The grain trading volume in Xipingbao suddenly increased sharply, from about 20,000 shi per day to 50,000 shi, which indicated that the Denglai New Army could obtain more than 200,000 taels of silver per day from the Xipingbao mutual market.

The volume of grain trade between Uiju and Guangning has also continued to increase, maintaining a scale of 30,000 koku per day.

In addition to the increase in grain trading volume, the trading volume of cloth, silk and tea also showed an upward trend.

As long as this kind of transaction lasts for more than a month, the Denglai New Army's military pay and food for the whole year can be guaranteed, and there is no need for continued support from Dengzhou and Laizhou.

Shi Kefa's initial joy turned to worry. If it weren't for the fact that Wu Zongrui proposed and strongly supported the mutual market, he would even be prepared to limit the scale of mutual market transactions.

A large number of merchants participated in business transactions. A large number of merchants appeared in Xipingbao, Guangning, Yizhou, Jinzhou, Ningyuan and other places. Merchants continued to rent shops here. Juehua Island became a place where merchants gathered. It was originally deserted.

In Liaodong, due to the large number of merchants gathering, a bustling and lively scene began to appear.

When he rushed to Ji Liao Governor's Mansion, there was no smile on Shi Kefa's face. He had a lot on his mind.

Wu Zongrui was waiting for Shi Kefa in the side room. Seeing Shi Kefa with a serious face, Wu Zongrui smiled and spoke.

"Brother Xian, what's the matter? Has something happened? Are you worried that the volume of grain transactions on the mutual market will increase significantly?"

Wu Zongrui's expression was relaxed, but Shi Kefa still had no smile on his face.

"Sir, I really don't understand. The amount of grain trading in Xipingbao, Guangning and Yizhou is too large. Especially in Xipingbao, the amount of grain trading has doubled. It is said that Hou Jin and the Mongolian tribes,

There is not such a big demand for food, and they also know that the price of our mutual food transactions is very high, but they are willing to use gold and silver to trade, and there were merchants who asked about using war horses to trade, but they never showed up..."

Wu Zongrui listened patiently to what Shi Kefa said.

Seeing that Wu Zongrui still had a smile on his face, Shi Kefa became a little anxious.

"Sir, I think there is some conspiracy here, or it is controlled by Hou Jinhuang Taiji..."

Wu Zongrui waved his hand, looked at Shi Kefa and spoke.

"Brother Xian, don't be so anxious. I understand what you mean and I know your worries."

Shi Kefa didn't feel strange. When Wu Zongrui finished speaking, he spoke.

"Sir, now that we know Hou Jin's plot, shouldn't we be prepared?"

A smile appeared on Wu Zongrui's face again, but this time it was obviously a sneer.

"Brother Xian, your analysis is good. The Mongolian tribes have long surrendered to Hou Jin. Therefore, whether it is the merchants of Hou Jin or the merchants of the Mongolian tribe, when they go to the mutual market to do transactions, there is the shadow of Huang Taiji behind them. If Huang Taiji does not

Support, the mutual market cannot be so popular. To put it bluntly, if we suddenly open mutual markets in Xipingbao, Guangning and Yizhou, Huang Taiji will definitely be caught off guard."

"There are millions of people in Houjin District, and the population of the Mongolian tribes is even less. Why do they need so much food? They desperately buy food on the mutual market. They are just thinking about hoarding food. They don't panic when they have food in their hands. No matter what they do in the future

I have confidence in everything."

"Let's not talk about the Mongolian tribes, let's talk about the Hou Jin Dynasty. Several expeditions, including the expedition to Liaodong, failed to win. Huang Taiji and the Manchu nobles must have felt uncomfortable in their hearts. They were just trapped in a lack of money and food, and had no choice.

Launching a large-scale attack again, the opportunity has come. As long as we can store a large amount of food, when there is enough food, we can launch an attack on Liaodong or Guan without any scruples."

Wu Zongrui said it very straightforwardly, and even Shi Kefa nodded along.

"Your Excellency's analysis is good, and I think so too. I believe that at this moment, we must limit the scale of mutual market transactions, especially the scale of grain transactions, to prevent Houjin and the Mongolian tribes from hoarding large amounts of grain.

It is not only the Houjin Tatars who are worried, but also the Mongolian Tatars. If Huang Taiji leads the Houjin Tatars to attack Liaodong, and the Mongolian Tatars launch an attack from the Yansui area, our Denglai New Army will be able to deal with it in Liaodong and Yansui.

The area may not be able to handle it..."

Wu Zongrui looked at Shi Kefa and shook his head slightly.

"Brother Xian, you haven't finished what you said. What you are most worried about is that Hou Jin and the Mongolian tribes have hoarded enough food. They are very likely to launch a full-scale attack on our Ming Dynasty, and even think about taking over the Central Plains and destroying our Ming Dynasty.

dynasty."

Shi Kefa's expression was a little solemn and he nodded involuntarily.

Wu Zongrui sighed and looked at Shi Kefa, his face becoming solemn.

"Brother Xian, I have actually thought of it, but it is impossible for Hou Jin and the Mongolian tribes to launch a full-scale attack. Just hoarding food, the strength of Hou Jin and the Mongolian tribes cannot increase significantly in a short period of time, regardless of

Whether in terms of population or in terms of their own strength, it is impossible for the Hou Jin Dynasty and the Mongolian tribes to fully attack the Ming Dynasty."

