Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 179 A Surprise from the Western Regions
With the efforts of more than 300 officials in Baijingbao and the local post station chief, the 3,000 displaced people were quickly assigned and resettled.

These refugees were distributed among the counties of Taiyuan, and many post stations were set up along the way.

The distance from Baijingbao to Jinyang is not much shorter than the route.

The two-hundred-mile-long official road was divided into six post stations under the new post station system.

There was a new post station every twenty to thirty li near the Taihang Mountains, but once you reached the flat official road, the post stations were distributed every fifty li.

Each of these six post stations housed forty families of refugees, each consisting of four or five members, and provided relief to half of the three thousand refugees.

The other half were arranged in Yuci County, which is nearby.

After leaving the trail, the road to Jinyang is sparsely populated, with only scattered villages and beacon towers along its two-hundred-mile length, but no county town.

Seven or eight days later.

After Zhang Xian personally led 20,000 refugees out of Jingxing Road, he planned to build a new city in the middle of the road.

Based on the post station in the middle section, it was gradually expanded into a new county.

The postmaster of that post station seemed to be a junior officer who came from the Armored Army, what was his name again?

Zhang Xian thought for a moment and realized that the name was Hao Tong.

Yes, that's him.

More refugees can be settled in Hao Tong's area to gain experience beforehand, and then they can be directly promoted to county magistrate or county assistant when the new city is built.

Officials who came from the Jiazi Army generally had a stronger sense of responsibility than those selected from the common people.

Having had the experience once, the officials of Baijingbao became even more adept at their work.

The group of 20,000 refugees, half of whom were prisoners, completed the registration process in just two days.

This time, the number of refugees was nearly ten times greater than the last time, so Zhang Xian ordered the counties of Taiyuan to send people over to share the spoils.

As wave after wave of refugees entered Taiyuan County through Jingxing Road.

The total population of the county, which was originally only 20, has gradually increased.

Yes.

After Zhang Xian took control of Taiyuan County, the first census conducted after cracking down on powerful clans revealed that the total population of Taiyuan County was a paltry 200,000. If it weren't for the liberation of many hidden households from the powerful clans, the total population would likely have been much lower.

This is the shortcoming of the border region. Compared to the 700,000 people of Changshan Prefecture, where he first settled in this era, it is like heaven and earth.

Although Taiyuan County only has a population of 200,000, it is considered one of the most populous counties in Bingzhou.

As for the second, it is Shangdang County, which is relatively isolated in a corner of the country. According to Zhang Xian's estimation and investigation, the total population is about 130,000.

Yanmen County is even rarer.

The combined population of several prefectures and counties in Bingzhou that were still under Han control was still less than that of Changshan County in Jizhou.

The total population has always been between 500,000 and 600,000, which is why Zhang Xianyao went to great lengths and spent a huge sum of money to open up a new well passage.

Everything is for the sake of population!
In just a few months, the total number of refugees recruited from Jizhou has approached 100,000. Although most of them have not yet arrived in Bingzhou, the population growth in just these few months is already more than half of the original population of Taiyuan County.

As long as Zhang Xian can sustain the food consumption resulting from the population increase, he can easily absorb hundreds of thousands of people.

War is always the fastest trigger for people to migrate from a place. Even if Zhang Xian did not take them in, many people from Jizhou would eventually become Black Mountain bandits or wander to Qing and Xu.

The new well route has been confirmed to be passable and fast, and the pressure at each pass along the route has been significantly reduced.

Upon returning to Jinyang, Zhang Xian first dispatched a thousand county soldiers, led by Zhao Niu, to escort the population relocation through Jingxing Road.

Then he began to chair the policy-related discussions for this year.

After half a year of planning and grazing, the situation in Qiangyin gradually stabilized. Nearly 300 tribes of all sizes submitted to assimilation. With a tax of one-tenth on cattle, sheep and horses, nearly 40,000 cattle, sheep and horses were sent to the treasury in the first half of last year.

After a selection process, cattle and horses were separated into slow horses, warhorses, pack oxen, and draft oxen, which significantly increased the livestock reserves of Taiyuan County.

The sheep were sheared uniformly after the spring, and the wool was stored in warehouses. The sheep themselves were not slaughtered but sold in Shangdang and Sili.

Meat is no longer a scarce commodity in Taiyuan; Zhang Xian's home and pastoral area alone can meet the meat market needs of an entire prefecture.

Based on pork and beef, the monthly output of Zhangxian Pasture is about 216,000 catties. In addition, chicken, duck, goose and fish are also provided. It can be said that the average person in Taiyuan Prefecture has more than one catty of meat per month.

Moreover, Zhang Xian was not the only meat producer in Taiyuan Prefecture. Taking Lüchi County as an example, after he set the standards for poultry and livestock breeding, the number of chickens, ducks, geese and pigs in the entire Lüchi County also increased dramatically.

