Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 255 Expansion
Not to mention Lin Chong and the other three happily mounted their horses and rode all the way back to the camp.

Only the yellow horse was left standing alone on the training ground. Zhao Zhen said to Fu Yu, who was busy organizing the troops, "Brother Fu Yu, please send this yellow horse to Wu Sanniang in Dulonggang."

Fu Yu nodded and said, "Don't worry, sir. I will send the horse to Master's wife after I return to the garrison with my troops."

After the cavalry from Sandu left, Zhao Zhen invited Wu Yong and three others to the hall, and Zhao Xing served them tea and waited on the side.

Zhao Zhen said, "Brothers, what should we do next? Do you have any rules?"

Xiao Rang cupped his hands and said, "Sir, the spiritual fields in various places have been measured, and it's time to plant the rouge rice and pearl rice."

"The three farms of Baishi Valley, Kushu Village, and Goutoushan have a total of 14.8 mu of spiritual fields. Now they are orchards and vegetable gardens, so we won't talk about them. The six mu of medicinal fields of Tianqi Temple are also preserved."

"The two eight-mu spiritual fields in Heihu Temple Town and the five-mu spiritual field in Zhujiazhuang, Dulonggang are all mountainous areas with inconvenient water access. Ordinary winter wheat has been planted. After the harvest this year, a season of soybeans will be planted and golden wheat will be planted. Xiawang Village in Xigouzhaozi Mountain has four mu of spiritual fields, and Xinwang Village has two mu. Of the sixty mu of spiritual fields on Qinglong Mountain, only 15 mu in Dushan Village, 21 mu in Donglou Village, and 13 mu in Sunjiazhuang are paddy fields. Chenjiaying has seven mu and Dingzhuang Village has four mu, all of which are dry fields. Golden wheat has been planted in these two places."

"Zhang Village at Xiaoliang Peak has four acres, Yang Village at Xiaohuang Mountain has three acres, Liang Village at Hutou Peak has seventeen acres, Shangtaoji at Luozi Mountain has seven acres, and Xiataoji has five acres, all of which are paddy fields. Mamiao Village has four acres of dry land."

"There are 20 mu of spiritual fields on Xiaoping Mountain, but no one lives there yet. Dongzhang Village on Yuhuangding has 10 mu of paddy fields, and the remaining 60 mu are on the top of the mountain. Xinghua Village on Xueshan Peak has 33 mu of spiritual fields, 13 mu of which are distributed in the apricot forest and planted with wheat and yellow apricots, and the remaining 20 mu are paddy fields."

"Hao Shanfeng discovered the most spiritual fields. There are 35 acres in Zhenggai Village, 28 acres in Liuji Village, 20 acres in Mazhenyang Village, and 5 acres in Xinzheng Village. They are all excellent paddy fields. In addition, there is the rice field where Rouge Rice was discovered in Dongxi Village. The lowest area has 7 acres of land that has also become spiritual fields. However, the soil there is still as red as cinnabar, which is most suitable for growing Rouge Rice."

"The paddy fields total 216 mu, the dry fields total 128 mu, the orchards and vegetable gardens total 27.8 mu, and the medicinal fields total 6 mu. The next step is for the county government to send a team to travel all over Liangshang County and mark out places suitable for building villages and places with special products. This will facilitate the next step of recruiting refugees."

"Xiaoping Mountain is flat, and there is a pond on the top. We originally planned to build a large camp. After measurement, it is found that there are no less than 100,000 mu of land that can be cultivated. I think that the Snow Mountain Peak camp does not need to be moved. We only need to build a larger fort on the top of Xiaoping Mountain, station a city of soldiers and horses there, and monitor the surroundings. We can build a village here, recruit refugees, and cultivate land. In the future, it will be no problem to produce 200,000 shi of grain a year."

Zhao Zhen looked at Wu Yong. Wu Yong pondered for a moment and said, "What Xiao Rang said makes sense. The main camp does not have to be moved to Xiaoping Mountain. At the beginning, we just saw that Xiaoping Mountain is flat and can not only garrison infantry, but also cavalry. The view there is good, and it is easiest to monitor the surroundings."

