Chapter 857: Helping the Demon
Now from Jincheng to Nanzhong, you basically go down the waterway. After arriving at Bodao (later Yibin), you get off the boat and go to the destination of Nanzhong.
The waterway from Jincheng to Bodao has a place where three waters converge.
They are Jiangshui (i.e. Yangtze River), Qingyi Shui and Moshui respectively, which converge into Nan'an County, Jianwei County (i.e. Leshan City in later generations).
And from Nan'an County, go west against the Qingyi River, you can reach Hanjia County.
Hanjia County looks very big, but in fact there is very little space that the Han Dynasty can use, so there are only four counties: Hanjia County, Yandao County, Yi County, and Yanniu County.
Among these four counties, Gaoniu County has the Gaoniu Division. During the Later Han Dynasty, it cut off the main road between Yuexi and Jincheng for more than a hundred years.
In the end, it was after Feng Yong became the governor of Yuexun that he conquered the Yanniu tribe and re-opened the connection between the two places.
The relocated county among the four counties in Hanjia County is located on the upper reaches of Qingyi River.
Continuing upstream from Yixian, you can also encounter Qiang barbarians coming down from the high mountains in the west (Hengduan Mountains and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau).
They often drive cattle and sheep, or carry various furs, to the resettlement county in exchange for salt, clothing, etc.
Especially the thick woolen materials that have appeared in recent years are extremely popular.
Together with salt, it is what the Yi tribe needs most.
Because it’s too cold in the mountains.
Of course, if there are tribes that are willing to trade with the Han people, there will naturally be tribes that want to do what they do best: commit riots and plunder.
This is a tradition.
Traditions are not easy to change.
Otherwise, the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty would not have promoted the "last piece of the puzzle in Shu" plan.
Feng Yong forced the Li family to go to Hanjia County to find a new way out. In fact, he was implementing the centuries-old tradition of border development in the Han Dynasty: relocating people to consolidate the border.
This people can be good people or criminal people.
Or a minister who failed in a political struggle, or even a member of the royal family.
Different from ordinary people, these ministers or royal families were demoted to the frontiers and often brought a large number of slaves with them, indirectly contributing to the stabilization of the Han territory.
Over hundreds of years, the Han Dynasty consolidated its territory bit by bit and continued to encroach outwards.
Li Twelve Lang, the direct grandson of the eldest family member of the Li family, in the past few years, every time something big happened, he would show up in time and hang out in front of the concubine of King Feng Gui.
It is really annoying to Li Mu, the concubine of the Feng family.
So the wife of the curtain blew the pillow wind in King Feng Gui's ear.
Finally, King Feng Gui made a "suggestion" to the Li family's head room, asking Li Twelve Lang to go to Hanjia to open up the situation.
In order to help the Li family's family to successfully open up channels for the barbarians in the western high mountains in Hanjia, King Feng Gui was even willing to borrow some of the wool in advance.
In the old Li family's big house, if anyone dared to point out his own family affairs like this, he would have been slapped into the mud.
Then build a mountain on top of it, the kind that cannot be turned over for five hundred years.
It’s a pity that what they encountered was a generation of demons and a generation of ghost kings…
So in the end they could only quietly be a law-abiding farmer and a scholar.
In fact, compared to before, farming is pretty good. At least every year, the imperial court and the Xinghan Association will purchase it at a guaranteed low price.
But happiness comes from comparison.
The food you have worked hard to grow for a year and the money you earn from selling it is not as much as someone else selling a batch of woolen materials.
How can you make those aristocratic families who are accustomed to eating big fish and meat willing to do so?
It’s just that everything from raw material production to processing, to finished product distribution, and finally to sales channels is firmly in the hands of others.
What can I do if I’m not willing to give in?
Now that King Feng Gui has finally managed to get some oil and water out of his fingers, if the Li family's big house doesn't hold on tightly, can it be given away?
Legendary grandson?
What happened to the direct grandson? It’s not like Twelve Lang is the only direct grandson!
So Li Twelve Lang was sent to Hanjia by his family.
Of course, he is his direct grandson after all, so the eldest son of the Li family also sent many people to follow him.
There are servants, servants, and concubines who live in the same household.
The move to the county was the first major foothold of the Li family in Hanjia County.
Things are expensive when you leave your hometown, but people are cheap when you leave your hometown.
The people of the Li family's family left the plains of Shu and went to areas where riots often occurred. Needless to say, the hardships involved were difficult.
However, the Li family's big house was still too rich after all. Even if it declined, it was still beyond the reach of ordinary rich people.
Since the county is located on the edge of the Qingyi River and is located in a basin surrounded by mountains, the land here is very fertile.
