Fenghou

"Your suggestion is correct, it's just that increasing troops is not that simple."

Chen Qing explained to her: "Currently Datong Mansion has 1 soldiers, and Orihiko has the least number of troops in all of them. The reason is that I don't trust Orihiko very much. I am worried that a new army will appear on Hebei Road." Separatist forces.

So I have been observing secretly for the past few years. Generally speaking, Orihiko has performed well and is very cautious. His defensive range has not expanded to the south, and it is still limited to Datong Prefecture and Yingzhou. Based on his performance in 3, I plan to expand his force to [-].

But just when I was about to order an increase in troops, the Intelligence Department sent me a message that Orihiko had a son last year, but he did not file a record with the Department of Military Affairs. military deployment. "

Zhao Yingluo is a woman, and it is easier for her to think about issues from the perspective of a woman and a mother. She pondered for a moment and asked, "Orihiko is sixty years old, right? I've heard of him since I was a child."

"Almost nearly sixty."

"Husband, all his nephews and nephews died in the battle, and finally got a son when he was old. One can imagine his love for his son. He may have to hide it from the military department because he didn't want his son to leave his side. I believe that the husband originally trusted him. He, let him lead the army to guard the Datong Mansion, you shouldn't have doubts about him just because of a child!"

Chen Qing nodded, "You are very reasonable. I will consider it. Maybe in the second half of the year, I will go to Datong Mansion and talk to Orihiko in person."

……

The team marched all the way to the south, heading towards and staying at night. Five days later, the team passed Jianmen Pass, entered Sichuan Road, and arrived at Jianzhou first, but the team did not stop. After walking for two more days, the team finally arrived at Chengdu Mansion.

Lu Xingtai Minister Shi Lv Qingshan, Military and Horse Envoy Zheng Ping, Prefect Zheng Ainong and other senior military and political officials came out of the city to welcome Chen Qing.

Chen Qing exchanged pleasantries with everyone, then entered the city and stayed at the expensive hotel. Chen Qing first met Lu Qingshan. Lu Qingshan had the title of Counselor of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. a bridge between.

Lv Qingshan is worthy of being a prime minister of the imperial court. In the past few years, the Sichuan Road has been managed in an orderly manner, and the counselors of the Internal Affairs Hall all praised him highly.

"The biggest problem with Sichuan Road now is that the taxes are a bit too heavy, and the people are quite resentful. Especially the news that Henan Road has been tax-free for ten years has caused many officials to have opinions."

"Has Chang Shi explained to them? Why tax exemption for ten years."

Chen Qing said lightly: "I believe Chang Shi should be very clear about the situation on Henan Road."

Lu Qingshan hurriedly said: "Of course I told them that the people on Henan Road have been devastated, and the hinterland of the former imperial capital has become riddled with holes. The ten-year tax exemption is for self-cultivation."

Chen Qing shook his head, "The actual situation is ten times worse than what you said. Three years ago, there was a severe drought in the eastern part of Henan Road, and there was also a plague of locusts. The autumn grains in the five states were not harvested, but the taxes were not less. Selling children and daughters is still a trivial matter. , the world's most tragic Yi Zi Er Shi has appeared, and the puppet Qi collapsed because of this disaster."

"Beizhi understands what His Highness means, and I don't want to compare with Henan Road, but compared with other places, the taxes on Sichuan Road are indeed slightly higher. What Beizhi said is the truth."

Chen Qing understood that Lu Qingshan just wanted to take the opportunity of his inspection to reduce taxes on Sichuan Road.

At this time, Zhou Kuan smiled and said, "I was stationed on Sichuan Road for a long time to purchase grain, and later I was in charge of finance and taxation for several years. Let me say a few words!"

Chen Qing nodded, "Speak, Counselor Zhou!"

Zhou Kuan said unhurriedly: "The tax on Sichuan Road is mainly four yuan, salt and wine tax, land tax, household tax and commercial tax, and there is nothing else. The land tax is mainly for grain, and the twenty tax is one, which is collected every year. The tax and food we received can support our [-] troops. The household tax is [-] cash per household per year, which is equivalent to [-] cash per month. The tax is [-]%, followed by the commercial tax, then the household tax, and finally the land tax. If you want to reduce the household tax and land tax, it is not impossible, as long as you make a slight adjustment in the salt tax and wine tax, for example, the price of salt per catty will increase by [-] cents. , the total tax is still inconvenient, but the people feel that the tax has been reduced.”

