Chapter 25: Lü Rui VS Ancient People

  "I'm so tired!" Lü Rui went to bed and fell asleep after bathing and changing clothes under Ling'er's service. These days were really exhausting for Lü Rui, as nearly half of the North-South commercial goods in Dahanshan were detained by Lü Rui as taxes. Xu Shu was still counting the materials and statistics. The piled-up materials made Lü Rui drool, these things would be enough for several lifetimes!

  "I have a little donkey, I never ride it. One day I decided to ride it to the market, with a small whip in my hand, feeling proud. Suddenly, splash! I fell into the mud." Lü Rui is teaching Cao's child to sing the nursery rhyme "Little Donkey".

  The Cao family's kids are too mischievous, the Qi State Duke's mansion is full of their handiwork. To repair the damage they've done, Lü Rui has spent tens of thousands of dollars this month alone. Although Lü Rui is wealthy, can't keep going on like this, as an older brother he should teach them a lesson!

  Just as Lü Bu was teaching Cao Pi and others to sing children's songs, Xin Pi came to report that Xu Shu from Xuzhou had come to see him. Lü Bu heard this and thought to himself: "Ah, he's finally here? Alright, I'll go meet Xu Shu, the number one merchant of the Three Kingdoms!" Lü Bu let Ling'er take Cao Pi and others to practice their children's songs while he went inside to change his clothes.

  In front of the copper mirror, Lü Rui grasped the two hair buns on his head, this image was truly strange. This was the general hairstyle for children from 8 to 14 years old in ancient times, just like Hong Haier in Journey to the West, with their hair styled into two cow horns.

  Lv Rui looked at himself in the copper mirror, heh heh, I'll take a look and see if you're really as famous as they say! I'll use my two horns to knock you dead!

  After finishing his toilet, Lü Bu went to the front hall to meet Chen Gong. Chen Gong, dressed in his best attire, met Lü Bu in the main hall. Lü Bu took his seat in the host's position, and Chen Gong bowed his head and said: "Chen Gong of Xuzhou pays his respects to your lordship!"

  Lü Ru nodded and said, "So you're a great merchant, nice to meet you!" He clasped his fists in greeting towards Mao Zhuo, who was taken aback - wasn't this the way Jianghu wanderers greeted each other? Mao Zhuo also clasped his fists in response.

  After bowing to Lord Lü, he sat down and said: "Lord Hou, it's been almost three years since we parted ways in Xuzhou. I, Zizhong, have always remembered your kindness, allowing the Xu family to do business here."

  Lü Rui listened, Xiao Mi? Such a deep mind? And thank me? Alright, I'll also go along with it. Lü Rui smiled and said: "Zi Zhong is being polite, prosperity under the rule of Ben Houye is also Ben Hou's duty."

  The servant bowed and said: "Your Excellency's words are indeed correct. Today, Zi Zhong has come to ask a favor of Your Excellency!"

  Here is the translation:

  "Is something important coming up? Lü Rui asked: "Zi Zhong, what's going on? As long as it's something that can be done by Your Highness, I'll do my best to take care of it?"

  He nodded and said: "Your Excellency? Zi Zhong is not for other things, but for the Xu family in Xuzhou to ask for a pass tax. I don't know if Your Excellency can agree?"

  Lü Rui immediately understood the subtlety and said: "Zi Zhong, listen well. Under my rule, Fan County has a hundred miles of territory, with towns and passes under its jurisdiction. The taxes collected are doubled every month, demonstrating my benevolence!"

  Zi Zhong listened intently, wondering if there was some profound meaning. Lü Rui continued, "Zi Zhong, this is the toll tax of Fan County, can you hear it clearly?"

  He rubbed his hands together and said: "What does Master Hou mean?"

  Lü Rui smiled and made a ghostly face, saying: "The subtlety is in the middle, Zizhong goes to guess!" Then Lü Rui bid farewell to Mi Zhu.

  Guo Yuan interjected, "Zi Zhong, the young master is still a child who loves to play and have fun. Please forgive him for any impropriety."

  "Where is it? Where is it? You're being too polite, Master Zini."

  The next day, Fan County appeared on the notice board in the county with a promise from Lv Rui yesterday.

  Subject: Fan County Customs Duties

  Under this governance, Fan County is peaceful for 100 miles

  The land under its jurisdiction, the towns under its administration

  Passing through customs, one article is the basis

  Doubling every month, manifesting my benevolence

  Representatives of various merchant associations in Fan County gathered together after seeing Lü Rui's notice on tolls and taxes, with Zou Jizhong as the leader, to discuss Lü Rui's notice.

