big song poppi

Chapter 217 0214 [Salt method]

There is no field to plant and no work to be done.

The rations were often deducted by the salt supervisor's subordinates. They were not fed or clothed and kept warm. They had to repeat heavy manual labor every day. You can imagine how miserable these salt households lived.

Han Zhen asked: "Where is the salt supervisor built?"

"My lord, the salt prison is built next to the salt farm, about three miles away from here." Li Da bowed and replied.

Taking out a money bag from his arms, Han Zhen threw it over without counting it.

Li Da's eyes lit up, showing a vigor that belied his age, and he grabbed the money bag.

Weighing it slightly in his hand, he found that there were at least two or three hundred coins.

Gollum!

Li Da swallowed his saliva and was overjoyed. He thanked him profusely and said, "Thank you so much for your reward. Your husband will be blessed with great blessings. He will live a long life and have many children."

Salt household is a hereditary system. Once you become a salt householder, your descendants will be salt households.

Since he was a salt household, he only had rice and grain on weekdays. How had he ever seen money?

Li Da has been the lieutenant for so many years. Only when he exceeds the tasks assigned by the court, the Salt Supervisor officials will be happy and will reward him with a few cents as a reward.

And even these rewards of a few cents, after so many years, are only a handful.

Han Zhen ordered: "Notify several other villages and ask all the salt households to go to the salt prison to be on standby. I have important instructions."

"My lord, please wait a moment. I'll go right away."

Holding the money bag tightly with both hands, Li nodded in agreement.

After giving the instructions, Han Zhen waved his hand and headed towards the Salt Prison.

After arriving at the Salt Prison, Han Zhen ordered: "Rest where you are!"

"Order!"

Four hundred Qingzhou troops were divided into two groups under the command of a Dutou. One group was responsible for security patrols, while the other group took off their armor and took a break.

After giving an explanation, Han Zhen got off his horse and walked into the Salt Prison with Monkey.

The specifications and layout of the salt prison are similar to those of a county government office.

The front yard is the official hall, and the back yard is the residence where officials rest.

It seemed that it was because Gan Chijun had stayed there for two months that the entire salt prison was in a state of disarray and filled with an indescribable and disgusting smell.

After walking around with a frown, he came to the granary not far away.

Li Da was right. Gan Chi's army fled in a hurry, leaving more than 300 stones of food behind, which was an unexpected surprise.

The monkey clicked his tongue and said in surprise: "It's surprising that these salt farmers didn't steal any food."

"Maybe it's because I'm afraid that Daang Chi's army will suddenly come back."

Han Zhen answered casually and walked towards the salt field.

The salt farm is not as big as expected. It looks like a military fortress, and there is a faint smoky smell in the walls made of rammed loess.

Under the rows of thatched huts, large pots for boiling salt are set up, and wooden barrels and string carts are everywhere.

A string car, also known as a wheelbarrow.

However, unlike the convenient wheelbarrows of later generations, the current string car cannot be operated by one person. Because it cannot maintain balance, it requires two people to support it, one on the left and one on the right. Often it can only transport some light goods.If there is too much cargo, oxen and donkeys will be needed to pull the cart.

"Tokyo Menghualu" has a record of stringing carts: "Two people in the front and back are driving, two people on both sides are holding the crutches, and there is a donkey pulling in front. It is called a 'stringing cart', because it does not use ears to turn the wheel, and it is like carrying bamboo. It is made of wood, tiles and stones. But there is no front shaft, so it can only be pushed by one or two people. This cart is often used to sell cakes and other things, so it cannot be used by people to carry goods."

Monkey curled his lips, looking disgusted.

I am used to seeing the advanced assembly line salt production factory in Xiaowang Village, but when I look at the salt farm again, I really can’t stand it.

While the two were inspecting the salt field, there was a burst of noise outside.

"Let's go and appease these salt households first."

Han Zhen said as he strode out of the salt field.

At this moment, many salt households had gathered outside the Salt Prison, and people continued to come from all directions.

Han Zhen came to the salt prison gate with his hands behind his back.

Looking around, most of the dark crowd had numb expressions and dull eyes.

