But there are also disadvantages to this, that is, whenever the army goes out for war, adult men have to join the various guards to fight everywhere. The old, weak, women and children who are left behind will inevitably be short of manpower.
Normally it's better, but at critical times such as spring plowing and autumn harvest, there can't be any delay, and the hiring staff can't spend so much money, so the impact will inevitably be serious.
The plan for the year lies in spring. If the seeds cannot be planted at the right time, it may affect the harvest of the year.
Fang Jun arrived at the village early in the morning, had a sip of tea, then rode on horseback wearing a bamboo hat, leading his troops around the mountains and plains. From time to time, he dismounted from his horse and chatted with old farmers and men in the fields to get to know the farmers.
various difficulties.
When he returned to Zhuangzi, he said to Lu Cheng, the farm manager: "Pass this message to all the farmers in Zhuangzi. During the spring plowing this year, the livestock and farm tools in the Zhuangzi can be freely used by each household. Those who have difficulty in farming at home can
Farmers can apply in advance, and after the fields in Zhuangzi are cultivated, we will help each household cultivate them free of charge."
Generally speaking, the more people in the family, the more land will be contracted, and the more men will go with the army this time.
All the men went out with the army, and it was difficult for the remaining old, weak, women and children to complete the spring plowing on time. Once the farming season was delayed, the harvest of the year was likely to be delayed. There would be no harvest in the autumn, and the whole family was going to drink from the northwest wind?
His Majesty Li Er was so obsessed with conquering Goguryeo that he was so happy that he even neglected the most critical agricultural reclamation. He would rather delay the spring plowing in Guanzhong than destroy Goguryeo and achieve great things...
As a minister, there is no point in trying to persuade me. I can only try my best to minimize all kinds of losses, and then pray that this year will be a good year and wait for a good harvest after autumn. Otherwise, if there is a severe drought or flood,
, the lack of manpower in Guanzhong is very likely to lead to serious famine.
Fang Jun took off his coir raincoat and bamboo hat, washed his hands, sat down in the lobby, took a sip of hot tea, and asked, "Are the corn seeds ready?"
Lu Cheng replied: "Don't worry, Erlang. How dare I delay this important matter?"
In the cellar of the farm, baskets of corn seeds have been prepared for a long time. After careful selection, they are divided into three, six or nine grades. The best ones are still kept in the farm for planting. This is to prepare for future cultivation and must be used.
Only by cross-breeding the strongest and most plump seeds from generation to generation can we finally get the corn that is most suitable for growing in Chinese soil, with cold and drought resistance and higher yields.
Cultivating crops from generation to generation is a long-term and systematic project that cannot be accomplished overnight and requires a lot of time and patience.
Once the cultivation is finally successful, there will be another high-yielding food in China, which can feed many people.
Sweet potatoes, peanuts and other crops can also be used as supplements.
If the Zhenguan era could last for fifty years, Fang Jun even boldly speculated that the population of China might exceed 100 million for the first time without waiting for the Song Dynasty.
With the application of firearms and a large enough population base, the Tang Dynasty will be unparalleled in both military and economic aspects. Even if it encounters a foolish emperor, as long as it does not internally divide and kill each other, it can delay its demise for a hundred years.
.
When he went to inspect the fields in the morning, a hunter gave him a dried muntjac leg. Fang Jun was planning to ask Lu Cheng to tell the kitchen to stew it with radishes grown in the greenhouse. It was fragrant and free of heat, and served with
A pot of rice wine is simply delicious.
Unexpectedly, a servant rushed to the farm and said that His Majesty summoned the Duke of Yue to the palace to discuss important matters...
Fang Jun did not dare to delay, so he quickly got up, put on his raincoat, put on his bamboo hat when he went out, and rode down from Lishan Mountain with a group of soldiers, heading straight for Chang'an.
Nowadays, whenever he goes out, there are many soldiers around him. Even in Chang'an City, he does not dare to let down his guard. Even if he is impeached by the censor and "shows off", he will admit it. He has seen Changsun Wuji's methods.
People are unscrupulous and have no bottom line. If he succeeds, he will be wronged.
When they arrived in front of Chengtian Gate, there were already servants waiting here. When they saw Fang Jun dismounting, they quickly led him to the imperial study room of Shenlong Palace.
Outside the imperial study room, Fang Jun took off his raincoat, took off his bamboo hat and handed it to the chamberlain. He straightened his clothes before stepping in.
In the royal study, His Majesty Li Er stood with his hands folded by the wall, looking at the map of Goguryeo on the wall. Changsun Wuji, Li Ji, and Xiao Yu were kneeling on one side.