Zhao Zhen asked, "Brother Zhu Wu, Brother Pei Xuan, what do you two think?"

Zhu Wu said, "Sir, I think that in addition to reclaiming land and planting crops here, we should move the horse farm there. This way, there will be no outsiders to disturb us on weekdays, and the horses will not be mixed with other large animals, so the horses will naturally be less likely to get sick."

After a discussion among the five people, the purpose of Xiaoping Mountain was decided. Xiao Rang wrote an official document, Zhao Zhen used his seal, and transferred 50 people from Tao Zongwang's [Craftsmen's Camp] to raise and expand the fort on the top of the mountain to meet the needs of the troops and horses of the capital. Afterwards, villages, canals, and horse farms were built.

Xiao Rang continued, "Master, there is one more thing. When Brother Lu Zhishen came here, he offered two boundary stones. Now that spring is here and the flowers are blooming, we can put them down now."

Zhao Zhen said, "Brother, if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten about it. It's better to do it now than to wait for a better day. Let's give up these two mountains and forests today."

Seeing that Zhu Wu was confused, Zhao Zhen told him about his earlier plan and took out two boundary stones to show Zhu Wu. Zhu Wu took them in his hand, looked at them again and again, and said, "Is this the boundary stone? I seem to have seen it in Brother Chen Da's room."

Wu Yong said: "Really?"

Zhu Wu said: "I am not sure, I will ask Brother Chen Da to ask him."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen sent Zhao Ji to Wanzi City to look for Chen Da and Shi Jin, and asked Zhang Qi to go to the Snow Mountain Peak camp to invite Lu Zhishen, the abbot of the Lotus Terrace Temple, Yuanguang, and several other serving monks and eighteen martial monks.

Zhu Wu continued, "Sir, these days, I have visited various military camps and counted the troops. There are 700 cavalrymen in seven battalions, 800 navalmen in three battalions, 900 infantrymen in the left and right battalions, 200 infantrymen in the three villages of Dulonggang, 300 infantrymen in Heihu Temple Town, 3400 infantrymen in Baishi Valley, a total of 120 infantrymen. There are also 220 [bird gun battalions] and 600 [artillery battalions] in the South Camp. There are 5840 new recruits in Wanzi City, a total of people."

"Except for Liangshan Marsh, Dulonggang is isolated. There are now ten villages, 1000 households, and acres of fertile land. There are only cavalry and infantry. Although there are local warriors, if they are attacked, I am afraid they can only defend themselves."

Zhao Zhen heard this and said hesitantly, "What do you think, brother Zhu Wu?"

Zhu Wu said, "I didn't have an idea before today. Today, I heard that the owner of the village wanted to leave two mountains in the south, so I came up with an idea. These two mountains are used as defense passes, so there is no need for the South Camp. The cavalry of the three cities can be placed in Heihu Temple Town and Dulonggang."

"I have made some plans. At least 3000 people will be stationed in Dulonggang. It would be best if there were to cavalry. This way, the cavalry can roam outside and look for opportunities to fight. With this battalion of cavalry, the enemy will not dare to attack the village easily."

Wu Yong said: "Brother Zhu Wu is right. Only in this way can Dulonggang be completely safe. However, there is no need to disband the South Camp. There are more than 1,100 war horses in the county now, and there are many farmers in the three villages of Dulonggang who are good at horse fighting. Recruit 300 people and gather 1,000 horses."

"Transfer Shi Jin's troops to Dulonggang to cooperate with Luan Tingyu. Both troops will be expanded to 200 people each. Lin Chong's troops in the South Camp will also be expanded to people. The rest will remain unchanged."

"As for the infantry, Zhujiazhuang will increase its troops to 1500, and Lijiazhuang and Hujiazhuang will each station 500 soldiers. For the rest of the newly built villages, we will recruit to militiamen each to serve as daily guards. Xueshanfeng Camp and Haoshanfeng Camp will also each increase their troops by to be prepared for emergencies."

