Thinking of this, Liu Jin secretly pondered whether he should also train a trump card unit among his cavalry.
Like Gongsun Zan's White Horse义从(Yìcóng) in history, they were mighty, imposing, and appeared and disappeared like shadows, truly formidable.
However, he was not yet qualified to form such a unit; maintaining a cavalry force already consumed considerable money and provisions, and his current strength was insufficient to establish elite cavalry.
Especially since white horses were extremely rare, he simply couldn't acquire thousands of them, so he immediately gave up on organizing a White Horse义从(Yìcóng).
Once his strength grew, he could equip his horses with horseshoes and saddles, which would greatly enhance his cavalry's power, ensuring they would not lose to the elite cavalry of the steppe nomads, and might even defeat them.
At that time, he could select and organize an elite cavalry unit as his trump card.
It would be called the Black Rider Camp, entirely composed of black horses, clad in gleaming black armor, their might definitely a cut above that of white horses, earning them the reputation of a fearsome elite force.
Thinking of this, Liu Jin burst into loud laughter, his voice particularly resonant.
Zhao Teng, standing nearby, scratched his head slightly, appearing somewhat puzzled as to why his elder brother was suddenly laughing like that.
After laughing for a moment, Liu Jin returned to normal, showing no signs of embarrassment.
He looked at Zhao Teng, preparing to signal him to go and attend to his own matters.
Then, Zhao Teng's voice came!
"By the way, Marquis."
"There's one more thing, it concerns the Zhen Family."
Hearing this, Liu Jin's brows furrowed slightly, and he quickly asked!
"What about the Zhen Family? Are those collateral relatives trying to seize the family property?"
Zhao Teng smiled and shook his head, saying loudly!
"It's not that. With the Marquis supporting them, those people naturally wouldn't dare to jump out and seek death; they've all been very well-behaved."
"What I wanted to say is that Zhen Yan, on behalf of the Zhen Family, is gifting the Marquis one hundred thousand piculs of grain, as a token of respect."
Liu Jin gasped, a look of excitement on his face.
He hadn't expected his Nephew to be so generous, willing to gift one hundred thousand piculs of grain.
With this batch of grain, it could be stored in the treasury for emergencies, and he wouldn't have to worry about any instability causing a shortage of grain, as he did now.
Zhao Teng's voice continued!
"However, Zhen Yan has a request: he hopes that the Zhen Family's business can expand into Bing Province and receive the Marquis's support, allowing them to operate unimpeded in various counties and not be oppressed by local powerful clans."
Liu Jin's joy deepened upon hearing this; if the Zhen Family could come to Bing Province, it would not only boost the local economy but also bring them closer to him.
He didn't want the Zhen Family's base to remain in Ji Province if the world descended into chaos, only to be controlled by Yuan Shao, thus benefiting others, which he would deeply regret.
Without any hesitation, he said loudly!
"This matter I, the Marquis, agree to. As long as the Zhen Family's business can come to Bing Province to develop, I will unconditionally support them. No one in any region will dare to oppress them."
"Not only that, but as long as they conduct business in the three northern counties, they will receive government support, be granted some shops, have their taxes reduced, and be helped to develop to the greatest extent possible."
Hearing this, Zhao Teng nodded, then bowed and withdrew, beginning to relay the message.
He wanted the Zhen Family to establish roots in Bing Province as soon as possible, and to expand their businesses earlier, developing the commercial economy throughout Bing Province.
Liu Jin sat at the head seat, lost in thought!
From the current situation, it seemed that Zhen Yan had completely pledged allegiance to him, clearly intending to make Bing Province the foundation of the Zhen Family.
This action and decision greatly pleased Liu Jin, as Ji Province was prosperous and wealthy, something Bing Province could not compare to.
To shift their focus here for development already showed great determination, and it might even cut off the Zhen Family's retreat.
But Zhen Yan was determined to come to Bing Province, wanting to follow his lead for the rest of his life, and would never betray him.
If he rose to power, he would definitely not forget the Zhen Family's support and would surely bestow upon them high offices and generous salaries.
The sun gradually set, and the entire sky took on the colors of dusk.
Liu Jin pushed open his door and walked out, seeing the sky darken. He stretched, relaxed his muscles, and headed towards the back courtyard.
He chatted with his two wives for a while, and then they finished dinner in the dining hall.
After washing up, Liu Jin walked along the small stone path, watching the moonlight shine down and feeling the slight chill of the wind.
He pondered in his heart that he had been accompanying Lady Yin recently, and it had been a long time since he visited Lady Zhen's courtyard, so he planned to stay there tonight.
So he strolled over. At the courtyard entrance stood two maidservants, who, upon seeing Liu Jin arrive, bowed respectfully, their faces showing deference, and greeted him as Marquis.
Liu Jin nodded, then stepped inside.
The entire courtyard was brightly lit. He followed the corridor along the side, walking forward.
Passing by a room, a fragrant breeze wafted out. Liu Jin paused slightly; the room was where Zhen Jiang resided.
He felt a bit puzzled, not expecting Zhen Jiang to have stayed for so long.
One must know that Zhen Jiang was still unmarried, a young maiden, and living in someone else's courtyard for so long would completely ruin her reputation if word got out.
Did she not care about her reputation? Liu Jin frowned, a look of confusion on his face.
He shook his head, unable to understand, and immediately stepped forward.
Just then, the door suddenly opened with a creak. Zhen Jiang, wearing a light silk gauze dress, outlined her beautiful figure, constantly revealing glimpses of her charms.
Upon seeing Liu Jin, Zhen Jiang's exquisite face showed a blush of shyness, her willow-leaf eyebrows fluttering, her slender waist slightly bent, and she said softly!
"This concubine greets the Marquis."
Seeing her alluring appearance, Liu Jin felt his hormones surging, and he couldn't help but curse inwardly.
Wearing something so revealing late at night, wasn't this clearly inviting trouble?
He coughed lightly, quickly returning to his normal demeanor, and said with a smile!
"So it's Miss Zhen. Not asleep yet, so late?"
Zhen Jiang hesitated upon hearing this, but then slowly said!
"Marquis, the bed in my room seems to have some problems; it creaks from time to time, and the noise is too loud. I was going to come out and find someone to help me repair it, but I didn't expect to meet the Marquis."
At this point, Zhen Jiang paused, then shyly asked!
"Since the Marquis is here, could you help me repair it?"
Liu Jin heard her soft, tingling voice, which made his inner desire swell.
He wanted to refuse, but seeing her pitiful look, he still nodded and said with a smile!
"If that's the case, then I'll help you repair it."
Zhen Jiang's face lit up with joy upon hearing this. Her fair, jade-like hand instantly reached out and pulled at Liu Jin's robe, saying sweetly!
"Thank you, Marquis."
Her eyes fluttered, and her thin dress revealed her charms, exuding a captivating allure.