After listening to Zheng Michang's narration, Hu Zongxian did not take the matter seriously. Instead, he gave a few general instructions and then moved the topic elsewhere.
Hu Zongxian turned his eyes to Zheng Michang and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"By the way, during my absence, you should pay more attention to the situation of changing rice into mulberry."
"I heard that the food stocks at home of those people who plant mulberry seedlings are almost exhausted. When the time comes, we will distribute all the relief food prepared in advance in the granary to them to let them survive this period."
Zheng Michang knew in his heart that this matter could not be taken carelessly, as it was related to whether the transformation of rice into mulberry could continue, so he immediately patted his chest and responded.
"Yes, Lord Governor, I will definitely handle the matter well!"
After receiving Zheng Michang's assurance, Hu Zongxian felt relieved and then gave instructions.
"After I leave, you will be responsible for handling all affairs in the Governor's Mansion as usual!"
"Yes, Lord Governor!"
After Hu Zongxian warned Zheng Michang, he immediately rode to the school grounds under the escort of his guards.
Here, more than two thousand elite Ming soldiers have been waiting here with solemn expressions.
Beside the school grounds, those who were out of place were Tsunoda Makoto and his companions. They were also allowed to participate in the Japanese suppression, but they were not wearing armor and the clothes they wore were quite tattered.
On the school field, Hu Zongxian looked at the neatly arranged soldiers under the stage. After looking around, he looked back and said loudly.
"Everyone, I am Hu Zongxian, the Governor-General of Zhejiang Province and the Governor of Zhejiang Province!"
"The purpose of calling everyone together today is to wipe out the last group of Japanese pirates entrenched in our Zhejiang territory. From this battle on, I will make the Japanese pirates completely extinct in our Zhejiang territory."
"Your mission this time is to wipe out all the Japanese pirates entrenched in Jingning, and restore peace to the people, so that they can live a stable life from now on!"
"In addition, everyone who participates in this battle will receive double the salary and pension as usual!"
After Hu Zongxian finished speaking, he looked at the extremely quiet soldiers in front of him and asked.
"Does anyone have any other opinions? If not, let's officially set off!"
"Kill, kill, kill!"
Nine out of ten of the soldiers at the scene were veterans, and some even fought with Hu Zongxian all the way. From the annihilation of the Japanese pirates in Fujian to the suppression of the rebellion in Jiangxi, they participated in most battles.
Originally, the annihilation of Japanese pirates did not require so many troops. More than a thousand troops were enough. However, for the sake of safety, Hu Zongxian still brought two thousand troops, plus Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou as deputy generals.
The reason why Hu Zongxian brought Qi Jiguang and the others was so that they could take advantage of this opportunity to accumulate more military merit and become more competitive in promotion in the future.
After making all preparations, Hu Zongxian personally led two thousand elite soldiers armed to the teeth, as well as Makoto Tsunoda and other Japanese pirates who had already surrendered, and embarked on the road to Jingning, Zhejiang.
"Drive!"
The sound of horse hooves resounded loudly on the official road. From mid-air, it looked like a black torrent, sweeping away into the distance.
…
After Hu Zongxian left, Zheng Michang was responsible for all affairs in the Governor's Mansion.
After thinking for a long time, Zheng Michang finally decided to summon He Maocai, Gao Hanwen, Ma Ningyuan and others to the Governor's Mansion to discuss the next response.
Immediately, I saw Zheng Michang summoning his guards and giving instructions in a deep voice.
"Go and call Lao He and the others to the Governor's Mansion. Tell me that we have something important to discuss. Go quickly!"
"Yes, Lord Chief Envoy!"
Not long after, Zheng Michang met He Maocai and others in the meeting hall.
As soon as He Maocai entered the meeting hall, he turned his eyes to Zheng Michang who was sitting at the top and asked.
"Old Zheng, tell me, call everyone here, what's going on?"
