The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 381 The Handsome Desire Reverses

The same Liaodong, the same Nurgan.

There was no ban on population migration outside the Great Wall. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the population was only two to three million. However, by the end of the Qing Dynasty, population migration outside the Great Wall was strictly prohibited, with violators subject to beheading or slow slicing. Before this ban was lifted, seventeen million people had already poured into Liaodong and Nurgan.

Only thirty years after the ban was lifted, the population of the two places increased to thirty million.

This is the power of climate.

As Zeng Zhi said, the army's food supply is not guaranteed in the long term, so how can military rations be used to provide relief to disaster victims?

Wang Xin did not object, but proposed a new method.

"We will establish agricultural reclamation teams and ranch teams, with the military governor providing agricultural tools and seeds, and subsidizing rations based on population down to the day," Wang Xin proposed a new method.

The Hetao region later had ten million mu of arable land.

Don't even think about it now. Even if we cultivate one million mu, the harvest from only 100,000 mu of arable land will be enough to satisfy our needs.

Then there were the ranch teams, who also went to the border regions to find suitable land, settled down, and raised cattle, sheep, and horses.

Wang Xin gave them direction. Although he knew it wouldn't be perfect, given the limited resources, they could only try their best. As long as they didn't have any regrets, that was all they could do. "The Jiedushi's office will provide them with support and assistance, but ultimately they must rely on their own production and self-reliance."

Zeng Zhi and the others quickly sprang into action.

To provide comprehensive protection, Wang Xin sought out Zhao Yong.

Zhao Yong's expression was somewhat unpleasant. He had already heard some rumors and was unwilling to admit it, but he kept quiet out of respect for the military governor's authority. However, anyone could see his displeasure.

Wang Xin chuckled and patted Zhao Yong on the shoulder, "Old buddy, your temper's gotten worse."

Upon hearing the words "old buddy," Zhao Yong quickly smiled and said, "General, you flatter me. I dare not."

"Dare not? Looks like you still have a temper." Wang Xin pointed to the stone bench in the pavilion in the courtyard of the general's mansion. The few personal guards around him did not move, and Zhao Yong obediently stepped forward and sat down.

After sitting down, seeing that the commander was still standing, he hesitated for a moment, then mustered his courage and said, "I am not against the commander, but I am being asked to lead some kind of agricultural reclamation team and ranch team. First of all, I do not understand them, and secondly, I only know how to lead troops into battle, not these kinds of messy things."

"Are you done talking?" Wang Xin's eyes were calm, and his attitude remained gentle.

Zhao Yong replied confidently, "I've finished speaking."

"Okay." Wang Xin nodded and asked, "What is our army's slogan?"

Zhao Yong was taken aback, then blurted out, "Invincible in battle, protecting our homeland."

"Natural disasters and man-made calamities, we are fighting against nature. Who told you this isn't war? If we win, we win the war. If we lose, how will we protect our homes and country? Commander Zhao, you are the commander of the entire army. You should prioritize the overall situation."

Wang Xin's tone became stern as he finished speaking.

If he wanted to be a tyrant and only wanted to become a warlord, would he have waited until today?

Invincible in battle, defending our homeland.

That has always been his philosophy.

We have never wavered and have come this far.

There should be a bottom line in life.

Or rather, it possesses at least a basic level of humanity.

If you don't even have humanity, then you're just an indescribable thing wearing human skin; who knows what it really is?

Zhao Yong was stunned.

Everyone makes mistakes, but the commander never scolds easily. He only patiently explains the reasons and discusses where the mistake was made and why. "Your subordinate understands. I will do my best and be invincible. Man can conquer nature!"

Zhao Yong stood up and made a loud promise, like a general about to go into battle.

Wang Xin patted Zhao Yong's arm with satisfaction and laughed, "Out of the group, we chose you because we believe you can get things done. Don't you think about it? Otherwise, why would we have chosen you?"

The use of the title "General" demonstrates the importance attached to this matter and also implies the hope that it will be accomplished.

