"It's snowing!" Lin Tianyou walked onto the deck and looked up at the sky.
"It's snowing!" Guo Dajing shook off his thoughts and said jokingly: "Brother Lin, why don't you write a poem and listen to it?"
Lin Tianyou smiled and waved his hands and said: "Sometimes a jingle can come up with a few sentences, so don't be too generous when reciting poetry."
Guo Dajing chuckled, but there were a few words in his mind that were about to come out.
He's so talented. Even if he doesn't fight as a prisoner, he can still be a talented man in Jiangnan. He has collected all the beauty and beauty, right?
Unfortunately, this first snow may not hold up, and it will take some time to teach the soldiers how to ski.
Jianlu likes to use troops in winter, but winter does not only belong to them. The vast forest and snowfield will also become a battlefield for the soldiers of the Dongjiang Army.
Amidst the falling snowflakes, two large ships docked at Guanglu Island Pier. Each ship had a whale skeleton hanging on it, one of which was twice as big as the one hanging on the pier.
Qin Dahai got off the boat happily and rushed to the military camp to report the good news to Guo Dajing.
"General Guo is not on the island, has he gone to Pi Island Headquarters?" Qin Dahai blinked, feeling that he had arrived at an unlucky time.
But then I thought about it, besides Guo Dajing, there was also Liu Xingzuo. Although he was more familiar with Guo Dajing, he couldn't be ignored.
After borrowing a horse, Qin Dahai rushed to the military camp and gave a work report to Liu Xingzuo.
"Three more whales were caught, two weighed 10,000 to 20,000 pounds, and one weighed more than 40,000 pounds?" Liu Xingzuo's eyes widened, he did not expect such a huge harvest.
Regarding internal affairs, Liu Xingzuo let it go for a while and only picked it up now. He is not very familiar with this matter.
"Yes, General Liu." Qin Dahai grinned and said, "The meat has been marinated and the oil has been extracted. It's all waiting to be unloaded on the ship."
Liu Xingzuo put away his surprised look, nodded repeatedly, and praised: "Okay, the fishing fleet has made another great contribution. Let's go with a certain person to the dock to have a look."
Qin Dahai accompanied Liu Xingzuo while walking and talking. When he arrived at the dock, he saw that loading and unloading had begun and many people were working to earn food.
There are fixed regulations on how to distribute fish and meat. The island is not in a hurry for the time being, but those on other islands must be sent as soon as possible. After all, we are in a difficult period. If you eat more, you can ease it a lot.
Liu Xingzuo looked at the huge skeleton and sighed repeatedly that there could be such a big fish in the world.
The people coming and going, as well as the soldiers guarding the dock, were once again shocked. The big fish weighing more than 20,000 kilograms was already eye-popping. I didn't expect that there was one twice as big. It was simply unbelievable.
"This big skeleton is placed on the dock, and the smaller one can be taken out and used for other purposes." Liu Xingzuo said with a smile: "Qin Dahai, I'm afraid you don't know the wonderful uses of whale bones, right?"
Qin Dahai blinked his eyes and said with a naive laugh: "Grind the fertile land, that's all I know."
Liu Xingzuo was in a good mood. He laughed and patted Qin Dahai on the shoulder and said: "Whale bones can be used for hunting, and you can get fine fur that is intact and without scars."
Looking at Qin Dahai's confused eyes, Liu Xingzuo smiled and gave a simple explanation.
Whale bones can be used to extract bone glue and have excellent elasticity. They are sharpened, bent and frozen in ice, then wrapped in meat or coated with fat. After the prey swallows it, the ice melts and the whale bones pop open, able to pierce the prey's body.
stomach, causing death.
"Master Guo's idea is really amazing." Qin Dahai understood and couldn't help but grinned and extended his thumbs up in praise.
Liu Xingzuo smiled and said: "Master Guo told you before he left that in addition to food, we also prepared some furs, cloth, cotton, and some cured meat for you. On the island, these land items are still very rare."
"Thank you, Mr. Guo, and thank you, General Liu." Qin Dahai glanced at the holes in his clothes and bowed sincerely.
Liu Xingzuo waved his hand and said: "General Guo and I will remember your hard work. Moreover, not only the soldiers and civilians on this island, but also the entire Dongjiang Town would like to thank you for your great contribution in overcoming the difficulties.
"
With that said, Liu Xingzuo handed over the telescope he carried with him and said with a smile: "Master Guo spent a lot of money to buy this from Xiyi. It will be of great help to you in sailing and fishing at sea."
Qin Dahai took it and played with it twice, and learned how to use it under Liu Xingzuo's guidance.
