Chapter 184: What Great Xia Wants, Liu Da Hu's Ambition

The exchange fair was still proceeding normally, only with a difference from the past: the protagonists had changed from the Tongling and Zhu He camps to the Great Xia camp alone.

Especially after Xia Chuan announced that the exchange ratio between Great Xia's iron ore and coal stones was one to fifteen, except for the two groups from Zhu He and Meng Yuan, the people from the other nine medium-sized camps almost erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

Previously, Xia Chuan said that giving all the camps in the Five Ape Mountains an opportunity to merge was a gospel given by Great Xia.

Everyone didn't actually approve of this sentence in their hearts.

After all, they hadn't been to the Great Xia camp and didn't know the actual situation. Although they could infer that the Great Xia camp's strength was very high by looking at the attire and dress of Director Yu Wen Tao's hundred-plus people, as well as the weapons and iron ore Xia Chuan brought,

but leading one's own people to merge into other camps couldn't just be about strength.

No matter how strong Great Xia was, what if they didn't treat the people in their camp well?

Or even more extremely, what if Great Xia's style was similar to the Three Tigers camp?

But it was different now. Iron ore and weapons were real, tangible benefits.

The exchange ratio of one to fifteen was a full forty percent less than the pricing of the Tongling and Zhu He camps. How much coal stones could this save them, how many supplies could it save, and how many more jin of iron ore could it exchange for…………

To them, these real, tangible benefits were the true gospel.

"My lord, this is our camp's specialty, Chen fruit. The fruit flesh is sweet and carries a unique fragrance. Previously, the exchange ratio with coal was 3 to 1, so with iron, it should be 45 to 1. We have 45,000 jin here and want to exchange for 1,000 jin of iron."

"My lord, this is the cold-injury medicine produced by our camp. Some women and children with weak bodies who have symptoms of headaches and fever can use it to treat them. Previously, the ratio with coal was 1 to 1. We brought 1,200 jin and want to exchange it all for iron."

…………

When it came to the link of exchanging supplies, Qiu Peng naturally took the lead.

He was the Director of the Camp Supply Department, in charge of all the camp's supplies. The things brought this time were also his responsibility. Naturally, he had to be the one to manage the exchange of supplies with the eleven camps.

Xia Chuan didn't intervene, but just watched quietly from the side.

After watching for a while, he roughly understood.

Coal should be a standard pricing item for the camps here in the Five Ape Mountains.

Almost any supply was measured in price by coal.

Xia Chuan's eyes lit up slightly, and he showed a few points of praise for the wisdom of these people before him.

Not to mention, coal was indeed suitable as a standard pricing item.

Firstly, it was also a necessity, used to generate heat. The heat generated far exceeded that of trees, and it was also better for the environment. Unlike wood burning, which produced a large amount of smoke, its burning efficiency was also low;

Secondly, it could be used for iron smelting, medicine refining, softening land, and even transforming living environments. It had a wide range of uses, and every family could use it.

Finally, the threshold for mining it was also high, and like iron, production was limited. Every family had to invest Earth-Digging Realm manpower to have output, and as it happened, eleven camps almost all possessed this capability and had coal mines.

Of course, it wasn't that other things wouldn't work. Compared to them, iron and cold beast meat, these two necessities, were actually more suitable.

The problem was that these two things were scarce items here in the Five Ape Mountains.

…………

"My lord, this trade is truly too profitable. Over forty thousand jin of iron ore exchanged for over five hundred thousand coal stones, not to mention all these new gadgets: Chen fruit, frozen beads, green water buffalo, fragrant cold fruit, cold-injury medicine, and even white angelica umbrellas, jade bone grass, and cold crimson powder that can be used for medicine…………

Cheng Feng just told me that if these things are taken back and identified by a decoction pot, it's possible that many new drug formulas can be produced!"

Before the supplies were finished being exchanged, Qiu Peng handed the remaining matters to his subordinates and walked to Xia Chuan's side, full of excitement, holding a few new things to report.

Xia Chuan took the new gadgets Qiu Peng handed over, and his eyes lit up slightly.

For Great Xia, such a trade was indeed cost-effective.

Exchanging for so many things with so little iron ore—even without knowing the difficulty of collecting these supplies, at the very least, in terms of quantity, Great Xia didn't know how much it had earned.

