The sun was setting slowly along the western sky, and the cattle were moving slowly between the vast heavens and the earth. Seventeen-year-old Feng Dabao lay on a high haystack, looking up at the sky, his heart full of melancholy.

He is seventeen years old this year, but except for one trip to Texas City to sell cattle, he has always lived in this vast grassland.

If it weren't for the fact that Daming mandated that all children must receive three years of compulsory education, learn Daming characters and settle accounts, he was sent to a public school in the town by his father Feng Laiwang for three years, and he is still blind.

It is precisely because of reading books for a few years that he knows how big the outside world is, and in the distant Middle Earth, there are all Chinese roots.

He liked to read newspapers and books, but here there were only countless cows and sheep, and people who were satisfied with their food and drink.

The sun rises and the sun sets, and every day they talk about whose cattle are infected with the plague again, and whose sheep are sold for a good price.

This unchanging life was not what he wanted, and he wanted to go to Texas City, where he would see more people than on the farms, even if he worked as a coolie on the docks, even in the factories.

But Feng Laiwang didn't want his eldest son to go out to work without taking care of the family's ranch. As soon as they heard that he wanted to go out, they were to serve him with a leather whip.

"Big young master, big young master, it's time to go back......"

The little calf, Feng Chuliu, rode a horse to the haystack, jumped off the horse skillfully, and climbed onto the haystack in three strokes.

Feng Chuliu is an indigenous Tehano, and although he has also received three years of compulsory education, he can only write his own name.

He is different from Feng Dabao, he doesn't like to read, he always thinks that sitting in the classroom and learning those Da Ming characters is a waste of time.

Not only him, but many Tejano people are like this, they seem to be easily satisfied with their daily life, eating and drinking every day, and occasionally having a few glasses of wine, and they are extremely happy.

The Ming people began to occupy this land forty years ago, and the Ming people brought the government and taxes, but also brought education and civilization.

The natives did not mind being assigned to be a vassal of the King of Germany, nor did they mind changing their customs and becoming domestic servants in the Ming family.

Now they don't have to go out to hunt or gather every day, but as long as they work, the lord not only provides them with food, cloth, and salt, but also pays them wages.

Their lives became richer, and the gathering place gradually disappeared, and they lived with the Ming people.

Because as long as they are willing to live with the Ming people, their old people can also earn a salary, and they can be treated by doctors when they are sick.

Feng Dabao knew in the book that this was the integration of nationalities, or assimilation. The Ming people brought them a happy and stable life, so they were willing to recognize the Ming people as their masters.

Of course, it will not be recorded in the book, and most of the disobedient natives have disappeared in the long river of history.

Feng Chuliu's family are all domestic servants of Feng Dabao's family, and their ancestors and grandchildren have been assigned to the Feng family for generations since Feng Dabao's father first came to Dongzhou.

The government requires that natives cannot be abused and bullied, and if they are reported by natives once, they will be taxed by one point, more than three times, and the employment opportunity will be cancelled.

Of course, if the indigenous people are not willing to work honestly, they can also report it to the government, and the government will send them back to the settlement and let them continue to live their old ways.

Feng Laiwang was originally an ordinary person, and when he came to Dongzhou, he became a landlord, and he served these natives more carefully than livestock.

Feng Chuliu's grandfather, father, all the way to him, and now the whole family is working for the Feng family.

Feng Laiwang can endure hardships, and in the past 20 years, he has earned a lot of family property, not only does the 3,000-acre pasture now belong to their family, but also supports three indigenous families.

From being unaccustomed to it at the beginning, by now, Feng Laiwang has become a real landlord, and he has changed the surname Feng to these three indigenous families.

However, he doesn't read much, and he chooses his name as he likes, Feng Chuliu was called this name because he was born in the sixth year of junior high school.

Feng Dabao looked at the sixth junior high who was riding over and kept rubbing his hands and asked, "Sixth junior high, do you have ideals?" ”

"What is an ideal?"

"It's a dream......

