Since being opened as a market by Liu Qi, Ye County has become a city that never sleeps.
At first, no one was interested in shops and land, but later on, it became difficult to find a house. Even a street stall cost more than a house in Xuchang.
Here, as long as you don't violate public order or kill anyone, you can come and go freely, and people from all walks of life from all corners of the world gather here.
If we talk about the most prominent figure in Ye County, it must be Xiahou Mao. This man is very capable. Not only is he Cao Cao's son-in-law, but he is also on good terms with officials and businessmen in Jingzhou. He has the best of both worlds and is like a fish in water.
Whenever goods came from the south of the Yangtze River, the first batch would go to Xiahou Mi first, and only then would other merchants get to choose the remaining ones.
Now that Cao Cao was promoted to Duke of Wei, Xiahou Mao, as the eldest son-in-law, had his status rise again and was appointed General of the Imperial Chariots of Wei.
While everyone was envious, they were also very puzzled. Xiahou Mi was only concerned with making money in Ye County, which really damaged the reputation of a descendant of a military family, but he was still able to be appointed a high-ranking official.
You have to know that Cao Pi was only the General of the Five Officials, and the two of them had similar official positions. Among the young men, Xiahou Mi's status was second only to Cao Pi.
Confusion turned incomprehension into jealousy, and people began to curse and despise Xiahou Mi, believing that he was a flatterer with no real talent. Even his way of making money was to imitate Liu Qi, copying others' ideas.
In response to all the discussions, Xiahou Mao just smiled faintly, stroked the piles of banknotes in the room, and sneered: "Others laugh at me for eating leftovers, I laugh at others for having empty pockets."
Just yesterday, a blood coral as big as a carriage and priceless was shipped from Jiaozhou, causing a sensation in Ye County, but everyone shook their heads and sighed, as no one could afford it.
Only Xiahou Mao bought it with a wave of his hand and ordered people to send it to Yecheng as a gift to Cao Cao for his promotion to Duke of Wei.
Such courage makes others jealous but helpless, and they can only curse this boy for being a spendthrift and incompetent who can only flatter others.
He was holding the luminous cup, drinking wine, and thinking happily that Cao Cao would return from the northern expedition and would surely praise such a great gift when he saw it, but then he saw his family general rushing in.
Xiahou Mao asked unhappily, "Why are you so panicked?"
The general replied, "Our vehicles were detained by General Zhang Liao in Kunyang. They said that no outsiders were allowed to enter, so they only let a few of us drive."
"Asshole!" Xiahou Mao was furious. "If it weren't for those professional jewelers, who among our people could have assembled such a large blood coral?"
The family general explained, "I have explained again and again, but General Zhang will not listen. He suspects there is a spy infiltrating. If you say anything more, you will be beheaded!"
"How ridiculous!" Xiahou Mao slammed the table and stood up, cursing, "I was the only one who paid for Ye County's grain last month, and Zhang Liao turned his back on me. Fine, fine!"
The family general asked: "What should we do now?"
Xiahou Mao paced back and forth like a trapped beast. He had no military power, let alone military intervention. He was helpless against Zhang Liao. After thinking for a while, he ordered, "Go find Zihuan right away and ask him to help me find a solution. If it doesn't work... just say that this blood coral is a token of our filial piety."
The family general took the order and left. Xiahou Mi was so angry that he gritted his teeth and the fat on his face twitched with pain. That was a full 100 million yuan, half a year's income!
"Come here!" Xiahou Mao became angrier and angrier. He called the butler and ordered, "Starting from this month, stop supplying all the food and money to Runan. I will never give this money to Zhang Liao again, even if it's just feeding the dogs!"
The housekeeper was surprised and said, "Sir, this is the Prime Minister's approval and reward for your good deed. If you stop supplying, I'm afraid the Prime Minister will be unhappy."
Xiahou Mao clenched his fists and was furious. At this moment, Zhang Wei asked to see him and brought him in first.
