Hongwu Survival Guide

Chapter 120
Wen Zao returned to Dinghai, docked at the east pier of the city, hurried into the city, and hurried out of the city, and found Zhu Yuan on the school yard of Haiwei stationed in Waiying, Dongcheng

The time is May fifteenth.

Another cloudy day, but luckily no rain.

Walking along the edge of the school grounds to the Dianjiang Terrace in the north, Zhu Yuan sat on a large chair covered with tiger skin in the center of the Dianjiang Terrace, with a big round umbrella on his head, leaning on the armrest, holding a Juanshu, concentrating on reading.

offstage.

On the school field covering an area of ​​tens of acres, thousands of soldiers were scattered everywhere, shouting and drinking, or practicing array, or practicing bows and arrows, or practicing weapons, in full swing.

Sensing someone approaching, Zhu Yuan looked up and saw that it was Wenzao, and said with a smile: "Are you back?"

Wen Zao also smiled, and after clasping his fists and saluting, he thought about it and said, "I'm weak, so it's better not to blow it?"

Zhu Yuan looked up and felt it, then shook his head: "It's not windy today."

A few days ago, the subordinates reported that the battalion sea guard recruited soldiers was full. As the battalion sea guard commander, Zhu Yuan came over to inspect it.

Satisfied and dissatisfied.

What is satisfactory is that most of them are young and strong between the ages of 30 and [-]. What is dissatisfactory is that although the spirit of these recruits is much stronger than when Zhu Yuan first met the refugees from Shandong, they are not as good as those around him from Jinling. The elite soldiers brought in are still far behind.

Zhu Yuan also knew that most of the veterans who had experience in battle were sucked away by Zhenhaiwei and Dinghaiwei. On his own side, it was originally Lao Zhu's arrangement to order Yinghaiwei to choose light and strong soldiers from civilian husbands. This kind of favoritism, they are not intended to be used on the battlefield, and they are expected to be mainly guarding the family.

Just like Lao Zhu certainly never thought of sending Zhu Yuan to the battlefield.

However, Zhu Yuan himself did not intend to make a living.

So a one-month military training was announced.

For this reason, Zhang Yi, the commander of the battalion sea guard who was in charge of sea hunting and guarding, was also specially transferred back, and replaced with the troops of Zhenhai Guard.

The main reason is that most of the [-] soldiers led by Zhang Yi are recruits. Of course, they are not too new. In the old department, their identities are civilian husbands, which meet Lao Zhu's requirements, but in fact they also have battle experience.

In any case, except for the 3000 men who accompanied Chang Duan to sea before, the other 7000 soldiers all gathered for drills.

Zhu Yuan also 'leads by example'.

In the past few days, I have come here every day for at least half an hour to "serge" for at least half an hour. Of course, the so-called "accompanying training" is actually sitting on the general platform in the school field, or sitting by the river watching while practicing boat maneuvers and water battles.

Zhu Yuan didn't intend to follow the practice, his body couldn't bear it, and watching from the side, he could be regarded as the commander and envoy to share the joys and sorrows with everyone.

As for what the people below think, Zhu Yuan doesn't care.

Just don't be lazy in front of yourself.

In fact, what Zhu Yuan didn't know was that, not to mention the entire Yinghaiwei, even the entire Dinghai, as Zhu Yuan's rumor of "giving 500 years of Guozuo" spread more and more widely, and Dinghai has been in the past few months. It can be called earth-shaking changes, and perhaps there will be some ridicules such as "sedan room messenger" in private, but more and more awe.

That kind of awe for the outsiders.

After all, the name may be able to bluff people, but the reality is real, and everyone can see it.

For Zhu Yuan's current "accompanying practice", those of his subordinates who know a little bit of writing have already attached a famous Song poem, Su Dongpo's "Nian Nujiao".

Lupin and Lun towel, between talking and laughing, disappeared in ashes.

Zhu Yuan may not be as successful as Zhou Yu when he fought against Cao Cao's 80 troops, but in just a few months, he solved the bandits off the coast of Mingzhou, which is beyond doubt.

