In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 685 The First Three-Year Plan of the Northern Pacification Command

Soldiers who rushed out from the two northeast gates gathered five miles north of the city.

Two thousand soldiers stood in neat rows along one side of the official road.
Pitch black as a forest, a chilling atmosphere pervades the air.

The carriages and horses on the official road couldn't help but lower their heads, not daring to look.

Lu Yunyi stood at the very front of the procession, watching the endless convoy.
Suddenly I realized that using livestock to pull a cart was too slow; a tricycle would be better.

There are only oxen and horses that die from exhaustion, but no people.

However, considering the bumpy dirt road, he abandoned this radical idea.

Beside him, Wu Fulu was also dressed in armor.
As the carts slowly drove by, a hint of impatience flashed in his eyes:

"Sir, should we follow them? Isn't that too slow?"

"Heh, we'll deliver right away. Otherwise, how can we show our sincerity?"

Lu Yunyi smiled and pointed to the few people struggling to emerge from the caravan.
"Be careful, when they arrive, tell the brothers not to say anything carelessly, lest they find out something."

"Yes!" Wu Fuliu replied.

Bai Song tribe's Taiji Bayar and Mibin arrived on horseback with their entourage.

The two were extremely excited, their faces flushed.

The thought of those endless caravans filled them with a sense of satisfaction they had never felt before.

Who else in the world could receive such treatment, having the elite troops of the Ming Dynasty escort them?
Who else!
As the group approached, Bayar cupped his fists in a respectful gesture:

"Greetings, Lord Lu and General Wu."

Mi Bin was the same; he appeared even more respectful.

Lu Yunyi waved his hand:
"Now that we're on the same boat, we're all on the same side, so there's no need to be polite."

These words made their eyes practically leap with excitement, and their hearts pounded!
Bayar sighed with emotion:
"Lord Lu, my Baisong tribe is willing to establish a lasting friendship with Daning City for mutual benefit."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Lu Yunyi burst out laughing.
"The world is bustling, all for profit; the world is bustling, all for profit."

As long as we can continue to cooperate.
No need for slogans, we're friends forever, even though we're in different places.

"Yes, sir, Baisongbu will not disappoint you!" Bayar said, bowing.

"Alright, alright, let's speed up and try to leave Dusi as soon as possible."

I've been eyeing the money of the people of Liaodong for a long time.

Lu Yunyi waved his hand, signaling them to return to the group.

Bayar and Mibin clasped their hands in a fist salute:

"Yes, we will proceed at full speed!"

The following morning, as caravans and armies hurried along,
New notices have been posted at the four city gates and the entrance to the military headquarters.

Sunlight streamed down from the sky.

It poured onto the notice with neat handwriting.

It attracts one after another people to come here.

At the beginning of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the crowd began to gather.

The workers stopped in front of the notice and looked at it with great seriousness.

Many workshop owners and shopkeepers also arrived early.

They were eager to hear what this so-called three-year plan was all about and whether it would benefit them.

At the entrance of the capital, Qiao Hui was not as dawdling as usual, but was already waiting there early.

But no matter how much the people urged him to read the proclamation,

Qiao Hui remained unmoved and waited quietly for the crowd to gather.

He only made a move when there were nearly three hundred people in front of him.

He then picked up a large bronze trumpet from the side and placed it in front of him.

"Hey Hey hey"

He tested the volume, and the crowd quieted down, staring at him wide-eyed.

Today is a solemn and important day.

The first three-year plan for Daning City is about to be announced.
This concerns our livelihoods, so I hope everyone present will listen carefully.

"If anything is missing, you can come and check it anytime. This notice will be posted for three days," Qiao Hui said.

"Speak quickly, speak quickly," someone urged.

Qiao Hui was no longer as agitated as before, but instead smiled gently:

"Don't worry, it's all good news. Chief Du will never harm you."

After hearing this, the crowd quieted down a little.

"Cough cough."

Qiao Hui cleared his throat and began to read the notice.
The first three-year plan of the Beiping Metropolitan Commandery is as follows:
First, the planting and harvesting of sweet potatoes in all parts of Dusi must be completed within three years.

Ensure that the number of people starving to death in all parts of the capital region is reduced by 90% each year!

Second, open up border trade in Dusi and establish a special trading market.
Merchants were allowed to trade freely with neighboring tribes.

The government will only collect reasonable taxes and will never interfere arbitrarily.

As soon as these words came out, the crowd exploded.

Several shopkeepers' eyes lit up, and they began to whisper among themselves:
"This is a great opportunity to make a fortune!"

"Yes, we used to do business with those tribes secretly, but now we can do it openly!"

Some people also showed concern:

"What if those barbarians get malicious ideas?"

Before everyone could finish arguing, Qiao Hui continued loudly:

"Third, establish a workshop support policy. Workshop owners who are willing to expand their workshop scale and employ more people will be given preferential treatment such as tax reduction and exemption and priority in the supply of raw materials."

Daning Textile Firm, Daning Construction Firm, Daning Trading Firm, and Daning Cement Workshop have made commitments to Dusi.

