In this era, adherence to contracts is still quite strict.

  No matter whether it's between countries or people, even if these contracts seem to be full of loopholes in Zhao Xi's eyes, they are all being strictly observed.

  So Zhao Xi drafted a contract.

  No problem, as His Highness the Crown Prince of Shangguo said, even the contract clearly stated that only a cowhide-sized place was needed.

  Just staring at the map, pointing here and there...

  This contract requires Zhao Xi not only to stamp the official seal of the Great Li State, but also to have the seals of the three families' representatives stamped on it.

  Then, it's time to leave.

  Finally, Zhao Xi met with the three families separately again and threw out another contract... It was about the contract for the shares of that wasteland among each family.

  You can deceive people for a while, but you can't deceive them all your life. Zhao Xi had no hope of getting the copper mine in Dali territory, and could rely on the respect of the three families to live in peace.

  Once the copper mine is scaled up, the profit generated will be dazzling.

  At that time, today a group of mountain people came, tomorrow another group of mountain bandits came, and even if they were anxious again, they directly instigated the copper mine to be overturned. All this is possible.

  So, Zhao Xi didn't mind this small favor. The favor wasn't much, hoping to just hit that point... it was the point where three families, although jealous of the benefits, yet somewhat reluctant to overturn the table.

  It's really time to leave now.

  "Regardless of literary or military background, anyone who is a commander or above will be able to obtain a share in the future copper mine. However, there is one prerequisite: they must bring non-immediate family members into the venture."

  "Those who bring in, must be the family with three people or three generations of officials above the fifth rank of the country, regardless of literary and martial arts. Priority is given to Chengdu Road, Jingchu Road, Guangnan East and West Roads."

  This time, the commanding team that went out on expedition thought that His Highness the Crown Prince would arrange matters for their return to court, but unexpectedly, His Highness the Crown Prince started like this.

  What's the point of this again?

  The lower-ranking military officers were naturally delighted. They had also heard about the copper mine and thought it had nothing to do with them...

  It would be unpleasant for high-ranking officials and generals.

  Especially Lv Gongzhu, Cao Lin and others. Why bother? It's completely unnecessary, they can take down the original six families, no need to drag in these martial artists, and it may even lead to too many Wen ministers getting involved.

  Let's not talk about whether the copper mine can make money, even if it makes money, shouldn't the profit be greater with fewer people? If we continue to break it down like this, even if the copper mine really makes money, there won't be much profit left after distributing it to each household.

  In such a situation, there's no way to ask Your Highness...

  "Additionally, it must be declared that all shares only have the right to benefit, not the right to make decisions, can be inherited but cannot be sold. If there is anyone in the family who goes against the greater good and justice, they may be deprived of their rights."

  "Everyone should contact their relatives and friends. For those who cannot make up their minds, they can be taught and distinguished by Lü first, so as not to cause trouble due to hesitation."

  "All smelters of copper must be householders or family heads with their seals as guarantee."

  ……

  After saying a lot, Zhao Xi has already clarified everything that can be considered. The specific and detailed contract still needs to be drafted later.

  Everyone was stunned by Zhao Xi's words and didn't notice that the two attendants of the crown prince were not present.

  Where did they go? Wang Zhongzheng and Li Xian, once again rushed to Rongzhou, only to find that Zhang Fangping had already returned to Yizhou, and they had no choice but to rush to Yizhou.

  "Does His Highness want cowhide?"

  Zhang Fangping saw the eunuch hastily asking for cowhide and claiming that time was urgent, he had to return. He was a bit stunned.

  "General Jinglue, Your Highness has indeed made such arrangements. Someone is still needed to cut the cowhide into strips one finger wide..."

  The two of them didn't know what "Your Highness" meant either, but since they were instructed to report it that way, they did.

  In Yizhou, cowhide is not scarce, and there are already finished ones. Neighboring with various tribes of Tubo, don't worry about these things, it's still that kind of uncultivated, large-bodied yak hide.

  It's just this nonsense...

  "I'll go with you to Zongzhou and finish the cowhide business along the way. You can tell me about it in detail."

  It's pointless to argue with two idiots, Zhang Fangping needs to grasp the underlying meaning from the event.

  When Zhang Fangping finished listening to all the stories and thought about a cowhide cut into strips as wide as a finger... Your Highness is indeed mischievous!

  Even if it's a place that His Highness wants, which is bigger than the cowhide enclosure, I'm sure everyone in Dali will agree. Why bother playing tricks on people?

  However, Zhang Fangping liked this move. It's quite barbaric, and the education is insufficient, but I didn't expect this to happen.

  The king's army is almost arriving at Dongchuan County. If it weren't for the crown prince dawdling, they should have already arrived in Xuzhou by now.

  Can't help but procrastinate, Wang Zhongzheng and Li Xian, those two fools, haven't even sent the cowhide yet. If they arrive at Dongchuan Prefecture and the people of Dali Kingdom give them a cowhide to measure, that would be a big joke.

  He didn't expect Zhang Fangping to be so trusting of them, and after they left Rongzhou, he directly returned to Yizhou.

  There's nothing to worry about. To say the least, when Dali sent envoys again, Zhang Fangping knew that the king's army was also unimpeded within the borders of Dali.

  In the end he still had to run back to Runzhou again, Your Highness is always doing things that trouble people.

  "The scholar has arrived in Rongzhou and awaits your arrival..."

  Wang Zhongzheng arrived, carrying that piece of cowhide which had already been cut into strips.

  "Has the cowhide been broken?"

  "Not discontinued, managed by Chengdu Prefecture."

  It's okay, just go with it. A good show of pretence, Zhao Xi didn't want any unexpected surprises that would make people laugh at him.

  It was where Su Song first discovered white lead, the desolate mountains and wild ridges were not to be mentioned, the entire ground was still pockmarked with old mine shafts everywhere.

  There isn't a single soul within an eight-mile radius... Could it be that the Crown Prince of this country is planning to carve out a piece of land here?

  Of course, they didn't run that trip for nothing. They had investigated most of the abandoned mines here before.

  Su Song said that it was abandoned because excavation had become difficult.

  It's also these Wu Man, collecting some exposed copper ore on the surface is okay, if it's deep excavation, it's already beyond their capabilities.

  This place is great, it's just that the method of cowhide is a bit tricky, looking at this broken place, it won't make the various forces in Dali feel disgusted.

  The key is that this place also has the greatest advantage, with Jinsha River to the west and Xijiang River to the east, it's almost a unique geographical advantage, directly relying on two major water systems for navigation.

  The cowhide was wrapped up in a bundle. When Wang Zhongzheng unfolded the cowhide... those who came to see him off opened their mouths and laughed.

  Is this a piece of cowhide? Indeed it is a piece of cowhide. But your knife is so fine...

  This kind of entertainment, the people involved are very enthusiastic, not only did the entire Imperial Guard participate, but also the Western Army was very enthusiastic.

  Then, Su Song commanded and began using cowhide surrounds...

  It's actually not very big, just about the size of a medium-sized county town.

  Because His Highness the Crown Prince has ordered it, we have to leave some leeway... actually, it's a request to leave some cowhide strips and also draw the transportation roads into the circle.

  The Jinsha River is very close on this side, but going west to the Yangtze River, there is still a long way to go.

  Zhao Xike didn't want to be strangled by others, so he had to make preparations for the two transportation lines. At the same time, he also had to take control of the ownership of the roads first.

  All of this has been contracted.