The imperial cause at the end of the Han Dynasty was not one of partial peace.

Chapter 10 Promoting Wealth and Cultivating Customers

Chen An led the dozen or so county soldiers away in a panic, like stray dogs, and bursts of laughter and mockery immediately erupted on the drill ground.

Liu Bei stood still, his face expressionless, clearly aware that this matter would not end there.

But given the county magistrate's behavior of fleeing at the first sign of trouble, he had absolutely no courage to muster all the county's soldiers to confront him.

Therefore, the most helpless yet reasonable choice would be to write a detailed impeachment report on the series of events, including the massacre in the west of the city, the gathering of people with weapons and possession of crossbows in Taiping Road, and his own "resistance to the law," along with the strange "Peach Blossom" nursery rhyme that has been circulating on the streets recently, and report it to the higher levels of government—first to the Zhuojun Prefecture, and then to the Youzhou Prefecture.

In this era, official documents were delivered in different ways depending on the importance and urgency of the matter, such as "by post", "by post station", and "by official horse".

Serious situations involving local unrest, the flight of officials, the arrogance of powerful clans, or the impending rebellion of bandits must be reported to higher authorities as quickly as possible.

When prefects and governors receive such documents, they usually need to analyze them immediately, either by sending personnel to verify them, reporting them to the imperial court, or handling them on their own.

This was precisely the situation that Liu Bei deliberately created and guided.

His deeds and reputation will be presented to the prefect, governor, and even those with higher authority.

Against the backdrop of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, a momentous upheaval that was about to sweep across the country and cause the imperial court a great deal of trouble.

A local hero who dares to take the lead in killing the Taiping Dao leader and who claims to be a "relative of the Han imperial family" will quickly transform from a suspect who "killed a criminal without authorization" in official documents into a capable talent who is "loyal, brave and decisive," "sharp-witted," and "willing to take on responsibilities," or even a "pillar" and "hound" that prefectural and county officials can rely on to maintain local stability in chaotic times.

At that time, his status as a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan would be a natural political halo and a guarantee of loyalty; killing the Taiping Dao leader and exposing his conspiracy would be a "pledge of allegiance" to the Han Dynasty and a strong proof of his personal ability; and the more than one hundred soldiers in the manor who had undergone preliminary training and were brave and capable of fighting would be real military resources that could be used immediately.

When governors or prefects are overwhelmed by the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the chaos in their prefectures, and urgently need manpower and military force to quell the local unrest and recapture cities, Liu Bei's three conditions combined become an extremely tempting and practical "bargaining chip."

The other party might take the opportunity to "appoint" him with an official position, granting him the right to legally recruit and command more righteous soldiers, so that he can charge ahead and quell the rebellion for the court and for themselves.

However, gaining recognition in prefectures and counties and entering the sights of high-level officials is only the first step.

If one's own strength is insufficient to influence the situation in a county or township, and one cannot make a difference in the impending chaos, then this empty reputation is nothing but a mirage, and may even attract suspicion and disaster.

Strength is the foundation for survival and success in chaotic times!

He gathered his turbulent thoughts and turned his gaze back to Tian Yu, who was standing to the side.

Right now, strengthening our own capabilities is the right path.

"Guorang," Liu Bei began, his voice regaining its usual gentle and kind tone, "how did the task I assigned you the other day—to separately procure weapons and provisions with Xianhe, and to secretly make contacts with various parties—go?"

Upon hearing this, Tian Yu immediately took a deep breath and straightened his still somewhat thin chest.

He stepped forward, took out a wooden scroll tied with a thin rope from his bosom, and presented it with both hands: "Reporting to my lord, Yu has been ordered to work with Mr. Jian to procure weapons and provisions, and to make contact with all sides. The initial arrangements have been completed, and I am here today to report back to my lord!"

He spoke a little quickly, clearly quite proud of the results of his trip, and had already prepared a plan: "I followed the lord's orders, carrying the lord's handwritten letter and some gold and silk, and went north to visit the powerful Jiao family in Ji County, Guangyang Prefecture."

"The Jiao family was skilled in ironworking and also dealt in carts and horses. They had trade relations with the Wuhuan tribes of Shanggu and Yuyang, as well as the Xianbei tribes of Liaoxi, and there was a lot of private exchange of weapons. Yu purchased twenty horn bows specifically for cavalry at 30% above the market price!"

