Standing to earn money?
Just... just this thing?
Chen Deng was a bit stunned. He felt his intelligence was being insulted; he felt Cheng Yu was grinding his brain against the floor!
Because... what Cheng Yu placed before him was nothing else but a piece of paper!
That's right, just paper! Very ordinary, very pure paper!
It is...
Chen Deng had indeed heard that the Imperial Academy workshop had recently developed papermaking and printing techniques, capable of recording any text. Nowadays... what a bamboo slip could record, could now be done with a single sheet of paper.
Even with the same content, through "printing," it could be replicated hundreds or thousands of times. Wasn't that the case with the tens of thousands of so-called "newspapers" sent from Xudu city some time ago?
— "Yuan Shao's Ten Sins," "On Ten Victories and Ten Defeats," "On Four Victories"...
The small newspaper was filled with text.
This completely overturned Chen Deng's concept of bamboo slips, and also overturned the rigid impression many scholars had of the transmission of knowledge...
It also broke the rigid impression of "Luoyang paper is expensive" and "one paper is worth a thousand coins" from the so-called "Cai Hou Paper" of the past.
So...
What did Cheng Yu mean?
Ah no, to be precise, what did Young Master Lu mean?
Selling paper?
Although it was a viable business, it would take time. Besides... paper was merely a plaything for literati and scholars; how much could be sold?
Thinking this, Chen Deng's eyes narrowed, and his forehead was covered in question marks.
"Does Young Master Lu mean to trade in paper? And acquire vast amounts of money and grain?" Chen Deng asked Cheng Yu.
Cheng Yu chuckled and shook his head.
How could that be?
Although it was not a bad method for raising grain, the cycle was too slow. It would take too long to exchange it for the urgently needed food for the front lines!
Young Master Lu's method, though somewhat risky, if successful, would result in an astonishing speed of... wealth accumulation, ah no... grain collection!
Even Cheng Yu himself found the method extremely audacious at this moment!
"Yuanlong, don't ask too many 'whys.' Just do as Young Master Lu instructed; you won't be wrong..."
Cheng Yu advised...
"Then..." Chen Deng asked urgently. "What is the first step we need to take?"
Cheng Yu said, "I heard that the Imperial Academy newspaper has already been established here in Xuzhou, and the paper mill and printing factory have also been completed. Our first step is to expand the scale of the paper mill and printing factory! Along with that... post this announcement everywhere, print it throughout Xiapi City!"
As he spoke, Cheng Yu took out another scroll of paper from his embrace, slowly unfurled it, and handed it to Chen Deng.
Chen Deng looked at it. Initially, his expression was quite ordinary, but... as he read further into the text, he froze... he stood there like a wooden mannequin, his face displaying a line of large characters—I don't understand, but I am greatly shocked.
...
...
Departing from Changshan Commandery in Jizhou, passing through Qingzhou, then crossing the Yellow River southward into Mount Tai Commandery in Yanzhou.
Lu Lingqi's journey was not slow.
In nearly ten days, she and Yang Xiu arrived at this location.
After four years, she saw her father's former brother Zang Ba and the brothers of the Mount Tai Army again.
Speaking of which...
Since Zang Ba and the Mount Tai Army infiltrated Mount Tai, Cao Cao had sent several envoys to persuade them, offering attractive terms.
— Governor of Langya Kingdom!
— Independent command of the army!
— Grain and fodder supplies!
Clearly, Cao Cao's attitude was unambiguous.
As long as Zang Ba gave his word, without him handing over command of his troops, Cao Cao would even provide provisions for them, and the imperial court would legitimize them. As long as the Mount Tai Army did not defect to Yuan Shao, and... could hold this battlefield in Mount Tai.
Of course, Zang Ba had also considered defecting to Yuan Shao.
However, firstly, the young lady had not yet returned from her studies, and Zang Ba dared not make a decision on his own;
Secondly... Yuan Shao's faction always looked down upon commoners. If he went to the northern territories, he would inevitably be subjected to disdain everywhere.
After much deliberation.
Zang Ba simply accepted Cao Cao's provisions, neither defecting to Yuan Shao nor Cao Cao, maintaining a delicate neutrality.
Coincidentally...
In the terrain of Mount Tai, neither Cao Cao nor Yuan Shao could do anything to this Mount Tai Army... Consequently, they were left to their own devices.
However...
All in all, during the Battle of Guandu... the blockade of this battlefield prevented Yuan Shao from deploying his troops southward from Mount Tai into Xuzhou, which was a point in Cao Cao's favor.
