Chapter 776 Preparation
The county seat of Wudu County is not in Wudu County, but in Xiabian County.
Because Xiabian has the largest valley plain in Wudu, and the rivers flowing down from the remaining Qinling Mountains bring abundant water, it is known as the small granary of Longyou.
So it is the most important grain-producing area and population gathering area in Wudu.
How important is it?
Controlling this place is equivalent to controlling Wudu.
This is very similar to the entire Longyou.
The Longyou area may seem quite large, but in fact, the main grain-producing areas are concentrated in Tianshui County.
Controlling Tianshui County is equivalent to controlling more than half of Longyou.
The counties surrounding Tianshui all serve as guards to protect the core of Tianshui County from intrusion.
Of course, due to the improvement of farming tools and farming level, the area from Pingxiang to Zuli in the north can also be used as a reclamation area.
This is also the reason why Feng Yong set the seat of the Qiang Protector's Office in Pingxiang.
In addition to being convenient to support the Longshan Pass to the east, threatening Liangzhou to the west, and being supported by the Longyou Dudufu to the south, it is also convenient for reclamation and reducing the pressure on grain transportation.
However, this land reclamation area can only be maintained for daily use by the Qiang Protector's Office.
In wartime, the need for food and grass increased sharply, and we still had to rely on the rear.
Although dry food has been widely promoted in the military, although Dongfeng Express has higher transportation efficiency than this era.
But no matter how much we change, it cannot change the limitations of the times.
If other people can transport grain thousands of miles and get one point out of ten, Dongfeng Express only increases one point to three or four points.
So in the past two years, there has been pressure to transport grain.
It is a very important task for Longyou to achieve self-sufficiency as soon as possible.
Wudu County connects Longyou and Hanzhong, and Xiabian County is a small granary, so it is naturally the target of vigorous reclamation.
However, the position of Xiabian is a bit special.
The Western Han River does not pass through Xiabian, which means that Xiabian County is not on the main transportation road between Hanzhong and Longyou.
On the other hand, Wudu County, named after Wudu, is not the county seat of Wudu County, but it is located right on the waterfront of the Western Han Dynasty.
After passing Wudu County, the rest of the journey is along the mountain road formed by the Western Han River, which is the most difficult to walk.
So Wudu County can be regarded as the most important transfer station between Qishanbao and Hanzhong, so Dongfeng Express will naturally build a warehouse here.
When Feng Yong and his party arrived in Wudu County, they did not stay in a post house, but in the Dongfeng Express stronghold.
This time it rained continuously, and there was never a day of clear skies. After the heavy rain fell, the sky was still gloomy, and the light rain continued sparsely.
When God had enough rest, the light rain turned into heavy rain again.
Xu Xun was afraid that Feng Yong would continue to move forward forcefully, so he found an opportunity and roped in Li Yi to persuade him together.
Feng Yong, who had changed into dry clothes, sat casually on the floor, looking at the rain outside the window with a leisurely expression. The **** tea on the low table was steaming.
Seeing Xu Xun and Li Yi arriving hand in hand, Feng Yong was a little surprised:
"We are all tired after traveling such a long way in the rain. Why don't Wenxuan and Yuande take a rest? Sit down and drink some **** tea first to ward off the cold."
Speaking, he personally poured a cup of tea for each of them.
It is now the end of summer, approaching autumn, and the temperature has begun to drop compared to midsummer.
In addition, it was raining and I was still a little chilly after getting wet.
The two of them knelt down and sat opposite Feng Yong as instructed.
Xu Xun had a little worry on his face:
“Brother, I have walked this road no less than ten times in the past two years, and I know this road very well.”
“According to my experience, if we continue to walk forward in this weather, the mountain road will be too muddy and difficult to navigate.”
“Especially if it rains continuously now, there will be rockslides and landslides on the mountain, so I think it’s better to wait until the rain stops and send someone to check first.”
“Make sure there’s nothing going on ahead, brother, it’s not too late to start again.”
Hearing this, Feng Yong understood the intention of the two people and smiled slightly: "Yuan De is interested."
As for mudslides, Feng Yong naturally knew the dangers involved.
Seeing Feng Yong’s expression calm, Xu Xun thought that Feng Yong didn’t care about what he said, so he was a little anxious at the moment:
"Brother, don't underestimate the mountain road landslide. This is more dangerous than a flood. Once a person encounters it, he will never be able to escape."
