People in the Eastern Han Dynasty, Hu and Han respected together

Chapter 140

Jincheng, Yunwu, are on both sides of the Huangshui River, and there are large areas of newly reclaimed fields, but the seeds have not germinated at this time, and they are all bare at first glance.

And in the middle of these fields, many shacks were built, just like this simple shack, but it was the place where many people lived.

There are men and women, old and young...

The old man is still quite happy playing with the children. The woman is cooking. The rice is cooked in the cauldron. A lot of water is added to it, and a few wild vegetables are mixed with it. Only in this way can the stomach be filled better.

At this time, a group of local officials came over with drums and gongs. These movements quickly alarmed the people, and all the people were alerted immediately.

According to the past experience in Ji County, Chencang and other places, as long as these small officials come here, they will either collect this kind of tax, or collect that kind of tax, or collect corvee. They are even more vicious than tigers and wolves in the mountains.

Among these small officials, one of the leaders looked at these panicked and fearful people, raised his head and chest, and wanted to shake his prestige.

But soon he remembered again, now that he had replaced a new mansion, he immediately went limp, and even showed a smile on his face.

Because he clearly knew that as long as he shakes his prestige now, he will lose his head when he goes back.

There is no way, the Han Dynasty is a society ruled by people, and various systems are not as perfect as the later generations. Whether the local officials are good or bad depends on the local prefect, whether he is a good official or a corrupt official!
A good official can make the place not closed at night, and the roads do not pick up lost things, but a corrupt official can make the place full of smog and treacherous officials.

If you want to govern the region, you have to spend a lot of effort. If you want to corrupt the region, it will only happen overnight.

At this time, the little official spoke, with a gentle smile on his face, and his words were also very gentle:

"Fathers and folks, this time we came here to announce two things, one of which is to exempt taxes this year. The Li Fu Lord in the county is sympathetic to the hardships of the people, exempting all the money, taxes, and land taxes...how much land has been reclaimed, how much food has been grown, all belong to you..."

Hearing this, everyone present was stunned for a moment, then ecstatically, and at the same time felt a little disbelieving.

Then the little official continued to speak:
"Another thing is that corvée needs to be collected now. All people over the age of 15 and under the age of 40 must participate..."

As soon as these words came out, everyone present turned from joy to anger, but ordinary people were obedient and docile, and they would never rise up to resist unless they were driven to a dead end.

But the worry, fear, fear on that face... just lingering.

Then the little official comforted and explained:

"Fathers, folks, you don't have to be afraid. This time, the government's conscripts are not for you to serve as soldiers on the border, nor for you to build palaces, but for you to build houses. In the end, all these newly built houses will be assigned to you..."

"The government has distributed seeds, farm tools, and cattle, and led everyone to reclaim so many fields, but how can there be only fields and no houses? This time I will only work locally, and I will never go to other places!"

Hearing this comfort and explanation, everyone present was still worried, but the little official who always acted fiercely and evil was so gentle today, which made the people feel a little relieved.

Then the little official started to recruit people, and all the young and strong laborers over the age of 15 and under the age of 40 were found out.

Depending on the situation of each family, some fathers and sons were singled out, and some brothers were singled out... In the end, more than 100 young and strong laborers were found.

After all, there are only more than 400 people resettled in this settlement, and it is actually quite good to find a hundred young and strong laborers.

Seeing the people's cooperation so much, the petty official almost fell into an official addiction, and wanted to put on a show to get some benefits, but finally endured it:
"Bring your hoes and baskets and go with us, the government will provide you with food and lodging!"

Those young and strong laborers had to bring hoes and baskets, and after saying goodbye to their wives, children, and children, they had to embark on this journey of corvee labor.

When Zhao Xian resettled the people, he scattered them along the banks of the Huangshui River in various counties, and now it is troublesome to gather them together again.

Just ten days later, nearly [-] young and strong laborers, almost all of them have come to the vicinity of Yunwu.

Because of Li Wenhou's threat and Zhao Xian's repeated exhortations, the officials are very well-behaved.

It didn't recruit tenants, or oppress the common people to seek benefits. This time, the collection of corvee was relatively smooth.

Perhaps it was also because of the one-year tax exemption, and the levying of corvee this time was also for the purpose of building houses. Few of these young laborers escaped, or they all fled to the mountains with their families.

At the same time, Li Yao brought the relevant craftsmen to the vicinity of Yunwu, and Li Yao and Zhao Xian met.

One side has relevant craftsmen, and the other side has a lot of labor. The two hit it off and decided to start working immediately.

Soon the first brick kiln and the first tile kiln were built one after another, and more brick kilns and more tile kilns were being built quickly.

The soil suitable for burning bricks and making tiles was also mined by these young and strong laborers, and they were either carried or carried, and they were transported in baskets one after another.

Zhao Xian still felt that it was too extravagant to only build houses for the common people, but even make such a big battle, and even make bricks and tiles.

However, he also understood Li Yao's thoughts. In the future, these brick kilns, tile kilns, and related craftsmen will be directly converted from civilian use to military use, and the common people have enough experience to build cities, fortresses, and their desire to rebel is clearly revealed.

Zhao Xian shook his head again, and quickly threw himself into various tasks.

Zhao Xian is basically in charge of all the work now, while Li Yao is leading the relevant craftsmen and is repeatedly trying to improve the structure of the kang.

The key is the flue, so that the firepower can be fully utilized, and at the same time, the smoke can be smoothly discharged out of the house through the flue.

Li Yao talked about his ideas and design drawings, and the relevant craftsmen offered their suggestions for improvement, and quickly came up with a sample by brainstorming.

Just in a house, the kitchen is outside, the bedroom is inside, the stove and couch are directly connected together, separated by a wall in the middle, and the flue is from the stove to the couch and then to the outside of the house to ensure full use of firepower and smooth smoke discharge.

It's time to give it a try next time, and you'll have to sleep all night to know the effect!

(End of this chapter)