Throughout last year, Liu Guoneng and the other two mountain regiments arrested a total of 150,000 Japanese slaves, and the Recruitment Bureau recruited more than 300,000 Japanese slaves through recruitment.

This year, with the further deterioration of the economy and the increasing number of peasants who rioted, the three mountain regiments stationed in the city were busy.

At the same time, the number of recruited Japanese slaves will also increase, because the peasants can no longer live, and when they encounter the recruitment of the recruitment bureau, they will choose to go to the Ming Dynasty, and at the same time, the recruitment bureau will expand the number of recruits, and through diplomatic means, the Tokugawa shogunate will give the recruitment bureau privileges.

In other words, the Recruitment Bureau could recruit workers at will, and the Tokugawa shogunate and local officials were not allowed to stop the recruits if they were voluntary.

There is no navy now, and the rule is stormy, not to mention the mountain regiments stationed in Saymoto, as soon as these mountain regiments leave, they will be accepted by the Tokugawa shogunate. The Tokugawa shogunate completely lost the power to negotiate terms with the Shandong political axe, but Tokugawa Iemitsu was apparently reluctant to meet with the ambassador to Japan, Zhang Minhan.

Zhang Minhan sat opposite Tokugawa Iemitsu, looked at Tokugawa Iemitsu's reluctant appearance, and smiled: "Tokugawa General, our general has explained, and we will not let the shogunate suffer." ”

"I wonder what instructions the Admiral has?" Tokugawa Iemitsu heard that it was beneficial, and couldn't help but ask quickly.

"Our general knows that there is a shortage of food, so we can give 1 million stone of dried sweet potato flour to Yuben every year for disaster relief, and if the disaster is serious, our general will increase the aid, and after three years, the amount of dried sweet potato flour we will help to Yuben will definitely reach at least 3 million stone per year. to help the shogunate stabilize the situation. Zhang Minhan said.

"The general is merciful, and the minister bows and thanks the general." Tokugawa Iemitsu couldn't help but be pleasantly surprised when he heard that there was such a big benefit, and knelt down and kowtowed to the east, looking extremely respectful.

For Tokugawa Iemitsu, the biggest headache is the food problem, as well as the population problem, the population is not more, but less.

The lack of food was due to the destruction of the natural economy in the countryside, the small population was due to the war, the entire Kwantung Plain was swept away by the Shandong army, and there were constant riots in other areas, coupled with the Ming people recruiting workers everywhere, which led to the population of the city began to decline.

For this reason, Tokugawa Iemitsu wanted to order the following to hold an uncovered assembly to increase the number of people, but production could not be restored for a while, and was limited by various difficulties.

At this time, the Shandong political axe promised to give the shogunate assistance, how could Tokugawa Iemitsu not be happy.

At the request of the embassy, Tokugawa Iemitsu issued a new decree allowing the Recruitment Bureau to recruit workers freely in the country, and the feudal domains could not block it.

At the same time, Tokugawa Iemitsu, after receiving the promise, immediately ordered the holding of an uncovered assembly in the Kanto region, calling on the emperor's people to have more children.

The emperor is still retained, but the emperor has been handed over to the control of the Shandong political axe by Tokugawa Iemitsu, and this trick also made the Tokugawa shogunate a lot more obedient, because once they are disobedient, the Shandong political axe can sacrifice the name of the emperor and then form a puppet political axe, and then even the puppet political axe is not appropriate, at least the puppet political axe can still enjoy wealth.

The emperor was very important in his own beliefs, and Zhao Yan chose to keep the emperor in order not to exacerbate the contradictions between the Japanese people.

Emperor Yuben had just handed over the political axe of Shandong at the end of last year, and Zhao Yan had already reported to the cabinet and asked Chongzhen to come out and canonize Emperor Yuben as the king.

Although the emperor said that although the emperor kept it, but this title was not reserved, this girl dared to call the emperor, and there was a heavenly character, so naturally he wanted to harmonize him.

The so-called uncovered assembly is a traditional custom of the book.

In order to cope with the shortage of soldiers brought about by the war, he ordered men to take women on the street at will, in order to rapidly increase the population.

Therefore, in later generations, there will be a phenomenon of letting female students strip naked in class to let them eliminate their sense of shame, and they will be very casual in their surnames.

