Chapter 68 Entering the city is not a trivial matter
Li Shanchang broke into cold sweats and felt very guilty.
He worked as a minor official in Chuzhou. Although he had a small name, he was an official and two officials, a proper second-class person, crushing 90% of the common people. Moreover, Li Shanchang was extremely intelligent and resourceful, although not like Song Jiang.
, black and white take all, and can control the wind and rain, but the size is also a person.
To be honest, Li Shanchang initially sought refuge with Zhu Yuanzhang with the intention of offering Chuzhou as a gift.
Although the Feng brothers can't win it, Li Shan is different!
He knew the inside of Chuzhou very well and had many friends, including people from the yamen, people from the business world, and even some rogues, all of whom he knew well.
Because of this, Li Shanchang has the confidence.
But now he found that something was wrong, and it was quite wrong!
Li Shanchang has already learned who Zhu Yuanzhang is.
Moreover, many years ago he had a meal in Chuzhou, so you don’t need to think about what he went through... He introduced those good friends here.
Government servant: Behead him!
Merchant who is unkind for the sake of wealth: beheaded!
The scoundrels who oppressed the people: beheaded!
Just kill them all, but what if Zhu Yuanzhang sees that all the bad friends he has made become angry and chops off his own head?
Run!
Don't mess with Zhu Yuanzhang, it's too terrible!
Li Shanchang is already in a mess, but at least he has faced Jia Lu's impact, and his heart has become very strong. Although Zhu Yuanzhang is strict, he is not an unreasonable person, so let's communicate well!
With the intention of visiting the grave, he came to ask for an audience.
Lao Zhu had just inspected the defenses of Chuzhou, and immediately sent Hua Yun and Wu Liang to lead troops to patrol around Chuzhou, looking for weaknesses on the one hand, and on the other hand, preventing soldiers and horses from the city from coming out.
Immediately, Lao Zhu mobilized elite troops and prepared ladders, intending to rush in at once.
Under Lao Zhu's command, the brothers Feng Guoyong and Feng Guosheng were the most active.
They had been defeated miserably. This time, no matter what, they would rush into Chuzhou to make a great contribution and gain a foothold under Zhu Yuanzhang's command.
The Feng brothers are like this, and Tang He and others are not vegetarians either.
Although Tang He was also from a thousand households, his thousand households had a total of 1,280 people, 60% of whom were wearing armor, and were equipped with 500 horses. His strength was the highest among all.
Zhu Yuanzhang trusted him and he could not be embarrassed.
The credit for getting there first is his, no matter what!
Compared with Zhu Yuanzhang's overwhelming momentum, the defenders in the city were much miserable.
In terms of military strength, it is less than three thousand.
Let’s look at the morale of the military. It’s a mess.
No matter what, the Red Turban Army cannot be stopped.
The prefect Bai Jing'en was ready to die for his country. He had arsenic hidden in his sleeves. If he took a bite, he would die immediately and he would die for his country.
He was ready to be a loyal minister of the Yuan Dynasty.
When the news came from the city, Lao Zhu just smiled coldly and said, "If you want to die, we will help you!"
"Send the order to attack the city tomorrow!"
The generals agreed enthusiastically, and were gearing up one by one to prepare immediately... At this moment, a soldier suddenly ran in from outside.
"Come on, Mr. Zhang is here!"
Zhang Ximeng has arrived!
Lao Zhu was surprised for a while. Didn't he go to settle Guo Zixing?
Why did it come so soon?
Lao Zhu hurriedly greeted him, and when he came out, he found Zhang Ximeng frowning, grinning, his legs spread apart, and a dog could run through the middle, slowly moving forward.
"What's going on? Sir, is he injured?"
At this time, the soldier following Zhang Ximeng said: "Come on, Sir, when I heard that I was going to attack Chuzhou, I galloped over here overnight. I ran more than three hundred miles, and my legs were worn out."
Only then did Zhu Yuanzhang understand what was going on, and hurriedly said to both sides: "What are you doing standing still? Come quickly and get a stretcher to carry Mr. Zhang!"
The soldiers agreed in a loud voice, and when they brought the stretcher, Tang He grabbed it without anyone else. He and Hua Yun went inside, carrying Zhang Ximeng.
This made Zhang Ximeng feel very embarrassed.
"My lord, there is no need to be like this, I just don't feel so reassured...Chuzhou is bigger than Haozhou, and it is also a key place for commerce and trade. Businessmen come and go in an endless stream. If this place is used well, it will definitely be the best place for my lord to start a business."
It’s a great place. Whatever you do next will be much more convenient.”
Zhang Ximeng endured the pain and explained to Zhu Yuanzhang.
Finally, they arrived at the handsome tent, and after they sat down, Lao Zhu said: "Sir, what you are trying to teach me is that we are preparing to attack immediately. If you have anything you want everyone to pay attention to, tell us!"
Zhang Ximeng said: "That's right. I won't say what the location of Chuzhou is. To put it simply, I heard that there are many blacksmith shops in Chuzhou, but is this true?"
This time Li Shanchang answered, "Yes, there are indeed many. In order to cross the river, the Yuan army smelted iron and made weapons in Chuzhou and other places. Over the years, there are many blacksmiths in Chuzhou."
