A small soldier of the frontier army in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 18 Concurrently serving as Tunbao Officer

Before the banquet, Xu Zhongjun was considerate of the mood of Wang Dou and others, and told them to go down and change their official clothes.

Led by a military serviceman to the side room in the backyard, Wang Dou and the others changed their official clothes, looked at each other, and laughed foolishly.

As Wang Dou was awarded the General Banner, he now had a copper and wooden waist plate on his waist, the official uniform of the General Banner was also embroidered with bold patterns, and he was wearing cowhide official boots under his feet.In the Han Dynasty, although Han Zhong was in charge of the general flag, he and Qi Tianliang and Gao Shiyin still wore official uniforms with small flags, with rhinoceros patterns on them, and hard boots on their feet.

Except for Wang Dou and Han Chao who will be calmer, Han Zhong, Qi Tianliang, and Gao Shiyin have no airs of official prestige. Looking straight ahead, Gao Shiyin kept tossing the silver in his hand and grinning openly, but his face was full of flesh, and that smile seemed a bit ferocious.

Wang Dou glanced at him with a smile, just as Gao Shiyin was also looking at Wang Dou, meeting Wang Dou's gaze, Gao Shiyin was stunned, coughed lightly, and turned his head away.

Among the few people who were born and died that day, the three of Han and Chao had clearly expressed their intention to take refuge in Wang Dou, especially after what happened just now, the expressions of the three were even more respectful.Only Gao Shiyin's attitude was unclear, perhaps because he couldn't let go of face after being beaten up by Wang Dou that day.Wang Dou ignored Gao Shiyin's thoughts for the time being.

Seeing that everyone had changed into official clothes, Wang Dou said: "Okay, the captain has set up a banquet, let's go now, so as not to keep the Shangguan waiting for a long time."

Among the crowd, Wang Dou was the leader. Seeing what Wang Dou said, several people left the side room, and Han Chao took the package he had replaced for Wang Dou, and everyone came to the official hall again.

Seeing Wang Dou and the others' new look, Xu Zhongjun and the others looked over with admiration. Wang Dou met Xu Zhongjun and the others again with the official ceremony.

Xu Zhongjun laughed and helped Wang Dou up, saying that we are all colleagues, so there is no need to be too restrained.

……

When everyone entered the table, with a senior official like Xu Zhongjun in front of them, everyone was a little cautious, not to mention Qi Tianliang didn't dare to gobble up any more, even Zhang Gui was always careful with him, sometimes when Xu Zhongjun praised him, his face was full of flattery look of joy.

During the banquet, Xu Zhongjun toasted again and again, expressing their merits for Wang Dou and others. His speech was refined and humorous. It was hard to see that he was just a military officer.I heard that he has read a lot of poetry and books, and he has a good relationship with Confucianism in Baoanzhou. Although Confucianism is just a low-level official, he is the head of the literati in the state. Now, he can get acquainted with a Confucian scholar from a thousand households, but it is enough to make people feel ashamed.

During the banquet, Xu Zhongjun made no secret of his affection for Wang Dou, and repeatedly persuaded Wang Dou to drink.He has served as Deputy Qianhu for many years, and it has been difficult for him to be promoted. Fortunately, this time Wang Dou won meritorious service. Master Xu Zucheng, the former defense officer of Shun Township Fort, was promoted to the security guard of Baoanzhou City. How can he not be happy once his worries are paid off?

Du Zhen, who was sitting next to him, also looked at Wang Dou pleasingly. He was originally a hundred households and had been serving as the team officer of Shun Township Fort. Because he usually followed Xu Zhongjun closely, he was also promoted to deputy Qianhu this time. , to manage a series of farming affairs inside and outside the fort, and having real power in his hands also made him feel high-spirited.

In the final analysis, everyone's series of promotions are all due to the merits of Wang Dou and others. How can we not make everyone feel good about Wang Dou and others?
Xu Zhongjun's affectionate look towards Wang Dou made even Zhang Gui's eyes warm when he saw it.

Slowly, Xu Zhongjun talked with Zhang Gui and others about government affairs inside and outside the fort.

Guards like them rarely have the chance to go out to fight. In addition to being strict in battle and protecting the residents, their biggest function is to manage the collection of food for the guards in the territory.

The Shunxiang Fort where Wang Dou lives is actually another name for the Zuoqianhusuo of Security Security. There are also three forts under the jurisdiction of the Dongjiazhuang Fort to collect seeds and collect grain.

The security guards have a vast geography, and there are six thousand-household offices alone. There are three thousand-household offices in the city of Bao’an City, and each of the thousand-household offices is fighting openly and secretly. To be honest, Xu Zhongjun is under a lot of pressure now, and everyone can see it. Who can see the prestige of Shangguan in front of them, but the bitterness behind them?
The military and political examinations for military officers of the Ming Dynasty are held every five years, especially for this kind of garrison army. The results of the examinations have always been based on the amount of grain and silver you collect. Especially today, the scores of officials from various places are more important.

