"I've seen the county magistrate!"

In the White Tiger Hall, there were still a few clerks with poor value, and when they saw Han Zhen, they immediately got up to greet them.

Han Zhen pressed with one hand and motioned for them to sit down.

Came to the first place and sat down, and a clerk made a cup of tea with great discernment and brought it to Han Zhen.

This person Han Zhen has an impression, called He Rong, and he is an old man in the cottage.

"I'm tired."

Han Zhen smiled slightly and took the teacup.

After blowing the tea and taking a sip, Han Zhen asked casually, "How many people are there in Songshan Village today?" ”

He Rong replied: "Back to the county magistrate, there are now a total of 3,432 people in the village. ”

"So much?"

Han Zhen was slightly stunned.

No wonder Changzhi County can't pull many escapees from the mountains, and their feelings are all running to Songshanling and Xiaowang Village.

However, it is understandable to think about it, the actions of the imperial court and local officials over the years have completely exhausted the credibility of the government.

The people were afraid of him.

When the fugitives in the mountains saw the errand soldiers, they were afraid that they would run faster than rabbits.

In the eyes of those fugitives, the mountain bandits and rogues are more credible than the government.

Hearing this, He Rong smiled bitterly: "In fact, there are far more than these people, but the village is really uninhabitable, and Village Chief Ma can only send the extra people to the county seat and let the county magistrate settle down." ”

Han Zhen asked, "Is there enough food in the village?" ”

When the cottage was first laid, there was little grain left in the granary in the village, but fortunately, it was just in time for the summer harvest.

Now that the population has tripled, I wonder if there is enough food for the previous summer harvest.

"If you can get 50% of the autumn harvest, save some food, and barely survive until next year. If it is less than 50%, you need to buy food. He Rong replied truthfully.

Han Zhen nodded, indicating that he understood.

As long as it lasts until next summer's harvest, it will be fine.

The Northern Song Dynasty was so harsh on taxes and miscellaneous taxes, why did the people never collapse?

Zhao'an Law is one thing, and the other major hero is Zhancheng Rice.

In the absence of high-yielding crops such as corn, sweet potatoes, and potatoes, Champa rice is the highest-yielding crop.

Regardless of the land, drought tolerant, even in the barren dry land in the north, it can survive, and it can be ripe once a year.

If it is in the south where there is abundant rain, it can reach two crops a year, or even three crops.

The key yield of three crops a year is not low.

At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, only 3 million stone of grain was transported to Tokyo City from all over the country every year.

However, since the introduction of Champa rice during the Zhenzong period, this number has skyrocketed to 7 million stones.

By the time of Huizong, it had come to more than 8 million stones.

The emergence of Champong rice nearly tripled the grain output of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Not to mention the light and meager endowments, as long as there are not so many harsh taxes and miscellaneous taxes, the people can be fully fed and clothed by farming alone, and if the year is good, there will be a surplus of money at the end of the year.

After a cup of tea, there was a commotion outside.

Immediately afterwards, Ma Sangou's loud voice sounded: "Tell the cook, slaughter these wild boars, and have a good meal at night." ”

After a while, I saw Ma Sangou leading a little girl with a pink carving into the White Tiger Hall.

"Second Brother Han?"

Seeing Han Zhen, Ma Sangou's face was overjoyed.

Han Zhen smiled and asked, "How is it, how many wild boars have been hunted?" ”

"More than a dozen, the rest heard the movement, and all ran deep into the mountains."

Ma Sangou said, picked up a cup of herbal tea, and poured it into his mouth.

The little girl stared at Han Zhen with big eyes, looked at Han Zhen curiously, and said in a milky voice: "Uncle, you are here to find Daddy again." ”

Daddy?

Han Zhen was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

Seeing this, Ma Sangou sneered: "Second Brother Han, I got married." ”

Han Zhen frowned slightly: "Why didn't you inform me of such a big event as getting married?" ”

Seeing his unhappy expression, Ma Sangou hurriedly explained: "You were busy doing big things in Yidu at the time, how could you be distracted. And the young lady and I didn't want to do a lot of it, they didn't even invite the monkeys, they only worshiped heaven and earth, and drank the wine. ”

Han Zhen's brows gradually relaxed, and then he smiled: "It's okay to be a boy, I was a godfather last time, and it's only been a long time since I became someone's father." ”

At first glance, the woman was born in a family of eunuchs, and she was able to be taken down by Ma Sangou, which is really something.

"Hehe, this is all learned from Second Brother Han." Ma Sangou touched the back of his head and said with a smile.

“……”

Han Zhen suddenly couldn't laugh.

This dog thing, don't learn the good ones, just learn some crooked ways!

At this time, Ma Sangou proposed: "Second Brother Han, stay for dinner tonight, and make up the wedding wine." ”

Glancing at the sky outside, and seeing that it was approaching evening, Han Zhen nodded and said, "Okay, let's have a good drink at night." ”

He really hasn't gotten together with Ma Sangou for a while, and he still has something to explain.

