The woman who was rescued by Deng Xinghui at the risk of her life was named Shen Yucui, and she was from Rongbangya Village where they were going.
She brought bad news.
"It's gone, it's all gone. The water rushed down from the mountain, and no one in the village, old or young, ran out. My father tried to push me into the tree, but the tree was also washed down."
Everyone looked heavy, but in the face of such a natural disaster, there was really nothing they could do.
But looking at Shen Yucui's appearance, she didn't seem too sad.
"There's nothing to eat for a long time. It's just a matter of dying early and dying later."
After listening to Shen Yucui's story, everyone realized how miserable the people are today.
When Liao's wages were collected last autumn, the county guards rushed into the village and took away everything they could, leaving them not even a morsel of food.
Forced to have no choice, the whole village, old and young, ran out to beg.
But after leaving the mountain village, I realized that there were wars everywhere and there was no way to survive.
Then the White Lotus Sect came again. When they entered the village, they killed everyone they saw and robbed anything they saw. There were more than 100 households in the village, but only about 30 people were killed.
After finally waiting until spring, I planted some taro in the ground and waited for this little ration to help. Who would have thought that a heavy rain and flash flood would destroy the entire village.
Once a person experiences too much pain, his nerves become numb and tough. So that no matter what you encounter, you will no longer be hit by sadness.
Shen Yucui is like this.
The teenage girl, like Kuchiki, doesn't care about anything anymore.
Only when food was placed in her hand did her eyes become slightly more flexible.
She ate five steamed buns as big as her fist. If it weren't for the fear that she wouldn't be able to hold on to it, she would probably still be able to eat it.
This full meal made Shen Yucui make up his mind.
"Benefactor, from now on, I am yours."
The eldest daughter of the Yellow Flower didn't care about shame at all. Her big burning eyes stared at Deng Xinghui's ass as if it was on fire.
"Sister, please don't talk nonsense."
People in Shandong are stubborn, and ten oxen cannot pull them back if they recognize the truth of death.
"I don't want to talk nonsense. You are my benefactor and you saved my life, so I will follow you. Don't worry, I am strong and can work. I won't eat your food in vain."
As he spoke, Shen Yucui's eyes gained a watery charm.
"I...I can also warm your bed."
All the old men around him were making noises and suppressing their laughter, but they couldn't hold it back any longer.
Especially the soldiers, they are looking for opportunities.
"I asked why the captain jumped into the water so violently. It turns out he was trying to get his wife."
"The captain is now old enough. If he has a wife, he won't have to worry about the war. Is that what the political commissar said?"
"Yes, yes, captain, what are you waiting for? My wife who comes to visit me, please don't ask for it for nothing."
Deng Xinghui was numb.
"Get out of here, I'll deal with you carefully."
After scolding his men, Deng Xinghui quickly explained to Shen Yucui.
"Sister, it's a rule to save you. You are a common person, and we soldiers will save you if we see you. Even if it's not me, others will save you."
Shen Yucui didn't listen.
"I don't care, since you saved me anyway, I will recognize you."
Deng Xinghui was about to cry but had no tears, so he quickly asked Qi Biaojia for help.
"Director Qi, you are a scholar, please help me. If this continues, I will violate discipline."
After watching a play happily, Qi Biaojia was in a good mood. But you still have to come forward when you need to.
"Girl, we all understand what you mean. Our Captain Deng is indeed a good young man, worthy of entrustment. However, he is a soldier, and their army has discipline. Can this matter be done? , and you have to listen to their general."
Shen Yucui couldn't sit still.
"Where is the general? I'll tell him."
…………………………………………
"Girl, marriage is a major matter, it is related to your and his lifelong happiness, so you must not be careful. Just your confirmation is not enough. Have you considered whether Deng Xinghui likes you? As for my suggestion, you might as well understand it slowly first. For a while. If after some time, you are sure of your feelings, then I will officiate the marriage for you personally."
This was also the first time Zuo Mengeng encountered this, it was quite new.
However, his soldiers were actively pursued, and he, as a leader, also had face.
But when making decisions, he did not act recklessly, but was very steady.
He also believed that as long as he said a word, Deng Xinghui would definitely obey the order and marry Shen Yucui.
If word spreads, it might become a good story.
Only in this episode, no one considered Deng Xinghui's feelings.
Although Zuo Mengeng is still a groom, he knows very well that marriage is a very tiring thing. In the days after marriage, there will definitely be a lot of friction between husband and wife.
It would be unsightly if he messed up the relationship and affected the lifelong happiness of Deng Xinghui and Shen Yucui.
The method he gave was to let nature take its course.
Give the two young people some time to get along with each other.