The thing behind the kimono was developed from the Uncovered Assembly, because it could be placed on the ground as a pillow.

The uncovered meeting that took place in the Kanto region made the Ming people in the book stunned, and they all sighed, it turns out that this is okay. The embassy hurriedly reported the phenomenon to Zhaojiabao.

Zhao Yan didn't feel anything when he received the news in Zhaojiabao, this was already known to him, it was not a new thing, and the little devil still couldn't figure it out.

However, an order was issued to the embassy in Japan, strictly prohibiting this kind of behavior from spreading beyond the Kanto region.

This is also a slave girl, the red light district of Shandong needs to be a slave girl, this ancient profession can not be eliminated, since it can not be eliminated, then let a foreign woman do it, when the slave girl is transported to Shandong, it is best to be innocent, not for anything else, it is valuable.

As for the aid given to Yuben, it is all trivial.

Anyway, sweet potatoes are as much as you want. If it was before, Zhao Yan was really reluctant to take out so much dried sweet potato flour to help him, after all, dried sweet potato flour belongs to the type with high labor intensity in production.

But if you use a steam engine to complete most of the workload, then the production of dried sweet potato flour is easy, and Song Yingxing has just developed a set of semi-automatic production lines powered by a steam engine not long ago.

The cleaning and beating of dried sweet potatoes are completed by the power of the steam engine, which skips the two most tiring procedures, reduces the input of labor costs by half, and makes dried sweet potato flour very cheap.

At present, there is no need to worry about the grain production of Daming, sweet potatoes are planted everywhere, and the planting area of other crops is also increasing, so what is there to worry about.

However, it is impossible for people to eat sweet potatoes every day, not to mention that they will be malnourished, and even their stomachs will be eaten bad after eating them for more than ten years, so they still have to make great efforts to restore agricultural production.

The population of Yuben can grow, which Zhao Yan is happy to see, because it can export more cheap labor for the Ming Dynasty.

At this stage of productivity, manpower is still very important, and the devil must work more and contribute more to the earth.

He said that he had no ability to turn over now, the navy was restricted, science and technology, technology, and academic dissemination were all restricted, and he was restricted from leaving the country.

He said that he would always be under the dark rule of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Even if the little devil resists, it is useless, Zhao Yan has stationed three mountain regiments in Yuben, just to be able to deal with the resistance and change of the little devil at any time.

It is said that this bushido has also been restricted to a certain extent, but it has not been completely restricted to death, and this has to be done slowly.

"This year, we had better recruit 2 million Japanese slaves, so that after deducting the cost of Japanese slaves, all our project investment is expected to be reduced by 25 million silver dollars." Zhang Buyun said to Zhao Yan, "Together with the 1.6 million Japanese slaves we have now, we can save nearly 50 million taels of infrastructure construction costs every year." ”

Zhao Yan couldn't help laughing and said: "2 million people are estimated to be impossible, 1 million!" ”

"My lord, we can use the means of coercing surnames." Zhang Buyun said.

"I say that I have too little, which is not good for trade." Zhao Yan shook his head and said, Zhang Buyun shook his head and said: "Lord, compared with trade and infrastructure construction, subordinates feel that infrastructure construction is more important. ”

"Wenlong, since you want to get more Japanese slaves so much, then you can find an excuse!" Zhao Yan shook his head helplessly, Zhang Buyun heard Zhao Yan say this, and said with a smile: "The subordinates must be able to find a good excuse for the Tokugawa shogunate to commit it." ”

Excuses are easy to find, and there are now some merchants who are doing business in the country, and if one of them has any accidents, it is a reason to ask the Tokugawa shogunate.

When the time came, the issue of compensation was raised, and the Tokugawa shogunate naturally succumbed to the persecution with soldiers.

As for the market, Zhao Yan is not very optimistic about it now.

There are really no resources, it is so barren that there are a lot of copper mines, and the farmers have little money, and the market is getting smaller and smaller.

Catching Japanese slaves will destroy the market, so now Zhao Yan doesn't care much about it.

Grab more, grab more! Anyway, if you cut a stubble, you will grow a stubble, and with the reproduction speed of the devil, it is completely able to keep up, and the market is already fast, and what you can contribute to is the Japanese slaves.

