In the following time, Zhang Shixun stayed in Zhang Xiaozhuang and personally took the farmhands from the two villages for a morning run every morning. It started with three kilometers and gradually transitioned to five kilometers.

After breakfast, they rested for a while, and then let them practice archery and martial arts.

In the afternoon, they are organized to do farm work.

One hour of cultural class in the evening.

The whole day was fully scheduled, even busier than the First Army's training.

The farmhands complained bitterly at first, but gradually they gritted their teeth and accepted it.

They had no choice but to admit it. Those who participated in the training were not only provided with food, but also given a small monthly salary.

In addition, one of Zhang Shixun's actions caused a sensation in the capital.

He divided the land of the two villages according to the population.

All farmers, one by one, were allocated their own land.

On the day the land was divided, people in both villages were overjoyed.

The vast majority of people have been working as porters for others for generations and have never had their own land.

Suddenly, good news came from the sky. Zhang Tianshi divided the land among everyone.

Where can I find such a good thing?

One day, Zhang Shixun was leading the villagers to dig ditches when Yue Fei and Han Shizhong returned.

When they found Zhang Shixun, they saw him wearing a straw hat, with his upper body naked, holding a shovel in his hand, and working happily.

It took Han Shizhong a long time to recognize him. "Shixun, you look like a farmer in this outfit."

Zhang Shixun looked up and saw that it was them. He pounded his shovel into the ground, walked over and said, "Uncle, you're right. I'm a farmer now."

"I heard from your sister-in-law that you also gave us three acres of land."

"Yes! As long as you are from the two villages, each person can get one and a half mu of land. No one is cheated."

"Does the baby count?"

"certainly."

Han Shizhong grinned and said, "If all the nobles in the Song Dynasty were like you, there would be no rebellion in the world."

Zhang Shixun wiped the sweat from his face, picked up a black porcelain bowl, bent down to scoop a bowl of water from the bucket, and drank it up in big gulps.

Yue Fei said, "General, my family has been allocated nearly ten mu of land. We can't cultivate it all by ourselves, Yue Fan and Yun'er."

Zhang Shixun smiled and said, "I took this into consideration when I first distributed the land, so I also organized rural cooperatives at the same time."

"Rural cooperative?"

"Yes! All villagers are members of the rural cooperative. We cultivate the village fields together. We get equal pay for equal work. Those who work more earn more work points, and those who work less earn fewer work points."

"What if you don't work?"

"Haha! It's up to him, but his family's fields cannot be left idle. Otherwise, his land will be taken away and he will be expelled from the village."

"This method is great. It doesn't support lazy people."

Zhang Shixun took off his straw hat and fanned himself with it, then asked them, "Why are you two free today?"

Han Shizhong sighed, "It's all because of you."

Zhang Shixun frowned and said, "Uncle! Explain clearly, what does this have to do with me?"

"Don't mention it. Although you've resigned, the court is still keeping a close eye on the First Army. All your trusted men have been transferred out of the First Army one after another. Now it's our turn."

This was expected, so Zhang Shixun was not surprised at all. He asked, "Where were you transferred to?"

"I was transferred to Yongqiu. In name, I was still part of the Pengri Army, but I only had one commander and about 300 men. Pengju was transferred out of the Pengri Army and sent to the Chenliu Shenshe Army. Although his army was an infantry unit, at least he had three commanders."

Yue Fei shook his head and said, "I've already inquired. Although the Sharpshooter Army has three commanders, they are short of manpower, with only about 900 men. I, the so-called commander, only have 300 men under my command, and most of them are old and weak. Rather than being called the Imperial Guard, I'm more like the Xiang Army."

Zhang Shixun consoled them, "Since the court has made such arrangements, you should go and take up your posts. It doesn't matter where you go. You will be back soon."

"return?"

They both looked at him.

Zhang Shixun looked around and pulled them under a tree. "The Jin army will soon attack Song again, next month, no later than September."

The two were shocked when they heard this.

Han Shizhong hurriedly asked, "Shixun, where did you get the news?"

"Don't ask. I won't tell you even if you ask."

Zhang Shixun didn't need to be polite in front of the two of them and was always straightforward.

"Not long ago, all the Jin envoys were killed. Fearing retaliation from the Jurchens, the imperial court quickly dispatched envoys with a large number of gifts to the Jin Kingdom to apologize and try to settle the matter peacefully. However, the Jin Kingdom refused to accept the offer and sent envoys to the Song Dynasty to question the emperor..."

"Then what?"

"There were two Jin envoys, both former Liao nobles. When the emperor learned of their identities, he did something foolish."

"What stupid thing?"

"The emperor naturally assumed that since these two were surrendered Liao people, they must be at odds with the Jurchens, so he tried to trick them into becoming his accomplices. However, he resorted to the most foolish method. He found one of them, sealed a letter with a wax ball, and gave it to him, asking him to pass it on to another person. Guess the result..."

Yue Fei stamped his feet. "Your Majesty is truly foolish... This... is truly muddled. Even if these two Liao people are not of the same mind as the Jurchens, they will not serve as pawns for the Song Dynasty."

Han Shizhong also sighed, "No need to guess, these two Liao people will definitely give the wax balls to the Jurchens after they return."

Zhang Shixun said, "They just left the capital and are still on their way back to the Jin Kingdom."

Han Shizhong's eyes rolled. "Since we're still on the road, there's still room for improvement. We can rush ahead of them day and night, and then..."

He extended his palm and made a downward chopping gesture.

Zhang Shixun shook his head. "Uncle, let's not talk about whether we can catch up. Even if we can, we can't do such a thankless task."

Yue Fei nodded immediately, "The commander is right. When two countries are at war, envoys should not be executed."

Zhang Shixun said, "In fact, whether this happened or not, the Jin Kingdom would have sent troops to the Song Dynasty. The Jurchens are like hungry wolves. When they encounter a docile sheep like the Song Dynasty, it is impossible for them not to bite."

"I was planning to go to the city to look for you these days to remind you to be prepared. It's just right that you're back, so I don't have to make an extra trip... Uncle, Pengju, polish your guns and prepare for battle."

Yue Fei and Han Shizhong looked at each other and clenched their fists at the same time.

Zhang Shixun, with his hands behind his back and his eyes fixed on the distance, murmured, "The storm is coming."

Han Shizhong was silent for a while, then asked, "Shixun, what are your plans?"

"The imperial court is deeply wary of me and has set up defenses against me everywhere. My every move is under their surveillance. Therefore, in the short term, I cannot make any major moves. I will have to wait until the last moment to take action."

At this point, Zhang Shixun glanced at the two of them and asked, "Do you have an answer to the question I asked a few days ago?"

Han Shizhong rushed to say: "I already have it. Between the country and the people, I choose the people."

Yue Fei said: "The people are the most important, the country is second, and the emperor is the least important."

"Correct answer!"

Zhang Shixun smiled with relief.