First Minister of Ming Dynasty

In fact, Li Shanchang and others also knew in their hearts that the theory of ghosts and gods is not reliable, and some things are just coincidences.

"Superior, from this point of view, the only way is to build canals, dig reservoirs, and dig deep wells, which can not only prevent floods, but also prepare for droughts, so that people can keep floods and droughts from famine."

When Li Shanchang said this, he glanced at Zhang Ximeng who was sitting next to him, and said proactively: "It's just a major repair of the river project, which will consume the power of the people. I'm afraid the people will not want it! Although there is a lot of food in the warehouse, the cost in the army is also high. If something happens I'm afraid it won't be enough for the war. Should we wait until after the autumn harvest, or should we implement it now?"

Zhang Ximeng smiled, "Mr. Li has already made it clear, I still want to trust the people and the big guys. Let's send people down, and Mr. Li and I can also go there in person and make it clear to the big guys that whoever repairs the canal will benefit .We try our best to help the big guy, the shovel and pickaxe, various brick tools, and some rations can be supplemented... But the big guy needs to take the initiative to contribute, and there is no reward."

Li Shanchang pondered for a while, "This truth is easy to explain, but I'm afraid that some people will not understand it and make trouble in the middle, and a good thing will become a bad thing."

"Then they are not allowed to use water at home!" Zhu Yuanzhang said suddenly, "Mr. Li, we are also from poor people, and there are a few people in the countryside who don't know the importance of water canals. Strength, and it doesn’t benefit the big guys, who can agree? As long as it is really for the common people, there is no deception. How can the common people not agree? Even if there are one or two bastards, it doesn’t matter to the overall situation!”

Zhu Yuanzhang paused, and then said meaningfully: "Mr. Li, you should trust the common people!"

Lao Zhu's voice was not high, but his words were heavy, hitting the hearts of Li Shanchang and others.

Li Shanchang was slightly taken aback, but after thinking about it, he felt uneasy, cold sweat dripped from his forehead, he bowed quickly, and the others also bowed deeply, and then quickly went down to work.

Perhaps the only one who feels gratified is Zhang Ximeng. Lao Zhu has gradually realized the power of the people, his realm has improved rapidly, and a strong sense of accomplishment has arisen spontaneously.

Zhang Ximeng called the students again, because they had done a good job explaining the field tax before, this time they were familiar with the road, and went to various villages again.

Zhang Ximeng's request is very simple, that is, at least half of the fields in each village can be irrigated, and every ten households should dig a well to ensure that everyone can drink clear and sweet water.

As soon as these things were announced, the common people immediately moved upon hearing the news.

Who wouldn't want to improve their own fields and the water they drink?

It was still the leading food chiefs who had gradually assumed the duties of the village chiefs. When something happened, they would call the old people in the village to discuss it together, and when it was settled, they would tell all the villagers.

Canals and wells within the village can be started directly.

If several villages are involved, call people over and talk together.

There are too many policies, and the original intentions of the design are good... The most typical one is Wang Anshi's Young Crop Law. The common people suffer from exploitation, and the court pays money and borrows at low interest rates, so that the common people can live with peace of mind and don't have to bear usury. Wouldn't it be the best of both worlds to take the opportunity to collect some interest?

But when it came time to implement, problems arose. The really poor people didn't trust the court and dared not borrow money.For the purpose of performance evaluation, those officials are afraid that lending to the poor will become bad debts, so they force those who do not farm to borrow money for young crops.

Forcing the monk to buy a wig belongs to it.

From this one incident alone, it can be seen that the reform is difficult... The real core of the reform is not how perfect and ingenious new legal provisions are drawn up.

It's about how to communicate with the lower levels, how to make the lowest level understand the intention of the new law correctly, there is no effective channel from top to bottom, just relying on some half-hearted officials, twisting layers, and when you get to the bottom, it has long been confused. up.What's the point of discussing the content of the reform at this time?

Without the organization and mobilization ability at the grassroots level, everything you say is false.

Fortunately, Zhu Yuanzhang has already started to have this kind of power, which is earlier and stronger than what he had in history!

From Chuzhou to Dingyuan, every village and town started to move.

