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Chapter 587 Racial Talent
Looking at the middle-aged man who spoke the toughest words at the beginning, Hong Tao tried his best to smile warmly and began to think of ways to present awards. It is true to be able to observe people's emotions and understand the world, but the quality of being able to abide by the rules and be responsible without fear of power is even more valuable.

"Long live my lord, I still have a wife, children and mother at home, so I can't be a soldier. It's good to work in a factory, taking care of food, clothing, housing and monthly wages. When the little lady has a son, he will definitely grow up. Let him serve as a soldier for Long Live Lord!"

It's a pity that this reward is an insult. The middle-aged man didn't understand it at all, and he was a little reluctant to serve as a soldier. However, he felt that it was not safe to reject the emperor in person, so he simply adopted a delaying strategy and waited until more than ten years later.

"You idiot, Long live the Lord is going to give you great wealth, why don't you thank me quickly!" This made Wang Chengen extremely anxious. He had just made the emperor lose face, and now he was showing off a big roast chicken. I feel like going up and kicking him down.

"...My mother won't let me join the army, and I can't wield a sword or a stick!" The middle-aged man was neither stupid nor naive. Looking at Wang Chengen who was winking at him, he probably guessed something in his heart, but he still said something wrong. If you let go, you just don't want to eat military food.

"If it's inappropriate, then don't do it. Which factory are you from?" Hong Tao waved his hand behind him to signal Wang Chengen not to interrupt, and continued chatting with the middle-aged man.

"Long live the Lord, everything from this humble citizen comes from the Haihe Brick Factory." After a few questions and answers, it was no more than that when he saw the emperor. The middle-aged man's tense nerves were relieved and he spoke much more fluently.

"Your accent doesn't sound like someone from Zhili Prefecture. Where is your hometown?"

"... We are all civilians who belong to the Guangning Youtun Guard Army. After entering the customs, they became refugees. If Long live the New Deal had not been implemented and opened a factory, I am afraid that the whole family would have to beg for food." The middle-aged man answered this question. There was a slight hesitation, probably because he was trying to organize his words. If he said more nice things, he would certainly be in vain.

"Oh, a military household in Liaodong. The purpose of my personal expedition is to drive away the Jurchens. Are you still willing to go back then?" Since it is a military household in Liaodong, there are many sources, and Hong Tao doesn't want to get to the bottom of it. It was about the future of Liaodong.

"I don't want to!" As soon as he said this, not only did the strong man answer resolutely, but even a group of people behind him shook their heads.

"As far as I know, the land in Liaodong is fertile and there is no shortage of water. Although the climate is a bit colder, as long as you work hard, it shouldn't be worse than here, right?"

The people of the Ming Dynasty were unwilling to leave the country to seek a living. Hong Tao had heard about this, but he had not delved into it. The only reason is that the local climate is cold, sparsely populated, and under military control all year round, so safety is not guaranteed, so the people are unwilling to take risks.

Today I met these former Liaodong military households, and I had the opportunity to ask a few more questions before Li Ruzhang's army arrived. Sometimes the perceptions of ordinary people are very different from the thoughts of court ministers, so there is no harm in hearing more.

"It's true that the land is fertile, but for farming, you have to pay for grains, grains, grass, iron, salt, and stakes. After a year, there is not much left, so you can only go to the mountains and fields to look for wild vegetables and fruits to satisfy your hunger. Every year, you still have to pay for it. It’s better to work in a factory than to work as a slave.”

As expected, the Liaodong spoken by the middle-aged man was completely different from the Liaodong mentioned in the memorials of the court ministers. The biggest obstacle why the people were unwilling to go was not the threat from the Jurchens but the exploitation by their own people. The taxes and corvees were too heavy. After all the busy work, there was not much left. As a result, the land no longer belonged to the family, but became military land. Ordinary people are not fools. Who would be willing to do something that is obviously of no benefit? The courtiers can shout about justice all day long because they are not hungry. Even basic survival cannot be guaranteed. No wonder the military households in Liaodong fled in large numbers and committed suicide.

"If I drive away the Jurchens, cancel military households, and allocate acres of land to you, and you don't have to pay food or perform labor service for three years, will you be willing to go?"

Then the problem arises. If all the people of the Ming Dynasty are unwilling to live out of isolation, most of the meaning of attacking Liaodong will be lost. Hong Tao must first understand what the people think before deciding the scale and intensity of the battle.

"...The common people can't afford the silver to buy land." The middle-aged man didn't react for a moment. Maybe he thought he heard wrongly. He rubbed his hands in embarrassment and told the truth. It's not that he doesn't want to support the emperor, it's that he really has no money.

"No silver is required, acres of land will be given for free, first come, first served, after all is divided. Those who come later can cultivate by themselves, as long as they register and register, and they will not be paid for food for five years. The government will also carry out water conservancy projects, build bridges and pave roads, and no labor will be required. But there are Likewise, if you get the land, you must cultivate at least half of it every year, and I will punish anyone who abandons it!”

How to persuade the people to voluntarily go to Liaodong to open up wasteland? Hong Tao didn't have any good ideas, he just used the same old tricks to lure him.

If businessmen and capital pursue profits, then open factories and engage in sea trade and get rich together with them; farmers love the land, then let them be landlords; soldiers need honor and nothing else but to improve their social status; scholars are keen on power. ...I'm sorry, this really doesn't exist!

Among the four classes of scholars, peasants, industry and commerce, Hong Tao was the only one who could not meet the needs of the scholar class. Not only could he not decentralize power to them, but he also suppressed them, and put the idea that those who excel in learning will become officials and those who learn well in literature and martial arts are sold to the imperial family. Forcibly turn it around so that scholars really love learning instead of using knowledge to gain power.

Will this be successful? It will definitely not happen in a short time. Cultural traditions cannot be formed overnight, nor can they be changed overnight. There must be a transition period, such as ten, twenty, or thirty years.

There will definitely be resistance during this period, and it may even be fierce, but Hong Tao is not afraid. The three classes of farmers, industry, and merchants have been tied to their own chariots by their own interests, leaving only the scholars alone. And I won't block their ascending channel, I just change the direction. It will be uncomfortable for sure, and you will gradually get used to it after the labor pain period.

"...if there is such a good thing, the common people are willing to lead the way for Long Live Lord! From Shanhaiguan to Guangning Houtunwei, all the roads are familiar to the common people. The common people once had two mules and horses in their homes, and they traveled to various military camps all year round. between."

The middle-aged man was a little convinced, and then he boldly made the request. For the sake of just a few dozen acres of land that he only talked about, he was willing to risk his life to lead the way for the army, which shows how deep his love for the land is.

"We are also willing to lead the way for Lord Long Live. I am an Orion and I have guarded the border villages..." And it is not just the strong man who has this enthusiasm. A group of people under his command are all alive. From not daring to look directly at the emperor to jumping When registering for a foot, there is only two words missing in the middle: land. If you have to add three more words, it is your own land!
(End of this chapter)