My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 546 Killing someone with a borrowed knife

"General, my Lin family also has grain, and we are willing to transfer it at the fair price."

Lin Guang spoke very politely and respectfully, saying, "I only hope that I can exchange it for the contents of the box."

For Lin Guang, if possible, he would naturally prefer to exchange for frost sugar and snow salt first.

Frosting sugar is undoubtedly a delicious and miraculous medicine for everyone in this era, and snow salt is naturally much tastier than bitter brine salt.

These two items are hard currency, have a long shelf life, and are things that people can't live without, so naturally the more the better.

"Hahaha……"

Lu Xun burst into laughter, shaking his head as he laughed: "Lin Jun, do you still remember what you asked earlier?"

Lin Guang was somewhat surprised, not understanding what Lu Xun was laughing at, and was still a little stunned after hearing Lu Xun's question.

After a moment, Lin Guang honestly shook his head: "I don't know."

Lu Xun replied, "Previously, Lin Jun asked me what wealth and honor were. Now I can answer you."

Before Lin Guang could ask any more questions, Lu Xun continued, "As long as the Lin family is willing, my lord can bring out all of the following for long-term trade: sugar, salt, sesame oil, paper, ironware, silk and satin, pearls and agates, ivory and rhinoceros horn, spices and silk."

"Is this true!?"

Lin Guang was overjoyed and couldn't help but jump up.

Lu Xun, however, smiled broadly, not minding the other party's rudeness at all, and nodded seriously: "Of course it is true."

Before Lin Guang could speak, Xi Ming, who was standing to the side, couldn't wait to shout, "May I ask how much stock the general has? My Xi family will take it all."

When Xi Ming said this, Lin Guang and the other chieftains were shocked. The Xi family is not the only dominant family, so how dare you say such a thing?
Even Lu Xun was astonished by Xi Ming's greed; he truly hadn't expected Xi Ming to be so blinded by greed.

But then he thought about it again and realized that this was exactly what he wanted. So Lu Xun went along with it and said, "Every quarter, a batch of supplies will be delivered here. Among them are five shi of sugar, twenty shi of sesame oil, one hundred and fifty shi of snow salt, and some other supplies. I wonder if your family can handle it? I only need the grain."

In the mountains of Southwest China, grain prices were far higher than in the Central Plains. A shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain could cost one or two thousand coins. When Liu Bei entered Shu, the region was plagued by war and famine, and grain prices skyrocketed to ten thousand coins per hu (a small stone, three hu being roughly equal to two shi).

The current situation is alright. The political situation in the southwest is relatively stable, and there has been no major disaster. At present, the price of grain is 1,000 coins per shi of rice, 800 coins per shi of wheat, and 700 coins per shi of millet.

Although it's several times more expensive than what Liu Feng had, considering the inconvenient transportation and huge shipping costs in the mountains, if Lu Xun could purchase it at this price, it would undoubtedly be a great deal.

The supply figure given by Lu Xun was not just something he made up. He measured it based on the Long family's output and the amount of surplus grain, deliberately giving an upper limit that the Xi family could monopolize.

Sure enough, Xi Ming did some mental calculations first, and then his eyes lit up: "Yes, our Xi family can handle it all!"

Xi Ming was excited, but he didn't notice that Lin Guang and the others around him were looking at him strangely.

Lin Guang patiently persuaded him, "Brother Xi, General Lu invited us all here, which shows that this wealth is meant to be shared equally among us. I know that your Xi family is wealthy, but that is not a reason for you to try to enjoy it all by yourself."

Lin Guang's well-intentioned advice was perceived by Xi Ming as covetousness and provocation.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Lin, but General Lu previously stated that the cooperation would naturally be on a first-come, first-served basis."

Xi Ming said smugly, "Since my family agreed first, we should naturally have to come first. If my family can't finish eating, Brother Lin can certainly continue the meal."

Upon hearing this, Lin Guang immediately flew into a rage, his face darkening as he said, "Brother Xi, don't be too confident. You'd better watch out for a snake trying to swallow an elephant and end up choking yourself."

Xi Ming secretly mocked the other party for resorting to threats, so he also put on a cold face and said, "There's no need for Brother Lin to trouble himself with that."

Seeing that the time was right, Lu Xun immediately made the decision: "Since everyone has no objections, then this matter is settled."

Xi Ming was overjoyed, but Lin Guang and the others tried to dissuade him, but Lu Xun seemed determined.

Xi Ming seized the opportunity, made an agreement with Lu Xun, and then left overnight, wanting to rush back to report to his elder brother in the clan so that he could take all the goods this time.

Before leaving, Lu Xun kept his word and presented him with a generous gift.

Not only did Xi Ming get a share, but Lin Guang and all the other minor chieftains also received one.

