Great Han Empire

Chapter 325 The rain is coming
February 187 AD.

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The boss, Zhao Qi, heard that the matter of appeasement had been settled, and regardless of his advanced age, under the escort of the Black Panther Yicong, he traveled day and night and rushed to Jinyang at the fastest speed.

Li Hong, Zhang Yan and others greeted each other a hundred miles away.

On the bumpy carriage, Li Hong said very apologetically: "It is really helpless for me to ask Your Majesty to come out of the mountain..."

Zhao Qi stroked his beard with a smile and said, "The general is on the mend. It has been my wish for many years to do what I can for the people of Bingzhou in my dying years. Speaking of which, I have to be grateful to the general..."

Li Hong said solemnly: "My lord calling me like this is really killing the younger generation. If you don't want to blame me, please call me a citizen."

Zhao Qi shook his hand and said with a smile: "Your Excellency is wrong. Although there is a big difference in age between you and me, the etiquette must not be messed up. There is a law with courtesy, and there is no need to talk about this. In addition, I admire you very much. Aspirations do not come at a young age. Although I am older than you in your 60s, compared with you, my life has been mediocre. I haven’t accomplished anything I want to do. I’m ashamed. Now I’m almost After I died, I was honored by the adults and came to Bingzhou to do something I wanted to do. If I can complete the farming before being buried, and let the people of Bingzhou have enough food and clothing, I will die and rest in peace. In short, I want to thank my lord."

"When I was in Luoyang, I told my lord my unfulfilled wish again and again. Fortunately, my lord remembered it in my heart and didn't forget my old bones." Zhao Qi patted Li Hong's shoulder affectionately and smiled. Said, "If my lord forgets, I will run to Bingzhou to find you."

Li Hong smiled movedly and said nothing more.Mintun is the most difficult and complicated field in Bingzhou. It is difficult to see results within a few years. As the chief officer of Mintun, Hutian Xiaowei, his responsibility and workload are huge. It is conceivable.Facing the old man with white beard and hair in front of him, Li Hong felt very uncomfortable. Now he regrets his original decision.Did I go too far for an 80-year-old man to take on such a difficult task?

Zhang Yan cupped her hands excitedly and said, "I heard from the general that the matter of Mintun will be taken care of by Mr. Boss in Bingzhou. I immediately felt relieved. I don't even want to talk about many details. Sir, do you know that I This is the third time I have seen the boss."

Zhao Qi glanced at him in surprise, then suddenly came to his senses, pointed at him and said happily, "So you are Zhang Yan."

Zhang Yan nodded again and again, "My lord, remember?"

"I remembered, I remembered." Zhao Qi said excitedly, "You are the child who carried the medicine basket for the great virtuous teacher. I haven't seen you for seven or eight years. You have grown up so much."

Li Hong was dumbfounded.And this good thing.

Zhao Qi patted his forehead, thought hard, and said: "I remember the great virtuous teacher called you Feiyan, Feiyan, and there is a child who is prettier than you, what is his name, what is his name...Nine-headed bird, yes , called the nine-headed bird."

Zhang Yan became even more excited. He grabbed Zhao Qi's hand and nodded vigorously, his eyes gradually turning red.

"Okay, okay, okay." Zhao Qi stretched out his hand to touch Zhang Yan's head, and said with a smile, "Have you improved your chess skills now?" Then he shook his head sadly, and sighed, "A group of disciples of the master, There are few people as promising as you."

Zhang Yan bowed her head in silence, her expression painful.

Zhao Qi looked at him and comforted him: "Feiyan, you have done a good job. You have to know, how many lives have you saved? If you succeed in farming, millions of refugees can live and work in Bingzhou. In fact, it is another way Master's original ideal has been realized. Under the master's nine springs, I will definitely not blame you."

Li Hong saw that the two were holding hands and they were very affectionate, so he couldn't help asking in a low voice, "Master, how did you know each other?"

"Zhang Jiao and I have been friends for many years." Zhao Qi explained, "When I was the governor of Bingzhou, a plague broke out in Jinyang one year, and he brought his disciples to cure the disease and save people. Later, when I had nothing to do, I invited a few friends to travel around. On the way, I met Zhang Jiao many times and gave lectures on the scriptures and studies together. Famous, unfortunately..."

