Two days before returning to the Zhongnanshan base area, Li Zicheng did not ask about the affairs of the base area, nor did he immediately implement the idea of meeting Dong Rulan, but accompanied Gao Guiying for two days, wandering around the villages and fields in the base area, talking and laughing, the two of them are so sweet!

The appearance of affection, envy of others.

On the morning of the third day, in the study, Li Zicheng and Li Changmao sat opposite each other in the base area, which resembled a yamen, and the latter reported the situation in each base area in an orderly manner.

"Boss, so far, we have 45 bases in Shaanxi, covering almost all the mountain ranges, with a total population of nearly one million, and the total militia reservists account for about 20 percent, with 200,000 people. Except when you're busy on the farm, almost all of these people do the kind of military training you've set out. ”

"Hmm... Yes, on average, each base area also has 5,000 troops, which is enough to cope with any sudden change and protect the security of the base area. Li Zicheng nodded lightly with satisfaction and commented in a timely manner.

"Boss, what you said is right, compared to the rebel army wandering around Shaanxi, there are tens of thousands of people at every turn, although this point of men and horses seems to be a little less, but fortunately, it occupies a favorable location, and has the most stringent military training for a long time, and its combat power can be completely comparable to those elite divisions of the imperial court. Therefore, since the establishment of various base areas one after another, although they have experienced different incursions by chaotic armies, they have always been able to maintain an invincible position. Even if the official army enters the mountain to encircle and suppress, it can easily be repelled and inflicted heavy losses. ”

Between the words, Li Changmao was indescribably happy, and at this time, Li Zicheng suddenly asked: "By the way, how about our food and weapons reserves?" Especially firearms, how is the development going? And how many? ”

Obviously, Li Changmao had been prepared for a long time, and when he thought that Li Zicheng would ask such a question, he opened his mouth and replied: "Boss, so far, all the base areas combined, the stored grain is enough for a million people to eat for a year, and the weapons can also equip 200,000 troops. As for firearms, two thousand guns were made, and only fifty cannons. ”

When Li Changmao replied slowly, Li Zicheng was also secretly thinking, digesting these news, the total amount of grain stored was completely unexpected to him.

After all, in just over three years, 45 base areas were established one after another within three years, some of which were established in less than half a year, and the harvest barely maintained self-sufficiency. Those base areas that have been established for a long time must not only maintain their own needs, but also supply grain and other goods to those new base areas.

Therefore, when he heard that the grain reserves were enough for one million people to live for a year, Li Zicheng was still greatly surprised.

Of course, Li Zicheng also knows very well that the grain storage Li Changmao is talking about not only refers to crops such as wheat, grains and corn, but also sweet potatoes, and the latter also accounts for a large proportion.

Otherwise, there would never be so much grain in storage. After all, the growth cycle of wheat and the other are limited by seeds. Sweet potatoes are far different, as long as there are seedlings, cut into sections, inserted in the soil can grow, and sweet potatoes can grow.

When he heard the number of weapons and firearms, Li Zicheng's brows furrowed slightly, and he subconsciously said, "Why are there so few weapons and firearms?" ”

"Boss, that's right, Shaanxi is not a place rich in iron ore. Moreover, smelting iron requires a large amount of coal, and now there are frequent wars in Shanxi, so we can't get a large amount of coal from Shanxi. Under the restrictions of the two, the production of iron tools is becoming less and less. Li Changmao's face was as usual, and he replied slowly.

At this time, Li Zicheng's expression also returned to normal, his face showed a sudden expression, and he was also thinking in his heart: "It seems that Shaanxi is very immature as a supply place for weapons, and there are no coal and iron raw materials, and none of them has an innate advantage. If it is shipped from other places, the cost is too great. It seems that it is time for me to speed up the pace of establishing base areas in Shanxi and other places. ”

seemed to think of something, Li Zicheng then muttered to himself, listening to Li Changmao's ambiguous and confused look, I don't know why.

"During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, it is no wonder that the revolutionary predecessors established a base in Taihang Mountain, not only because of its strategic location, but also because Shanxi is rich in coal and rich in iron ore reserves, which can be used to make weapons from local materials."

"Boss, what do you say?" Li Changmao was confused by Li Zicheng's nonsensical words, and asked tentatively.

Li Zicheng suddenly sobered up, realized his own words, and couldn't help but feel a little funny, and at the same time replied: "It's nothing." ”

However, at this time, Li Changmao seemed to think of something, his eyes lit up, and he suddenly said: "Boss, you said iron ore and coal, this reminds me." ”

"Uh... Mr. Li, what do you say? Li Zicheng's heart moved, and he asked at the right time.

"Boss, it's like this, as far as I know, the Lushi Mountain Area of Henan Province, Henan, where the mountains are lofty, the teeth are misaligned, and the terrain is very dangerous. There was a group of people who had lost their land, and in order to survive and support their families, these people had to get together and make a living by mining privately, which the court called mine thieves. Boss, if we can take it down and occupy it, the problem of lack of iron weapons can be temporarily alleviated. ”

After finishing speaking, Li Changmao's calm expression finally showed a trace of waves, looking at Li Zicheng expectantly, looking very expectant, faintly full of confidence, as if Li Zicheng would definitely agree.

However, when Li Zicheng nodded in agreement, he thought of a lot, combined with the unfavorable situation of the rebel army in Shanxi and north of the Yellow River, he secretly said in his heart: "It seems that there is another choice in the direction of evacuation, not only that there are private mines in the mountainous areas of the Lu family, but they can produce if they accept it." ”

"Also, the location is very delicate. Although it is in the western part of the territory of Henan Province. But if he crosses a small strip of Shaanxi to the west, he can enter the mountainous land of abundance, Sichuan, and easily evade the pursuit of the official army; All the way to the south, after passing through Nanyang Mansion, it is the land of Huguang, and the imperial court's troops there are also pitiful. ”

Thinking of this, Li Zicheng did not hesitate any longer, although he secretly made a decision in his heart, he gave an ambiguous answer: "Okay, Mr. Li, I will consider this suggestion." If the situation in Huaiqing Mansion is not good, once we evacuate to the hinterland of Henan and pass by the Lu Clan, I will let people occupy it and turn it into one of our base areas. ”

For a while, after receiving such a response, Li Changmao had a feeling that he couldn't go up or down, and he felt so uncomfortable in his heart, and he didn't know what to say?

Looking at the boss's expression again, he didn't want to talk about the affairs of the Lushi Mountains anymore, Li Changmao swallowed back the words he still wanted to persuade, and he seemed very knowledgeable.

Without knowing whether Li Zicheng was thinking about the problem or waiting for his report, Li Changmao turned to continue: "Boss, after more than three years of development, nearly half of the young and middle-aged people in the base area are literate and literate, and they have received a great degree of cultural popularization, such as reading, writing letters, and keeping accounts, there is no problem. ”10