Chapter 805

"Not bad." He Lingchuan looked incredulous: "Can just that bit of road money offset 800,000 taels?"

He Chunhua gave a scoffing laugh: "It certainly can!"

"Since I recaptured Heishuicheng, the annual tax on the Red Cliff road has gradually increased, and by the time I left Qiansong County, that trade route could collect 150,000 taels of silver every year. After deducting various expenses, there is always a surplus of 40,000 to 50,000 taels," he was once the Qiansong County Governor, and he calculated this account more clearly than anyone else, "At that time, there was still the sandstorm season, and it couldn't be traded for at least 80 days a year; this winter the sandstorms disappeared, and the Panlong Desert began to grow grass. If the sandstorms don't come in the future, the money earned by this trade route will be even more!"

He Lingchuan was very surprised: "Eh, you mean the sandstorm season is gone?"

"Gone, even the three-corpse insects are gone. The current Panlong Desert is no different from an ordinary great desert."

He Lingchuan looked incredulous: "What is the reason?"

"Who knows?" He Chunhua gave a bitter smile, "I guarded Heishuicheng for many years, and I couldn't figure out the secret of the Panlong Desert."

"Several countries in the west are somewhat chaotic, leading to a sharp increase in passenger flow on the Red Cliff trade route since last year." Many foreign merchants do not necessarily enter Yuan to do business, but they will take the Red Cliff trade route and transfer here, "If the sandstorm season disappears from now on, the tax on the Red Cliff trade route will definitely be even more impressive. Don't forget, what is collected here is solid cash, unlike mines that still need to be dug, refined, and later transported and sold; it can be said that the cost is low and the money comes fast."

The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was right; the Red Cliff trade route was a veritable cash cow, a proper high-quality asset. What reason did Rongshan have not to want it?

"So lending this trade route to the Rongshan Sect for thirty or forty years, priced at 1.5 million to 2 million taels, is not a problem at all."

He Lingchuan stroked his chin: "Is the Monarch willing to take it as collateral?" Isn't what the Yuan Nation lacks most ready cash? "Actually, the tax silver handed over to the national treasury by the Red Cliff trade route every year is far less than what I said," He Chunhua gave a mysterious smile, "The Monarch is very likely to regard it as a chicken rib and is eager to take it out for exchange."

He Lingchuan gave a long "Oh," and understood.

There are really quite a few twists and turns in this, and this cheap father is not a good character either.

"I will also enter the palace later to participate in the discussion, so I will just remonstrate with the Monarch directly. In this way, the assessment of the Red Cliff trade route will be very simple. You sign the 3.7 million taels of military supplies first, and then I will lead the Rongshan people to the Red Cliff trade route for an on-site inspection," He Chunhua said sternly, "Expediency in urgent matters."

He Lingchuan thought for a while.

The Rongshan people are actually not afraid of the Yuan Nation defaulting or passing off inferior goods, after all, these 3.7 million taels of military supplies are just the first installment, and there are another 3 million waiting to be signed.

"That works too."

He Chunhua immediately let out a long breath and relaxed.

Even he did not realize that his eldest son's affirmation was actually so important.

He Lingchuan looked at him and laughed: "Why do I feel that Father has become very anxious?"

"I have to be anxious." He Chunhua had many emotions, "Sending troops or not sending troops, there are sufficient reasons. I am just swaying left and right among these reasons."

He Lingchuan felt, however, that He Chunhua had other reasons for changing his attitude and being anxious to send troops, and he had never brought them to the table.

"That is to say, first go south to quell the rebellion, and then go west to the Red Cliff road to assess the road tax?"

He Chunhua gave an "Um": "Basically that's it, what do you think?"

For such a major military and political matter, he asked his eldest son for his opinion for the first time, because He Lingchuan had to supervise the use and destination of the loan from beginning to end.

He Lingchuan laughed: "I think it works."

He Chunhua was about to stand up when he suddenly remembered something: "By the way, I will pass by County Magistrate Lake on my way south, do you have the crocodile demon's tears in your hand?"

This father's memory was truly good; He Lingchuan recalled for a few breaths before saying: "That's right."

At that time, he had helped the Crocodile God by the County Magistrate Lake, and entrusted his father to seek the position of Water Marsh for it, so the giant crocodile gave him a tear, promising that if he used it by the County Magistrate Lake, he could get its reward.

"Lend it to me." He Chunhua said sternly, "Its ability is just right for use in Longchuan!"

He Lingchuan did not hide it either, rummaged through his storage ring, found a small glass bottle, and threw it to He Chunhua: "Stay away from the water when summoning the giant crocodile, otherwise it won't see me and I don't know what it will do."

He Chunhua immediately got up to pay the bill and left in a hurry.

He Lingchuan walked slowly downstairs and rode the sheep home.

There were very few people on this road.

Mortgaging the Red Cliff trade route is a good way, and if He Chunhua makes this suggestion to the Yuan King, it is nine out of ten likely to pass.

The mirror was very surprised: "As you expected, he really wants to mortgage the Red Cliff trade route! You, how did you calculate it in advance?"

"You don't understand." He Lingchuan said leisurely, "This is called psychological suggestion."

He had to let He Chunhua take the initiative to propose mortgaging the Red Cliff trade route.

High-quality assets, stable income, clear accounts, and convenient for on-site inspection. Even if there were such good assets in the Yuan Nation, He Chunhua might not know them; after all, how long had he been a high official of the country?

But he had lived in Heishuicheng for more than twenty years and knew everything about the Red Cliff road by heart; the highest-quality asset he could think of in a short time was, of course, this trade route! Not to mention, strange news about the Panlong Desert had been sent to He Chunhua one after another recently, which would subconsciously deepen his impression of the Panlong Desert and the Red Cliff trade route.

In fact, the several requirements He Lingchuan put forward were tailor-made for the Red Cliff road. He knew no less about this trade route than He Chunhua.

But this proposal had to be thought of by He Chunhua himself as a "flash of inspiration," and He Chunhua had to be made to think that he had mastered the initiative.

For the plan he led, He Chunhua would only be proud and would not be on guard.

Only in this way would he and Nailuotian not be suspicious of He Lingchuan's behavior.

So far, every step of He Chunhua's reaction had stepped on He Lingchuan's expectations.

The first step of the plan, completed.

"It seems that the progress of the loan and the schedule for going south will be greatly advanced." He Lingchuan pondered, "I just gave a slight hint, and Father immediately mentioned the Red Cliff trade route. It seems he is very anxious to go to the Panlong Desert."

The Soul-Seizing Mirror in his arms wondered: "What is he anxious about?"

There were more pedestrians on the road ahead, so He Lingchuan shut his mouth and did not answer.

He Chunhua had lunch with friends, and then found a safe and quiet place, closed the doors and windows again, took out the statue, and burned incense to pray.

Before long, Nailuotian's voice sounded:

"What is it again?"

It was a bit impatient.

He Chunhua said: "There is an abnormality in the Panlong Desert, do you know?"

The air suddenly became quiet, and Nailuotian paused for a long time before asking him: "What clues do you have?"

(End of chapter)