The sun set on the Western Mountain. Tian Sanlang was humming a tune, waving a branch in his hand, and walked slowly. There are flocks of pigs and sheep ahead, running rampant, and there is no peace for a moment. There is also a herd of oxen, swaying.
Wen Ruyan, the forage official, was frightened and ran around trying to drive back the livestock that seemed to have strayed. Seeing the shadow of Sbi Castle in front of him, Wen Ruyan wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeves. He said to Saburo Tian: "The animals are running around, but Saburo is still so calm, alas——"
Tian Sanlang said: "Officer, don't think that livestock are stupid. They all have leaders, and they are always watching with their eyes. The more you drive them, the more naughty some of them will become with you, and the more they will run to the side. If you don't care about them, they will Naturally follow the leader."
Wen Ruyan just shook his head, how could he believe it? These livestock were all bought by the Ministry of Accommodation. How can they be recovered if they get lost?
As he got closer, only the people in the wall castle saw someone coming out to greet him. Seeing that he was the grain and grass officer of the Recruitment Department, he did not dare to neglect and hurriedly reported to the capital and the military envoy. Shu Jiming and Wang Zhongfu got the news and welcomed it together.
After bowing, Wen Ruyan said: "Thank God, it was delivered to you safely. It cost a lot of money to buy these cattle and sheep. I was worried along the way, for fear that one of them would get lost. Wait until the spring, and take care of them. Si will also buy some chickens, ducks, geese, etc. and deliver them together."
Shu Jiming and Wang Zhongfu laughed and stepped forward to count.
There are forty sheep, mostly ewes. There were two big rams inside, and the rest had been gelded. There were thirty pigs, like sheep, and only two large boars. There were only sixteen cattle, two of them bulls, and the rest were cows.
After counting the numbers, Wang Zhongfu said: "Director, how can we plow the two thousand acres of land in Fort Sbi with only a dozen cows? These are all lands that have been abandoned for a long time. How can we plow them with people?"
Wen Ruyan said: "Military envoys, don't be anxious. The Recruitment Department is still handling the matter. Buy the goods and bring them slowly. In the past two years, most of the people's cattle have been eaten, and it is really difficult to buy them. If it doesn't work, the Commander-in-Chief will Sent from Xiangyang."
Wang Zhongfu said: "There are only a few months until spring plowing, so we can't delay this matter! Without cattle, the fields cannot be plowed and the fields cannot be cleared. If the fields cannot be cleared, what will we eat then?"
Wen Ruyan promised again and again, saying that he would not miss anything.
At this time, Wang Xiaolie should be the richest person in the world. Although Hedong Road is difficult, there is no shortage of money. Jiang Min used Xiangyang Huizi to go to surrounding counties and counties, bought many livestock, and sent them to various villages. It's just that Hedong Road has been dilapidated for a long time. Even if you have money, the number you can buy is limited. Jiang Min had no choice but to send Wang Xiewen to the rear to send it.
Of course Wang Xiaolie would not send it from Xiangyang, the road was too far. To support Shenshan County, Cao Zhilai from Ruzhou can think of a way.
After counting and delivery, Wang Zhongfu looked at the sun in the western sky and said to Wen Ruyan: "The sun will set soon, so the officer had to stay in Speiberg for one night. It happened that his soldiers caught some fish and shot another one. It’s just a deer, I’ll use it to drink wine tonight!”
"It's best this way, the military envoy takes the trouble." Wen Ruyan nodded with a smile. "These days, all the forts and villages are hunting game for food, and it seems that the same is true here. The place is dilapidated, but wild animals are flourishing, and everyone has meat to eat."
Shu Jiming said: "The so-called game tastes good only if you eat it once in a while. How can you get it if you eat it every day? No matter how fat the wild beasts are, how can they compare with the pigs and sheep you raise! What do you do, you have to urge me often to let the rear Send the missing livestock quickly."
Wen Ruyan was used to being urged by various castles these days, so she just agreed.
After entering Sbi Castle, I walked around everywhere and looked at the construction results. Wen Ruyan then arrived at the fort hall with Wang Zhongfu and Shu Jiming.
The guests and the host were seated. Wang Zhongfu asked his soldiers to prepare fish and meat, and ordered the wine to be served.
Pour the wine. Wen Ruyan raised his wine glass and said, "On the road today, those pigs and sheep were running around. I was worried for fear that I would lose one. I counted the numbers just now, and now I feel relieved. Come, let's drink. One cup!”
The three drank.
Wen Ruyan said: "The purpose of recruitment is that after the grain harvest next year, wineries will be built in each fort. First, they can be used by the army. If there are many, they can be sold out for pocket money. When you grow grain, But be careful, grow more sorghum and use it to make wine. The land here is barren, so sorghum grows well. Use sorghum to make wine and save millet for food."
Wang Zhongfu said: "You can only make strong liquor from sorghum. Who among the rich wants to drink it? It's better to make it from millet."
Wen Ruyan shook his head repeatedly: "Military envoy, we are an army, and soldiers have to drink strong liquor. Even the generals who drink in the army mostly drink strong liquor. Not to mention, people who have a good drinker like strong liquor. .”
Shu Jiming said: "I don't drink well, but I also like to drink strong wine. After a hard day's work, I drank two glasses of strong wine, fell asleep, and slept until dawn. I don't know how comfortable it is. The military envoy is a scholar and doesn't like Spirits are also common.”
Traditional Chinese rice wine, of course, uses glutinous rice in the south, while millet rice is used in the north. The largest amount of wine at this time is of course rice wine. But here in Hedong, the custom is to use millet.
Millet is an excellent grain and tastes much better than corn. It's okay to have abundant living supplies. In the current environment, of course we have to use them as food rations. Jiang Min wants to make wine in the army, so of course it is best to use sorghum, which does not occupy grain.
The money from selling wine was a very important income for the Song Dynasty government. Each army generally has a wine store, and the income is used as military supplies. Wang Xiaolie is different from other armies. The army is generally not allowed to have operating assets, and of course it does not make wine. The wine used in the army is bought from outside, and the army pays according to the order. The situation here in Hedong is special, and the licensed recruitment department can make wine.
In fact, the forts in Shenshan County are not only military units, but also production units. They not only farm, but also raise cattle, sheep, chickens and ducks, and make wine. It is not good if there is no restriction on alcohol in the army, and it is not good if there is no alcohol.
Wang Zhongfu picked up the wine bowl, raised his head and drank. He smacked his lips and said: "The strong wine is like burning coals when it enters the throat. What's so good about it? It seems that this kind of wine is sweet and glutinous, which is the best taste! Your preferences are really confusing!"
Shu Jiming said: "Military envoy, the purpose of making your own wine is not for us to drink, but for the soldiers. Before going on an expedition or after victory, you must drink a bowl of wine to feel satisfied. This is called Zhuangxing Wine. , Celebration wine, famous one!”
Wen Ruyan said: "Du Tou is right! Brewing wine in the army is for strong performance and celebration. Is it used for drinking on weekdays? Alcohol is prohibited in the army on weekdays! The Commander-in-Chief has said many times that the army must Alcohol must be banned, otherwise discipline cannot be maintained. The army cannot be without alcohol, otherwise the heroic spirit cannot be exerted, and it always feels like something is missing."