Even if it were all used to exchange for coal, they had earned an incredible amount.

"My lord, if you ask me, there's no need to take these people into the camp. Just leave them here and, like the Zhu He and Tongling camps, release a certain amount of iron ore regularly. After such an exchange, in essence, they are actually still collecting resources for our Great Xia. What do you think?"

Hearing Qiu Peng's words, Xia Chuan immediately sank his brows and retorted:

"Do you think I brought so many of you all the way to the Five Ape Mountains just to earn these things?"

Qiu Peng was stunned at first, then fell into thought.

Seeing that he hadn't thought of the reason for a long time, Xia Chuan shook his head, played with the new gadgets in his hands for a while, and said directly:

"Whether the value of these things is high or low, it has to wait until they are identified after returning. But regardless, they are definitely useful to us. Since they are useful, we must find a way to obtain them.

Do you think we need to adopt such a method like those two camps to obtain these things?"

This question was already asked very bluntly.

Qiu Peng understood completely, no matter how stupid he was.

"Big Brother sent us here to open up territory. What Great Xia wants isn't just these things, but the entire………… Five Ape Mountains!"

Xia Chuan's expression was arrogant. Long-term residence in a high position not only made his vision far broader than people like Qiu Peng, but also gave him a deeper understanding of the relationship between camps.

He turned his head to look at Zhu Xing and Meng Yuan, who were admiring the weapons brought by Great Xia, and showed a cold smile, whispering: "Don't tell me you think the Zhu He and Tongling camps adopted such a method to exploit nearby camps because they were kind-hearted?"

Of course impossible!

The reason they adopted such a method was because they didn't have the strength to annex the other nine camps.

Qiu Peng finally understood completely and nodded.

Seeing that he understood, Xia Chuan changed the subject and smiled:

"Of course, the method you proposed isn't applicable here in the Five Ape Mountains, but that doesn't mean it won't work elsewhere. The most core problem is…………"

"Strength!"

Once his train of thought opened up, Qiu Peng naturally realized the key to the problem. Seeing Xia Chuan's testing gaze, he directly gave the answer.

"Unless Great Xia's strength cannot form a crushing force—in other words, cannot take the territory as its own—then one can adopt such an unequal trading method, indirectly letting other camps seize resources for my Great Xia!"

Big Brother was indeed right; talent must be cultivated.

Xia Chuan nodded, looking at Qiu Peng, and a look of appreciation rose in his eyes.

"The camps here in the Five Ape Mountains aren't qualified to trade with us yet. These forty thousand jin of iron ore can only be considered Great Xia's goodwill. As long as they are a bit smart, they should be able to figure it out after going back."

Qiu Peng's expression also became excited upon hearing this. Looking at the crowd who had finished exchanging supplies and were surrounding the hundred-plus weapons, a strange look appeared on his face, and he smiled: "My lord, did you know long ago that they couldn't afford these weapons and brought them over just to show them, right?"

Xia Chuan nodded, and the corner of his mouth hooked slightly.

He wasn't surprised that these people would show such a reaction upon seeing Great Xia's weapons. To be precise, he knew it when he first contacted Xiao Kangcheng.

The weapon smelting level here in the Five Ape Mountains was too far behind Great Xia.

Even if they were both ten-forged iron, the weapons here in the Five Ape Mountains had too many impurities mixed in, and the cold condensation wasn't enough. Compared to Great Xia's weapons, they were far behind in terms of sharpness and hardness.

With poor weapons, it was no wonder the hunting level of the camps here couldn't come up.

Xia Chuan's previous pricing for ordinary weapons was five times the weight.

That is to say, if a broadsword weighed 600 jin, it would take three times that, or 3,000 jin of iron ore, to exchange for it. According to the coal-iron exchange ratio here in the Five Ape Mountains, that would be 45,000 jin of coal to exchange for a broadsword with the lightest weight.

This was still for ordinary weapons; the price of special weapons like bows and arrows was even more expensive.

A ten-stone iron-womb bow was 5,000 jin of iron ore, which converted to 75,000 jin of coal.

Qiu Peng didn't understand at first, but now he finally understood. Xia Chuan had set the price so high because he never intended to let these people exchange for them.

He brought these weapons over just to show them to this group of people.

