The revival of Shu Han

Chapter 265 Strange Spring Plowing ([-])
The spring plowing of Soochow in AD 268 was obviously different for the common people in this area.

Whether it is the self-cultivation farmers controlled by the state or the serfs working in the manors of the major families, in February of this year, the spring is cold.He was urged to go to the fields by officials or housekeepers at all levels.And compared with the previous practice that the state only organizes and does not supervise the spring plowing of self-cultivating farmers.In this year, local officials who were usually lazy and inactive in Soochow came to the fields in person one after another, urging the people to speed up the cultivation of the land and complete the work of raising and transplanting seedlings as soon as possible.

Such a move, in fact, the common people are very disgusted.

Ancient agricultural production was largely dependent on the sky.Every spring, the temperature, rain, wind direction, etc., all determine the time when spring plowing starts.Therefore, the start and end times of spring plowing are not fixed every year.It is also normal to walk back and forth for more than ten days.How can there be an administrative order like yours to stipulate when to start plowing the land and when to start raising seedlings?

For the people-friendly officials at the bottom of Soochow, they are also full of bitterness: Although we grassroots officials basically don't farm the land ourselves, we watch everyone farm the land every day anyway.How could he not know the reason why spring plowing can't be against God?But we have no choice!His Majesty the Emperor gave a death order that the transplanting of rice seedlings must be completed before March [-]th, and all the soldiers and civilians accompanying the armies from all walks of life must be in place before April.Troops must be dispatched before April [-]—that is, spring plowing cannot be affected.It can't affect the transfer of soldiers and civilians!
It would be great if Soochow was still in the reign of Emperor Jing—this is the common thought of all grassroots officials of Soochow recently.

It's a pity that Sun Xiu has been dead for many years, and his sons are all dead.So everyone can only think about it.Next, everyone still has to muster their energy and work hard to deal with the emperor who has a bad temper.

On March [-], Jianye Palace.

"Qizou Your Majesty, according to the reports submitted by local officials, the spring plowing in various places has basically ended. Military mobilization can now be carried out."

"So fast? The officials below will not force the people to carry out spring plowing in violation of the season because they are afraid that I will hold them accountable?"

As an emperor who had suffered for many years in his youth, Sun Hao was not without fireworks.On the contrary, he can be said to be the one who understands agricultural production the most and is the most sympathetic to the people among the emperors of the Eastern Wu Dynasty.It's a pity, after all, he lost his father since he was a child and was kicked out of the court.After all, it’s because they don’t have a deep understanding of bureaucrats: they don’t think about it, you can complete the spring plowing and mobilization with the army and civilians as soon as possible, and if you don’t complete it, you will be held accountable.In addition, you have been in power all these years, and you have the temper of being vigorous and resolute, and ransacking your house if you disagree with each other.Which official dares to arrange spring plowing according to the farming season?
Of course, for the ministers of Soochow, they are also quite afraid of the emperor now.So they are unwilling to say too much on this matter.

"Your Majesty, there are some things that some counties and counties make the people a little anxious. But basically they all coincide with the farming season."

It was Prime Minister Wan Yu who said this.At the beginning of this year, Prime Minister Zuo Lu Kai and Lu Jingfeng fell ill—Prime Minister Lu was 71 this year, and by the looks of it, he couldn't bear this illness.

"Well, okay. Then the next topic, the Northern Expedition. Obedient people?"

"No, Your Majesty, all superiors. At the beginning of October last year, Western Shu sent 12 troops to the Northern Expedition. The news collected and confirmed by the Dian School is as follows: 15. The Northern Expedition to Western Shu will be divided into two groups. Jiang Boyue will go to Longxi, and Guan Zifeng will go. Guanzhong. Second, Jiang Boyue’s route has wiped out the Hu Fen army in Longxi, Jin. Hu Fen and Wang Shen were beheaded by the Qiang people, and the Wenyang brothers descended to Shu. Xi Shu has already controlled the strategic point of Jieting. The great Sima Shibao of the country was blocked in Qinchuan and could not advance an inch. The four counties of Longxi and Liangzhou had already fallen under the control of Xishu. Third, the road of Guan Zifeng had been stationed there after taking down Mei County. Now it is under the control of the Jin army 1 troops were besieged. However, judging from the recent battle situation, unless the food in Mei County is eaten up, it will not be captured by the Jin army. [-]. At present, there are only [-] Jin troops left in Luoyang. And [-] of them are recruits or have just been drawn from prefectures and counties. [-]. The Jingzhou Army of the Jin State now has only [-], and more than [-] Chinese troops are trapped in the three counties of Shangyong. [-]. The Yangzhou Army of the Jin State still has eight [-], but the Xuzhou Legion behind it is almost nonexistent. [-]. In the Northern Expedition of Xishu, cement was widely used. The transformation of the outer wall of Mei County proved to be extremely beneficial to the defender. Our country has proposed to Xishu The request to obtain cement production methods was explicitly rejected by Xishu. Not only that, but also the purchase intention was rejected. Eighth, major cities such as Hefei, Shouchun, and Xiangyang in Jin State are now following the example of Mei County in carrying out exterior wall renovations .But because there is no cement, the speed of ramming the earth to build the wall is extremely slow. It is estimated that it will not be completed in half a year...The report of the next official is over."

