Brocade clothing as the country

Chapter 880
Roasted camel is a delicacy from the Western Regions. It is not very particular, but a camel roasted on the fire looks much more grand.And this roasted camel is also in accordance with the old rules, the camel's belly is stuffed with roasted lamb, and the lamb's belly is stuffed with roasted chicken and so on.

Gentlemen don't go near the kitchen, so Meng Duo led the king to see it. It was a fresh look, and he was enjoying the scenery. After the battle that day, after taking down the Khan's palace, even if he dispatched troops to appease and suppress the whole city, he didn't feel like visiting.Having said that, many places in this royal palace were bombed down that day, and it was the place where the fighting was the most intense, with a strong smell of blood, who would have any leisure time to play.

Up to now, except for the main hall where the bricks and stones have been emptied and organized into an open space, the rest of the palace has been repaired, making it almost the same as before.

When the first generation of Altan Khan built this palace, it imitated the regulations of the Ming Dynasty. The second generation of Sengdu Guleng Khan added some elements from the Western Regions. Although the whole is incomparable with the Forbidden City and even the imperial palace in Nanjing. However, if you look at him as the mansion of a wealthy family, it is quite impressive.

At this time of severe winter, several gardens are covered with thick snow, but the combination of the northern scenery and this garden regulation is also somewhat moving.

Guided by Meng Duo, Wang Tong toured surrounded by guards, but he was very relaxed. When Wang Tong was welcomed into the city, he didn't care about business affairs. He walked leisurely along the way, but said a few words.

The millions of acres of fertile land around Guihua City were originally cultivated by Han Chinese serfs who were captured by the Alta tribe. Not to mention that there were often escapees, the production efficiency was also very low.

Wang Tong occupied this side, and a small part of the captured gold and silver treasures were rewarded to the officers and soldiers, some were divided among the people, and some were sent to the capital. The food and grass stored in the city and outside the city were not burned in time, but these food and grass were distributed according to the number of serfs. If you want to go on farming, you need manpower, and you need to retain these people who have adapted to life in the Northland.

After the food and grass were distributed, they could eat enough, and the new officers and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty were not only kinder than the original Tartar stewards, but also much kinder than the harsh gentry and landlords of the Ming Dynasty. Most of the serfs stayed.

The climate in the north is cold, and there is only one season in a year. If you have enough food, you don’t worry about being oppressed, and the farmers who can keep a part of the harvest for themselves are very motivated and work hard, and the harvest is quite good.

Emperor Wanli knew that he should not be in a hurry to firmly grasp Guihua City, so he gave Guihua City five years, and within five years, there was almost no tax.

After a symbolic payment of [-]% of the grain, the rest will be owned by the farmers themselves. As a result, even farmers from around Shaanxi have come over.

The shopkeeper of the Sanjiang Commercial Bank in charge of this place has a long-term perspective. After discussing with General Tan, General Tan passed on the suggestion to Meng Duo. Various commercial firms in the city came forward and bought the surplus grain from many farmers at a low price. From serfs to tenants , I have surplus grain in my hands, and I want to live a better life, and I want to buy some food and clothing, so I have to sell the surplus grain for money. Taking this opportunity, the large granaries inside and outside the city are full again.

The amount of food stored is close to the level before the war, and it relies on local production. This is very meaningful to Guihua City. It is not guaranteed to grasp the people's hearts, but it can already show that Guihua City itself can be self-sufficient , indicating that Daming has already established itself in Guihua City.

"Without Master Hou taking care of the overall situation, the little ones would not be able to do this."

Meng Duo said gratefully, this is his sincere words, a large amount of land and wealth in Guihua City belong to Wang Tong, the business in the city, and the armed forces, Wang Tong also has a great influence in it, if these If Wang Tong doesn't cooperate, he can't do anything.

The situation in Guihua City is so good now, Meng Duo has already been named and praised by Zhang Cheng and Zhang Jing, and Zou Yi has also written a letter of encouragement. Such a reputation represents a bright future.

*************
There was nothing special about the banquet, but it had a prairie style. The hall was covered with felt, and the tables were all low. Everyone sat cross-legged on the ground.

Wang Tong was seated at the head, and with General Tan's status in Guihua City, there was naturally a seat for him in this hall, but General Tan refused, saying that he was not qualified to sit in front of Wang Tong, he just had to stand and serve, so Tan Just stand behind Wang Tong, like a guard.

The layout of the hall is in accordance with the method of the Western Regions. Wang Tong's chief and the left and right second seats are in a separate space. When the banquet is not in session, the curtain is put down to divide it. Wang Tong can easily see the outside from inside. situation.

Before the banquet, all the guests who were qualified to come here from the city were seated. Several military generals stationed here and officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs, Wang Tong had seen it before, and they all came forward to salute respectfully.

