Crown Tang emperor

While speaking, the man held a booklet in his hand and handed it to Li Zhan.

Li Zhan took the booklet and glanced at it briefly, and then his face suddenly changed. He threw it in front of the horse and said angrily: "How dare you be so contemptuous of Master Wang, you can imagine how to govern the people! The riots in Xijing , or because of your harsh government!"

When everyone present heard this, their faces were unavoidably frightened. Naturally, they did not dare to claim such a crime. It was the official of the Left Behind Mansion who bit the bullet and explained: "The general misunderstood, Xijing has its own illness..."

While speaking, he quickly explained the reason why the Xijing government treasury was empty, and repeatedly said that if the number is not satisfactory, it can still be discussed, but there is not much room for floating.

It is a fact that the treasury of the Xijing government is empty, and they did not dare to offend the chaos army, especially His Royal Highness King Yong.

According to the general situation, if the treasury is exhausted, if it still cannot meet the demands of the army, then it will naturally be sent to the civilians.But right now the riots in Xijing are really hard to control, and they don't know how much money these civilians can plunder, so they dare not make big promises.

"You don't need to tell me if you are in trouble with the government affairs! But the army's expenses are absolutely indispensable! Most of Xijingfang has rich houses, and many of them are lords who share the state's favor. This time the riots in Xijing are their homeland. The disaster is also the hardship of the family and the country, how can we stay out of it! Since the treasury is exhausted and not enough for the military, then let them donate to help the country, and give up their goods to serve the country, this is also a good opportunity to be loyal and accumulate work!"

Li Zhan interrupted the official's words with a wave of his hand, and continued.

After hearing this, the faces of the officials present were a little relieved. Since King Yong had set his mind on those wealthy families, the burden on them was naturally lighter.But there are also some officials whose faces suddenly changed, and they should be from Xijing.

"The general's words are really inappropriate! Chaotic people swept the whole city, and the people of Xijing were in danger of suffering together. At this time, it is natural to be in the same boat to help the poor. But it is also difficult for the family to run a family. The huge needs of the army are by no means Two or three families can..."

A Wannian County official stepped forward and retorted loudly.

It's just that before he finished speaking, Li Zhan waved his hand and said angrily: "Catch this criminal official! It's a serious crime not to guard the land and rule the people, and dare to obstruct the military. It's a fake!"

Several knights were ordered to dismount and immediately arrested the Wannian County official who spoke up. The rest of the people changed their colors again after seeing this. Capture it!"

Everyone was silent when they heard the words, and they didn't dare to get angry after witnessing this hero's behavior with their own eyes.

After intimidating all the Xijing officials, Li Zhancai said again: "I came here on orders, not to make things difficult for you and other Xijing officials. Since you are helpless, you are not allowed to stop other plans, and each returns to the Yamen to treat His Royal Highness King Yong The case has been solved! Leave a few guides behind, and I will go into the workshop and report to everyone.”

Seeing this, everyone had no choice but to leave. As for those who were left behind, they learned the list of families they were going to visit from Li Zhan. The top-ranked family was captured in one go!

However, these humble officials from the prefectures and counties really didn't dare to speak out against them, so they could only obediently lead Li Zhan and others to walk among the people.Speaking of it, they also secretly hated these people for being stingy and causing chaos, and they were happy to see His Highness King Yong come forward to clean up this group of people. Thinking about it, they felt quite happy.

The residential buildings in Chang'an City have a layout of the rich in the east and the cheap in the west. Especially after the riots, the rich and noble families are concentrated in the Wannian County of Dongcheng.Those who can be named by King Yong are naturally not vulgar, and the houses are also quite clustered.

So even though there are quite a lot of people involved, Li Zhan and the others don't need to travel all over the city, they can just walk around a few squares in the east city to visit them.

Although the city is full of turmoil right now, the basic order of these houses is still maintained, and they have not been disturbed by the disturbances outside.Of course, he can no longer go in and out as usual, but Li Zhan, as a forward general under King Yong, is not difficult to call Kaifangmen.

The families he visited basically welcomed his arrival, and repeatedly expressed their admiration and welcome to His Royal Highness King Yong.But when Li Zhan explained his purpose, his reaction became more subtle. Few people could simply agree to donate.

As for the reasons, they are all ready-made. The city is in turmoil, and they themselves have been seriously damaged. The family is trapped in the workshop and cannot go in and out. Not to mention, how many properties outside have been swept away, and there is really not much savings to take out.

