Chapter 529: Three-Year Mining Rights

Chen Wuji sighed at how quickly things had changed, steering the conversation back to the iron ore. 'Yang Gong, I really want your iron, but there's a somewhat awkward situation now: I seem to have nothing to trade with you. How about… I write an IOU?'

Yang Yu was taken aback for a moment. 'Little friend Chen, if you're willing to change the target of your next trial to Qingzhou, no IOU needed—I'll give you some iron ore for free.'

Yang Yu had asked this question several times already, but each time Chen Wuji had brushed it off.

Chen Wuji never expected that the boomerang, which had been flying for a full ten days, would suddenly strike his forehead again at this moment, and this time he had a reason he couldn't avoid answering.

He truly wanted the iron ore of San Guan Jun.

Hezhou produces no iron, and buying ingots from outside is extremely costly.

If he could obtain iron ore at the source, the cost of forging weapons and armor could drop by nearly half.

Those ingots are not yet obvious, but in a few months they will surely become the biggest bottleneck constraining the Xishan Village Weapon Workshop, possibly even forcing Chen Wuji to shut down.

Now, to support an army of forty thousand, without major income, relying only on this modest reserve, other expenditures will inevitably have to be cut.

Chen Wuji thought for a good while, then feigned difficulty and said, 'Yang Gong, Qingzhou is indeed a fortified city, and moreover it is the largest fortified city in our Nan Jun. Lu Ping'an may have little influence elsewhere, but he has long been established in Qingzhou, so the city is united top to bottom.'

'That city only needs five or six thousand troops to garrison, and it can stop my forces dead in their tracks, preventing any advance. To attack Qingzhou for iron ore would be overly risky no matter how you look at it.'

Although he had long since settled on the plan to attack Qingzhou, saying this to Yang Yu required a different approach; if he just agreed bluntly, he wouldn't even get a hot meal.

Yang Yu poured himself a drink and also fell into thought.

Chen Wuji didn't urge him, picked up two chopsticks' worth of vegetables, and quietly waited for his reply.

Since Yang Yu raised this matter, the initiative has effectively returned to him, and the pros and cons depend on how he weighs them.

After a good while, Yang Yu asked, 'If I send ten thousand troops to assist, does little friend Chen have confidence to take Qingzhou?'

'There's a slight chance, but it's still not big,' Chen Wuji said.

'Yang Gong, after all, Qingzhou is Lu Ping'an's stronghold. Without some confidence, how could he dare rebel against the court, or so arrogantly enfeoff the surrounding prefectures, hoping to coerce us into loyalty with sheer prestige? I do have some confidence, but not much.'

Yang Yu slammed his cup down, 'If I give little friend Chen two years of mining rights to that mine, would he be willing to take the gamble?'

'Two years…' Little friend Chen rubbed his teeth awkwardly. 'Yang Gong, you're an elder, and we hit it off right away, so I won't hide anything from you—let's speak frankly.'

'Two years of mining rights for iron ore is certainly tempting, but if my troops are wiped out, the ore would be useless. How about this: give me five years of mining rights and two months to prepare, and I'll try to eliminate Yang Gong's biggest threat within half a year.'

Yang Yu stroked his beard and laughed, 'Little friend Chen, this doesn't sound like a frank discussion—I'm just giving you a small suggestion. Whether to fight this war and how to fight it depends on your own calculations.'

'If Qingzhou falls, the biggest beneficiary will still be you, little friend Chen. What we're really discussing is still the iron ore; haven't we already settled everything else?'

'I hope little friend Chen will completely crush Lu Ping'an, but as long as he doesn't send troops to assist, I don't regard Lu Ping'an and his ilk as a threat. I can't deal with him myself, but for Lu Ping'an to attack San Guan Jun with his lone force is also unlikely.'

Chen Wuji's heart sank upon hearing that.

All are old foxes with kind faces but black hearts!

There's not even a tiny advantage to be had; trying to accomplish anything is really difficult.

Yang Yu held up three fingers. 'How about this: three years of mining rights power—little friend Chen, judge for yourself whether it's worth the risk.'

Chen Wuji thought and said, 'Yang Gong, how about this? Let me consider it and discuss it with my aides. When you leave tomorrow, I'll give you an answer.'

'Good!'

With that one word, Yang Yu settled the ending, and thereafter everyone tacitly avoided further serious talk.

Chatting about the differing local customs of San Guan Jun and Nan Jun, the meal thus happily drew to a close.

Leaving Dingqing Lou, Chen Wuji personally saw Yang Yu to his lodgings, then returned to the Government Office.

In Qinzhi Hall, lights blazed, and all who had just dined were present.

'Lord, this deal was splendid—we got three years of iron mining rights for free. With this ore, we're a step closer to the day the whole army can be armored.' Qian Fugui added firewood to the small clay stove, laughing as he spoke.

Their discussion tonight was entirely staged for Yang Yu's benefit.

Although he might not necessarily know, Chen Wuji still decided to put on a show just to be safe.

As for really discussing substantive matters, there's no need—the plan to attack Qingzhou had been set half a month ago, with nothing left to debate; everyone could just sit around, sip tea, and chat.

'Yang Jinglve kindly proposed this condition, so I certainly ought to take advantage of it; otherwise I'd be wasting Yang Gong's generosity,' Chen Wuji laughed.

'However, don't laugh too loudly—our plan may be good, but there's still plenty to do. We can't start celebrating before we've actually accomplished anything.'

'Yes!'

Everyone replied in unison, 'Yes!'

'Hearing the lord's tone, I can't rest either—I'll head to Qing County tomorrow to clean up that mess.' Qin Feng sat cross-legged on the bed, cradling a wine gourd, taking occasional sips.

Chen Wuji nodded. 'You really need to hurry—calculate the time; Lu Ping'an's reply should arrive soon. Once we've got that wool in hand, it'll be time to plan the military campaign.'

'How badly Lu Ping'an wants San Guan Jun we'll see from his reply; then we'll have a rough idea. If this old fellow is willing to shed blood, his attack on San Guan Jun is likely genuine, or perhaps he has no other aim—and vice versa.'

'So before then, we must make preparations, and make them thorough. Otherwise we'll end up flustered, not knowing where to begin.'

Everyone's expression turned stern, and they all accepted the orders.