…… After the Chinese New Year, Zhao Yan rarely goes out, and usually accompanies Yuan'er at home, and Yuan'er will be born in two months, so Zhao Yan naturally wants to be by his side.

On this day, Yan Yuyao suddenly felt unwell, Zhao Yan hurriedly called a doctor to check her, and it turned out that Yan Yuyao was also pregnant.

Only then did Zhao Yan realize that he was about to break out in this world.

Zhang's mouth was closed happily, Yuan'er was happy last year, and Yan Yuyao was also happy this year, and the two bellies would definitely be able to give birth to a grandson.

After knowing that Yan Yuyao was also pregnant, Salena's eyes were red, and she looked at Zhao Yan with two teary eyes, and begged: "Husband, I also want a baby." ”

Seeing her crying like this, Zhao Yan hugged her and comforted, "Be good, don't cry, don't cry." ”

"I want to." Serena repeated.

"Don't be in such a hurry!" Zhao Yan said with some hesitation that Salena is not pregnant yet, mainly because Zhao Yan has taken contraceptive measures.

"But both sisters have it, but Salena doesn't." Shalena pouted and said, Shalena saw that Yuan'er and Yan Yuyao were pregnant, and she was a little hesitant for a while.

It's been a long time since she came to Daming, and Salena also knows the truth that mothers value their sons.

"Uh......" Zhao Yan hesitated for a while, Shalena lay in his arms and cried directly, Zhao Yan couldn't see a woman crying, so he had to coax: "Okay, okay, we also want a baby." ”

"Really?" Shalena stopped crying directly, Zhao Yan nodded, Shalena showed a bright smile again, Zhao Yan couldn't help but be embarrassed, this chick turned her face faster than a book.

Let's give birth to one! Zhao Yan thought to himself.

…… On the first day of February, Zhao Yan attended a ceremony.

It was a send-off ceremony, attended by the first group of veterans.

"Childe, they have basically mastered the operation of the farm in the past two months of study, and they are waiting for the land to be issued." On the way, Zhao Quan said to Zhao Yan.

"Hmm." Zhao Yan nodded, "Uncle Quan, where do you think this first batch should be decentralized?" ”

"According to the old slaves, it is better to arrange them to be scattered." Zhao Quan said: "It's too concentrated to make a difference, Henan, Huguang, and Sichuan provinces have land, and Sichuan can get the most estimates." ”

"Then let them choose!" Zhao Yan shook his head and said.

"It's better for us to promulgate the "Agricultural Tax Reform Act" of the provinces in a few days, especially in Sichuan, as long as it is promulgated, the price of land will definitely dive to worthless, and then let the Son of Heaven and the common people pay the same tax, Emperor Chongzhen will definitely be like thunder."

The Sichuan vassal king occupies so much land, and the most abandoned land, if Sichuan is done, it will definitely make Chongzhen angry, and Chongzhen may not be able to help but make some moves when the time comes.

It was not Chongzhen who provoked the Mao, but an entire ruling class.

If Zhao Yan promulgates agricultural tax bills in other provinces, those stubborn landlord forces will inevitably jump out to resist, and then it will be lively.

"I have a claim on this." Zhao Yan said indifferently, and Zhao Quan didn't say it anymore.

At this time, Zhao Yan was ready to confront the entire old forces, and each province sent 20,000 armed policemen, which was enough to wipe out the resistance forces in each province.

The forces have been arranged, and the ability to swallow the entire Ming Dynasty is already available, and there is only the final stage left at this time.

Soon Zhao Yan came to the school grounds, and more than 8,000 veterans had gathered again.

It is still a straight military posture and a uniform pace.

"Stand upright, salute."

With a shout, the veterans present all raised their hands and saluted Zhao Yan who came to the podium, perhaps this was the last time they received Zhao Yan's instructions.

"Take a break." Zhao Yan held a horn in his hand and ordered loudly.

"Today is a special day, and it is also a day that makes people happy and sad." Zhao Yan recalled the scenes that had just come to this era, and couldn't help but feel emotional.

