Mythic version of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 6904 What goes before takes effect
"Do you think you can convince me?" Chen Xi looked at Zhang Zhao's incomparable calmness. Zhou Yu, who was sitting opposite him, was like a sculpture and did not speak a word the entire time.

"We have to try, and we don't think we can hide it from Lord Chen." Gu Yong also said, "Besides, our reduction in the current feed grain production is not a strategy to fight against the Han Dynasty, but to have a better choice. Lord Chen, I believe you are not the kind of person who can't tell right from wrong."

"Okay, let me see what kind of reasons you can come up with." Chen Xi said no more, leaning back in his chair, waiting for what kind of evidence Zhang Zhao and others could come up with to convince him. After all, there are some things that must be followed even if one disagrees.

What's more, Zhang Zhao is not a fool. Now that the matter has been brought to Chen Xi, it would be pure nonsense for him to try to get away with it by using some tricks.

Real evidence and detailed material comparison are the most important.

Soon, Cai Mao was brought here by Zhuge Liang's men. When Cai Mao saw this scene, he became timid and wanted to leave.

"General Cai, there are some things that we just have to go through. After all, only by telling the truth about previous events in front of Lord Chen can we do certain things with justification." Zhang Zhao and the others all looked at Cai Mao. Cai Mao shrank back a little, but finally heaved a long sigh. He should not have given that answer when Zhang Zhao tested him. Damn it, someone is really going to die!
I fight Sun Ce and Zhou Yu? I want to die!
In the end, Cai Mao was pushed into a relatively neutral seat by Zhuge Liang and his men.

"This is some material evidence." Zhang Zhao also sent someone to bring the evidence over. By the way, this was also the reason why Zhou Yu agreed to reduce rice production even though he did not fully know the inside story, because they found a substitute based on local conditions - the sago palm tree.

"One hectare of this stuff can produce more than 15 tons of rice noodles." Zhang Zhao said slowly after handing the relevant evidence and information to Chen Xi.

The sago palm is a very strange palm plant. The sign of its maturity is that the cells in the pith are filled with starch granules. That is to say, when it starts growing, it is a tree, but when it grows up, it turns into starch. Moreover, when it grows to the end, the starch content of its pith will be close to 90%, while the starch content of rice is close to 80%.

In other words, this thing can be eaten as a meal after it matures. The sago in sago delicacy is actually made from this thing.

Moreover, compared to the herbaceous plant rice, which is entangled in kilograms and pounds in terms of yield, the woody plant sago palm directly calculates its yield in tons, so its output is extremely amazing. Moreover, compared to rice, which requires intensive cultivation, sago palm trees can be left there without any fertilizer, even in the case of pure wild conditions. A mature sago palm tree can still produce dozens of kilograms of starch...

Of course, if you are obsessed with intensive farming and breeding of good varieties, you can get more than 500 kilograms of starch from one plant of this thing. In other words, in terms of output alone, the output of one good plant of this thing far exceeds the current output of one acre of rice in the Han Dynasty.

This is also the reason why ancient people in Southeast Asia could survive by growing fruits and sago in the forest without farming. These things are extremely amazing in terms of both output and management.

Compared to Chen Xi's expressionless face, Liu Ye, Mi Zhu, Liu Yan and others all gasped. The grain output was calculated in tons. What a ridiculous thing.

"Is it true?" Zhuge Liang asked Cai Mao. This was his wife's uncle. You know what level of relationship this was in those days.

"Really? That's why I've been sending boatloads of sago here in the past few years. I don't even grow it. I just harvest it on the island when it's ripe, and then take it to be processed and shipped here." Cai Mao nodded and said, "If we grow it ourselves, I think it won't be a problem to produce more than a dozen tons per hectare. Besides, not to mention the difficulty of planting and managing this thing, this thing has a very big advantage..."

"Once you find a plant with high yield, or even internal energy, you can use the buds of this plant to cultivate more of the same kind." Cai Mao told Zhuge Liang the truth directly. After all, this was his niece's son-in-law. The child born by his niece must have a clear and visible blood connection with his uncle, so it was natural for him to give some exact details.

Zhuge Liang felt a lump in his teeth. What this meant was that Cai Mao already had this kind of thing in his hands. It had a high yield, was easy to manage, and could allow the good varieties to self-reproduce. What an invincible agricultural product!
"The reason for our reduction in production is very simple. We are going to plant trees instead of rice!" Zhang Zhao said in a deep voice. "In terms of output, the output of sago palm trees is higher. In terms of management cost, this one does not require management. After planting, we can directly release the crops and harvest them when the time comes. This will further free up manpower. So even from the perspective of manpower, we should plant this to free the people from heavy farm work!"

