Republic of China: Guandong Ginseng King

Chapter 444: Shocking News

Setting up a county seat sounds simple, but in practice it's a mess and full of troubles.

Surveying the county boundaries is only the first step. The next step is to determine the location of the county government, plan the layout of the county town, build roads, repair city walls, etc.

In the past, the Maoershan area was sparsely populated, developed haphazardly, and the streets were in a mess.

Fortunately, after Qu Shaoyang took office as inspector, he made some adjustments and plans to the original layout, and when approving land for building houses later, he tried his best to make the layout reasonable.

This way, county planning will be easier.

However, the county government was busy enough with matters such as site selection, construction of city walls and roads.

Of course, the most important thing is money. Without money, nothing can be done.

The imperial court could allocate a portion of the silver with an imperial decree, and the rest would be paid from local taxes.

If that is still not enough, we can only call upon the local gentry and officials to contribute together.

Qu Shaoyang and He Houqi found someone who was proficient in feng shui and geomancy, and after several days of investigation, they finally determined the scope of the county.

From the front of Maoer Mountain to the Yalu River, the city wall is wide from east to west and narrow from north to south, following the terrain.

The city wall is 12 feet high and 7 feet thick, with a total length of about 20 miles, and there are seven city gates in total.

To the east is Chang'an Gate, to the northeast is Linfu Gate, to the north is Tai'an Gate built with Wohu Mountain as a barrier, to the northwest is Lintong Gate, to the west is Tongji Gate, to the southwest is Xinan Gate, and to the south is Linjiang Gate.

There are three east-west streets in the city, named Guanghua, Zhongfu and Wencheng. Zhongfu Street is the main street, and there are two markets, East and West, at both ends of Zhongfu Street.

There are nine north-south streets, with Zhengyang Street in the middle, followed by the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th streets to the west, and the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th streets to the east.

In addition, there are four diagonal streets, Guandian Street, Xinglong Street, Manzi Street and Desheng Street.

Most of these street names already exist, and a few are newly named.

The county government office is located in the north of the county town, with the inspection office to the west and Qu Shaoyang’s residence not far to the east.

In front of the main gate of the county government is Zhengyang Street.

After the planning layout was completed, Qu Shaoyang and He Houqi convened the respected elders in the county, as well as wealthy gentry and others to discuss the matter together.

Considering Qu Shaoyang's prestige in Maoer Mountain, it was a small matter with him coming forward. No one objected and everyone agreed unanimously.

Qu Shaoyang stated on the spot that he could donate 10,000 taels of silver to be used for building city walls, etc.

Seeing this, other wealthy gentry, shops, etc. also donated money. In the end, the local area raised more than 30,000 taels of silver.

Together with the appropriation from the imperial court and the taxes for the next three years, it would be enough to build the county government first, then the city walls and roads.

We were so busy that it was already March.

On the second day of March, Xiaozhi's letter arrived.

Xiaozhi said in the letter that he had already entered the Military Academy to attend classes.

With Zhang Xiulan's support, Xiao Zhi had a solid foundation in academic subjects and could speak several foreign languages, so he was highly regarded in the Military Academy.

The school hired German officers to teach astronomy, geography, science, surveying and mapping, mathematics, and new Western marching methods.

He also supervised and led the students to the camp to practice gun and artillery formations, build fortifications, train cavalry, infantry, and artillery, as well as marching, deploying battle formations, separating and combining, and attacking and defending.

Xiaozhi felt that he could learn real things in the Military Academy, which would be much more useful than taking the imperial examination.

Xiaozhi gave Qu Shaoyang some suggestions in the letter.

If conditions permit, some suitable candidates can be selected from the Dingbian Army or the militia and sent to the Military Academy's crash course to learn new training methods.

It is very useful in improving the combat effectiveness of the army.

After reading Xiaozhi's letter, Liu Dongshan, Lin Ruolan and others finally felt relieved.

No matter what Xiaozhi can do in the future, now I just hope he is safe and sound.

After listening to Xiaozhi's suggestion, Qu Shaoyang arranged for people to inquire about the affairs of the Military Academy.

Coincidentally, not long after, news came from Jilin City.

It is said that General Changshun of Jilin submitted a memorial to the court, proposing to disband and merge the Jingbian Defense Army, set up a military academy, and train artillery in imitation of Western methods.

After learning the news, Qu Shaoyang immediately took generous gifts and went to Jilin City to meet Jilin General Changshun.

“I heard that you are going to set up a military academy in Jilin City and train a new army.

I would like to ask for your permission to grant some cadets to the Border Army. Is this possible?"

When Qu Shaoyang met Changshun, he first presented him with a generous gift, then exchanged some pleasantries, and finally stated his purpose.

"Master Qu is too polite. For such a small matter, Master Qu can just arrange for someone to come and tell him. There is no need for him to come in person.

