Chapter Fifty-Four: Release Trade

  "Oh!"

  Zhang Xu nodded slightly and smiled: "But it doesn't matter!"

  "Master Xian!"

  Bu Wu hastily got up, first clasped his hands together in respect, then said: "The great master's ambition is lofty and far-reaching, it is a blessing to all the people. We will do our utmost to follow the great master's ideals and establish an unshakeable foundation!"

  Bu Wu first flattered Zhang Xu, then said: "The aristocratic families are our greatest enemies, but they can also be utilized. It's possible that we can use them to solve our urgent problems!"

  "Isn't it to deepen cooperation with them?"

  Zhang Xu's heart was complicated, but his face didn't show much expression. He also knew that although the merchant group was dealing with different forces on the surface and had to interact with the aristocratic families, it was only limited to superficial cooperation. In other words, Zhang Xu had always been wary of them. Now, hearing Bu Wu's intention to deeply cooperate with the aristocratic families, it would be inevitable that some people from those families would infiltrate into the merchant group. The merchant group was often far away from their territory, and it was difficult to distinguish between loyalty and disloyalty, which is why Zhang Xu had never allowed them to deeply cooperate with the aristocratic families.

  Moreover, they are well aware of the nature of aristocratic families. If they fully understand how merchant groups operate, it is likely that they will completely take over the merchant group.

  However, it's not impossible now. Zhang Xu thought to himself: "This matter can also be resolved. In the past, our strength was weak and we only had a small territory of Qinglin Town with only 500 soldiers, and there was only one general who could command the army, so we didn't dare reveal any information. But it's different now. Even if some information is revealed slightly, it doesn't matter. Moreover, just need to call in important merchant figures every once in a while to verify their faith, isn't that possible?

  Thinking so, Zhang Xu had already made up his mind.

  "Sir, I think you can see that it is indeed the case. We have a sufficient amount of advantageous resources now, but due to the limitations of commercial transaction scale, we are unable to produce on a large scale. Just one salt industry village is enough to guarantee a large amount of money coming in. If some cooperation can be relaxed, I think it's still feasible. Our current strength is different from before..."

  Bai Wu gritted his teeth and said so. As soon as he spoke, the other two deputy directors' eyes lit up slightly. Li Ming, the director of agriculture, was just okay, but Chen Gang was extremely expectant.

  After all, the three major villages of the salt industry workshop are his responsibility. The output of the salt fields is surprisingly high, and the profit is naturally clear. Moreover, among the steel resources now, although the output of steel is not sufficient, the output of iron is extremely high. Those inferior iron products have no sales channels. If they can be sold out, it would be a staggering profit, which can also make up for some losses and free up manpower to produce more steel.

  Zhang Yao and Zhang Liu, the two young children, also had their eyes shining slightly, with a large amount of advantageous resources accumulated in their territory. This was something they knew and had heard from Zhang Xu's lectures.

  Therefore, the five most powerful talents under Zhang Xu's command were all looking at him with eager eyes, respectfully waiting for his decision. After all, Zhang Xu was the master in their hearts, and without his nod of approval, no matter how good the thing was, it couldn't be done. This was a kind of betrayal to their faith.

  "Alright, Bu Wu, you summon Sun Lin back and have him bring out a plan. The five of you discuss the specifics and come to a decision. In short, I want to see Donglai County occupied and quickly returned to our territory, with production restored!"

  After finishing speaking, Zhang Xu waved his hand and let them withdraw!

  "We bid you farewell!"

  The five people were extremely excited and hastily stood up respectfully. After bowing their heads to Zhang Xu, they retreated backwards saying.

  …………

  Five people left to discuss things, and also made Zhang Xu slightly relieved: "A little leak may be possible, if it can be exchanged for enough resources, then it's okay. Alas, unfortunately, Qingzhou only has one iron ore mine in the west, and Donglai County still needs to import iron ore mainly. If new cooperation can be opened up, it's not impossible!"

  Thinking of this, Zhang Xu's mind calmed down. The production of steel is restricted by the lack of iron ore, and the quality of our country's iron ore is low, making it extremely difficult to smelt. Although the furnace has been improved several times, the craftsmen's research enthusiasm is high, and Zhang Xu is also willing to invest money, but the current steel production ratio is still severely unbalanced, and the 'scrap rate' is very high. Of course, this is also because his requirements are too high. These scrap irons are still extremely precious in the eyes of other large families or even nobles, which is also the purpose of expanding transactions.

  "Well, if it's feasible, then so be it. Too much money is needed, recovering excess grain from the people also requires money, and prosperous businesses even more so require money. Expanding some transactions like this won't be a problem!"

  After some thought, Zhang Xu felt that there was no problem and a heavy heart finally fell off. Immediately afterwards, he felt joyful in his heart. Looking at the five capable subordinates, if it were like this, it should be enough to meet the needs of various materials after taking down Donglai County. In this way, he felt much lighter in his heart.

  The lack of a leader restricts his military strength very seriously. After taking Donglai County, stability work is extremely important. Although faith dissemination is a powerful tool, it's not feasible without sufficient material support. If supplies can be met, then relying on mutual migration of some population, it would be enough to bring Zhang Xu a stable Donglai County.

  Then he can rest assured and play chess with the various princes, using his army to severely attack and deter any prince who dares to come and test him, making Donglai Prefecture an object that many princes do not dare to provoke lightly!

  "Donglai County, oh Donglai County..."

  Zhang Xu's eyes suddenly lit up, and his face changed color for an instant. His heart skipped a beat, and it was a fierce jump, although he quickly calmed down. However, Zhang Xu was still extremely excited, and if possible, he might really get a talented person who would surprise him.

  Of course, he didn't know much about history and didn't know if the great talent was in Donglai County now. If so, maybe there's a chance to win him over!

  "Haha, the heavens will be delighted! If it's possible, my 50,000-strong army will finally have a true commander to lead them! However, I'm not sure if it's feasible, but this is an opportunity that must be tried!"

  Thinking of this, Zhang Xu's heart became extremely excited...

  Sigh, still a little short, but we've reached 63rd place, brothers are still very powerful, continue to ask for recommendation votes, collection, and reservation of points and recommendation votes after 12 o'clock. Sugar man will have three updates today, the third update will be around 11:50, hoping everyone can support more!