Most of them are barbarians, and their farming level is too low.
The Li family's big house can cultivate a lot of arable land with the help of people, oxen and plows.
It is not difficult to get a foothold, but how to open up new situations is not something that can be accomplished overnight.
Because unlike King Feng Gui, they had reputation, means, power, and enough resources. They used both soft and hard tactics to quickly conquer the local barbarians.
They can't even show off the tricks they used to do in the fish and meat township, because the local officials are watching them eagerly.
So we can only keep our feet on the ground honestly.
Of course, with the financial background of the Li family, it is impossible to be helpless.
For example, the cultural level of those concubines and concubines is enough to crush the people around them.
So selecting a few well-educated people to educate children from qualified families is a way to accumulate reputation.
Anyway, the "Three Character Classic" belongs to King Feng Gui. It's not a loss if you use it to gain favor!
The so-called qualified families include, in addition to local wealthy families, some children of local village leaders.
Even one, two, three or four children from poor families who are interested in learning and have talents will be exempted from their education.
This set of tricks is also played very smoothly by aristocratic families.
But no matter what, after the Li family moved people to settle in the county, there were some quiet changes in the county.
Because of the arrival of the Li family, several more villages were built one after another, centered on the original old county seat where the county was moved, either far or near.
Even at the foot of the mountains in the distance.
Basically arranged according to the distance relationship within the Li family.
In Hanjia, where there were constant disturbances, even if the imperial court stationed troops here, each village must have at least the most basic defense capabilities.
When the sun was almost overhead, a group of soldiers came down from the mountain escorting a school captain.
From another group of soldiers guarding at the foot of the mountain, someone immediately led the horse out. The captain took the reins, climbed onto the horse, and ordered: "Let's go."
The two teams of soldiers reorganized into formation, followed the captain, and headed towards the next dock.
Feng Xiaowei is the main person in charge of the garrison in Yixian County. He personally inspects the forts in Yixian County every ten days.
In the year of the Prime Minister's Northern Expedition, Feng Junhou led the army from Yuexun to the north, and he was a member of the army.
Because he was fierce and fearless, he rushed to Longguan, the battle of Jieting, the battle of Longxi, and the battle of Jincheng. No one was left behind.
He can also be regarded as an old man in Feng Junhou's army.
It’s a pity that he is too slow to read. He can only recognize two if others can recognize five.
While others memorized nine-nine-eighty-one, he only memorized three-seven-seven-twenty-one.
Coupled with the fact that your heart is too dead and your mind is not alive, under Feng Junhou, even if you have the same surname as Feng Junhou, the highest you can reach is the position of military prince.
There is no way. Compared with the armies of the same era, the system of Feng Junhou's army is too complex, which represents the historical trend of specialization of arms.
Fortunately, the Prime Minister's "Last Puzzle Plan for Shu Land", Xinghan Hui also has to contribute.
So Captain Feng’s immediate superior said with a stroke of his pen, you are not suitable for this place, so go to Hanjia.
Feng Xiaowei can only be a military prince under Feng Junhou at most, but outside, being a school captain is more than enough.
The elite soldiers and generals who came out of the Han Dynasty's first elite army are so awesome that it cannot be explained.
Colonel Feng arrived in Hanjia, and because he knew a few words, he became one of the leaders of the garrison in the county.
While leading his men through a stockade at the foot of the mountain, Lieutenant Feng suddenly pulled the reins and dismounted, cursing:
"What's going on with this village? I asked them to patch up the hole last time, but why haven't they patched it up yet? If they are really attacked by the barbarians in the mountains, a whole bunch of people will die!"
“Rest where you are! You guys follow me!”
The people in the village had already seen Captain Feng a long time ago. At this time, they saw him leading people towards the gate of the village. People in the village quickly came out to welcome him.
“What’s going on? Didn’t I ask you to repair it last time?”
Colonel Feng didn't wait for the visitor to speak, he sprayed him directly, foaming at the mouth, "Are you going to die? Didn't you hear about what happened at the village at the foot of Niutou Mountain last month?"
“They were attacked by the barbarians at night. Not even a dog was left behind. The belly of a woman who was about to give birth was cut open and left to dry on the wall of the village. The dozens of missing women were kidnapped into the mountains..."
The people who came out of the village had spit and flakes all over their faces, but they didn’t dare to reach out and wipe them away. They had to keep their smiles on their faces:
“Returning to the general, aren’t you busy drying grain these days? There is no manpower available in the village for a while...”
"What's more important, a human life or a little bit of millet?" Lieutenant Feng cursed, "Is this place in Zhendao like Jincheng? They were rushed into the stockade by those barbarians, and even your concubine was kidnapped into the mountains!"