Also, especially the appearance of Zhu Yuan holding the book and leaning on the big tiger leather chair in Dianjiangtai, he is full of a worldly expert.

How about that name.

Confucian generals!

Probably so.

Click on the stage.

Zhu Yuan exchanged a few words with Wen Zao, saw him looking to the left and right, smiled, and signaled to the guards by his side: "You all go and rest for a while."

The guards knew Wen Zao's identity and understood that the two adults had something important to discuss, so they didn't go to rest, but they all retreated to the stage, still guarding the entrances of several steps.

Wen Zao waited for a group of guards to retreat, then took out a letter from his arms and handed it to Zhu Yuan, saying: "The lord has ordered you to hand over all the affairs of Mingzhou immediately and return to Jinling. The lord also said that he intends to Set off for Bianliang next month and plan to stay in the north for March."

Hearing what Zao said, Zhu Yuan had already opened Lao Zhu's handwriting.

In addition to mentioning Zhu Yuan's return to Jinling and some more detailed arrangements, the letter also mentioned another matter that attracted Zhu Yuan's special attention.

Lao Zhu has issued an order that the common people can use hemp instead of rice to pay the summer tax in all provinces this year, and each catty of hemp will be priced at 50 Wen according to Zhu Yuan's suggestion.

Of course, there are also restrictions, and the replacement ratio is up to [-]%.

Apparently, Lao Zhu had listened to Zhu Yuan's previous lobbying in letters, including actual calculations.

Just one, the experimental sea fishing that went south to Xiangshan, a 200-jin large double net, caught more than 400 tons of fish in just ten days. The nets can harvest 800 to 1000 dan of fresh fish.

According to the pricing of hemp materials and fish harvests by Yinghai Division, this is equivalent to the cost of 10 nets, harvesting 800 to 1000 fish worth 80 to 100 times, and the rate of return is [-] to [-] times.

Let's talk about the cultivation of hemp.

According to the current most common ramie yield of 50 catties per mu, a 4 mu field with a net can harvest 800 to 100 loads of fish. In contrast, the 20 mu field, even if it is the best fertile field in the south of the Yangtze River, has an annual grain output of not much. Probably more than [-] stone.

Of course, this calculation is actually unreasonable.

Because of sea fishing, in addition to net gear, there are also various inputs such as boats and manpower.

However, Lao Zhu's decision solved the biggest shortcoming in the expansion of sea fishing that had been plaguing Zhu Yuan.

Replacing [-]% of Daming's taxes with hemp materials is obviously a simple and wise choice for Lao Zhu after confirming that the ocean is really a fertile field.

Moreover, the price of 50 Wen per catty is also very attractive.

According to the yield of 50 catties per mu of ramie, it is equivalent to 2500 cash per mu, which is equivalent to 2.5 shi of grain.

The reality is that the current average grain yield per mu of Daming Jiangyu is far below 2.5 shi.

In comparison, the yield per mu of ramie has great potential for improvement, because the 50 jin per mu yield estimated by Zhu Yuan before is the common yield per mu under the folk habit of choosing barren land for planting and not paying much attention to management. After all, in this age Good fields must give priority to growing food.

In the future, not necessarily.

As long as the folks pay attention, it is not a problem for the yield of ramie to reach 5 catties per mu, which is equivalent to the grain output of [-] shi per mu of land.

What's more, there is no official limit to only ramie.

If Zhu Yuan had known jute before, the yield per mu of land could reach two to three hundred catties.

As Zhu Yuan read the letter, he was also making quick calculations in his mind.

This year's Ming taxation, I didn't know about it before, but compared with last year, with the expansion of Daming's territory, only in terms of food, it should exceed 1500 million shi, so it should be no problem.

Based on the calculation of 1500 million stones, one achievement is 150 million stones, discounted to 150 million taels, and exchanged for hemp material, 50 Wen per catty, totaling...well, 3000 million catties!

Is Lao Zhu crazy?

Zhu Yuan clearly remembered that Daming expropriated 67 catties of hemp materials last year, and 13 bolts of linen cloth. Based on the weight of a bolt of 5 catties, the total of the two was 132 million catties, which was an increase of more than 20 times.

wrong!

