Zhou An smiled and said, "Sir, this piece of silk can be sold in Song, but the value will only increase ten times when transported out. Then it will be replaced with jewelry and spices, and the value will increase ten times. A hundred times profit. Besides, the Yangping Business Association is too strong, especially the production base connected to the Northwest Road, which has low prices and good quality. They are doing 70% of the transactions in Song Dynasty, so we have to make some money from the sea."

"Isn't this great? Everyone earns their own money and does not conflict with each other."

Zhou An said politely: "It's good to be coordinated by the lord. Otherwise, if you say this long voyage, the Yangping Business Association will definitely get a share of the pie. Then slowly enter the shipping industry. Our Southeast Businessmen can only go to drink the northwest wind." The Yangping Business Association has strong funds and has frequent contacts with important officials of the court. These are not comparable to those of the Southeast Business Association. Zhou An was very pleased with the self-discipline of the merchants of the Yangping Business Association. Of course, he also knew that most of the credit was done by the Ouyang Mediator.

Zhou An handed over a contract and said, "Sir, this is a little bit of the Southeast Business Association."

"A little bit of a meaning?" Ouyang took it over and saw that there were ten industries on this contract, including 10% of the shares of the shipping company. This is not a minor meaning. According to the profits last year, Ouyang had this contract and could pay a dividend of 700,000 yuan by the end of the year. Ouyang put the contract back to Zhou An and said, "Shopkeeper Zhou, I will not help the Southeast Business Association just because I have this contract, nor will I help the Yangping Business Association just because I have 10% of the shares in the Yangping Business Association. I have been worried too much."

Zhou An hurriedly said: "We have no such intention. If there were no adults' guidance, there would be adults' help to emerge. The Southeast Business Association would not have such a scale..."

"Shopkeeper Zhou" Ouyang said: "The Yangping Business Association was the first to invest money, because it was helpless. Because I knew that if I didn't invest, I would probably not be established. Besides, although I, Ouyang, can't compare to your wealth, it's still easier to make a move for a million yuan. Besides, Storekeeper Zhou made me make a fortune by making money. If I have to do such a thing, I'm afraid I won't be able to speak any more if there is any dispute between the north and the south in the future."

Seeing that Ouyang had made a decision, Zhou An had no choice but to accept the contract and said, "Sir, you can come to the Southeast Business Association if you have any needs in the future. If I want to frown, I will be useless."

"You are kind to the shopkeeper Zhou." Ouyang said after seeing the last ship disappear, "The people have left, and we should disperse."

A great scholar left a poem in Xiaoshan and carved it on a smooth stone wall at the pier, praising the mighty spirit of the king. Maybe they thought it was just a feat, but Ouyang knew that whether this voyage was successful or not, Liang Hongyu and Li Bao's name could no longer be buried in history.

...

Without regular meetings with Liang Hongyu, and with peace and prosperity in the world, Ouyang's leisure time has come again. But the plan will never keep up with the changes, and even the most detailed plan will be unexpected to prevent this.

The accident went out in the poor Xixia. The civil strife in Xixia was in chaos. The poorer and more chaotic, the more chaotic, the poorer and poorer. Since the eight tribes of the Dangxiang clan had been lobbyed by Xiao Yin to settle in the northwest military road of the Song Dynasty, there were only seven tribes left. These chiefs generally served as governors of various states and had a place. However, due to the shrinking territory, the conflicts between tribes and royal families became increasingly acute.

Contradictions are products of any era, and there are also contradictions in Song, especially after Ouyang provoked the Shang Dynasty. However, Song used foreign wars to resolve or delay domestic conflicts more easily. The people of Xixia also used this trick. When internal disunity is not united, they would gather invade Song's borders, which was a method they had been using for nearly a hundred years.

The Song Dynasty is no longer the same as before, especially the Northwest military forces, horses, generals, and commanders. After several years of training, it has become the most elite imperial guard in the Song Dynasty. But things happened.

The cause of the incident was caused by Fei Tingshi. Fei Tingshi was originally in the Song-occupied area. After moving north, it had never settled for support. In addition, Xixia was worried that the Northwest military road would invade the north and prepare for war and abandon production. Fei Tingshi's life was even more difficult. As a nomadic people, when life was difficult, the best solution was to plunder. The wealthy place around Xixia that was most likely to rob was the trading area of ​​the Hexi Corridor. There were two barracks stationed in this area, one belonged to Liangzhou of the Song Dynasty and the other belonged to Xixia. There were a hundred acres of trading land between the two.

