The Three Kingdoms: Starting as a county magistrate in Pingyuan, he rose to power and conquered the

Chapter 126 Getting something for nothing

Jinyang.

Yuan Shao emerged from a granary with a satisfied smile on his face.

He hadn't relaxed like this in a long time!

I was initially worried that since I was so deeply involved with Li Zhao, there might be some traps or things I hadn't considered.

Seeing the actual grain completely dispelled their doubts.

No matter how you calculate it, these are all real things.

With food in hand, you'll always have an army by your side, no matter when.

What is there to worry about?

"My lord, all the grain outside has been counted. Please inspect it..."

Just then, a soldier quickly approached and respectfully handed over a list.

Yuan Shao glanced at it casually, then walked out.

There were many horse-drawn carriages parked outside, stretching as far as the eye could see. Each carriage was filled with bulging sacks, creating a striking visual impact.

"What does this mean?" Yuan Shao frowned slightly.

"My lord, this is grain that, according to regulations, should be sent to Yanzhou!"

"The quantities have all been checked!" A grain transport officer handed over another list.

"For Cao Cao?"

"yes!"

Upon hearing that the prize was given to Cao Cao, Yuan Shao's heart sank.

It's such a waste to send away so many good things so easily.

Without me, where would Cao Cao have gotten so many benefits?

I'm afraid his life in Yanzhou is about to become unbearable.

"Wait!" Yuan Shao still didn't look at the list, but pointed to the carriages and said.

"Seize 30%, send the rest over!"

"Wh...what?" The grain transport official was dumbfounded and stammered his explanation.

"My lord, these are all fixed quantities. If there are fewer than that..."

"You don't understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes, I understand!"

As a mere grain transport official, how could he dare to argue with Yuan Shao?

They had no choice but to keep 30% and transport the rest to Yanzhou.

in fact.

At this point, Yuan Shao didn't even want to give away 70%.

It would be such a waste to give away so many good things!

The things Cao Cao sent weren't worth that much.

Just as I was feeling down, Zhang Yang came rushing over in a flurry of activity.

Since the last incident, Yuan Shao has entrusted him with many tasks.

Zhang Yang did a great job, which made him feel very comfortable.

"Master Yuan, as you wished, they have replied..." Zhang Yang said with a smile.

Yuan Shao seemed not to have listened, instead raising an eyebrow at him. "What did you call me?"

"Uh...My lord!"

"That's more like it!"

"My lord, Li Zhao has agreed to let us change the method of trade, the items, and so on."

"Refugees, commoners, deeds to houses and land in Bingzhou, even fertile fields—this is a golden opportunity! What use are those other things?"

"It's just giving away things that have no real value. As for refugees and ordinary people, you can easily find them around here!"

Zhang Yang seemed very excited and explained the current changes to him in detail.

Yuan Shao was not surprised at all...

In his view, Li Zhao was like a gambler who had lost too much and dared not show any weakness now.

Because if he stops, it's like telling everyone that he can't do it anymore.

If this news gets out, it will surely backfire!

Yuan Shao understood better than anyone else that these so-called ordinary people and refugees were all ungrateful wretches.

The support and respect that Li Zhao gained by giving them a lot of food and letting them live a good life were all illusions.

If we ever stop, the so-called kindness will immediately turn into resentment!

Those who had once enjoyed his favors would believe that Li Zhao had taken away their good days.

At that point, he won't even need to lift a finger; he will die at the hands of the people.

Yuan Shao, of course, wouldn't tell anyone about these thoughts. He reached out and patted Zhang Yang on the shoulder, "These matters are your responsibility to arrange..."

"Remember, no matter what method you use, you must ensure that the buying and selling can continue."

"Yes, sir!" Zhang Yang bowed.

……

Youzhou, Ji County.

Gongsun Zan has been living a much more comfortable life lately than before.

He even drank very little alcohol and began retraining his troops.

The reason is simple: Li Zhao fully fulfilled his previous promise.

Through trade with Yuan Shao, they also sent him a lot of things.

At least it can be guaranteed that he will not be at risk of food shortage for the time being.

After killing the messenger who delivered the message, Yuan Shao also gave him some symbolic benefits.

They tried to salvage the possibility of cooperation, but only persisted once and then there was no follow-up.

Gongsun Zan had a very clear understanding of his current situation.

Whether it was Li Zhao, Yuan Shao, or anyone else, the reason they were willing to win him over and even offer him some benefits was because he still had value to them.

and so.

We must ensure this value and find ways to enhance it.

As for how to choose in the future, the initiative is always in your own hands.

If the opportunity arises, he wouldn't mind starting from scratch.

In any case, I have many choices right now!

The more this is the case, the more we need to improve our own strength!

As for Li Zhao... he kept this kindness firmly in his heart.

Regardless of what happens in the future, this person's character is indeed worthy of respect...

……

"My lord, no matter what, this matter must be stopped immediately!"

"You have no idea what's happening outside. Our army is completely incapable of fighting; we don't even have enough weapons and equipment!"

"If this continues, we'll truly become fish on a chopping board, completely at their mercy!"

Tian Feng followed behind Yuan Shao, constantly trying to persuade him.

This scene looks extremely familiar; he used to be just like that.

But at this point, there's not much else to worry about; getting Yuan Shao to change his mind is the most important thing.

Ju Shou analyzed the current situation in detail several times.

Stopping now is the best outcome!

First, withdraw the army and then set up defensive forces, because they already have a large amount of food and have the opportunity to rearm.

If we stop now, Li Zhao will lose everything, and all his schemes will come to naught!

but.

They were now facing Yuan Shao, who was blinded by greed.

"So, you think Li Zhao is using this method again to undermine my fighting strength, and then prepare for a major offensive to take Bingzhou in one fell swoop?" Yuan Shao asked rhetorically.

"Yes!" they both said at the same time.

"So you also believe that there are people in the world willing to use all their advantages to dismantle the opponent's defenses, even if they could fail at any time?"

"..."

"Do you dare to do this? Or rather, is there anyone else in the world who would dare?"

"..."

Yuan Shao sneered and led the two men to the drill ground in the military camp.

now.

Here, piles of weapons and equipment gleamed coldly in the sunlight.

"These are weapons and equipment personally developed by Zhang Yang and his team, and they can be distributed to the entire army at any time."

"Do you... have anything else to say?" Yuan Shao asked them meaningfully.

……