The soldiers behind Colonel Feng burst into laughter.
They all know that this village belongs to the Li clan.
These people have never seen the miserable situation after the barbarians broke through the stronghold.
“I’m laughing at your mother!”
Colonel Feng turned around again and cursed, "Let you rest where you are, and let you come over to watch the fun?"
Colonel Feng cursed as he entered the village.
Walking around the village, Lieutenant Feng gave some pointers here and there. At the same time, he also told the people in the village which position they should be most prepared for if a stranger came over.
When he arrived at the entrance of a small courtyard, Colonel Feng slowed down his steps, his voice became louder, and then he wiped the foam from the corners of his mouth.
“General, the sun is so bright, why don’t you drink some water.”
The attendant who was following him had a look and said quickly.
“Well, well, after talking for so long, I am indeed a little thirsty.”
The faces of the younger Li clan members following behind him immediately darkened.
It was the older man who quickly said with a smile: "I neglected it, I neglected it!"
Then he turned towards the small courtyard and shouted, "Liu Niang, Liu Niang!"
A graceful figure soon appeared in the small courtyard.
"General Feng is thirsty. Let the general go in and drink some water."
Li Liuniang was dressed simply, but her behavior was gentle. She opened the door of the small courtyard, gathered her clothes and saluted Captain Feng: "I've seen the general, please invite me."
“Okay, okay, okay…”
Feng Xiaowei has never taken his eyes off Li Liuniang since she appeared.
At this time, although he tried his best to hide the joy on his face, his feet were rushing into the small courtyard.
Some of the young people from the Li family who were following behind gritted their teeth and quietly turned around and left. They walked out of the village gate and walked for a while calmly.
After turning the corner and losing sight of the group of soldiers at the gate of the village, he started to run away.
“Please, general.”
The door of the small courtyard is open. Standing outside, you can see the two people in the house across the courtyard.
So I’m not afraid of any surprises, but they are too far apart and can’t hear what the two of them are saying.
“Thank you, Liu Niang.”
Colonel Feng quickly stood up, took the bowl of water brought by Li Liuniang, and drank it all in one gulp.
Li Liuniang stood there with her head lowered and said nothing, making her expression unclear.
Colonel Feng put down the bowl. He was a little depressed that he drank too quickly. He put down the bowl, coughed, and looked around. If he had nothing to say, he asked, "Where's Hachiro?"
“I went to teach in the village over there, but I haven’t come back yet.”
Li Liuniang said softly.
The tone is gentle and calm, making it difficult for people to hear the emotion in it.
"Oh, that."
Colonel Feng nodded.
The arrival of the Li clan brought some changes to the local area.
Li Balang is a scholar who helps enlighten children from nearby families who have the means. He does not have to open up wasteland and cultivate it himself like other people.
Colonel Feng seemed a little nervous standing in front of this woman.
He didn’t know how to pick up the next topic, so he just took out a book from his arms and put it on the table:
"Liu Niang, I know you are just a younger brother. In my opinion, Ba Lang is a promising person."
When Feng Xiaowei was under Feng Junhou, he couldn't learn a few words even if he was whipped with a whip, so he felt that scholars were really much better than him.
"I also have some connections in Feng Junhou's army. Someone sent me a message saying that Junhou plans to hold an examination and select some people to be officials."
Speaking of this, Lieutenant Feng scratched his head. When he was in the army, taking exams was one of the things that frightened him the most.
Hearing Captain Feng’s words, Li Liuniang finally raised her head.
She is not too beautiful, but she has a gentle temperament unique to women.
This kind of temperament may not be cultivated even by wealthy families.
This is a kind of precipitation.
Feng Xiaowei was stunned for a moment, and then swallowed: "This... this book, I got it only after relying on a lot of connections."
“If Balang is interested, you can go to Liangzhou and give it a try. If you really succeed, you and Balang won’t have to work like this anymore.”
Li Liuniang’s eyes glanced slightly, and when she saw the title of the book clearly, her calm face finally froze:
“Mock test questions for the Liangzhou Prefectural History Department of the Han Dynasty? Why is the title of this book so weird?”
As she was thinking about it, she saw Captain Feng whispering again as if he was asking for credit:
"Liu Niang, just let Ba Lang know about this book. Don't spread it outside."
As he said that, he took out a few more bills and said, "I can't go to Liangzhou without having to pay for it. I still have some savings here..."
Li Liuniang pursed her lips, shook her head and said, "The general's gift of the book is already a great favor. I will never accept these notes."
Feng Xiaowei knew that she had great ideas, otherwise he would not be able to raise his younger brother alone.
