At the end of March, the training of the defenders of Guide City and Ningling County had been going on for some time, and the mental outlook of the soldiers had also improved. And the happiest thing for these soldiers is to be able to go out on patrol and defend the city, so that they will not have to have a day of boring and rigorous training.

The villages outside the city were also established smoothly, and the displaced people in the city were shunted to the villages. Li Yan gathered the doctors in the city, concentrated on the health examination of the displaced people, and distributed medicinal herbs to prevent the occurrence of epidemics. There have been epidemics in Hebei Daimyo and other places, and the mortality rate is still very high, and it often happens that the whole family dies. So Li Yan is still more worried.

The big families in the city were not satisfied, because they had no security guarantee in the fertile fields to the east. Moreover, they also got news from Suizhou and Ningling, saying that Li Yan was collecting 20% of the fees from the large landlords, saying that it was used to raise soldiers. However, they have not yet been notified of this, and they do not know if they will be charged. They are all in tandem these days to see how to deal with Li Yan's greed.

Li Yan didn't plan to tell the rich gentry about it at this time, he had more important things to do now.

He returned to Qixian with the guards, because the artillery in Qixian County was finally processed and it was time to test the artillery. Of course, he should be invited back to preside over such a major event.

When Li Yan returned to Qixian, he received a grand welcome. He left Qixian for nearly a month, fought a battle, and suffered nearly 200 casualties. But his territory expanded, and so did his army. The original officers will basically be promoted, and the soldiers will also have the opportunity to be promoted. The people who used to serve as the village chief in the village were also transferred out because of their experience to guide the construction of the new village, and Li Yan would also give them a good reward.

As for those soldiers who were seriously injured and were not fit to stay in the army, Li Yan was going to let them be in charge of the training of the reserve army, mainly responsible for the training of the government servants and the strong men. If you are spiritual, you can also enter the yamen as a clerk, or you can go to the market to do management. In short, he will arrange the future life of the wounded and retired soldiers, so that they can live a comfortable and fulfilling life.

For the soldiers who died in battle, their family's tax was reduced to 10%. And when the farm is busy, strong men will be organized to help. During festivals, there will also be in-kind subsidies such as meat, eggs, grain, salt, oil, and cloth, so that the quality of life of the deceased's family will not be reduced.

The implementation of these measures has made the people, in fact, military families, very happy. Although there will be casualties in the war, the damage caused to them is not too great. Compared to others who are suffering from famine, epidemics, thieves, and taxes, they at least have land, food, and a stable environment.

Those rich and wealthy gentry were also happy, because they saw more and more big wealthy families paying taxes to Li Yan like them, which made them feel a lot more mentally balanced. Moreover, after Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong gained momentum in Henan, they also heard that few of the wealthy officials and gentry who were attacked could survive the disaster. At this time, they saw that Li Yan's troops were becoming more and more powerful, and they felt that it was worth paying Li Yan some taxes to protect the safety of their family.

Li Yan was welcomed by the people and entered the county seat. The first thing he did was to visit the wounded in the hospital before returning home.

As soon as he entered the door, he saw Wu Niang and Qiu Niang who greeted him at the gate.

"Welcome your son home." The two squatted down in unison and said.

Li Yan smiled and waved his hand, and said, "You are not subordinates, so you don't need to be like this." With that, he continued to walk inside.

Wu Niang followed behind and said, "Childe, Daddy Niu is here, do you want to see it?" ”

Li Yan stopped, turned around and asked, "Master Niu?" When did it come? Where is it? ”

"I've been here for two days, and my son is not here, so I'll arrange for his old man to go to the inn." Wu Niang replied.

Li Yan said happily: "Go and invite me over, I'll change my clothes first." ”

Wu Niang immediately said: "If the son wants to see Daddy Niu, please also ask the old boy to go to the inn in person." ”

Li Yan also felt that it was better for him to go in person, so he nodded and said, "Okay, I'll wash up and go right away." ”

"Childe, let's eat first before going." Qiu Niang said.

Li Yan waved his hand as he walked inside, and said, "Wait until I invite Master Niu over to eat together." ”

Qiu Niang saw Li Yan walking towards the back house in a hurry, and said with some dissatisfaction: "What's so special about that Master Niu?" Let Childe be so attentive. ”

Wu Niang said lightly: "You will naturally know in the future." ”

"Humph!" Qiu Niang snorted coldly and asked, "Does Master Niu have any taboos?" ”

Wu Niang was stunned, she really didn't know. She is just familiar with Master Niu, but she has never eaten, how can she know this.

After Li Yan washed up and changed his clothes, he went straight to the inn to pick up Master Niu.

In fact, it was not Master Niu's hypocrisy, but Li Yan invited him several times, but he didn't agree. But now that he has come to defect, he is a little embarrassed to see him.

Li Yan entered the guest room and met Master Niu. I found that Master Niu had lost some weight, and he looked a little older.

"Master Niu, why don't you write in advance, I'll prepare a guest room for you. Let's go home. Li Yan said enthusiastically.

Master Niu said with some shame: "It's okay, it's okay, just in time for Gongzi you are not here, and the inn is fine." ”

Li Yan asked his own soldiers to help pack up his things, and he pulled Master Niu to leave first. When he arrived at home and sat down in the living room, he asked, "Master Niu came this time, is he coming to see Wu Niang, or is he planning to stay for a long time?" ”

Master Niu said helplessly: "I have invited my son many times before, but I haven't come." I wonder if Childe can arrange a job for me this time? ”

Li Yan said happily: "There is no problem. I said that as long as you come, I will leave you a position. You go to the gun-making workshop to be a master, and tomorrow you will try the gun, you go with me, and meet your colleagues in the gun-making workshop. ”

"You've made a cannon?" Master Niu asked in surprise. He had only made a rough idea at first, and if he wanted to make a cannon, he would have to do a lot of work. He didn't expect Li Yan to make a cannon so quickly.

Li Yan nodded and said, "Well, two of them have been trial-produced, and they will be tested tomorrow." Then he asked, "Why did you suddenly decide to come to me?" ”

Master Niu sighed and said: "The thieves attacked the city in the first month, although they were beaten away, but the old men in the city were scared and wanted to organize social soldiers. My six apprentices, all of whom are great guys, have all been picked. And I have to pay some money for my shop. You said that my business can't be done, where can I afford it? I had no choice but to sell out of the shop at a low price. I don't know where I'm going, so I have to come to you, Childe. ”

Li Yan couldn't help nodding. said with a smile: "When you come to me, you can make cannons with peace of mind, and you don't have to worry about other things at all." ”

Master Niu arched his hand and said, "Then thank you for taking it in." ”

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