Xi Yazhou continued to educate them: "Don't get the wrong idea and think that this is a small way to divide and rule. Our Senate is not so stingy in its governance! Mobilize the masses, mobilize the masses, who is mobilizing? Of course it is not the big gentry - of course. As long as they are honest, we are determined not to embarrass them. But in this Foshan area, they are used to being local emperors and cannot let go of their past prestige. They must look down upon outsiders like us who follow the rules in everything and govern the country according to law. We are used to it - not only can we not stand it, but they may even kick us out if we get the chance. Therefore, what we want to unite with are ordinary people."
Lin Ming cautiously interjected at this time: "This is indeed appropriate. However, to recruit militiamen, food and salary are indispensable. In the past, the militia members were borne by local wealthy families..."
Xi Yazhou laughed: "Comrade Lin, you haven't turned your head yet. Once Foshan Town is captured by bandits, who will suffer the most?"
"Of course they are the old wealthy people." Lin Ming actually understood what Chief Xi meant at this time, but he still pretended to be confused.
"That's right, so whoever benefits will pay for it." Xi Yazhou said, "Liu Si, you are the mayor now, you need to start collecting taxes as soon as possible - if you have money and soldiers, don't panic."
Liu Si respectfully responded "Yes". He knew the Senate's approach. He would never ask the big households to pay for food directly. He would have to openly levy some kind of national tax, and then pass various "tax exemption clauses". Most of the tax is passed on to large households. Finally, the tax money is used to pay the militiamen. This is called "two lines of income and expenditure." The purpose is to let all soldiers know: it is the Senate that feeds them, not the big families.
Liu Si added: "It's just food and weapons..."
"Foshan is just a big iron shop. There were so many regiments in the past. Why are the militiamen worried about not having weapons? As for food, you don't have to worry about it after the transportation lines are restored." Xi Yazhou was confident and pointed to the country, "Comrade Lin, I heard that your family Have four little wives?”
Lin Ming was startled, wondering why this thief suddenly asked about his four concubines? In the past, when talking in official circles, family members were generally not mentioned, and the most common greetings were "Madam". The concubine was a slave and had no chance at all. He was worried, thinking what if this thief wanted to give up his concubine? He can't let go of any of them - even if he is, his wife will never let him go. But since the boss asked, he had to answer: "Yes, there are indeed four little stars in the humble family. The boss is laughing."
"What are you laughing at?" Xi Yazhou said with a smile, "I heard that although there are many wives and concubines in your family, they can live in harmony. It can be seen that you are good at running a family. Since ancient times, you have managed a country and brought peace to the world. You are a local native, and you are very aware of the local situation. I know you, and you must do more to govern this town - you have served the Senate in the past, and the Senate will never forget your contribution, and your peace and wealth will be indispensable."
"Yes, thank you very much for the grace of the Senate. I am humbled and my whole family is filled with gratitude..." Lin Ming knew that these words were a reassurance for him, and by the way, they were also a "support" for him to serve as the deputy mayor here.
After Xi Yazhou inspected various affairs, he returned to the Octopus and ordered the ship to sail.
The waterway from Foshan to Sanshui is about thirty kilometers. Although the Octopus is a steamship, its speed can only be six or seven kilometers per hour. It also towed several barges and couldn't move faster even if it tried. Xi Yazhou was delayed for several hours in Foshan. Fortunately, due to the war and chaos, there were few ships sailing on the Xijiang River. The boat sailed smoothly all the way, and finally arrived at Sanshui County before sunset.
Xi Yazhou stood on the bridge and saw that the red sun had set, the stars were faintly visible, and the black silhouette of the city emerged from the rice fields and river network in the twilight. Hekou Town, where Sanshui County is located, was already very close at hand. The Wen Pagoda on Kuigang towers over the river, towering over the Han River. Outside the city, the river is open and full of water. Xi Yazhou couldn't help but feel broad-minded.
Most of the various ships of the Senate were anchored in Sixianjiao. Various transport ships, large ships, medium-sized ships, gunboats... one by one, parked neatly. Various signal lights on the ship flashed accordingly, and the entire Sixianjiao resembled the Milky Way.
This waterway is 5 meters deep, 100 meters wide at the west mouth, 200 meters wide at the east mouth, 500 meters wide in the middle, and 15 kilometers long. It is not only a suitable anchorage, but also connects the west and north rivers, making it very convenient for ships to enter and exit. Starting from here, not only can military supplies be replenished through the waterway, but it can also be used as a pipeline to draw blood, continuously obtaining various supplies from the middle road and the west road. When Thorpe was on a staff trip to Guangdong, he made a special trip to inspect this place.
On the pier of Hekou Town, the newly built 798-type river gunboat "Lijiang", the flagship of the Navy's Pearl River Squadron, is moored. The profile of the 130mm front-loading rifled gun is particularly conspicuous under the dark blue night.
Although Xi Yazhou didn't care much about land and sea disputes, when he saw this gunboat, he couldn't help but curse in his heart:
"nnd, all the limelight has gone to you! It's still the kind of limelight that spends a lot of money!"
