Chapter 1081 Population

Chapter 1081 Population

Chapter 1081 Population
Throughout late February, the roads from Jingling, Jiangling to Xiangyang were filled with troops returning north.

The vehicles were loaded with all kinds of items, not to mention money and silk, but the most outrageous thing was that all kinds of daily necessities were also loaded to the brim. In fact, many bulky items were not suitable for transportation by vehicles, and they were already considering whether Yangshui was safe and whether they could be transported by boat.

If possible, it can even be transported northwards through Xiangyang to Fangchengkou via the river. After a short distance of land transportation, it can enter the Wanye Corridor, and then it can be transported by boat for a distance, and finally enter the Ru River, arrive in Liang County, and then transfer to Yiquekou by land, and then transport by water...

It sounds a bit troublesome, with water to land, land to water, and changing boats. But it is much more economical than pure land transportation, because more than 70% of this thousand-mile route can be transported by water.

Most of the items shipped are large items.

Don't laugh, there are furniture. Because some people can't pay the ransom money, they use their belongings as collateral, which makes it difficult to estimate the value, but there is nothing they can do.

Even temples and Taoist temples have to pay! No one is exempted, the main theme is to treat everyone equally.

Really no money? Then go to the construction site.

There was a gap in the outer city of Jiangling. It was not very big at first, but in the subsequent attacks, the Liang army tried their best to expand the gap, and it became a mess. Now it needs to be repaired.

In addition, the imperial court intended to build a dam in the east of the city, and then build a water city, connecting the water city and the lake through a canal to facilitate the entry and exit of ships. If the Jin navy attacked, the weak Liang navy could retreat into the water city and no longer have to hide from place to place like it does now. Hiding a few ships in this river bend and hiding another part in the reed marsh would be too ugly and would not have the majesty of a royal army at all.

Overall, as conquerors, the Liang army still had the demeanor of a royal army and did not act recklessly.

The Silver Spear, Black Gun, Yicong, Luoyan and other armies served as the backbone. They were good at fighting and suppressing rebels, and they managed to maintain the situation.

Of course, there were also groups who had a harder time, such as the Jin officials, generals and wealthy families who did not escape in time. They were all liquidated and sent to Kelan, Guangning, Diaoyin, Shang, Xinqin, Longxi and other counties.

A rough calculation shows that there were thousands of people exiled to the border areas, which was a considerable number. However, the method of exiling criminals to the border areas was an old trick since ancient times. The local tyrants in Liangzhou were all criminals during the Han Dynasty.

At the end of February, the first batch of troops arrived in Xiangyang.

Shao Xun met with several tribal chiefs on Caizhou Island, including the Zheju tribe from Zhangye and Xihai.

This tribe had been successively dependent on Qifu and Yifu, and had been fighting with Tuoba Xianbei for many years. Later, it was raided by the army led by Wang Que'er. Now, they have sent 2,000 strong men south. Up to now, no less than a thousand people have died in battle or from illness, which is more than half of the total number of soldiers. This is a very typical state of a mixed Hu tribe.

Shao Xun walked leisurely on the earthen embankment at the edge of Caizhou Island, looking at the gradually rising spring water, feeling relaxed and happy.

The scenery of Xiangyang is somewhat different from the beauty of the north.

"In the Battle of Shicheng, your troops did not avoid arrows and charged straight into the enemy formation, which was a great achievement." Shao Xun did his homework in advance and counted the battle achievements of the Zhejue tribe one by one.

"Later, I was ordered to march west and attack the city. The fall of Ji'nan City was due in part to your troops."

"When we were fighting in Jiangling, an epidemic spread among the army, but your troops still attacked the city twice and even repelled a sneak attack by the bandit general Zhou Fu."

"All these things really took a lot of effort." Shao Xun said, "For those who died in battle, the court will give two pieces of silk. I will give you one more piece for your hard work in the battle."

After hearing this, Zhejuemulutou immediately bowed to the ground and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generous reward."

Shao Xun didn't look at him, but just looked at the beautiful river view, and asked casually, "Are there any meritorious soldiers willing to stay?"

Zhejuemulutou had just stood up when he heard this and was stunned. Was this going to...

Shao Xun stopped and sighed, "The soldiers risked their lives to fight for their lives, how can I bear to treat them harshly? If they have made meritorious contributions, they can be granted land. The families of soldiers who died in battle or due to illness, if they are willing to come to Jingzhou, can also be granted land."

Having said that, anyone who still doesn't understand is a fool. Zheju Mulutou was keenly aware that the emperor seemed to have set his sights on the people in their hands?
Even the elderly, the weak, women and children are valuable on the grassland.

The elderly and young people can ride horses and shoot arrows, but they are not as good as the young and strong. They can also take care of livestock.

Not to mention women, they can give birth to children and increase the tribal population.

It is very common for grassland tribes to be annexed. Unless there is a real feud, they generally will not kill people indiscriminately. They will just annex the conquered tribes after they have been subdued. Even the clan leader of the conquered tribe can still control the population and property of his own clan. This has been an inherent tradition for thousands of years.

In short, population is wealth.

"Your Majesty, the herdsmen in my tribe only know how to graze, they don't know how to farm." In a hurry, Zhejumulutou thought of a reason, and he admired his own wit.

