Datang: Ten Years of Proton, Leading an Army of Millions to Return

"Old man," Li Kuan asked after the old man who led them to the government gate put on his cotton-padded clothes:

"I wonder if you are still warm after putting on this cotton coat?"

"Although the wind is still quite cold, I feel much better now," the old man said with a smile, and at the end a hint of apology appeared on his face.
"But I'm sorry, I didn't know you couldn't get more than one of these cotton-padded jackets, so I'm sorry you made this trip for nothing."

"This is something your majesty requested the court to give you. I dare not take it casually," Li Kuan said with a smile.

"Since cotton is not widely planted yet, the court can only distribute it to you for the time being. When cotton is popularized, I believe that by winter, everyone in the streets of Yanyun City will be able to wear cotton clothes."
"Sir," an official in red official uniform came out of the government office. The two clerks and other people saluted immediately. The official looked around and asked them to stand up. He then asked the two clerks,
"How did things go?"

"Your Excellency, we are already slowly getting started," a clerk replied, "According to the records in the household register, the task of distributing cotton clothes should be completed within two days.

"That's good," the official nodded, "This is something arranged by your majesty, so we must not be careless, Your Majesty Li...

With a plop, the official immediately knelt down in front of Li Kuan. Everyone was confused, and the official hurriedly shouted,

"Your Majesty is here, why don't you pay your respects? This cotton-padded jacket is what Your Majesty suggested the court to give you to protect you from the cold winter."

Only then did everyone react and shouted their gratitude to Li Kuan.

The owner of the tailor shop was even more confused. He was bidding a sky-high price in front of His Majesty, who brought cotton seeds and could give cotton clothes to the people for free. This was a suicidal act no matter how you looked at it.

However, Li Kuan's reaction was not particularly big. Instead, Cheng Yaojin was a little unhappy:
"Hey, how come you know His Majesty but not me, Cheng Yaojin? I, Cheng Yaojin, also fought in battles just like this kid. The cotton-padded jackets in your hands are also the result of my contribution, okay?"

"Yes, yes, it's my fault. I pay my respects to General Cheng. Thank you very much, General Cheng."

The official quickly apologized in fear and trepidation, and everyone also quickly followed suit to thank Cheng Yaojin, and Cheng Yaojin's expression looked a little better.

Li Kuan asked them to stand up and walked up to the owner of the tailor shop.

"I introduced cotton seeds because I wanted the people of Dayan to survive the harsh winter. Now is the time when people need cotton. Why are you asking for an exorbitant price, five hundred coins for a piece of cotton cloth?"

"I was greedy for a moment and wanted to use your Majesty's reputation to make more money, so I did something wrong. And it's not my fault. It's mainly because of the purchase price of this cotton cloth..."

The tailor shop owner was about to say something when he met Cheng Yaojin's angry eyes, so he quickly changed his words.
"It's all my fault. I hope Your Majesty can forgive me."

"It is natural to make money through business, but it is not okay if you go too far. I will not punish you this time. You are on your own."

Li Kuan turned around and said to everyone:

"Everyone, I know that besides you, your family members also need cotton-padded clothes. Although the cotton planting area is limited now, there are not many cotton-padded clothes that can be given to you."

"But soon, the court will distribute cotton seeds to you and teach you how to grow cotton."

"The cotton spinning machines will also be distributed or sold to you at very low prices. Then you will not only have winter clothes, but also an additional livelihood."

"I hope that everyone can weave well after getting cotton seeds and cotton spinning machines. In addition to the tax revenue from the court, it is also for your own food, clothing and life."

When these words came out, the people around were silent at first, and then they began to talk with their heads down. At this time, an old man mustered up his courage and asked Li Kuan in a hoarse voice:
"Your Majesty, are you serious? The imperial court will give us these cotton seeds and technology for free?"

"Of course," Li Kuan must say:

"The food, clothing, and other things of the Tang Dynasty are all grown by you people. If we don't give you the seeds and machines, who else can we give them to?"

