Chapter 3 The First Bucket of Gold

  Zhang Shan's extremely high evaluation of the Shizu tribe, although it made Li Zhong feel a sense of recognition in his heart, did not mean that he was completely at ease. After all, Li Zhong was not a native of this world, and he had his own experiences and judgments.

  A commoner is innocent until he carries a jade pendant, then he is guilty.

  Li Zhēng is just a nobody, facing the powerful Fù family, as long as they slightly raise their thoughts and move their fingers, he will not be able to escape unscathed.

  When the time comes and both people and money are gone, that's when it's a real tragedy.

  But by now, Li Zhong had also come to understand. In Liangzhou, or in this era, where was there a safe place? Where was there anything that was absolutely foolproof?

  Fight! Use your fists to fight, that's the real deal.

  He's new here, clean slate, nothing to lose. If he hesitates, he'll end up with nothing. Now that the Fu family's people are here, the opportunity is right in front of him!

  A glint of unprecedented sharpness flashed in Li Zhēn's eyes.

  A great man should live a life of great momentum! With this eight-foot body, I will fight for a magnificent career! In life, I want to be fed with the finest food, and in death, I want to be cooked with the finest cuisine!

  Living a life of cowardice and flattery, like a dog, that's not Li Zheng, never will be.

  In the blink of an eye, a fierce fire was ignited in Li Zhēng's heart.

  "Since Mr. Fu has invited us, how can we dare not follow his orders?"

  Li Yingxin accepted the invitation gladly.

  Zhou Fei heard this and immediately showed a smile on his round face. As long as he invited Li Zheng, he would have made great contributions. Without saying anything, he immediately led the two of them out of the city, heading towards Fu Shi Weng's fortress.

  When Li Zhong and the other person came out of Fu Shi's Wu Bao, it was already the second day after noon.

  At this time, Li Zhēn had become somewhat different. If the Li Zhēn of just one day before was only slightly eccentric, now he was radiant with confidence and grandeur, his words overflowing with self-assurance, complemented by his handsome and elegant appearance, making people involuntarily admire him.

  The day before yesterday, Zhang Shan was still able to walk shoulder to shoulder with Li Zhong, but now he involuntarily fell half a step behind.

  "Big mountain."

  Stopping in front of the Wu Fortress, Li Zhēng turned his face to stare at Zhang Shan, pointing to his own chest and said solemnly: "Now I also have a foundation, although it's not yet established. But do you believe me? In just one year, my name, Li Zhēng, will resound throughout the Great Han!"

  He walked a few steps to the side of the horse-drawn carriage, lifted the curtain, took out a cloth package and threw it to Zhang Shan, saying: "This is the commission that certain promised you!"

  Zhang Shan caught the bundle, weighed it in his hand, and for some reason, a look of surprise and delight did not immediately appear on his face. He opened his mouth to say something, but was stopped by Li Zheng waving his hand, saying: "It's only ten taels of gold, nothing much."

  "Now I'm about to head to the pasture immediately, but before that, I'd like to formally invite you. Dashan, on this journey so far, what kind of person do you think I am? You must have some impression... I need a helping hand, will you help me?"

  Zhang Shan heard this, hesitated for a moment, suddenly straightened his face, threw the cloth package in his hand aside like trash, then took three steps back, clasped his hands together and bowed: "Master! From now on, Zhang Shan's life belongs to you!"

  "Hahaha..." Li Zhuang burst out laughing, saying something proud. He took a few steps forward to help Zhang Shan up, excitedly saying: "I knew you wouldn't let me down!"

  "Well then, let's set off!" Li Zheng loosened Zhang Shan's arm, led the horse and turned back to say: "Of course, I won't disappoint you either!"

  Zhang Shan smiled with his mouth open, and his face was full of joy.

  This trip to Fu's manor was quite rewarding for Li Zhēng.

  As Zhang Shan said, from start to finish, Fu Shi did not slack off or cheat, nor did he threaten. Of course, this does not mean that Li Zhong will regard the aristocratic families as angels. He still believes that as a stranger, enthusiasm is only because of having something to ask for, and not betraying is only because the benefits are not yet great enough!

  Or rather, for aristocratic families like Fu's, their principles and bottom line should be higher than those of ordinary people, that's all.

  From Zhang Shan's perspective, the aristocratic families are indeed trustworthy. As a commoner, he has no conflicting interests with the aristocratic families.

  But looking back on history, for example, Yuan Shao or Cao Cao, in the process of rising to power, there were many alliances and betrayals, repeated over and over again.

  So Li Zhong saw it very clearly and was also very vigilant in his heart.

  Five hundred taels of gold, a pasture of three hundred mu, one hundred dan of grain, thirty household slaves, and two inferior horses were bestowed upon Li Ding from the Fu family.

  It looks like there are quite a few, but relatively speaking, Fu will never be at a loss.

  It's said that a BMW is worth a thousand gold, and Fu had mentally prepared for it, waiting for Li Zhu to open his mouth. But Li Zhu only asked for 500 gold, plus some things that were neither here nor there for Fu, which made him think that Li Zhu was still quite tactful.

  But who knows what Li Zhong has in mind?

  Pastures are his foundation and slaves are his people; these are more valuable to him than pure gold!