“My brother has a body of ten thousand gold and is connected with countless connections, but he still considers safety.”
Feng Yong nodded: "I know what Yuan De said. But I haven't thought about moving on in the past few days."
At this point, he looked in a certain direction, "Yuande knows, I am going to Xiabian from Wudu. How is the road condition?"
Xu Xun was relieved when he heard that Feng Yong had no intention of forcing his way on the road. Unexpectedly, Feng Yong suddenly mentioned the argument again, and he was shocked.
"Brother, you want to go to Xiabian? But if you go to Hanzhong from Xiabian, not only do you have to take a long detour, the distance is much longer, and it's even more difficult."
Two years ago, the Cao thieves entered Sanguan and took the old route to Hechi County. They were blocked by General Zhao at Lueyang and were not allowed to go any further east. This was precisely because the terrain when entering Hanzhong from Hechi County was extremely dangerous.
In the end, Cao's thieves had no choice but to turn west, hoping to seize Xiabian in an attempt to cut off the food route for the Northern Expedition. Unexpectedly, the prime minister had already set up an ambush in Xiabian and wiped out all 20,000 of Cao's thieves' elite troops.
If you and your group are transferring from Wudu to Bian, you have to go through Hechi County, then from Hechi County to Lueyang, and finally from Lueyang to Hanzhong.
Compared with traveling directly from Wudu County along the West Han River to Lueyang, it takes more than half a month to go around.
Li Yi, who was on the side, was thinking more quickly, so he immediately interjected: "Brother, do you want to argue something?"
Feng Yong glanced at Li Yi appreciatively and said, "I do have something to discuss with Governor Liao when I come here this time."
The governor of Wudu is none other than Liao Hua.
Hearing Feng Yong’s words, Li Yi and Xu Xun looked at each other, their eyes full of confusion.
I have never heard that my brother had any major contacts with Liao Hua before. What's more, at this time, my brother is a prince, has a noble status and holds real power. How could he take the initiative to discuss things with Liao Hua?
Feng Yong did not deliberately conceal it, he just explained:
“Some time ago, when the Nanxiang engineering team was building the official road between Xiaben and Wudu, they discovered a treasure.”
"As the captain of the Qiang Protector, I can only stay in the area under my jurisdiction. I cannot go anywhere else easily, let alone go to find the governor of other counties in private."
“I just took this opportunity to meet Governor Liao and talk to him about this matter.”
Hearing Feng Yong's words, both Li Yi and Xu Xun's hearts skipped a beat.
The one who can make his brother say the word "baby" must be a big treasure!
“But I don’t know what the treasure my brother is talking about is?”
“Lead mine.”
As soon as these words came out, Li Yi's eyes widened.
Xu Xun was even more exaggerated. He couldn't even close his mouth. He couldn't hold back his saliva. A trace of sparkle hung down from the corner of his mouth...
“Chiliu”!
Xu Xun sucked back his saliva, then moved his throat, walked directly to Feng Yong, and asked eagerly:
“Brother, is the lead I’m talking about used to make copper coins? How much is it?”
Feng Yong smiled, "There seems to be only one kind of lead in the world, right? The amount of lead in Xia Bian is very large."
Coining money itself is an extremely profitable business.
The so-called copper coins are not only made of copper, but also mixed with other metals.
For example, iron.
It's just that the density of iron is smaller than that of copper. The more iron is mixed in, the lower the quality of copper coins and the lower the value of copper coins.
Although this method allows the government to plunder a large amount of wealth in a short period of time, it does so at the expense of the country's economic potential and the government's credibility.
The so-called fraud is fun for a while, but will be cremated afterwards.
The credibility of the government will be lost, the people will be unwilling to use legal tender, and this will lead to hyperinflation and people's livelihood, which will only backfire on the entire country.
If you want to maintain the quality of copper coins while maintaining huge profits, with the current level of casting, it is best to add lead.
As long as the proportion is controlled well, you can get the maximum profit.
It can be said that in this regard, the value of lead is second only to copper.
“Brother, what are we waiting for? Hurry up and get someone to dig it!”
Li Yi also blurted out with shortness of breath.
Feng Yong smiled helplessly when he saw the two men's gaffes.