At this moment... within the mountain stronghold.
— "Young Miss..."
Countless Mount Tai armored soldiers shouted in unison.
Lu Lingqi had returned...
Where their gazes fell, a woman in white was slowly walking. The calm and youthful expression on her face four years ago had vanished, replaced by a solemnity and sternness in her brows. Her deep eyes seemed to forever surge with killing intent.
Even more eye-catching was the long spear behind her...
This was forged from the weapons captured from the Dragon Soaring Camp, specially melted and refined... Its edge occasionally emanated surging malevolent energy!
Facing the unison shouts, she nodded slightly as a gesture... and then entered the main hall of the stronghold.
The area outside the gate was heavily guarded...
But within the main hall, only Zang Ba and Lu Lingqi were present. Over the years... Zang Ba was the only one who could exchange letters with Lu Lingqi.
"Uncle Zang, have you investigated clearly?"
Without much pleasantry... Lu Lingqi got straight to the point.
Zang Ba nodded heavily, then took out a bamboo slip from his embrace and handed it to Lu Lingqi.
"The bamboo slip records their current locations!"
The locations Zang Ba spoke of were naturally the names embroidered on Lu Lingqi's sleeve—Wei Xu, Hou Cheng, Song Xian, Cheng Lian, Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Lu Yu!
In Lu Lingqi's eyes, these were all murderers of her father.
Lu Lingqi did not rush to unroll the bamboo slip. Instead, she glanced back at Yang Xiu behind her and gave the first instruction: "This fellow I brought, later... send someone to lock him up, give him food on time, don't let him starve! I have a use for him."
"Alright!" Zang Ba agreed.
The fellow Lu Lingqi mentioned was naturally Yang Xiu. She was ordered by Tong Yuan to come here to rescue Yan Liang, or... she could use Yang Xiu's life to exchange for Yan Liang's.
However...
Before that, Lu Lingqi intended to settle some scores with her enemies.
For example...
Unrolling the bamboo slip, Lu Lingqi's eyes fixed on the names listed on it.
— Cao Cao, is in Guandu, surrounded by elite guards, making it extremely difficult to approach;
— Liu Bei is in Xiangyang City, Jingzhou, sharing seats and beds with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, making assassination even more difficult;
Lu Lingqi's gaze swept past these two names. It was too difficult to kill them now.
However... the ones that followed...
— Hou Cheng has become the Prefect of Donghai Commandery in Xuzhou;
— Wei Xu has become the Prefect of Langya Commandery in Xuzhou;
— Song Xian is the Administrator of Guangling Commandery;
— Cheng Lian is the Administrator of Dongguan Commandery!
Good heavens, these four traitors are all in Xuzhou!
Lu Lingqi's eyes suddenly lit up, but this light was filled with endless killing intent!
The corners of her mouth slightly curved, as if Lu Lingqi had already figured out what to do next.
Wait...
Lu Lingqi suddenly thought of something and asked, "Where is Lu Yu? Where is he?"
Yes...
This schemer, full of cunning plans and malicious intent, the instigator who plotted to kill her father!
Why was his name not on the bamboo slip? Where was he?
"This..." Zang Ba paused. "Lu Yu has requested permission from Cao Cao and is also rushing to Xuzhou to gather grain. However, the whereabouts of the Dragon Soaring Camp are peculiar, and I have not yet confirmed where he is!"
Hoo...
Hearing this, Lu Lingqi sighed softly, licking her lips slightly.
"Also in Xuzhou? Then... that's perfect!"
Suddenly, the killing intent in her eyes intensified, and she gripped her steel spear even tighter.
Who would have thought...
At this moment.
A clear voice came, "Miss Lu, I advise you, do not provoke Director Lu, otherwise..."
Lu Lingqi and Zang Ba turned to look. It was Yang Xiu who uttered this sentence.
Before Yang Xiu could finish speaking...
"You dare to threaten us?"
Gū
With a whoosh, Zang Ba drew his sabre and walked towards him.
This sudden drawing of the sabre startled Yang Xiu. The words he was about to utter were all retracted. It was no exaggeration to say that Yang Xiu felt a trace of death. This burly man before him... would definitely not fight fair!
Who would have thought...
Lu Lingqi grabbed Zang Ba.
She stepped forward to Yang Xiu and asked curiously, "Otherwise what? I'll let you finish speaking!"
With a gulp, Yang Xiu swallowed. He mustered his courage and said loudly, "Hou Cheng, Wei Xu, Song Xian, Cheng Lian, these people are fickle. If you kill them, so be it, but if you dare to touch Director Lu, I... I..."
