Guide to traveling through the Northern Song Dynasty

early morning.

Zhang Guangdao and Chen Ziyi led the team back to the county town to resume their duties, and Ju Ming personally sent them to the riverside.

Then, Zhu Dutou, who was seriously injured, returned to Heifeng Village... and returned to Daming Village to recuperate.

Chen Ziyi stood on the bow of the boat: "Brother Zhu is so talented, so what does it mean to live in the mountains? With just a few hundred farmers, he can still make flowers?"

"I don't want to be oppressed by the government, I just want to be free." Zhang Guangdao said.

Chen Ziyi said: "Both you and Brother Zhu are capable. Why don't you follow me to Qinfeng Road to join the army? When a man is alive, he only gets his fame from his horse. Let's give him a wife and a son."

Zhang Guangdao said with a disdainful expression: "How can we get better in the army? We are all on the same side as the government, and they are all sluts. Brother Chen will definitely feel cowardly if he joins the army."

Chen Ziyi said: "I have the ability, who dares to make me angry?"

"Haha." Zhang Guangdao smiled but said nothing.

Everyone returned to the county town by boat, and the heads were carried ashore one by one. The bandits were escorted to the school grounds one by one. People from all over the city came to watch the excitement.

Several groups of archers remained on the shore, guarding a ship full of rewards.

Whoever dares to rob must fight tooth and nail!

Perhaps because he was going to join the army, Chen Ziyi did not show off when he entered the city and went to the school ground to report honestly.

When Xiang Zhixian received the household registration and field list sent by Ju Ming, he was so angry that he laughed on the spot. He threw it to the household registration department and said, "You can make the register."

He Tiesi was speechless for a while after reading the household registration and field records.

It's so nonsense, I don't even know how to complain.

No matter how much population and land he hid, at least Ju Ming made it clear that he wanted to be an honest and good citizen, not a king in Heifeng Village.

It is better to do less than to do more. The county government can only cooperate.

Is it possible that we need to send troops to fight over it?

What's more, the bandits' stronghold was pacified and the county government gained more household registrations and more acres of land. This was also considered a small political achievement.

Xiang Zhixian then said to the Military Affairs Bureau: "Send those archers home today. I don't want to see them for a moment. Don't give them any unfinished military pay. These Qiu Ba must have money in their hands!"

Cao Shoufen said angrily: "More than just money! The rewards they received had to be loaded on boats, and now they are parked by the river."

When all the government officials heard this, their eyes turned red with jealousy.

But no one dared to do anything. The archers had not yet been disbanded. To seize their rewards at this time would be to force hundreds of archers to rebel.

Bai Erlang doesn't talk much. His family has already benefited, so making a fortune quietly is the best way.

Take your time, the summer grain collection date has not yet expired.

When the archers disbanded and returned to their hometown, they went to collect taxes according to the roster. We can't urge them too much at this time. When the autumn grain is collected, we will collect the tax severely. By then, the archers will be in disarray.

Hu Tiesi, who was responsible for the military case, was ordered to come to the school grounds and select a few teams of miscellaneous soldiers to stay and be responsible for escorting the bandits to Yangzhou. He said to the remaining archers: "You must disperse and return home immediately. Don't miss the farming season."

That’s it?

The archers stood there stupidly, they still had no pay for their troops.

And for such a great contribution, why should I give out a few rewards?

Chen Ziyi was thoughtful. He always felt that Ju Ming wanted to cause trouble, but he didn't think about rebellion. He didn't care about it at the moment, he rode his horse out of the city to get the reward from the ship, and hired a few coolies to carry the reward home.

The archers made a lot of noise in the school grounds, but they didn't really cause any trouble.

Zhu Dutou gave a lot of rewards. They had already made enough money. If the government didn't give it, they wouldn't give it to them. It would be safer to take the money home early.

These people went out of the city in twos and threes, boasting about the process of suppressing bandits along the way. It seemed that all of them were Lu Bu alive.

Of course, in their mouths, Ju Ming was the most powerful, killing the village leader Yang Ying alone.

