An endless stream of livestock gathered outside Changsha City, and a large number of people waited reluctantly. A cold wind blew up from the ground, making many people shiver from the cold and had to hold the livestock to keep warm.
But the people in the yamen didn't care and were registering slowly.
Du Yinxi stood on the city wall, feeling the cold wind blowing, looking at these scenes without squinting.
Although it is inhumane, a yamen is a yamen, and ordinary people can only obey and dare not speak nonsense at all.
On the other side, the county officials, together with the district chiefs, and a large number of civilians gathered outside the city, waiting for inspection.
Du Yinxi was quite satisfied with this.
For many years in Changsha, his prestige has been instilled from top to bottom, and no one in the counties dared to neglect it, and it was strictly implemented.
An hour later, after a whole morning of sorting out, the paperwork was gathered together in a hurry:
"All 2,000 livestock have arrived, including 1,567 donkeys and 433 mules..."
"Where are the civilian husbands?"
"There are still some places with long distances in each county. We should be able to reach them in the next two days tomorrow."
"Are the houses and provisions in the city ready?"
"Thousands of people have been prepared. There are some dilapidated houses in the west of the city where they can be accommodated."
Du Yinxi looked at the poorly clothed folk and felt pity. He couldn't help but said: "Prepare more ginger soup and firewood, and arrange a quilt and clothes for each person."
"But, Mr. Fu, this costs a lot of money..."
"After all, we are fellow villagers. If we don't prepare well for heading north in the twelfth lunar month of winter, won't we let them freeze to death? When the number of people is not enough, I can't afford the shogunate to blame me!"
"Yes!" Several clerks immediately sweated on their foreheads and responded hurriedly.
Even the prefect can't afford it. They will definitely have to take the blame when the time comes. How difficult!
Not long after, a team came up the official road. It was huge in size, many people, and dusty. Du Yinxi's eyes were immediately caught.
Du Yinxi squinted his eyes and took a closer look. He saw a huge word "He", and then he avoided waiting for flower cards, beating gongs and drums, and waving flags, so that he was not noticeable.
He didn't understand that this was He Tengjiao and Governor He who were strategically retreating from Guizhou.
Although he was under the rule of King Yu, he had to go out of the city to greet him whether he had broken up with the Nanjing court or not.
Moreover, He Tengjiao returned smoothly and swaggering, obviously he cooperated well and got the permission of King Yu.
"Quickly, let me know and go out of the city to meet you!"
Du Yinxi hurriedly ordered.
Immediately, He Tengjiao saw the energetic Magistrate Du Yinxi of Changsha, and saw the large welcoming team, and his heart instantly felt warm.
Du Yinxi also saw He Tengjiao and Governor He who were very tanned.
When he went to Guizhou, He Tengjiao was full of confidence and exuded high spirits. He looked down upon the remnants of the Western thieves.
Now that I'm back, my demeanor has changed drastically, and I'm even a little sluggish. My bulging belly has disappeared, I've lost a lot of weight, and my fair and tender skin has become tanned. It's like a different person.
But Du Yinxi still recognized He Tengjiao.
"Alas, I'm finally back."
He Tengjiao looked at the ancient Changsha City and burst into tears for a while.
After feeling sentimental for a long time, He Tengjiao calmed down and entered the city.
After taking a bath and washing up, He Tengjiao, Shi Shiran and Du Yinxi sat across from each other and played Go.
"Why, King Yu can't bear it anymore. Does he want to go to Nanjing?"
He Tengjiao said calmly, his tone neither sad nor happy.
He did not learn about the slaves going south.
"I have no idea!"
Du Yinxi said casually: "Logically speaking, it shouldn't be."
"How can you see it?" He Tengjiao was stunned.
"From Xiangyang to Nanjing, whether it is the Han River or the Yangtze River, all you need is ships. The shogunate obviously has no shortage of ships."
Du Yinxi took a breath and said softly: "Only the land route requires a large number of livestock!"
He Tengjiao breathed out, his spirit was shaken, and he looked at Du Yinxi again:
"Zhong Yan, staying in Changsha will bury you, why don't you come with me to Nanjing——"
Looking at He Tengjiao's solemn face, Du Yinxi was startled.
After a long while, he smiled and said: "Duke Xian, if I go with you, you won't be able to leave Huguang."
He Tengjiao sighed in his heart. Although the rejection was euphemistic, it was still a rejection.
King Yu, how come you are so charming?
…
With an order from the shogunate, the whole of Huguang took action, all prefectures and counties moved together, and good deeds were followed by whips, which was completely different from when the imperial court was there.
This is also the result of the shogunate's previous adjustments to Taihan Magistrate County.
After all, feudal society was governed by people, and the benefits produced by an obedient local official were extremely considerable.
These county magistrates or general magistrates who came out of the Military and Political Department dare not be disobedient. Their appointment and dismissal edicts are stamped with the royal seal.
In other words, it is worse than a blank slate. They are completely dependent on King Yu. They can only rely on King Yu's power to stabilize their power.
In less than a month, a large number of people and livestock followed the Xiangjiang River, Hanjiang River, Yangtze River and other water transportation channels to continuously supply supplies to Xiangyang.
This is also the advantage of the South.
A large number of cities are located near rivers, and supplies and troops can be quickly transported through cheap and convenient rivers, which is extremely beneficial to the rule of the shogunate.
If you are in the north, such as Shaanxi and other places, one month is a fantasy. Without three to five months of effort, it will be impossible to gather.
As for the inn, it is extremely busy to entertain a steady stream of ships. This is also a big test for the new inn.
Simply speaking, water transportation is cheaper than land transportation after all, so the station system barely passed.
Zhang Shenyan saw a lot of loopholes and was constantly harsh. He was also deeply aware of the importance of the post station and made suggestions:
"The Military and Administrative Department is extremely bloated and has a large number of personnel. If the post station is included again, I am afraid that it will be overstretched and difficult to fully control. According to the opinion of the veteran, it is better to put it under the Staff Department for better overall coordination."
When Zhao Shu heard this, his expression remained unchanged, but his pupils shrank slightly, and no one noticed.
However, King Yu was quite satisfied with this suggestion and smiled:
"What Zuo Shi said is very good. The post station is related to military affairs and political orders. It belongs to the General Staff Department. What is the decision of the commander-in-chief?"
Faced with King Yu's superficial inquiry, which was actually an affirmative tone, Zhao Shu dared not refute, so he nodded hurriedly and said:
"Now that His Highness is personally on the expedition and the military situation is urgent, it is appropriate for the post station to be included in the staff department. However, I also feel that I am unable to do what I want. What Zuo Shi said is very appropriate."
Zhao Shu even bowed to Zhang Shenyan: "You always check for and fill in the gaps, which is a blessing to the shogunate. I can't thank you enough."
"His Highness is also very good at employing people!"
"Hahaha!"
After being flattered, Zhu Yixi was quite satisfied with Zhao Shu's reaction.