The common people heard that they were digging wells for their own canals. Before dawn, they brought dry food, shovels and picks, and came to work on their own initiative.

On the earth, there are diversion canals. This is the real Dragon Lord, who protects the people and is not afraid of floods and droughts!

But despite the truth, people are still happy to hear about the "Double Dragon Club" and are overjoyed!

Wu Datou's team has successfully grown to more than 30 people.

Among them, there are more than ten actors, and there are more than ten people in charge of makeup venues. What is especially amazing is that there is also a six-member band, complete with gongs, drums and strings.

An opera troupe of this scale has far exceeded the limit of many big families. After all, the Jia family, which is "the head of the famous family in the capital", only raised twelve small opera troupes.

And after so many running-in sessions, this troupe is quite complete and very skilled in business.

In half a month, the Ssangyong Club was filmed and successfully staged.

Amidst the sound of gongs and drums, the big show Cairo.

The actors on the stage are working hard, and the audience on the stage is engrossed.

Wu Datou was dressed in black this time, and got two antlers on his head to act as dragon horns... He first ate and drank in the ancestral hall, enjoying the offerings, and the sun was scorching outside, so he didn't take it seriously at all.

He didn't care about the common people crying and begging for rain. That kind of demeanor was no different from the stupid officials in the yamen who didn't care about the lives and deaths of the people.

At this moment, a stalwart man, dressed in armor, with a bow on his back and an arrow hanging from his waist, rushed into the ancestral hall walking like a dragon or a tiger.

Facing the statue of the Dragon King, he cursed loudly.

Little evil dragon, regardless of the difficulties of people's livelihood, dare not send rain, we will kill you, and do justice for the heavens!

Thinking that it is not easy for you to become a dragon, let me give you a three-day deadline to let the rain fall, and allow you to continue to protect one side. If the rain does not fall, your idol will be smashed, and your ancestral hall will be demolished, so that you will not be a dragon king. Returnable Wild Monster Mountain Spirit!

After yelling, he took off his bow and shot three arrows in a row.

The Dragon King played by Wu Datou was shot by the three arrows and screamed strangely. He was in a state of embarrassment and kept turning around on the stage... When the big man left, he lay on the ground and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"I am a dragon, and you are a dragon. You live in the sky and I am in the pool. You go down to the heaven to save Li Shu, and I will send rain to do meritorious deeds."

Three days later, it really rained heavily, welcoming the rain.

Obviously, the Dragon Lord is a little dragon, and Zhu Yuanzhang is the real dragon in the sky!

The play is not complicated, and the libretto is not elegant, but it is easy to understand, and even the rhyme is not satisfactory, but Wu Datou worked hard to perform, and he played the little dragon king who is arrogant and respectful, and won applause and applause Enduring.

At this time, among the crowd, there was a tall man with a black complexion. He was very happy and applauded again and again, but he didn't think it was enough, so he took out a few silver beans and threw them directly on the stage.

"General Zhu is a good guy, and you guys did a great job too! My lord rewards you, let's drink some tea!"

The big man laughed boldly. You must know that the Yuan court does not allow the circulation of gold and silver. Although the law of the Yuan court is similar to the butt wipes, those who are willing to reward silver are rare, and they are full-fledged gold masters.

In the face of this situation, no matter what theater troupe should be thankful, it is also appropriate to come back to the scene for a short segment and serve them well.

But when the big man threw out the reward, the audience around him all looked at him, and there was blame in their eyes.

On the stage, Wu Datou hesitated a little, and even squatted down, picked up a few silver beans, then jumped off the stage, walked up to the big man, solemnly, handed the silver beans to him.

"Please take it back!"

The big black man was puzzled, and couldn't help laughing, "You are really interesting as an opera singer, why don't you take money from me? What do you people eat and drink? Could it be that you look down on me?"

Before Wu Datou could speak, people around were angry.

"How can you pretend to be big with a few stinky money? He is not an actor, but Wu Yingxiong is a serious soldier! He has just been promoted to a hundred households!"

The big man was also stunned, looking at Wu Datou stupidly, Baihu?Singer?

This Chuzhou is really strange!