He paused briefly before explaining in detail: "This bow is not an ordinary hunting bow or foot bow. It is modeled after the 'Tiger Warrior' and 'Carved Bow' of the Han army and is designed specifically for mounted archery."

"The bow is made of mulberry wood, with thin slices of ox horn attached to the inside to increase elasticity, and ox sinew and fish glue applied to the outside for strength. The whole bow is wrapped with fine silk rope, and then coated with multiple layers of lacquer and dried in the shade. The bow has a strength of more than one stone and five dou, and is powerful yet light, allowing it to be opened and closed freely on horseback."

"In addition, six hundred feathered arrows with straight birch shafts, three-edged iron arrowheads, and eagle feathers at the tips were provided, all of which were stored in newly tanned cowhide quivers, with thirty arrows in each quiver."

"Furthermore," Tian Yu continued, "considering the future war, the consumption of arrows will be enormous, and the bowstrings and arrows will also be easily damaged. I took the initiative to make an agreement with them: to hire Jiao Ping, an old craftsman in their clan who specializes in making arrows, with two skilled apprentices, to stay in my manor for three months, with a monthly salary of five bushels of millet and four hundred coins."

"Firstly, I was to supervise the skilled craftsmen in the village to learn how to make arrows, teaching them the methods of selecting materials, heating the arrows, attaching fletching, and mounting the arrowheads, and to establish an arrow workshop; secondly, I was responsible for the daily repair of bows and crossbows, replacing bowstrings and limbs to ensure that the weapons were always ready for use. I did this without prior authorization, and I beg your forgiveness, my lord."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's eyes revealed undisguised admiration: "What crime has Guo Rang committed? These are wise words of a seasoned strategist, well done! Archery, horsemanship, and horsemanship are the foundation upon which our Youyan youths rely for their livelihood, and also our most important means of breaking through enemy lines and achieving fame in this impending upheaval!"

He paused for a moment, then quoted a military strategist: "The Six Secret Teachings says: 'Bows and crossbows are powerful defensive weapons and formidable weapons in battle.' It also says: 'To break through a strong formation and defeat a powerful enemy, cavalry is indispensable.' The Yellow Turban rebels, though gathered like ants to a band of wolves, are mostly civilians who have rebelled and are starving. They lack training and formations, and are especially afraid of cavalry charges and mounted archery attacks."

"If we use our elite cavalry to charge and shoot, we can exploit their weaknesses and disrupt their formation, and their army will surely collapse. Skilled archers and horsemen, able to shoot from both sides while charging, are the highest expectations we have for our border generals. Your purchase of bows and hiring of craftsmen this time is a move to strengthen the foundation and cultivate the strength of the army, and your contribution is immeasurable."

He looked at Tian Yu encouragingly: "Did you obtain any other equipment?"

Tian Yu's spirits lifted, and he continued to report, speaking steadily and clearly: "In addition to bows and arrows, we have also purchased forty fine iron ring-pommel swords from the Jiao family! We have also purchased fifty fine iron spearheads, and the wooden poles can be provided by the manor itself; twenty short-handled halberds, which can be used for throwing and parrying; and more than ten large axes, heavy hammers, and other weapons for breaking through obstacles and destroying strongholds."

He paused briefly and explained, "My lord, armor and crossbows are items that the court has explicitly prohibited. Although the Jiao family has them, they dare not openly sell them in large quantities. Moreover, the prices are extremely high. A single set of two-piece armor costs tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of coins, and a single crossbow also costs ten thousand coins."

"Therefore, Yu did not dare to purchase them without authorization. However, although these knives, spears, halberds, and axes are also weapons, hunters and powerful guards often use them as well, so the distinction is blurred. Purchasing them is not an obstacle, and the price is reasonable, which is sufficient for our current use."

Liu Bei nodded. This purchase list was exactly what he wanted, and it also showed that Tian Yu knew how to weigh things and act appropriately.

With only two or three blacksmiths and a dozen or so apprentices in the small workshop on the manor, even working day and night with fans and fire, they could probably only forge a dozen or so decent ring-pommel swords a month. As for powerful bows, crossbows, and armor, which require more complex material selection, processing, and assembly techniques, that would be even more unattainable.

