The spring breeze has become less chilly, the smell of earth has begun to permeate the air, and the mottled and blackened snow indicates that the ice will soon melt and the snow will disappear, and there will be a vibrant spring scene again.
Mao Wenlong and Zu Dashou rode together and returned from hunting. Although the prey was not many, the expressions on their faces were happy.
"I'm getting old!" Mao Wenlong patted the crossbow hanging on the saddle and laughed self-deprecatingly: "I have to use this trick to make you laugh."
Zu Dashou said with a smile: "Mao Shuai can gallop a horse and hunt wild animals, so how old is he? According to Zu, young and strong people are not as strong as Mao Shuai's muscles and bones."
Mao Wenlong chuckled and shook his head slightly. His compliment to Zu Dashou was not easy to refute.
Zu Dashou pondered for a moment and then said: "Commander, Zu wants to go to Gaizhou and pay homage to Commander Guo."
Mao Wenlong nodded and said: "You can go if you want, but don't say anything about paying homage. Speaking of which, you are a senior. If he were not busy with military affairs, I would have asked him to come and pay homage to you."
"I don't dare, I don't dare." Zu Dashou waved his hands and said: "Martial men regard military merit as the most important thing, regardless of seniority or age. Guo Shuai's military exploits are shining brightly, and Zu is in full service."
Mao Wenlong shook his head and said: "That's not what you said. Even according to your age, he still calls you uncle. You, you should treat yourself as an outsider. You need to correct this as soon as possible."
"Yes, it's Zu who hasn't adapted yet." Zu Dashou bowed down to receive instruction and said: "Zu went to meet with Guo Shuai and wanted to learn more and adapt to Dongjiang Army's tactics as soon as possible."
"Okay!" Mao Wenlong finally nodded in agreement and said: "When it comes to fighting, Dajing is indeed very proficient in fighting. Even this commander has to be defeated. You can choose a few nephews to go with you. The other generals should stay here and be assigned after they complete their training.
In the army."
"Thank you, Marshal." Zu Dashou showed a heartfelt smile and bowed to express his gratitude, appearing sincere.
Most of the generals stayed here to learn military laws, and there was also a battalion of soldiers who could practice battle formations for them to observe.
At the same time, officers from the Dongjiang Army came to demonstrate combat examples for them on the sand table, allowing them to become familiar with the tactics of the Dongjiang Army as soon as possible.
Such an arrangement can be regarded as the most benevolent one. It is reasonable to have no real power for the time being. In fact, the weapons and equipment and tactics of the two armies are very different.
As long as you study hard, you will be able to re-enter the army in a month or two. Dongjiang Town did not dismiss these generals and directly became ordinary people, but still gave them a chance.
But if you don’t work hard and still think of yourself as a boss, then you’re sorry. As for violating military discipline, Mao Wenlong’s Shangfang Sword is waiting to kill a few people who are short-sighted, as a warning to others!
Of course, by agreeing to allow Zu Dashou to go to the front, Mao Wenlong also saved face for Zu Dashou. He brought several of his nephews to receive re-education directly from Guo Dajing, which was equivalent to letting Guo Dajing arrange their posts.
Zu Dashou also breathed a sigh of relief and was willing to let him go, at least he would not be so depressed.
Guo Dajing is on the same level as him, but there is a gap in age. Can he at least have some respect? Taking a few nephews with him and performing well with Guo Dajing will also give them a chance to re-enter the army.
"Dajing and Jianlu have a deep hatred for traitors, but they are still very kind to their colleagues." Mao Wenlong said slowly: "Now the officers of the various associations are older than him, but they all respect him.
.”
Zu Dashou nodded, did not interrupt, and listened carefully.
Mao Wenlong continued: "He is not only a good fighter, but also has great business skills. When Dongjiang Town was in the most difficult period, if it weren't for his painstaking efforts, it would not be as prosperous as it is now."
"Zu has long heard about Guo Shuai's abilities." Zu Dashou said humbly: "This meeting is a good time to ask for more advice."
Mao Wenlong smiled slightly and said: "Excuse me, I can indeed say that. In terms of broad vision, even I am ashamed. Because of this, I believe that he can lead Dongjiang Town to the top."
“It’s hard to start a business, but it’s even harder to stay in business!”
Mao Wenlong stretched out his arms, looked at the patterns on the leather gloves, and said in a deep voice: "Ping Liao is just around the corner, but how to make hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians live and work in peace and contentment in Liaodong is not an easy task."
Zu Dashou nodded in agreement and said: "If you don't know how expensive firewood and rice are, the larger the territory and the more people, the more difficult it will be to govern. You can know one or two if you look at the civil unrest in the country."
