“Commander Niu’s words make sense. Maybe I’m overthinking things,” Xiao Ming suddenly realized that he had been managing too many things lately. This was a bad habit from the previous two wars — he always felt every barbarian attack was directly related to him.
In fact, the worst hit by this southern push of the barbarians were the Liang King and Zhao King. Just like how Zhao and Liang Kings once watched the tiger fight from the mountain, Xiao Ming now seemed to be in the position they once held.
Niu Ben continued, “Although Your Highness is a prince of the Great Yu Empire, you are also the ruler of your own territory. You have to weigh the pros and cons. Back when we fought with blood and sweat, everyone was just watching and laughing. The soldiers were unhappy about that. To them, their loyalty lies only with Your Highness. If they had to die now for the Liang King or Zhao King, they wouldn’t be willing.”
Hearing this, Xiao Ming sighed — this was the reality of Great Yu now.
In fact, the common people of Great Yu had no real sense of country or nation. To them, clans and regional kings were the only objects of loyalty. Now that there were no clans in his territory, their loyalty was only to him.
Niu Ben reminded him simply to say that soldiers need a reason to fight; otherwise, their morale would be low.
“I understand,” Xiao Ming said. He now decided to focus on the essentials and not worry too much. The emperor wasn’t anxious, nor was Xiao Wenxuan, so why should he worry?
While the two talked, a servant suddenly announced outside the main hall, “Your Highness, a general named Luo Hong claims to seek an audience.”
“Luo Hong? Isn’t he Luo Xin’s elder brother?” Xiao Ming was surprised.
Niu Ben looked puzzled too. “Why would Luo Hong come to Qingzhou? There must be a reason.”
Xiao Ming nodded. “Then let him in.”
The servant left, and soon Luo Hong appeared in full armor in the hall.
“General Luo Hong pays respects to Your Highness and Commander Niu Ben,” Luo Hong bowed respectfully upon seeing Xiao Ming and Niu Ben.
Xiao Ming said, “No need for formalities, General Luo. Please sit. I’m close with your father, so there’s no need for such ceremony.”
“Your Highness, if I came to Qingzhou just to visit, I wouldn’t be so formal. But this time, I come under imperial orders.”
“Oh? The Emperor sent you here?” Xiao Ming asked.
“Exactly.” Luo Hong nodded, then took a letter from his chest and handed it to Xiao Ming. “Your Highness, please read.”
Xiao Ming took the letter and read. Xiao Wenxuan mentioned recent unusual signs on the grasslands: first, the barbarians tightened control over horse sales; second, the trade of iron ore and saltpeter with the barbarians increased at the border markets; third, the barbarian tribes roaming the grasslands sent flag leaders to Shengdu.
Based on these odd signs, Xiao Wenxuan speculated the barbarians were preparing to sharpen their horses and weapons for another raid to subjugate the Great Yu Empire.
But the letter showed no old worry — only ambition. It also mentioned buying 500 cannons and 15,000 matchlock guns from Qingzhou, all entrusted to Luo Hong. Now Luo Hong was commander of the firearm battalion. Xiao Wenxuan instructed Xiao Ming to help train Luo Hong so he could become a firearms commander like Luo Xin.
“Five hundred cannons, fifteen thousand matchlock — that’s big business,” Xiao Ming grinned.
Luo Hong seemed to already know the letter’s content and said to Niu Ben, “Commander Niu, I’ll be relying on you from now on.”
Niu Ben was puzzled and glanced at Xiao Ming.
Smiling helplessly, Xiao Ming gave the letter to Niu Ben. After reading it, Niu Ben understood — Xiao Wenxuan was quite cunning. Not only buying firearms, but also having Xiao Ming help train the firearms commanders.
Besides Luo Hong, thirty other firearms commanders arrived in Qingzhou.
Xiao Wenxuan’s reason for sending Luo Hong was clear: Luo Hong had fought alongside the Qingzhou army and was familiar with them. Also, Luo Xin was already in Qingzhou, strengthening ties.
“Since this is the Emperor’s order, I must obey. Commander Niu, this matter is yours,” Xiao Ming said, winking at Niu Ben.
Niu Ben understood and said, “Yes, Your Highness.”
After that, Luo Hong said, “Your Highness, the barbarians’ movements have worried both the Liang King and Zhao King. I heard they sent officials to Qingzhou to buy firearms to resist the barbarians. Looks like Your Highness will make a fortune again.”
“Is that so? I haven’t heard, but if it’s true, I’m glad,” Xiao Ming smiled.
They chatted for a while, then Niu Ben took Luo Hong away.
After they left, Xiao Ming’s brow furrowed. Xiao Wenxuan’s moves suddenly made things clear to him. As Niu Ben said, he didn’t need to fight personally. Instead, he would profit by supplying arms for the court, the Liang King, and the Zhao King, letting them fight for him.
This way, he could stay safe in the rear and make huge money selling war supplies, while the court and the kings only had to pay silver.
Understanding this, Xiao Ming smiled softly. Not only could he greatly weaken the barbarians’ forces, but also make money — why not? Just as Luo Hong said, only four days later, officials sent by the Zhao King and Liang King appeared in Qingzhou, separately asking Xiao Ming to sell them cannons and matchlock.
This time, the Zhao King did not send Zhao Yuanliang, likely because of their conflict. Instead, he sent a stranger.
The Liang King also sent a trusted official.
The Zhao King requested to buy 600 cannons and 7,000 matchlock guns; the Liang King asked for 400 cannons and 6,000 matchlock.
Adding the court’s orders, the military workshop suddenly had orders for 1,500 cannons and 28,000 matchlock guns.
“Your Highness, the territory’s finances have suddenly improved,” Pang Yukun happily said upon hearing this.
The huge arms order brought Qingzhou enormous wealth. Previously restricted by funds, Xiao Ming suddenly had a surplus.
With this money, Qingzhou’s industrialization could proceed steadily. Xiao Ming had to admit, selling arms was profitable indeed.