Chapter 1068 Changes
Iron is one of the most important materials in any dynasty.
There is no exception in ancient and modern times, China and foreign countries.
Why is Guan Zhong so awesome?
Because he was the first to propose "Guan Shan Hai".
When Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty arrived, he also established a salt and iron monopoly.
To put it bluntly, there are only two words: make money!
Especially in this era, iron is money!
However, if you want to dig iron ore in Dahan, there is still a hurdle, and that is to get a license from the court first.
And if you want to get a license from the court, the fastest way is...
Xu Xun looked up at his brother, climbed up, walked up to him, and asked quietly:
“Brother, does Fourth Sister-in-law know about this?”
Feng Junhou glanced at him sideways and asked:
“What fourth sister-in-law? Who is fourth sister-in-law?”
“That’s right, it’s Sister-in-law Zhang!” Xu Xun gestured and pointed to the edge of the guide.
Feng Junhou continued to squint: "Do you think I should let her know?"
Shameless!
Now you finally remember that she is your fourth sister-in-law?
Xu Xun showed no shame at all, and even said confidently:
Fourth sister-in-law even gave birth to a child for you, and you still don’t want to admit it? Could it be that you want to be the unlucky person?
If you don’t want to admit it, you have to ask the brothers in the association if they agree?
It’s just that the fourth sister-in-law knows about it, so doesn’t the royal family also know about it?
If the royal family knows, it is equivalent to the court knowing.
Xu Xun began to get entangled again.
Feng Junhou looked at his useless look and said with some disdain:
"Don't worry, I have already negotiated with your fourth sister-in-law and asked her to apply to the palace for three or five iron smelting workshops for the Xinghan Association."
"Either in Jiuyuan or Pingcheng. Considering the Xinghanhui has made great contributions to the country for so many years, there is probably no problem."
Xu Xun was shocked when he heard this:
“Three or five?!”
He thought it would be good to have one or two, but he didn't expect that his brother's appetite was much greater than he thought.
"That's a border area, not in Guanzhong." Feng Junhou snorted twice, "The imperial court hopes that Xinghan will invest more money and food there."
In a core area like Guanzhong, even multiple encirclement areas are not feasible.
But in the border areas, especially in places where Han and Hu people live together, it is completely different.
From the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period to the present, no matter which dynasty or generation, various forms of immigration have never stopped.
Before the "Great Sending", China had always had a very strong sense of expanding its territory and opening up new territories.
Let alone a unified dynasty like the Han Dynasty.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty alone packed countless thousands of people into border counties.
Of course, in the past, it would have been impossible to build an iron smelting workshop there.
After all, it is close to the Hu area, and Han and Hu people live together. If iron is smelted in the border area, the iron tools will easily fall into the hands of the Hu people.
During the Pre-Han Dynasty, the imperial court had strict requirements on the height and size of the horses that were usually sent out to the fortress, let alone iron tools.
But now it’s very different.
Barbarians?
What kind of barbarian?
Isn’t that labor?
I heard that someone in the imperial court had already reported that revitalizing the Han Dynasty would violate the prime minister’s policy.
It was promised that the Han and the barbarians would be one, but the Xinghan Hui was engaged in the shady business of buying and selling labor every year...
Fortunately, the emperor was wise and did not listen to those pedantic remarks.
Otherwise, do you think that the royal sugar cane plantation in Nanzhong, the horse farm in Longyou, and the workshop in Liangzhou all produced things out of thin air?
Since King Feng Gui weaved wool from wool, the man's desire for pasture has become stronger.
It is impossible for a big man to give up such a good pasture as Jiuyuan and Hepingcheng - without pasture, where would the war horses come from?
Where did the wool come from?
Not only must we not give up, but we must also strengthen management, so it is imperative to implement border reclamation.
Even during the Unification Period, transporting supplies from Guanzhong to Jiuyuan was a heavy burden.
Not to mention that the world is not unified yet.
So if you want your horse to run fast, you must feed it not only grass but also refined grains.
Since the Xinghan Hui is expected to make great efforts to colonize the border areas, the imperial court cannot provide any supplies, so it can always provide some preferential policies, right?
Let’s not talk about the state subsidizing grain for a few years like the former Han Dynasty.
Even if we are to do it ourselves and be self-reliant, we still have to be given quotas in a few iron smelting workshops.
The iron smelted in these workshops can be used to make agricultural tools.
A big iron lump like an eight-oxen plow is not something that ordinary people can afford.
But it is most suitable to be used in a vast world like the border.
As long as the eight-oxen plow is used, within a few years, the border areas will have enough food and clothing, and can even provide food and grass for the garrison.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to accomplish everything in one fell swoop?
Although Xu Xun already knew in advance that there was an iron mine there, he was still stunned when he heard Feng Junhou's words.
This statement... sounds very reasonable!
If it were me, I would also wish that the Xinghan Society could have a big fight in the border areas.
In any case, only a few workshop quotas are promised, which will not only bring peace to the border, but also provide access to vast pastures, and at the same time reduce the central government's supply burden on the border army.
