Fenghou

Wang Conglin immediately packed his bags and got up and returned to Changsha with two concubines.

But soon after his painting boat left the Xiangjiang River, three warships surrounded him.

"Master, what ships are they?" The two concubines panicked in fright.

"Don't panic, hold on! Is there anything serious?"

Wang Conglin forced himself to calm down and appease the two concubines.

But when more than a dozen inner guard soldiers jumped on the boat and rushed in front of him, Wang Conglin collapsed to the ground in fright, his face was pale, and he couldn't speak a word.

Three days later, the inner guard beheaded more than [-] mouths of Wang Conglin's family in Changsha County, and confiscated all his property. More than a dozen officials, including Tanzhou Tongjuan, County Chancellor, County Lieutenant, and Escort officials, were also arrested. catch.

Immediately afterwards, the internal guards launched a comprehensive arrest in Hengzhou, Shaozhou, Yongzhou, Daozhou, Quanzhou, Chenzhou, Jingzhou, Yuanzhou, Wugang Army, Guiyang Prison and other places, except for the salt dealers in Yongzhou and Chenzhou who ran away. In addition, all other salt dealers were arrested, and suppressed with the most severe method of ransacking and confiscating all property, and all officials involved were also arrested.

The inner guards resolutely cracked down on the salt lords and private salt dealers. In the following ten years, there was no more private salt on Jinghu South Road, and the other two salt lords were so scared that they quit Jinghu South Road and never set foot again.

But this is only half of the campaign against illegal salt.

Chapter 59 Autumn Outing

In Fengtian County, a 3000-man cavalry team is marching forward on the official road, with banners and flags flying, and the momentum is huge. It is the beginning of September, and the autumn is crisp and the weather is pleasant. It is the best season for autumn outings.

There were dozens of carriages in the team, full of Chen Qing's family members and more than a dozen high-ranking officials and their families, who came to the Ganhe River in Fengtian County for an autumn outing.

The banks of the Ganhe River are one of the most beautiful scenic spots in Guanzhong. There are large forests and grasslands everywhere, green fields, clear water, and sparse population. There are dozens of large manors on both sides of the river. From the Sui and Tang Dynasties to the Song Dynasty, it has been the territory of nobles. , even if it is the puppet state of Qi, this place is also occupied by high-ranking officials.

Even if Chen Qing occupied Guanzhong, it did not destroy the scarce properties on both sides of the Gan River. These manors were distributed to his generals and important civil officials. Chen Qing himself had a manor here covering an area of ​​[-] mu. There was no farmland in the manor. Along the mountains and rivers, there are large forests and pastures, raising thousands of sheep and more than a dozen horses, and more than [-] farmers live in the manor.

This autumn outing was arranged in Chen Qing's manor. Soon, the mighty autumn outing team drove into the manor. The thousand soldiers who arrived earlier had already set up hundreds of large tents, with an average of three large tents per family. The banners of each family are on the top tents, and the luggage sent in advance is also put into their respective tents.

More than [-] people from Chen Qing's family came to protect the servants, wet nurses and female guards. There were three big tents in total, two of which were for the servants and wet nurses, and the main tent was very special. It was a separate tent. The entrance is a large disc tent, the disc tent is just the living room, and there are three small doors inside, which can enter three smaller sleeping tents.

During the day, everyone moved around in the big disc tent, and only entered their sleeping tents when they were resting. These big tents were double-layered, and the six female guards hid in the interlayer.

The carriage stopped, and dozens of children cheered and rushed to the grassland. The boys ran and rolled on the grass, while the girls picked flowers and weaved garlands.

Their parents went to their respective tents to pack their things.

People in the Song Dynasty were very particular about autumn outings. Ordinary people basically took one-day trips, mostly around Qujiang Pond. The rich and powerful families went farther away. They brought tents, took a carriage, and servants followed them. It took three to five days. , What's more, it took more than ten days to go home after playing.

This time, Chen Qing's autumn outing with important officials and family members was expected to last for five days. Chen Qing originally planned to visit Fengtian, and it happened to be autumn, so Chen Qing simply led a large group of people to come for the autumn outing.

"Husband, let Ji'er go on inspection with you tomorrow!"

Lu Xiu suggested with a smile: "It's not far anyway, you can come back that day!"

