Turning his head, the old man's face became happy and he saluted Guo Dajing, who was approaching, "The common people have seen General Guo."
Guo Dajing laughed twice, got off his horse and said, "No need to be polite."
With that said, he hurriedly explained to Mao Wenlong: "The people living in this village are all the people of the original Guanglu Island. This old man - it seems that his surname is Zhang."
The old man grinned his mouth, which was missing two teeth, nodded repeatedly, and said with a smile: "The common man's surname is Zhang. General Guo has a really good memory."
Mao Wenlong also dismounted and asked, "It's been more than half a year since you moved to Jinzhou. What do you think of it here?"
Old man Zhang said: "How can the island compare with the land? This year, the land that can be planted is more than ten times more, and there is a bumper harvest. There is no need to worry about food."
As he said that, he pointed to the courtyard next to him, "Sir, please see, every family has a surplus of grain. You can see the corn hanging by the corn, and there are even more potatoes in the cellar!"
Mao Wenlong nodded and asked casually: "The potato yield is so high that we should plant them all next year, right?"
Old man Zhang shook his head repeatedly and said, "That can't be done. It's true that we need more varieties of potatoes, but we also need more corn. Every family needs to plant some."
"Why is this?" Mao Wenlong didn't quite understand and asked.
Old Man Zhang flexed his fingers and explained carefully: "Corn can be eaten, straw can be fed to livestock, and corn cobs can be used to make fire. Potatoes have a high yield, but they don't have so many uses..."
Ordinary people are also good at settling accounts, and they must weigh everything they plant and make comprehensive considerations.
The so-called firewood, rice, oil and salt, in ancient times, the importance of woodcutting to the common people can be seen. For heating and cooking, they were used almost every day throughout the year.
Going up to the mountains to collect firewood or collect dry grass requires walking a short or long way, and it also has to be pulled by a cart or carried back. It is also a relatively heavy housework.
Planting corn kills three birds with one stone, while high-yielding potatoes seem a bit monotonous.
"I see, I've learned a lot." Mao Wenlong nodded, bowed his hands to the old man, and led the horse toward the village following the sound of shouts.
Guo Dajing said with a smile: "The old man is responsible for his own business. Let's take a walk and see if the villagers are doing well. Is there anything we don't like?"
"It's very good, everything is very good." Lao Zhangtou said repeatedly with a smile on his face: "Everyone can eat, and I don't see anyone living here and there borrowing money. Now we have cattle, and if there are more fields next year
Just a few would be nice.”
Guo Dajing nodded vigorously and said: "The fields will be there, and it won't take too long."
Old Zhang's smile made his wrinkles deepen, he bowed repeatedly and invited Guo Dajing to sit at his house.
After Guo Dajing thanked him, he walked a few steps quickly and caught up with Mao Wenlong, who was walking slowly forward.
Obviously, he heard the conversation between the two. In response, he just smiled slightly and didn't say much.
There are not many generals in Dongjiang Town who can talk to the common people like this. A glimpse of the leopard can also reveal a person's character.
Be proud of those above and pity those below. This is a conclusion that Mao Wenlong and Chen Jisheng have reached before, and now it has been confirmed.
He had no respect for the emperor, the court, or the eunuchs; but he cared deeply for the soldiers and the common people, fearing that they would starve.
Unfortunately, this is not only Dajing's advantage, but also his flaw.
No one has heard that those who are kind to the people will be promoted and rich. On the contrary, those who please their bosses and treat the people harshly will rise to the top.
Mao Wenlong sighed softly in his heart, but he also knew that nature is hard to change. This is probably the deep-rooted thinking and habits of Guo Dajing who came from a low-level background, and it is difficult to change.
Turning around the street, the threshing floor in the village is clearly visible. At that time, every village had this site, which was regarded as a standard and necessary functional place.
More than a hundred people lined up, holding wooden guns, and under the command of the instructor, they practiced steps such as stepping forward, retreating, assassinating, and withdrawing their guns.
Guanglu Island was the first to start militia training. It has been more than a year, and militiamen are constantly joining the army, and new militiamen are also joining.
Now, these militiamen wearing all kinds of clothes have become well-trained. At least, their shouts and shouts are very powerful, their steps are forward, and their assassination movements are very powerful.
Mao Wenlong didn't come near, he stopped to watch, smiled and asked: "Are they wearing armor?"
The protective clothing is similar to the multi-pocket life jackets of later generations, with thick wooden boards installed in the pockets. To be precise, it is more like the bulletproof vests of later generations.