When I told Old Demon Zhuge about the copper mine, the prime minister of Han Dynasty, who was as steady as an old dog, couldn't sit still.
It is not surprising that Li Yi and Xu Xun had this reaction when they heard that there was a lead mine in Xiabian.
He shook his head, and then nodded to two more people:
"Now the imperial court is implementing a monopoly on salt and iron. What do you want to do?"
Feng Yong’s words were like pouring a basin of cold water on their heads, making them calm down.
Given the current situation of the Han Dynasty, unless they want to rebel, the treasure in the ground can only be dug up by the imperial court.
"But brother, only the prime minister can make the decision on this kind of matter. I'm afraid it will be useless to talk to the prefect of Wudu County..."
Xu Xun said hesitantly.
Li Yi has been following Feng Yong for so long, and his horizons are much higher than Xu Xun's. After being reminded by Feng Yong, he immediately reacted and interrupted Xu Xun's words directly:
“Yuan De’s words are wrong! If this matter is reported to the authorities, won’t the Prime Minister have to ask someone to dig it up in the end?”
“How to arrange the manpower, equipment, transportation, etc.? Can the imperial court alone take care of it all?”
A large mine can prosper a place. When a place is prosperous, there will be more things to do.
Nanxiang is the best example.
Whoever can take the lead will take advantage.
Xiabian County is the county government of Wudu County. It will be a hundred benefits without any harm to establish a good relationship with the county governor. If a beneficial relationship can be formed, that will be even better.
Xu Xun also reacted. He couldn't help but clasped his hands together:
“I see! We can’t get our hands on the lead mine in Xiabian anyway, so we might as well tell the governor of Wudu County the news.”
“Let him share some of the credit. In this way, his relationship with us will naturally be closer!”
Li Yi once again refuted Xu Xun’s words:
"Prefect Liao of Wudu County has a close relationship with the Guan family. If my brother informs Prefect Liao of this news in person, it will not just be to close the relationship. In the future, Xinghan will act in Wudu, and it will have nothing to do with Yuexun. the difference?"
After the fall of Jingzhou, the Guan family was overthrown by everyone in Shu. Most people hid from the Guan family as if they were avoiding the plague. Liao Hua was one of the few exceptions who had contact with the Guan family.
The reason is also very simple. Liao Hua was Guan Yu's boss at that time.
Furthermore, Liao Hua was born into a wealthy family in Jingzhou and was a member of the Jingzhou faction in Sichuan. After the Battle of Yiling, he was transferred to the Prime Minister's Mansion by Zhuge Laoyao to join the army.
So in the most difficult years for the Guan family, Liao Hua was of great help to the Guan family.
For Guan Ji, she has always regarded Liao Hua as an elder.
As Guan Ji’s husband-in-law, Feng Yong now has the opportunity to help Liao Hua, so he naturally has to do his best.
So whether it was in terms of the interests of Xinghanhui or as the son-in-law of the Guan family, it was necessary for Feng Yong to communicate with Liao Hua first.
Otherwise, when Junhou Feng returns to the house, he may be kicked out of bed by his wife.
Xu Xun finally understood it completely and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes!"
At the same time, he was thinking in his heart, who doesn’t know that his brother is, well, very affectionate towards his sister-in-law. No wonder his brother deigned to go to see Prefect Liao in person.
Feng Junhou naturally didn’t know what his younger brother was thinking, so he asked:
“In the past two years, I heard that the reclamation in Xiabian has been going well, and many Di and Qiang people have been attracted?”
“Brother, it’s true.”
As a qualified manager, the importance of Wudu to Dongfeng Express's Hanzhong to Longyou line is self-evident, so he naturally has to master the basic situation of Wudu.
“During the Battle of Longyou, Chief Hu forcefully gathered the Qiang and Di people from Wudu and Yinping in order to respond to Cao’s thieves. Unexpectedly, he was ambushed and defeated by the Prime Minister.”
“This battle not only eliminated the Hu people in Wudu and Yinping, but also moved many tribes to Xiaben for cultivation.”
Hmm, familiar recipe, familiar taste.
The old demon Zhuge did the same thing when he was conquering Nanzhong.
First, pretend to be confused, let the opponent think that there is a great chance, take the initiative to gather the scattered tribes, and then KO them all at once.
As Xu Xun spoke, he seemed to have thought of something and burst out laughing.