"Although Zhang Jiao intends to save the people from the fire and water, his method..." Zhao Qi sighed and said, "Forget it, let's not talk about it, people have their own ambitions, what is right and what is wrong, future generations will have their own opinions, we ordinary people , Those who can’t see through the secrets have to do things with conscience.”

Zhao Qi smiled happily and said, "Feiyan likes to play chess. When Zhang Jiao and I were playing chess, he and that kid named Nine-headed Bird would just watch it together, and just chirped. It's annoying to talk non-stop. Therefore, I have a deep impression on these two children. I just didn't expect that the famous Zhang Yan is him, incredible, incredible."

Li Hong was overjoyed and said happily: "My lord, that nine-headed bird is also very remarkable now. He is Yang Feng, the leader of the Yellow Turban Army of the Shangdang. I am sending someone to contact him to discuss with him about recruiting."

"Oh." Zhao Qi said pleasantly, "It's such a coincidence. I will meet him when I have time."

"My lord, Master Xiangkai is also in Jinyang." Zhang Yan said.

"Haha..." Zhao Qi laughed loudly, "Okay, okay, there are too many old friends in Bingzhou, okay. After the kid on the donkey ran away from Jizhou, I was still worried about him, okay, okay."

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Li Hong and Zhang Yan gave the old man a detailed introduction to the details of recruiting and the preparations for farming.

After Zhao Qi finished listening, he immediately asked: "How to solve the matter of land ownership?"

Li Hong said: "The land in the army station is naturally owned by the imperial court. Part of the grain planted by the soldiers in the field belongs to the soldiers in the field to replace the army's salary; part of it goes to the Diannong Duwei's mansion to be used as military funds; and part of it goes to the general's headquarters in the north of the town. Peace is difficult for Zhonglang’s generals. The specific distribution plan has not yet been determined. My opinion is that we should try our best to satisfy the Tuntian soldiers and Diannong Duwei’s mansion first, and the rest will be used for the Bingzhou military supplies.”

"As for the land in Mintun, it is not suitable to sell it to individuals for the time being. First, the people have no money in their hands, and second, to prevent the rich from taking the opportunity to annex the land at a low price." Li Hong said, "If the land is owned by the imperial court for a long time, it will be rented by the people. , the people's enthusiasm for farming will be hit, so the land still has to be sold to private cultivators. I plan to discuss the matter of land sales in three years. After three years, if the initial effect of the farming and the people's food and clothing can be guaranteed, start immediately Land sales. The people’s money to buy land will be replaced by the grain they grow in five years. If they can’t pay back in five years, it will be extended for another five years.”

"How to deal with land annexation?" The old man nodded appreciatively and continued to ask.

Li Hong and Zhang Yan glanced at each other, and felt that the boss's knowledge was really extraordinary, and the things he asked were all crucial questions related to the success of farming.

"Land is the lifeline of the common people. It has nothing to do with their own life and death. They will not sell it. Therefore, on the one hand, we must strictly prohibit land trading and crack down on land mergers. The relief system provides relief to people who cannot survive due to natural disasters or diseases, so as to ensure that they can continue to live.”

Zhao Qi thought for a while and said, "This method was also used in the early days of this dynasty to prevent people from selling land privately, but it is difficult to implement. In my opinion, the key is to severely punish those who buy land privately, otherwise, There are plenty of people who dare to defy the law.”

Li Hong and Zhang Yan nodded repeatedly.

"Where's the money? What about the money for farming? The court doesn't have any money at the moment, how can we solve this money?" Zhao Qi asked seriously.

"I plan to subsidize agriculture with business." Li Hong immediately explained his idea to the boss in detail, "The key is to allow private individuals to intervene in the operation of salt and iron. From the current point of view, it is difficult to get the consent of His Majesty and the court. Big."

Zhao Qi was neither surprised by Li Hong's suggestion nor expressed his opinion, but continued to ask: "My lord, I want money, food, and supplies for farming. I want it right away. Can you give it to me right away?" ?”

"Yes, I have ordered the Zhenbei General's Mansion to do it." Li Hong said, "The first batch of grain has been transported to Jinyang, and the follow-up grain and field materials will be continuously transported to various places in Taiyuan."

Zhao Qi was overjoyed, praised Li Hong a few words, and asked: "Where is Mr. Zhang Yi, the governor of Bingzhou?"

