The house they were going to live in was still under construction.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's honey strategy worked a little. It was reflected in the yamen's recruitment of bailiffs. Originally, there were not many bailiffs in the state, mainly because there was little money to be made and the monthly salary was not much. Unless they had no other choice, they would only come to the yamen to work.
In addition, the previous provincial governor was more stingy. His family was poor, but he still gave gifts to others. As a result, he was not willing to give any benefits to the people working in the yamen.
Otherwise, the registrar would not go back home to work for the spring plowing. If they wanted to eat, they had to work hard.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's honey strategy was a loss-making business. They took out their own money to subsidize the people in the yamen, increasing their monthly salary by five times.
"Get a few people, follow me out for a walk." The weather was good today. There were no clouds for thousands of miles. The breeze was not as cold as when they first arrived. After a few continuous rains, the weather gradually warmed up. The temperature in Dalian was relatively comfortable.
Zhang Xiaobao decided to go out and have a look. He wanted to interact more with the local people. With a call, twenty bodyguards came over and followed Zhang Xiaobao out of the yamen.
The drum outside the yamen was put up again. The door was fixed, but recently, no one beat the drum. After asking the bailiffs, they found out that if there was something wrong, they would not come to the yamen. Because if they wanted to complain, they would need to take out some money first.
The previous provincial governor was very good at making money. There were no decent counties in the area, so there was no need for a county magistrate. The yamen was in charge of everything in the state. If they wanted to complain, they had to bring a lawsuit, which was the complaint paper. There were few people in the area who could read, so they had to find someone in the yamen who could write to write.
At least five copper coins were needed to write a lawsuit. They only accepted cash and not things. If they had to take something, it had to be something worth ten copper coins.
As a result, the local people developed a habit. That was, if something really happened, the people in the village would settle it themselves. The people in the city would look for the older people in the village to help mediate. They would not complain to the yamen at all because they could not afford to spend money.
Zhang Xiaobao heard a very strange thing from the yamen runner. That was, one person beat another person to death. Similarly, it was not through the yamen, but through a local person. This person was responsible for the lives of the two families, and even the other person's wife was responsible.
This could be considered an advantage because the bailiff said that the wife of the person who was beaten to death was prettier than the wife who beat him.
Gently patting the drum twice, Zhang Xiaobao strolled forward with his hands clasped behind his back. From time to time, he could see women carrying children on their backs and hurrying along with things on their heads. Occasionally, he would meet a few men who were squatting there and playing chess. They seemed to be very relaxed.
Zhang Xiaobao knew that this was determined by the characteristics of the people. Because of the war, the number of adult men had decreased, and all men were treasures. If someone had a little bit of property, they could take several wives. The women here could work, and they were the kind that worked without complaint.
If a woman had a man at home to help her when she was working, the woman would feel very happy.
Usually, men rarely worked. They were only needed when there was a war.
The reason why men were allowed to build houses, chop wood, and dig stones was because of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's request. They paid a lot of money, so the men were willing to come out.
As he strolled, Zhang Xiaobao came to the side of a river. He saw many women bringing their children to find a comfortable place by the river and beating things with sticks. When he got closer, he found that they were beating hemp. After rotting and beating, only fiber was left.
When the time came, they could be made into sacks, ropes, fishing nets, or clothes.
Zhang Xiaobao didn't have a purpose in coming out, so he just squatted at the side and watched. The woman who was working just glanced at Zhang Xiaobao and the others before continuing with her work. The children, on the other hand, were playing non-stop. Perhaps it was because there were strangers here, some of the children became more obedient, while others were playing even more happily.
Zhang Xiaobao did not make a sound. He squatted down and watched. He watched as the other things on the hemp were knocked away and washed away by the water. He watched as the hardworking woman waved the stick in her hand again and again.
Xiaobao waited for a woman to take out a ball of hemp and put it aside to dry. Xiaobao then went over and pinched the hemp. The woman's child immediately became vigilant, afraid that an outsider would take the hemp away. He clenched his little fists, ready to fight for his life at any time.
Zhang Xiaobao quickly retracted his hand, smiled at the child, and took out a small paper bag from his sleeve. He opened it and took out a small piece of rock candy. He said to the child, "Here's a piece of candy."
The child was still as vigilant as before. He didn't move forward. His eyes were fixed on Zhang Xiaobao's hand, or more accurately, on the piece of candy. He didn't move.