Liu Ye turned his head to look at Chen Xi. Zhang Zhao's reasons were already very sufficient. It should even be said that even Chen Xi had no room for rebuttal. What's more, the reason Zhang Zhao gave was not that he would not supply feed grain to the Han Dynasty, but that he needed to reduce production during the period of switching cash crops, and then supply the Han Dynasty after the sago palm trees were planted.

Liu Ye had also eaten something amazing like coconut milk sago, which tasted great and could satisfy hunger, so given the complete information, Liu Ye said he could accept this reason.

After all, the sago palm is also a tree. It needs time to develop. Even if it is slow, it is acceptable. Zhang Zhao's reasons are already very complete.

"This thing takes fifteen years. Even if you find a good variety and have professionals to help optimize it, it will probably take about ten years. Of course, in terms of management and output, it still has an absolute advantage over rice." Chen Xi nodded, as if accepting the reason given by Zhang Zhao, but when Chen Xi opened his mouth, Zhang Zhao's face began to gloomy, and he knew that Chen Xi refused.

"It can be used as a substitute for rice, why don't you agree?" Gu Yong asked first, "All the conditions should meet your needs, Lord Chen. Planting sago palm trees can free more people from agricultural labor. Why do you refuse?"

"Because I realized that this is not the fundamental reason for your choice." Chen Xi sighed and said, "You are right. Sago palm can indeed be used as a substitute for food. Even if there are some differences, it won't be a big problem if some other ingredients are added. As for rice, you can also choose to grow it in other places. On the contrary, Sago palm has high environmental requirements and can only be grown in your area."

"Do we have to hear the fundamental reasons?" Zhang Zhao frowned. The reasons they gave were sufficient enough, so sufficient that Chen Xi could not refute them. Apart from forcing them to continue growing rice, they should not continue to dwell on this issue. After all, Chen Xi was very open-minded about many things. As long as it did not involve bottom lines and principles, Chen Xi was willing to give everyone choices and decent opportunities.

However, at this time Chen Xi actually asked for the reason. He did not agree or deny, but asked for the reason. Is the reason important?
"Because General Cai is here." Chen Xi sighed and said, "So there are some reasons that I have to ask. This has already involved deeper aspects. You think that we should sell tapioca pearls from General Cai, but not rice from Governor Zhou. This is a big problem."

"This involves the internal affairs of our Jiangdong." Pang Tong said after a moment of silence.

"Unbelievable." Chen Xi's expression became extremely complicated, and he looked at Zhou Yu, "My speculation couldn't be true, are you so crazy?"

Zhuge Liang and Liu Ye also revealed expressions of disbelief at this time. In fact, when Chen Xi had previously speculated that this matter involved the internal price list in Zhou Yu's hand and asked Zhuge Liang to notify Cai Mao, he realized certain possibilities. But now, Chen Xi has completely confirmed a fact.

If this is really the case, then he would really understand a lot of things.

"Is Jiangdong a Wu state? Or is it an alliance between Wu and other countries?" Chen Xi looked at Zhou Yu and said seriously, while Liu Ye covered his forehead. He had only one feeling about this possibility: crazy! Are Sun Ce and Zhou Yu crazy?

"One Wu Kingdom, and an alliance with other countries." Zhou Yu said slowly.

"After defeating Celian, Bofu said that rewards should be given according to merit. No one's merit should be coveted. Even the merit of the deceased must not be withheld. Those with descendants will be given to their descendants, those without descendants will be given to their parents, and those without parents will be given to their clans, and the clans will hold sacrifices in four seasons." Zhou Yu spoke slowly, and Mi Zhu and Liu Yan gasped when they heard this way of playing for the first time.

They knew very well how much the war losses of Jiangdong and Celian were. If they rewarded them in this way, the Wu Kingdom would probably get all the rewards.

It is just like the discussion about why Qin Shihuang did not reward his soldiers after he conquered the world. If the millions of Qin soldiers who destroyed the country were to be rewarded, they would need hundreds of millions of acres of fertile land. And after these hundreds of millions of acres were distributed, would the world still belong to the Qin emperor?

Even taking into account the merits of the generals and officers, it should be no problem for Wang Jian to be granted the State of Qi for his merits. Wang Ben's merits were smaller, so being granted the State of Yan would be enough. So, after all the calculations are made, what will be left after all the rewards are given?
However, Sun Ce really fulfilled his promise. He sealed off all the islands in Southeast Asia, with a total territory of more than three million. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu took less than 700,000. This is why, in recent years, the news has been that Sun Ce and Zhou Yu are building Sumatra Island and the like, because their core area is this place!
"No wonder you have been building Sumatra since the sixth year of Yuanfeng, and haven't built anything else. It turns out that other places are not yours!" Chen Xi took a breath of cold air. Sun Ce actually dared to divide his people in this way.