If they are suitable, they will come together without his order; if they are not suitable, they will not cause any loss.
His decision made Deng Xinghui relieved and ran away happily.
A small episode cannot change the dark clouds in the hearts of everyone in Mengyin County.
"Currently, the county's population has been counted, and there are only more than 5,000 people. The rural population is scattered throughout the mountains, and they are all very poor. The land in the mountains is also poor, and there is nothing to gain from growing crops. Almost every household is suffering Hungry."
Even before seeing the report, Zuo Mengeng could guess what Dang Huanchun had told him.
Because this happens in almost all areas with more mountains and less land.
The only cultivated land in Mengyin County is along the Meng River outside the county seat.
As a result, this time due to the double destruction of the White Lotus Sect and the flood, there was no harvest this year.
If it hadn't been for the sharp population decline caused by the war, the first big problem facing Dang Huanchun and others would have been food pressure.
Even so, the current situation in Mengyin County is not much better.
Zuo Xiang was not as determined as before.
"The finance department can provide up to 50,000 taels of silver in support, but no more. This year, the relocation and expansion of the factory will cost us a lot of money."
Qi Biaojia hurriedly said: "The issue of money is not important yet. What is important is food. Without food, the remaining population will starve to death."
Zuo Mengeng had already read the financial statements and budget, and said: "The food problem can be solved for the time being, but it will definitely not last long. If by next year, we are unable to spend our own money to buy food, the outcome will be the same."
His attitude was clear.
Because of the disaster relief, the Administrative Committee can provide a batch of food. Although not much, it can definitely get Mengyin County through the first few months.
But Mengyin County must have its own income as soon as possible, otherwise, subsequent food supply will not be available.
It’s not that there is no food in Dongchang Mansion, but the Farm Reclamation Group involves the interests of many families, and it is impossible to supply it for free all the time.
If Mengyin County has fiscal revenue and uses money to purchase it, it will not cause financial problems.
this is the truth.
Even within the same group, some problems need to be solved through economic circulation. Otherwise, if one thing affects the whole body, it will affect the overall situation.
But in Mengyin County, which is in ruins, where is the financial growth point?
Lu Fuju suddenly proposed a whimsical plan.
"Take a seat, Mengyin is the forward base for the attack on Mengshan. There must be troops stationed here, right?"
Zuo Mengeng didn't hide anything.
"That's right. According to the plan, there should be three regiments stationed here in the near future."
Lu Fuju hurriedly said: "Can the project of building the military camp be handed over to us in Mengyin County? The military will provide funds and part of the food, and we will recruit people to build it. In this case, the military will have a base to use, and we will also be able to get a sum of money." Start-up funds can also provide local people with a chance to survive."
Zuo Mengeng's eyes lit up and he couldn't help but take a high look at him.
"Your idea is good, I agree."
After being praised, Lu Fuju immediately climbed up the pole.
"The military camp is set up here. Can the soldiers leave the camp? If possible, we would like to do some business outside the military camp."
What makes the New Army different from other armies is that the salaries of the soldiers are not only sufficient, but also very generous.
In this camp, the New Army is the financial leader, and it is also where Zuo Menggeng is most willing to invest.
The salary of an ordinary soldier in the New Army is higher than that of the deputy mayor.
High income also means high consumption ability, so Lu Fuju targeted the soldiers' pockets.
This idea is actually not unusual at all.
In later generations, areas near bases where U.S. troops were stationed would slowly develop into prosperous areas. This is why.
However, Zuo Mengeng's mind flashed to notorious places like Qingliangli, and he immediately gave a serious warning: "It's okay to do serious business, but if you dare to engage in evil ways, I will skin you."
Dang Huanchun and others were all frightened and said that they would personally supervise and would never let the prostitute Liu Ying go to the military camp.
Although Zuo Mengeng recognized the methods that everyone in Mengyin County thought of to activate the economy, he knew even more that none of them were long-term solutions.
The army will not be stationed here forever. When the army withdraws, won't it mean that the local economy will still not improve.
He had to mention something: "As the saying goes, you eat the mountains if you rely on the mountains, and you eat the sea if you rely on the sea. Although it is impossible to cultivate land in these vast mountains, it is not without output. If you want to develop the economy and people's livelihood, you must adapt to local conditions. In the mountains, Specialty products, fruit tree planting, and mineral resources, etc., may be able to generate income.”
He specifically pointed to the surging Meng River and said to everyone: "There is another benefit of planting fruit trees, which is soil and water conservation. Look, because the trees in the mountains have been cut down and destroyed, the soil has been washed away by the water. So many Dashan, you can plant fruit trees and sell them to make money, and at the same time restore the local ecological environment. Remember, clear water and green mountains are valuable assets."
