The road to Shu is difficult, and it is difficult to reach the blue sky.
In late summer, Jinniu Road, the official road from Deyang Prefecture to Shukou, was full of people. Countless Shu people were either walking alone, couples, or traveling with their families, relatives and friends, or caravans. Bustling and bustling, heading north.
Among the people, there were also large groups of officers and soldiers accompanying them, but many of them were over forty years old, did not wear armor, and only had weapons such as swords and guns, and there were few archers. At first glance, one can tell that this is the local Xiang army militia in Sichuan.
In other words, they are all poor members of the Sichuan army and local militia who were eliminated during the military reorganization.
The Song people moved to Hexi and recruited 50,000 Xiang army militiamen. Many of them took their families and went to Hexi for adventure.
Even though the summer heat has subsided, it is still unbearably hot at noon. However, the towering ancient trees on Shu Road also took away a lot of the heat.
"Third brother, have you been to Hexi? What is it like there? Is it dangerous? Do you think we can really allocate 10 acres of water to irrigate the land when we get to Hexi?"
Liu Xing was carrying a baggage, sweating profusely, holding a red tassel gun in one hand, moving forward, and asking a series of questions.
"I've never been there either. You'll know what it's like once you go there. Our safety is protected by the border troops in Hexi, and nothing will happen to us. In addition, immigration to the border, the emperor's imperial edict, and the military's clear orders, how can we still... Is there a holiday? Don’t worry, your 10 acres of irrigated land will be indispensable!"
He Taiping continued on his way without looking back.
He looked forward, searching among the people. Inside, there were his wife and children.
"Third brother, if we go now, won't we have to go through the winter? Why don't we go there next spring?"
From here to Hexi, there is still nearly two thousand miles to go, and the journey will take two months, or even longer. By the time we reach Hexi, it may already be winter.
"It's not as mysterious as you say!"
He Taiping finally saw his wife and children in the crowd and waved quickly. Unfortunately, his wife and children did not see them, but his little daughter riding on the horse was in sight. And it seems that the younger daughter is still very happy.
"Three passes, five states, and Lizhou. In the world, people who are near the water are the first to get the moon. It must have passed long ago. When we arrive, we may have finished burning the wasteland and are waiting for farming. We will just catch up."
He Taiping's words made Liu Xing nodded and continued to ask.
"Third brother, do we all need military camps?"
"I heard what General Hou said, 30% will be guarding the border and 70% will be farming. Don't worry, you and I are both over forty. We don't know how to guard the border, we can only farm."
He Taiping smiled slightly and patted Liu Xing on the shoulder.
He is already forty years old and still can’t calm down.
"Are there so many people going?"
Liu Xing looked at the team and had other thoughts.
"Chengdu Prefecture has a lot of people but little land, and there are many brothers who have no land. Each person has 10 acres, so grab it!"
He Taiping said, a little embarrassed.
Isn't that what he is? After growing the land, he sold it to the rich, became a tenant, and had no choice but to join the army.
"Who is that? Such a huge formation?"
He Taiping pointed to the huge convoy in front and asked about several officers and soldiers around them.
"Third brother, I heard it was Liu Dayi, a wealthy businessman from Chengdu Prefecture. Those dozens of carts were all brought by him. I heard they were all cloth, flour, medicinal materials and so on."
Some of the officers and soldiers accompanying me were from Chengdu Prefecture. They were well-informed and knew the details of the merchants.
"I heard that Liu Dayi bought 200 hectares of land in Ganzhou, Hexi, and said it was a Shangtun. If I go this time, I will probably have to stay in Ganzhou for a while."
Another officer said, with envy in his eyes.
"200 hectares!"
He Taiping suddenly opened his eyes wide.
In Chengdu, there are 20 guan per acre of upper land, and 13 or 14 guan per acre of middle land. 200 hectares equals 20,000 acres, which is at least two to three hundred thousand guan.
This Liu Dayi is such a big hand!
"In Shangtun, Hexi, one acre of land only costs 5 guan, and 200 hectares is 100,000 guan. There is no tax for three years. This Liu Dayi wants to not only build Shangtun, but also do business in Hexi and Sichuan, but he will make a lot of money!"
Liu Xing shook his head, looking a little frustrated.
"I heard that Pu Gu, a wealthy man from Deyang Prefecture, also bought 200 acres of land in Xiliang Prefecture. He is engaged in coal and porcelain trading, and also buys land in Hexi. Isn't he afraid of choking?"
Another officer, Sun Xian, muttered.
"Didn't Pu Hong of Kuizhou Prefecture have his house confiscated and beheaded? Is this Pu Gu a member of Pu Hong's tribe?"
Soon, another officer and soldier shouted suspiciously.
"Pu Hong's family of more than 60 people was basically driven out and killed. Pu Gu only had the same surname as Pu Hong, and besides, his main job was digging wells and mining, which was hard work that no one else could do. If it weren't for briquettes, he wouldn't have gotten rich! "
Liu Xing shook his head and denied his colleagues' speculation.
"I think you are jealous? People have invested so much, real money, and traveled thousands of miles. The more they invest, the more risks they take, so they will naturally get more! Think about it, what if you encounter a bandit and rebel? Are you losing money and people?"
He Taiping laughed and said with a lot of sarcasm in his heart.
People buy land in an upright and dignified way, so why do they provoke these lazy guys?
"There are also bandits and rebels?"
Sun Xian's eyes widened unconsciously.
"Then if we encounter it, wouldn't we lose our lives in vain?"
These old, weak, sick and disabled people were all eliminated from the army during the reorganization of the army. If it weren't for the strict military discipline and the 10 acres of farmland granted to their families, they wouldn't have gone to Hexi, a far away place to cultivate land.