"Take it. It's sweet when you put it in your mouth." Zhang Xiaobao leaned over and took the child's bug-ridden hand. He put the candy on it and asked, "Where's your father?"
The child stuck out his tongue and licked his lips. In the end, he couldn't resist the temptation of the candy. He put the rock candy in his mouth and immediately showed a happy smile. He wasn't as vigilant as before and replied, "Sleeping at home."
At this time, the other children also found that there were benefits. They all came over and looked at Zhang Xiaobao, waiting for Zhang Xiaobao to give them some candy.
Zhang Xiaobao very generously distributed all the candy. Then he stood up and looked at the hardworking people. He turned around and walked away.
At this time, one of Zhang Xiaobao's bodyguards came over and said to Zhang Xiaobao, "Young master, they are like this. Men are rarely willing to work. As long as a man works, you can see that they are better off than others."
"Yes, I know, but it's too difficult to change them. We can only use other methods. Let's go back. When we return to the yamen, we will post a notice."
Zhang Xiaobao was a little angry. It was work, so why did it have to be done by women? Men still wanted status and wanted to be lazy. He had to organize them so that they couldn't be lazy. After they got used to it, things would be much better here.
When he returned to the yamen, Zhang Xiaobao immediately wrote a few notices with the same content and had people post them. He also stood beside the notices and explained them to the people who came over.
The content was very simple. It was to recruit workers and farm. The land here was the land, but Zhang Xiaobao had bought a lot of it. They were all mountains. When he bought them, they were cheap. Zhang Xiaobao didn't care if people accused him of using his position to make things easier for himself.
After buying the mountains, he recruited local workers. First, he cut down the trees on the mountains and then made them into terraced fields. Next, he planted food. Although the best time for spring plowing had passed, Zhang Xiaobao still planned to have people plant rice. At most, he could harvest it later. Besides, the climate in Dalian was good, and the rice grew quickly.
At this time, Zhang Xiaobao sent a group of people to the north. He gave them weapons and salt and allowed them to take the initiative to attack when they were threatened. He wanted to explore the Mohe first and then continue to investigate the other side to see if it was possible to cross between the two continents.
This matter couldn't be done immediately. It would take at least half a year, and they might not be able to reach the strait.
*****
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan went to a remote place. The capital seemed to be less lively. Those who were usually thinking about Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan didn't mention it in the capital. After all, Jili Province was too far away. It was also a remote place, so it wouldn't be valued.
Compared to Boxin Province, many people wanted to arrange for their own people to be officials, but no one expected to do so in Jili Province. They didn't believe that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's ability was so great that they could turn a sparsely populated place into a bustling place. Moreover, there were many mountains there.
Recently, those who were quick-witted had put their attention on the bank. The Great Tang Bank was getting bigger and bigger. Every day, there were people coming to deposit money, and at the same time, there were people coming to withdraw money.
The deposit fee was much lower than that of other banks. Therefore, more people came to deposit money. Most of them were businessmen. In this way, it would be more convenient for them to go to other places where there was a bank.
After a period of time, the money in the bank increased and gradually stabilized. They were now able to lend money to the outside world. This was the matter of interest to those who were smart. They all wanted to borrow money from the Great Tang bank to do things.
Just as many people's attention was gradually shifting, a saying suddenly became popular in the capital. It was to become a soldier to protect one's country, to protect one's family, and to protect the Emperor.
This was not a recruitment, but a compulsory soldier. It was said that the imperial court would soon recruit compulsory soldiers from the Great Tang. The three-year military system meant that the soldiers had to be trained. If there was a war, they would go to the battlefield.
After three years, the selected soldiers would stay and continue to be soldiers. But this time, they wouldn't be in vain. Instead, they would get money. If they couldn't stay, they would get a sum of money to go home.
The feeling it gave was similar to that of a recruitment system, but the connotation was different. Even if they were both paid, the compulsory soldiers would receive less money.
If that was the case, no one would be willing to be a conscript. More importantly, the news that came out said that anyone who became a conscript would not only receive a sum of money after three years, but would also be given good jobs to do. This was the most attractive part of it.
But in the end, rumors were just rumors. The imperial court hadn't really said that they were going to do this, and there was no accurate information. This made many people wait and see.
The rumors grew more and more intense, and finally, it reached the imperial court. The officials, Gao Lishi, and Li Longji naturally heard about it from the mouths of others.