There are only three generals. Zhou Wen is out of the question. That leaves Tang Ping and Zhao Yong. After much thought, Zhao Yong's personality is more suitable than Tang Ping's for this difficult mission.

Zhao Yong was completely free of doubt.

The next day, he led his team to set off, acting swiftly and decisively, and personally went to the border region to take charge.

at this time.

The military governor's office began absorbing disaster victims.

Craftsmen, artisans, doctors, blacksmiths, and others were assigned to ranch teams. Cattle, sheep, and horses were provided by the military governor's office. Each ranch team had to painstakingly search for suitable land in the border regions.

The remaining disaster victims were agricultural reclamation teams.

Each team consists of between one hundred and two to three hundred people, and is equipped with a squad or a team of officers and soldiers.

Like dandelions, they made their final supply run from Guihua City before scattering into the deeper desert. Fortunately, there were some trading posts established by merchants along the Yellow River, where they could obtain some supplies.

The sky is full of yellow sand.

The grasslands that once existed were now barren, and many places that had been marked with water sources on the map were found to be long gone when the team arrived, leaving only endless sand.

People walked in despair.

Every path trodden out of existence bears the marks of fallen corpses.

The old people had already fallen inside the pass, the adults fell one after another outside the pass, and the remaining children were taken in. The mansion of the military governor was soon not enough.

More than 8,000 children were subsequently enlisted in the Children's Army.

Every ten men were elected as squad leaders, and every hundred men were elected as centurions, who were assigned to various military camps to live and work with the army.

"Filial piety is the foundation of virtue, and it should also be the priority in military campaigns. Love your parents as you love yourself, and share weal and woe with your comrades."

"Our bodies and hair are a gift from our parents; protecting ourselves on the battlefield is also an extension of filial piety. We are united as one family, bound by brotherhood, helping each other and advancing and retreating together, and our filial piety strengthens our resolve."

Military camps outside Datong City.

Thirty columns, ten rows.

The oldest was fifteen or sixteen, and the youngest was three or four. Even the youngest child was singing along, though he didn't understand what it meant. He could recite the military songs by heart and followed the older children very obediently.

"I still believe that the older ones should be trained together, and the younger ones should be trained together," a military officer said, shaking his head as he looked at the rather chaotic scene ahead.

"Why don't you understand?"

Someone laughed and said, "Do you really think leading an army means you're preparing for war? It's just for making a living. It's more convenient for the older kids to look after the younger ones."

The military officer suddenly realized what was going on.

After singing military songs, the older children led them to write down the five characters they had learned the day before on the sand. They had to write down three characters correctly to pass.

Those who pass the test can eat; those who fail are punished by not being allowed to eat breakfast.

Three meals a day.

Breakfast was porridge, lunch was brown rice and pickled vegetable porridge, and dinner was also porridge.

The boys were so hungry their eyes were red.

The amount of food available is fixed, rationed per person per year, and that's all there is.

"Pooh."

On the streets of Datong City.

Inside the sedan chair, Zhou Gui spat the bone out of his mouth. The disaster victims who were begging for food chased after the sedan chair and swarmed to grab the bone, making Zhou Gui laugh heartily.

The thugs beside the sedan chair looked fierce and ruthless, and they could not drive away the begging victims.

Zhou Gui's eyes showed disgust, and he cursed angrily: "These bastards are like locusts. Ever since they came to Datong, look what they've done to Datong."

“Young Master is right.” The henchman laughed, “A few days ago, the Master of the Li family went out without anyone with him, and was robbed by those bastards. Not only was he robbed, but he was also killed.”

Zhou Gui certainly knew the purpose of beating his henchmen.

But what they said is true.

The influx of so many disaster victims into Datong not only disrupted the order of Datong but also affected their lives. Zhou Gui complained, "I won't say anything about the prefect's difficulties, but what is Wang Xin doing? It's truly incomprehensible."

The henchman dared not respond.

Zhou Gui scoffed, "Does he really think he can turn the world upside down? Let's wait and see how long he can hold out with his perverse actions." Under the protection of his thugs, Zhou Gui returned home from the brothel and went to his room to catch up on sleep.