Because of his important position, the General Staff specially sent Hong Huangnan to coordinate the forward supply business - which also avoided Liu Xiang's noise: Liu Xiang had already been nagging the military for a long time because he thought he stretched his hands too far in Guangzhou. It faded away for a long time.
Hong Yuanlao was not happy with this appointment - his original plan was to take advantage of the east wind of the Northern Expedition to build several farm orchards directly under Lianqin in the rich and fertile Guangzhou Prefecture. He has already taken a fancy to Luogang in Panyu. However, before he could start, he was sent to Sanshui with a transfer order. Although he is still responsible for the joint logistics business in Guangzhou, without him, things will not run so smoothly.
The Octopus stopped at the dock of Hekou Town. The Senate's general headquarters in Sanshui was located in Kuigang outside the south gate of Sanshui County. It is less than 1 kilometer away from Hekou Town. It is very convenient for communicating with the civil affairs agencies in the city and commanding and controlling ships on the river. After Hong Huangnan took office, he immediately fell in love with this place.
Seeing a bright light on the top of the tower, Xi Yazhou thought that he was using it as a lighthouse. Hong Huangnan really had an idea!
There were already guards on the dock to greet him. Xi Yazhou originally thought that if there was a pagoda, there must be a temple. Hong Huangnan's headquarters was probably in the temple. Unexpectedly, the guard who greeted him said that the headquarters was actually in the pagoda.
"What? How can there be so much space in the tower?" Xi Yazhou was puzzled.
Although this pagoda looks like a pagoda, it actually has nothing to do with a Buddhist temple. It is a kind of Feng Shui architecture. The purpose of building the Wen Tower is to encourage learning and encourage scholars. It has similar functions to buildings such as Zhuangyuan Well, Jinshi and the Third Archway. The so-called promotion of literary movement and the development of literary style. Although it is rare in other areas, it is a common public building in Lingnan area.
Hong Huangnan is a native of Guangzhou and has always been interested in Guangdong's culture and history, so he naturally knows the origin of this literary tower. What's more, the omen of the Kuigang Wenta is also very good. It is said that before Sanshui built the Wenta, there were "no scholars in the county, no military guards, and no one hundred thousand in wealth." After the Wenta was built, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the three Shuiwen was flourishing day by day, and there were many scholars and scholars. In modern times, Liang Shiyi, the famous Prime Minister and "Second President" of the Beiyang Government, emerged. If non-natives like Zheng Tingkui who made their fortune in Sanshui are included, then Sanshui after the construction of the Wen Pagoda is really a star-studded place with numerous celebrities.
Under the guidance of the guards, Xi Yazhou passed through the heavily guarded cordon and came to Kuigang. It turns out that there are no buildings around the pagoda, but it is surrounded by a masonry wall, which is very convenient for security guards. When I walked into the gate, I saw that many temporary buildings had been built against the walls. At this time, the lights were brightly lit, and the officers, messengers and naturalized cadres who came to do things came and went, making it appear busy.
Xi Yazhou looked at the pagoda and saw that it was a planar octagonal, nine-story pavilion-style masonry pagoda. It is more than 40 meters high, facing west and facing east. Starting from the bottom layer, it is gradually reduced. A copper gourd more than ten feet high is installed on the top of the tower. Each floor has octagonal shapes, and a copper bell hangs from the corner clip. It was nightfall, the wind blew the bells, and the sound could be heard several miles away. The base of the tower was made of granite, and was more than 1 meter high from the ground. It is more than 2 meters wide and has eight stone steps. Each level is more than 2 meters long and nearly half a meter wide. The momentum is quite majestic.
Because this literary tower is imitation of a pavilion, the area of each floor is quite large, especially the lower floors, which can indeed be used as a simple office building.
"Chief, please go this way." the guard said.
Xi Yazhou held the command knife in his hand and climbed up the steps. The first floor has been set up as an office, with several desks lined up, large maps hung on the walls, and a bright, dazzling carbide lamp hanging from the ceiling. Because the floor height is nearly 5 meters, it doesn't feel cramped at all.
The Kuigang Pagoda at this time was built in the 27th year of Wanli. Judging from its age, it was still a fairly new building. After Hong Huangnan took over, he did some cleaning and decoration work. The originally narrow inverted U-shaped window openings were all removed and enlarged, and large windows with glass inlays were installed. If it weren't for the octagonal interior walls, it would feel like an old-fashioned office building when you walk in. But the stairs are still narrow and steep.
The guard said Chief Hong's office and dormitory were located on the fifth floor. Xi Yazhou had no choice but to climb the stairs. I saw Hong Huangnan already greeting me at the stairs.
Xi Yazhou saw that although this floor was not large, it was kept clean and tidy. There are curtains on the windows, camp beds, desks, and bookshelves. The kerosene lamp was brightly lit, and there was a flower table in the corner with a pot of unknown flowers. Seems peaceful and comfortable.
"You're living a good life as a kid." Xi Yazhou said, "You're living in a building."
"Compared to front-line commanders, I am quite comfortable here. But doing logistics requires a lot of brainpower, so I have to have a good rest to make fewer mistakes." Hong Huangnan chuckled, "Sit down first and have a sip of tea. .”