"The great disaster is sweeping from west to east, first in Shaanxi, now in Shanxi, and then in Henan and Zhili." Mao Wenlong said thoughtfully: "Liaodong was not immune, and in the first year of Chongzhen, there was a great famine.
"
Zu Dashou said: "Zu knew about this, and the Jianlu people detoured into the pass because of this, hoping to use looting to alleviate the famine. Unexpectedly, Mao Shuai and Guo Shuai had already anticipated the enemy and defeated the Jianlu people in Zunhua."
Mao Wenlong smiled and said: "Not only Jianlu, but also the territory of Dongjiang Town was affected. Fortunately, with the construction of water conservancy projects, drought-resistant and cold-resistant crops, and the purchase of grain from outside, we were able to survive the difficulties.
period."
"Zu is also very strange. I wonder where Dongjiang Town got this novel crop?" Zu Dashou asked with some confusion: "I heard that the yield of potatoes is over a thousand kilograms per acre, which is unbelievable."
"If it weren't for potatoes, I don't know how many people would have starved to death in Dongjiang Town." Mao Wenlong said with emotion: "There are also corn and rye, which were all brought from overseas by Dajing through maritime trade."
"Guo Shuai's ideas and vision are really impressive." Zu Dashou showed admiration on his face and said: "Potatoes are a wonderful thing that can save all people. Doesn't the imperial court know about it?"
"I have already reported to the court, but unfortunately -" Mao Wenlong shook his head and said: "For more than a year, the court has not taken any action."
After waving his hand, Mao Wenlong seemed to get rid of his worries and said, "Well, let's not talk about that. If any of your nephews are willing to join politics, they can go to Jinzhou and intern with Deputy Marshal Chen."
Zu Dashou pondered for a moment and said: "When Zu asked, I was afraid that they would be rude and uncivilized, and they would have no choice but to take the path of warriors."
"Everything is learned." Mao Wenlong didn't take it seriously and said: "Those government officials nowadays are not from the imperial examination, so they are doing very well!"
Zu Dashou smiled and nodded, but was not in a hurry to make a decision. After all, Mao Wenlong had opened his mouth and would not take it back in a short time, so there was no need for him to be anxious.
Several working people on the roadside were standing in silence, waiting for Mao Wenlong and Zu Dashou to lead their team over.
Although it is not yet the time for spring plowing, some preparations have already begun. We only need to wait for the ground to thaw before plowing and sowing.
With Zu Dashou by his side, Mao Wenlong gave up the thought of dismounting and talking to the people. He waved to the people and urged his horse to go over.
"The land cultivated this year may more than double." Mao Wenlong said with a smile with relief and longing: "If there were not enough fields, it would not be easy to feed so many immigrants."
The various departments of the Dongjiang Army have formed a siege on the Jianlu-controlled areas and can defend the large areas of land that have been recovered. This is the material basis for accepting a large number of immigrants and the post-Autumn counterattack.
From autumn to next spring plowing, this is the time for the general offensive planned by Guo Dajing. In particular, it must be done before the autumn harvest, so that Jianlu will not have enough time and manpower to harvest food.
If the plan succeeds, even if the captives cannot be wiped out in one fell swoop, the built captives will fall into a famine due to lack of food and will be defeated without a fight.
Moreover, without the support of food, even if a large number of Jianlu were able to escape to the north, many would starve to death in the winter.
But there is no such problem in Dongjiang Town. The army does not participate in the autumn harvest and there is enough population to complete the work.
"Population is not a burden, but a powerful boost." Listening to Mao Wenlong's explanation, Zu Dashou nodded with emotion, "But not everyone can do it to ensure that the soldiers and civilians have enough food and clothing."
"The larger the territory, the more difficult it is, and the larger the population, the more difficult it is." Mao Wenlong said slowly: "Of course, this also depends on the policy. It must change in time and cannot stick to the old ways. The most important thing is to ensure that the people have something to eat."
Zu Dashou deeply agreed. Food is the most important thing for the people. Who will cause trouble when they are full? In fact, as long as they don't die of hunger, they can endure it.
From Mao Wenlong's words, Zu Dashou also guessed some deeper meanings. It seems that after pacifying Liaodong, Dongjiang Town will not return its governance power to the imperial court.
Regarding the complaints against the imperial court, Mao Wenlong was not very subtle. But it did not involve the emperor, which was also clever. According to the all-purpose excuse given to the emperor in the feudal era, it was that there were treacherous ministers in the court.
"Probably he wants to be second to Li Chengliang." Zu Dashou guessed in his mind, "It's just that with the strength of the Dongjiang Army, it is more stable than Li Chengliang. The title is already above that of Li Chengliang, do you still want to be the king of Liaodong?"
This kind of conjecture is completely different from Zu Dashou, who was the warlord of western Liaoning. Dongjiang Town is not only self-reliant, but can also feed hundreds of thousands of people; while Liao Town relies entirely on the imperial court to provide food and salary.
