Page 143
Page 143
"Worship heaven and earth!"
"Kowtow!"
Xiaohong stood happily watching the ceremony, but Xiaocui felt a little resentful, her eyes were locked on Zhao Han.
They are all a little tanned, because they have been running outside for a long time.
"Farewell to the high hall!"
"Kowtow."
Only three couples kowtowed to their elders, and all the others kowtowed to the chapter.
Outside the Commander's Mansion, there was already a ruckus, and Xiao Yuankui's family members were crying, as if someone had dug up their ancestral graves.
A gentry shook his head and sighed: "Oh, the world is going down, where is the morality?"
Some scholars also laughed and said: "Brother Xiao is really a free and easy person, this should be written as a legend, and I will start writing when I get home today."
Some people also said to Xiao's family: "The female officials of the mission team are all good people, Xiao Xiu was able to marry one and go home. It can be regarded as a blessing for eight lifetimes. Why are you still crying here?"
Xiao Yuankui's father was also born as a scholar, and he cried even harder at this time: "My family is unfortunate, my family is unfortunate. After I die, how can I have the face to meet my ancestors!"
"You bastards, you should have died a long time ago," a passerby couldn't stand it, and shouted at the crowd, "My family used to be very poor, and we could only sell our sons and daughters. My son is a house slave, and my daughter is not I don’t know where to sell it. Mr. Zhao is here, and my son is back home. My son is now Mr. Zhao’s personal soldier. Is it cheap for a house slave? Is it cheap for a prostitute? I’ll tell my son later, let him marry a missionary The mistress of the regiment!"
Immediately someone ridiculed: "Liu San, the female official of the mission group, is the one your son can marry if he wants to? The toad wants to eat swan meat."
"Hahahaha!"
Many passers-by started to laugh.
Liu San was a little embarrassed, and his neck swelled red and said: "The female official of the mission mission is honorable, and my son is not bad. My son is Mr. Zhao's personal soldier. A while ago, he fought against the government. My son has made meritorious service, but now he is a very senior man." ! Do you know how long it is? It can manage ten people!"
Someone shouted again: "The chief is also a soldier, not worthy of the female official of the mission team!"
Liu San roared angrily: "My son will be a general in the future!"
"Go home and sleep quickly, daydreaming will come sooner." Another good-natured joker.
"Hahahaha!"
There was another burst of laughter, completely covering up the crying of the Xiao family.
In some people's eyes, female missionary officers are all from humble backgrounds, and it is a shame to marry into the family.But in the eyes of many low-level people, being able to marry a female missionary officer is a great thing to save face, and they respect female missionary officers very much.
Under Zhao Han's rule, everything is changing, including traditional ideas of consciousness.
This is not an overnight achievement, it must be done slowly and gradually.
There were many happy events this summer, not long after the group wedding, Fei Ruhe also got married and started a family.
And far away at sea, Zheng Zhilong fought with Liu Xiang, and Liu Xiang's gang was completely wiped out.
In southern Jiangxi, the governors of Guangdong and Guangxi and the governors of Fujian joined forces to break the alliance of volunteers in the three provinces of Fujian, Guangdong and Jiangxi.More than [-] people were beheaded, more than [-] people were captured, and Huichang County was taken back. The southern Jiangxi rebels only had one county in Ruijin.
The battle situation changed faster than Zhao Han imagined, and the Fujian-Guangdong coalition forces might move northward after the autumn harvest.
After receiving the battle report from the South, Zhao Han immediately asked the Weapons Institute to give priority to building equipment for the navy.At the same time, the thousand archers were also transferred to the ship for training.
But at this time, an uprising suddenly broke out in Guangdong.
It is purely because the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi has increased too many exorbitant taxes for military training.Moreover, the governor took the officers and soldiers to fight in southern Jiangxi, and the troops in Guangdong Province were empty. Farmers in six counties rose up in succession, and the county towns of four counties were breached.