Of course, it would have been more convincing if he hadn't been sitting in the still resplendent nave.But even if he made it clear that he was playing sloppy, Li Zhan still kept His Highness King Yong's advice in mind, and did not continue to entangle these people's houses, but quickly went to the next one.

After such a series of visits, when the last few houses were left, Li Zhan's intention to come was also spread in the noble circles, and the last few houses even closed their doors and refused to talk to him any more. .

In particular, one of the clan members named Yu, who was granted the title of Duke of Liyang County, not only refused to receive Li Zhan and his party, but threw some rough millet and grain materials through the wall, which was the only one who could donate.

Li Zhan was not angry when he saw this, he just got off his horse and cut a mark on the wooden pillar of the square gate, planning to wait until King Yong entered the city, and personally led the crowd to copy the house.

Although the people in Xijing were not friendly to Li Zhan's visit, they did not dare to take it lightly.Li Yifu, the son of Hu Nu, is not worthy of people's attention, but the King Yong behind him should not be underestimated.

So when Li Zhan left, those visited families also sent their clansmen to gather together to discuss countermeasures.King Yong was different from Dou Huairang, he led an army of tens of thousands to the pass, and it was very likely that he would stay in Xijing for a long period of time. Since he opened his mouth, if they didn't express anything, they would be asking for trouble.

However, everyone has different opinions on which step should be expressed, and a standard has not been discussed for a long time.

After all, it is not the first time they have dealt with King Yong, and they can't just deal with this one time. Donating too little is not enough to express their respect to King Yong, and donating too much is afraid that King Yong's appetite will be spoiled, so they become addicted to extortion. .They haven't forgotten the shadow that Wu Youyi brought to each family in Xijing in the past.

In the midst of these chattering discussions, someone suddenly said: "Have you forgotten that there are many official warehouses and warehouses in Dunhua and other places in the southeast. Now that the turmoil is sweeping the whole city, and the officers and soldiers are besieged on one side, who will What's more, King Yong has already entered Xijing, but he has only led the army not to approach, even if the official treasury is lost, it is not good for ordering chaos..."

Chapter 0526 Guanzhong drought, poor farming

Li Zhan originally thought that this time he would return for nothing, so he planned to rest in Xijing City for one night, and leave the city early the next morning to report to His Royal Highness King Yong.

But in the early morning, before they had time to leave, the Xijing families who visited yesterday sent their children to their temporary residence, and their attitudes were quite different from last night.

"General Li told me last night that I failed to respond carefully in a hasty manner. Today, my parents sent my younger generation here to tell you that even though the village is in trouble, since His Royal Highness King Yong has issued an order, I will not dare to wait for the village scholars No. It’s just that Xijing thieves are harassing people, and they can’t calmly collect goods in a hurry. But please rest assured, general, after the army approaches the city, there will be food and goods for the king’s army. There is a special thin slip, please return it to your highness! "

While talking, several honorable disciples handed over a booklet, which recorded the names and quantities of various goods they planned to donate.

Li Zhan took the list of records, his brows twitched secretly, he didn't expect that these stingy and arrogant people in Xijing would be willing to bleed, and this list was several times more than what was contributed by the left-behind mansion in Xijing yesterday.

Putting aside the surprise in his heart, Li Zhan was more or less disappointed.He could guess that His Royal Highness King Yong was going to attack these honorable families in Xijing, but he didn't know what His Royal Highness had in mind.

But if the people in Xijing were able to prepare all the materials according to the list, His Highness should be more polite to them, and maybe he will restrain himself in the future.

But what he thinks is secondary, after all, fulfilling His Highness's order is the real business.

Li Zhan put away the list calmly, with a smile on his face, and said: "It is rare for everyone to be loyal and diligent. I will truthfully report your words, deeds, and intentions to His Highness, and I hope you will not lie and make mistakes .As for whether the materials are sufficient or not, that is beyond my guess, and I will wait for His Royal Highness to reply."

After finishing speaking, Li Zhan was too lazy to entangle with a few people, so he turned his head and ordered the soldiers to pack up and prepare to leave the city.

After seeing this, several noble disciples did not stay for long, took their leave and left the district.On the side street of Chunming Gate, a younger student said strangely: "Brother Sixteen, the elders even prepared a gift for that General Li, why didn't you mention it just now?"