"Master Zhang has already left Jinyang and went to Yanmen County." Li Hong replied, "But I have kept a group of officials and officials from the governor's office of Bingzhou, because they are familiar with the affairs of Bingzhou. They are all handed over to the boss, let them go to Hutian Xiaowei's mansion to serve as officials at all levels."

Zhao Qi smiled and said to Li Hong: "Okay, I don't have anything to ask, I'm starting to work in the farm."

Li Hong looked at him strangely, and asked, "Don't you ask me where the money came from? Is there any more?"

Zhao Qi laughed and said, "My lord, do you know how His Majesty and the ministers of the imperial court view Bingzhou's recruiting and farming?"

Li Hong shook his head.

"My lord's luck is like a golden toad falling from the sky, no one will believe it." Zhao Qi smiled, "The recruiting went so smoothly, not because you made too much concessions, nor because of Feiyan's active cooperation, but because of you Good luck. Your Majesty and the court officials all think that you are cheating in Bingzhou to deceive Feiyan and his Yellow Turban Army. Therefore, you are sure to be right. Even before you have reached an agreement, Your Majesty has already rewarded Feiyan. The general of Zhonglang, even I have been blessed by your good fortune, and have been granted the title of Marquis by His Majesty for no reason."

"I'm cheating?" Li Hong looked at Zhang Yan in amazement, thinking it was too absurd, "The court thinks I'm cheating?"

"That's right." Zhao Qi said with a smile, "Because everyone thinks that you are deceiving the Yellow Turban Army, there is no resistance to the offer of appeasement, and His Majesty quickly approved it."

"As for how the money comes from, I don't care. I just want you to farm the land. I'm 80 years old, and there's nothing I can't see. It's crystal clear."

"Your strategy of salt and iron is nothing new. When Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing of this dynasty believed in Taoist Huang Lao's teachings, the country was governed by doing nothing. Taxes are low, interference is less, checkpoints in various places have been cancelled, and the ban on the development of mountains and rivers has also been cancelled. Rich businessmen and merchants flow around the world, and the trade in goods is prosperous. The imperial court fully opened up various industries such as cooking salt and iron smelting, and private businesses can operate freely , Even key industries such as copper smelting and coinage have been opened up, allowing private traders to engage in coinage. Therefore, these methods of yours are not new, but if you can pick them up and use them again in this year, it will be a great thing for the Han Kingdom.”

"What kind of fields do you have without money? But farming is related to the stability and revitalization of the Han Dynasty, so it is necessary to farm, so we must find a way to get money to farm." Zhao Qi stroked his beard and smiled, "Originally, I also planned to propose to you. Bingzhou's salt and iron industry, but since your lord has already thought of it, why should I worry about it?"

Li Hong was overjoyed and hurriedly asked: "Master, do you mean that His Majesty and the imperial court will agree to my memorial?"

Zhao Qi nodded slowly, and said helplessly: "Your Excellency may not know that the salt and iron industry in the Han Kingdom has been controlled by the treacherous relatives and princes and dignitaries in the court as early as decades ago. The reason why year after year is not as good as the year is not because the salt ponds are dry and the iron mines are exhausted, but because of man-made disasters. Just like the root of the refugees and the endless rebellion is the land annexation, the root of the decline of the Han Dynasty and the depletion of the treasuries of the two governments for many years It is because salt and iron are collected in private pockets by these ministers who have harmed the country."

"My lord, His Majesty will agree with this memorial, because after the opening of the salt and iron, the income of the Shaofu will increase, and the income of the Dasinong Mansion will also increase the income of commercial taxes, which will be of great benefit to the Han Kingdom. , but for the dignitaries in the DPRK and China, it is a slap in the face and hits them to the core."

He looked up at Li Hong, and asked, "Has the memorial, my lord, been sent to Luoyang?"

"No." Li Hong shook his head and said, "I am worried that Your Majesty and the ministers in the court will strongly oppose the opening of the salt and iron industry under the pretext of violating the laws of the Han Dynasty and the ancestral system, so I have not yet prepared a memorial."

"Could the boss be willing to help?"

Zhao Qi pondered for a while, then said: "Okay, I'll write. I want to tell His Majesty what happened behind the salt and iron. I want His Majesty to know who stole His Majesty's money and who harmed the country. Who forced the common people to rise up and rebel every year."

Li Hong happily held Zhao Qi's hand, thanking him endlessly, "Your Majesty, just write, I still have a little bit of power as a general in the line of Zhenbei, even if I annoy His Majesty and all the powers in Luoyang, no one dares to do anything to me for a while .”

