The Great Bandit in Kangxi Year

Chapter 89
The cold wind was howling and the weather was getting colder. Most of the soldiers of the Black Tiger Army had cracked hands, and some had frostbite on their faces, hands and feet, but none of them complained about logging, digging foundations, or building. is in full swing.

Wei Donglai was in the middle to mediate, and the division of labor was orderly. Jiang Tao nodded approvingly. With these tenacious working people, there is no need to worry about big things not being done.

But he was a little guilty in his heart, the sergeant was frostbitten, the leader of the Black Tiger Army was incompetent, Jiang Tao muttered, thinking a lot, knowing that the soldiers of the Black Tiger Army couldn't wear warm gloves and cotton caps for the time being.

In fact, there are cotton, cloth and other materials, but they can’t make them in a hurry. Jiang Tao knows that the cold winter is still to come, so he recruits a secretary to write a letter to his uncle, to see if he can make thousands of gloves and cotton hats, and he can make up for it. not late.

It suddenly occurred to Wei Donglai to mention that the Black Tiger Army’s food and grass would not increase, and it would not be a solution in the long run. Jiang Tao recalled silently, and suddenly remembered: before the Ming Dynasty, China’s population was hovering around 1 million at most, but the reason why it could reach 3-4 million in the Qing Dynasty.

During the Qing Dynasty, the large increase in population was mainly due to the promotion of American plants corn, sweet potato, and potato.Corn, sweet potatoes, potatoes and other crops have been imported from the Americas to Fujian and other places via Nanyang since the Ming Dynasty, but they have not been popularized.

The prosperous age of Kangxi and Qianlong was called "the prosperous age of sweet potatoes", which can be seen.

However, high-yield crops such as sweet potatoes also have their weaknesses: low nutrition and single, poor taste, and little value for further processing.As a temporary emergency, long-term staple food will inevitably lead to malnutrition, "face like vegetables", a sharp decline in physical fitness, and will inevitably affect people's normal intellectual development.After more than 100 years of prosperity from the early to the middle of the Qing Dynasty, the "sweet potato prosperity" has finally come to an end.

The place where Jiang Tao is located is a mountainous area, which happens to be suitable for planting these crops, and can relieve the food pressure. He thought about it, but he didn't think of a suitable person to go to Fujian to get some seeds.

There are quite a few loyal and reliable people, but not many who can adapt to changes. Jiang Tao suddenly saw Qi Datou who was following him, and he was overjoyed. He is not afraid that he will run away.

He hurriedly said solemnly to him: "Lieutenant Qi, do you dare to accept a great contribution?"

"The villain is ashamed to be reused by the general. He is willing to serve the general all the time. General, please speak up. The villain will never shirk!" Qi Datou was overjoyed and replied loudly. He could see that in the Black Tiger Army If he can't do meritorious service, he can only be a small captain forever.

"Very good, this matter is very important, we must hurry back as soon as possible!" Jiang Tao explained the essentials of the task in detail with a serious expression.

"General, rats? Marlins? What are these things? Why are they related to rats? There are many in this mountain, but I have never heard of marlins. Where is Fujian?" Qi Datou Scratching the back of his head, he asked puzzledly.

"This? These are not mice, they are all high-yield crops, that's all, this general will send you another literate document."

Only then did Jiang Tao realize that he underestimated the complexity of this matter, and explained the shape and characteristics of corn in detail, and found a white document who had been to the south, and said solemnly: "The journey is long, and the hardships and hardships are unbearable. Count, after the matter is completed, everyone will be promoted to a higher level, and will be rewarded with a hundred taels of silver. Captain Qi will select [-] elites from among the Black Tiger Guards. This is the general's righteous brother Jiang Sheng. A scholar, so as to cover up his identity along the way."

"Qi Datou is the main general in this matter, you must obey his orders, and those who violate it will be punished by military law." Jiang Tao was worried, fearing that everyone would not accept Qi Datou, and said sternly.

The charcoal-like Jiang Sheng and Bai Wenshu hurriedly nodded yes, not even daring to say.

A quarter of an hour later, they were all wearing melon caps and a handful of fake braids on the back. They believed that with the guidance of timid scholars, they should be able to reach Fujian unimpeded.

Jiang Tao nodded, and then instructed: "Not only do we need to bring back the seeds, but we also need to learn planting techniques. Don't make too many troubles along the way. Get ready to go."

……

Just as Jiang Tao sent off Qi Datou and the others, he got the news brought back by Jiang Wudao.

With the addition of more than ten thousand fugitives, the Black Tiger Army will have enough troops and labor. Jiang Tao is very worried. There must be no accidents at this time. He has already decided to go in person. He is not worried about some clowns, only worried about the hostages In the hands of the Li family, everyone has no experience and will be threatened instead.

Thinking that the refugee cottages and the bandit cottages are easy to defend and difficult to attack, Jiang Tao has long had the idea of ​​special warfare, and asked his craftsmen to customize [-] pairs of special warfare equipment, including climbing ropes, three-claw grappling hooks, and daggers. , gloves and a backpack, but the special forces have not yet trained.

"By the way, the quality of riding a tiger and leopard is definitely enough."

Jiang Tao said to himself, hurriedly went to the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to select 20 people, and selected [-] people from the Black Tiger Guard, and handed over the military affairs of the Black Tiger Village to Wei Donglai and Niu Mang. I met Jiang Ling, Jiang Lang and others who had come back happily.

Seeing that many of them were carrying prey such as pheasants, hares, and wild boars, Jiang Tao shook his head and smiled wryly. His uncle had miscalculated.

Jiang Ling jumped in front of her and said with a curious smile, "Where is Brother Heihu going to play? My little sister is going too."

"No, it's freezing, go back to the camp and rest, my brother has something important to do." Jiang Tao shook his head quickly, and said seriously, saying that he can't take this child with him. If an accident happens, how can he explain to his uncle? ?
"Sister Ling is going, and so is Jiang Lang." Jiang Lang ignored Jiang Tao's black face and said coldly.

"No, I have to go!" Jiang Ling said stubbornly with her cheeks puffed out, with crystal clear tears rolling in her eyes.

Seeing that Jiang Tao still didn't let go, Jiang Ling continued: "Daddy specially arranged for Xiaoling to protect brother."

"Brother Heihu is not good at all!" Jiang Ling burst into tears after speaking.

"This!" Jiang Tao has been used to others obeying his orders recently. When he suddenly met this weird elf cousin, he felt a headache.
"How dare you bully Sister Ling, find me!"

Jiang Ling's cries annoyed Jiang Lang, and he couldn't help but punch Jiang Tao. How could the tiger and leopard rider beside him be kind? He immediately rushed up to three people, including the leader of the tiger and leopard rider, Jiang Xin.

The winner was decided in a short while, with three screams in a row, the three Tiger and Leopard Cavalry soldiers were knocked down, rolled aside and moaned, while the Orion Camp and other soldiers surrounded by one side were all laughing and watching.

"Brother Wolf, don't!"

"This idiot doesn't know the heights of the sky and the earth!"

Jiang Tao became angry all of a sudden, swung back the tiger and leopard cavalry who were drawing swords and bows, and faced the attacking Jiang wolf without fear.

At this time, Jiang Lang's eyes were red, his appearance was like a demon god, he didn't even listen to Jiang Ling's persuasion, his movements were as fast as lightning, his punches were unpredictable, and the wind was like a tiger and tiger. After several steps, Jiang Tao could feel the huge killing force.

(End of this chapter)