Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

Brothers Deng Chun and Deng Xia ran away with their entire family. Their parents, wives and children totaled nine people in total.

Not only do you need to take a boat, but you also have to pass through the county town!

"Puff puff puff!"

In the darkness, outside the city's south pier, Deng Chun slammed the door of a restaurant.

The restaurant is not big, just a few tile-roofed houses, and the boss and his family live in it.

An old man about fifty years old yawned and came over to check. He saw silhouettes of people outside through the door hole. He was so frightened that he lost sleep for a moment: "Who are you looking for?"

As if he had gone through a transformation, Deng Chun, who was not good at words, became more and more eloquent in his speech: "When I asked brother Zhong Mai to be an archer, he was the tenth general and I was the deputy chief. He was my soldier."

"You have the wrong person!"

The old man didn't dare to accept the nonsense.

Deng Chun quickly explained: "I don't want to borrow money, I just said a few words to Brother Zhong. I know he lives here, and I helped him move home with the reward for killing the thieves."

Hearing this, the old man hesitated for a moment and finally went to wake up his son.

Not long after, Zhong Mai came out and took off the door panel, and asked happily: "Why is Brother Deng here?"

"Go in and talk first," Deng Chun said.

Zhong Mai invited them into the restaurant, asked his wife to heat up the leftovers, and served them with a jar of bad wine.

Deng Chun held down the wine jar: "I'm running for my life, so I can't drink."

"Escape?" Zhong Mai said in surprise, "Who doesn't have the foresight to dare to embarrass Brother Deng?"

Deng Chun said simply: "The government turned to the front office and took away the reward money from me, along with the land deeds and cattle. They said that they would pay back the food and taxes."

"boom!"

Zhong Mai was a prodigal, and he knew very well the tricks of subordinate officials. He was so angry that he slapped the table and said, "It must be the cause of the trouble in the county government office. The government does not dare to seek trouble from Zhu Du, nor does it dare to trouble me. Then I took my anger out on Brother Deng."

Deng Chun said: "Brother Zhong has connections at the dock. Please help us get a boat, otherwise I won't be able to go to Heifeng Village."

"That's easy to say," Zhong Mai pointed to the river. "There is a boat there, left by Brother Bai Sheng. He has been recruiting people these days, and has already recruited forty or fifty people. Just go and look for him on the boat. .”

"I'm leaving right away. I can't stay at Brother Zhong's house any longer." Deng Chun stood up immediately.

Zhong Mai said: "I will lead the way."

Deng Chun took his family and followed Zhong Mai to the river.

Zhong Mai whistled a few times, and Bai Sheng's voice sounded on the boat: "At midnight, what are you calling?"

"Brother Bai, come and pick up the guests." Zhong Mai said with a smile.

These days, Bai Sheng has been living on the boat in order to recruit people. I wandered around the slums every day, chatting with everyone I met, asking about whose house was more difficult, and then took them to Daming Village.

At this moment, the two sides met and quickly explained the situation. Bai Sheng was also very angry.

Deng Chun said: "I have tied up Baozheng, and he will come to report to the official at dawn."

"Then we can't wait any longer." Bai Sheng was afraid of an accident, so he lit a brazier and rowed away from the dock at night.

The boat is not big and there are many people, so sailing at night is more dangerous.

After maneuvering the boat to the lower reaches, two or three miles away from the county seat, Bai Sheng docked to rest.

Wait until the sky turns white before continuing to set off.

After moving along the Muma River and converging with the ocean water, the river surface suddenly widened and the flow rate became much faster.

At about eight o'clock in the morning, we arrived at the intersection of Yangshui River and Hanjiang River.

shore.

Shi Biao was carrying his old mother on his back and holding his young sister with his left hand. He stared at the river in front of him in a daze.

He had two choices: swim east across the Han River or swim south across the Yangtze River.

Shi Biao's brain was a little weak, so he stood there for a long time and said to his sister: "Wait here, I will come back to pick you up."

This guy actually stripped down to his underpants, then carried his old mother on his back and swam across the ocean.

Placing the old mother on the shore, Shi Biao was already so tired that his legs were cramping. After resting for more than 20 minutes, I plunged into the water again and swam back to fetch my sister.

"Brother, there is someone in the river!" Deng Xia shouted.

Deng Chun stood up and took a closer look, but saw Shi Biao swimming closer and closer, and for a moment he didn't recognize who it was.