"Moreover, Liaodong can support as many people as there are millions of people. With elite soldiers and generals at his disposal, Mao Wenlong is determined to separate his own power!"
Zu Dashou secretly glanced at Mao Wenlong, feeling a little fearful in his heart. Even the court and the emperor didn't take him seriously, let alone the small town of Liao.
………………
Lianyun Island is one of the earliest trading ports in Liaodong. Ships from all over the country doing business in Liaodong are anchored here. There is Guo Shen Temple at the southern end of the island, and there is a Tanah Lot Temple at the northern end, which is the Temple of the Queen of Heaven.
Lianyun Island Port once recorded the grand scene of Gaizhou's "nine-province thoroughfare", exporting soybeans, dried fruits, seafood, medicinal materials and other products from the northeast to the south, while the southern sea-going ships "sold tea, silk forging, cloth, paper, sugar, koji, and pepper"
, Sumu.
It has been abandoned for a long time, and it will have to wait until after Pingliao to restore its former prosperity!
Guo Dajing reined in his horse's head and looked around for a long time before he pulled his horse back to Gaizhou Acropolis.
In previous years, when the spring breeze blows, fishing boats will appear on the sea to catch fish and shrimp. But this year, the snow and ice melted later.
The peak of the Little Ice Age has not yet arrived, winter temperatures will be lower and longer, and crops will be affected even more.
There should be no problem with rye and potatoes, but for corn, soybeans and other crops, a reduction in production is probably inevitable.
Guo Dajing pondered, but was not too worried. People should be the most cautious about what they plant. Over the past few years, they have also gained valuable experience.
Crops that are not very safe, such as beans, are basically grown in military camps to increase the concentration of fodder for military horses and the diversity of military meals.
"It seems that regional planting varieties should also be planned and guided by the government." Guo Dajing turned to look at Chen Youshan and said with a smile: "There are more crops that can be grown in southern Liaoning. The further north you go, the only crops that can be grown are potatoes and potatoes."
rye."
Chen Youshan nodded his head in agreement and said: "This year in Gaizhou, we will mainly plant the third crop. What Deputy Chen means is to focus on stability. When Liaodong is pacified, the land will increase significantly, and the production of some crops will be reduced, and the impact will not be big.
Already."
Guo Dajing pointed at the Gaizhou Acropolis that had appeared in the distance and said with a smile: "Then this city will serve as the administrative seat of Gaizhou. I will move the headquarters to Yingkou. When Haizhou is recovered, the headquarters will continue to move north.
"
Chen Youshan is old, but his mental and physical condition are still satisfactory. This time he was appointed as the chief political officer of Gaizhou and came to preside over the preparations for spring plowing.
Regarding Guo Dajing's surrender of the city, Chen Youshan was not polite. He stroked his beard and said with a smile: "If outsiders mentioned that Chen actually squeezed Guo Shuai out of Gaizhou City, Chen would have a bright face and no one would dare to look down upon him.
.”
Guo Dajing laughed, waved his hand, and said: "You are responsible for your administration, but if any officer dares to cause trouble, he will be dealt with according to military law."
When the people advance and the army retreats, there may be some contradictions and conflicts. Although Guo Dajing has informed various ministries in advance, he cannot say that they can definitely be eliminated.
Gaizhou is also an old base area, and there are many fields in military camps. It is more convenient for the people to cultivate them.
The situation in Liaodong will be complicated. Chen Jisheng has rushed to Zhuanghe to personally inspect, supervise and guide the spring plowing work in Liaodong.
This year's main battle plan is Pingliao. The main task in government affairs is to provide a strong material foundation for Pingliao. Food and grass are the top priority.
"The expansion of Lianyundao Port is planned after spring plowing." Chen Youshan said slowly: "At this time, if there is not enough labor, we will need strong assistance from the army. "
Guo Dajing nodded and said: "For a port that is used both by military and civilians, the military should also contribute."
"In this case, Chen will be relieved." Chen Youshan also guessed that the reason why Chen Jisheng sent him to Gaizhou was because he had a close relationship with Guo Dajing and could get great help from Guo Dajing.
Maritime transportation is already the most important mode of transportation in Dongjiang Town, although many land stations have also been built. After Liaodong is pacified, inland water transportation will also receive great attention and development.
The number of ports and terminals along the Liaodong coast will also continue to increase, so that internal transportation of personnel and materials, as well as immigration and commercial goods, must be done in one step and reach the destination directly.
The key now is that the distinction between military and civilian use is unclear. All public ships can generally be regarded as naval vessels.
Guo Dajing pondered for a while and decided not to make adjustments for the time being. There was not enough time to coordinate all the forces in Pingliao. The navy was also an important part. The more ships, the stronger the strength.