Fang Jun entered the palace, bowed his head to the ground, saluted and said: "I have been ordered to come here to see Your Majesty."
His Majesty Li Er looked back at him, hummed, and said: "I love you, come and see how this works."
After saying that, he turned around again and faced the map on the wall.
Fang Jun straightened up, walked a few steps forward and stood behind His Majesty Li Er, looking up.
I don’t know when there was another map on the wall between them. It was hung on top of the original huge map of Goguryeo near the river. The lines on the map were rough. If you look closely, it looked like some local terrain, marked with
Some numbers and names.
His Majesty Li Er said: "This is the latest city defense layout map sent from Pyongyang City. In order to cope with the attack of the Tang Dynasty, Yeon Gaesumun held an imperial meeting a few days ago and agreed on the defense policy against the Tang Dynasty.
In addition to the clichés of gradually retreating and strengthening the walls and clearing the country, we also mobilized elite troops from all over the country to station on the north bank of the Xishui River, intending to defend Pyongyang City to the death at the last minute."
Fang Jun was shocked.
After he took charge of the Ministry of War, he tried his best to develop the espionage business of the Tang Dynasty. Because he knew that the Tang Dynasty would definitely fight with Goguryeo, and that the prospect of this battle would be less victory and more defeat, he had already arranged countless spies to enter Goguryeo and lurk there.
, win over, bribe, and use any means necessary to obtain information about Goguryeo.
However, due to Goguryeo's current evil deeds, King Go Bobo is just a puppet, and the entire center is under the control of Yeon Gaesumun. All major affairs of the country are decided by Yeongaesumun without consulting anyone, so maybe the news
There are very few channels.
If it is according to what His Majesty Li Er said, Yeon Gaesomun had just held a royal meeting to designate the defense strategy of Pyongyang City, and now he appeared in this royal study... How was this garrison map obtained?
Fang Jun pondered for a while and felt the need to raise doubts: "Your Majesty, I am aware that I dare to ask the channel through which this map was obtained. Is it credible? It is not because I am meddlesome. In fact, this kind of garrison strategy must be a highly confidential secret of Goguryeo.
, the participants are not Yeon Gaesomun's close confidants, otherwise once the leak is known to the Tang Dynasty, we will be able to set up defenses against them and march straight in. How could it be spread so easily? What if Yeon Gaesomun did it deliberately?
It is actually tempting Tang Dynasty to be fooled, so we have to be careful."
His suspicions were reasonable.
He launched countless military operations to enter Goguryeo and bribed and wooed ministers, but he failed to obtain such confidential information. Now he appears openly in front of His Majesty Li Er. How can we not make people doubt whether it is true or false?
If Yeon Gaesomun sets up this plan and the Tang army reaches Pyongyang City, and if they want to rely on such a defense plan to launch a general offensive, they may fall into Yeongaesomun's trap and lose all their troops.
However, after he finished speaking, he noticed that His Majesty Li Er looked a little strange...
What's going on?
Fang Jun was confused and confused. He turned back to look at the other three people, only to find Changsun Wuji's face so gloomy that it was almost dripping with water. His eyelids were drooped and he didn't even look at him.
Old God Li Ji remained silent, his usual silence is golden.
Only Xiao Yu smiled bitterly and said: "Erlang doesn't know something. This defense plan for Pyongyang City was sent back by the eldest son of the eldest son from Goguryeo..."
Fang Jun was stunned for a moment.
Changsun Huan?
This guy actually sneaked into the center of Goguryeo?
Judging from the confidentiality level of this defense map, it would be impossible for someone other than Yeon Gaesumun's confidants to know the details, let alone draw them down and send people to Chang'an.
This Changsun Huan actually lurked so deeply in Goguryeo...
Fang Jun thought for a while, bowed to His Majesty Li Er and said: "Your Majesty clearly knows that it is not the heart of a humble minister to judge a gentleman's heart. The eldest Sun Huan is your Majesty's son-in-law. It is also a traitor to the country. Now he is in exile and refuses to use it.
To submit oneself to the law can be said to be unfaithful and unfilial. How can we trust such an unloyal and unfilial person? Not to mention that the Eastern Expedition is a major event for the country and we cannot bear the slightest risk. Please be careful and do not trust his words."
His words were not directed at Changsun Huan, they were actually spoken out of his feelings.
Just imagine, a traitor who conspired to usurp the country has to live in exile and has no home to return to. How credible is his words?