Chapter nine hundred and forty-eight. Living Bodhisattva.
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Just as Zhao Junchen's golden wind swept away four million taels of silver from the northwest provinces, the people in the northwest provinces were eager to donate another sum of money to erect a monument and build a golden body for Zhao Junchen!
For Zhao Junchen, he has accomplished many things during this period, including infiltrating military power, building connections, improving reputation, establishing achievements, and so on! The harvest of four million taels of silver is just one of them.
Just a small achievement.
But for the common people, after Zhao Junchen came to the northwest provinces this time, he mainly accomplished two things. First, he stopped the begging and appeasement of the northwest governors and saved those fleeing famine victims who were about to become victims.
The disaster relief food and grass for the people in the northwest were preserved, and the second was the complete annihilation of the Mongolian coalition forces. Not to mention the significance of this matter.
These two things have greatly benefited the people in the northwest provinces.
Because of the locust eradication that year, Zhao Junchen's reputation among the people in the northwest provinces was originally mixed, not in disgrace like other provinces.
Now that these two things have happened, and some forces are doing their best to build momentum and praise Zhao Junchen, Zhao Junchen's popular reputation in the northwest provinces has reached its peak in an instant!
Therefore, in the eyes of the people in the northwest provinces, Zhao Junchen is simply a once-in-a-century genius!
Especially the refugees fleeing from the northwest provinces, they have lost count of how many times Zhao Junchen saved their lives! If not for Zhao Junchen, they would have been given to the Mongols as slaves by the northwest governors; if not for Zhao Junchen,
It was impossible for them to get the disaster relief food and grass distributed by the court; if it were not for Zhao Junchen, they might have died in the plunder of the Mongols...
In short, the feelings of these disaster victims towards Zhao Junchen can no longer be described by just four words: "gratefulness".
However, Zhao Junchen still felt that it was not enough, and he would do more things for these victims!
Although it was largely out of selfishness, Zhao Junchen's actions really benefited the victims again!
*
Outside Xi'an, there is a refugee camp, which is also the largest refugee camp in Shaanxi.
This refugee camp occupies a large area, with an area of about 300 square meters, but it is still overcrowded inside because there are more than 50,000 people fleeing famines gathered here.
So many people fleeing the famine have nothing to do all day long and are unwilling to return to their hometowns. They are just waiting for government relief. This not only consumes a lot of food and grass from the Shaanxi government, but also may lead to a massive civil war.
Change!
Even if there is no civil uprising, in such a crowded and dirty environment, the outbreak of plague is a high probability event.
Just as Shaanxi Governor Zhang Shengde described, this refugee camp has become a hidden danger in Xi'an City. Xi'an City officials have been having trouble sleeping for a long time because of the existence of this refugee camp.
Got it!
However, it was said that on this day, just as Zhao Junchen and Shanxi businessmen reached a dirty money and political deal, a group of people entered the refugee camp with Zhao Junchen's warrant.
There are about two hundred people in this team, all of them are strong-bodied adult men with tough looks. These people are capable and well-organized. They seem to be from the military, but everyone has more or less physical disabilities.
, or a finger is missing, or an eye is missing. Although it does not affect daily life, it is still extremely conspicuous.
These people are naturally the disabled soldiers of the new army recruited by Zhao Junchen.
The leader of the team is Zhang Cheng, whom Zhao Junchen has high hopes for!
After being nursed back to health by the miracle doctor Zhang Decheng, Zhang Cheng's physical condition has recovered somewhat, and his image has become much more energetic than before.
However, he said that after the team entered the refugee camp, they quickly built a wooden platform and then beat gongs and drums to attract all the nearby victims.
However, when the victims gathered near the wooden platform, most of them had numb expressions.
They have seen similar situations countless times, and most of them were sent by the government to encourage them to return to their hometown.
Under the repeated instigation of the government, many victims could not bear to leave their homeland, and finally left the refugee camp and were repatriated to their place of origin by the government, but most of the victims remained indifferent.
These victims are all victims of extremely severe drought. Even if they are willing to return to their hometowns, they will not be able to support themselves after returning to their hometowns. Moreover, according to the consistent behavior of the local government, when they flee famine and leave their hometowns, their properties and houses will be destroyed.
It has been occupied and taken away by others, so they will only die if they return to their place of origin.
In comparison, although the environment in the refugee camp is a bit harsh, there is a porridge shack run by the government every day. If you can get a bowl of gruel, at least there is hope for survival.
After seeing the victims crowding in front of him, Zhang Cheng looked around. Everywhere he looked, there were some victims fleeing the disaster with dirty faces, numb expressions, and skinny bodies. For a moment, Zhang Cheng even felt that he was surrounded by a group of walking dead.
, couldn’t help but frown.
