From the end of May to the beginning of June, Chuzhou was in a state of excitement. Everyone had an uncontrollable smile on their face and walked like a gust of wind, for fear of wasting a moment of time.
After working hard until the tenth day of June, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered everyone to come and carefully prepared a table of dishes, which was especially rare, as well as several jars of good wine.
This is to entertain the heroes!
Zhang Ximeng, Li Shanchang, and a lot of civil and military personnel all came... Before taking the seats, there was an episode. Li Shanchang insisted that Zhang Ximeng sit in the first place.
You have done a great job, it should be yours!
Zhang Ximeng looked at it and thought to himself that since you are older and have a higher position, you are the most suitable person.
Both of them are trying their best to act humble and low-key, but some people can't stand it any longer, and they are so hungry that they still play such nonsense!
Peng Zaozhu sat down in front and winked at Zhang Ximeng. There was nothing to say this time, so hurry up and take your seat. At this time, Lao Zhu also came, and he looked at Peng Zaozhu on his left.
I didn’t say anything, after all, there weren’t that many rules at the moment.
Lao Zhu said with a smile: "We originally wanted to invite Wu Datou to come over and put on a play to help the entertainment, but when we think about it, it's not easy for them to work in the fields. It's a good harvest now, and many people invite them to come and sing in the play.
, let’s not cause any trouble.”
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Li Shanchang and Zhang Ximeng and said, "Let's do something affordable and talk about how much grain we collected, so that everyone can feel confident!"
Having said this, Li Shanchang hesitated a little and stood up.
Zhang Ximeng's role is more focused on policy formulation, while Li Shanchang is more focused on implementation and summary.
"Your Majesty, and all my colleagues, I want to tell you all good news, the best news! There are more than 43,000 farmers in Chuzhou, with more than 210,000 people, and a total of 3.2 million acres of land.
More than enough."
Listening to Li Shanchang's words, Peng Zaozhu couldn't help but joked: "I said Mr. Li, why is there always a surplus? How much surplus is there?"
Li Shanchang smiled calmly and said: "I also want to give an accurate number, but more and more people are coming to seek refuge in various places, and the acres of cultivated land are also increasing day by day. I can't say exactly how much it is.
Please forgive me!"
What does it mean to ask for your understanding? It is clearly in Versailles!
In the land of Huaihe and Huaihe Rivers, Chuzhou is a well-deserved paradise!
"These people and these fields have paid a total of 180,000 shi in taxes and grains!" Li Shanchang's face glowed red. Now Lao Zhu's subordinates have exceeded 40,000, approaching the 50,000 mark.
One hundred and eighty thousand dan, that is, each person can get more than three dan. If you save a little, you can live for ten months. No matter how much you discount, it will be enough for seven or eight months.
And Lao Zhu’s gains are far more than that.
"Also, Dingyuan and other places have been divided into fields earlier. Lupaizhai, Hengjian Mountain, and both sides of the Haoshui River. This year's average yield per mu is greater than that of Chuzhou. Dingyuan County alone contributed 80,000 shi of grain!
"
"Not only these, but also the military villages! The superiors took the lead in setting an example and cultivating the land with their own hands. This year, the military villages have reclaimed a total of 200,000 acres." Li Shanchang sighed with great emotion, "However, because the military villages gave up the cultivated land, all of it was left to the people.
The yield per mu in Juntun is lower, but it is still more than 100,000 dan. After deducting the grain stored in the warehouse, the remaining 70% is reserved for each thousand households."
Li Shanchang pointed at the thousands of households present and said with a smile: "Sir, all of them are rich men. They have thousands of dan of food. For example, Feng Guosheng Qianhu, his food storage is probably over 10,000!"
Feng Guosheng was so frightened that he blushed and shook his head, "No! Mr. Li, don't talk nonsense! We have worked hard to grow food, and you can't rob it!"
Lao Zhu couldn't help but laugh heartily, "Don't be afraid, we don't want it. What to do with the food? Mr. Zhang has arrangements."
It was Zhang Ximeng's turn. He smiled and said: "Of course, the grain stored in each thousand households can be used as part of the military rations, but I suggest that the army should develop animal husbandry, breed livestock, hoard horses, and raise more chickens, ducks, geese, and dogs."
Some. Let the big guys be full this year, and let the brothers have meat in their bowls tomorrow!"
Hearing this, everyone's eyes gleamed, and the days were so promising.
Zhu Yuanzhang also nodded, "Leave this matter to my brother-in-law, he will definitely take care of it."
After another pause, Lao Zhu calculated silently, "So, we now have almost 300,000 shi of food on hand?"
Li Shanchang and Zhang Ximeng nodded together, "That's true!"
Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but narrowed his eyes slightly. Three hundred thousand stones, how much is that? If piled together, it would be enough for a mountain!
I remember when I went to beg for food with a bowl in hand, I was so happy when I could get a few meters. Now I have so much!
It's like a dream, you may not believe it even if you say it.
Lao Zhu was intoxicated for a moment, then he put away his smile and said seriously: "Now that we have food and soldiers, we need to have a charter for what to do next."
As soon as he finished speaking, Peng Zaozhu spoke again. He was outspoken and had more or less the temper of a young commander, so he spoke first again.
