Chapter 37: The Nine Variations of Military Strategy (Sixth Update, Fifth Update)

  Zhu Houzhao proposed to open a villa with Jiang Xia, but now he realizes that this villa is really profitable.

  Indeed, the Xiangyang Mountain Villa has gathered five industries: pawnshops, catering, accommodation, brothels, and each industry is very profitable. Moreover, the Xiangyang Mountain Villa is on a high-end route, and all consumers are either rich or noble. Since it just opened, most people come to experience something new, so in just one month, they earned so much silver.

  However, the 40,000 taels of silver, although not a small amount, was only a tip of the iceberg compared to what Zhu Houzhao truly needed. But for now, Zhu Houzhao couldn't say anything more, he nodded and said: "Then thank you, brother, for helping me get through this difficult time."

  "We two brothers thank you." Jiang Xia said with a smile.

  However, Jiang Xia saw that Zhu Houzhao was still in a low mood and couldn't help but ask: "What's wrong, Second Brother, is there something on your mind?"

  Zhu Houzhao nodded and said, "To be honest with you, brother, although my family has been in business for generations, we also have relatives serving in the imperial court. In terms of rank, the highest is my uncle. He holds the position of Shilang in the Ministry of Revenue, which is a second-grade official. Before I came over today, I met with my uncle and he told me that the Emperor had given him a difficult problem to solve, but no matter how hard he thought about it, he couldn't come up with a solution, and he's afraid that he will be punished by the Emperor later on."

  Big brother, you don't know this, but the rise and fall of our family's fortunes basically all rely on Eldest Uncle to prop up. If he falls...

  "I understand." Zhu Houzhao said so, and Jiang Xia didn't feel strange anymore, but instead felt a bit relieved.

  All along, he had been guessing what kind of identity Zhu Houzhao was. From knowing him to now, whether it was Zhu Houzhao or Zhang Yong, or Liu Jin, they all made Jiang Xia feel that Zhu Houzhao's origin must be extraordinary. Now hearing Zhu Houzhao say this, Jiang Xia naturally thought of him as a young master from a large family.

  This identity is quite in line with Zhu Houzhao's usual style, so Jiang Xia asked: "Second brother, what difficult problem did the emperor give to your eldest uncle?"

  Zhu Houzhao said: "Henan is suffering from drought, and disaster relief requires 300,000 taels of silver. The northern border is in chaos due to the Tatars' rebellion, and the military salaries of the border generals have been delayed for many months, requiring immediate payment of over 400,000 taels of silver. However, the current imperial treasury only has 400,000 taels of silver available. The emperor's intention now is to provide disaster relief and issue military salaries, and then let my uncles think of a solution."

  "Wow, the emperor is quite shameless, directly playing tricks."

  Jiang Xia said that, and Zhu Houzhao's expression suddenly became somewhat unnatural. But in Jiang Xia's opinion, he thought Zhu Houzhao was worried, so Jiang Xia smiled and waved his hand: "Second brother, you don't have to worry, this matter is actually easy to solve."

  "Really solved? How did you solve it?" Zhu Houzhao hesitated for a moment and immediately asked.

  Jiang Xia said: "First, we must clarify the fundamental issues of these two things. First, the drought in Henan must be rescued. This is because once the victims are hungry, they will want to rebel, affecting the safety of the Ming dynasty. Second, the military salary of the northern border soldiers must be issued. This is because the border soldiers have been owed military salaries for a long time, and their morale is low. When encountering the Tatars' harassment, they will not fight to the death."

  "That's right." Zhu Houzhao nodded.

  "After figuring out the essence of two things, things will be much easier. Next, just take three steps to solve all problems."

  "What three steps?" Zhu Houzhao immediately asked anxiously.

  But when he got here, Jiang Xia started to sell Guan. He took a look at the jade ring on Zhu Houzhao's hand and said hesitantly: "Eh... Second Brother, I'm planning to practice archery recently, and it just so happens that I lack a ring. Do you know where I can buy one? I want to buy a good one."

  "Big brother, you go first and say your three steps. What are you talking about jade at this time?" Zhu Houzhao was originally anxious, but suddenly he saw Jiang Xia's eyes staring straight at the ring on his hand. Zhu Houzhao immediately understood. He couldn't help but say with a hint of grievance: "Won't you, big brother, even calculate your brother's things?"

  "Come on, come on. Big brother is from a poor mountainous area and just wants to find someone to help with poverty alleviation."

  Zhu Houzhao removed the jade ring from his thumb and handed it to Jiang Xia, saying with some unease: "Big brother, we have an agreement. If you can help me solve my problem, this ring is yours. But if you can't...".

  "I'll give you ten if it can't be solved... Cough, cough..." Jiang Xia cleared his throat twice and said: "Second brother, listen to your big brother's plan."

  The solution must be divided into three steps. First, the 400,000 taels of silver will be divided into two parts and transported to Henan and the northern border respectively. Notify them that this is only the first batch of disaster relief funds and military salaries, and the second batch of silver is on its way.

  With the first step completed, the hearts of the Henan refugees and border soldiers should be stabilized for now, and we have gained some time. Taking advantage of this time, we immediately raise funds, which is the second step.