Feng Chuliu laughed, "Of course I have, there are a lot of them!" I want to marry Xiaoyue's mother-in-law as my wife, but she seems to have always liked you, the eldest young master. I also want my master to teach me how to drive a tractor, so that I can be a tractor driver in the future. I also want to buy a bicycle for the junior so that he can go to school in the town in the future and be able to ride a bicycle. ”

Feng Dabao felt that he was not the same person as the sixth junior high school at all, and lost his interest in chatting.

He sat up straight, looked at the unchanged field around him, and shouted loudly: "I'm going to Dezhou City, I want to go back to Daming to see Yingtianfu, see the palace where His Majesty the Emperor lives, and the Tower of Truth......"

Feng Chuliu said in a big way: "Young Master, if you go back to Daming, the cheapest ticket costs six silver dollars, and you can buy one ...... Two bikes too! The lord won't give you so much money. ”

Feng Dabao kicked him in the ass. "I'll make my own money!"

That being said, he didn't have a chance to make money at all. They have farms for hundreds of miles here, no factories, and every family is self-sufficient, with no chance of earning money.

Unless he went to help others herd the herds, but if he dared to do so, Feng Laiwang would break his leg.

The more he thought about it, the more angry he became, and he slipped off the haystack and patted the grass clippings on his body. "Let's go, go home."

The cattle raised on the farm are a cross breed of Dongzhou bison and Daming cattle, which are mainly sold for meat.

There are many people in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, and there is little land, and there are few pastures, so this kind of cattle can be transported to the Ming Dynasty and can be sold at a good price.

There is also a kind of cattle that is a cross between Dongzhou bison and buffalo, which is more docile and good at farming and plowing.

In the southern part of Middle-earth, as well as in the Nanyang region, many farmers are very fond of the small calves.

It's winter, and there's more work on the pasture, preparing hay for the winter, and driving the cattle into the barn at night.

If it's spring and summer, as long as the snake nest in the pasture is cleared and the wild wolves are guarded against, it doesn't matter.

However, in autumn, the cattle are generally sold, and the cattle live less in the winter, and the cattle live less in the summer, anyway, there is not much idle time throughout the year.

Feng Dabao is not afraid of hardship, nor is he afraid of tiredness, but he is not willing to live here day after day, year after year, he yearns for the outside life.

A pack of dogs barked and drove the cattle in the direction of the barn, while a few indigenous domestic servants tended to the lunch, or sick, cow.

Back at a cowshed on the southern slope of the mountain, Feng Laiwang and a few other domestic servants were using guillotines to cut grass. This is a delicate grain grass specially prepared for cows and calves, which is mixed with wheat bran and added to the soybean cake after oil extraction, so that the cows and calves can grow faster.

Seeing Feng Dabao and several other helpers driving cattle back, Feng Laiwang greeted a few helpers kindly, but ignored his eldest son, who had been having trouble with him recently.

Feng Dabao was bored, his legs clamped the horse's belly under his crotch, and muttered, "Dad, I'll go back first." ”

Feng Laiwang still said with a nose that was not a nose and eyes that were not eyes: "Go back and tell your mother that you will prepare forage today, and the maids will eat at home." Cook more, stew a pot of beef, you go to the cellar to scoop five catties of wine, drink secretly and be careful of being whipped. ”

A group of indigenous domestic servants all laughed, talking about the righteousness of the owner. Feng Dabao snorted, gave the horse a look, and galloped towards his home.

The Feng family is a new house that was just built a few years ago, with a two-story cement structure and log walls, and there are seven rooms on the first floor, which is enough for the Feng family to live in less than ten people.

This is only the main house, and there is a kitchen, a pigsty, a garage, and a large yard next to it. In this town, it is also a good house to build.

However, Feng Dabao's mother Yuan raised a large flock of chickens, which were scurrying around all day long, and the yard was full of chicken droppings, and as soon as they came in, they could smell a foul smell.

