After Ming Dynasty

Chapter 29
Zhu Yiyuan appointed the village elders, and Zhang Lin was busy with distributing the land deeds.

Panting heavily, he came over to report to Zhu Yiyuan, "Dazhuang Village has a total of 530 people and 150 households. All of them have been registered and recorded, and more than [-] acres of land have been divided. There are still [-] acres of fertile land that can be cultivated. more than a thousand acres of wasteland."

While speaking, this man handed the detailed brochure to Zhu Yiyuan.

Zhu Yiyuan looked at it very seriously, he knew very well that this set of things was to be generalized and must be able to stand the test.He read it carefully from beginning to end, read the key points again and again, and finally Zhu Yiyuan showed a gratified smile.

"Are most of the villagers satisfied?"

"Satisfied." Zhang Lin sighed: "It's all about the young master's strategy. Although some people were unlucky and didn't get the desired land, after all, they got their own land. It's like celebrating the New Year."

Zhu Yiyuan nodded, and said with a light smile, "It's not that my strategy is good, it's just that I can push it down without any scruples. Zhang Xiucai, when you were hosting, no one asked you to accommodate?"

Zhang Lin quickly said: "No, and the small ones are only registered and compiled, supervised and drawn lots, even if they want to accommodate, they can't do it."

Zhu Yiyuan nodded slightly, in fact it wasn't impossible, it's just that he was here, Zhang Lin wanted to show it, and it wasn't easy to play tricks.

These things are just tacit, and there is no need for Zhu Yiyuan to point them out. He said with a smile: "According to the above, there are still 150 acres of ready-made land, which can accommodate 200 refugees. It can accommodate [-] people."

Zhang Lin sighed: "That's true. Mr. Zhu, I have benefited a lot from presiding over the division of land this time. In the past, the land rent of large households was too high, and the tenants had to pay more than [-]% of it. Not enough. Now Mr. Zhu has lowered the land rent, even if the tenant farmers lose a few acres of land, they can still keep more food. And the extra land can accommodate more people, which is indeed a benevolent government.”

Zhu Yiyuan's eyes lit up, he didn't expect this old scholar to see the benefits of dividing the land so quickly, he said with a smile: "Mr. Zhang, I set the land tax at [-]%, what do you think of this land tax now? Is it still low?"

Zhang Lin was stunned, is there even a need to ask?

Not only is it low, it's ridiculously low.If it is set at [-]% or [-]%, as long as there are no other exorbitant taxes, it will be considered kind.

However, when the land rent is reduced, more land will be freed, and with the extra land, more refugees can be settled.

Zhang Lin suddenly realized that Zhu Yiyuan's setting such a low land rent was definitely not on a whim, but because he wanted to settle down more people and control more people.

"Young Master Zhu, let me ask you a question, how do you plan to use these people? You can't just treat them well, can you?"

Zhu Yiyuan laughed loudly, "Isn't it a matter of course to love the people? If Mr. Zhang insists on asking, then I'll tell you the truth. Do you think we can stop the Qing army with our current strength?"

Zhang Lin looked puzzled, "Young Master Zhu, in terms of military strength alone, there is a big gap. But I think, blessed by the heavens, Young Master Zhu is wise and will definitely be able to defeat the strong with the weak."

Zhu Yiyuan laughed loudly, "It is possible for the weak to defeat the strong, but it is impossible to rely on the protection of the heavens. When I was in Qingshiji, I already said that we should learn from the experience of the Yuyuan Rebel Army and dig tunnels to hide Soldiers underground, dealing with the Qing court."

Hearing this, Zhang Lin was completely dumbfounded, and he finally figured it out.

Zhu Yiyuan's land tax is low, but their corvee is definitely not low.

On the contrary, the corvee will be ridiculously high.

After all, it goes without saying that it took a lot of hard work to dig tunnels.

But in the same way, these measures are for the common people to prepare for war and protect themselves, and to protect the fruits of their labor. They are willing and happy.

If this is the case, Zhu Yiyuan's setting a very low field tax seems to be full of scheming... Oh, no, it is foresight, wisdom and martial arts.

Zhang Lin felt more and more that the young man in front of him was unusual.

If it had been seventeen or eighteen years earlier, Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong would have all gone, and the Great Ming Dynasty would have been his.

However, it was too late at this time, the Qing court had already established itself, and it would be even more difficult to turn it over.

Even if we find a way to grow and develop, will the Qing army give us enough time to grow and develop?

Even Zhang Lin couldn't tell, he was really making a big gamble.