Zhu Yuan read the letter again and came to his senses.

It is the summer tax payment.

Zhu Yuan has always been concerned about various tax issues, so he knows that the autumn tax is the most important food tax in this era. In terms of proportion, the summer tax only accounts for [-]% to [-]% of the total food tax.

As a compromise, take 1500% to calculate, 15% of 225 million shi is 450 million shi, and then count one-tenth of the delivery ratio, equivalent to 132 million jin of hemp material, compared with last year's [-] million jin, This is reasonable.

Startle yourself.

Besides, 450 million catties sounds like a big number, but in fact, it is not much.

As mentioned in the letter to Lao Zhu before, if Zhu Yuan wants to increase the total output of Daming sea catches to 300 million tons next year, only the net gear will require more than 50 catties of hemp.

In addition, the scale of marine grain transportation will be expanded. A ship, whether it is for construction or maintenance, as well as sails, cables, etc., are often in demand of hundreds of catties.

There are other aspects as well, ranging from the tarpaulins that need to be covered in rainy and windy weather, to the hemp ropes for tying up the fish. In short, 450 million catties will be consumed in a blink of an eye.

In fact, if you change to another unit as usual, the hemp material will be counted as 100 catties per load, 450 million catties, which is only 4.5 catties.

After reading the letter, he felt that the hemp material problem was solved in this way, and at the same time, Zhu Yuan returned to a more important matter.

Lao Zhu asked himself to go back to Jinling.

Of course Zhu Yuan understood Lao Zhu's intentions. Ever since Lao Zhu issued an order to reorganize the Navy's three guards and asked to deploy elite soldiers to prepare for the Northern Expedition, he knew that Lao Zhu planned to make a big one.

Since there are big things to be done, with Lao Zhu's personal character, there is a high probability that he will go to the front line to sit in charge.

Lao Zhu is going to Bianliang, and he will no longer be on the tour as in the original time and space, and the stay time will be very long, so he needs to ensure the stability of the rear.

I am one of the candidates selected by Lao Zhu to sit in the rear.

First of all, this trust moved Zhu Yuan.

The problem is that although the two things here, sea transportation and sea fishing, have been rolled out smoothly, like two seedlings that have just germinated, their roots are not deep enough to withstand the wind and rain. All previous efforts will be wasted, and it may also cause the two seedlings to grow crookedly due to lack of care.

Therefore, it is still impossible to go in a short time.

Not only that, if Lao Zhu went to Bianliang to personally direct the Northern Expedition, Zhu Yuan felt that it was not suitable for him to return to Jinling.

Lao Zhu hoped that he would sit in the rear for the sake of stability, but, not to mention anything else, think about the time when Lao Zhu left Jinling, how many troubles had happened between Li Shanchang and Liu Bowen, who were at odds with each other, so that eight In March, Liu Ji resigned directly in a fit of anger.

Liu Ji had already escaped ahead of time, if he went back, with his high attention and the unknowing quarrel with the left minister, he might take Liu Ji's role and have another quarrel with Li Shanchang.

In comparison, staying in Mingzhou is a better choice.

Click on the stage.

Wen Zao stood next to him, patiently waiting for Zhu Yuan to finish reading the letter, and watched him fold a few pages of His Majesty's letter and put it back into the envelope, then he cupped his fists and said, "When does your lord plan to leave, can you participate in the escort?"

Zhu Yuan shook his head: "I don't plan to go back."

Wen Zao: "..."

Zhu Yuan glanced at Wen Zao who didn't know how to respond for a while, smiled, and said: "You go to rest first, I will write a letter to my ancestors to explain this matter in detail, and you will send it back to Jinling tomorrow The ancestors will understand my thoughts after reading the letter."

Wen Zao thought for a while, and then persuaded: "My lord, in the north... I can guess some of it. The Lord must have a heavy responsibility to call you back to Beijing."

Since he was able to make his mark in the Gongwei Division, Wen Zao did not lack brains and insight at all, so it could be seen that His Majesty the Emperor probably wanted to conscript himself.