It is said that even the tiger cannot get through the tiger's mouth. Now Zhu Dutou has a nickname: Tiger with Wings!

Ju Ming, the winged tiger, hmm... that's okay.

By the river, an official ship docked.

Lu Tixue disembarked the ship with a dozen of his entourage and found that the dock was very lively. He listened carefully for a while and asked: "Is this Ju Ming who suppressed thieves the same as the Eighth Route Army scholar Ju Ming?"

What the hell is the Eight-Hand Scholar?

A scholar with eight legs running wildly like a crab?

The archers didn't even hear it.

Lu Tixue asked again: "Is this Zhu Ming called Cheng Cheng?"

"I don't know?" Several archers shook their heads. They only knew Zhu Dutou and Zhu Dalang.

Lu Tixue became increasingly confused and took his men to the city to study in the county.

When the county professor heard that the academic envoy was coming, he hurriedly came out to greet him and sent someone to the county government office to report the news.

"Teacher?"

Xiang Zhixian forgot everything in an instant and shouted: "Quickly get the money from the minister's treasury and arrange the banquet. The rest of the subordinate officials will follow me to welcome the academic officer!"

There was a lot of excitement in the county government office, and a group of petty officials followed the magistrate and went to the county to study without any image.

Arriving at the gate of the county school, everyone tidied up their clothes and stepped in gracefully and calmly.

"Xiang Bi, the lower official, pays homage to Lu Tixue!" Xiang Zhixian bowed and bowed.

Lu Tixue was chatting with the county professor. He turned around and said with a smile: "Are you the parents of this county? Professor Qian and I were talking about the Eight Elements Scholars. He didn't know that there was a child prodigy in our county who had mastered the three classics."

"Through the Three Classics? But Zhu Chenggong?" Xiang Zhixian was speechless.

That guy surnamed Zhu is not a scholar, he is just a living bandit!

Lu Tixue stroked his beard and smiled: "That's Zhu Chenggong."

Xiang Zhixian asked, "How does Lu Tixue know this person?"

Lu Tixue said: "When I was in Yangzhou, Li Tongpan mentioned him many times, so I came here to test his knowledge personally."

Since it was recommended by Li Tongpan, how could Xiang Zhixian dare to say bad things?

He could only answer: "This man was injured while fighting bandits and is recuperating at home."

"A scholar from the Eighth Line of Arts is going to suppress the bandits?" Lu Tixue's interest in learning greatly increased. "As expected, he is both civil and military, so I will recommend him to the Imperial Academy! Since he is seriously injured, I will go to the door personally. Professor Qian..."

"exist!"

The county school principal responded quickly.

Lu Tixue ordered: "You will bring the top ten in the county's quarterly examination, and then call some scholars from the county to visit Zhu Chenggong together in two days. I heard that Xixiang is rich in fine wine and tea, so it's a good time for a boat trip Isn’t this one of the great joys in life, making tea and discussing scriptures on the Han River?”

This is not an inspection of the Eighth Route Army Scholars. It is obvious that they are going to visit the mountains and rivers.

He complained secretly to the magistrate because Xixiang County was too small and the public money allocated by the court was almost none.

As for the money in the minister's treasury, it has been almost used up.

If you want to entertain the academic envoy well, you probably have to pay the magistrate himself.

He has to go bankrupt again!

Xiang Zhixian quietly summoned Bai Chongwu and whispered: "Immediately send someone to notify Zhu Chenggong and ask him to put on makeup and powder and pretend to be seriously injured. Don't let the Ti Xue Envoy see the clues."

Damn it, he had to help Ju Ming cover it up.

The more I thought about it, the more angry I became, but there was nothing I could do.

Could he still say that he and Ju Ming made money together and got more benefits than Ju Ming?

…

Shangbai Village.

Tian San took the boat and walked with the archers, and when they arrived here, they docked.

He asked a villager who was working in the fields: "Where is Mr. Zhu's house?"

The villager asked: "Why are you looking for Mr. Zhu?"

