Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Du Qian said excitedly, "As for the other chickens, ducks, pigs, and sheep, we haven't even counted them all yet."

"Isn't that more than 10,000 shi of grain?"

Zhao Yuan asked in shock, "How could Li Baozheng's family have so much grain?"

Although more than 3,000 mu of land in the entire Xixi Village fell into the hands of the Li family,

But at most five or six hundred mu of that land is of good quality, capable of producing more than two shi of grain per year.

The remaining Nakada and Shimoda yielded at most a little over one shi (a unit of dry measure), and some didn't even produce one shi.

Calculate like this,

The Li family's annual grain production is only a little over three thousand shi, less than four thousand!

But you should know that they haven't paid any taxes to the imperial court yet!

In addition, although the Li family treated their tenants harshly, they still had to provide them with some wages and food rations.

And their own daily food and supplies.

Of the more than 3,000 shi of grain produced each year, at most 30% can be saved.

That's over a thousand shi!

But now the Liangshan soldiers have found the grain...

The new grain alone amounted to more than three thousand bushels!

In addition, there were more than 8,000 shi of old grain!

More than 11,000 shi of grain were obtained in total.

If the Li family relied solely on their annual harvest,

It will take more than ten years to save up!

However, given the current state of grain reserves...

New grain can only be stored for three or four years at most before it becomes moldy, spoiled, and inedible!

How could they possibly have stored up ten years' worth of grain?

“Brother, I’ve already asked the servants at the Li family’s estate. A few months ago, there was a major flood in Cangzhou, causing countless refugees. Grain prices there have already skyrocketed! I’m afraid things will be even more difficult next spring, with grain prices possibly rising seven or eight times!”

Du Qian replied, "Most of the grain in the Li family's granary was purchased this year. They must be stockpiling it so they can transport it to Cangzhou next spring and make a fortune!"

Zhao Yuan suddenly realized: "No wonder the Li family received so little money; they used it all to buy grain!"

This year's severe flooding in Cangzhou inundated countless farmlands and villages.

The number of deaths and displaced persons caused by this is countless.

It was Pang Chunmei, Zhao Yuan's maid.

Because the house was flooded, she was the only one left in the family.

She was taken to Yanggu County by human traffickers to be sold.

And when such a disaster year arrives...

That was the time when wealthy landowners hoarded goods and made huge profits!

Unfortunately this year,

Everything that the Li family obtained benefited Liangshan!

Thinking of this, Zhao Yuan gave the order.

"Brothers Du Qian, set aside one thousand shi of grain and one thousand guan of copper coins, and take them all to the threshing ground!"

"Then quickly load the remaining wealth, money, and provisions onto the carts. Once I've finished my business over there, we'll return to Liangshan!"

"Yes!"

Du Qian quickly agreed!

Although he didn't know what Zhao Yuan was going to do...

But I know that all the gains I've made tonight...

That's enough to ensure the Liangshan brothers have no worries about food and drink for the entire next year!

Not to mention, with this money and grain,

We can definitely take this opportunity to develop and expand Liangshan!

The thought that all these opportunities were brought about by the new chieftain before him was truly remarkable!

Du Qian already held Zhao Yuan in the highest esteem.

Naturally, I wouldn't disobey his orders!

......

Over here at the threshing ground,

Li Baozheng's entire family, along with their servants and guards, knelt on the high platform, trembling with fear.

The surrounding area was filled with villagers from Xixi Village.

These tenants, who were previously oppressed by Li Baozheng,

Seeing the landlords who used to be so arrogant now in such a miserable state...

Most people were filled with excitement.

He would occasionally point and comment at Li Baozheng's family.

I only felt that Li Baozheng's family had done all sorts of bad things and were utterly devoid of conscience.

Finally, karma has caught up with them!

Even though the surrounding soldiers kept telling them to be quiet,

This did not stop the villagers from whispering among themselves.

Until Zhao Yuan arrived,

Because they didn't know how the Liangshan king would deal with them.

