December of the fifth year of Jian'an was even colder than in previous years. The coldness of winter was unstoppable to Jinling, the capital of Yangzhou Mu Gao Chong. Fortunately, after nearly a year of rest, the people of Jiangdong were not very afraid of this winter. They had more expectations for how to harvest a good harvest in the spring of the next year.

During this period, Gao Chong felt both happy and a little annoyed. He was happy that he could see the scene of people living and working in peace and contentment under his rule, and that his body recovered too slowly. For nearly a year of rest, he was like a arrogant dragon locked in a cage. He wanted to rise up but was blocked by the iron threshold. He wanted to struggle but couldn't break free.

"You! It's just such a life of uneasyness! But if you don't have a good body, you will be unable to do anything even if you want to fight with others." Whenever Gao Chong was upset, Musa, who was outspoken, could always break his mind with one word.

On this day, Gao Chong got up early as usual and came to the yard to practice the routine tricks of the Five Animals Play. The cold wind blew into the ruqi skirt in the morning, which made Gao Chong feel a little cold with his head and feet shrinking. However, after a set of "tiger pounce" moves were used, sweat had already emerged from Gao Chong's forehead, and his whole body was warm and comfortable.

"The muscles, bones and joints seem to be much more flexible recently, not as stiff as before. Could it be that my body is getting better?" Gao Chong thought this way, and he felt a surprise in his heart.

"Hey-oh!" A young child's voice rang behind Gao Chong.

Gao Chong looked at the sound, but saw his daughter Qingyue and Yi muttering something, shaking and holding the railing, looking at her. Although she only took a small step at a time, she proudly raised her face and smiled at Gao Chong. This smile was so pure and flawless that Gao Chong couldn't help but pick her up in three steps and two steps.

"Yes!" Qingyue struggled hard in Gao Chong's arms, and was about to go down the ground without any appreciation.

"Don't spoil her, it's better to let her go by yourself!" Da Qiao came behind Gao Chong's father and daughter at some point and said softly.

"When did this girl learn to walk?" Gao Chong said in surprise. Seeing Qingyue taking every small step, Gao Chong felt sweet and happy, even more enjoyable than winning a big battle.

Da Qiao gave Gao Chong a blank look and said, "You have no time to care about your children for this and that time all day long?" When he said this, a light flashed in Da Qiao's eyes, which was a drop of resentment and sorrow.

"I was wrong, Yu'er, I'm sorry!" Gao Chong stepped forward, hugged Da Qiao Wen's soft body tightly, and said softly.

Any man, from his own heart, hopes to be able to hold the woman he likes. However, when he really has it, how to give the other person a love that is not worthy of one or the other is another problem that no one can solve. Facing Musa, Da Qiao, Lu Ti, the three women who love him and his love, Gao Chong could only smile helplessly.

"As long as you have this conscience, we mother and daughter will be content!" Da Qiao buried her head in Gao Chong's wide chest, reluctant to leave.

Suddenly, Gao Chong felt someone on his leg tapping him gently. When he looked down, Qingyue was clenching her fist and staring at him with a wide glare, as if saying, this is my territory, you go away!

"I will definitely be very powerful in the future!" Gao Chong laughed, reached out and hugged his daughter over his head, and then asked her to ride onto his neck.

"Look at you like this, how could you be like a hero who commands the 11 counties in Jiangnan?" Da Qiao said coquettishly.

"Hey, now my task is to be a good father, right? My little princess!" Gao Chong kissed Qingyue's chubby calves hard and said.

Qingyue, who was above Gao Chong's head, seemed to understand, raised her calves and swayed back and forth, looking at her expression that was indescribable cuteness.

"Oh, by the way, Sister Xiao Qiao came over the other day and told me something!"

"What's up?"

"Well, sister Xiao Qiao, she is happy!" Da Qiao said with a smile.

"Really? Then Gong Jin must not know yet? I will tell him to go immediately." Gao Chong happily held Qingyue and ran to the study.

"You men are all the same, so anxious that they are not patient!" Behind him, Da Qiao said coquettishly.

Just when Gao Chongxiu told Zhou Yu about the good news, in Xiakou, the Grand Governor Zhou Yu was summoning the generals of the Jingzhou subordinates to discuss the current war.

"Governor, after Liu Bei arrived in Jingling, he took advantage of the opportunity of Liu Biao's serious illness to actively win over the generals in the army. His ambition to seize power was obvious. If we waited for him to become a big shot, it would be too late to deal with him. Therefore, I suggest that we should send troops to attack Jingbei immediately!" veteran Huang Zhong said loudly.

