Chapter 94: Annual salary comes to Sha Village! Zhao Ying and her daughter's expectations!
Hearing what Zhao Yan said.
No matter how stupid Guo Kai was, he was still stunned.
"Your Majesty."
"Even if Ying Zheng resented his mother, she was his biological mother and the nominal queen mother of Qin."
"How is it possible to kidnap Zhao Ji from Qin?"
"Yongcheng is also an important city of Qin State!" Guo Kai said.
"Prime Minister, are you willing to do everything for me?" Zhao Yan turned his head and looked at Guo Kai very seriously.
Under this gaze, Guo Kai was also somewhat uneasy.
But everything he had as prime minister was given by Zhao Yan. If he didn't answer well, Zhao Yan could deal with him at any time.
You have to know that in the court, Lian Po, Li Mu, and even Zhao Yi all wanted to get rid of me as soon as possible!
"Everything I have was given by Your Majesty. I am willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty without any hesitation." Guo Kai immediately knelt down to show his loyalty.
Upon hearing this.
Zhao Yan stood up excitedly, and walked to Guo Kai with great emotion. He patted Guo Kai's shoulder heavily and laughed, "Good, good, good, Guo Kai, you are worthy of being my confidant. I am much better off with you than with Lian Po and Li Mu."
"Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty." Guo Kai immediately responded in a flattering manner.
"It's not difficult to sign an alliance with Qin. The difficult part is that even if Ying Zheng really signs an alliance with me, I have to worry about whether he is sincere. What if after the alliance is signed, I mobilize troops against Yan State, and Ying Zheng tears up the alliance and sends troops to attack my Great Zhao? This will be a bad thing."
"So we must capture Zhao Ji. As long as we capture her, Ying Zheng will not dare to act recklessly."
"If Ying Zheng dares to tear up the alliance, I will kill his mother." Zhao Yan said with a sneer.
It seemed that everyone had seen that his plan had succeeded. He had captured Zhao Ji, threatened Ying Zheng for his entire life, and trampled Ying Zheng under his feet again.
"Your Majesty is wise."
Looking at the ecstatic Zhao Yan, Guo Kai naturally echoed loudly.
"So, I need the Prime Minister to personally do this for me."
But Zhao Yan's words made Guo Kai confused.
"ah?"
Guo Kai looked at Zhao Yan in surprise, and knelt on the ground in fear: "Your Majesty, I... I am just a weakling, how can I do it? Please find someone else to complete it."
Zhao Yan did not get angry, but smiled: "Prime Minister, when did I tell you to do it yourself? I just asked you to lead the elite troops I gave you to do it."
"The most elite royal guard of our Great Zhao."
"I will give you 500 men. In addition, you will also be able to mobilize the spies lurking in Yongcheng."
"You go to Qin State in person to make plans and make sure to bring Zhao Ji back to me." Zhao Yan said with a smile.
There was a look in his eyes that showed he was completely confident that Guo Kai could do it.
But this kind of trust made Guo Kai feel bitter.
"Your Majesty...I...I'm afraid I can't do it." Guo Kai said in a trembling voice.
Sneak into Qin State and capture Zhao Ji.
How is this possible?
Once discovered by the Qin State, he would be killed without a burial place.
Guo Kai died a horrible death.
Seeing Guo Kai's frightened expression, Zhao Yan frowned and said, "I trust you so much, don't you want to?"
"Your Majesty...Your Majesty is willing!"
Guo Kai was terrified, but when he met Zhao Yan's cold gaze, he knew that if he refused, not only would he lose his position as prime minister, but even his life.
"very good."
"You are indeed the most trusted minister of mine."
"I believe you can definitely capture Zhao Ji back."
"Only you and I know this matter, and it cannot be leaked to anyone else."
"Qin's intelligence is not weak. If it leaks out, you, Prime Minister, will be in danger." Zhao Yan laughed, feeling very relieved.