“Speaking of this, there is another interesting anecdote. I wonder if my brother has heard of it.”
“Oh, come and listen.”
Feng Yong said with great interest.
Over the past two years, I have been focusing on the affairs of the Hu people in Longyou and Liangzhou. The only news I paid attention to in Wudu County was the lead mine in Xiabian. As for other news, I had never paid attention to it.
"That's right. Originally, the Qiang and Di people in Wudu and Yinping were forcibly moved to Xiabian for cultivation, and some people even thought about escaping."
"Unexpectedly, later on, I found that I could actually get food while working there, and my life was more prosperous than before. The news spread, and some tribes came out of the mountains and wanted to go to Xiabian to find food."
“Isn’t it strange that the barbarians and barbarians who are now farming in Xia Bian can’t be driven away even with whips?”
Hearing this, Feng Yong also laughed.
"These people are actually the same. When they live in this world, the first thing they do is to think of ways to fill their stomachs so that they don't starve to death."
“You have to dress warmly and avoid freezing to death. Only if you survive can you think of other things.”
Feng Yong sighed, "Liu Liang received news from Xiping that in winter, it is common for Hu people to exchange their wives and daughters for wool and wine in order to avoid freezing to death."
Xiping County is actually the Qinghai area in later generations. According to Feng Yong’s previous experience in the northwest, the temperature in that area in winter was basically more than ten degrees below zero.
In addition, now is the Little Ice Age, the temperature will only be lower, freezing to death is common.
Hard liquor is considered expensive in Longyou, but it is even rarer in Xiping.
Some barbarians in Xiping, in order to get a jar of strong wine, gave away not only their wives but also their daughters without blinking an eye.
It is a great good thing that the Hu Yi who were moved to Xiabian can have food to eat.
Although this meal is sometimes filled with bran, it is still much better than starving to death and freezing to death in winter.
After all, you can’t expect everyone to be compassionate Feng Langjun, working tirelessly to improve the living standards of Hu Yi brothers.
In the era of Han chauvinism, it was a great progress for the Han people to be able to shout out the slogan of unity between Han and barbarians, allowing Han people to live in peace with the barbarians, and proactively integrate the barbarian brothers with a gentle attitude.
"Since the cultivation in Xiabian has been very effective, I think there should be some grain in it. If there is a chance, I would also like to buy a batch of grain from Prefect Liao and transport it to Pingxiang nearby."
No matter how small the mosquito meat is, it is still meat, and there is no need to have too much food.
Due to changes in the methods of governing the Hu people, the newly established Qiang Protector's Office was used as a testing ground by the Han Prime Minister.
Only set the upper limit of the number of troops in the Qiang Guards' Mansion, the taxes that need to be paid every year, and the five-year governance time limit.
Everything that remains, such as the shortage of troops, as well as food, weapons, armor, etc., must be dealt with by the Qiang Xiaowei Mansion.
It seems that Feng Yong was allowed to let go of his hands and feet. In fact, the fundamental purpose was to accumulate experience for the Han Dynasty to govern the surrounding barbarians in the future, which was a bit like "one country, two governance" and "special zone".
So if Feng Yong really had a way to buy grain from Liao Hua, it wouldn't be considered a violation of the rules.
Since I have money, you don’t care how I buy it? !
But Xu Xun was a little confused: "Brother, why do you suddenly want to buy food again? If there is a shortage of food, just tell the younger brother that there is quite a surplus of food in Shu now."
“It’s too far, I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it in time.”
This is the second time Xu Xun heard Feng Yong say the word "too late" in the past few days. He really didn't understand why his brother was so anxious.
At this time, someone suddenly came to report: "Your Majesty, Prefect Liao is here to visit!"
This time, even Feng Yong had a look of surprise on his face: "Why is Uncle Liao in Wudu at this time? Invite him in quickly."
Li Yi pondered for a moment and speculated: "Could it be that Prefect Liao knew that his brother was going to pass by, so he came here in advance?"
"It's very possible!" Feng Yong laughed, "This will save a lot of trouble!"
PS: I’m back! With tears streaming down my face, I can finally have a normal routine! It's just that I feel a little uneasy when I withdraw from the battlefield at such a critical moment.
But these days cannot be updated. Every time I think of a group of idiot readers waiting hard, I feel uneasy. I'm sorry for everyone.
(End of this chapter)