Hearing this, the middle-aged man who was in charge of negotiating with Li Zhan just now snorted coldly, and immediately spat in a low voice: "Gift goods? That Hu Nu is also worthy! Don't think that he is a man just because he is in front of King Yong's tent." What a great person, this kid is ugly, every family is willing to let him enter the hall, it is already taking into account King Yong's face, otherwise he will be directly kicked out..."

When the middle-aged man said this, other people on the side also spoke one after another, talking about Li Zhan's life experience, feeling disdainful in their hearts.

In their hearts, they were more or less envious of Li Zhan for being able to follow the powerful and command elite soldiers at such a young age, but when it came to family background, they had the confidence to look down on him.Especially when someone talked about the old story of Li Zhan's father, Li Yifu, who belonged to the Li family of Zhaojun in the past and was then removed from his name, his expressions and words were full of contempt.

When the group of people walked near Pingkangfang, several people stopped their horses suddenly, looked at the also closed door of Pingkangfang and said with a smile: "The thieves are messing up and disturbing the city. Weak ladies are afraid to be even more flustered. Previously, they were confined to their homes and could not leave to comfort their families. King Yong’s army is coming soon, and Chang’an is not far away. Don’t brothers want to take advantage of this good time to come to comfort the beauties and play with their hearts?”

Hearing these words, many people showed tacit smiles on their faces. Although the relatives in the family are still waiting for news, they can easily infer that Li Zhan is arrogant and difficult to negotiate, or that his journey has been hindered in some way. , One or two hours can still be spared.

Of course, there are still some people who are upright in character and dare not miss out on serious business, but they are persuaded by others: "King Yong likes to be romantic, and he will stay in the pass for a long time. Let’s have a heart-to-heart conversation first, maybe there will still be love in the future!”

The new Su military discipline of the army did not continue to march, but stayed at Lanqiaoyi to continue to stabilize the morale of the army and build up the army.At the same time, people followed up to catch up and merged into the army.

Although the army was not moving forward, Li Tong was not idle either. Apart from summoning the soldiers daily to show his favor, he also took some time to inspect the surrounding villages.

Lanqiao Station is located in Lantian County, which already belongs to the traditional core area of ​​Guanzhong, so it is also densely populated.Although there is a commotion in Chang'an, Xijing, the countryside hundreds of miles away has not been greatly affected.

After Li Tong traveled a certain distance from the military order, he looked around again. Although there were no pictures of lush vegetation in the countryside in the deep winter, he could still see a large area of ​​neatly manicured fields, and mulberry orchards were also everywhere. As far as he could see, almost There is no uncultivated land.

Even on the slopes, you can see carefully repaired slope fields.From this point, it can be seen that the people in Guanzhong are diligent and worthy of being a land of abundance that has nurtured the lineages of two great empires.

He was still lamenting that Guanzhong Foot is the foundation of the king's business, but Zhang Zhuo, who was in the team, got off his horse and grabbed a handful of soil from the field beside the road. After a while, he crushed it with his fingers and sighed: " This winter's frost is light, and the farming work in the coming year may be difficult."

"How to say?"

When Li Tong heard this, he couldn't help but be taken aback. He also got off his horse, walked into the field, and crushed the congealed soil with the toe of his boots. Looking down, he saw that the ground was dry and cracked, and indeed there was only one layer Light accumulation of frost.

But his shallow agricultural knowledge is not enough to connect it with the farming work of the coming year, and he is even a little thankful that there is less snow in Guanzhong, which is different from the humid and cold climate in Luoyang, the capital of God, and it did not have much impact on the army's camp.

After hearing the words, Zhang Zhuo bowed his head and walked behind King Yong. He opened his palms to reveal the dust in his hands, and said with a worried face, "whether farming is prosperous or not depends on water vapor to nourish it. If the winter is too cold and the fields are dry and scattered, It is also difficult to germinate seedlings. If there is no snowfall before spring, it will be difficult to plant spring wheat, and the grain and hemp will not grow. Even the winter wheat that comes out may feed locusts..."

Hearing this, Li Tong couldn't help but become serious. Although he had already prepared quite enough supplies for the operation of Guanzhong when he was in Shendu, they can start shipping one after another after the turmoil in Xijing is calmed down.

However, these materials must be supplied to Longyou, Anxi and Shuofang, and they must also be used to restore production, prevent drought and flood disasters, and even prepare for the blockade of the river and water transportation by the Shendu court for several years. I hope Guanzhong can restore hematopoietic ability as soon as possible.