Huang Zhong's suggestion caused all the generals to nod. On the one hand, Liu Bei gathered the Qing people as the emperor's uncle to criticize Gao Chong, and on the other hand, he stepped up his pace of seizing real power in Jingzhou. His purpose was to take advantage of Cao Cao's northern expedition. Gao Chong was injured and quickly replaced Liu Biao as the ruler of Jingzhou. Only in this way can he have the opportunity to compete with Cao Cao and Gao Chong.

Zhou Yu glanced at the generals and said calmly: "Although what General Huang said makes sense, it is not the time to attack Jingbei!"

"Why not? Can we just wait for Liu Bei to attack us in reverse?" asked Gan Ning, the governor of the navy.

Zhou Yu smiled slightly and said, "General Gan, don't be anxious. I haven't finished speaking yet. Liu Biao has been operating Jingxiang for nearly ten years. It has a deep foundation and cannot be easily moved. If Liu Bei wants to replace him, the best way should be to slowly cultivate his confidants and deprive those who are pro-Liu Biao of power bit by bit. Then, when one day Liu Biao dies of illness, he will wait for an opportunity to learn from Cao Cao and support a puppet to manipulate real power. Now, if our army attacks Jingbei, Liu Bei will use the excuse of dealing with us to further fight against Liu Biao for real power to control the Jingzhou army. If we do not give Liu Bei this excuse, it will be able to expose Liu Bei's naked ambitions."

After hearing what Zhou Yu said, Gan Ning's eyes lit up and he continued: "The governor means that Liu Bei is now doing the opposite and trying to usurp power by rushing forward. This will cause panic among the generals of Jingzhou who are respectful to the army."

Zhou Yu nodded in praise and said with a smile: "Yes, as time goes by, the conflicts and differences between them will intensify. As long as we can wait patiently and make use of them, we can make a profit safely. Generals, isn't this better than fighting a tough battle?"

Zhou Yu's reasonable analysis made the generals with different opinions calm down, and the battle situation on the Western Front was basically stabilized with his arrival. After several tentative attacks failed, Liu Bei actively won over and cultivated the forces in the Jingzhou army to his personal attention. His series of actions aroused the extreme dissatisfaction of some generals loyal to Liu Biao.

At the end of December, Pang Tong and Lu Fan had already captured the six counties of Jiaozhi. Shi Xie lost consecutive battles, leaving only a capital in Jiaozhou. Faced with difficulties, Shi Xie sent envoys to ask for help from Liu Biao and Liu Zhang. Liu Zhang, who was already disgusted with this alliance, was cold in attitude. Liu Biao, who led the alliance, only agreed verbally, but when it came to the action, it was loud and the raindrops were small.

At the same time, Sikong Cao Cao led three armies to attack Hebei, north of Henei County, south of Qingzhou, and most of Jizhou fell into Cao Cao's hands. Faced with the crisis, Yuan Shao's eldest son Yuan Tan and youngest son Yuan Shang began to abandon his personal grievances and united with the help of the Wuhuan Iron Cavalry.

Under such circumstances, although Yecheng was besieged for nearly two months, the morale of the generals in the city was still there, and there were Shen Pei, Feng Ji and other generals, and Cao's attack was repeatedly blocked.

Yangzhou, the conference hall, has basically restored its health and returned to its former spirit.

"Pampered handsome, the results of the second examination have come out!" Cui Yan, a sergeant, rushed in happily with a few papers.

Gao Chong took it and looked carefully. The first place in the second test was Chen Jiao from Dongyang, Guangling, whose courtesy name was Ji Bi, who was the Gongcao of Chen Dengfu, the prefect of Guangling; the second place was Dai Qian from Qu'a, Danyang, and Shujian; the third place was Xu Xuan from Haixi, Guangling, and Baojian.

Gao Chong has seen all three of them in person, including Chen Jiaoliangzhi, Dai Qian Zhongyi, and Xu Xuan Conghui, although they are only about twenty years old, they are all cornerstones of Jiangdong's future in time.

"Zijing, how do you arrange these people?"

"According to the rules, these high school entrance examinations will be sent to the county first, and the county will be trained. Those who have outstanding results will be promoted in the future!" Lu Su continued.

"Okay!" Gao Chong nodded and responded.