At the end, Yang Xiu stampered again. The main reason was that Zang Ba's saber was too frightening!
"You do what?" Lu Lingqi's lips curved, with some curiosity, but more with mockery and disdain... She raised her voice. "You, someone who can't even lift a chicken? What can you do? Kill me?"
"I... I certainly can't defeat you, nor can I kill you!" Yang Xiu threw caution to the wind. "But... someone can beat you soundly! That is... you... you..."
Yang Xiu was about to say "your father," but before the word "father" could escape, with a whoosh, the spear shot out like a spirit snake, and Lu Lingqi's spear was at Yang Xiu's neck.
"Believe it or not, if you dare to talk nonsense again, I'll pierce your throat with this spear!"
The tip of the spear was only a millimeter away from Yang Xiu's throat.
But Yang Xiu was already carried away by his words and couldn't stop.
"Whether I'm talking nonsense or not, you'll know later. I advise you not to act rashly against Director Lu, this is for your own good... otherwise, your father..."
Lu Bu marrying Lu Lingqi to Lu Yu...
Others might not know, but Yang Xiu knew it very clearly.
If Lu Lingqi dared to harm Lu Yu, it would be no different from murdering her husband... Not to mention that in the Han Dynasty, the crime of murdering one's husband was enough to be drowned in a pig cage. Merely... based on Lu Bu's temperament, at least... Lu Lingqi's behind would probably be in for a beating!
"You say more..."
Lu Lingqi was clearly angered...
This time... Yang Xiu's neck had already been slightly scratched. Lu Lingqi controlled the degree perfectly, only a scratch, without any blood flowing.
Fine...
Yang Xiu also stopped talking. He spread his hands, muttering in his heart.
"This girl, she's exactly like her father's volatile temper... As expected, like father, like daughter!"
...
...
Xuzhou, Xiapi City.
Six or seven days had passed since Cheng Yu and Chen Deng met.
It seemed that Xiapi City was quite peaceful.
Even.
Many wealthy merchants in Xiapi City had gotten wind of it. The notorious Cheng Yu of the Central Plains had arrived, and instinctively, a certain part of their bodies tightened...
Then, instinctively...
One by one, they began to guard their money and grain. One had to know, this Cheng Yu didn't fight fair with ghosts, let alone people...
For merchants, seeing Cheng Yu was no different than seeing a ghost.
Fire prevention, theft prevention, Cheng Yu prevention!
But... the continuous peace made everyone a bit puzzled. What was going on?
Finally, on the seventh day, a major move occurred!
On this day, at the crack of dawn... as the city gates of Xuzhou opened, the citizens who had been waiting at the city gate, whether going out or entering, had formed a long queue.
However... before the guards at the city gate had started to let people through, squads of armored soldiers, posting notices, arrived at the city gate.
With a full hundred guards, anyone could realize... something big was about to happen.
Following that...
Under the curious gazes of countless citizens, sheets of white paper were pasted onto the notice board at the city gate.
In addition, countless loud-voiced officials, holding simple wooden megaphones, were shouting:
— "Do you have a dream?"
— "Do you want to get rich overnight?"
— "Do you want to drive luxury cars and embrace the most beautiful women?"
— "Do you want to buy spacious mansions in Xiapi City?"
— "By farming? By working? By that meager income? Then go to sleep. Dreams are full, reality is lean."
— "Are you desperate? Do you want to hit me? Do you feel life has no hope? Do you come home tired from working all day, only to face your haggard wife's nagging?"
— "If you feel despair, if you want to change, if you want to go from zero to hero, if you have the dream of becoming a rich and handsome man and marrying a beautiful woman, then come..."
— "The Han Welfare Lottery will be officially piloted in Xiapi City, Xuzhou starting today. There are dedicated lottery sales shops at all four gates of Xiapi City! There are also fixed stalls at the East, West, South, and North markets. Each lottery ticket only costs one jin of grain. If you win, you will get ten thousand jin of grain!"
— "Yes, you heard correctly. Only one jin of grain is needed. Millet, sorghum, broomcorn millet, wheat, beans, all five grains are acceptable... One jin of grain cannot buy you trouble, one jin of grain cannot buy you deception. One jin of grain gives you a chance to get ten thousand jin of grain. Issued by the Han court, undertaken by the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Personnel, supervised by the Xuzhou Grain Supervisor, affixed with the seal of the Governor of Xuzhou and the seal of the Prefect of Xiapi... The court, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Personnel guarantee honesty and trustworthiness. Drawings will be held one hour before the gates close every day. Winners can redeem their prizes at any stall at any time!"