Since there is no danger to defend here, neither side has set up defenses here. Song had only one ninth-rank military officer, Zhuangcheng Jielang, who maintained order, leading one hundred soldiers to station. The same is true for Xixia. Both sides believed that this place was flat and lacked any defensive value. At this time, the Feiting clan killed 5,000 people.

The deputy lieutenant of Xixia led his men to intercept him and was captured alive. The smoke from the Western Xia side had already risen, and Song side immediately sent troops. After knowing the situation, Zhuan Chengjielang led a hundred soldiers to protect the caravans to evacuate. However, he was caught up after walking less than ten miles. All the merchants and soldiers were killed, and the defenders of the Western Xia side were also silenced. Fei Tingshi was very satisfied with his previous free life and was about to leave with his belongings and the female family of the merchants.

If this kind of thing was born two hundred years ago, it would be very normal to disturb the border, and to find the Central Plains without rice or grain. Even a few years ago, the people of Xixia often did this. But it is very wrong to be born until now. The Xixia court is still in the dark. After receiving the report from the Northwest Road of the Song Dynasty, Xiliang sent reinforcements to see only a piece of corpse, and the general led the troops was furious. He immediately submitted a memorial to the comfort department. The first thing Han Shizhong did was to arrange troops and make an emergency recruitment of six generals, including Liu Qi, who were trained outside.

When the incident reached the court, the court also saw that it was a single incident. Based on the strategy of Liao, it was preparing to send people to negotiate with Xixia and hand over the culprit. However, the court did not expect that the people were in an uproar. First, officials from all over the country submitted a statement, saying that local merchants demanded that the Song Dynasty declare war on Xixia. Then the differences in the court increased, and civil officials suggested that the civil servants should raise troops to seek punishment, while the Privy Council supported Zhao Yu and asked Xixia to hand over the culprit. They understood that once the troops were used against Xixia, the strategy against Liao would definitely be postponed.

The Yangping Business Association has the most intense attitude. There are two heavyweights among the merchants killed this time, who are two promising sons and nephews from Yangping University who were sent to the trading area for internship. The Yangping Business Association expressed great dissatisfaction with the court's weak behavior, and also stated that if the court cannot protect the safety of Northwest Road merchants, the merchants will evacuate from Northwest Road.

What the merchant said was very reasonable. Without a safe business environment, they would not stay there. At the same time, Xixia received the letter of envoy, but he was reluctant to take action against the Chief Fei Ting family. It was not that he did not want to take action, but that three tribes who lost land all expressed their understanding of the Fei Ting family. Nearly two months later, when the folk voices subsided, Guazhou was attacked by the Yeli family of the Dangxiang clan.

But this time, Yeli was not so lucky. After the death, a general led his subordinates to train defense in the two states of Shagua. As soon as he received the alarm, he was about to send troops immediately. More than 13,000 people surrounded the three thousand Yeli people. After some of them were killed, the son of the chief of the Yeli family surrendered.

It seemed to be a peaceful end, but the fact is that the merchants began to evacuate on a large scale. All local employees were abandoned, and the business association made every effort to transport finished products such as food and leather. The economy suffered little damage, and the local society caused great chaos. The Northwest Military Road immediately carried out military control. Although Zhao Yu sent Ouyang to discuss with the Ministry of Revenue and the Business Association, the business association stated that in order to ensure the safety of the merchants, they would all be evacuated to the south of Rong County. Compared with their lives, Ouyang's face seemed not worthwhile.

At the end of November, the court and the merchants reached a preliminary agreement, and the Northwest Military Road strengthened the protection of merchants, and the merchants resumed production and hired local laborers. The winter of the year was particularly cold, especially in the northwest. As expected, there was another plunder incident in early December. Although the timely dispatch of troops did not cause a large number of casualties. However, the merchants' distrust of the court increased day by day. Even the local tribes reported their dissatisfaction with the court to the Fusing Department.

This matter is no longer a solution. The Northwest Military Road and the Xixia border are very long. The Hexi Corridor is bordered by Shagua Prefecture, and Lingyongle is also bordered by Lingyangle. If the court does not have effective measures, the already prosperous Silk Road will inevitably be depressed again due to bandits. Now, the court has finally begun to face this problem, otherwise it will be even more difficult to deal with after the beginning of spring. Therefore, the old holidays for the twenty days before the New Year Festival were cancelled.