  "After raising the silver, first send a letter by carrier pigeon to let the local officials widely publicize when the second batch of silver will arrive. Then just deliver the silver on time and that's it. How about that? Isn't this three-step plan pretty good?"

  Zhu Houzhao's brow furrowed immediately after hearing this. He said, "The plan is not bad, but how do we go about raising the silver?"

  Jiang Xia's eyes rolled around and he smiled, saying: "Hey, Old Two, your jade pendant is quite well-made."

  Zhu Houzhao reluctantly took off the jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Jiang Xia. Jiang Xia smiled and accepted the pendant with both hands, saying: "Thank you boss, thank you boss."

  After receiving the jade pendant, Jiang Xia didn't sell any more empty words and directly said: "Raising silver is very simple. You go back and tell your uncle that if he believes me, this matter will be handed over to me. But I need a few things, he must get them ready and send someone to deliver them."

  "What is it?" asked Zhu Houzhao.

  "Twenty Sacred Edicts."

  Zhu Houzhao was stunned.

  "Your Majesty, not long after the morning meeting was over, the Emperor left the palace and went directly to the Xiangyang Mountain Villa. I have been waiting outside the villa until this afternoon when the Emperor came out of the Xiangyang Mountain Villa."

  In Li Dongyang's study, Jun Yang was reporting to Li Dongyang about his surveillance of Zhu Houzhao.

  When Jun Yang said that Zhu Houzhao had actually gone to the Xiangyang Mountain Villa after dispersing the morning court, and stayed there for so long. Li Dongyang couldn't help but sigh, and said with a somewhat heavy expression: "The emperor is infatuated, infatuated..."

  Li Dongyang supported his forehead with both hands, and after a moment of thought, he suddenly raised his head and said, "No, I cannot let the Emperor sink like this. That Jiang Xia... must not be allowed to stay."

  At night, Jiang Xia was practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard.

  The true energy in his body was in disarray and out of control, so Jiang Xia couldn't engage in too intense exercise, and could only practice Tai Chi to use the circular motion of Tai Chi to straighten out the true energy inside his body.

  Since crossing over, Jiang Xia had always been somewhat perplexed by the true energy within his body. Normally, it was completely uncontrollable, but every time he encountered danger, this energy would obediently go to his dantian and allow him to manipulate it at will.

  As a martial artist, Jiang Xia knew that there were many masters throughout history and especially in ancient times. Although Jiang Xia had not yet encountered a true master, he liked to be prepared for the unexpected, hoping that if he ever met one, he would at least have some counterattacking power left.

  Jiang Xia had just finished practicing a set of Tai Chi and was about to try out the light footwork of "Eight Steps Chasing Cicada". Suddenly, Jiang Xia felt a chill run down his back.

  Just as this feeling rose up, Jiang Xia immediately pounced forward and rolled on the ground in a circle. It was precisely because of this movement that he dodged the fatal sword strike coming from behind him.

  Jiang Xia's body rolled over twice, and then his right hand slapped down fiercely. His body suddenly sprang up, flipped over twice, and landed firmly on the ground. Jiang Xia looked at the approaching person, and the true energy inside him indeed seemed to be like before, automatically gathering in his dantian when faced with danger. Feeling the abundant power within his body, Jiang Xia's heart suddenly felt a bit more settled.

  A man wearing all black clothes, with his face covered, making it impossible to see his features. All that can be known is that he's definitely a male, quite tall in stature, and wielding a long sword.

  The man in black was about to make his move, when Jiang Xia suddenly stretched out his right hand and stopped him, saying: "Wait a minute, can you tell me your name and explain why you want to kill me? I'd like to know how I'm going to die."

  The man in black was silent, a cold and deadly aura emanating from his body as he drew his long sword in a wide arc. The way he moved made it clear that he was an expert swordsman.

  The man in black was just about to make his move when Jiang Xia shouted again, "Wait a minute, if you're a hero, let's have a fair duel. Let me go get my sword."

  The man in black paused for a moment after Jiang Xia spoke, then sheathed his sword and nodded slightly at Jiang Xia, indicating that he allowed Jiang Xia to pick up the sword and have a fair duel with him.

  The man in black had just withdrawn, and Jiang Xia immediately pulled his throat and shouted loudly: "Someone is coming! Save your life! There's a * wanting to kill me, if I die this month no one will give you the monthly silver payment!!!!!"

  The man in black had a head of black hair, but he never expected Jiang Xia to be so shameless.

  Under the moonlight, a white rainbow flashed between them, and the black-clad man's long sword went straight for Jiang Xia's head.

  Jiang Xia's body shifted to the side, and with a backhand slap, he struck the man in black. The man in black took a step back, while Jiang Xia retreated seven steps at once.

  "What an incredible aura."

  Jiang Xia covered his chest, feeling the turmoil of qi and blood within him. He looked at the black-clad man, knowing he had encountered a formidable opponent this time. His expression turned serious, and with a slight movement, he stepped forward with his right foot, assuming the immobile stance of "Bing Jia's Nine Postures".

  Stillness, imagine yourself in the midst of a great ocean, letting waves come and go while remaining unmoved.

  PS: Just woke up and saw the support from loyal book fans and Crab 369, it's really touching. Sixth update, let's continue...