Chapter 82 King Tietian recommends Wu Xuedue
On the second day, Zhao Zhen and others still got up early. Seeing that Chao Gai had not yet gotten up, everyone went to inspect the camp first. After having breakfast with the soldiers, Zhao Zhen arranged for the soldiers to patrol along the fog to prevent accidents.
Chao Gai and Wu Yong were very tired after being prepared for the wolf disaster for days, and they did not wake up until noon.
Chao Gai cleaned up and invited Zhao Zhen. He took out six pieces of meteorite iron and a century-old ginseng plant from the box, and said to Zhao Zhen: "Brother Zhao Zhen, this is what I will lead people to explore the two mist areas." The monthly harvest is now given to the township chief. There were originally seven pieces of meteorite iron. I made a simple knife in the county and used one piece, and the rest are here."
He sighed. He said: "If you don't listen to the old man's words, you will suffer the consequences. When my father was here, he saw that I used guns and clubs all day long and made friends with heroes in the world. I was not a peaceful person. When I was dying, I gave him thousands of warnings and instructions, and said: 'Don't stay in the fog for a long time, and don't cause trouble when traveling through the fog. 'I was in trouble because I was greedy for the treasure in the fog."
After that, he led Zhao Zhen around the entire Dongxi Village. Anyone whose family died due to wolves would be given 10 taels of silver, two stones of rice, and two pieces of coarse cloth. The rest of the family also gave four-one gifts.
Walking around, Zhao Zhen also saw that each family had no resentment towards Chao Gai, but only looked sad. Having lost the strong working force of the family, I still cannot adapt for a while, and I am full of confusion about the future. I was extremely grateful when I met Zhao Zhen.
After walking around from house to house, the two of them took Zhuang Ding back to Chaogai Village. After entering the door, Chao Gai let out a long breath and said to Zhao Zhen with red eyes: "Brother, you have also seen that due to the wolf disaster, three to one family members in the village died, how can I still have the face to be the leader of Dongxi Village? The township chief still needs to choose another talented person."
Zhao Zhen walked around and seemed to understand Chao Gai's current mood. He nodded and said, "Brother Chao Gai, do you have someone to choose?"
Chao Gai thought for a while and said: "It is easy for Wu Xuexue to manage this village, but he is overqualified. Brother, you can ask, or transfer someone from the village."
Zhao Zhen nodded after hearing this, but he was a little undecided.
After talking about this, Chao Gai said: "Yesterday when I asked for help, I promised to donate half of the property of Chaojiazhuang as a reward for brothers sending troops. I have also heard that all the land in Liangshan Township has been returned to the township, and all the villagers have returned to the village. Lease the land from the village and pay taxes as usual. Now the land in Dongxi Village is in my brother's hands. Here is the land deed. Please keep it." He said and handed over a dozen deeds.
Zhao Zhen took it as he was told and said: "Brother Chao Gai, this is the land policy I have set. It is also to suppress land annexation. The land will be taken back to the public, and the farmers will rent the land for farming and pay taxes as usual. , Such a poor person has a place to stand up."
Chao Gai seemed to understand after hearing this, nodded, and said to Zhao Zhen: "Liangshan Township is booming now. I think what I did is right, and I will make the decision today. After collecting the bones of the villagers, they were buried. I will go and make arrangements. I asked Chao Ning to take the brothers to walk around the boundary of Dongxi Village."
After saying goodbye, Zhao Zhen followed Chao. Ning rode on two pack horses and led a group of rural soldiers to stroll along the dirt road in the fields. Looking at the mess outside the village, Zhao Zhen asked: "Guan Chao, I am afraid that the food harvest will fail this year. Do you have enough food reserves in the village?" ”
Chao Ning replied: "Township chief, I'm afraid it's not enough. Since the fishing boat in the village had an accident in May, in order to pay the county's tax revenue, Chao Baozheng had to take the risk and lead people into the fog to search. Unexpectedly, it caused a wolf disaster."< br>
After hearing this, Zhao Zhen knew the reason. Asked: "How much tax does Dongxi Village need to pay every year?"
Chao Ning said: "The township head also knows that we are far away from the county seat, so it is inconvenient to travel, so the county has less control, but The tax cannot be delayed for more than three years, otherwise the county will send a team of sergeants to the countryside to collect it, and there will be many cases of adultery with wives and daughters in the past two years. During his illness, all the four-tailed carps he captured were taken to the county in exchange for elixirs, but unfortunately they were not rescued. Since Baozheng came to the throne, he has not been able to capture the four-tailed carp, and something happened in the river, so he gave up on catching the four-tailed carp. Carp.
Except for the county, remote villages only collect tax from spiritual objects. In October of this year, the village must pay twelve four-tailed carps, or the equivalent of spiritual objects.”
As he spoke, he looked at Zhao Zhen and said a little unnaturally: "The township chief needs to make more preparations."