Zhang Wei saw Xiahou Mao's angry face and asked in confusion, "Young Master, you just bought a coral, which will please Prime Minister Cao. Why are you so angry?"
"Hmph, forget it!" Xiahou Mao waved his hand and asked, "I have a lot of money recently and I don't know where to spend it. I'm afraid the Prime Minister will blame me if I spend it indiscriminately. Do you have any ideas?"
Since meeting Zhang Wei again, Xiahou Mao has been successful and his business has been booming.
Zhang Wei helped him plan many ideas and provide him with intelligence. Although the two of them were not subordinates, Xiahou Mi regarded him as his confidant and relied on him very much.
“Sir, what you said…” Zhang Wei looked shocked.
"Don't worry, you will get benefits." Xiahou Mi knew very well that this person loved money like his life, and as long as he gave him money, he could play with him in the palm of his hand.
Zhang Wei was indeed delighted. After thinking for a moment, he said, "The Prime Minister has been promoted to Duke and is discussing the relocation of the capital to Luoyang. I heard that the court is short of funds. If you can help renovate the palace, wouldn't it be a way to gain both fame and fortune?"
"Great, great, great, this is a great plan!" Xiahou Mao clapped his hands and laughed, "If I invest in building the imperial palace, Luoyang will definitely have a place there, and the Xiahou family will become more prosperous."
Zhang Wei added: "Don't forget the eldest son of the Cao family when it comes to such an important matter."
Xiahou Mao understood that Cao Pi was about to become the crown prince and he could not be left out of this matter, so he immediately ordered the butler to inquire about the news and then discuss the matter of investment with Cao Pi.
Having gotten rid of a worry, Xiahou Mao felt happy. He poured a glass of wine for Zhang Wei and handed him a few banknotes. "What do you want to discuss with me today?"
"Important information!" Zhang Wei slapped his forehead and whispered, "Liu Qi has been active again recently."
"Oh?" Xiahou Mao looked around and asked, "What's the military situation?"
Zhang Weiyan said: "Liu Qi and Sun Quan had a secret meeting in Fankou half a month ago, and recently he mobilized troops in Jiangxia. This is suspicious."
"Secret meeting with Sun Quan?" Xiahou Mao was surprised. "Is the information accurate?"
"It's absolutely true. I have bribed the boat driver!" Zhang Wei nodded seriously, and then slapped the banknotes on the table and complained: "In fact, all this money was used to buy intelligence. I don't have much left. I am really using your money to do things for you!"
"I understand!" Xiahou Mao pulled out another stack of documents and handed them over. "What is their intention in sending troops to Jiangxia?"
Zhang Wei happily put it away and shook his head, saying, "This is a major military matter. Unless we can talk to the top leaders of Jingzhou, no one else will know about it."
Xiahou Mao said unhappily: "Just tell me how much it will cost!"
Zhang Wei shook his head helplessly: "It doesn't matter how much money you spend!"
"Hmm?" Xiahou Mao said dissatisfiedly, "Is there anything in this world that can't be done with money? How high are the senior officials you are talking about?"
Zhang Wei smiled bitterly and said, "It should be at least as high as Guan Yu, the defender of Nanyang."
"Uh..." Xiahou Mao was speechless. He thought for a long time but couldn't figure it out. Suddenly, he stroked his chin and said to himself, "I heard that Guan Yu has a little girl, who is only 28 years old and is waiting to be married. If I can... can't I find out the military secrets of Jingzhou?"
Zhang Wei's eyes flashed with disdain, and he clasped his fists and said with a smile: "Guan Yu is just a warrior. You are handsome and from a famous family. Taking Guan Yu's daughter as a concubine is giving him face."
"Really?" Xiahou Mao was pleasantly surprised. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Ask someone to find a relative and arrange a match. If you can accomplish this, you will be rewarded handsomely!"
"You really..." Zhang Wei's eyes widened: "Young Master, are you really giving face to Guan Yu?"
"Of course!" Xiahou Mao sighed, "For the sake of national affairs, I have no choice but to compromise!"