Chen Qing smiled at Lu Qingshan: "Lv Changshi will make a plan according to Counselor Zhou's opinion! As long as the Zhengshitang can pass it, I have no objection."

At this time, Zhou Kuan said again: "Your Highness, there is actually another feasible plan!"

"What plan?"

Zhou Kuan smiled slightly and said: "It is to encourage pigs to be raised in various places in Bashu, and then the army will increase purchases, farmers will be able to increase their income through sideline businesses, and the pressure on land taxes will be reduced, but land taxes do not need to be reduced, and the effect of reducing household taxes is just as good. "

Lu Qingshan quickly explained: "It is a good way to raise pigs, but there is not so much food to feed pigs."

"I can think of a way!"

Chen Qing smiled and said, "For example, what kind of oil are you growing now?"

"Mainly grow sesame seeds!"

"You can grow soybeans instead. The soybean meal left after soybean oil extraction is the best feed for pigs. It can be mixed with rice bran and wheat bran as feed. You can also grow corn, which is also good for raising pigs. There are even a large number of beef tongues planted on both sides of the valley. Vegetables are not only liked by pigs, but also by chickens, ducks and geese. Alfalfa and wild peas are grown in the north, and ox tongue vegetables are grown in Sichuan Road, which are all over the mountains and plains. The problem of raising pig feed is not enough.”

Lu Qingshan nodded, "His Highness's suggestion is very inspiring, I must brainstorm and find an effective way to promote it."

Chen Qing waved his hand, "Let's not talk about the tax issue now, I want to know, how many officials from Jinghu South Road have come here?"

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

Lu Qingshan hurriedly said: "Currently only 16 people have come here, mainly because of the road problem, there may still be a large number of officials on the way."

Zheng Ping, who remained silent all this time, said: "We have set up a checkpoint in Xiazhou. The low-level officials have received letters from Feige. Many officials are on their way, and they will arrive one after another in two or three days."

Chen Qing nodded and said to Zhou Kuan: "For the officials who have already arrived, the Department of Officials can contact them. The Department of Officials will be responsible for receiving the officials who come later. If there are insufficient manpower, the Department of Officials will provide assistance."

Zhou Kuan hurriedly said: "Please rest assured, Your Highness, the humble job will make arrangements!"

……

Chen Qing stayed in the expensive hotel, he couldn't sit still, and immediately took Zhao Yingluo to the street in a carriage.

Ever since Chen Qing's private visit in Weifu was in danger in Yuchi County, the Internal Affairs Hall has made strict regulations on his travel. go out.

And the accompanying soldiers should not be less than 20 people.

The place Chen Qing went to was Dawazi on Jinguan Street. This is the largest Wazi in Chengdu. It has everything you need to eat, drink, and play. There are dense shops on both sides of the entrance. If you want to visit in private, Chen Qing usually chooses Wazi, because Wazi is the closest to people's livelihood, and the living conditions of the people at the bottom can be seen in Wazi.

"pull over!"

Chen Qing shouted, and the carriage stopped slowly on the side of the road.

Not far away is a small shop in Changping, with a distinctive red roof logo, which can be seen from a long distance.

Chen Qing didn't get out of the car, and sat in the carriage to observe the details of the Changping House. There were two long queues outside the Changping House. There were at least two to 300 people, most of them were old people, and many of them staggered with pockets in their hands.

There are not so many people in Jingzhao City’s shelters, usually only three or four people. The population of Chengdu Mansion and Jingzhao Mansion are similar, and the number of shelters invested is also similar. Why is there such a big gap between the queues?

Moreover, this flat house is not in a residential area, and there are relatively high-end commercial shops nearby. Why are there so many old people queuing here?Is there a charitable institution nearby?

Chen Qing still felt that something was wrong. If it was a Tzu Chi home, it should be delivered to the door. The old people were not allowed to carry heavy rice bags back home. Moreover, the old people in the Tzu Chi home should wear the same clothes, but these old people wore different clothes. Each is completely different, and they don't speak to each other, as if they don't know each other.