Guo Kai could only suppress his inner pain and felt extremely uneasy.
Time flies! Sand Village!
Bang bang bang.
The sound of struck gongs echoed through the village.
The head of the village shouted, "All the military service households in the village have come to the entrance of the village. The government officials are here to distribute the annual salary."
"All military service households should hurry to the village entrance."
Wu Lizheng's loud shouts echoed throughout the village.
Hearing the sound and the ringing of the gong, many households in the village quickly gathered towards the village entrance. Most of them had sons serving in the army, and some came to watch the fun.
After all, in this era, apart from brothels and gambling, there were not many entertainment activities, so watching the fun was the biggest entertainment activity.
The people in Sha Village gathered towards the village entrance.
And at the entrance of the village.
A total of five hundred main camp officers personally escorted the carriage containing the annual salary.
Apparently there are quite a few young and strong people from Shacun who have joined the army to serve.
In the yard of Zhao Feng's house.
"Mom, what happened to the gong? Should I go and take a look?"
When Zhao Ying heard the sound, she looked outside the yard curiously.
Wu Lizheng was standing at the entrance of the village shouting, so of course his voice could not be heard inside, but the sound of the gong could be heard clearly.
"Could it be that the government is here to distribute the annual salary?" Zhao said expectantly.
certainly.
What she was looking forward to was not the annual salary, but news about her son.
"It's possible." Zhao Ying nodded.
"Then mother will go and take a look too." Zhao immediately prepared to get up.
But Zhao Ying pressed him directly onto the cushion.
"Mom, just wait at home."
"I'll go check it out. I don't know how long it will take. After all, many people in our village have enlisted in the army."
"You wait at home. I will come back and tell you as soon as I have any news about your brother." Zhao Ying said with a smile.
Then, without waiting for Zhao to refuse, he turned around and walked out of the yard, closing the door behind him.
See here.
Although Zhao looked expectant, she didn't say anything.
Zhao Ying, who had left the yard and turned around, was a little nervous: "Brother, please don't get into trouble. You must stay alive."
Obviously.
Zhao Ying deliberately didn't let Zhao go. In case something really happened to her brother, if she knew about it herself, she could prevent the news from reaching her mother's ears. But if Zhao went by herself, it would be irreversible.
Village entrance!
It didn't take long before hundreds of people gathered, men, women, young and old. Those who were not military dependents came to watch the fun, while those who were military dependents came with a mixture of trepidation and anticipation.
With the annual salary payment.
Every household can live a better life and use the money from their annual salary to purchase better necessities of life and some charcoal.
Now it is almost winter, which is the most difficult time.
In this era, many people froze to death every year, and money was commonly used in Daqin.
"Wu Lizheng, have all the military households in the village arrived?"
The five hundred masters who were under the command of the Shaofu looked at the head of the village and asked.
"Reply, sir."
"All the military households have arrived."
Wu Lizheng took a glance and immediately replied.
"good."
"Then start distributing the annual salary."
The Five Hundred Lords nodded, then looked towards the gathered villagers.
He was not a soldier in the main combat camp, nor was he a logistics soldier. Instead, he was a county soldier on duty in the county city. During wartime, he patrolled the county city to guard against spies and the enemy making trouble in the rear. After the war, he cooperated with the Shaofu to pay the annual salary.
There are many bandits in this era, and they need a real army to prevent them.
Even in the most powerful Qin State, there were bandits.
In the past.
There were also cases of daring bandits looting the annual salary, but after Ying Zheng took power, he attached great importance to the annual salary and the soldiers who joined the army. He directly issued an edict that anyone who dared to loot the annual salary would have his property confiscated and his family exterminated.
By the way, he sent troops to eliminate most of the bandits in the country, and let all the evil people in the Qin Dynasty know that soldiers' annual salaries cannot be robbed, and anyone who dares to rob will die.
Under the iron law of the Qin Dynasty.
