The situation in the southwest seems to present a delicate balancing act, but this is only scratching the surface. Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info

Because the combat effectiveness of the old army was low and the new army was too small, the Qing army could only maintain the current situation with numerical superiority. The Qing army, which was defeated one after another, whether it was the new army in Hubei or the numerous patrol battalions, all had a fear mentality and did not take the initiative to attack.

The expansion and victory of the revolutionary army in western and northwest Yunnan not only defeated the weak defenders of the patrol battalion, but also broke the siege of the Qing army to a certain extent. After Dali, an important town in northwest Yunnan, was recovered by the revolutionary army, it became a forward base, which could go north to capture Eryuan, Jianchuan, Heqing, and Lijiang, and then cross the Jinsha River and enter the Sichuan-Tibet region.

This meant that the Qing court had to mobilize troops and horses to block the revolutionary army's northward advance. If the war expands to a larger scale, it will require a longer front, more troops, and more materials, and the Qing court will be even more overwhelmed.

Despite this, the revolutionary army still maintained a strategy of steady development. While occupying, stabilizing, governing, and digesting, the idea of self-reliance and warfare has basically been realized. The Southwest Revolutionary Military Government can finally collect taxes, money and grain from the people under its rule like a government, and it can appoint local officials, establish administrative departments, and introduce various policies and measures like a government.

Yunnan's long-standing Yunnan salt provided a great source of revenue for the revolutionary military government. A large number of salt wells, mainly in southern Yunnan, with an annual output of more than 30 million catties, were taken over by the revolutionary military government, and they also followed Chen Wenqiang's salt ticket system: that is, "no matter the merchants, they are allowed to buy tickets and sell salt; Salt transportation is not limited to any well, and salt is sold anywhere. ”

In the impression of ordinary people, Yunnan is located on the border, the economy is underdeveloped, and there is even a barbarian title in history. But the development of border trade. There are still many thriving commercial centers. For example, Manmo, Jiangtou City, and Mengmi, which is rich in gemstones, can be described as a prosperous scene of "a small market a day, a large market in five days". In these trading towns, salt is the largest commodity that is indispensable, and "the daily salt of Yifang comes from this".

Reform the disadvantages of the Qing court's salt administration. By expanding the production of salt wells, the revolutionary military government won by selling volume, and added the centigold and salt tax to the price of salt at one time, which can be said to be beneficial to the government, merchants, and the people.

In addition to salt, Pu'er tea, medicinal materials, mountain goods, etc., are also bulk traded commodities in Yunnan. From the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, the countries of Southeast Asia and South Asia were the main trade objects of Yunnan, Yunnan salt and Pu'er tea. Silk and porcelain from the mainland are the main export commodities.

At the same time, the revolutionary military government reformed the system of centigold. If commodities are trafficked in the Liberation Zone, they will receive a permit at the place of departure and pay half of the cent, and will not be collected along the way, and then pay the other half after arriving at the destination.

A large number of centicards have been removed, the procedure for collecting centias has been simplified, and the amount has been greatly reduced. These measures have undoubtedly accelerated the circulation of goods in the recovery area, and have been praised by businessmen. The junta's revenues have also increased significantly.

Consolidate political power, establish administration, develop the economy, and promote trade...... Obviously, these tasks, which were not valued at the beginning of the revolution, are now becoming the cornerstone and driving force for the development and growth of the revolutionary army. And. These works also produced a variety of administrative talents, which were of great significance to the successful construction of the revolution in the future.

"It seems that it is completely achievable for one province to support one town and one soldier now, except for weapons and ammunition." Song Fuhua flipped through the report information and smiled very gratifyingly. "Of course, it's not a big problem at the moment. Speaking of which, half a year ago, I was like a frog at the bottom of a well, and I did not fully understand that revolution is a complex project! ”

"If you say that, aren't we even as good as the frogs at the bottom of the well?" Huang X smiled bitterly and said, "If you couldn't understand the strength of your guild before, then now, I'm afraid no one dares to doubt it, and no one has the heart to win." ”

"It's okay to be victorious, as long as it doesn't get in the way of unity." Song Fuhua pondered for a moment and said: "After the victory of the revolution, if the differences are difficult to bridge, they can be unique and legitimately carried out by means of modern political party competition. ”

"Mr. Song is right." Tao Chengzhang agreed, "The purpose of the revolution is much the same, they are all to overthrow the Manchu autocracy, and there will be no such feudal concept as the king of high merit, let alone worry about fighting in the same room." In the future, if they form a coalition political party or participate in national politics in the name of their own party, there will be no use of force to kill. ”

