Ten days of scenery came in a hurry.
The first snow in the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an has already begun to fall.
And it is getting bigger and bigger, and for just one night, the whole world is white.
Suddenly a spring breeze comes overnight, and thousands of pear trees bloom.
Wancheng.
Government office lobby.
Liu Chan was sitting on the main seat. He was wearing a sable fur. At this moment, there was a cup of scalding soju on the table in front of him.
In the lobby, a brazier had already been raised, and on top of the brazier, charcoal fire was cooking wine.
gurgling gurgling~
The wine is boiling and the whole hall is filled with the aroma of wine.
Beside Liu Chan, Guan Yinping came forward to serve Liu Chan with meticulous care.
Between movement and stillness, there is infinite scenery.
In front of Liu Chan, there was a middle-aged man wearing brocade clothes.
It was businessman Li Ming.
"Your Majesty, I would like to pay my respects to Your Highness."
Li Ming was originally a merchant in the middle and lower reaches of the South, but when Liu Chan attacked Gaoding, he was willing to put all his wealth into it, and was eventually reused by Liu Chan.
The son is now in the prince's residence as a guest of the prince.
And he suddenly had the background of Prince Liu Chan from his original job as a traveling merchant in the south.
His caravans were not only doing business in Nanzhong, but also in Jingzhou and even in Yongliang.
At this scale, in fact, the caravan under him is no longer in his hands, but has been taken over by Liu Chan for his own use.
He is said to be a traveling merchant, but he also has the attributes of an 'imperial merchant'.
"I called you here today because I have something to ask."
Li Ming had a flattering smile on his face. He bowed to Liu Chan and said, "If your Highness has any instructions, you can speak directly. I will definitely know everything and tell you everything."
"good."
Liu Chan smiled slightly and said, "If I want to raise horses in Jingzhou, can you get a good horse breed?"
Raising horses in Jingzhou?
Li Ming was stunned and said hesitantly: "If you want to raise horses, there are Shu horses and Yunnan horses in the Nanzhong and Wuling areas."
"Those are ponies and are useless. I want to use them as war horses."
Nowadays, horses in Kyushu are roughly divided into three types.
One: Wuhuan horse.
This kind of horse is a medium-sized horse breed and is produced in the Youzhou and Bingzhou areas. Gongsun Zan's "White Horse Yi Cong" is this kind of horse.
Second, the Hun horse.
This horse is a large horse. Its origin is in the Dawan and Xiayue areas of the Western Regions. It is the ancestor of today's Arabian horse. After Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, this horse breed was introduced from the Western Regions. It was generally produced in the Liangzhou area. The so-called "Xiliang Iron Cavalry" used this kind of horse.
Third, Nanma.
This kind of horse lives in the south of the Three Kingdoms and is distributed in Jingzhou, Yizhou Bajun and other places. Due to its short stature, it is not suitable for use as a war horse, but it is hardworking and very suitable for use as a pack horse for logistics. Shu horses and Yunnan horses are both southern horses.
In the Eastern Han Dynasty, horse gardens were set up in Sichuan and Yunnan. Southwestern horses are suitable for the ecological environment of mountainous areas, and there are many valuable and fine horses, but their military use is less than that of northern horses.
No more than three feet high.
Like a Dali horse, it is short, compact and agile. With strong limbs and well-developed tendons, it is a dual-purpose draft horse.
Compared to the horses from the Western Regions that the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry rode, they looked like adults and children.
If the two meet on the battlefield, and they are taller and more powerful, they can be condescending when fighting, and they have more horsepower. Who is your opponent?
All his cavalrymen were vying for the tall horse that he had snatched from the tiger and leopard riders!
"Horses are the foundation of armor and soldiers, and are of great use to the country. This matter is of great importance. Do you have a way out?"
Li Ming knew Liu Chan's determination, so he could only say: "The land of Yongliang can produce war horses, and you can also get fine breeds from the Western Regions. But if you want to be a stallion, you can bring up to a hundred or ten horses at a time."
The main reason is that the land of Yongliang is not in Liu Chan's hands yet, so it will be more difficult to smuggle it.