How about this? In the first term, we will assign 20 places to the border troops. Sir Qu can go back and select smart and capable people to come and study. "

Changshun has received so many benefits from Qu Shaoyang, how could he not agree to this?

He nodded immediately and gave twenty places at once.

"Oh, thank you so much, sir." Qu Shaoyang was overjoyed when he heard this and hurriedly thanked Changshun.

"I heard that Lord Qu has been appointed as the assistant governor of Linjiang County. It's true that capable people get more work.

However, as the weather gradually warmed up, the bandit gangs that had been hibernating came out.

In recent days, bandit activities in Jilin Province have been frequent. As the general manager of the bandit suppression in Fengtian and Jilin Provinces, Mr. Qu, please take care of this bandit suppression matter. "

Changshun had to remind Qu Shaoyang not to forget to suppress the bandits.

Qu Shaoyang naturally agreed readily and said that the forest patrol team had already arranged personnel to go and suppress the bandits.

But the bandits are cunning and elusive, so it's not as easy to find them as in winter. I guess we should be able to get something after a while.

Qu Shaoyang chatted with Changshun for a while, then said goodbye and left, returning to the post station to rest.

In the evening, Qu Shaoyang took his people to Huixianlou for dinner.

This Huixianlou is the restaurant opened by Lin Yuhuan in Jilin City.

Huixianlou opened years ago. It is decorated very luxuriously and has hired two chefs with excellent skills.

In addition, thanks to Lin Yuhuan's good management, the restaurant business is doing well.

Qu Shaoyang came out a little late, and when he arrived at Huixian Tower, the place was already full of guests.

The waiter didn't recognize Qu Shaoyang, so he said that the restaurant was full and asked Qu Shaoyang and his friends to find another restaurant to dine.

"Go and call your shopkeeper Lin and tell him that someone named Qu is looking for her." Qu Shaoyang did not make things difficult for the waiter and just asked him to pass on the message.

To be a waiter, one must have a good pair of eyes. When the waiter saw that Qu Shaoyang was not dressed like an ordinary person, he did not dare to neglect him and quickly ran upstairs to inform the shopkeeper.

Lin Yuhuan was entertaining guests in a private room upstairs. When the waiter told her that the visitor's surname was Qu, she immediately guessed the identity of the person.

So Lin Yuhuan hurriedly apologized to the guest.

"Oh, it's Master Qu, you haven't been here for a long time.

Lai Fu, clean up the largest private room upstairs and arrange for Mr. Qu and his party. "Lin Yuhuan saw Qu Shaoyang and stepped forward to greet him with great joy. In front of the guests, Lin Yuhuan could not say anything else, but only warmly invited Qu Shaoyang to the No. 1 private room on the second floor.

There is a largest private room on the second floor of Huixian Building, which is reserved for the most distinguished guests. Usually, no guests will be accommodated in that room without a reservation.

Upon hearing this, the waiter did not dare to delay and immediately arranged for Qu Shaoyang and his party to go upstairs.

Qu Shaoyang sat down in the private room upstairs. Lin Yuhuan asked the waiter to serve eight of the restaurant's best dishes and two jugs of good wine.

Afterwards, Qu Shaoyang's followers went out to guard, while Qu Shaoyang and Lin Yuhuan had a secret conversation in the private room.

"Is there anything worth noting here recently?" Qu Shaoyang asked casually.

Lin Yuhuan told Qu Shaoyang what she knew about what had happened recently.

For example, the general manager of the Jilin Machinery Bureau went to Sansheng and took up the post of general manager of the Sansheng Gold Mine Bureau.

For example, a household in Nong'an found an official seal while digging soil to build a wall on East Street.

Later, it was identified that the official seal was from the Yuan Dynasty and was written in Phags-pa script.

"Oh, by the way, I heard that General Jilin has not been in good health recently, and the palace often invites doctors."

Lin Yuhuan is a woman, her focus is different, and what she says may not be useful to Qu Shaoyang.

She just told Qu Shaoyang everything she knew.

Qu Shaoyang had heard some of the news that Lin Yuhuan told him before, but there were also some that Qu Shaoyang was not very interested in.

Qu Shaoyang only paid attention to the last sentence.

Qu Shaoyang carefully recalled what happened when he went to the general's residence to pay a visit. Changshun did not look very good. Was he sick?
"Yuhuan, if you have any connections, please help me find out what the condition of General Changshun is like and how serious it is.

In the future, you should pay more attention to the General's Mansion. If there is anything, please send me a letter."

If the illness was more serious, it was very likely that Changshun would not be able to continue serving as the general of Jilin.

No matter who takes over as the general of Jilin next, Qu Shaoyang must establish good relations with the other party. This is very important.

"Okay, I'll ask someone later." Lin Yuhuan nodded in response.

"By the way, I don't know what's going on at Qin's Tobacco and Hemp Store in Linjiangmen, but I heard someone say something seems to have happened to them."