  "Zi Zhong? Did you successfully handle the customs clearance and tax payment in the name of Mi Jia yesterday?" asked Gu Yong, the representative of the Jiangdong Gu family.

  Mo Zhen nodded and said: "Yesterday was a success, I have ordered people to handle the customs duties for the Mi family."

  "What's the effect?"

  Lü Rui said: "The Mi family's documents have not been reviewed, and today when the next batch of goods enters the city, they still collect a tax of one coin!"

  Everyone listened and showed a joyful expression, discussing it enthusiastically. It turned out that this was a plan thought of by Zou Zhu. Isn't it true that you, Lü Rui, can sign a pass contract with any merchant or noble family? Let's play a contract game with you. For the taxes in Fan County for two years, everyone can still bear it, but after the third year, it will be unbearable. Then we'll hang a sheep's head and sell dog meat, changing the name every two years to sign a contract with you. This year is me, Xu State Zou Family, next year will be me, Xu State Mi Family... Ha ha, there are so many merchants in the world, can you, Lü Rui, verify each one?

  Gu Yong was also delighted, originally thinking that Lü Rui would investigate as a merchant to make things difficult for Zhi Zhu, but now it seemed not? Could this plan work?

  When everyone was discussing enthusiastically, Zou Shi suddenly came up with a sentence: "However, the day before yesterday, Lü Li said in person that there is a law for collecting taxes, and later there is a sentence that shows: the subtlety of it is gone, let Zhong guess!"

  As soon as Lü Rui's words fell, everyone was stunned, like being drenched in cold water. What did it mean? Was this another trap? Later, everyone began to discuss the subtleties of Lü Rui's words, but after three days of discussion, there was no conclusion.

  By the fourth day, only the Mo family had obtained a new customs clearance document, while the other merchants and noble families were discussing the subtleties of Lü Rui's words. Mo was also at a loss, hoping someone would give him an explanation, otherwise he would be deceived again.

  Just as everyone was discussing, someone came to report that Chen Deng from Xuzhou had arrived. Zong Yu heard this and thought, "Chen Deng has also come for business? It seems the Chen family is not willing to give in either!" Thinking of this, Zong Yu hastily invited Chen Deng in.

  Zuo Ci saw Chen Deng and hastily said: "Yuan Long? It's been a long time since we last met!"

  Chen Deng smiled and said: "Zi Zhong? Do you know about the matter of Xuzhou?"

  Originally, Xuzhou is now all about Tao Qian's arrest warrant for the Mi brothers. Although Tao Qian knew that Mi Zhong was plotting against him, in order to maintain his own prestige, he still had to go through the motions, it was just a mere formality.

  Of course, Chen Deng knew that Cao Pi was joking and said: "Yuan Long, don't laugh at me. Let me introduce you to everyone." After finishing speaking, he introduced Chen Deng to the crowd. The Chen family of Xuzhou is also a big family. Since that's the case, everyone politely returned greetings and exchanged pleasantries, just a casual meeting, it will be easier to do things later when they are more familiar with each other!

  After introducing everyone, Zou Yun grabbed Chen Deng and said: "Yuan Long, you've come at just the right time, Zi Zhong has something to ask of you!" Then he made a gesture.

  Chen Deng immediately helped Zuo Ci up and said: "Zi Zhong, please speak, why must you perform such a grand ceremony?"

  Mi Zhu then told Chen Deng in detail about the matter of Mi Zhu and Gong Ao, and after a while, Mi Zhu asked: "Zi Zhong? Do you have any insight?"

  Chen Deng looked at the notice of Fan County's tolls and taxes, then asked: "Zi Zhong, was this text originally spoken to you by Lü Rui himself?"

  He nodded and said: "Exactly!"

  Chen Deng smiled and Gu Yong hurriedly asked: "Has Yuan Long found an answer?"

  Mi Zuo hastily grasped Chen Deng's hand and said: "Yuan Long is a great talent? Can you tell us?"

  Chen Deng looked at Zuo Ci and asked: "Zi Zhong? Do you really want me to say it out loud in front of everyone?"

  Meng Zong was taken aback for a moment, then said: "Yuan Long, don't try to deceive me, quickly reveal the underlying mystery!"

  Chen Deng covered his mouth and smiled, saying: "Zi Zhong, the mystery is only for Zi Zhong, just read the last four characters of each line and you will understand!"