Ma Sangou was overjoyed, and instructed the little girl: "Nannan, let your mother cook more dishes." ”

"Okay Daddy."

The little girl said goodbye and went out on her short legs.

Seeing his daughter leave, Ma Sangou said with curiosity on his face: "Second Brother Han, what is Yidu like?" ”

Han Zhen replied casually: "After all, it is a county seat in Yizhou, and it must be much more prosperous than Linzi, and there are more than 100,000 people in the city. ”

"Lots of people!"

Ma Sangou's face was full of surprise.

After a few words of Yidu's observations, Han Zhen asked, "Is there still money in the village?" ”

The last time he left, he left a lot of money for the cottage as public funds.

"It's gone."

Ma Sangou shook his head and said: "The number of people in the village has doubled, and it has been spent on building houses for them, buying farm tools, paper clothes and bedding." ”

Han Zhen said: "Tomorrow, I will ask someone to send another 100,000 yuan." ”

"Second Brother Han, there is no need for so much, Mr. Zhang, they have calculated it, at most 30,000 guan is enough. Late autumn corn ......"

Before Ma Sangou could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Han Zhen: "It's not just hoarding food for the winter, I am here this time, and I plan to readjust the structure of Songshan Ridge, and the treatment you are waiting for will also be improved." ”

When several clerks heard this, their hearts were suddenly happy.

Ma Sangou asked, "How to change the law?" ”

Han Zhen didn't answer and asked: "What is eaten in the village is still a big pot of rice right now?" ”

"That's right!"

Ma Sangou nodded.

Whether it was the previous escapees in the village or the later joiners, there was not a single grain of grain in their hands.

Even the farm tools are in the cottage.

The only thing these people have is the wasteland they have cultivated.

But the problem is that the barren land cannot produce grain immediately, and the barren land cannot grow corn and wheat in the first two years, so it needs to be planted with soybeans to nourish fertility first.

The planting time of soybeans is around the Qingming Festival, that is, it will be next autumn at the earliest, so that you can harvest your own grain.

During this time, you can only eat a big pot of rice, otherwise you will starve to death.

When he first took over the cottage, Han Zhen set the rule that two bowls of gruel a day, starting next year, the field will be changed to rent, and eighty percent of the rent per mu of land will be paid. In addition, the barren land cultivated by itself needs to pay 70% of the rent.

At the beginning, it was the beginning, but now the situation is different, the entire Linzi County is its own, and these people are also the people under their own rule, and the rules will naturally be changed.

Han Zhen muttered: "Starting next year, whether it is the original 1,000 acres of land or the barren land they have cultivated, they will all be changed to 50% of the rent, and it will be reduced by 10% year by year. After three years of ploughing, the farmland is theirs. ”

"In addition, two meals of gruel a day have been cancelled, and the villagers are responsible for their daily rations."

Big pot rice has the benefits of big pot rice, and during special periods, it can ensure that everyone can eat and will not starve to death.

But there are also disadvantages, after a long time, it is inevitable that there will be a situation of passive slacking.

If you want to have enough to eat, you have to farm and cultivate the land well.

Ma Sangou's expression changed slightly: "This ...... Second Brother Han, if there are no two meals of gruel, how will the people survive the cold winter? ”

"Borrow!"

Han Zhen smiled slightly and replied: "At that time, you can lend grain to the people, agree on the repayment date, and repay the grain when it is due." When each household borrows money for the first time, no interest is charged, and the second time it receives one cent, and so on. ”

This move is to prevent some people from taking advantage of loopholes to support loans.

Seeing that Ma Sangou was deep in thought, Han Zhen patted him on the shoulder and advised: "Don't be too rigid, the specific operation depends on the actual situation." ”

"Daddy, Auntie said it's time to eat."

At this moment, the little girl ran into the White Tiger Hall with her little short legs, raised her head and said in a milky voice.

Ma Sangou bent down to pick up the little girl, his face was full of doting, and then said with a smile: "Second Brother Han, let's eat." ”

"Hmm!"

Han Zhen nodded with a smile, got up and walked out of the lobby.

All the way to the small courtyard, the young lady was arranging wine and food.

Seeing Han Zhen, the young lady generously made a blessing ceremony and called: "Second Brother Han." ”

Han Zhen smiled and nodded, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

Although this woman was born in a family of eunuchs, she does not have the temper of the eldest lady, and her temperament is soft and strong.

It can be regarded as a good match for the hall and the kitchen.

After sitting down, Ma Sangou poured a glass of wine for Han Zhen, then poured another glass for himself, raised his glass and said, "Second Brother Han, I salute you!" ”

"You and my brother, what are you polite?"

Han Zhen raised his wine glass and touched it, and drank it all.

After a glass of wine, Ma Sangou spoke: "Second Brother Han, do you remember the skinny yellow leopard in Xicheng?" ”

"Remember, he was the most arrogant at the beginning, and he was the worst beaten by me."