"Since the drought is already so severe, why don't the folks grow some cold-resistant wheat?"

He asked again curiously, which was also one of his long-term doubts.As early as the last time he came to Guanzhong, he noticed that the crops planted in Guanzhong were mainly millet. Although there was also wheat, the planting area was not large.

Just looking at the farmland in front of me, only those acres on the sloping land are covered with chaff and chaff to protect the moisture and seedlings. They should be planted with winter wheat, and the area is too small.Especially compared with Heluo, the proportion of wheat in the crops is smaller.

Li Tong did remember that wheat is a relatively drought-resistant crop. If the farming arrangements are good, it can stagger the harvesting period with other crops.Moreover, pasta such as hubing and soup cakes also account for a high proportion of the current diet.

Logically speaking, wheat cultivation should be very easy to spread in Guanzhong.Even if he doesn't know anything about farming, he still remembers those time-traveling predecessors who didn't have a bowl of saozi noodles in their hands.

After Zhang Zhuo heard the words, he sighed and said, "Although wheat is resistant to cold and drought, its price is too low. A bucket of millet costs [-] yuan, and a bucket of wheat costs only [-] yuan. Even if there is a good harvest in a good year, the income is really not much. You can only harvest and compose music." Material. Although the price of noodles is high, milling rice is not something ordinary people can use. Wheat and rice are coarse and gravel grinding the intestines, and the body is weak and dry after a long period of food. It can only be used as food for saving time, not as daily food. What's more, wheat farming Harvesting farming conflicts with performing martial arts, so there are fewer crops in Guanzhong..."

Hearing the reasons Zhang Zhuo said, Li Tong was a little surprised. It turned out that the doubt in his heart was really why he didn't eat minced meat.If he hadn't heard Zhang Zhuo's introduction, he really wouldn't have known that there were so many profound reasons for restricting the wheat planting area in Guanzhong, and it could even be related to the Fubing system.

Although wheat has many advantages, its planting procedures are relatively more, and it is often concentrated in the period after autumn and before spring.The autumn and winter seasons happened to be the time for the military training and performances of the Fubing Winter Collection, which coincided with the wheat planting period.

Moreover, there are strict farming restrictions on wheat harvesting, and there are usually only seven or eight days in a year. If the government soldiers are conscripted at this time, then a season of hard work will be in vain.

Of course, the most important thing is economic reasons. To process wheat into flour, tools such as milling must be used.But the power of these tools is water, and the water source in Guanzhong is not sufficient, and it is often controlled by the powerful.

Because of insufficient irrigation conditions, wheat is grown, but because the water source is controlled, even if wheat is grown, considerable income cannot be obtained. This has become an endless loop.

The wheat rice cooked from unprocessed wheat is too rough to swallow, and long-term consumption is not good for the body. This is the so-called heat toxicity.When Li Tong was marching on Songyang Road, he still wanted to show off his style, and ate a few meals of wheat rice and military rations with the battalions, but he really couldn't stand it and had to give up.

If it weren't for the fact that wheat is used in the koji for wine making, farmers could still receive some economic returns, otherwise wheat could only be grown in small quantities as rations for famine relief.It's really a fantasy for everyone to eat the glutinous rice noodles.

Zhang Zhuo didn't think that His Royal Highness Yong would be interested in such trivial farming matters, but seeing that His Royal Highness not only listened carefully, but also had a pensive expression after listening, after a little weighing, he crossed his hands and said: "There is a village in a humble job." The Wild Treasure Artifact wants to be introduced to His Highness, I wonder if His Highness would like to go there?"

Li Tong nodded after hearing the words: "Lead the way."

Chapter 0527

Half an hour after Ye Zhongman's walk, a group of people boarded a ridge, all the way, the road was not too steep, crossed the dried up river valley, Zhang Zhuo excitedly pointed to the slope and said: "It's there! "

Li Tong looked in the direction, and saw a stone embankment built on the hillside, under which there was a millstone.Seeing this, the accompanying officers and soldiers couldn't help feeling a little disappointed, pointing at Zhang Zhuo and cursing with a smile, "We'll have to detour for dozens of miles because of Zhang Guoyi's false words, the horsepower may not be enough, but if His Highness punishes you, I won't show mercy!"

