Chapter 213 Cattle Herding
Dealing with surrendered troops is much more time-consuming than attacking a city.
There were nearly 4,000 surrendered soldiers. Ji Changqing first asked them to expose those who had committed serious crimes among themselves, and then executed 400 to 500 of them.
Then, 1,500 people with less serious crimes were assigned to Hong County to build canals.
Then, a thousand men were carefully selected and organized into teams of ten to form the third battalion, with each team assigned two veteran supervisors.
The remaining one thousand weak and wounded soldiers were left in Zhicheng to guard the city.
After completing the arrangements, he said to the surrendered soldiers, "If you all survive after the rebellion is quelled, your past crimes will be wiped out."
The surrendered troops breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as I can survive.
They thought they would be killed with a knife.
Qu Mingzhang actually hoped that he could die more quickly.
He had just finished sorting out all the affairs in Hong County and wanted to lie down and enjoy some peace.
As a result, Ji Changqing transferred him to Zhi County with an order, and everything started from scratch again.
"Master Ji, you won't transfer me every time you capture a city, right?"
After hastily handing over the county affairs and rushing from Hong County to Zhi County with his luggage, he looked at Ji Changqing with tears in his eyes.
Ji Changqing didn't comment, and only said four words: "Those who are capable should work harder."
Qu Mingzhang: “…”
You can't just push a cow around.
Thinking of the cow, his shoulders slumped a little more.
The rebel generals in Zhicheng loved to eat beef. Previously, they had people capture all the cattle from various villages and bring them to the county, killing 80% to 90% of them. Now it is difficult to get the people to resume farming.
"Master Ji, Zhi County is desperately short of livestock. Why don't you just not kill the villains in the next county and save them for farming?"
Ji Changqing nodded: "If you don't mind the trouble, then I'll leave it to you."
Qu Mingzhang said hurriedly: "Don't mind the trouble. I promise to tame them into obedience."
There is no wasted journey in life.
Every beating he received in these years was in vain!
He knew exactly where to hit the most painfully without breaking any bones.
Upon hearing this, Ji Changqing looked at him again.
Perhaps the Criminal Justice Department is the most suitable place for Qu Mingzhang?
But the cattle still need to be raised.
He had people search for sick cows in both Yunhuai County and Hong County, but no cows with smallpox were found.
Master Feng Qingsui said in his epidemic prevention strategy that free-range cattle are not easily infected with the disease, and that intensive breeding is required to easily raise smallpox cattle.
There are many mountains in Zhi County. Instead of reclaiming the land for farming, it is better to use it for cattle grazing.
Thinking of this, he said to Qu Mingzhang: "Zhi County has many mountains and little land, which is suitable for raising cattle. You should find some good breeds and cultivate them as soon as possible."
Qu Mingzhang: “???”
Are you considering developing local industries before the disaster relief is completed?
You are truly worthy of being the Prime Minister.
He just doesn't take his life seriously.
Ji Changqing walked out with his resentful gaze - the old oil from last night was already simmered, and it was time to stir-fry the hot pot base.
This time, he didn't decide to make the hot pot base on a whim. Instead, after defeating the rebels yesterday, he found a few cows that had just been slaughtered and had not yet been put into the pot in the largest restaurant in Zhicheng.
The beef was used to reward the troops, and he used the butter to make old oil.
The longer the beef tallow hotpot is cooked, the richer it becomes, and the dishes cooked in it taste much richer than those cooked in plain oil hotpot. Anyone who smells it will start to drool.
"If the rebels in Wancheng keep the city gates closed, we can cook some beef hot pot and maybe lure them out."
Feng Qingsui, who came to the kitchen to watch the fun, smelled the aroma of frying ingredients and smiled.
Wancheng is the next city they are about to visit.
Ji Zhangqing shook his head and laughed: "Do you think they are just like you, a greedy cat?"
Feng Qingsui raised his eyebrows.
Apart from the rice cakes she ate as a child, she had only ever coveted his cooking skills.
