Zhou Bai returned and the ancestor worship was over, which meant that the entire family and internal affairs were once again under his control.
The stewards and deacons of the Group Affairs Hall, as well as the hall masters, bureau chiefs and heads of the inner palace, wanted to block Zhou Bai in the study room so that they could report all the affairs as soon as possible.
However, Zhou Bai ordered that no one should come to him for three days, and that he should first familiarize himself with the situation.
The key is that there is really no time, and the clan has to hold corresponding celebrations. This is the dignity of a top county wealthy family.
Dragon and lion dances, inviting opera troupes to set up a stage to sing operas... The three-day running feast was open to everyone who came, but fortunately, Zhou Bo had no need to take care of it.
But when all the big and small families in the county are invited to attend the Jinshi Banquet, why does he have to show his face? Not to mention other families, the clan heads of several Cangshan Alliance families must be there in person.
In addition, he had to read the cavalry's plan, the army, major workshops, manors, account books, etc. before he could have a rough idea of the situation.
For the next afternoon, Zhou Bai did not rest. He first observed the competition between the Yinjiao Army team and Gao Hu and others, and then inspected several concentrated military camps.
It is said to be a military camp, which means that the villagers are concentrated in several Zhuangzi near the ancestral land. Complete school facilities are arranged there, and the food produced by Zhuangzi can be used to reduce losses.
You can ignore everything, but the army is something that needs to be grasped immediately.
These "old men" are all non-commissioned officers planned by Zhou Bai. Cooperating with the reserve militia system, they can complete expansion and violent troops in a short time.
There was no time to look at the foundations on Cangshan Mountain or the mountain camp garrison. Zhou Bai just flew into the air and took a general glance at the ancestral land as the core.
Looking around, there are acres of connected fields all around, and there are layers of golden and green everywhere you look.
With the special care of Ningjiang Dragon King, Bei'an County was the least affected, and Pingcang County was even more affected. Although it was also affected, the production reduction did not exceed 20%.
The golden acres are filled with wheat that is about to mature, and the green acres are filled with bunches of rice ears. The hard-working farmers are carefully tending the fields. These are the foundation of the Zhou people.
Then there is the place further away, where there are 20,000 acres of new fields at the foot of Cangshan Mountain. All of them use chemical fertilizers, and the output will increase by more than 30% compared to previous years.
Finally, there is Cangshan Mountain, where all kinds of workshops are in full operation day and night. One hundred thousand acres of mountain fields are planted with sweet potatoes, rice, and potatoes. The vigorous growth of spiritual energy allows these grains to grow fully.
These are the foundations of Zhou Bai’s rise!
And the performance of luck really proves this point. The basic white Qi represented by Cangshan Mountain is produced every moment, and a small part of it transforms Zhou Bai's vigorous external luck and nourishes his life.
In addition, most of them have accumulated into clouds and gathered over the ancestral land of the Zhou clan, which is also where the rough system of the inner government is located.
It was evening in a blink of an eye, and the eleven members of the Silver Dragon Army team were sitting in the guest hall. The banquet was rich in dishes, and the rich aroma of high-quality liquor made them restless.
Originally, according to Zhou Bai's idea, he wanted them to be guests in his courtyard, so as to show their closeness.
But taking into account Fu Bo's rest and the size of the yard, the reception was changed to the spacious guest hall.
How can a northern warrior not love fine wine?
Special high-strength liquor, a type of liquor they had never seen before, made their mouths water.
Zhou Bai had actually arrived a long time ago, but he still stood in the side hall for a while, comparing the information in his hands to observe the performance of these knights.
Faced with the temptation of liquor, some were quite impatient, and some were salivating. However, a few people remained calm and had doubts in their hearts. They were obviously not pure fools.
But it was just like this that gave Zhou Bai a little more confidence. If he was really a stubborn man, it would be difficult to talk to him.
"Everyone has been waiting for a long time. I just came back and had a lot of things to do. Please forgive me for any slightness."
Seeing Zhou Bai come in, everyone stood up in a respectful manner.
Not to mention anything else, just his status as Hanlin editor made him a noble person in their eyes.
Because the first cavalry general, Hu Jiang, knew some etiquette, he immediately raised his hands and saluted: "No, it's a great blessing that the editor can share the same table with me."
"It is Zhou's blessing to be able to sit at the same table with all the brave men. Please take a seat."
"I'm treating you all to a drink today. Have a good time. The home-brewed wine is enough."
Zhou Bai had a lot of experience in leading troops in his previous life, so he knew how to blend in with them.
"Thank you all for your hard work escorting me all the way. I'll do it first to respect you!"
After a glass of wine, the knights responded with another drink, and the atmosphere suddenly became lively.
Zhou Bai didn't bring anyone to accompany him to drink. It could be said that one was against eleven. After two rounds, the Silver Dragon Army team was shocked.
"Editor, keep your drinking capacity!"
"The article is well done, and he dares to ride a horse to kill the enemy. Now he can drink wine better than us. He is an upright hero!"