When the distant scenery was brought to his eyes, Qin Dahai was startled. After adjusting the focus, he slowly adapted and couldn't help but let out a sound of exclamation.
After putting down the telescope, Qin Dahai was overjoyed, "This thing is so useful. If you look at it from the mast, you can spot big fish from a long distance..."
Liu Xingzuo nodded with a smile and said: "It's hard to get back to the island. I'll just stay for a few more days, so I can take a rest and have a holiday."
"This -" Qin Dahai hesitated for a moment, looked at the snowflakes flying in the sky, shook his head and said: "It's better to go back as soon as possible! When it comes to resting, it's better to be in Taiping Bay."
Liu Xingzuo didn't force himself and said: "That's fine. Let's do it tomorrow and send the fish and meat to other islands along the way."
Qin Dahai nodded in agreement, then made another application and said, "Sir, can you give me more food? Pidao has sent a ship and many sailors. They and their families will also live on the island, which will give them about two hundred more."
Someone come."
Liu Xingzuo said happily: "Yes. It is inconvenient to sail in winter, so we can transport more at one time. There are other daily necessities, and we can also bring back a batch."
"Winter is also good." Qin Dahai said with a smile: "The fish you catch does not need to be salted or sun-dried. It can be stored for a long time just by freezing it."
Liu Xingzuo smiled and patted Qin Dahai on the shoulder and said: "Call all the sailors on the ship to come down tonight and invite them to drink."
"I'd like to thank you for your humble position, sir." When Qin Dahai heard that there was wine to drink, he grinned broadly.
There was a residence next to the pier. Liu Xingzuo arranged for Qin Dahai and the sailor to stay temporarily, and then rushed to the hut next to it to find out with the official in charge of statistics the shares that should be allocated to each island.
As soon as he reached the hut, Liu Xingzuo heard a female voice calling him from behind and stopped.
Lin Wan'er trotted over, with the maid chasing after her.
"Ms. Lin." Liu Xingzuo forced a smile. He didn't know why this young lady, whom he had only met once, suddenly came to see him.
Lin Wan'er ran closer, looked around, looked very mysterious, and asked in a low voice: "General Liu, when will the meat of the big fish be released? I heard it is delicious."
Liu Xingzuo was a little confused. He was so direct, so he wasn't afraid of people laughing at him?
"Do you want to spend money to buy it?" Lin Wan'er added again, her face full of expectation.
Liu Xingzuo waved his hand, suppressing a smile and said: "Miss Lin is a distinguished guest, how can I ask you to spend money. In this way, I will send someone to deliver it to you soon."
"Okay, okay." Lin Wan'er showed a cheerful and satisfied smile before remembering to put on her clothes and salute, "Thank you, General Liu."
"You're welcome." Liu Xingzuo stretched out his hand to help her slightly and said, "I still have official business. Miss Lin, please go back and wait a moment."
Lin Wan'er nodded repeatedly, turned around and left with the maid with a smile on her face.
Liu Xingzuo shook his head, she was a rich lady with a huge fortune, she was as greedy as anything.
However, he also knew how important the Lin family was to Guo Dajing and Guanglu Island, and Guo Dajing had entrusted him with taking care of them.
Anyway, it is said that there is no need to spend money to buy whale meat, but the living expenses of this eldest lady have been paid by her brother, so she can make whatever she wants.
………………
The little girl doesn't look like her daughter, but the way she eats her fingers makes Han Zhong feel connected to her.
Maybe the son's memory is inaccurate, or maybe it's his age and demeanor that make him feel similar.
Han Zhong felt sad and regretful, but he still reached out to pick up the bucket and strode forward, despite Shuzhen repeatedly shouting "No, really no need."
Han Shantong handed the barbecue in his hand to the little girl and said with a smile: "Eat it, it's delicious."
The little girl often eats cakes and is already familiar with Han Shantong, so she takes them with a smile.
"Shantong——" Shuzhen also knew this kind-hearted young man, but she felt constrained and uncomfortable with his father, but she didn't know what to say.
Han Shantong said: "Aunt Zhen, my father doesn't talk much, but like me, he has a good heart."
Shuzhen smiled bitterly and said in her heart: I'm not asking this, I just want to find out what it means for your father to come to help me.
But soon, Shuzhen no longer had to think or worry. After Han Zhong fetched the water, he turned around and left without saying a word.
"Aunt Zhen, I'm home too!" Han Shantong touched the little girl's face and said, "If you are short of food, just tell me, I have it at home."
Shuzhen nodded frantically and wanted to say something, but Han Shantong was already running to chase his father.
This father and son - well, they are also miserable people!
Shuzhen sighed, and after entering the house, she quickly lit up her shoes and used the soles to make military shoes.