"I actually don't agree, but Bofu said that everyone is fighting for life and death, and he has to be worthy of the hundreds of thousands of brothers who died in the battle, so he divided nearly two million square kilometers to all the noble families and individuals who followed him." Zhou Yu said calmly. He couldn't accept it at first, but now he has completely accepted this fact.

Although most of the fiefdoms of more than two million square kilometers are places that need to be transformed, just like when Liu Bei divided the fiefdoms among his veteran soldiers, if you can't find a good place in such a large area, then it must be your problem!
Therefore, after Sun Ce was enfeoffed, his popularity soared immediately. No matter how shameless the Jiangdong families who received this benefit were, at least in this generation they would be determined to follow Sun Ce.

Well, at least that’s what those people thought at that time - even if they had to die for the Marquis of Wu, the death of a generation would be acceptable. But if they were not allowed to die for such a huge benefit, I’m worried that my descendants would not feel at ease!
That's roughly the idea, but the problem lies behind it - you can take away my life, but you can't take away the benefits. Damn, even though you have given me such great benefits, you continue to exploit me!

"Sun Bofu is truly a man of heaven." Chen Xi admired him immensely. If he could do such a thing, then what else could he say? No wonder Sun Bofu dared to rush back alone when Zhou Yu was in trouble. Is there really anyone in Jiangdong who dares to kill Sun Ce now?
Zhou Yu was dead, and if Sun Ce was killed, the Jiangdong noble families would have to investigate every ant one by one and come up with a clear and unambiguous result just for the sake of their own legal lineage.

"Sure enough, the reason for changing rice crops to trees lies with you, Gongjin." Chen Xi looked at Zhou Yu and sighed, while Zhou Yu looked calm when he heard that.

Chen Xi turned to look at Zhuge Jin. After all, Zhang Zhao and Zhou Yu were obviously in the bureau now. Chen Xi could only find a neutral candidate. "Zi Yu, what is the approximate market price for the money that Zhongyuan returns to you from purchasing rice to purchase a full set of white sugar production technology and processing equipment?"

"Between 75% and 80%." Zhuge Jin recalled and gave the answer. Cai Mao, who already knew the answer in advance, had a bitter face. The reason why this matter came to Chen Xi and even to the point where the Jiangdong nobles represented by Zhang Zhao voted with their feet and prepared to change rice planting to trees was because Cai Mao offered 60% of the price when he was defrauded by Zhang Zhao!

Chen Xi glanced at Zhou Yu when he heard this, but Zhou Yu's expression did not change at all.

"You guys go out for a while. Governor Zhou and I need to have a good talk." Chen Xi let out a sigh. He felt that if this matter happened to him, he would have to come to Chang'an to complain even if he knew about it.

"Lord Chen, how much subsidy did you give?" Before Gu Yong stood up and prepared to go out to wait, he suddenly stopped and asked Chen Xi.

"It's okay. It's not your fault." Chen Xi waved his hands at Gu Yong and admitted that he did give a huge subsidy, but he didn't dare to say how much.

As Zhuge Liang, who was the last to leave, closed the door of the conference room and unfolded the secret seal technique, Chen Xi slapped the table and said, "Zhou Gongjin, are you crazy? Damn, how dare you give the Jiangdong family 75% to 80% of the price?"

Although the rice in Jiangdong was turned into feed grain with a fixed price of 38 wen, Chen Xi gave subsidies in other aspects. These 38 wen were put on account. When all commodity categories were opened, these 38 wen were equivalent to 100 wen of market price when purchasing all local materials.

In other words, from the standpoint of barter, Jiangdong did not suffer any loss. It was a win-win situation. After all, Chen Xi did not like his people to shed blood and tears. This account was more for ensuring the food security of the local area rather than for exploiting the vassal states.

In addition, Jiangdong is now in Southeast Asia. If we follow this logic to farm and produce food, not only will we not lose money, but we will also be very profitable. Therefore, Chen Xi has been working according to the indicators. He would give a target to Zhou Yu and then wait for Jiangdong to transport it over next year.

After all, according to this process, the Han Dynasty obtained a large amount of feed to feed more cattle and sheep, Jiangdong obtained technical support and purchased a large amount of supplies, and also boosted the Han Dynasty's industry and developed the vassal state. The whole process was perfect and all the benefits were profitable.

As a result, Zhuge Jin told Chen Xi today that the price of materials purchased by Jiangdong is actually 75% to 80% of the market price. Damn, where is the compensation I gave you?

"Why not?" Zhou Yu said calmly.

"The food was prepared by Jiangdong as a whole. Of course, the money must be given to every member who prepared the food." Chen Xi said to Zhou Yu with a dark face.

Chen Xi could understand that the person who held the internal price list would take a cut when reselling the goods, after all, they were all human beings. But what Chen Xi could not understand was what Zhou Yu was thinking, why he would directly double the price!
"Zichuan, you misunderstood a little. I use 40% of the price to buy all the things needed in the closed country." Zhou Yu said calmly.

