C3618 (2/2)
”Hehe …” It's good to have an idea, I hope your Lordship will have more … ”What a great idea …”
The two of them exchanged a few words, and then Gordon introduced the actual captain of the Expedition to Liu Jintang, while praising him for her amazing achievements in Africa.
”This is the British explorer who found the source of the Nile, Sai Mouerbeike. He even abolished slavery in the Sudan and other places, becoming a very noble gentleman with a high moral character …”
How would Liu Jintang know what Nile is? As soon as he heard that this person was just a scholar from explorer who was familiar with geography, he only said a few polite words of respect towards a scholar.
”Mr. Samuel looks weak, doesn't he?” Hurry and climb on the snow, we have the best military doctors in the Guizhou … ”
”Thank you …” ”Thank you, General. I am just suffering from an accumulated disease and a cold, so I'm fine …”
Liu Jintang welcomed the Expedition and started to head towards the Guizhou at around 11 PM. Under the guidance of the guide who was familiar with the terrain, they quickly arrived at the main road that the local citizens walked on, and once they arrived, they could start running quickly.
The further south they went, the more signs of human life could be seen. It no longer looked like a deserted area, and now there were scattered village ruins.
Liu Jintang told Duo Luo and the others, ”These villages were all destroyed by the rebel army during the battle. A portion of the villagers were terrified and burned down their houses …”
”The civilians and soldiers of the local army have abandoned their homes and gathered in the desert castles. The castles that normally only have 200 to 300 people gathered can hold more than 1000 people right now …”
After running for another few dozen kilometers, Guan Lu finally saw what it looked like. It was actually a small fortress surrounded by an earthen wall that was completely dry base.
When these fortresses saw a large group of people appearing on the road from afar, they all nervously blew their horns to ring the gongs, and then shut the city gate.
Only when they saw Liu Jintang's banner, did they relax their vigilance. They could faintly see that countless citizens were kowtowing to the Cavalry on the wall.
The proud soldier explained on the side, ”It's all thanks to the marshal's kindness! Let these people trade work for food... The Western Army needs the commoners, and they need food to survive! ”
”Our great army will not rob their property and their women. We will return their work so that they won't starve to death …” It's not like those rebel soldiers who only know how to rob! ”
Liu Jintang nodded his head and replied, ”The destruction caused by the war is too severe. From now on, we have to think about economic recovery.”
”What we lack the most in the western expedition are the people who can transport military rations. Although the Chinese have provided a lot of portable military rations, the price is still very high. The proportion of normal food supplies is still very large …”
”Arms and ammunition, grain cloths, and even huge pieces of wood that don't exist in the area have to be moved from the back …”
”When we recruit people from these war-torn areas, only a small amount of money is paid. The rest are foodstuffs, lambs and other livestock …”
”Let them go through the winter with the food. The lambs, calves and the like will be ready for the spring next year. The wives and children of the local herdsmen can go graze …”
”Men are making money with our army, women and children are growing crops and raising livestock at home... ”Restoring the economy isn't that hard. After a year or two, they'll at least have enough to feed themselves …”
”Haha, we have to see something better too. Although the war was a bit devastating, it also allowed the grassland, Gobi, to recuperate for a few years …”
”The rebel army stole the sheep and cattle. The grassland doesn't have that many animals to graze on anymore. These few years, the grasses have been growing like mad …” Once the grazing is resumed, you can just wait. Three or four years later, this place will be filled with the beautiful scenery of cattle and sheep! ”