Chapter 177

Chan Prefecture city, Zhao Kuangyin's residence.

Wang Yansheng held a ledger, his face grim as he stood before Zhao Kuangyin, his voice tinged with uncontainable anxiety.

"Commander, this month's military pay... I'm afraid... I'm afraid it might be hard to raise enough."

Zhao Kuangyin was maneuvering troops on the map when he heard this, he snapped his head up, a fierce gleam flashing in his eyes.

"Hard to raise? What's going on? What about the Imperial Court's allotment? And what about the income from our own military farms and the customs cut from the trade bureau?"

"The Imperial Court's allotment has always been delayed, but this month they only gave seventy percent, saying the state treasury is empty."

Wang Yansheng wore a bitter expression.

"Our own military farms have an okay harvest, but... but the crucial point is the trade bureau, especially the Gray Wolf Pass side—something major has happened!"

"Gray Wolf Pass?"

Zhao Kuangyin furrowed his brows tightly.

"Are the Khitan raiding the border again? Weren't they just repelled by Chen Wen?"

"It's not the Khitan... it's... it's business!"

Wang Yansheng handed over the ledger.

"Commander, look, previously from the Gray Wolf Pass trade bureau, just the commission and profits from our own caravans brought in nearly a thousand strings each month, more than enough to fill the military pay gap."

"But this month, income has plummeted by over sixty percent!"

Zhao Kuangyin snatched the ledger, flipping through it quickly; the more he read, the darker his face grew.

"Why has it dropped so much? What about our furs and medicinal herbs? Why are they all piling up unsold?"

"It's Luo River! It's Chen Wen's side!"

Wang Yansheng almost spoke through gritted teeth.

"They somehow got hold of a large batch of furs, quality better than ours, yet the price is nearly thirty percent lower!"

"And medicinal herbs—same age and quality, their price is only seventy percent of ours!"

"Now, the northern caravans, as long as they aren't desperately in need of goods,"

"they would rather travel dozens of extra li to trade at the newly established Peaceful Market on the Luo River side!"

"Our caravans here simply can't compete!"

"Prices lower by thirty percent? Seventy percent?"

Zhao Kuangyin found it hard to believe.

"Where do they get the capital to lose money just to drum up business? Has Chen Wen gone mad?"

"I've sent men to investigate..."

Wang Yansheng's voice dropped even lower.

"The word coming out of Luo River is that their hunters' skills have improved, they process pelts properly, with little loss;"

"and they've found a new source of medicinal herbs, abundant and plentiful; moreover... moreover, they don't just deal in furs and herbs."

"Even grain, cloth, and even some iron tools and farm implements are priced ten to twenty percent lower than ours, with no loss in quality—some are even better."

Zhao Kuangyin sprang to his feet, pacing agitatedly around the room.

He's not stupid; he instantly grasped the key point.

"Chen Wen's strange 'ability' can be used not only for fighting and drilling troops, but also for production!"

"He used to mock Chen Wen for wasting 'divine strength' on farming and labor, but now it's clear the foolish one is himself!"

"This isn't just losing money to drum up business; it's leveraging overwhelming production efficiency to carry out a legal yet brutally cruel economic squeeze!"

"How are our caravans faring now?" Zhao Kuangyin asked in a low voice.

"Almost at a standstill."

Wang Yansheng hung his head, dejected.

"The goods we send out can't be sold, or we can only sell them at a loss."

"If we try to buy from there, the price may be low, but... but we're quickly running out of money on our books."

"The Imperial Court's allotment is insufficient, trade bureau income has plummeted, and the modest output from our military farms is barely enough to cover household expenses and the regular stipends of the officers—we're already stretching thin."

"If this month's military pay can't be issued on time, I fear... the troops' morale will waver."

Zhao Kuangyin felt a rush of blood surge to his head.

After great effort, relying on the Iron Crow Army's 'tempering' method, he had trained a force fit for battle.

He was rolling up his sleeves, ready to showcase his skills in the upcoming changes, yet he hadn't expected...

Before swords even crossed, he found himself choked by Chen Wen over this seemingly trivial money and grain issue!

"Without money, who will work for you?"

"Without sufficient grain, fodder, and arms, how long can even the bravest soldiers hold out?"

"Chen Wen... your methods are vicious!"

Zhao Kuangyin slammed his fist on the desk, making the brush and inkstone jump.

This feels more suffocating than a real clash of swords and spears.

"This is a blatant scheme, exploiting an absolute strength gap to slowly drain your lifeblood."

