First Minister of Ming Dynasty

"Of course!" Jia Lu laughed and said, "But you also need to know that thousands of people are killed on the battlefield, and of course it is famous in history. But by repairing rivers and controlling water, there are countless people alive, leaving a legacy for thousands of years. This is not a great merit, but a great fortune. ?”

Du Guang'an was speechless, and he couldn't answer, so he could only say angrily: "Anyway, those who join the army are already celebrating their great victory in Kaifeng. Waiting for His Majesty's reward, the scenery is boundless. Xiu The river's legs are still muddy, so it's hard to get over it!"

The master and apprentice fell into an awkward atmosphere again... Jia Lu could only close his eyes and pant heavily.

Du Guangan, on the other hand, got angry for a while, then obediently picked up the manuscript, and continued to work as if the quarrel just now hadn't happened.

The ship came out from Yingtian, went north along the canal, and after arriving in Xuzhou, changed the carriage again, and then rushed all the way to Kaifeng.

Just a dozen miles away from Nanxun Gate, someone was waiting in the gazebo, and when he saw Jia Lu's carriage from a distance, he couldn't restrain his smile.

"Brother Jia, you are here. I have some good news. I'm afraid you'll hear it a little too late. It's coming out here, waiting for you!"

Jia Lu poked his head out, seeing that it was Zhu Sheng who was coming, he quickly asked Du Guangan to help him, and got out of the carriage.

As he walked forward, he couldn't help but frown slightly, "You, why is your hair all white?"

Zhu Sheng didn't care and said, "I've been sick for a few days, and I just recovered. I'm over 60, how can there be someone who doesn't have gray hair?"

Jia Lu was slightly taken aback, and smiled wryly, "Who said it wasn't... I remember correctly that I'm two years older than you. I've been ill for the past few years, and I don't know how long I can last!"

Zhu Sheng pulled Jia Lu to sit down in the gazebo, and at the same time waved his hands and said: "Brother, you have to hold on. I heard Zhang Xiang said that you made an agreement back then. When the world is unified, the superior will go all out to support your governance The Yellow River, finish this good work for the common people. So that the Central Plains will no longer suffer from floods, so that the common people can live and work in peace and prosperity. Listen carefully, if you don’t finish this job, you won’t die in a day !Even if you want to die, Lord Yan can't take it!"

Listening to his old friend's words, Jia Lu's heart was surging. He suddenly lowered his head, lifted his robe, and lifted his trousers, revealing a section of his calf.

"You press it."

Zhu Sheng was curious, and pressed his hand, and a small pit appeared immediately, and it didn't recover for a long time. Zhu Sheng's heart was moved, and he couldn't help saying: "How could this happen? But asked someone to look at it?"

Jia Lu smiled wryly and said, "The empress helped hire no less than ten of Yingtian's famous doctors. In the early years, I worked hard to cure the floods, and the root cause of my disease was left behind. Now I can only count on it every day!"

Zhu Sheng frowned, and hurriedly said: "This is not possible! Without anyone, you can't be without your brother... By the way, I have good news to tell you. I can hear that what Zhang Xiang talked about a few days ago, Most likely it will fall on you again."

Jia Lu was puzzled, "What did Xiang Xiang say? Shouldn't he be assisting the superior to deal with the matter in front of him now? Is there still time to mention me?"

Zhu Sheng said with a smile: "Brother Jia, you are wrong. Zhang Xiang not only said it, but also told the big guys. And look at what he means, he thinks this matter is bigger than the sky!"

"What? You said that Zhang Xiang intends to control the Yellow River?" Jia Lu hesitated: "I'm afraid it won't work! The Central Plains have been in war for ten years, people's livelihood is dying, and the population is less than one in ten. Where can I find so many people to control the river? I, I this time Going north, I just want to take advantage of my breath to see how my river control project was, and tell my disciples what needs to be explained. If, if there is a need to control the Yellow River in the future, they can continue to do it."

It was only then that Jia Lu confided his heart, remembering the agreement back then, Zhu Yuanzhang did spend ten years recovering the Central Plains.But after ten years, Jia Lu has grown old.

If the river is treated immediately at this time, Jia Lu can still do something.

But everyone knows that only by resting and recuperating, restoring people's livelihood, accumulating financial resources, and even after recapturing most of the capital, can we start to control the river.