It made sense for Chen Qing to think about it. Let his son actually experience the animal husbandry industry, and tell it a hundred times, it is better to go to the field to see it in person.

Chen Qing stroked his son's head and asked with a smile, "Tomorrow, I will go to Moshui with my father!"

Chen Jiyang raised his head and asked, "Daddy, is Moshui far away?"

"Not far, only thirty miles away from here!"

"I'm going with Daddy!"

……

Before dawn the next day, Chen Qing took his son on the road, followed by more than 100 cavalry guards. It was already cold in the early morning of September, and the coolness permeated people. Chen Qing held his son's thin body in his arms and wrapped his cloak Wrap him tightly, and urge the horse, and the horse gallops west along a valley, followed by more than a hundred cavalry.

At dawn, they arrived at the bank of the Moshui River. Chen Ji slept in his father's arms for a while, and just woke up, his little face emerged from the cloak and asked, "Daddy, is this river the Moshui?"

Chen Qing smiled slightly and said: "Yes! This is Moshui. Fengtian County is twenty miles to the north. If you go south along Moshui, you will be Chencang County. Moshui flows into Weihe River in Chencang County. We are now in two Among the counties, it is closer to Fengtian County."

"What are we here to inspect?"

It is rare for Chen Qing to have such patience to explain to his son in detail. He smiled slightly and said, "Do you see that the grass planted by the river is different from other places?"

Chen Ji nodded, "My master said, this is alfalfa, the favorite pasture for cattle, sheep and horses!"

"That's right. We have planted a lot of alfalfa and vetch on Shaanxi Road, Xihe Road, and Sichuan Road these days. Vet pea is another kind of forage. When there is a famine, its beans can be eaten as food. Last year in Hebei There was a severe drought, and the government of the Kingdom of Jin was not good at disaster relief. We donated hundreds of thousands of wild peas to the major temples in Hebei through several major temples in Guanzhong. The monks ground them into powder and made them into cakes to help the people. The effect was very good. Man survives."

"My child understands, we don't deal with the government of the Kingdom of Jin!"

Chen Qing laughed loudly, "That's right, we are obviously the ones who contributed, so why do the people thank the government of the Kingdom of Jin?"

"And then? Let's look at the grass!"

The son's thoughts are very careful, and he will not digress. Chen Qing nodded and said: "We have planted alfalfa by the rivers in various places, so that local farmers can develop animal husbandry. The development has been very good in the past two years. Why is mutton so cheap in our market? , the contribution of raising livestock in the river valley is indispensable.”

"Since alfalfa is grown everywhere, why did Dad go to Moshui to inspect it?"

"Good question! Daddy came here to inspect because there is a pioneering work in Fengtian County. They have set up ten farming and livestock clubs in the whole county. Farmers who raise more than ten sheep are required to participate. Each farming and livestock club recommends several highly respected sheep. Elders as mediators."

"The function of the farm and animal society is to mediate conflicts?" Chen Ji asked.

Chen Qing nodded, "Don't underestimate the raising of livestock, there will be many conflicts, because the valley's bearing capacity is limited, it is impossible to raise sheep without restraint, some people are greedy, raise hundreds of sheep, and the sheep eat up all the pasture , but people who raise less sheep will stop doing it, and conflicts will arise. It is common for pasture struggles to happen. Let the government take care of them. They know very well that they will limit the number of sheep raised by each family. If they do not obey the limit, the government will come to arrest people and sheep.

Then in autumn, they will mobilize all farmers to mow the grass together, and then distribute them uniformly. When selling sheep, the farming and animal husbandry cooperatives are responsible for selling them together, and they can sell them at a good price. Otherwise, farmers will fight alone and compete with each other. It is sold at a low price, so after Fengtian established the farming and animal husbandry cooperative, it is not only the county in Guanzhong that raises the most sheep, but also the county with the fewest sheep raising lawsuits, and the selling price is also very good. "

"Daddy, the child understands, where should we go first?"

"Let's go to a random village to understand the situation first, and then go to the county to listen to the reports of the county magistrates!"

After walking for a while, a group of sheep appeared in front of them, and the old man who raised the sheep was squatting on a big rock, drinking water and eating dry biscuits.

"Just ask him!"

Chen Qing dismounted from the horse and carried his son off the horse. At this moment, several soldiers invited the old man over. They said yes, but in fact they were forced, which made the old man very nervous.