Only a fool would not do such a good thing.
The governor of Jiuyuan Dudu Mansion appointed Huo Yi, and the governor of Bingzhou appointed Deng Zhi.
One is a person who came from the imperial palace, and the other is a veteran of the two dynasties who followed the late emperor. They are both loyal and reliable people.
With them here, there won’t be any big problems in these two places.
Xu Xun figured this out and said sincerely:
“Brother, it’s really a coincidence... Ahem, it’s really a thorough understanding, to the point, a long-term plan, and a foresighted plan.”
As my brother said, how much contribution has the Xinghan Society made to the Han people over the years?
Coupled with the expansion of border areas this time, it can be regarded as sharing the country's worries.
After these remarks were reported to the court, Sister-in-law Zhang also interceded with the palace.
Unless the imperial court wants to abolish martial arts and deliberately targets the Xinghan Hui, otherwise it will basically agree to this request of the Xinghan Hui.
However, Xu Xun still has a doubt in his heart:
“If our iron smelting workshop is only used to make farm tools, will the imperial court believe it?”
Feng Junhou chuckled: "The main thing is to make farm tools, but there will definitely be some other things. The court also knows that there is no need to be suspicious."
There is a saying in later generations: Tangshan is the location of the world’s third largest steel producer—excluding the output it conceals.
As for this group of hunchbacks in the Han Dynasty, even if they sent people in to check the accounts, Feng Junhou was sure that they would not find anything wrong.
Do you know where the most proficient math students in the world come from?
Do you know who their mountain chief is?
“What else can you build?”
Xu Xun became even more confused when he heard this.
What exactly did your brother say to Hanzhong?
Why did the imperial court allow the Xinghan Hui to have such great power in the border areas?
“Build farm tools, repair farm tools, and build coal stoves for local people and herdsmen. We definitely can’t build the standard military weapons, but we can still build some arrow clusters.”
The people of the Han Dynasty couldn't help but use bows and arrows, so naturally they couldn't help using arrow feathers.
With the relationship with Xinghanhui, we can make arrow feathers for the local garrison. If you want to find a way, you can definitely find it.
After all, if the imperial court built it in Guanzhong and then transported it to the border areas, the cost would definitely be much higher than that of building it locally.
If Xinghanhui's workshop can reduce the cost to a lower level than that of the imperial court, then this business will be considered stable.
Even in later generations, there is no reason to say that everything should be borne by state-owned enterprises and central enterprises.
"Which of these things does not require the use of iron? No matter how much money the court has, there is no reason to waste it on these odds and ends."
At any rate, he is a boss-level figure, and this matter does not affect the overall situation of the border army. Feng Junhou believes that he is still capable of pushing forward this resolution.
Besides, do you really think that the imperial court has endless money to spend?
At the critical moment of reviving the Han Dynasty, since we don’t want to give up the border areas, we don’t want to spend more money.
As I said before, the imperial court does not have enough materials to support the reclamation in the border areas, so preferential policies must be provided, right?
Otherwise, who will work for you in vain?
Let the local government provide some arrow feathers to the border troops, which can be regarded as saving a lot of money.
Then who should do this outsourcing work?
The Xinghan Hui who is willing to colonize the border areas is naturally the best choice.
If you can’t even trust the Xinghan Society, who else can you trust?
Do you believe in those aristocratic families?
Between a biological son and a bastard, the court still doesn’t know which one to choose?
Besides, the border areas are so messy, so it is normal to use iron to forge some weapons.
As long as it is not making prohibited weapons.
It cannot be said that weapons should not be banned in the mainland, but should be banned in the border areas, right?
Wouldn’t that just leave the people in the border areas to be slaughtered by others?
This has never been something that a strong man with a strong martial spirit would do.
Xu Xun is not yet qualified to participate in the formulation of the national policy of the Han Dynasty.
He was originally worried about how to get the iron smelting license from the court.
Now that I heard these words from Feng Junhou's mouth that might become a court meeting, I suddenly came to my senses.
At the same time, I secretly felt ashamed.
Brother has already considered the problem from the perspective of the national policy of the Han Dynasty, but he is still just thinking about how to make camp, so ashamed!
With his brother’s words, Xu Xun couldn’t help but feel confident:
“Brother, what should we do next? Do we want to inform everyone first?”
Feng Junhou smiled, lay back in the chair, and said slowly:
"There's no rush. Don't tell anyone about this matter. I want to wait for news about Erlang."
The Erlang mentioned by Feng Junhou is naturally his most loyal younger brother Zhao Erlang.
At the same time, he is also the second person in the Xinghan Association. This person can be said to be very good at handling the "two" character.
“Zhao Erlang? He is not in Hanzhong…”
Old General Zhao passed away six months ago. At this time, Zhao Erlang has not returned to Guanzhong, indicating that he is most likely observing filial piety.
“In the current national crisis, General Zhao is dedicated to serving the country, so how can he make people observe filial piety for too long?”