  Mo Zhai took a look at the copy of the notice:

  Under this governance, Fan County is peaceful for 100 miles

  The land under its jurisdiction, the towns under its administration

  Passing through customs, one article is the basis

  Doubling every month, manifesting my benevolence

  After reading it four words: inside, town, root, benevolence? You, really, foolish, person? Are you a really foolish person?

  He loudly said four words: You are really stupid!

  Everyone listened and looked at the copy of the notice in their hands, and immediately covered their mouths and laughed. You're really stupid! It turned out to be scolding Zhang Zhuo!

  Miao Zhu only reacted now, what kind of mystery was there? It was just Lü Rui scolding himself for being stupid. How embarrassing! He thought it was one of Lü Rui's tricks? It turned out to be just a self-deprecating phrase! Miao Zhu scratched his head, sighing that he had been played by Lü Rui again. However, since it was like this, then his own idea was feasible, and this could be considered as showing off in front of the great Han merchant. After hearing Chen Deng's explanation, everyone sent people to change their name and handle new customs duties.

  At the same time, when Mi Zhu and Chen Deng and other Han merchants were responding to Lü Bu's taxation policy, Tian Feng also arrived at Lü Bu's mansion.

  Tian Feng originally arrived in Puyang, preparing to find Cao Cao to solve the problem of Yuan Shao's military food. In Tian Feng's eyes, Lü Bu was Cao Cao's adopted son and naturally obeyed all orders from Cao Cao. However, when Tian Feng arrived in Puyang, Cao Cao was no longer in Puyang, but had already sworn an oath in Chenliu and launched a second expedition to Xuzhou.

  Tian Feng waited in Puyang for Cao Cao, while letting the people in Cao's mansion inform Cao of his request. Soon Cao replied that the military rations were being held by Lü Bu, and had nothing to do with Cao Mengde; if he wanted to get the rations, he should go find Lü Bu. Tian Feng was helpless, it seemed like this was indeed the case, so he hurriedly rushed to Fan County.

  Lü Rui heard that Tian Feng had arrived and did not summon him, but instead had someone take Tian Feng to the post station to rest, and only summoned him the next day.

  The next morning, Tian Feng arrived at Hou's mansion early in the morning. However, Guo Yuan told Tian Feng that Lü Rui was still sleeping and asked him to wait. Tian Feng had no choice but to wait for Lü Rui in the main hall. It wasn't until almost noon that Lü Rui still hadn't come out to see Tian Feng. Tian Feng paced back and forth in the main hall, feeling extremely anxious.

  Lü Rui had just gotten out of bed and was being attended to by Ling'er, bathing and changing clothes. The servants came from time to time to report on Tian Feng's situation. Lü Rui listened, smiled, and said: "Ha ha, Tian Feng? Let him wait, I'll see him after breakfast!"

  Lü Ru finished his breakfast and slowly made his way to the main hall. Tian Feng was already extremely anxious, as earlier that morning, another envoy from Yuan Shao had arrived at the relay station. Due to insufficient military rations, Yuan Shao could only defend himself, while Gongsun Zan, relying on his White Horse army, had already captured several counties along the border of Ji Province, greatly boosting his momentum. If they didn't receive more military rations, Yuan Shao would be forced into a passive defense and unable to launch a counterattack. However, not taking the initiative to attack would make it impossible to restrain Gongsun Zan's mobile forces!

  Lü Rui walked out of the backyard and sat in the main seat. Tian Feng saw Lü Rui and was about to pay his respects, but Lü Rui turned around and said: "Are you Han Feng?"

  Tian Feng was taken aback, and Lü Rui still remembered the matter of the sour jujube? Tian Feng cupped his hands and said: "Lord Hou is wise, I am indeed Han Feng of that day."

  Lv Rui scratched his head and said: "Are you Han Feng? Why are you called Tian Feng now? And what's with the name Yuan Hao?"

  Tian Feng was taken aback for a moment, then Lü Rui waved his hand and said: "I don't talk to insincere people, you can go back." After finishing speaking, he turned around and left.

  Tian Feng hastily cupped his hands and said: "Lord Hou, I have not deceived you. My name is Tian Feng, courtesy name Yuanhao, self-proclaimed Han Feng Recluse!"

  Lv Rui narrowed his eyes, "Wow, Tian Feng is really something! He resolved his own difficulties in an instant. Not bad, not bad, the legendary first military advisor of Yuan Shao indeed has some skills." Lv Rui returned to his seat and said: "So that's how it was!"

  Tian Feng nodded and said: "At the time of the misunderstanding, I didn't explain it clearly, it was Tian Feng's fault, please forgive me, Lord Hou."