By that time, Jia Lu might not be alive anymore.

He can only give his hope to his disciples, take them to see the river control project in the past, combine the reality, and pass on all his skills to the big guys.

Let them complete their careers in the future, and at that time, he will be able to smile at Jiuquan.

"Brother, Prime Minister Zhang didn't talk about river control, but he mentioned Baigong and technological inventions."

"Technical invention?"

"Yes!" Zhu Sheng said, "Master Zhang was in front of the formation this time, and a crossbow arrow wounded Chahan, but he did a great job!"

Jia Lu chuckled lightly and said, "Master Zhang is really lucky, he is extraordinary!"

There is no doubt that Jia Lu is also a statement of high emotional intelligence.

To put it bluntly, it's a lie.

But Zhang Ximeng's ignorance is not ignorance, but in the dark, it has its own will.

But Zhu Sheng said with a smile: "Brother, I'm afraid you guessed wrong this time... Zhang Xiang gave the credit to the craftsman who made the crossbow, and asked the superior to reward the seventh-rank crown belt, and wrote a handwriting: Three years of grinding an arrow. Send to the artisans."

"What?" Jia Lu was startled, "A craftsman can also be an official? Also, Zhang Xiang's calligraphy is extraordinary! I don't care what I want, but he won't give it!"

Zhu Sheng said with a smile: "It's not an official... It's like a casual order, who can enjoy the official treatment and salary."

Jia Lu sighed: "That, that's not bad, God's favor, Zhang Xiang is kind!"

Zhu Sheng smiled meaningfully again, "What is this? There are even more remarkable things!"

"what's up?"

"Naturally, the river that your brother presided over is named Jialu River, and a monument will be erected soon. Zhang Xiang also said that Qin prospered with the Zhengguo Canal, and Ming prospered with the Jialu River!" Zhu Sheng sighed: "Brother His great name will live forever in the land of the Central Plains from now on!"

Chapter 485 The New Deal

Zhu Sheng made no secret of his admiration for Jia Lu. Zhang Ximeng suggested that Lao Zhu name the river that Jia Lu built back then as the Jia Lu River.Since then, there has been a river named after a person in the Central Plains.

The river is inexhaustible, and the annals of history are endless.

Then the name of Jia Lu will last forever.

A military general who spells out the title of duke of a country, and hereditary will not replace him, that is to rest with the country.

When a dynasty dies, it will come to an end, and they will even be buried together.

But like Jia Lu, he is truly immortal and will last forever.

Heavier than anything else.

The achievements of the ages are gone with the wind, only the river is surging, which lasts for a moment...

When the old man heard this, he lost his mind for a moment, his snow-white beard trembled slightly.

After being stunned for a while, Jia Lu suddenly turned his head to look at Du Guangan behind him, and said in a low voice, "Boy, you heard that."

Du Guangan was also shocked and couldn't calm down.

"Uncle deserves such an evaluation. It's a matter of course. Since then, the river repair craftsmen in the world can also feel a little bit of comfort."

When Du Guangan spoke, Zhu Sheng was looking at him.

"Brother, this is the wizard you mentioned, right? Looks like it's different from ordinary people!"

Jia Lu smiled, "You, don't you think he doesn't look like a flood control person? Let me tell you, you can't judge a person by his appearance. This guy is not only intelligent, but also in good health. Muscles and bones are not comparable to ordinary people. I chose carefully to let him inherit my mantle."

Du Guang'an simply turned his head to the side, too lazy to listen... So he found a coolie, tell me earlier, I'll go to the pier and pick out ten or eight for you, isn't it good!

Although Du Guang'an's image was a bit beyond Zhu Sheng's expectations, he still believed in Jia Lu's vision.

The two entered Kaifeng together. On the way, Zhu Sheng told Jia Lu many things... Only then did Jia Lu understand that Ganqing Zhang Ximeng not only cared about water control, but also proposed the idea of ​​revitalizing the Central Plains with all kinds of inventions. plan.

After Jia Lu heard it, he couldn't help laughing, and praised: "As expected of Zhang Xiang, this vision is really rare in the world, and the old man casts all his eyes on him."

