First Minister of Ming Dynasty

For Mao Guilai, the ruling party, this is a heart-wrenching matter.

Finally, he couldn't stand it anymore.

Decided to come to see Zhang Ximeng in person, he wanted to get an answer.

When Mao Gui came to the door, Zhang Ximeng was chatting with several soldiers, among them was a young soldier named Lin Shiwu, who was holding a brush and laboriously writing his name on a piece of paper.

Finally, after pausing the pen several times, he finished writing three characters crookedly, with a simple and honest smile on his face.

"Zhang, Prime Minister Zhang, right?"

"Yes!" Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "You probably will have to write every day in the future. There is nothing difficult. Your responsibility lies not in words, but in your heart. Only when you put your heart in order can you do things well."

Lin Shiwu hastily put down his pen, straightened his body, and obediently listened to Zhang Ximeng's instruction, as did several others.

Zhang Ximeng said: "Go down to Juntian. The most difficult thing is the word Jun. The most difficult thing in this world is the word fair. How to divide it? I suggest you look for those old farmers, find three or five people, and they must come from different surnames." Yes. For example, there are [-] households in a village, and these old farmers are asked to divide the fields into roughly [-] shares according to the degree of fertility and the amount of output. Then let the big guys draw lots together, and whichever piece is caught, it will be that piece. If If you don’t draw lots, you can choose according to the order, but if you want to divide the land, you must choose last.”

"You have to supervise every village, and wait until the big guys have got their own fields and no household is left behind, then you can draw it on the fish scale book, standardize the situation of each household, write your name on it, and then report to it. Finally Waiting for the imperial court to issue the land deed."

Zhang Ximeng said again: "I want you to remember that only fairness can last long and stable. If there are many people and few people, those who have more land will bully the villagers and act recklessly. The new big family...if that happens, the so-called land equalization will lose its meaning, do you understand?"

A few soldiers thought about it seriously, and one of the middle-aged soldiers suddenly raised his head, "Understood! It's like we divide the land... He, he is kind, but, when we get down, all the generals If we take the best land, we small fish and shrimps will not be able to get good land, and we will have to pay more labor tax... It is equal land, but it will be even more disadvantaged."

Zhang Ximeng nodded with a smile, "So the distribution of power must be in our own hands, that's fundamental! But I also want to remind you guys, you can't repeat the same mistakes, if the distribution is still unfair, I'm afraid you will be severely punished Well, the guards, and the trainers in the army will not be relentless. For the fraud in Juntian, at most, the bark last can be peeled and the death penalty will be imposed!"

The soldiers were all taken aback, keeping it in mind.

Zhang Ximeng nodded and let them go down.

Just as he got up, he happened to see Mao Gui at the door.The soldier who was so expensive and unfair just shrank his neck in fright, and when he was caught, he wanted to slip away.

Mao Gui took a step forward and stopped him.

Mao Gui took a deep breath, stared at the soldier, and said in a deep voice, "I, I didn't do a good job in dividing the fields. You, why didn't you, didn't you follow me?"

The soldier was stunned, he was a big soldier, how could he bear Mao Gui's inquiry, subconsciously turned his head and looked at Zhang Ximeng.

Zhang Ximeng smiled, "Well, to tell you the truth, Mao Pingzhang is not a big tiger, he doesn't eat people."

The soldier seemed to be encouraged by Zhang Ximeng's smile, so he boldly said: "There is someone, then... that person was killed!"

Mao Gui was startled for a moment, his face suddenly changed, and his anger rushed straight to the top of his head, "Who, who did it?"

The soldier was stunned by the question, and after a while he muttered: "It's all, it's all under the command of the adults, no way."

Mao Gui frowned, and suddenly his face turned pale again.

He could only helplessly wave his hand to let the soldiers retreat, then hesitated a little, then walked up, wanting to salute Zhang Ximeng.

"Sit down, you're welcome."

Mao Gui sat down and lowered his head, looking very embarrassed.

No one would be happy about being executed face to face.