His wife and children didn't dare to disturb him.

The table was full of dishes, but the child only ate a few bites before complaining and wanting to go out and play.

"Go on, go on," the woman said impatiently.

Then the maidservant led him out.

"Let's clean it up." The woman was in a bad mood. Her husband was never home and only knew how to indulge in debauchery. How could she be happy about this? But she didn't dare to show it and could only sulk.

"Wow."

A maid accidentally broke a plate, spilling soup all over the floor, which startled everyone.

"Madam, I didn't mean to." The maid, her face ashen, knelt on the ground, begging for forgiveness, ignoring the soup and broken pieces on the floor.

"Summon the steward and ask him how he manages people!" The woman slammed her hand on the table in anger, cursing, "They're all heartless bastards!"

The steward rushed in quickly, already knowing what had happened. Seeing the maid kneeling on the ground, he kicked her hard and dragged her over, cursing, "You blind dog, who gave you the guts?"

"Don't hit me in front of me," the woman said angrily. "My husband is a worry, and you people are all useless. Do I have to go to the old master and tell him that you won't do your jobs properly until he does?"

"Please calm down, Madam. We would never dare to do that." The steward hurriedly tried to appease her, then turned around and waved his hand. A group of people rushed in, pointed at the maid, and said, "Take her out. Don't let her get in Madam's way."

After the servants who had begged for mercy were taken away, the steward bowed and said obsequiously, "Don't worry, Madam. I would never dare to be negligent in your affairs."

"I'll listen to you this once," the woman sighed.

The butler then left.

Countless refugees poured into Datong. Coupled with natural disasters and man-made calamities, not only did fierce conflicts arise between the common people and the refugees, but the interests of wealthy families also suffered greatly, and their moods were mostly depressed, casting a shadow over the entire city of Datong.

For example, Juzhongchang.

Having finally weathered the initial difficulties by adhering to Wang Xin's bottom line, and enjoying less than two years of good times, they encountered this situation, resulting in not only a significant loss of profits but also the loss of the guaranteed minimum promised in the past.

If the amount does not exceed the guaranteed minimum, the guaranteed minimum will be paid; if the amount exceeds the guaranteed minimum, 20% of the profit will be paid.

Although they wouldn't lose money, each shareholder felt they weren't getting a good deal.

The largest shareholder is the Zhou family.

"His Datong?"

Wang Xin was eating dinner.

The custom of eating three meals a day has been changed to eating two meals a day.

Ping'er and Qingwen were in the capital. Wang Xin had no one else by his side. Every morning he had a bowl of porridge and a plate of pickles. He only had rice in the evening, and only one bowl. The only side dish was a plate of seasonal vegetables.

Listening to Xue Ke's words, Wang Xin ate his rice in small bites.

Xue Ke hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

The general has lost weight.

Wang Xin sneered, "What arrogance! He calls himself 'Great Harmony'."

If it weren't for Zhou Shiming, he would have taken action against the Zhou family long ago; it wasn't because of personal preference.

"Has your father written to you? When will he come to Datong?" Wang Xin had a plan in mind, but now was not the right time, so he asked about something else.

Xue Ke nodded. "My father and cousin will be leaving Beijing on the 8th of next month."

"Is Xue Baochai really coming?" Wang Xin looked surprised, yet felt that this made sense. With Xue Baochai's intelligence, she knew that her earnest invitation must be for something extremely important.

However, Xue Baochai did have an older brother.

She wasn't in a position to make decisions, and even if she tried her best, it wouldn't be surprising if she couldn't come this time, so she was still thinking of the big boss, Zhang Dehui.

Xue Ke explained, "Zhang Dehui is getting old and I heard he fell ill back in his hometown. His eldest son's business is now being managed by his cousin, who is discussing things with the other managers."

"Oh?" Wang Xin frowned. "If Zhang Dehui were here, even if Xue Baochai was inconvenient, he would still be there to support her. But if he were gone, I'm afraid Xue Baochai would be left all alone."

