The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 378 Changes in Heaven
"Woooooo~"

The north wind howled.

Overnight, Guihua City was transformed into an ice castle.

More than a month ago, the various caravans had gradually withdrawn back to the interior of the pass, taking a large number of people with them. Even if there was no business, the shops in the city still needed to keep people. The few shop assistants who stayed behind were warming themselves by the fire in the house, and the coal blocks transported from Datong were burning brightly in the basin.

"Auntie, what are you looking at?"

The waiter asked curiously.

A man wearing a felt hat was looking at the sky from the window. He had been looking at it for a while, then turned around, frowned, and said in broken Mandarin, "Ice, no snow, next year, a severe drought."

"what?"

The young man was incredulous, then scoffed, "You can even read the heavens?"

The man didn't take it seriously and squeezed into his companions to warm themselves by the fire. "This is an experience passed down from our ancestors. Generations of people have been saying this."

“The older generation has experience, and many of them can read the celestial phenomena. What do you think?” the older manager said. The young man suddenly realized, but he put it aside. He didn’t farm. The older manager looked worried. “Ada, we should go and tell General Zhang Can that the Good Man’s Mansion has been prepared for this for a long time.”

The man nodded.

With the increasing number of caravans, trade in Guihua City flourished, with over a hundred businesses permanently based within the city.

There were thirty or forty shops selling general merchandise alone, as well as leather goods, salt, and tea oil—only about ten shops, but they were all large businesses. There were also shoe shops, hat shops, and shops that specialized in selling bird guns and various knives only to herders.

Acquired, transported, stored, sold, inside the shop, outside the shop.
The number of workers in Guihua City who work for the merchants is between 10,000 and 20,000, the vast majority of whom come from other places because the local area cannot provide so many laborers, but a few thousand people have also been recruited from the local area.

Ada left the tribe and joined a caravan, and her life changed dramatically compared to before.

No one beat or scolded him anymore.

Ada is most afraid of being beaten.

They are not afraid of hard work.

The caravan provided ample food and wages each month. Ada dreamed of marrying a wife like the chieftain, preferably a woman from within the Great Wall, for that was what a real woman should be like. However, he would need to save money for several years.

soon.

More and more news was being sent to the Marshal's Mansion.

"Are you trying to kill us?"

Having been busy all year with food and military pay, Zeng Zhi, who had just brought his family from Liaodong and was planning to have a good New Year, soon returned to the Jiedushi's mansion with a sullen face. Even when facing the Jiedushi, he had a stern face and a terrifying aura that kept strangers at bay.

Springtime drills, early summer establishing authority, and autumn sweeping away enemies.

As the troops returned to camp after the autumn sweep, the three branches of the army, except for one battalion in each branch that remained fully armed, began to take turns on leave, with half of the army remaining in camp.

As the year drew to a close, the Marshal's Mansion was mostly empty, with only a few people remaining to keep watch.

The deserted Marshal's Mansion was filled with Zeng Zhi's loud complaints.

Wang Xin showed no surprise, but his expression also turned serious.

Although history took a detour and even overseas changes occurred, the further away from the Great Zhou, the less affected they were. Merchants and armed forces from countries such as Portugal, Spain, and England still appeared in the southeast.

Both sides clashed with the maritime forces of the Southeast Great Zhou, with even the General of Yuehai involved.

Even the defeat of the Annan Prince in Yunnan by the Diwula Kingdom was influenced by Spain, and most of the changes were not significant.

The closer a country is to China, the more it is affected by historical changes. For example, Japan was still in the Warring States period, so it did not invade Korea.

The three major campaigns, including those of the Wanli era, did not occur in this era due to the changes in the actual enfeoffment of princes, or during the time when the retired emperor was still the emperor.

Although the princes who were granted fiefdoms posed a significant threat to the central government, they also exerted a deeper and more profound control over the local areas.

For example, in Liaodong, the barbarians were not completely free from the control of the official forces of the Great Zhou. The Prince of Dongping made some small moves, but he still represented the Great Zhou.

However, the climate will not be affected; what was bound to happen will happen anyway.