"Zhang Xiang, my servant, I am surrounded by such beasts, I, I am really powerless!" Mao Gui paused, and then asked for advice: "Zhang Xiang, I don't know that when Daming was in Juntian, there were also such beasts. situation?"

Zhang Ximeng smiled and said, "Why not, it's a matter of course."

"Then, did Ming Dynasty affect the overall situation of Juntian because of these people?" Mao Gui said to himself again: "Presumably, with Zhang Xiangzhi's sage, he must be able to discern people and find suitable talents?"

Zhang Ximeng chuckled, then shook his head, "General Mao, do everything by yourself, no matter how big or small, even if you are as virtuous as Zhuge Wuhou, you can't guarantee completeness. Let alone me? In fact, your problem is not difficult to explain, if you just look at it Around you, you will feel that there are too few talents, and there are almost no people who can be used. But if you jump out of your own circle and look at the world...all the poor people who suffer from poverty, have no clothes, have no food, and have no place to stand. , The soldiers who fight in a daze without knowing why... Even those scholars who want the world to be better and have the ambition to govern the country and the world, they are all available people, and they are all your allies."

Mao Gui was shocked and stared at Zhang Ximeng in a daze, as if something important had been touched!

"Zhang Xiang, can you give me some pointers?"

"General Mao, think about it, why do we distinguish soldiers and ask about their backgrounds?"

Mao Gui was startled, and tried to ask: "Are you looking for someone available?"

Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "General Mao, a person has a similar background, lives in a similar environment, and faces similar difficulties... Ordinary things, poor people, their troubles are similar, and the methods to solve problems are also similar. of."

Mao Gui's eyes were solemn, and he pondered: "But Juntian?"

"Hmm!" Zhang Ximeng nodded and said, "What did General Mao think when he was in Juntian? Did he want to attack the powerful, or restrain the big households and restrain his subordinates?"

Mao Gui thought for a while, and said: "It's both! It's just that I can't do it right and left. I, I am really confused, so I take the liberty to ask for advice."

Zhang Ximeng smiled, "General Mao, why didn't you talk about this, focus on the people, rely on their strength, let them act on their own, and fight for their own land... We just assist and guide from the side, help them, and make sure Results?"

Mao Gui took a deep breath, his expression changed drastically, he carefully figured out what Zhang Ximeng meant, and gradually realized something.

"Zhang Xiang, like me, you are sharing the land, offending everyone, and gradually becoming a loner, with no one around you who can be trusted. Doing like Zhang Xiang can make most people stand on this side and be used by me?" Mao Gui tried to ask.

Zhang Ximeng nodded, and said with a light smile, "General Mao, you are a smart person, so you naturally understand that people like Tian Feng and Wang Shicheng, including the Kong family, are born opportunists, and it's just that whichever side is hard will fall on the other side... ...It is impossible to expect them to sincerely rely on me and use them for me. If they are offended and their interests are affected, this group of people will be like mad dogs, and they will do everything they can, crazily bite back, and do whatever they can. "

"On the contrary, if we can do well enough, be strong enough, and get enough support... with overwhelming momentum, these people will obediently kneel down and do things for us. This is their nature !"

Hearing this, Mao Gui had nothing to say, and cast himself on the ground.

I have been doing it for the past few years and working hard, but the result is nothing but imitation, only getting the shape, not the spirit.From this point of view, I am almost the same as a joke.

After really learning Zhang Ximeng's methods, Mao Gui didn't have the slightest intention of competing for supremacy.

"I don't understand Zhang Xiang's reasoning, Prime Minister Liu doesn't understand it, and the rest of the people don't understand it either. This, this world belongs to Ming Dynasty after all, Mao Gui bows down!"

Then, Mao Gui knelt down on his knees and held a list above his head.

"Zhang Xiang, this is Shandong Red Scarf, with 23 soldiers and horses. From now on, all of them will belong to Daming!"

Chapter 459 Strong Logistics

Zhang Ximeng stared at Mao Gui, and did not take the roster, but said calmly: "My lord is coming soon, with 23 people, there are a lot of things that can be done, even the Northern Expedition is just around the corner."

