Zhao Rong said, "Ten thousand guan would be fine. You know how empty Youzhou's treasury is right now. If this money and grain were injected into it, we'd at least have something to provide the next time the Grand General demands provisions."
Bai Xiaowen waved his hand. "Wait. Provincial Governor Zhao, you can't just take the benefits and ignore the trouble... The Liaodong Four Commanderies already have a major problem on their hands."
Zhao Rong looked bewildered. "What problem?" He had rushed overnight from Beiping and still knew nothing about the Yellow Turban Army.
Bai Xiaowen told him about the Yellow Turban bandits.
"Yellow Turban bandits were discovered in Liaodong?! Is this news confirmed?" Zhao Rong asked in shock.
"The bandit chief Guo Cai and more than ten of his followers have all been arrested and imprisoned. The account books are here as well. We have both witnesses and evidence. How could it not be confirmed?" Bai Xiaowen said.
"Then... Young Master, you mean..."
"Of course we have to wipe them out." Bai Xiaowen spoke as though it were only natural. "Our Yuan Clan governs Youzhou on behalf of the Han Emperor. How could we let these bandits run rampant and bring disaster upon the people? The troops of Liaodong have yet to submit, so it would be unwise to use them. This battle must be fought by the troops of Youzhou proper."
Zhao Rong grumbled inwardly, Are you serious, Young Master? Who doesn't know that the Black Mountain Bandits have occupied Jizhou for three years? The Grand General still turns a blind eye to them.
On the surface, however, Zhao Rong naturally could not object. He could only nod and say, "If we are to mobilize Youzhou's troops, we must obtain the Grand General's permission. Young Master, why not