In an instant, the tense atmosphere that had just been tense softened considerably.

Xi Ming left Longxiakou Village with a big smile on his face, feeling smug. The others, filled with resentment towards Xi Ming and the Xi family, gradually dispersed.

With the Long family around, the Xi family wasn't the strongest force in the area, but they were still second, surpassing the Lin family. Now that the Long family is gone, the Xi family is naturally the strongest. Coupled with their greed, it's not hard to understand what Xi Ming did.

Xi Ming rushed back overnight, but Lin Guang quietly returned.

Lu Xun, who was in the hall, received news that Lin Guang was requesting an audience, and a smug look appeared on his lips.

Xi Ming's arrogance was also due to Lu Xun's indulgence and pandering.

As for his intentions, it was naturally because Lu Xun had his eye on the strategic location of Xicheng Mountain.

Lu Xun did not receive Lin Guang immediately, but waited for a full incense stick's time before saying, "Please let him in."

Xu Ping responded and personally went out to bring Lin Guang in.

When Lin Guang entered, he immediately bowed deeply to Lu Xun.

"Chief Lin, have you left something behind?"

Lin Guang prostrated himself on the ground, his hands clasped inward, his forehead touching the ground, using the highest level of respect.

"General, the Xi family cannot be trusted!"

Lin Guang was clearly prepared, and as soon as Lu Xun asked, he couldn't wait to speak.

"The Xi family are opportunists, and they also have connections with the Zhu family."

The Zhu family that Lin Guang mentioned was the powerful local family of Zhu Bao in Zangke County.

Zhu Bao's family was not the most prominent family in Zangke County, nor was it a first-class aristocratic family or the strongest powerful clan.

Their family's strength is probably at the lower end of the first-class level and the peak of the second-class level.

This explains why Li Yan easily quelled Zhu Bao's rebellion with only 5,000 elite troops. The root cause was that while Zhu Bao's rebellion appeared powerful, its actual scale was not large. Zhu Bao was nominally the self-appointed governor of Zangke Commandery, but in reality, Zhu Bao and the Zhu family's main power was concentrated around Qielan County, the seat of Zangke Commandery.

Compared to the territory of Zangke Commandery, Zhu Bao's sphere of influence was actually quite small.

The entire Zangke Commandery was extremely vast, roughly the same size as Kuaiji Commandery, and about one-third larger than Xuzhou.

However, the population figures were vastly different. Let alone Xuzhou, the total population of Zangke Commandery was only a few hundred thousand, and the majority of them were Baiyue people. Only about 70,000 to 80,000 were officially registered as commoners, and most of them were concentrated near the commandery seat, Qielan County. Moreover, Qielan County was located in the northeast of Zangke Commandery, while Wenshui was located in the central-southern to southwestern part, nearly a thousand miles apart, and further separated by numerous mountains.

This explains why the Han army was able to advance rapidly south of Zangke Commandery, while Zhu Bao in the north received no news whatsoever.

Upon hearing this, Lu Xun's brow twitched slightly; this was indeed unexpected news.

"The Qielanzhu family?"

Lin Guang nodded heavily: "That's right. I heard that someone from the main branch of the Long family is serving under Prefect Zhu, and the Long family and the main branch have a good relationship and often interact."

Lu Xun glanced at Lin Guang and said with a half-smile, "I didn't realize Chief Lin knew so much."

Upon hearing this, Lin Guang felt a chill run down his spine, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

"General, you are wise. Guang's information also came from Qielan. Guang's master's family is the Lin family of Qielan."

Lin Guang finally understood that although General Lu kept talking about the imperial court and the emperor, his true loyalty was actually to General Zuo, who was ranked last in the list.

Lin Guang had never intended to use someone else to do his dirty work, but he never expected that General Lu would suspect his background. He had no choice but to bring up his backing, the Lin family.

Moreover, the Lanlin family is no small family; in terms of strength, they are even stronger than the Zhu family.

On the surface, Zhu Bao was in power in Zangke County, dominating the region. However, in reality, Zhu Bao was merely a shield pushed out by the powerful clans in Zangke County.

Zhu Bao was coerced into independence by the powerful families of Zangke County. The benefits were shared among everyone, but if things went wrong, Zhu Bao and his family would be the scapegoats.

Lin Guang gritted his teeth and shouted, "General, I am willing to serve under General Zuo and be loyal to him."

Lu Xun laughed, clearly a happy laugh, but to Lin Guang, it brought him an indescribable pressure.

With a smile on his face, Lu Xun slowly asked, "Do you know who the Left General is?"

"I don't know."