Bandits and bullies simply have no room to survive in the Qin State. Of course, this is more true the closer to the capital, but the more remote, mountainous and forested the place is, the more bandits and bullies there are.
No matter how powerful the times are, evil will always exist.
"Your Majesty, report this to the King of Qin!"
The five hundred masters held a copied imperial edict high in their hands.
Suddenly.
Most of the people at the entrance of the village knelt down, while a few bowed their heads in worship.
"Listen respectfully to the king's order!"
Those who have won titles for military merit in the Qin Dynasty can meet the king without kneeling, but those without titles need to perform the ceremony of kneeling and bowing.
This is also a great manifestation of the military merit system, allowing meritorious people with titles to enjoy glory and dignity.
"Because our Great Qin attacked Han, the annual salary that was originally paid once a quarter was delayed. Now that Han has been destroyed, Yingchuan County has been established on Han's territory. All the elite soldiers of our Great Qin army have made great contributions."
"Today, I hereby grant one year's salary to all the elite soldiers of the Great Qin."
"To benefit the meritorious men of our Great Qin."
The Five Hundred Lords said loudly.
"Long live the Great Qin, long live the Great King."
All the villagers shouted loudly.
For the villagers.
Naturally, they also understood that this was a truly meaningful occasion of congratulations for the Qin Dynasty.
"I will read the name now."
"When your name is called, you can receive your military salary."
"My name is Chen Fen, and I am the commander of 500 soldiers from Shaqiu County. I am here on the orders of the Shaofu to serve as the official in charge of distributing annual salaries."
Chen Fen said loudly.
Then he raised his hand.
He picked up a bamboo slip from the hands of his subordinates behind him, which contained the list of annual salaries.
Open the bamboo slips.
Chen Fen said loudly: "Under Shaqiu County, Wu Da of Shacun, who is of the second-class noble rank, serves as a sergeant, and enjoys an annual salary of 100 dan, and a monthly salary of 3 dan for his official position, which is 36 dan a year, for a total annual salary of 136 dan."
Response.
Wu Da's entire family immediately went to greet him with joy.
He said excitedly: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the annual salary."
And then.
A few soldiers who were distributing annual salaries took out a sealed money bag and handed it to Wu Da's father.
"Press your fingerprint and you can receive it." The soldier who was distributing the goods said loudly.
"yes."
Wu Da's father immediately pressed his fingerprints on a piece of cloth.
Then he took the purse with satisfaction and opened the seal.
After all, in this era, not everyone can read, and not everyone has the opportunity to learn to read.
The reason why Zhao Feng knew the characters of this era was because of the similarities between the characters in later generations and his mother's teachings.
Having said that.
The annual salary was issued in Qin coins, and all money was linked to the purchasing power of the annual salary and the price of grain.
The salary for that year was enough to buy 136 shi of grain.
This is enough for the whole family to live comfortably.
After collecting the annual salary.
The Wu family all took the money and left with happy expressions on their faces.
"When you receive your annual salary, count it immediately and report any discrepancies immediately."
"If you deliberately lie about your annual salary and pretend to hide it, it will be a serious crime." Chen Fen said loudly.
"I understand."
Wu Da's family immediately went aside.
"Congratulations."
"Your Wu Da has been promoted again. He was a sergeant last year, and now he is a squad leader."
"Hahaha, I don't care about his promotion. It's good enough as long as he can survive."
"That's true."
The surrounding villagers congratulated Wu Da's family.
"You can't make any mistakes when counting money."
Uncle Wu said to his family.
Then start counting the money.
The money was strictly planned before being distributed and then put into money bags. Each money bag had a name on it and a seal on it.
If the escorting soldiers commit theft, they shall be sentenced to death and their entire family shall be implicated.
This is also a kind of strictness. King Zheng of Qin would never allow anyone to tamper with the annual salary.
The other side.
"Zhao girl, don't worry, you will know your brother's situation soon."
Wu Lizheng said while looking at Zhao Ying beside him.