When Zheng Michang heard this, he did not rush to answer. Instead, he pointed to the empty seat beside him and said with a smile.
"Sit, everyone, sit down!"
Soon, everyone sat down in their respective seats. Seeing this, Zheng Michang turned his eyes away and asked.
"Have you heard recently that the food reserves in the homes of those who plant mulberry seedlings will be exhausted?"
"Before leaving, the Governor specifically told me to put this matter into place!"
After Zheng Michang finished speaking, Gao Hanwen on the side responded without thinking.
"Just in case, let's hurry up and distribute the relief food according to the roster we compiled earlier!"
When Zheng Michang heard this, he frowned slightly and immediately spoke.
"There is no need to worry about the distribution of relief food for the time being. We must investigate the situation clearly before we can distribute it!"
"Otherwise, when the time comes and the blame comes from above, will you bear this responsibility or me?"
After that, Zheng Michang called his subordinates, brought them the list of hundreds of people who had planted mulberry seedlings, and immediately gave instructions.
"Let's do this. Let's send people to go door to door according to the names and addresses recorded on this list!"
"After the investigation is completed and it is confirmed that this situation really exists, relief food will be distributed. What do you think?"
Although he was extremely anxious and wanted to distribute the relief food to the people immediately, Gao Hanwen knew very well that this was the safest plan at the moment. Even if something happened in the future, the superiors would not be responsible if they were investigated.
As expected, the plan proposed by Zheng Michang was unanimously approved by He Maocai and Ma Ningyuan. Seeing this situation, Gao Hanwen had no choice but to nod in agreement.
"Since everyone agrees to this matter, this matter is settled!"
"In order to improve efficiency, each of us is responsible for an area. He Maocai, you are responsible for this..."
…
To be on the safe side, Gao Hanwen finally decided to take people there to check the situation in person, and the area he was assigned to happened to be Wangjiacun, which had many "unruly people".
At this moment, Gao Hanwen came to Wangjia Village under the protection of a group of guards.
Looking around, the growth of the mulberry seedlings is quite gratifying. According to Gao Hanwen's estimate, mulberry leaves will be officially produced in two months at most. By then, the conversion from rice to mulberry can be officially announced and achieved.
While Gao Hanwen was still daydreaming, the villagers in Wangjia Village were already facing a formidable enemy. They thought Gao Hanwen was an official sent by the government to force them to plant mulberry seedlings.
"Everyone, gather together quickly, the government has sent someone again!"
"What, the rice is growing well now, and the government has sent people here again. Could it be that they want to destroy all the rice we planted like before?"
"Everyone, hurry up and arrest this guy. We definitely can't let the government officials succeed!"
In this way, what Gao Hanwen saw was this scene. He saw the villagers of Wangjia Village, holding hoes, sickles and other farm tools, gathering at the entrance of the village. These villagers looked at Gao Hanwen with fear and fear.
When the guard responsible for guarding Gao Hanwen saw this, he immediately pulled out a long knife from his waist and threatened him.
"You bunch of unruly people, what do you want to do with your weapons? Do you want to rebel? Why don't you put them down quickly!"
After hearing this, the fear on the faces of the villagers became even worse, and their bodies began to tremble slightly uncontrollably. However, despite this, they gripped the hoes, sickles and other farm tools in their hands tighter.
Seeing this, the guard immediately turned around, his face full of flattery, and asked Gao Hanwen for instructions.
"Sir, do you want to show some color to these unruly people?"
Gao Hanwen shook his head imperceptibly and said slowly.
"Well, if you do this, it will only make things more out of control. It is better for me to take action in person!"
Then, Gao Hanwen showed his figure, cleared his throat, and said loudly.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not here to ask you to change rice into mulberry!"
"I'm just here to investigate whether there are enough grains in the homes of the people who grow mulberry seedlings?"
"If there is no food stored at home, the government will come forward to distribute relief food to you!"
(End of chapter)