...

Ouyang didn't care about these things, and even negotiated with the business association according to the court's requirements. He understood that the negotiations were fruitless. The northwest military route was too wide. To guard against Tubo, he had to hoard troops in Heihan and train. The source of troops was not large, let alone such a broad border. The court did not intend to trouble him anymore. At the end of the year, no one came except for the New Year rewards.

However, this matter is one of the two most popular topics in the Song Dynasty at present, so it is naturally to be discussed. Another hot topic is naturally the Fleet of Voyage. According to Temasek, the fleet has all left Temasek and its lineup is complete. It is expected to be held at sea or in India for the New Year.

Ou Ping was more confused: "Why are you talking about Xixia still not moving?"

"It's not that there is no movement. According to reliable information without any reports, the Xixia court is working hard to negotiate with tribes of all parties." Huilan said: "But there is no way. Although there are only seven tribes left now, the food feeding area is half. Plus, Xixia prepares for war last year and this year, the domestic production situation is very bad. Even Li Qianshun may not eat better than we are now. So Xixia has no extra things for these tribes."

Gan Xin said: "Opin, do it. Even if an emperor gave birth to four children, one became an emperor, do the other three want to be princes? With more people, there will naturally be fewer things. There are only a few states left in Xixia now? In addition, many people envy the lives of the Northwest Army Taoists, and they all escaped and the population withered. This winter came early and came ruthlessly. Those tribal chiefs took over the rich clothes and delicious food, and since they had no place to get food, they robbed them. It has always been their natural idea to raise soldiers through war."

Ouyang said: "The main reason is that the Western Xia court can no longer order these tribes. People have selfish intentions. Just like cats, since the owner does not give good food, then change the other one. The battle a few years ago really consumed the blood of the Western Xia people and forced them to put down their hoes and become robbers."

Wang Baofu asked: "Brother, why didn't the emperor send troops?"

"The emperor is thinking about something else." Ouyang smiled and said, "Don't get involved in so many children. Let's go out to play after eating. Come on, I'll give you a New Year's money first."

"Yi Guan? Brother is so stingy." Wang Baofu smiled and said, "Last year, I went out for a walk and actually collected more than 1,000 New Year's money."

"..." Ouyang black-faced asked, "Who gave it to me?"

Zhan Ming said while eating: "Sir, who doesn't know that Baofu is your own sister when you go out? Yangping is another place where merchants gather... Baofu, this year, I will take a boat to Baiyun District to play, and all the rich are there." The new county yamen is in charge of Gan Xin, and Ouyang still lives in the yamen in the old county town. But now it is not the county yamen, and all of them are Ouyang's private residences.

"Well, I'll go now." Wang Baofu threw away the dishes and chopsticks and ran away.

Gan Xin added: "It's not that the silver bill will not be collected."

Ouyang Khan: "You..."

The girl from the Su family smiled and said, "Don't worry, sir, Baofu is just a competition with the children. He is not going to hand it over to you when he turns around. Baofu is very obedient."

"Yeah" Ouyang nodded.

Continuing the chat, Ou Ping spoke first: "Young Master, I'm a little worried."

"What are you worried about?"

"Young master hasn't seen him. Now it's the merchants who are forcing the imperial court to change their plans to Liao and fight against Xixia." Ou Ping and Zhou Ping had been mixed for a while and said with great confidence: "The terrain on the north side of Xixia is complicated. Even if the soldiers on both sides of the Northwest Army Road and Yongxing Army Road will not be able to achieve much results in two years. So the Liao and Jin plan will take four years to four years? The emperor also knows that the emperor attaches great importance to the battle of Liao, and all parties are preparing and improving according to the plan. If this happens at this time, I am afraid that the emperor will be very dissatisfied with the merchants. 1"

Ouyang shook his head: "On the other hand, merchants have already had a lot to influence the decisions of the court. I understand the emperor, at least the current merchants still have more advantages than disadvantages. Even if they have to attack merchants in the future, they will have tactful means. I think the emperor has already understood that the Song Dynasty is now the fundamentals. If it is tied to the whole body, it should also know that the merchants are a double-sided blade. If it is handled well, it means that both sides win each other. The Song Dynasty is rich and strong, and there are more soldiers to raise, and the emperor will have more prestige. If it is not handled well, the Song Dynasty will be weak, the disputes and civil strife, and foreign invasions are possible. If it is said from the sea, unless the emperor issued a ban on sea orders, it would be possible for the Southeast Business Association to deal with the Southeast Business Association. For the Yangping Business Association, if the emperor wants to use troops against the Liao and Jin, he would not dare to offend them. If he does not use troops against the Western Xia and in the future, no merchant dares to follow up and appease the local area. The court will invest manpower and material resources in this area, and the local area is still unstable."

