Chapter 533: How "Big" Is the Grand Governor?

Actually, it was useless for him to keep silent. The soldiers of the Tiger Army in front of them looked like they were old and rude, and they were still brainless. Xiucai met Bing, and he couldn't explain it clearly. If you want to reason with them, you might as well play the harp to the cow! Zhang Zhun's subordinates, why are all of them so stunned? It's just that these stunned greens are the ones who actually cleaned up all the tartars. Speaking of which, it's incredible.

The mountain road is getting narrower and narrower, and there are weeds taller than a man's head on both sides. The mountain wind blew and the weeds swayed, as if someone had stirred the weeds. Zhou Ming's heart was raised, and he was afraid that a hairy thief would suddenly kill him. However, the soldiers of the Tiger Army in front and behind didn't care. They just walked silently, without talking or making any superfluous movements.

One detail that Shi Kefa noticed was that when they walked, they lined up in a straight line as much as possible. Their waists are straight. The equipment on the body is attached in a unified way. What's even more amazing is that their steps are almost the same, and no one will make a mistake. Even if someone makes a mistake once in a while, they will quickly adjust again. Obviously, this is a knee-jerk behavior that doesn't need to go through the brain at all.

His heart couldn't help but become bitter. Just such a detail can be seen how strict the training and discipline of the Tiger Army are. The simpler the movement, the more it takes years of training to achieve such a consistent pace. Even the very elite Ming army can't do this, let alone the average Ming army. No wonder the Tiger Army is so strong, no wonder they can defeat the ferocious Tartars.

The strange thing is that although the mountains and forests on both sides are very dense, it seems that there will be thieves jumping out at any time. However, the voice of the thief was never heard. By the end, Zhou Ming had changed from fear to expectation. He wanted to see the horse thief appear, so that the Tiger Army would slap him in the face. However, he was disappointed, and along the way, there was not a single shadow of a thief.

Along the way, they came across several business trips. In the past, business travelers to and from here had to have a large number of bodyguards to cross the border, and they were carried out in groups. Otherwise, you will definitely be robbed or even killed by bandits. However, these business travelers they encountered were all more than a dozen people, and the most was more than two dozen people. They swaggered past here with all kinds of goods, and their expressions were quite relaxed, and they were not afraid of the appearance of bandits at all.

As he walked, the scenery suddenly brightened, and a brand new town appeared in front of him. The reason why it is brand new is because most of the houses here are not yet finished. Most of the land has obvious signs of being reorganized. The town is full of busy people, and the construction scene is in full swing.

Wang Erwan, who led the team, said loudly: "Junan County has arrived!" ”

Shi Kefa raised his head and looked at the one in front of him, and couldn't help but have some doubts. This...... Is it the original Crossroads Town? I just saw people coming and going, everyone was busy. There are many people building houses, and you can see the continuous smoke of the brick kiln, which is supposed to be firing bricks. Someone else was carrying stones. In every sense of the word, it doesn't look like a small town.

Wang Erwan sent someone to report to his superiors. Soon, someone appeared in front of Shi Kefa. This is a very heroic Tiger Army officer, about twenty years old, with a grim face. He came to Shi Kefa and said loudly: "Which one is Master Shi from Jingshi?" ”

Shi Kefa felt that the other party seemed to be a little familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere. But he soon woke up and realized that he had never seen each other at all. The reason why the face is familiar is because the military uniform of the Tiger Ben Army makes young people feel similar when they wear it. Especially people who don't often deal with the Tiger Ben Army, it's easy to confuse different officers. He groaned and said, "I am Shi Kefa, you are ......"

