Chapter 26: Gongsun Zan's Sincerity

  In just one month, sixty million mu of land was opened up, also known as the "Immortal Mu" land by believers. Adding to this the thirty-five million mu of land in Qinglin Town, the entire Chang County under Zhang Xu's jurisdiction now has nearly ten million mu of arable land. This is undoubtedly a staggering number, after all, ten million mu is an enormous figure. Although sixty million mu is only newly opened-up land, it has complete water conservancy and irrigation systems, with basal fertilizer applied, and large quantities of steel-made farming tools for deep plowing and planting. Even if it's just barren land, the harvest should still be enough to reach five hundred kilograms per mu, equivalent to nine dan in the Han Dynasty!

  Six hundred thousand mu, after a bumper harvest, it will be 300 million jin of grain. Adding the 350,000 mu of familiar land, with an output of 800 jin per mu is no problem. This is two billion jin of grain, which can be said to be extremely rich!

  The land is fruitful, which represents hope. Zhang Xu's mood is naturally extremely comfortable, and it was not in vain that he spent a huge inventory of Qinglin Town. Once the harvest is over, the people will be at peace, and then they can develop more explosively!

  Five billion seven hundred million kilograms of grain, this is enough to feed tens of millions of people, this is undoubtedly a terrible number, at that time even if the army expands again to a ratio of five to one or even higher, there will be no need to worry about the problem of exhausting the military.

  Thinking of this, Zhang Xu's mood is very good. However, regarding the trade with Gongsun Zan, it needs to be increased and delayed Yuan Shao. As long as he can occupy the entire Donglai County, then there will be no need to worry too much later on. Zhang Xu believes that with the strength of his own army, when the time comes, having more than 10,000 troops, even if Yuan Shao wants to attack him, he will also have the power to resist!

  Now Zhang Xu is extremely eager for the transaction with Gongsun Zan, even if it means offending Yuan Shao!

  Moreover, the transaction with Gongsun Zan is also very profitable. Although Gongsun Zan lacks grain and grass, he has a strong exterior and intimidates neighboring tribes, but he does not lack war horses. Exchanging large amounts of grain and grass for war horses is a surefire way to make a profit!

  The previous transaction was three thousand catties of grain, which is about fifty stones of grain for one war horse, and there were restrictions. After all, Gong Sunzhan had a surprising number of war horses, but he wasn't stupid either, and he needed to control the output of war horses. Now, however, this worry was gone, and three thousand catties of grain could be exchanged for one war horse, which would make Gong Sunzhan ecstatic! This was also Zhang Xu's opportunity!

  In the era of cold weapons, the role of war horses was extremely outstanding. With a large number of war horses, it is possible to form cavalry, and most importantly, even if they cannot serve as war horses, plowing fields and transportation require a large number of horses. The granary's food supply is still abundant, and at critical moments, grain can also be collected from the original subjects. Moreover, Chang County is by the sea, with many fishing boats, and the harvest of fish is also remarkable!

  This time, the transaction with Gongsun Zan was a big harvest. Not only could it drag down Yuan Shao and inflict greater losses on him, but also exchange back more war horses!

  This is a surefire deal!

  Later, with Zhang Xu's permission, Bu Wu withdrew the personnel dealing with Ji State and sent them all to You State to contact Gongsun Zan and start opening up trade routes in other areas, especially with Tao Qian. This was a must-open route, not for anything else, Xuzhou was also a rich land, Tao Qian was weak but his governance was good, Xuzhou suffered much less war damage and was extremely wealthy, using the steel that Xuzhou urgently needed now, it was absolutely possible to exchange for many benefits.

