Lu Bu: My wife comes from two thousand years later

This year's insect plague did not have a very direct impact on Jizhou. Except for Wei County, Zhao State, Qinghe County and the southern part of Julu County near Hanoi, where crops were almost completely destroyed by insects, other counties still had some harvest before the insects arrived.

However, because Guanzhong and Yanzhou were severely affected areas, the soaring grain prices in other places also indirectly affected the grain prices in Jizhou. In addition, Jizhou has planted more hemp in the past two years, and grain production has decreased. Although the grain price has not risen to 500,000 coins per dou like in Guanzhong, grain is still more expensive than gold.

"I originally thought there would be starving people everywhere, but now it seems the people are still able to barely survive. This means we can save a lot of food."

Zhang Liao led his troops out of Taihang from Jingxing and saw that the fields along the way were barren due to insect plagues, but he did not see any groups of refugees.

"Madam is really smart!"

Han Hao said with admiration, "I heard from Third Young Master Wang that when the drought in Guanzhong first started in May, his wife asked him to urge the merchants who had signed contracts to prepare for delivery. The merchants then urged the people to harvest as soon as possible. By then, the first crop of ramie was ready to be harvested, and it was also the lean season, so every family was living in poverty, and the people were eager for the goods to be delivered quickly."

"People traded hemp for grain from merchants, but soon after they did, insects arrived and grain prices began to rise exponentially. Hemp farmers had saved some grain before the disaster, but the merchants lost all the hemp, which prevented a major famine."

"Madam, you are indeed very foresighted!" Zhang Liao nodded and asked, "Will the merchants raise the price of hemp? Will the Third Young Master lose money?"

Han Hao smiled and said, "Don't worry about that. Not only will he not lose money, he'll actually make a killing."

"how do I say this?"

Han Hao said, "The only thing expensive right now is grain. And because Jizhou has been growing a lot of ramie these past two years, ramie is no longer valuable, not even money. Although the Third Young Master originally set a price for his hemp, the price of grain, which he used as a benchmark, has increased a hundredfold, allowing him to buy this hemp at a lower price. After the insect plague is over, he can spin this cheap hemp into cloth and make a fortune. No matter how you look at it, the only ones who'll suffer the most from this business are the merchants in Jizhou."

Han Hao sighed, "Madam, with just a textile factory, you can easily become one of the richest people in the world. You have also brought a lot of income to the people of Bingzhou and the government treasury."

Zhang Liao had witnessed A-Mo's ability to make money years ago. Back then, she was just a little girl, but she was already making a fortune digging coal, making paper, and printing. It wasn't surprising that she was now bankrupting a number of Jizhou merchants. He asked, "Will this destroy a lot of Jizhou merchants?"

Han Hao estimated, "I've seen the Third Young Master's pile of contracts. Probably about 30% to 40%! But they're mainly small and medium-sized businesses. The wealthy and powerful merchants have deep pockets and won't collapse so easily. Madam's instructions this time are to drain as much of their wealth as possible. The Third Young Master also has a bunch of contract agreements. If Jizhou wasn't under the lord's rule, these people might have banded together to break the contracts. Now, of course, they'll just blow up as many as they can!"

Han Hao said, glancing at the map in his hand. "This place isn't far from Yuanshi. We'll arrive this afternoon. Let's capture Yuanshi first and store this grain there. When you take Weijun, there will likely be many disaster victims who will need relief. I can leave my Black Mountain troops to defend Yuanshi, while you, General, will lead your troops to pacify the other counties in Changshan."

Zhang Liao smiled and said, "Changshan State now only has a few county soldiers left. With my Bingzhou army coming, who would dare resist? I estimate that without the use of force, they will all surrender to Bingzhou within a month. From now on, it will be the Yuansi and the scholars' job to re-incorporate the county soldiers, take counts of the population and land, and other miscellaneous tasks. I'll rely entirely on you."

"As long as the local officials are willing to cooperate, it won't be difficult to do this. We are short of officials in Bingzhou. Madam said that those who know the current situation should retain their original positions, so there is no need to worry about lack of work."

"The other positions can be retained, but the commander of Changshan State must be replaced. Yuan Si has made great contributions to the Black Mountain Army over the years, both in terms of farming and training troops. He will definitely be promoted this time."

Han Hao smiled and said, "Promotion is secondary. Since I came to Bingzhou, my lord and mistress have never treated me unfairly. As long as I can do this for them, I will be satisfied."

"I should really be grateful to Wang Gongjie. If he hadn't abandoned me, I wouldn't have had the chance to follow my lord to Bingzhou. My lord is a man of great talent and strategy, and my wife is resourceful and decisive, and even better at governing the people's livelihood. Now that the Han Dynasty has fallen, I dare to say that in the future, the entire world will belong to Bingzhou, and my lord will be the next founding emperor after the Qin Emperor, Gaozu, and Guangwu."

"Of course not!" Zhang Liao beamed with pride. "My lord is the reincarnation of the star Wu Qu, the chosen one of heaven. Years ago, the gods chose my lord, endowed him with divine power, and sent such an intelligent wife to help him. In the future, the world will surely be ruled by the surname Lu."

"Yes!" Han Hao sighed. "The Han Emperor's unexpected death outside Huayin City clearly showed that the Han Dynasty was doomed."

After the two men praised Zhang Mo and Lu Bu, they chatted all the way and unknowingly arrived at the outside of Yuanshi City. They saw that the gate of Yuanshi County was wide open, and a group of officials of all ranks were standing neatly on the avenue outside the city gate. There were also about two thousand county soldiers lined up on both sides. Perhaps to avoid misunderstanding, these soldiers were not wearing swords, guns or armor.

Looking at the battle before him, Zhang Liao smiled and said, "It seems that the Prime Minister of Zhao is a wise man. I don't need to run around everywhere anymore. Changshan State has been taken. This battle was really easy!"

"Your humble servant, Prime Minister Zhao Cong of Changshan State pays tribute to General Zhang!"

Seeing Zhang Liao's troops coming, the two thousand stone official with a green ribbon and silver seal hurried forward and bowed to Zhang Liao, a county commander who was more powerful than him. The officials behind Zhao Cong also followed suit and saluted.

Zhang Liao was slightly surprised, but soon realized that the person being saluted wasn't him, but the Governor of Bing Province, whom he represented. He dismounted and raised his hand to support him. "Prime Minister Zhao, there's no need for such formalities! Your sincerity is accepted by me on behalf of my lord!"

Zhao Cong straightened up, smiling flatteringly, "I've long heard of General Lu's deeds. All of Changshan has been eagerly awaiting your rule. Today, my wish has finally come true, and my anxious heart is finally at peace."

After Zhao Cong finished flattering Lü Bu, he went on to flatter Zhang Liao and the Bingzhou army. However, he looked at Zhang Liao and the troops behind him with admiration in his eyes. "I've heard that the general is a young talent and that the Bingzhou army is mighty and powerful. Seeing him today, I'm sure the reputation is well-deserved. Look at this army's appearance and formation. They are far superior to my group of county soldiers."

Seeing Zhao Cong's fat, white face smiling like Maitreya Buddha, Zhang Liao couldn't help but twitch his mouth. This guy is definitely a veteran in the officialdom. I wonder if he says one thing in public and another behind people's backs.

Zhao Cong bowed and made way to the side of the road. "We've already prepared accommodations for the general and his soldiers in the city. You've been exhausted from the journey. Please follow me into the city and rest!"