Guo Dajing nodded and said: "It is sewn with coarse cloth. It has many pockets on it and can be filled with thick wooden boards. It has some protective effects."
Mao Wenlong thought for a moment and understood, and said with a smile: "It's better than nothing. In addition, the wicker helmet he wears can also prevent bows and arrows from a long distance."
The militia only plays a supporting role and will not fight directly even if it is close to the front line. Therefore, protection does not need to consume too much money and materials.
But if you don't have it at all, it will easily make people fearful and insecure.
Moreover, there is weight on the body and there is a process of adapting to being able to move freely. Therefore, the militiamen wear clothes for training, which is also a physical exercise.
"Let's go, don't disturb their training." Mao Wenlong turned around and stepped forward, smiling and said: "When the musketeers become richer, do they need to change the training subjects?"
Guo Dajing said: "Exactly."
Mao Wenlong nodded, got on his horse, and walked out of the village with Guo Dajing and others before speeding up his horse.
"It seems to be General Guo?" A young man stopped and turned to look at the horses running out of the village, feeling a little unsure.
The rider's back completely disappeared into the distance. Only then did Hanshan boy look away, picked up half a bag of cornmeal ground in the mill, and walked towards home.
In Jinzhou, every village has a public millstone and mill, and the people are used to grinding and eating food freshly.
When he walked into his yard, smoke was already coming out of the chimney. Han Shantong opened the door, walked into the kitchen, and put the cornmeal away.
"Go inside and wait for a while. The meal will be ready soon." Shuzhen smiled and turned around and said, "It's warm on the kang."
After saying that, Shuzhen turned around again, picked up the corn dough from the basin, and skillfully placed it on the edge of the iron pot.
Cornmeal pancakes, big ballast porridge, boiled potatoes, and some pickles. After the autumn harvest, these foods have become the most common meals in ordinary people's homes.
Han Shantong agreed and walked into the house. The little girl on the kang was knocking pine nuts, which Han Shantong had picked.
"Don't bite it with your teeth, it will break your teeth." Han Shantong said with concern.
After saying that, he picked up the hammer and smashed pine nuts for the little girl on a hard board.
"Brother, have you got candies at the supply and marketing station?" The little girl ate sweetly and asked, tilting her head expectantly.
Han Zhong had money to earn food, but basically left it to his family. After the autumn harvest, the family had potatoes, corn and wheat, as well as Chinese cabbage and radishes.
Shuzhen didn't take advantage of the military pay she saved and gave it all to Han Shantong. Han Shantong refused, so he gave half of it to his stepmother to take care of the household and half to him as pocket change. Gu Ze
As a child, I don’t know how to save money, so I basically spend it on food. I don’t buy meat, fish and eggs very often, but the little girl likes preserves, candies and the like the most. Han Shantong is not stingy either.
Han Shantong touched his sister's little head and said, "We will go together tomorrow. You can buy whatever you like."
The little girl opened her toothy little mouth, nodded her little head, and smiled happily.
"Stop spending money randomly!" Shuzhen raised the curtain and walked in, glanced at her daughter angrily, and said to Han Shantong Wenyan: "Save more money, wait for your father to come back during the Chinese New Year, and let's buy more delicious food.
"
The little girl flattened her mouth and lowered her head without saying a word.
Han Shantong agreed with a smile, and waited for Shuzhen to leave the house, then whispered to the younger sister: "It's okay, you can buy it secretly tomorrow, and then come back after eating outside."
The little girl's eyes lit up when she saw a military ticket stuffed into her hand. She quickly put it away and hid it well.
Military tickets are money and can buy anything. Common people have gradually formed this understanding.
As for converting it into silver, they are not really looking forward to it. To save money, it is better to save grain and raise a cow and a few sheep!
After dismissing the girl and having fun, Han Shantong thought about meeting General Guo again.
Although it was not very accurate, he had also heard some rumors that there might be another war. The militiamen were already making preparations, such as building vehicles and so on. If a war broke out, they might have to transport grain and grass supplies to Nanguan.
Unfortunately, I am not old enough to join the militia.
Han Shantong rolled his eyes helplessly, feeling that he had learned everything the militiamen practiced. He could even use a crossbow and his shooting was quite accurate.
Alas, I won’t make it next year either. I won’t be old enough until the year after!
Han Shantong looked at the spear standing by the wall and sighed heavily.
……………
Zhang Bang returned home, put his spear in the corner, took off his simple protective waistcoat, and then fetched water to wash his face.
