Zhao State of Handan. Cabinet meeting of the Prime Minister's House.

"The people of Qin have promised to give us the strength of twelve companies as our supplementary personnel. The Zhao government can also provide about five to six companies. In this way, the strength of the troops sent to Liaodong is basically about the same." Li Mu said to everyone.

"The current situation is how we should allocate such forces. We must know that the opponent we are facing is the Goguryeo people. They are the army of a country, and the army of such a country has a certain degree of organization, and this time Sending troops is not a national act of our country, but a commercial act." Li Mu solemnly emphasized. This is a kind of targeted distinction. Someone Li Mu didn't want to see made an article specifically about this matter. So Li Mu emphasized again.

"However, if there is no government's leading role, merchants cannot meet the requirements of sending troops, which is our current main strategic goal, which will have a great impact on us." Li Mu said.

The Minister of Defense nodded from his position and agreed, and he supported this troop dispatch. But he does not support sending troops in the form of a state, because Zhao's finances are really worrying. The finances cannot provide huge military expenditures to support this operation, so they can only put their hope on businessmen and investors. In their view, Zhao Guo does not lack such people. With their support, Zhao Guoji It can achieve its own strategic goals and solve the problems of businessmen's investment and trade expansion. Such a thing. Is the best solution. The Secretary of Defense knows that the prime minister is working towards such a result.

"In order to better solve this problem, I propose to be led by the government to establish Yanzhao Liaodong Trading Company. The main investors are Zhao Guo and Yan Guo. The two countries account for the proportion, according to the result of the negotiation, the rest. Just. It’s up to everyone to pay for it. In this way, the force can be used intensively, reducing the pressure of logistical supplies, and at the same time achieving strategic and tactical goals. This is good for all of us." Li Mu nodded and introduced.

The Zhao Guo investors sitting in the back of the conference room looked at each other. They were a little bit unsure. They originally set up several scattered small commercial and trading companies to do this, and even some nobles have already Armed his own family to Liaodong in Yan State. At this time Li Mu proposed such a plan. This makes them feel a little embarrassed, but these nobles and investors have their own shrewd calculations.

"Everyone, you must know that the current main force of the Goguryeo people is still not defeated. This situation is very unfavorable for us. An army that has not been defeated is very difficult to capture a large number of prisoners of war. And the object of our trade this time is The slave trade, although we have thought of many good ways to solve this problem, but an important precondition does not exist. I know that some people have proposed to me to use trade to solve the problem of slaves, but There is no division problem within the Goguryeo people. At the same time, they also have an army that has just experienced the quenching of the war. They pose a great threat to the country of Yan. They also pose a great threat to our upcoming iron ore mining in Liaodong. "Li Mu said.

"Therefore, the first thing we have to solve is the problem of the main force of the Goguryeo people. Only by defeating them can we have further development." Li Mu further said.

"The presentation is right. We can't solve this problem if the main force of the Goguryeo people is not eliminated. You must know that all our families together may not be the opponents of the Goguryeo people. Moreover, we still need us for logistical supplies. To bear it yourself, this is a lot of pressure for us. If we can follow the plan that the Prime Minister said." Hu Dawei said.

"Maybe we can really get a large number of slaves. You know, after a battle, especially in a siege, the number of slaves will not be small." Hu Dawei smiled and said to another investor next to him. Hu Dawei is an investor in the State of Zhao. His ancestors made a fortune by doing northern nomad leather and horse business. They sold horses and leather from the nomadic tribes of the northern grasslands to the people of Zhao, and then obtained weapons and silk from Zhao. Food, salt, iron and other items were sold among the nomadic tribes in the north. His Hu family grew up as a business based on this, but in his generation, his business couldn't go on. Because the people of the Qin nation dominate the northern grasslands, such a business is no longer possible. Qin Guoren replaced his business, no way. He can only be an investor. Fortunately, his head is more flexible. These investments are doing well. At least there is no big loss.

"You are right, war is inherently risky, and there is no risk in it. How could it not be possible," said Liao He, another investor beside Hu Dawei.