The Little Ice Age was very famous. Wang Xin remembered seeing an official data report from the China Weather Network, which included data from 500 years of big data, showing the severe droughts in the sixth year of the Wanli reign, the seventh year of the Chongzhen reign, the fifth year of the Qianlong reign, and the third year of the Guangxu reign.

The most severe drought occurred in the seventh year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign.

Because of the continuous disasters that preceded the Chongzhen reign, the country's strength had been depleted.

By the seventh year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign, the severe drought had become a nationwide drought.

The severe drought, affecting 23 provinces in the north and south, resulted in barren land, dried-up rivers, depleted springs and wells, withered crops, and a complete crop failure. In some cases, even cannibalism occurred. In short, no amount of money could save the country, as no food was produced nationwide.

This is also why the taxes collected during the Chongzhen reign far exceeded those before, resulting in the army and soldiers not even having enough to eat.

Given the size of the Ming Dynasty, facing a nationwide food shortage would be a disaster that the entire world might not be able to supply.

An unsolvable disaster.

"Expand."

Wang Xin could only think of one solution.

Zeng Zhi and the others were stunned. They were dumbfounded. "Isn't this going too far?" Zeng Zhi quickly advised, "Disasters don't happen in just one or two years. As far back as I can remember, disasters have never stopped in our Great Zhou. If we can endure one or two years, or suffer for two or three years, God will always give us a breather."

The people in front of them had no idea what they would face next.

A severe drought that lasted for seven years across the country.

Even rivers have dried up, let alone lakes. Digging wells to save oneself is useless, because the well water has also dried up. Running up the mountain won't save one's life either, because the spring water has also dried up.

The land was barren and desolate; what a terrifying apocalyptic scene.

It is no exaggeration to attach great importance to this.

"Where to expand beyond the pass?" Yan Zhongzheng had guessed Wang Xin's plan. If it was outside the pass, the impact would probably be smaller if it was properly controlled.

“Expand in whichever land is good.” Wang Xin knew there would be a lot of trouble, but he had to do it. “Disasters are bound to happen outside the pass, and the herders’ pastures will inevitably be affected. There is no other way but to obtain more pastures.”

Yan Zhongzheng guessed it, and felt heavy-hearted.

The commander's attitude was a bit too tense, but disasters were indeed happening on the grasslands.

Expansion during a disaster will not bring in more cattle and sheep, but will only maintain the current scale of cattle and sheep. The army will have to bear a greater cost. It is not that they are afraid of the cost, but if they can get more cattle and sheep in return for paying the cost, they will feel better.

"No money."

Zeng clapped his hands and said decisively.

Shortly after.

Many businesses received invitations from the Marshal's Mansion.

"The commotion was too loud."

Zeng Zhi, who had an uneasy New Year, rushed back to the yamen and was visited by merchants one after another, who wanted to know what the military governor's office was up to. Seeing the merchants' activities, Zeng Zhi was a little worried.

"It is indeed a bit big." Yan Zhongzheng nodded as well.

I'm afraid it will soon alarm the censors.

"The prefect has arrived."

Xue Ke trotted in, "I went to see Commander Jie."

Why is the prefect here at the military governor's office? Is it because of the merchants' commotion? Zeng Zhi and Yan Zhongzheng exchanged a glance, and Zeng Zhi suggested, "Let's go take a look."

Yan Zhongzheng agreed.

at this time.

Prefect Han Bin was already sitting in the first chair on the left below the hall. It was his first time here. After entering the hall, he looked at the furnishings and was surprised by how frugal they were. He couldn't help but glance at the military governor in front of him, who was only in his thirties.

Zhai Wen sat to his left.

Zhai Wen finally made it through the tough times. Although he wasn't promoted in rank, he was transferred from Inspector to Tongzhi of Datong. He was still a civil official of the fifth rank, but he was now the deputy to the prefect, in charge of salt, grain, water conservancy and other affairs in Datong.

Zhai Wen smiled and said, "General, we've come uninvited because we have a favor to ask of you."

"What's the matter?"

