After a while, under the leadership of the guards, a large number of people poured into the meeting hall.
These people bowed respectfully, and one of them, who was quite fat, said, "Lord City Lord, I am from Meng County, and they are from Shouyang County and Pingding County."
Those who were traveling with him all bowed to Qingcang.
"What are you doing here in my Huaxia City?
As far as I know, your counties are under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
But my Huaxia City is autonomous."
These counties are all in the north of Leping County, relatively close to Huaxia City.
"Lord City Lord, the magistrate of our county originally asked us to come to borrow grain.
Because the crops in Huaxia City have already been harvested, I don't want you to belong to the Eastern Han Dynasty.
Therefore, our magistrate asked us to come to buy grain again."
There is a big difference between borrowing and buying.
Only friends or the same camp can have the concept of borrowing; buying is different.
Even if they are from different camps and are hostile, as long as both parties agree, the sale can be completed.
Obviously, at first they were jealous of Huaxia City's harvest, thinking that he also belonged to the Eastern Han Dynasty, but they didn't expect that he turned out not to be the case later.
So the letters were sent back and the goods bought were used instead.
This was trade.
At present, the food is in Qingcang's hands, so the only way to buy food is through him.
That's why I kept waiting outside the main city to ask for an audience.
It can be seen that the reputation of Huaxia City has been completely spread.
There are advantages and disadvantages to the reputation.
The advantage is that more people will come here, but the disadvantage is that it will be remembered by others, such as Luoyang.
Huaxia City has gradually transformed from a second-rate city to a prosperous first-rate city.
This kind of governance will definitely be coveted.
At this time, Guo Jia said softly: "Commander, maybe we can make these counties our vassals, and the business will continue as usual, and we will have to pay some money every year as vassal fees."
When Guo Jia came from these counties, he probably had already thought of how to deal with them.
When it comes to vassalage, it means collecting the protection fee from the younger brother, making these three counties the younger brother of Huaxia City.
Qingcang didn't expect it at first, but after he said it, it was feasible.
By dividing these counties, I don’t have to worry so much, and I have the money to take it, so why not do it?
"I think it works" Unlike Wu Zhi, these people seemed more polite.
The news that Leping City was occupied had spread, and all the counties within a few hundred miles knew about it.
Perhaps this news has also reached Luoyang City, but Luoyang has not had time to react, or it is unable to control him.
They are so humble.
It can be predicted that these people probably know Qing Cang's cruelty and will take over your city at the slightest disagreement.
That's why Guo Jia made such a plan.
And the fact that they can come to ask for food shows that they are probably desperate.
Food is especially important in troubled times.
All the young laborers have gone to fight, leaving some old, weak, sick and disabled, and there is obviously a shortage of labor.
Now the imperial court is busy with the suppression of the Yellow Turbans, and the ten permanent servants are causing chaos, so it is basically impossible to ask for food.
Qingcang also thought about a way to become a vassal.
"You can buy food, but I have a condition."
Fatty is obviously the leader of these people.
He said: "Please tell me, Lord City Lord, our Lord County Magistrate has given us authority.
As long as it is not excessive, we can agree."
"It's very simple.
You three counties must be vassal to me.
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You must hand over one thousand taels of gold every year and recruit three thousand new soldiers and one hundred literati."
One thousand taels of gold, converted into today's soft girl coins, is about thirteen million.
But the actual value is more than that, because the smelting environment at that time was not optimistic.
But having said that, the three counties can't mine a thousand taels of gold a year, or they can exchange it for other things.
Qingcang's voice was not loud, but everyone present heard it very clearly and expressed shock.
"What is this, Lord City Lord?"
"What's the difference between this and robbery?"
"This is clearly a robbery."
“The conditions are too harsh and we in Pingding County cannot agree to it.”
"Shouyang County is a county of the Han Dynasty, how can it be a vassal of Huaxia City?"
"Lord City Lord, how about you consider other methods?"
Qingcang could already predict that these people would not agree.
He was not afraid that they would not agree.
He said: "You don't have to agree, but you can go back and tell your county magistrate that I can send my army south at any time, wipe out the entire county government, and occupy your land and make it my territory.
That The position of the county magistrate is not guaranteed.
In other words, if I don't attack you, some of you will probably die of famine."
What Qing Cang said was very reasonable.
Several people were obviously moved, but since no one expressed their position, they did not speak.
Qingcang was very satisfied with their reaction.
This shows that his negotiation worked.
Oh no, this is not a negotiation, this is a request from the strong to the weak.
"Go back and contact your county magistrate.
If it works, I will sell you grain so that you can survive this summer safely.
If not, you will be killed by me.
By the way, this Yellow Turban has already been stationed at Guangzong.
They may attack at any time in two months, and it will be impossible to resist them with your military strength."
He listed several benefits and things that might happen soon, causing all the messengers present to think deeply.
People are going to die.
What's the point of asking for money?
If you don't bring it in life, you won't take it with you in death.
In today's world, everyone is in danger, and if he can live one more day, he will make a profit.
He took advantage of the victory and pursued it.
"I'll give you three days to think about it.
If you can, I'll raise the gold and recruit 3,000 people in one month.
I can guarantee that you will be safe and sound for a year.
If not, you will fend for yourself."
The fat man gritted his teeth and said: "We in Meng County promise that with the power given to me by the county magistrate, as long as there is food, I can say anything."
He made his attitude clear.
There was no need for the county to change its banner anyway, and it would be enough to do both sides at that time.
How could Qingcang not know what they were thinking, but he didn't expose their thoughts, because he got benefits.
As for protecting or not, it depends on his mood.
At the same time, envoys from Shouyang County and Pingding County were discussing in low voices how to deal with it.
In the end, everyone shook their heads and sighed, obviously the result of the discussion made them helpless.
"We in Shouyang County and Hepingding County have also agreed to the Lord's request.
We will go back today to prepare the gold, and we also ask the Lord not to fix the price on us."
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"You are all vassal to me, the Great China.
How can you keep your prices for food at market prices?
You are innocent."
One thousand taels of gold and three thousand new soldiers were already a profit.
It didn't matter even if they gave them some food, because the Wu Dynasty had calculated that one hundred thousand soldiers for ten years would be a huge food reserve.
The fat man was in a hurry to leave.
He bowed and said, "Well, let's take our leave first."
After Qing Cang was sure, everyone left.
"As expected, Counselor Guo is very experienced.
This method is really good."
"Commander, I'm just taking advantage of it."
Without Guo Jia today, he would have made a lot less gold and lost a lot of new recruits.
The more he looked at Guo Jia, the more satisfied he became.
No wonder this guy and Cao Cao wear the same pants and live in the same red building.
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