods. At the very least, that route can provide food, salt, cloth, and iron.
After having lunch at the City Lord's Mansion, Zhang Guang and a few followers continued to stroll around the neat streets of Wuhuan City. He was not in a hurry to return to Liaodong. His father said that it would be good to learn more from Brother Qi. Yes, knowing some things is not enough, you have to experience them yourself.
"Hello, welcome to Agricultural Bank."
As he walked, Zhang Guang arrived at a magnificent building.
"Agricultural bank?"
Zhang Guang murmured meaningfully.
"Yes, guest, we are a bank here that is specifically responsible for providing convenience to farmers. Whether it is purchasing grain seeds, tools for farming cattle, or livestock and poultry, you can get convenience from our bank."
"Of course, our bank is also responsible for currency exchange and loan processing."
The bank staff who entertained Zhang Guang looked at Zhang Guang's dress and understood that he was neither a local nor a slave.
"The coin you are talking about is this kind of copper coin called 'Qi Qian'?"
Zhang Guang took out a fine copper plate from his sleeve, which was the five-baht coin issued by Wuhuan.
The staff identified it, nodded and smiled: "It is Qiqian. This currency is named after the emperor, and it is also the currency commonly used by Wuhuan and Xianbei."
Zhang Guang nodded. He had contacted businessmen who left Wuhuan. Every time they went on business trips, they would not only bring a large amount of goods, but also a large amount of money.
Nowadays, half of the currencies in Liaodong have been quietly replaced. These merchants are very gentle in other matters and can discuss everything. Only when collecting money, they only recognize this kind of money.
If you don’t have it, it doesn’t matter, he can exchange it for you, whether it’s exchanging goods for money, or exchanging Han Sanzhu and Qin Banliang for money. It’s just that coins are exchanged for coins. This kind of money requires three Han Sanzhu or five. Qin Banliang can be exchanged for it.
When those merchants were sweeping goods between towns, they often gave Qi Qian. Over time, the people in Liaodong became accustomed to this kind of currency. The purchasing power of Qi Qian in Liaodong was even greater than that of Han Sanzhu and Qin Banliang. Due to its large size and advantage, people in Liaodong all used this kind of coin.
When he came to Wuhuan this time, he naturally brought enough money. Although Zhang Qi was his elder brother, he was so old that he couldn't buy anything without asking Zhang Qi for money.
Zhang Guang responded to the staff with a smile. He just walked in because he saw the strange building. He had no needs, so after a brief explanation, he left with the people.
At night.
Zhang Guang returned to the City Lord's Mansion a little tired. Today's trip to Wuhuan City gave him a great shock. Various industries were bursting with shocking vitality. Everyone living in this city had faces. The smiles on it are all real.
The weavers have clothes and the tillers have food. This city really does that.
"Father, your vision is indeed higher than others. Now I understand why you value your brother so much."
In the house arranged for him by Zhang Qiren, Zhang Guang murmured and gradually fell asleep.
In Liaodong, Zhang Qi also stepped off the ship.
"Your Majesty."
There was a lot of wind on the river at night, so Bai Xing thoughtfully put a big cloak on him, and Zhang Qi nodded.
"From now on, call me General Zhang. I am Zhang Qi from Liaodong, nephew of the Zhang family."
Bai Xing cupped his hand and said, "I humbly remember this."
"Well, prepare the car and go to the Xiangping Prefecture."
At ten o'clock in the afternoon, Zhang Qi made a difficult decision. He was going to Liaodong to join the army. The outside world called him General Zhang. He also acted under the name of General Zhang during the Liaodong War. Now Liu Che's test has come. It just depends on how he responds.
But no matter what, it must be delayed until the death of Shanyu, the military minister, and civil strife breaks out in the Xiongnu.
(End of chapter)