Weapon manufacturing, especially well-made weapons, was a highly specialized industry requiring the collaboration of a large number of skilled craftsmen. The central government established institutions such as the "Kaogongling" (under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Department) and the "Shangfangling" to manufacture high-quality weapons and equipment specifically for the imperial family and the Northern Army. Local prefectures and kingdoms also had officials in charge of crafts and ironworks, responsible for manufacturing some weapons and agricultural implements.

However, by the end of the Han Dynasty, the quality and output of these government-run workshops were often unstable, either due to corruption and mismanagement or due to war and shortage of raw materials.

To think that one could meet the equipment needs of the hundreds or even thousands of volunteers that were about to be mobilized by relying solely on the manor's handicraft base was nothing short of a pipe dream.

Just because they can't build it doesn't mean this era can't.

After the ban on salt and iron was lifted during the Yongyuan era of Emperor He of the Eastern Han Dynasty, allowing the people to boil and cast iron, the profits from salt and iron fell entirely into the hands of local powerful families. Many large clans in various prefectures and kingdoms monopolized the profits from mountains and seas, privately operating salt and iron mines on an astonishing scale.

The Discourses on Salt and Iron states: "In the past, powerful and wealthy families controlled the resources of mountains and seas, mining iron and stone for casting, and boiling seawater to make salt. A single family could gather more than a thousand people." This practice became even more prevalent by the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

These powerful and wealthy merchants had extremely detailed divisions of labor within their manors and fortified villages, with huge handicraft workshops employing hundreds or even thousands of craftsmen and apprentices.

They not only produced agricultural tools and everyday ironware, but also secretly manufactured sophisticated weapons, with a level of craftsmanship that was even comparable to that of the already declining county and state craftsmen.

The Jiao family of Ji County is a typical example of this kind of "powerful and influential family".

Its ability to conduct large-scale trade with tribes outside the Great Wall, such as the Wuhuan and Xianbei, suggests that the production capacity of its iron smelting workshops must have been considerable.

According to rumors among merchants in Youzhou, the Jiao family alone had hundreds of craftsmen specializing in iron smelting and forging. In addition, there were thousands of laborers who relied on them for survival, including those engaged in mining, logging, charcoal making, and transportation.

If its administrative center operates at full capacity, it is not difficult to produce thousands of ring-pommel swords and spearheads, and hundreds of horn bows a year.

This is the true source of strength and resources during the chaotic end of the Han Dynasty—not only did they possess vast estates and mountains of money and grain, but they also had the military production capacity to be self-sufficient and even exportable.

Tian Yu's ability to relatively easily acquire scarce military equipment from powerful local figures like these, and to hire key craftsmen, demonstrates his resourcefulness, courage, and meticulousness.

"How is the procurement of grain, cloth, and miscellaneous items progressing?" Liu Bei pulled his thoughts back from the macro-comparison of military production capacity and continued to inquire.

Tian Yu flipped through the wooden slip in his hand and reported: "Regarding grain, fodder and cloth, Yu and Mr. Jian separately purchased 600 hu of millet, 200 hu of beans, 10 shi of salt, and about 15 shi of dried meat and salted fish in batches through multiple grain merchants in Zhuoxian, Liangxiang, Fangcheng and other places."

"We also purchased 100 bolts of coarse linen, 30 bolts of fine ramie cloth, and 100 sheets of thick felt. The coarse linen can be used to make uniforms, leggings, flags, and tents for soldiers; the ramie cloth and thick felt can be used to reward meritorious service in times of need, or to keep the wounded and those on night watch warm."

Liu Bei nodded slowly; Tian Yu and Jian Yong had considered everything very thoroughly.

Although he "enjoyed making friends with chivalrous heroes," and many young men flocked to him, with hundreds of people coming and going, these people did not all gather at the manor on ordinary days.

Some of them were local wandering knights and chivalrous men from Zhuoxian and Liangxiang, who had their own residences and properties. They would sometimes gather for drinks and sometimes disperse. Others were poor or impoverished young men who admired his reputation. Some studied, some practiced martial arts, and some worked as hangers-on, each with their own livelihood. Some even had several acres of poor land at home and needed to return to their hometowns to work during the spring planting, summer weeding, and autumn harvest seasons.