Zhang Ximeng nodded, "That's it... The Yuan Dynasty restricted iron weapons to weaken the Han people. Nowadays, most of the weapons used in the army are captured weapons, but if they want to last, they must have their own iron smelting workshops that can produce ordnance. This matter
It’s not much smaller than grain and grass!”
It seems that Zhang Ximeng said nonsense, can we fight without ordnance? But I'm sorry, neither Haozhou in front nor Dingyuan, which Lao Zhu has already captured, can smelt iron on a large scale.
There are no workshops, no craftsmen, and no raw materials, so don’t even think about it!
At most, the iron pot and shovel are melted into a sword, and that's it.
But Chuzhou is different. This place is close to the Yangtze River, merchants can easily communicate with each other, and it has a valuable iron smelting workshop of a large scale. If used properly, it will undoubtedly greatly increase Zhu Yuanzhang's strength.
Lao Zhu couldn't help but frown slightly, as if he realized something. Was his approach too reckless?
"Sir, since the iron-making workshop is important, can you just take it over?"
Zhang Ximeng couldn't help but smile bitterly. He came in such a hurry that his thighs were worn out. Wasn't he just worried about this?
"Lord, it is possible to levy it, but Chuzhou may need to purchase iron ore from outside... Our current territory is still too small, and it is difficult to be self-sufficient. There are too many copper and iron, medicinal materials, salt, silk, tung oil, and angle tendons.
Everything requires the efforts of merchants. Chuzhou is different from Hengjian Mountain, and it is not comparable to the small Dingyuan County. You must be careful and don't be careless!"
"What we want is a complete Chuzhou, a Chuzhou city that operates in an orderly manner and can allow us to grow rapidly! Rather than a depressed and desolate Chuzhou with all industries failing!"
After Zhang Ximeng finished talking, everyone was silent. Almost for an instant, everyone became quiet.
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and fell into deep thought.
He couldn't forget what happened in the past.
He hated corrupt officials and shameless profiteers... Now that he had the butcher knife in his hand, he really wanted to kill him. However, Zhang Ximeng galloped three hundred miles and rushed over because he was worried that he would do this.
And what Zhang Ximeng said is indeed reasonable.
After a long time, Zhu Yuanzhang stood up slowly and said to everyone: "Sir, you have said what he meant. We think it is reasonable. How should we treat the merchants in Chuzhou? We must be reasonable and not act recklessly!"
As soon as Lao Zhu finished speaking, Li Shanchang couldn't help but bow deeply.
"The superior is wise!"
At this moment, Li Shanchang is also honest. He is really not as good as Zhang Ximeng, not only in terms of closeness with Lao Zhu, but also in terms of vision and insight.
If he could think of this, he could have persuaded Zhu Yuanzhang long ago, so why wait for Zhang Ximeng to come and speak with sincerity?
But no matter what, it would be a great thing to make Lao Zhu change his mind.
"Your Majesty, what Mr. Zhang is thinking is indeed mature and prudent, and the words of wisdom should be carefully considered and weighed." Li Shanchang was finally able to speak.
Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a while, nodded and said: "According to Mr. Li's opinion...then what should we do?"
Li Shanchang was speechless for a moment, he hadn't thought of it yet.
At this time, Zhang Ximeng spoke again, "Lord, we used to expropriate land from landlords and distribute it to the people. Can the real estate, shops, various workshops, and businesses in the city be expropriated?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely sharp in other matters, but when it came to businessmen, he was a little slow. He thought for a long time and said: "If there is plundering and evil in this, of course he will be severely punished!"
Zhang Ximeng nodded, "In other words, those who do business honestly can continue to operate?"
"That's natural!"
"Do I need to pay taxes?" Zhang Ximeng asked again.
Lao Zhu was stunned, and after thinking for a while, he said: "It seems that it should be the case, but we don't know how to collect business tax!"
Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "My lord, you only need to make a general plan. I will discuss this matter with Mr. Li."
Li Shanchang hurriedly bowed and said humbly: "Mr. Zhang is right in the upper position. I am willing to help Mr. Zhang in this humble position."
After some more discussions, we finally reached a consensus... After entering the city, we are not allowed to enter private houses or disturb the people.
The household registrations, atlases, and soldiers in the city are all sealed for the purpose of inventory.
The Red Scarf Army protects legal business and adopts a progressive tax system. All businessmen only need to pay taxes according to the rules. As for the Yuan Dynasty, all exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes were abolished.
Those who have committed evil deeds among the officials and officials of the Yuan Dynasty will be severely punished, and the people can take the initiative to report them... If they are indeed innocent and have good conduct, they can stay in their posts, so there is no need to panic.
Zhang Ximeng and Li Shanchang drafted ten articles in total. After Zhu Yuanzhang approved it, word of it soon spread to the trembling Chuzhou City. Soon someone secretly left the city and came to see Lao Zhu.
The leader's surname was Zhou. He opened a big restaurant in Chuzhou and also ran a carriage and horse racing business... Zhu Yuanzhang recognized him at a glance and couldn't help but angrily said to Zhang Ximeng: "Did you see it? It's this thing. Let's go
As a beggar, he said that the rest of the meal was fed to the dogs, so we shouldn’t look forward to it. Their family eats dog food, and people and dogs eat in one pot! Do you think a bastard is a bastard? "
Zhang Ximeng could only grin and say, "Lord, great cause, great cause is important!"
