You can't plant a field, you can't do a job.

The rations were often withheld by the officials of the salt prison, they were not fed and clothed, and they had to repeat heavy manual labor every day.

Han Zhen asked, "Where is the salt prison built?" ”

"Xianggong, the salt prison is built next to the salt field, about three miles away from here." Li replied with a big bow.

took out a money bag from his arms, and Han Zhen didn't count it, and threw it straight over.

Li Da's eyes lit up, showing a vigor that did not match his age, and he grabbed the money bag.

I checked it slightly in my hand, and there were at least two or three hundred texts.

Gollum!

Li Da swallowed his saliva, overjoyed, and thanked him for his kindness: "Thank you for the reward, the prime minister is blessed with all the heavens, a long life of 100 years, and many sons and blessings." ”

The salt household is hereditary, and once you become a salt farmer, your children and grandchildren will be salt farmers.

Since he is a salt household, he only has rice and grain on weekdays, how have he ever seen money?

Li Da has been the governor for so many years, and only when he overfulfilled the tasks assigned by the imperial court, the officials of the salt prison were happy, and they would reward him with a few pennies as a reward.

And even the reward of these few pennies, after so many years, is also a handful.

Han Zhen ordered: "Go and inform several other villages, let all the salt households go to the salt prison to standby, I have something important to order." ”

"Wait a minute, and the little old man will go."

A pair of hands tightly grasped the money bag, and Li nodded busily.

After giving the order, Han Zhen waved his hand and took the lead in the direction of the salt prison.

After coming to the salt prison, Han Zhen ordered: "Rest in place!" ”

"Order!"

The four hundred Qingzhou troops were divided into two groups under the command of a capital leader, one group was responsible for guarding and patrolling, and the other group took off their armor and seized the time to rest.

After an explanation, Han Zhen turned over and dismounted, and walked into the salt prison with the monkey.

The specifications and layout of the salt prison are similar to those of the county government.

The front yard is the office hall, and the back yard is the residence of the officials.

It seems that the reason why the Dare Blazing Army has been staying for two months, the entire salt prison is in chaos, and there is an indescribable strange smell that is disgusting.

After frowning and walking around, he came to the granary not far away.

Then Li Da was right, the Dare Blazing Army fled in a hurry, leaving behind more than 300 stone of grain, which was an unexpected joy.

The monkey was amazed: "It's not surprising that these salt farmers didn't steal the grain." ”

"Maybe I'm afraid that the Blazing Army will suddenly come back."

Han Zhen replied casually and walked towards the salt farm.

The salt field is not as big as imagined, the shape is like a military village, and there is a faint smell of smoke and fire in the rammed wall of loess.

Under the rows of straw sheds, a large pot of boiling salt is erected, and wooden barrels and skewers can be used everywhere.

Tandem, that is, a unicycle.

However, unlike the convenient wheelbarrows of later generations, the tandem cars at this time could not be operated by one person, because they could not maintain balance, they needed to be supported by two people on the left and right, and often could only transport some light goods. If there is too much cargo, there is also a need for oxen and donkeys to pull the cart in front.

There is a record of a series of cars in "Tokyo Menghualu": "The front and back two people drive, two people on both sides of the car, and there is a donkey in front of them, which is called 'string of cars', so as to carry bamboo, wood and tile stones without ears." But there is no way forward, only one or two people push it. This car often sells cakes and moose, and people can't use it. ”

The monkey pursed his lips with a look of disgust.

I am used to seeing the advanced assembly line salt factory in Xiaowang Village, and then I can't see the salt field.

Just as the two of them were inspecting the salt works, there was a noise outside.

"Let's go, appease these salt farmers first."

Han Zhen said and strode out of the salt field.

At this moment, many salt farmers have gathered outside the salt prison, and people are constantly pouring in from all directions.

Han Zhen put his hands behind his back and came to the gate of the salt prison.

As far as the eye can see, most of the black-pressed crowd have numb expressions and dull eyes.

As salt farmers, they lost everything, and they toiled mechanically every day, just for a mouthful of food, and lived simply for the sake of living.

The salt people are miserable, but almost no one is a fugitive.