Wang Xin understood; no wonder Han Bin brought Zhai Wen along.

Zhai Wen knew his role, so he adopted a proper attitude and said respectfully, "The Datong government has not paid salaries for half a year. The officials below are struggling to make ends meet. We really have no other choice but to ask the governor to lend a helping hand."

It turned out to be the case.

Wang Xin found it amusing, but his sense of crisis also increased.

The imperial court was allocating military pay and provisions to the Datong garrison at increasingly late rates. Although Zhang Jifu had not been shortchanged, even the Datong prefectural government was struggling to make ends meet, which showed just how dire his situation was.

"I have no money," Wang Xin refused outright.

Just kidding.

He was desperate to save money, so why would he lend it out? Given the current situation, it would be like throwing good money after bad—gone forever. Although he might gain the prefect's favor, what's the prefect's favor worth?

Zhai Wen was not surprised and glanced at Han Bin beside him.

Han Bin couldn't sit still any longer and finally spoke up, "General, we are both officials in the same court. Although we are on different paths, we are both working for the court and for the sake of the people. General, you have always had an excellent reputation. How can you stand by and watch someone die?"

Unexpectedly, even the officials started praising themselves.

Normally, he would have given face, but he clearly knew how dangerous the future would be, so why would he agree?

Wang Xin sighed and said politely, "The commander's mansion has fifty or sixty thousand soldiers, supporting more than one hundred thousand people. The prefect knows this better than anyone. It's not that this town is heartless, but we simply have the will but not the means. If we had more, how could we dare to refuse the prefect?"

Wang Xin had spoken so bluntly that Zhai Wen stood up on his own initiative, and Han Bin had no choice but to leave.

After the two left, Yan Zhongzheng and Zeng Zhi rushed over to inquire.

After figuring it out, the two looked responsible.

"I never expected this to happen," Zeng Zhi said incredulously.

Wang Xin became serious, hoping Zeng Zhi would take this seriously. His voice was heavy as he said, "Zhang Jifu has always been measured in his actions and would never go to extremes. If there were no other way, he would never have put the prefect of Datong in such a difficult position. It is clear that the taxes collected from various places last year exceeded his expectations."

Sixteen million taels of silver is the approximate tax revenue, which has remained at this level for many years.

more or less.

In the peak years, taxes reached 18 to 19 million taels. During the years of the Southeast Japanese pirate raids, the amount dropped to 14 to 15 million taels. After Zhang Jifu entered the capital, taxes gradually recovered to 17 million taels. Although tax revenue was restored, it was difficult for various regions to sustain themselves.

Because of rising prices.

So how much tax was collected this year? Was it 15 million taels?

Or less than fifteen million taels.

"Let's stockpile grain."

Wang Xin earnestly explained, "In the coming years, the General's Office will have only one goal: to stockpile grain as much as possible, by every possible means."

Zeng Zhi did not hesitate.

More and more merchants returned to Datong, preparing to trade outside the pass. Even more merchants received invitations and made appointments in April. The Jiedushi's office kept the news tightly under control, and no one knew what the Jiedushi's office was planning.

However, given the lengths to be taken, everyone guessed that something big was about to happen, and no one dared to miss the opportunity.

The solution is to stockpile grain.

However, the grain production of the Great Zhou Dynasty was finite. In the face of extreme shortages, the more grain the Datong military town stockpiled, the less the people would have to eat.

Some people would be thrilled to do the same.

However, Wang Xin believed this was incorrect.

If a force does something wrong, then the nature of that force will be problematic. If the nature is problematic, it cannot become the fair, just, and transparent hand in the market, and it will be even less able to regulate fairly, justly, and transparently.

Therefore, as the leader of a force, Wang Xin must do the right thing and cultivate a positive atmosphere.

So how should we stockpile grain?

April.

The owners or managers of various businesses gathered together, including Xue Yan and Zhang Dehui from the Xue family.

“With commerce as the main business, one can establish a reclamation company to be responsible for cultivating and grazing land on the grasslands. One can apply for military protection to assist in the safety of the company and eliminate threats.”

