In the government office of Jianye, Zhou Yu was counting the money and provisions in the office. The more he counted, the more he frowned. This was because the entire office only had less than twenty thousand gold in provisions. How could twenty thousand gold be enough? Jiangdong lost seventy thousand men in the battle on the Yangtze River. Even if they were given a thousand gold coins as compensation for each person, they would not be able to afford it. What's more, Zhou Yu wanted to take out extra money from the treasury to form a new army.
"Mr. Zhang Zhao, how about we give a hundred gold coins for each soldier?" Zhou Yu asked Zhang Zhao. Zhang Zhao was supposed to be an accountant in Jianye. However, he could not handle this debt alone. That was why Zhou Yu came here.
"Governor, a hundred gold coins? Isn't this … isn't this too little?! " Zhang Zhao was in a difficult position. It was a human life, and it was a fake sacrifice in Jiangdong. Now that the trade route to Jingzhou had been cut off, there was no more food to be sold. So, grain had become a hundred coins per liter. Could it be that a human life was worth one liter of grain?
"I know that too, but this treasury, the treasury is really … sigh!" Zhou Yu suddenly put down the bamboo slips in his hand. Although Jiangdong was not rich, they did not lose to Jingzhou. Every time they lost, there would be spoils. Even if they lost a few battles, they would not lose much. They had always been fighting battles. Now, in Jiangnan, the Jiangdong Army had lost one battle after another. All of a sudden, the Jiangdong Army's biggest weakness was exposed. They were not like Jingzhou's Liu Biao. Even if Liu Biao lost half of his army, Liu Biao would still be able to make a comeback. Why? Because Liu Biao was rich.
On the other hand, Jiangdong had taken out all their money in hopes of winning the war. Once they lost, the entire organization would be in trouble.
"Mr. Zhang Zhao, I wonder if you can borrow some money from me? Mr. Zhang, rest assured. When Jiangdong's autumn harvest comes, I will immediately return your money! " Zhou Yu said to Zhang Zhao. If Zhou Yu borrowed money from Zhang Zhao, it was equivalent to borrowing money from the nobles of Jiangdong. This was because Zhang Zhao represented the nobles of Jiangdong.
Rest assured? What Zhang Zhao was most worried about was Jiangdong's taxes. There was still half a year before the autumn harvest. If Jiangdong was finished by the time the money was sent out, then who would he ask for the money? Even after the autumn harvest, Jiangdong's taxes would only be enough to feed the soldiers. How would he be able to pay back the money?
Therefore, Zhang Zhao immediately cried and said, "Governor, it's not that Zhang Zhao doesn't want to lend you money. It's just that we don't have any surplus food. In the battle of Wan Cheng, the nobles of Jiangdong went to war with the Lord. A total of 100,000 soldiers were sent out, but in the end, only a few of them returned. These were the servants of the nobles. If they died, not only would the losses be huge, but they would also need to be compensated."
Zhou Yu listened to Zhang Zhao's cry and his face turned cold. In the battle of Wan Cheng, the nobles of Jiangdong joined forces with the Lord, Sun Ce. But in fact, the nobles of Jiangdong saw that the local tyrants of Lujiang were cleaned up by Liu Mang. It could be said that there was a power vacuum in Lujiang. They all wanted to get their hands on the cake of Lujiang. That was why they didn't hesitate to send out their troops.
However, there was nothing Zhou Yu could do about it. It was true that the nobles of Jiangdong had suffered heavy injuries in that battle. Later on, there was still the money needed to redeem those nobles. It could be said that it was a loss.
"Governor, that's not all. Last time, when the second young master went to war, the nobles of Jiangdong gave him money and provisions. Governor, don't you remember? After these two times of supply, how can there be any extra money? " "Zhang Zhao is complaining again.
At that time, Sun Ce did extort a lot of money from him. The nobles of Jiangdong were very distressed, but in the end, Sun Ce still lost.
"Sigh, this second young master." Zhou Yu also fiercely stomped his feet. He had already told the Lord that the best way to deal with this second young master was to put him in captivity or simply send him to Xu Du as a hostage. It was better than leaving him in Jiangdong. This second young master was not incapable, but the more capable he was, the more worried Zhou Yu was. After all, one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers.
"Can't you help the Lord a little? Now that Jiangdong's survival is at stake, Mr. Zhang Zhao, you and I are doing this for the sake of the Lord. "Zhou Yu earnestly said to Zhang Zhao.
"In that case, my Zhang family is willing to take out 500 gold." Zhang Zhao said to Zhou Yu.
"Haha." Seeing Zhang Zhao take out the money, Zhou Yu was not happy. Instead, he was angry. "Mr. Zhang Zhao, do you really think that I am a beggar in Jiangdong?" Zhou Yu coldly snorted. Five hundred gold coins might seem like a lot, but for the Zhang Clan, a great noble family from Jiangdong, five hundred gold coins was nothing.