"Don't be nervous, old man, we're just passing by here and have a few words with you!"

"As long as you don't steal my sheep."

Pausing for a while, the old man said again: "It's okay to sell, and you can buy it for only one piece!"

Even Chen Ji rolled his eyes, this old man is too dark, the master said, a fat sheep in the market is only [-] Wen, here is actually asking for a penny.

The old man looked at Chen Ji for a moment and smiled, "Officer, is this your son?"

Chen Qing pressed his son's small shoulder and smiled, "It's my son!"

The old man sighed, "He looks very handsome, but he is a little thinner. Come to us to raise sheep like this. It only takes one year to ensure that they will grow dark and strong. We need to eat two big bowls of rice for a meal."

Chen Qing chuckled, "He's still studying! I don't have time. When he grows up, I'll let him raise sheep too!"

"Come on! Xiaowa eats cakes."

A piece of dry biscuit was forced into Chen Ji's hand, "This is a biscuit made from good wheat, it's delicious!"

-------------Chapter Dividing Line---------------

Chen Qing sat down with his son and asked, "Did the old man join the farming and animal husbandry society?"

"Joined, the farming and animal husbandry society manages several surrounding villages."

"Does the old man feel that there is something wrong with the farming and animal husbandry society?" Chen Qing asked again.

"Problem! Of course there is, sometimes it's not fair?"

"Why is it unfair?"

The old man said angrily: "Wang Lengzi's family next door also raises sheep. I raise 35 sheep, and he raises [-] sheep. When the fodder was distributed last winter, his family had [-] more sheep than mine. Why?"

Chen Ji scratched his head and asked, "May I ask the old man, he has five more sheep than you, how much more normally?"

"Forty more bundles I think is normal, and fifty more bundles I think is too biased."

Chen Ji blinked his eyes, he didn't know what to say, ten bales of grass were added, and he was worried about it for a year, so what?

Chen Qingxiao asked, "Can we buy winter hay?"

"Of course you can. A bundle costs ten Wen. If you don't have enough grass, you can go to the county to buy it. Last year I didn't have enough grass, so I went to the county to buy fifty bundles. It cost me five hundred Wen."

"Does the old man think there are other problems with the farming and animal husbandry society?" Chen Ji asked again.

"Also! It's too lenient. My son-in-law's family has [-] sheep, and he wants to raise another [-] sheep, but the farming and pastoral cooperatives are not allowed. My son-in-law wants me to help him raise them, but the farming and pastoral cooperatives actually Got it, and then came to the door to warn, but sometimes I think it’s right, everyone raises hundreds of them, and the grass is simply not enough to eat.”

At this time, there was a loud sound of horseshoes in the distance, and more than a dozen people galloped towards this side on horseback. This was the arrival of the county magistrates.

The head magistrate is called Xie Qiong, a native of Fengxiang, and he led the crowd to quickly step forward to salute, "Xie Qiong, the humble magistrate of Fengtian County, see Your Highness!"

The old man was stunned, and the dry biscuit in his hand was 'click! 'When I landed, the county lord, who is usually aloof, actually saluted this man and called him His Highness, isn't that a prince!

The old man was not stupid, he immediately reacted, knelt down and kowtowed, "I don't know, Your Highness, please forgive me!"

Chen Qing smiled slightly and said, "Don't be afraid, old man, we're just asking some questions, please get up!"

The old man got up tremblingly, Chen Qing comforted him a few words, and then said to the county magistrate: "Xie magistrate, please lead the way ahead, let's go to the county seat!"

Everyone turned up and followed the magistrate slowly.

"Daddy wait a minute!" Chen Ji suddenly remembered something and called out to his father.

Chen Qing reined in his horse and asked with a smile, "What did Ji Er say?"

"The old man even gave me a piece of cake! In the horse bag, the master said, I should pay back something for a gift from someone, a thank you gift!"

Chen Qing nodded and said with a smile: "Your master is right, you should return a gift to the other party."

"That piece of cake should be worth ten cents, but the boy didn't bring any money."

Chen Qing shook his head and said: "Ji'er, you have to remember that you are the son of King Yong, and the things you give must be in line with your identity. The old man will give you a piece of cake, which is in line with his identity. What is your identity?"

