Chapter 378 Trading Sun Jian Army for Gold (1/2)
Chapter 378 – Trading Sun Jian Army for Gold
May 15th, 190 A.D.
Chen Qun worked fast. His dispatched envoy reached Xuchang and visited Cheng Yu.
The envoy did not know about Chen Qun's real status, so he went through the formality. He also offered the negotiation about Sun Jian Army's service.
Cheng Yu did not mind it as he knew about the ploy. However, he wanted to extort this innocent envoy a bit.
”How much for the buy-out?”
Yuan Shu's officer was astonished, ”B-Buy out?”
”Yes. How much will I have to pay if I want to hire all of them permanently?”
”S-Sir, you must have jested. We can only offer a temporary service. This matter is something I cannot decide.”
”Is 200,000 gold do?”
”Eh?”
”How about 300,000?”
”N-No, I meant-”
”500,000. I won't give more than this.”
The officer gulped. He began calculating in his mind.
Sun Jian's troops consisted of 50,000 elites with fully equipped armors and weapons.
In the past, it took less than a 1,000 gold to hire 10,000 militias without a weapon, armor, or training. Combined with the equipment costs, a lord had to waste two to three gold nuggets to equip a soldier with an Imperial armor set, and a well-crafted weapon.
In common practice, all militia had to prepare their own weapons and armors as they had to take care of their life. Most warlords refused to support their equipment and weaponry to save their budget.
In summary, he required roughly 5,000 gold to hire a replacement of 50,000 militias and 150,000 gold if Yuan Shu wanted to gear them.
They could make 345,000 gold of profit!
The officer wiped his sweat, yet his face revealed a bright smile.
'What a lucrative business! Why haven't I thought of this!?'
Greed clouded the officer's mind. He could tell Chen Qun that he succeeded in renting Sun Jian for 200,000 gold while he kept 300,000 gold for himself. Once Sun Jian switched sides, he could say to Yuan Shu that Sun Jian betrayed them.
The embezzlement plan was completed!
Laughing, the officers nodded five times in a row. He could not wait to get his hands on those gold nuggets.
”Of course. We can make some changes!”
”Good. I'll give you 50,000 gold first as a promised money. Once Sun Jian and his army come to swear allegiance to us, I'll give you the rest.”
”Yes, yes! That will do!”
Both of them drafted an agreement paper on the spot. The negotiation about Sun Jian's permanent transfer was done without the need of Cao Cao's presence.
.
May 20th.
The officer brought back the negotiation result to Yuan Shu. He also gave the down payment of 50,000 gold to him as well.
Yuan Shu laughed and praised the negotiator, ”WELL DONE! Now, our problems with fund shortage are solved! What's your name?”
”Han Yin, my lord!”
”Good! You'll serve as my secretary of foreign affair!”
”Thank you, my lord!!”
Han Yin turned to Chen Qun and sneered at him. Instead of being grateful toward his boss, he revealed a hint of pride.
'Now, you can't order me around, brat!'
Han Yin had never had faith in his former boss as Chen Qun was younger than him. He always dreamt that he could prove his worth and put Chen Qun in his place.
Now, his first goal was completed. With the additional 300,000 embezzled gold in the future, he could build a prominent private army and become a powerhouse in Yuan Shu's forces.
Chen Qun could read through Han Yin's expression. Instead of getting angry by the sneer, his eyes curved up, mocking Han Yin.
'You can play around as long as you want, senior Han. The one who has the last laugh wins.'
.
May 22nd.
A messenger arrived at Hulao Gate and informed Sun Jian about his relocation and his new assignment.
At the camp behind the gate, Sun Jian read through the instruction in his tent.
Learning that he had to serve Cao Cao, Sun Jian questioned Yuan Shu's motive.
”What the hell are they doing!? Am I their property now?”
Cheng Pu laughed, ”Yeah, we are. Do you know how many golds they got?”
”How many?”
”50,000.”
”…”
Sun Jian was on the verge of anger. He was frustrated about how Yuan Shu treated him as livestock and merchandise.
He served Yuan Shu because he had no place to go, not because of loyalty.
Fortunately, Yuan Shu sent him to garrison Hulao Gate, and their entire family was here.