"Your Majesty, when has he ever lied to us? Not only did he help us drive away the barbarians who invaded our land, he also asked the court to give us these cotton clothes for free. Even if we don't trust others, we must trust your Majesty!"

"Yes, Your Majesty will not lie to us!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"..."

The people around thanked Li Kuan one after another, and Li Kuan quickly asked them not to be so polite.

Originally, they would know these things after the imperial court issued the order.

But Li Kuan, saying it in advance now may not be a bad thing.

Objectively speaking, the hardworking and hardworking qualities of the Han children cannot be denied. Looking at them, Li Qiu could even imagine the scene of cotton blooming rapidly in China after the cotton seeds and textile machines were handed over to them.

"Seeing you guys having so much fun, I, Old Cheng, feel a little itchy in my heart," Cheng Yaojin said.

"I still have some cotton cloth at home, which should be enough to make dozens of cotton-padded clothes. Although I'm not as generous as this kid and it's impossible for me to give it to you for free, I will sell it to you at a low price so that your grandchildren can have a good winter."

Everyone was grateful to Cheng Yaojin. Li Qiu patted Cheng Yaojin on the shoulder:
"What's wrong, General Cheng, why are you so generous this time?"

"Look at what you said, kid. You can be generous, but I can't be generous at all," Cheng Yaojin shrugged. "I won't let you take all the limelight."

Everyone laughed happily without paying attention to etiquette. The weather, which was gradually getting colder, suddenly became a little warmer.

……

One month later, the northern frontier.

This winter is much colder than usual, and this place is located in the north, so all you can see is heavy snow. Occasionally you can see a few footprints, some deep, some shallow.

A young man was walking hard in the snow, holding a lot of things in his hands, and hurried home.
"Hey, Zhang Ping," a middle-aged man called him from behind.

"Why are you out in such a cold weather? At this time of year in previous years, you would still be sleeping on the warm kang with your wife and children!" Zhang Ping smiled naively: "I'm wearing several cotton-padded clothes bought from Chang'an, and I'm warm."

"Isn't the New Year coming soon? I was thinking of getting some more New Year's goods. Besides, don't talk about me, didn't you also run out in this cold weather?"

"I, like you, am also out buying New Year's goods," the middle-aged man said with a smile.

"I have to say that General Li is truly a god. Not only is he invincible on the battlefield, but he also brought us so many good things. This year during the Chinese New Year, we can finally try other things besides steamed buns and pancakes."

"Who says it's not true? Now my food tastes bland if I don't add some chili to it," Zhang Ping agreed. "I'm sure that in the future, we in the Tang Dynasty will have more and more good things, and our lives will definitely get better and better."

"Of course, but I won't waste my time talking to you on a snowy day," the middle-aged man said, lifting the things in his hand.

"I have to hurry and give the ingredients to my wife so she can cook for me and the kids."

"Neigh!" A horse neighed from behind, and then the things in the middle-aged man's hand were violently snatched away. When he was about to resist, he was kicked to the snow. Zhang Ping wanted to leave, but was surrounded by a group of people.

There were indeed quite a few bandits in this place in the past, but due to the peace and prosperity in recent years, most of the bandits have dispersed and are rarely seen.

Moreover, judging from his attire and weapons, he clearly looked like a well-trained army. Zhang Ping tightly protected the things in his hands and shouted at them:
"Who are you? What do you want to do in broad daylight?!"

The group of vicious people burst into laughter, and the leader said angrily:
"It's okay to tell you. I am a centurion under General Hanjikovo. It's winter now, isn't it?"

The centurion looked at the New Year's goods in Zhang Ping's hand that were prepared for the winter, "So I ran out specially to grab some things for the brothers."

Tan Ji, isn't this the smallest country under the border of Da Yan? Now Da Yan is in a state of panic. After the great defeat of Goguryeo, the small countries in all directions came to Chang'an to pay tribute with great fear.