"Huanqing is honest and straightforward, and I and all comrades admire your spirit of perseverance and unsparing no effort to run for the revolution." Song Fuhua nodded with a smile, and then said solemnly: "I have always believed that if the Qing court dies, it will die due to corruption. Now that the military government has taken on a large scale, and the recovery of a large province has been completed, it is not a worrying move to take precautions and take precautions. What do you think? ”

"To establish a monitoring mechanism at the beginning of the year?" Huang X asked tentatively: "This is also possible, but I don't know what the specific charter is?" ”

"Yes, Mr. Song still has to be detailed, so I can wait before I can express my opinion." Tao Chengzhang has no objection to this.

"My idea is to establish two sets of supervisory bodies, one in the military and the other in the administration, with the intention of separating the military from the government." Song Fuhua took out the draft from the drawer and explained in detail, "Keqiang and Huanqing are both honest and loyal people, and I intend to ask the two to serve as the military and administrative supervisors respectively, so that outsiders cannot criticize them, saying that people in this association supervise this association, or there is a suspicion of selfish indulgence." ”

"Hehe, I'm a little worried about it." Huang X said with a smile: "The constitution of your association is strict and thorough, and the personnel are capable, even if some people criticize it, they don't know what it is. ”

"Whether you know it or not, it's most appropriate for two of you to hold this position." Song Fuhua insisted, looked at the two of them again and said, "Could it be that the two of you are suspicious of the lowly officials and refuse to give in?" ”

Tao Chengzhang smiled bitterly again and again and said: "Mr. Song said this, but Chengzhang couldn't shirk it. ”

"Then I'll have to make it difficult." Huang X agreed, and added: "But if there is a suitable candidate in the future, the two of us will abdicate and make way for Xian, but I will not do this offending errand." ”

"I said this as if I had bad intentions and wanted to roast them on the fire." Song Fuhua smiled heartily and said, "Then let's discuss it carefully and finalize the supervision body and the charter." ”

Although the Revolutionary United Front united the revolutionary forces, it did not completely put an end to the malpractice of doing its own thing. The members of the revolutionary groups scattered in various places still reported to their respective leaders. Listen to the instructions and orders of their respective leaders.

The appointment of Huang X and Tao Chengzhang as supervisory officials also gave them special powers, on the one hand, showed the impartiality of the Fuxing Society, and on the other hand, it also concentrated the command power of the members of the group to which they belonged so as to unify the command.

Huang X and Tao Chengzhang may not understand the intention of the Revival Society, but this matter is even on the bright side. It's also a reasonable reason. And Song Fuhua solved it in a tactful way, which is understandable.

…………..

As the base areas began to take shape and became relatively stable, money and food enabled the expansion plan of the army to be implemented. Comparatively speaking, the recruitment of the revolutionary army was more attractive than that of the Qing army.

On the wall of the intersection of Jinlong Town, an eye-catching notice was pasted: "...... The people of all nationalities are all Chinese people, and the revolutionary military government treats them with good governance, so that they are not humiliated and poor...... Today, the revolutionary army wants to relieve the people from the tyranny of the Manchu Qing Dynasty. Conquering the east and the west, the momentum is like a bamboo. And the discipline is very strict, and the people are not touched by a single drop; Fair buying and selling, full price delivery. All good people, do not doubt and cower, enthusiastically join the army, overthrow the Manchu Qing, and drive out tyranny. to share a happy life. I hope to make efforts to spread the word about this broadcast. The Southwest Revolutionary Military Government Yunnan Provincial Military Region announced! ”

Several soldiers of the Revolutionary Army of different nationalities stood under the poster. Turning to preach loudly in different languages attracted more and more people.

Proclamations are a unified model set by the military junta, which is relatively popular, and there is no such thing as that. It was originally for the common people to listen to, and it made it difficult to read. It doesn't sound like it's true, it's almost like nothing.

Among the crowd were Han Chinese, Miao and other ethnic groups, as well as Yi people who were barefoot and wore cloaks made of wool.

"Long live the revolution when tyranny is expelled." A few soldiers finally finished reading the proclamation. He raised his arms and shouted, but the audience below did not respond, and their eyes were full of confusion and curiosity.

"As long as you can shout these two words, you will have a salt tael or two. Those who joined the army and enlisted in the army were given five catties of salt and ten acres of land for each family. The soldiers of the revolutionary army did not care, this situation had been encountered many times, and in the end it had not changed much.

