C28 (1/2)
In Xinping Fort, there was a charcoal fire burning late at night. It was like this in the late autumn, the day was hot and the night was very cold.
After Zhu Yisu finished dealing with the government affairs that he had accumulated over the past day, Zhao Qi served the rice porridge that was still burning on the brazier. Zhu Yisu took two bites and could not help but sigh.
Only he could make full use of Xinping Fort, the one thousand year old household area, other places were just for show, such as clearing the wasteland, where there were only a few people who responded, not crying to him about his poverty, which meant he lacked the strength of the people.
In the end, it wasn't that these thousand or a hundred households were unwilling to open up a wasteland, but rather that they were afraid of losing money if they didn't want to open up a wasteland. He also promised that he would not register for the first year and would be exempt from tax for one year. In the second year, one serving per mu of land was paid, and 10% of the annual rations thereafter.
This rate is several times higher than the official rate of 3 tax 1. In fact, there are no other exorbitant taxes. It is actually one half lower than the current rate.
However, not many people dared to do it, as they were all worried that someone else would die. If the old Emperor was able to hold on for another two years and had a saint's family on his person, Zhu Yisu was confident that he would be able to develop East Datong Road, one of the four gatehouses, to a self-sufficient food supply within two years.
This was not a glorious achievement, it was just a replanting of the formerly abandoned land. If the Front Army users could not live on, then they had to flee. Why could they not live on? If not for the fact that the exploitation was too heavy, the militants would have run away and the officials would have lost all hope.
In his opinion, all the officials from before were just a bunch of stupid pigs who didn't even know how to raise a sheep. They only cared about slaughtering the sheep and eating the meat. They didn't know how to raise lambs and expand their population.
This was also normal. After all, most of them were officers. Once they took up the task, they would turn around and leave. If he had enough money, who cares if he was the next one?
”It is a blessing for the Eastern Army that the old master is worried about the civil affairs and carried out the virtuous government.”
”Ai, civil matters are national matters. This old man will only act in accordance with the laws of the country and act in accordance with my conscience. The citizens of the military were bitter, and so was their border army. I really don't know how my Ming Dynasty could become like this right now. I can't say, I can't say … ”
Zhao Qi bowed to the side, took out Zhu Hongzhao's letter from his sleeve and said: ”Young Master sent this letter to this old servant by Sun Hee this evening. This old servant does not dare to take responsibility, please let the lord decide.”
”Erlang has suffered a lot these days. That small house was newly built and it was very inconvenient for him to live in the damp and windy weather. Tell me, is Jiro in need of money again? ” Zhu Yisu's smile was filled with love. Other than loving his father as the late emperor's son, he had no other thoughts.
”Master is wise, the Young Noble wants to send Sun Hee to the south to help over 5 refugees to the north. Young Master and this old servant will need to spend a hundred taels of silvers for this trip. ”
Is a hundred silver taels very little? Half a catty and eight taels. This was five catty and a half taels of silver. It was a full seven and a half taels of silver taels for future generations. Considering the purchasing power of prices in the Ming Dynasty, this one hundred taels of silver was equivalent to the next two thousand years worth of $50 thousand.
Zhu Yisu was silent for a moment, then asked while stroking his beard, ”What do you think of Erlang Manor's plan?”
”This old servant found it hard to describe the astonishment in his heart. Young master's actions were neat and orderly, as if it was a piece of cake for him to do so. This manor has developed very well, even if old master were to resign, it would still be worth a thousand gold a year.”
”Since this is the case, in the future, when you have the right to self-determination, this family will sooner or later be handed over to Erlang.” Since Zhu Yisu said so, his attitude was obvious. He would approve the 100 taels of silver. After a sip of tea, Zhu Yisu said, ”This old man is busy with government affairs. I need you to mention Erlang Shen more.” ”These five people are too small, so they are given two hundred silver taels to Sun Hee, three to the infantry, and two to the south to recruit the refugees.”
Zhao Qi bowed, silently expressing the trust Zhu Yisu had for him, but said: ”Master, aren't there a lot of refugees over here? Young Master is kind enough to want to help the refugees, I'm afraid that the refugees will make things difficult for you. ”
With a chuckle, Zhu Yisu said: ”Er Lang is still a bit short. He is a good martial artist, how could he accomplish anything in the future without having thirty-four trusted aides and trusted aides? This pressure is good as well, but it's also a form of training for Erlang. ”
”Master is right, Young Master is very talented, this old servant should not judge Young Master by ordinary people.”
Zhao Qi bent over and cupped his hands, flattering Zhu Yisu, relaxing his eyebrows. He put on an act of majesty and said, ”But you can't be arrogant to him either. I want to hone my skills, and I really feel sorry for the refugees. Right, let's greet Hee Chong and have him pick out a team of Knights to join Weiyuan Fort. ”
Zhao Qi smiled and bowed in agreement. The Old Master of the Dark World was still worried about the young master's safety. It was almost winter now, and an accident would inevitably happen after snow fell from the north.
On September 8th, Emperor Tianqi ascended the throne on the third day.
Sun Hee 1 was wearing the official uniform of the national flag. He took some silver and some documents from the Commander Mansion and hurried to the barracks to transfer troops. Amongst the brothers who went with them to the north, there were three who served in the guard station and held positions in the soldier in front of the Deputy Chiliarchy s.
But now, these clans that controlled the Deputy Chiliarchy of a hundred clans were actually very close to him, a mere main banner. There was no other reason, because he, Sun Hee, was Young Master's confidant.
Three thousand soldier s had already finished replenishing themselves in two months. Similarly, they lacked military equipment and armors, and if not for Garrison Eunuch and Liu Shimin who sent over a thousand sets of broken goods from the warehouse, the soldier s might not even have been able to put on the most basic, mandarin duck war coat.
Three of the most vigorous footmen were selected. All of them were wearing cotton armor and wielding spears with swords at their waists and arrows. With these three elite foot soldiers, Liu Tie bravely came over to the Horse Camp area and took out the letter from Wu Steel Manor to look for the Deputy Chiliarchy Hee Chong to transfer two cavalrymen.
Sun Hee was once the Kan family's servant, Hee Chong is Jian Dianbiao's confidant Xiao Qi, although the two of them are old friends but the relationship is not good. A proud and aloof person looked down on the other party's glib tongue, and a nimble and fickle person looked down on the other party's bad temper.
Hee Chong wore a white phoenix wing helmet and a silver mountain armor. He wore a red cloak over his armor, revealing his left shoulder. He sat atop the platform, majestically watching the ten squadrons of cavalrymen gallop past.
Behind him was a standard-bearer holding a red and blue flag, with various flags stuck at his waist. Listening to Hee Chong's dictation, the player waved the two flags and commanded the cavalry to ride outside the training field.