Early the next morning, the grassland south of Jiuyuan County began to get busy. All three thousand troops were dispatched to dredge the blocked rivers on both sides. Generally speaking, dredging the rivers is best arranged in the summer, when the soil is soft and easier to dredge.
In winter, due to the ice, the ground is frozen like a rock. Now that the temperature has warmed up a little, it is a little easier than when it was freezing.
But time no longer gives the army any choice. Farming will begin in more than half a month. They must build rivers and plow the land as soon as possible.
The construction site was in full swing. The soldiers used earthen methods to boil the snow water and pour it into the ground. Although it would freeze at night, it could melt the ice and sludge inside during the day. The effect was very good. Three thousand soldiers carried it on their shoulders and carried it by hand in just one day.
They dug more than twenty feet. According to this progress, the river canal can be dredged in five days at most.
After Guo Song only participated in labor on the first day, he left Jiuyuan County on the second day and took dozens of cavalry to Xishoujiang City. Although the people of Fengzhou spent the winter in peace, as a man with two jobs
Chief Officer, Guo Song doesn't have much time to rest. Once the weather gets warmer, he will go to inspect the three surrendered cities.
Xishoujiang City has to pass through Langshan Mountain in the north, which is about 300 miles away from Jiuyuan County. Guo Song visited it shortly after defeating Xue Yantuo's army last year, and then visited it again before the heavy snow closed the road, and this time it was the beginning of spring.
The first time after that.
Following Guo Song to Xishoujiang City, there were dozens of large and small caravans, about five to six hundred people, and thousands of mules or camels, loaded with various goods. They were going to the spring market.
In early spring every year, grassland herdsmen flock to Xishoujiang City from all directions, bringing items stored for the winter, mainly sheepskins, medicinal materials, cheese, dyes, furs, gems and horses. The goods are abundant and cheap. They also
To purchase a large amount of daily necessities, merchants can sell the goods brought from the central plains at a good price and buy back the grassland goods at a low price. The profit in the middle is very high.
So every spring, they would come from all over Guan Nei, Hedong and Guanzhong without any trouble.
Although the profit is high, the journey is very difficult, especially when crossing the North Yellow River. Everyone must cross waist-deep water. The river has not completely thawed, but you cannot walk on the ice. You must break through the ice. The river is freezing cold.
, the weak simply cannot bear it.
After crossing the North Yellow River, the team continued northward. In front of them was Langshan Mountain, which was still covered with heavy snow. However, the snow in the sunny areas had begun to melt, and they could pass through the mountain canyons that were dozens of miles long.
Five days later, the team finally arrived at Xishoujiang City. There are currently a thousand Tang troops stationed in Xishoujiang City. The general is Ma Wei, who fought side by side with him last year. When he heard that the economic envoy was coming, he personally went out of the city to greet Guo Song.
"General Ma, I haven't seen you for several months, how have you been doing this winter?" Guo Song asked with a smile when he saw Ma Wei.
"Hey! Don't mention it. The most difficult thing is winter. It's so boring that I almost go crazy."
Guo Song smiled slightly and said: "You can find something to do! For example, organize the soldiers to play polo and practice martial arts and archery. Didn't I teach you a set of sword skills last year? How are you doing, brothers?"
Ma Wei's face turned red. The manager said all positive things, but in fact, the soldiers were more interested in drinking, gambling, or visiting brothels in the winter. There were many restaurants and brothels in Xishoujiang City. The soldiers
Most of our military salary is spent on this.
Ma Wei squeaked and didn't know how to answer. Guo Song knew it well and didn't bother to ask more, so he smiled and said: "This year I will restore Feng'an County and take all the soldiers' families and place them there. In winter, the soldiers will
You can go home and stay with your family."
Ma Wei was overjoyed. This was a good idea. There were basically no defense tasks in winter. The soldiers could go home and come back in spring. This was a long-term solution.
He kept saying: "If that's the case, that would be great. Is it possible to bring the family members directly to Xishoujiang City?"
Guo Song shook his head, "The farming conditions in Xishoujiang City are not good, so they must be resettled in Fengzhou. Yong'an County is the nearest county. The soldiers can go home for a month except in winter. This is better than those who have not seen it for several years."
The soldiers guarding the border have returned to their families and are doing much better. I am here this time to implement this matter."
"I understand the humble position!"