As Xu Zhongjun's new appointment, he naturally wants to make some achievements, and maybe he can make further progress in the future, but although he is ambitious, it is just difficult to make achievements with the current situation in the field.

He looked at Zhang Gui expectantly: "Old Zhang, next year, can you increase the amount of grain stored in your fort?"

Zhang Gui's face showed embarrassment: "Right now the fields are dry, and the military households are fleeing... But Master Xu said so, I should do my best."

Xu Zhongjun looked at Zhang Gui with dissatisfaction in his eyes.

Baoanwei Zuoqianhusuo, where Shunxiang Fort is located, can be regarded as a relatively barren place among the six Qianhusuo in Baoanwei. During the Hongzhi period, there were 51 official households, more than 540 military households, and more than 70 farmlands. Qing, more than 1000 stones of grain, more than [-] catties of poplar firewood, and more than [-] bundles of grass are collected every year.The Dongjiazhuang grain field to which Zhang Gui belongs is relatively good land in the Shunxiangbao area, and the annual grain payment accounts for nearly half of it.

But that was already a matter of the Hongzhi period, and now in Chongzhen, not to mention that the entire Shun Township Fort military households have fled to less than a thousand households, or that military officers and powerful officers invaded fertile land, transferred land taxes, and fields were abandoned due to drought, etc. And so on, all make it more and more difficult to collect the grain in the station, and the same is true for Dongjiazhuang.

In fact, like other guards in the Ming Dynasty, there are many reasons for the abolishment of the Shunxiang Fort’s farmland, but the responsibility of the local military officers is more than half. Not to mention Dongjiazhuang, it is the fertile land in the entire Shunxiang Fort that was occupied by officers at all levels such as Xu Zhongjun. How much land?

Looking at Xu Zhongjun's face, Zhang Gui was a little uneasy, but he didn't dare to boast about Haikou. With Xu Zhongjun's temperament, it would be a disaster if he couldn't complete the grain storage task.He knew Xu Zhongjun well. He had been suppressed for too long, and he always wanted to do something to prove himself. At best, he was ambitious, but at worst, he was ambitious.

There was a moment of silence in the banquet, only the sound of Xu Zhongjun's fingers tapping on the table.

When Shangguan spoke, naturally Wang Dou and others did not have the share to speak, they just listened quietly from the sidelines.

Hearing this, Wang Dou's heart skipped a beat, he cupped his hands to Xu Zhongjun and Zhang Gui and said, "Master Defender, Master Captain, I have a heartless request, I would like to ask you to set up a castle to share the worries of Lord Defender and Captain. "

"Oh?"

Xu Zhongjun, Zhang Gui, and Du Zhen all looked at Wang Dou strangely. You must know that in all parts of Daming, the Guantun officials have never been taken seriously. If the expropriation of grain and dendrobium cannot be completed, they will be severely punished.

In the various guards, there have never been many officers who are willing to ask for orders to manage the fortress. Unexpectedly, this Wang Dou is willing to suffer this.In Xu Zhongjun's heart, it turned out that he also wanted to transfer Wang Dou and others into his own team.

Xu Zhongjun asked Wang Dou with a smile: "Wang Dou, why do you want to manage Tunpu?"

Wang Dou said sincerely: "Emperor Gao, the great ancestor, once said that garrisoning fields can reap the benefits of land, express the strength of the people, and provide enough food for the soldiers, so that the country can rely on it. There is no good strategy for frontier defense. Nowadays, the garrison fields in the institutes are abandoned, and the superiors have to work and worry. Wang Dou Fighting is not talented, I would like to ask for orders, and share the worries and labors of the defender and the team leader."

Xu Zhongjun and others looked at Wang Dou even more shocked. Was this Wang Dou still a soldier?Even if his family has a long history and knowledge, it is really rare!

Han Chao and the others beside him also looked at Wang Dou in admiration, feeling unfathomable in their hearts.

In fact, Wang Dou's words just now were also carefully considered. Owning his own territory and land was a thought that had been hovering in his heart not long after he came to this world.Now, although he has a certain status, money and food, he can keep himself and his family alive, but what's the use of it?Under the overturned nest, there will be no eggs. In the future catastrophe, who knows if it will be nothing?In troubled times, it is fundamental to have your own territorial power!

And the power of the land is land, money and food, and population. To obtain these, military settlements are the most effective and fastest way!As far away as Cao Cao, as close as the Ming Taizu, they all started with military settlements, especially the Ming Taizu, who fed millions of soldiers without spending a penny on the people, relying on the Weisuo to farm the fields.

Ancestors have jewels and jades in front, and now I am the general banner, and I am qualified to manage the farmland, and now I have this opportunity, how can I not work hard to seize it?In the eyes of others, it is a hard job, but it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him!
Of course, the management of farmland is also very difficult. Nowadays, military households in the guard are constantly fleeing. Farming requires a young and strong population, and land reclamation and management requires money and food. These are the problems that Wang Dou will need to overcome in the future!The difficulties are great, but the prospects are equally good, Wang Dou will not give up.