Zhao Zhen said: "You two brothers have made a good plan. In this case, I would like to trouble you two brothers to take charge of the expansion of the army this time."

After hearing this, Wu Yong and Zhu Wu bowed in agreement.

At the time of the application, everyone came to Baishi Valley to collect the stones. Zhao Zhen said to Lu Zhishen, "Brother Zhishen, when you first came here, you gave me two boundary stones. I will put them down today and invite you to come and see them."

Lu Zhishen said, "I want to see it today."

Zhu Wu picked up a boundary stone and asked, "Brother Chen Da, come and have a look. I saw you have a similar one. Do you still have it?"

Chen Da took it and looked at it, then said, "Brother, could this be the Boundary Heart Stone? It feels very similar to the original. I'll go back to my room and get it for you to have a look."

As he spoke, Chen Da went back to his room and fetched a stone. Zhao Zhen took it and saw that it was also a boundary stone.

Zhao Zhen asked: "Brother, where did you get this boundary stone?"

Chen Da shook his head and said, "My lord, when I was at home, I often gambled with others regardless of the amount of money. This stone was won at that time. I have seen it is the hardest, so I often hold it at hand." Everyone laughed when they heard this, and said that Chen Da was lucky.

Seeing that it was getting late, Zhao Zhen called Guanghui and Jiao Ting to bring a group of soldiers. The heroes rode on horses, passed through Xixi Village, passed Nan Daying, and walked to the foggy southern border of Liangshan County.

After Zhao Zhen prayed, he used up a little of his luck and threw the two boundary stones into the fog.

The fog dissipated, revealing two mountains.

There was one on the east side, and in front of it was a large pine forest, with a mountain road in the middle of the forest. Looking along the mountain road, I saw a dilapidated temple, which should be the Clay Pot Temple mentioned by Lu Zhishen.

The group went up along the road for about half a mile and crossed a stone bridge, where the ruins of the temple were clearly visible.

The bell tower collapsed, and ruins were everywhere.
Headless Arhat and Broken-Armed Vajra.

There is a rabbit hole hidden in the Xiangji kitchen, and fox tracks are imprinted on the Longhua Terrace.

The whole Waguan Temple was in ruins, with only the incense kitchen and a few dormitories at the back left. Everyone sighed, and half of the team stayed to clean up while Zhao Zhen and the others went down the mountain.

Passing by the stone bridge, Lu Zhishen patted the stone railings on the bridge and said, "Shi Dalang, do you remember this place?"

Shi Jin said, "Of course I don't remember. It was right here that my brother and I killed the two birdmen. We were in such a hurry that their bodies were scattered in the stream below."

Then he pointed to a red pine forest in the distance and said, "I was cutting off the path there before and met you, brother. Life is unpredictable."

When everyone looked over, they saw twisted branches and strange shapes. From a distance, it looked like the beard of a judge, but from a closer look, it looked like the hair of a devil.

Wu Yong said: "Sir, although this place is not dangerous, there are these two forests, a stream, and this piece of wasteland at the foot of the mountain. It is a good place to build a village."

Xiao Rang also said: "Waguan Temple is already in ruins. It will take a long time to tidy up the gate and build the temple."

Zhao Zhen said, "Let's go check out Erlong Mountain first, and then make a decision. Send five or seven people down and search along this stream. Maybe we can find the bodies of the two bird men and women. Fish them out and bury them under a tree. Don't pollute the water. We can use this water to build a temple or irrigate crops."

Jiao Ting divided his ten men into two groups, and sent them down along the two ends of the stone bridge and search along the water flow. Zhao Zhen and others turned around and went down the mountain.

Looking at the mountain to the west, it is much steeper than the one to the east, and its peak is more than twice as high as that of the Waguan Temple. In addition, there is only one road in the middle, and the two mountains surround it, enclosing the Baozhu Temple.

