I saw Xia Laodao coming in with a hundred carts of food, shouting and shouting for the refugees to gather, and then shouted:
"Didn't you say that Mr. Cao Hou is not well-intentioned? You can go back to your hometown now!"
"Your Majesty can't bear for you to starve to death. Each of you will be given five liters of food, which is enough for you to go home!"
"In ten days and a half, the local officials sent by the imperial court will arrive. Wait for your parents to provide relief."
After saying that, he ordered his soldiers to open the sacks on the car, revealing the white grain.
Xia Laodao then shouted:
"Don't be stunned, come and get the food."
If it had been before, these people would have rushed forward immediately when they saw so much good food, but now no one moved, just silent.
If you save a little on five liters of grain, you may be able to eat it for more than half a month, but what if you finish eating it?
An old man said with a grimace:
"Master Taoist, we don't want good food. As long as we can eat without starving to death, we will be satisfied. Master Hou can't ignore us..."
Hearing him speak first, the refugees began to beg.
"Yes, Mr. Dao, we wronged Mr. Hou, and we realize our mistake."
Xia Laodao wanted to smile but immediately suppressed it because:
"You guys are making it difficult for me to do this. Mr. Hou has already lost his temper and doesn't want to meddle in these nosy matters."
In any matter, if you rush to think about others, they will feel that they have suffered a loss. If you let them ask for help, they will be especially grateful.
So Xia Laodao waited for most of the day, until the refugees' lips were almost worn out, and then he said:
"Master Cao is planning to build a grain experimental area. How about I go and intercede with you?"
It has to be said that Cao Bin is becoming more and more confident.
This kind of plan, which is related to the survival of 100,000 farmers, can no longer make ripples in his heart.
In addition, a thousand kilograms of potatoes were recently sold in the Time and Space Mall, so he wanted to directly promote it in Qu, Wu and Mu.
The imperial court has promoted Champa rice in the Zhejiang and Zhejiang regions for several years. If potatoes are used as a supplement for winter crops, grain production will increase significantly.
Moreover, the future "Sea Trade Plan" will also require a production base, which will take advantage of the time when the refugees from the three states are in distress to capture them one by one.
He doesn’t want the farmers’ land, but wants both the people and the land.
Although a series of contracts have been signed, ranging from planting to purchasing and manpower arrangements, the refugees are still grateful.
This is the advantage of being passive, otherwise, they might think that Cao Bin has some conspiracy.
The next day, nearly 300,000 refugees, under the command of Xia Laodao, rushed to the West Lake and began dredging the waterways and clearing away the silt and aquatic plants.
After seeing the West Lake in later generations, Cao Bin could no longer stand the current living environment.
His newly built manor is located on Gushan Island in the lake and is greatly affected by the lake.
Now that we had money and food, we immediately let Xia Laodao get started without any delay.
He was an expert in this field and was suitable to direct this kind of project. At the same time, weaving workshops and various workshops also began to expand throughout Jiangnan.
Cao Bin doesn't have the strength to reform from top to bottom, but he can give it a try from bottom to top...
This morning, Zhu Min came to the door with Bao Zheng.
"Zhongjing Hou, should the taxes imposed by the three states of Quzhou and the confiscated property of the Wang family be handed over to me?"
In the past few days, Zhu Min had sent several waves of men to ask for money, and this time he brought Bao Zheng over directly.
Cao Bin decisively refused:
"Master Zhu, the taxes of the three states have been plundered by Fang La. You go to him and ask for them."
"There are also confiscated family properties. They were obtained by me from annihilating the remnants of Fang La. Why should I give them to you?"
As the transshipment envoy, Zhu Min was responsible for the taxes of the two Zhejiang provinces.
It was originally difficult to collect taxes this year, but it became even more difficult after being disrupted by Fang La.
Qu, Wu and other prefectures and counties did not even have officials in place.
If he didn't think of other ways, he would definitely not be able to complete the imperial mission.
However, if something gets into Cao Bin's hands, he will never return it. Otherwise, how will the West Lake be dredged? How are refugees arranged? This is his scope of responsibility.
After hearing Cao Bin's reasons, Zhu Min immediately said:
"Although Fang La robbed the taxes of the three states, wasn't it recovered by Zhong Jinghou? Shouldn't it be returned to the Transportation Department?"
Cao Bin waved his hand and said:
"Master Zhu, what you said is wrong. Those are not taxes to be recovered, but spoils of war. Master Zhu, please don't make a mistake in the procedure."
Zhu Min was speechless for a moment, turned to look at Bao Zheng and said:
"Master Bao, you have the emperor's order. It's up to you to judge. Should Zhongjing Hou pay me back my money and food?"
"Now that the imperial court is in dire straits, shouldn't we give priority to providing supplies to the imperial court? Building the West Lake is completely putting the cart before the horse!"
"I think Zhong Jinghou did this for his own selfish desires. Master Bao should dissuade him in time."
Bao Zheng hesitated for a moment, shook his head and said:
"Sir Zhu's words are serious. There are so many people who cannot be ignored. Zhongjinghou's work-relief is also conducive to farmland irrigation."
"Moreover, what Zhongjinghou said is in line with the court rules. It is really difficult for a lower official to interrupt..."
After saying that, he persuaded:
"Master Zhu might as well report the situation in Zhejiang and Zhejiang according to the facts. I believe the court will understand."
When Zhu Min heard this, he couldn't help but feel depressed.
The court will naturally understand that it is just that there is so much silver and grain missing, and it is difficult for him to manipulate it.
He went to Jiangnan to raise money for Cai Jing. In the near future, it will be a critical time to seize the throne, and it is when money is needed.
After looking at Bao Zheng and then at Cao, he knew there was no chance, so he had to throw away his sleeves.
At this moment, he has determined that Cao Bin and Bao Zheng have united.
He didn't understand that Bao Zheng almost killed Cao Bin back then, but now he could still live in harmony with them.
I don’t know if Cao Bin is heartless or really magnanimous. It seems that if he wants to succeed, he must first capture Bao Zheng.
There happens to be a ready-made opportunity, so you might as well give it a try.
Seeing him leaving, Bao Zheng looked at Cao Bin and said:
"Honor Zhongjing, Bao already knows about your contract with the refugees. Your move this time is too big."
"And I am not optimistic about the outcome of this matter. I just hope that you will be more cautious and well prepared."
After saying that, he stood up and left.
Bao Mian's case has been investigated secretly for so long, but a key figure is missing. We must hurry up.
After Cao Bin finished meeting the guests, he was about to go back to the backyard to rest. Xia Laodao ran in and said with a smile:
"Proprietor, I caught a very interesting thief. You must reward me when you see him?"
As he spoke, he clapped his hands and shouted:
"Bring him in!"
Several refugees were escorting a thin man in his thirties, chattering:
"Master Hou, I don't know where this kid came from. He mingled among us and ate and drank, but he didn't work properly."
"We discussed it and captured him. We can't let Mr. Hou suffer."
Cao Bin laughed immediately after hearing this. He didn't expect these refugees to be so self-conscious.
Xia Laodao quickly added:
"Don't underestimate this guy, proprietor. I think he has martial arts skills."
The man was also very depressed. He originally thought that hundreds of thousands of refugees would gather together, and they would be a mixed bag of good and bad, so they could safely escape for a while.
Unexpectedly, he was discovered after just one day, and was attacked by an old farmer who knew nothing about martial arts. He hit the back of the head with a hammer and almost died on the spot... What a shame!
