It’s the end of July, and the countryside in Yunzhong County is filled with the joy of a good harvest. Tian Lai Novel. | 2
But Shao Rong was packing his own gifts at home at the moment.
Forty years ago, Shao Rong's grandfather broke the law and was sentenced to exile. He was exiled from Xiapi in the far south to guard the border in Yunzhong County.
In the end, Shaw Brothers took root in the clouds.
After forty years of development, today's Shaw family has become a huge family.
Today, the Shaw family has grown into a large family with more than 40 members.
The prosperity of the family has brought about a problem - not enough land!
After Shao Rong's grandfather was exiled, he was incorporated into the Yunzhong County Army.
This was also the final fate of most exiles at that time.
In the next twenty years, Yunzhong County became the focus and hotspot of the Han-Hungarian War.
The elites of the Han and Hungarian countries fought outside Yunzhong City six times. Thanks to the efforts of Wei Shang, the governor of Yunzhong County, Yunzhong City has remained standing.
Shao Rong's grandfather also continued to accumulate merit in the war, and eventually was promoted to Sima and received the title of Duke.
This was also the limit for most border residents at that time.
Further up, someone needs to appreciate and promote you.
Therefore, after serving for twenty years, Shao Rong's grandfather retired from his Sima position and came to live in this village outside Yunzhong City.
At that time, Yunzhong County was still implementing the land granting policy.
Shao Rong's grandfather was thus assigned 900 acres of land and a yard with nine houses.
At that time, the Shaw family was considered a wealthy family within a hundred miles.
But unfortunately, times have changed.
Ten years ago, Shao Rong's grandfather passed away.
In order to arrange the funeral, Shaw spent almost half of his savings.
Then, there is the separation.
In accordance with the Han Code "Household Code" and the imperial edicts of successive emperors, the Han Dynasty implemented a system of descending titles.
Below the princes, the number will decrease from generation to generation.
Shao Rong's grandfather was only a ninth-level Duke in the title hierarchy.
As a result, his eldest son gradually became an official.
The rest of the disciples are reduced to senior officials.
In terms of property division, at that time, the Shaw family had five sons and three daughters.
The eldest son, the legitimate son, and the legitimate daughter took 70% first.
The remaining 30% was divided into two parts and given to Shao Rong's father and uncle.
The land allocated to Shao Rong's father was no longer even one hundred acres.
However, Shao's father gave birth to three children, and last year, in response to the emperor's call, he gave birth to another son.
This means that as the second son and already eighteen years old, Shao Rong must find a way out now.
Generally speaking, bastards from border families like Shao Rong will basically have no choice but to work as retainers or tenant farmers for wealthy families in the frontier fortresses in the future.
For example, Shao Rong's younger brother, the two children from his neighbor's family, went to the Wang family in the neighboring village this spring to work as bodyguards for the two sons of the old Wang family.
To be honest, this way out is really good.
The people of the frontier fortress have received strict military training since childhood.
Just like Shao Rong, whether he is riding a horse or shooting a bow on horseback, he looks the same.
Moreover, he is also proficient in using various long and short bows and arrows, and knows how to repair and maintain crossbows.
In addition, he is relatively tall. Although he is only eighteen years old, he is already seven feet five inches tall.
Before Shifu, he was expected to grow to eight feet.
And the eight-foot-tall husband is a highly sought-after talent even in Yunzhong County.
For example, the Wang family in neighboring villages and even the Wei family in the county will give preferential treatment to such a strong man, and may even surrender him at all costs.
Because all men who are eight feet tall and under the age of twenty-five have the opportunity to participate in the selection of cuirassiers.
Once selected, it will be the same as if a young man in the city has passed the national examination, it is a very honorable thing.
Last year, Shao Rong's cousin Shao Zheng was elected to the Yulin Guards. The whole town beat gongs and drums, and held flowing banquets for three days to celebrate. Even several Ming Dynasty officials from the county came to the village to congratulate him.
In the county, there was even a nobleman whose ancestors were once as high as the Marquis of Guannei, and betrothed his legitimate daughter to Shao Rong's cousin.
This is simply the biggest stimulation in Shao Rong's life.
At that moment, Shao Rong vowed that he would also get ahead.
Like his cousin, he is proud and proud, bringing honor to the family - and most importantly, he also wants to marry a girl from a noble family.
