In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 883 The Three Guards of Doyan: The Former Land of the Liao King
Liu Heiying flipped through the documents in his hands extremely quickly, the pen tip scratching on the paper.

Yu Xin sat to one side, his gaze occasionally sweeping over Liu Heiying and the yamen.

The room was so quiet that the only sounds were the scratching of the pen on the paper and the occasional popping of firewood.

Sunlight streamed through the windowpanes and fell onto the floor.

It forms patches of light that slowly move over time.

About fifteen minutes later, Liu Heiying finally finished processing the documents in his hand.

He let out a long sigh and leaned back in his chair.

He rubbed his slightly sore neck before turning his gaze to Yu Xin, a gentle smile appearing on his face:

"Lord Yu, you must be tired from your journey. I am just busy with official duties, please forgive me."

Yu Xin quickly stood up and bowed slightly, saying:

"Lord Liu, you flatter me. Official business is more important."

"Has your journey been arduous?"

"I dare not deceive you, sir; it has indeed been hard work."

Especially after crossing the border, the roads were covered in snow and cold, which slowed the convoy's progress considerably.

Fortunately, Beiping provided a guide; otherwise, we might have gotten lost in the snowstorm.

Liu Heiying nodded solemnly:

"The snow has been heavy lately, and we won't see the sun until today, so we really need to be careful."

After the two discussed some local customs and traditions encountered along the way, Yu Xin stood up and respectfully asked:
"This humble official has truly broadened his horizons on the journey, and has many doubts in his mind. I hope Lord Liu can enlighten him."

Liu Heiying waved his hand, gesturing for Yu Xin to sit down, and said with great interest:

"Speak freely, I will tell you everything I know."

Yu Xin sat down again, pondered for a moment, and then said:

"Lord Liu, I have come all the way from Yingtian, and none of the sights I have seen along the way are as magnificent as those in Daning City."

Especially the roads under construction, stretching for hundreds of miles,

The sheer scale of the project—from splitting mountains and cracking rocks to building bridges over rivers—is astonishing.

I am truly curious how the Commander managed to do this in such a short time.

How could such a massive undertaking be completed with so much money and manpower?

At this point, Yu Xin looked a little embarrassed and said softly:
"I am currently working in the Ministry of Revenue and have witnessed some road repairs being carried out by the Beiping Military Command."
It was extremely difficult, far less effortless than Da Ning's situation.
Therefore, I wish to explore its mysteries.

Liu Heiying made no attempt to stand on ceremony. He picked up the teacup on the table, took a small sip, and slowly said:

"Lord Yu, the Commandery may seem to be repairing roads, but in reality, it is repairing people."

Raising funds is extremely difficult, but it's not impossible.

On the contrary, manpower for construction projects in various places is a major difficulty.
If this road were built using the usual methods, it would likely take several years to conscript laborers.

The commander did not conscript laborers; all those repairing the road were hired, and the commander paid them monthly wages, so people naturally flocked to the site.

Upon hearing this, Yu Xin froze, a look of shock flashing in his eyes!

He thought about it carefully, gasped, and felt even more strongly that this method was excellent.

It can easily solve the problem of manpower shortage outside the pass.

"But, sir, wouldn't that cost a lot of money?"

Liu Heiying smiled and waved his hand:

"Lord Yu, that's not how you calculate things. The sooner the road is repaired and trade resumes, the money we've paid for labor will be earned back quickly."

Besides, the money spent on hiring isn't lost.
They also wanted to spend money in Daning City, and eventually everyone benefited.
The commander simply paid a little more money.

"This this."

Yu Xin frowned, his eyes revealing admiration.

He was from the Ministry of Revenue and was quite familiar with this kind of transfer of funds.

He never imagined that a commander would do such a thing.
They're spending so much money to hire people to repair the road!
A question that followed overwhelmed Yu Xin.

If this method is so good, why don't other provinces use it?