Recalling the past, Han Zhen couldn't help but smile on his face.

Ma Sangou said a little mysteriously: "The last time I went to the county to buy farm tools, I met a yellow leopard, guess what he is doing now?" ”

"Why?"

Han Zhen was a little curious.

"Ye Xiang Lang!"

Ma Sangou smiled.

A while ago, Han Zhen and Changzhi County carried out a severe crackdown on Linzi County, and all those scoundrels were arrested and put in prison, beaten and imprisoned for a few days.

And warned them that if they did it again, they would not be spared.

Since that crackdown, the atmosphere in Linzi County has been swept away, and those scoundrels in the past can no longer be seen.

Han Zhen didn't expect that the once pranky leader in Xicheng would actually do Ye Xianglang.

The wine has passed three rounds, and the dishes have passed five flavors.

Han Zhen opened his mouth and said, "Sangou, go to Yidu to help me." ”

Hearing this, Ma Sangou's action of picking vegetables was stagnant.

After being silent for a moment, he said with a straight face: "Second Brother Han, I want to stay here." ”

"Because of the young lady?"

Han Zhen glanced at the young lady and the little girl on the side.

Ma Sangou nodded, shook his head again, and after picking up the wine glass and drinking it all, he said with a sincere expression: "Second Brother Han, you saved my life, if it weren't for you, I don't know how many times Ma Sangou has died." You are doing big things now, and I should help you with all the reason, but I have a few pounds and a few taels, and I know in my heart that I am not as smart as Xiao Xiang and the monkey, and I am not as flexible as the little worm. ”

"I thought, manage Songshanling well and leave a way back for Second Brother Han. To put it mildly, even if you lose in the future, Second Brother Han, you also have a place to stay, and our brothers can still live a chic life. ”

Han Zhen pondered for a moment, and suddenly smiled: "Okay, then it's decided!" ”

Everyone has their own choice.

In a person's life, there will always be friends who can't keep up with their own footsteps.

Hearing him say this, Ma Sangou also smiled again and raised his glass again.

The meal was eaten until the middle of the month.

Ma Sangou's alcohol consumption was not good, and after chatting with Han Zhen for a while, he was helped into the back room by the young lady.

Sitting in the living room, Han Zhen was eating hot tea while looking at the night outside the house, slightly distracted.

"Second Brother Han."

At this moment, the young lady's voice sounded behind her.

Han Zhen came back to his senses, turned his head to look, and saw the young lady standing aside, her expression slightly complicated.

Seeing this, he couldn't help asking, "What's wrong?" ”

After a slight hesitation, the young lady took out a letter from her arms and said softly: "Second Brother Han, my surname is Wu, my single name is a pity character, a person from Zichuan, and my father is Wu Daomin, the chief bookkeeper of Changshan County. If Second Brother Han arrives in Changshan County one day, can he give this letter to my father? ”

This is a smart woman.

What is Han Zhen's identity, how can she not know now?

One day, when I arrived in Changshan County, there was only one situation, that is, to raise troops to attack Changshan County.

And she said that she asked Han Zhen to help deliver the letter, but in fact she wanted Han Zhen to spare her father's life.

After all, the letter has been delivered, can't you kill it again?

"Good!"

Han Zhen looked at her with a smile, and then took the letter.

This request is not excessive, for the sake of Ma Sangou's face, he must also agree to it.

"Thank you, Second Brother Han!"

Wu Lian was surprised and thanked again and again.

After a short time, Wu Lian cleaned up the wing.

After Han Zhen washed up, he came to the wing room and lay down.

……

Late at night.

There is no moon tonight, and the stars are faint.

On the official road more than 20 miles away from Shouguang County, vague figures can be seen vaguely, as well as the footsteps of Suosuo.

If someone had lit a torch, they would have seen that it was an army of thousands of men.

I don't know how long I walked, but the leader stopped and said softly: "Order, the whole army will rest in place for half an hour." ”

As the order was laid, the soldiers sat down on the ground, took out their dry rations and began to eat.

Nie Dong sat cross-legged on the ground, took off the kettle on his waist, and after pouring it, he asked, "Shi joined the army, how far is it from Shouguang now?" ”

Shi Wenhui replied: "Fang has already passed Wudaoling, and there are only less than ten miles to go!" ”

He is a native of Shouguang, so he naturally knows everything about it.

"Less than ten miles ......"

After pondering for a moment, Nie Dong asked, "Is there a suitable hiding place nearby?" ”

"Yes!"

Shi Wenhui nodded and replied: "There is a big mountain in the southwest, and there are many tigers and leopards in the mountain, so few people visit. Even the spies who dare to blaze the army will not go there. ”

"Okay, I'll lie in ambush in the mountains and rest for a day. Wait for Zhang Wanxian to go out of the city to fight! ”

Calculate the time, at the latest tomorrow, Liu Qi should also come with Wu Weijun.

(End of chapter)