In the temporary palace of Xinshan County, Mu Sheng has been reading the summary of farming presented to him by Deng Qi for the past few days. The basic content is to discuss the farming system of the border garrison. The so-called integrating soldiers with farmers and integrating soldiers and farmers. The system has been implemented since the time of the late emperor, but it was only in his era that the system construction was relatively improved. Deng Qi summarized the key points and compiled it into a book, including many things that were adapted to local conditions, such as this time he discovered the sweet potato produced in the four counties of Lingnan. Immediate promotion of military reclamation has achieved great results.
As a time traveler, Mu Sheng now knows the benefits of the farming system. When the empire first conquered Lingnan, it could be said that it was completely destitute. Facing such a vast land, the conqueror had to implement the farming system first. Everything is difficult at the beginning, so you must fill your stomach first to gain strength. To carry out construction, if we completely rely on the imperial court to travel thousands of miles to the frontier for blood transfusions, sooner or later the imperial court will be brought down. This is also a last resort. In this era, transportation basically relies on animal power and manpower. The logistics cost is extremely high. Mu Sheng himself After escorting military rations to the frontier, it can be said that more than half of the rations were consumed on the road, and not much was left when they were actually delivered to the destination.
After reading the garrison strategy, Mu Sheng summoned the chief steward of the inner court and said, "Yang Jin, go ahead and ask Deng for an imperial edict."
"promise"
The emperor summoned Deng Qi to the imperial court to perform a prelude.
Mu Sheng held up his farming strategy and praised: "Deng Aiqing is really a great talent. I have indeed benefited a lot from reading it. I have a question, can this strategy be used to promote farming in the northern border and integrate farmers with soldiers? Now the court wants to To guard against looting from the northern grasslands, more than 300,000 troops are stationed along the Great Wall all year round. This is the result of our victory over the Huns. In addition to the Huns, there are also Dongyi people in the east who are constantly harassing the border. We maintain such a large-scale border. The army costs thousands of gold and countless grain and grass every day, which is also a big burden for the imperial court. If the farmland policy can also be implemented in the northern border, it can save the imperial court a lot of expenses."
After Deng Qi heard this, he stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, it is feasible to implement the farmland policy in our south. The terrain in the south is rugged and the river valleys are crisscrossed. The army mainly fights on foot and water. By integrating troops with farmers, it can greatly reduce the cost of fighting." The burden of the imperial court has a limited impact on the army's combat effectiveness. However, the defense of the Great Wall in the north is too important to implement farming strategies. The Huns and Dongyi people in the north are different from the southern barbarians. These grassland people are extremely brave in combat and are good at riding and shooting. , come and go like the wind, almost everyone is a soldier. Although the fielding policy is effective, the biggest disadvantage of this policy is that it will reduce the combat capability of the army. Most people farm in their spare time and serve as soldiers in war. Over time, they will neglect training. If When the grassland tribes moved south in large numbers, I was worried that the Northern Territory would not be able to withstand it. I had served in the Northern Territory in the past, so I knew the truth to some extent. Although this strategy was good, it still had to be adapted to local conditions. Most of the terrain in the Northern Territory was flat and very It is suitable for cavalry to plunder and charge. Even if the field system is implemented in the northern border, it can only be divided into garrison troops and combat troops. The garrison troops farm in their spare time and assist in combat during war. The combat troops are trained full-time to maintain the ability to mount their horses and fight at any time."
Mu Sheng thought for a while and felt that it was really unfair for talents like Deng Qi to stay here. He said: "What Deng Qing said is absolutely true. Let me ask you one thing. Who is more suitable to hand over the defense of Lingnan after you?"
Deng Qi was stunned when he heard this and said, "Your Majesty, what are you doing?"
Mu Sheng smiled and said: "I hope Aiqing can come to my side and listen to me. Staying here is really a waste of talent. During this eastward tour, Aiqing will follow me back to Qingyang."