Going up the mountain road, I saw many pounding wood and cannon stones left at the three gates. After passing the three gates, I came to the front of Baozhu Temple. There were three temple gates and a mirror-like surface, and the surrounding area was a wooden fence.

Although the entire Baozhu Temple has been changed beyond recognition, it is still well preserved. The cottage is only built around the temple. If these later buildings are removed, there will be a complete temple, which is much more majestic than the Liantai Temple.

Yuan Guang stepped forward and said to Zhao Zhen, "Sir, do we want to stay here?"

Wu Yong said hurriedly, "No. Sir, although the temple here is intact, the terrain is steep and it is inconvenient for believers to travel. It is better to build a Waguan Temple. This place overlooks Xixi Village and can monitor and block the enemy from the fog on the south. Baozhu Temple can still be used as a military camp."

Lu Zhishen said: "Sir, if there are troops stationed here, I would like to come here."

Guang Hui heard this and said, "I am willing to stay here with you. There are pilgrims every day at the Pagoda Temple, which is very inconvenient. There are also Buddha statues here. I usually train soldiers and can recite scriptures when I have nothing to do."

Zhao Zhen said: "Brother Guanghui is coming here. The residence at the Pagoda Temple will still be reserved for you. It will be used as a family temple in the future. Once the Waguan Temple is repaired, we will no longer receive pilgrims. Master Yuanguang will temporarily live in the Pagoda Temple until the Waguan Temple is repaired."

Zhao Zhen asked again: "Xuejiu, Brother Zhishen is stationed here, who can be the commander at Snow Mountain Peak?"

Wu Yong said: "Among the brothers in the county, the one with the best martial arts and courage is none other than Brother Shi Xiu. It is better to transfer Brother Shi Xiu over there. As for Heihu Temple Town, there are three divisions of cavalry led by Brother Sun An, Brother Deng Fei, Brother Li Ying, Brother Yang Lin, and Brother Fu Yu, and one division of infantry led by Brother Duan Jingzhu, which are enough to support Dulonggang."

Zhao Zhen said, "That's good. In addition to the soldiers from the two capitals that you two brothers have trained, we will also transfer the [Cannon Capital] and [Bird Gun Capital] from the South Camp. Add these eighteen monks who protect the temple, and the cooks."

Wu Yong said, "Sir, today we are talking about adjusting the army. Since we have set up a new camp here, why don't we station 1500 soldiers each at Haoshan Peak and Xueshan Peak, and withdraw 1000 soldiers to station at Baozhu Temple. This way, there will be enough soldiers to defend each place."

Zhao Zhen heard this and said, "This is the best. There are 600 people in Wanzi City's main camp. First, transfer 300 people to Zhujiazhuang, and the remaining 300 people to Baozhu Temple. As for expanding the main camps in various places, we will have to trouble the [Craftsmen's Camp] led by Tao Zongwang."

"After all, this place has been abandoned for a long time, so we need to clean it up thoroughly before we can move in. New soldiers should be recruited to fill the Dulonggang and Baozhu Temple first, and then the two camps at Shuibo Liangshan."

After hearing this, everyone agreed. Lu Zhishen, Guanghui, Pu Daobing and the monks were left behind to clean up the mess. The rest followed Zhao Zhen back to Baishi Manor.

Zhao Zhen ordered that 400 men from Xueshan Peak be sent to guard Baozhu Temple first, and Zhao Yuanli be arranged to gather food and grass and send them to the mountain.

Strong laborers from Xixi Village and Dongxi Village were recruited to go to Waguan Temple to clean up the rubble. Tao Zongwang personally supervised the work. Every part of the temple was marked one by one, and the Waguan Temple was rebuilt on the original site in accordance with the remaining ruins.

After the orders were written, Zhao Zhen would seal them and send them to various places by express horse. He was busy until dinner time.

Zhao Zhen was newly married, and after entertaining everyone, he hurried back to Hu Sanniang's residence.

(End of this chapter)