This situation soon spread to Guangxi, and the ethnic minority brothers also exploded.
Many of those ethnic minority brothers are under the rule of chieftains and native officials.Native officials are appointed former chieftains as adjutant officials after returning to the native land, and they can be hereditary in disguise. They exploit the people of their own clan the most.
The battle between Guangdong and Guangxi was raging, Governor Shen Youlong had no choice but to go back to put out the fire, and let the governor of Fujian continue to attack Ruijin.
Chapter 169 [Businessmen chasing big profits]
Chen Maosheng, as the head of the Propaganda Department of the General Military Mansion, married a good prostitute as his wife. This woman was raped half a year ago.
Moreover, Zhao Han personally officiated the marriage!
The news spread quickly, not only causing a sensation in the eight counties, but even spreading to farther counties.
Although there are many critics, the positive effect is also very significant, and people's ideas are gradually changing.
That month, more than 30 prostitutes applied to join the mission team...
Zhao Han's policy on Goulan brothels is very similar to that of concubines.
If the people do not lift up, the officials will not be held accountable; if the people are lifted up, the officials must be held accountable!
In principle, brothels are prohibited and taxed.
But do not take the initiative to search, if a prostitute leaves voluntarily, the brothel must not stop it, otherwise the brothel will be banned directly.In total, seven brothels have been shut down, all of which are suspected of illegally imprisoning women's freedom, and the crime announced to the public is "forced sex for prostitution."
Li Fenglai, a grain merchant, is spending his time in the brothel right now.
When he came to Ji'an this time, the business was not very good, because Zhao Han was fighting a war and expanding his army, so he consumed a lot of food, and the remaining food had to be stored.
Some of the big households whose fields were divided still lived a life of luxury, and had to sell grain because they didn't have enough money.There are also some small people who sell grain to the Qianliang shop in the village, and the Qianliang shop sells it to grain merchants in other places. Li Fenglai has collected thousands of grains one after another.
Rural money and food shops have not been completely banned, but usury is only prohibited.
Because the money and grain shop opened by the landlord is very important in the countryside, farmers must rely on this kind of shop to exchange grain for copper coins or silver.
The grain stores under Fei Chun could not spread across every village and town, and there were probably two or three grain stores in each town.
If the landlord's money and grain shop is too deceitful, farmers will choose to go a long way and sell their grain to the official grain store for money.
After listening to the ditty and drinking the flower wine, Li Fenglai was helped to bed by the famous prostitute Pan Saisai.
He felt something stuck in the back of his head, and reached out his hand to take it out under the pillow, but it turned out to be "The Collection of Great Harmony", and he immediately smiled and said, "Miss Pan also reads this kind of book?"
Pan Saisai explained: "After finishing this month, I will go to the mission officer exam, and I have to read some articles in advance."
"The bustard is willing to let you go?" Li Fenglai asked in surprise.
"How dare she not let her go?" Pan Saisai sneered, "If she hadn't begged hard, I would have left at the beginning of the month. I will not tell lies to Mr. Li. If I can truly be a good man, who would be willing to abuse myself?"
Li Fenglai got up and sat on the head of the bed, and said: "Zhao Zongzhen has occupied Ji'an Mansion for so long, why is Miss Pan only thinking of becoming a good man now?"
Pan Saisai replied: "Since ancient times, prostitutes have been good, and they have never had a good end. They were just abandoned by their lovers in the end. I was afraid before, and I misunderstood the mission team, thinking that they were doing that kind of thing in the army. It's different now. How noble is Mr. Chen?" , in charge of the Mission Department of the General Military Mansion, but I don’t dislike my background, and Mr. Zhao married a good prostitute, or Mr. Zhao personally officiated the marriage. Since you have a bright future, why don’t you go?”
Pan Saisai began to fantasize about the future, and said with a smile: "I don't want to be too high-spirited. I just need to work hard with the missionary team and find someone with good conduct and who can read a few words to marry. If it really treats me well , It’s okay to be illiterate.”