"Dad." Han Shantong caught up with his father and asked quickly: "Is it similar? I remember it clearly!"
Han Zhong looked at his son's expectant eyes, forced a smile and nodded, saying: "Our family still has enough food, you can help. But when you are growing, you are not allowed to save your own pancakes."
Han Shantong nodded vigorously and said: "They don't lack much. Half a pancake a day is enough."
Han Zhong patted his son on the shoulder, nodded with a smile, turned and walked home.
………………….
The aroma of tea lingered, and Fujino looked at the small clay stove he had made with great satisfaction. The charcoal fire in the stove was red, bringing bursts of warmth.
"Sir." Ah Qiao brought the freshly fried melon seeds and placed them respectfully on the table.
Fujino put down his tea cup and said, "I told you not to call me master."
Ah Qiao blinked his big eyes and said hesitantly: "That's called Sir."
Fujino was helpless, nodded and asked: "Where is the lady? Is she not in the house?"
Ah Qiao answered truthfully: "A sea-going ship came to the pier, and I heard that a bigger fish was caught, weighing 40,000 to 50,000 kilograms!"
This girl went to see the novelty and excitement again.
Fujinomasa waved his hand and said, "Go down and have a rest!"
Ah Qiao responded, turned around and retreated.
Fujino was picking up a book and flipping through it with great interest.
Lin Tiansheng was very attentive to the things Guo Dajing asked the Lin family to do. Although he was in a hurry, he also collected a lot of books, covering all kinds of things.
There is a new thing called a library on the island, but only a few people go there. There are really too few people who can read and write.
After Fujino heard his daughter talking about it, he was very interested. The day after he returned to the island, he went to visit and borrowed a book that he had been famous for for a long time but had not had the opportunity to read.
There was a cold wind and snow outside, and the fire pit inside was warm. Fujino drank genuine tea and read, which I felt was one of the great pleasures in life.
This Guo Dajing did something new. After learning about various measures on the island, Fujino Masaru refreshed his understanding of Guo Dajing.
The purchase of Saiyi's artillery and muskets shocked Fujinomasa because these firearms were indeed sharp and exceeded his imagination and expectations.
Murakami set up a school to teach reading and literacy to children free of charge; the army also had night reading, which basically lasted half an hour every day.
The emphasis on cultural knowledge impressed Fujinomasa even more. Unlike most people, he believed that reading and literacy were of little use during the war.
In Fujino Masa's view, Guo Dajing was not fooling around, but had a long-term vision. If it took five or ten years to become literate, Guo Dajing would have already made plans by that time.
An illiterate soldier can only go into battle to kill the enemy, but a literate soldier is more qualified to be promoted to an officer.
Fujino Masaru has many years of experience in training soldiers, and he also knows that a literate soldier's understanding and learning ability will greatly exceed that of an illiterate soldier.
If this charter can be adhered to, within three to five years, the troops under Guo Dajing will be completely different from what they are now. Fujino's correct judgment will not be too far off.
Of course, the premise is that Guo Dajing can lead his troops to become stronger as they fight, and fight more and more.
Fujino was completely immersed in reading. He didn't know how long it took before Fujino Hide came back and interrupted him.
"Read more and run around less." Fujino put down the book, frowned slightly, and said to his daughter: "Look, is there any woman like you on the island?"
"Lin Wan'er!" Fujino Hide smiled and gave an example, then continued: "Dad, my daughter is a clerk. She has to do registration and statistics work. She is not running around or watching the fun."
Fujino nodded, feeling that what his daughter said made sense and the reasons were very sufficient, so he stopped being verbose.
"Dad, I saw that Koichi Kobayashi!" Fujino Hide said: "He still wants to see you, drink and talk with you!"
Fujino raised his eyebrows and said, "He is a businessman and I am a soldier. We don't have much in common."
After a pause, he shook his head helplessly and said, "Even so, I was the one who recommended him. General Guo is not here, so he should be well entertained."
Seeing that his father was about to leave, Fujino Hide hurriedly said: "It's snowing outside, why don't we talk about it tomorrow. You are not idle, and you are also busy with official duties. How can you always have time?"
Fujino thought about it for a while, nodded in agreement, stood up and walked out, saying, "Take a walk and see the first snow of the year."
Fujino Hide reached out and took the cloak, followed closely behind, put it on his father's body, and walked with his father under the eaves, watching the snowflakes falling and watching the sky and the earth being completely white.
"The court of the Ming Dynasty is no different from that of North Korea." Fujino was deeply moved, and said slowly with a sigh: "They actually cut off the food and salary of the frontline soldiers and civilians, so why are they talking about pacifying Liao and exterminating the captives?"