When Zhang Ximeng said this, he paused deliberately, "There is no discrepancy in such a big matter. General Mao, are there really so many people?"

Mao Gui couldn't stand Zhang Ximeng's gaze, so he couldn't help lowering his head a little, "Two, 20 yuan is still available."

"20 people? That's not a lot. But are they all elite?"

"This... most of them are warriors who dare to fight." Mao Gui straightened his back and gritted his teeth.

Zhang Ximeng looked at him, suddenly chuckled, and said in a low voice, "Do you have [-] for a half discount?"

Mao Gui was startled, his eyes widened suddenly, and he said in disbelief, "Why not? How could there not be?"

"Are they all young and strong?"

Mao Gui pondered again, and he said sullenly, "Mr. Zhang, do you suspect that I lied about the number of people?"

Zhang Ximeng smiled slightly, "Tian Feng and Wang Shicheng are known as the elite, and it is said that they have 2 soldiers, but after I counted, there are only less than 23 soldiers. After deducting the old and weak, there are only [-] people who meet the standard. It accounts for the total force. [-]% of it...you reported me [-], if it is [-]%, isn't it less than [-]? Do you think I'm right?"

Swish!

Cold sweat trickled down Mao Gui's temples.

To be honest, even he himself may not know how many people Tian Feng and others have. Hearing Zhang Ximeng's words, his heart is cold.

There is no doubt that Tian Feng is not only a general of the Yuan court, but also contacts with many big families. His financial resources are better than many people, and he has more soldiers and better weapons.

If this is the case with Tian Feng's subordinates, others can imagine.

And this matter is not complicated. If Mao Gui can really pull out 20 soldiers and horses, it is estimated that most of them will have been won long ago.

There is also Guan Duo of Goryeo. He also claims to have 20 soldiers, but how many soldiers he can actually have, I am afraid that two half-folds will not be enough.

Looking at the world, except for the Ming army, there are too many water-injected pork, and there are not many real ones.

"Zhang Xiang, I am ashamed. Although I have worked hard, the situation of my subordinates is complicated, and there are many false reports of vacancies. It is hard for me to say how many there are. But there is still a list here. They have more than [-] soldiers and horses under their command, but they are real, please check with Zhang Xiang."

With that said, Mao Gui handed over another list.

Zhang Ximeng remained calm, glanced at it, and said with a smile: "Mao Gui, you should keep this booklet for yourself, and dedicate it to the lord later! I am not asking you for any crimes... I just want to remind you, Daming and you It turns out that it’s different, you have to learn to adapt. There are bad things that need to be corrected. Of course, there are good things to be carried forward. All in all, let’s learn from each other’s strengths and forge ahead.”

Mao Gui bowed his body like a primary school student, obediently obeying Teacher Zhang's teachings.

Zhang Ximeng only made a slight beating before returning to his smile, "Governor Xu Da has already led his troops to the north, and the lord will also march in person. A decisive battle with Chahan. From Huaixi to Shandong, how should we go?"

"Of course it's a canal."

Zhang Ximeng said again: "Nowadays the canal is blocked in many places due to the war, especially the Jining section, making it more difficult to pass through. Maybe you should clean up and dredge the canal first?"

Mao Gui nodded hastily, "It's my duty to do this...I'm going to summon the peasants now, recruit the young and strong..."

"slow!"

Zhang Ximeng waved his hand, "This is still too disturbing to the people. In fact, my opinion is that you use these soldiers to dredge the canal."

Mao Gui was stunned, and subconsciously said: "Mr. Zhang, these soldiers are warriors on the battlefield. I'm afraid it would be inconvenient for them to do this!"

Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "Let's see, General Mao, how is this... I will pay them a military salary. Anyone who comes to dredge the canal will be paid a military salary, so that the big guys don't work for nothing."

Mao Gui peeked at Zhang Ximeng, and found that although he was smiling, his expression was firm and his attitude was firm.Mao Gui's heart skipped a beat, and he nodded immediately, "I understand, I'll give the order now."

Zhang Ximeng said again: "Big guys, come here, register and register according to the team, and pay according to the hair of the person. No mistakes are allowed."

