12dz Chapter 272 Spring is Coming Again
Chapter 272 Spring is Coming Again
The purpose of Zhao Sheng’s trip has been achieved, and the next step is to carry out large-scale infrastructure construction.
With so many people gathered at once, food, clothing and housing became a difficult problem.
Zhao Sheng planned to build Guangling County into a place for garrisoning troops. The terrain here is surrounded by mountains with a basin in the middle, which is very suitable for building a fortress according to the mountain terrain.
The location of the middle county seat can be used to grow some crops that do not require high water resources. The environment in Lingqiu County is more severe than that in Guangling County, and the land is also barren.
"Alas, after all the trouble, what I got was two heavy burdens, and they were the burdens of poverty." Zhao Sheng couldn't help but complain after learning about the conditions of these counties.
"Son-in-law, although these two counties are poor, the two county magistrates here have been working hard to get rid of poverty for many years, but the results are not very significant." said County Magistrate Zhang Chun who was discussing matters together.
Others attending the meeting today include Sun Jiping from Guangchang County, Qi Wentao from Lingqiu County, Pei Xianchu from Guangling County and others. In the military, Zhao Long led Cheng Jicheng from the Second Division, and Sun Youliang who was about to go to Huaian Town.
Sun Youliang's Third Division reorganized and set out to build a pass there, which was a daunting task.
"Alright, let's first decide on the candidate for the Weizhou County prefect. Weizhou County is our autonomous prefecture, and we elect our own personnel. After a selection process, Lord Zhang Chun was elected as the first prefect of Weizhou County."
After saying that, Zhao Sheng nodded towards Zhang Chun, motioning him to stand up and say a few words.
"Thanks to your kindness and the appreciation of Your Majesty, I, Zhang Chun, have the honor of being elected as the first Weizhou County magistrate..."
Zhang Chun talked incessantly for a quarter of an hour before he finally expressed his inner excitement.
"Well, Magistrate Zhang is worthy of being the first county magistrate to work with us. His words and deeds are in line with our development goals. All the staff below will continue to perform their duties, but I would like to focus on the two newly incorporated counties."
Upon hearing this, Qi Wentao and Pei Xianchu immediately straightened their backs and pricked up their ears to listen carefully.
"Let's start with Guangling County. Following a previous battle, there were hardly any people left in the city. Those who remained were mostly local civilians, numbering no more than a few thousand. Wealthy families and officials fled to other counties. County Magistrate Pei Xianchu was even rescued by the army while fleeing to Weizhou.
Therefore, all land in Guangling County was remeasured and transferred to the county government, and all previous land deeds were invalidated."
As soon as Zhao Sheng finished speaking, Pei Xianchu felt like he was electrocuted and didn't react for a long time.
"Could it be that this son-in-law is so domineering?" Pei Xianchu thought to himself, he is just the son-in-law of a prince, when did he have such great power?
"Prince Consort Zhao, if we act this way, what will we do with those landlords when they return?"
"It's easy to deal with if you return. You must pay every penny of the taxes you are owed. And since you delayed the planting of young crops, you should be convicted. We can handle the matter according to the law."
"Damn, can it be done this way?" Pei Xianchu secretly complained in his heart, but this time there were tens of thousands of troops coming to help, so he didn't need to worry too much.
Qi Wentao also felt a cold sweat on his back. There were still many wealthy families in Lingqiu County, especially the businesses of the aristocratic families here.
"Lingqiu County's policy is to levy taxes based on land area. The previous head tax will no longer be collected, military households will be exempted from tax, and commercial taxes will be increased by 20%."
Zhao Sheng knew that the commercial tax rate in the Great Zhou Dynasty was relatively low, so his suggestion of adding 20% was not too high. Business in this era was already quite developed, but taxation remained low.
"Prince Consort, the commercial tax is so high, will it scare away all the merchants?"
Qi Wentao wiped the non-existent sweat from his forehead and said timidly.
"No, even if they leave, the people in the city and you, the county magistrate, will not starve. Work hard and you will find that your income will be higher than before."
Zhao Sheng simply drew a big pie and threw it at everyone.
Places like Weizhou are not suitable for large-scale cultivation, and small-scale cultivation is also useless. Zhao Sheng's idea is to vigorously develop business and make up for the shortcomings with his own advantages.
However, many things are not impossible and no longer need to be done. Zhao Sheng will still grow a small amount of grain in these counties to prevent others from prying into the secrets.
From the 200,000 Li family troops, 100,000 were selected to continue serving. More than 30,000 soldiers who surrendered in Lingqiu County were also disbanded and reorganized. Those who were physically strong continued to serve and were assigned to different positions.
At this point, there were 80,000 military households stationed in Guangling County, of which 10,000 were surrendered Jin troops, and there were only 30,000 Li family troops in Lingqiu County.
In the warm spring when all things come back to life, all kinds of crops on the vast earth are ready to go, waiting for the order to sow.
The first batch of grassland cattle carefully selected by the Nalan family were led leisurely to the vast territory of Yang County like green messengers. They stood leisurely on this land full of hope, waiting for the prosperous trade that was about to begin with Weizhou.
The spring breeze blows by, and the cattle hum, which seems to add a warm prelude to the upcoming cooperation.
Gong Jian Yiren stayed with Zhao Sheng all the time, originally wanting to train him to be a counselor, but unexpectedly discovered that the child had super calculation ability.
He is seventeen years old this year and has been taken in for four years. Now is a good time for him to show his talents.
"Yiren, I'm sending you to the fortress. It might become a county under the jurisdiction of Weizhou in the future. Go there first and take charge of border trade. Many supplies will be shipped to Weizhou in the future, and you'll be responsible for all shipping matters."
Although Gongjian Yiren was already seventeen years old, this was the first time he had taken on such a big task alone.
"Sir, I...I'm afraid I'm not up to the task."
"It's okay, we will send someone to assist you."
Zhao Sheng's first thought was Zhao Mingyi, who had been sent here by the Zhao family and was Zhao Sheng's uncle. He planned to ask this veteran with many years of experience in the business world for help.
A few days later, Zhao Mingyi was invited by Zhao Sheng to report to Gong Jian Yiren.
"Uncle, I have another plan for inviting you here. The county government wants you to be the county magistrate to assist Yi Ren in his work."
Giving him an official position to work with Gong Jianyiren was the only solution Zhao Sheng could think of. Facing a family like the Nalan clan on the grassland, it would definitely not work without someone who could make the decision.
"Since you call me uncle, I'll take advantage of my age. What benefits can our Zhao family gain from this matter?"
"Uncle, with your official robe as a platform, will other business be difficult? It's okay to gain some benefits, but don't go too far."
There will be no fish in clear water. People will not help you selflessly. You still have to give them the benefits they deserve.
With Zhao Sheng's words as a reassurance, Zhao Mingyi felt much more at ease.
Several days passed in a flash, and there was really nothing fun to do in Weizhou. The two little girls, Zhao Ningyue and Li Xinyue, were already getting bored and clamoring to go back.
When Zhao Sheng saw his two little princesses, he couldn't help but walk up to them and stroke their little heads. After looking at them with a loving gaze, he picked up one in each hand and walked towards Li Shuya.