Lin Guang shook his head honestly, but then continued, "I only know that the general is divine and brave, and his soldiers are elite and courageous. They are the most valiant and skilled soldiers I have ever seen. The Left General, who can make the general submit to him and regard him as a god, must be an outstanding person of his generation. If I can serve the Left General, it would be the greatest fortune of my life."

"Hahahaha!"

Lu Xun laughed loudly. He really hadn't expected that such a shrewd person as Lin Guang would emerge from this remote mountain village. More importantly, Lin Guang was so honest in front of him, speaking the truth from the bottom of his heart. This attitude alone was enough to earn him an opportunity.

"good."

Lu Xun nodded slowly: "My lord likes loyal and honest people the most. I don't know if Chief Lin is loyal, but his current frankness is pleasing to my lord."

"Thank you, General! Thank you, General!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Guang knew that Lu Xun had accepted him, and he was overjoyed. He kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "I am willing to serve General Zuo and General Lu Xun with my life and never give up my duty."

"it is good!"

Lu Xun praised him loudly, then personally stood up, went down from the hall, helped Lin Guang up, and escorted him to his seat.

Lin Guang felt a little uneasy. He hadn't expected that General Lu, who seemed so kind, would be so imposing.

Next, Lin Guang exposed the Xi family's younger brother in detail, and finally said, "General, we are just ignorant country folk with limited knowledge, but we know where the greater good lies. The Xi family colludes with the Zhu family to wreak havoc on the local area. It's a small matter that they oppress their neighbors, but their support for Zhu Bao, that scoundrel, to establish a separatist regime and oppose the imperial court. If such disloyal and unfilial scoundrels are not eliminated as soon as possible, they will surely cause future troubles. We are willing to do everything in our power to help you, General, and we earnestly request that you rid us of this scourge!"

Seeing that Lin Guang had gone this far and explicitly stated his willingness to provide money and supplies, Lu Xun finally showed a satisfied expression.

He's been planning this for so long, isn't it all for the sake of cleaning up his house?

The Lin family wanted to use someone else to do their dirty work, and wasn't Lu Xun doing the same thing?
In fact, even if Xi Ming hadn't been so greedy, the Xi family's fate wouldn't have changed. Lu Xun would have used other means to instigate the Lin family to take action against the Xi family.

The reason for choosing the Lin family is that the Lin family is the third strongest in the surrounding area of ​​a hundred miles, after the Long family and the Xi family, and its strength is much weaker than that of the Xi family.

This is also the main reason why Ximing dared to snatch food from the tiger's mouth.

The saying goes, "Possessing a treasure is a crime." The fact that the Xi family possessed the He Shi Bi jade from Xicheng Mountain destined them for ruin.

“The Xi family has dared to defy the court so blatantly. General Zuo hates such treacherous officials the most. I will definitely stand up for you in this matter.”

Lu Xun finally relented and gave Lin Guang the promise he had been longing for.

Lin Guang was quite sensible and did not get cocky because Lu Xun had agreed. On the contrary, he respectfully promised to provide money and food.

Lin Guang and the other local chieftains were furious with the Xi family and actually promised to donate 10,000 shi of grain for military use, which was enough for Lu Xun's 2,000-strong army for more than two months.

In addition, Lin Guang and other chieftains of all ranks also contributed 300 sheep, 200 pigs, 100 jars of wine, 500 chickens, ducks and geese, 200 pieces of dried cured meat, and 10 cartloads of fruits and vegetables.

It must be said that this was already an extremely generous gift. Although it did not empty the coffers of Lin Guang and other chieftains, it was still a significant financial drain.

The main stronghold of the Long family, which had just been destroyed, had only two hundred sheep, one hundred and twenty pigs, and several hundred chickens, ducks, and geese.

Aside from the oxen they were reluctant to give up, Lin Guang and the local chieftains truly did everything in their power to support Lu Xun and the Han army.

In addition to offering sacrifices, Lin Guang also volunteered to send 600 soldiers to obey the command of the Han army and Lu Xun.

Of these 600 men, half were clan soldiers of the Lin family, while the remaining 400 were cobbled together by other minor chieftains, some contributing 30, some 50, making their fighting strength rather pathetic. However, they were still adequate as cannon fodder and supply troops, especially since these Baiyue soldiers were familiar with the geography and proficient in mountain warfare; the elite among them could even serve as scouts.

Lu Xun was naturally very satisfied with this and immediately recognized Lin Guang and the other minor chieftains' willingness to serve.

At the same time, Lu Xun also promised that once the Xi family was taken over, the subsequent trade would be handed over to the Lin family and a group of minor chieftains, and Lu Xun would personally allocate the specific shares at that time.

That evening, Lu Xun invited Lin Guang to stay for dinner and overnight, and only let him leave after dawn.

(End of this chapter)