Bai Sheng said with a smile: "There are still people bathing in the river this early in the morning. Maybe they encountered the water ghosts in Yanghe River."

Shi Biao was afraid of being caught by the government and kept staring at the ship.

He heard Bai Sheng's voice, looked carefully, and quickly shouted: "Brother Bai, I am a stone!"

Bai Sheng immediately had an impression and confirmed: "But when you practice in the school field, you are hit by rocks every day?"

"That's me." Shi Biao shouted.

Bai Sheng put down his pennant, pulled Shi Biao into the boat, and asked, "Why are you in the river so early in the morning?"

"It's my turn, I have to run for my life." Shi Biao said.

Deng Chun immediately understood and said angrily: "I'm not the only one who was killed. Brother Shi also suffered."

Shi Biao pointed to both sides of the bank: "My mother and sister are still on the bank."

Bai Sheng immediately sailed the boat to pick up the people. Thirteen people could fit in it. After all, there were children, but it was almost overloaded.

After going all the way down the river, we passed Xiabai Village in the middle of the afternoon.

Meng Zhao, a poor scholar, also borrowed money to hire a boat, took his wife and three children, and headed for Daming Village a few miles away from Bai Sheng's boat.

"Meng Xiucai, I only came here," the boatman said as he stopped by the river. "Turn into Heifeng Village. I don't dare to go to the bandits' den."

Meng Zhao said: "The bandits have been wiped out and there is no danger."

The boatman just laughed: "I won't go."

Meng Zhao picked up his several-month-old twins, and his wife held their six-year-old daughter, and they walked ashore and into the mountains.

At this time, Daming Village accepted several groups of runaway households and recruited more than 40 poor people from outside the city. The population has soared to 926 people (including minors).

Zhu Guoxiang has been here these two days and is selecting a site for the weir pond.

"It can be leveled here," Zhu Guoxiang said, pointing to a gentle slope. "A weir pond with an area of ​​half an acre can be dug. The amount of work is not large and it should be completed before winter. The planning of all mountainous areas must be adjusted, every other section Plant trees at a distance to prevent soil erosion caused by over-cultivation. For the time being, plant mulberry trees to maintain soil and water and raise silkworms."

Zhu Ming said: "Farming work is not busy in winter. If it doesn't snow, we can continue digging weirs and ponds. Let's choose another location."

The father and son walked downhill towards another hill.

Between the foot of the mountain and the river bank, there are large paddy fields, alternately high and low, already giving it a bit of a terraced feel.

Zhu Guoxiang said: "The high-turning waterwheel was invented in the Tang Dynasty, but I have never seen it in Xixiang County. If we build a high-turning waterwheel here and build a canal at the foot of the mountain, we can quickly lift water for irrigation." Big fields.”

"What is a high-spindle car?" Zhu Ming asked.

Zhu Guoxiang explained: "The drum cart is a water lifting and irrigation tool. The high-rotating drum cart is particularly tall and can irrigate the land at high places. According to the records in Wang Jian's "Agricultural Book", it can even reach ten feet high, which is more than thirty meters. "

"It's a bit outrageous. It's more than 30 meters, which is ten stories high," Ju Ming asked, "Can you do it?"

Zhu Guoxiang said: "According to the terrain here, ten meters high is enough. I know the specific structure and it is not too complicated. I can ask a carpenter to try it. The tree I cut in Shangbaicun has been drying in the shade for several months, and it is good luck. To make a high-roller cart. In addition, the water flow here is not strong enough, so we have to use animal power to push it. One cow may not be able to pull it, so it is estimated that two cows will be needed."

The golden finger brought by time travel allowed Ju Ming to remember the contents of many ancient books.

Similarly, Zhu Guoxiang also remembered various agricultural books, instructing carpenters to make high-rotating drum carts.

The father and son were walking and chatting when they suddenly saw Bai Sheng coming in a boat.

"Tou!"

Deng Chun and Shi Biao shouted in unison.

Ju Ming was deeply impressed by these two people. There were three deputy chiefs in total, and Deng Chun was one of them. Shi Biao got hit the most, and Ju Ming had to apply medicinal wine on him every day. It was difficult not to remember this guy.

Bai Sheng jumped ashore and briefly explained the situation.

"These subordinate officials are lawless in the fish and meat village!" Zhu Ming was furious when he heard this.