"First, arouse their curiosity and awe toward Great Xia. In this way, when they send people to visit the Great Xia camp, their feelings will naturally be deeper, and the speed of annexing these camps later can also be faster."

Xia Chuan said this lightly. Seeing that the supply exchange had ended and everyone was still surrounding the weapons, he walked directly to the front of the crowd. "Seniors, let's stop this exchange fair for now. I know you want these weapons, but you didn't bring enough coal stones today. How about this."

Xia Chuan paused here, signaled Qiu Peng to put away the weapons first, and then continued with a smile: "I just said that each family can send three people to visit the Great Xia camp. When the time comes, let them bring supplies to exchange. These weapons are common and ordinary in my Great Xia. If you want to exchange for them, you can do so at any time."

Everyone nodded upon hearing this, although they felt a bit regretful.

"My lord, may I ask when to send people to visit, and how should we find the Great Xia camp?"

Chen Hu of the Xifeng camp took the lead in asking this question.

Many people looked at him sideways, their expressions flickering slightly.

Xia Chuan's eyes lifted slightly, and he showed a look of satisfaction on his face as he looked at Chen Hu.

Being able to take the initiative to ask this question, it was clear that this Xifeng camp had the greatest interest in merging into Great Xia, which was why they were most eager to know the situation at Great Xia.

"Seniors, rest assured, I have arranged everything. Tomorrow night after nightfall, I will send people to wait here. Once all ten families are gathered, they will escort you to my Great Xia camp. One day later, they will send you back to this place along the same path."

Ten families?

Weren't there eleven families here?

In the end, a few smart ones immediately realized something and shifted their gazes to Xiao Kangcheng.

"Seniors, don't laugh. My Xiaohe camp already has people at Great Xia!"

Xiao Kangcheng explained with a smile while cupping his hands.

The others immediately reacted. He was the only one present who knew Xia Chuan just now, so it was clear that the Xiaohe camp had already been in contact with Great Xia.

Seeing that the Great Xia camp party had already packed up, Xia Chuan had no intention of lingering. He signaled for Director Yu Wen Tao to take people to withdraw first, then turned to look at the leaders of the Five Ape Mountains camps, cupped his hands, and laughed heartily:

"Seniors, let's stop here for today! Tomorrow night, the Great Xia camp awaits your arrival."

Thinking of something, he suddenly turned to look at Xiao Kangcheng and invited:

"Leader Xiao, it's just on the way. Why don't you come with us? Xiao Yuan and the two young ladies, Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu, are waiting not far away. It's just right to hand the three of them over to you."

"Thank you, Lord Xia Chuan!"

Hearing that Xiao Yuan and his two daughters were not far away, Xiao Kangcheng nodded with a smile and brought Lu Shun and Xiao Ping, who were pushing the cart, over.

With the Great Xia camp party gone, the people from the remaining ten camps naturally had no intention of lingering either.

"Seniors, I'll take my leave first. I have to go back and calculate. The Five Ape Mountains will likely not be peaceful recently!"

Meng Yuan, who was originally reticent, actually took the lead in leaving with three people.

Everyone was a bit surprised, but didn't say anything.

Once Meng Yuan left, the people from the Zhu He and the remaining eight families also left one after another.

…………

On the east side of the First Ape Peak, Meng Yuan was galloping on the snow with three people from his family.

Although all four of them were carrying bags that weren't light, their speed was fast, and their expressions were tense, as if they were avoiding something, not daring to slow down for a moment.

"Leader, it's been almost a kilometer, it should be fine."

Meng Yuan, who was galloping in front, stopped immediately upon hearing this, turned his head to look behind him, and sensed that he was really far from the mountain cave. The tension on his face gradually relaxed.

Once his expression completely relaxed, he turned to look at the person on the far left among the three people behind him and said with a tone of blame:

"I told you not to come, but you insisted on coming, and you even wanted to save your two brothers and that big group of family members. That Great Xia camp, is it someone you can provoke?"

"That Director Yu Wen Tao brought thirty-plus people and could wipe you all out. That Xia Chuan's strength is unknown, but his status is clearly above Director Yu Wen Tao's. Just you alone, wanting to save people from his hands—how is that possible!"

"Over a hundred Earth-Digging Realm members, and each one holding such good weapons. It's fortunate they didn't recognize you. If they had recognized you, our Tongling camp would have been in trouble tonight too."