But Shao Rong knew very well that his family was very financially strapped.
If it weren't for the emperor's good governance in the past few years, which continued to reduce the burden on the people of the border counties, the Han army would continue to win and bring back a lot of wealth, and his father was lucky enough to be selected as a civilian to deliver food and grass to the army and make a lot of money.
some rewards.
Life at home has become a little more relaxed.
Keep him from going hungry.
But, Shao Rong also knew that his younger brothers and sisters were growing very fast, and soon they would need more food and more corn.
It is impossible and does not have the conditions at home so that I can have enough to eat.
Not to mention eating some meat every now and then.
And if he wants to grow taller, stronger, and stronger, he must have a full stomach and even eat meat!
And if you want to eat meat, you can only get it through wealth and danger.
After wrapping the package, Shao Rong took another look at this simple but warm home where he had lived for eighteen years.
Then, he picked up the package, took some noodles that his mother had made this morning, and opened the door.
At the door, Shao Rong saw his father, squatting on the threshold silently, sighing, while his mother was holding her newborn baby brother and sobbing beside her.
This made Shao Rong unable to move for a moment.
But he knew he had to go.
The eldest brother got married last year and gave birth to a son.
In a farmer's family in Beidibian County, when the eldest son gets married, the adult younger brother has to fend for himself and start his own business.
This is not only the demand of the government, but also the tradition of the people.
Northerners are already used to this.
No matter how reluctant he is to give up, Shao Rong must leave his parents and explore the world on his own.
Carrying the package, he walked to his parents, knelt down heavily, and kowtowed: "Father, Mother, my unfilial son is going on a far journey today, but I ask you to protect me! In the past three to five years, my son may not be able to come back on time."
I’m visiting my family, and I ask my parents to forgive my son for being unfilial!”
As he spoke, he kowtowed three times.
His mother cried even harder when she saw this scene. She kept pulling on his father's sleeves in an attempt to make a last plea.
But my father just kept sighing.
There is no other way, this is the reality of the bottom farmers in border counties.
The land at home is only enough to feed the family.
To be precise, it can only be passed on to the eldest son.
As for the bastard, he can only and must find his own way out.
Otherwise, if a large family only relies on these 100 acres or even less than 100 acres of land, the whole family will starve.
"Ah Zhong..." Father stood up, helped Shao Rong up, sighed, patted his shoulder, and said: "Be careful on the road. When you get there, send me a message..."
Shao Rong nodded heavily, and then came to his mother's side. Looking at his mother who was getting old, he knelt down again, kowtowed heavily, and said: "My son is going to Henan. Mother, please take care of yourself!"
After saying that, Shao Rong took steps forward unswervingly.
He was afraid that if he continued like this, his hard-earned determination would collapse.
He kept walking forward until his mother's cries could no longer be heard behind him.
Then he let out a long sigh.
Two lines of tears fell down unconsciously.
When he reached the entrance of the village, Shao Rong stopped, looked back at his hometown for the last time, and remembered it deeply in his brain.
He knew that he would never forget the scene today.
…………………………………………
Half an hour later, Shao Rong walked to the tourist center in the countryside.
About thirty people have gathered here.
They were all young people about the same age as him, and Shao Rong even recognized many of them.
Basically, these young people are the bastards and second sons of their hometown. They cannot inherit the family business and can only find their own way out.
Moreover, it is obvious that everyone chooses the same way out.
When young people get together, they naturally cannot help but fight and fight.
After a while, the door of the tourist attraction was opened.
A soldier wearing armor walked in front of everyone.
Shao Rong and his companions quickly calmed down and immediately formed a neat formation, holding their chests high, trying to show their best appearance to the soldier who came from the county.
The soldier walked several times in front of everyone and looked at Shao Rong and others before nodding with satisfaction.
"The Holy Emperor has mercy on you and other border residents. Life is not easy and you have no land and houses. In order to prevent you and others from going astray, the Holy Emperor has authorized you and others to voluntarily go to the land of Hetao to cultivate and receive training!" The soldier said with a somewhat arrogant tone:
"Let me explain to you in advance that if this colonization group joins, it will be like the army, and everything will be conducted according to military law!"
"Rise at sunrise every day, receive military training, work after eating, and return to camp at night. Everyone must obey military law and control!"
