With Wang Shuyou’s position as the Protector of the Xiongnu, there’s absolutely no problem.

In fact, she can even gain a favorable position in trade.

You see, as the Protector General of the Xiongnu in Xihexian County, she holds a significant status within the court of the Southern Xiongnu.

Moreover, since the reign of Emperor Xiaowen, the commandants of Yunzhong Commandery began establishing military markets in border areas, known as “junshi” markets,

Where soldiers could engage in trade with the local people.

These military markets eventually evolved into official markets and even private markets during times of peace along the borders.

If such activities could occur in Yunzhong Commandery, a frontline border area, then it’s even more plausible in Xihexian County,

Which is already under the control of the surrendered Southern Xiongnu.

Furthermore, the nomadic lifestyle and limited production of the Xiongnu create a significant demand for goods from the Han Dynasty, even in their settled state.

This kind of trade wouldn’t embolden the Xiongnu; rather, it would maintain their dependence on Han Dynasty’s goods.

Recent battles like the Jiluo Mountain Battle in the first year of Yongyuan,

The Yiwu Battle in the second year of Yongyuan,

The Hebei North Battle in the third year of Yongyuan,

And the two suppressions of Southern Xiongnu rebellions in the third year of Yongchu

And the fifth year of Yonghe have instilled significant fear of the Han Dynasty in the Southern Xiongnu in recent years, making them quite submissive.

As long as the central government maintains a stable position, with the Northern Xiongnu roaming outside and the Southern Xiongnu surrendering inside,

This kind of mutual trade will only result in the flow of Xiongnu’s livestock into the Han Dynasty, further promoting stability along the border.

The only thing to be concerned about is what was mentioned in the memorial Cai Yong wrote to Liu Hong before his exile:

“The passes are not secure, and there are many leaks in the net. Precious metals and fine iron are all in the hands of the bandits.”

Therefore, strict precautions need to be taken to prevent Han Dynasty ironware from falling into the hands of the nomads.

This is what the current Protector General of the Xiongnu needs to do.

However, alcohol obviously isn’t affected by this, especially good alcohol.

The Xiongnu haven’t yet developed large-scale food cultivation, let alone producing surplus grain for brewing alcohol.

Wang Yang remembered that Wang Rou ( Shuyou ) had previously written to him mentioning that the Southern Xiongnu liked good alcohol, especially strong and rich ones.

However, the cost of brewing good alcohol was high, and the benefits traded with the Xiongnu were not much different from those sent to Luoyang and other places, so the volume of sales had always been small.

But according to what Qiao Yan said, the wine in front of them hadn’t been carefully selected in terms of ingredients.

It could even be said to be of the same quality as the most common wine.

Once they mastered this method, they could indeed sell it to the Southern Xiongnu.

“Ordinary wine, with a yield of more than twice as much, follows the same principle. There’s no loss in the process,” Qiao Yan said, seeing that Wang Yang understood the implication of her words and showed some interest.

She added, which was equivalent to further acknowledging the cost of brewing alcohol.

Without realizing it, Wang Yang shifted forward again.

“The reason I say handing over this method to the Wang family is highly beneficial is because apart from the Wang family, no one else has the conditions to engage in large-scale trade with the Southern Xiongnu.

Furthermore, the previous Protector General of the Xiongnu, while supporting the Righteous King as the Chanyu, still faced movements from the Left Wise King and the Left Gulu King.

If the trade of alcohol can exchange for some of the Southern Xiongnu’s war horses, wouldn’t it also make Wang Shuyou’s task of suppressing the Southern Xiongnu more assured?”

“If originally one cart of rough wine could be exchanged for five excellent horses, would it be feasible now to exchange seven excellent horses for the brewed fine wine?”

Feasible? Why wouldn’t it be?

Wang Yang’s mind was quickly calculating.

He had personally tasted the difference between this wine and the one made from the same ingredients before.

Although the Southern Xiongnu were a different ethnic group, they didn’t have tongues with opposite tastes.

How could they not taste the difference?

They might even feel that the Han Dynasty was giving them a bargain in this trade, selling alcohol worth ten horses for the price of seven.

