Xianyu Infrastructure, I have a lot of troops in my hands

The delicious smell of mutton soup wafted through the back streets of Tongguan. "Everyone work hard. The host will prepare a lunch today. There's plenty of mutton. Let's all try some meat, okay?" Jiang Wu said cheerfully.

Everyone agreed. Although mutton was not a rare commodity in Tongguan, it was not something that everyone could eat whenever they wanted, so it was difficult to find work. Since the boss was kind and they could have a full meal, they immediately became very motivated.

"Don't worry, sir. If you need us, just give us a shout and we'll be there."

Many of them were family members of military households. As they were of low status, it was difficult for them to find proper jobs. If they wanted to supplement their families, they could only do odd jobs. The one they were most skilled at was handling animals.

"Wait, let's see if we can shave the wool of these lambs. We can keep the wool for future use and raise them further." Si Ji arranged people to do the work, although he didn't know what Xie Xian wanted to do with the fishy and smelly wool.

"Okay, general!" They knew that these three stores had the same owner, and this general came from the camp outside the city.

They were grateful in their hearts. For these hundreds of sheep, their work earned them a lot of money. Now he has informed the border residents he is familiar with to hurry up and sell the sheep. Such good customers are rare.

This is because their wages these days are paid on a daily basis. Qu Qing knows that they don’t have much foundation in Tongguan, so he can feel at ease knowing that they are paid on a daily basis.

Siji knocked on the door, heard Qu Qing's reply, and pushed the door open.

The kang in the room was built on the first day. Although it was the end of April, it was still cold at night, so Qu Qing's room was always warm.

"Sir, there are indeed many border residents here. They are all here to sell sheep."

Qu Qing nodded: "Since someone is selling it, we will buy it. And when we eat later, we will serve a pot of bean sprouts. We didn't bring much tea, but we can give them some kelp and preserved fruit to try."

When they set out, Yongji's fleet had already turned back, carrying a large number of forged iron tools to the south. This time he returned with a mission, to collect tea, salt, and continue to produce bird manure.

Xie Xian had paved a way from south to north, and the dried mutton and sheepskin made here could be taken to the south to be sold. If the funds were to flow in this way, it was not hard to believe that they would not make money.

"Most of these people came to buy sickles, iron pots, iron stoves, etc. Many people would rather exchange them for food than take iron coins."

Qu Qing smiled and said, "Our foundation is too shallow. After some time, they will know the benefits of iron coins."

Si Ji frowned, as if he was about to say something, "Sir, if we sell them so many iron tools, will...?" These tribes may not be able to refine the ore, but they can recast it into weapons.

"Have you ever been to the workshop in the back hills of Taozhuang?"

Si Ji shook his head. He was the team leader and was only responsible for external liaison and message delivery. Only specific personnel with badges could enter the workshop.

What impressed him most was the huge chimney that stood there emitting endless billowing smoke.

"The weapons you have are all made in secret workshops. Ordinary furnaces cannot melt those farm tools and ironware." Seeing the thoughtful expression on Siji's face, Qu Qing continued.

"The purpose of selling farm tools to herders is to make their lives more convenient, but as for weapons, now is not the right time." Qu Qing took a sip of tea and said calmly.

Si Ji nodded to show that he understood, and thought about it after going out, and decided that it was not the right time yet, which meant that he could sell it later.

With three shops, Xie Xian made the entire Tongguan busy.

In the private room of Yipinxiang across from the shop, Shopkeeper Yu was standing by the door, complaining with a bitter face: "Your Majesty, please make a decision for me. They opened a restaurant across the street, how can I deal with my small shop?"

The middle-aged scholar who was sipping tea did not speak. But the little boy behind him curled his lips. "What Manager Yu said is really funny. Your store is considered a small store, and there are no big stores in Tongguan."

Ji Cang had finally come out today to relax and have a meal, but he encountered such a terrible thing. Even the stewed mutton in front of him had no taste.

Ji Cang was the top scholar during the reign of Emperor Yun. He was innocently implicated in the struggle for the throne and was exiled to Tongguan as a county magistrate, where he stayed for seven or eight years.

He simply let it go. It doesn't matter where he lives. The Ji family is a big family. As a child of a different family, he doesn't have such big ambitions. He might as well make the best of it.

Thanks to his Buddhist nature, Yang Mao did not want to offend the Ji family. As long as he did not interfere in the military affairs of Tongguan, his economic affairs and educational contributions to Tongguan would be almost non-existent.

As the highest administrative chief of Tongguan, Ji Cang has remained low-key until now.

Manager Yu was not angry when the little boy teased him. He knew that this Buddhist magistrate didn't care about anything, so he just complained a few times and didn't expect Ji Cang to help him with anything.

As long as the Black Stone Guard shop can leave Ji Cang with an impression of being domineering and intolerant.

The little boy was unhappy because Manager Yu had disturbed his master's meal. He closed the door and turned around, and saw Ji Cang staring at the shop opposite.

Jiang Wu took a spoon and scooped up a large bowl of bone soup. There were green strips floating in the soup. He took a sip and said, "Do you know why this soup is so delicious?"

He picked up a palm-sized piece of kelp and said, "Look, this is something from the sea, called kelp. The boss said it goes best with mutton."

The people eating below immediately picked up the kelp in their bowls and tasted it. The stewed kelp had a rare freshness and fragrance. The deliciousness of the kelp and the mellowness of the mutton blended together, making them unable to stop eating.

"Is this kelp expensive?" Someone finally couldn't help asking. They also wanted to eat something green, because they felt uncomfortable eating meat all the time. And this thing has a salty taste, which is very good.

Jiang Wu picked up a piece of dried kelp from the shelf at the back. At first glance, it looked like a piece of rotten bark. "Look, just this small piece can make a whole pot of soaking water, and this thing grows in the sea," he rubbed the salt particles on it.

"See what's on it?"

Someone touched a handful and put it in his mouth, his eyes lit up: "It's salt!"

"Really salt?"

Everyone immediately became excited. This thing is great. It can be kept for a long time and comes with its own salt. It is very convenient for stewing soup.

"How much is it? Give me a pound." Someone immediately started to place an order.

"Fifty cents a pound," Jiang Wu took a bundle from the shelf. It was such a big bundle, which seemed like a lot because it contained dry goods.

Everyone's eyes lit up even more. This stuff was much cheaper than tea, and it was fifty coins per pound. One sheep could be exchanged for four bundles, which was enough for the family to eat for a long time. Moreover, salt cost twenty coins per pound. With so much kelp, one could scrape off one or two ounces of salt alone. It was really a good deal.

"I want four pounds."

"I want two sheep."

"Why are you still talking about sheep? The shopkeeper said it would cost money. Give me three sheep."