"Mother, I'm back. Dad is taking people to eat at home. ”

Yuan poked his head out of the kitchen with an apron on. "Mother already knew, it's almost ready."

"Then I'll come back and tell you."

The little sister who was sitting in front of the stove and burning the fire smiled: "You have an awkward quarrel with your father, and your father must have nothing to say." ”

Feng Dabao made a grimace with his little sister and asked, "Study hard in the academy, you can also go to college in Texas City in the future, and find a good in-law in the future." ”

Yuan glared at the little sister who was not shy and said, "What are you laughing at, don't be ashamed at all." You've come to a good time, I just wanted to read, and I didn't have anywhere to read. Regret it, right? ”

The last sentence was for Feng Dabao, and Feng Dabao nodded. "I regret that I didn't study hard at the beginning, otherwise, I would have been able to go to Texas City in the name of justice, and if I did, maybe I would have been able to go to college in Middle-earth at public expense! It's like now, if you want to go out, you're in charge. ”

"Don't always think about going out to see the world, you are simple-minded, and people outside can be raped!"

Feng Dabao didn't believe it. "It's like the outside government can't control it, isn't this world the world of the Ming Dynasty?"

Yuan was reluctant to talk about his son, sighed, and was busy with the work in his hands again, simmering the cut vegetables into the pot.

The little sister said coquettishly: "Big brother, my bicycle tire is broken, my father is busy, you go and help me make up for it." ”

Feng Dabao pinched a piece of cooked meat on the board, and set up a shelf waiting for the little sister to beg. The little sister was a ghost, and said with a smile: "If you help me mend the fetus, I will tell you a big thing." ”

"What's the big deal?"

"Then will you make it up?"

"Did I say I wouldn't make it up? When did you ask me for something I didn't do? ”

Xiaomei smiled: "His Royal Highness Taisun is patrolling Dongzhou, and he will come to our Texas after the year." In order to meet the inspection of the imperial court, King De has ordered that those who dare to violate the law and discipline in the near future will be severely punished. ”

Feng Dabaoqi said: "This is a matter of the government, how can it be ordered by King De?" ”

"Big brother, are you stupid? Nominally, it is a patrol and a patrol, but in fact, it is not His Majesty who asked His Royal Highness Taisun to get acquainted with the princes of Dongzhou, and succeed to the throne smoothly in the future. This time, it is headed by Taisun, and of course the royal mansions will come forward. ”

Feng Dabao showed a hint of yearning. "After that year, Texas City will be even more lively."

Texas City is the area of Houston, Texas, which is equivalent to the eastern part of Texas.

The Feng family's ranch is nearly three hundred miles away from Texas City, and it is not so convenient to see the excitement.

"Dabao, Dabao......"

Feng Dabao came out of the kitchen and saw his good friend Jiang Chuan, jumping off his horse outside the courtyard and waving to him.

Jiang Chuan is the illegitimate son of Jiang Yunda, the sheriff of the town, the Jiang family is a well-known wealthy family in the town, Jiang Yunda likes women, not only married a wife, but also took two concubines, and had children with several indigenous women.

However, since His Majesty re-established the inheritance bill, Jiang Yunda's title is, of course, a direct inheritance, but illegitimate sons also have the right to inherit property.

Jiang Chuan is a child born to an indigenous woman, and he is not valued in the Jiang family. However, the Jiang family also wants to save face, and the life of a few illegitimate children is not sad.

Jiang Chuanchang's black Zhuang is a well-known strong man in the town, and when he grew up, he was arranged by Jiang Yunda to work as an errand in the inspection department.

"Dachuan, it's getting dark, why are you here now?"

Nowadays, there are groups of wild wolves in the wild, and at night, they are not in groups, and they generally cannot go out.

However, Jiang Chuan is a member of the inspection department, equipped with a double-barreled flintlock pistol, as long as he does not encounter a large wolf pack, he is not afraid.