The guests who came in later were all the original Han businessmen in the city, later big businessmen, and wealthy chieftains of other ethnic groups. Meng Duo had greeted Wang Tong beforehand, and said with some shame:
"... This side has been dissatisfied with Wang Hua for too long, and they don't pay much attention to rules and etiquette. Please forgive me when the time comes."

The performance of these people is really the same as what Meng Duo said, talking and laughing loudly as if there is no one else around, making a lot of noise. This mentality was also explained by the shopkeeper of Sanjiang Commercial Bank yesterday, because the wealthy merchants in Guihua City have their own armed forces. Guard when they are doing business, and will be transferred when the city defense encounters problems.

Such a policy made these rich merchants feel that they were the masters of Guihua City, and even the eunuchs sent by the palace had to rely on them to stand firm, so it was inevitable that they would be somewhat defiant.

Those merchants from Shanxi were relatively reserved, but their gestures were full of superiority. The local wealthy Han merchants talked and laughed loudly. When they saw Shanxi merchants, they were much more polite. It is also careless, but he is a little cautious when facing these Han merchants.

They don't talk about each other's superiority or inferiority, but when facing the officials of the household department and the generals in the hall, they are all very casual, and they are quite contemptuous.

Seeing that the guests were about to arrive, Meng Duo, who was talking with Wang Tong, nodded and clapped his hands with a smile. A maid stepped forward to lift up the curtain and hung it on the pillars on both sides with silver hooks.

Many acquaintances in the hall were still chatting, laughing and greeting each other, quite noisy, but at this time someone saw General Tan standing behind Wang Tong. Xungui is nothing, and the fact that Wang Tong captured Guihua City is all rumors.

They didn't have much awe of Wang Tong in their hearts, but these people knew who General Tan was. Applying the military rules of Ming Dynasty, General Tan was the guard general of Guihua City. It is the strongest and most elite armed force, and he also has the right to call and assess the guards of the entire city's commercial houses. If they fail to pass the test, they will not be allowed to continue to trade, and this general Tan and the brothers around him are related to each other. Really skilled.

The guards recruited by the rich merchants, apart from retired veterans, were all confidantes who were recruited in Daming, and some were even recruited on the grasslands. They came from various sources, but they were all quite powerful warriors.

When warriors get together, they must compete. Some people think that Tan Jiang is over 40 years old, and a group of brothers in their [-]s and [-]s are really nothing. If they are defeated, will they have a place in this city? Or even replace it.

However, he provoked troubles, was beaten by veterans, and was invited to fight one-on-one. Prestige was gradually established.

I have no idea what status Wang Tong is, but seeing General Tan standing behind Wang Tong like a guard, this kind of person must be extraordinary.

The commotion in the hall gradually quieted down, but a few wealthy local Han businessmen hurried out from behind the low table, not daring to get too close, and directly knelt on the blanket, kowtowed with the most respectful etiquette:
"Xiaomin kowtows to the commander in chief."

Meng Duo interrupted with a smile on the side and said:

"Master Wang doesn't always lead the army now, he should be called Lord Hou."

"Niu Gengang, Pan Shengcai, Tian Daqian, is your business going well?"

Wang Tong asked with a smile. The following few local Han merchants were even more excited when they heard that Wang Tong could call out their names. They kowtowed and replied:
"Thanks to Lord Hou, the business of the young ones is going well, and now they are all in Mobei and Tubo. If there is no Lord Hou, how can the young ones be where they are today."

Wang Tong nodded with a smile. The hall was even quieter. The group of people finally knew what kind of people were coming. These local Han businessmen may not be richer than those who came from Shanxi, but they are all powerful. Soldiers, now there are thousands of people called the guards. When they arrive on the grassland, the chiefs of the small tribes will respect them when they see them, and their words in the city are very important. Even Eunuch Meng will give them some points face.

Such a person kowtowed to the ground in front of Wang Tong, like the most humble servant. The hall was quiet at first, and it was unknown who took the lead, they all stepped forward and kowtowed.

************
At this time, the hall was not as noisy as before, and it was extremely quiet, and everyone sat in their seats in an orderly manner.

The banquet started, and the roasted camel was carried up. Meng Duo stepped forward with a smile, cut off a piece of neck meat with a knife, and put it in front of Wang Tong on a silver plate. After the etiquette, the waiter will divide the barbecue to the guests.

After a few glasses of wine, the atmosphere gradually became lively again. Someone sent a message. Meng Duo smiled and said to Wang Tong:
"The naturalized gentry all want to ask Lord Hou to say a few words, and invite Lord Hou"

Wang Tong nodded with a smile, pondered for a while, raised his cup and said:

"The grassland is vast, except don't fight each other, everything else you grab is yours!"

(End of this chapter)