More than 90% of Yunnan's landform is mountainous, and natural resources are very rich, so Yunnan contains rich non-ferrous metal deposits. Among all kinds of metal deposits, silver ore and copper ore are the most abundant. Since the Yuan Dynasty through the Ming and Qing dynasties, successive rulers have mined silver and copper in Yunnan, and the mining volume of silver ore in Yunnan accounted for half of the peak time, and as of the Qing Dynasty, the mining volume of silver ore in Yunnan is still very important.

Silver and copper mining in Yunnan has long been government-run, and private individuals have no right to mine. Since it is mined by the government, a huge mining and smelting team is naturally formed. The miners who mine copper and silver ore are like today's armed police gold troops called military craftsmen, the difference is that military craftsmen are hereditary, that is, Lao Tzu's sons and grandchildren are passed down from generation to generation. The ethnic minorities in Yunnan lack smelting silver ore and copper ore jishu, so the military craftsmen are basically Han people, and the number of military craftsmen reached hundreds of thousands at the peak, which is also the main reason for the large number of Han people to immigrate to Yunnan.

Deng Zixuan asked He Meng to march to Yunnan, and the main task was to pocket the silver and copper mines in Yunnan. Military equipment requires a large amount of copper ore, and this piece is indispensable. And the silver mine is also Deng Zixuan's top priority. In the next step, Deng Zixuan will carry out financial currency reform, and if paper money is issued immediately, it will be strongly resisted by the people of Limin, so there must be a transitional stage, that is, the issuance of silver dollars and paper money.

The difference between silver dollars and silver is the purity between the two, compared with silver dollars, the advantage is that it is convenient and direct, and it will be more convenient in the field of circulation, which has an obvious effect on promoting the development of commerce, especially the development of the retail industry. Deng Zixuan used paper money instead of copper money, first, the value of copper money is small, and the replacement of paper money with paper money will not cause strong resistance, and second, the copper money purchased can meet the needs of the military industry, and the key is to create conditions for the full issuance of paper money in the future.

In this regard, Deng Zixuan repeatedly explained to He Meng that he must firmly control the silver and copper mines in Yunnan. There must be no ambiguity about the need for a large amount of reserves for the issuance of silver dollars. In addition, the acquisition of silver and the issuance of silver dollars, the huge profits in it, Deng Zixuan knew it. There was no way to support huge military spending, and he had to do it.

When He Meng went north from Fushan, he received a report that tens of thousands of Qing troops led by the governor of Yunnan, including the Yunnan general, had fled to Sichuan, so it became relatively easy for He Meng to capture the entire territory of Yunnan, and how to effectively control the copper and silver mines in Yunnan became his main task. The army continued to move north, and He Meng rode a high-headed horse with a frown, and his brows were heavy. "Brigade commander, the Qing army in Kunming has fled, you don't seem to be happy?" The subordinate was concerned.

He Meng said: "Before entering Yunnan, the commander-in-chief focused on two things, one was the national policy, which was related to the rapid stability of Yunnan, and the other was the effective control of Yunnan's silver and copper mines. The commander-in-chief was really like a god, and the Qing army in Yunnan fled when he heard the news. I thought that after a hard battle, now it seems that it is not a problem to occupy the whole territory of Yunnan. "In that case, the brigade commander weishenme is troubled." The subordinate asked confusedly.

He Meng sighed and said: "Several major silver mines in Yunnan are distributed in Dali and the surrounding areas, according to intelligence, after the Qing army fled, the Dali silver mine was out of control, and at present, several major silver mines are controlled by Dali's ** armed forces. "Brigadier Commander! How difficult is it to recapture by force, ** armed forces may not even be as good as the green battalion of the Qing army. The subordinates were dismissive. He Meng said: "Right now, our Northern Expeditionary Army has a great reputation, and the righteous army is like thunder. If it is seized by force, it will inevitably lead to killing. I fear that the situation that has just begun to improve will be overshadowed. The commander-in-chief has repeatedly said that whoever wins the hearts of the people wins the world! The commander-in-chief's humming teachings have been deeply felt by me since I entered Yunnan. ”