Although it is hard to make salt every day, you can still have a bite to eat, but it is different in the mountains, poisonous snakes and beasts, robbers and bandits, it is difficult to say whether you can survive a year.

For the prosperity of the city of Tokyo, and suffer for the people.

After waiting for a while, and seeing that no one was coming, Han Zhen said loudly: "Where are the village chiefs?" ”

"The little old man is here!"

Li Da was the first to jump out.

Then, five more old men came out of the crowd.

Han Zhen's eyes were like torches, and he asked, "Are all the salt households in each village here?" ”

"Our village is all together."

"Husband, two people in our village are sick and can't get out of bed."

Except for a few dozen people who were sick or injured and could not be present, the remaining 2,321 people all came.

Previously, Li Da said that there were more than 5,000 salt households in the six villages, but at this moment, there were only more than 3,300 people present.

Han Zhen was not surprised at all, and his expression was as usual.

What about the remaining two thousand?

I have no clothes to wear, so I hide at home.

Salt households have no income, only food rations, and naturally cannot afford to buy clothes.

A piece of clothing is often worn by the family in turns, and whoever goes out wears it, and the rest of the people can only be naked, curled up on the bed and covered with straw.

What about that kind of field?

Planted at night, the moon is dark and the wind is high, even if you are naked, you can't see it.

It is unimaginable in this later life, but it was the norm in ancient times.

Han Zhen didn't talk nonsense, and said straight to the point: "From now on, cancel the salt household!" ”

Rumble!

As soon as these words came out, more than 5,000 salt people suddenly exploded, and they all looked frightened, their faces were frightened, and they were talking about it.

"Silence!"

Without waiting for Han Zhen's orders, the four hundred Qingzhou troops guarding the surroundings shouted in unison.

The terrifying momentum, as well as the evil aura emanating from the soldiers, made the crowd instantly quiet.

Li Da shuddered and said tremblingly: "Phase...... Xianggong, the salt household can't be eliminated. ”

Salt production is bitter, and salt farmers have no future.

They understand this.

But in this world, there is no need to pay taxes or serve in the conscription, and it is already a great grace to have a bite to eat.

Once the salt households are abolished, what do they eat and drink?

"You can rest assured, after the abolition of the salt households, they will be properly settled."

Han Zhen paused and continued: "In the future, I will build a factory here, and anyone who can make salt can be recruited into the factory, with three hundred yuan per month, and two meals in the morning and evening. ”

In fact, he can squeeze these salt farmers to his heart's content.

They don't need to be paid, only provide two meals a day, and even replace the gruel in the evening with wheat rice, these salt farmers will be grateful to Dade and a thousand thanks.

But in this way, what is the difference between him and the Zhao and Song courts?

Han Zhen didn't have much noble sentiment and mind, at the beginning of the crossing, he just wanted to try to live in the coming troubled times, live better, and live with dignity. At the same time, if you have the ability, by the way, let the people under your rule live better.

Don't seek the same in the world, the family is well-off, at least they can eat and clothe, and they have some spare money in their hands.

If you are poor, you will be good alone, and if you are good, you will help the world.

Even if these things are aside, just as a thief, he needs to do his best to maintain his basic plate.

Not only do you have to take care of your meal, but you also have a salary?

More than 5,000 people were stunned, thinking that they had misheard.

It took a long time for Li Da and the others to come back to their senses.

Several lieutenants glanced at each other, and they all saw a strong look of worry in each other's eyes.

When things go wrong, there must be demons.

The treatment given by this little minister is so good that it makes them feel weak.

Li Da stumbled and confirmed: "Xianggong wants to pay us? ”

Han Zhen didn't know their careful thoughts, he was used to living a hard life, and he suddenly wanted to live a good life, and he couldn't believe it for a while.

To dispel their doubts, it is also very simple, just one sentence.

Han Zhen said loudly: "I am an anti-thief!" ”

It seems quite strange to admit that he is a thief in public, but these salt farmers can't help but breathe a sigh of relief when they hear it.

Oh, the original way is a thief!

I just said that the officials and masters of the imperial court, how could they give them wages!

A false alarm.

The monkey raised an eyebrow, a hint of weirdness flashing in his eyes.

It's really too absurd to see this scene in front of you.