"I, Old Liu, have never admired many people in my life. You are one, burp..."
Soon, the eleven Yinjiao soldiers who had tasted liquor for the first time began to slowly get to know each other and were convinced by Zhou Bai.
How did these people know that Zhou Bai was a monk at the pinnacle of the second realm, and it was too easy to force the alcohol out of his body.
Once he drank too much, he would dare to say anything. Plus Zhou Bai was still there to induce him, and a group of people took advantage of the alcohol to pour out their bitterness.
"The treatment of the dragon horse cavalry troops stationed in the local area is much worse than that in Shenjing City?"
"In the past, even if you lost your hands and feet, the court could still arrange some positions, and the corresponding subsidies could be paid in full. But now there are no positions. Even the salary is decreasing year by year, not to mention other things."
"There is a shortage of various local taxes, and the imperial court has not opened up for a long time. I think, alas!"
In fact, these soldiers are indeed the best in the world. They actually have some insight in their conversation and are not just complaining.
Zhou Bai shook his head, looking sorry for them, and said with emotion: "I really didn't expect that it would be so difficult for the dignified Jiaoqi. Your pensions for injuries, disabilities, and even death in battle are actually not as good as those of my villagers?"
"Your subordinate Gao Hu was just a mountain man a year ago. Even if he is braver than me, no one knows about him."
"Only by following you can I be treated like this and develop such a sharp spirit." The cavalry commander Hu Jiang dared to express his feelings at this time. He was defeated by Gao Hu in the daytime fight.
A rough and strong man who had been holding back for a long time also shouted: "I think it would be better to leave this dragon horse cavalry and work with the editor..."
As soon as these words came out, the scene suddenly became quiet, and he stopped drinking the wine in his hand, as if he suddenly sobered up.
Everyone at the wine table had different colors flashing in their eyes. Some were moved, some were suddenly enlightened, and some were angry.
Only Zhou Bai's heart moved, waiting for you.
"You're a drunkard, the governor is undressing and pushing food to us, how can you say such a thing!"
"Editor, you guys have drunk too much, why don't you just come here today?" Hu Jiang first scolded the person who just spoke, and then asked Zhou Bai for instructions.
Zhou Bai picked up the wine glass and played with it. He was silent for a long time. After the group of people completely sobered up, he shouted to the back hall: "Here comes someone."
Immediately, two attendants who had been prepared came up with two trays of silver.
"In that case, please take your hard-earned money and go back to rest first."
The white money was placed within easy reach, and it looked like it was fifty taels per person. They could even hear each other's breathing that was obviously aggravated.
"This... I'm afraid it's not appropriate." Hu Jiang looked away from the silver with difficulty, but still declined.
It can be seen that Hu Jiang has a high reputation among them. Although the other ten people were eager, they did not say anything to stop him.
Zhou Bai shook his head and waved his hands with a smile: "Don't worry, Captain Hu is upright. I'm not rebelling. How can I let the imperial soldiers come to join me?"
"These fifty taels are the hard-earned expenses for your long-distance escort. I can't bear that the soldiers who serve the country have a difficult life."
"Take it quickly, your team and I still have something to say."
Why is it said that Governor Lei Haomiao is already quite good against the Silver Dragon Army? You can tell just by looking at them being one level higher than the ordinary army.
The corps leader is equivalent to the captain, and the captain is equivalent to the team leader.
However, this treatment is only limited to the first-level officers. Ordinary Jiaoqi army officers and soldiers are more capable of firing on time than ordinary state troops.
It is said that Zhou Bai's Zhuang Ding military system is roughly the same as the regular military system of the imperial court, with five men per team, two teams per ten, and five ten per team.
Although he is called captain or leader to the outside world, it would actually be very taboo for him to be given the title of rural patrolman if it were not for the invasion of Jin soldiers.
In the end, under the sincere eyes of the brothers, Hu Jiang sighed and let them take the money and leave.
After a while, the hall became quiet again, leaving only Zhou Bai and Hu Jiang.
Zhou Bai didn't speak first, but Hu Jiang suddenly knelt down with a plop. His eyes begged sincerely: "Editor Zhou is a man of heaven with a bright future. Please don't make it difficult for me to wait. As long as he doesn't betray the governor, Hu is willing to do the same." The work of dogs and horses.”
What is a smart person? Hu Jiang is that this is not a proper preemptive strike.
"I said you are overthinking. The court and the governor treat me well. How could I do something that goes against the court system?"
"To be honest, I am a horse lover. I hope Captain Hu is trying to find a way to get some horses for me. The money is negotiable and the reward will definitely be good." Zhou Bai quickly helped Hu Jiang up and said with a smile. .
Hearing this, Hu Jiang suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. Although smuggling of dragon horses is expressly prohibited, it can always be done.
In recent years, among the Jiao Ma Cavalry Army, there have been many noble people engaged in this kind of business.
He agreed decisively: "Sir, if you don't mind if it's a culled dragon horse or a young horse that hasn't grown up yet, then Hu is not very talented and I should be able to get a few for you."