Over the next three years, each company will recruit at least one thousand workers in the city to support the construction of Daning!

Fourth, complete the road paving from Daning City to Shanhaiguan.

The number of employees will climb to 20,000 within a year.
The initial laying will be completed within two years, and the road will be fully completed within three years!

Fifth, complete the plan to deploy elite troops and generals in each garrison within the Commandery.

The plan is to demobilize elderly, weak, sick, and disabled soldiers, allowing their sons to inherit their fathers' jobs and recruit new soldiers.
Furthermore, we will improve the welfare policies for those leaving the military and enhance the welfare benefits for those still serving!

Sixth, complete the clearing of potential hazards within a thousand li outside the Northern Pacification Commandery.

Bandits, grassland tribes, refugees, and all those who have disturbed Daning will be buried in the ground!

7. Complete the drawing of the fish-scale yellow registers for the various garrisons, cities, and lands of the Northern Pacification Command.

But anyone who obstructs or disobeys the government's orders will have their entire family executed and sent to work in a workshop!

Tomorrow, the drawing of the fish-scale yellow registers for more than a hundred villages near Daning City will begin.
The commander will recruit demobilized soldiers into the calculation team.
We urge the citizens, wealthy households, merchants, and dignitaries within the city to cooperate!

As soon as this statement came out, it was shocking.

Many of the managers and dignitaries who had been watching with smiles suddenly froze.

He stared incredulously at Qiao Hui, who sat at the head of the table.

However, the many onlookers did not react.

But Qiao Hui's next words left them stunned, then plunged them into a frenzy:
"Regarding the clearing of land and fertile fields..."
Except for the land returned to the Capital Garrison, all the land was distributed to the registered people in various places.

If there are any hidden fields, report them to the Commander as soon as possible.
Those without identification badges can apply for registration retroactively; this includes those who surrendered to the Yuan dynasty.

The first to react were not the Ming people living in the south of the city, but the Yuan people living in the north.

Many of them are still crammed into shacks near the city wall.

They had no identity documents, no land or property.

Upon hearing this news, they surged forward like madmen.

"Sir, is it true? Can we also get a share?"

"Sir, sir, we entered the city three years ago, but we've never had any official status!"

In an instant, the noise filled the entire military headquarters, and more and more people began to gather.

Their thinking was simple: even if the land wasn't divided...

Obtaining a Ming dynasty identity document would also be excellent.

At least the children will be enlightened from now on.

"Quiet down, quiet down!!"

Qiao Hui repeatedly pressed his hands down, and the loudspeaker's announcements continued incessantly. With the city defense forces offering various reassurances,

The agitated crowd gradually calmed down, their eyes burning with fury!
For them, identity is not just a title, but also a place to live.

As early as when the construction companies started recruiting workers, they said they would completely clear out the shacks in the city and build new houses everywhere.

At that time, they were still anxious and didn't know where they would be in the future.
But now, once one has a Ming dynasty identity document,

They should get a share of the newly built houses, right?

It doesn't matter if it's small or narrow; it's better than a shack.

Qiao Hui wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

He was also a veteran who had fought in battles, and even the enemy's charge was not as terrifying as these civilians swarming forward in droves.

He cleared his throat and continued shouting:
"Things need to be done step by step; this is a three-year plan."
Within these three years, the Commander will do everything in his power to fulfill his promise.
Please, my fellow villagers, give the commander time and don't be impatient!

"No rush, no rush."

"The notice is posted here. If you have any questions, please come and ask."

The military command will arrange for officials to stand on either side of the notice.

Now those who should be working should go to work, and those who should be opening doors should open doors.

Remember, Daning is located outside the pass, and its money and resources are limited. The military commander will not support lazy people.

If you want to live a life where you can be waited on hand and foot, then please leave the Commandery!

You must achieve the life you desire through labor!

On the roof of the main hall of the military headquarters, Liu Heiying sat on the roof beam.
Holding a telescope, he looked at the sea of ​​people at the entrance, his expression grave.

"Look, water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it."

Such a spectacle would terrify anyone who saw it.

Sitting beside him was the old general Tan Wei.

He held a telescope in his hand, fiddling with it back and forth.

Sometimes zooming in, sometimes zooming out, the sounds of exclamations and sighs were endless:
"Good stuff, Lord Liu."
If this thing were used in the military, fighting would be much easier.

Liu Heiying chuckled lightly:
"These are military equipment, but they have never been deployed."

Currently, only major generals in the capital region, Huguang (Hubei and Hunan), and Yunnan have this status.
If it's lost, the court will reprimand them, and they'll be demoted one grade in the assessment.

Almost instantly, Tan Wei felt the telescope in his hand getting extremely hot.

This thing is actually so precious?
"Lord Liu, please return this precious item to you quickly, lest you damage it."

Tan Wei carefully handed over the telescope, gesturing for him to put it away.

Liu Heiying waved his hand:
"General Tan, please take it. This kind of thing is something that even a centurion in our army has. It's nothing new."

"Hundred households?"

Tan Wei suddenly felt the telescope was much lighter, and a look of absurdity crossed his face.

