In the blink of an eye, it was the midsummer of August in the fourth year of Dade, and the grass and trees in Youzhou were vigorous, and the Qinglong Army had been confronting the enemy at Longmen Pass for more than half a year. Zhang Xiaowu used this half a year to train the whole army, reduced the 150,000 army to 100,000, in addition to dismissing the wounded sergeants, he also placed some sergeants in the prefectures and counties of Youzhou as township troops or government servants, and sent Xia Ming to loot some of the forces that opposed Zhang Xiaowu in Youzhou.

The food, drink and clothing of the 100,000 army is a huge expense, fortunately, the gold and silver that Zhang Xiaowu looted in Longdu were all in charge of Guan Xiang, and Guan Xiang's ability to make money and use money exceeded the ability to deal with other political affairs, and Zhang Xiaowu received private assistance from Mudong Hou Lin Feng, after the 100,000 army guarded Youzhou, Youzhou and Qingzhou, Xuzhou, and Daizhou quickly restored people's livelihood, and even bandits and robbers were rare.

Of course, this is also related to two catastrophes, the first of which was the plague, which caused nearly one-tenth of the people in the north to die and a quarter to flee. The second catastrophe that followed was when the two wolf passes were broken, and Inuyi went south to the Central Plains of cholera, directly or indirectly killing a quarter of the people in the north and fleeing a quarter of the people, so that now the number of people in the north is a quarter of what it was five years ago.

The decline in the number of people is not entirely a disadvantage, but the benefit is that the problems of land annexation and overpopulation can be quickly resolved. When the plague was rampant, most of the deaths were old, weak, sick and disabled, much like the 2020 American Empire used the coronavirus to quickly solve the problem of an aging population. After all, they didn't care about the identity of the Central Plains, they only looked at who had the bigger house and who was rich, which led to a large number of deaths of the rich and noble families in the north, leaving a lot of ownerless land.

When Zhang Xiaowu led his troops to entrench in Youzhou, he issued a restoration order in various parts of the north, and the ownerless land could be cultivated by the cultivators themselves, and those who planted it for three years owned the land. After the promulgation of this restoration order, the people's enthusiasm for production was mobilized, and even some people who went to the south ran back to grab land, land and houses. There are occasional disputes, but the people generally live and work in peace and contentment, no wonder it is often said that after the chaos, there will be great governance, because the chaos can solve too many problems. Of course, the population of the north was halved by these two events, and many places appeared desolate and uninhabited.

Longmen Pass is the northernmost side of Wanglong Mansion in Youzhou, and the Qinglong Army is stationed in Wanglong Mansion, which also leads to the prosperity of Wanglong Mansion, and the people who rely on the army's various consumption also have a livelihood, especially the army needs a lot of meat, and many local fishermen take the risk of going out to sea to fish. Fish is a non-important nutrient, long-term consumption of fish can not only strengthen the body, but also to avoid some diseases, although the soldiers eat fish to eat it and have a headache, but Zhang Xiaowu's order, everyone still dare not disobey.

Zhang Xiaowu was looking at the map of the northern states in the camp tent, when someone suddenly reported that Miss Gu Er was here. Zhang Xiaowu collected the map and tidied up his clothes, he often wears short armor on weekdays, but today he wears short sleeves, and now he has changed into a robe. As soon as she entered the door, she chattered about today's interesting things, how several of her students were frightened when they saw blood today, and how they turned around and ran away when they saw the fleshy knife wounds.

After Gu Ruoxi came to Zhang Xiaowu's side, he no longer had the constraints of rumors and rumors in Longdu, and he regained his former boldness and pungency, and picked up the rescue work again. The sergeants all knew that Miss Gu Er was the fiancée of the handsome, so they respected and appreciated her even more, and Miss Gu Er also took the opportunity to take in a few apprentices, and these apprentices were all helpless girls who lost their families because of war or plague.

The girls are stronger than Gu Ruoxi imagined, some are ingenious, some are hardworking and willing to work, some are smart and clever, Gu Ruoxi is so happy to teach, and she even forgot about her sister, but today she really came because of her sister's business.

"My sister is leaving." Gu Ruoxi said, "Go with Zhu Gongzi." ”

"Where are they going?"

"Go to Zhu Gongzi's hometown, Songjiang Mansion in Hangzhou, where it has not been affected by the war, the people are simple and simple, and the people are outstanding."

Zhang Xiaowu said: "It turns out that this Zhu Gongzi's hometown is from Songjiang Mansion. ”

Gu Ruoxi said: "That's right, his ancestor once moved from Songjiang Mansion to Longdu because he was the champion. However, there are still many relatives in Songjiang Prefecture's hometown, and they have returned to Songjiang Prefecture to settle down, and they do not plan to appear in front of acquaintances in the future. My sister is named Gu Qing, and her new identity is the eldest lady of a wealthy family in Yanjing County, Wanglong Prefecture, Youzhou. ”

Zhang Xiaowu said with a smile: "This identity is very good, I will help her testify and issue her a certificate." ”

Gu Ruoxi pursed her lips and smiled, "It seems that you really don't care about your sister." ”

Zhang Xiaowu said: "If you want to get married, I will also help you." ”

Gu Ruoxi suddenly said angrily: "Why? ”

Zhang Xiaowu said: "I once met a warlock, he showed me his face, saying that I am afraid that I will die early by the curse of God if I kill too much, if you marry me, you may have to be widowed at a young age." I haven't had a child for so many years, and it's because I've killed too many people. So, on the contrary, I hope you can find a good family, at least not a short-lived ghost like me. ”

Gu Ruoxi was angry and distressed, and suddenly stepped forward to hug him, and wept: "If I marry someone I don't like and spend my life in chaos, it is better to be with you." Do you believe that warlock? You won't be short-lived, the two of us will grow old together. ”

Zhang Xiaowu was moved in his heart, hugged her waist and said, "Okay, let's be a pair of kings and live together for a thousand years." ”

Gu Ruoxi was funny and angry, slapped him a few times, and whispered: "Sister is leaving, let's send her." ”

Zhang Xiaowu thought about it and said: "She is your sister and my eldest sister, and now because Zhu Gongzi gave up being the generalissimo's wife and gave up the identity of the prime minister's daughter, I have to warn that Zhu Gongzi no matter what, if he has anything to do with your sister, I will cut him." ”

Gu Ruoxi smiled and bent over: "If you cut him, my sister will have to fight with you." I don't know why my sister is blind and likes him, this person is really left with skin except for a stinky temper. ”

Zhang Xiaowu suddenly asked: "Do you think he is good-looking, or am I good-looking." ”

Gu Ruoxi pinched her waist and asked with a smile: "Are you jealous?" It turns out that big heroes are also jealous? ”

"Crying and laughing again, it's just insane." Zhang Xiaowu turned his head and ignored her.