These are the details. From these details, Chen Qing felt something was wrong.

Chen Qing beckoned a soldier to come up and told them a few words. The soldier went to inquire. It was very simple to ask a few old people about the situation.

After a while, the soldiers came back and reported, "His Royal Highness, the first day of every month is the Respect for the Aged Day. From the afternoon, the ordinary house is only open to the elderly. Elderly people over 60 years old can receive a bucket of noodles for free." And half a catty of coarse salt, there are seven points in total for the elderly. I saw that each of them took a wooden sign, which seemed to be an April card. After receiving it, the April card was taken away on the spot and replaced with a May card. Said it was a card issued by the government."

Chen Qing nodded happily. Chengdu Mansion has done a good job in this aspect, which is worth learning from Jingzhao Mansion, but some details still need to be improved.

The carriage started again and drove towards the big tile one mile away.

The carriage stopped at the gate of Dawazi, Chen Qing got out of the carriage first, and then slowly got off holding Zhao Yingluo's hand.

Both of them were dressed in ordinary people's clothes, but they were still too different. Chen Qing had a tall and straight figure, with a murderous look without anger, while Zhao Yingluo's face was as beautiful as a country. Although she could not see her face with a hood, she The plump yet slender tall figure attracts the attention of countless people like a swan.

Zhao Yingluo took Chen Qing's hand and walked slowly. From the moment she entered the gate, there were hundreds of steps densely packed with snack shops. It was still a while before dinner, and most of the shops had few customers. Chen Qing suddenly It was found that the people who seemed to be eating in various shops were internal guard soldiers.

"Husband, let's try this one!"

Zhao Yingluo suddenly became interested in a shop next to her. Chen Qing looked at the signboard, which said Wangji Soup and Cake Shop, a very common name. Looking at the shop, it turned out to be an old couple with gray hair.

Chen Qing immediately understood, and said with a smile, "Okay! It's his house."

Chen Qing took Zhao Yingluo's hand into the small shop and sat down. The benevolent old lady brought water to them and praised: "What a couple like gods! What do you young couple want to eat?"

Zhao Yingluo's heart was full of joy when she said the phrase "a couple like gods", she smiled sweetly and said, "Use the soup cakes you are good at!"

"Okay! Old man, here are two bowls of red oil shredded pork soup cakes."

At this time, more than 20 strong men walked in from the outside and filled the small shop. They were all Chen Qing's personal soldiers. They were like taking over the shop.

The two old men were stunned, a little at a loss, Chen Qing said with a smile: "Shopkeeper, I will pay their bills, do you have steamed buns here?"

"No, but there is one next door. I'll buy it. How much does it cost, sir?"

"There are twenty people here, you can buy sixty big steamed buns, and serve each of them a bowl of hot noodle soup."

"I see, I'll go buy it."

Chen Qing stopped him, "Old man, continue to cook two bowls of soup cakes for us, Wang Hou and Zhang Tuan, you two go buy them."

Wang Hou and Zhang Tuan went down with a few men. The two old people were a little disappointed. So many customers came into the store, but they only drank noodle soup. How could they charge money!

But they still cooked soup and cakes for Chen Qing and Zhao Yingluo, and after a while, the old man brought them to them himself.

Chen Qingxiao asked: "Just now when I passed by Changping House, I saw many old people queuing up to get food and coarse salt. Why don't you go to get them? You should be over 60 years old!"

The old man smiled wryly and said, "We are all over [-], but we are not registered locally. We came from Guozhou to accompany our son."

"Where is your son?"

The old man pointed to the ground and said sadly: "He was buried in Chengdu and died in battle with the Jin soldiers in the second year of Shaoxing."

Chen Qing choked sharply, and asked for a while, "Didn't his body or ashes be sent back to his hometown?"

"He fought at Dasan Pass, and he died too many to be distinguished, so he was burned together and transported back to Chengdu to be buried together."

Chen Qing asked again: "You should have pensions! Is there only one son?"

"Twenty pennies were given for the pension, and it was used up for the medical treatment of the elder son. The elder son died of illness the year before last. We sold the ancestral land and buried him. Then we came to Chengdu to make a living and accompany the younger son by the way."

"How much is the monthly rent for this small shop? Is the money enough to live on?"

