Time flies, and in a flash, most of the time has passed.

Since Wang Mang and Da Shan Yu signed the peace agreement, he has led his army to be stationed in Gansu for more than half a year.

In the entire Gansu realm, starting from Dingxi Pass and extending to Yumen Pass, it was all under his control. As for Dingxi Guanwai, he did not get involved.

In the past six months, he devoted himself to working with the soldiers and the people in the city to vigorously reclaim wasteland, plant grains and grains, and divert water to irrigate the land. And during this time, there were also some strong men from other places who came to settle in the city and seek the blessing of Wang Mang.

At the same time, on the Liaoning side, there was a steady stream of soldiers and people migrating over.

Under the auspices of Huo Rongsheng, Liaoning carried out an orderly plan of defeat and retreat, and transported away the grain and baggage stored in Liaoning.

So far, Huo Rongsheng now only controls three states and counties, with about 70,000 troops. The rest of the territory was all taken by the barbarian king and the mysterious force.

Of course, he is no better than Wang Mang. He saw that the cities that originally belonged to his control were taken away by the barbarian king one by one, although all this was evacuated according to Wang Mang's plan, but he still regretted it very much in his heart, like cutting meat.

This evacuation can be said to be a planned evacuation, or it can be said to be a forced evacuation.

Because the barbarian king and that mysterious force were too strong to compete, Huo Rongsheng could only retreat in defeat and couldn't hold it at all. If he had enough strength to hold on, he would never have evacuated.

In fact, Wang Mang ordered the evacuation this time because the other party's momentum was too strong and he had to evacuate.

Wang Mang didn't want to fight with the barbarian king at this pass, and he didn't want to lose his troops. Therefore, he can only settle for the next best thing, slowly withdrawing and delaying time.

On the morning of this day, Wang Mang led some highly respected elders and some generals to inspect the countryside.

As far as he could see, he saw that the fertile land was golden and the rice was growing very well.

When an old man next to him who was proficient in planting saw this scene, his old face was like a blooming flower, and he was smiling.

"Lord Wang, this year's wind and rain are smooth, the country and the people are safe, look at the growth in the field, this time there will be a bumper harvest."

Wang Mang said: "This year is indeed a bumper year. In these days, the soldiers put down their swords, pushed the mountains to open up the wasteland, and returned early and late every day. ”

"Lord Wang, the old man has a question, why do you want the whole army to lay down their weapons and plant grains with the people? If the generals don't train often, I'm afraid that their combat power will drop significantly, right? If it happens, wouldn't it be? ”

"No need, in the next year or two, there won't be any wars on this side." Wang Mang looked up at the scorching sun in the sky, wiped the beads of sweat on his face with his embroidered robe, and sighed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, generals, we must pay attention to the things in the fields, and we must also pay attention to the things in the rivers. Around the end of this year, in the states and counties under our control, the grain in the fields will be harvested in two seasons, although the harvest will be about 17.8 million deniers. But this is far from what I expected.

Therefore, you must urge the people and soldiers in the city to continue to work harder, and let them catch more fish and shrimp in the river and dry them for storage. I want to dry fish and shrimp and other things at least 3 million denier this year. As for the prey on the mountain, it is even more important to catch as much as possible.

At the same time, those wild boars, wild ducks and other things that are captured should not be killed, but can be kept in captivity. Two years, in two years, if all the things you can eat do not reach 10 million deniers, I will ask you. At the same time, don't let go of the bark, grass roots, and other things I designate, and keep them all for me. ”

"My lord, you need to store more grains, fish and shrimp, I can understand it. But what do you want for those bark grass roots? Zhang Gongqiong humbly asked.

Although he has two hearts, he doesn't dare to move at the moment, because Wang Mang has been suppressing everyone with a high-pressure momentum during this time, and he is not allowed to let others move his bad hearts.

Wang Mang said: "You can eat some things such as cereals, fish and shrimp, and you can also eat tree bark and grass roots." Now I want you to collect these things vigorously, but I am accumulating merit for you. Later, you will know what I mean. Also, pass my orders. From this day onwards, the people of the city will be taxed by 10%. If anyone resists, they may be expelled from our jurisdiction.

This order cannot be changed, cannot be favoritism, and must be strictly enforced. At the same time, I decree that if anyone in the city dares to waste his rations, he shall also expel them, and that he shall not remain in the area under our jurisdiction. In short, I would like to say that in the area under my jurisdiction, I want you to collect as much as you can eat, and at the same time absolutely no waste.

In particular, some officials and commanders in the army must strictly supervise and urge them to get rid of this bad habit. If I find that a official or general dares to waste public food, I will not spare it. Still, no food in the city is allowed to be taken out. I don't want any gold or silver, I just want food. ”

"Yes, sir!" Many generals saw Wang Mang say these orders murderously, and they knew that this was Wang Mang's death order, and it was Wang Mang's bottom line, and they couldn't be violated.

Wang Mang said again: "Ladies and gentlemen, I know that you don't understand my approach very much, but these arrangements of mine are of great significance. Save one more grain of rice, and it is possible to save one more person in the future.

If the taxes are heavier, the people will definitely complain, and you need to do this with a good life. You may explain to the people that the decree will last only for two years, after which it will be annulled and the taxes will be restored to their original level. ”

"My lord, of course we believe that your arrangement is of great significance."

General Hanyang said: "Outside the Yumen Pass, in the territory of Guanxi, there is a plain with fertile land. There are abundant water and grass, and the soil is of excellent quality. This place was originally under the jurisdiction of the fifteenth prince, since the fifteenth prince died in battle, it has been empty, no one governs, it is a buffer zone between us and the Xiongnu. If we take that place and plant grain, we will surely increase our total harvest. ”

"I know here." Wang Mang said: "Last month, I asked people to talk to Da Shan Yu. Now Da Shan Yu has made use of it and called on the Xiongnu people to plant grains as vigorously as we do. I promised Da Danyu to exchange our armor and equipment for the food they planted. So this place we don't have to bother. ”

"What? Equip with our armor and exchange food for large orders? I'm afraid that's a bit wrong, right? Han Yang said: "These armors of ours have been improved by you personally, and their defense is extremely high. If Da Shan Yu gets these things, and then he raises troops to attack them again, wouldn't it..."

"It's okay, these things are in my plan, he is not a threat to us, and he can't threaten us. In a few years, he's going to come to me for help. The Huns are also human beings, and I am deliberately exchanging food with them with armor and equipment, in fact, I am also indirectly cultivating their way of planting, so that they will have a great chance to tide over the difficulties in the future. ”

(End of chapter)