They had to wait for the imperial court's funds before slowly recruiting laborers.
He was a little confused, so he decisively asked a question.
After hearing this, Liu Heiying smiled thoughtfully:
“Different places have different circumstances, and the same method may not work in other places. We must adapt to local conditions.”

Within the pass, the provincial government had three chief officials at the top, local officials below, and gentry in the fields.

It would take an immense amount of effort just to quell the dispute between them.

If you spend large sums of money when the situation is unclear,

The money would not end up in the hands of ordinary people, but would instead be seized by landlords and gentry.

Lord Yu should know how many tenant farmers they have.

Yu Xin's expression was solemn, and he nodded slightly.
"To be honest, sir, I come from a humble background, and my family only owns a few plots of land."
The wealthy families in the village each had more than a dozen tenant farmers.

Besides farming, she also helps her employer with other chores.

"If Da Ning is like that, the money will only end up being taken by these local gentry."
The local gentry would have the tenants work for free.

In this back and forth, the insects prosper while the common people suffer.
The heads of the three departments in other provinces also had their own difficulties.

Yu Xin looked enlightened, and his cheeks flushed. He was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations)!

Households can receive a reduction or exemption from land tax.

Even after he passed the imperial examination, his relatives, including his aunts and uncles, donated their land to him in exchange for tax exemption.

Logically speaking, his family should be considered a large household now.

"I have learned a lot. This method can not only quickly repair roads, but also benefit the people. It is truly a brilliant move."

As I traveled along the road, I witnessed its magnificent scenery.

The carriage traveled smoothly on it.
This is a world of difference compared to the bumpy roads of the past.

Such a road will surely become an important route for communication between the interior and exterior of the pass in the future.

The Northern Pacification Commandery will also prosper because of this road.

"Hahaha, who knows what the future holds? Is Lord Yu sending money to Liaodong?"

"Indeed, the Ministry of Revenue, the Governor-General's Office, and the Ministry of War have jointly allocated 100,000 taels of silver, which we have come to deliver."

"Yes, Commander Lu has already gone to Liaodong to discuss the road construction."
Once you've rested well, let's set off as soon as possible.
The sooner the money arrives, the easier things will be to handle.

Yu Xin's expression was strange. After hesitating for a long time, he finally asked softly:
"My lord, Lord Lu has left the camp without orders. I'm afraid it will be bad if word gets out."

Liu Heiying was taken aback, then laughed:

"I will report to the court after I go to the yamen."

Yu Xin's expression grew even stranger; he was quite impressed by the audacity of these young adults.
"My lord, I saw a notice at the entrance of the Military Commandery."
The table above shows the GDP of Daning City last year.
This is the first time I've heard of GDP. Could you perhaps explain it to me, Lord Liu?

After listening, Liu Heiying slowly said:

"Lord Yu, the gross domestic product is calculated in monetary terms for all the materials and services produced and provided in Daning City within a year, and it is used to measure the development level of a city."

After listening, Yu Xin frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said:
"Lord Liu, this method is indeed novel, but the calculation is probably extremely complicated."

Furthermore, is it accurate to measure the level of development by monetary wealth?

"The calculation process is indeed complex, requiring statistics on the production status and transaction records of various industries within the city."

But it is precisely because of this that we can more accurately understand the economic situation of Daning City.
This will enable the formulation of more reasonable development policies.

As for whether measuring it by money is accurate...
Currently, there are certain limitations.
But something is better than nothing. If Lord Yu wants to know more, go to the Bureau of Experience and find Xie Jin; he will tell you.

Jie Jin?

Yu Xin frowned, a look of shock flashing in his eyes.

Xie Jin's reputation was too great.

Anyone who participated in the imperial examinations would know this, but no one expected that Xie Jin would be in charge of it!
Upon hearing this, Yu Xin's admiration for Xie Jin deepened even further, and he remarked with emotion:

"Lord Xie is indeed worthy of his reputation, to be in charge of such a delicate matter. I shall take my leave now and go to visit Lord Xie."