  Lü Rui smiled and said: "I don't know what brings Lord Tian Feng here, what's the matter?"

  Tian Feng cupped his hands and said: "Lord Hou, today I am representing my master General Yuan to purchase grain and fodder from you!"

  Lü Rui took a sip of tea and said, "Since it's Uncle Benchu who wants the grain and fodder, I'll sell them to him. However, with prices skyrocketing these days, what about the price for the grain and fodder?"

  Tian Feng said: "Don't worry, Lord Hou, as long as you provide us with military rations, we are willing to buy them at a higher price."

  Lü Rui nodded and said: "Okay, I wonder how much money Uncle Ben will give for a dou of rice?"

  Tian Feng nodded and said: "Lord Hou, our army is willing to pay 600,000 yuan per dan of rice!" After finishing speaking, Tian Feng looked at Lü Rui with pride, adding ten thousand yuan more per dan, isn't that enough?!

  Lü Bu rolled his eyes, seemingly thinking about something. At the moment, due to Dong Zhuo's reckless issuance of currency, the five-zhu copper coins had caused hyperinflation. A dan of rice cost 500,000 coins, and in many places, especially in Sili, there were cases of cannibalism. Copper coins? One coin was worthless!

  At this thought, Lü Rui knocked on the table and said: "Yuan Hao?"

  Tian Feng replied: "Lord Hou?"

  Lv Rui said: "I don't need copper coins, so Ben Chu Bo Bo uses copper coins to buy my grain, no way!"

  Tian Feng was taken aback, "No money? What then?" Tian Feng smiled and said: "Lord Hou, since you are willing to sell grain and fodder to my master, why don't you want to use copper coins for the transaction? If not using copper coins, do you think of giving it to my master for free?"

  Lü Rui looked at Tian Feng, Xiao Fengfeng, and said: "Learn from me how to speak? Let you know my prowess!" Lü Rui said: "I don't lack money, I only lack salt, horses, cloth, weapons, and gold. Yuan Hao, why not exchange goods for grain?"

  Tian Feng listened, how about it? Bartering goods for grain? Is this another trap? Tian Feng cupped his hands and said: "Lord Hou, this matter Yuan Hao cannot decide on his own, he must report to the master and wait for a clear response before replying to Lord Hou."

  Lü Rui nodded and said: "Okay, since that's the case, Yuan Hao can go ask Uncle Benchu. The Marquis only likes to trade things for other things."

  Tian Feng nodded his head and said: "Thank you, Lord Hou. Yuan Hao bids farewell." After finishing speaking, he left the Hou Mansion and returned to the post station.

  Tian Feng pondered for a long time at the relay station, and finally figured out the meaning of Lv Rui's plan. How clever! Is it to exchange goods? Waste our army's time? Allow Cao Mengde to have extra time to unify the Central Plains south of the Yellow River? Hmph, good calculation. But I, Tian Feng, am not a fool either!

  At the beginning, when Cao and Yuan Shao were discussing the overall situation of the world, Yuan Shao's plan was to dominate the four sides of Hebei and look down on the world, while Cao controlled the area south of the Yellow River in the Central Plains, ruling with virtue, and the world would submit. This was also the tacit agreement between Cao and Yuan, as long as the two men each unified the Guandong region north and south of the Yellow River, they would go to war! Therefore, the strategists on both sides were also aware of this point and were doing their best to speed up their respective masters' unification.

  Tian Feng understood this point and immediately ordered Yuan Jun to go to each place to exchange the materials needed by Lü Rui, which were transported to Fan County continuously. The so-called "asking for instructions from Yuan Shao" was just an excuse, and Tian Feng was fully responsible for this matter. As for Yuan Shao, he only needed to nod in agreement!

  After Yuan Shao's first batch of supplies arrived, Tian Feng came to Houye Fu to visit Lü Bu.

  Lü Rui sat in the main seat and saw Tian Feng say: "Yuan Hao? Is it coming to buy grain and grass?"

  Tian Feng cupped his hands and said, "Lord Hou, Yuan Hao has already prepared the first batch of supplies. Please exchange them with our goods at a price of 600,000 yuan per dan."

  Lv Rui blinked and said: "Yuan Hao? 600,000 yuan per dan? No way, now it's 1 million yuan per dan!"

  Tian Feng was stunned, what one million dollars? When did it become so expensive? Lü Rui? You're too much! Tian Feng suppressed the anger in his heart and said: "Hou Ye? Clearly the market price is 500,000 dollars per ton of grain, our army is willing to pay 600,000 dollars, why are you still being difficult on purpose? Where did this one million dollars per ton of grain come from?"