Jiang Chuan looked around, didn't enter the door, leaned on the side of the wall and said: "I received a report from the Dewang Mansion today, and the Dewang Mansion is recruiting guards. Three silver dollars a month, including food and lodging, and four clothes a year. Haven't you always wanted to go to Texas City? Do you want to come with me? ”

Jiang Chuan was arranged to work as an errand in the inspection department, and he also had an income of two silver dollars a month, and he was on an errand in the local area, and he was constantly courteous in four seasons a year, which was no worse than being a guard.

However, to be a guard for King De, that is to go to Texas City on an errand, for these young people, it is full of temptation.

Feng Dabao couldn't help but lower his voice and asked, "What are the conditions?" ”

"As long as you are a child of a good family, you can have Ming blood. I've already asked, even like me, as long as I am innocent, I can go. ”

Nowadays, the most stringent selection is the navy, and the navy recruits soldiers, which are all one in a hundred, not only innocent, but also able to withstand wind and waves.

The guards of the Dewang Mansion belong to the guards of the King of Germany, in addition to protecting the King of De, mainly to check taxes everywhere in Dezhou, and it is also a fat difference.

Feng Dabao was greatly moved, thought for a while and said, "I will go out to herd cattle tomorrow, and I will secretly go to the town to sign up." As long as I sign up, the wood is already in the boat, and my father is helpless. ”

Jiang Chuan said with a smile: "Be careful, don't be beaten by your father's blue nose and swollen face, when the Dewang Mansion doesn't want you, you won't be able to cry." When I go, I have to hurry home and let my mother-in-law pack her bags. ”

"You've been picked?"

"My dad is gone, and he will definitely be selected this time. I've decided to move to Texas City, and I've had enough of this place. ”

Jiang Chuan rode on his horse and hurried away, Feng Dabao looked at his back and fell into a tangle.

When Jiang Chuan got married, he divided a family property and a house, he worked as an errand in the inspection department, did not buy a ranch, and wanted to go to Texas City, that is, to move.

But his father didn't agree, and he didn't have any money, so he didn't know if he could be elected.

However, he was clearly overthinking.

Here in Texas, in addition to being a little more windy, the climate is warm, there are many people and little land, and the harvest is abundant.

The people who can settle down here are not only rich in their families, but also rich in their families.

When I went to the Dewang Mansion on an errand, I was not a regular army, and the ordinary people looked down on it, so there were not many people who signed up.

Feng Dabao went to the town's inspection department, filled out a form, and was notified that after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, he went directly to Dezhou City to sign up, and each person was also given two silver dollars for the travel fee.

When he returned home, he didn't hide it, took the certificate issued by the inspection department, and confessed to his father Feng Laiwang.

Although Feng Laiwang was angry, he was already in the boat, although he said nothing at home, he didn't dare to do anything with the Dewang Mansion.

Therefore, although he angrily took out a whip and beat Feng Dabao hard, he still asked Yuan to pack his luggage for him. "If you want to go out, Daddy won't stop you. But you go on an errand for three years, and then you come back to the ranch. Your father and I have worked all my life to earn this family business, but I am counting on you to take over, and Lao Tzu will enjoy a few years of happiness. ”

"Dad, don't worry. If I can't make a name for myself, I'll come back and take over the ranch, and if I get out, the ranch will be given to the second and third children. ”

After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Feng Dabao and several companions in the town who signed up were alone and on a horse, with luggage behind the horse, and went to Dezhou City, three hundred miles away.

Only Jiang Chuan got married, and he was also ready to move to Dezhou City, loaded his belongings into a carriage, and set off along the official road to Dezhou City in the east.

Three hundred miles, they walked and played, it took three days to finish, and at night they lived in the post station next to the official road, a few people only need a room, playing cards on the shop for fun.

On the afternoon of the third day, seeing the city of Texas in front of them, everyone's hearts were full of pride and ambition.

Dezhou Mansion is a big city in Dongzhou, which is rich in cattle, sheep, and furs, and Dezhou City is also the largest port within a radius of thousands of miles. Compared to a small town with a population of only a few thousand people, the prosperity here fascinates everyone.

