novelAbuy Chapter 71 The south is secured, now it's the north's turn.
Chapter 71 The south is secured, now it's the north's turn.
Lu Yong helped the two up and continued, "There's one more thing."
The lord will appoint officials to serve in the four counties and will also send refugees to settle and cultivate the land.
We hope that you two will cooperate with them to implement the policies.
Zu Lang hesitated and said, "Strategist, the Yue people have always been xenophobic, I'm afraid..."
"Therefore, government orders must be open and fair, so that not only the Han people will benefit, but also the Yue people in the mountains will certainly benefit."
Lu Yong took out a scroll of bamboo slips from his sleeve, unfolded it, and said, "These are the terms I have drafted. You two may wish to listen to them first."
Lu Yong then read aloud:
"Within the four counties, Han people and Yue people were all subjects under the rule, with equal status and no distinction between noble and lowly."
"The border trade was opened, and salt, cloth, and grain could be traded freely."
"Newly reclaimed land, regardless of whether it belongs to Han or Yue people, is exempt from tax for the first three years. After three years, it will be taxed at one-fifteenth of the original tax rate."
"Young and strong men from the Yue tribes who enlist in the army receive the same treatment as Han soldiers, and those who achieve outstanding military merits are promoted to officers."
"Finally, discrimination and oppression of anyone under any pretext are strictly prohibited. Violators will be punished ranging from whipping to beheading!"
Zulang was still in a daze after hearing this.
He really didn't expect it.
Liu Bei not only agreed to all the promises Lu Yong had made, but even opened a trade market for them.
Salt and cloth are the most scarce daily necessities for the mountain people.
Once the trade market opens, their living conditions will improve significantly.
more importantly,
The government decree repeatedly emphasized "pacification" and "fairness."
This is what they desire most and value most.
Lei Zhen remained silent for a long time, then suddenly kicked his son Lei Hu in the buttocks.
Lei Hu rubbed his bottom and looked at his father with a resentful expression, asking, "Dad, what's wrong?"
"From now on, work hard under General Zhang. If you dare to slack off, I'll beat you to death!"
When has someone ever slacked off?
"My elder brother is benevolent and righteous, and Huai'an is fair and just. As long as you live peacefully, no one will bully you again!" Zhang Fei patted his chest and assured him.
Lu Yong handed the bamboo slips to Zu Lang and said, "Have someone make several copies of this decree and post them in every village and hamlet of the four counties."
Effective immediately.
Zulang took it with both hands and held it carefully in his hands.
The four counties reacted strongly after the order was issued.
Chen Bao and Wang Hai were the first to express their support, and each gathered their followers to read the message aloud.
When the people of the Yue Mountains heard about the terms of tax exemption, trade, and equality,
Although most people had some doubts, they couldn't help but dream about it.
But some people disagree.
A minor official in Lingyang openly insulted Han Chinese officials.
However, Chen Bao personally apprehended him and handed him over to the authorities.
Lu Yong ordered that he be flogged fifty times and paraded through the streets as a warning.
From then on, no one dared to openly provoke them again.
More than 3,000 displaced people, with trepidation, arrived one after another in the four southern counties.
Lu Yong personally oversaw operations in Jing County.
It coordinates the allocation of all land, seeds, and farming tools, as well as personnel and administrative arrangements.
He was extremely busy during this period, with achievement settlements happening almost every day.
Various political and personnel-related terms in white, blue, and even purple appeared one after another.
[Effective Government Orders (Purple)] [Effective Measures to Ensure People's Well-being (Purple)] [Strategic Land Management (Blue)] [Harmonious Governance (White)] [Transparent Accounts (White)] etc.
There are also some treasures and props that enhance political influence and improve public security, which I will not list one by one.
Jing County, government office.
Lu Yong also recruited several capable carpenters from among the Yue people and refugees.
They were currently engrossed in studying the blueprints for the water-powered tipper.
An old carpenter stared at the blueprints for a long time, then suddenly spoke:
"Strategist, the blades on this axle are at different angles. Are they used to harness water power?"
Lu Yong nodded and said, "When the water flows and hits the blades, it will drive the axle to rotate, and the water can be lifted onto the shore along the flap."
"These blades do bear some resemblance to the horizontal wheel of a watermill..." another carpenter nodded.