"However, a small-scale conquest is still possible. For example, Hou Jin launched a full-scale attack from Liaodong in an attempt to occupy the entire Liaodong and destroy the Guan-Ning-Jin defense line. Huang Taiji has long had this idea. In addition to Shanhaiguan, including Jinzhou and

He tried to incorporate Ningyuan and other places into the territory of Hou Jin."

"Sometimes I think that this day will come sooner or later. Even if there is no mutual trade, Houjin does not have enough food and lacks sufficient strength, sooner or later they will launch an attack on Liaodong."

"Instead of waiting passively, we should make all preparations to meet the attack of Houjin Tatars."

"As for the Mongolian tribes, it is unlikely to launch an attack. Huang Taiji established the Mongolian Eight Banners and the Han Eight Banners. A large number of Mongolian tribes' troops were transferred to Houjin, and their own combat effectiveness was no longer strong. Besides, since Huang Taiji conquered

How could the Mongolian tribe continue to be strong after defeating the Mongolian tribe? Then he would have to work hard to deal with the Mongolian tribe that was once again powerful. Therefore, the weakening of the Mongolian tribe was in Huang Taiji's interest. Do you think that the weak Mongolian tribe had no time to take care of itself, how could it be possible to launch an attack?

.”

"Houjin has hoarded a large amount of food and may launch an attack on our Liaodong at any time. Our Denglai New Army has already made all preparations. If we can completely defeat the Houjin Tatars in Liaodong and convince Huang Taiji, our

Attention can be shifted to the north, paying special attention to changes in the situation in the north and the Central Plains."

"Brother Xian, our Denglai New Army has been based in Denglai and Liaodong for a long time. We need to continue to expand our territory. I said a few days ago that Shandong Governor Sun Xuezhu provoked Dengzhou and Laizhou. We must

We have launched a severe counterattack, but we have not taken action for a long time. In fact, we are just waiting for the opportunity. Once we launch a counterattack, our target will be the entire Shandong. By then, even if the emperor and the court are unwilling, they will not be able to do it. "

Shi Kefa had a look of surprise on his face.

"What do you mean, sir, the situation in the Central Plains cannot be stabilized? The imperial court cannot exterminate the bandits..."

Wu Zongrui nodded.

"Yes, regardless of the fact that the current combat effectiveness of the rogues is not strong, but they have a large population and a steady stream of troops to supplement them. Tens of thousands or even more than a hundred thousand rogues may not be a problem. The court can handle it, but if the number increases to one million,

The scale, how the court should respond, the internal strife in the court has reached an unprecedented level. Cao Wenzhao, Lu Xiangsheng, Sun Chuanting and others are brave and good at fighting, but what will be their outcome? If I am not prepared, what will be the difference between the outcome and theirs."

"The people in the Central Plains and the South are already struggling on the verge of death. The emperor and the court have not thought about reducing the burden on the farmers, but are still increasing taxes. The occasional relief is a drop in the bucket. Under such circumstances, how can farmers and people stabilize and let

It is impossible for them to wait for death, they will definitely join the bandits."

Shi Kefa could hardly close his mouth.

"Sir, can the scale of rogue bandits reach more than one million people? This is unlikely,"

Wu Zongrui looked at Shi Kefa with some helplessness.

Shi Kefa, like others in the court, did not pay special attention to rogue bandits, believing that rogue bandits did not have much ability and could not cause any big troubles. Moreover, the emperor and the court had always regarded the Tatars of Houjin as a serious problem, and believed that Huang Taiji and the empress dowager

The Jin Tatars were the real threat. As for the rogue bandits, they were just hungry and cold farmers gathered together. As long as the court gave them enough money and food, their anger could be calmed and they could go home and work hard in the fields.

This understanding was so fatal that the emperor and the court treated the bandits with contempt on the one hand, and mercy on the other. It was precisely because of this attitude of the emperor and the court that the bandits continued to grow and develop, and eventually formed a true hatred of the Ming Dynasty.

When the dynasty was threatened, the emperor and the court were powerless.

Of course, this is also an opportunity for Wu Zongrui. In the near future, Denglai's new army will not only have to face the powerful Houjin Tatars, but also the increasingly powerful rogue bandits. As for the emperor and the court, they are no longer particularly strong opponents.

.

Everything has a sequence. Wu Zongrui established mutual markets in Xipingbao, Yizhou, Guangning and other places. While strengthening his own strength, he strived to completely defeat Hou Jin in the shortest time, and even destroy Hou Jin, and then be able to turn around and fight with Hou Jin.

The rogues faced off.

It is impossible for the Denglai New Army to fight on two fronts, and Wu Zongrui would never do so.

"Brother Xian, let's not talk about these things. I understand your concerns. The scale of mutual market transactions does not need to be controlled. In business, the governor's office must earn money through mutual markets during the Spring Festival. I have thought carefully about it these days.

However, in the first month of the coming year, the silver earned from the mutual trade will be enough to maintain the expenses of the Denglai New Army and the government offices of Liaodong Prefecture and County."
Chapter completed!