Tian San said: "I'm here to report the news, Zhu Da... Zhu Xiucai broke the bandit stronghold. From now on, Heifeng Stronghold will be called Daming Village, and the county magistrate has rewarded Zhu Xiucai there."

The villagers were stunned, and then ran all the way: "Zhu Xiucai defeated Heifeng Village, and the magistrate rewarded him there!"

Soon, the news spread, and the surrounding villagers came to congratulate him.

Zhu Guoxiang was serving the vegetable field with his mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. When he heard the shouts, he stood up with a smile and said lightly: "It takes three or four days to defeat the thief. It's not too slow."

Shen Yourong just did this. In her eyes, Dean Zhu knew everything, even the success of suppressing the bandits. At this moment, he said with admiration on his face: "My father-in-law has a good way of raising his children, so he can be such a hero. "

Villagers who were running fast had gathered around, talking non-stop.

"Ms. Shen should be blessed. The magistrate has given her a lot of land."

"It's not just farm property, Heifeng Village also has tea mountains."

"Grandma Yan is so lucky. She is just waiting to become an old lady."

"When will Mr. Zhu pay his respects? I'm still waiting for the wedding wine."

"..."

Now even Grandma Yan was smiling from ear to ear. She picked up her hoe and said, "You all went to my house to have tea. The old lady gave away a few squares of group tea. In the past, we couldn't have such good food."

"I'll help Grandma get the hoe!" A villager rushed forward.

Bai Qi was also helping in the fields. The little kid didn't understand, but he only knew that Brother Zhu had done something important and was surrounded by the villagers and went home inexplicably.

Grandma Yan went to boil water, and Shen Yourong took the children out to move the bench.

Tian San finally arrived, raised his hands and said in greeting: "Mr. Sir, do you still remember me?"

Zhu Guoxiang nodded and said, "You are Tian San."

Tian San said happily: "Thanks to Mr. Zhu, I was appointed as the head of Daming Village by Brother Zhu."

"What village?" Zhu Guoxiang instantly grasped the key point.

"Heifeng Village and the surrounding areas will be called Daming Village from now on. Brother Zhu changed the name." Tian San explained.

Zhu Guoxiang couldn't laugh or cry, and muttered: "This little bastard!"

Tian San added: "Brother Zhu is very upright, and we all obey him."

Can you be dissatisfied?

Not only was Tian San able to survive and keep his original land, he also received a reward of 100 acres for free. Whoever dares to oppose Ju Ming from now on will immediately pick up a knife and kill them.

"What message did Dalang ask you to preach?" Zhu Guoxiang asked.

Tian San said: "Brother Zhu asked my husband to go over and take a look, and take the cornucopia with him by the way."

"Going today?" Zhu Guoxiang asked.

Tian San said: "It will be done in a few days."

Hearing this, Zhu Guoxiang was completely relieved, knowing that his son would have no difficulties.

It is impossible for him to move to Daming Village this year. He must stay here and keep an eye on the corn and sweet potatoes. These two things are more valuable than anything else. Even if Daming Village doesn't want them, they still have to take care of the corn and sweet potatoes.

More and more villagers gathered in the yard. Grandma Yan boiled water, and Shen Yourong came out with a stack of bowls in her arms.

Although the good Tuancha tea is homemade by the Bai family and is certainly not as expensive as the ones on the market, it is still a rarity for the villagers.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law grind the tuancha into powder, pour it into a bowl and stir it with chopsticks.

This way of eating is like a cow chewing peonies.

There were not enough bowls, so the villagers took turns drinking it. They were so hot that they stuck out their tongues and praised each other: "It's such a good tea. I've never had it before. This time it's thanks to Mr. Zhu!"

At this moment, a burst of laughter came: "I'm here to join in the fun."

Zhu Guoxiang looked back and saw Bai Zongwang sitting on a bamboo horse.

"Hello, sir!" Zhu Guoxiang greeted with clasped fists, his attitude was the same as before, and he did not immediately cheer up.

Bai Zongwang took this as goodwill, and the bamboo basket fell in the courtyard, and the villagers greeted him one after another.