Then, Zhang Cheng picked up the loudspeaker invented by Zhao Junchen and shouted loudly: "Fellow folks, I am Zhao Junchen, the leader of Mr. Zhao's personal soldiers. Today, I am here to visit you on behalf of Mr. Zhao!"
After hearing Zhang Cheng mention Zhao Junchen's name, the victims suddenly became commotion, and their numb expressions became more emotional!
There is excitement, gratitude, and hope!
"Is it the imperial envoy Zhao who annihilated the Mongolian coalition forces?"
"Zhao Qingtian? The Zhao Qingtian who saved us!"
"It's Saint Zhao! Saint Zhao has sent someone to visit us!"
"I know that Mr. Zhao is a good official who cares about the people. He will definitely not leave us here to die!"
Seeing the violent reactions and discussions from the victims, a trace of pride flashed across Zhang Cheng's expression.
Zhang Cheng is already Zhao Junchen's disciple, and he is the kind of confidant who only works for Zhao Junchen. Now that he sees Zhao Junchen's prestige so high, he only feels honored.
In fact, Zhao Junchen had laid the groundwork and laid the groundwork for what happened today. Since the end of the Weishui War, Zhao Junchen had sent people to lurk in the refugee camps and continuously spread Zhao Junchen's story to the victims.
Various achievements and even the appeasement plan of the northwest governors were revealed.
In the end, with the repeated encouragement and praise of these lurking personnel, the victims all understood the fact that Zhao Junchen had saved them many times, and Zhao Junchen's image in the hearts of the victims was close to that of a saint.
In fact, people in ancient times did not have any information channels. They could only believe what they saw and heard with their own eyes, especially in such an extreme environment as a refugee camp. Zhao Junchen wanted to build a solid reputation for himself.
It couldn't be simpler.
After the excitement and discussion of the people finally came to an end, Zhang Cheng shouted loudly again: "People! You are right, Mr. Zhao has never forgotten you! Mr. Zhao has learned that there are tens of thousands of you.
Since people are crowded in refugee camps like this, they have been worrying about your daily food and clothing, and worrying about your future life!"
After a pause, seeing that the victims were all listening to his speech attentively, Zhang Cheng continued to shout: "Folks! You just staying in the refugee camp and unwilling to leave is definitely not a long-term solution! The government's food total
There will be a day when it’s all over! You can only eat one or two bowls of gruel every day, and you won’t be able to hold on for long! The environment here is too harsh, and there may be an outbreak of disease at any time! At that time, even the imperial court will not be able to help you survive.
Get down! You have been staying here, just sitting and waiting for death!"
As Zhang Cheng finished speaking, the victims were in uproar and confusion again.
Could it be that Zhao Junchen also wanted to persuade them to return to their place of origin and wait to die?
However, before the victims could raise any questions, Zhang Cheng shouted again: "Of course, Mr. Zhao, he also knows that if you return to your place of origin, you will also be waiting to die! Therefore, Mr. Zhao has been working hard these days, and finally it is
I have found a clear way for you! Mr. Zhao has now spent all his wealth and even borrowed a lot of money. He has purchased many fields and built many buildings in Shaanxi, Gansu, Shanxi, and Beizhili.
Grange!
With these fields and granges, there will be a place for you! These fields and granges are currently lacking manpower to cultivate. Mr. Zhao has decided to hire you as tenants to reclaim the land and grow food! Before receiving the food next year, you will also
You can still receive food relief from the court! You don’t have to worry about starvation!
Mr. Zhao promises you that as long as you are willing to farm grain on Mr. Zhao's land, in addition to the annual court tax, Mr. Zhao will only ask you for an additional 30% of the land rent! In addition, with Mr. Zhao
With your support, the local government will not increase taxes on you. After paying the two court taxes and 30% of the land rent, all the remaining grain will belong to you! Mr. Zhao will even send a trading firm to pay a fair price.
Buy the surplus grain you have!"
After a pause, Zhang Cheng shouted with a louder voice: "In short, as long as you follow Mr. Zhao, you will no longer be afraid of being unable to survive from now on! There is no need to sell children and daughters! There is no need to worry about bullying by bullies!
You don’t have to go hungry all day long! Under the protection of Mr. Zhao, you will build a new and beautiful home with your own hands!"
As Zhang Cheng finished speaking, there was only a "boom" sound, and all the victims shouted loudly and talked with excitement.
You must know that for these people who make a living by farming, the court's taxation is not too much pressure. If they only pay taxes and grains to the court, the remaining food will be enough for them to live without worries for one year.
The real exploitation actually lies in the landlords’ renting and the local government’s private tax increases!
Zhao Junchen only asked for 30% of the rent, which seemed like a lot, but in fact the rent charged by landlords in this era was generally as high as 50% or more, and even asking for 70% of the rent was common.