When everyone entered the city, the city had become very lively. The arrival of the first batch of Tang Dynasty merchants this year broke the dull atmosphere in the city. Nearly a thousand merchants ran to the street to welcome the merchants.
In fact, not everyone can wait until the spring market. Even if it comes to the spring market, the herdsmen may not come to buy your goods. They almost all have their own channels, so experienced merchants will not wait until the spring market.
On the day of the Spring Market, as long as the price offered by the store was good, the goods would be cleared early, and either the goods would be purchased and returned to the Tang Dynasty, or the money would be waiting for the Spring Market.
There is a trading square in Xishoujiang City. The merchants first go to the tax office to verify the tax bill. If the tax is not paid, they will pay the tax, and then they are eligible to go to the trading square to trade. This is a business rule. If a merchant purchases goods that have not paid taxes, once
If you are reported and verified, you will be expelled from Xishoujiang City, even Hu Shang is no exception.
The tax office in Xishoujiang City was previously managed by Shuofang Jiedu Mansion. Now the imperial court has established the Three Towns Jinglue Mansion, so all military and government affairs of the three Jiangsujiang cities are under the management of the Jinglue Mansion, including the tax office.
Guo Song rested for a while in the military camp and then went to the Exchange Square with great interest to inspect.
The trading square is as big as a football field. Hundreds of merchants have spread their goods on the ground. The originally deserted square suddenly became lively. Not only Han people were doing business, but many Sogdian merchants also came to buy.
goods.
In fact, almost all the goods brought by hundreds of merchants are medium and low-end goods. The high-end goods can be sold here at a price, mainly silk, porcelain and tea cakes. Others are needles, threads, silver and copper jewelry, etc.
and other daily necessities.
The trading square was bustling with people, and bargaining was happening one after another. After the goods were sold, they happily packed up their stalls and went to find an inn to stay.
At this time, Guo Song saw the businessmen he met when returning from hunting. The old man had sold more than a hundred tons of tea cakes and was counting the silver.
"My father-in-law is selling well!" Guo Song asked with a smile.
The old man raised his head and looked at Guo Song, and quickly bowed and saluted, "Thanks to the protection of Ambassador Guo, this harvest is indeed good."
Guo Song glanced at the pile of goods next to him and asked in confusion: "I remember that my husband's goods were more than two hundred tons! Why does it feel like there is a lot less?"
The old man chuckled and said: "Half of it has been sold in Jiuyuan County, and the other half is sold here. This is usually the case. Some goods, such as cloth and medicinal materials, are not easy to sell here, but they are easy to sell in Jiuyuan County. Another example is
My tea cake has no profit in Jiuyuan County, so I can only sell it here."
Guo Song nodded. Daily necessities such as tea cakes were usually supplied by the imperial court to Shuofang Jiedufu, who then distributed them to Fengzhou. They were usually supplied to the army, and the excess was sold to local residents at low prices.
, a quota system is implemented, and each family has a quota, so daily necessities such as tea cakes cannot be purchased at a high price in Jiuyuan, but they can be sold at a high price on the grassland.
"When do you plan to return to Taiyuan?" Guo Song asked with a smile.
"Wait until the spring market at the end of February! I plan to buy a batch of high-quality sheepskins back home. Buying them directly from the herdsmen will be 30% cheaper than in the store."
Guo Song smiled and said: "Then I wish my husband a smooth business. If you have any difficulties, you can come to Fengzhou to see me."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Guo, for your concern!"
Guo Song walked around the trading market again before returning to the military camp...
Early the next morning, a thousand soldiers stood in line at the military training ground of the military camp. Guo Song stepped onto the high platform and was immediately greeted with warm applause from the soldiers. Last year, these thousand soldiers also participated in the war to defend Jiuyuan. Guo Song was here
His outstanding command in this war won the admiration of the soldiers. In the subsequent distribution of military merit rewards, the fair, open and fair distribution also won the great trust of the soldiers.
Guo Song waved his hands and said with a smile: "Everyone, please be quiet!"
The thousand soldiers immediately became silent, and Guo Song slowly said: "This time I came to Xishou surrender city for a very important matter, which is related to the vital interests of all soldiers. I have decided to restore Yongfeng County.
Residents, I hope to be everyone’s wives, children, parents…”
When Guo Song just said this, there was a buzz below. This topic was too sensitive and immediately aroused everyone's discussion.
"Quiet!"
Ma Wei shouted sternly: "Everyone, please calm down and listen to what Commander Guo has to say!"