Hearing the word salt, there was a commotion in the crowd, although it was not much, but the key was to take it for nothing! It's like selling something to give away, no matter what it is, don't take it for nothing. When you enlist in the army, you have five catties of salt and ten acres of land!

"Drive out tyranny, overthrow the Manchus, long live the revolution, long live the revolutionary army." Several soldiers shouted again, then agitated again, and pointed, and not far away the bamboo shed had already been erected, truckloads of salt were piled up, and a row of soldiers was ready to distribute it.

Two young men in tattered clothes ran out of the crowd, came to the shed, pretended to ask questions, shouted slogans, and then each held a small bag of salt, muttered happily for a moment, and ran to the recruiting office.

It's so simple, under the power of example, people who are still hesitating rushed over, and immediately the shouts of the south and north sounded, "Drive out the tyranny, overthrow the Manchus, long live the revolution, long live the revolutionary army."

Five catties of salt and ten acres of land are used to cover military salaries, which is a very attractive condition, for poor people, that is, one person is a soldier, and the whole family is not hungry. The area bordering Yunnan, Guizhou and Guizhou, with many ethnic minorities, is also a poor area, which has not changed in modern times.

Of course, it's not so easy to get these benefits. When you become a soldier, you have to fight bravely, and if you run away in fear, your family will also be punished. The intention of the revolutionary junta is also very clear, to give you land to live well, and at the same time to tie your interests to the land, to link your family and relatives with your performance in the army.

First divide the Manchu officials' family land, and then divide the official land, which is not enough to compensate in other ways.

In addition, the "Revolutionary Army Military Service Law," the "Revolutionary Army Disability Pension Law," and the "Revolutionary Army Family Preferential Treatment Law," which have already come into effect, have basically relieved the soldiers' worries.

"Oye wants to be a guest." A Yi man squeezed up and said in a strange tone.

This Yi man was tall and big, with a black cloth wrapped around his head, shirtless, barefoot, only surrounded by a piece of linen, and his complexion was dark.

A Yi soldier immediately stepped up and acted as an interpreter, asking questions and answers, and then relaying them to the clerk next to him.

Yibu, male, 22 years old, Yi nationality, 6 feet tall, has a wife, 2 sons and 1 daughter...... The clerk brushed through the notes, but was interrupted by a commotion.

There are several large iron rods of more than 50 catties placed next to the recruitment point, which are considered to be physical examination equipment, as long as they can be lifted three times, they are qualified, simple and fast. A strong man not only lifted, but also wielded freely, causing cheers from onlookers.

Seeing that the clerk looked away, Yibu could not help frowning, snorted dissatisfiedly, strode away, grabbed an iron rod, and danced more freely than the strong man. After dancing for a while, Fang Fang stood still with the stick, his face was not red, and he was not panting, which immediately aroused even greater applause.

"Strong body, great strength......," the clerk smiled, finished writing, picked up the number plate and beckoned to Yibu.

Yibu threw the iron rod, walked over quickly, took the number plate, and said, "Field, ten acres, harm, salt, Wu tight." ”

The clerk was amused by this strange tone, called the Yi soldiers to explain it to the reckless man, and beckoned to the next one.

On the other side, there are also crowds of people in front of the shed where salt is exchanged for grain, and there are even Dong women with Dong brocade on their heads and carrying a burden, which walks like flowing water.

Although the family is poor, eating bran can cope with the past, but this good thing of exchanging salt for food cannot be caught up at any time. Therefore, many people have the idea of taking out as much food as possible from their homes in exchange for cheap salt.

"The people's demands are not high, and if they are not satisfied, it is the responsibility of the government and officials." Qiu J looked at it from a distance, and said with emotion: "I think the target of a town in the Yunnan Provincial Military Region will be completed soon." ”

"It depends on the ability of local officials!" Yang Wenkai groaned and said without concern: "Whether the policy can be implemented or not is related to the progress of conscription and the enthusiasm of the people to join the army. Before, we thought it was simple. ”

Qiu J agreed, and said with a smile: "There is one more thing you haven't said, and that is the encouragement of victory." We can't control the local government affairs, but we have the responsibility to win the battle! ”

"Or you see it all." Yang Wenkai stretched out his finger and said, "There are women who have come to sign up for the army, which is really rare." ”

"It's going to be common in the future." Qiu J smiled heartily, straightened his clothes, and strode over.

…………… (To be continued.) )