When Zhu Yuan was called back, he obviously hoped that he could sit in the rear with the officials.

If anyone else could be trusted by His Majesty the Emperor, he would definitely be grateful, but in front of him, this little lord... this reaction... Wen Zao couldn't understand.

Moreover, this is a decree!

Of course Wen Zao understood that resisting His Majesty's will in reality would not be as easy as beheading as in some dramas, but it would certainly displease the Lord.

A wise courtier should not do such a thing.

Zhu Yuan heard Zao say this, but still shook his head, and said: "The matter is a bit complicated, so I can't tell you. In short, you go to rest first, and take my letter back tomorrow. If the ancestor reads the letter, he must go back to Jinling. Just go back."

When Zhu Yuan said that, Wen Zao could only agree.

After Wen Zao saluted again and left, Zhu Yuan reopened a volume of "The Chronicles of the Island" that was checked by the women around him and copied into a horizontal version with pictures, but his thoughts flew to other places.

The letter to Lao Zhu should probably be divided into two parts.

The first one is to explain why it is not suitable for him to return to Jinling when he went to Bianliang.

The second is to give my own suggestions for the upcoming battle of Dadu.

Lao Zhu asked him to go back to Jinling, probably because he was worried about Li Shanchang.

It wasn't that he was worried about Li Shanchang's rebellion or something. Based on Zhu Yuan's experience of studying history in his previous life, Lao Li was narrow-minded and tolerant, but he didn't have the courage to rebel.

Zhu Yuan believes that Lao Zhu also understands this.

Moreover, Li Shanchang has no conditions for rebellion.

Without military power, rebellion is courting death.

Besides, the current court is far from the state it was completely controlled by the Huaixi clan more than ten years later. Even if Liu Ji resigns, there are Yang Xian, Fu Yu, Tao An, Zhang Yi and others. He was one of the first batch of veterans of the Jiqing clan that Lao Zhu joined after crossing the river. Fu Yu was from Jiangxi, Chen Youliang was from the old department, and Zhang Yi was one of the four gentlemen in eastern Zhejiang. These were not from the Huaixi clan and held important positions. Enough to contain Li Shanchang.

What Lao Zhu was worried about was that Li Shanchang would mess around when he left.

Just like during this period of time, Li Shanchang and Liu Bowen had a quarrel.

The problem is, if Zhu Yuan really wants to go back, there is a high probability that he will take Lao Liu's place, which is really too much to deal with.

However, Lao Li may mess around, which is also a problem.

After thinking for a moment, Zhu Yuan suddenly thought of a bad move, which was very simple, to give Lao Li a target.

This target must not be yourself.

Since it's a bad move, of course you have to hurt others to benefit yourself.

Who will lose?
The answer is obvious!
Old Liu, I'm sorry!
Ok……

Let Liu Lian know about this.

After making up his mind, Zhu Yuan began to think about the second matter, the proposal on the Northern Expedition.

In fact, ever since Lao Zhu issued an order to reorganize the Navy's three guards and plan to transfer troops, Zhu Yuan has been thinking about this matter, and he has already had a lot of ideas.

Thinking about it like this, unwittingly flipping through a book, Zhu Yuan ended today's 'sparing training'.

I originally planned to go to the other side of the Yongjiang River to take a look at the weapon workshop in the barracks on the south bank. It doesn't match up well, that's not okay.

After lunch, I will go to the shipyard in the afternoon.

Another batch of new ships was launched today, 8 ships at a time.In addition, I also plan to check the stockpiling of timber that has been continuously transported from the upper reaches of the Yongjiang River, mainly whether to take countermeasures for this rainy season.

Because of Lao Zhu's letter, Zhu Yuan temporarily changed his plan.

Explanations and suggestions are bound to be a long letter, which needs to be carefully considered. Moreover, this time it is not suitable for the woman around me to help write it, so I can only write it myself.

It may not be possible to finish the whole afternoon, and you may have to stay up all night.

So go back to the city.

Xieyi and the others didn't expect Zhu Yuan to come back at noon, and while sending Qing Niang and the others to prepare lunch, they washed and changed their clothes.