"I know that many of you don't want to retire and want to continue to stay in the army, and we established the current people's army in Zhaojiabao at the beginning. At that time, we were poor and white, but we still built a village army here, because of what? Because at that time the world was chaotic, aliens watched, and our compatriots were hungry and had no way to live because of the chaos. Now in its sixth year, we have eliminated the alien race that watched us, and we have stabilized the situation in the Ming Dynasty. ”

Zhao Yan said loudly: "Among you, the latest to join the army is four years, you have established a firm mind in the army, and you have learned a good culture. It's not that I let you retire from the army anymore, but that the country needs you to continue to struggle, but the place where you will struggle in the future is not the battlefield, but the locality, and now the Ming Dynasty is still not revived, you need to go to the local struggle. ”

Many of the veterans below had moist eyes, and many were so accustomed to the life of conquest that it would be extremely reluctant for them to leave the army.

Many people also want to continue their work.

"You are all heroes who fought for the country, the nation will not erase your merits, and the country will not forget your blood and sweat, let alone treat every hero. All soldiers who enlisted in the army before Chongzhen nine years ago will be given 500 acres of good land after being discharged from the army, and they will be exempted from tax for 5 years, so that all meritorious heroes will have no worries about food and clothing. When you get to the place, you can go into business, you can go to the factory, you have enough culture, if you don't understand, you can come back at any time for training, and at the same time you can choose to continue fighting, it's all up to you. Zhao Yan said loudly.

"General Xie Longen." Suddenly, someone fell to his knees.

"General Xie Longen."

After a few moments, everyone knelt down, and everyone understood that they were not abandoned, but that they had reached the point of success.

Everyone knelt down, but every time they knelt down for Zhao Yan, it was out of their hearts, because Zhao Yan didn't ask them to kneel.

"Stand upright." Zhao Yan shouted, and those veterans stood up one after another. Zhao Yan continued: "After you are discharged from the army, you must keep in mind the education in the army, do not be tainted with bad habits, do not bully your compatriots, and be enthusiastic about helping and protecting your compatriots. It is necessary to actively supervise local government and actively respond to maladministration. ”

As soon as Zhao Yan's words fell, he replied in unison: "Remember the general's teachings." ”

Reporters from various newspapers have seen from this scene what it means to be a well-trained and literate army, and the soldiers have a strong ability to understand and react quickly.

"Very good, don't let General Ben down, step forward to receive the medal one by one." Zhao Yan said, Zhao Quan moved the box containing the medal.

Zhao Quan opened the box, and inside was a veterans' medal made of pure gold.

Zhao Yan took the medal and began to put it on for the veterans with his own hands, and then said to the soldiers in front of him encouragingly: "Don't forget the education in the army, and live a good life when you get to the place." ”

"Yes." The soldier saluted with tears in his eyes.

Zhao Yan put on the veterans one by one the soldiers present, and the ceremony lasted all day.

The medal awarded to them this time weighs 31 grams, which is almost one tael of gold, that is, the value of 10 taels of silver, which is actually not much.

10 taels of silver is not much for these retired soldiers, but every soldier cherishes it very much, the medal needs to be kept well, which represents the honor of the soldiers, and getting this medal means that they are officially discharged, this is the last medal they get, no one will sell it.

Basically, no one chooses to sell their medals, and they are paid well after they are discharged from the army.

Everyone can get 500 acres of land in Daming, and it is flat and connected land, and most of them will be selected in convenient places.

In overseas colonies and open territories in the north, 3000~5000 acres of land can be obtained. If they want to open a factory and do business, they can also go back to Zhaojiabao for training.

Zhao Yan encouraged them to do business because he needed businessmen with good character, and most of the characters that were educated in the melting pot of the army were fine.

At the same time, they can also get credit for business, which is not available to ordinary businessmen.

These veterans all underwent two months of training after being discharged from the army, and after they were discharged, they understood their duties and responsibilities, and many chose to go to the frontiers and colonies because they could continue to fight there.

But most people still choose to stay in Daming, not everyone has the courage to go to the desolate colony to live a long time, but many veterans to live in the local area for a few years, gradually tired of the ordinary life, some of them went to school to study, some went to business, some took up arms again, and formed an expedition with their former comrades-in-arms to explore overseas......

(To be continued)