After Wang Cheng finished speaking, everyone in the hall fell into silence for a while.After a while, Zhong Hui said, "Shunmin, you can't get the cement in the open, so why are you coming in secret?"

Wang Cheng smiled wryly: "Shang Shuling, it has been found that the main production area of ​​cement is Fuling County in Western Shu. But the guards in the workshops there are extremely strict. Zhang Wei, the new Fuling prefect, although his ability to manage people is not as good as the old Chen Boyu, But in terms of military strategy, it is quite true to his father. In recent months, the lower officials have organized the elites of Dianxiao, Wudi, Jiefan, and Zhangzhang to enter Fuling County through Wuling County and want to tie a few craftsmen out, but as soon as they entered The boundaries of Fuling County have been interrogated by barbarians from various cottages, and they have been encircled and suppressed if they are not paying attention... Over the years, the people's livelihood in Fuling County has been done very well by Guan Zifeng and Chen Boyu, and all the local barbarians are diehards of Fuling County ..."

"I see, Shunmin has worked hard."

"Don't dare, things are not done well, and many elites have been damaged. Wang Cheng is ashamed."

"That's all." After all, he is a close friend who has been with him for decades, and Sun Hao is not going to pursue anything in this matter: "Cement and other things are auxiliary things after all. If my Da Wu's army has outstanding field combat capabilities, whether or not it will What's the matter. Well, Sima You, let me tell you about your strategy."

"No, Your Majesty, colleagues. This time, our Great Wu's Northern Expedition is expected to dispatch a total of 20 troops. Among them, 15 will be sent to Yangzhou, and [-] will be sent to Jingzhou. Another [-] will be deployed to accompany the army and civilians. This time, the main direction of the Northern Expedition is of course The Hefei City of the Jin State, taking it and defending it effectively is the lowest goal of this Northern Expedition. If the war goes well, Yangzhou will continue to advance northward, but in any case, Shouchun is the end of the Eastern Front of this Northern Expedition. And Jingzhou The direction is only to assist the attack, so winning Xiangyang is victory!"

"Well, how long is Sima Right's Northern Expedition expected to last? How much food will he need?"

"Your Majesty, I plan to send out troops in early April, and withdraw them at the end of October before the weather completely turns cold. It will last for half a year. The grain needed, including the loss of transportation on the road, Yangzhou needs at least 200 million shi grains, and Jingzhou needs at least 80 shi. Wan Shi. As for money, 20 billion is enough."

"Hehehe, You Da Sima really understands my difficulties. However, how can I treat my soldiers badly. How about this, food, I will prepare 500 million shi for you, money, 30 billion! Well, Wen Bin, you Is there no problem there?"

"Hehehe, how dare you delay military and national affairs because of Yu alone. Please rest assured, Your Majesty and You Da Sima, the treasury can hold it!"

"How about it, You Da Sima, are you satisfied with this amount of military resources? If it is not enough, I will transfer more money and food from the Shaofu to you."

"Ah?! Enough, enough! Thank you, Your Majesty, old minister!"

"You don't have to be like this, after all, it's all for this country. Hey, I received a letter from Zuo Da Sima a few days ago, saying that he was seriously ill and couldn't get out of bed for more than a month... The country is still in danger. The crisis of survival has not been resolved, but the generals who are the pillars of the imperial court are all in poor health. In my heart... You Da Sima is leaving, please take care of your health. My patience is very good. If you can't beat Hefei for half a year, you will fight for another half a year That's it! Five million grains are not enough, so we can just transfer them from the treasury. In short, the army is out, so I will entrust everything to the Right Da Sima!"

"Your Majesty!" Ding Feng, who was so moved that his face was flushed, knelt heavily on his knees: "The old minister is really convinced! Your Majesty is the rebirth of King Huan! If you meet such a wise master, the old minister will definitely repay your majesty! Please don't worry, your majesty. For the next Northern Expedition, Hefei must conquer!"

"Shan, I am waiting for the good news of Sima You in Jianye!"

……

On April 268th, AD [-], the right chief of the Eastern Wu Dynasty, Martin Bong, was in Dongguan, Jiangbei, and the newly-appointed top general of the Eastern Wu Dynasty, Lu Kang, was in Xiling, and at the same time swore to the Northern Expedition!

(End of this chapter)