Wu Datou grabbed the big man's hand, gave him the silver beans, and then said: "My friend, you may not be clear. We are members of the army, and we never ask for money to act for the folks. We There are military salaries and allowances. Although you can't be rich, you can live comfortably, so you don't need to worry about us."

The big black man was really dumbfounded, he said stupidly: "You, you guys are such a good show, why are you willing to be in the army? Why don't you go out and make a lot of money?"

"Make a lot of money?"

At this time, a pipa player came over and said with a sneer, "What makes a lot of money? It's obviously just for the rich to spoil it for fun! In Chuzhou, we are all serious soldiers, dignified and upright My man! Don't look at us playing the pipa and going to the battlefield. Our ability to draw a bow and shoot arrows is no worse than others! It can kill dogs and tartars! You can be a man, so why bother to be an eagle dog. Who is not under ten months old? Born, growing up year by year! Who is inferior to whom?"

What he said shocked the black man greatly. Aren't actors everywhere? Why is Chuzhou different?

Wu Datou said with a smile at this time: "I am a Mongolian, but I don't want to be the dog emperor of Dadu! The superior told us that the poor should stand together and work with Yuan Ting and those bastards who are rich and unkind! People kill the enemy with knives and guns, some people rely on acting to boost morale, explain the truth to the big guys, and make a difference, there is no distinction!"

Hearing this, the big black man lowered his head and thought for a long time, his dark face turned purple.

How good it is to say, what you do is different, there is no distinction!

He hastily bowed, "Forgive me for being reckless..."

Wu Datou smiled, "Okay, we have to clean up if we have nothing to do, and go to the next show."

The big black man was stunned, suddenly made up his mind, and said eagerly: "I, can I see your superiors? I, my name is Hu Dahai, I have soldiers, and I can help fight Hezhou!"

Chapter 93 meritorious service

Hu Dahai sat on the same chair that Li Zhen used to sit on, and many people from Chuzhou sat on it. There was still a bowl of hot tea and a plate of jujube cake.

After a while, a man with a Chinese character face, sharp features, and walking like a tiger came. His clothes were also very ordinary, without any accessories. In the end, he sat opposite Hu Dahai.

"Tell me, what do you want from us?"

Hu Dahai hesitated for a long time before he opened his mouth and asked, "That... are you General Zhu?"

"It's us!"

Lao Zhu grabbed a piece of jujube cake, handed it to him, and then picked up another piece himself, "Eat it, we haven't had lunch yet, let's fill our hunger first."

After finishing speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang ate the jujube cake in three or two mouthfuls. He looked up at Hu Dahai and found that the big black man was staring at him stupidly.

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help laughing, "What kind of noble person do you think we are? In the mansion compound, we won't be able to see you in a hurry? You may be thinking about it. We got up early in the morning and went to dig a well with them. The well platform weighing more than 300 catties Shi, let's carry it with a brother."

Lao Zhu is not without complacency. Old farmers who often work like to show off their appetite and strength when they were young. After following them for a long time, Lao Zhu has also acquired the habit of showing off his muscular forearm and shaking it at Hu Dahai. shake.

Is this the Lord of Chuzhou?

Why does it feel like the big brother next door?

Hu Dahai couldn't help but blurted out: "It's just three hundred catties, we can carry it by ourselves!"

Old Zhu was stunned, "What a skill! Let's talk about things first, and when you are free, show me your hands."

Hu Dahai agreed very happily, "Okay...it's like this, my name is Hu Dahai, and I also have a small gang account in Hezhou, and everyone calls us Big Dog Bear!"

Hu Dahai has a dark face and a long body, with a powerful face, he really looks like a big bear, and this nickname is quite appropriate.

"There are two bandit leaders in Hezhou. The one on the west is called Liu Ju, and the one on the east is me. Originally, I was able to get by by robbing big families and houses. But not long ago, there was a man named Sun Deya who led his gang The soldiers and horses arrived in Hezhou. They had a lot of soldiers, and they would rob anything they saw. Anyone who dared to resist would be killed immediately. More than a hundred of my brothers, most of them were killed by the surnamed Sun!"