"Your Majesty, your troops are strong and your horses are strong, and you have all the food and grass. What are you waiting for? Send out troops to capture Hezhou first, then Luzhou. It's best to cross the Yangtze River and seize Suzhou, Hangzhou, and these paradise-like places!
"
When he said this, everyone laughed.
Not to mention that there are large numbers of Yuan troops in these places, and even Tianwan's troops, the Yangtze River alone is enough to scare them away.
Everyone else was lost in thought, but Zhang Ximeng spoke up.
"Lord, we are happy to have food now, but don't forget that we are surrounded by wolves. Not to mention Sun Deya, there is Zhao Junyong in Sizhou in the north. This thief is plundering the land, and the people have no way to make a living."
If you don't allow him, he will go south to plunder, so you must be prepared. If Zhao Junyong dares to come, give him a head-on blow, and be sure to defeat him!"
When Zhao Junyong was mentioned and war was mentioned, most people present could not help but straighten their backs, especially Tang He, Xu Da, and even Peng Zaozhu!
That's right, it's time for revenge!
"Actually, these two groups are easy to handle. After all, they are all old supporters of Haozhou. I'm afraid that if they defeat the leader, it will be easy to gather their subordinates. But the one who really needs to worry is Yuan Ting."
Zhang Ximeng considered it and said: "My lord, Zhang Shicheng captured Gaoyou last year. It has been more than a year now. If the Yuan Dynasty does not move south, the canal will be completely destroyed. So no matter how many difficulties there are, before this autumn, the canal will be completely destroyed."
The Yuan army will definitely go south! Even the Yuan army in Jiqing and other places will cross the river to support us. When the time comes, we will attack from the north and the south and we will not be able to let down our vigilance."
Zhang Ximeng's words made everyone gradually look solemn, and they woke up from their joy.
After all, they are just a small force among the heroes in troubled times.
Although the momentum is very good, the basis is still too shallow. If they gather a large army to attack, maybe everything in front of them will be in vain!
Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath and said, "Sir, please give me your best opinion. Is there any way to deal with this?"
"have!"
Zhang Ximeng said: "Three hundred thousand shi of grain is actually a year's consumption. If there is a war, the expenditure will be even greater. We must save more grain, so the land reclamation will continue. If the autumn grain is also
If we can have a good harvest and successfully put it into storage, then we will have confidence."
At this point, everyone nodded, and Yang Yuangao suddenly asked: "In my opinion, the people are eager to receive food. There is still a lot of surplus food in their hands. Can we collect more?"
"no!"
Zhang Ximeng said flatly: "The people have just seen some benefits and are eager to raise taxes. Aren't you afraid of forcing them away?"
Zhu Yuanzhang also said solemnly: "Yes, we have set rules for the people, and the people are worthy of us. After only a few months of work, we are asked to increase taxes. So what is the difference between us and the bastard Yuan Ting?"
Yang Yuangao was so frightened that he stood up in a hurry to apologize.
He didn't have any bad intentions, he just thought that if the people had enough to eat, and if there was surplus grain, they would collect more, could they still rebel?
Unfortunately, he met Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhang Ximeng, and this proposal was rejected instantly.
However, Zhang Ximeng thought about it and came up with another idea.
"My lord, the people do have a lot of food now. Everyone wants to live a good life. After they have enough to eat, they need to wear warm clothes and live well. People who are well-off still want to send their children to school... We can
Can’t we issue some treasure banknotes?”
Treasure money?
When they heard these two words, let alone Lao Zhu, even the generals' eyes widened. What do you mean, sir?
Isn’t Yuan Ting’s lesson painful enough?
This idea is worse than raising taxes!
Zhang Ximeng was not surprised by everyone's reaction, "Lord, what I mean is to set up a big market, where all kinds of things for the people's food, clothing and flowers are sold. The people have no money now. They
You can bring a few stones of grain and give it to the market in exchange for treasure notes. Of course, you can also call it trading coupons, market coupons, anything! With this, you can enter the market and choose your own products."
Lao Zhu rolled his eyelids and said, "Sir, you must have a deeper meaning, right?"
Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "This market bond is actually a kind of treasure, but we have food and commodities as guarantee, so we can rest assured. After the people accept it, we can use the market bond to invest."
"invest?"
"Yes, it means building bridges and paving roads, and setting up workshops, such as blacksmith shops, brick kilns, porcelain factories, textile workshops, etc. In this way, excess labor can be recruited into the workshops, and the things produced can enrich people's lives, and also
It can supplement military use."
"And because currency is used, it is not a forced expropriation of the people. Not only will it not damage the people's power, it will also encourage the people to work more and exert more effort. After the market notes are widely accepted, the lord will issue new banknotes to replace them.
Yuan Ting’s treasure banknotes are a matter of course.”
After Zhang Ximeng finished speaking, the first person to understand what he meant was Li Shanchang. He couldn't help but stand up and said excitedly: "Mr. Zhang's plan is really a magical way to seize the country and conquer the world!"
Lao Zhu paused, smiled, and praised from the bottom of his heart: "Mr. Zhang is indeed our wife Zhang!"
Then Lao Zhu also turned around and said to Li Shanchang: "You, Xiao He, are not bad either!"