After Zhu Yuan changed into a robe, he sat down in the study in the Westinghouse, wrote his opinion that he, a petty official, wanted to write something, and helped spread the paper and handed over the pen, and said another thing: "Little official, slave A few days ago, it was said that some girls were picked from the yard, and they were all brought here today, do you want to see them?"

Zhu Yuan was thinking about how to write, so he nodded casually: "Okay."

Freehand look to the other side to leave blank.

Liu Bai pretended not to pay attention to the hint of freehand brushwork, and continued to stand next to his little official, bent over and held the paperweight attentively, and flattened the paper on the table.

Freehand had no choice but to go out by herself.

After a while, there was a slight sound of footsteps, and Zhu Yuan, who still hadn't figured out how to write, looked over and saw a large group standing beside him at some point, in uniform light blue dresses, uniform double buns, and uniform beauties.

And, unified... small!

No one is taller than myself.

Seeing his little officials come back to their senses, they gestured freely, and a group of little girls knelt down and saluted and called out.

Zhu Yuan asked them to get up, and suddenly realized why Xieyi suddenly said that he wanted to add some girls before, and smiled and looked at a certain girl standing in front: "They are all lighter than me, right?"

Freehand nod.

After that day, Xieyi originally planned to pick some girls from the front yard, but the identities of the girls over there were not suitable for letting them be girls, so they simply looked for them from outside. The conditions were very simple. People like pretty things.

And, the most important thing is to be small, and must be lighter than your own small officials.

There is no reason to talk about this matter, Xieyi just thinks that a group of women of all sizes in this yard are heavier than his own small officials, how can it be done? !
Zhu Yuan glanced at a group of girls again, and said with a smile, "Is there a little more?"

Shaking his head freely: "There are only 12."

talent……

This decadent feudal society!

Zhu Yuan criticized in his heart, and laughed again: "Is there no room in our yard?"

The writing said: "I can sleep after tidying up the side rooms on both sides. Besides, there should be two night watchmen in the Tong room on weekdays."

The Tongfang outside Zhu Yuan's bedroom was originally used by Xieyi and the others to watch the night in turn, but I don't know when it started, anyway, the girls don't want to sleep outside anymore, and there is no Tongfang girl in the Tongfang on weekdays.

Too lazy to dwell on this detail, Zhu Yuan said, "I remember that the east room is used for burning fires, and is it a bit crowded?"

Before Zhu Yuan came, the house was temporarily changed to a ground dragon, and the place where the fire was burned was in the ear room on the east side of the main house.Compared with the main room, the side room is not big. Before burning the earth dragon, only two servants could take turns to watch the night.This group, even if it is changed to Tongbu, is a bit crowded.

Xieyi blinked her eyes, feeling a little confused for a moment.

She doesn't see this as a problem.

It's just a little girl, as long as there is a place to sleep, where can it be crowded or not?
Before Xieyi could speak, Lu Bai on the other side had already said, "I feel cramped too, just make another room."

Zhu Yuan and Xie Yi looked at her together.

Liu Bai said: "Little official, send Nuan Niang away, and the Nanwu will be able to free up another room."

Freehand: "..."

Zhu Yuan embraced Liu Bai in front of him, held her small waist, and asked with a smile, "Why did Nuan Niang mess with you?"

Liu Bai carefully knelt down in front of his petty officials, not guilty at all, and said confidently: "I didn't offend the slaves, I did offend the petty officials, and my family kept a cold face all day long, as if the petty officials owed her money." Similarly, I feel that it is not good to keep her in the inner house, so I should send her out to clean up."

Zhu Yuan smiled and said, "But I like cold-faced beauties, what should I do?"

Liu Bai pouted: "It's not a beauty, it's a woman. The little official said it himself. She's 36!"

Zhu Yuan: "..."

I remember that when Nuan Niang said that she was 32 years old, Zhu Yuan made a joke referring to Qing Niang's concealment of her age, but she was caught by this girl.

Xieyi really wanted to grab a certain girl and beat her up, talking nonsense.