"Yes." Zhao Ying nodded, but to be on the safe side, Zhao Ying deliberately lowered her voice and said, "Grandpa Wu, can I ask you for a favor?"
"Girl Zhao, go ahead and tell me." Wu Lizheng said immediately.
"If my brother really has any bad news, can you tell the villagers and ask them not to spread it? My mother's health is not good. If something bad really happens to her, she will definitely not be able to bear it." Zhao Ying said very worriedly.
Hear this.
Wu Lizheng thought about it and nodded: "I promise you."
Wu Lizheng was naturally very clear about Zhao's physical condition.
then.
It was because he felt sorry for Zhao that he allowed her to enter the village, and it was also he who had been silently taking care of Zhao.
You can say that.
Wu Lizheng was responsible for saving the lives of Zhao Feng and his sister, as well as the Zhao family.
"Thank you, Grandpa Wu." Zhao Ying thanked him immediately.
Then his eyes turned to Chen Fen who was reading the report.
Chen Fen held the list in his hand and did not stop reading: "Shacun, Shaqiu County, a laborer, a third-level noble, appointed as a general, with an annual salary of 150 dan, a monthly salary of 4 dan, a monthly salary of 48 dan, and a total salary of 198 dan."
"Wow."
"Li family, your eldest son is incredible. He is now a third-level noble and a general. This is the glory of our village."
“It’s incredible.”
The villagers nearby were all amazed.
In a small village like Shacun, it is very good to be able to produce a Baijiang. For ordinary villagers, Baijiang is already a very remarkable official, and it is a third-level nobility, which is a great honor.
A hundred generals lead a hundred men, and they are truly elite warriors.
Under the admiring and envious gazes of the villagers.
The Li family also walked towards Chen Fen with excited smiles on their faces.
And Wu Lizheng was watching with attention.
When distributing the annual salary, it is natural to confirm the identity. Every time the salary is distributed, Chen Fen, who is responsible for the distribution, has to look at Wu Lizheng, because the distribution must be accurate.
The responsibility for confirmation lies with the village head, and this is true for every village.
If you are in a county or county town, you will need a special household registration book to receive it.
"Press your handprint and receive your annual salary."
When Li's family came in front of Chen Fen, a soldier took out a bag of more money and handed it to Li's family.
After receiving it, the latter naturally thanked him repeatedly.
Then the whole family took the money and went aside to count it.
As farmers with land to cultivate, when they get money they don’t use it to buy food, but cloth and various daily necessities.
The families of the soldiers serving in the city needed to go to the grain store to buy food.
This may be a difference between cities and rural areas in later generations.
This is also true in this era.
"Luo Miao, from Sha Village, Shaqiu County, is a noble of the first rank, and is a sergeant. His annual salary is fifty shi, and his official salary is one shi per month, which makes a total of twelve shi per month, for a total of sixty-two shi."
"Sha Village, Shaqiu County, Xiao Yi, second-class noble..."
Chen Fen continued reading.
Each military household went to collect their salary with a smile on their face.
Even if it is a first-level title, the annual salary is very considerable for ordinary people.
Sha Village may not be big, but there are many young and strong people of military age serving in the army over the years. There are more than 60 people from the entire Sha Village serving in the army.
"So many people have been announced, why isn't it my brother's turn yet?"
Zhao Ying had been listening quietly, watching the villagers collect their salaries one by one.
But after reading for a while, there were already more than thirty people who received their annual salary, but he did not hear his brother's name.
This made Zhao Ying very worried.
That day, Wu Lizheng brought news that his brother had been transferred to the main combat camp. Although Zhao Ying herself did not believe that her brother had the ability to join the main combat camp, she was still worried.
Although I have heard since childhood that the Qin warriors are very powerful, invincible and victorious in every battle.
But war means death.
The main combat battalion is responsible for charging into battle.
Zhao Ying was really worried.
"Zhao girl, don't be anxious."
