plumnovel Chapter 25 Focusing on Construction and Locust Control Preparations
Chapter 25 Focusing on Construction and Locust Control Preparations
This trip north was not a spur-of-the-moment decision by Emperor Chongzhen, but rather because he couldn't rest easy without seeing the progress of the construction of his first "base" with his own eyes.
However, he did not intend to overstep his authority or make any unnecessary policy adjustments. He did not believe that his political abilities surpassed those of a great talent like Lu Xiang-sheng.
He was really just heading north to inspect the situation and see what was really going on, so he could have a better understanding of the situation.
Meanwhile, the transformation of the garrison areas around Jizhou had already exceeded Chongzhen's conservative expectations.
In fact, the garrison system was indeed a brilliant and effective system in the early years of the dynasty.
The poor people were given enough land to grow and develop as individuals and families, enough to live and work in peace and contentment, and enough to support their children who did not inherit military positions to study and take the imperial examinations.
If this had continued for generations, the Ming Dynasty would have had no worries about border troubles, and maintaining an army of hundreds of thousands would have been no problem at all.
However, the existence of the monster of land annexation has turned the garrison system, which was originally intended to protect the peace and stability of the Ming Dynasty's borders and interior in the early years of the dynasty, into an empty shell and a malignant tumor.
Hereditary military commanders became local tyrants. Together with nobles and local gentry, they seized military farms and exploited lower-class military households, causing the garrison system to collapse completely and become virtually useless in defending against enemies.
Those lower- and middle-ranking military households imprisoned under this system lived a life worse than death, unable to escape, futile in their resistance, and left to be slaughtered at will.
The garrison system should have been abolished long ago, given its collapse, but its core principles are not necessarily outdated or useless.
Previously, Emperor Chongzhen ordered Lu Xiangshan to reform and investigate the garrisons in the area north of Beijing. In essence, this was to redistribute land resources using the core of the system and stimulate the production enthusiasm and potential of the military households.
Although the "lowly status" of military households was abolished, they were effectively made tenants of the emperor.
In reality, Chongzhen still used the old method of conscripting men for land reclamation to solve the problem, gathering men to form an army, only the name was different from the old system.
Regardless of the circumstances, any method that can effectively solve the survival problems of ordinary people at the bottom of society is a good method.
The hardworking people of this land will always respond to the so-called "enlightened ruler" with the most simple and honest enthusiasm for labor.
Upon entering the southernmost military settlement area of Jizhou Town, Chongzhen was immediately captivated and moved by the scene of women, children, and the elderly working together diligently in spring plowing.
Those gaunt bodies are bursting with astonishing endurance and enthusiasm this spring as they plow and sow. Everyone is doing the same, scattering wheat and millet seeds that represent hope with the most simple and sincere vision.
Those faces, whether sallow or pale, showed no signs of complaint or discontent; instead, they wore satisfied smiles, as if they were already happy to receive meager rations from the imperial relief office.
Emperor Chongzhen stood quietly on the distant barren slope, watching these ordinary people work hard for their meager rations and their hopes for the future.
He remained silent for a long time, then set off to check another military settlement area. The same thing happened everywhere until... Lu Xiang-sheng, who had learned that he had arrived in Jizhou Town, hurriedly rode his horse to see him.
Seeing Lu Xiang-sheng, dressed in short cloth clothes with undried mud stains on his trousers, bowing excitedly to him, Chongzhen finally smiled and let out a long breath, forcefully supporting the capable minister and virtuous general before him.
"Du Lu...you've worked hard."
Seeing the fruits of spring planting along the way, I am greatly gratified, and I am especially grateful for Governor Lu's hard work.
The emperor and his ministers stood with their arms crossed, their eyes filled with sincere devotion. Lu Xiang-sheng's eyes even reddened slightly because of the concern shown by Emperor Chongzhen.
All the hard work and toil of the past few days has been worth it at this moment. As a subject, how fortunate I am to have my deeds recognized, understood, and absolutely trusted by the king.
"All of this is thanks to Your Majesty's strategic planning. I dare not take credit for it. The military and civilian people who have been stripped of their lowly status are always moved to tears when they mention Your Majesty, grateful for Your Majesty's benevolence in giving them a second chance."
Lu Xiang-sheng's words came from the bottom of his heart, and every word was sincere.
No matter how capable he was, without Emperor Chongzhen's generous financial support, he wouldn't have been able to implement the land redistribution and military organization policy with Yang Guozhu in northern Beijing.
The extravagant spending of Emperor Chongzhen, sparing no expense, ensured that the more than 100,000 military and civilian residents survived the harsh winter and made it to the spring planting season.
Compared to the past when there was no food to survive the winter, and the fields were littered with corpses of the starving, and people had to sell their children, these military households and civilians were naturally grateful and sincerely felt that Emperor Chongzhen was a "sage ruler" incarnate.
If Chongzhen had heard such flattery before today, even if he could have kept a clear head, he would inevitably have felt somewhat smug and flattered.
But now, after witnessing firsthand the hardships of the common people and their faint hopes, Chongzhen sighed and shook his head upon hearing this.
"I am now only doing my best to do what I should do. I am not even able to protect the borders and the people, let them live and work in peace and be free from the suffering of war. What virtue or ability do I have to be worthy of the people's praise, let alone their kindness?"
Upon hearing Chongzhen's words, the accompanying soldiers and officials who came to receive him were all shocked and knelt down to kowtow and beg for forgiveness.
Lu Xiang-sheng felt the same way, but sensing the genuine compassion and concern for the people in Chongzhen's tone, he felt more admiration and emotion.
After his "sudden enlightenment," the current emperor has not only become more decisive and resolute than before, but also seems to be more compassionate towards the people and more concerned about the country and its people.
Even the wisest rulers of the past could not have been more so. Your Majesty's sagacity is truly a blessing for the Ming Dynasty and its people.
Seeing this, Chongzhen stopped sighing and expressing his opinion. After the generals and officials stood up, he rode with Lu Xiangshan and they discussed things as they went.
"The people have already plowed the fields and cleared away the weeds, which is good. But the wasteland and puddles outside the fields also need to be cleared and covered up. The shallow shoals and silt near the fields also need to be plowed and cleared. Otherwise, the locust eggs will be difficult to get rid of, and a locust plague will break out again in the summer."
While recalling the locust control knowledge he had learned from watching various historical novels and popular science documentaries in his previous life, Chongzhen carefully explained it to Lu Xiang-sheng.
Upon hearing the term "locust plague," Lu Xiang-sheng's expression changed drastically. He nodded solemnly and noted down the locust control measures instructed by Emperor Chongzhen.
"However, these preventative measures can only clear some of the locust eggs in the local area. When a large-scale locust plague occurs, the summer grain harvest will inevitably be reduced. Therefore, I have brought you a group of capable helpers."
Upon hearing Chongzhen's words, Lu Xiang-sheng, who already had experience in agricultural administration, quickly realized what was going on.
"Your Majesty, are you referring to the batch of ducklings that were delivered a couple of days ago?"
Chongzhen laughed and nodded, "That's right, it's that batch of ducklings. Ducks are excellent at eating locusts. People will get poisoned if they eat too many, but ducks won't."
Moreover, ducks that have eaten their fill of locusts grow fat and lay eggs, which will be a treat for the border troops and regular army in the north.