The pork butcher is smoother than a pig butcher!

Chapter 253 Immigration Reserves

Jinzhou, the capital of Lintao Prefecture, is separated from Jinzhou Pass by a river.

In just half a month, more than 100,000 refugees have gathered.

Not long ago, tens of thousands of refugees poured across the Zhuohe River and bought up all the supplies in Huaiqing Prefecture.

This matter alarmed General Zhao, who immediately sent a message 800 li (approximately 400 kilometers) to the officials in charge of Lintao Prefecture and Jinzhou Pass.

Hopefully, they won't let anyone cross the river anytime soon.

Upon receiving the news, the garrison commander of Jinzhou Pass had no choice but to order the dismantling of the pontoon bridge connecting the north and south banks once again.

Now, the people living on both sides of the Zhuohe River rely entirely on sheepskin rafts to travel back and forth.

In summer, the Zhuohe River flows very swiftly.

For refugees who had never ridden a raft before, it was quite a risky experience.

They dared not use such a simple means of transportation to cross the river.

Of course, they are unwilling to go back to the old ways.

Jinzhou City will not take them in.

Moreover, these prefectures are too close to the interior, and those rebel armies will attack sooner or later.

It's unsafe!
The refugees most wanted to go to Huaiqing Prefecture on the east bank of the Zhuohe River, or to one of the counties near the border town.

While waiting for the day when the pontoon bridge would be built on the other side, the refugees survived by fishing with nets in the Zhuohe River or digging for wild vegetables on Longwei Mountain.

Countless low tents have been erected at the foot of the mountains and along the ferry crossing on the south bank of the Zhuo River.

This evening, the refugees living at the ferry crossing on the south bank saw the vanguard battalion riding towards them from the direction of the border town across the river.

The sight of thousands of horses galloping was very shocking to the refugees.

Those with sharp eyes have already started discussing it:
"It's the border troops, it's their uniform! What are they up to?"

"Could it be that they'll cross the river and go to Shangdu to rescue that little emperor?"

"Hey, with so many men, they'll definitely need to build a pontoon bridge to cross the river!"

Upon hearing the words "pontoon bridge," the refugees all perked up.

They gazed longingly at the other side of the river.

Unexpectedly, only the time it takes to eat a meal has passed.

The troops that entered Jinzhou Pass actually rode straight west!
The refugees were devastated.
"They gave me false hope; they didn't even cross the river!"

"They're running really fast! Judging from their appearance, could it be that there's going to be a battle at Heping Pass in the west?"

"But there aren't many cavalry heading west! I see that many of the horses are empty, so the number probably doesn't exceed six thousand."

"Isn't it said that quality is more important than quantity in the army? Maybe they're the vanguard! I heard from the people of Jinzhou that at the end of last year, the Kashgar Khanate from the west marched all the way from Heping Pass to Jinzhou Pass, and even set fire to half of the city."

"This is because Jinzhou Pass and the border town have recovered and are now seeking revenge!"

"Stop with the nonsense, just tell me if we can still cross the river to the border town?"

"Are you stupid? War is about killing people! If we rush to the border town at this time, wouldn't we just be cannon fodder? They can easily find plenty of able-bodied men without even having to lift a finger."

"No rush, no rush! Anyway, the pontoon bridge over the river hasn't been built yet. Let's take this time to see how the battle is going." Those who have fled are the best at seeking advantage and avoiding harm. They have survived until now entirely because they have been cautious and cherished their lives all their lives.

Knowing that war might break out on the other side, they absolutely dared not go.

The refugees from Huaiqing Prefecture who had already crossed the river had no choice but to wait and see.

The commander in charge of immigration matters informed them after the westward expeditionary army departed:
"In a few days, we will reclaim our homeland and re-establish our troops in the Seven Guards of Kansai! At that time, you will follow the military dependents of the Western Expeditionary Army to the Seven Guards of Kansai!"

Tens of thousands of refugees were dumbfounded: "."

They escaped from the chaotic battlefield.

Having escaped one tiger's den, they've fallen into another?
The centurion could easily see their pale faces and how resistant they were to the idea of ​​immigration.

He then added:

"Security is the least of our worries! A victory will naturally deter the surrounding small countries and tribes! If military families dare to go, what are you afraid of? The garrison will help you live and work in peace and contentment in the Seven Guards of Kansai!"

The refugees: Sir, you'd better elaborate on how you can help us settle down and live in peace!
The centurion chosen to handle immigration affairs had clearly read a lot of local chronicles.

He cleared his throat and began promoting the Seven Guards of Kansai, which they hadn't yet captured:
"Don't think that the Seven Guards of Guanzhong are all deserts and Gobi. In fact, there were oases near the Shuhe River long before Emperor Wu of Han 'established four commanderies and occupied two passes'."

Emperor Wu of Han also sent people there to guard the border and cultivate land, just like today. The Eastern Han court continued to promote the land reclamation system and built many irrigation canals in the oasis areas.

Take Guazhou, the earliest place where garrisoned farmers settled, for example. Historical records show that during the Eastern Han Dynasty, wheat and millet were harvested in abundance year after year.

Unfortunately, Guazhou was plagued by constant warfare starting from the Western Liang period, and was massacred by regimes such as the Northern Liang, Northern Wei, and Rouran. The Han people of Guazhou had no choice but to abandon the place and migrate back to the Central Plains.

Guazhou is named after its wheat and rice, and is also famous for its delicious melons.

Once your western expeditionary army conquers the Seven Guards of Guanzhong, you people who used to tend the crops will be blessed!
Besides grains and fruits, the sheep from the Western Regions and the grasslands are famous for their delicious taste!
At that time, every household will have more rice, noodles, and mutton than they can eat, and life will be many times better than what you have in the interior!
Furthermore, the imperial court currently does not allow merchants from the Western Regions to enter the pass, but our General has decided that after taking over the seven guards of Guanzhong, one of them will be chosen as a trading post.

Just think about how huge that market is!

The historical background has been laid out; it can't be fake!

There are educated people among the refugees.

They quickly inquired about the situation in the other six garrisons besides Guazhou.

In addition, they are very concerned about immigration policies.

For example, if people are unwilling to join the military, how many acres of farmland or wasteland can each immigrant family be given?

How much of the grain grown on these lands needs to be used to pay taxes to the garrison?
For example, if merchants want to trade with the Hu people in the market, what goods can they buy and sell? Can they sell tea and iron pots, which are controlled by the imperial court?

Furthermore, if a conflict arises with local non-Han people, will the stationed troops side with them?
A barrage of questions came down, almost leaving the person in charge completely bewildered.

Those who can answer will naturally be able to explain clearly.

For anything that cannot be answered, all interpretation rights shall be left to the future garrison commander of the Seven Guards of Kansai.

In any case, the border garrison commander cared about these refugees.

There are plans, arrangements, and requirements for them.

In summary, the garrison will take responsibility for the lives and survival of these immigrants!
As a result, the tens of thousands of refugees in Huaiqing Prefecture were fairly accepting of the upcoming migration to the Seven Guards of Guanzhong.

Among them were many merchants who eagerly awaited the westward expeditionary army to quickly reclaim their homeland.
(End of this chapter)