Xi Yuan's gentle words, her breath as sweet as orchid, made Liu Qi unable to control himself and he couldn't help but take a step forward.
Xi Yuan smiled and said, "But treasure hunting always requires some preparation. There is a price to pay for any treasure."
"Oh?" Liu Qi once again looked at the beauty so close to him, with a pair of wise and clear eyes under his long eyelashes, "Price?"
"That's right!" Facing the man's aggressive gaze, Xi Yuan finally couldn't help but take a half step back and said slowly: "In fact, whether you and I are related by marriage or not, we are willing to donate all our shops and fields to the general for free, and fully support the general in protecting Jingzhou, restoring the Han Dynasty, and doing our part for the court."
Liu Qi's eyes were slightly stern, but this time he seemed very alert. He said calmly, "There is no free lunch in the world! Xi's family must have some ulterior motive for spending so much money. I wonder what price I will have to pay?"
"Salt!" Xi Yuan looked at Liu Qi and said calmly, "We want to add an industry: transporting salt."
"How dare you!" Liu Qi's face darkened. "Do you know that salt and iron are the foundation of people's livelihood and the foundation of the country? How can we leave it to private operation?"
Ever since Emperor Wu of Han took over the salt and iron industries, they have been under state control. No one is allowed to smuggle and sell salt. Otherwise, the punishment would be exile at the very least, or the entire family would be executed at the worst.
Xi Yuan actually had the guts to bring this up in person; she was so bold!
Xi Yuan said, "I am not involved in the salt trade. Instead, I help the government collect and transport salt at a price 30% to 50% lower than the market price. I only cooperate with the government and will not sell to private individuals. The price is still controlled by the government, so it will not affect the people."
Liu Qi stared at Xi Yuan: "You have a salt mine?"
"No!" Xi Yuanyan said, "But I have been to many salt mines and discovered a new method of making salt that can greatly increase production. If we can take over all these salt mines and salt wells, I believe the profit can be increased by more than three times."
"That's a good plan!" Liu Qi suddenly laughed after hearing this and said, "You're just trying to get something for nothing, right?"
Xi Yuan frowned slightly: "We donated all our property to the general for the use of governing Jingzhou, and half of the profit from salt production also belongs to the court. Why do you say this, general?"
Liu Qi smiled and said, "Although you donated all your shops and land to the court, they still need someone to take care of them, just like a restaurant with a new chef, the food won't be the same. It seems that everything is handed over to the court, but in fact it is still run by you, and the Xi family has an additional business of transporting salt. Isn't this just getting something for nothing?"
Xi Yuan's chest slightly opened. She didn't expect Liu Qi to be so familiar with business. She took a deep breath, suppressed her inner surprise, and sighed quietly: "Xi is willing to serve the court sincerely. Since the young master said so, I can't do anything, but Xi is willing to dedicate everything to the general."
"Everything?" Liu Qi took another step forward and was already very close to Xi Yuan, her raised chest almost touching his chest.
This time, Xi Yuan raised her chin stubbornly, without moving, and allowed Liu Qi to approach.
This is a purely natural and beautiful appearance, without any technological intervention. The pure white skin, delicate face, and a little bit of makeup make everything perfect.
"Are you sure you want to dedicate everything to this young master?"
A strange smile appeared on Liu Qi's lips, which finally made Xi Yuan look a little flustered.
Even though she had been strong since childhood and considered herself a man, unwilling to lose to anyone, she was, after all, a girl waiting to be married. How could she withstand such an aggression from Liu Qi
Xi Yuan pretended to be calm and nodded, saying, "The general is a royal noble, and he doesn't despise my humble appearance. This is my honor, but..."
Before he finished speaking, Liu Qi's fingers had already touched her smooth chin, stroking it gently, making her tremble all over.
"I have heard a little about Xi's business. How can a mere salt business satisfy you?" Liu Qi said with emotion, as if he was playing with a rare treasure: "Since it is a cornucopia, you should plunder all the treasures in the world."
"Sir, you... please respect yourself!" Xi Yuan couldn't bear it any longer, took two steps back and fell into her seat.
"Have you ever thought about going beyond Jingzhou, to the Central Plains, to all corners of the country? Silk and porcelain from the Central Plains, spices from Kushan, ivory from Nanyue, and so on, or even going as far as the Western Regions and overseas, that's what I want to do."
Looking at Liu Qi's condescending gaze, Xi Yuan sat cross-legged in a daze, looking as cute as a little loli.
After a while, she widened her eyes and exclaimed, "Really?"
Liu Qi nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile: "The situation has finally opened up. This young master wants ambitions like yours."
Suppressing her inner excitement, Xi Yuan knelt down and said, "I will obey the general's orders."
Liu Qi looked at Xi Yuan, smiled and stretched out his hand: "Beautiful woman, this young master wants to fight for you. This young master also wants to fight for this world. In the future, all the wealth in the world will be in your hands. That will be a veritable treasure pot!"
Xi Yuan looked up and her heart trembled when she saw the passion that Liu Qi suddenly exuded.
This is the current lord of Jingzhou, who defeated the arrogant traitor Cao Cao. He is calm and confident, yet has an inscrutable vision and vision.
He will be my man!
This thought suddenly came to Xi Yuan's mind and her heart began to beat wildly.
She unconsciously stretched out her hand and let Liu Qi pull her up, her breathing becoming a little faster.
Feeling the delicate beauty with a sweet breath, Liu Qi reluctantly let go.
After all, she is his fiancée, and being too frivolous with her would seem dirty and vulgar.
A gentleman starts from emotion but stops with propriety. There is only a thin layer of window paper left, and it will not be too late to break it in the future.
Seeing Liu Qi take the initiative to sit down, Xi Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help asking: "Jingzhou is surrounded by powerful enemies, and the general is busy with military affairs. How can he manage business?"
"War is a competition of resources and financial power!" Liu Qi sighed and said slowly, "Without money, food and weapons, everything is empty talk. Although I have summoned civil and military heroes to fight against Cao Cao, I am short of manpower in the rear. The young lady appeared at the right time. Perhaps all this is God's will!"
Xi Yuan stared at Liu Qi, bowed and said, "If the general is willing to employ me, I will repay you even if my body is torn to pieces."
"That's not necessary!" Liu Qi looked at Xi Yuan, his eyes becoming brighter and brighter, and said with a smile: "You and I are like husband and wife, right?"
"Sir... I... am not yours yet!" Xi Yuan bit her red lips and lowered her head.
This annoying little goblin!
Liu Qi cursed in his heart, even though Xi Yuan was a shrewd businessman, she was also a smart woman. She knew how to play the game of playing both reluctant and willing, which made people feel itchy.
"Let's not talk about the distant future for now. Let's empty the wallets of the wealthy families in Jingzhou first. Do you dare to give it a try?"
"Okay!" Xi Yuan raised her head again, her eyes full of shrewdness, and asked, "What plans do you have, young master?"
Liu Qi patted the table in front of him and said slowly: "Let's start with this furniture reform!"