Zhao Zhen nodded and motioned for Chao Ning to continue. Seeing that Zhao Zhen had no intention of blaming him, Chao Ning continued: "Since Dongxi Village was founded, in addition to this wolf disaster, there was also a weasel disaster more than 20 years ago. Most of the chickens raised in the village died. Fortunately, With the advice of a wandering Taoist priest, we raised geese to drive away the weasels.
Now, in addition to a small number of chickens raised by each household, there are also geese on the grasslands and riverbanks. "
said. Pointing to the distance, Zhao Zhen looked in the direction Chao Ning pointed and saw many white geese and gray geese.
Chao Ning said: "Now these hundred geese are a specialty of Dongxi Village. I sent people to search for them in the river early this morning. There are nearly 3,000 geese. Now these are the only ones left. After a rough count, there are still some left. There are less than 1,000 of them. The rest were either eaten by wolves or disappeared into the fog, unable to be found." Zhao Zhen said, "How can this goose be called Baizi Goose?"
Chao Ning replied: "This goose was found by Chao Taigong with a lot of money. It is originally from Jinxiang County, and is also called Jinxiang Baizi Goose. It is named after it lays hundreds of eggs every year."
Zhao Zhen walked closer and took a look
World Log
Name: Baizi Goose (a special product, one is a white goose and the other is a gray goose. It walks powerfully and makes a sound when running) , immediately head and neck held high, posture majestic)
"County Chronicles Illustrated Records Weishi" records: "Goose, first called Jiayan, also called Shuyan. It looks like a wild goose and cannot fly. Its head is like a crane, but its neck is short. It has green eyes, yellow beak, red palms, good at fighting, and calls at night. When they see strangers, they sing, and they can chase away thieves and lay eggs."
At this time, several farmers from the herding geese came to see the ceremony and stood aside. Chao Ning said to Zhao Zhen: "Head of the township, These ten farmers were good geese herders in the village. When the wolves attacked, the goose was alert and fought with the wolves, but unfortunately they were no match.
Fortunately, these farmers escaped with their lives, shouting along the way, Many farmers working in the fields also fled into the village, otherwise, Dongxi Village may be wiped out."
Zhao Zhen comforted everyone, and several people also expressed their sincerity. Zhao Zhen asked: "I saw you were packing something, but have you laid eggs?"
Everyone looked at the apartment, but no one answered. Chao Ning said: "Wu He, you are the manager of the goose farm. I am here to talk to you."
Wu He took a step forward and said: "Many geese died, and there are many large feathers, goose down and other items left on the ground. We will collect them and clean them, and they can also be used as materials for making quilts and arrows."
Zhao Zhen He nodded and said: "Wu He is very considerate, you can go and get busy later."
Chao Ning took Zhao Zhen around Dongxi Village, and Zhao Zhen also had a general impression of Dongxi Village. . When walking back, Zhao Zhen said to Chao Ning: "Brother Chao Gai has a lot of things to do now. Manager Chao took me to see Wu Xuexuu, and then I went to help Brother Chao Gai take care of the village affairs."
After a while, Chao Ning took Zhao Zhen to a study, knocked on the door and went in. When he saw Wu Yong, Chao Ning left.
Zhao Zhen and Wu Yong met again. Zhao Zhen said: "Mr. Wu, now that Chao Baozheng has recommended you to be the mayor of Dongxi Village, I wonder what your opinion is?"
Wu Yongdao: "It's not that Xiaosheng is trying to shirk, it's just that his mind is not on this matter."
Zhao Zhen asked: "What does Mr. Jialiang want to do?"
Wu Yongdao: "Xiaosheng has read all the military books. It is also a good idea to practice martial arts and make friends. Now I want to imitate the filial piety of the Three Kingdoms and become a military advisor to offer wine."
Zhao Zhen said: "I understand your mind. Now in Liangshan Township, there are no more than rural soldiers. The number of 500 is just for setting up the positions of chief and deputy commander, captain, and deputy captain. It is not suitable for sir. It is better to find a rural assistant in the village to help me manage Liangshan Township. It is also better to ask for advice from time to time. How about using troops and becoming a military counselor?"
Wu Yong was happy after hearing this and said to Zhao Zhen: "It all depends on the instructions of the township chief."
Zhao Zhen said: "Mr. Duowen is very resourceful. When I came here, I heard Chao Ning say that Dongxi Village has to pay 12 spiritual objects to the county in October this year. Is there any way to avoid it, sir?"
Wu Yongyao He shook the goose feather fan in his hand, raised his brows, and thought about it. Said: "Yes, yes!"
Zhao Zhen said: "Sir, the plan will be settled."
Wu Yong took his time, folded his two fingers, and spoke countless words. After a short while, Zhao Zhen suddenly became enlightened.
(End of this chapter)