The World of Yellow Sky

Yan Zhong withdrew his gaze. It had been some time since Xu An summoned him. Although he was a little curious about the Eagle Wolf Guard, he couldn't make Xu An wait too long.

Yan Zhong quickly walked towards the direction of the experience department, almost all the yellow angels did not know Yan Zhong, so no one stopped Yan Zhong, and Yan Zhong directly stepped into the experience department.

In the experience department, not only Xu Anzai, Liu Pi, Gong Du, Zhang Yan and other generals gathered here.

Xu An was frowning at this moment, looking at the bamboo slips in his hand, as if thinking about something, but Xu An also heard Yan Zhong's footsteps.

Yan Zhong first made a series to Xu An, and asked suspiciously: "My lord, why did you call me so eagerly?"

Xu An motioned Yan Zhong to sit down, and said, "Remember what I said earlier about collecting land from those tyrants in Shangdang County who invaded the land?"

"The Eagle Wolf Guard has already recorded the land collected from those tyrants."

Yan Zhong's eyes lit up, and his face also showed joy.

"That's very good. Those hidden households, as well as refugees, households that lack land, have records in the government office. I am still a little worried that I will not be able to catch up with the spring planting, and the farming season will be missed."

Xu An smiled and continued, "I will ask the Eagle Wolf Guard to deliver the bamboo slips to your office later."

"However, how to use these lands, what can the military division have in mind?"

Hearing Xu An's inquiry, Yan Zhong replied without hesitation: "I think these lands are directly assigned to the name of Taiping Road and leased to those households for use."

Xu An had mentioned this matter to Yan Zhong before, so Yan Zhong actually had a draft in his chest.

Xu An then asked: "What percentage of the tax do you think the military advisor should charge?"

Xu An was indeed a little uncertain about the percentage of the tax that should be charged. He did not have a detailed understanding of the taxes in the Han Dynasty.

He vaguely remembered that the land tax in the Han Dynasty was only [-] yuan, but if only these taxes were collected, it would not be enough for the Yellow Turban Army at this stage.

Yan Zhong replied: "Preaching the Way of Peace everywhere is to persuade people to do good. The army strictly prohibits soldiers from disturbing the people, and public trials of powerful and bully to win the hearts of the people. It is even more unwilling to force the people to join the army and join the Tao."

"I think the land tax should be slightly lighter in order to win the hearts of the people for the lord."

"The whole territory of Shangdang belongs to Huang Tian. My lord has not promulgated any decree to recover taxes, and my lord's collection of corvees is also a supplement of money. So I think the tax can be collected at [-]% now."

Xu An frowned slightly, and confirmed to Yan Zhong: "Thirty percent?"

"Yes, [-]% of the rent tax, and now there is no other tax collected. There is no head tax, and there are no complex and exorbitant taxes such as counting and oral taxes. Collecting [-]% of the tax looks at the world today. It can even be said to be a cultivation , and it is in line with my lord's current strategy."

In fact, as Yan Zhong said, if it was only land tax in the Han Dynasty, it was indeed light, but in fact, far more than land tax was paid, poll tax, oral tax, counting tax...

There are also a series of new exorbitant taxes, as well as the corvee conscripted by the government, all of which are like a mountain on the shoulders of Shengdou Xiaomin.

In the Han Dynasty, from the time of birth, as long as the name appeared in the government's household registration book, everyone had to pay poll tax.

Although the tax rate on the land is very low, the head tax still has to be paid a lot for the family.

At the beginning of the founding of the Han Dynasty, it was stipulated that the scope of oral tax collection was from children aged seven to 14, and each person was 23 yuan per year.

In the fourth year of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty (203 BC), "the beginning of the calculation was Fu".

It is stipulated that all adult men and women aged 15 to 56 years old shall pay 120 yuan per person per year.

It is called a calculation, and it is used to purchase chariots, horses and weapons.In the time of Emperor Wen, it was changed to 40 qian, and in the time of Emperor Wu, it was restored to 120 qian. In the time of Emperor Xuan, it was calculated as 90 qian, and in the time of Emperor Cheng, it was calculated as 80 qian.