"Cooperating with you for so many years, if we capsized in this gutter…………"

"Shut your mouth for me!"

Before Meng Yuan's series of blaming words were finished, he was actually scolded directly by that person.

That person raised his head, revealing a plain face, but the fierce glint in his eyes and his fierce tone still intimidated Meng Yuan, making his face turn blue and white, unable to speak for a long time.

"Cooperating with me? Didn't I cooperate with you?

Without us three brothers, could your Tongling camp have peacefully used iron ore to exploit these camps below for so many years?

Without us three brothers, where did the population in your camp come from?

I helped you do so many dirty things, and just let you help me this one time.

What are you nagging about!"

Liu Da Hu's gaze was cold. Looking at Meng Yuan, thinking of his second brother, third brother, and so many family members who had just been killed before his eyes, his anger had reached its peak.

He now had the desire to kill, which had risen to the peak. If it weren't for the fact that Meng Yuan was useful, he really wished he could take action and slaughter him now.

Revenge, revenge, must take revenge!

Second brother, third brother, wife, son………… you rest assured, Director Yu Wen Tao, Xia Chuan, and everyone in the Great Xia camp—one day, I will make these people all be buried with you!

Liu Da Hu's fists under his sleeves were about to bleed, and he roared angrily in his heart.

The fists under Liu Da Hu's sleeves were about to be clenched until they bled, and he roared angrily in his heart.

Hearing his inconsistent attitude, Meng Yuan was stunned, but his expression still softened slightly, and he said: "It's okay, our relationship has been pretty good for so many years, and those things just now, it's indeed, sigh…………"

Liu Da Hu's expression completely relaxed. He gritted his teeth, seemingly having considered everything, bowed directly to Meng Yuan, and said respectfully: "Leader Meng, all my family members are dead, and the Three Tigers camp is gone. I have nowhere to go from now on, so I can only join your Tongling camp.

From today on, I will change my name to Liu Biao. From now on, I will be an ordinary member of the Tongling camp. I hope Leader Meng can keep my secret for me. From now on, I am also willing to be driven by the leader at will, how about that?"

Meng Yuan was stunned at first. Then, his expression became excited.

Looking at Great Xia's attitude toward Liu Erhu and the others, once Liu Da Hu's identity was leaked and Great Xia knew about it, he would definitely be dead.

This was equivalent to him holding a handle on him, and this handle was one that Liu Da Hu had taken the initiative to hand over.

Liu Da Hu was surrendering to him!

Thinking of Liu Da Hu's strength, although he was a bit worried, a look of excitement also flashed in Meng Yuan's eyes. He hurriedly stepped forward to support him:

"Brother Liu Da…… Biao, don't be so polite. Being able to get your help is the blessing of my Tongling camp. Rest assured, from now on, there is only one Liu Biao in my Tongling camp. Who is Liu Da Hu? I don't know, and no one knows."

Liu Da Hu, with his head lowered, showed a successful smile. He quickly changed his face when he looked up, carrying a hint of gratitude: "Liu Biao, thank you, Leader Meng!"

Looking at today's situation, this fool Meng Yuan will definitely lead the entire camp to merge into Great Xia later. This way, I can mix in with a new identity.

It won't be difficult to get rid of this fool when the time comes. By then, there will be no one left who knows my true identity.

Isn't the Great Xia camp very strong!

I will mix in, use your resources to improve my strength, and after I become stronger, I will kill Director Yu Wen Tao, Xia Chuan, and everyone else.

When that day comes, I want to see what kind of expression you people will have!

Liu Da Hu's expression was normal, but he was roaring distortedly in his heart, as if he saw Director Yu Wen Tao, Xia Chuan, and the others kneeling before him. Blood color rose in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth hooked up slightly.

"I was wondering, this fool, his strength is clearly not as strong as yours, how come he is the leader and you are the subordinate? So you are that big tiger who escaped!"

A clear, slightly teasing voice suddenly came from the side, making Liu Da Hu's expression freeze instantly, and his heart trembled violently.

"Who is it!"

"Who is it!"

Meng Yuan and the other two subordinates were also startled. The three turned their heads to shout in the direction of the voice, wanting to figure out who came.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 185 =====

(End of this chapter)