Zhu Guoxiang stood nearby and watched the performance. He was so familiar with his son that he knew what he was going to do when he stuck his butt out.

Ju Ming continued to act awkwardly, holding their hands and saying, "Don't worry, as long as you come to my place, even the emperor will not be afraid!"

Shi Biao said: "I killed someone."

"Which one to kill?" Zhu Ming asked.

"If the security guard stopped me from leaving, I would kill him," Shi Biao said.

Ju Ming patted Shi Biao on the shoulder: "Don't be afraid. Even if the government wants you, you just have to live in the mountains and don't go out. I still have some land in my name, and I can give you some. You can live a good life here from now on."

"Thank you, Dutou!" Deng Chun said, cupping his fists.

Shi Biao didn't say a word, he just kept grinning stupidly, Du Tou was indeed not treating him badly.

Ju Ming hooked their shoulders, pulled them aside and whispered, "Do you want revenge?"

Shi Biao said: "I am confused by this."

At this time, it was Deng Chun's turn to remain silent. He didn't know whether he should take revenge, and he didn't know who to seek revenge from. Li Maotian was just following orders, and there must be subordinates behind him.

Zhu Ming said angrily: "You two are both my brothers. If a brother is bullied, he must take revenge. But it is never too late for a gentleman to take revenge. Ten years are not too late for me. I am not yet secure here. I will talk about revenge when I find an opportunity in the future. matter."

"Okay!" Deng Chun nodded heavily.

Shi Biao still said the same thing: "I am confused by this."

In Shi Biao's heart, apart from his mother and sister, only Zhu Dutou was the closest to him. He is stupid and has always been looked down upon by others, but Dutou gives him medicine every day and never dislikes him. Who else could be so kind to him besides his parents?

After some comfort, Ju Ming personally took them to see the land and set aside two pieces of wasteland for them to build houses.

Let Bai Sheng take the two families up the mountain and live in the village temporarily.

After Zhu Ming left, Deng Xia said happily: "Brother, Zhu Dutou is such a good person, we have come to the right place!"

Deng Chun nodded and said, "He is a good person, I know that."

Bai Sheng said with a smile: "Brother Zhu is the most righteous, and there is no second brother in Xixiang County. Come up to the mountain with me quickly, stay here temporarily today, and start building a house tomorrow."

The father and son continued walking by the river.

Zhu Guoxiang said: "Although the mountain stronghold is easy to defend and difficult to attack, it is too inconvenient to go up and down."

Ju Ming said: "When there is enough food in the village, I will start training the militia, and then move the house to the river. The future development direction will also be along the Han River, and the new population will all be reclaimed by the river. Perhaps, we can also build a A small dock on the riverside provides catering and accommodation for merchant ships passing by.”

"This is a good idea," Zhu Guoxiang said. "A lot of paddy fields can be cultivated along the river bank."

Zhu Ming smiled and said: "The first thing is to ensure your own safety. The bandits must also know that the riverside is better, but they have been living in the village because they are afraid that the government will attack."

Zhu Guoxiang pointed to a hillside and said: "It is also suitable for digging weirs and ponds. A second one can be dug next year."

Both father and son regard Daming Village as their own private territory, and they have a sense of operating pleasure like a strategic game. They are very excited every time they decide on a plan.

"Village Chief, there is a scholar looking for you!" Tian Er ran over panting.

Ju Ming was even happier and said to his father: "The village is getting more and more prosperous."

Zhu Guoxiang said: "Go and perform."

Ju Ming strode forward and acted awkwardly again.

Meng Zhao was holding a pair of twins, a boy and a girl, and was observing the situation in the village when he saw a young man walking quickly.

After two or three steps, the young man suddenly bowed and said: "I have been waiting for Mr. Meng for many days, and finally we have a great talent in the village. Please pay me your respects!"

"I don't dare to accept it, I don't dare to accept it," Meng Zhao handed the child to his wife and hurriedly bowed in return, "I, Meng Zhao, pay my respects to Mr. Zhu."

Ju Ming took Meng Zhao's hand and said, "The house is ready. Brother Daguang, come with me to take a look."

The sudden courtesy made Meng Zhao feel inexplicable.

In the past few years, he has been hit by many obstacles. Even his brother had a falling out, and the family was forcibly separated and no longer took care of him. Although this place is remote and poor, Ju Ming's approach makes him feel like a spring breeze, and it seems that he has found his own value.

Although, he doesn't know what he can do yet...