Compared with the steady development of internal affairs, the battlefield of encountering swords and weapons made Gao Chong more worried. When Xu Shu handed over the summary and analysis of information to Gao Chong, a sense of crisis arose from Gao Chong's heart.

Once Cao Cao completely defeated the Yuan father and son and cleared the rebellious forces in Hebei, his next goal was to the south, to be precise, Liu Biao from Jingbei and Gao Chong from Yangzhou.

"Caughters——Cao Cao used cavalry to traverse the Central Plains, Yuan Tan, Yuan Shang used Wuhuan cavalry to protect a corner of Hebei. If our army did not have the help of the horsemen, we would have to settle down in Jiangdong!" Gao Chong sighed.

Although Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao tried their best to build cavalry and stagnate due to the lack of horses. In Shouchun, the number of Yanbei cavalry has expanded, with more than 700 cavalry. In Guangling, Zhao Yun's Qifeng cavalry started completely from scratch. Although Gao Chong supported it, it was only 400 cavalry.

The two teams combined, the total number of cavalry is more than 1,100 cavalry, which sounds pretty good at first glance, but due to the huge disadvantages of Jiangdong horses and Guanzhong horses in combat capabilities, even if Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao are brave, in terms of overall strength, the two cavalry teams that Gao Chong worked hard to form do not have the ability to compete with Cao Cao's elite tiger and leopard cavalry.

Only the tall and mighty Xiliang horse and Wuhuan horse are the essence of the cavalry. Cao Cao was able to block the impact of Yuan Shao's more than 10,000 Wuhuan cavalry in Guandu and attack Wuchao to win a great victory. The 2,000 Xiliang war horses tributed by the Sili Captain Zhong Yao made an indelible contribution.

However, when Cao Cao was in charge of the western rear support, Jiangdong, where Gao Chong was located, was located in the south. Even if there were places where horses were produced, it was mostly suitable for mountain walking.

Cao Cao's existence in the Central Plains was like a barrier between Gao Chong and Xiliang and Youyan. Without his recognition, Gao Chong's dream jockey could only become a bubble.

"Pengshuai, there are excellent war horses and advanced iron tools in the north, but Jiangdong also has items they do not have. Maybe we can exchange them through exchange." Lu Su made an advice to the frowning Gao Chong.

"What good things are there in Jiangdong?" Gao Chong's eyes lit up after hearing this, but he thought hard and could not think of any objects that could be used.

A hint of excitement flashed across Lu Su's face and said, "Peopley, this is this thing." After that, he spread his hands gently, and in his palm was a pinch of salt with crystal clear light.

"Salt—?" Gao Chong asked in confusion.

"Yes. This thing is used by every household. It is a necessary thing for life. This salt is only produced in two places, one is Yizhou Jingshen; the second is sea salt in the coastal area. The production of salt has been controlled by the government since the Qin and Han Dynasties. In any place where salt is produced, the imperial court has been stationed in the Siyan officials to be responsible for salt affairs. In view of the importance of salt, private businesses and giants saw that the government was unable to supervise, so they began to collude with the Siyan officials and secretly took the money-making behavior of selling private salt. For example, the Mi brothers in Xuzhou and other giants made their first money by selling salt." Lu Su calmly told the history of salt.

"Now, the large salt farms in the coastal areas are concentrated in Guangling, Qiantang and Xiapi. The salt production in the first two places accounts for more than half of the total. If we set up checkpoints to investigate the private salt flow north and crack down on salt traders, then the salt in the Central Plains will be shipped and the prices will rise step by step. Soon, if we don't ask Cao Cao, Cao Cao will naturally ask us for it, and then we may get what we want." Lu Su continued confidently.

"Good idea. Cracking private salt smuggling can not only increase tax revenue, but also win the initiative in transactions. This task is left to Mei Qian. He is familiar with the terrain in Huainan area, and those private salt dealers' tricks cannot be hidden from him." Gao Chong ordered.

"However, cracking down on salt vendors may cause panic about other vendors. If merchants do not come to Jiangdong--." Cui Yan said worriedly.

"Ha———Ji Gui is a scholar. I don't know the psychology of those businessmen. As long as they are profitable, they will not leave. Besides, there are frequent wars in the north, and they have nowhere to go even if they want to run away." Gao Chong laughed.

In the spring of the first month of the sixth year of Jian'an, a distinguished guest was welcomed by the council hall of Gao Chong, the minister of Sikong Xicao, who belonged to Chen Qun.