"I want to tell you that this settlement regiment is extremely hard. Those who can't bear the hardship can still leave now. If you don't leave now, you won't be allowed to leave in the future. Anyone who leaves without authorization will be regarded as a deserter!"
"Do you all understand?"
Shao Rong and others naturally already knew about the relevant system.
In fact, as early as last year, after Master Wang regained the land between the rivers, the system of the reclamation regiment had been explained over and over again by the village pavilion chief and Li Zheng.
The people in the settlement regiment were all half soldiers and half civilians.
Within five years, all members of the Reclamation Corps must obey distribution and management.
Under the organization of the army and officials, they carry out land reclamation and farming, and must also receive military training every day.
Anyone who violates the regulations and systems of the Reclamation Corps will be punished by military law.
Over in Andong, hundreds of people died for violating the laws of the Reclamation Corps.
In addition, during these five years, all members of the settlement group will not have any property of their own.
At most, you can get some rewards at the end of the year.
Judging from these conditions, the Reclamation Corps is truly a dangerous path. No one would choose this path if they had a choice.
However, this system of reclamation regiments is regarded by people today as the benevolent and good governance of the emperor.
It is a preferential policy and a way out that the Holy Emperor of today has specially given out because of his pity for the landless poor people in the world who cannot live in peace.
Naturally, there are no advantages.
Behind these conditions are more coveted preferential policies.
First, after five years of farming in the Reclamation Corps, as long as you do not violate the system or be lazy during this period, you can obtain the corresponding land based on your performance during these five years.
On Anton's side, many people even received a full 500 acres of farmland, a complete set of houses, and even cattle and horses.
After five years of hard work, you can get a life far better than a moderately prosperous life.
For the majority of poor people, what is not satisfying about this?
Besides, the Reclamation Corps is not limited to this level.
Shao Rong had heard that in order to take care of his people, the Holy Emperor specially placed a large number of technical officials in the reclamation regiment.
There are agricultural officials who teach people how to cultivate the land step by step.
Through the guidance of these people, the yield per mu of land is more than 10% higher than that of others.
In addition, there are instructors in the settlement group who specialize in teaching people to learn blacksmithing, carpentry, masonry and even medical skills.
As long as you are smart enough and diligent enough, you can be selected to learn these skills.
Moreover, it is completely free to learn.
Once mastered, this skill can become an heirloom skill.
Become the support of future generations!
Therefore, now, all the young people at the bottom of the world who know the system and conditions of the Reclamation Corps are eager to squeeze into the Reclamation Corps.
Anton is too far away and too cold. It takes thousands of miles to go from the clouds to Anton, and anything can happen on the way.
Therefore, although the soldiers and civilians in Beidi and Yunzhong are very jealous, few people have the courage and courage to gamble.
However, after the news came out that the Hejian Land, now renamed the new territory of Hetao, the emperor was also going to imitate the reclamation regiment system, young people in the entire north became agitated.
Anton’s wealth myth and inspirational stories have inspired many people over the years.
There are even people in the clouds who have traveled thousands of miles and braved all kinds of dangers to go to Anton.
Now, an opportunity is at the doorstep of people. Who is not excited? Who doesn’t want to go?
But for Shao Rong, the reason for going to the reclamation regiment was not for the land and houses - if he wanted these things, he could work as a retainer or personal soldier for the generals, and he would be able to get them in a few years.
It’s not just to learn technology. Of course, technology also makes him very excited.
But it didn't make him crazy yet.
The real reason why he was so willing to do anything and even made up his mind early on to convince his family to join the reclamation regiment was because - every reclamation regiment has related troops, which are inseparable.
Heroic armies such as the Xiliu Camp and the Flying Fox Army, the emperor's sharp blade and sword, will tend to train and select cuirassiers from their own settlement regiments.
Once you are spotted and selected, you will immediately receive targeted training.
In the end, he went to the Xiliu Camp, the Feihu Army, and even to such glorious units as the Yulin Guard and the Tiger Guard, and became a member of the strongest army in the Han Empire.
Shao Rong heard this information from an officer of the Thorny Sect Army who was injured on the front line last year and was sent to his home to recuperate for a period of time.
After learning about this, Shao Rong immediately strengthened his determination to go to the reclamation group.
"A real man is born into the world, and he should be vigorous and vigorous, and he will not be able to live in peace!" Thinking about what the officer said to him, Shao Rong clenched his fists.