  Lv Rui looked at Tian Feng, then looked at Xushu and said: "Yuanhao, Yuanzheng told me that the current market price is one million per dan, which is the price of our Fan County. If you don't believe it, you can go to the market to take a look?"

  Tian Feng listened, Xu Shu? Could it be that the superior man behind Lü Rui is Xu Shu? Tian Feng thought for a moment, what about the price of Fan County? Isn't that set by you yourselves? Tian Feng cupped his hands and said: "Your Excellency, the market price of Fan County cannot represent the market price of Great Han. We should take the market price of Great Han as the standard!"

  Lv Rui looked at Tian Feng, who was blowing his beard and staring, and showed an innocent expression: "Yuan Hao is reasonable, right? Since you have a long history with Yuan Hao, why don't you go to Ye City, Xia Pi, and Chen Liu with him to check the market prices, and then report back to me. We can use the average price of the three places as the standard for exchange. What does Yuan Hao think?"

  Tian Feng's face turned red with rage, what three places to investigate the market price? The back and forth time won't take a year? If we delay any further, Gong Sun Zan will arrive at the gates of Ye City! Tian Feng clenched his fists tightly, then took a deep breath and said: "Your Excellency, investigating the market price in three places is a waste of time. Why don't we just follow the usual merchant's method and add a markup to the original price?"

  Lü Rui listened and took a sip of tea, saying: "Alright, since that's the case, I'll make an exception for Uncle Benchu. I'll exchange goods at a price of 900,000 coins per dan."

  Tian Feng immediately said, "Lord Hou, ordinary merchants usually raise prices by one tenth each month. One dan of rice should be 550,000 coins, but our army is offering 600,000 coins, which is already higher than the market price!"

  Lv Rui nodded and said, "Although it's like that, there are many buyers for the grain and fodder in Fan County, but now the stored grain is insufficient. How about this, I'll exchange goods with you at a price of 800,000 yuan per dan?"

  Tian Feng immediately waved his hand and said: "Lord Hou, how about 650,000 coins per dou?"

  Lv Rui's expression turned displeased, and he said: "Yuan Hao, the Marquis is sincere in doing business with Uncle Benchu, every time reducing the price by 100,000 coins, but you increase the price by 50,000 coins each time. What kind of logic is this? If I don't sell grain to you, can't I sell it to others? The White Horse General of Beiping is eager to buy my grain!

  Gongsun Zan? No, if Gongsun Zan gets the grain and fodder, then our lord's situation will be in danger. Thinking of this, Tian Feng said: "Seven hundred thousand coins? Lord, it can't be higher than that?"

  Lü Rui listened and shook his sleeve, saying: "Hmph, okay, I'll agree to it because of Ben Chu's face. However, Yuan Hao, I have a small request, please grant it."

  Tian Feng listened and said: "What? There are still requirements, Tian Feng cupped his hands and said: "Master Hou please speak, if Yuan Hao can do it, I will definitely help Master Hou to do it."

  Lv Rui said: "Yuan Hao, recently I have been to Fan County and the business is booming. There are a lot of copper coins in the mansion. I don't know if Yuan Hao can help me exchange them for gold?"

  Exchange gold? Ah, today I entered the Lu mansion and saw the steward ordering people to clean up the copper coins. It seems that Lü Rui has a lot of copper coins in his hands! Hmph, in a county, how can it compare to the vast Ji Zhou? Having more copper coins is also troublesome! Tian Feng cupped his hands and said: "Your Excellency, Yuan Hao can help with this matter, but we need to pay one percent more than the market price. What do you think, Your Excellency?"

  At this time, Tian Feng looked at Lü Rui with a playful expression, calculating me? I have your weakness, and I also want to turn the tables. Lü Rui looked at Tian Feng, then made a difficult decision and said: "Okay, I agree to Yuan Hao!"

  Tian Feng cupped his hands and said: "Thank you, Lord Hou!"

  The next day, the servants of Fan County Hou's mansion began to trade with Tian Feng. Horses, salt, gold, and weapons continuously entered Lv Rui's treasury, while Lv Rui provided grain and copper coins to Tian Feng, who escorted them back to Ye City. After obtaining 30 million dan of grain, Tian Feng took his leave, which was enough for the Ji Zhou army to sustain until autumn next year!

  Lü Rui looked at the piled-up materials in Fan County and smiled, "Hmph? Copper coins? You'll know the harm of copper coins later. During inflation, money is just worthless paper. Xiao Fengfeng, you don't understand economics, let me teach you a lesson!"