Mao Gui agreed again, and when he came out from Zhang Ximeng's place, he felt lost and empty, not so comfortable.

In Han Song and Daming, there are really two completely different experiences.

Follow Liu Futong, he will send you a decree, let you lead the Northern Expedition, and then ignore it.

How much territory can be conquered, how many soldiers and horses can be developed, how much food can be robbed... these are all your own business.

Let alone 20 people, it doesn't matter if you boast a million soldiers.

But when it comes to Daming, there are strict rules for every item.

There are strict disciplines on how many soldiers you have and how much food you pay.

So, if you want to have the final say, to be the emperor of the land, you don't even think about it.

Moreover, Zhang Ximeng asked him to build the canal, and his intention was self-evident.

After Tian Feng and Wang Shicheng's subordinates were captured, Zhang Ximeng was in charge personally, so it was easy to find out the details.On Mao Gui's side, this opportunity is still lacking, and they cannot be captured.

So Zhang Ximeng asked them to come to build the canal. As for why they were not allowed to go to the battlefield, I'm sorry, the battle that surrounded Wang Baobao just now revealed their details.

Let go of Baobao, don't be in a hurry to go to the battlefield, just do some logistics.

It kind of hurts, to be honest, but what can be done about it?

Give you a chance, you are useless!

You must know that in Zhang Ximeng's view, Wang Baobao may not be very powerful, but he is tenacious enough. He belongs to the general of Jin Wushu, the wall of the famous general, the long-legged general, he will never die in a hundred battles, and he will never regret a hundred deaths... comparable to the stones in the pit , should be smashed as soon as possible.

He just didn't capture Baobao all at once, wouldn't this give him a chance to make a comeback?

In case Baobao evolves into an unbeatable Xiaoqiang, you, Maogui, are responsible?

Appreciation is appreciation, but Zhang Ximeng should beat and warn.

From now on, you, Maogui, don't even think about deciding what to do by yourself, but put a rope around your neck.

What else can Mao Gui say, he can only mobilize his subordinates and hurry to Jining to dredge the canal.

Before them, Li Wenzhong had already waited. Beside him, there were quite a few bamboo sticks... These bamboo sticks were engraved with a thousand-character inscription, which meant that a bundle was exactly one thousand sticks, so there was no mistake.

When Mao Gui's soldiers arrived, they were given a bamboo stick to each of them, and each group of 1000 people was led to the side of the canal to clean up the silt and dredge the waterway.

The Ming army has a high degree of organization in doing things, and it is analyzed in detail without any chaos.

What's interesting is that Zhang Ximeng has adopted a brand new method, all military pay will be settled every day, and will never be in arrears.

Moreover, Zhang Ximeng also set the military ration standard at two catties per person per day.

What an army eats is the most direct reflection of national strength and combat effectiveness... In later generations, those who can eat well and set the standard of food, look around the world, only one serving, except for rabbits with full cooking skills can't do it.

You should know that one steamed bun for a meal may be enough for those who sit in the office, but after becoming a soldier, they have to train every day, which consumes a lot of energy.

All kinds of ingredients for each meal must be fresh, sufficient, and delicious... It is definitely a terrifying project.

Most countries like to distribute simple and easy-to-preserve canned food, or simply distribute some energy bars and other things to supplement sugar... Anyway, staple food must be converted into sugar, so it is better to simply give sugar.

At the moment, canned food, sugar, don't even think about it... Zhang Ximeng is in charge of logistics. In addition to setting the standard of staple food, he has also thought of many ways in other aspects.

For example, Zhang Ximeng stipulated that every soldier should have two taels of dried plums, sun-dried eggplant strips, beans, and some bacon every day.

If you are stationed in a certain place, you need to build your own vegetable garden, farms, and supply needs.

Moreover, each team is also assigned a different number of tofu-making soldiers.

What's more, Zhang Ximeng also confiscated a lot of fat pigs from the people, refined lard, and put it in barrels for later use...

If you want to compare it with the logistics of later generations, you don't have to think about it... But at present, the Ming army is definitely the best-fed and most abundant army.