Chapter 30: The Liu Family’s Great Rise

Liu Bei clapped his hands, and several servants carried in a curved-shaft plow. Among those present, everyone except Chen Deng had already seen it. Following Liu Bei’s instructions, the servants placed the plow directly in front of Chen Deng’s seat.

Chen Deng looked curiously at the somewhat complex wooden implement. After a moment of contemplation, he exclaimed in surprise, "My Lord, could this be a curved-shaft plow?"

"Indeed!"

Liu Bei was not surprised that Chen Deng could deduce the purpose of the plow. With keen interest, he explained, "This object is called a curved-shaft plow, improved by Feng from the traditional straight-shaft design. In the past few days, we have arranged for trials, and its efficiency is more than three to five times that of the straight-shaft plow. Furthermore, it is very lightweight and easy to maneuver. I have already ordered the city’s craftsmen to step up production."

Chen Deng was startled and could not help but confirm, "Is the efficiency of this curved-shaft plow truly so much greater than the straight-shaft version?"

Upon receiving Liu Bei’s affirmative answer, Chen Deng could no longer remain seated. He pleaded, "My Lord, may I request that you grant the technique for manufacturing this implement to the scholars and commoners of Xiapi? They will surely be eternally grateful and serve you with the utmost loyalty."

Liu Bei laughed heartily and reassured him, "Yuanlong, there is no need for such urgency. That is precisely my intention; I wish to utilize your help to promote this implement throughout Xu Province."

Chen Deng was overjoyed and showered Liu Bei with compliments: "My Lord is broad-minded and benevolent. With such grace bestowed upon Xu Province, its scholars and people will be eternally indebted. I previously thought you were only skilled in war and possessed extraordinary integrity. I never expected that upon taking office, you would present such a magnificent gift to the people of Xu. With the promotion of this implement, the common folk will surely find some relief."

Liu Bei nodded happily and produced a silk scroll. "Yuanlong, this contains the manufacturing process for the curved-shaft plow. Keep it safe. Additionally, you may take this plow with you when you depart to serve as a model for replication in Xiapi. If any questions arise, you may come to the provincial government office to see me at any time."

"My Lord’s virtue is immense! On behalf of the millions of scholars and commoners in Xu Province, I kowtow in gratitude for your great kindness." Chen Deng hurriedly left his seat to bow, moved to tears.

Liu Bei quickly helped him up, took his hand, and escorted him back to his seat. The group then continued their banquet until they departed, fully satisfied.

***

As night deepened and the moon climbed into the branches, Mi Zhu stood in his study, lost in thought. Liu Feng had departed an hour ago, and since then, Mi Zhu had been deep in reflection.

It was not that he regretted the terms he had agreed to with Liu Feng; rather, as a mature merchant, he needed to review the entire negotiation process and its outcome.

Particularly regarding the surprising turn of events today, he remained astonished. In truth, Liu Feng’s demands were not exactly modest. Aside from anything else, the sheer scale of the requested supplies was something few in Xu Province could provide. And to do so without damaging one’s own foundation—that was likely something only his Mi family of Haidong could achieve.

With the chaotic times now upon them, the prices of all supplies had soared. Even calculating based on the low prices of twenty years ago, what Liu Feng asked for amounted to several million coins. A plow ox in the Eastern Han period cost between four thousand and eight thousand coins; at the lowest estimate, one hundred oxen alone would cost four hundred thousand coins. A set of clothing, shoes, and hemp socks cost six or seven hundred coins; two thousand sets would cost over one million three hundred thousand coins. Although iron prices were relatively low, thirty thousand catties would cost at least three hundred thousand coins. Including the cash and other provisions, the total value reached three million coins and one hundred thousand shi of grain.

Yet, Mi Zhu felt not a hint of heartache. Historically, when Liu Bei lost Xu Province and his troops were scattered, living in poverty in Xiaopei, Mi Zhu had unhesitatingly supported him with two thousand servants and countless gold and silver. This demonstrated his audacity in investment. A healthy servant was worth twenty to thirty thousand coins. Given Liu Bei’s subsequent development, it was clear these servants had been trained into an army—likely sturdy men or even family soldiers with basic military training. Such private soldiers were worth up to forty thousand coins each. Two thousand servants amounted to eighty million coins, and with other grains and wealth, that investment was at least over one hundred million coins. Yet, Mi Zhu had dared to place his bet.

By comparison, the three million coins and one hundred thousand shi of grain Liu Feng asked for today were insignificant to the Mi family. However, Mi Zhu found himself unexpectedly troubled. Ironically, if Liu Feng had come just to ask for money, grain, and supplies, Mi Zhu would not have been so conflicted. The root cause of his deep contemplation lay in the snow-white salt and rock sugar Liu Feng had provided.

Take snow-white salt alone: Xu Province had always produced salt, and the price was low—eight hundred coins per shi. But snow-white salt was measured in gold; one catty of it was worth one tael of gold. By Han standards, one catty equaled sixteen taels. One shi of snow-white salt was one hundred and twenty catties, meaning it was worth one hundred and twenty taels of gold. Since one catty of gold was theoretically worth ten thousand coins (and often more in practice), one shi of snow-white salt was worth at least one hundred thousand coins.

With a cost of only a thousand coins, the resale value was a hundred thousand—a profit of staggering proportions. Yet Liu Feng was so generous as to offer an eighty-twenty split, gifting twenty percent of the profits to the Mi family for nothing. How could one not be moved by such magnanimity? Furthermore, Liu Feng had unhesitatingly handed over the manufacturing techniques, convincing Mi Zhu that Liu Feng, and by extension Liu Bei, held him and his family in high regard. Mi Zhu even felt a surge of the loyalty that drives a scholar to die for his benefactor.

Mi Zhu could not fathom why Liu Feng was willing to share these secrets. In his view, such techniques should be kept strictly under control, even if one needed to use the Mi family’s trade routes—he would only need to have the salt and sugar delivered monthly. Having reviewed the process, Mi Zhu found it neither complex nor difficult. Moreover, since these goods were precious due to their rarity, mass production was unnecessary; a few dozen people could handle it, eliminating the risk of the secret leaking.

After much deliberation, Mi Zhu could only conclude that the Liu family was repaying his kindness in supporting Liu Bei’s appointment as provincial governor, while also signaling a desire to win over the Mi family.

Snow-white salt, rock sugar, and the curved-shaft plow—each of these was a priceless, incomparable technology. Liu Feng had produced all three at once, making Mi Zhu realize the terrifying potential of the young man and fueling his own greater ambitions.

Today’s meeting confirmed Mi Zhu’s judgment: The rise of the Liu family was imminent. His greatest pride in life was his ability to judge people, and he had never encountered such rare, valuable figures as this father-son duo. He keenly sensed that the Mi family had reached a critical juncture. To advance was to soar like a dragon; to retreat was to lose the opportunity and risk the family fortune.

After an unknown amount of time, Mi Zhu finally stood up.