On this day, Li Longji summoned Gao Lishi, Zhang Shuo, and a few other people he could speak with. He asked them where this matter had come from.
"Your Majesty, this subject thinks that it isn't important where it first came from. What's important is that it needs to be clarified immediately. Otherwise, the recruitment system will be over. The most attractive part of this new rumor is that they will be given jobs after three years. When the time comes, if the recruited soldiers insist that the imperial court do this, how will the imperial court arrange a position for them?"
Zhang Shuo was the most anxious about this matter. He was the one who proposed to reduce the border troops. He was the one who proposed to consolidate the troops in the capital. He had used money to recruit them. It could be said that he had contributed the most. If the other method was really done, his contribution would be reduced imperceptibly.
Thus, he raised an objection first.
At this time, Zhang Jiuling also said, "Your Majesty, it's not just this. Perhaps the person who spread the rumor felt that the effect wasn't good enough, so he added another condition. That is, those who stay three years later can become officials and hold a position in the Ministry of War. This is the most attractive thing.
To become an official, one needs to pass the examination or receive the favor of one's elders. Many ordinary people are waiting for the imperial court to turn the rumor into reality. This subject has heard from people from other places that such rumors have also started to spread in other places.
It is said that protecting the Great Tang is a matter of honor. The people of the Great Tang have to protect the dignity of the Great Tang. The country is a country, and without a country, there is no home. It is also said that if one person becomes a soldier, the whole family will be honored. There is even a song, 'If you don't become a soldier, I don't become a soldier. Who will protect the motherland, who will protect the home, who will protect the mother, who will protect her'?
Other than these, it is also said that if someone in the family is chosen to become a soldier, this family will be able to receive tax exemption. During the holidays, they can even receive food or other things sent by the imperial court.
These rumors are too frightening. It is said that many people in many places want to become soldiers. I don't know who started this rumor. We have to think of a way, otherwise, all the places will be in chaos. "
Li Longji really didn't know that things had developed to such an extent. He didn't have any thoughts of becoming a conscript either. Listening to Zhang Shuo and Zhang Jiuling's words, he felt that it was very familiar.
"Your Majesty, this method can't be used by others. This subject thinks that it's best to ask Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. With their ability, they should be able to guess who is behind this rumor."
As soon as Bi Shu heard Zhang Jiuling's words, he knew who it was. Other than Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, he couldn't find anyone else. The rumor was too powerful, but he couldn't say it in the absence of evidence. He could only take a detour and remind the emperor.
Li Longji finally remembered. Zhang Xiaobao had mentioned it that day, but he said that they still needed to cooperate with other aspects. Now it was Zhang Xiaobao who did it. The so-called cooperation was naturally a rumor.
At the same time, Zhang Shuo also figured it out. He felt helpless and sullen and said, "Your Majesty, what Zhang Xiaobao is doing can easily ruin the Tang Empire. We must not let him continue. We should send a strict decree to Jili Province to tell Zhang Xiaobao to stop immediately."
"I don't think it's appropriate. Since Zhang Xiaobao can think of a way, he naturally has a solution. Zhang Xiaobao and Wang family have a lot of business. If the rumor is really released by him and Wang Juan, they will definitely be able to solve the problem of the placement of the soldiers three years later. Why don't we ask them what they plan to do?"
Old Man Pi immediately opposed Zhang Shuo. He still believed in Zhang Shuo's ability, especially in terms of propaganda. It was much better than directly using money to recruit soldiers. Even if the regional commanders wanted to raise a private army, it would not be as easy as it was now.
Li Longji also thought of this. He was also worried that the regional commanders had too much power when recruiting soldiers. Zhang Xiaobao had also mentioned that if the regional commanders had too much power, it would be difficult to control them. To put it bluntly, it would be a rebellion.
Thinking of this, Li Longji looked at Gao Lishi, hoping that Gao Lishi would stand out and say something.
It was also the first time Gao Lishi had encountered this. He really couldn't think of the specific benefits and disadvantages. Seeing the emperor looking at him, he could only tell the emperor what he had just thought of.
"Your Majesty, this subject thinks that this subject can write a letter and send it home to ask Xiao Bao what his plans are. Let him list out the matters of recruiting soldiers according to the plan his family made when they were local officials."
The moment he said this, he was certain that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were the masterminds behind this. Only they were bold enough to casually spread rumors. If it were anyone else, even Zhang Zhong who was still in Luoyang, they would not dare. How could they recklessly talk about the military system?