"What's the difficulty? Just learn it." Shao Xun laughed and said, "Besides, Xiangyang is vast and sparsely populated, so there are plenty of places for grazing. Those who are willing to stay can first graze to make a living, and then slowly do half farming and half grazing. They will eventually learn it." Can grazing be done in Xiangyang? Of course it can.

In fact, the conditions in Xiangyang are not bad, they just need to be transformed and provided with a safe external environment.

Historically, during the Tang Dynasty, many pastures were set up in Xiangyang, and captured Turkic captives were also exiled to "Shannan East Road" in large numbers - Shannan East Road was equivalent to the five counties of Nanyang (Tang Dengsui), Xiangyang, Jiangxia, Jingling (Xiangyingfu) and other places at that time.

However, they neglected management and allowed them to "live on hunting". After living together with the Han people for a long time, they corrupted the local customs and formed the famous Cai thieves. They farmed during the day and robbed at night. Raising donkeys, mules and horses was very common, and the people were extremely fierce. There were even people who took a boat to Jiangxi to rob and returned with a full load, which was very outrageous.

The conditions in Xiangyang today are certainly far inferior to those in the Tang Dynasty, but such a wild place must be developed by someone, and what Shao Xun lacks is people. He wants anyone, including the "surplus men" of the government soldiers, the tribes that have surrendered, and even the living slaves.

So, it was not surprising that he asked for someone today, because he had been thinking about this matter for a long time.

It is clear that if Xiangyang and the counties to its south are not well developed and the economy is not restored, the cost of war will increase.

Zhejuemulu was forced by Shao Xun's words. He was slightly annoyed, but he didn't dare to say anything. He could only stammer: "Xiangyang is low and humid. If the eagles from the grassland come, I'm afraid they won't be able to fly."

Seeing Shao Xun's unhappy expression, Zhe Jue Mu Lutou added: "I will go back and ask, there should be people willing to stay."

Shao Xun's expression eased slightly.

He knew that although the Zheju tribe had been defeated repeatedly following the Yifu clan, they still had some strength and wanted to return to Zhangye and Xihai to become local tyrants, so he was very concerned about the population.

But there are many smaller tribes in the Helong area than Qifu, Yifu, Zheju, Lushuihu, etc. They were really badly damaged this time. Are they worried about being annexed by others?
The grassland is very realistic. Even a large tribal alliance, such as the Yifu and Qifu alliance, is divided into different levels. If you are not strong enough, you will be bullied.

For example, Shao Xun wants to conscript men to fight in a war and gives 3,000 vacancies. How do you think the tribal alliance will gather these 3,000 men?
For example, if the Tufa Xianbei suddenly crossed the Qilian Mountains and attacked the Yifu Alliance, or went east to attack the Qifu Alliance, and the fighting started, it would be very important to decide who would do the hardest, most tiring, and most dangerous work.

Alliance leaders with tall wrists can maintain balance and convince everyone, but those with average wrists are the most common.

The water here is very deep. Shao Xun even doubted that some tribes that originally only had one or two thousand or two or three thousand people would dare to go back after half of the men died. If there were pastures in the Central Plains for them, would they be willing to migrate here?

Some people may not be willing, but there are definitely some who are willing, especially when they have no other choice.

Shao Xun quickly let Zhe Jue go and looked at the other tribal chiefs.

Even though they didn't speak Chinese, they gradually understood after listening to the translation, and their expressions were different for a moment.

After a moment, the answer was similar to that of Zhejue Mulutou, indicating that he would go back and ask.

Shao Xun did not force him, but just smiled and ordered his personal soldiers to bring a few carts of treasures and goods and distribute them to the chiefs as a personal reward to them.

In addition, they will be awarded honorary titles according to the number of troops dispatched, the frequency of combat, and the number of casualties - it doesn't have much significance, and there is no salary, but after all, they have official uniforms, seals, and support, which is full of ceremonial sense. At the same time, it also helps to improve their status, because honorary titles are also officials.

Of course, it’s not without some benefits.

Shao Xun also gave them some places, such as allowing his own nephews and nephews of appropriate age to study in Luoyang Imperial College and Bianliang Imperial College, and listing them as members of the Hu (Lu) family, etc. These are all practical benefits and are crucial to the long-term development of a family.

Shao Xun's goal was not to destroy them, but to appease and control them, and eventually slowly subdue and assimilate them.

He knew that these chiefs would not be completely satisfied, but how could such a good thing happen in the world?
He mobilized the nobles' troops and farmhands to fight in the war. Were they satisfied?
He extorted money and grain from the nobles and also took over their land. Were they satisfied?

Why was it that the cost of building palaces and roads was extremely low in the early days of the founding of each dynasty, but it took many years to save money to build a palace in the later period? Because people in the early days of the founding of the country had basically lived through troubled times. They knew the horror of troubled times, the cruelty of killing, and the difficulty of survival, so they were more patient, more able to endure hardships, and more willing to work hard.

If you are not satisfied, just rebel. We will continue to fight! The founding emperor was like this. Shao Xun was not a good person either. You can weigh it yourself.

After seeing off the chiefs, on the third day of March, Shao Xun reviewed the second batch of returning troops on Caizhou Island.

They are rather special, not very old, and are basically soldiers from Luonan or descendants of military families.

Shao Xun attached great importance to this matter, because if it was handled properly, it would have practical significance for the growing population of the military families.

(End of this chapter)