As salt households, they lost everything. They worked mechanically and repetitively every day, just for a mouthful of food, and lived simply to survive.

The people of Yan are in great hardship, but almost no one is a fugitive.

Although it is hard to make salt every day, you can still have a bite to eat, but it is different on the mountain. There are poisonous snakes, beasts, robbers and bandits. It is hard to say whether you can survive a year.

For the sake of the prosperity of Tokyo city, let’s just suffer for the common people.

After waiting for a while and seeing no one coming, Han Zhen said loudly: "Where are the leaders of each village?"

"The little old man is here!"

Li Da jumped out first.

Then, five more old men walked out of the crowd.

Han Zhen's eyes were blazing and he asked: "Are all the salt households in each village here?"

"Our village is complete."

"My husband, two people in our village are sick and cannot get out of bed."

Except for a few dozen people who were unable to attend due to illness or injury, the remaining 320 people all came.

Previously, Li Da said that there were more than 5000 salt households in the six villages, but now there were only more than 300 people present.

Han Zhen was not surprised at all and looked as usual.

What about the remaining 2000?
I have no clothes to wear, so I'm hiding at home.

The salt households had no income and only had food rations, so naturally they could not afford to buy clothes.

A piece of clothing is often worn by the family in turns. Whoever goes out wears it, and the rest of the family can only be naked, huddled in bed and covered with straw.

What to do with that kind of field?
Plant at night, when the moon is dark and the wind is high, no one can see it even if you are naked.

This is unthinkable in this later world, but it was the norm in ancient times.

Han Zhen didn't talk nonsense and said straight to the point: "From now on, we will cancel the salt households!"

boom!
As soon as these words came out, the more than [-] salt people immediately exploded. They all looked frightened, and they talked incessantly.

"quiet!"

Without waiting for Han Zhen's orders, the four hundred Qingzhou troops guarding the surrounding area shouted in unison.

The horrifying momentum and the evil aura emanating from the soldiers silenced the crowd instantly.

Li Da trembled and said tremblingly: "Xiang...Xiangong, the salt household cannot be wiped out."

Making salt is very bitter, and salt farmers have no future.

They understand all this.

But in today's world, there is no need to pay taxes or perform corvee labor. Just having a bite to eat is already a great blessing.

Once salt households are cancelled, what will they eat and drink?
"Don't worry, after the salt households are cancelled, they will be settled properly." Han Zhen paused and continued: "In the future, I will build a factory here. Anyone who can make salt can apply to join the factory. Every month Three hundred cents wages, including breakfast and dinner."

In fact, he can squeeze these salt households to his heart's content.

No wages are required, only two meals a day are provided, and the porridge at night is even replaced by wheat rice. These salt people will be grateful and grateful.

But in this case, what is the difference between him and the Zhao and Song Dynasties?

Han Zhen didn't have very noble sentiments or mind. At the beginning of time travel, he just wanted to try his best to survive in the coming troubled times, live better and live with dignity.At the same time, if possible, let the people under the rule live a better life.

If we don’t want the world to be unified, every family should be well-off, at least have enough food and clothing, and have some money left in their hands.

Being poor cares themselves, being wealthy cares the world.

Even if these are put aside, just as a rebel, he still needs to do his best to protect his basic base.

Not only do you take care of food, but you also get wages?
More than [-] people were stunned, thinking that they heard wrongly.

It took quite a while before Li Da and others came back to their senses.

Several village chiefs looked at each other and saw deep worries in each other's eyes.

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.

The treatment given by this young husband was so good that it made them feel guilty.

Li Da stumbled and confirmed: "My husband wants to pay us wages?"

Han Zhen didn't know their little thoughts. He was used to living a hard life, and suddenly he was about to live a good life. He couldn't believe it for a while.

It's very simple to dispel their doubts, just one sentence.

Han Zhen said loudly: "I am a rebel!"

It seemed quite strange for him to admit that he was a rebel in public, but when these people heard this, they couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

Oh, the original way is a rebel!
Let me just say, how can those officials in the imperial court give them wages?

A false alarm.

Monkey raised his eyebrows, a strange look flashed in his eyes.

The scene in front of me is really too absurd.