Although this era already had personal dependence relationships between powerful figures and their retainers, such as "guests" and "retainers," the personal dependence of early guests was not absolute.

Especially for local heroes like Liu Bei who did not yet have a stable official position and territory, their "support for guests" relied more on personal charm, generosity, and shared interests. Full economic support was not common, and many guests still had to make a living on their own.

Especially now, during the spring planting season, agriculture is the foundation of the nation. If he wants to formally gather these scattered "young men" and wandering knights within the short span of one or two months of the Taiping Dao uprising, separate them from production, train them into an army, and prepare them for the upcoming great war, he must resolve their worries about the future.

—At least ensure that they have enough food and clothing for the short term, so that they don't have to worry about hunger or cold. It would be even better if their families could benefit as well, so that they can train with peace of mind and give their all.

Otherwise, people's hearts will be scattered; they may come in a rush, but they can also disperse in a moment of chaos.

Tian Yu, Jian Yong, and even Qian Zhao, who had previously gone out to find a horse expert, were busy these days not only purchasing supplies, but also secretly contacting heroes, wandering knights, and outlaws from all directions.

They conveyed Liu Bei's message that he "humbly sought knowledge, aspired to rule the world, and was ready to work together to achieve great things as chaos was about to erupt," and attracted and gathered people with the promise that "those who enter my estate will be provided with food and clothing, and we will practice martial arts together to await the opportune moment."

The purchase of these provisions and cloths was a basic preparation for receiving and supporting the forces that were about to gather.

This coincides with the preparations made by many heroes in history before they rose up in rebellion. For example, Liu Yan, the elder brother of Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu, was "fond of chivalry and supporting scholars," and often "risked his life to make friends with heroes and talents from all over the world."

For example, when Li Shimin was in Jinyang, he also "supported his guests with his wealth, and all the bandits and heroes were willing to do his best for him."

With chaos looming, those with vision and ability are secretly accumulating strength, including online talent.

Liu Bei was simply doing the same thing, and thanks to the prophecy of a time traveler, he wasn't starting too late.

The core method they rely on is precisely these four words: "pushing customers to make money".

"But sending supplies and supporting guests will cost a fortune," Liu Bei sighed softly, calculating in his mind. In the Han Dynasty, the monthly salary of a border garrison soldier was between six hundred and nine hundred coins (plus rations).

He kept private retainers, whose standards could be slightly lower, but to get them to work for him, he had to at least ensure they were well-fed and clothed, and if they had families, he had to provide some financial support, otherwise it would be difficult for them to stay committed.

Even at the lowest estimate, each person would need to spend one and a half bushels of millet, one hundred coins for salt and vegetables, and one hundred coins for occasional rewards, clothing, and weapon repairs each month. Roughly speaking, each person would need to spend four to five hundred coins per month.

A hundred men would cost forty to fifty thousand coins a month. This doesn't even include the enormous expenses for purchasing soldiers and armor, horses, manufacturing weapons, repairing fortifications, bribing officials, and facilitating transportation.

He had previously sold off his collection of magnificent Shu brocade battle robes, fine hunting dogs, exquisite musical instruments, and even some of his land, for a total of just over 200,000 coins.

Without the gold and silver that Zhongshan merchants Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang had previously provided as financial assistance, his meager resources would probably have been exhausted before the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, let alone recruiting soldiers and purchasing weapons.

Therefore, Zhang Shiping's eventual agreement to "spend all his family fortune to help" was, for him, the most important supply line to maintain this new force and help it get through the initial difficult stage of the uprising. Its importance was unparalleled.

"Guorang, these supplies must be properly stored in the warehouse, and a special person must be assigned to manage them and strictly control their use." Liu Bei composed himself and instructed in a deep voice, "You, Deran, and Xianhe will jointly clarify all expenses and detailed accounts."

"From now on, all those who come to my estate and are willing to be trained and work together for great things must be registered, employed according to their talents, and provided with supplies as usual. You will assist Prime Minister Deran in this matter."

"Yes! I will do my utmost to live up to the lord's trust!" Tian Yu solemnly accepted the order, his eyes shining brightly.