Lin Yuhuan suddenly remembered that He Yuanzhi and his friends had come to Jilin City to look for a girl, and hurriedly spoke.

"Qin's Tobacco and Hemp Store?" Qu Shaoyang was slightly stunned, then remembered that it should be the business of Yang Siya's husband Qin Zhigao.

"Do you know what happened?"

"I'm not sure, I just heard it from others. Anyway, the tobacco and hemp store is now bankrupt. The manager and the clerks have all run away, and the boss has never sent anyone to come." Lin Yuhuan shook her head.

"Okay, I understand. Huixianlou is doing well, and you've done a great job." Qu Shaoyang nodded.

Just at this moment, the waiter came over with a square tray, and the attendant outside coughed.

Lin Yuhuan took the opportunity to excuse herself and went out to entertain other guests.

Qu Shaoyang led his people to have a meal at Huixianlou.

I have to say that the dishes at Huixianlou are really good and taste great.

Seeing that Huixianlou was doing a booming business and Lin Yuhuan was managing the business well, Qu Shaoyang felt relieved.

There were still a lot of things to do at home, so Qu Shaoyang did not stay in Jilin City for long. He stayed for two days and visited some officials in the city before leaving.

On the way back, he happened to pass by the Lin family compound, so Qu Shaoyang had to visit them and chat about the past.

By the way, I'd also like to ask about the situation in Lishugou and Fangmagou.

"Oh, sir, you asked the right question.

Just a few days around the end of last year, I heard that the Qin family in Fangmagou had offended someone and their eldest son was killed and his head was hung on the gate.

A few days later, during the first month of the lunar year, more than 30 people in the Qin family, regardless of gender, age or even children, all died.

The Qin family compound was burned down by a fire, and the fire burned for a whole day and night. "When mentioning this, the old man of the Lin family also shuddered.

The Qin family was a wealthy family in Fangmagou. There were many people in the family, but they were wiped out overnight. It was so horrible.

When Qu Shaoyang heard this, his heart skipped a beat. Why did he feel that the person who wiped out the Qin family must be related to Yang Siya?
But Yang Si Ya was alone, how did she manage to wipe out the entire Qin family overnight? It was a bit strange.

Qu Shaoyang stayed in the Lin family compound for one night and set out on his journey back the next day.

When passing by Lishugou on the way, Qu Shaoyang went over to inquire about it.

But everyone in the village said that since the incident at the Yang family, they had never seen the fourth girl from the Yang family again.

Qu Shaoyang was just curious, and since he couldn't find anyone, he just let it go.

At the end of March, Qu Shaoyang returned to Linjiang. As soon as he got home, he learned that Xingye had returned from his hometown with Qu Laokouer and his wife.

"Sir, something happened back home.

Last year, the Japanese army broke through the south gate of Wencheng, entered the city, burned, killed and looted, and your eldest brother and his entire family were killed.

My second elder brother went fishing with others in the summer. There happened to be a strong wind and the boat capsized. All the people on the boat never came back.

After Xingjia met Qu Shaoyang, he immediately reported the situation in his hometown to Qu Shaoyang.

Hearing this, Qu Shaoyang was also surprised. He could never have imagined that his eldest brother and second brother would encounter accidents one after another.

When I think about it, my father went back to his hometown excitedly to visit his relatives, intending to return home in glory and bring honor to the family. However, when he got home, he found out that both of his sons were gone.

I don’t know how painful this old man felt at that time.

Thinking of this, Qu Shaoyang didn't have time to listen to Xingjia's words anymore, and hurried towards the courtyard where Qu Laokouer and his wife lived.

"Dad, Mom, you're back?" Qu Shaoyang greeted them loudly as soon as he entered the courtyard.

At the end of March, the weather had become quite warm. Mr. and Mrs. Qu, along with the two children from the Qu He family, were playing in the yard.

Seeing Qu Shaoyang coming in, Qu Laokouer waved to his son.

"Fourth brother, come and see your two nephews, they are your second brother's children.

Your second brother is gone, and your second sister-in-law left her two children and ran away. Your eldest brother, sister-in-law, and nephews and nieces are also gone."

At this point, Qu Laokouer couldn't hold back his tears.

I thought that when I returned to my hometown, I could gather with my father, son and relatives and have a good reunion year.

However, they did not expect that as soon as they arrived at Qujiazhuang on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the old couple heard such tragic news.

Qu Laokouer fainted on the spot. If Xingjia hadn't called a doctor to treat him in time, Qu Laokouer would have been in danger.

When Qu Laokouer burst into tears, Chen beside him couldn't help crying as well. Qu Shaoyang couldn't help feeling sad when he saw his parents like this.

"Dad, Mom, what's going on? Why is my brother in Wencheng?"

It is understandable that Qu He had an accident while fishing at sea, but why did Qu Hai and his family go to Wencheng instead of staying in Qujiazhuang?

(End of this chapter)