"If we have an army as the main force and can concentrate our forces to win a battle in this battle, the number of prisoners of war will not be small. The most important thing is that after this battle, if the Goguryeo people are seriously injured, then we will We can use trade to solve the slave problem, and these slaves will come to our country Zhao continuously. There are enough slaves. I think the people of Qin country will also be very big in investment." Liao He nodded in agreement.

"This battle. The troops provided to us by the Qin Army are mainly cavalry units. We will have great advantages in pursuing, encircling, and capturing captives. We have such advantages. Liaodong, Liaoxi Railway Construction, Liaodongxiang The development of the Ping Iron Mine will enter a new stage. What everyone has to do now is to invest, put the scattered funds into the trading company established by the country, and purchase the shares in accordance with the proportion of your capital." Li Mu introduced .

After speaking, many merchants and nobles still talked to each other. They were very interested in what Li Mu said. They also knew that the current situation can only be done by the government. It's hard to rely on individuals. They have already had this kind of consciousness.

Li Mu saw that the time was right, because he knew what these people were discussing. No one wants to miss such an opportunity to make a fortune.

Western Regions. On a pasture in the territory of Dawan, here is the Central Asian prairie. The unique continental climate has created such a prairie.

On the prairie, a cavalry unit is walking. They are wearing Qin army uniforms, but they do not have special military badges for the Qin army. In this way, it means that they are not Qin army troops. But their equipment is indeed Qin army equipment, typical cavalry short-barreled muskets only available to cavalry. This kind of equipment is unique to Qin Jun.

"Big Brother." In the middle of the team, a young man who was only in his early twenties beat a horse to keep up with a very stout-looking man in front of him. If you look closely, you will find that there is no stirrup on the young man's horse. Stirrups, this equipment has been widely promoted in the cavalry of the Central Plains army. The reason is that the stirrups can maintain a great balance on the horse's back. Because it is difficult for the Central Plains to maintain balance on horseback. If you can't maintain balance, you can't aim with a musket on horseback. In order to keep up with the Qin army, the Central Plains countries have organized large-scale cavalry troops. In this way, the stirrups became popular equipment for the mass popularization of cavalry. However, for the few northern nomads who are accustomed to not using stirrups, they are still used to not using stirrups. Because they want to jump back and forth on horseback to make some very dangerous and exciting movements to show their riding skills. And they have become accustomed to life on horseback, they are easy to maintain balance on horseback, even after they hope to use a firearm, this balance ability is still very strong. Therefore, they unloaded the stirrups provided by Qin Jun. In doing so, they can make some special actions in some special situations. The Qin army has neglected to manage the troops that go out to fight. As long as they can provide a large number of slaves, the Qin army has always no matter how they fight. Come, they just need to accomplish the goal, as for how to accomplish it. This is their business.

"Big brother. Big brother." The young cavalry following up shouted loudly.

"What's the matter?" The sturdy man turned his head displeased and watched the cavalry approaching.

"Also in the army, I have been called a company commander or an officer. We are now in the regular army. Your eldest brother is not in the army." Ma Da said displeasedly.

"Yes. Big brother. No. It's the sir." Ma Er immediately changed his words after looking at his displeased face.

Ma Da and Ma Er came from an unknown Huns tribe in the north. They are a pair of brothers in the tribe. It turns out that they are both expert herders and archers in the tribe. The two brothers are very capable, but their tribe is too poor. Many of the poor have no supplies, they cannot survive, and their tribe has taken refuge in the people of Qin. But they are still very poor when they take refuge in the people of Qin. To survive. The two brothers signed up to join the army. Fortunately, both of them were selected. Not only that, not long ago, the eldest brother was promoted to the commander of the third company of the third battalion of the 17th regiment of the Qin army cavalry for his bravery. Ma Er was also promoted to the third platoon leader because of the lack of officers in the third platoon.

Not long after Martha accepted the cavalry company, they received an order to reorganize their troops into the 17th Regiment of the Volunteer Army. This is the designation after their adaptation. Some of their Qin army-specific signs have been taken off. Then they got enough supplies and were dispatched to this place. Then as soon as their cavalry regiment entered the prairie, all the companies were dispersed. Their regiment headquarters and battalion headquarters didn't know where they were. It can be said that they have completely lost contact.