"Bandits? Rebels? Third brother, stop joking!"
Liu Xing pointed at the Song Army cavalry galloping back and forth on the official road, with envy in his eyes.
"Did you see that the Tatar cavalry have been driven away by them, who dares to cause trouble? Fifty thousand elite soldiers went to Hexi, all with artillery and grenades, and they were escorted by border troops along the way. What are you worried about?"
He shook the red tassel gun in his hand and said with a smile:
"Besides, if it's just an ordinary bandit, that's enough for us."
All the troops laughed. Indeed, they all have their families accompanying them. When they encounter foreign enemies, of course they have to share the same hatred and rise up to resist.
"Hurry up! If you miss the sun, your trip will be delayed!"
He Taiping urged everyone, and together with Liu Xing, he joined the crowd of people heading north.
At the Mianzhou City Inn, under the pavilion on the roadside, the new governor of Wuwei County, Shi Songzhi, carefully checked the roster and gave instructions to the officials on the side.
"After registering for the next wave, hurry up and send the details to Xihezhou Station so that they can be ready to respond!"
A dedicated person was responsible for the supervision in sections. These were the immigration items he proposed to the emperor when he was in Chengdu. After discussions between the emperor and Sichuan envoy Cui Yu, Lizhou West Road pacification envoy Guo Zhengsun, and Hexi envoy Fan Zhong, etc., He checked for leaks and filled them up, and he also took care of specific immigration matters.
"Yes, sir, let's do it right away!"
The official quickly agreed and went down to make arrangements.
This Shangguan is smart, capable, energetic, and can exert endless energy, which is really admirable.
Shi Songzhi took a breath, picked up the tea bowl on the table, tilted his neck, and drank half the bowl.
"Ms. sir, can you drink such coarse tea?"
The guard Ma Shirong on the side said with an apologetic smile on his face.
The four historians were full of scholar-bureaucrats, well-dressed, well-fed and surrounded by servants. He was in awe that he came to the northwest to suffer this crime without any disdain.
"But for the sake of national affairs, I am happy to do so. People's livelihood is very difficult, but it is good to have a simple meal!"
Shi Songzhi put down his tea bowl and said something leisurely.
The emperor personally transferred him to Hexi, how could he dare to refuse? How could you say no?
The historian wants to regain his strength, and he wants to be honored as a minister. This is his opportunity, and it is also an opportunity for the historian. He must not miss it!
"Ms. Shi, your daughter serves in the Lizhou Rongsi border army. Have you, father and daughter, met each other?"
As the garrison general of Mianzhou City, Ma Shirong naturally knew the truth about the female students of Jinling Martial Arts Hall.
At the mention of his daughter, Shi Songzhi's face darkened involuntarily.
"I met her a few days ago. She is doing well. She is already the chief medical officer of Lizhou Rongsi. She can be considered as sharing your worries."
I am almost 20 years old. If I don't go back to Lin'an City, I will save lives and injuries in these dangerous and cold places. If you don't give in, when will it end? When can I get married?
His daughter loves the emperor, and he has "secret information" about it. However, this was obviously wishful thinking on the part of his daughter, and the emperor seemed not to have this intention.
It seems that we have to think of a way to transfer the stubborn daughter back to Lin'an City, like Wei Liaoweng's daughter Wei Sisi, to support her husband and raise her children.
Shi Songzhi's face was gloomy, Ma Shirong observed his words and quickly changed the topic.
"Xiangong Shi, Sichuan immigrated to Lintao Road and Hexi Road, which is the north. I heard that many people from the Song Dynasty followed the navy warships to the south. I heard that they were also immigrating. Is there such a thing?"
"Yes! The naval warships of the Song Dynasty cruised on the outer sea and showed their power outside the country. This was a sign of the prosperous times. Just like now, grain from Huguang is transported to Sichuan, grain from Sichuan is transported to Hanzhong, and grain from Hanzhong is transported to Lintao Road and Hexi Road . And Huguang’s food is shipped in ship after ship from all over Southeast Asia.”
Shi Songzhi's complexion improved and his eyes shone.
Food is the most important thing for the people. When immigrants arrive on Lintao Road and Hexi Road, the first priority is whether they have food to eat. The emperor has solved the most critical issue, and the rest will be much simpler.
The emperor was a man of great talent and strategy, and knew how to support the Song Dynasty from overseas. He was impressed by his far-reaching vision and grand plans.
"Ms. sir, the next wave of immigrants has arrived!"
As the next wave of immigrants arrived, Shi Songzhi stood up in surprise.
"Jiang Wanli, you're here! Quick, arrange meals for the immigrants!"
"Mr. Mianzhou, this wave of immigrants in Mianzhou is pretty good. Most of them are young and middle-aged people, and there are many bachelors among them..."
Jiang Wanli spoke softly, with stories in his eyes.
"Then no matter what, I have to stay in Liangzhou, not in our Wuwei County."
Shi Songzhi whispered, and the two foxes, old and young, looked at each other and laughed.
"Ziyuan, immigration is a national project, and His Majesty is looking forward to it. All wastes are being prospered in Hexi, and reclamation and land reclamation are the top priority. I am wondering if, in addition to encouraging the common people and soldiers to reclaim land, we officials can also do our humble part. Strength. For example, if each person has two to three acres of self-cultivated land and the common people cultivate wasteland, can we set up a reward..."
The two officials were in high spirits and chatting, and Ma Shirong on the side was also moved.
The emperor made great efforts to expand south and north, and he was full of expectations for what the Song Dynasty would look like in the future.