Looking at her calm face, I felt panicked for some reason, so I just took the note back calmly:
"That's okay. Regarding the exam, you'd better discuss it with Hachiro after he comes back."
Li Liuniang nodded: "I understand."
"I'm leaving."
“I send the concubine to the general.”
When Colonel Feng heard that Li Liuniang was going to send him away, he was so happy that he felt as if he was drunk and became a little erratic.
“No, no, no, it’s sunny outside, Liu Niang better not go out...”
When Li Liuniang heard this, she immediately pursed her lips and smiled.
This was the first time that Captain Feng saw Li Liuniang smiling at him, and he suddenly felt dizzy and didn't know where he was.
By the time Li Balang ran back panting, Captain Feng had already led his army and disappeared.
Li Liuniang was the only one sitting in the room, spinning quietly.
“Sister, are you okay? What about Feng Diezu?”
Li Balang looked inside and outside to confirm that his sister was fine, and then he breathed a sigh of relief.
Then he sat down at the table again, smashed the table hard, and cursed angrily: "Dead soldier! Don't you know your identity? How dare you covet my sister!"
Li Liuniang was silent. She put away the thread, stood up, sat opposite Li Balang, pondered for a while, and then said:
“Have you heard about the Liangzhou exam?”
“I’ve heard a little bit about it.” Li Balang nodded, and then said with some disdain, “Who knows if this is Feng Wenhe’s trick?”
“Find a day and go to the city to find out more.”
Li Liuniang ordered calmly.
“Sister, why is this?”
Li Balang was a little confused.
Li Liuniang glanced at him.
Li Balang was frightened and said quickly: "I understand."
For the sake of him, the sister became a mother, and pulled him up, and even delayed his family affairs. He became an old aunt. He had not married at the age of twenty -six years.
So Li Balang respected and feared his sister.
Although the two siblings did not live well in the Li clan, their surname was still Li after all, and the government did not deliberately hide this fact.
So Li Balang quickly found out about this matter.
Li Liuniang pondered for a long time after hearing the news that her brother had returned from inquiring, then turned back to the house, took out a book, and handed it to him:
“Don’t let others know about this book. Just read it yourself secretly. Also, pack it up quickly and get ready to go to Liangzhou.”
Li Balang was shocked: "Going to Liangzhou? Why should we go to Liangzhou?"
“It’s not us, it’s you who go.”
Li Liuniang still looked calm.
“I’m not going, I’m leaving. Sister, what will you do alone? I want to be with you!”
Li Balang threw the book on the table and said loudly.
“You don’t have to worry about me, because I’m getting married.”
Li Liuniang said lightly.
Li Balang was startled. This happened so suddenly that he didn't react at all: "Sister, I want to get married? Why didn't I hear about it? Who will you marry?"
"I am General Feng." Li Liuniang sat there and looked at her brother intently, "Although he is a martial artist, he is a good person. I decided to marry him."
“Sister…”
Li Balang was shocked and angry, and stood up suddenly, "Did that man named Feng coerce you? Sister, don't worry, as long as I'm here, he can't succeed!"
"Next time he dares to come here again, I will let him know what it means to be angry..."
Li Balang was speaking impassionedly, and there was only a "bang" sound.
Li Balang covered his face and looked at Li Liuniang at a loss.
“So you really plan to keep me unmarried for the rest of my life?”
Li Liuniang waved her hand and asked coldly.
“No…not…”
Li Balang replied naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
“Then what nonsense did you just say!”
Li Liuniang said sternly, "You are the only one in our family now. Are you telling me that I am angry?"
“What does an ordinary man’s anger mean? Come on, explain to me what an ordinary man’s anger means!”
Li Liuniang said a word and took a step forward with amazing momentum.
Li Balang didn’t dare to look at her and took a few steps back.
After losing her temper, Li Liuniang pointed to the book on the table and said with lingering anger:
“If you don’t want to rely on charity for the rest of your life and really want me to live a good life in the second half of my life, just listen to me and go to Liangzhou with this book.”
Li Balang looked at his sister's face that was so calm that it was almost cold, and tears suddenly filled his eyes.
Li Liuniang was too lazy to look at his appearance, turned around and walked towards her house, leaving a few words at the same time:
"Also, go and ask the people in the village to give General Feng a message. If you really want to marry me, keep everything simple."
“But our family doesn’t have enough money for you to go to Liangzhou, so the betrothal gift for marrying me cannot be too small.”
Li Liulang, who was standing behind, burst into tears.
PS: Don’t say I’m short anymore, this is a chapter of 5,500 words.
(End of this chapter)