  At this time, in the mansion of the governor of Youzhou, Gongsun Zan was furious. The collection of grain and fodder had not been completed, so how could he resist Yuan Shao's attack? Since the Battle of Jieqiao, where his 5,000 White Horse Volunteers were defeated by Qu Yi's vanguard, Gongsun Zan had lost a large amount of grain and fodder. Although he still had an army of 50,000 men, they lacked sufficient food supplies, and the soldiers were unable to fight outside. This was a vicious cycle: without food, the soldiers had no strength, and without strength, they could not fight or plunder resources. As a result, Gongsun Zan had a large army but was unable to take action. Letters from various places arrived one after another, all requesting support.

  "Damn Yuan Shao, damn Ju Yi!"

  With a fierce curse, Ka-chunk! Gongsun Zan directly slashed the nearby cushion with one knife, his heart filled with anxiety and worry. If things continued like this, his downfall was not far off!

  "General! General!"

  Suddenly a figure darted out, and Gong Sunzhan angrily shouted: "What's the hurry, what's going on?"

  "General, good news! Good news! A merchant has arrived and is willing to exchange war horses with us!"

  The person who came was none other than Gong Sunfan, the younger brother of Gong Sunzan. At this time, he had a joyful expression on his face and said.

  "What?!"

  Gongsun Zan hastily stood up, also startled, and then said: "Quickly, quickly, please come in!"

  Originally, as the Marquis of Gong Sun Zan, he was still a general and a famous vassal. Logically speaking, it is not necessary to be so polite to a merchant, but since the defeat at Jieqiao, Yuan Shao took advantage of his influence, coupled with the evil consequences of killing Liu Yu, no merchant dared to come and trade with him. Therefore, for this humble merchant of the time, Gong Sun Zan still showed a respectful attitude, personally receiving the merchant.

  Although I don't know what kind of strength this merchant has, this is an attitude, in the current food shortage, Gong Sun Zan needs to trade with merchants.

  "Yes, elder brother!"

  Feeling Gong Sun's urgency, Gong Sun Fan knew that things had succeeded, and it was not in vain for him to receive some benefits. This matter was extremely beneficial to both parties.

  Not long after Gong Sunfan left, he came back with one person.

  "Brother Lin, a merchant from Qingzhou, has arrived!"

  Gongsun Fan cupped his hands and introduced this merchant Sun Lin to Gongsun Zan.

  Sun Lin hastily bowed and said: "Merchant Sun Lin pays his respects to Your Excellency!"

  "A hero doesn't need much courtesy, get up!"

  Gongsun Zan nodded slightly and smiled as he spoke.

  Although he was a Zhonglang General and had the imperial envoy in his grasp, controlling four northern provinces, at this time of distress, Gongsun Zan naturally would not be arrogant, and hastily said.

  "Many thanks to you, Master Gongsun!"

  Sun Lin thanked and stood up, then sat down as host and guest, and servants brought out melons, fruits, wine and water to entertain them.

  After three rounds of wine, Gong Sunfan felt the timing was about right and explained the purpose of Sun Lin's visit. The two sides quickly reached an agreement and began discussing the matter at hand.

  It is said that Sun Lin was willing to exchange 50 stones of grain for a war horse, and Gong Sun Zan heard this with great surprise. After all, everyone knew that he was in dire need of grain at this time, and exchanging 50 stones of grain for a war horse was an extraordinary thing.

  If he had been as spirited and confident as he was at the beginning, it would have been understandable when he first defeated Yuan Shao, but now that his power has greatly declined, it is rather difficult to comprehend.

  But without thinking much, Gong Sun Zan hastily agreed, after all, this condition was too favorable to him. He generously said: "So be it, I'll take charge of it myself, and exchange 45 stones of grain for a war horse!"

  It turned out that Gong Sun was also afraid, and this condition scared the rest of them, so they voluntarily lowered the price. Sun Lin naturally agreed, he could see that at this time Gong Sun had the intention of buying a horse's bone for a thousand gold, and it was not allowed to be refused.

  However, when he heard that Sun Lin still had refined salt for trade and even brought samples with him, Gong Sun Zan was overjoyed and immediately began to negotiate again...