"Since Mr. Zhang Zhao is like this, then I will say it clearly. The Zhang family, Wu family, and even my Zhou family, will take out 2,000 gold. The rest of the families, like the Zheng family, Wang family, Hao family, and Cheng family, will take out 1,000 gold and 500 gold each. As for the small nobles, 800 gold! " “
How can there be so much? "Zhang Zhao was also bitter. This year's income from the Zhang family did not reach 2,000 gold.
"I don't know how you will take it out, but if you can't, then I, Zhou Yu, will personally send people to get it." Zhou Yu was also ruthless. In the past, he was afraid of offending the nobles. But now, he was not afraid. If there was no money to compensate the soldiers who died in battle, and if there was no money to form a new army, then Jiangdong would be finished.
"This old subject can only pass on the message!" Zhang Zhao sighed. He also knew that Zhou Yu has no choice.
"Then, Mr. Zhang Zhao, please leave as soon as possible." Zhou Yu made a gesture of sending him off.
… …
Zhang Zhao was the representative of Jiangdong's noble clans, just like how the Zhou Clan was to Jing Zhou. Because of this, Zhang Zhao brought Zhou Yu's message to them. Zhang Zhao was the representative of Jiangdong's noble clans.
As soon as the words fell, there was an uproar.
"How can this be? It's 800 gold. How can we take it out?" A nobles of Jiangdong stood up and said.
Although 800 gold wasn't a lot, but one must know that so far, there wasn't any harvest in Jiangdong this year. They were all losing money. Last time, during the battle of Wancheng City, the He Clan's Patriarch took out 2,000 servants and armor. He wanted to make a good profit in Lujiang, but who would've thought that his army would be completely wiped out. His 2,000 servants were finished. Not only did he not make any profit, he also spent 2,000 to 3,000 gold.
Later, when the Second Young Master went to see the doctor, he also took the money. Although it was not a lot, it was still about 2,000 gold. However, it was still a loss. If it goes on like this, it would be 5,000 gold. Such a small family has already suffered a great loss. Now, they have to take out 800 gold.
"Family Head He, 800 Gold is already good enough for you. I already have 1,500 Gold. That's almost double what you have. How can my Hao Family have that much? We can only sell off our family property," the Hao Family Head said with a sullen expression.
"No, we can't take out so much money. We must ask the Lord. Is this forcing us to die?" Some people were dissatisfied and shouted loudly.
Zhou Yu and Sun Ce were sworn brothers. "Now that Milord has given full authority over Jiangdong to the Governor, do you think you can still complain to the Governor?" Zhou Yu's words basically represented Sun Ce's opinion. Zhang Zhao sneered. Zhou Yu and Sun Ce were sworn brothers. "Now that Milord has given full authority over Jiangdong to the Governor, do you think you can still complain to the Governor?" Zhou Yu's words basically represented Sun Ce.
"Then let's do this!" The group of people also panicked. If they were to pay up, they would basically be paying a huge price. Those who had a good foundation could still afford it, but those who couldn't afford it would be miserable. Moreover, if they were to pay up, it would basically be a waste. Therefore, most of them didn't want to pay up. However, they had no choice. Governor Zhou Yu had already said that if they didn't pay up, he would personally come. At that time, they would lose both their money and their lives.
"Anyway, Jiangdong is almost done. Let's just not pay. I don't believe that Zhou Yu can really do anything to us!"
"What if the Governor really dares to do it?"
"If that's the case, then we can go all out and seek refuge in the north of the Yangtze River." The head of the Jiangdong noble family was a bit arrogant. It was no wonder that this person had a bit of a grudge with Sun Ce. Although Sun Ce did not find trouble with him, he did not have a good influence on Sun Ce.
"The north of the Yangtze River. How can we not know what this means? The north of the Yangtze River is Liu Mang of Yangzhou."
"Are you crazy? If such nonsense is discovered by others, then it will be a disaster!" Some of the family heads were timid and angrily rebuked the person who proposed to go to the north of the Yangtze River. If this was heard by Zhou Yu, then these people would not be able to escape.
"What are you afraid of? There are no outsiders here. I'm just saying. Don't tell me that Zhou Yu will kill all of us just because of this? Who will give him money if he kills us? "
Zhang Zhao waved his hand and stopped the fight between the two. Indeed, this was the domain of the Zhang family. Their safety was naturally guaranteed, but Zhang Zhao still shook his head and said, "We cannot go to Jiangbei."
"Why can't we go to Jiangbei?"
"Do you know Liu Mang and Liu Hanyang of Jiangbei?"
