Guiyi Fei Tang

Chapter 191 Changes in Hexi
"Chengzhou has 18,216 Hankou, more than 6,400 foreigners, and 147,257 acres of arable land."

"Wuzhou has 13,673 Hankou, more than 4,600 foreigners, and 97,623 acres of arable land."

"Minzhou has 15,452 Hankou, more than 9,900 foreigners, and 196,322 acres of arable land."

"Dangzhou has 5,215 Han people, more than 3,400 foreign people, and 39,957 acres of arable land."

"In addition, the four states of He, Lan, Lin and Wei have newly reclaimed 37,657 acres of land, and the population has increased by 5,865 people..."

On March 20, when Liu Jilian returned to Didao, the capital of Linzhou, Zhang Chang found him with a large pile of documents.

More than three months later, the land in each state had been basically measured, and the population registration had also been roughly done.

Facing the document, Liu Jilong frowned and pointed at the word "Yu" recorded after the word "fankou" and asked:
“Why didn’t you verify it clearly before reporting it, but instead reported so much redundancy?”

Facing Liu Jilong's question, Zhang Chang bowed and said, "General, this is mainly because there are still many aboriginals in the mountains of the four states."

"These tribes make a living by herding, mostly in the mountains, herding and hunting. The state governments have not cared about them for many years, and have no idea how many of them there are."

"In three months, our people haven't even covered most of the land in the four states. Often, when we register today, the foreigners will come down the mountain to buy food tomorrow. Only then do we know how many of them are in the mountains."

After Zhang Chang's explanation, Liu Jilong frowned and thought for a moment.

There are about 52,000 people in Hankou of the four states and more than 24,000 foreign people, totaling more than 76,000 people.

During the Kaiyuan period, the population of the four states was 66,000, most of whom were from Hankou.

Although the population of the surrounding areas has grown to 76,000, that of Hankou has decreased by tens of thousands.

Fortunately, the local population is mainly Han people. Except for Minzhou, where there are more foreign people, the foreign population in the other three states is acceptable.

"The population of Longxi is much smaller than we expected."

Liu Jilong put down the document and rubbed his eyebrows.

Previously, he estimated that the entire Longxi had a population of 270,000. Although he still has five states to recover, the population of those five states is probably only about 80,000 to 90,000, mainly concentrated in the two states of Shankuo.

As for the population under his command, according to current statistics, there are only 160,000 people, among whom 12,600 able-bodied men are soldiers.

Thinking of this, Liu Jilong asked Zhang Chang, "Have all the troops in each garrison been replenished?"

"It's complete, a total of 12,600 people!" Zhang Chang bowed and said:

"However, 2,857 of them are without armor. It will take at least a year to get the complete armor."

"In addition..." Zhang Chang was a little embarrassed, and after hesitating for a moment, he said:
"General, it seems that it is time to pay the brothers' salaries."

"Yes!" Liu Jilong nodded, then picked up the documents in the warehouse and library and started reading them.

There is still some time before the summer harvest, but after recovering the four states, the Longxi army has a lot of supplies in its warehouses, so there is no need to worry about not being able to pay the military salaries.

"The money from the second half of last year and the first half of this year were issued together, totaling 180,000 koku."

"In addition, each person will receive five pieces of silk, the captain will receive seven pieces, the captain will receive ten pieces, the brigade commander will receive fifteen pieces, and the lieutenant will receive twenty pieces."

"As for the other generals, captains, and you provincial governors, you can give them 50, 100, or 200 horses."

Chang'an has already transported 120,000 pieces of silk to Weizhou. Chen Jingchong ordered people to transport it to Linzhou, and it is now stored in the state treasury.

This time, the reward will require nearly 80,000 pieces of silk, and there should be 30,000 to 40,000 pieces left afterwards.

"That's right!" Liu Jilong said, "We won't sell the linen from the summer harvest. We'll distribute it based on the number of people we have, to ensure that every soldier and civilian in Longxi has a piece of summer clothing."

"I obey your command!" Zhang Chang responded, and Liu Jilian also closed the document.

"There are still 320,000 shi of grain and 60,000 shi of beans in the warehouses and storehouses, in addition to various other things."

"Except for the bran gold, silver, and stone fat, wait for Chen Ying to come back and take the rest to Chengzhou to trade with the tooth merchants under my command in Longxi."

Hearing this, Zhang Chang hesitated and said, "Governor, there has been no news about Chen Ying for more than half a year. Could he have run away?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Liu Jilong glared at him unhappily, then said firmly:
"Although the world is big, he stole so much money from Longxi and ran away. No place can tolerate him."