Among them, only Jiang Chuan often goes to Texas City, and he knows more about this side.

"Look, there's a big chimney over there, it's a steel mill, and the blue one next to it is a tractor factory, and the tractors and harvesters you use at home are all made here. However, it is only assembled here, and the engines are all shipped over after Daming has been installed. There is also a textile factory in front of it, and there are a lot of female workers in it, you bachelors, if you have time to visit more, you may be able to find a wife! ”

Feng Dabao felt that his eyes were full of freshness. "What is the tower installed on the roof of the building for?"

This time, Jiang Chuan didn't know either. "I didn't come last time, so I don't know what it's for."

An uncle from the Jiang family who came to pick up Jiang Chuan said with a smile: "That is the signal tower that the imperial court has just ordered to build, and it is said that after it is installed, we can directly hear His Majesty's speech in Daming." ”

A group of young people looked at each other, not believing the uncle's words. Seeing their expressions, the old guy sneered and said, "Old man, why am I lying to you? Those officials and old men all said this, and I don't believe the old man, but it is said that such a signal tower has been repaired in Daming, and now in Zhongzhou, as long as it is the county seat, you can hear His Majesty speak in person. ”

Jiang Chuan asked: "Uncle, Zhongzhou is on the other side of the earth, we are here for day, and there is night, how can Your Majesty's words reach us?" ”

"The old man doesn't know...... But think about it, who is Your Majesty? The boss of the world, even the immortals, are under the control of His Majesty. He said yes, then he would definitely do. …… If I could hear His Majesty speak with my own ears, I would be willing to die, old man! ”

The crowd rode along the boulevard, their eyes fixed on the tower and they were silent. They couldn't figure it out, how could they hear His Majesty talking tens of thousands of miles away.

Everyone was shocked by the unrealistic-sounding news, which made a group of young people who had just come out of the town feel particularly depressed, as if they were a bunch of dirt buns.

Feng Dabao couldn't help but say: "To carry out these sneak attacks, if the imperial court really wants to think about the people, it should raise the price of cattle." Now a cow can be sold for less than five silver dollars, and it is said that in the Ming Dynasty, a cow can be sold for more than ten silver dollars. ”

Uncle Jiang shook his head and smiled: "In Daming, how much work does it take to raise a cow?" How much work does it take to get a cow here? You're from the Feng family, right? Last year, your father sold nearly fifty cows, and in Daming, I'm afraid you can't even afford to raise five cows, and the account is not calculated like this! ”

Feng Dabao had nothing to say, he also knew that although the cattle here were cheap, they were easy to raise. Now their family sells dozens of cattle and calves a year, even after excluding taxes and costs, it is easy to earn 200 silver coins a year.

He also often listened to his father talk about the hard days of the past, and knew that the Feng family's life was now very good.

Wang Quan, who was a little introverted, suddenly whispered: "Look, look, there are so many girls......"

The eyes of several young people were immediately drawn to the gate, and at the gate of the textile mill in front, many young ladies in pink coats and hats were buying some snacks there, and some were basking in the sun.

When they saw them, they were not ashamed, but grinned and looked at them boldly.

A few of the men were ashamed, and didn't dare to look at them anymore, and they passed by them one with red faces before they breathed a sigh of relief.

After walking over, Feng Dabao couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and couldn't help but look back.

But a group of girls were still staring at them, and when they saw Feng Dabao's movements, they couldn't help laughing.

This made Feng Dabao blush, and he didn't dare to look at it anymore.

The others are not much better than Feng Dabao, only Uncle Jiang is already light, looking at a group of young people and smiling: "These girls are all women from good families who live in Dezhou City, if you fancy anyone, you can ask someone to propose marriage." Although our family is from the town below, we have a pasture, and our life is better than that of most people in the city. For them, it's a good match. ”

When Feng Dabao heard this, his heart moved, these girls were well-informed, cheerful and generous, but they made him more excited than those girls in the town.