Anping County.

It is located east of Linzi and borders Jiaodong County.

The local main product is fish salt, as well as many minerals.

Coal mines, iron mines, copper mines...

There's even a gold mine!

Logically speaking, life should be quite prosperous.

But unfortunately they were all destroyed by the rebels.

Many mines have collapsed.

Houses and farmland were destroyed.

Ning Que was wrapped in lamb fur and walked slowly.

Bai Yu and others followed behind.

They only wore casual clothes and inspected the villages and towns.

"Your Majesty, this place is called Kerosene Township."

"A large kerosene pool was discovered here."

"We sent alchemists."

"We have discovered numerous oil fields here. As per your instructions, we have handed them over to the Babao Trading Company for exploitation to pay off our debts."

"Um."

Ning Que nodded.

He is just transferring the money from his left hand to his right hand.

Babao Trading Company is his property.

This arrangement was intended to transport the kerosene in an open and aboveboard manner.

"Every mine must be strictly guarded."

"Prevent the prisoners from causing trouble secretly."

"The ore mined leaves behind some of what is needed."

"The rest will be given to the trading company to pay off the debt according to the contract."

"promise."

Ning Que did this to prepare for the future.

And it is reasonable and no one can find fault with it.

Babao Trading Company made great efforts in suppressing the rebellion.

They also helped in the eastern expedition to Goguryeo.

Since we are a trading company, we naturally have to talk business.

Ning Que waved his hand.

He then mortgaged many mines in Linzi to Babao Trading Company.

Even the emperor has no right to interfere.

After all, it was he who issued the decree personally.

It is said that Ning Que was fully responsible for suppressing the rebellion and the Eastern Expedition.

As long as Tian Zhongxun can be dealt with, anything is fine.

Without the full support of Babao Trading Company, it would have been impossible to defend Linzi. Dafeng simply mortgaged its mineral resources to Babao Trading Company and made a huge profit.

"Anping County is rich in minerals."

"Please ask Senior Brother Wan to pay more attention later."

"These minerals are all very useful."

"Whether it's making armor or agricultural tools."

"clear."

Bai Yu followed beside him.

Pick up a pen and write it down in the notebook.

"The weather has started to warm up in the past few days."

"How are the warships at the port prepared?"

"Don't worry, Your Highness. Everything is ready." Tie Niu followed behind. "Unfortunately, many of our brothers died in the battle, so we can only draw reinforcements from the local area. I have ordered them to go to the port and prepare for battle. They can board the ship and set sail immediately if Your Highness needs them."

"Yes." Ning Que nodded, looking at the bustling market. "Remember this, don't force them. Those who are willing to go to sea can go with me. Those who are unwilling, I will not force them. When it comes to the people's affairs, there is no small matter. Also, have the township officials at all levels actively report any problems. If the county magistrate does not take action, report it directly to the Ouyang County Magistrate."

"clear."

"How's the kang I asked Lin Jiang to prepare?" Ning Que paused and continued, "Although the cold winter is about to pass, it will still be very cold next year. A kang can greatly reduce the risk of freezing to death or frostbite, and it can also reduce the need for firewood and charcoal. In short, it has many benefits. If it can't be done this year, then next year, we must ensure that every household can use a kang!"

"yes."

Ning Que waved his hand.

Let them stop talking.

The market town is quite lively.

On both sides were peddlers and vendors.

There are all kinds of goods available, and with the full support of Babao Trading Company, they can fully meet the living needs of counties and prefectures.

"What's going on up ahead?"

“Why are there so many people?”

Ning Que frowned.

He immediately quickened his pace and walked forward.

The disheveled woman knelt on the ground.

There was also a ragged girl next to him.

There was a straw sign on his head and a wooden sign around his neck.

Four words were carved with extremely rough charcoal.

[Selling oneself to save mother! ]

The woman lowered her head, her eyes red.

The people gathered around and talked about it.

"Oh, how pitiful!"

"Old Li's family is also unlucky."

"The man was killed by the rebels, and she became seriously ill."

"Without a labor force at home, we can only beg for food."

"This girl is truly sensible... Knowing she had no other way out, she offered to sell herself to save her mother. Little girl, here are twenty coins. It's not much, but it's a token of my appreciation. Please keep it."

"Thank you so much, benefactor!"

The little girl is indeed very sensible.

He immediately knelt down and kowtowed.

Ning Que frowned and walked forward.

"Your father was killed by the rebels?"

"Yes, sir," the woman knelt on the ground, wiping her tears as she spoke. "My husband was originally a guard in Anping County. When the rebels attacked Anping County, he fought to the death and was tragically killed by them. I've been in poor health for the past two years, relying on medicine to keep me alive. You couldn't bear to see me die of illness, so... so..."

"What about the compensation?" Ning Que frowned, seeming a little anxious. "I remember that any soldier who died in battle would receive a generous compensation. At least ten taels of silver, which is enough for your family to live on."

"Your Excellency, you may not know. The government does claim there is compensation, but it's for soldiers killed in battle. Therefore, identity verification is required before payment. My husband fought to the death, yet in the end he was declared a deserter. Not only did he not receive the compensation, but his farmland was even reclaimed."

The woman knew that the man in front of her was an important person.

So he kowtowed repeatedly and told the story.

Hot tears fell one by one.

Many people nearby also came forward to testify.

"Old Li was a centurion after all, but he lost all his troops defending Anping County. In the end, he could only fight the enemy with a hoe... He was clearly a brave soldier who died in battle and should have received a pension, but I don't know how he was labeled a deserter."

"Tell me, how can this be true?"

Ning Que had a cold face and icy eyes.

He emphasized it again and again.

Whether to die in battle or to desert must be carefully considered.

We must never let the soldiers shed blood and tears.

How did the brave man become a deserter?

"Who is the magistrate of Anping County?"

"It's the Minister of Personnel, Zuo Ankang."

"What about the head of Keyou Township?"

"It's Zheng Feng in my hands, General Zheng Qian."

Tie Niu lowered his head somewhat embarrassedly.

Zheng Feng is a powerful general in his hands.

He was originally a servant of the royal palace.

Fight without ambiguity.

Those who were the first to ascend the mountain, kill the general and pull down the flag have all been there.

Every time we fight, we are at the forefront.

He was injured and disabled during this time. He was originally going to be the lieutenant of Anping County, but he never expected that the emperor would parachute in many county officials. In the end, he had no choice but to be the mayor of Keyou Township.

Now that something like this had occurred in his jurisdiction, Ning Que naturally had to get to the bottom of it. He and Emperor Feng were on the verge of falling out, and his confidence came from the support of the people. It enabled him to launch a large-scale uprising. But if he lost the people's support, who would be willing to risk their lives and follow him?

"Ah, I recognize it!"

"This is the prince!"

"The prince actually came to our Kerosene Township?"

"We greet the prince!"

"Please, Your Majesty, make the decision for us!"

The woman also hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed with the little girl.