Li Longji and Weiwei nodded. "Then Lishi should write a letter and tell Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan that if they want to do anything in the future, they should first inform us. If there's one more time … If there's one more time, We will be angry."
Li Longji was also very helpless. These two brats were really troublesome, always causing trouble. They had already gone to Jili Province, but instead of thinking about how to properly develop there, they still had the leisure to spread rumors all over Great Tang. Could it be that the small population of Jili Province was not enough to make things difficult for the two of them?
Gao Lishi immediately began to write the letter. Zhang Shuo's complexion was extremely ugly. He could see the extent to which the emperor was indulging Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. If it had been anyone else, the emperor would have long sent soldiers to capture them and bring them back to the capital.
*****
If it was said that the people of Great Tang were starting to accept the rumors that it was possible to rule over the land, then the rumors in the Andong Protectorate were even more formidable.
Not only did the rumors include the matters in Great Tang, there was also an additional content. That was to say, if anyone who joined the army to protect Great Tang and the emperor died in battle, their family would be taken care of by the Imperial Court, and their children would be able to attend schools without spending a single copper coin.
At the same time, it was said that Great Tang was the true motherland, that the emperor was the only one, and that all soldiers had to listen to the emperor.
As soon as the rumors spread, those who had soldiers in their hands were unhappy. This was because their soldiers did not have a good life, especially their children. There was no mention of them being able to attend schools for free just because they were soldiers. Even if they wanted to, there would need to be so many schools.
If this was not enough to shake the morale of the soldiers, then the rumors that those who joined the army did not need to carry their own weapons or armor, and could even eat three meals a day with meat for every meal and drink wine once every ten days, really made those who had soldiers in their hands start to hate them.
They could clearly feel that their soldiers were hesitating, and they were not as loyal as before. They did not have the spirit during training, and when they fought better, they would hide their thoughts.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan had no choice but to do this. They needed people, so how could they attract people over? They said that they would exempt them from taxes, but now they were not paying. They said that they would give them good land if they came over. Who were they trying to fool? It was all hills, where could they get so much good land? They said that they would build workshops and give more money, but they needed someone to get the benefits first.
Therefore, the two of them discussed for a while and started to work while they were helping the imperial court to recruit conscripts.
At this time, they felt that the time was right. Five hundred yamen runners were in place, and the gunships would arrive in half a month. The two of them started the next step, the conscription.
After finding Xue Daobao, Zhang Xiaobao said to him, "This time, I will give you a very important task. You must find a way to complete it. If you do well, I will immediately promote you, build a good house for your family, and give you more salary, at least twice as much as now."
Hearing Zhang Xiaobao's words, Xue Daobao immediately became spirited. He patted his chest and promised, "Sir, don't worry. Even if it is a mountain of knives or a sea of flames, I dare to try."
"It's not that serious. You don't have to go through a mountain of knives or a sea of flames. Go to other states and spread the important news. That is, Jili State has started to recruit soldiers. Anyone who is willing to come over will have three meals a day with meat and one drink every ten days. Their family members will also come.
Even if their family members don't work, the yamen of Jili State will provide for them. If their family members are sick, the yamen will treat them for free. Their children will go to school in the state. After three years, if they are good enough to continue to be a soldier, they will be paid. If they don't want to be a soldier, they will get 30 strings of coins.
During the war, if they are injured and can't work, the yamen will take care of them. If they die in the war, their family members will be the yamen's family members. Go, spread the news. If it were someone else, I would be worried. You have to be careful too. Don't let the soldiers catch you. Take a few more people with you. If you are caught, send someone back to report. I will do everything I can to save you. "
Zhang Xiaobao began to assign tasks to Xue Daobao. He said one by one. Xue Daobao was surprised with each task. When Zhang Xiaobao finished, Xue Daobao's saliva had already wet the front of his clothes.
Xue Daobao wiped his mouth with his sleeve and swallowed. He said with difficulty, "Sir, it's easy to spread the news. But if they really come, what do you have to make them soldiers? Do you really have a school? Do you really dare to provide for their family? Do you really give them meat and wine? If you can't provide them, they will destroy the yamen. "
"I'm a man of my word. Just do as I say. When the time comes, I'll send someone to the border to pick you up. Go." Zhang Xiaobao promised Xue Dao.
Xue Daobao looked like he was going to risk it all. He nodded and said, "Sir, don't worry. I will do it for you."