By the time he sat down at the small kang table, the hot meal was already ready.
The rice porridge is cooked to a thick consistency, with potatoes added to it, exuding a unique corn aroma. The dish of salty radish strips is not rich, but it tastes sweet.
The wife specially posted three cakes, one for her sister and two for her husband.
Zhang Bang only ate one, and gave the other to his wife, saying, "You will be full with the porridge, and you will not be tired from the afternoon training."
The wife smiled and nodded, put down the pancake, and picked up the porridge bowl. She was too tired to train outside, and she stayed at home, let alone eating dry food.
"Our pallet truck isn't ready yet?" Zhang Bang was a little anxious, "Everyone else's truck is in use."
The wife stopped eating and said, "Don't be in a hurry, there's not much use for it. I heard that it was prepared for the militiamen. Alas, there is another war."
Zhang Bang didn't expect that his casual question would make his wife worried again, so he quickly said: "There is no danger in front of the branch, it is just transporting grain, grass and other things."
"But after all, we are very close to the battlefield." After finishing the last mouthful of porridge, the wife put down the bowl and warned: "If you really go to the front, you have to be extremely careful."
"I know." Zhang Bang nodded vigorously and said, "I will definitely come back in full. Next year I will plant more land and I will need a loan to buy cattle!"
The wife thought for a while and said, "Don't be too impatient to get a loan. This year is pretty good."
"That's not possible." Zhang Bang said: "If you can live a better life, why not settle for less? You don't need more. A few more acres of land can be planted with corn, and raising cattle and sheep will be enough."
"Many families in the village have such plans!" The wife said with a smile: "But there are not so many fields!"
Zhang Bang chuckled and said, "You don't know that. The instructor revealed the news that next year the land in the military camp will be given to the common people, and millions of acres will be added in one fell swoop."
"Really?" The wife opened her eyes wide.
Zhang Bang nodded and said: "It should be close. If the army wants to advance north, at least take down the entire Jinzhou first. Otherwise, how can we support so many people?"
The wife blinked her eyes and asked, "Is someone else coming to our village?"
"The number of people will always increase." Zhang Bang said with certainty: "The number of people who have escaped has not been cut off, and it is not obvious when they are divided into villages. But there are more and more people, and it will not be enough without increasing the fields."
Well, well, my wife thought it made sense and nodded repeatedly.
………………
Mao Wenlong, Guo Dajing and others were not picky about the simple meals and ate them deliciously.
The imperial court was dismantling the inns, but Jinzhou was building institutions similar to the inns, relying on signal towers.
Under the signal tower is a courtyard with several rooms, including rice, stoves and pots. There are also stables and fodder in the courtyard.
Although there is a signal tower, for the sake of safety, the system of postage horse reporting is still retained, which can be regarded as double insurance.
After lunch, we took a short rest, and during the chat, we talked about the development of Jinzhou.
"According to the current population growth rate, the current fields can only last for one year." Guo Dajing said: "Deforestation for land cultivation will eventually be considered not a last resort, so it is better not to implement it."
Compared with the forest coverage rate in later generations, the amount of cultivated land in Jinzhou still has the potential to increase significantly, but this is indeed not what Guo Dajing hoped for.
Mao Wenlong pondered and said: "According to the plan, push the defense line to Xiaoheishan and Hongzui Fort. With almost double the land, we can support at least 300,000 soldiers and civilians."
Guo Dajing nodded and said: "A population of four to five million is almost enough to support the city. Of course, to ensure self-sufficiency, we must capture Fuzhou or even Gaizhou."
With two or three states in southern Liaoning in hand, a population of four to five million, and superior weapons and equipment, Dongjiang Town can compete with Jianlu in terms of strength.
Naturally, this is only a step in the process of annihilating Lu Ping Liao. It is not the upper limit, nor is it a goal that can be met.
"Take it step by step, don't make any mistakes, don't make any hasty progress." Mao Wenlong said earnestly: "The vision must be long-term, but the implementation must be steady."
"Thank you, Commander-in-Chief, for your advice. I will finally understand." Guo Dajing took the kettle and refilled Mao Wenlong's cup.
The food at the inn was simple, and so was the drink. There was no tea, just boiled water, but neither Mao Wenlong nor Guo Dajing cared about this.
Mao Wenlong smiled and said: "I know it is right to concentrate our efforts on Liaonan. But the scruples in my heart have always been difficult to eliminate."
Moving the town involves many things and is quite complicated. Mao Wenlong's concerns may still be with Yuan Chonghuan, because it was he who proposed the move.