Late Tang Dynasty Floating Life

Chapter 290

"General Fu, how about this army?" In the pasture at the foot of Helan Mountain, Shao Shude pointed with his whip.

He was referring to Leopard Riding Capital, which was returning east to Xiazhou.

After saving for more than half a year, Lingxia's eight major institutes have accumulated a large number of vests and warts, and the number of horses and armors has reached 368, and the scale is getting bigger and bigger.

Shao Shude's ultimate goal is to turn thousands of leopard riders into armored cavalry.One thousand iron kites, plus three thousand horses, in the period of Li Yuanhao in Xixia, it was only on this scale, and no more could be afforded.

"Marshal, if all leopard riders are brave, then they will be brave, but if both men and horses wear heavy armor, it will cost a lot of money for one person to have three horses." I'm going to cry to the handsome man."

Shao Shude laughed loudly when he heard the words: "It's only a thousand riders, and I really can't afford to support more."

One person with three horses, mobility is no longer a problem, logistics is the big problem.Moreover, it goes without saying that there is indeed a lack of war horses suitable for heavy cavalry at this time.

Later generations of Xixia used Qinghai Cong, which was larger than grassland horses, and had good endurance, load bearing, and climbing ability, and was suitable for the environment of Xixia.But Shao Shude is still not satisfied with this kind of horse. This is his original intention of running horse affairs.

"General Fu, what do you think of these horses?" After galloping to a stable, Shao Shude pointed to dozens of tall horses among them.

Ma Zheng has been in its fourth year.In fact, there were some tall horses in the pasture. This was an accidental situation, perhaps a recessive gene played a role, but due to various reasons, their traits were not inherited stably.These dozens of horses are all male horses. For three consecutive years, their offspring are either not tall enough at the shoulders, or have bad tempers, or have poor endurance, in short, there are all kinds of defects.

These horses are actually the failed products eliminated by the Ma Zheng.They are not failures themselves, and may be considered to be of good quality, but their offspring are no good, and they no longer have the qualifications to continue breeding offspring as stallions, so they sent a batch to Lingzhou.

The Yinchuan Ranch is still cultivating, this can only depend on luck, there is no way.The introduction of high-quality horse breeds from the Western Regions and even the Middle East has not yet begun.Kang Fujin has promised to do his best to find it, but Shao Shude doesn't want to pin his hopes on him alone, so he has to do it himself.

However, let's talk about controlling Liangzhou first.

Fu Cunshen watched those big horses intently.When the herd is large, there will always be occasional large horses with good shoulder height.If this kind of horse is seen by the military leaders, they will definitely snatch it first, and directly use it as a mount for the soldiers.

But Marshal Shao was really patient.Just like the three-crop crop rotation system he practiced, he suppressed his desire to ride good horses and let these horses be bred until he failed to produce offspring that met his expectations for three consecutive years. The ranch was transferred back, castrated and used as war horses.

On the other side of the Yinchuan Ranch, there should be some good horses that are qualified to continue breeding.The marshal's great cause of horse administration is still going on, it's really amazing.

Thinking of this, Fu Cunshen bowed and said: "The commander-in-chief can do what others can't. This great cause of horse administration will surely succeed."

Shao Shude smiled and said: "We need some luck. General Fu will pick one of these horses. There are only thirty or forty horses, not even enough for leopard riders, so I'll use them to attract warriors."

Fu Cunshen also laughed when he heard the words "recruiting warriors".The commander treats people with sincerity, almost saying that I appreciate you and want to recruit you.To some extent, Fu Cunjian was also recruited, and he paid a high price.

But he didn't feel disgusted when he heard what the commander-in-chief said.He has been in Lingxia for so many days, and he also has eyes. Whether a person really has great ambitions and is doing the right thing for this ambition can be completely seen.

Fu Cunshen was willing to be recruited by the Marshal.

"Weng Gao has been asking for the position of Liangzhou Jiedushi, and the town has been asking Shuofang Town to allocate money and food." Shao Shude asked people to open the horse pen, then turned to Fu Cunshen and said: "Shuofang Jiedushi Li Shao I have the right to observe Hexi. I learned that there are few soldiers in Hexi, and it is difficult to control the end of the river, so I plan to send an army to escort Qian and Liang to the west."

"Just this horse, it has already been trained." Shao Shude pointed to a particularly handsome horse, and then ordered his soldiers to bring the horse's record, flip through it casually, and said: "Three generations in a row, the horses born They are all short horses, but it is a big horse by itself."

"Thank you, Marshal, for the reward." Fu Cunshen saluted again.

All warriors love horses, how can there be a gift that they don't accept?Anyway, he was willing to die for the commander in chief, so he might as well accept the reward generously in the future.

"Give me another pair of silver saddles." Shao Shude ordered the soldiers to bring a pair of exquisite saddles.