Zhu Sheng said with a smile: "How did I hear that Zhang Xiang studied with my brother, and you can be regarded as his half master... Zhang Xiang said this, and I was a little confused. I don't know if my brother can explain it?"

Jia Lu laughed and said, "You don't know what is an invention of technology? How should you share it?"'

Zhu Sheng nodded, "I really don't quite understand. Zhang Xiang just explained that crossbow bolt. If the same crossbow bolt is built in the future, each one will give him a share...but how to deal with other things?" ,I just do not understand."

Jia Lu said: "Zhang Xiang has a delicate mind, he must have a proper solution. But if you ask me, this kid might get a share."

Zhu Sheng was startled, and subconsciously looked at Du Guangan.

"he?"

"Well! This kid built a waterwheel a while back, which can pump water from a pond, and it works really well." Jia Lu smiled and said, "Boy, I'll see you later, Prime Minister Zhang, and I'll give you some credit."

Du Guang'an's face turned red instantly, and he hurriedly said, "Then, that is to draw water from the fish pond for the convenience of catching fish. What kind of credit is that? I'm afraid of being ashamed."

Hearing the word pumping water, Zhu Sheng suddenly remembered something, "Brother Jia, Prime Minister Zhang did say... He said that the Central Plains is flooded, and there is a lot of water in the low-lying areas. The land is saline-alkali and difficult to cultivate. He seems to have mentioned the need to drain water, level the land, and re-cultivate... If my nephew has this ability, then, well, he will indeed be rewarded!"

Zhu Sheng looked at Du Guang'an with a little more appreciation in his eyes.People with real talents and learning are always rare.

"Good boy, the Central Plains is full of wastes and needs your ingenuity. Now it seems that Zhang Xiang is indeed superior, and I am totally enthralled!"

The two old men were talking and laughing. Du Guangan was really surprised. He studied and practiced martial arts with his father since he was a child. It's okay.

He can also weave bamboo, which is a little bigger, and it's not a problem to make some furniture.

But it's a pity that in the eyes of my father, these things are heresy and not doing their job properly.Once his father burned all the things Du Guangan made, dozens of them, and set them on fire.

Tell him that if he dares to play with things like this again, he will not be a member of the Du family.

Counting it, more than ten years have passed, Du Guangan has grown up and is not afraid of his father.But the stigma of the past is too deep, he still thinks that Baigong is a cheap industry, and Xiuhe is even more unworthy of the stage.

No matter how Jia Lu persuaded him, the thorn in his heart still remained.

And some things can't be solved by persuasion, but by actual actions.

After Jia Lu arrived in Kaifeng, he met Zhang Ximeng first.

"I was supposed to go out of the city to meet him. I have too many things at hand and I am too busy. Please forgive me." Zhang Ximeng said to Jia Lu guiltily.

The old man didn't care at all, he knew how busy Zhang Ximeng was, "I want to do something with my old body, but my body doesn't allow it. But Zhang Xiang, the burden of Daming falls on you, so you have to be careful." yes."

Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "I can't talk about carrying a big burden, it's just that there are some things that need to be handled by me to make it easier."

"how to say?"

Zhang Ximeng said: "I wrote the order to equalize the land. My lord means to continue to insist and not allow changes. I thought that the Central Plains is now in a state of desolation, there are few people in the fields, and the land is barren. There is also a lack of labor. , It is really not conducive to the restoration of people's livelihood. Therefore, I want to adjust the way of dividing the land according to the situation."

When it comes to land, Zhang Ximeng is almost the only authority in Ming Dynasty.

Indeed, no one else could have done it but him.

Jia Lu murmured: "The average land in Huaixi is given to the tax-free ration field and sangma field. When you reach the south of the Yangtze River, the sangma field will have to double the tax. The sub-fields in the southwest retain the girl's field... From this we can see that although It's the same land, but the world is so big that we can't generalize it. As long as the distribution is proper and fair, it will be good if people can be convinced."

Jia Lu's words were very to Zhang Ximeng's taste, and he smiled and took out the strategy for dividing the land in the Central Plains written by himself.

It is very interesting that Zhang Ximeng explained the reason why the Central Plains cannot follow the principle of equalizing the land in the southeast.

Due to successive years of wars, a large number of youths and adults were lost, and there were not even one of the people in ten.