"Go ahead," Liu Heiying nodded with a smile. Yu Xin bowed and slowly left the yamen.

After he left, the smile on Liu Heiying's face completely disappeared, and he muttered to himself thoughtfully:

"This man seems like a steady person; let him go back to the capital first and spread the word."

Two days later, before dawn, the city of Daning was still shrouded in a hazy morning mist.

The city lights flickered sporadically, like the eyes of the night, lingering on the darkness that had not yet faded.

Yu Xin and the others packed their bags and prepared to set off.

The caravan stood quietly outside the post station, the horses occasionally snorting.

Its hooves pawed at the ground restlessly, kicking up some dust.

Qianhu Chengjun walked up to Yu Xin with a puzzled look on his face and asked softly:

"Lord Yu, why is there no one from Daning City to see you off as you depart today?"
The actions of the people of Da Ning City are truly unpredictable.

Yu Xin smiled slightly, his gaze fixed on the direction of Daning City, his eyes filled with curiosity:
"What I have seen and heard in Daning City these past two days has greatly increased my interest in this city."

No one came to see them off; perhaps that's just their style, nothing to worry about.

Pass down the order: full speed ahead!
Lord Lu and his entourage had only been gone for two days.

If we walk faster, we might be able to catch up.

Cheng Jun nodded in acceptance and turned to relay the order.

With a command given, the convoy slowly started, making a dull sound in the quiet morning.

As Yu Xin sat inside the carriage, his mind kept replaying the various experiences he had had in Daning City over the past two days, all of which left a deep impression on him.

He had a vague feeling that this seemingly remote city outside the Great Wall...
It is nurturing a unique power, a power that may change the landscape of the Ming Dynasty's frontiers.

North of Quanningwei, within the territory of Tainingwei!
A troop of thousands of elite soldiers galloped through the wind and snow, their hooves beating like war drums, shattering the tranquility of the morning.

They were clad in black armor and wore red helmets; their warhorses galloped, kicking up clouds of snow.
It looked imposing in the early light of dawn!

Like an army emerging from the abyss of darkness!
At the very front, Lu Yunyi, clad in standard armor, gripped the reins tightly.

With his feet firmly planted in the stirrups, his whole body rose and fell with the galloping warhorse.

His gaze remained fixed on the darkness ahead, occasionally glancing up at the clouds and the wind direction.

After changing direction several times, the large contingent of over a thousand people...

We're back on the smooth official road!

This left many soldiers in shock!

During their maneuvering last night, they changed direction at least twenty times.
They returned to the official road just as dawn broke.

This control over direction was incredible to everyone.

Even the elite scouts at the front of the column couldn't help but gasp in surprise.
Look at the adult in the center of them, coldly directing their advance.

Lu Yunyi noticed their gazes and called out:
"When charging forward, one must be fully focused!"

The group then turned their gaze away and looked ahead.
Nearly three-quarters of an hour later, the galloping warhorses were covered in sweat, and white steam rose from their bodies.
The sun slowly rose in the east.

The blazing sun chased away the snow in the wind and set the clouds ablaze with crimson light!

As the earth regained its light, Lu Yunyi felt the cold wind howling past.
Feeling the sharp, knife-like pain on his cheek, he narrowed his eyes slightly.

He hadn't experienced this feeling of speed in a long time!
"Finally, we sped for five miles, then slowed down!"

"Yes!"

The messenger held a colorful command flag and waved complex hand gestures.

The military order spread throughout the entire army in an instant!
After a while, behind the snow-covered slopes and in the woods on both sides of the official road,

The place, which had been quiet and still, suddenly became noisy.

A group of scouts from the Taining Guard, clad in leather armor and wielding sharp blades.
They emerged from their hiding place like ghosts.