"Brigadier Commander! We can inform you that the Northern Expeditionary Army took over the silver mines, saluting first and then soldiers, could it be that the Hui people are so ignorant?" The subordinate suggested. "Do you know that when the Hui rebelled, Wu Sangui went on a killing spree in Yunnan, causing a large decrease in the number of Hui people in Yunnan. As a result, the Hui people and the Han people had a deep bond and distrusted each other. Since the Manchu Qing Dynasty, the Hui people have been brutally oppressed, and the contradictions between ethnic groups are difficult to reconcile. In addition, there are people who are interested in profits, and they are not willing to let go easily in the face of such wealth, so they will definitely fan the flames, which is what I am most worried about. ”

His subordinates are not in their positions, so they naturally can't think about problems from He Meng's height. Suddenly, there was the sound of horses' hooves ahead, and I saw a flying horse galloping towards me. The war horse was strangled in front of He Meng, and let out a groaning sound. "Report to the brigade commander, the forward cavalry battalion reports that they have occupied the Laojun Mountain Copper Mine, please instruct!" He Meng was shocked when he heard this: "Order the troops to speed up." He Meng strained his legs, and the war horse rushed forward.

Laojun Mountain is located in the southeast of Kunming, about 150 kilometers away from Kunming, which belongs to the karst landform, and Laojun Mountain is in this lofty mountain. At present, Laojun Mountain is the largest copper mine in Yunnan and even the Qing Dynasty, and there is almost no single variety of copper ore here, which is basically associated mine, so it has high requirements for smelting jishu. The mining area is adjacent to the smelter, and there are at least tens of thousands of military craftsmen, including their families.

He Meng got off his horse, looked at the dense crowd and climbed to the top and said: "Everyone, we are the Northern Expeditionary Army, and from today onwards, I announce that the Laojunshan Copper Mine has been taken over by the Guangzhou Military Government. Then He Meng preached the military discipline of the Northern Expeditionary Army. General, the Laojun Mountain Copper Mine has been taken over by the army, is it to dismiss us? "The leader of the group of strong men in front of him shouted loudly, obviously they didn't care about who took over but their livelihood." Whoever said that you would be dismissed, I declare that all the military craftsmen will be retained. There was a loud noise in the crowd, and it was clear that everyone was elated to hear this.

He Meng saw that the craftsmen were happy and said, "Are there any officials from the Qing court here?" The big man said: "General, the official heard that the Northern Expeditionary Army was coming, and all of them fled. It is rumored that the Northern Expeditionary Army has a blue face and fangs and wears strange clothes, but your Northern Expeditionary Army is kind and no different from us. The people around him burst into laughter. He Meng also smiled and said: "This is a rumor spread by people with ulterior motives, you saw the Northern Expeditionary Army today, and the Northern Expeditionary Army is like this, an unprecedented righteous army!" ”

He Meng observed that the strong man led by He Meng, who was about 40 years old, seemed to have a lot of prestige among the military craftsmen and asked, "What is your name?" "Lord Hui, the villain's name is Meng Shan, a hereditary military craftsman." "Laojun Mountain Copper Mine is handed over to you to manage, do you dare to do it!" He Meng suddenly asked, and Meng Shan was a little dazed. "How about I promise to add 20% to your original salary?" As soon as He Meng's words fell, someone in the crowd shouted: "Brother Meng, just do it, we will listen to you!" "Brother Meng, we believe in you, so you can do it!"

The crowd was agitated and agreed. Meng Shan took a step forward and said, "Since the general trusts me, it is difficult for the villain to refuse, but I have one condition?" "What conditions, please say!" He Meng did not hesitate at all. "I ask all the foremen to be assigned by me! Otherwise I won't do it! "There is no problem, since the Laojunshan Copper Mine is handed over to you to take care of, you have the final say. At the moment, the junta is in dire need of copper, and I ask for an immediate resumption of production, so I ask you. He Meng clenched his hands into fists in respect.

dignity and respect, soon won the support of the military craftsmen. On the same day, the copper mine resumed production, He Meng did not stay, leaving a company as a mine guard, and then led the army to continue north, two days later, He Meng led his troops to Kunming. Almost all of the Manchu officials in Kunming fled, and martial law was temporarily imposed. He Meng then ordered the cavalry regiment to continue northward and advance to the junction of Yunnan and Sichuan to complete the military occupation of Yunnan.

