Chapter 210

Xiao Qiao's eyes rolled, and a flash of light appeared in them.

"Sister, when Lord Liu Xuande borrows the route through Lujiang, why don't we sneak into the refugee camp and go to Chang'an?"

"I heard Lord Liu Xuande even provides food; we'll even save on travel expenses!"

Da Qiao??

"Xiao Qiao, you really dare to think. In these chaotic times, two weak women like us going to Chang'an, where we don't know anyone?"

"Sigh, let's see how things go first."

Liu Bei didn't know that the two Qiaos of Jiangbei were already planning to hitch a ride on his food to Chang'an...

And the Qiaos didn't know that eating Liu Bei's food would have serious consequences!

He inspected the refugee camp, chatted with the representatives of the people, and settled them down.

In the tent,

Xun You said with worry,

"My lord, our army's grain is only enough for three days. The people are increasing, and the grain is decreasing."

Fa Zheng also sighed.

"My lord's appeal is too strong; we now have three hundred and fifty thousand people, and the daily consumption of grain is huge."

Liu Bei looked at the map and smiled.

"No matter, in three days we will arrive at Juchao County. I think the grain from Taking Xuzhou will also be coming by water soon."

Everyone's eyes lit up.

"My lord, have you already borrowed grain from Taking Xuzhou?"

Liu Bei nodded.

"Yes and no; I am not borrowing this time."

Zhang Fei laughed heartily.

"I know, it's a gift from the Taking Xuzhou gentry! Big brother is mighty!"

Liu Bei smiled.

"Zhang Yide, do you think the grain of the Taking Xuzhou gentry is obtained for free?"

Zhang Fei was puzzled.

"Then how did big brother borrow the grain?"

Others were also very curious.

Liu Bei looked around the circle.

"I negotiated with the Taking Xuzhou gentry: for however much grain they lend, these gentry can send men to Chang'an to collect goods of equivalent value."

Guo Jia's eyes lit up.

"My lord is a genius! This move is truly a divine stroke!"

Others were somewhat puzzled; why was it a divine stroke?

Zhang Fei was anxious.

"Guo Fengxiao, hurry up and say it!"

"Everyone think about it: my lord opened up the Silk Road, and the merchants of the Great Han naturally want to go to the Western Regions to make money, but the Great Han is in constant war, and transporting goods from all over to Chang'an requires huge costs."

"My lord saved the gentry the trouble and risk of transportation; these big merchants are naturally willing to transport grain for us."

Fa Zheng's eyes also lit up.

"My lord not only obtained grain but also promoted the Silk Road. Once these merchants make money, they will be even more willing to do business in Guanzhong in the future."

Xun You also said, "Not only that, we can obtain more grain and recruit more people!"

Ma Chao listened in a daze, completely confused, but he knew one thing: Liangzhou would be even more prosperous.

"My lord is truly a divine man; your subordinate can't catch up even if I whip my horse!"

Liu Bei smiled.

"Mengqi, you've learned to flatter like Zhang Yide."

Zhang Fei muttered,

"Big brother, I never flatter."

Everyone laughed heartily!

Tai Tai Shi Ci cupped his hands.

"My lord, the Inspector of Yangzhou, Liu Yao, is my fellow townsman from Donglai. Although he was defeated by Sun Ce, there are still many old subordinates from Donglai in Jiangdong; your subordinate wants to go to Jiangdong to help you recruit them."

Liu Bei nodded.

"Good, Taishi Ziyi, be careful."

Liu Bei thought for a moment.

"Taishi Ziyi, while you are there, help me do one thing."

"My lord, please command."

"Dozens of the clansmen of the former Administrator of Lujiang, Lu Kang, were killed by Sun Ce, and he himself died of grief and indignation. Go to Wu Commandery and bring the clansmen of Lu Kang's line here."

"Especially Lu Kang's young son, Lu Ji, and his grand-nephew, Lu Xun."

Tai Tai Shi Ci understood the lord's meaning instantly; if they weren't willing to come, he would grab them!

Tai Tai Shi Ci set off that night with dozens of experts, racing toward Jiangdong.

Liu Bei also ordered Ma Chao to lead troops ahead to Juchao County to protect the grain.

The livestream chat had many more messages:

"The big-eared thief is too awesome; he's not borrowing grain this time, he's selling options?"

"This move is truly awesome; those big merchants who want to make money will definitely transport grain this time!"

"I would transport it too; it saves so much shipping cost and doesn't get extorted by bandits and officials."

"It revitalized the Guanzhong economy, and in the future, these big merchants will also be of one heart with Liu Bei!"

After Liu Bei arranged the matters, he came to another tent.

Lu Lu Lingqi and the Ding Yuan lady were chatting, and the two seemed to be chatting very happily, emitting silver-bell-like laughter.

Liu Bei walked in.

"Two young ladies, what are you chatting about so happily?"

The Ding Yuan lady blushed instantly; she hurriedly stood up and bowed gracefully.

"Lord Liu Xuande, we were chatting about you crushing Sun Ce and being majestic."

Liu Bei nodded.

"Is the Ding Yuan lady adapting well along the way?"

The Ding Yuan lady bowed gracefully again.

"Thank you for your concern, Lord Liu Xuande. I am very well; it is much happier than staying in the backyard and not being able to go out."

"Good, then I am relieved."

The Ding Yuan lady took a box from behind.

"Lord Liu Xuande, this is the dowry given by my father; please accept it to help the people buy some grain."

Liu Bei opened the box; the box was full of gold and jewelry.

He smiled; this Ding Yuan Shu was not bad, giving the Ding Yuan lady quite a dowry.

The Ding Yuan lady handed over several IOUs.

"Father also told me to return these to Lord Liu Xuande."

Liu Bei was amused; this Ding Yuan Shu was truly something, treating IOUs as dowry?

Liu Bei returned the box to the Ding Yuan lady.

"Miss Ding Yuan, keep this dowry for yourself; I have already arranged for the people's grain."

The Ding Yuan lady was somewhat puzzled, not understanding how Liu Bei had arranged it.

After Liu Bei explained it, the Ding Yuan lady praised him greatly.

"Lord Liu Xuande is truly a genius; this is a win-win-win situation!"

Her admiration for Liu Bei deepened!

Liu Bei gave Lu Lu Lingqi a wink; it was time to return to the tent to admire him.