If you own your own land, it will often be more troublesome, because local officials are often more greedy than the landlords and gentry. When the court only levies 30% of the grain tax, the local government will often increase it to more than 50%. As follows
The government officials would also do some tricks on the weights, and the final tax payment was often as high as 60 to 70%, and the people were miserable!
In addition, there are all kinds of messy taxes and taxes, which make the people breathless.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen only asked for 30% of the rent, and also guaranteed that the local government would not increase taxes on them privately. For the common people, this kind of life was undoubtedly a paradise!
However, Zhang Cheng's promise was so wonderful that while the victims were excited, they also didn't believe it.
Under Zhao Junchen's repeated campaign, the victims believed in Zhao Junchen's character and credibility, and believed that Zhao Junchen was a great benevolent man. Da Qingtian would never deceive them!
Their thoughts were very simple. Since Zhao Junchen had saved them countless times, how could he harm them now?
Therefore, the victims only doubted Zhang Cheng's origins, and were a little worried that Zhang Cheng was not the leader of Zhao Junchen's soldiers, and that such a promise was just to send them back to their place of origin!
In the end, after the victims had heated discussions for a while, they all raised questions.
"Are you really Mr. Zhao's subordinate?"
"You're not pretending, are you?"
"What evidence do you have to prove your identity?"
Regarding this, Zhang Cheng had already anticipated this. He raised his hand and held up Zhao Junchen's warrant and said: "This warrant was written by Mr. Zhao himself, and it also has Mr. Zhao's official seal on it! If I was sent by the local government,
, I would never dare to forge Mr. Zhao’s souvenirs and official seals! If fellow villagers don’t believe it, you can find some literate and knowledgeable people to come to me to confirm the authenticity!”
Finally, after searching for a long time, the victims finally found several literate people who came to Zhang Cheng to confirm Zhao Junchen's warrant.
After confirming Zhang Cheng's identity and recalling Zhang Cheng's promises, the victims became excited.
"Zhao Qingtian! Living Bodhisattva!"
"Being Mr. Zhao's tenants is our blessing!"
"Master Zhao is indeed here to save us!"
"With Master Zhao's protection, we can finally survive!"
Finally, under the leadership of some people, the voices of all the victims came together.
"Willing to follow Mr. Zhao!"
"Willing to follow Mr. Zhao!"
After seeing the enthusiastic expressions of the victims, Zhang Cheng looked satisfied and shouted loudly: "If you are willing to follow Mr. Zhao, go back and pack your bags now, leave here with me, and rush to Mr. Zhao's farm! I have already provided the food on the way.
Prepare in advance! Also, if any of you have any skills, please come to me to register, Mr. Zhao has other plans for you!"
Following Zhang Cheng's shouts, the victims began to take action one after another.
Seeing the performance of the victims, Zhang Cheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that he had finally successfully completed Zhao Junchen's mission.
When Zhang Cheng stepped off the wooden platform, he took a bottle of water bag from the hands of the people around him and drank it all in one gulp.
Shouting loudly for such a long time made Zhang Cheng's body unable to bear it.
Just as Zhang Cheng raised his head to drink water, the person who gave him the water bag couldn't help but muttered: "Boss Zhang, you think Mr. Zhao is really kind in his heart. He saved the lives of these victims and gave them to the victims."
A place for them to live is enough! But they only charge 30% of the rent, isn’t it a huge loss?”
This man's name was Huo Gang, and he was also a disabled soldier from the New Army. He was naturally loyal to Zhao Junchen. He didn't care whether the victims would live well in the future, he only cared about the loss of Zhao Junchen's interests.
After hearing this man's complaint, Zhang Cheng smiled and said: "I have also mentioned your doubts to Mr. Zhao! But Mr. Zhao is indeed Mr. Zhao, and his vision is far beyond ours!
According to Mr. Zhao, these people will only live in his farm from now on. The excess food can only be sold to the merchants designated by Zhao Junchen, and the money earned can only be used in Mr. Zhao's shops and rented.
Although it is a little less, these losses will be returned to Mr. Zhao in a circle! At the same time, Mr. Zhao can also earn a good reputation, why not do it? "
This concept involves the economic theory of later generations. Huo Gang thought for a long time before he understood it. He suddenly said with a sudden look on his face: "Master Zhao is indeed brilliant!"
*
In this way, under the encouragement of Zhang Cheng and others, more than 43,000 of the more than 50,000 refugees in the refugee camp were finally willing to follow them out of the refugee camp and become Zhao Junchen's tenants.
By the afternoon of this day, the victims had packed their bags and were led by Zhang Cheng and others towards the east.
That is the direction of Xuanfu Military Town.
Under Zhao Junchen's secret operation, Jubao Trading Company has purchased a large amount of military land in Xuanfu Military Town, which is the best place to resettle these people.
However, when the victims followed Zhang Cheng out of Xi'an, they bumped into a special team!