"The child knows his mistake!"

Chen Ji lowered his head, and untied Xiao Yupei from his belt with some reluctance, "This is the only thing on this child!"

Chen Qing hesitated for a moment, this piece of jade was a little expensive, but he changed his mind, his son was the son of King Yong, and the things that the son of Yong Wang gave should not be ordinary products, and the education of children cannot be measured by money, let alone his mother's There are plenty of jade pei, just give him another one.

"You decide!"

Chen Ji nodded, and handed the jade pei to a soldier, "Give this to the old man. I thank him for the cake. Tell him that food is the most precious thing!"

Chen Qing secretly praised his son's ability to speak, which must have been taught by his master. In fact, Chen Qing made a mistake. This is what his mother Lu Xiu taught his son since he was a child. Food is the most precious thing and should not be wasted.

The soldiers took Yu Pei and ran away, and Xie Zhixian next to him realized that this handsome young man turned out to be the eldest son!He hurried forward to salute.

The soldiers rushed back quickly and handed the jade pei to the old man, "This is a gift from my elder son, thank you for giving it the wheat cake."

"Thank you! Thank you!"

The old man quickly took the jade pei, looked at it and asked, "What kind of stone is this?"

"This is a precious jade pei. It is wrapped in gold. This piece of jade pei is worth thousands of dollars!"

The old man was so frightened that his hands trembled, Yu Pei almost fell to the ground, and hurriedly handed it back, "This is too precious, I dare not take it!"

"You accept it! Keep it as a family heirloom, the prince said, the bread you gave him is also a precious food."

The soldiers turned the horse's head and left. The old man looked at the jade pei in his hand, and suddenly said cruelly: "Go back, let the grandson study, you must study, and don't herd the sheep!"

Decades later, the old man's great-grandson was admitted as a Jinshi and dedicated the jade pei to the emperor Chen Ji. Chen Ji remembered what happened when he was a child, but he didn't expect this jade pei to change the fate of a family.

……

In the county yamen, Chen Qing and his son ate breakfast first, a bowl of porridge and two steamed buns, and then had a discussion with several officials in the yamen hall. Chen Qing listened to Xie Qiong's report on the original intention of establishing the farming and animal husbandry society and the current results .

Chen Qing nodded and said to everyone: "The establishment of this kind of cooperative is not a new thing. It is similar to the industrial cooperatives in the handicraft industry, but it is the cooperatives in the animal husbandry industry. I support this kind of industrial cooperatives very much. It is very important for regulating breeding and mediating conflicts. Waiting is very useful, I wonder if the county government has a special person to manage the farming and animal husbandry cooperatives in the whole county?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, we have an agricultural and animal husbandry officer, equivalent to Liu Cao, who is responsible for managing the agricultural and animal husbandry club!"

Chen Qing said slowly: "I suggest that Liu Cao be appointed part-time, and then once a year, so as to prevent the small officials from colluding with the farming and animal husbandry cooperatives to harm the farmers. Going to Jingzhao to file a complaint and alarming the Supervision Department, you will be in trouble."

The officials stood up in fright, "We will definitely pay attention to it!"

Chen Qing waved his hand, let everyone sit down again, and said with a smile: "I have another suggestion. I heard that the farming and animal husbandry cooperatives limit the number of sheep raised by each household. Is that true?"

"Exactly, each household has to have more than [-] at most, otherwise the pastures by the river can't bear it."

"But in fact, most families only raise a few dozen sheep, and those with more than [-] are very few. The riverside is still far from being utilized."

Xie Qiong hesitated for a moment and said, "But, the pasture by the river is everyone's resource, so it would be unfair for the family to take up a lot of it?"

"That's the problem! Too much consideration for fairness, but ignoring interests, obviously can provide more meat!"

Everyone understood that His Highness must have a good suggestion, Xie Qiong said quickly: "I beg Your Highness to advise!"

Chen Qing smiled slightly and said: "I can't talk about advice, just give me some advice! Breeding can be divided into free-range and captive. There is an upper limit for free-range, but there is no upper limit for captive. People can obviously buy grass to raise sheep. The extra fodder can also be sold to big farmers in captivity, why not do things that can be solved with money?"

Suddenly, everyone bowed together and said, "Your Highness's suggestion, we will definitely carry it out!"

……