"I want the eliminated horses, and I also want the eliminated soldiers. There must be veterans among your dragon horse cavalry who have been discharged and returned to their fields. They can be sent to me." Zhou Bai took a deep look at Hu Jiang and nodded.
Hu Jiang was stunned after hearing this. You have fallen in love with their people.
"You know last year when the Jin people invaded the south, did the state send a troop of troops to rescue us, Ping Cang? Although they were defeated with difficulty in the end, how many children were sacrificed, and can the imperial court recognize their achievements?"
"Ignoring the truth, those with broken arms and legs can come to me as cavalry instructors; those who have been eliminated due to minor injuries or age can directly become my captains.
Those who have brave riding skills can come, and I will take them in if they have experience, and they will enjoy the same treatment as other villagers. "Zhou Bai didn't mind it, but explained it in detail to dispel Hu Jiang's doubts.
"Sir, I, I..."
Hu Jiang looked troubled and speechless for a long time. This week, the editor didn't directly poach the Yin Jiao Army, but recruiting veterans didn't seem like a serious act.
Seeing this, Zhou Bai became more angry: "I heard that the ancestors of the Hu family were once county magistrates, but they gradually declined to the rank of village clan. Without any backing, your ninth-level team may have reached its limit in the Silver Dragon Army."
"Your parents are over 70 years old. I wonder if they have ever thought about their posthumous affairs. If they don't become ancestors, they will go to the underworld and suffer the torture of loneliness..."
The parents of the family suddenly became the last straw that broke Hu Jiang's back. Zhou Bai didn't lie. Among the secrets left by the Hu family, there were rumors about the ancestral spirits being blessed.
I must at least be promoted to the eighth or even seventh rank, so that I can restore the status of a wealthy family in the county, and the spiritual realm can carry two more ancestral spirits.
"This is not a betrayal, I promise, sir." Hu Jiang stopped torturing himself and finally nodded.
"One dragon horse will give you a basic share of fifty taels. Ten veterans are equal to one dragon horse. I will provide the rest of the resources that need to be managed. Once the road is clear, your promotion will be a matter of course."
When Hu Jiang left with two thousand taels of facilitation money, Zhou Bai understood that the backbone of the cavalry expansion was needed, and cavalry generals like Huang Hu would not worry about not having matching horses.
There are many plains in the north, and cavalry is an indispensable unit, even higher than infantry in strategic terms.
However, due to various factors, infantry can only be used to complete the early expansion for the time being.
Originally, before he came into contact with the Dingzhou Yinjiao Army and before Xuanyiwei sent information about Hu Jiang and others, Zhou Bai planned to postpone the construction of the cavalry and maintain the scale of a hundred cavalry.
But since there was a breakthrough, he would not let it go. He took a preliminary look at the internal finances. The accumulation in the past six months was enough for him to take a few more steps.
…
After finishing dealing with this, Zhou Bai will rush back to the small courtyard.
You can see from a distance on the road that Uncle Fu's wing in the courtyard is lit by candlelight, and the newly replaced window paper reflects the scene inside the house.
An old man sat in front of the window, with a woman's figure behind him. He put his hands on the old man's shoulders, seeming to be pressing them.
"Clan leader, clan leader."
Nodding slightly to the two servants guarding the courtyard gate, Zhou Bai walked straight to Uncle Fu's house and pushed the door open. As expected, Yu Yueyun was massaging Uncle Fu's shoulders inside.
Seeing this scene, Zhou Bai's eyes became softer.
"Brother Bai has finished his social work. Look, Miss Jun has been insisting on me for more than half a year. She said you asked her to come." Uncle Fu's hair has completely turned white, but his energy has improved a lot. Speak with enthusiasm.
Zhou Bai did not expose Yu Yueyun's good intentions. He took over the position and continued pressing the button for Uncle Fu: "Look, this is not very effective. Promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis and nourishing the meridians can make you live a long life."
Wisps of soft Hunyuan magic power soon traveled through the meridians of Fu Bo's body. There were no lesions. It can only be said that Yu Yueyun took good care of him.
"Why should I live for so long? I just want to be satisfied with watching the little young master be born." Uncle Fu suddenly pressed Zhou Bai's hand, turned around and looked at the two of them.
"Hahaha, I would like it, but I don't know someone..."
"Zhou Bai, you bullied others as soon as you came back, and Uncle Fu, you... hum."
"Hahaha."
Yu Yueyun's little daughter's attitude immediately amused Uncle Fu and Zhou Bai, and for a while, the small house felt a bit like home.
Half an hour later, the candlelight in the room went out, and Zhou Bai and Yu Yueyun walked out of the small courtyard one after another.
Under the moonlight, the two hugged each other.
"Thank you for your hard work during this time."
"I like the letters you wrote to me."
"The poem in it?"
"If love lasts for a long time, how can we stay together day and night?"
"anything else?"
"I miss you so much after not seeing you for a day..."
