February, the first year of the Jing Kang period.
From the day he bought the five farms, Zhang Shixun organized all the villagers to level the land, dig ditches and canals in preparation for spring plowing.
At the same time, he also sent people to count the population of several villages.
In order to facilitate organizational management, he adopted Wang Anshi's baojia system.
Ten households form a bao, five bao form a big bao, and ten big bao form a capital bao.
Zhang Shixun eliminated the system of collective responsibility and used it after making some minor improvements.
After completing these tasks, he gathered all the villagers together and held a mass meeting.
It's quite pitiful to say that the total population of the seven villages is only about 10,000 people.
A platform was set up on an open space outside Gao Laozhuang, with a red banner hanging on it that read: The First People's Commune Establishment Conference.
The villagers were confused and stood on the stage whispering to each other, trying to find out why Master Zhang had gathered them together. However, no one knew.
Seeing that most people had arrived, Zhang Shixun jumped onto the stage.
"Fellow villagers, I have gathered you here today to announce an important event."
Zhang Shixun's voice was transmitted to everyone's ears through the loudspeaker.
Everyone pricked up their ears and listened quietly.
"Our seven villages have a total population of 9,788, including the elderly and children. Before this, you had no houses or land, and despite years of hard work, you were still starving and hungry, living in constant hunger and cold."
These words hit the nail on the head. They really did live like this. In that era, productivity was backward and even the landlords were not rich.
"I see your suffering and feel anxious for you. I decided to do something for you. I did my best to buy a few villages and fields. However, I don't plan to take these fields for myself. I plan to share them with everyone..."
Share it with everyone?
Everyone in the audience was stunned at the same time.
Did you hear it right? Zhang Tianshi wants to divide the land?
"The people of the seven villages, regardless of gender, age or status, were all counted and land was distributed according to population. The land was then distributed to each household and land deeds were issued..."
As soon as these words were spoken, there was a roar from the audience, and everyone was ecstatic.
"Did you hear that? Zhang Tianshi wants to divide the land. Oh my god!"
"And the land deed."
"I can get a share of the land. This must be a dream."
Zhang Shixun smiled and looked at the audience. After a moment's pause, he said, "These fields are being distributed to you free of charge. However, there is one thing: you cannot trade the land you receive, nor can you let it go to waste. Anyone who leaves the land to waste will have it reclaimed and distributed to others."
"Also, every household that owns land must pay public grain. The remaining grain cannot be sold privately; it must be sold to the collective."
"When it comes to the collective, you may not understand, so let me explain it to you here."
Zhang Shixun considered his tone and tried to explain in language everyone could understand: "Ten households form a bao, five bao form a dabao, and ten bao form a dubao... The seven villages combined have a population of less than 10,000, which means there are three dubaos. I plan to combine these three dubaos to establish a larger organization—the people's commune."
Everyone below opened their eyes wide and looked at Zhang Shixun on the stage, with joy in everyone's eyes.
"This people's commune is what I call a collective. It doesn't belong to me, nor to any one person, but to everyone. It strives for everyone's happiness. If you have difficulties, the commune will help you solve them; if you have conflicts, the commune will help you resolve them."
"After you return to the village, you must elect the village chief and the deputy chief as soon as possible... Everyone can run, but there's a prerequisite: you must be impartial. In other words, you must be dedicated to serving everyone. You can't abuse your power for personal gain. This is forbidden. Anyone who becomes a village chief or deputy chief and seeks personal gain can be reported by anyone. Once verified, they will be immediately dismissed. As for the chief of the village, I will temporarily appoint him."
"Once the election is over, the communes will immediately distribute the land to everyone... All right! Go back to your respective villages and vote."
Elections were held in every village.
After the election, Zhang Shixun called all the village chiefs, big village chiefs, and sub-village chiefs together to discuss the land distribution plan and explained the precautions.
Immediately, the vigorous land distribution movement began.
What is most important to farmers?
Of course it’s the land.
Most of the farmers in the Song Dynasty were tenants for several generations and had no land of their own.
Now that someone has distributed land to them, how can they not be ecstatic?
It's like pie in the sky.
Many farmers who were allocated land could not sleep all night holding the land deeds.
The next day, he ran to the field and sat there, giggling.
I was so happy.
Zhang Shixun and Wang Dong rode their horses to inspect their territory and were very happy to see the farmers' excited expressions.
Wang Dong said: "Shixun, it seems that our decision is correct."
"Of course it's correct. We should promote this model throughout the Song Dynasty... Oh! Wrong! We should promote it wherever the sun shines."
As Zhang Shixun spoke, an inexplicable ambition arose in his heart.
Wang Dong glanced at him and said, "Shixun, you seem a little bit too proud."
"I'm not arrogant at all. Since God has allowed us to travel to the Song Dynasty, we must not let God down. We must make the world..."
"Wait a minute." Wang Dong interrupted him, "The fact that we were able to travel to the Song Dynasty was my credit. What does it have to do with God?"
"If God forbids us from traveling through time, even with a shuttle, it won't work. This is called destiny."
Wang Dong got angry when he heard this. "Damn God... Zhang Shixun, why don't you acknowledge my contribution?"
"I'm not denying your role in this, but rather emphasizing that everything is predestined..."
The two men were patrolling their own territory while arguing with each other with red faces and thick necks.
Nowadays, unless they are discussing important issues, the two of them are always bickering with each other. You say one thing, and I have to say another.
When the two returned to Gao Laozhuang, Wang Dong reined in his horse and asked, "What are you going to do next?"
Zhang Shixun said, "Give the farmers land and then give them a gun so they can protect their land from being taken away. This is the logical thing to do."
"Be more specific."
"All the young and strong men will work on the farm when they are busy, and organize themselves for training when they are free. I want to train an elite force composed of our own people, and then gradually expand the army on this basis."
"I agree. By the way, I would like to remind you that an army without culture cannot achieve great success. Therefore, cultural courses should also be put on the agenda."
Zhang Shixun nodded and said, "I've thought about this issue. I'm going to start a night school soon so that people who are willing to learn can participate."
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