There was another matter in front of Wei Yuan, the Xui Family stockpiling troops at Han Yang Pass, blocking the traffic to and from Jin, allowing only a few merchant teams to pass, and rigorously inspecting all transported goods.
Many merchant teams, having no choice, could only reroute through Zhao, which made the journey several times longer, turning many profitable goods into losses. The supplies sent to Qingming were cut by more than half and the prices were several times the usual.
Zhao also implemented a disguised blockade, forbidding the export of steel, medicine, arrow, and other weapons. Later, seeing Wei Yuan using refugees to fill the lines, Zhao further prohibited refugees from crossing the border.
Luckily, later on, the Dazhao Ping'an Marquis, in order to redeem his brother-in-law, gave Wei Yuan 290,000 refugees. Otherwise, Wei Yuan's military force would indeed be lacking.