Wang Xin offered a price.

The smallest unit is the team.

The largest unit is the small camp.

The weapons, equipment, and horses were readily available, but the trading company needed to pay rent.

The rental fees for equipment and horses are split equally between the army and the soldiers. The merchant firm is also responsible for paying the soldiers' wages, which is three taels of silver per person per month, as well as providing food and drink. If a soldier is injured or killed in battle, the merchant firm is required to provide compensation.

If horses are injured or die, the merchant must compensate them based on the market price.

average down.

The cost of each soldier is twelve taels of silver per month.

The larger the scale of hiring and the longer the service period, the lower the cost, provided that it does not exceed the size of a small camp, which is 450 people. If the number exceeds this, the logistical difficulty increases sharply and the cost will be higher.

The whistle offers the best value for money.

A detachment of ninety men, rented for three years, typically costs five taels of silver per month, or five thousand four hundred taels per year.

Ninety professional cavalrymen, fully armed.

Even within the original Hu tribes, they were a force to be reckoned with, capable of wiping out many small Taiji.

If there really is a tough enemy, we can just grit our teeth and pay a small camp for three months.

Land will always be valuable.

Because land is limited, and no matter how much time has passed, land will always remain land. The core of a house is the land, not the house itself. A house is not a permanent asset; land is.

Which company wouldn't envy Juzhongchang?

Despite Juzhongchang's complaints about the strict management of the military governor's office, the accounts were transparent, and no one could resist the prospect of a long-term, sustainable profit.

The costs are still passed on to the businessmen.

The army conquered more land.

Businessmen are not afraid of investing.

Businessmen care about the future.

As long as the future prospects are promising enough, no amount of capital investment can deter a businessman's burning desire.

This is business.

After some initial probing and the hiring of small outposts, six months later, eighteen merchant houses jointly hired a small battalion from Datong to head towards Da Ning, a vast and prosperous land that was originally the fiefdom of the Prince of Beijing.

The manager of the business led his employees to claim land.

Along the water source area.

The caravan's flag was planted, and the plaque issued after the business was registered with the commander's office was buried underground. There were three plaques: one for the commander's office, one for the caravan, and one buried underground. Then, on the commander's office's map, this piece of land belonged to the business.

The merchants were ecstatic about this windfall deal.

The wheat ripened five thousand times, and the merchants seized land for the first time.

"Who said the General was wary of us? Who said the General was ungrateful to us?" a merchant cursed. "If he dares to speak ill of the General in front of me again, I'll be the first to punish him."

In front of the shop assistants and managers, the merchant patted Wang Xin's horse.

The sentry officer not far away nodded happily.

The next morning, full of energy, he led his brothers on horseback to sweep through the surrounding area and eliminate any potential threats.

The merchant was overjoyed.

The army hired at a high price naturally hopes that the other party will work hard, preferably without stopping day and night to eliminate the surrounding threats, so that he can cultivate the land more quickly, produce products as soon as possible, and recoup his investment as soon as possible.

With his caravan and army, every day he opened his eyes, the food for the people and the horses cost his family's money, which he found extremely distressing.

Some are happy and some are sad.

More than half a year has passed.

Some businessmen successfully acquired tens or hundreds of thousands of acres of pastureland, while others lost everything, unable to afford the high costs, overestimating their own strength and underestimating the risks, ultimately leading to bankruptcy.

Acquiring the land is only the first step; more resources need to be invested in its development.

It was like a bottomless pit, digging up the merchants' money from underground and pouring it into the area beyond the Great Wall.

Countless people received a share of the money.

The soldier, the coachman, the driver, and the veterinarian went home with their generous wages and then spent them on shopping at the market.

What is Wang Xin doing?

Li Yuan was promoted to Minister of War. Knowing that Zhang Jifu had changed his attitude and started to win him over, Li Yuan also began to support Zhang Jifu. Upon receiving military intelligence from the Miyun army, he frowned and went to the cabinet.

Zhang Jifu tapped the table impatiently.

He hadn't given Wang Xin enough, so why did he have to create more trouble for himself?

(End of this chapter)