New China built the Shimen Reservoir, which raised the water level of the Bao River, and the plank road is now very close to the river.
The stone gates and plank roads of the Song Dynasty were all hanging on the mountainside cliffs!
Further downstream, the ancient weir and dam were not only repaired, but also another weir and dam was built based on Zhao Fengji's water conservancy design (actually designed by his father).
This winter, an additional weir will be built.
If all three weirs and dams are completed, although they are not as good as the Shimen Reservoir, they will still be enough to ensure irrigation in Hanzhong.
Zhu Ming was standing on the weir at this time, with a large golden rice field behind him.
Taking Baoguchou as the dividing line, the army in the north is pressing on the border, and the harvest in the south is imminent.
Although the first phase of the project has not yet been fully completed with the dredging of the Shanhe Weir main channel and the construction of two weirs and dams, Baocheng County has been able to maintain its harvest despite droughts and floods.
Whether they are landowners, farmers, or tenants, they are all very motivated at the moment and are doing their best to harvest new rice.
A load of rice is picked back to dry, and after drying, it is immediately handed over to the land tax. It only needs to be transported to a nearby military grain station, and the land fee for this year can be completely exempted.
Yes, we are still collecting scrap money from the fields. This thing was invented by Cai Jing.
Zhu Ming strictly followed the standards set by Cai Jing and did not allow officials to increase taxes at will. The people in the area actually accepted it. They all thought that the Zhu family and his son were very benevolent and righteous.
However, the people in Baocheng County were overjoyed that all the money in the fields was free, and they enthusiastically handed over the land tax and sent the new rice to the army themselves.
At Baocheng County Foreign Military Warehouse, Qian Chen is working.
An official shouted: "Du Guogui, the first capital in the second li of Shimen Township, buys and sells new rice for 245 shi, weighs it and collects it, and issues a bond!"
A big landowner came in with a sad face. Qian Chen filled in the amount and then stamped it on the bond.
Qian Chen is now in charge of frontline rice production and accepts the dual management of the Zhu family and his son.
The collection of grain rice is still being done. In principle, it is all voluntary and returns to the essence of grain rice. That is, the government spends money to buy grain from the people, and it is no longer a forcibly imposed exorbitant tax.
Moreover, it was changed to the form of war bonds.
The annual interest rate is one and a half cents, which is 15%.
This is a three-year bond, and people can cash it in advance, but the interest will be halved before it matures, and it will take at least one year before it can be cashed.
It is true that too much money was spent on military pay. He actually bought grain from Beijing South Road with gold and silver. Zhu Guoxiang didn't have much money at all now. When he bought grain from the landlord, he could only buy it on credit. It sounds like it was all voluntary, but in fact it was half
force.
Any big landowner who doesn't sell grain on credit will always find various crimes to punish them to remind them that the Zhu family and his son are actually rebels.
This naturally disgusts the landowners, but it can increase their loyalty.
The landlord was dissatisfied because of the forced credit purchase, and after handing over the grain, he was bound to the rebels. Zhu Guoxiang promised that he could cash it in next year, and he would still pay interest after three years.
This kind of empty promise requires rebels to survive.
Therefore, the landowners could only hope that the rebels would win, otherwise the grain they had given out on credit would be wasted.
As for interest, no one expects that.
It is estimated that by next year, most landowners will choose to settle down and not be greedy for the 15% interest on three-year war bonds.
"Don't worry, Mr. Du. The bonds have been given to you. Why are you worried that the government won't give you the money?" Qian Chen said with a smile.
Du Guoguo forced out a smile: "That's right, Mr. Zhu kept his promise. He said he would definitely give the money, and he would definitely not miss out on the interest."
Qian Chen said: "Collect the bonds and go home. If they are lost, you will be in trouble. But don't be afraid. Even if the bonds are lost, the government can still check the accounts. However, when cashing in the interest, you have to hire someone.
The second-class household will act as a guarantee to avoid unclear matters in the future."
"Yes, yes, yes." Du Guogui quickly agreed.
After leaving the warehouse, Du Guogui carefully checked the bond, which indicated the amount of rice purchased.