In many places, only the old and the weak, women and children are left in the same family, the old and the young, and there are even many disabled people.

No livestock, no agricultural tools, no seeds... The people are in absolute poverty.

Even if the land is divided, so what?

How many years will it take to simply recuperate and restore people's livelihood?

Zhang Ximeng believes that land equalization is also based on a certain basis...that is, the population is relatively dense, the land distribution is unfair, and the majority are farmers, who basically master the skills of farming.Only in this way can the land be equalized smoothly.

But it is clear that the land of the Central Plains, which has suffered from ten years of war, does not even have these basic conditions.

At this time, it is necessary to adjust the strategy...with the help of the previous militia, the bow and arrow club...to organize all the people in each village.

No matter men, women, old or young, people make the best use of their talents and things.

This time, the granting of land is still based on head count, but the upper limit can be relaxed. In some places, each person can get [-] mu, or even [-] mu.

However, these lands are not allocated to individuals for the time being, but are cultivated in villages as units.

[-]% of the harvest will be distributed equally to everyone, and the other [-]% will be given to the strongest contributors.Tentatively set a period of five years to restore the people's livelihood in the Central Plains. After most of the villagers in the villages can finish farming with their families, they can then divide the land.

Jia Lu looked at it for a while, and couldn't help laughing, "Ms. Zhang is so thoughtful, it's really admirable. It's just that this kind of village community is not just for plowing the fields, right?"

Zhang Ximeng said with a smile: "Indeed, when the common people get together, they have the ability to bear risks. I plan to borrow money from the common people so that they can buy agricultural tools, seeds, cattle and so on."

Jia Lu hesitated slightly, and said, "Mr. Zhang, why don't you just give it to the people?"

Zhang Ximeng said: "The current imperial court does not have such a solid family background. It can be given, but only a little... This loan can be used to raise funds from some wealthy merchants, and with the help of merchants, they can support the people to cultivate the land. I am thinking , the court only needs to subsidize some interest, isn’t this just using a small amount of money to make a big deal!”

Jia Lu's eyes lit up, and he praised: "Zhang Xiang, you are really exquisite, and you can come up with such a wonderful method!"

Zhang Ximeng waved his hand, "This is not a magic method... Wang Anshi's young crop loan has deceived many people. I mean lending to the village community, not to individual people. In this way, even if someone does something wrong, the village community will not There are some ways to deal with it. Second, we must send people down, especially some veterans, encourage them to disarm and return to the fields, and send thousands of people down to take charge of village affairs. Whoever dares to exploit the people must be severely punished.”

Zhang Ximeng talked a lot, and Jia Lu listened silently, feeling a lot of emotion in his heart, we can't tell the disadvantages... But with Zhang Ximeng's thoughtful thinking, the risk can indeed be minimized.

The country can benefit, and the people can also benefit.

"Zhang Xiang, if the old man had the knowledge you have today, he would have carefully considered and weighed the balance. I am afraid that the river governance will be much smoother, and the world will not be in chaos!"

Jia Lu recalled how he managed the Yellow River back then, and couldn't help feeling sad, Zhu Sheng said with a smile: "Brother, if you say so, I'm afraid there won't be a great Ming!"

Zhang Ximeng also said with a smile: "I don't think so. Yuan Ting is rotten to the root. How can it be Mr.'s fault? However, there has been an incident in the past few days. After Liu Futong killed himself, he needed to be buried. Zhongmu is on the bank of the Jialu River. In addition to burying Liu Futong, we also need to name the official tree monument on the Jialu River. The old man must not be absent!"

Jia Lu was slightly stunned, the former sworn enemies were so miraculously entangled together, how dare you imagine it!

"Okay! Of course I'm going!" Jia Lu smiled happily.

Chapter 486 Supreme Honor

After chatting with Zhang Ximeng for a while, Jia Lu felt tired, so he took the initiative to leave and rest, and then waited for Zhu Yuanzhang's call.

As for Zhang Ximeng, in addition to continuing to improve the new farmland decree, he still has a lot of things to do, the most important of which is to give the regime of Han Song a final conclusion and hold a grand funeral.

Historically, Lao Zhu directly inherited the legal system of the Yuan Dynasty. Like Chen Han and Han Song, they were all denounced as thieves, and the compilation of history books would naturally not have any good things to say.