The officer of the Tiger Ben Army stood upright, raised his hand to salute, and said solemnly: "I am Wu Qingliang, the commander of the Gangzi Battalion of the Tiger Ben Army, and I am ordered to be stationed in Junan County. ”

Shi Kefa bowed his head and said: "It turned out to be Commander Wu, so it's polite." ”

Wu Qingliang knew that Shi Kefa had come to Laizhou Mansion and took away a large number of Tartar heads, and his relationship with Zhang Zhun was a little special. I heard that Shi Kefa went to find Zhang Zhun again this time, and he knew that it was mostly related to the occupation of Andongwei by the Tiger Ben Army. It's not good, it's the teacher who came to ask for the guilt. However, since the Tiger Ben Army has occupied Anton Wei, they are not afraid of the imperial court asking for guilt. He pretended not to know Shi Kefa's intentions, and said casually: "Why did Master Shi come to Junan County?" ”

Shi Kefa said quietly: "I went to Fushan City on business, and when I passed by here, I came over to have a look." Commander Wu, I want to walk around the streets, I don't know if it is allowed? ”

Wu Qingliang said with a smile: "What did Master Shi say? We stand up straight, sit upright, what are we afraid of? Please! ”

With that, he got out of the way.

Shi Kefa bowed his head slightly in thanks and walked forward.

Zhou Ming thought that the Tiger Army would definitely send someone to follow them and monitor their movements along the way, but he didn't expect that the Tiger Army would ignore them. Behind them, there were no other Tiger Warriors following them. Wu Qingliang was busy with his own affairs, and Zhou Ming was relieved.

"People of the court!"

"Look! The people of the court! ”

"Look, everyone! The people of the imperial court appear here! ”

Suddenly, Zhou Ming heard someone shouting. He hurriedly turned his head to look over, and saw that it was the craftsman who was building a house next to him, shouting at them in twos and threes. Zhou Ming suddenly became happy, these craftsmen shouted so loudly, it seemed that they had been welcoming Master Wang for a long time. Shi Kefa was also smiling, and his mood was finally a little better. It seems that the people of Qingzhou Mansion are relatively shallow by Zhang Zhun's poison, and their hearts are still towards the imperial court.

"Phew!"

"Phew!"

"Phew!"

At this moment, many craftsmen suddenly spat on them, their faces full of hatred.

Shi Kefa and Zhou Ming suddenly looked blank.

Spit?

What does that mean?

Suddenly, a craftsman shouted: "Lackeys of the court! Get out of Junan County! ”

It's good that he doesn't scream, but as soon as he barks, the craftsmen around him all shout: "The lackeys of the court!" Get out of Junan County! The lackeys of the imperial court! Get out of Junan County! ”

It's okay for a group of craftsmen here to scream, but when the craftsmen next to them heard it, they also shouted angrily: "The lackeys of the court!" Get out of Junan County! The lackeys of the imperial court! Get out of Junan County! ”

In the shouting, more and more craftsmen participated, and the sound was wave after wave, deafening, and resounding in the sky. Shi Kefa and Zhou Ming's expressions suddenly changed. Especially Shi Kefa, his face became a little blue. He never imagined that these craftsmen would hate themselves and the court so much.

Under the excitement of the crowd, some craftsmen tried to rush out from the side and beat Shi Kefa and others. Most of these craftsmen are from Antonwei. In the guardhouse, the life of the craftsman is the worst. Their monthly rations are minimal. Fields are also minimal. Their main income is to work. If you don't have a job to do, you will starve to death anytime, anywhere. The system of guards is slack, and there is no work at all. If you don't work, you don't have income. Without income, you can only starve to death.

Fortunately, after the arrival of the Tiger Army, the status of craftsmen has been greatly improved. In the area controlled by the Tiger Army, there is a lot of work that requires the participation of craftsmen. Craftsmen not only have work to do, but their wages are still relatively good, and their lives improve the fastest, so they are the most sensitive to the imperial court. Seeing the people of the imperial court appear, the craftsmen couldn't help but be excited. Who wants to go back to the hard old days?

Cao Ding beside Zhou Ming and Shi Kefa's entourage were all confiscated, and they were only bare-handed. Where are their opponents in the face of these crazy craftsmen? Fortunately, Wu Qingliang came from the side, frowned, and waved at those craftsmen, and those craftsmen left in a huff. However, everyone can see that they are not willing to leave like this.