"There are more than 60 people in our village serving in the army, but less than half of them are receiving their annual salaries."
Seeing Zhao Ying's anxiety, Wu Lizheng immediately comforted her.
He watched Zhao Feng and his sister grow up, and they have a very deep relationship. As the head of Sha Village, Wu Lizheng did not rely on his age, but also on his three sons. Over the decades, all three of his sons died fighting for the country.
Wu Lizheng was also favored by the government. As the head of the village, the hundreds of villagers in Sha Village also respected him very much.
"Grandpa Wu, is my brother really in trouble?"
"That day you said my brother transferred to the main combat camp. Could it really be him?" Zhao Ying was becoming more and more worried at this moment.
Chen Fen's reading is still going on.
Many villagers excitedly received the annual salary belonging to their sons.
The whole village was filled with joy.
But Zhao Ying was not the only one who was worried. There were other villagers whose names were not called out.
After all, the annual salary payment this time is different from usual. In the past, there were few wars, but this time it is Qin attacking Han, so there will inevitably be casualties.
The further we go, the greater the possibility of casualties.
Just as someone who joined the army but didn't register would think.
After Chen Fen took another glance, the list of people who were to receive annual salaries on the bamboo slips had been read out.
"The annual salary of all the surviving and uninjured warriors in Sha Village has been paid." Chen Fen closed the bamboo slips and said loudly.
As soon as these words fell.
There are still about ten households in the village who have not received their annual salary.
And all these people panicked.
"My son hasn't reported his name yet? Did something happen to my son on the battlefield?"
"No, my son has only been in the army for two years. Nothing will happen to him. He is only seventeen."
"No, he must be fine."
"Sir, is it true that my son Wu Lin is not on the list of those who receive the annual salary?"
"grown ups……"
All those who had not received their annual salary were in a panic.
The same is true for Zhao Ying.
She had been feeling nervous to begin with.
At this moment, her heart was in her throat and her face turned ugly.
"Silence, silence."
Seeing that the situation was out of control, Wu Lizheng immediately shouted loudly.
Then he walked up to Chen Fen and asked, "Sir, are all the names that were not read out..."
That’s all.
Wu Lizheng didn't ask so obviously, but it was already very clear.
"The annual salaries of the surviving warriors and soldiers have been paid."
"What has not been paid out is the annual salary of the soldiers who were injured or died in battle for the country." Chen Fen said to Wu Lizheng.
Wu Lizheng nodded, then looked at the villagers who were already crying, and gently comforted them: "It's okay, let this gentleman finish reading the list, nothing is certain."
With Wu Lizheng's comfort, the situation was somewhat under control.
But the original jubilation at the entrance of the village had all subsided, and no one was talking. Even the villagers who had already received their annual salary, living in the same village, were not so heartless as to laugh at such a moment.
"Now I will read out the list of those who have fought for their country and are disabled."
Chen Fen took another bamboo slip from the soldier behind him.
"There are seven disabled warriors from Sha Village, Shaqiu County."
"The king has granted you the title and official position with double the annual salary, and arranged a suitable job in your hometown. The king decrees that the Great Qin will never forget any of the warriors who have served the country."
"Wu Er, second-class noble, official rank chief, annual salary of 100 dan, official salary of 3 dan, annual and monthly salary of 36 dan, with the king's grace and double pension, total annual salary of 272 dan."
Chen Fen read aloud.
The words fell.
Wu Er's family came out in tears, but compared to their previous worry that their son had been killed, they were now a little more relaxed. Being disabled was better than dying, at least he could come back alive.
"May I ask your Excellency?"
"My son is disabled. When will he be able to return?"
Wu Da's mother asked nervously.
"The Shaofu will make arrangements for the return of the wounded and disabled soldiers, and it should be within this month." Chen Fen replied.
"Thank you, sir."
Wu Da's mother thanked him, then took the money and stepped aside.
Other villagers who had not received their annual salary also became nervous.