Raising his hand and giving the girl in front of him a five-cent mark, Zhu Yuan said: "Niang Niang is a woman, you are a servant girl." He said and gestured to the group next to him: "They are the real maids."

Liu Bai was touched for a while, his face turned red immediately, and he pressed it greasy, softly calling: "Father..."

After Cheng Shanshan made a start, although a certain person said no, Liu Bai knew that his petty official liked to be called that.

Zhu Yuan: "..."

again.

Xieyi couldn't stand it any longer, so she came over and picked Nizi up: "I'm talking business with the officials, you go and see how the lunch is prepared?"

Zhu Yuan couldn't bear it either, and cooperated with Xie Yi to push the little goblin away.

Chasing away the blank space, Xie Yi didn't know how to speak for a while.

that……

Nuan Niang, should I send it out, or should I not send it out?

In fact, Xieyi also hoped that her petty officials would send Nuanniang away, and she couldn't bear that cold face either.

Zhu Yuan took the initiative to speak this time: "Let Nuan Niang prepare and accompany me tonight, and let the mountains and rivers come with me."

Xieyi blinked her eyes, but still nodded: "Yeah."

Zhu Yuan looked at the group next to him again: "They, a group of little girls, don't sleep in the same room. If they want to watch the night, they can change to the back."

This time, Xieyi shook her head.

Zhu Yuan wondered: "What?"

Xie Yi gestured to the side and said: "They all know their roots and backgrounds, they have a clean background, and they have been trained by the etiquette mother. There is also a front yard in the back, so don't worry."

It was this.

Zhu Yuan also realized that, after all, those before and after were all sinful relatives rewarded by Lao Zhu, and perhaps most of them accepted their fate, but the distance can be trusted, and it is indeed far away.

Think about it too.

In ancient times, slaves were often sent to slavery, but revenge and murder of masters were rare. In addition to the thousands of years of rules that made most people accept their fate, there was one more thing, the master's family could not be really defenseless.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yuan no longer objected to Xie Yi's arrangement.

This girl is careful and thinks much more than him, so she doesn't worry about being distracted.

So he nodded: "Look at the arrangement," he said, looking to the side, and pointed to the one closest to him: "What's your name?"

The accused girl was blessed, with bright eyes and a clear accent: "I don't have a name, sister Xieyi said, wait for the adults to give it."

This is to find out what you like.

I like names.

Zhu Yuan smiled and thought about it for a while: "12, um, twelve constellations... No, it's too advanced, you don't understand." So he looked at the bookshelf, swiped his fingers far away, found one, and gestured: "That, bring it here."

The girl who was closest to the bookshelf behind her turned around, looked at the little master again with agile eyes, followed his guidance, accurately pulled out a collection of Song Ci, and brought it over.

Zhu Yuan opened it, without looking for specific words and sentences, he quickly got inspiration.

There are so many nice names.

So he raised his head and signaled, "Come one by one."

The girl who had just delivered the book and hadn't left moved closer.

Zhu Yuan leaned on the chair, smiled and said, "You are, Bodhisattva Man, remember."

Xiao Nizi quickly blessed her obediently: "Thank you, Daddy, for giving me the name."

"It's too late to learn so quickly," Zhu Yuan looked at the innocent eyes of the girl, raised his hand and scratched the tip of her nose, and rushed to the side, waiting for the next one to walk in, continue to flip through the book, and quickly said: "Are you , Butterfly loves flowers."

Thanks again.

Subsequently.

Picking Mulberry, Rumengling, Magnolia, Qingpingle, Dianjiang Lips, Yulouchun, Yumeiren, Tianxianzi, Mantingfang, Xijiangyue.

Satisfied with the 12 names, Zhu Yuan explained freely to the side: "Find some jade plaques, engrave the names on them and hang them on my waist, so that I can recognize people better."

Xieyi nodded and shook her head: "It's a wooden sign, how can they hang jade?"

"The wooden sign is not good, it feels weird," Zhu Yuan shook his head, remembering: "By the way, there were a lot of colorful crystals in the crystal that was shipped last time, but it was useless, so someone cut it up and made it into a sign."

This time, Xieyi did not object and agreed.

(End of this chapter)