A craftsman took two steps, then suddenly turned his head and asked, "Commander Wu, why did the dog officials of the imperial court appear here?" Isn't the boss going to hand over Junan County to the imperial court again? ”

The other craftsmen, hearing such a question, immediately stopped, obviously concerned about this problem. If they moved to Junan County, but the Tiger Army returned Junan County to the imperial court, then they would have to move again. They will never accept the rule of the imperial court again.

Wu Qingliang said affirmatively: "No, they just passed by here and took a look by the way." I'm right here, what are you worried about? If Lord Governor wants you to move here, can he still sell you to the imperial court? ”

The craftsmen were assured, and then they dispersed.

Wu Qingliang glanced at Shi Kefa, Zhou Ming and the others, didn't say anything, and turned to leave.

Zhou Ming looked around, anxious and angry, and said in a low voice: "Master Shi, I see that there are some evil sects here......"

Shi Kefa was silent, and his expression was very complicated.

There is no evil here, he can still see it confidently. To say that these craftsmen were organized by the Tiger Army to act, it really doesn't look like it. It seems that the people of the imperial court are indeed not very popular here. Perhaps, there is indeed a reason for the propaganda, incitement, and instigation of the Tiger Ben Army. However, it is an indisputable fact that the imperial court has become more and more unpopular in recent years. In particular, the continuous increase in salaries has ruined the last bit of popular sentiment.

He has held a position in the household department for a long time, and he is very familiar with the collection of taxes in the world. Emperor Chongzhen's successive salary increases were actually the act of drinking to quench his thirst. According to the relevant laws, the fields of the gentry were not subject to tax. In other words, only the land of the ordinary people had to pay taxes. Liao, repression, and training are actually aimed at ordinary ordinary people.

However, in the Chongzhen period, how many ordinary people still have their own fields? Even if they had their own land, in order to avoid high taxes, they preferred to sell it to the gentry or put it in their name. Either simply abandon the fields and flee. As a result, the taxes of the imperial court are naturally decreasing. The more you raise, the less tax you will collect.

For example, there were more than 3 million taels in the first year of Liaoyu. By the second year, it was just over a million taels. By the third year, it was less than a million taels. The reason is very simple, the owner of the field who was paid more than Liao has been replaced. After being replaced by the local gentry, the Liao salary could not be collected. For the gentry did not have to pay for food.

The same is true of the subsequent salaries and salaries. The more you add, the less you receive. The less you receive, the more you add. It's all a vicious circle. In the end, the money was not received, but of course the people's hearts were gone. How can a court without the will of the people last? Shi Kefa did not dare to touch this fatal problem at all, because the problem was so terrible.

Shi Kefa hadn't spoken yet, but someone next to him said coldly: "Ho, Shi Langzhong doesn't dare to say that the evil sect is here, but you dare to say that we have the evil sect here, but where are you sacred?" ”

Zhou Ming and Shi Kefa were both slightly surprised, this person spoke so hostilely, which one was it? The Tiger Ben Army is in Junan County, what other big shots are there?

But at the corner of the street, a young man came out, also in his twenties, undressed, energetic, followed by five or six people. He glanced at Shi Kefa and Zhou Ming, and said in a somewhat cold tone: "Shi Langzhong, I didn't expect that we would meet here. Last time I said goodbye to Laizhou City, I thought it would take a long time to see Shi Langzhong, but I didn't expect that in less than three months, Shi Langzhong appeared again. ”

Shi Kefa was slightly stunned, then reacted, and said with a smile: "Oh, you are Liu Hang." ”

This young man is none other than Liu Hang. As the captain of the firefighting team, Jang Joon likes to put him where he is most needed. For example, Junan County. He is the leader of all the reforms and construction in Junan County, and he is currently very busy. He heard that Shi Kefa had come to Junan County, but he didn't have time to see him. However, by coincidence, the two actually met on the street and heard Zhou Ming's words.