"We don't know!"
"If we go to Jiangbei, what if Liu Mang and Liu Hanyang want your money? Besides, what can you give to Liu Mang and Liu Hanyang when you go to Jiangbei? Did you forget that during the battle of Wancheng city, you almost killed Liu Mang and Liu Hanyang! "
Indeed, during the battle of Wancheng city, if Liu Mang was not lucky, he might have died in the hands of these people. So, it was not a reliable thing to rely on them.
"Is there no other way to choose?" Someone questioned.
"There is!" Zhang Zhao seemed to know something and said to the crowd. "If Jiangdong changes its master, who do you want?"
"Second Young Master!" The nobles on the scene said in unison.
"Xu Xu. Just wait and see! "Zhang Zhao said to the crowd." If the master is not changed, then we will pay the money as usual. Haha! " “
…
After Zhang Zhao left, Zhou Yu became even busier. Since Zhou Yu dared to ask Zhang Zhao, he knew that Zhang Zhao would definitely bring a lot of money. Even if it was just a portion, Zhang Zhao wouldn't dare to leave him out.
Zhou Yu calculated that the amount of money was around 50,000 gold. With this amount of money, after deducting the compensation for the families of the fallen soldiers, they would be able to form a new army of 10,000 men. This way, Jiangdong would still be able to fight.
Just when Zhou Yu seemed to be a little relaxed, a few soldiers suddenly ran in.
"En?" When Zhou Yu saw these soldiers, he could not help but frown. These soldiers were responsible for information under Zhou Yu. Once they appeared, it meant that something urgent had happened.
Sure enough, the black-armored soldier knelt in front of Zhou Yu. "Reporting to Governor, the nestling has sent the information."
"Bring it up." Zhou Yu blocked his left and right and took his men to a secret room. He took the information from the black-armored soldier and found that something big had happened.
"Xu Gong?" Zhou Yu thought about this person. "Isn't he dead?"
Many people in Jiangdong knew about Xu Gong. This was because he was Wu County's Commandant and Governor. After Sun Ce entered Jiangdong, the other counties surrendered. Xu Gong was the only one who did not get along with Sun Ce. He was arrogant and unruly. He even sent a secret letter to Cao Cao, asking him to pay attention to Sun Ce. However, Sun Ce found out and ruthlessly uprooted Xu Gong's family.
When Xu Gong's family was killed, Zhou Yu was also there.
"It is true. The nestling said that he did not see wrongly. It is indeed Xu Gong!" The black-armored soldier said to Zhou Yu.
Xu Gong was not dead? This was a big problem. Whether it was Sun Ce who killed Xu Gong's family or Xu Gong's betrayal, the hatred between Xu Gong and Sun Ce could not be resolved.
"Where did this person go?" Since Xu Gong was not dead, he must be eliminated.
"This Xu Gong took a group of soldiers out of the city."
"Out of the city? Which direction? "
"West." The black-armored soldier said to Zhou Yu.
"West?" Zhou Yu opened his eyes wide and wanted to stand up, but he sat down again. "Go, help me find out where the second young master is. Tell him to come see me. "
The black-armored soldier did not know why Zhou Yu wanted to investigate the second young master, but he still obeyed the order.
"Xu Gong, Xu Gong is not dead? Did the second young master fail in his duty? Or did he run away? " Zhou Yu was thinking in his heart. He wanted to ask Sun Quan if Xu Gong was killed. Because the person in charge of killing Xu Gong's family was Sun Quan, Zhou Yu needed to find the person involved.
Soon, the black-armored soldier returned. "Where is the second young master?"
"Reporting to the Governor, the second young master is not in the mansion!"
"What! The second young master is not in the mansion? Did you ask his housekeeper where the second young master went?! “
"I heard from the housekeeper that the second young master seemed to have left the city! “
"Huo!" Zhou Yu suddenly stood up. West gate? Left the city? The lord had left the city through the west gate to hunt. Xu Gong had also left through the west gate. The second young master who was directly related to Xu Gong had also left the city.
"Not good!" Zhou Yu was a smart person and immediately found the strangeness. Xu Gong was not dead. This was related to the second young master, Sun Quan. If Xu Gong had escaped, then he should not have appeared in Jiangdong. He should have run as far as possible. Now that Xu Gong had left the city, Sun Ce had also left, and Sun Quan had followed. Zhou Yu had already seen the relationship between them.
"Quickly mobilize the troops and horses. Follow me." Zhou Yu stood up. He wanted the armor on the ship, but it was too troublesome. He directly picked up the long sword beside him. "Prepare the horses and leave the city."
"Governor, what's wrong?"
"The lord is in danger!" Zhou Yu replied and immediately urged the horse to leave. Behind him were the black-armored soldiers.
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