Although the advantage counting tax will be slightly reduced at certain times, the tax reduction measures will not be implemented for a long time, and the burden on the people is still heavy.

"From the 56th to the [-]th of the year of the Republic of China, the money is paid for the purchase of soldiers and horses." "Hanyi Notes"

During the reign of Emperor Hui, the government also used counting as a political means to encourage people to have children.

"In the six years of Emperor Hui, if a girl from fifteen to thirty did not marry, she would be counted five times." That is to say, if a girl was 15 years old and had not married, she would have to pay five times the ordinary people's population tax, that is, 600 yuan.

In that fragile small-scale peasant economy era, although the national land tax was very low, the agricultural output was also very low.

In good harvest years, apart from various tax and tax expenses, the people can barely maintain their lives.

However, in the event of natural disasters and man-made disasters, locust floods and droughts, countless people will go bankrupt immediately. At this time, those gentry tyrants will take the opportunity to collect the fields, turn the bankrupt farmers into slaves, and further strengthen their power and family.

Chapter 191 Raiding the River East

After negotiating the land tax, Yan Zhong looked at the generals of the Yellow Turban Army who were sitting in the experience department, and then asked: "My lord, I should not be called just for the land tax, right?"

Xu An nodded and admitted, "Yes, there is one more thing."

All the generals and schools who had passed through the Yellow Turban Army cheered up and looked at Xu An.

Xu An continued: "The Eagle Guard has found out the news. Lu Zhi has returned to Sili from Bingzhou. The soldiers from Shangjun and Xihe counties have returned to the county. The pressure on the Han army in the north has been relieved."

"Liu Pi, take the topography map of mountains and rivers, and the sand table."

"promise."

Liu Pi, who was standing behind Xu An, immediately agreed, turned around and gave orders, and the Tiqi of the Eagle Wolf Guards moved quickly.

Not long after, a huge map of mountains and rivers was hung in the hall of experience.

The terrain around Dang County on this map of mountains and rivers is quite detailed, but the rest of the counties look a bit crude.

This is because this map was drawn based on the original topographic map of Shangdang County, plus some information from the recent Eagle Guard investigation, and some memories of Xu An.

Everyone looked at the topographic map of mountains and rivers in front of them, and their moods were a little agitated for a while.

The four places of Taiyue, Wangwu, Taihang, and Shangdang were painted with light yellow fuel, the forces of the Xiongnu in the north were painted with light blue paint, and the Han Dynasty was painted with light red.

At this time, the situation of the Han Empire in Bingzhou was not optimistic. The four counties of Yunzhong County, Wuyuan County, Shuofang County, and Dingxiang County were basically all light blue paint, as well as the northern part of Shang County and Yanmen County. , also a light blue paint.

In fact, these four counties had already belonged to the sphere of influence of the Huns by the fourth year of Zhongping. The emperor still obeys the orders of the Han Empire.

The light red pigment that belonged to the Han Empire was sandwiched between the blue and yellow colors, that is, the forces of the Huns and the forces of the Yellow Turban Army led by Xu An.

Now in Bingzhou, the Han Empire actually only controls the four counties of Yanmen County, Shang County, Xihe County, and Taiyuan County.

The long border also put great pressure on the Han army in Bingzhou.

After a while, a sand table was also pushed out by the Tiqi of the Eagle Wolf Guard, and placed not far in front of Xu An, in front of the huge mountain and river topography map.

"Get up, everyone, come and take a look at this sand table."

In the experience department, all the generals of the Yellow Turban Army gathered around and gathered in front of the sand table, carefully observing the sand table Xu An was talking about.

The sand table was cut out of sand and gravel, and the area was quite large, depicting the same place as the topography map of mountains and rivers hanging in front of everyone.

The place where the Han army was stationed used a red flag to indicate the location of the Han army, and the yellow flag was the place where the Yellow Turban army was stationed.