Another village chief hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't help but asked: "Since my husband has eliminated salt households, I wonder if we can farm?"

The Chinese people’s attachment to the land is engraved in their bones.

Even if I have to work and take care of the food, even if I get paid, I still can’t help but want to farm.

Han Zhen nodded and said: "Of course, under my rule, the reclaimed wasteland will be tax-free for three years, and after three years, you will have to pay a [-]% field tax."

As soon as these words came out, everyone's faces suddenly showed a hint of joy.

"Okay, let's all disperse."

Today's news has a great impact on these salt people, and it takes time to digest it.

After hearing this, the salt people dispersed under the leadership of their respective village chiefs, talking in low voices as they walked towards their respective villages.

Seeing Li Da walking slowly, the dark-faced man on the side urged: "Dad, the sun is still early, let's go back to cultivate the fields quickly!"

There are countless good areas near the village. If you arrive late, others will take them.

Li Da shook his head and said with a complicated expression: "This young gentleman is a rebel. Who knows when the officers and soldiers will come to kill him? If he is defeated and the officers and soldiers occupy Guangling again, won't the fields be dug in vain?"

"This……"

The man was stunned, obviously he didn't expect this level.

Once the officers and soldiers arrive, everything will return to the polka dot.

"Dad, then... what should we do?" The man was anxious.

He wanted to cultivate the fields, but he was worried that the officers and soldiers would come after a while and his work would be in vain.

Li Da sighed: "Let's take a look again!"

……

After the salt people dispersed, Monkey finally said: "These salt people are suffering so much that so many of them have no clothes to wear. These dog officials at the Salt Prison are not even willing to give them a piece of paper clothing." "

Paper clothes are unique clothes of the Tang and Song Dynasties.

Different from the paper that you imagine will break when you poke it, the raw material of the paper clothes is hard paper made from mulberry bark. It feels rough and hard, and will wear out the skin after being worn for a long time.

Because of its low price, it is deeply loved by poor people.

Han Zhen sneered: "Paper clothes are cheap and don't cost much. But with clothes, what if Yan Hu runs away?"

hiss!
The monkey took a deep breath, eyes boiling with murderous intent.

These dog officials deserve to be killed!

Seeing that it was getting late, Han Zhen ordered a group of soldiers to clean the salt prison and light a fire to make food.

After simple cleaning, the strange smell dissipated a lot.

Han Zhen sat in the lobby and explained the matter: "I am going to set up a town in Guangling, and you will be the supervisor!"

"Yes!"

The monkey nodded in agreement.

Although it is just a small prison town, it depends on the place.

Guangling Salt Affairs, Han Zhen's biggest money bag from now on, cannot be taken over unless he is a close confidant.

Han Zhen said: "I won't be able to stay here for a few days, so I will give you a brief summary."

The monkey couldn't help but sit up straight and listen carefully to the next words.

"The first point is the coarse salt and refined salt workshops. You don't need to mention the refined salt workshop. You should be very clear about it. Let's focus on the coarse salt."

Han Zhen said as he took out a design drawing from his arms and handed it over.

After taking it, the monkey unfolded the design drawing and looked at it carefully.

After a moment, he couldn't help but raise his head, his eyes shining with admiration: "Brother Han, who designed this method? It's so ingenious!"

Han Zhen smiled and said nothing.

The sun-dried salt method took its prototype in the Ming Dynasty and was gradually perfected by the Qing Dynasty.

This method is very low cost and makes full use of the energy of nature.

In short, step-shaped salt fields are dug out near the sea.

Whenever the tide rises, the valves of the salt fields are opened and seawater flows into the first salt field on its own.

After it is filled, the valve is closed and the sun and sea breeze are used to evaporate the water in the salt field.

When the water evaporates to a certain extent, open the valve and let the seawater flow to the second salt field, allowing it to naturally evaporate the water again.

After repeating the cycle several times, when the seawater is poured into the last salt field, the concentration is already very high and the salt can precipitate on its own.

Compared with the brine method, the sun salt method is very low-cost because all natural resources are used.

It seems inefficient, but in fact, as long as enough salt fields are dug, the output can be several times higher than that of the brine method!
(End of this chapter)