Buying Qiang chiefs with heavy money can get some good seeds.
But if it's more, it's impossible.
"One hundred and ten horses is enough."
Although Nan Ma is short, he is not completely without advantages.
That is strong endurance.
It would be best if horses from the Western Regions could be crossed with Southern Horses to produce tall, powerful, and endurance horses.
"Your Highness, since you want to buy a horse, you need to find someone who knows how to read horses to avoid being deceived."
Liu Chan nodded lightly and said, "Don't worry, I have already made arrangements. I have already found the descendants of Ma Yuan."
As horses became more and more widely used, the industry of horse racing emerged.
For example, during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, Han Feng spoke to each other, Ma Chao looked at each other, Qin Ya looked at the front, praised the king and the queen...
In addition, in the Western Han Dynasty, the chief minister of the Western Han Dynasty looked at the forehead of a child, the Zhongbo family looked at the teeth, the Xie family looked at the horse's mane and lips, and Ding Dujun looked at the horse's figure, etc.
The master of Xiangma is Ma Yuan of the Eastern Han Dynasty. He selected the research results of his predecessors and concentrated the excellent shapes of each part of a good horse on one horse, so that the appearance and bone structure of this horse reached the most perfect state of a good horse. .
The person chosen by Liu Chan naturally received the true inheritance from Ma Yuan.
"In this case, I will feel relieved."
With a horse teller, you will not be cheated when buying a horse.
"Your Highness is planning to raise horses in Nan County?"
Liu Chan shook his head and said: "Not in Nanjun, but in Wuling, Changsha and Lingling counties to set up horse farms to raise horses."
Raising horses is not a simple matter.
During this period, Liu Chan learned clearly from ancient books or directly asking horse breeders how to raise horses, as well as the conditions and costs of raising horses.
The horse ranks first among the six animals. Whether in nomadic civilization or farming civilization, the horse is an indispensable helper for the ancestors. In other words, the horse is a symbol of productivity.
Many people have misunderstandings: Isn’t it enough that horses only need to be fed grass? Isn't there grass everywhere? Raising a horse is very simple.
Actually, this is totally wrong.
Horses are very precious livestock.
First of all, it is true that horses are herbivores, but their digestive ability is very weak because horses do not regurgitate like cows.
It is impossible to feed a horse several times at a time without eating.
There are also similar records in history: "On February 2, the sixth year of Dazhong Xiangfu, the animal husbandry department set up an envoy, Chunze and various horse prisons. Every winter when the cold comes and the spring grass has not come out, the horses are in the wild, and there are many horses because there is less grass. It will lead to emaciation." And once the horse is emaciated, it cannot do the work.
Secondly, horses have huge appetites.
The annual demand for a horse is about three thousand kilograms; while the feed for cattle is relatively broad, including wheat straw, sorghum stalks, and millet stalks, which is close to three thousand kilograms a year; although donkeys, like horses, do not Chewing cud, but a donkey needs two thousand catties of grass a year, which is much less than a horse.
Furthermore, horses cannot just eat grass, they also have to be fed grain, especially when doing heavy work, not to mention war horses during wartime. They have to be fed grain for almost "three meals a day", and even beans that are not available to ordinary people. .
The cost is too high.
"It might be possible to set up a horse racing farm in the land of three counties."
Nan County has a dense population. If fertile land is used as pasture, wouldn't it be a waste of resources?
"Your Highness may allow the people to raise horses, and then the government will purchase them at a high price, which may reduce the cost."
On the side, Guan Yinping also nodded.
"This method is good. If everyone raises horses, there will definitely be no shortage of war horses in the army in the future."
It's a beautiful thought.
"This plan may not work."
What Li Ming and Guan Yinping thought was that the Song Dynasty also did it in later generations.
Moreover, the Song Dynasty lost the sixteen states of Yanyun, and like Liu Chan now, there were no major horse-producing areas.
"History of the Song Dynasty" records: "In the spring of the third year of Yuanfeng, at the request of Wang Gongchen, he ordered households in Kaifeng Prefecture, east and west of Beijing, Hebei, Shaanxi, and Hedong Luzhou counties to account for their property in the city, horse, square, Guo family, and three thousand coins, and in the countryside. Those with five thousand mins, Ruofang Guo Village Tong and three thousand mins and above will each have one horse, and the same will be true for the horses that have been doubled."