The small flag on the top also has the name, which represents the general who leads the army.

Liu Pi, Zhang Yan and others had seen Xu An's sand table at Jingxing Pass. Xu An had set up a similar sand table on the eve of the attack on the Han army's camp on Shijian Mountain.

However, Guo Tai, Xu Huang and the others were naturally unheard of and unseen, so they found it novel.

Zhou Cang propped his hands on the edge of the sand table and said: "This sand table is much clearer than the topographic map of mountains and rivers."

"Indeed." Guo Tai nodded, "If you are fighting in the mountains, scouts survey the terrain, and you can place sand tables in the camp, it will be much more convenient to mobilize troops."

Xu An said with a smile: "The Eagle Guard's Tiqi is learning from this. In future battles, I will naturally send the Eagle Guard's Tiqi to help set up the sand table."

"But today is not for you to see what this sand table can do."

Xu An took a long stick and pointed at the hanging map of mountains and rivers.

"In February of this year, the citizens of Xingyang County will rise up. The rebel army will win in the early stage. The Han army will not be able to resist. They will advance all the way to the middle base, which is here."

Everyone looked in the direction indicated by the long stick in Xu An's hand, and the head of the stick landed on the east side of Luoyang City, the middle base of Hanoi County.

"However, the rebel army in Xingyang County is weak, and will be defeated by the Han army in about March. The Han Empire will not allow any force to threaten the capital."

Guo Tai's complexion changed slightly, but he calmed down quickly. He had also heard rumors about Xu An from other generals before.

Now Xu An said with certainty that in February this year, the people of Xingyang County will revolt.

Guo Tai looked around Liu Pi, Yan Zhong and the others and saw that they seemed to be convinced, so he didn't ask any questions.

Xu An looked around at the crowd and said: "The eyes of the Han army will be temporarily attracted by these rebels, and what we have to do is to take advantage of the distraction of the Han army's attention and attack Hedong County in one fell swoop."

"I thought about helping the rebels in Xingyang County, but the Eagle Guard sent a scouting report. The Han Empire has now strengthened its defense in Hanoi County, and the Yellow River is naturally dangerous. There are very few places for us to cross the river, and the gain outweighs the loss. Therefore, it is simply unrealistic to join forces with the rebel army in Xingyang County."

"So I decided that taking advantage of the time when they were attracting the attention of the Han army, taking Hedong County can be regarded as sharing some pressure for them and comforting their sacrifice."

Holding the long stick in his hand, Xu An looked at the crowd and asked, "Do you have any objections to the capture of Hedong County?"

Everyone replied without thinking: "But listen to the orders of the great virtuous teacher and general."

Xu An's prestige in the Yellow Turban Army even surpassed that of Zhang Jiao in the past. The decisions he made were rarely refuted by the generals under his command. Only Yan Zhong would occasionally raise some details that Xu An hadn't noticed.

Guo Tai was newly attached, so naturally he would not rashly question Xu An's decision.

Xu An was quite satisfied with the reaction of the generals, and continued: "In this case, let me talk about the strategy I made first, and everyone, let's watch the sand table."

Everyone followed Xu An's long stick and looked towards Hedong County in the sand table.

Hedong County is located to the east of the Yellow River, and to the south is Zhongtiao Mountain. The south of Zhongtiao Mountain is adjacent to the Yellow River, so it can be called a dangerous place.

It faces the Yellow River in the west and Bingzhou Shangjun across the river, and faces Taiyue and Wangwu Mountains in the east.

To the north is the southern part of Luliang Mountain, bordering Xihe County, while the flat area in the county is from the Yellow River area in the southwest to the northeast area, that is, the southeast of Luliang Mountain, bordering Taiyuan County.

After everyone watched for a while, Xu An continued, "It's the end of January now, and it will be February in a few days."

Xu An paused, and said in a deep voice, "Where is Guo Tai?"

"The end is here."

Guo Tai quickly clasped his fists in response.