Liu Hang's temperament is relatively straightforward, and he can't stand others saying bad things about Hu Benjun behind his back, so he couldn't help but answer immediately. For Shi Kefa, Liu Hang really doesn't have a good impression. In his opinion, Shi Kefa is a loyal lackey of the imperial court, even if he has a little talent, it is not worth mentioning. Zhang Zhun's attitude towards Shi Kefa, Liu Hang has always been unimpressed, and felt that it was completely unnecessary. He stared at Zhou Ming and said coldly: "Shi Langzhong's memory is not bad, I am Liu Hang." ”

Shi Kefa had met Liu Hang. The last time he came to read the edict, he was received by Liu Hang in Laizhou City. However, the two only met politely and did not have a deep friendship. When escorting the head of the Tartars to pass through Laizhou City, Liu Hang had already gone to other places to put out fires and did not meet. At that time, Shi Kefa could feel Liu Hang's strong hostility towards him.

In fact, in Zhang Zhun's team, this Liu Hang's thinking is the most radical. For the current imperial court, Liu Hang does not have the slightest good impression. He really wanted to overthrow the current imperial court wholeheartedly and re-establish the Datong society. Therefore, no matter what merits Shi Kefa has, as long as he is a member of the imperial court, Liu Hang regards him as an enemy. In dealing with the enemy, of course, there is no need to be polite.

Shi Kefa said slowly: "I didn't expect to meet Zihao here, it's really fateful." ”

Liu Hang said lukewarmly: "Did Shi Langzhong pass by here unintentionally, or did he come here specifically to take a look?" ”

Shi Kefa didn't answer the rhetorical question, and said slowly: "What is Zihao doing here?" ”

Liu Hang didn't hide it, pointed around, and said coldly: "Shi Langzhong asked knowingly. ”

Shi Kefa looked around and said quietly: "This is all your credit?" ”

Liu Hang straightened his waist and said modestly: "No, it's everyone's credit." ”

However, his tone was still a little arrogant. In just one month, Liu Hang organized the people who had relocated to Junan County, opened up more than 200,000 mu of fields, and seized the time to sow winter wheat. If there is no accident, by the end of the year, Junan County will be able to reclaim about 200,000 acres of fields. In this way, the fields in Junan County can exceed 400,000 mu, which is equivalent to all the fields of Andongwei before.

It's a miracle in every sense of the word. As long as the winter wheat sown is harvested, according to the calculation of 300 catties per mu, Junan County will be able to harvest at least 60 million catties of grain next year. As long as you save a little, you can meet the consumption of 100,000 people a year. As the fields continue to be cleared, more winter wheat is harvested. At the same time, there are also a large number of novel crops such as sweet potatoes, corn, potatoes, etc. Although these are not staple foods, they can also replace some of them.

Today, Junan County has almost 13,000 permanent residents. In Antonwei, there are many more who are ready to move here. By next year, the permanent population of Junan County should exceed 20,000. In less than half a year, Junan County really has a prototype of a county. Junan County has stepped on two provinces and three provinces, once it develops, it will be terrible.

Shi Kefa said slowly: "Wulian Mountain is full of thieves, the land is barren, Zihao can make some achievements here, I really admire it." In the future, if I have time, I will have to ask for advice in person. ”

Feeling Liu Hang's distance, Shi Kefa couldn't help but be a little angry, so he claimed to have changed from "me" to "so". He even had a bit of a serious meaning with Liu Hang. If you simply develop the economy, my Shi Kefa may not be worse than you Liu Hang. It's just that the imperial court didn't give me such an opportunity.

Liu Hang was stunned, and then laughed.

Shi Kefa was a little unhappy, frowned and asked, "Why is Zihao laughing?" ”

Liu Hang said without humility or arrogance: "Shi Langzhong, your news is lagging behind. The thieves of Wulian Mountain have been basically wiped out, and it is impossible to continue to plague the place. ”

Shi Kefa said in surprise: "It's all cleaned up?" ”

Liu Hang said casually: "This, let's ask Commander Wu to talk to you." ”

After that, he called someone to invite Wu Qingliang.

Wu Qingliang was nearby, and he came in a while.