The dissatisfaction of some of the Southern Xiongnu and the hatred towards the Han Dynasty from the rising Hui Tu Ge tribes were two completely different attitudes.

The latter must be suppressed by force, but the former only needed to see the benefits of submitting to the Han Dynasty.

After the previous Protector General forcefully replaced the Xiongnu Chanyu, the current Protector General could indeed enact a pacifying policy as his name suggests.

If there was a way for the Wang family to assist him in accomplishing this “pacification” without harming their interests,

Wang Yang would naturally be willing to do it.

It might even be highly profitable.

In what Qiao Yan said, the “fame” and “profit” mentioned are mostly obtained by Wang Rou, which is equivalent to adding more weight to their Jinyang’s Wang family!

The Wang family from Qixian produced Wang Zishi.

He gained reputation during the subsequent suppression of the Yellow Turbans in Yuzhou.

Although he hasn’t reached as high a position as his uncle in Jinyang’s Wang family, who became the Protector of the Xiongnu, there’s no guarantee he won’t surpass him later.

Adding another bargaining chip now is definitely a big deal.

As an exchange, letting him report a merit for Marquis Qiao after achieving his goal is fair.

Thinking of this, Wang Yang couldn’t help but lift the corners of his lips slightly, but he thought he shouldn’t show it so obviously,

So he tried to suppress it.

He said, “If what Marquis Qiao said is true, this matter is not only profitable for our Wang family, but it’s also a great favor. I just wonder—”

“Since Marquis Qiao commands many troops and has abundant land in Leping, why doesn’t she do this herself?

You should know that the private market in Xihé County has grown quite large now. She could directly lead people there.”

“Yes, we don’t necessarily have to go through Uncle You.”

Qiao Yan shook his head, “That’s not right. Leping is not as wealthy as Jinyang.

To fully recover from last year’s natural disasters, it will take two or three years of continuous farming and storing food.

If we turn this year’s harvest into wine for sale now, what will we do if there’s a drought or locust plague next year?

It’s like draining a pond to catch fish. I cannot do such a thing.”

“Secondly, the Wang family has a liquor industry. Whether it’s manpower or equipment, it’s much more economical than my temporary procurement.

Breaking the resentment of the Southern Xiongnu is not just for the sake of individual families, but for the greater benefit of Han Dynasty.

Therefore, it’s necessary to understand the principle of specialization in order to achieve our goals as soon as possible.

My grandfather had the welfare of Han Dynasty in mind and was buried in Leping. I cannot let him down.”

Hearing these words, Wang Yang couldn’t help but feel that Marquis Qiao was indeed remarkable.

If such prudent and experienced methods were employed by an opponent Tang Family, it would be the most terrifying thing in the world.

Fortunately, she didn’t seem to have the arrogance of relying on her talent in handling everything.

Instead, she immediately sought to establish a cooperative relationship with them.

Qiao Yan raised the still warm wine cup in front of him and said, “Forgive me if this sounds ridiculous, but there’s actually a third reason.”

“I’m eager to hear it.”

Qiao Yan said, “It’s common for people in this world to pursue fame and profit.

There’s no need to avoid talking about it.

The Wang family seeks profit from selling wine, and the Southern Xiongnu seeks profit from trade.

Can I, Qiao Yan, be an exception? Since we mentioned from the start that it’s a trade with the Wang family, naturally, I also seek profit.

Since the Wang family can provide me with this profit, why should I let the people of Leping blindly engage in the wine-making business?”

“I wonder what profit Marquis Qiao seeks…” Wang Yang asked.

“Good seeds, grains, and horses.”

With this answer from Qiao Yan, Wang Yang couldn’t help but laugh without restraint.

What kind of profit was that?

Compared to the wine industry’s development due to the new method, which further squeezed Tang’s market, and compared to Wang Rou’s political gains from selling cheap wine to the Southern Xiongnu,

Qiao Yan only needed some good seeds and horses.

In Wang Yang’s eyes, it was almost like getting them for free.

Not to mention that Qiao Yan appeared mature and capable in her actions and speech.

She didn’t seem like someone who would make outrageous demands in such matters.

Her reputation alone was enough for Wang Yang to be willing to pay a part of the price to win her over.