Feng Junhou sighed first, and then said:
“Erlang sent a letter a month ago, saying that he was ready to return to the army, but I asked him to go to Liangzhou first.”
“Liangzhou?”
“Yes, Liangzhou.”
Feng Junhou nodded:
“Last year we led the army to fight against the Wei thieves at the front, and someone caused some trouble in Liangzhou.”
Listening to Feng Junhou's calm tone, Xu Xun's heart suddenly beat half a beat faster for no apparent reason.
Feng Junhou sighed:
"This battle has been going on for too long, and you and Hong Lang (Liu Liang) have also left. There are no important figures in the meeting in Liangzhou."
“So the people below did something extraordinary.”
Xu Xun swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
Brother can't live without him now in Guanzhong. As the second person in the meeting, Zhao Erlang went to Liangzhou to deal with this matter in person.
As you can imagine, the so-called "some outrageous things" are by no means simple.
Xu Xun didn’t ask any more questions and nodded:
“I understand, I will obey my elder brother’s arrangements in everything.”
He paused and asked again:
“My younger brother will be escorting supplies to Jiuyuan in the near future. I wonder if my brother has any instructions?”
“Instructions don’t count. I told you about the iron mines and iron smelting workshops in advance, just to ask you to go back and make some preparations.”
Feng Junhou sat up straight, and the smile returned to his face:
"After returning to Jiuyuan, when Huo Shaoxian (i.e. Huo Yi) goes to Jiuyuan to be the governor, don't make things difficult for others, and hand over what should be handed over."
“Of course, he may also let you serve in the Dudu’s Mansion. The Chief Shi or the Guards of the Dudu’s Mansion probably won’t be able to escape.”
"When the time comes, you can see what your wishes are. If you want to stay, you can stay. If you want to go back to Guanzhong, you can come back."
When Xu Xun heard this, he was overjoyed and said:
“What’s the point of returning to Guanzhong when a man is making great achievements?”
Although he was the staff officer of Liangzhou Army in the past, how many staff officers did Liangzhou Army have?
Now that you have become a long history officer or a guardian of the governor's palace, you have officially entered the ranks of the local governors of the Han Dynasty.
If you are transferred to another place in the future, you will already be qualified to compete for the position of county governor.
If there is someone in the court, the position of the prefect is basically stable.
A person from the imperial court...
Xu Xun looked at Feng Junhou, his lips almost grinning to his ears:
With the power of my brother, who is an ordinary minister, how many people in the court can be greater than him?
If he is transferred back to the court instead of to another place, he will not be able to enter the main hall when he goes to court.
But at least you can stand on the cloister instead of standing below where the wind and sun will blow you.
Feng Junhou yawned.
Xu Xun understood:
“Brother, please rest first, little brother, please leave.”
Seeing Feng Junhou nod, Xu Xun happily retreated.
Compared with Xu Xun's overjoyed appearance, Zhao Guang's face was gloomy in Liangzhou.
He has a few scars on his face, but although they don't affect his handsome appearance, they add a bit of masculinity to him.
But when his face turned gloomy, these scars seemed to become more ferocious.
“Lang Jun, Lang Jun, spare your life! The villain was temporarily blinded by lard, so he agreed to them. It was really not intentional...”
The person kneeling below is a man with scars on his face.
However, this man’s scar was much deeper, and the new flesh that had been turned up was in stark contrast to the old flesh, which looked a bit scary.
At this time, this man who looked like a tough man was bursting into tears with a look of regret on his face.
Behind him, there were many people, some of whom were already paralyzed on the ground, their bodies shaking like chaff.
On both sides of these people are two rows of veterans standing with swords in hand.
The middle and senior management of the Liangzhou Xinghan Hui branch were basically present.
Zhao Erlang stared at the man below, and after a long time, he said:
“Brother has told me before that some of us are not afraid of thieves’ swords and arrows made of fine iron, but they may fall under sugar-coated swords and arrows.”
"I originally couldn't figure out what this meant, but now that I see your appearance, I finally understand your brother's good intentions."
“Captain You, in the battle at Xiaoguan, when you retreated to cover your comrades, you were hit by seven arrows. All seven arrows were in your chest, none of them were behind your back, but you never took a step back.”
“I remember the stabbing on your face very clearly. It was the thieves who stabbed you in the face with a halberd.”
Having said this, Zhao Guang stood up and kicked him bitterly, knocking him to the ground:
“In view of your past achievements, we have specially arranged a good position for you in the association. You will get dividends in one year that others may not be able to get in ten years.”
ify is your house lacking food or clothing?
Zhao Guang became more and more excited as he spoke, "If you don't want me, just tell me. Which brother in the meeting will bleed and shed tears?"
“It’s only been a few years? It’s only been a few years! You’ve become like this!”
"Do you know how difficult it is for you to let your brother do this this time? Do you know how many thoughts the court has about the meeting because of this matter?"
Captain You huddled on the ground, not sure whether it was because he was in pain or because he was afraid to move.
He just shed tears and murmured:
“I’m sorry to the king, I’m sorry to everyone…”
(End of this chapter)