  Riding on horseback, he waved his hand and summoned the leader of the family slaves who followed beside him, saying: "Let the people behind catch up, don't fall behind!"

  The leader of the slaves was named Zhao Wu, and he wasn't small in stature, nearly eight feet tall. He looked refined and slender, around thirty years old, originally the manager of the abandoned grassland given to Li Zheng by Fu Shi. This time, he became Li Zheng's man and also served as a guide.

  In the households of wealthy families, there were as many slaves as they wanted, and if not enough, they could go to the slave market to recruit at will - in those days, people selling themselves into slavery were everywhere.

  As a house slave, Zhao Wu had long been enlightened. So after the sudden change of master, Zhao Wu did not show any improper behavior and was very respectful to Li Zheng.

  Having heard Li Zhēng's orders, Zhao Wǔ said: "Don't worry, Master. Brothers will definitely not drag their feet."

  "Hmm," Li Zhong was very satisfied, paused for a moment, then turned to Zhang Shan and said: "Dashi, this 100 shi of grain is too little, far from enough. We must purchase some more. This matter will be left to you to handle, how?"

  "Ah!"

  Zhang Shan cupped his hands and said: "I don't know how much the master is prepared to buy?"

  "With a limit of 400 taels, try to buy as much as possible." Li Zhēng said: "Food is naturally the more the better, unfortunately, I only have this amount of money on hand."

  "One jin can buy nearly a hundred dan, four hundred jin is almost forty thousand dan. Master, this number is too big, in Lingzhou except for the Fu family, no one can take out so much grain." Zhang Shan was still frowning and calculating with his fingers, but Zhao Wu spoke up.

  "Oh?"

  Li Zhēng was somewhat surprised. This Zhao Wu seems to have some skills, no wonder he used to be in charge of things. He's a personal talent! It seems that the initial construction of the ranch won't require Li Zhēng to worry about it himself.

  Li Zheng thought for a moment and then understood what Zhao Wu meant, furrowing his brow.

  "Since that's the case..." Li Zhēng also scratched his head. To be honest, he didn't want to have too much to do with the Fu family right now, nor did he want to ask for help. But the harsh reality was staring him in the face.

  "Gritting his teeth, he said: 'It seems that this matter will still fall on the Fu family's head. However, for now, it's not urgent. The pasture is in ruins and there's too much grain with no place to store it. Let's wait a while before talking about it.'"

  Zhang Shan and Zhao Wu both nodded.

  "Right, I need to renovate the pasture thoroughly and also need some craftsmen." Li Zhēng's thoughts suddenly shifted to construction, "Have to go to Língzhōu city to invite some."

  "There's no need for that, master." Zhao Wu took over the conversation and said: "The Fu family had already considered this point, among the thirty people who came with him, there were craftsmen and stable slaves."

  "Oh?!" Li Zhēng was somewhat surprised, he hadn't expected Fu Shi to be so thoughtful.

  "Next time you come to buy grain, you should thank me again." Li Zhēng nodded and asked: "The certain grassland is located more than 50 miles north of Líng State, but I don't know the specific situation of that grassland?"

  Zhao Wu smiled and replied, "Don't worry, master. The pasture is a good place. It's located in a secluded mountain valley, very hidden. The grass is lush and grows extremely fast. With only 300 mu of land, it can fully support 1,000 horses."

  After listening to Zhao Wu's words, Li Zheng had a general impression in his mind and felt that it was indeed a good place. However, he also knew that not far north of Lingzhou was the border of Liangzhou, where the Hu people were rampant, especially the Xiongnu people, who were very powerful. It seemed that there was also this reason why the Fu family abandoned that pasture.

  Otherwise, with such good conditions, Fu would have no reason to give Li Zhuang just as a accompaniment.

  Currently, there is no power in hand, and it's still necessary to be vigilant.

  After a moment of contemplation, Li Zhēng continued: "How long has the pasture been abandoned? Right, the tools needed to renovate the pasture, as well as all sorts of daily necessities like oil and salt, must be fully prepared."

  "I'll send someone to take care of it right away!"

  Zhao Wu heard this and immediately agreed. He asked Li Zheng for two gold bars, called five family slaves, and instructed them. The five men drove a horse cart and headed towards the city of Lingzhou.

  "Master, these five people were also grassland slaves, after buying good things, they will go to the grassland." After finishing the matter, Zhao Wu explained another sentence.

  Li Zheng nodded slightly. Two gold coins, although not a small amount for a house slave or commoner, Li Zheng thought it was enough to test the character of these people.

  Actually, Li Zhēn didn't think that these five people would lose their way halfway. If they took the two gold bars and escaped, not only would it be unacceptable to Li Zhēn, but also offend the Fu family. As a former house slave of the Fu family, he should know how to make the right choice in his heart.

  It's not that Li Zhong thought human nature was too evil. After all, he is not a big shot now, and it would be quite incongruous for these people to become his household slaves, and they can't help but feel resentful in their hearts.

  Furthermore, Li Zhong didn't quite trust them because of the Fu family. After all, they had been people of the Fu family and weren't directly nurtured by Li Zhong himself.

  Of course, Li Zhēn believed that in the near future, these people would be proud to be Li Zhēn's family slaves, which goes without saying.