"So you directly assigned the Jiangdong noble families who followed you to the foreign territory. What is this..." Chen Xi said, and then fell silent. Then he looked at Zhou Yu in amazement. How can you play like this!

Thirty-eight coins on account are equal to one hundred coins. If Zhou Yu purchased at 40% of the price, then even if Liu Ye went to check the accounts, he would have to say that Zhou Yu was honest.

There is no way, this is really clean, after all, it also involves the part of non-commodity cost price, 2% is really not high, even if it is a charity donation organization, the operation of the Red Cross will exceed this level, so Zhou Yu said that he would use % of the price to purchase in the country, then Zhou Yu might even lose money to operate it.

The problem is that Zhou Yu only used this price for the vassal states, but Jiangdong was not really a vassal state, it was Wu plus a group of other vassal states. So should this price be used to cut the price to an incredibly low level for the so-called other vassal states? Of course not.

"Fuck!" Chen Xi didn't know where to start cursing.

"They chose to be enfeoffed outside, so they are no longer members of the Wu Kingdom, but members of their own kingdom." Zhou Yu said calmly, "Even if it is Chen Zichuan, it is the same if he is sold to a member who is not native to the Han Dynasty."

"I didn't double it." Chen Xi said seriously.

"The coconut processing plant has definitely doubled its size!" Zhou Yu slammed the table and roared at Chen Xi.

"That's because you took the person away!" Chen Xi also roared.

"That's still doubled!" Zhou Yu had no intention of giving in.

"Shit!" Chen Xi was powerless to complain, and then he began to do mental calculations in his head. Due to the dual-track pricing system in some industries, how much did he add when he shipped the goods? 200%? Shit!

"Your price is too high!" Chen Xi said to Zhou Yu with a sullen face, "You should cut the price in half for Jiangdong, to 50% of the market price. How can you do this?"

"They founded a country, they founded a country, understand? Bofu really calculated everyone's merits one by one, and then granted them a territory of more than two million square kilometers. This means that from the perspective of a fiefdom, they have no right to talk to me about favors." Zhou Yu knocked on the table and growled. This is just a very simple and crude struggle for interests. Concession? Concession of shit!
"They have other options. Cai Degui also has an internal price list, although it is only for sago. But they have changed rice into trees!" Chen Xi quickly warned Zhou Yu, saying that this is not the way to play. I, Chen Zichuan, can play it because there is only one of me. If you, Zhou Yu, play it this way, people have already voted with their feet and elected Cai Mao!

"It will take at least ten years." Zhou Yu said calmly.

"Fuck!" Chen Xi has realized what Zhou Yu meant. If Wu relies on the Jiangdong family for ten years, taking into account the previous five years, the various resources invested will be enough to build up the fiefdom. By then, if that group of people are gone, then there will be no more. Anyway, Sumatra has been built and Wu can afford it.

"You are really planning for the long term!" Chen Xi said with a dark face.

"It's the same to me. If you hadn't doubled it for me, I wouldn't have realized it was possible." Zhou Yu said indifferently. Besides, if I were to kick Cai Mao, then I would kick Cai Mao. Do you think I had anticipated this result before I did it?

"Go, go, go!" Chen Xi looked at Zhou Yu speechlessly. The internal price list could not be given to the Jiangdong aristocratic families. Even Cai Mao got it by chance. But even so, there was a certain gap between Cai Mao's price list and Zhou Yu's.

On the one hand, there are differences in the overall categories of supplies. Zhou Yu's are theoretically completely complete. Of course, Zhou Yu just laughed at this statement, but it is written so on the price list. When the time comes, as long as he sees something he doesn't have, he can use it to fight Chen Xi, just like today.

On the other hand, there is a difference in price. The price list in Cai Mao's hand is slightly more expensive than Zhou Yu's, but even so, it is still much cheaper than what the Jiangdong aristocratic families got. Of course, what the Jiangdong aristocratic families got is also 20% cheaper than the market price. Although the market price does exist, most people cannot even pass the purchasing threshold.

To make a rough analogy, after Chen Xi opened the special purchasing channel, Zhou Yu's 38 coins that entered the channel were equal to Cai Mao's 42 coins, which was equal to the Jiangdong family's 75 to 80 coins, and equal to 100 coins on the market.

The reason why the Jiangdong families found it boring in the past was that they had sold so much rice to get this price, but Chen Xi kept buying, so they felt there was no need to offend Chen Xi. But who let Zhang Zhao cheat 60% of the price from Cai Mao?

If you don't know some things, you can just get by, but if you know them, you must give a result, after all, it's on the scale, but this is purely a matter of stance

(End of this chapter)