"The Yueqi battalion that Cao Liang previously commanded was one of the five schools of the Northern Army. It performed well in the Battle of Hanzhong. Is it possible that Cao Liang really wants to rebuild the five schools of the Northern Army?" Sima Yi said to himself.

Master Sima said in disbelief: "How is that possible? Cao Liang was appointed as the captain of the Yue Cavalry School. He practiced for a year before the Yue Cavalry Camp was ready for use. Now that the Xiongnu rebellion is urgent, how can we give him time to resume work?

To organize the five schools of the Northern Army and send such a group of troops to Bingzhou, they are just asking for death."

Although Sima Yi was full of cunning schemes, he couldn't figure out why Cao Liang chose the five schools of the Northern Army, which was almost useless, to go out to the expedition instead of using the strong central army. Such strange things are really unpredictable.

"Just wait and see what happens." Sima Yi said calmly. Decades of military career have long cultivated Sima Yi's character of being able to deal with shocks. Although Cao Liang's move is obviously contrary to common sense, Sima Yi still thinks there is something in it.

It's definitely fishy, ​​so instead of making random guesses, it's better to wait and see.

At this moment, the steward of the mansion came to report: "Sir, the chief steward of Yipinju, Hou Cheng, wants to see you."

Sima Yi nodded slightly and said, "Bring him in."

He responded with a managerial voice and went down.

Master Sima said to Sima Yi: "I heard that Hou Cheng went to Hedong County to supervise the illegal salt affairs. He came back so quickly. Could it be that something happened there?"

Sima Yi was noncommittal and did not say a word. Instead, he closed his eyes slightly and lay on the wicker couch with his eyes closed to rest.

Hou Cheng soon came to the back garden, stepped forward and saluted, "See you, sir! See you, eldest son!"

Master Sima asked: "Guanshi Hou, you have returned from Hedong County so quickly. Have everything been settled?"

Hou Cheng said with some panic: "Master, eldest son, something happened over there in Hedong. More than 30 cargo ships transporting smuggled salt were detained by Pingbei General Cao Liang in Pubanjin. The owner of the cargo ship, Han Zhang, was captured. The governor of Hedong

Han Jian committed suicide out of fear of crime."

Sima Yi's face changed slightly, he opened his eyes, his eyes were like daggers, he stared at Hou Cheng, and said in a deep voice: "What is going on?"

Hou Cheng told Sima Yi exactly what happened, and at the same time told Sima Yi that Han Jian's suicide was entirely caused by him. As for Han Zhang, it was Hou Cheng who sent assassins to do it.

The previous interception of those salt ships by Cao Liang was actually a complete mistake. Originally, Cao Liang just wanted to borrow some ships to cross the Yellow River, but Han Zhang was unlucky and happened to hit them head-on.

Cao Liang came and got his stolen goods.

However, Hou Cheng's handling was extremely decisive. First, he forced Han Jian to commit suicide, and then sent assassins to Linjin Pass to assassinate the imprisoned Han Zhang.

As long as Han Di's uncle and nephew die, the relationship between the Sima family and this illegal salt case can be completely eliminated.

After hearing this, Sima Yi nodded slightly in approval and said, "Guard Hou, you handled this matter well and deserve praise."

Indeed, this illicit salt case had an extremely important impact on the Sima family. If uncle and nephew Han Di had not died and fell into the hands of the court, they would definitely reveal that Yipinju was also involved in the illicit salt case, and Yipinju is the property of the Sima family.

Therefore, this matter will definitely seriously affect the reputation of the Sima family.

When it comes to private salt dealers, people have a deep impression that they are burly, tough, ferocious, and ruthless. It is estimated that no one in the world dares to associate the Sima family with private salt dealers.

Therefore, Sima Yi was very satisfied with Hou Cheng's approach. He could make a decisive decision at the critical moment and handle it without mercy. This matter is different from other matters. If it is handled a little slowly or not properly, the consequences will be completely

unimaginable.

Master Sima said angrily: "This damn Cao Liang, he ruined our family's business!"

What Master Sima said this time is not false at all. In the past, the mainstay of Yipinju's business was Wushisan. However, due to the huge sales of Cao Liang's Xiaoyao Wushisan, Yipinju's Wushisan was completely unsaleable and had to withdraw from Wushisan.

Fragmented market.

Since Hou Cheng took over as the chief manager of Yipinju, he has changed his method of making money, which is to take risks and sell illegal salt.

Private salt has considerable huge profits and is the fastest way to make money. After getting Sima Yi's approval, Hou Cheng went to Hedong County in person. Relying on the relationship he had established with Han Jian in the early years, Hou Cheng quickly

Negotiate the details of cooperation in selling private salt.

In just a few months, selling private salt brought considerable profits to the Sima family, and the taxes that originally belonged to the court quietly flowed into the Sima family's small treasury.

However, due to such an unexpected incident, not only did Han Jian, who was cooperating with the Sima family, lose his life, but the financial source that the Sima family had finally found was cut off again. It is no wonder that Master Sima was a little angry.

The Sima family's expenses are quite huge. The more than 3,000 dead soldiers under Sima Shi are a huge waste of money. If the Sima family's income shrinks, the ones who will be most affected will be these dead soldiers of the Sima family.

But this business was shady after all. Faced with Cao Liang's move to seize the salt ship, the Sima family was unable to fight back, and they even avoided it for fear of causing some trouble.

Even Sima Yi, who has always been as calm as a mountain, was a little embarrassed. After all, private salt is the economic lifeline of the Sima family. Now it has been cut off by Cao Liang, which is a heavy blow to the Sima family's economy.

Sima Yi waved his hand and signaled Hou Cheng to go down first.

Hou Cheng bowed his hand and said Wei, and retreated.

Master Sima said worriedly: "Father, if the private salt road is cut off, our business will be unsustainable. What should we do next?"

Sima Yi said in a deep voice: "There is no end to the road. Let's find a way in the future. Try to increase revenue and reduce expenditure as much as possible, and spend money wisely. Pass my order, and everyone in the house will be waiting. No matter who it is, the expenses will be reduced."

Half."

In addition to business, the Sima family also has tax revenue from two counties and countless land rental income. Even if Wu Shisan and private salt are cut off, it will cause certain difficulties to the Sima family's economy, but it has not yet reached a stage of economic development.

Difficult times.

Master Sima responded and was about to tell the stewards to carry out Sima Yi's order. Master Sima looked up and saw a maid sneaking in quietly from the back door. She looked panicked and was carrying a cloth bag in her hand. She didn't know what it was.

Pretend to be something.
Chapter completed!