If you can return home with a disability, this may be a good thing.
The best thing is to come back alive.
"Brother, you must come back."
"Even if you are disabled, you must come back."
"If you don't come back, Mom really can't hold on, and I can't hold on either."
"You said you would take good care of me and my mother, and you would personally send me off to marry. You must not break your promise."
Zhao Ying clenched her hands nervously, feeling uneasy.
Right now.
Like those villagers who never got news of their sons, she would rather hear that her brother was injured and had to return home than hear that he had died in battle.
"Cao San, third-rank lord, officer of the Hundred Commanders..."
Chen Fen continued reading.
In the blink of an eye.
The names of the remaining six disabled soldiers who were about to be discharged were also read out.
This also brought relief to the six military families.
"Has my brother really already..."
Zhao Ying was completely panicked and even couldn't stand steadily.
"Ying girl, it's okay."
An auntie nearby immediately stepped forward to help Zhao Ying up and spoke with concern.
The aunties who had received their annual salary also gathered around, fearing that Zhao Ying would not be able to hold on.
From now on.
It seems that Zhao Ying's brother has really died in battle!
He was not on the list of people receiving annual salaries, not even on the list of the disabled.
At this moment, in addition to Zhao Ying, the other four households were in the same situation. They could not bear it at all and collapsed on the ground, crying loudly. The surrounding villagers naturally came forward to comfort them, but it was of no use.
Seeing this, Wu Lizheng could only sigh helplessly: "Zhao Feng, ah, what should his mother do? She has worked so hard to raise these two brothers and sisters, how could they die in battle!"
In Wu Lizheng's opinion, Zhao Feng might have been killed in this battle.
In addition.
There is no other explanation.
See here.
Even Chen Fen, who was distributing the annual salary, had a hint of helplessness in his eyes.
This Sha Village was not the first village where he came to distribute the annual salary. Before coming to Sha Village, he had been to several villages and naturally encountered this situation. How could a person with parents not feel this kind of sadness?
But as the chief officer in charge of distributing annual salaries, Chen Fen naturally had to fulfill his duties.
"Now let's announce the casualties." Chen Fen said loudly.
Picked up the last roster.
But at this moment.
The few remaining households are in complete despair.
I guess the list of casualties includes the families whose names were not announced.
At this moment, almost all of them had collapsed on the ground, feeling extremely powerless. This was no longer something they could change.
"Wu Ke from Shacun, Shaqiu County, is a noble of the first rank, with an annual salary of 50 dan. The king is so generous that he grants him three times his annual salary, a total of 150 dan, and provides his family with financial support from the local government."
The words fell.
“Ah…ah…”
"My son."
"How could you die?"
"Son……"
A shrill cry rang out.
Faced with this situation.
Chen Fen could only continue reading: "Shaqiu County..."
Every name comes up.
There will be a family crying loudly.
The pain of losing a son, the pain of losing a grandson.
This is truly a bone-breaking pain.
It looks very tragic, but in this chaotic era with many countries coexisting, how could it not be a microcosm of this era.
Wars continued and disasters broke out everywhere.
As long as there are people, the war will never stop.
Even if it seems that the world has been united into one country, the killing will never stop because of the interests involved.
This is human nature! But when Chen Fen read it, he finished reading it.
"The list of all casualties has been read out." Chen Fen read out loudly.
Six brave warriors were killed, and the six households in Sha Village cried incessantly.
But Zhao Ying, who was sitting on the ground with tears on her face, was very surprised.
The surrounding villagers were the same. They looked at Chen Fen and then at Zhao Ying in confusion.
Under this surprised gaze.
Zhao Ying suppressed her heartache and rekindled a sense of hope. She slowly walked forward, looked at Chen Fen in front of her and asked, "Sir... why is my brother's name not listed?"
…
PS: Please give me monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, and follow-up support. Thank you very much! Here is another 7,000-word chapter.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