Two years ago, as a subordinate of Lu Bu, Chen Qun had been sent to Jiangdong for Lu Bu and successfully persuaded Gao Chong to raise his troops north. Now, two years later, Chen Qun has been recruited by Sikong Cao Cao and served as the Xi Cao officer in charge of procurement in the mansion.

This time, Chen Qun went to Jiangdong to envoy Jiangdong, and was ordered by the Chief Secretary Xun Yu and Cao Cao to come to Jiangdong to negotiate the purchase of the sea salt that was in short supply in the Central Plains.

After Mei Qian arrested several groups of merchants selling private salt, the price of salt in the Central Plains rose all the way, and the so-called strange goods were resident. Xun Yu asked Chen County to come to Jiangdong this time to solve this problem.

"The officials from the Western Cao of Sikong Mansion belonged to Chen Qun, who met the Lord of the Prefecture." Chen Qun bowed and said.

"Oh, I haven't seen each other for two years, it turns out that Changwen has been listed under Cao Gong's command. It's really gratifying!" Having said that, there was no trace of joy on Gao Chong's face.

Before Lu Bu's defeat that day, Gao Chong intended to win back Chen Qun as his own, but after waiting hard, he got the news that Chen Qun had joined Cao Cao's disciple.

"Sir, the Qunyou is very appreciative. On the day of the defeat of Marquis Wen, my father and I were captured by Cao's soldiers in Xiapi City, and almost lost their lives. Fortunately, Cao Gong knew people, and the Qunyou is today." Chen Qun's face turned red and hesitated.

Being captured and surrendered is a real shame for a military general. Although Chen Qun is a civil servant, such a thing as a treason is not very glorious to say.

"Since Brother Changwen comes from afar, there must be something to ask about. You might as well talk about it first!" Gao Chong replied politely. He had no interest in exploring Chen Qun's character. Since Chen Qun is already Cao Cao's subordinate, for him, he is an enemy that needs to be dealt with seriously.

"The Central Plains lack salt, and the people of Yan and Henan provinces have no saltiness and complaints. This is the order of Xun Yu, the chief minister of the service, to discuss the purchase of salt." Chen Qun said.

"It turns out that this is the matter. There is a prime minister here here. You can discuss it with the long article first. Jinling has a beautiful scenery and a unique flavor compared to the north. Long article might as well live for a few more days to see how the changes in Jiangdong are?" Gao Chong's face darkened, he winked at Lu Su, and then stood up and left.

"Sir, this salt-!" Chen Qun felt a sudden slap in his heart when he saw Gao Chong leave.

"Brother Changwen is here, I don't know what to exchange for salt?" Lu Su stopped Chen Qun and asked with a smile. The attack on private salt vendors over the past year seemed to have achieved results. Now, it is time to bargain with Cao Cao.

"Before leaving, Chief Xun had already told him that as long as Jiangdong is willing to sell, we are willing to accept it even if the price is higher." Chen Qun said.

"Do you mean you want to use the money to buy salt? I'm bluntly speaking, this money--." Lu Su smiled coldly and said.

"What does Lord Lu want us to exchange for?" Chen Qun knew that he had something to ask for, so he had to ask in the wrong.

"We need whatever Jiangdong lacks. This is the same as the Central Plains. I heard that the Guanzhong area is rich in war horses in Xiliang. This time, the Sili School Guard Mansion sent two thousand cavalry to Lord Sikong. I wonder if it can be exchanged with horses?" Lu Su said calmly.

"How is this possible? I am also in short supply of war horses in the Central Plains. Now I am fighting with Yuan Jun tightly. Lord Sikong will never agree." Chen Qun shook his head repeatedly and said.

Lu Su was not in a hurry and seemed to have expected Chen Qun's reply. He said slowly: "That's right. If you exchange it for something else, my favorite coach may not agree. If Brother Changwen is really embarrassed, he might as well suffer and rush to Yizhou again. The well salt there is also quite good."

Chen Qun said anxiously: "Yizhou is thousands of miles away from the Central Plains, and there are frequent thieves and chaos along the way. How can this salt be transported to Yanyu?"

"I can't help this!" Lu Su said in a formal manner.

"Hey—! It seems that I can only return without success this trip." Chen Qun stomped his feet and walked out of the door with unwillingness.

For him, he had only one choice. Hui Xu Du reported to Xun Yu to convey the exchange conditions proposed by Jiangdong. As for success or failure, it was not something he, a small Xi Cao officer, considered.

PS: The new three is about to end, thank you for your support!
Chapter completed!