What Liu Jilong said was true. After all, since the Anshi Rebellion, the various vassal states basically did not make things difficult for each other's dental dealers.

If dental dealers committed crimes, as long as the military was not mobilized, the various military governors would often conduct cross-border arrests.

Three hundred thousand strings of cash is a lot for Longxi Town, but not much for some big towns.

Not to mention the Hebei vassal state, the Zibo and Qinghai vassal states alone could earn 700,000 strings of cash every year by selling salt.

On the other hand, Liu Jilian of Longxi Town has carefully calculated during this period. If the silk and silk awarded by the court are not counted, the annual income of Longxi alone is barely enough to support the army.

Of course, this was the output situation before, not now.

After regaining Minzhou, Liu Jilian got the thing he needed most, which was sulfur.

The sulfur mines in Minzhou are not large, with an annual output of only three to four thousand kilograms. If used to make black powder, it can produce almost ten thousand kilograms of black powder per year.

Liu Jilian mainly used this black gunpowder for sieges and mining.

Not to mention anything else, there are definitely a lot of gold mines in Longxi, otherwise there would be no way to pay tribute of hundreds of taels of gold every year.

In addition, copper and silver mines are also the focus.

Relying on these mineral deposits, Liu Jilian was able to expand Longxi while maintaining his army.

Thinking of this, Liu Jilong said:
"Zhang Chang, I need to recruit a group of old widowers with sharp eyes and ears."

"I have a use for these people. Recruit them here and order people to build a stone fortress in Phoenix Mountain. They will live in the stone fortress in the future."

Although black powder will be discovered and used on the battlefield in a few decades, it is still a secret at present.

Besides, Liu Jilian would not waste gunpowder like Yang Xingmi. He would use the gunpowder in his hands at critical points.

"Don't worry, Marshal Jie. There are many such widowers in the country. I will be able to recruit them for you in a few days."

Zhang Chang agreed with a smile, and then exchanged a few words with Liu Jilong.

Just as the two were about to get up and go to the inner hall to eat, hurried footsteps were heard outside the yamen.

"General! Governor!"

A lieutenant ran in hastily. Zhang Chang frowned and said, "Calling for souls, you killer!"

“No…” The lieutenant stopped bowing and said happily, “The commander-in-chief, the governor, Gao Zhuanyun of Hexi and Magistrate Cui have brought people to join us!”

"What did you say?" Liu Jilong pushed Zhang Chang aside and asked in surprise;

"You said Gao Jinda and Cui Shu brought people to join us? Where are they?"

"In Wuquan!" The lieutenant explained hastily, "Mr. Dou sent a cavalryman to tell them where to place them."

"Send it to Didao!" Liu Jilong responded happily, and then he saw the captain responded and hurried outside.

After he left, Liu Jilong paced back and forth happily: "Good...good...good..."

He kept cheering, and Zhang Chang beside him also said happily: "That's great, after Gao Zhuanyun and Cui Shu came, there won't be so many things in Linzhou that I have to take care of!"

For Zhang Chang, governing Linzhou was not a headache for him, after all, he had studied under Liu Jilian for four years.

But the problem is that with the continuous expansion of the Longxi Army, now the affairs of 160,000 soldiers and civilians from eight states are being sent to Linzhou, which makes him very troubled.

With his limited knowledge, he is unable to cope with so many things.

While feeling happy, Zhang Chang also realized something and said hurriedly:
"That's not right, General Jie. Will General Zhang let Gao Yunyun and his men come to Longxi so easily?"

"In addition, Li Yizhong from Guangwu seems to have not contacted us for a whole year."

"General..." Zhang Chang's face showed hesitation, and he said awkwardly, "Do you think something happened in Hexi?"

"..." Liu Jilong frowned in silence, then shook his head after a moment:
"Don't worry about it for now. When Gao Yunyun and the others arrive, they will know what happened in Hexi."

After saying this, Liu Jilong took Zhang Chang to the inner hall to eat.

Since the Linlan official road was completed, it only took three days to travel from Wuquan County, Lanzhou to Didao, Linzhou.

If the cavalry were to gallop at full speed, they could arrive in one day and one night. However, Gao Jinda and his companions had families with them, so they were a little slow.

By the time Liu Jilong received them, it was already the afternoon of March 24th.

Liu Jilian led more than 200 veterans of the former Shandan Army to meet Gao Jinda and his men five miles north of Didao City. Most of these 200 veterans were former soldiers, cooks and team leaders, and the highest-ranking official was the brigade commander.

As for the old men above the brigade commander, they have now become the governors, deputy governors, chief clerks, captains, and generals of various states.

Many people around them were killed or injured along the way. Of the one thousand men led by Shang Duoluo, only less than seven hundred were still alive, and of the brothers recruited by Shandan and Changsong, only less than one thousand were still alive.

