Xie Ming

Chapter 720 Determining the Procurement of Grain

After the performance, they forcibly recruited Lao Ma into the group.

While waiting for the man to make his grand pronouncements, Xiao Lang seized the opportunity to quickly reveal the army's food shortage.

He made his demands without hesitation, wanting to collect 200,000 shi (a unit of dry measure).

Faced with such a large sum of money, Ma Weimin was also quite perplexed.

After all, the required quantity is enormous. Even though Old Ma has been involved in the grain transport business for many years and has some tricks up his sleeve, it is still quite difficult for him.

Left with no other choice, Xiao tried everything he could to finalize the deal, using both the most persuasive and the most obscure words.

Upon hearing this, Ma Weimin, who had just made the promise, patted his chest and made a grand vow.

Moreover, given his nature as a newcomer to the group, it would be truly inexcusable not to offer a pledge of allegiance. If he refused to accept orders, how could he possibly continue to serve under the Duke of Jingguo?

Having no other choice, Old Ma gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, took a deep breath, and finally decided to accept the invitation.

"Ugh!"

"Alright, enough with the nonsense. If your Duke says it's okay, then it's okay!"

"I, Old Ma, will take on this task of raising 200,000 shi of grain!" Ma Weimin said, taking on the responsibility.

Upon hearing this, Xiao's eyes lit up.

"Hahahaha"

"Good, good, good."

"Old Ma, I told you, you definitely had a way!" Xiao Yan said eagerly.

Looking at Xiao Jingchuan, Ma Weimin gave a bitter smile and then realized that it was crucial to quickly raise a few necessary conditions while Xiao Jingchuan was still excited.

"Eh, eh, eh"

"Wait, wait a minute."

"Brother, to be honest, this job is really difficult."

"However, since you've asked, then I, Old Ma, will go through fire and water, even risk my life, to make sure you don't mess things up, okay?! Hehe."

"However, the prefectures and counties are working non-stop to procure supplies. If we have to go back and ask you for instructions after the work is done, it will delay things."

"So, whatever you need to say, I, Ma Weimin, will tell you first," Old Ma said.

"Okay, okay, whatever you need, just let me know!" Xiao hurriedly agreed.

"Uh, okay, okay."

"Right now, I can only think of two."

"Firstly, this time we went to the local prefectures to collect grain, and there were many people, many things to do, and a lot of grain."

"No matter what it is, we can't neglect any of the following: fundraising, allocation, transportation, and inspection."

"Well, since such a large amount of money has been assigned, there has to be a beginning to get things done."

"In the military, that's called strict obedience to orders; you can't disobey orders privately, okay?!"

"So, the first condition is that I need the command and control of the logistics center."

“If I say east, you can’t go west; if I say catch a dog, you can’t catch a chicken.”

"Even if it's Minglu, there can't be any objection."

"Is this alright?!" Ma Weimin asked as his first request.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingchuan readily agreed after only a moment's thought.

"No problem, that's easy to do."

“Minglu is one of my own brothers. He knows what’s important and what’s not. I’ll give him special orders to act as your deputy. He’ll be at your beck and call for a short time,” Xiao Man readily agreed.

"Okay, there's one more thing."

“Brother, it’s not that I, Old Ma Qing, am going to make things difficult for you, it’s just that the amount of grain you need is too large.”

"With conventional methods, you shouldn't even think about procuring this much grain in a short period of time."

"Therefore, if you want me, Old Ma, to take action, I have to resort to some unorthodox methods."

"For this reason, arresting and killing people, you cannot stop me."

"If you insist on protecting your reputation and upholding morality and order, then, well, you should find someone else as soon as possible. I can't do this job."

"As the saying goes, 'Hurry up and do things quickly,' which means acting expediently in times of need."

"To achieve great things, one must make choices."

"We can't want to have it all, can we?"

"Extraordinary times and extraordinary matters require extraordinary measures."

"For these 200,000 shi of grain, I, Old Ma, have built up all the connections and reputation I've accumulated in the south over the years. This time, I'm going to throw it all away and go all out."

"Then you'll have to cover for me from behind."

"Don't turn on me later. My life or death is a minor matter; the real issue is procuring food supplies."

Ma Weimin's words were already quite euphemistic. What he was saying was nothing more than wanting people and power, and wanting to act recklessly.

To gather supplies, they were going all out and were prepared to target wealthy and powerful families.

Xiao Jingchuan had actually anticipated this.

Since he dared to appoint Ma Weimin to oversee the grain procurement at such a critical juncture, he must have been well aware of the consequences of delegating manpower.

Without further ado, Xiao Jingchuan replied decisively.

"understand!"

"Old Ma, just go for it with confidence."

As the saying goes, "If the skin is gone, where will the hair attach?"

"I knew there would be consequences if I dared to use you."

"Right now, the priority is to block and resist the enemy."

"The rest is a story for another time."

"Moreover, I, Xiao, trust those I employ and do not employ those I do not trust."

“Once you’re out, you, Ma Weimin, are me, Xiao Jingchuan.”

“You old bastard, you’ve really messed up the sky these past two months. Even if the sky falls, I, Xiao Jingchuan, will hold it up for you.”

Xiao Yan was certain, requiring no further explanation.

Upon hearing this, Ma Weimin was completely impressed and there was no need for further discussion.

"Row!"

"Alright, with you saying that, I, Old Ma, have nothing more to say."

"Let's see how things go!"

"Two hundred thousand shi of grain, for two months, I, Ma Weimin, guarantee it with my own life."

"If I'm short even a pound or an ounce of yours, then this head of mine is yours!"

Old Ma's appearance is that of a real man.

Seeing this, Xiao Jingchuan burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, good, good!"

"a man of his words."

"Come on, this is perfect. While the food is still on, let me celebrate your success in advance, Old Ma."

"Come on in, let's have a good drink together."

They were of great ambition and hit it off immediately.

Xiao Jingchuan opened his mouth wide and clapped his hands, wanting to invite Ma Weimin to come back into the hall for another drink.

But at this juncture, looking at Old Ma, he seemed to have instantly become a different person, straightening his posture and suddenly becoming serious.

"Oh, never mind." He raised his hand to stop them.

"We're brothers, we can play around and joke around as we please."

"Normally, I, Lao Ma, am a carefree person. In front of others, I like to joke around and act silly when I drink."

"But that was when I wasn't serious."

"Now that I've taken on such an important task, I must take it seriously."

“Two hundred thousand shi!” he exclaimed, letting out another long sigh.

"Now, look inside my eyeballs, there are only four words left."

"Every second counts!"

"Brother, that claiming credit is for two months from now."

“I, Ma Weimin, appreciate your kindness.”

"The task has already been assigned to me, Old Ma."

"Well, that's extremely urgent, so there's no time for idle chatter."