Saying this, Xue Daobi stood up and left. He looked like a warrior who was leaving and would not return.
Looking at Xue Dao's departing figure, Zhang Xiaobao chuckled and muttered, "Who said I don't have a way to get people? Not only do I want to get people, I also want to start a war and solve this problem."
Wang Juan walked in from the side door with a few pieces of paper in her hand. She said to Zhang Xiaobao, "This is going to cost a lot of money. I don't know when we will get our capital back."
"There's no other way. Who said that soldiers are only responsible for fighting? The military also needs soldiers. When the time comes, I will find a way to get our capital back. Don't worry."
Zhang Xiaobao was not worried. As long as the problem of population was solved, this place could be developed. After all, he was going to stay in this place for a few more years. After the construction was done, it would be another foundation for his family.
Since he had decided to recruit soldiers, Zhang Xiaobao could not hide it from Li Longji. Why would a lower province need so many soldiers? He had to inform Li Longji. He immediately wrote a letter. Before Gao Lishi's letter arrived, a pigeon arrived in the capital.
Gao Lishi received the letter and read the contents. He did not know what to say. He could only come to find Li Longji.
At this time, Li Longji was looking at the models. There were already five models in the palace. There were only four in Boxin County. The fourth one had just been built. Animals and plants from all over the country were being transported to the capital. The zoo was already open. One could visit it after paying a fee.
"Lishi, come and look at the terrain of Henan Province. I have been there many times, but I can't see everything." Li Longji saw Gao Lishi come and quickly asked him to look.
Gao Lishi was not in the mood to do that. With the letter in his hand, he came to Li Longji and said, "Your Majesty, Xiaobao has sent a letter. He wants to enlist soldiers in Jili Province so that Juan Juan, the recording officer, can have soldiers."
"Oh, I know." Li Longji did not think much of it. It was good to have soldiers. He did not have to worry about Xiao Bao and Cuckoo being threatened.
"Your Majesty, Xiao Bao wants to recruit 100,000 soldiers. The initial recruitment is 30,000. It has already started." Gao Lishi had to say something else.
"100,000 soldiers is good. Many soldiers. What? How many? 100,000? What is he going to do? Is he going to rebel? " Li Longji did not react at first. When he reacted, he knew that he was more or less shocked.
Gao Lishi handed the letter over and said, "Your Majesty, Xiao Bao said it clearly in the letter. Please read it."
Li Longji had to read it carefully. The letter was quite thick. He did not know how much strength the pigeon used to fly over. Li Longji held the letter in his hand and read it from beginning to end. His eyes were out of focus and he was lost in thought.
After a while, he shook his head hard and looked at Gao Lishi and asked, "Lishi, do you think this plan is feasible?"
"I don't think so. This plan is too big." Gao Lishi also shook his head.
He knew what was written in the letter. Zhang Xiaobao proposed to recruit 100,000 soldiers and send them all to Jili Province. This plan was estimated to take three years to complete. The initial recruitment of 30,000 soldiers would be carried out immediately. After the soldiers were recruited, they would not be placed in Jili Province. Instead, they would be scattered and transported to other places, such as the border between Tubo and Tibet or the border between Turkey and Turks.
They would let other places receive them. At the same time, other places would send 10,000 soldiers to supplement the soldiers in Jili Province. In this way, there would be no need to worry about the officials in the places where the soldiers were sent to rebel. After all, the soldiers had family members in Jili Province.
When the 10,000 soldiers arrived in Jili Province, Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan would command the soldiers to fight. There would be no need to worry that the soldiers would hesitate in front of their family members. Their family members were in other places, so it was impossible for them to rebel.
Then, Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan would use this part of the soldiers to continue to occupy the north. They would search for good things there and turn the people there into Tang people.
This plan was simply too massive. While the northern side seemed to belong to the Great Tang on the map, it was actually impossible to manage. There were few people and the weather was cold. In these circumstances, the northern side was essentially the territory of the Great Tang in name, and they couldn't really pay any taxes there.
The plan was good, but the problem was whether it could be completed. After all, they were not familiar with the north. Moreover, the road was difficult to travel. It was easy for many people to go there and never come back.
That was what Li Longji was thinking as well. It would be a lie to say that he did not intend to expand his territory. However, expanding his territory was not an easy task. He did not know what was in the north and whether he would encounter any powerful enemies.