Hu Dahai was furious and gritted his teeth, "I heard that there are soldiers here in Chuzhou, who do things benevolently and treat the common people well. I'll come here, and I want to borrow soldiers to go there and wipe out the one surnamed Sun!"

Zhu Yuanzhang understood the situation, he frowned slightly, and asked: "Let's not say whether what you said is true, but let's ask you something. Do you know the relationship between Sun Deya and us?"

Hu Dahai was stunned for a while, and then sighed: "Why don't you know! I heard that you are all from Haozhou, and he is still a handsome man. I also watched a play. I heard that you want to destroy Yuanting Get rid of those tyrants who harm the common people. I think, if you are telling the truth, Sun Deya is burning, killing and looting in Hezhou, committing all kinds of crimes! He doesn't deserve to be called a rebel at all! Can you look at it like this?"

This big black man looked rude, but his words were thoughtful, and he caught Zhu Yuanzhang's weakness.

Old Zhu pondered... In fact, Sun Deya had been targeted a long time ago, and the people Guo Ying sent out already knew what he did.

To put it bluntly, this guy is a rogue.

When I was in Haozhou, taking into account the affection of my hometown, I could restrain myself a bit.

But when he arrived in Hezhou, his true colors were revealed.

Looting food, seizing houses.

The common people complained a little, and they were killed immediately.

What he did was even inferior to the Yuan army, and the Hezhou elders hated him to the core.

These things can also be known from the mouths of Hezhou people who have been fleeing to Chuzhou recently.

"How many soldiers does Sun Deya have?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked suddenly.

"When he came, there were 7000 people, but now there are several thousand people. The total number can be three or four!" Hu Dahai replied truthfully.

Zhu Yuanzhang's brows became tighter, and after thinking twice, he called the soldiers, "Go and invite Mr. Zhang over."

Not long after, Zhang Ximeng came. After seeing Lao Zhu, he noticed this big black man.

What a mighty look!

Lao Zhu's height is already outstanding, but this one is even taller than Lao Zhu, and he is even bigger, with a dark face and an evil spirit.

Zhang Ximeng immediately came up with a name: Chang Yuchun?

Could it be the legendary Huaiyuan Hei Tai Sui?

While he was thinking, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "His name is Hu Dahai, and he is a righteous man from Hezhou. I hope we send troops to eliminate harm for the people and destroy Sun Deya!"

It turned out to be him!

Zhang Ximeng wasn't disappointed because he guessed wrong. On the contrary, Hu Dahai's early record was almost on par with Chang Yuchun's, even more ferocious by three points!

If it was not due to negligence that he was killed by the surrendered general, it is almost certain that Hu Dahai is definitely the founding Duke, and his ranking will be even higher.

Unexpectedly, he took the initiative to seek refuge.

Zhang Ximeng also had to sigh, Lao Zhu was lucky, he came here casually, and they were all the seeds of top famous players.

"My lord, the key to beating Sun Deya has also been discussed. He has more than [-] people, and he is very cunning... If he can't hit and kill, he will lead people to scurry around and harass Chuzhou, which will greatly consume our combat power. More What's more, it's already a month now, and the autumn harvest is not far away, and Yuan Ting may go south at any time, so it's not worth wasting energy on Sun Deya."

Before Zhang Ximeng finished speaking, Hu Dahai became impatient, "This little gentleman, according to your intention, you want to watch the people of Hezhou suffer?"

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly, and reprimanded: "Hu Dahai, you come to ask for troops, we have rules here. Pay attention to planning and then move. Sending troops casually will not only fail to save the people of Hezhou, but will also cause great chaos. , we can't let your temper fool around!"

This is a bit harsh, and Hu Dahai also felt that it was too much. When he came to someone's territory, asked him to do something, and even put on the posture of the king of the mountain, it was really deadly.

He quickly got up and apologized to Zhang Ximeng.

After a pause, Hu Dahai finally said: "If you want to kill Sun Deya all of a sudden, I have a way, as long as some food is shipped from Chuzhou to me, and I will spread the news that Sun Deya is short of food, he will definitely come to grab it! If you can Send troops and horses to ambush, Sun Deya will definitely not recover!"