Chapter 382

Xiao Qiao's eyes rolled, and a gleam flashed in her eyes,

"Sister, when Lord Xuande borrows the route through Lujiang, how about we mix into the refugee camp and go to Changancheng?"

"I heard Lord 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 Changancheng, where we don't know anyone?"

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

Liu Bei didn't know that the Two Qiaos in Jiangbei were already planning to sponge off his food to go to Changancheng...

The Two Qiaos also didn't know that the consequences of eating Liu Bei's food would be very serious!

He patrolled the refugee camp, chatted with the people's representatives, and settled them down.

In the tent,

Xun You said worriedly,

"My lord, our army's grain is only enough for three days, and there are more and more people, and less and less grain."

Fa Zheng also sighed,

"My lord's appeal is too strong; we now have thirty-five thousand people, and the daily grain consumption is huge."

Liu Bei looked at the map and smiled,

"No matter. In three days, we will arrive at Juchao County, and I think the grain from Xuzhou will arrive by water soon."

Everyone's eyes lit up,

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

Liu Bei nodded,

"Yes and no. This time, I am not borrowing."

Zhang Fei laughed loudly,

"I know, it's the Xuzhou gentry sending it! Big brother is mighty!"

Liu Bei smiled,

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

Zhang Fei was strange,

"Then how did big brother borrow the grain?"

The others were also very strange,

Liu Bei looked around the room,

"I discussed with the Xuzhou gentry: for however much grain they lend, these gentry can send men to Changancheng to receive goods of equivalent value."

Guo Jia's eyes lit up,

"My lord is a great talent! This move is truly a stroke of genius!"

The others were somewhat puzzled; why was it a stroke of genius?

Zhang Fei was anxious,

"Fengxiao, hurry up and say it!"

"Everyone think about it: my lord opened up the Silk Road, and the merchants of the Great Han surely want to go to the Western Regions to make money. But the Great Han is in constant warfare, and transporting goods from all over to Changancheng requires huge costs."

"My lord helped the gentry save the trouble of transportation and the risks of transportation; these great 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 obtained more grain and can recruit more people!"

Ma Chao listened, confused, but he knew one thing: Liangzhou would be even more prosperous,

"My lord is truly a divine man; your subordinate couldn't catch up even by whipping a horse!"

Liu Bei smiled,

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

Zhang Fei muttered,

"Big brother, I never flatter."

Everyone laughed loudly!

Taishi Ci cupped his hands,

"My lord, Yangzhou Governor Liu Yao is my fellow townsman from Donglai. Although he was defeated by Sun Ce, there are still quite a few old subordinates from Donglai in Jiangdong. Your subordinate wants to go to Jiangdong to help you recruit them."

Liu Bei nodded,

"Good, Ziyi, be careful."

Liu Bei thought for a moment,

"Ziyi, on this trip, do one thing for me."

"My lord, please command."

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

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

Taishi Ci understood the lord's meaning in a second: if these two don't want to come, just grab them!

Taishi Ci left that night with dozens of experts, rushing toward Jiangdong.

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

The broadcast room's barrage increased significantly,

"The Eared Thief is too awesome; this time he's not borrowing grain, he's selling options?"

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

"If it were me, I'd transport it too; I'd save so much on shipping and wouldn't be exploited by bandits and officials."

"He revitalized the Guanzhong economy; 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 Lingqi and the Yuan girl were chatting, and the two seemed to be chatting very happily, emitting silver bell-like laughter.

Liu Bei walked in,

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

The Yuan girl blushed instantly; she hurriedly stood up and bowed gracefully,

"Lord Xuande, we were chatting about you crushing Sun Ce, majestic and awe-inspiring."

Liu Bei nodded,

"Is Miss Yuan adapting well along the way?"

The Yuan girl bowed gracefully again,

"Thank you for your concern, Lord Xuande. I am very well; it is much happier than staying in the backyard unable to go out before."

"Good, then I am relieved."

The Yuan girl took a box from behind,

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

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

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

The Yuan girl handed over several IOUs,

"Father also told me to return this to Lord Xuande."

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

Liu Bei returned the box to the Yuan girl,

"Miss Yuan, keep this dowry for yourself; the people's food has already been arranged by me."

The Yuan girl was somewhat strange, not understanding how Liu Bei had already arranged it,

Liu Bei explained it, and the Yuan girl praised him loudly,

"Lord Xuande is truly a great talent; this is a win-win-win situation!"

Her admiration for Liu Bei deepened!

Liu Bei gave Lu Lingqi a wink; it was time to go back to the tent to admire him. ===== CHAPTER 383 =====