Although the number of animals slaughtered is measured in years, this is still a form of output.

The fact that small-scale peasant economy could become an important economic pillar for the Chinese nation before it entered industrialization is enough to prove its reliability.

Jinyang County Government Office.

Zhang Xian sat at the head of the table: "Wenruo, how much grain did Taiyuan Prefecture receive last year?"

Xun Yu opened the general register and compared it: "Reporting to my lord, Taiyuan Prefecture governs fifteen counties, with an average of 50,000 to 100,000 mu of land per county, and a total of 8.2 million shi of tax grain. Among them, Lüchi County contributed 3.78 million shi of grain (after the grain was distributed to households)."

"Accounting for nearly half of the county's grain production, with Luqi County as a prime example, this year the prefecture and county will all follow Luqi's lead in land reclamation and planting."

"Before the lord returned, Yu took it upon himself to conscript 1,000 people from Luqi and station them in various counties for guidance."

Listening to Xun Yu's report, Zhang Xian nodded: "That is indeed the way to do it."

"Wenruo, the actual conditions of each county should also be taken into account. More land should be cultivated in areas with mostly plains, and the amount of land reclaimed should be appropriately reduced in areas with mostly mountainous terrain. Crops should be arranged according to the actual situation based on the terrain."

“Counties with large areas of fertile land mainly grow millet and wheat, while counties with more mountainous, sloping, and sandy land mainly grow pumpkins, beans, and sorghum. Last year, we rectified the officialdom, so this year's exorbitant taxes and levies should be improved and eliminated as soon as possible. We should not impose burdens on the people that they should not bear. We must remember why the Yellow Turbans rebelled and think about it deeply!”

"My lord is kind and benevolent; I will remember this well."

Xun Yu bowed and clasped his hands, then stepped aside to sit down.

"Are the people from the Household Affairs Department here?"

Zhang Xian spoke again, and a man stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting: "My lord."

"What is the total number of registered refugees this month?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, since the beginning of the month, 47,000 new households have been registered this month."

Zhang Xian nodded slightly: "After settling them in, prioritize filling the gaps in sparsely populated county towns."

“Your Highness.” He then looked at Wang Lie.

Old Wang also stood up and bowed respectfully.

"I'll have to trouble you with educating the newcomers and encouraging them to farm."

"To share your burdens, my lord," Wang Lie gladly accepted the order.

He had witnessed the changes in Taiyuan over the past year and was increasingly satisfied with the young governor.

"Yuanfang," Zhang Xian said, turning to Chen Ji after arranging things for Wang Lie.

The latter rose and bowed, saying, "My lord."

"The entire staff of the Mingfa Division will be very busy this year. There will only be more and more people coming from Jizhou. You need to arrange the itinerary well and ensure that these newcomers understand the law, know the law, and do not break the law."

"When Gu Yu, the chief clerk of the prison, returns, I will have him assist you in relieving some of the pressure on the Ministry of Justice." "Rest assured, Your Majesty, Ji will not fail your trust."

Chen Ji accepted the order.

Zhang Xian nodded and waved his hand, saying, "Then let all departments forge ahead and strive together for the prosperity of the people of Bingzhou!"

"I will obey Your Excellency's command!"

The main hall of the county government was solemn, and then everyone took their leave to begin the work of the new year.

The hall went from noisy to quiet, and only Zhang Xian and Xun Yu remained in the main hall.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

After laughing, Zhang Xian asked again, "Wenruo, if the population continues to migrate from Jizhou this year, can we guarantee that we can launch wars while the population increases?"

Xun Yu's expression hardened: "Does our lord intend to start a war against the steppe people?"

Zhang Xian closed his eyes, leaned back, and nodded: "I have this idea, but I'm not sure about the timing."

Xun Yu was calculating something with his fingers, and after a moment he shook his head: "Even if we exaggerate the amount of more than eight million shi of grain, we still have to pay a sum to the court. The rest can guarantee that the reserves for four or five hundred thousand people can last for about a year."

"If the number of refugees exceeds 200,000, then this batch of grain cannot be moved lightly. Before the newly arrived people produce anything, they can only rely on the government treasury for support. Once the grain for feeding the people is moved, it may not be enough."

Zhang Xian took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly, "Then we can only put this matter aside for now."

"However, the expansion of the Jiaqi Army must continue. Please draft a document for me and send it to Qiangyin, instructing Huang Zhong to expand the army to a scale of 10,000."

“The cavalry battalion will be separated into an independent force, called the Flag-Raising Wandering Army, and Zhang Liao, Zhao Gou, and Zhao Yun will be appointed as its commanders. The force will be expanded to five thousand.”

"In addition, the monthly training hours for basic literacy officers in the military have been increased from thirty hours to fifty hours per month. I think we will probably be in urgent need of a batch of basic officers."