"It lets you watch yourself grow weaker, yet makes it hard to find a justification for a direct counterattack."

"Could he go confront Chen Wen, asking why you sell your goods so cheaply?"

"Or could he go to Chai Rong to lodge a complaint, saying Chen Wen harbors malicious intent and is disturbing the market?"

"Neither is possible."

Chen Wen could justifiably say this is the natural result of the Luo River military and civilians' diligence, improved skills, and abundant prosperity. He

He might even turn around and 'express concern' over the financial situation here in Chan Prefecture.

Commander, is it… is it possible to seek help from the Iron Crow Army?

Wang Yansheng asked tentatively.

They might have a way to raise funds.

Zhao Kuangyin's eyes flickered, his heart torn.

Seeking aid from the Iron Crow Army means deeper entanglement, and also means appearing weaker before the enemy.

Will those cold-hearted fellows offer help? Even if they do, what would the price be?

He waved his hand, wearily.

You go first; let me think. Military pay… I'll find a way to raise it, first stabilize morale, then we'll talk.

Wang Yansheng wanted to speak but held back; in the end he sighed and withdrew.

In the empty room, Zhao Kuangyin slumped into a seat.

He first clearly felt how terrifying the war potential was that Chen Wen's seemingly mundane farming development had accumulated.

This is not just grain and money; it's also popular support, a solid foundation, a bronze wall and iron wall that leaves him with strength nowhere to use.

Meanwhile, at the Luochuan Defense Commissioner's office.

Zhang Cheng was holding the latest income-expenditure report, reporting to Chen Wen, his face barely concealing excitement.

Lord, following your orders, we have continued to deploy low-cost, high-quality goods to Grey Wolf Pass and the surrounding markets; the effect is significant!

On Zhao Kuangyin's side, revenue from the Grey Wolf Pass customs office has sharply dropped; according to scout reports, they've encountered difficulties distributing military pay this month, and there are already complaints in the ranks.

Chen Wen sat behind the desk, calmly reading a report on the successful test of the new-style water discharge.

Upon hearing this, he merely gave a soft 'hmm' without raising his head.

As expected. Can we keep our costs under control?

No problem at all!

Zhang Cheng laughed.

With your abilities, whether processing hides, preparing medicinal herbs, or handling grain and textile production, efficiency far exceeds the norm, with low loss.

Even selling at current prices, profits remain substantial, just thinner than before.

But this move has greatly squeezed Zhao Kuangyin's finances, and also attracted a flood of nearby merchants and vagrants into our three counties, making the market ever more prosperous, while tax revenue actually increased.

One's gain is another's loss—exquisitely wonderful!

Chen Wen lowered the report, a faint smile touching his lips.

Economic means can sometimes be sharper than swords, weakening the enemy without bloodshed.

He well knew Zhao Kuangyin's ambitions were not small; his drills and army expansion aimed at great things.

Cutting off his finances is like pulling the firewood from under the cauldron; it can greatly delay his expansion, even provoke internal strife.

Don't let down your guard.

Chen Wen cautioned.

Zhao Kuangyin won't sit and wait for death; he might seek support from Bian Liang, or… resort to other extraordinary means.

Have Qian Gui keep a close watch, especially our warehouses and workshops everywhere, to prevent desperate jumps.

Yes!

Zhang Cheng replied, then suddenly remembered something.

Moreover, because our goods are cheap and of high quality, merchant caravans from other counties in Hebei have begun detouring here to trade.

Should we impose limits? After all, standing out invites trouble.

Chen Wen pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

No need. As long as they follow our rules and pay taxes accordingly, we turn none away.

We want everyone to see that under our rule, they can not only live in peace, but also thrive in their work.

The converging flow of goods and people is itself the best publicity and the strongest bulwark.

What he aims to build is not merely a military stronghold, but a prosperous, orderly, and attractive center.

As more and more people bind their hopes and interests to this land,

the power it contains will surpass imagination.

Zhang Cheng understood his intent and exclaimed sincerely: 'Lord, your foresight is profound; we admire you!'

Chen Wen rose, walked to the window, and gazed at the bustling street outside.

This way of leveraging his own advantages to undermine the enemy from the ground up gave him a deeper understanding of 'power.'

In chaotic times, contenders for hegemony need troops, money, and grain—none can be lacking.

And now, he is accumulating the latter in ways the enemy cannot match.

This silent contest has only just begun, yet he has firmly seized the initiative.

Next, we shall see how Zhao Kuangyin and the Iron Crow Army behind him will respond.