More than 300 new graves were added to the Phoenix Mountain National Cemetery to the east of Didao City. They were all brothers who died in the battle to recover the four states.

"I'm coming!"

From a distance, a team appeared in front, and the brothers behind Liu Jilong also started shouting.

Seeing Liu Jilong and others coming out of the city to greet them, Gao Jinda and others could not help but quicken their pace. After a cup of tea, Gao Jinda, Cui Shu and others approached with a team of hundreds of people, and Liu Jilong stepped forward.

"Gao Yunyan, Cui Shu!"

Liu Jilong stepped forward, and Gao Jinda and the others were about to bow, but Liu Jilong helped them up: "This etiquette is too unfamiliar!"

After saying that, he hugged the two of them and wanted to jump around a few times.

The five words "meeting an old friend in a foreign land" are fully reflected at this moment.

Even Liu Jilong, who was usually very calm, couldn't help but jump around a few times, let alone Zhang Chang and the others.

Gao Jinda, Cui Shu and others brought many people, many of whom were soldiers and Zhibai from Shandan.

"Wang Sanlang, look, if I had asked you to come with me, I would have been a lieutenant now!"

"Goro, I'm the brigade commander now!"

"Why don't you see Zhao Erlang?"

"Zhao Zhenbai? He is now the commander of Wuzhou Town. He is very busy!"

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Laughter filled the ears, but some people were excited while others were sad.

Among the team, many people used to be captains and team leaders of the Shandan Army, and now the soldiers under their command have become brigade commanders, lieutenants, and even higher positions.

Some people regretted not being firm at the beginning, while others were secretly sad.

Looking at them, Liu Jilong said happily: "Let's go, I have arranged a banquet for you, with all kinds of meat!"

He grabbed Gao Jinda and Cui Shu by his left and right hands, and dragged them to the carriage. He smiled and said, "Get in!"

He urged them to get in the car. Gao Jinda and Cui Shu were surprised and asked, "Aren't you going to get in the car?"

"Me?" Liu Jilong said with a smile, "I was born to ride a horse!"

He pushed the two of them onto the carriage, then jumped on the horse and took everyone to Didao.

After reconstruction, Didao City is now larger than Liangzhou City. Not only are the city walls covered with bricks, but each side of the wall is three zhang high and four zhang thick.

The city is three miles long from north to south and two miles wide from east to west. Twelve thousand soldiers and civilians live in it, but the city can actually accommodate 60,000 people. It is still very empty and many places are vacant land.

However, the Didao government office was very large. The distance from the main gate to the ceremonial gate was twenty-two steps deep and twenty steps wide, which was enough to accommodate fifty or sixty tables. The main hall and courtyard behind the ceremonial gate could also accommodate more than ten tables, so there was no need to worry about not having enough seats.

The sight of seven or eight hundred people pouring into the city and heading towards the government office quickly attracted the people on both sides of the main street.

They all looked around, or bowed to Liu Jilong from a distance.

Most of the people who moved into Didao City were the original inhabitants, followed by the relatives of the martyrs who died and were buried in the National Cemetery.

Therefore, it was very safe. Liu Jilong rode on the horse openly without worrying about anyone assassinating him.

Soon, everyone arrived outside the yamen. Gao Jinda wanted to take his family to wash up, but was dragged into the yamen by Liu Jilian.

Tables and chairs were set up on the long corridor between the main gate and the ceremonial gate, and hundreds of newly recruited soldiers were standing on both sides, waiting for their meals to be served.

"Let's serve!"

Liu Jilong gave them instructions, and they hurried to the restaurant not far to the left.

The family members were left outside the ceremonial gate by Liu Jilong and his men, while Gao Jinda, Cui Shu and the soldiers of the Shandan Army walked into the main hall and took their seats.

On the left and right are the six offices, and in front are the main entrance and main hall.

Liu Jilong, Gao Jinda, Zhang Chang, Cui Shu and others sat in the main hall, and the rest sat in the courtyard in front of the main hall.

The officials of the Six Departments and Zhibai were sent by Liu Jilong to work in the provincial and county governments, so they would not disturb others here.

Soon, the food and wine were served.

Pork, beef, mutton, birds and poultry, wild fish and shrimp... everything is available.

Looking at the more than 20 dishes on the table, Gao Jinda couldn't help but say, "This... is too extravagant."

"Haha, if you guys hadn't come, Marshal Jie wouldn't have been so extravagant in many years!"

Zhang Chang responded with a smile, and Gao Jinda then looked at Liu Jilong and found that he was wearing a linen shirt under his usual clothes.