Another lieutenant hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't help but ask: "Since Xianggong has eliminated the salt households, I wonder if we can farm?" ”

The Chinese people's dedication to the land is engraved in their bones.

Even if you work and manage the food, even if you have a salary, you still can't help but want to farm.

Han Zhen nodded and said, "Naturally, under my rule, the cultivated wasteland is exempt from tax for three years, and after three years, you need to pay a one-time field tax." ”

As soon as these words came out, a touch of joy suddenly appeared on everyone's faces.

"Alright, let's all disperse."

Today's news has a great impact on these salt farmers, and it takes time to digest it.

Hearing this, the salt farmers dispersed under the leadership of their respective lieutenants, and walked towards their respective villages while talking in low voices.

Seeing Li Da walking slowly, the dark-faced man on the side urged: "Daddy, it's still early, let's hurry back to cultivate the fields!" ”

There are a number of good areas near the village, and if you go late, you will be occupied by others.

Li Da shook his head, and said with a complicated expression: "This little minister is a thief, who knows when the officers and soldiers will be killed?" If he is defeated and the officers and soldiers reoccupy Guangling, won't the fields be dug up in vain? ”

"This ......"

The man was stunned, obviously he didn't expect this layer.

As soon as the officers and soldiers come, everything will return to the dot.

"Daddy, that'...... So what to do? The man was in a hurry.

He wanted to cultivate the fields, but he was worried that after a while, the officers and soldiers would come and they would be busy in vain.

Li Da sighed: "Let's take a look!" ”

……

When the salt people had dispersed, the monkey said, "These salt people are suffering, and so many of them have no clothes to wear. These dog officials in the salt prison are not even willing to give a piece of paper clothing. ”

Paper clothes are unique clothes of the Tang and Song dynasties.

Different from the imaginary paper that can be torn when stabbed, the raw material of the paper coat is made of cardboard made of the bark of the tree tree, which feels rough and hard to the touch, and will wear out the skin after wearing it for a long time.

Because of its low price, it is deeply loved by the poor people.

Han Zhen sneered: "Paper clothes are cheap, and they don't cost a few dollars." But with clothes, what if the salt household runs away? ”

Hiss!

The monkey took a deep breath, murderous intent boiling in his eyes.

These dog officers should be killed!

Seeing that it was getting late, Han Zhen ordered a group of soldiers to clean the salt prison and make a fire to make food.

After a simple cleaning, the smell dissipated a lot.

Han Zhen sat in the lobby and explained the matter: "I am going to set up a town in Guangling, and you will be the supervisor of the town!" ”

"Yes!"

The monkey nodded in response.

It's just a small prison town, but it depends on the place.

Guangling Salt, Han Zhen's biggest money bag in the future, cannot be served by non-cronies.

Han Zhen said: "I can't stay here for a few days, so I will roughly explain a few points." ”

The monkey couldn't help but sit up straight and listen intently for what was to come.

"The first point, coarse and refined salt workshops. Needless to mention the refined salt workshop, you should be very clear, focusing on coarse salt. ”

Han Zhen said and took out a design drawing from his arms and handed it over.

After that, the monkey unfolded the design and looked at it carefully.

After a while, he couldn't help but raise his head, and his eyes lit up in admiration: "Second Brother Han, who designed this method, it's simply ingenious!" ”

Han Zhen smiled and said nothing.

The salt drying method appeared in the Ming Dynasty and was gradually perfected in the Qing Dynasty.

This method is very inexpensive and makes the most of nature's energy.

In short, it is to dig a stepped salt pan near the sea.

Whenever the tide is high, open the valve of the salt pan and let the seawater pour into the first salt pan on its own.

When it is full, close the valve and use the sun and sea breeze to evaporate the seawater from the salt pans.

When the water has evaporated to a certain extent, open the valve and let the seawater flow into the second salt pan, where it will naturally evaporate again.

After several cycles, when the seawater is poured into the last salt pan, the concentration is already very high and it is able to precipitate the table salt on its own.

Compared with the brine cooking method, the cost of the salt drying method is very low, because all natural resources are used.

It seems to be inefficient, but in fact, as long as enough salt pans are dug, the output is several times higher than that of the marinated cooking method!

(End of chapter)