"Sir. This place is really good. It's much better than our prairie. Look at this grass. It's fat. This horse has eaten it." Ma Er said excitedly. They are still nomads after all, and they still like freedom at the root. When they entered the prairie, they suddenly became excited, and the unrestrained, free, free and easy nature of the national nature burst out all of a sudden. Many cavalry galloped. So happy.

"Well. This is indeed much better than ours. We knew that there was such a large pasture here, so our tribe could come here. How great." Ma Daqi nodded on horseback and said.

"Haha. Sir, it would be nice for us to be stationed here." Ma Er said his thoughts.

"Now, we have lost contact with the camp and the regiment headquarters. I think this would be fine. No one can control us, we can indulge freedom." Ma Er said excitedly. When Ma Da heard it, he shook his head and looked at Ma Er seriously.

"If that's the case, don't say it. Now it is you and my brother. If others hear it, especially the Qin people, don't ask for your military salary." Ma Da sternly said to Ma Er.

"Yes. Brother." Ma Er nodded and said.

"It's not that I said you, the family of our tribe is still under the control of the people of Qin. If we have something wrong, the people of Qin will kill everyone in our tribe." Ma Da said solemnly.

"Yes. Brother, I know." Ma Er nodded and said.

"Yeah. Just know." Ma Da nodded and said.

"This, brother, there is one more thing we need to pay attention to." Ma Er said anxiously.

"What's the matter?" Martha asked at this time.

"It's just that we don't have much supplies. The canned food we carry is only enough for the brothers to eat for two days. Although there is no shortage of fodder, but. If we can't eat anything, it really won't work." Ma Er said at this time.

"And." Ma Er looked at Martha and then hesitated.

"There is nothing I can't say. Say." Ma Da said seriously.

"It's just supply. The people of Qin asked us to attack the Shah people, but they didn't say that they didn't tell us not to attack the Dawan people. Moreover, we have been in Dawan for a long time. We have not seen the Dawan tribe. Yes. It’s not that Dawan people know that we cavalry are coming to escape. There is also the supply team of Qin people. Since we left Qin, we have never seen them again. I don’t know if they don’t care about us anymore?” Ma Er wondered. Asked.

"This. Don’t guess, the people of Qin will not care about us. Our main task this time is to attack the camps of the Parthian nation. Capture a large number of slaves and give them to the people of Qin. We give them slaves, and they provide us with supplies. When we go back, , We still have a lot of money. Don't worry, the people of Qin will not give up on us." Ma Da comforted Ma Er. In the Qin Army, Ma Da was recognized by the Qin Army officers, and that is why once the Qin officer left, he could immediately promote the company's commander. This has a lot to do with Martha's recognition of Qin State.

"Oh. That's how it is said. But brothers still hope." Ma Er stopped halfway through his words.

"Is there anything I can't say?" Martha asked at this time.

"Oh. The brothers have been out for a long time. There is nothing. And there is not much food in the army. If we go on like this, we may not be able to reach the Shah countries. And what the Shah people look like, Qin people I didn't make it clear. This is the most terrible place. There is not much food in the army now, can't you let the brothers hungry?" Ma Er said embarrassedly.

"I see. I will take care of these things. You will go in your own team." Martha said with a wave at this time.

"Here. Oh. I see." Ma Er saw Ma Da waved impatiently at this time to let him go back. Ma Er had no choice but to return to his team. This is a fact, and the problem of eating for more than one hundred good people is the key. Since they entered the territory of Dawan, their supplies have been cut off. The people of Qin State seem to ignore them. Moreover, the former battalion headquarters and regiment headquarters also lost contact, and they didn't even know what the situation was like. This situation made Martha feel at a loss, because what he learned was to follow the command line and complete the task. Now it suddenly became like this, Martha is not very used to it.

"How is it? Head?" Ma Tau asked his chief Ma Er excitedly.

"How about what?" Ma Er said impatiently.

"Head, we really don’t have much food. Two days. I think tomorrow we brothers will have to run out of food and there is no food. Should we let the brothers kill the horses? We are cavalry?" The veteran, also Ma Er's soldier, said anxiously.

"Yeah. I know you are good for everyone, but my elder brother doesn't listen, he has to think about it." Ma Er said with some embarrassment.