— "Still hesitating? Still wavering? What are you waiting for? Seeing is believing. Let's fight for the reversal of your life! If you don't strive now, we'll be old!"
— "Take a look, take a look, officially operated, one jin of grain can get you ten thousand jin of grain, guaranteed by the court, guaranteed by reputation, supervised by the Grain Supervisor, honest and trustworthy..."
On this day, deafening shouts filled every city gate of Xiapi City!
Not only at the city gates, but also in the markets, busy areas, and even... countless armored soldiers went from house to house to promote it.
What's going on?
What does this mean?
Have they gone mad?
Many prominent families in Xiapi City gathered together, discussing animatedly.
— "One jin of grain can be used for betting? Then wait for the drawing? The first prize is ten thousand jin of grain? Only... only if the person who buys the lottery ticket... their purchased number matches the drawn number? They will get the grand prize of ten thousand jin of grain? This, what does this mean? I feel like this is losing money to make a name!"
— "What you just said is only one way to play. After listening for a long time, I realized there is a second way to play. The grand prize for this second way has increased to one hundred thousand jin of grain! One hundred thousand jin! But... only once every seven days, and each ticket costs two jin of grain!"
— "This... has our Governor of Xuzhou gone mad? One jin of grain can be exchanged for ten thousand jin of grain, two jin of grain can be exchanged for one hundred thousand jin of grain. Even if... they don't know how to do business, they wouldn't be this reckless, right? This isn't doing business, this is squandering!"
— "Hmph... this is hardly the idea of the Governor of Xuzhou. Don't you remember... Minister Lu promised Commander Cao to come to Xuzhou to gather grain. I heard that Commander Cheng Yu of the Dragon Soaring Camp has already arrived in our Xiapi City. This idea was likely conceived by Minister Lu and Commander Cheng?"
— "Then what about us? Should we buy it or not?"
— "Don't panic, let's observe further. It always feels like this thing is not that simple!"
Not only the patriarchs of these prominent families were discussing...
Throughout the day, the entire Xiapi City, from the streets to the alleys, was discussing this "Han Welfare Lottery"...
Of course...
The lottery had already begun selling.
In the entire Xiapi City, there were a total of thirty-two sales locations, including various city gates, the East, West, South, and North markets, as well as the yamen, the horse department, the medical department... wherever it was related to officialdom, the Han Welfare Lottery was being sold!
To make it conspicuous, Cheng Yu specifically ordered craftsmen to carve the entire map of Xiapi City on wooden boards with cinnabar, marking the lottery sales locations with prominent red dots...
At the same time, at each lottery sales location, there were anywhere from five to over ten officials responsible for maintaining order!
However...
The development of new things often undergoes a tortuous process.
The "Han Welfare Lottery" was no exception. Many were observing, and very few actually spent grain to purchase it.
More people were still waiting to see, at least... to see what the drawing would be like before the city gates closed that day, and then decide whether to try or not.
At this moment...
A middle-aged man carrying a shoulder pole happened to pass by.
His name was Wang Zhu. Because he was honest and had no money, he couldn't afford a wife. He was in his forties and was known as Wang Er Zhu!
At this moment... his ears were constantly filled with the promotional slogans of the Han Welfare Lottery—one jin of grain could be exchanged for ten thousand jin of grain!
Ten thousand jin of grain?
What if he won? It would be ten thousand jin of grain!
Good heavens...
If he had ten thousand jin of grain, it seemed it wouldn't be a question of whether he could marry a wife, but how many wives he could marry!
The simple Wang Er Zhu muttered in his heart...
At least he should marry three. One for himself, one for his old mother, one for his old father... Ah no... how could his mother and father be used? They should be taken care of... one to take care of himself, one to take care of his old mother, one to take care of his old father.
Hiss...
Why does something feel wrong?
Wang Er Zhu scratched his head. Forget it, he wouldn't think about these things for now. This was a happy problem.
Instinctively, this simple-minded man took some millet from his basket.
Should he try?
Why not try!
What if he won?
Having been a farmer for so long, he could roughly estimate the weight of this millet by hand... He took out two jin of millet!
— "Sir..."
He walked up to a lottery sales booth and said, "I, I just want to ask, if I win, can I really exchange it for ten thousand jin of grain?"
With a bit of fear... but more with longing...
His eyes were sparkling, full of light...
It was like a struggle against this damned fate, a struggle against being a poor bum, a struggle against being single since birth, single for over forty years... and never having touched a woman!
...
...