After reading the letter again, Li Longji said, "Xiao Bao wants me to take a look at the conscripts. He is preparing to go there first. If it's done, we will do as they say. Soldiers are not supposed to manage the local area. It is indeed reassuring to use them. The only thing we are worried about is that the soldiers sent there bully the local people.
Don't let others know about this. Let Xiao Bao try there. We will know whether it is successful or not. "
Li Longji agreed. Gao Lishi continued to send letters to the other side.
*****
Half a month passed by in a hurry.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan's house was finally built. The main house could be lived in, but the other courtyards still needed to be built.
Recently, the people in Jili Province were all mobilized. Even the slightly older children helped. Some were cutting trees, some were looking after the trees. Some were working on the land. The school was built first, and the workshop was being built. The charcoal kiln for burning charcoal was also completed.
Xue Daobi successfully spread the news. At the beginning, the people who had soldiers in other places did not realize it. Ten thousand soldiers with their families came to Jili Province. Ten thousand soldiers with their families were not ten thousand. There were more than forty thousand people.
When these people arrived at Jili Province, they were arranged to find a place to build their own houses. From Henan Province, ships came and went from Jili Province to Jili Province. All kinds of things needed were sent here, including the seafood and charcoal from the first kiln.
In this way, Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan had been losing money. Charcoal and seafood were not worth much in Henan Province. If they wanted to sell them at a good price, they had to continue to transport them to the deeper areas. The travel expenses were not small. After all, if the two people's ships did not help to transport things, they could make more money elsewhere.
Zhang Xiaobao was a man of his word. He really did provide all the daily necessities for the forty thousand people who arrived later. The ten thousand soldiers were also able to eat three meals a day, with meat in every meal.
After the ten thousand soldiers came, the others found that the yamen in Jili Province did keep its word. They also started to think about it. Especially when they knew that a school was built for the children and there was someone to teach them how to read and write. Even if the people in other places did not think for themselves, they also hoped that the next generation could be successful.
Another ten thousand people who were willing to become soldiers came to Jili Province. At this time, the local people who had soldiers in their hands realized and wanted to stop the people from moving to Jili Province.
At first, they thought that Jili Province could not do what they said. They thought that they could take this opportunity to let the people in the past make trouble. Then, they could drive away the officials sent by the imperial court. It would be better if there were no officials from the imperial court who came from other places. They only wanted their own people to stay.
Even when the first batch of people came, they were still waiting to see what would happen. They thought that the officials in Jili Province would run out of money soon. They did not know that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were rich.
When they found out that ships of food and daily necessities were sent from Henan Province, they found that things were not good.
At this time, the second batch of ten thousand soldiers came with their families. When they were thinking of ways to stop them, they found out who the new officials in Jili Province were.
They had also heard about the legendary story of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. For a moment, they felt that they were in big trouble. At first, they thought that the people in Beijing were sending them here. Now, it seemed that this was definitely not the case. They must have felt that there were many places that did not pay rent and wanted to muddy the waters.
The news that Zhang Xiaobao wanted to recruit thirty thousand soldiers in the beginning, but there was still a gap of ten thousand people spread. As a result, there were more deserters. They left the army and secretly came to Jili Province with their families and belongings.
The people who thought that they still had a chance also started to move.
Those who had soldiers under their command had no choice but to keep a tight watch on their soldiers and send people to the borders of the states to stop them.
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan also sent people to wait at the state border. As long as someone came, they could continue to go to the state capital. Those who wanted to stop were all stopped by them and were not allowed to go.
The public security personnel in the state were five hundred yamen runners sent from Sanshui County and Huayuan County. The guards brought by Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were fully armed and came to the state border. They were given a lot of power. If they thought that the other party was a threat, they could attack in advance.
However, the guards could not cross the state border to pick up people. As a result, many people were stopped before they reached the state border. They could see on both sides but could not go to help.
Since this method did not work, they changed to another way. They went by water. Zhang Xiaobao sent ships to go around and started to pick up people at other places near the sea.
Daxing City was in the east of Jili State, so it was not under the control of Jili State. Zhang Xiaobao sent more than a hundred ships at once. According to the calculation, each ship could carry twenty people. One round trip could transport two thousand people back. They just had to make a few more rounds.
In Daxing City, there was a family with the surname Li, which was popular now. He was from Xinluo. He had a very important mission here. One was to protect Daxing City, and the other was to make sure that the people in this area were from Xinluo. He was also the mayor of Daxing City. He had 1,500 soldiers under him. In addition to the normal army, he also had many ships to protect Daxing City. After all, Daxing City was very close to the sea.