"This, my head. This can't be dragged on. After eating this meal tonight, we won't have anything to eat." Matou said anxiously.

"I know this." Ma Er nodded and said.

"Tell me, do you have any good way to solve it?" Ma Er asked Ma Tau at this time.

"This. Let's not hide from you. Our investigators came back this afternoon and reported that a tribe was found about fifty miles northwest of ours. This tribe did not know whether it was from the Restorans or from Dawan. What my brothers meant was that we directly took this tribe, and the report said that there are a lot of women in this tribe. Our brothers. You know. Head." Ma Tou said with a smirk.

"From the Qin Army barracks until now, we have rarely opened meat. Qin Army has been very strict. After finally coming out, the brothers are almost suffocated. This time, let's say that we don't want to open meat." Ma Tou was eager. Speaking of.

"This. Is it true?" Ma Er asked at this time.

"Really, it is absolutely true. The second platoon leader knows this situation. If you don’t believe it, you can ask the second platoon leader. We all know what the second platoon leader means. He wants to do the same, but the commander does not agree. "The horse head persuaded.

"Oh. I know this." Ma Er said.

"Head, we really didn't eat. Tonight is the last meal. Tomorrow, the horses with ammunition in the back must be killed and eaten. And the brothers have not fought a battle yet." Ma Tau continued to persuade him. .

"Oh. I know all of this. Don't say it." Ma Er said impatiently at this time.

"I'll ask the second platoon leader what he thinks. If it doesn't work, we will do this together on the third row and the second row. We will benefit the first row. As a commander, I can't watch my brothers hungry. Ah. I care about him, the Dawan people. We killed them all. Then they burned. No one would know that we did it." Ma Er hurriedly beat the horse and left. Hearing his chief said such words, Ma Tau exclaimed in excitement. he knows. There is a great possibility that this will happen.

"Second platoon leader, what do you think? Now the brothers have nothing to eat. Tonight, but we have a good meal for the last time. Tomorrow, we can only kill our own horses. People on the grassland, but not Kill your own horse at the end?" Ma Er said embarrassedly.

Hearing this, the long horse iron in the second row hesitated. He bowed his head silently as if thinking about something.

"It's true, I don't know if this Qin national was intentional. We were allowed to fight if we didn't give this food. How can we fight when we are hungry. We are also forced to do this." Ma Erwen Said such a sentence. This may be the best sentence he said.

"We started to act in the evening, and we ran for fifty miles, and it was night. In addition, our firearms are sharp. This can't blame us. Who told the Qin people to not give us food. We don't have food, how can we fight." At this time, the second row of long horses looked up to face. Ma Er said.

"Look, I said Brother Tie considers our brothers. We brothers can't fight hungry, right?" Ma Er said with great joy when he saw Ma Tie agree to his ideas at once.

"It's just. Does the company commander agree?" Ma Tie asked cautiously at this time.

"My brother will not agree. He is dead-tempered. This matter, I think we are the two platoons. In the evening, we leave in batches. At night, when we start, no one can control it. "Ma Er said solemnly.

"Yeah. Good. Let's do it." Ma Tie said firmly.

At this time, the University of Marathon had no idea about the behavior of his subordinates. There is only one thing he is worried about right now. That is how to solve the few food problems.

And farther northwest of the grassland. A camel team of Dawan people walked slowly. They managed to break through the blockade of the Parthians and the interceptions of various road tyrants. They brought back a large amount of gold and silver. Gems and all kinds of blankets that are only available for rest are things that Qin people love very much, and there are a lot of gold and silver coins on the horseback. The people of Qin seem to like these more. Qin Lian thought with a smile.

He also specially left some small glass mirrors used by Qin people for his wives and daughters, something that only nobles could have. He thinks his wife and daughter will like it very much.

Qin Lian is a businessman in Dawan, relying on his own cleverness to specialize in business between Dawan and Anxi people. Get precious goods from the people of Qin and sell them in the Parthian nation. He made a lot of money. But he felt that these were not enough, he wanted to do more. In order to deal with Qin people. He also has such a name as Qin Lian. He looked to the southeast. It's only a day away from his home.