"This silver is produced in Gaolan County." Shao Shude said: "This year, we have produced about [-] catties, and next year we can produce more than [-] catties, but that's all. I was looking for copper, but it's a pity that there is no such thing. There are some in the mine, but they are so small that they are not worth mentioning. In addition to silver, the mine can get more than ten catties of gold and copper a year, which can be used for a lot!"

It has to be said that it is a great irony that the Lanzhou Copper Mine has become the Lanzhou Silver Mine.

But it would be great if you were like the Potosi Silver Mountain in South America, where the whole mountain was made of silver, but unfortunately not.

A catty of silver, cast into silver dollars (about 30 grams, 180% silver, [-]% base metal), is only twenty pieces.Even if the annual output of a thousand catties of silver is only [-] silver dollars a year.It is a great wealth for individuals, but it is really nothing for a regime with a population of more than [-] million.

There are nearly a hundred silver mines recorded in Guochao, some of which have ceased production, and some are still producing silver.

The place with the largest output should be Yinshan in the east of Leping County, Raozhou. "Yuanhe County Tuzhi" records: "Every year, more than 7000 taels of silver are distributed, and [-] taels of mountain silver are collected."

This silver mine produces about [-] catties of silver every year.

The last time Zhu Quanzhong went to Weibo to buy grain, the governor Yalei Ye brought ten thousand taels of silver, and Henan also has silver mines.

But on the whole, silver is still not enough to act as currency, not even copper, and silk has to be used as currency with a large denomination.

The gold and silver produced in the country were mainly used to make gold and silver wares.For example, during the Tianbao period, the bran gold that the Helongzhou states paid tribute to was used by the emperor to make gold and silverware, and then rewarded to the officials.

Shao Shude took part of the silver produced in the Gaolan Silver Mine to make silver saddles, and used it with horses to recruit warriors.

The rest were minted into silver dollars locally, and then transported to Lingzhou for storage.As for how to use it in the future, I have no idea yet.

There is a shortage of metal currency, and the shortage is so big!

In the land of Lingxia, a farmer's property is about 20 cents in terms of house garden, fields, cattle and sheep, and household items.Not counting the Tibetan Ministry, based on 1200 registered households, the total wealth of the society is about 200 million min, so at least [-] million min of copper coins are needed to circulate in the market.

In fact, it is not enough. Generally speaking, other situations must be considered, such as the increase in wealth in other aspects, or the expansion of the overall economic scale, then a continuous supply of money is required. Insufficient money supply is the ultimate deflation.

When the country was in its prime, a bucket of rice was worth a few pennies, which was caused by a large increase in food production and an increase in the total wealth of the society, but the serious shortage of money supply.This situation is unfavorable to farmers, because they always need copper coins in their daily lives. Originally, a bucket of grain could be exchanged for dozens or even a hundred cash, but now it can only be exchanged for a few coins, and their wealth has shrunk.

It is also necessary to consider the continuous "loss" of copper coins. For example, some people have made copper coins into copper utensils, and some people have kept copper coins at home, so a large amount of new copper coins need to be invested every year.Because the more peaceful the season, the more "loss" of copper coins.

Guochao gold-silver ratio, about 1:5, has been relatively stable.As for the price comparison of gold and copper, "Fan Yang and Lu Zhongyuan... when he met gold, he got eight thousand twice."Lu Zhongyuan, a native of Fanyang, went to Yangzhou to sell gold when the price of gold was soaring, and he got 32 yuan for one tael.Converted into silver, a catty of silver is worth [-] coins.

If Lingxia completes the silverization of currency, it will immediately need 200 catties of silver, which is [-] million silver coins minted by Shao Shude, and a considerable amount of silver will be added every year in the future.Even if silver is the mainstay and copper coins are supplemented, reducing the demand for silver a little is still far from enough.

This is a dead end, Shao Dashuai is thinking of another way.

The silver-trimmed saddle was fitted quickly, and looked quite handsome.

"General Fu, in a few days, a certain general will send the Shunyi Army to rest in peace, lead more than [-] people on foot and ride westward, and transport a batch of money and silk into Liangzhou. Liangzhou Town has urged it several times, and this time I agreed That's it." Shao Shude said: "Mom's money is not so easy to get. There should be more than a thousand soldiers in Liangzhou, most of whom are descendants of the [-] soldiers from Yunzhou back then. This generation has served the country for many years. If you don’t want to do it, don’t do it, someone has already told An Xiuxiu about it, and he has agreed.”

Fu Cunshen listened patiently.

"Liangzhou is not short of fields, what is lacking is manpower to plow the fields." Shao Shude continued: "The imperial court's new batch of civilians who went to the rivers and Wei to reclaim wasteland, a total of more than a thousand households, basically came from Guanzhong. There are also eight criminals from all over the world. More than a hundred people were supposed to be sent to Huizhou, but they were intercepted by a certain order. These more than a thousand households in Guanzhong, plus [-] criminals, will be escorted into Liangzhou by you."