When Xue Ke heard the general call out his cousin's given name, he was taken aback, but quickly lowered his head to cover it up.

Once everything was settled, Xue Ke turned to leave, but then suddenly returned, unable to contain himself, and said, "Why is the Commander going to such lengths? Do you think the Commander would be deprived of even a bite to eat?"

Wang Xin smiled, a hint of self-deprecation in his smile. "Countless people starved to death, and then I became a fat man. What does that mean? As the commander of the three armies, I must not only share the joys and sorrows of the people, but also their hardships. Otherwise, if I had ordered my soldiers to be self-reliant and share the hardships while I ate my fill, wouldn't I have been a two-faced villain? You must know that people have a scale to measure people's hearts."

"Is there a scale in people's hearts?"

Xue Ke shook his head. The people of Datong and the disaster victims were like oil and water, each wishing the other dead.

Where is the scale?

However, he couldn't persuade Jie Shuai.

Day two.

Zhang Yuncheng rushed over, angrily saying, "None of the grain shops in Datong City are distributing rice today."

Wang Xin squinted.

The common people did not have any surplus grain; those who had surplus grain were landlords.

Therefore, after paying various taxes in kind and performing corvée labor, only a portion of the grain was left for planting and food rations. In a better year, the family could only afford to eat and dress well, while in a worse year, they had to tighten their belts.

The reason why people in Jiangnan are relatively wealthy is that in addition to farming, they also raise silkworms and weave cloth, relying on commerce rather than agriculture.

The Great Zhou Dynasty collected silver.

If the government of the Great Zhou Dynasty is honest and upright, it will undoubtedly have a fundamental positive effect on economic development.

Therefore, Zhang Juzheng's reforms in the original Ming Dynasty brought an empire that had been plagued by problems for over two hundred years back to life, and its national strength reached its peak, making it the ideal country in the "History of the Great Chinese Empire" published by the Western Vatican.

However, Zhang Juzheng did not understand the nature of the Ming Dynasty.

No matter how well the Ming Dynasty did, it remained a reactionary empire.

Therefore, the more advanced the gameplay attributes, the more unprecedented the destruction it will cause to reactionary and backward countries. So, truly intelligent rulers with reactionary attributes will adopt extremely conservative governance measures.

The retired emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty used silver, and the result was the same.

In order to maximize their profits and enrich themselves and their officials, the government would plunder more money from the people. Unsurprisingly, the exchange rate for silver became four to one. The real power in the countryside was the wealthy households, who exploited the people even more ruthlessly. They paid only a small amount of silver to the government but monopolized most of the grain in the hands of the people.

On one hand, farmers are struggling to make ends meet.

On one hand, the market is full of high-priced grains.

Natural disasters compounded by human error.

"This is forcing me to kill someone," Wang Xin murmured.

Zhang Yuncheng immediately understood what the commander wanted to do and asked, "Does the commander intend to rebel?"

If the common people are harmed, as long as the officials and gentry don't pursue the matter, the imperial court will be fine.

However, this touched upon the officials and gentry, and immediately caused a huge uproar at the imperial court.

Therefore, robbing ordinary people is usually harmless, but if you mess with wealthy families, you're considered a traitor to the imperial court.

Because the powerful families were the imperial court.

Wang Xin frowned. This was also the reason why he hadn't taken action against the wealthy households, as they still had grain in their hands.

They confiscated all the grain from the wealthy households.

Then everyone worked together to save themselves while tightening their belts and strictly distributing rice and grain according to the number of people. This was the most effective way to turn the tide in the face of a natural disaster; no other method was as effective.

Who doesn't know this principle?

Throughout history, few dynasties have ever done such a thing, which speaks volumes about the seriousness of the matter.

Moreover, rebelling at this critical juncture, with only tens of thousands of soldiers at his disposal and no extra savings, would likely cause even greater disaster and turmoil, and is not the best approach.

How can we save more disaster victims?

It's not just about personal requirements, but also about considering the nature of the military governor's mansion.

(End of this chapter)