Zhang Zhuo ignored the other people's jokes, but looked at His Royal Highness King Yong with eager eyes and said, "The mill here is originally just a muddy spring on the mountain. Although the water is fierce in spring and summer, it can neither be drunk nor has an open channel to guide it." Irrigation. However, there are hundreds of people in the village who build water eyes. After the construction of canals, the villagers can benefit from this. When the water is abundant in spring and summer, they can irrigate dozens of hectares of surrounding fields and grind dozens of hu a day. There are more than a hundred households living !"

After Li Tong heard the words, he got off his horse and climbed up. After walking not far, several people with sticks rushed out of the thatched hut on the side hillside. When he saw that the group of people and horses were well armed, there was no lack of fear on his face for a while, but A young man standing in the center still boldly shouted: "The villagers are poor, and they only rely on this place to survive. I beg the nobleman to be tolerant, and don't let this place be harmed..."

"Zhao Erlang, what nonsense are you talking about! This one is the noble heir of our Tang family, His Royal Highness King Yong, please hurry up and apologize!"

Zhang Zhuo was also surprised when he saw this, he stepped forward and snatched the stick from the young man's hand, and pressed it to kneel on the ground, and he also knelt in front of King Yong and kowtowed repeatedly: "Please don't blame these vulgar townspeople, Your Highness." People, after the mill was set up here, I have already hated the rich houses in the village, in order to prevent them from being destroyed, so I have to guard them day and night..."

"Get up."

Li Tong is not surprised by this. Human nature is greedy, occupying scarce resources, and important production and processing tools such as grinding are not only an important means of profit for the powerful, but also a magic weapon for them to control the situation of the country. Naturally, ordinary people are not allowed to add them without permission.

Even at the level of the imperial court, water conservancy facilities such as mills are not allowed to be added at will. There are many records in the history of Tang Dynasty about the destruction of mills by the rich and powerful. In the countryside, the tyrants control the villagers. , Small fish eat dried shrimps.

He ignored the panicked villagers pleading guilty, but approached, and then found a stone tablet on the side of the mill, on which the words "Old Clothes Yi Nian" were engraved, so he pointed at the stone tablet and said to Zhang Zhuo with a smile Said: "Is this why you brought me here?"

After Zhang Zhuo heard the words, he paused and said: "I know that I am reckless, but I really want His Highness to see the deeds of the old clothes club, a rural charity club. This is just one of them. The old clothes club Shangyi helps the poor In the past year alone, hundreds of bridges and bridges have been built in Guannei!

Most of the water marshes and fertile land in the pass are occupied by the rich and powerful, and there are not many small people who broke their homes.Those of us who are grateful can do very little, but we also hope to donate our best to help the poor, but we dare not stir up rural struggles. We can only find life at the end of this swampy field.Although it is just an ordinary thing, but building mountains and building stones requires blood and sweat..."

That day, Zhang Zhuo rashly mentioned the existence of the Old Clothes Society, and Zhang Zhuo felt uneasy, especially when he talked about this festival with other members of the army, he was also complained by everyone. It is difficult to understand the social justice of their old clothing club, and rashly exposing the old clothing club in front of King Yong may also arouse King Yong's dissatisfaction with their country heroism.

Therefore, Zhang Zhuo was filled with remorse, and had been thinking of ways to remedy it, and finally got this opportunity today, and wanted to change His Royal Highness King Yong's view of the Old Clothes Club through real deeds.

"Guyishe is really good. It doesn't make false claims, doesn't take the people's sentiments seriously, and can deeply feel the poverty of the villagers, and do things in a practical way. As long as you can uphold justice in your heart, why bother to distinguish whether you are in the court or in the opposition. Wait to enter After Xijing, Zhang Guoyi can invite the people in charge of this township society to come to see him."

Li Tong suppressed his smile, walked up to the painstaking Zhang Zhuo, bent down and patted him on the shoulder and said.

Zhang Zhuo was overjoyed when he heard the words, and said repeatedly: "Your Highness will definitely live up to your expectations!"

After seeing this place, the group went down the hillside and rode their horses towards the camp.

Li Tong is also in a really good mood. Originally, he was still worried that those honorable sects in Xijing had been operating in the pass for a long time and would not be able to be uprooted. , or in the private sector, all of them have developed very well, and this will definitely be a major reliance for him to deeply manage Guanzhong in the future!

Those nobles in Xijing have gradually weakened in terms of status, and now they don't even have the advantage of nostalgia, so they are afraid of a bird!