The tinkering in Dazhuang Village was successful, and the farmer's population in Qingshiji was re-registered.Then there is Yuanshan Village where Jiang Qi lives, and Pujia Village... Zhang Lin only sleeps for less than two hours a day, wishing he could keep going.

Even Zhu Yiyuan couldn't stand it, "Mr. Zhang, you can't be too busy with your body. No matter what, you have to rest for three hours every day."

Zhang Lin shook his head, "Master Zhu, I know my body well. I have been resting for 20 years. I have been idle for 20 years. For the remaining half of my life, I have to do what I have done for the rest of my life. The faster we can equalize the land here, Mr. The more soldiers and horses you have, the greater your chances of winning. I am working for my own life."

Zhu Yiyuan's heart was shaken, Zhang Lin was almost [-] percent, he was speculative, he wanted to gain fame and wealth, and leave his name in history.It is not surprising that there have been many such scholars throughout the dynasties.

But once a decision is made like this, it is still shocking to go all out without hesitation.

Did you find a treasure?

As Zhang Lin said, the faster he averaged the fields, the more soldiers and horses he had in hand.

Pushed down by several villages, Zhu Yiyuan has resettled 600 refugees, of which more than [-] soldiers were drawn out, and more than [-] strong men were drawn from several villages.

Counting the old subordinates of Qingshiji, Zhu Yiyuan's total army strength is already 200.

At the beginning, when Xie moved into Qingshiji, there were more than 1000 people.

It's only been more than a month, and I have pulled up such a big team.

Zhu Yiyuan was overjoyed, even the Commander-in-Chief was overjoyed.

When he returned from Zichuan County, he immediately praised his son, "This time, we are not afraid of Xie Qian. My son's ability dares to laugh at Xie Qian as not a husband."

The two of them were chatting, especially Zhu's father, who was even more eloquent.

The curtain was raised, and uncle Ye Tinglan entered.

"Brother-in-law, and eldest nephew, I have some news for you. Commander Xie has conquered Gaoyuan County."

Gao Yuan?

Both the Zhu family's father turned pale with shock, and Zhu's father hurriedly said: "Didn't he say that he was going to attack Jinan?"

Jinan is in the west and Gaoyuan is in the north. This cannot be mistaken.

Ye Tinglan said: "It's true. Commander Xie's hometown is Gao Yuan. He resolutely raised his troops. Some villagers from Gao Yuan found him and opened the city gate to welcome Commander Xie into the city."

"What?" Father Zhu was very surprised, "Why are you cooperating with the inside and the outside again? Is there no other way?"

Ye Tinglan didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "You can't get in even with a strong attack."

Old Man Zhu couldn't help but marvel, "This guy Xie Qian is so lucky."

Zhu Yiyuan coughed lightly: "You can't say that. The key is that the Qing government shaved their hair and changed their clothes. It is too unpopular. There are many rebels everywhere, and it is only natural to help break the city. The Qing court will never let go of the current problem. Commander. If they want to attack Gaoyuan, they will pass through Zichuan."

Father Zhu was taken aback, and couldn't help but said: "What are you planning to do, kid? The Qing army didn't come to attack us, why did you take the initiative to provoke others? I think you are out of your mind."

Zhu Yiyuan didn't listen to his father, his lips were dead and his teeth were cold. No matter who attacked the Qing court, I, Zhu Yiyuan, would help out.

He immediately ordered that all the leaders under his command, even his old lady Ye, were invited over.

Everyone gathered together to discuss this matter.

Father Zhu was the first to speak, "I was thinking about the old saying that if you don't have diamonds, don't take on porcelain work. We are a young man, and we haven't fought much. If the Qing soldiers are provoked, the consequences will be disastrous, so I mean, let's do it again. Hold on."

After everyone's unanimous discussion, Zhu's suggestion was directly rejected.

"Commander Xie is one with us. Helping him is helping ourselves. We must fight this battle. However, with our current strength, we still need to discuss how to fight."

Zhu Yiyuan looked at the crowd, at this time that big businessman Pu Pan stepped forward.

"Young master Zhu, I heard from other business friends that the governor's yamen has been recruiting people from all over the place to transport grain and grass, and the movement will not be small."

Zhu Yiyuan nodded again and again, and said with a smile: "Thank you, Mr. Pu, for reminding us that we need the court's movements very much now. We are grateful to all volunteers who are willing to help us. We will provide convenience in business."

Zhu Yiyuan first thanked Pu Songling's father, and then Zhu Yiyuan said: "No matter how capable soldiers are, they can't fight on an empty stomach. Maybe we can start with the people's luggage and cut off the Qing army's food, so that they can't advance and retreat. To die alive!"

Tan Qiye nodded immediately, "Good advice, my lord."

(End of this chapter)