Zhan Ming asked: "My Lord means... the court has decided to use troops against the Western Xia?"

"If you don't use it, you will lose your trust in the people." Ouyang said: "The emperor is the emperor who is the martial arts master and trusts the emperor, and he must know how to make a decision."

"Oh... it's going to fight again." Gan Xin sighed and said, "I've been fighting almost every year. I'm really afraid that the emperor will be invincible."

"No," Huilan said: "The Royal Daily conducted an investigation this year. If Song implemented a policy of military militancy, it could wipe out the Western Xia, Liao, Jin, Tubo and Dali. Song Ke recruited eight million young and strong people, which was more than the total population of these countries. It could make weapons, iron, stone, etc., and the official warehouse could hoard tens of millions of people in April. If it was really military militancy, it would be terrifying. It is understood that the emperor should adopt the method of stabilizing the country and expanding the outside world. Even if he fought again, it would not hurt the vitality of the country. It might be more prosperous because of the war."

Ouyang Xiao said: "Gan Xin, have you seen that the two major business associations support the imperial court's use of troops to the outside world? Not only Liao and Xixia, but many court officials also submitted a statement to use troops to Tubo and Dali. They said that they could make the Song Dynasty have no worries. These people were venting their anger with the merchants. The more land they occupied, the more money the merchants would make. In fact, it was to occupy the market occupied by merchants from other countries."

Huilan nodded: "In this general direction, whether it is land or sea, the court and the merchants are the same. That is, use troops to the outside world. The more land the Song Dynasty occupied, the richer the merchants would be. The emperor had a thousand years of time, and the merchants had a full house of gold and silver. They all took their needs. So Ouping, it was very nonsense that you were worried about the merchants."

"It would be hard to say if there is no war." Ouyang sighed. Either the US would fight if it is fine. This war is really useful in easing domestic conflicts. However... the war will be over one day. Did it encourage Zhao Yu to learn from Genghis Khan and fight all the way west? Ouyang knew it was unrealistic. Zhao Yu was so talented and ambitious that he would be satisfied if he had done it. In any case, even if there are conflicts now, it is undeniable that the court and merchants are still in the honeymoon period. Unless there is no war, the two will have a relationship. In fact, Ouyang felt that fighting was also a honeymoon period for himself and Zhao Yu.

...

As Ouyang expected, after the beginning of spring, the court issued a letter to Xixia. In addition to demanding the handover of evil, it demanded that Xixia compensate the family of the dead merchants a million yuan. It also promised that this matter would not happen again in the future. Not to mention money, even Xixia could not pay. Feiting was a tribe second only to the Tuoba clan. The Xixia was defeated and had complained. They united the two tribes that lost their feeding grounds and asked Li Qianshun to return to the nomadic era. In their opinion, growing food was not as fast as robbing food.

In April, the Song Dynasty finally moved. Yongxing Army Road sent troops from Lingzhou to attack Hengshan and threatened Xingqing Prefecture. With firearm equipment, plus explosive packs that broke through the city and opened mountains, Hengshan no longer had natural dangers. Everything was in front of the firearms. Northwest Army Road sent troops from Xiliangzhou and Shazhou. Xiliangzhou echoed Yongxing Army Road, and Shazhou took the important military center of Xixia - Heishui Town.

Internal and external troubles are not counted. The people from the Shang Dynasty who joined the Western Xia surrendered to the Song Dynasty. After all, there were many merchants from Xixia who died before. Less than three days after the troops were sent, Fangdang clan passed through Xiao Yin’s wife’s tribe to lobby for the Li tribe, accepted the jurisdiction of the Song Dynasty, and sent two thousand young and strong men to cooperate with the Song army. There was no worst, only worse. The Liao people also wanted to share the pie. Xixia was surrounded by enemies for a time. Although relying on the Song army’s geographical advantage and unfamiliarity and the local conditions, they could still resist stubbornly. But even Li Qianshun knew that if this continued, Xixia would sooner or later be destroyed.
Chapter completed!