Liu Heiying explained with a smile:

"This item was conceived by Lord Lu in Yunnan and crafted by artisans in the Yunnan army."
"The Mirror deserves much credit for such a clean and decisive victory over Luchuan."

"I see." Tan Wei fiddled with the telescope.
"Lord Liu, is this really for me?"

"Of course." Liu Heiying smiled slightly.

"Thank you very much, Lord Liu!"

Tan Wei held the telescope with obvious delight, pressing the two small lenses to his eyes and looking at it intently.
As a veteran general

He knew that this thing was much more useful than a telescope in the military, as it could be used to observe the battlefield at any time!
He was somewhat worried:
"Lord Liu, I am not exaggerating, but aren't we being too hasty?"

This three-year plan sounds good, but it will be extremely difficult to implement, and every step will offend people.

"If we're not careful, chaos could break out in all the regions under our command."

"If you don't do something, it will just sit there forever. It's better to stumble along than to stand still."

The Yellow Register of Fish Scales must be made, and all the occupied land must be recovered.

The land in Da Ning is prime; it shouldn't fall into the hands of wealthy merchants.

This was something that had been decided long before we arrived at the capital.

The sweet potatoes will be planted in two months.

If the commander has enough land,
"Maybe we can even sell grain to the interior of the pass in the future," Liu Heiying said.

Tan Wei's expression was strange; he thought this was wishful thinking, but he didn't refute it.

"General Tan, you'll have to work hard these days."
He led a team to various garrisons to implement the military command's orders.
Elite troops and capable generals, and don't be stingy with money.

Don't give less of what you should give, and don't give more of what you shouldn't give.

"As long as the army doesn't fall into chaos, merchants and powerful figures can't cause any real trouble," Liu Heiying said.

Tan Wei felt his lips were dry.

Compared to what we're going to do next, the troubles of the first six months are nothing.

If they're not careful, these two brothers will be packing their bags and leaving.

After all, the imperial court had finally managed to bring the military command under control, and it was absolutely not going to let the military command run into chaos.

"If General Tan finds this difficult, he can postpone the matter."
"I will do it myself after Lord Lu returns."

Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Liu Heiying spoke calmly.
The voice was somewhat flat, as if it were talking about something completely unrelated.

Having already made up his mind, Tan Wei asked:

"Lord Liu, after improving the treatment of soldiers in various garrisons, it's time to begin drawing up the Yellow Register of Rank and Order?"

"Well, the earliest we can expect is when Lord Lu returns, which will be at least summer," Liu Heiying said.

"summer?"

A look of doubt flashed in Tan Wei's eyes.

Does it really take this long to get to Longwei Mountain?
Liu Heiying looked at the rooftops covered with some snow.

And the people, instead of dispersing, gathered in ever-growing numbers:

"There are other things to deal with."

During this period, the commander can fully utilize his abilities.
Even if things go wrong, Lord Lu can still clean up the mess when he gets back.

Tan Wei immediately understood.

Having spent many years in officialdom, he knew that some things couldn't be done by superiors themselves; they had to be done by subordinates.

This way, there will be room for maneuver afterward.
The higher-ups rolled up their sleeves and got to work; if they failed, there would be no turning back.

"Rest assured, Lord Liu, I will take good care of all the garrisons."

"Let them live peacefully and avoid causing trouble," Tan Wei said.

Unexpectedly, Liu Heiying shook his head:

"There's no need to appease them; they're all soldiers who have fought in battles and know military discipline."

Do not understand before you execute; understand during execution.
Anyone who fails to comply will be dealt with according to military law.

Furthermore, if some opponents step forward, there's no need to be polite.

Tan Wei's pupils dilated slightly, his opinion of the person before him changing considerably.

He had assumed that the two new officials would be making minor adjustments to the existing system, using gentle methods.

Unexpectedly, the current plan is large-scale demolition and construction, employing ruthless methods.
"Lord Liu, such actions could easily backfire if we're not careful," Tan Wei said with some concern.

Liu Heiying smiled:

"General Tan, Lord Lu and I grew up together."
The phrase I heard him say most often was, "To correct a wrong, one must go to extremes."

The atmosphere outside the Great Wall has become like this; if we don't take strong measures now...
This Northern Pacification Commandery will eventually have to be returned to the grasslands.

Tan Wei's expression suddenly changed:
"Lord Liu, be careful what you say. This is not a proper thing to say."

Liu Heiying turned his head with a half-smile and looked at Tan Wei:

"Does General Tan believe that, in its current state, Da Ning will remain part of our Ming Dynasty's territory for a long time?"

Suddenly, a cold wind blew by, and Tan Wei's white beard trembled slightly. He didn't know what to say.

After all, even someone of his high rank and power was thinking of returning to the interior of China.

It's easy to imagine what others are thinking.

"Too hasty," Tan Wei murmured.

Liu Heiying didn't speak, he just smiled.
He stood up and slowly walked away.

Tan Wei watched his retreating figure, only to hear a distant voice drifting over:
"ten thousand years is too long, fight for now."

(End of this chapter)