Kunming is a city on the plateau, due to the low dimension, the climate here is in spring all year round, and the temperature difference is very small. Kunming is also a flower city, with flowers blooming everywhere to decorate this ancient and youthful city. The Kava silver mine of the Yi nationality in the west has been taken into the bag, and only three silver mines in Dali have no eyebrows. On this day, the messenger who went to Dali to lobby came back and reported: "Brigade commander, the leader of the Hui people in Dali is named Du Qingyuan, and there are 5,000 people under his command. Du Qingyuan declared that since the Northern Expeditionary Army was a benevolent and righteous army, it was necessary to show sincerity, and Du Qingyuan demanded the autonomy of Dali. ”

"Fuck Du Qingyuan is shameless, he actually asked for autonomy, he thought he was some kind of great character!" "The brigade commander ordered, you can't be polite to such a small night." The subordinates were angry and unfair. He Meng was silent and secretly thought: Du Qingyuan's request for autonomy is not excessive, but the silver mine must be handed over, which is the minimum bottom line: "Tomorrow I will lead a group to Dali, and I must put pressure on Du Qingyuan." ”

A few days later, He Meng led his troops to Yao'an. Yao'an is the only key point to enter Dali, and the Hui armed forces have 2,000 people guarding here. He Meng took the binoculars and saw the soldiers on the city wall wearing white clothes and black pants, and wearing white hats on their heads. He ordered the troops to advance in a straggler formation, and entered the effective firing position, He Meng ordered to stop the advance and said: "If you see the flagpole of the Hui people, you are not allowed to shoot at people, and all the flagpoles on the city wall will be knocked down for me." ”

The gunshots rang out suddenly, and the Hui people were so frightened that they all lay on the city wall, and in less than half an hour, the flagpoles on the city wall were broken. He Meng ordered the troops to be collected and camped on the spot, and there was nothing to say all night, and He Meng was woken up early the next morning, "Report to the brigade commander, Yao Anhui seems to have slipped away, and there is not a single soldier on the city wall!" A subordinate reported urgently. He Meng sleepy-eyed Maha walked out of the tent, picked up the binoculars to check, and sure enough, there was not a single soldier on the city wall.

When I entered Yao'an City, I realized that the Hui people had evacuated in the middle of the night. He Meng ordered to continue their march towards Dali, and two days later they arrived at the city of Dali. A subordinate of Du Qingyuan's mansion in Dali City is reporting: "My lord, the Northern Expeditionary Army really did not commit any crimes in the autumn, and there was not a single robbery incident after entering Dali. ”“haha！ The Northern Expeditionary Army really lived up to its name. Now I am relieved, the Northern Expeditionary Army is trustworthy. Open the gates at once, and I'll personally welcome the guests from afar! ”

He Meng was about to send a messenger into the city outside Dali City to report, only to see the gate of Dali open and a group of people coming out. At first, He Meng was a little confused, but when the messenger informed him that there was Du Qingyuan in the crowd, He Meng immediately understood what was going on. "All of you will be alerted to the battle to greet the guests!" "Brigadier Commander! What's going on that confuses me! A subordinate was confused. He Meng smiled: "No wonder Hui people are cautious, they are afraid of being deceived, so they must see is believing to be recognized." It seems that we are hypocritical, and I should have visited in person! ”

"Your Excellency General, the leader of the contemptible Du Qingyuan Hui people, I heard that the Northern Expeditionary Army was a benevolent and righteous army, and Qiu did not commit any crimes, and it really deserved its reputation. Hearing is false, seeing is believing, and we sincerely welcome the arrival of the Northern Expeditionary Army. "Below is He Meng, commander of the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division of the Northern Expeditionary Army, ・・・・・・." The two sides greeted and entered Dali City. A false alarm, He Meng didn't expect it to go so smoothly. He Meng promised Dali autonomy, and Du Qingyuan also successfully exchanged the three silver mines for the Northern Expeditionary Army.

At the time of parting, Du Qingyuan made a terrifying request, asking the Hui people to join the Northern Expeditionary Army. The Northern Expeditionary Army wanted to expand its army, and He Meng naturally agreed. Subsequently, He Meng formed a ** regiment. Later, this ** regiment played a huge role when He Meng led his troops to conquer the west, which will not be mentioned for the time being......