Chapter 248: Open and Honest (Part 1)
After Sima Yue relented, Wang Yan spent the entire month of June counting supplies.
The war is coming. If we don’t figure out our family background at this time, we will really be doomed.
Wang Yan is too aware of the virtues of the people who manage the Luoyang Arsenal and Dongyangmen Taicang, because it was his people who were in charge before, but now they are replaced by the upstarts of the Situ Shogunate - Wang Yan does not think that they are the same as his What's the difference between "little brother".
In fact, many people are not "full" yet, and the appearance of eating may be uglier.
After counting the supplies, on the first day of July, Wang Yan sent people south to deliver a batch, mainly various military supplies.
He knew very well that Liang County had a certain production capacity, but it was very weak and would not be self-sufficient within a few years. Compared with money and food, military resources are more attractive to Shao Xun.
Besides these things, there is almost nothing else for him to do in court.
The people of Situ Shogunate almost controlled everything and even began to usurp his power. Wang Yan sent people to make some insinuations, but Sima Yue didn't ask at all and gave up.
In mid-July, seeing that Shao Xun had not yet made any move to go north, Wang Yan went to Guangchengze in person.
"From spring to summer, not a drop of rain fell." Outside the Wang family courtyard, Wang Yan was speechless listening to his daughter Wang Huifeng's words.
If it doesn’t rain yet, Guangchengze will probably have to reduce the number of acres sown in autumn.
After all, wheat needs irrigation more than millet, and it will definitely not work without water.
But millet cannot survive the winter and cannot take advantage of the winter and spring seasons when disasters are reduced. This is a fatal flaw.
"The grain harvested by Guangchengze is only enough for them to eat themselves, right?" Wang Yan asked as he walked along the long embankment.
The eldest daughter Wang Jingfeng pulled a withered wicker stick, shook it boredly, and followed behind.
The youngest daughter Wang Huifeng nodded when he heard this and said: "I'm afraid I have to use up some of my stored grain. Although Liang County and Luyang are dotted with rivers and lakes, they also plant wheat, but their harvests should not be as good as those in Guangzhou. Chengze. The seven counties of Xiangcheng, Yangzhai, Yangcheng, and Yiyang are also having a hard time. Duke Luyang will probably open a warehouse to provide some relief."
"He can still survive for another year. But it only lasts for one year." At this point, Wang Huifeng's tone was a little regretful.
She had only seen this man once or twice from a distance, and she had never even spoken to him. But because of her father's relationship, she has been collecting information about him and finding out his family background. For this reason, she has even postponed the processing of information from Bingzhou, Jizhou, Yuzhou and other places.
In her opinion, the Duke of Luyang County is a rare talented man with enthusiasm in his heart. He is really a strange man.
Since this year, my father has become famous and prestige in Beijing. The main reason is that he promoted winter wheat last year, and everyone thought he was foresighted. But Wang Huifeng knew that this was Shao Xun's idea. In the past few years, he had been promoting the "two-year, three-crop system", which has many benefits compared with the traditional "one-crop a year" system.
She asked someone about whether planting millet and wheat alternately within two years would reduce insect pests. The yield of wheat per mu is higher than that of millet, and it can also yield one more crop of miscellaneous grains.
The most important thing is that this year's severe drought has proved that nothing is more important than avoiding disasters.
This credit should actually belong to the Duke of Luyang County.
"If he can last for a year, Luoyang may not be able to last for a year." Wang Yan said with a bitter smile.
During the severe drought, the Jiang, Han, He and Luo rivers experienced varying degrees of drying up, which was unprecedented.
Due to the lack of water and water transportation, taxes from various places could not be sent to Beijing in time this year. Therefore, a small amount of money and grain were transported overland through the four nearby states of Henan, Jing, Hebei, and Si.
But how can land transportation compare with water transportation? Not even close.
Therefore, Luoyang is also short of food now, and every dendrobium must be calculated carefully - the Luoyang Basin alone cannot support so many forbidden troops, officials, craftsmen and other people of all kinds.
