Chapter 866: The anxious people
In Shanghe Village, watching several people from the Han tribe leading horses into the village, more and more villagers began to gather in the square. The village elders heard the news and hurried over.
Although Tiezhen did not bring any soldiers this time, and there were only a few civil servants around him, he still looked very calm and composed when he saw more and more villagers gathering.
Originally, the few clerks were still a little unsure, but seeing that the county magistrate was not panicking at all, they secretly gritted their teeth and calmed down, trying to stay relaxed.
After a while, the village elder came to Tiezhen. He walked in front of the villagers. After standing still, he handed the bamboo cane in his hand to a young man next to him, and then hurriedly learned the etiquette of the Han tribe and bowed to Tiezhen.
"This chief envoy, I wonder if you have anything to do in our village?" The elder, who was about forty years old, asked Tiezhen nervously.
"Haha, don't panic, old man. I'm the prefect of Xinhua County, and your village is also under the jurisdiction of Xinhua County. I came to your village this time just to see if you have any needs. In addition, I will register the population and household registration of your village, as well as the land and houses. This way, when we distribute seeds and allocate oxen in the spring, we will have an idea and will not delay your farming.
Uh, you should know Xinhua County. Did anyone come to you to notify you a few days ago?!"
Tiezhen looked at the villagers who had gathered around him and found that they all looked dull or afraid looking at him. It was also impossible to tell whether the tribe leader was happy or sad. He suddenly suspected that the soldiers who issued the notice a few days ago did not explain clearly to them that Zhudao had now become the territory of the Han tribe.
"I know, I know. A few days ago, a soldier from the Han tribe did tell us that Commander Xin had been killed, the Xin tribe was destroyed, and the elders died. Those who survived have now become officials of the Han tribe. Our Zhudao has also been renamed Qiongzhou, and is now under the jurisdiction of the Han tribe.
Right, Dalang? Am I remembering it correctly?" The patriarch nodded, and after telling the information he had received a few days ago, he turned to look at his eldest son beside him and asked if he was wrong.
"Dad, you are not wrong, but the soldier also said that we are now also people of the Han tribe. Zhudao will be renamed Qiongzhou Island in the future and will be divided into six counties of the Han tribe. Our village will be under the jurisdiction of Heyuan County under Xinhua County. In the future, we will all be people of Heyuan County, Xinhua County, Qiongzhou Island, Han tribe." The eldest son of the patriarch added.
Tiezhen couldn't help but raise his eyebrows after hearing this. It's true that young people have quick thinking and good memory. After just one time, he remembered the administrative affiliation of his village. He is indeed a useful talent.
With this in mind, Tiezhen spoke again.
"Yes, you two remember clearly. I am the governor of Xinhua County that you mentioned. I am in charge of all matters in the entire Xinhua County." Tiezhen once again stated his identity, mainly because he was afraid that these people would not be able to understand his position and duties.
"Oh, it turns out to be the governor." The elder bowed to Tiezhen again, then stood up and asked, "I wonder what the governor wants. I heard that the governors of the Han tribe all live in brick cities. Do you want us to send people to help the governor build the city? We really can't afford many people in our village. We will start sowing in a few days. We really can't afford many people."
The elder pleaded with an embarrassed look on his face, and his eldest son also looked at Tiezhen seriously, wanting to see what the governor of the Han tribe wanted to do.
Tiezhen raised his eyebrows again, thinking to himself, no wonder they all have stern faces, as if I owe them money, they are worried that the Han tribe will capture them to build the city? !
Who guessed this? !
Well, Tiezhen originally wanted to get some civilians to build the city. After all, as civilians of the Han tribe, it is their duty to perform corvée labor, right? But now it seems that it is hopeless. Now that the Han tribe has just demonstrated its military power, the civilians are still very afraid of them, but they have not seen the benefits of the Han tribe.
If the civilians are forced to perform corvée labor at this time? I am afraid that the civilians who have just surrendered will really rebel, and all the previous efforts will be in vain.