Another old carpenter muttered to himself:
"No oxen, no people, it can turn on its own just from water... It's simply a masterpiece of nature!"
"The strategist is knowledgeable in military affairs, understands people's livelihood, and even knows about woodworking inventions... Is there really anyone in the world who is so learned?" Shen Yi, who was standing to the side, was extremely surprised.
Lu Yong glanced at the carpenters and asked, "Can you build it?"
The old carpenter straightened his back, patted his chest, and assured, "Don't worry, strategist. I've seen dragon-bone waterwheels before. This water-powered tilting wheel is even more complicated, but with the blueprints, give us half a month, and I guarantee we can make it!"
"Very good!" Lu Yong nodded: "If you need any materials or manpower, just ask Shen Yi."
The craftsmen bowed in unison, then left with the blueprints in their hands.
Mid-April
Spring plowing has begun as scheduled, and water-powered turntables are under intensive research and development.
The resettlement of displaced people and the establishment of trade markets in the four southern counties have basically returned to normal under the management of a new batch of Han Chinese officials.
At this moment, Lu Yong suddenly received an urgent letter from Wanling.
The letter stated that Sun Ce and Zhou Yu ultimately succeeded in breaching the Niuzhu camp.
Once Niuzhu Camp was breached, Niuzhuji was immediately declared lost.
After losing Niuzhuji, Hengjiangjin and Danglikou were also captured by Wu Jing and Sun Ben.
At this point, all five thousand soldiers under Sun Ce's command had finally crossed the Yangtze River.
Now, Sun Ce is preparing to attack Moling, and Liu Yao's defenses are in grave danger.
Lu Yong left Zu Lang and Lei Zhen to temporarily take charge of the southern defenses, and immediately returned to Wanling with Zhang Fei, Shen Yi, Lei Hu and others.
Liu Bei led his civil and military officials out of the city to welcome him.
Zhang Fei saw Liu Bei in the distance, spurred his horse forward, dismounted, and exclaimed, "Brother, I'm back!"
Liu Bei helped him up, looked him over, and asked softly, "Third brother, are you hurt?"
"What can those mere mountain bandits do to me?" Zhang Fei grinned. "I just miss my elder brother's treasured tiger bone wine."
Liu Bei glared at him, then went to greet Lu Yong, who was walking towards them.
Seeing Liu Bei looking at him, Lu Yong bowed and said, "My lord, I am fortunate to have fulfilled my mission!"
Liu Bei quickly stepped forward, grasped Lu Yong's hands tightly, and said with deep emotion:
"What virtue or ability do I, Liu Bei, possess to have such a great talent as Huai'an! Truly, Heaven has eyes, and the Han Dynasty is destined to rise again!"
Others chimed in.
That scene,
Even someone as shameless as Lu Yong couldn't help but feel a little hot.
Liu Bei held a banquet in his mansion to celebrate the victory of Lu Yong, Zhang Fei, and others.
During the meeting, Lu Yong gave a detailed report on the situation in the four southern counties.
Liu Bei nodded repeatedly.
Lu Yong's handling of the situation far exceeded his expectations, and he really couldn't offer any better suggestions.
However, Lu Yong was most concerned about Sun Ce, who had already completely crossed the Yangtze River.
Guo Jia was drinking with Zhang Fei when Lu Yong suddenly pulled him to Liu Bei's side.
"Hey Huai'an, even when it comes to drinking, there's a proper order to things, right?"
"Wait a moment, I'll come find you after I've taken down the Third General!"
"What do you want? I have something important to discuss with you!"
Lu Yong rolled his eyes at Guo Jia.
He then explained his desire to know more about Sun Ce.
When Guo Jia heard that they were talking about serious matters, his expression finally calmed down.
He put down his wine bowl and explained, "After Sun Ce broke through Niuzhu Camp, all the grain, fodder and weapons that Liu Yao had stockpiled at Niuzhu Rock fell into his hands."
With the incorporation of surrendered troops and the addition of newly recruited soldiers, Sun Ce's forces have surged from over a thousand to five thousand, and morale is high.
Next, he will take Moling, then Qu'a, and then move on to Wu Commandery.
"Liu Yao is a typical example of someone who is all talk and no action..."
Those famous scholars praised him and his brother (Liu Dai) too highly.
"This has led him to lose sight of his own limitations," Lu Yong sighed, shaking his head.