"The rent is three pennies, and there is less than two pennies left. It is enough for us two old people to live. Our health is getting worse and worse. I don't think we can do it for a long time. Hey! Let's live every day!"

Chen Qing couldn't take it anymore, he said for a long time: "The pension is less, the Western Army stipulates that the pension is [-] guan, and for the Jin soldiers who died in battle, the pension is double, and you can still receive another [-] guan."

The two old people were overjoyed, "Really? No one told us!"

"The Western Army later reissued it. The county government has a list and can be found. Then, on the Respect for the Aged Day on the first day of each month, elderly people from other places can also receive it. This is also a new rule. Tomorrow I will ask my subordinates to take you to the county government to go through the formalities. .”

"Great! Is the young master also an official?"

Chen Qing shook his head and said with a smile: "I am a general of the Western Army, I know these rules, and I can help you too!"

The two old men knelt down to Chen Qing, and Chen Qing was startled, "What are you doing? Get up quickly."

The two old men said with tears in their eyes: "Thank you General for your great help. With these forty pennies, we can survive."

Chen Qing sighed, "Maybe your son is still my subordinate, so it is right to help you, okay! Tomorrow morning, my subordinates will take you to the county government office, Wang Hou!"

"I am humble!"

"Tomorrow morning, you take the two old people to the county government office to go through the formalities."

"Follow the order!"

Chen Qing glanced at Zhao Yingluo, and saw that her eyes were red, obviously she had also shed tears just now.

"Let's go!"

Zhao Yingluo nodded and stood up. Chen Qing took an ingot of ten taels of silver and put it on the table with a smile, "You don't need to look for it. I'll rent the rest for you!"

The old man was a bit knowledgeable, and recognized the silver on the table, so he waved his hand in fright, "How can this work, two bowls of noodles only cost twenty Wen, how can we charge you silver."

"Wang Hou, you handle it here, let's go!"

Chen Qing and Zhao Yingluo left the small shop under the escort of a large group of guards.

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

Chen Qing was not in a good mood and didn't want to go any further. He wanted to go back to the expensive hotel. When he reached the gate of Wazi, Wang Hou chased him out and reported to Chen Qing: "Give them the money, the old couple is very grateful, Say you met a nobleman."

"You didn't reveal my identity, did you!"

"No! The humble position says that His Highness is an important general of the Western Army."

Chen Qing nodded, "Take them to the county government office tomorrow morning, and let the county government pay the forty pensions first, and the garrison will supply them later, as well as the sign of respecting the elderly in May."

"Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will take care of it."

Only then did Chen Qing open the car door to let Zhao Yingluo get in the car. He was surprised to find that Zhao Yingluo's hair on the right side was scattered, "Yingluo, where is your hairpin?"

Zhao Yingluo panicked and said, "Maybe I forgot it at the expensive hotel and left in a bit of a hurry."

Chen Qing gave her a meaningful look, and without saying anything, directly helped her into the carriage.

Chen Qing got into the carriage, and under the guard of his own soldiers, the carriage quickly returned to the distinguished guests.

……

After Chen Qing left, a large number of inner guard soldiers disguised as ordinary people quickly followed, this shocked Dawazi, and the merchants talked a lot, what important person came?

A few well-informed people knew that King Yong had arrived in Chengdu in the morning, so they began to guess that there were so many guards, and even Zheng Ping, the governor, had only a few personal escorts, and the long history Lu Qingshan had no army guards, so it must be His Royal Highness Yong. Yes, although the news was speculation, it was well-founded, and soon spread throughout Wazi.

In the soup and cake shop, the old woman was clearing away the bowls and chopsticks. When clearing Chen Qing's table, she sighed and said to herself, "I didn't even eat, and I paid so much money, hey! Really..."

At this time, she suddenly saw a brocade handkerchief beside the beautiful woman's table, "Oh! That little lady forgot her handkerchief."

Picking up the handkerchief, she suddenly felt that it was heavy. When she opened it, she was stunned. Inside was a shiny golden hairpin with a large ruby ​​inlaid on it, which looked very precious at first glance.

"My wife! Old woman!"

The old man ran in excitedly, "Do you know who the person who gave us the silver is? It's His Royal Highness King Yong, and it's spread outside."