Their eyes were wary, and their faces were tense.
The bowstring is drawn taut, the arrow is nocked, and it is ready to be released at any moment.

These scouts and garrison troops have been patrolling the border of Tainingwei for a long time.
They knew that any disturbance could mean a bloody battle.

Upon seeing such a large and imposing force suddenly appear, the first reaction would be that it was an enemy attack.

The head scout captain was named Batu.
He was a burly man with a full beard, resembling a ferocious wild beast.

His eyes widened as he stared intently at the approaching column, and he roared:

"Meet the enemy!"

However, as the team drew closer,
Batu and the others were all shocked when they saw their charging formation.

The thousands of elite soldiers were lined up in neat rows.
It was like a giant black dragon winding its way across the plains.

Every soldier stood tall and straight, with firm eyes, and the weapons in their hands gleamed coldly in the sunlight.

Their movements were coordinated, and the sounds of horses' hooves and shouts mingled together!
Batu took a deep breath, suppressing his shock, and loudly questioned:
"Who goes there? How dare you trespass on the territory of my Taining Guard!"

Upon hearing the shout, Lu Yunyi slightly tightened the reins, slowing his horse's pace.

He stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his eyes cold and dignified, exuding an awe-inspiring aura in the sunlight.

He looked at the Taining Guard scouts ahead and said loudly:

"I am Lu Yunyi, the commander of the Northern Pacification Command! Take me to see Azashili."

Batu was startled upon hearing Lu Yunyi's words.
After carefully examining their elite armor, he quickly stepped forward to confirm.
After confirming, he quickly waved his hand, signaling the scouts behind him to lower their weapons, and then said:
"So it's Lord Lu. We were blind to your greatness. Please come back with us."

Lu Yunyi nodded and said:

"Lead the way!"

Batu turned around and gave a few instructions to the scouts behind him.
Then he led Lu Yunyi and the others toward the Tainingwei settlement.

Along the way, Batu kept stealing glances at Lu Yunyi and the elite soldiers behind him, his heart filled with curiosity.

He saw that these soldiers were already exhausted.

But they did not slacken their vigilance in the slightest and remained alert.

After walking for about half an hour,

The group arrived at Taining City, the gathering place of the Taining Guard!
It was called a city, but it was actually a fortified village.

The city walls were simple and the ground was rough.
Apart from the buildings that have been constructed, there are no signs of a city.
By this time, the sun was already high in the sky.

The warm sunlight shone on the earth, dispelling some of the chill.

In the very center of the city, rows of white tents are arranged in a neat and orderly fashion, with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys.

Batu led Lu Yunyi and the others to the largest tent, and then respectfully said:

"Lord Lu, please wait a moment. His Majesty is old and is getting up when he heard of your arrival."

After hearing this, Lu Yunyi didn't waste any words and walked straight past him into the tent.

Inside the tent, King Azashiri of Liao was hurriedly putting on his clothes.

On the enormous bed, two naked beauties slept soundly.
"Azashiri, you're doing quite well."

Azashiri turned her head sharply, her pupils contracting rapidly, her voice trembling:
"Lord Lu, what brings you here so suddenly?"

"This humble official has lost all decorum! This humble official has lost all decorum!"

Lu Yunyi looked him up and down, a hint of admiration in his eyes, and joked:

"Azashiri, you're quite the troublemaker at your age."
A few days ago when I went to the capital, I was so tired I could barely walk, but now I'm full of energy.

Azashili felt embarrassed and quickly looked at the two women on the bed, then took a belt and whipped them hard.

"Get out! Wake up, all of you, get out!"

The woman was awakened by the excruciating pain and hurriedly left.

Lu Yunyi shook his head, sat down at the round table, and waved his hand. Gong Xianzhi opened the tent to ventilate the room.

"Hurry up and get dressed, I have important business to discuss with you."

"Yes, yes, yes! Lord Lu, please wait a moment."

(End of this chapter)