Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 46 Food

The soldiers' eyes changed when they looked at Liu Daogui, and they were extremely friendly on the way back.

It's mainly various complaints.

"In the past few years, after Xie Xuan passed away, no one has cared about our lives. Life has been so hard." Zhao Lunzhi chattered on and on.

Li Damu angrily said, "The secretary Huan Daozhen is relying on Huan Hong's power to covet even the few acres of land we have, saying that if we are willing to join the Huan family as servants, we will have a good life in the future. Bah! When did our Jingkou Beifu Army become his Huan family's slaves?"

The biggest problem with being a servant is that your descendants will be slaves forever, with no hope of turning things around.

The soldiers under the General of Conquering the Enemy were at least registered officers and men of the imperial court, yet the Huan family was so unscrupulous...

"From now on, we will only listen to General Liu!" several uncles shouted.

This is just for fun. These people are just acting rashly for the sake of food and winter clothes.

There is still a difference between human feelings and human nature.

But this is a good start, and the two sides have established initial trust.

"Agui is very clever. He can get winter clothes and food from the front. I admire him!" Sima Tanshao of the right unit jumped out from nowhere.

I didn't see him during such a big commotion just now, but now that it's over, he comes out.

People who work in the officialdom all have two faces, and not everyone can be as open as Gao Xun.

In terms of relationship, Tan Shao should be closer to me, but everyone has their own aspirations and I can't force it.

"Brother Tan, thank you for your praise. It's my job." Liu Daogui said politely, without a trace of dissatisfaction on his face.

"From now on, Ah Gui will be able to command the support of the entire army. This is cause for celebration."

The more I listen to this, the less it makes sense. People's hearts are hidden, and no one knows what anyone else is thinking.

The various surnames in Jingkou are not of one mind, and there are also relatives and strangers. Liu Yi, who has the same ancestor, has so many thoughts, not to mention Tan Shao, who has a different surname.

"I dare not. I will need Brother Tan's care in the future." Liu Daogui kept smiling.

"Our two families are old friends, there is no need to say more!" Tan Shao's face was full of amiability.

Gao Xun said, "When Envoy Huan and General Yuan return, your grandson must speak a few fair words for them."

The things were taken, but the matter was not over yet. The biggest difficulty lay with Huan Hong and Yuan He.

"Don't worry." After Tan Shao finished speaking, he was pushed away by the uncles around him...

Liu Daogui didn't take it to heart. Those who were willing to walk together were fellow travelers, and everyone took care of each other. There was nothing he could do about those who were unwilling to walk together.

The Tan family produced a man named Tan Pingzhi, who was famous for his filial piety in Jingkou. In his early years, he was appointed as a military officer by Sima Daozi. If he was sent out one day, his rank would be no lower than the seventh rank.

The other children of the Tan family are also doing well, much better than those of the Liu family.

After Tan Shao had gone far away, Gao Xun whispered, "Don't be careless. Envoy Huan and Sima Yuan will definitely hold you accountable. You should make preparations early."

"I will hold people accountable. I have a clear conscience."

What has been done has been done, there is no point in regretting it. These days we just have to take things one step at a time.

Gao Xun nodded and said, "It's getting late today, so I'll take my leave now."

"Brother Gao, take care."

The two parted on the street.

Three hundred shi of grain, five hundred winter clothes, and one thousand jin of firewood and grass can only barely last for a while.

I may be able to get winter clothes and food this time, but I may not be able to get it next time.

Liu Daogui thought about it and decided that if he wanted to have enough food and clothing, he had to be self-reliant.

Don't overthink the mountains and rivers surrounding Guangling; they're all owned by the aristocracy. Liu Daogui can't interfere with Guangling County's salt, copper, and military equipment business right now. He can't afford to offend the powerful behind the scenes, so the only place he can turn his attention is the sea.

Live by the mountain, eat by the mountain; live by the sea, eat by the sea; it is better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish.

Liu Daogui's search for a way out for the three divisions of the Central Army was actually to establish a circle of interests, so that the three divisions of the Central Army would form a personal dependent relationship with him, and in time, they would be no different from his subordinates.

Most of the soldiers in these three groups are veterans from the Northern Palace. They are brave and skilled in fighting, with backbone and courage. As long as they have enough food and warm clothes, they will be an elite force that has fought hundreds of battles!
Liu Daogui had already figured this out in his mind.

However, if you want to go out to sea, you need a fishing boat and skilled sailors.

The imperial court and the Huan family each had a large number of elite naval forces, but they were not something Liu Daogui could mobilize.

"Isn't this a simple matter? Just ask whoever has a boat. Why not just go to Yandu to collect the money directly? The people and boats are ready. Do they dare to say no?" Liu Zun never thinks before speaking.

"Aren't you afraid that people will throw you into the sea to feed the fish?"

The people of Yandu County barely survived by fishing at sea. Now, the military government had confiscated their people and boats, which increased their burden and cut off their livelihood...

Liu Daogui doesn't have this power either.

If we force it, there will be serious consequences. The Sima and Changshi above will definitely not stand idly by.

Liu Zun disagreed and said, "If the people above can bully men and women, why can't we? We are afraid of wolves in front and tigers behind, and we will achieve nothing in the end."

"That's all you can do. Wait, what did you just say?" Liu Daogui remembered something.

"People in higher positions can bully men and women..."

"That's not it."

Liu Zun's eyes rolled. "Whoever has a boat can ask for it. Why not just go to Yandu and collect the money directly..."

"Go ask whoever has a boat!" Liu Daogui slapped his thigh.

"Brother, are you looking for the Heavenly Master..." Liu Zhong only said half of his words and looked outside the door.

Every failure makes one wiser. Yuan He's spies are everywhere in the government office, so one has to be careful with what he says.

Apart from the coastal commoners and the imperial navy, only the Tianshi Dao had the ability to go out to sea, and their ability was not small. They occupied an island on the sea, cultivated fields, and accommodated Taoists...

Why not go and "borrow" a few boats and a few people from them, and everything will be done, right?

In fact, from the beginning to the end, there was no irreconcilable hatred between Liu Daogui and Tianshi Dao, and they always kept their distance from each other.

Lian Huanhong is on the same page with the Tianshi Dao, so there seems to be nothing wrong with getting closer to the Tianshi Dao.

The noble families, high-ranking officials and dignitaries in Jiangzuo have always had unclear relations with the Heavenly Master, to the point where you are part of me.

"I'll go to Yandu to contact them." Liu Zhong bowed.

Back in Yandu County, someone persuaded Liu Daogui to join the sect, which shows that the people there had long been part of the Tianshi Dao's territory.

"It's too cold tonight, let's talk about it tomorrow." Liu Daogui was afraid that he would get cold.

"It's pitch black, perfect for hiding from others. Don't worry, brother. I've been walking at night since I was ten years old, so I've seen all sorts of wolves, tigers and leopards."

Liu Guangzhi and Liu Heibin went to Lanling. Liu Zun had a bad temper and was not very reliable. The only person left around him who could be used was Liu Zhong.

Children from poor families have to grow up early. Liu Zhong lost both his parents when he was young and lived under the care of others. He has long experienced the ups and downs and hardships of life.

"Then you better be careful." Liu Daogui took off his upper garment and put it on him. This garment was borrowed from Gao Xun and he had never returned it.

He was also given a ring-handled sword.

"I know." Liu Zhong tightened his belt, held the knife in his hand, and went out carefully at night in the cold wind.

(End of this chapter)