This kind of paper is similar to the paper used by Jiaozi, with details printed on the back, including the words "Sichuan Gorge Fourth Road War Bond in the 5th year of Xuanhe" in large words.
"The Song Dynasty brutally destroyed the people, and the world was boiling. Today, I, the Zhu family, have raised an army to do justice for heaven and punish the people for their crimes... The annual interest rate is one and a half cents, and you can redeem it after three years. You can redeem it in advance for one year, and the interest will be halved.
…”
The black and white words on the paper were clearly written, which made Du Baogui feel a little more at ease.
He decided to cash in the money next year. If the interest was less, he would accept it. He could even accept no interest. He thought it was selling grain at a low price to the rebels.
We must defeat the officers and soldiers this year, otherwise who will they turn to to claim the debt if the rebels are finished?
"Food and fodder are shipped!"
Several boats set sail at the entrance of the warehouse.
The grain and grass were first transported to Xi County and then transported to the front line via Chencang Road.
Lueyang was a small and sparsely populated area and could not collect much food, so it had to be supported by military rations from Hanzhong.
The peasants who were brought back from Baogu Jianbi Qingye were not only exempted from taxes this year, but also all young and strong people were converted into grain transporters. Food was provided during the grain transportation period, and they could receive a small amount of wages after the war, and they were given seeds for next year's spring farming.
Most of the rebels on the Chencang Road side were stationed at Yuguan, where Qingni Ridge is located.
This green mud ridge is exactly what Li Bai said in his poem: "Where is the green mud, the mountains are covered with nine twists and turns after a hundred steps."
Just listening to these two poems, you can tell how complicated the terrain is, and it is really uncomfortable for the Western Army heading south from Chencang Road.
The monarchs and ministers of the Song Dynasty who were responsible for formulating the strategy to suppress thieves had never been to Hanzhong in person. They could not imagine the steepness of Chencang Road, Baoxie Road, and Tangluo Road.
As time went by, they continued to urge from the rear, driving the frontline generals to the point of wanting to die.
"Is Zhongshi Dao driven crazy?" Zhu Ming used a telescope to observe the plank road to the north of Shimen.
The farmer's road was rested for half a month and suddenly he sent someone to repair the plank road in the dark.
There was a loud knocking ten meters away, and the defenders inside the stone gate were immediately awakened.
The Tiger Crouching Cannon has already been loaded with ammunition and just needs to be lit with a torch.
Just as the gunner was lighting the torch with a brazier, several giant arrows suddenly shot out. The gunner's entire right shoulder was crippled, and the two rebels next to him were also shot to death.
There are Western troops using divine arm bows on the plank road!
The more powerful bed crossbow was not brought. That thing requires multiple people to operate. The plank road was built in the dark, and many people needed to operate the bed crossbow. There was no room for so many people on the plank road.
"boom!"
Another rebel picked up the torch and quickly lit the artillery fuse.
Immediately afterwards, the musketeers loaded their ammunition by the light of the fire and fired at the plank road ten meters away.
The Western Army suffered several casualties, and the rest all fled.
After Zhongshidao learned the result, he could only give up repairing the plank road completely. Even if he forced the order, it is estimated that no soldiers would be willing to carry out the order. This was no longer a courageous risk, but simply a fatal errand.
At this moment, Ju Ming stood on the weir and said to Zhang Bor next to him: "If you are willing, when you negotiate peace with the imperial court, you can bring your parents and relatives to Hanzhong."
Zhang Boring said: "Only the parents and brothers are welcome, the rest of the relatives are not willing to leave."
"I heard that Shandong is in chaos." Zhu Ming reminded.
Zhang Boring said: "No matter how chaotic the situation is, we must preserve the ancestral home, ancestral hall and family fields. These are the properties accumulated by the Zhang family over hundreds of years."
"Indeed." Zhu Ming nodded.
When Ju Ming returned to Hanzhong in the spring, Zhang Bor immediately came to see him and now holds an important position in the General's Mansion.
Zhang Bor, Qian Chen, and Zhu Ming do not plan to go out for the time being, and they all stay with themselves to listen to their instructions. The shogunate system of the General's Mansion also needs to be improved.