"Does the lord mean the selection and examination of officials?"

Xun Yu had already begun writing, and he asked questions as he wrote.

Zhang Xian nodded: "Yes, your guess of 200,000 refugees may be a bit off. I traveled all over Ji Province, and the number of refugees pouring into Bing Province is probably around 500,000 to 600,000."

"Hiss!" Xun Yu gasped.

"Has the Yellow Turban Rebellion really gotten this bad?" Without seeing it with one's own eyes, news from books is always much less accurate than the actual situation.

"Yes, nearly eight of the thirteen provinces of the Han Dynasty responded. If Bingzhou hadn't been located on the border, there would probably have been even more refugees pouring in."

"After this incident, there will probably be lingering effects for the next few years."

"Wenruo, we can't manage too many places, but as officials of Bingzhou, we must govern Bingzhou well!"

"promise!"

Xun Yu replied solemnly.

A few days later.

County government.

Zhang Xianzheng was bent over his desk reviewing official documents, his pen moving steadily and forcefully.

Footsteps sounded outside the hall.

A minor official reported from outside the gate: "Your Excellency, a merchant from the Western Regions requests an audience, claiming to have a prior relationship with you."

Zhang Xian paused, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes before settling into calm: "Please let him in."

The door opened slightly, and a familiar figure appeared in the doorway.

He was still wearing that simple Western Region brocade robe, with a headscarf of the same style wrapped around his head; it was none other than Bu'er, whom he had not seen for a year and a half.

However, compared to the Western Region merchant in his memory who was witty and generous in Peach Blossom Village, the man before him was quite reserved.

He practically brushed against the doorframe as he walked in, his steps extremely light, his back unconsciously hunched slightly.

He stopped five or six steps away from Zhang Xian's desk, not daring to take another step forward.

With his hands folded in front of him, his posture was as respectful as if he were meeting a king.

He took a deep breath, then bent down deeply, his voice trembling slightly.

"This humble servant, Bu'er, pays his respects to the General! Congratulations on your promotion, Your Excellency, and your awe-inspiring presence in the northern frontier! It is truly an honor for me to see Your Excellency's face again, and I am filled with trepidation!"

Every word seemed to have been carefully considered a thousand times before being uttered.

Zhang Xian put down his pen, leaned back slightly, and looked at Boer.

He could clearly sense the deliberate, carefully crafted respect and distance emanating from them.

A year and a half ago, at Taoyuan Manor, although Bu Er was also polite, it was the kind of equal politeness a businessman would show to a powerful partner, with the confidence to negotiate.

Standing before him at this moment was a Western Regions merchant who was completely subdued by the official's authority.

“Brother Boer,” Zhang Xian said, his voice calm.

"It's been years since we last met, no need for such formalities, please sit down."

He pointed to the stool below him.

"I wouldn't dare! There's no place for a lowly person like me before Your Excellency!" Upon hearing this, Bull waved his hands repeatedly, his smile becoming even more awkward.

"I was fortunate enough to find the several types of vegetation that Your Excellency asked me to help search for. As soon as I returned to Han territory, I came to Your Excellency's place. I originally planned to go to Ji Province, but I heard the news of Your Excellency's promotion on the way. Congratulations!"

Zhang Xian understood what was going on when he saw his expression.

In the strictly hierarchical Han Chinese lands, the gap in social status and social standing is sometimes more difficult to bridge than thousands of mountains and rivers.

He didn't press the matter further, and simply asked, "The journey is long, Brother Boer, you must have had a long and arduous trip."

Boer straightened up slightly, but still maintained a respectful bow, nervously rubbing the edge of his brocade robe with both hands: "Thanks to Your Excellency's good fortune, my caravan has had a relatively smooth journey."

"The fine wine of Peach Blossom Spring brought great fortune to the villains in the Western Regions; if possible..."

He paused, secretly glanced at Zhang Xian's face, and then quickly lowered his eyelids again.

Zhang Xian naturally understood his meaning and nodded, saying, "If you want to take the wine, that's fine. Besides, Taoyuan produces even more wine here now."

"But I'm more interested in those plants you mentioned than the business."

His gaze lingered on Bull's face for a moment.

Back in Peach Blossom Spring, the cotton, pomegranate, and alfalfa—all very useful plants—were brought by Bur. Now that he has traveled back and forth between the Western Regions and the Han Dynasty, he might bring him many more surprises.

Boer immediately understood and respectfully presented two wooden boxes to Zhang Xian.

The latter opened one side, and several plants with thick roots, like dandelions, immediately caught his attention.

This is it! This is what he asked Bull to find for him a year and a half ago.

It originated in Kangju and the vicinity of the Wusun kingdom.

Rubber grass!
(End of this chapter)