When Deng Qi heard this, he was overjoyed. The emperor's title for him became "Ai Qing", which was a title that the emperor only used for his close ministers. He knew that this meant that the emperor wanted to transfer him back to Beijing and use him more.
Deng Qi immediately paid homage and said: "Long live my emperor, may the Jin Dynasty live forever. Your Majesty is kind and virtuous. It is my blessing that I can follow your Majesty."
Mu Sheng stepped forward to help Deng Qi up and said: "My beloved, please rise. Can you recommend someone here in Lingnan who can govern on your behalf?"
Deng Qi knew that his current position was very critical. He not only commanded a hundred thousand troops, but also had certain local administrative power. He could be said to be a real official in the feudal frontier. He had to be cautious in recommending candidates.
Deng Qi thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I recommend Tang Jiao to take over your position."
Mu Sheng was a little surprised and said: "I heard that you were at odds with him in the past, right?"
Deng Qi said: "In the past, we all worked under Old General Lu, and we were at the same level. It was inevitable that we would have some fights with each other. However, Tang Zhi is no less talented than me. I have known him well for many years. Wei Chen believes that at present, Nan It is most appropriate for him to take over the situation in Xinjiang."
Mu Sheng nodded slightly and said: "Okay, I trust your judgment. In three days, I will leave for Yue County to inspect. You can come to the capital after you have handed over the work here."
Deng Qi said excitedly: "I thank your Majesty for your appreciation."
The emperor and his ministers were in harmony with each other, and the two discussed it for a long time in the emperor's palace. Deng Qicai resigned and left the emperor's palace. At this moment, he was in a good mood. He never expected that he would be reused by the emperor just by offering sweet potato and garrison strategy. After coming to power, this new king still attaches great importance to people like them, and he deserves to be followed.
Two days later, before the emperor's honor guard continued its southern tour, he specially summoned Deng Qi's successor Tang Jia. After all, he was the military leader of the four Lingnan counties. The emperor still had to interview him in person before appointing him.
At this time, Tang Zhi's face glowed. After all, he had been promoted. He had taken root in Lingnan for so many years and could finally become a sole military commander one day.
Tang Zhi was anxious all the way. When the emperor came in, he met the king. Seeing that the emperor had been waiting there for a long time, he stepped forward and paid homage: "I see my emperor, long live, long live."
Mu Sheng raised his hand slightly and said with a pleasant expression: "Tang Qing, please excuse me. This time I will leave the defense of the four Lingnan counties to you. Tang Qing will guard the borders for the country and provide peace of mind to the army and the people."
Tang Zhao said with a firm face: "Your Majesty, I have received your great trust this time. I will guard the country's borders against enemies and dare not slack off."
Mu Sheng nodded slightly and said: "Okay, from now on, I decree that you will be General Zhennan, in charge of the defense of the four counties."
In fact, the title Zhennan General was also used by Mu Sheng to draw on some general titles from later generations to win over military generals. In this era, most military generals only had titles such as captain and captain. The imperial court followed the old system of the previous dynasty and set up There are too few general titles, only the titles of front, rear, left, and right generals. After the unification of the world, front, rear, left, and right generals have become honorary titles. They are desk generals without any actual power. The title of general can only be obtained by the commander who sends troops to fight. The title was temporarily granted. After the war, military power was returned to the imperial court and the title of general was withdrawn. This was also a legacy of the Warring States Period. Although the title of General Zhennan has no actual benefits, it is indeed a permanent title.
When Tang Jia heard this, he was stunned. He had never heard of the title of General Zhennan, but he knew that it was a title given by His Majesty, with the intention of wooing him. It was better than the past when he only temporarily added the title of General when sending troops. Being strong means that as long as he remains in this position, he can always be called a general. As a soldier, this is a great honor and face.
Tang Jia was overjoyed and said: "Thank you for your grace, I will do my best to repay your kindness from now on."