Now, this Tanjie not only crossed the border, but also dared to rob supplies from the people of Dayan. This is clearly a typical act of seeking death!
Although this group of Tan Jie soldiers had ferocious faces and were all holding weapons, Zhang Ping, as a descendant of the Han family, was full of blood and courage:
"Are you crazy? How dare you come to my Great Yan territory to cause trouble? Do you know the reputation of my Great Yan Emperor and General Chen Qingzhi? If you do this, do you believe that General Li will lead his troops to flatten your land?"

The centurion laughed loudly: "Li Kuan defeated the Turks and went on an expedition to Goguryeo. Who doesn't know his reputation? But young man, you have too little experience after all."

The centurion slapped Zhang Ping's face with the back of his knife. "There's a saying that goes 'The mountains are high and the emperor is far away.' We Tartars are so far away from Chang'an. Do you really think your Majesty and the Protector of the Nation General can control us?"

"Besides, we are located in the far north, and there are so many mountains. Even if your general who protects the country really comes, what can he do to us? We just need to use the terrain to avoid him for a few days, and he will have to withdraw his troops back to Chang'an."

"Whoever offends Dayan will be punished no matter how far away he is!" Although Zhang Ping is just an ordinary citizen, the pride of Dayan's people has been deeply imprinted in his heart.

"You are just a centurion, and you dare to be so arrogant. When our Tang army arrives, you will regret it!"

"Go to hell!" The centurion kicked Zhang Ping into the snow. "Is it your turn to teach me a lesson?"

"Centurion," a soldier stepped forward and suggested.

"If we are discovered by the Great Yan defenders, we will be in trouble! I have already found out that there is a village not far ahead. There is no need for us to create trouble here. That village is very wealthy. If we go there, we can have a good drink!"

"That's right," the centurion swung the whip in his hand, "Take away everything from them, and then follow me to the village to grab supplies!"

Before he finished speaking, more than a dozen Tanji soldiers rushed over and snatched away the New Year's goods that the two had prepared for the winter... They even stripped off their cotton-padded jackets and put them on themselves.

"Brothers, charge! Aaaahhhh!"

The centurion let out a strange shout, and the other Han Jie people became excited and rushed towards the village.

Originally, as the Spring Festival was approaching, and Li Kuan had brought many new things for Dayan, the whole village was filled with a peaceful atmosphere, and everyone was busy preparing things for lunch.

But the arrival of Yang Ji's army completely cast a dark cloud over the village.

"This old hen is used by our family to lay eggs, you can't take it! A man chased after it, but was beaten up by the two Han Jiejuns."

This group of bandits robbed the villagers wantonly and showed off their spoils to their companions.

"Brothers, I found two jars of good wine!"

"This cow is mine!"

"This cotton coat is very warm, you want to grab it for yourself!"

"I never thought that the people of Da Yan live so comfortably. Even a village has so many good things..."

"..."

The whole village was in a turmoil, and even the soldiers of the Yangji Army were fighting with each other. The centurion shouted and stopped them.
"Why are you robbing our own people? Da Yan has plenty of precious things," the centurion shouted, "Look at what you have done. Do you still want to go back and drink good wine together?"

The Yangjie soldiers finally woke up as if from a dream. They piled up the stolen things and continued to plunder with ferocious faces.

More than 20 Tatar soldiers, armed with weapons, surrounded the villagers, while the rest were responsible for looting and plundering. The villagers were extremely angry when they saw the unscrupulous bandits.

After all, as a Han man, who doesn't have blood?

But after all, these Tatar soldiers had spears, strong arms, and bows and arrows, while they were only unarmed. If they really fought to the death, they would be the only ones to suffer!
It's really not worth it to fight with these bandits!
"Ah, ah!" Two wretched-looking Han Jie soldiers dragged a woman out. To be honest, the woman was not particularly young or pretty, but the two Ge Weiyi soldiers still showed greedy and disgusting eyes and reached their hands under the woman's skirt. "

At this time, the villagers finally couldn't bear it anymore and were ready to pick up their hoes to fight. Unexpectedly, the centurion of the Tatar army actually dismounted first and slapped the two soldiers in the face.

"Damn it, don't you know it will be too late when the Tang army finds out? Why are you wasting my time here?" Centurion Seven said angrily.
(End of this chapter)