Next year, even if water transportation is smooth, it will probably be the same as this year, and not much grain will enter Beijing, because the consequences of this year's drought will be reflected next year, and this year's tax deficit will also be reflected next year.
This year Luoyang can survive by relying on the grain stored in Taicang, a small amount of taxes sent to Beijing, and a batch of winter wheat harvested, but life will be difficult next year, and it is feared that it will fall into a serious famine.
All this pressure falls on his shoulders, because his biggest role is to sell his face and collect taxes for the court.
Next year, we can probably only ask for more money and food from Jingzhou where Pingzi is guarding, Yangzhou where Chuzhong is guarding, and Xuzhou where Pei Dun is located, but not necessarily how much.
If Liu Yuanhai knew that taking over Luoyang would be such a mess, he probably wouldn't be interested in moving south.
There are tens to two hundred thousand people who don’t have money or food and don’t farm. Do you want it as a gift for you?
"Master, if you really can't go to Jianye," Wang Jingfeng said carelessly.
It is hot in summer and my clothes are very thin.
Her chest is bulging, but it is still very straight. I don’t know how it grows.
The waist is slender and well-proportioned, the thighs are slender and straight, the buttocks are strong and straight, and paired with that flawless face, she is really gorgeous - but she is a bit silly.
"Jianye?" Wang Yan was a little moved, but finally shook his head and said: "Once you cross south, you will never come back."
Wang Huifeng also frowned and sighed softly.
For the Langya Wang family, they can indeed enjoy wealth and wealth after crossing south. But the country of the North has really been handed over to others. One can only imagine what kind of life the scholars and common people will have.
Can you bear it? Wang Huifeng didn't know.
Because her only brother is an official outside, she has always helped her father with documents and even information sent from other places. She knows more than Wang Jingfeng, even her brother Wang Xuan, uncle Wang Dun, Wang Dao and others. Much more.
She has an idea of all the tragedies in people’s lives.
If the north falls into disorderly fighting, the people's lives will be even more miserable than they are now - they say it is miserable now, but these days may be the best in many years to come.
Although she is oriented towards the Wang family and is willing to do her part for the family, after all, she is not willing to see the people of the world fall into misery.
This has nothing to do with anything else, it’s just conscience.
The sound of horse hooves sounded in the distance.
The Wang family guards who were on guard all around immediately became nervous.
After a while, more than a hundred riders appeared at the end of the road, and then went straight to the Wang Family Courtyard.
"Captain." Shao Xun jumped off the horse lightly and saluted Wang Yan.
"Mr. Lu Yang." Wang Yan returned the greeting.
Shao Xun’s eyes stayed on Wang Jingfeng for a while. Even though he had seen him once, he was still amazed.
How could the old wall lamp give birth to such a beautiful daughter, who was really his?
When he saw Wang Huifeng, he was a little surprised.
This woman is calm, reserved, and generous, and she is actually looking at him.
The tall and beautiful one should be my sister Wang Jingfeng, and the delicate and reserved one is Wang Huifeng.
As far as his preference is concerned, he thinks Wang Huifeng is better, but he doesn’t explain why.
“When the Taiwei summons us, there must be something important.” Shao Xun smiled.
Wang Yan signaled Wang Jingfeng with his eyes.
Wang Jingfeng was not upset and left after saluting, but Wang Huifeng stood behind Wang Yan and did not leave. "Why do you think I called you?" Wang Yan glanced at him angrily and asked.
"Urge me to go north?" Shao Xun said with a smile: "I am training my troops. I have recruited two new soldiers. They have just arrived in Guangchengze and I am teaching them the rules."< br>
No matter how little he knows about military affairs, Wang Yan also knows that these basic trainings do not require the commander to take action at all.
But he didn’t want to expose it, so he just walked slowly ahead with his hands behind his back.
Shao Xun didn’t take it seriously and followed behind.
While walking, I don’t know whether it was intentional or careless, but I ended up walking side by side with Wang Huifeng.