…
"I've met Gao Chengxuan!" Zhong Shidao led the generals to greet him.
Gao Yaofu was the second son of Gao Qiu, and his official position was Cheng Xuan Envoy, that is, he was the observation post before Huizong's reform in Song Dynasty.
This is a kind of false title of military attache, getting paid for nothing and doing nothing.
Since Gao Qiu has become the coach of the Western Army, he naturally has to bring his close relatives with him. Both of his sons are with him. There is also a younger son who is still studying in Tokyo.
Although Gao Yaofu was arrogant and domineering in Tokyo, he was also an unusual dandy. Like Gao Qiu, he was good at calligraphy and painting, and he also practiced spears and clubs since he was a child. After greeting the generals, he couldn't wait to ask: "Why hasn't Zhong Jinglue decided to fight?"
?My father in Tokyo really can’t bear it after ten days of reminders.”
Zhong Shidao didn't explain, and only said: "Gao Chengxuan will go and take a look first before talking."
Gao Yaofu was led along the plank road by Zhongshi Dao, and he stopped when he could see the stone gate in the distance.
Zhong Shidao pointed at the stone gate and said: "The bandits not only demolished the plank road, but also guarded it in the middle of the stone gate. The last three or four feet of the plank road could not be repaired. The bandits have two kinds of weapons. Others call them magic weapons, but I think they are medicine (
Gunpowder). Whenever used, the sound is like a thunderbolt. The lead shot can penetrate heavy armor, and the iron shot can break solid stone. How can this be overcome? I deliberately did not repair the plank road for many days, sent soldiers to repair it at night, and returned the magic arm bow.
Cover, but still being repelled by that weird weapon."
Gao Yaofu asked: "Isn't there a path around?"
Zhong Shidao said: "Yes. However, it is difficult for a large army to pass through the small road, and the baggage and baggage cannot be transported through it. We can only send a small group of elites to make a surprise attack. The bandits have been prepared for a long time, so the surprise attack will not be effective."
Gao Yaofu asked again: "How about taking a boat down the river?"
Zhong Shidao said: "Our army's boats and rafts are all improvised, and it is difficult to build a big ship at a time. But the bandits have big ships, how can they win a water battle? The flood season in Hanzhong is later than that of the Yangtze River, and now is just the time.
They were hit by us. The current was so strong that the boat and raft were unsteady and they had to board the boat eight miles away. When they reached the lower reaches, they were all washed away."
"How about filling the boat with firewood and firewood?" Gao Yaofu asked.
Zhong Shidao said: "You can try it, but it is difficult to work. After passing the mouth of Baogu, the river suddenly widened. From a distance, I saw that the bandits seemed to have built a dam or something like that. In such a wide river, how could a fire boat burn the thieves?
Boat?"
Gao Yaofu sighed: "It's really difficult."
Zhong Shidao bowed and said: "Please Gao Chengxuan clearly understand the situation here, and be sure to let Gao Taiwei wait patiently. No matter what, the soldiers of the Western Army will attack once the water is shallow."
After all, Gao Qiu had led troops to fight in Shaanxi and knew that this thing should not be rushed.
But the eunuchs and supervisors did not care about this. The emperor urged him hard, and he had to complete the work.
The job of the military supervisor is not to win the battle, but to convey the emperor's will and have the frontline generals strictly implement it.
As for the defeat of Zhongshidao as a result, what the hell does it have to do with him supervising the army?
All the new rice in Hanzhong had been harvested, but the water level had not yet dropped. A stern letter urging war was sent.
The beginning of the letter was to accuse the eunuch. The eunuch Supervisor Jun said that there were rumors that Zhong Shidao supported the soldiers and was suspected of joining the rebels. The supervisor said that he did not believe it, but the rumors were widely spread. If Zhong Shidao was delayed any longer, he would have no choice but to
If you believe it, Zhong Shidao must be impeached for colluding with the rebels.
After Zhong Shidao read the letter, he was so angry that it was hard to express.
He handed the letter to the generals to read, and then said: "Let's attack on another day, we can't delay it any longer."