Seeing that he was wearing linen clothes, Gao Jinda slowly felt relieved.

What he was most worried about was that after Liu Jilian's rise in Longxi, he would gradually become extravagant and wasteful and lose his original intention.

Now it seems that Liu Jilong is still the same Liu Jilong.

"I came to seek refuge with the military commander this time. I told the military governor about it beforehand, and Envoy Xiao Zhang also agreed. That's why we were able to come to Hexi."

"There are 627 people in the entourage, 24 of whom are my brothers and their families, and the other 35 are Cui Langjun's clansmen and their families."

"The remaining 568 people are mainly 132 brothers from Ganzhou and Liangzhou and their families."

After Gao Jinda finished speaking, Liu Jilong also asked: "What is the current situation in Hexi?"

"This..." Gao Jinda hesitated, and after a moment he sighed, "It's difficult."

"The Uighurs in Anxi and Ganzhou, as well as the Umos in the north of Liangzhou, have all submitted to the imperial court, so their strength has gradually grown in the past few years."

"Before I set out last September, there were Uighurs in the Western Regions who tried to invade Shazhou. Fortunately, the Jiedushi led his army to repel them."

"Even so, Shazhou's soldiers suffered many casualties, and Ganliang's Chengle and Dugazhi also provoked several times. Although they were repelled, it can be seen that their strength is growing day by day."

"The governor made several requests, hoping that the court would send the prisoners to Hexi, but the court did not respond."

"If this continues...Alas!"

Gao Jinda explained the situation in Hexi in a few words, and the originally lively atmosphere immediately cooled down.

"This damn imperial court only remembers to be beaten but not to eat!"

"Luckily we came out, otherwise we would have been bullied by the imperial court!"

"Haha, the imperial court doesn't dare to bully us. We are lucky enough not to bully the imperial court!"

"Hahaha……"

As the Longxi soldiers shouted and cursed, Gao Jinda and others turned pale. After all, these words could not be said in Hexi.

I never thought that in Longxi, these former soldiers would not take the imperial court seriously.

Longxi's attitude towards the imperial court made even the most radical people in Hexi, such as Zhang Huairong, shudder.

Liu Jilong did not stop him, but looked at Cui Shu: "Cui Shu, what about you?"

Cui Shu and Gao Jinda are different. Gao Jinda joined the army since the Shazhou Uprising and has a long history. Cui Shu, on the other hand, has a short history and did not leave before mainly because the Cui family was mainly rooted in Ganzhou.

Now that he is here and has brought so many people from the Cui family, doesn’t it mean that the situation in Ganzhou has changed?
"This……"

Cui Shu hesitated for a moment, then sighed and said, "After Li Wei took over as governor, although he managed the people's livelihood well, his military strategy was still too poor."

"The stone fortress of Longshou Mountain was breached several times, and many of Shandan's herds were robbed. The people all miss your presence."

"If this continues, I think it won't be long before the Uighurs are grazing south of Longshou Mountain."

Although he had guessed it a long time ago, Liu Jilong still couldn't come back to his senses for a long time after hearing it.

"Where is Zhang Huaishen? Didn't he lead the army to attack the Uighurs and Umo?"

Liu Jilong couldn't help but ask, after all, Zhang Huaishen's strength now is much stronger than in history.

Hearing this, Gao Jinda rushed to explain: "Empress Xiao Zhang led three expeditions to the north against the Uighurs and the Umos. Although he returned victoriously each time, many soldiers were killed in battle."

"After the autumn harvest last year, the Uighurs went south to plunder. Envoy Zhang led his army to Longshou Mountain to repel Chengle, beheading more than 3,000 people and capturing 800 soldiers. As a result, the Dugazhi of Umu took the opportunity to go south to attack Liangzhou."

"Zhang Zhifang of Chishui City closed the city gates and refused the request for help from the governor of Jiu. The cities of Changsong and Guzang suffered heavy losses, and more than 100,000 acres of grain were looted by Emo."

"After Envoy Xiao Zhang came back to help, he fell out with Zhang Zhifang. The two of them lined up outside Chishui City. Fortunately, they didn't fight in the end..."

After Gao Jinda finished speaking, Zhang Chang was indignant and said, "Why don't we fight? If we fight, we can kill him and the court will surrender."

"It's not that easy..." Gao Jinda shook his head and smiled bitterly, while Zhang Chang sneered.

Gao Jinda looked at Liu Jilong, only to see that Liu Jilong was also looking at him.

Facing Gao Jinda's gaze, Liu Jilong picked up his glass and said calmly: "You guys are overthinking things..."

"Just a Zhang Zhifang, just kill him!"

(End of this chapter)