Thinking this way, after Li Tong returned to the camp, he ordered another two thousand cavalry to go to Xijing, set up camp at Leyouyuan in the east of the city and announced the period for the army's conscript, first to deter the chaos in the city.

When this group of soldiers were still preparing to pack, Li Zhan had already returned to the Lanqiaoyi camp, and immediately entered the account to see him, handed over the books donated by the people in Xijing to King Yong's desk, and sent those people to the front desk. The attitude of the arrogant Hougong is described in detail.

Li Tong took the booklet and sneered, "These idiots, do they treat my army as beggars? It seems that if you don't give them a little color, they really don't have any fear." ah!"

Li Zhan's eyes lit up immediately after hearing the words, and he quickly said: "The same is true for humble positions. If you don't follow His Highness's order, you can't bear the aggrieved heart in your heart! These honorable disciples rely on the grace of their ancestors, and they don't know how to be in awe. The honor and disgrace of one person in a lowly position is really nothing to say, but since he is a military envoy, he still has to be respected. But after spending a night in Xijing, all he saw was indifferent, and he didn't even have a warm meal!"

After Li Tong heard the words, he laughed, pointed at Li Zhan and said, "The general will not send the hungry soldiers, you go to the camp to eat. Take a short rest, and then return to Xijing with the army. This time, there is no need to enter the city to meet each other, just go around the west During the weekly inspection of the capital, all the weirs and mills set up by the waterways were recorded in the book. Hmph, how can you be lightly forgiven for insulting our military envoys!"

Li Zhan was also overjoyed when he heard this, and quickly said, "I am under the command of a humble official, and I must strictly investigate everything, and never miss a single thing!"

After Li Zhan left the account, Li Tong picked up the list and looked at it again, with a playful look on his lips.

In all fairness, the goods presented by the people of Xijing this time are quite sincere. There are as many as [-] hu of grain and rice alone, and the rest are also a lot of money and other military supplies such as money and silk.

But these materials are not as good as Li Tong's foresight. It's not that he is greedy, but he knows how much goods Wu Youyi found from these Xijing people when he was staying behind in Xijing.

Now that I lead an army of tens of thousands back to Guanzhong, I still wipe their buttocks in name, but these guys plan to dismiss me like this. This is obviously looking down on him!I would rather you not give it away, so that there is an excuse to deal with you. Now that I give away so much, do you think I am not even as good as Wu Youyi?

Although Li Tong was determined to clean up these families, the specific entry point and scale were still a little unclear, but what he saw today gave him an inspiration.

For those who were born in the material-rich era of later generations, they may not understand the significance of these hydraulic facilities in ancient times.But it is not without objects of analogy, that is, land prices and house prices.

Even Du Nian and the like are closely related to people's livelihood, and its importance far exceeds that of a house in later generations.Controlling a small amount of non-replicable and renewable resources, thereby grabbing the largest amount of social wealth, is a common method in ancient and modern times.

The tyrants controlled the mill, mastered the ability to process food, and even directly restricted the scale of wheat planting in Guanzhong.When the old clothing club built Yi Nian, it had to guard against sabotage by local wealthy houses.

As long as these mills are controlled, the tyrants don't even need to manage the manor, and directly block the economic lifeline of the farmers.No matter how hard you work and how much you harvest, what's the use of it? Unprocessed wheat is worthless at all.With this, they can sit back and share the profits, directly hoarding wheat and other crops at low prices and processing them into products of higher value.

Large-scale mills built near important rivers can process hundreds of hu of wheat a day. After all, as long as the river flows continuously, it can be processed day and night.How could these tyrants occupying the mill have so much land to harvest so much food, most of which are naturally the fruits of the labor of the small people!

Even if Li Tong wanted to attack these noble and powerful people, he still couldn't count each private treasury, but he could set a standard for drawing blood through the number of mills owned by those people.

If you own a few mills, just honestly hand over tens of thousands of grains to me!

In this way, people who can blackmail people feel pain, but they will not directly break the bottom line. After all, in addition to these milling tools, their families also have large-scale farms, which are the foundation of their family business.

If you don't pay these protection fees, then your foundation will be broken next!

Of course, it's not safe even if they pay. After all, Li Tong is not going directly to their land right now, mainly because he doesn't have the energy and time to organize production. It's better to let them plant it first and save another wave for himself.