Liu Hang said with a smile: "Old Wu, others don't believe in your achievements in suppressing bandits, and suspect that you are falsely reporting the results, it seems that you need to clarify." ”

Wu Qingliang said without humility or arrogance: "Master Shi, the bandits in Wulian County, as long as they are on a large scale, they have all been exterminated. Whether there are three or two that slip through the net once in a while, I can't guarantee it. But the gang of more than five people was all defeated by us. ”

Shi Kefa said with interest: "Can you tell me?" How do you do that? As far as I know, the bandits of Wulian Mountain have been plagued by Anton Wei for a long time. ”

The suppression of bandits is not a military secret, and it doesn't matter if Shi Kefa knows about it, so Wu Qingliang chose to talk to Shi Kefa in general. There is no concealment of the strategy of the small detachment implemented by the Tiger Ben Army, the policy of chasing and fighting fiercely and fighting to the death, and the policy of suppressing bandits without stopping.

After Shi Kefa listened, he suddenly said: "Since the bandits in Wulian Mountain have been cleared, why hasn't your army withdrawn?" ”

This is the drama meat is coming.

Liu Hang said solemnly: "Shi Langzhong, I don't think Commander Wu is qualified to answer this question, he is carrying out the orders of the Governor's Mansion. If you want to ask, you can only go to the Governor's Mansion to ask what is going on. I think someone there will give you a clear answer. ”

Shi Kefa had to keep a straight face and said solemnly: "Two, the edict given to Zhang Zhun by the imperial court is only in charge of the military affairs of Laizhou Mansion and Dengzhou Mansion, but the territory of Qingzhou Mansion is not your turn to be stationed, right?" Your army is stationed here, and it is obvious that it has overstepped. ”

Liu Hang glanced at Shi Kefa and said unabashedly: "Shi Langzhong, are you here to trouble us?" Are you here to ask for guilt on behalf of the imperial court? ”

Shi Kefa said solemnly: "There are no two kings in the country and no two lords in the people, how can your army not carry out the emperor's edict?" I think both of you give a clear explanation. ”

Liu Hang nodded, and said equally seriously: "In this case, please go to the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion in Fushan City, I think someone there will give you a reasonable explanation." ”

He deliberately bit the word "big" very hard, and his tone dragged on strangely, with a very strong taste of irony, as long as it was a person, he could hear the inappropriateness.

Shi Kefa immediately realized, frowned and asked, "Liu Hang, what do you mean by this?" ”

Liu Hang said unabashedly: "I have heard that the Governor's Mansion of the Five Armies has a left governor and a right governor, but there has never been a metropolitan governor. I don't know where the title of Metropolitan Governor came from? What does it mean when the edict says that the governor is the capital? ”

Shi Kefa frowned and said, "The Grand Governor is naturally also the Metropolitan Governor. The imperial court acts cheaply, and it makes sense, so why should you know it? ”

Liu Hang said without giving an inch: "In this case, our army is just acting cheaply, it makes sense, what does the court have to know?" ”

Zhou Ming, who was next to him, saw Liu Hang's arrogant appearance, and couldn't help but muttered in a low voice: "You tiger army, you are really arrogant......

"Bang!"

Suddenly, a deafening gunshot rang out from behind.

All Cao Ding was stunned, and their faces were defeated.

"Poof!"

Suddenly, a wild goose fell in front of Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming was suddenly startled, and hurriedly took three steps back, his face pale.

The person who shot was none other than Wu Qingliang.

"Bang!"

Before they could react, Wu Qingliang changed to a tiger gun and shot it into the sky.

"Poof!"

Another wild goose fell straight down and landed beside Zhou Ming again.

Suddenly, all the Cao Ding were silent.

Zhou Ming felt that his body was trembling involuntarily.

Liu Hang said quietly: "If you want to ask the teacher, please go to the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion in Fushan City, there will naturally be someone there to welcome you!" We don't accept them here! Come! Drop-off! ”

Shi Kefa, Zhou Ming and others had no choice but to leave Junan County in a huff.

Along the way, no one dared to say anything nonsense. The Tiger Ben Army can even shoot down the geese flying in the sky, and if you want to clean up a few of them, isn't it enough to catch them? Shi Kefa was naturally not frightened, but his mouth was even more bitter. Tiger Army, Tiger Army, really a toothless tiger, you want to eat people wherever you go!