Mu Sheng stood up and came to the map of the four Lingnan counties. He pondered for a moment. Tang Jia understood that the emperor had something to explain, so he stepped forward and listened.
Mu Sheng looked at the map and told Tang Jia: "Tang Qing, this time I support Wolf Fort as the king of the Xi clan to check and balance the Xi clan's expansion in southern Xinjiang. Do you know about this?"
Hearing this, Tang Jia nodded slightly and said, "Your Majesty, regarding the matter of the Xi Clan, after General Deng received the official document from the court, he handed over the matter to Wei Chen for detailed handling. I am very aware of the current situation of the Xi Clan."
Mu Sheng nodded slightly and said: "Well, very good, Tang Qing, Wolf Castle is ready to start an uprising soon, but Wolf Castle only has tens of thousands of elites under his command. Compared with the entire Xi tribe, their strength is still too high." Weak, if necessary, Tang Qing can assess the situation and send troops to help Wolf Castle at any time without asking the court for instructions. Do you understand what I mean?"
When Tang Jia heard this, he knew that the emperor had given him discretionary power. This was the emperor's trust in him and his inspection. If he could handle this matter well, he might be able to join the emperor's army in the future. Fayan, together with Deng Qi, went to the capital.
Tang Zhan showed a determined look on his face, nodded and said: "Your Majesty's instructions, I will bear them in mind."
After a deep discussion between Mu Sheng and Tang Zha, they finalized some matters for the four Lingnan counties in the future. In the afternoon, the emperor's ceremonial guard departed for Yue County, while Deng Qi stayed to hand over everything to Tang Zha, the new Zhennan general. Only when the work is done can I officially go to the capital to report.
At the general's residence in Liu'an City, Xinshan County, Deng Qi officially handed over his general's seal to Tang Jia.
Tang Jiao took the seal with a cheerful face and asked: "General Deng, I heard that you recommended me to be the commander-in-chief of Lingnan in front of His Majesty?"
Deng Qi nodded and said, "Yeah."
Seeing Deng Qi's admission, Tang Jia showed gratitude on his face and stepped forward, clasping his fists and saluting: "Thank you, General, for the recommendation. You and I had some personal grudges in the past, but I didn't expect that before the General left, he actually recommended me as the chief general."
Deng Qi waved his hand and said: "General Tang, there is no need to be polite. You and I were brought out by General Lu in the past. Although there are some personal grievances, they are all minor matters. In the country, of course Deng cannot abandon public service for personal reasons. At present, the Lingnan Army In terms of qualifications and personal abilities, I really can’t think of anyone else who can compare with you, Old Tang, so luckily it’s all going smoothly.”
Tang Jia was an old-fashioned man, but he was still moved by Deng Qi's selfless remarks and said, "I admire General Deng's integrity and integrity."
Hearing this, Deng Qi said humbly: "Whatever, you and I are just doing errands for the imperial court."
Tang Jia nodded slightly and extended his hand to invite: "General Deng, your Majesty will transfer you to the capital this time. I will prepare a banquet for you to show your respect. From now on, General Deng, you will have a bright future by your Majesty's side!"
Deng Qi laughed and said, "General Tang is so polite."
Tang Zha clapped his hands, and in the living room of the mansion, a servant brought a table of wine and food.
Tang Jaw stretched out his hand and invited: "General Deng, we won't come home until you and I are drunk tonight."
Deng Qi smiled and said, "Okay, I won't go home until I'm drunk."
Deng Qi actually didn't mind reconciling with his past rivals. He knew that Old Tang was a straight man. Although his bad mouth offended many colleagues, he was not a bad person in nature.
Although Tang Zha was a straight man, he also knew in his heart that Lao Deng had returned to Beijing with the emperor. He would definitely have a bright future and a prosperous official career. He could not afford to offend him. He would also take this opportunity of recommendation to quickly communicate with Lao Deng. It would be best if the opponents could reconcile and gain some friendship.