Bai Zongwang asked: "Is Mr. Zhu going to move away?"

Zhu Guoxiang told the truth: "Wait until the corn and sweet potatoes are harvested before leaving. I have to ask the old man to take care of me."

"It should."

Bai Zongwang was completely relieved, and Zhu Guoxiang was willing to stay in the village, which proved that the Zhu family and his son intended to live in peace for a long time. He also reciprocated the favor: "I have a good relationship with the Lu Guan people in the county. I can help introduce them. From now on, part of the tea in Heifeng Village will be taken to the market, and the remaining part can be sold to the Lu Guan people."

Zhu Guoxiang said: "Thank you very much for your help."

After the ban on Sichuan tea, it was stipulated that high-quality tea must be sold officially, but loose tea was allowed to be sold privately in small quantities. However, there are strict restrictions on private sales. Only tea of ​​third grade or lower can be sold, and it cannot be sold outside the county.

The father and son must be selling private tea, because the tea horse owners are exploiting it too much, and law-abiding tea farm owners can easily lose money.

Bai Zongwang said: "Since Mr. Zhu will not leave for the time being, please teach the village school first and leave some time for me to hire another scholar."

"This is natural." Zhu Guoxiang's teaching materials have been compiled.

A villager couldn't help but ask: "Over there, Mr. Zhu, can I still learn farming from you next year?"

Zhu Guoxiang thought for a while and said: "I will write an article about farming methods and give it to the old man. You can just follow the old man and learn from it."

Bai Zongwang was immediately in awe, asked his servants to help him stand up, and bowed seriously: "Ms. Zhu is kind and righteous, I thank you here!"

Many unique skills in ancient times were kept secret.

Zhu Guoxiang usually just taught farmers how to farm, but he actually wrote it down in black and white and generously handed it over to the Bai family.

This is a matter of kindness, and the Bai family has inherited Zhu Guoxiang's affection.

Zhu Guoxiang added: "After the corn and sweet potatoes are harvested, some seeds will be left in Shangbai Village. I will also write down the farming methods carefully."

Bai Zongwang couldn't help but ask: "How do corn and sweet potatoes compare to corn and taro?"

"Even worse than that." Zhu Guoxiang replied.

Bai Zongwang sighed in his heart, if what Zhu Guoxiang said was true, his Bai family would have inherited another love.

Zhu Guoxiang continued: "What is written on the paper is not clear after all. If anything goes wrong in the farming here, the old man can send someone to Daming Village... that is, Heifeng Village to look for me. I have no other ideas, I just ask for help from the world. Under this, farmers can harvest more food and everyone can have enough to eat. Whether it’s farming methods or corn and sweet potatoes, seniors can spread the word. The more people know about it, the better, and everyone can live a good life.”

After hearing this, Bai Zongwang was completely convinced, even admirable.

Selfless people are always admirable.

Zhu Guoxiang's words and deeds can be called selfless.

"well!"

Bai Zongwang sighed and said, "It's very rare for everyone to have enough to eat. The more food we grow, the more severe the government's taxation will be. There will always be some exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes."

This is the truth.

Take the various roads in Sichuan and Shaanxi as an example. There is no ban on tea on Kuizhou Road. It was a way for Sichuan tea to be sold by the imperial court.

The results of it?

Now no one grows tea on Kuizhou Road.

The local government set up checkpoints on Kuizhou Road, and tea merchants could not go far without encountering barriers to collect taxes. This resulted in the commercial tax on Kuizhou tea being several times higher than the tea itself. Tea merchants were unprofitable, and tea farmers were also unlucky.

Even private tea has become extinct because there are too many tax collection stations and it is difficult to get through all the joints. Even if you can get through, you can't make money.

Zhu Guoxiang looked pitiful and pitiful: "It will be good for the people if they can collect a few more buckets of grain. Let's do our best and obey the destiny."

If Ju Ming were present at this moment, he would definitely say: "Pretend, keep pretending, Dean Zhu, your acting skills are good, you are already half as good as me."