Number of People

Chapter 2134: The layout of the Gui scroll is done in

Chapter 2134 The layout of the Gui scroll is done in an orderly manner

The two rebel armies of Modlen and Qiu Zixiong moved westward and southward, causing chaos in the entire Yan'an Prefecture. However, Pan Ruzhen soon saw the clues. Every time the rebels succeeded, they would be chased away by the following officers and soldiers, leaving behind a large number of soldiers. There was a huge harvest of money, food, especially grain, and the powerful local gentry were also wiped out.

This almost gave the government a free advantage, and Pan Ruzhen vaguely understood that there was something fishy here. But if there was no trick, how would the hundreds of thousands of people in Yan'an Prefecture live?

But even so, the collected food is not enough to allow the victims of the entire Yan'an Prefecture to survive this year. Without outside help, the chaos will continue or even worsen.

But he also heard that the governor should have a foresight and a plan in advance. A clever woman cannot make a meal without rice. If she dares to come, she must bring something with her.

"Sir, are you talking about the grain coming from the east of Hedong?" Pan Ruzhen was also a little surprised. The situation in Shanxi was not very good either. It also suffered from severe drought, but it was slightly better than that in northern Shaanxi. It was shipped from Datong, which meant that this It should be food coming from Beizhili, but the cost is too high.

"Well, a batch will come from Henan soon, but it won't be given to Yan'an Prefecture. I'm afraid Xi'an Prefecture, Qingyang, and Pingliang also need some. It's hard to say under the current circumstances. We can only Do your best, so the food you get back, whether it is taken back from the "rebellious army" or transported in by foreign enemies, Zhenpu, you have to ask the people below to arrange the return. If there is corruption, I will be the first to do so. I can’t spare you, do you understand?”

Feng Ziying is not very impressive, but Pan Ruzhen understands that this is the bottom line, and it is also the highlight of the governor's future political achievements from the governor of Shaanxi back to Beijing, and no one will be allowed to interfere with it.

"Don't worry, sir. Your subordinates know the importance and will definitely send the most reliable and innocent people to do these things, making sure there is no mistake." Pan Ruzhen bowed and accepted the order.

"Well, it's good that you understand the pros and cons. In addition, I have also asked people to send a batch of potato, corn and sweet potato seeds from Beizhili. The quantity is quite large and is on the way, and a batch will also come to do the work. These planting experts helped Shaanxi start planting this high-yielding crop that is resistant to cold and barren conditions."

Feng Ziying knew very well that although there were officials in this era who were proficient in farming, they were generally quite rare. They were even more skeptical about newly introduced crops. To vigorously promote the planting of these crops and quickly produce results, the only way If we use official power and use guidance and persuasion, we don’t know how effective it will be until the year of the monkey and the horse and the horse.

"Let the states and counties select a group of officials and rural farmers who are good at farming and learn how to plant. Northern Shaanxi is barren and lacks water, but these three things are imported from overseas. They do not choose the land and are drought-tolerant. It is resistant to barrenness and can be grown in mountains, sandy lands, and dry lands, and the yield is quite high. Although the taste is somewhat different from the corn and wheat we eat daily, if you get used to it for a while, you will feel that it is even more delicious than corn."

"Sir, I have heard that Master Xu is cultivating this kind of crops in Shuntian Mansion. In these days, it is a great joy to be able to fill your belly without starving to death. How dare you expect any taste? The key is The key is to be able to withstand drought regardless of field, and whether the yield can be high. Is it possible that potatoes taste similar to beans but are grown in the soil? What is the yield per mu?"

Pan Ruzhen still has some knowledge. Xu Guangqi is a well-known official in the court. It must be extraordinary to be able to resign his official position and live in seclusion in Tianjin to cultivate such crops introduced from the Western Barbarians, so he is still very interested.

Especially in northern Shaanxi, the conditions are so harsh. If there are really high-yielding crops that can withstand drought regardless of the land, it can be promoted by the prefect, and the risk of future chaos can be reduced a lot.

"The yield of potatoes still depends on the quality of the soil, but in the most barren mountainous areas, or even thin land where corn cannot be grown, potatoes can produce at least ten dan." Feng Ziying is not sure about the current level of agriculture, and how much potatoes can be produced per acre. How much, but he has seen an unverified data, which is that in the Qing Dynasty, the potato yield per mu could reach 2,500 kilograms, which is about 16 shi, so his 40% discount might be about the same.

"Ten stones?!" Pan Ruzhen was startled and almost hit the tea cup in his hand, "How can it be so high? Can any land produce such a high yield?"

"I estimate that for poor land, it must be seven or eight dan, and for good land, it is estimated to be 12 or 3 dan, but this thing is different from corn and wheat. Wheat and corn only lose 20 to 30% after harvesting and drying, but potatoes cannot be dried. So they are not that resistant to hunger, but in any case, potatoes are much better than corn and wheat when grown on many thin mountainous areas, but this one is enough." Feng Ziying answered affirmatively.

"If there is such a high yield, then Yan'an Prefecture should promote planting in any case, especially if it is cold-resistant and barren, not to mention." Pan Ruzhen was also a little excited, "Sir, if the seeds are sent, you might as well apply them now. Three counties, Ganquan and Ansai, are trialing the planting. Officials in these three counties are confident that they can quickly promote and implement it, and perhaps the results will be seen next year."