"Well, old man, you think too much. We don't have to have a city. You don't understand our place. The counties in the north of our Han tribe built cities because the population of our Han tribe grew too fast. Every year, we have to open up new places to build settlements. However, these places are all uninhabited wilderness, wild beasts and savages often appear, and cities are built to guard against wild beasts and enemies.
It's different here on Qiongzhou Island. The people have lived here for many years, and the ferocious beasts on the island have almost been killed by you. Now there are no enemies on the island. Why do you think we should build a city? Isn't it a waste of time?
We can just build a few houses and use bamboo poles to surround a yard. Don't worry, I'm not here to build a city with you."
Tiezhen was afraid that they would not understand, so he explained the historical reasons why the Han tribe built the city. Finally, he told them seriously that he was not here to capture able-bodied laborers.
Hearing Tiezhen's words, the elder and his eldest son breathed a sigh of relief at the same time. They were afraid that after the Han tribe defeated Commander Xin, they would reveal their true colors, start to exploit them, and then enjoy a comfortable life on their territory.
Now it seems that it is not the case? !
"Oh, it's not to build a city, then what is the purpose of the chief envoy coming here this time?"
The elder asked again.
Tiezhen was overwhelmed when he heard it. He found that if he spoke euphemistically to these locals, they would not understand at all. It would be better to tell them directly what he wanted them to do.
Playing charades? Testing each other?
The eldest son of the elder in front of him is okay, but forget about this elder!
"Old man, I came here to see how many people there are in your village, what are their names, how many adults and children, how many men and women, whether everyone has a house to live in, how many fields each person has, whether all the farming tools are complete, how many oxen there are in the village, if you don't have enough oxen, I can find a way to get some for you, and ensure that you have a smooth spring ploughing.
I came here to investigate this information!" This time Tiezhen directly explained it again in "human language". It's meaningless to test each other. Xinhua County has so many people and so many villages. Isn't it tiring to test each other like this? Tiezhen said that he didn't have the time and energy.
After hearing Tiezhen's explanation, the eldest son of the clan elder's eyes lit up. He didn't wait for his father to speak, and took the initiative to ask, "Can the county magistrate really get us oxen?"
"Oh, you underestimated me, do you know how big our Han tribe is?"
Tiezhen took two steps back, turned around and pointed to the northwest. "Over there is an endless grassland. There are cities of three counties of our Han tribe on the grassland. There are 80,000 to 90,000 herdsmen. They raise at least tens of thousands of cattle, and there are thousands of new calves every year.
Of course, those are not oxen for farming. Oxen for farming need to be trained, but your village can only use so many. I am sure I can get you a few oxen for farming.
Before we came, the chief had specifically explained this matter, asking us county governors to come down and see what the people need. If you need anything, just tell the chief directly, and the chief will find a way to get all the things you need and ship them here.
Although you have just joined the Han tribe, In the eyes of the chief, you are no different from us. You are all his people. The chief will not ignore you.
Moreover, the management system of our Han tribe is different from that of the Xin tribe. You should have sensed this. In the future, if you encounter any difficulties that cannot be solved, or if you have any needs, even if you don’t understand something, you can come to ask me. If I am not here, ask the county magistrate of your Heyuan County. If the county magistrate is not here, you can ask these petty officials. "
The eldest son of the patriarch looked at the direction of the anvil's finger. He pursed his lips and was very shocked. He didn't expect that the power of the Han tribe was so great. There were three counties on the distant grassland, 80,000 to 90,000 herdsmen, raising tens of thousands of cattle, and thousands of calves were born every year. These data all shocked his heart.
Tens of thousands of cattle! How many would there be when they were gathered together?
But no matter how many there were, it had nothing to do with him. He just wanted to know more about how his village would live in the future.
"Then, Lord County Magistrate, how did you give us the cattle you got? I mean, did you distribute them directly to us, or lend them to us, or sell them to us?"
(End of this chapter)
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