Obviously, a household's property in urban areas must reach 3,000 guan and in rural areas 5,000 guan to be able to raise a horse.
This requirement is obviously relatively high, and ordinary farmers cannot afford to raise horses.
Want to promote it?
Are they still alive?
There is an old man in the family. If the horse does not starve to death, the man will starve to death first.
"Raising horses is quite a family asset, and it is difficult for ordinary people to afford it. One horse requires at least dozens of acres of pasture for grazing. How can ordinary people afford it?"
Liu Chan understood that the horse garden set up in the Eastern Han Dynasty had more than 48,000 hectares of grassland and could only raise 50,000 horses, with each horse covering an area of 50 acres.
Fifty acres of land is almost equivalent to an upper-middle-class family of five.
Therefore, folk horse breeding is limited to imagination.
"It's just...the caravan can only get a hundred horses. When will we be able to supply good horses to the army?"
One or two years is simply not enough.
Liu Chan smiled softly and said: "One year is not enough for two years, and two years is not enough for three years. This is a century-old plan."
Before getting a horse-producing land, you can only raise horses through your own means.
Either...
It was the Northern Expedition to capture the land of Yongliang.
But it may not be possible in a short time.
Too many wars have been fought, and without a year or two, or even longer, to recuperate, the people's strength will not be able to recover at all.
During this period of time, Liu Chan didn't want to wait.
Besides...
If you can breed horses in Jingzhou and produce improved breeds, they may not be as good as the horses from the Western Regions.
"I will leave the matter to Mr. Li."
Li Mingcheng was frightened, and quickly stood up and saluted Liu Chan, saying: "Since His Highness has already made plans, I won't say any more. It can take as long as one and a half years, or as low as three months. These hundred and ten good horses All the horses and horses will be sent to Jingzhou."
"good."
Liu Chan nodded slightly.
"Then my subordinate took his leave."
After Li Ming left, Liu Chan said to Guan Yinping: "There are many copper mines, silver mines, and iron mines in Yizhou County. Send people to mine them as soon as possible. Also, there is also iron produced on Tieshan Mountain to the west of Juan City. Mine, leave this matter to Dong Yun and ask him to make more farm tools."
Jingzhou is full of waste and needs to be revitalized. There are too many things that need to be done by Liu Chan.
"Feng'er knows."
Guan Yinping has almost become Liu Chan's little secret now.
As the saying goes.
The secretary has something to do, it's okay...
Ahem.
...
In Kunyang City.
The government office in the city.
King Cao Cao of Wei was in the temporary palace.
"Cough cough cough."
Cao Cao covered his handkerchief, his face was pale, his eyes were dull, and his whole body exuded a weak aura.
His forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, which dripped onto the handkerchief, forming a faint wet streak. The wrinkles on his forehead have become deeper, and the skin on his face is pale and has lost its former luster, making him look haggard.
Cao Cao covered his mouth, coughing, and his handkerchief was stained with bright red blood. Every cough made his body shake violently and his breathing became rapid and difficult.
"Your Majesty..."
Cao Hong, who was following him all the way, had a look of concern on his face.
He frowned, feeling very anxious.
In the past ten days, Cao Cao's health has deteriorated day by day.
The life force passed away so fast that he was a little caught off guard.
If the king dies in the army...
No!
no!
This kind of thing must never happen!
"It's better to go back to Xudu."
Cao Cao shook his head. He put down the bloody handkerchief and his voice became a little weak.
"Is Xu Yuanzhi here?"
Cao Hong nodded and said, "I'll wait in the hall."
Cao Cao nodded slightly and said, "I will meet him here, separate the curtains, and don't let him see his lonely appearance."
"promise."
Withdrawing from Ye County and finishing the follow-up, everything was arranged, but Cao Cao was still worried.
He wanted to see Xu Yuanzhi again before leaving.
Xu Shu?
You must be overjoyed to be able to go to Liu Xuande's tent now?