"Haha..." Zhao Qi said with a smile, "Even if my lord asked me to sign it, I wouldn't dare. This hornet's nest is so big, it's more than ten times bigger than the hornet's nest you poked in Xiliangsu."

Li Hong was secretly startled.

"Didn't your majesty tell you to divide your troops into four guards?" Zhao Qi said solemnly, "at this time, your lord should be more cautious, delay as much as possible, and don't divide your troops."

"Moreover, we must wait until the Yellow Turban Army of Shangdang Yang Feng has also been recruited before we can play it, lest the ministers of the court and central government interfere with it and cause accidents in the Bingzhou garrison."

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Accompanied by Yan Liang, Yang Feng rushed to Yangyi City in Taiyuan County.

He is indeed very contradictory. He is not like Zhang Yan, who is dragged down by millions of refugees.In the vicinity of Heishan, the army of him, Bai Rao and others plus refugees is only 40 to [-] people, and they are very close to Wei County in Jizhou and Hanoi County in Gyeonggi. Mountains, so it is still very comfortable to be a rogue.

Among the Yellow Turban Army in Montenegro, he and Bai Rao are the most powerful, but Bai Rao is more popular and prestigious than him, so Yang Feng purposely pulled the army to the vicinity of Shangdang, and prepared to leave the Montenegro when he had the opportunity. Ministry, separate regimes.In the conversation near Zhending City, the way out that Li Hong pointed out to them greatly inspired him.

This time Shuai Anding started an uprising in Youzhou and asked for support from the Yellow Turban in Taihang Mountain, which just gave Yang Feng the opportunity to capture Shangdang.Zhang Yan took the lead in sending troops to Taiyuan, clearing the way for Yang Feng, allowing him to easily occupy the entire territory of Shangdang.Then, his mind changed.

Under the persecution of Li Hong's army, Zhang Yan quickly agreed to be caressed, which made Yang Feng very unhappy.In any case, they were disciples of the Taiping Dao and the leaders of the Yellow Turban Army, so he couldn't accept this.

The arrival of Yan Liang and Zheng Xin did not impress him, but the arrival of Yan Liang and Zheng Xin alarmed the soldiers of the Yellow Turban Army and the refugees who followed the Yellow Turban Army. They gathered outside the city, hoping that their leader would agree to be appeased.His subordinates Li Yao, Yang Zhen and Liang Baiwu also agreed to be caressed.Yang Feng was shocked and finally wavered.

Yang Feng saw Li Hong, Zhang Yan, Zhao Qi and Xiang Kai coming out of the city to meet him, and without saying anything, he bowed to the ground.

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In the middle of this month, the Son of Heaven came to approve the appeasement plan played by Li Hong. At the same time, he named Yang Feng the captain of Heishan, and ordered Li Hong to appease the Shangdang Yellow Turban Army with this plan, and there was no need to repeat it.

This month, Zhang Chun, a rebel from Youzhou, and Bai Rao, a rebel from Heishan, both learned about Zhang Yan's appeasement, and the morale of the two Yellow Turban armies was hit to varying degrees.But Zhang Chun was not discouraged at all. Relying on the bravery of Karasuma cavalry, he commanded the army to continue southward.His purpose is still to join the Black Mountain Yellow Turban Army.

After discussions with leaders such as Bai Rao and Sui Gu, Ku Li, etc., they decided to continue to lead the army northward.Now Jizhou has fewer officers and troops, and the Yellow Turban Army has an absolute advantage in strength. Only the two armies can join forces, and it is not impossible to capture the entire territory of Jizhou.

The Son of Heaven was very anxious and urged Li Hong to quickly send troops south to Hanoi County in order to ensure the safety of the capital, but Li Hong delayed the dispatch on the grounds that the recruitment was not yet decided.The emperor was furious and ordered him to send troops north to Yanmen Pass and south to Hanoi before the end of this month, otherwise he would be charged with violating the order.

At this time, Guo Tai, the leader of the Xihe Yellow Turban Army, gathered in Baibo Valley and sent troops to capture Lishi City, the seat of Xihe County.Mrs. Guo raised troops at this time, just to drag Li Hong's army in Bingzhou, so that he would have no time to divide his troops in Jizhou.

After Li Hong received the news from Xihe County in Bingzhou, he shouted excitedly, "Okay!"

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(End of this chapter)