There were also people in Daxing City who wanted to go to Jili State. Not only did they not have to spend money to buy food there, but they could also get land. The production of the land was earned by themselves. Moreover, there was a school there.
After Li Qingying, the mayor of Daxing City, also sent people to stop them outside Jili State. As for those who had already gone, he wrote a letter to Zhang Xiaobao and asked Zhang Xiaobao to let them go back.
Zhang Xiaobao did not refuse immediately. He agreed and said that he would send them back once they were found. As for when they would be found, it would have to wait for Jili State to adjust the household registration system.
However, while he was agreeing, the ships on the other side passed by the sea. Li Qingying put all his energy into intercepting them on the land. He sent almost all of his 1,500 soldiers to form a thin line of defense to prevent the people from going to Jili State.
At this moment, the ships came. After they greeted outside the city, the people who regretted not going out earlier crowded to the seaside and left happily on the ships.
By the time Li Qingying received the exact news, more than four thousand people had already disappeared.
"Mayor, we have to guard against them on the sea too." Li Qingying's advisor found Li Qingying and said.
Li Qingying had been very worried recently. The main reason was that many people were willing to take a long detour in order to leave Daxing City. It was impossible to guard against 1,500 people. If all the people lived in the city, it would be fine. Once the city was sealed, there would be no need to worry about people going out.
The problem was that many people lived in their own villages. It was impossible to send people to seal all the villages.
At this moment, when he heard the advisor's words, he felt his head buzzing. He rubbed his temples and asked the advisor, "Do we have to send people to intercept them on the sea again?"
"No, we can't stop them now. Zhang Xiaobao in Jili State will not let them go. We have to think of a way to make them not dare to take people from Daxing City. Otherwise, there will be no people in Daxing City. Now, people in the surrounding areas are still gathering here, thinking of going to Jili State."
The advisor knew that it was useless to stop them. Even if they could stop them for a while, they couldn't stop them forever. Moreover, it wouldn't take long for Daxing City to become an empty city.
Of course, Li Qingying wanted to think of a good way to make Zhang Xiaobao obediently send people back. He thought for a while and said, "Should we send troops?"
"Send troops? Yes, but not in the name of Daxing City. We can use the name of bandits on the sea. As long as we sink the next ship sent by Jili State and capture their people, we can use them to threaten Zhang Xiaobao. "
The advisor was smarter and came up with this idea.
Li Qingying couldn't think of a better idea. He gritted his teeth and made up his mind. He said, "I will send people to pretend to be bandits. Do you really think that officials sent from the capital are powerful here? If you push me too far, I will also kill people. "
Li Qingying had a plan. Soon, 300 of the 1,500 people sent out came back. Every five people were on a ship. They didn't have any markings on them, and they carried weapons. They went out to sea in 60 small boats, ready to intercept the ships sent by Jili State. He wanted to catch all of them in one fell swoop.
As soon as he moved, the people sent by Zhang Xiaobao, who were watching with binoculars at sea, knew what was going on. They quickly hid from the other party's sight and sent the news to Jili State.
"I was worried about not having a place to test the cannons. I didn't expect you to send me a gift. Good, very good. Someone, send a letter to Li Qingying, the Lord of Daxing City. Ask him if the sea route is safe recently. I want to send more ships to transport goods."
When Zhang Xiaobao heard this, he was very happy. He asked someone to send a letter to Li Qingying quickly, telling him that the ships here wouldn't move for the time being.
Soon, Li Qingying replied. He said that during this time, pirates occasionally appeared on the sea. Daxing City was thinking of ways to encircle and suppress them, but the results were not good. He hoped that Zhang Xiaobao would be more careful.
Zhang Xiaobao was waiting for this letter. As long as Li Qingying admitted that there were pirates, when the time came, he would say that he was helping Daxing City to eliminate the pirates.
Once again, the boats carrying people left the temporarily built pier and headed towards Daxing City. More than a hundred small boats formed a small team.
Seeing that they were about to reach the border of Daxing City, the 60 ships sent by Daxing City finally moved. They didn't wait for more than 100 small boats to come closer. They rushed over at the fastest speed, wanting to stop more than 100 boats. After all, there were only two people rowing on each boat. They weren't soldiers, so they should be easy to deal with.
When the 100 small boats saw the ships rushing over, they turned around and ran back. They didn't continue to move forward.
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