Soon, a curtain was raised in the room, dividing the room into two halves.
Zhi acridine~
The door opened, and Xu Shu, who had been waiting outside for a long time, slowly walked in.
"My lord, I would like to pay my respects to the king."
Xu Shu's face has clear contours, soft and well-proportioned lines. Although time has left some fine lines, it still maintains a relatively youthful look.
His figure is well-proportioned and erect, revealing an elegant and confident posture. Wearing simple clothes shows that he does not pursue worldly gorgeous style, but pays more attention to inner cultivation and quality.
At this moment in the room, Xu Shu couldn't see Cao Cao's appearance at all through the curtains, only a figure half lying on the bed.
as well as...
There was a strong smell of herbs in the room, and there was a faint smell of blood in the smell of herbs.
Was the body of Wei King Cao Cao so corrupted?
Xu Shu narrowed his eyes, but lowered his head even lower, towards his chest.
"Yuan Zhi, haven't we seen each other for many years?"
Cao Cao learned about Xu Fu's name when Liu Bei was in Xinye, and he repeatedly ruined his good deeds.
Fortunately, he led his army to catch up with him at Changbanpo in Dangyang, and his mother was also captured by him. In order to save his mother, Xu Yuanzhi said goodbye to Liu Bei and went to Cao Ying.
Unfortunately...
Xu's mother died after all.
So much so that this great talent could not offer him even a word of advice.
"Many years indeed."
Xu Yuanzhi was unwilling to offer advice to Cao Cao, so naturally he did not stay with Cao Cao to advise on military aircraft.
Cao Cao casually assigned Xu Shu a powerless sinecure, out of sight and out of mind.
But now that he was mentioned by the Crown Prince of Hanzhong, he still had to meet again.
"Then the Crown Prince of Hanzhong, Liu Gongsi, wants you to trade for me, the General of Wei. Your life is really valuable!"
Xu Shu just said: "It's just a broken body, and my wisdom and thought have been exhausted. I'm afraid I won't be able to offer advice to the crown prince of Hanzhong."
"oh?"
Cao Cao frowned slightly and his tone became a little cold.
"It's true that you didn't sacrifice anything when you were under my account, but when you get to Jingzhou, that's not necessarily the case."
Xu Shu naturally felt the murderous aura emanating from Cao Cao.
"The Crown Prince of Hanzhong is a genius. I, Xu Shu, am far less talented than him. He summoned me this time because of his old friendship. I have lived in the Kingdom of Wei for a long time. If your Majesty has any doubts, please keep me here." In Wei State."
Liu Gongsi's wisdom is indeed not inferior to that of Xu Shu.
"That's fine."
Cao Cao coughed lightly and continued:
"There is a friendship between you and me. I went to Jingzhou, and I hope I won't forget the old relationship. Although you have a new master, I, Cao Mengde, boast that I have never been sorry for you."
Doesn't the revenge of killing one's mother not count?
The cold light in Xu Shu's eyes flashed away, but his tone was very calm.
"When I go to Jingzhou, I will be alone for the rest of my life. As far as I am concerned, there is not much difference between being in Wei or Jingzhou."
Hope that's true.
"If you are not happy in Jingzhou and want to come back, you are welcome at the gate of Wei State at any time. Your eldest son has been appointed by me as the heir apparent. When you leave, I will send you riches, silks and beautiful women. I hope you will not refuse. It is considered a gift. It’s worthy of the relationship between a king and a minister.”
Take my eldest son hostage?
You gave me money and silk, and you want to drive a wedge between me and the Crown Prince of Hanzhong?
Xu Shu frowned slightly, but still nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."
If he doesn't agree this time, will he want to go to Jingzhou?
I'm afraid it's impossible.
However, inside the curtain, Cao Cao's pale face and those tiger eyes showed even more murderous intent.
No rejection?
It seems that Xu Shu is determined to go with Liu Gongsi!
Want to assist Mr. Liu?
Let’s see if you have this fate!
Of course, Xu Yuanzhi couldn't have any trouble until he got Cao Ren.
But after the replacement, that's not necessarily the case.