"Once this beef hot pot starts rolling, even gods won't be able to stand still, let alone ordinary rebels who have never had a good meal. This beef hot pot might actually come in handy—"
She stopped talking abruptly, and an idea flashed through her mind.
"Second Master, the southeast wind has been blowing at night these past few days, right?"
Ji Changqing nodded.
Feng Qingsui's eyes brightened. "We arrived at Wancheng from Zhicheng, which is just upwind of Wancheng! I have an idea. Do you think it will work?"
He immediately told Ji Changqing his thoughts.
After hearing this, Ji Changqing raised his eyebrows slightly, and raised the corners of his lips in approval, "I didn't expect you to have the talent to be a military advisor."
Feng Qingsui snorted lightly: "There are still many things you don't know."
Ji Changqing added some spices to the pot and asked with a smile, "For example?"
Feng Qingsui pretended to be distressed and said, "For example, I just made a few sachets, but I don't know who to give them to."
Ji Changqing tightened his grip on the spatula.
"Why are you making sachets when it's not seasonal?"
He was stirring the oil as usual, his tone so calm as if he was discussing today's weather.
Little did he know that Feng Qingsui noticed his fleeting nervousness.
"Just now I saw a lot of jasmine flowers blooming in the courtyard, so I picked some and mixed them with angelica and lindera to make a few."
She said casually.
"Hang this jasmine cooling sachet in the tent at night, and the pillow and mat will be a little cooler. It's a pity that Second Master doesn't like the scent of flowers, otherwise I would give it to him as a gift."
Ji Changqing: “???”
"Have I ever said I don't like the smell of flowers?"
Feng Qingsui glanced at the sachet tied at his waist and asked in surprise, "Doesn't the Second Master like cypress incense?"
Ji Changqing: "...I don't just like Bai Xiang."
"Then I'll send it off, Second Master." Feng Qingsui's eyes curved into a cunning arc, "So that Second Master can also get rid of the heat and clear his mind."
However.
That night, Ji Changqing lay in the bed curtains filled with the fragrance of jasmine, but instead of feeling cool, he felt even hotter.
What comes to mind is either someone's bright and lively smile, or someone's peaceful appearance sleeping in the morning light, or someone's serious expression as they stitch his wound.
The body temperature rises higher and higher.
Sensing something strange, he sighed, pulled off the sachet hanging on the head of the bed, and stuffed it into the drawer under the bed.
I got up immediately and took a cold shower.
Then he sat in the courtyard for a long time, until the heat dissipated, and then went back to his room to rest.
The next morning, when he was packing his bags, he hesitated for a moment, but still took out the jasmine sachet from the drawer and put it in his bag.
Zhicheng is also a day's journey from Wancheng.
Five thousand soldiers from the third battalion of the capital and one thousand newly recruited surrendered soldiers gathered outside Wancheng.
The gates of Wancheng were tightly closed. Apparently, the rebels here had learned the lesson from the rebels in Zhicheng and did not intend to fight them head-on.
Ji Changqing ordered people to bury the pot and cook.
Dozens of pots were set up at the same time, the cooks boiled water, and the soldiers washed and cut vegetables. Soon, the aroma of spicy and fragrant beef hot pot wafted everywhere.
The soldiers couldn't wait to put the meat and vegetables into the pot.
After cooking it, he took it out and put it in his mouth without caring about the burn on his tongue. He ate it while panting and exclaimed: "Delicious! So delicious! It's worth it even if I die at this moment."
While people were eating enthusiastically here, the rebels guarding Wancheng over there smelled the rich aroma brought by the night wind, looked at the steaming pot outside the city, and swallowed mouthful of saliva again and again.
"How about we just fight our way out and grab those dozens of pots."
Someone couldn't help but say.
"Otherwise I'll be so hungry I'll die."
His companions glared at him and said, "Are you going to die? The commander ordered us to defend the city to the death, and you dare to open the city gate?"
"Woo, how can I sleep tonight when it smells so good?"
"Just plug your nostrils."
“…”
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