Fushi, Ganquan, and Ansai counties are the three counties where Pan Ruzhen has the strongest control. They are located in the central region, and the soil quality is not bad. If the results can be seen, they can quickly expand to the north and south.

"Well, I think it's okay. You can arrange the details. I just want to see the effect." But Feng Ziying was still very satisfied with Pan Ruzhen's attitude. "Including Wu Bao, Mr. Xia also hopes to have a good relationship with him." The beginning of.”

Pan Ruzhen nodded. It seems that Xia's order is also very popular with the governor. However, this does not matter to Pan Ruzhen. There are more than ten prefectures and counties in the whole government, and every prefecture and county is facing difficulties now. If he can solve the problem of one more county, it will also be good for him. Good thing.

After hearing the two pieces of good news, Pan Ruzhen was in a good mood and asked about Feng Ziying's itinerary: "Sir, I heard that the Chief Envoy is also urging you to go south as soon as possible. Master Lu may be a little anxious too. .”

“Oh?” Feng Ziying laughed, “Is there news about Zhen Pu in Xi’an Mansion?”

Pan Ruzhen didn't hide it, "Replying to your lord, I still have a few friends. The letter also mentioned that Lord Lu was not in a good mood during this period. In addition, the situation in the prefectures and counties east of Xi'an Prefecture has not improved, so the order given to him by your lord is to We are guarding the Puzhou-Tongzhou line, but now I heard that the rebels in the Pucheng area are attacking very fiercely, and the guards are somewhat unable to withstand it. Although Pucheng has not been lost, it is hard to say if it continues."

Feng Ziying actually knew this situation. The line he drew for Lu Chuan and Sun Yijie was that the line Tongguan-Pucheng-Tongzhou-Huazhou could not be lost. He even considered in his heart that Tongzhou could be lost, but Pucheng could never be lost.

Once Pucheng is lost, the rebel army will reach the Yaozhou-Fuping line, which will directly endanger the city of Xi'an. But now it seems that Xi'an failed to do so. This cannot be entirely blamed on Lu Chuan and Xie Zhenye, a waste. What a waste. He has really ruined the guard army over the years.

The Tongguan Guard army should be able to pull out a fight, but neither Xie Zhenye nor Feng Ziying dared to make this decision. Once Tongguan Guard gets into trouble and is controlled by the rebel army, the choke point from Shaanxi to the Central Plains will be cut off. That is a huge disaster.

Feng Ziying was helpless about such a result. She could only hope that Lu Chuan and Xie Zhenye would force Xi'an Prefecture to work harder. In addition, it depended on the speed of Qiu Zixiong's move south. But taking Qingjian, which is far away from Baishui and Chengcheng, The front line is still far away, and we won't be able to reach Xi'an within two or three months, so this is a bit extravagant.

 “How is Xu Liangyan?” Feng Ziying suddenly asked.

Pan Ruzhen's heart was shocked, and he thought carefully before saying slowly: "Xu Liangyan is a native of Chenzhou, Henan. He was a Jinshi in the 36th year of Yuanxi. Before he became the magistrate of Xi'an Prefecture, he served as the deputy envoy of the Yamen, the salt envoy of the Huaidu and Huaihe Rivers. Then he was transferred to the post of Tongzhi of Suzhou, and later promoted to Sichuan Chief Envoy and Siyou Councilor, and three years ago he was promoted to the prefect of Xi'an Prefecture."

"Yes, from Chenzhou." Feng Ziying nodded. He also knew that he belonged to Kaifeng Mansion, which was not too far away from the Hou brothers and Lian Guo Shijia. "How is this person doing?"

"I still have the ability to do things, but it's not easy to be a prefect under the eyes of the Chief Envoy and the Inspector." Pan Ruzhen smiled faintly and said, "Master Xu is also in a dilemma inside and has suffered a lot. Fortunately, Mr. Xu is meticulous and sophisticated in his work, and Mr. Lu and Mr. Sun are both pretty good..."

What Pan Ruzhen said is similar to Wang Wenyan's understanding. Although Xu Liangyan couldn't have both sides, he managed to avoid offending both sides. However, this meant that neither Lu Chuan nor Sun Yijie liked him very much, but his position as the prefect of Xi'an was unusual. , Lu Chuan and Sun Yijie could not move at will if they wanted. In addition, Xu Liangyan was experienced and did not make any mistakes, so he could still be stable for a while.

But if the situation in the eastern part of Xi'an Prefecture continues to deteriorate, even though he, the prefect, does not have much responsibility for military affairs, if Lu Chuan really wants to make trouble, he may not be able to find it.

 “I understand.” Feng Ziying nodded.

 After Pan Ruzhen left, Feng Ziying summoned Wang Wenyan and took out the letter brought by Xu Liangyan's personal staff last time and read it again, "Wen Yan, do you think this Xu Liangyan can be used?"

"For now, even if you are not sure, you can only use it." Wang Wenyan said thoughtfully: "The prefects of Xi'an Prefecture must have been registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, unlike Pan Ruzhen who has no foundation, sir. You might as well use it now, and you don’t have to worry too much about it in the future.”

Feng Ziying deeply believed that, don't expect everyone to bow to her when they see her. Xu Liangyan must have a background in the court, otherwise Lu Chuan would not be able to clean it up, so he doesn't have to be too demanding. Of course, if things can't be done, Well, I won’t be polite either.

 (End of this chapter)