"Now the Wangwu and Taiyue mountains are under our jurisdiction. The Baibo army is good at mountain warfare. I need you to send a partial division into Zhongtiao Mountain to occupy Zhongtiao and attract the attention of the Han army."

Guo just agreed after Taiwei thought about it.

"There's another place."

Guo Tai looked at the place Xu An was pointing at, and the place Xu An was pointing at on the sand table looked like a valley, in the very center of Hedong County, and that place was also the middle of the flat area of ​​Hedong County.

"Here?" Guo Tai had a puzzled look on his face.

"This is the White Wave Valley."

Xu An smiled and answered Guo Tai's doubts.

Guo Tai's eyes flickered, and he raised his head to look at Xu An.

He was still wondering why Xu An would designate him as Baibo General and his subordinates as Baibo Army.

Chapter 192 Military Discussion Strategy

Xu An put his hands on the sand table and continued: "The Eagle Wolf Guard has penetrated into Baibo Valley and the surrounding area."

"The deployment of the Han army has been marked on the sand table. There are only two small groups of bandits in the Baibo Valley, and there is only one Han army stationed at the pass outside the valley. There is nothing to fear."

"There are not many Han troops in Hedong County in the north, only more than a thousand people. After you occupy the Baibo Valley and cut off the connection between the north and the south of Hedong County, I will lead the army out from the passes of Taiyue Mountain and cut off the connection between Hedong County and Taiyuan. .”

"promise."

Guo Tai promised, and replied: "In addition to the soldiers defending the pass, the Baibo Army under my command currently has five soldiers that can be mobilized. Han Siam is alert and has always been calm. He can lead two soldiers to Zhongtiao Mountain. Lead three armies to attack Baibo Valley."

"Okay, when you attack Baibo Valley, I will ask Zhang Yan to send troops from Taiyue Mountain to support, and Gong Du will lead an army to accompany you."

Xu An received Guo Tai's response, turned his head to look at Zhang Yan who was on the side, and continued.

"The Han army in the northern part of Hedong County is not to be feared. Zhang Yan, after you occupy the junction of Hedong County and Taiyuan County, you can lead the troops south and attack the northern part of Hedong County."

"Guo Tai, when the time comes, let Gong Du lead the army to stay in Hanoi and cut off the contact between the northern and southern Han armies. Then you lead the army to Luliang Mountain. I have never heard of a large group of bandits in Luliang Mountain. There are not many Han troops stationed here, mainly at the Caisangjin ferry, and I need you to quickly occupy Caisangjin and cut off the support route of the Han army in Shangjun."

"At that time, Zhang Yan will also march westward, attack Luliang Mountain, and cut off the possible reinforcement routes of the Han army in Xihe County."

Yan Zhong nodded slightly, there was nothing wrong with Xu An's strategy.

After Xu An assigned the orders of the three generals, he turned his head to look at Yan Zhong, and asked, "Military division, is Shangdang County Governor still busy?"

Yan Zhong replied: "It is roughly on the right track. The Shangdang County has benefited from the last public trial, and the order is very good."

Xu An hesitated for a moment, but still said: "I am going to lead an army to look south from Baibo Valley, conquer Hedong County, and let the army division follow the army."

At this time in February of the fourth year of Zhongping (187), Liangzhou will be replaced by Geng Ting as the governor. After taking office, Geng Tin began to recruit soldiers aggressively, preparing to crusade against Han Sui.

The main force of the Han army is in the Sili Xiaowei Department, near Meiyang in Youfufeng, and the pressure from Liangzhou is naturally greatly reduced.

If Xu An led troops to attack Henan County at this time, there was no guarantee that he would not send an army to support Henan County.

That's why Xu An needed Yan Zhong to help him lead the army together, otherwise in case of defeat, the impact would be unbearable for Xu An.

After thinking for a moment, Yan Zhong said, "The current affairs in the county are basically not uncomfortable. Zhao Le, the Patriarch of the Terrace Zhao family, has grown a lot these days, so it won't be a big problem to keep him in the eldest son city."