Seeing the prostitute in the brothel, Li Fenglai sighed: "Alas, there will be fewer and fewer brothels in Ji'an Mansion in the future."
Pan Saisai sneered and said, "It's best if there is no one in the place where the filth is hidden."
Since Pan Saisai was determined to be a good man, he didn't bother trying to curry favor with the guests, and just said what was on his mind.
There may be things about women being imprisoned in brothels, but it is absolutely impossible to happen to famous prostitutes.Now with the backing of the government, Pan Saisai can leave whenever he wants, without even paying the ransom money.
Li Fenglai casually opened the "Datong Ji" and was forced to buy a copy as soon as his merchant ship docked.
At that time, I was too lazy to read it, but now I am interested, and I gradually read it with horror.
"Datong Collection" has only five articles in total: "Selected Chapters of the Datong Association", "On the Dividing of Datong Fields", "On the Destiny of Heaven", "On Gewei", and "On Good and Cheap".
The author of "Legacy Theory" is signed by Zhao Zhuochen, but it has already spread to Nanchang, and even to other provinces. Cai Maode played a role in fueling the flames.
"On Good and Cheap" was written by Chen Maosheng. The whole text is in plain language and used for dissemination at the bottom.Then I asked Wang Tiaoding to polish it, write it with great literary talent, and show it to those who have read it.
Li Fenglai was born in a big family in Nanchang, but he is a son of a concubine, otherwise he wouldn't be working hard and just lie at home and enjoy the blessings.
After reading these articles, Li Fenglai felt that his family must be doomed, and the tens of thousands of mu of fertile land would never be kept.
First fear, then joy.
Li Fenglai had already established a relationship with Zhao Han, and he divided the land as he wanted. Anyway, he was a son of a concubine, and he worked hard for many years. All the money he earned went to the family, and he only saved more than 3000 taels of silver.
Moreover, the more than 3000 taels of silver did not dare to be fully exposed, because more than half of them belonged to private pockets.
Now he can't wait for Zhao Han to conquer Nanchang as soon as possible, and force the Li family to split up the property, so that he can get a few thousand taels anyway.Then, relying on the relationship with Zhao Han, relying on doing business to make money, all the money earned will be his own!
Are the rich and powerful families monolithic?
No.
Many sons of concubines, even legitimate sons, are eager to split up as soon as possible, and would rather not have land property than split up!
Li Fenglai was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night, so he ran to see Zhao Han the next day.He belongs to the long-term partner of the General Military Mansion, and he has the privilege to directly deliver the greeting card to Zhao Han, and he was summoned soon.
After exchanging pleasantries, Zhao Han said apologetically, "There are a lot of places to use food this year, and there is no surplus food to sell to Yuanwai Li."
Li Fenglai said with a smile: "It's okay, the town will definitely have enough food next year. I've asked someone, and the town is located in eight counties this year, vigorously promoting sweet potatoes and other crops, and there will definitely be more farmers willing to sell grain next year."
The eight counties under Zhao Han's rule have a large number of barren mountainous areas. In some poor counties, even mountainous areas account for more than 80%.
In this kind of land, the harvest of traditional grains is very low, and even the corn is not satisfactory, but the cultivation of sweet potatoes can definitely satisfy the farmers.
Zhao Han reminded: "Mr. Li will come to collect grain next year, so don't push down the price too hard. Low grain prices will hurt farmers."
"Remember." Li Fenglai immediately understood the meaning, that is, it is okay to lower the price, and the price of grain will definitely drop next year, but it must not be overdone.
Zhao Han also thought about building grain stations in each town, stipulating that farmers can only sell surplus grain to the grain stations.But in the long run, this idea was dismissed and farmers were allowed to trade freely.Because there are too many places that can take advantage of the loopholes after the government-owned grain operation, it will definitely become the hardest hit area for grassroots corruption in the future.
Many policies have good intentions, but they will change when they are promoted.