Wang Huifeng glanced at him with a gentle smile - if Wang Jingfeng were here, he would definitely laugh at Shao Xun.
The three of them were walking and came to a secluded bamboo forest.
"Quan Zhong——" Wang Yan said suddenly.
“I am not Quanzhong.” Shao Xun said helplessly.
"What do Lu Gong think of the world today?" Wang Yan changed his title and asked.
"The people are prospering and the dynasty is prosperous, and the Jin Dynasty is reviving——" Shao Xun started talking nonsense.
"It's time to be more open and honest. It will be good for you and me." Wang Yan said.
Wang Huifeng straightened her hair that was blown away by the wind. Her face was expressionless, and she didn't know what she was thinking.
"How much longer does Situ have?" Shao Xun asked directly.
Wang Yan was stunned, why is it so difficult to talk to this little fox? Just asking is key.
"One year at most." Wang Yan sighed.
Anyone with eyes can see Sima Yue's physical condition.
Those with a clear head are already looking for a way out.
Those who are not clear-headed are still plundering people’s wealth and exploiting the people.
Those who are too clear-headed are almost doing the same thing, and are actively preparing to cross south to Jianye.
The Situ shogunate has nearly a hundred staff members. It controls the five states of Si, Yu, Yan, Xu, Hebei and Jing. It has a profound influence on Yong, Liang, Bing, Yang and other states. It can mobilize countless talents, money, food and troops. , but they will soon lose their backbone.
Who will inherit such a huge fortune?
Well, probably no one can eat them all.
Jianye’s Langya King can probably eat a big portion.
The crown prince Sima Pi can eat one portion.
Wang Yan may eat the largest portion.
On the contrary, those who seek refuge with Shao Xun are the fewest, and most of them are frustrated people with poor family background and power, who have been repeatedly marginalized.
As for the emperor, he would probably not be able to eat anything and would be even more pitiful than Shao Xun.
"What do you plan to do?" Shao Xun asked.
"Try to support the situation in Luoyang." Wang Yan said.
"I believe it." Shao Xun nodded, but then asked: "What if Luoyang can't support it?"
Wang Yan did not answer this question.
Shao Xun looked at him and could probably understand Wang Yan's dilemma.
Old Wall Lamp must be afraid of death, but he really does not want to see the end of the imperial court, nor does he want to give up Luoyang easily.
Historically, when Sima Yue died, Wang Yan followed Sima Yue with the army. Later, he should have inherited most of the inheritance. When he took Sima Yue's coffin to be buried in Xuzhou, he probably did not run away.
Because his wife and two daughters are in Luoyang.
Concubine Pei and the Crown Prince are also in Luoyang.
But we can’t rule out this possibility...
We can’t let the old wall lamp run away.
The resources of the Sima Yue shogunate cannot be allowed to disperse.
So, Shao Xun immediately took a step forward and said: "If Situ Tian does not miss the New Year and encounters misfortune, I am willing to advance and retreat with the Taiwei."
After saying that, he bowed and his expression changed. solemnly.
Wang Yan quickly helped him up.
For a moment, he wanted Shao Xun to ruin his engagement with the Yu family.
He glanced at his daughter subconsciously.
Wang Huifeng is such a smart person. Seeing her father looking at her, she was slightly surprised, maybe a little disappointed, and even more sad.
She looked at the withered bamboo forest in front of her, and the sigh in her heart seemed to echo in the wind.
The Duke of Luyang County may be a good man, but a woman should be loyal to her husband, even if he is dead.
Wang Yan looked back, feeling a little guilty.
The daughter was once a princess, and the fact that she was forced to divorce has always been a scar that the father and daughter did not want to mention.
Wang Yan still remembers the way his daughter looked at him when she came home crying from the street as if there was no one around.
He did not dare to force his daughter anymore.
"With these words, it is not in vain for me to be honest with you." Wang Yan smiled.
After speaking, he asked abruptly: "What does Lu Yanggong ask for?"
Wang Huifeng also turned his head and looked at Shao Xun.
(End of this chapter)