Of course Xu Zhongjun didn't understand what Wang Dou was thinking, he just sighed, it's rare to have a person who understands and volunteers to solve Shangguan's worries and problems, it's really rare.

He looked at Wang Dou for a long time, and sighed: "Wang Dou, you have such a mind, it is really commendable."

Zhang Gui was also very happy. When Wang Dou came out like this, he successfully diverted Xu Zhongjun's attention from him, and Wang Dou made such a statement, as a directly subordinate Shangguan, his face was very radiant.

And to be honest, if Wang Dou can do a good job of farming in the future, it will be very beneficial to him.Nowadays, most of the young and strong men in the Daming Guards are selected to serve as soldiers in various battalions. The garrison officers and soldiers like them actually have very few opportunities to kill the enemy and make meritorious service. maximum standard.

Following Xu Zhongjun's back, Zhang Gui immediately asked: "Brother Wang has such a mind, it is indeed commendable. Tell me, among the three forts below Dongjiazhuang, which one would you like to go to?"

When the opportunity came, Wang Douqiang held back the joy in his heart. He said calmly: "There are a lot of wasteland along the Dongfang River in Jingbiandun. I am willing to recruit soldiers and civilians to reclaim it and build a new fort!"

It's a joke, every fort in Shun Township Fort has a lot of disadvantages, instead of wasting energy there, it's better to start from scratch.

Zhang Gui was more pleased that Wang Dou was willing to reclaim the land by himself, which saved a series of complicated personnel transfers and saved himself a lot of effort. He pondered and said, "The Yandun is so important that you can't leave it lightly. How about it, brother Wang He is the head of Jingbian Dunjia, and he is also the head of Xinbao Village. If you need anything in the future, just come to me!"

Xu Zhongjun said: "Xintunbao should be called Jingbianbao. Wang Dou, you just go ahead and do it yourself. The officials are the masters. The fields reclaimed by Xinbao should be paid for. For three years, no one will be involved, and no one else will be allowed. Zhengchao, you just need to settle down and cultivate.”

With Xu Zhongjun and Zhang Gui's guarantee, Wang Dou was overjoyed, it would be much more convenient for him to act in the future, he got up and thanked the two deeply.

Xu Zhongjun said to Du Zhen again: "Lord Du, Wang Zongqi is commendable for his loyalty and bravery. He is willing to work for the camp. You, a superior, should help a lot!"

Du Zhen, as deputy Qianhu and clerk, is in charge of all farming affairs inside and outside the institute. Hearing this, he hurriedly said: "Don't worry, Mr. Xu, I will save you as an official. The cattle, seeds and other things that Wang Zongqi will need for the fort in the future, The lower officials will give you convenience!"

……

After Wang Dou and the others bid farewell and left, they watched Wang Dou's figure go away. After a long time, Xu Zhongjun said slowly: "This Wang Dou is not bad, it's not easy!"

When Wang Dou and others left the official hall, Xie Xiuniang was also sent out by Mrs. Zhang Gui's wife Tian.

Xie Xiuniang's expression was a bit grim, she always felt that she did not perform well just now, when Mrs. Guan Dui talked about all kinds of things, she kept asking three questions. Will such performance affect the image of Brother Wang Dou in front of others?

Seeing her appearance, Wang Dou casually asked a few words, smiled, didn't care, and comforted her a few words.

After leaving the fort, everyone rode their horses and hurried forward. Everyone was wearing brand-new official clothes and a healthy horse under their crotch. The so-called fresh clothes and angry horses, life is nothing but happiness!
Wang Dou was riding on the horse, and the joy in his heart was even more indescribable.

A little husband must not be without money for a day, and a big man must not be without power for a day!Wang Dou has always thought of himself as a real man, how can a real man not have power and status?In his previous life, he was keen on power, but after arriving in Ming Dynasty, he was even more eager. Now that he has finally reached the first step of his goal, how can he not be happy?

The sunset glows in the sky, and the mountains and rivers are magnificent!
The country is so delicate, it attracts countless heroes!

Wang Dou couldn't help his heart surging. He jumped off his horse and rushed to a hill in front of him, cheering and howling on the hill, singing freely back and forth.

Han Zhong and the others responded loudly and strangely at the foot of the slope.

Xie Xiuniang looked at Wang Dou from a distance, her little heart was also full of joy.

"End of Volume One"

※※※

Old White Bull:
The first volume is finally over, and our Wang Dou has also ended his career of being a white man and struggling to survive, and finally has a certain amount of capital and official position.Next is the protagonist farming and running his own fortress, to see how he gradually develops his own power from scratch, among which various humanities and world conditions, conflicts between character ideas and interests, to see how the protagonist resolves them one by one, and moves forward in an orderly manner go.

I have been thinking about Xiaobing for a long time. The last ten years of the Ming Dynasty was a magnificent era. There are many things to write, and many characters and stories are worth remembering. I will try my best to write wonderfully.

(End of this chapter)