"Of course." Fu Cun replied.

"When you attacked Fengzhou, you made a lot of meritorious deeds, so I promoted you to be the Marquis of Tianzhu Army, and commanded [-] infantry and [-] cavalry to Liangzhou."

"Thank you, Marshal, for cultivating it." Fu Cunshen immediately thanked him.

He didn't ask where Guo Qi, the current capital of the Tianzhu Army, was going. The commander made his own arrangements, just obey the orders.

"The Anxiu Department will stay in Liangzhou for the time being. Your department will return after escorting the people, prisoners and some money and food, and you will send the second batch of people there." Shao Shude said.

For Liangzhou, his idea is to focus on political and economic offensives, supplemented by military offensives, first control the power of the imperial court there, and then find a way to deal with Yan Mo.

In this way, it is very important to obtain the right to observe Hexi.Li Shao is still not qualified enough, and Shuofang is not too strong either.Shao Shude already had a plan in his heart, that is, the old system of Futianbao years, the four towns of Nanjun, Shuofangjun, Tiandejun, and Zhenwujun were dismissed, and Shuofang Town was re-established to govern the ten prefectures of Xiasuiyin Youlingyanhui Fengshenglin. He personally served as Shuofang Jiedu envoy.

Anyway, now there are already two people in charge of two towns in the world, breaking the precedent.Zhu Quanzhong is still seeking to concurrently serve as the Jiedu Envoy (Caizhou) of the Fengguo Army. One person will lead three towns, and Shao Dashuai will lead four border towns alone, which seems to make sense.

Back in the day, Li Guochang and his son just wanted to occupy the two towns of Zhenwu Army and Datong Army at the same time, but they were mercilessly mobilized by the imperial court to encircle and suppress them.However, after the chaos in Guanzhong, Li Ke used Ren Xin, Dai Observation Envoy and Yanmen Jiedu Envoy, and Li Guochang served as Dai Bei Jiedu Envoy, all of which were given by the imperial court.

Later, the two festivals of Daibei and Yanmen were dismissed. Li Ke used Jijiehedong, and his younger brother Kexiu was appointed as the envoy of Zhaoyi Jiedu. These are two big towns and Xiongzhen. agreed?
Recently, Zhu Quanzhong is also in charge of Xuanwu and Huainan towns, and he doesn't even want a fig leaf.

The rules are broken bit by bit like this, and Datang's prestige is also exhausted bit by bit.

Shao Shude's pursuit of merging the Guanbei Four Roads doesn't look so eye-catching, Zhu Quanzhong has already made the pioneer.

The new Shuofang Jiedu envoy, the addition of six city water transport envoys, and the envoys of Yafan Luo must also be indispensable.In addition, the legacy of the old Shuofang Town will also be taken over, such as serving as the Hexi Observer and intervening in Liangzhou's internal affairs.

Aren't you all court loyal ministers?A certain is the Hexi Observation Envoy, who visits and supervises the military and civilian affairs of Liangzhou Town. This is the power bestowed by the imperial court. Do you want to listen?
Backed by the army and lubricated by money and food, Weng Gao, who has yet to get the position of Jiedu envoy, is not sure who can speak well when facing the observer envoy as a defense envoy of the Hexi capital.

Shao Dashuai thought about it, and this matter still needs to be done quickly.Taking advantage of the favorable time when Chang'an's wind direction is leaning towards him, let's implement it first.If it is delayed for another year or two, it will definitely not be easy to handle now.

Well, if you want to do something, you must give a gift.A middle official will send one, and the imperial court will also send one.

It is certainly possible to force others to do things by force alone, but it is not always so reliable.Give some gifts, people will be more motivated, proactive, and things will be done more beautifully.

The imperial court is also poor now, so it will send a thousand horses, ten thousand sheep, and some rare leathers, which the saint can use to reward the officials and concubines, and increase Shao's reputation.With such a multi-pronged approach, the problem should not be too big.

After taking over all of the imperial court's capital in Liangzhou, they can use this as a basis to appease the Yanmo people.It might be necessary to fight, but with the foothold of Liangzhou, the difficulty of fighting is much reduced.

At the end of the day, if it can be used by oneself, that would be great.The natural cavalry are mainly Han Chinese, although they may not be able to speak Chinese, they are completely Tibetanized.But it doesn't matter, their patriarchs and chieftains should know the origin of their ancestors. With this bond, they can use it as a step to make various compromises.

Do not believe?Several imperial courts in the Five Dynasties established Liangzhou Town, and some even sent troops to Liangzhou.But when Xixia established the country, Yan Mo refused to recognize it, and in the end it still had to be conquered militarily.

Hope everything goes well.

During the Xiantong period, Yanmo accepted the canonization of the imperial court and sent troops to fight against Nanzhao. Those people have not died yet, so there should be something to talk about.

(End of this chapter)