For example, for door stall tax, Zhao Han can only collect a fixed amount of tax based on the area of the store and booth, and the area where the door stall is located.
If it is charged according to the turnover, believe it or not, after decades, the relevant stores will all say that they are losing money, and they will all say that they have little turnover?
After chatting for a while, Li Fenglai suddenly knelt down: "General Town, Li Fenglai of Nanchang, I would like to swear to serve!"
Zhao Han was confused, and quickly helped him up, "Why is Li Yuanwai like this?"
Li Fenglai explained: "I see the benevolence of the general town, and within a few years, the entire province of Jiangxi will be seized. If the general town captures Nanchang one day, I am willing to cooperate with the division of land and family. If there is any news in the future, I will immediately Send someone to report."
Li Fenglai wanted to be an imperial merchant, and after hooking up with Zhao Han, he couldn't wait to leave the family.
Leaving the family is only the first step.
When the future develops, the tribe will definitely come to him, and then he will be the talker of the family.This was impossible in the past. A son of a concubine can honestly work for the family.
But Zhao Han's rise made Li Fenglai see an opportunity, and he was willing to take a gamble.
Throughout Jiangxi, Ji'an Mansion is one of the best.
In terms of the number of Jinshi, Nanchang Prefecture is the first, and Ji'an Prefecture is the second.
In terms of population, Ji'an Prefecture ranks first, and Nanchang Prefecture ranks second.
The complete Ji'an Mansion has nine counties.
Although Zhao Han only occupies three counties, they are all the most elite counties in Ji'an Prefecture.Regardless of the inconspicuousness of Anfu County, the total number of Jinshi in the Ming Dynasty is more than that of Jishui County (Jishui County has a higher density). After the defeat of the officers and soldiers, countless poor scholars came out to seek officials.
Taihe County, which was ravaged by rebels, also had more Jinshi than Jishui County.
Recently, a large number of gentry and poor scholars have fled from Taihe County, and they are also willing to take refuge in Zhao Han.Anyway, the land has been taken away, and Zhao Han seems to be able to make things happen, so he gambled on his future.
Let's put it this way, the number of scholars under Zhao Han's hands, if you count the children, has exploded.
Many scholars didn't even have the chance to be civil servants, so they went to Bailuzhou Academy to attend lectures, hoping to learn Datong theory before seeking officials.
With so many resources, and taking over Linjiang Mansion, an important tax town, it is certain that Li Fenglai will win Zhao Han's success.
At least, it is no problem to occupy the whole of Jiangxi, and it is useless for Fujian and Guangdong guest soldiers to conquer.
Li Fenglai was afraid that Zhao Han would not trust him, so he took the initiative to say: "General Town, I have three sons. The eldest son is 14 years old, the second son is 11 years old, and the youngest son is only seven years old. Both the eldest son and the second son are willing to send to Bailuzhou Academy to study."
This is hostage.
Zhao Han laughed loudly: "With the help of the king, why worry about the world's injustice?"
Li Fenglai is in the grain business. He buys grain from Jiangxi and Huguang, and then sells it to various prefectures in the south of the Yangtze River.
In many places in Huguang, Jiangxi, and Jiangnan, the Li family has a business. It must be no problem to put two guys in. Isn't this intelligence network established?
After discussing with Li Fenglai for a long time, Zhao Han began to select intelligence personnel, looking for the most loyal and able to do things.
These people were all left to Xu Ying to manage.
Half a month later, Li Fenglai took the grain he had bought and more than 20 intelligence personnel and led the fleet to Nanchang.
After he went back, the first thing he did was to send his eldest son and second son to Bailuzhou Academy.
As for those intelligence personnel, they secretly ran to contact Xu Ying behind Li Fenglai's back.
For the time being, Li Fenglai cannot be fully trusted, and Xu Ying's true identity cannot be revealed.
But Xu Ying, this period of time has been full of wind and water!
novelaction