The villagers, now filled with fear and trepidation, finally shut their mouths!

"Fellow villagers, I am Zhao Dalang, the newly appointed chieftain of Liangshan Marsh!"

Zhao Yuan ascended the high platform and addressed the surrounding area in a loud voice.

"The reason I came to Xixi Village today is that the village is running out of food and supplies, and I need to borrow some from Li Baozheng's family!"

· ·······Requesting flowers· ········

"Secondly, it's because Li Baozheng has committed too many evil deeds; the evil things he has done are countless! It has even reached the point where there are rumors of ghosts!"

"Most of the villagers present today are tenants of Li Baozheng's family. They are often oppressed, and some of their family members have even been harmed by Li Baozheng!"

"I, Zhao Dalang, am here today to uphold justice for everyone! Fellow villagers, if you have any grievances, please feel free to speak out!"

"Liangshan will surely make you avenge your wrongs and settle your grievances!"

After Zhao Yuan finished his impassioned speech,

I thought these villagers would follow suit one after another,

With tears streaming down her face, she recounted the evil deeds that Li Baozheng had committed in his daily life!

But before he knew it, quite some time had passed since he finished speaking.

The surrounding villagers, however, remained the same as before, looking at him timidly!

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This made Zhao Yuan somewhat embarrassed.

He frowned, recalling the dragon-slaying technique he had learned through recitation over the past two days.

Suddenly, I understood.

The villagers of Xixi Village have suffered insults and oppression from Li Baozheng for many years.

Mentally, they have long been numb!

Perhaps, in their view,

It's perfectly normal for Li Baozheng to bully you!

This is similar to the 996 work schedule in later workplaces.

Everyone knew there was a problem, but no one dared to object; they could only silently endure it.

Over time, this 996 work schedule became the norm.

On the contrary, those who normally go off work and rest have become the odd ones out!

In addition to Wang Lun's past influence,

In the eyes of these villagers, the Liangshan bandits were still just mountain outlaws.

Perhaps, in the hearts of these villagers,

At this time, the Liangshan soldiers were not as friendly as Li Baozheng!

After all, although Li Baozheng treated them harshly, often beating and humiliating them,

But just like feeding dogs, they'll always get a bite to eat!

Even if it occasionally causes the death of one or two people, it won't affect the majority of people!

The Liangshan bandits were completely unfamiliar to these villagers.

Especially since a soldier just said that he wanted to take all these villagers up the mountain.

Out of fear and anxiety about leaving their hometown,

This instilled a deep-seated fear of Liangshan in these villagers.

At this moment, even if they hated Li Baozheng to the core, they wished they could skin him alive and eat his flesh.

But now,

But they all hoped that someone else would be the one to take the lead!

It folded its wings and buried its head deep within them!

Chapter 81 Bao Longtu Reborn

Zhao Yuan was in an awkward position.

Seeing that all the villagers around him remained silent, Li Baozheng...

But a sense of pride inevitably arose in his heart.

Although he dared not openly provoke Zhao Yuan, the mountain bandit king.

But then she started to feign pitifulness and innocence.

“King Zhao, my Li family has been in Xixi Village for over a hundred years and several generations. We have always treated the villagers and tenants in the village with kindness and have never mistreated them, let alone caused anyone’s death!”

"King Zhao, whether you want grain or money, my Li family can give you whatever you want, but please don't believe those nonsense stories! They've wronged my Li family!"

Seeing that many villagers were influenced by Li Baozheng's words,

Although he still didn't dare to step forward.

But he had already clenched his fists, his face full of anger.

Zhao Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, these villagers still had some backbone, and their resentment towards the Li family had not been completely worn away.

Now, as long as we gain their trust,

Presumably, this public trial of Li Baozheng, the "990" meeting, can then continue!

Thinking of this, Zhao Yuan turned and gave the order.

"Men, bring in all those men who were harassing the village women!"

Several soldiers who had violated military law had previously been taken to the threshing ground.