ATPnovel Chapter 66 In Chaotic Times, Kill the Holy Mother First
Chapter 66 In Chaotic Times, Kill the Holy Mother First
Chapter 67 In Chaotic Times, Kill the Holy Mother First
Chapter 066 Chen Ying traveled to Ningyuan City in a small boat.
In fact, Ningyuan City was not the seat of the Liaodong General's Office, but the office of Sun Chengzong, the Ji-Liao military governor. Sun Chengzong was the military governor of Ji-Liao in his capacity as Minister of War and Right Vice Censor-in-Chief.
He moved the Jiliao Military Governor's Office from its original location in Jizhou to Ningyuan Garrison City. Subsequently, Ningyuan became the military command center of the Ming Dynasty in Liaodong. Sun Chengzong presided over the construction of the Guan-Ning-Jin defense line there and trained generals such as Yuan Chonghuan.
As the highest military commander, the General Commander of Liaodong was stationed in Guangningwei, responsible for the defense and command of the Liaoxi region. The Governor of Liaodong was also stationed in Guangning, making it the military and administrative center of Liaoxi.
Chen Ying had no connection with Ma Shilong, the general of Liaodong. The best way to get Su Mei's younger brother, Su Wei, out of the Liaodong army's rear camp was to ask Mao Yuanyi to mediate.
Upon entering Ningyuan City, Chen Ying discovered that this historically famous city was now like a huge refugee camp, with displaced people crowding everywhere in the vast city.
The refugees, along with their families, looked at the soldiers passing by with cold, empty eyes, a gaze that sent shivers down the spines of every soldier.
They endured far too much suffering; war took everything from them, leaving only empty shells.
"Boying, why did you come to Ningyuan, a place rife with war and danger?"
When Mao Yuanyi saw Chen Ying, he was very enthusiastic: "Congratulations on your promotion, Commander Chen!"
"If Zhisheng ever runs into trouble in the future, you can come find me!"
Mao Yuanyi thought Chen Ying was joking. Of course, Chen Ying was not joking. Sun Chengzong, the governor of Jiliao, was already an enemy of the world. Given the chance, countless people would want to bring him down.
Although Mao Yuanyi was Sun Chengzong's patron, the problem is that he was not Sun Yuanhua. Sun Yuanhua had a teacher, Xu Guangqi, who could protect him. Yuan Chonghuan also had Qian Longxi and others behind him.
After Sun Chengzong was dismissed from his post following the Battle of Liuhe, Mao Yuanyi would also suffer the consequences.
Mao Yuanyi asked, "Does Boying wish to see Grand Secretary Sun?"
"No, it's just a personal matter!"
Chen Ying saw a pale and emaciated young girl squatting on the side of the street, clutching her stomach and breathing heavily in pain. He frowned and walked over: "What's wrong with you?"
The girl struggled to lift her head, staring blankly at Chen Ying: "Hungry—hungry—"
"What happened?"
"Food in the city is limited; we can only ensure they have one meal a day!"
Looking at the girl, Mao Yuanyi could tell that she was young and weak, and probably couldn't compete with others, which was why she was so hungry.
Chen Ying frowned slightly and said, "Why not distribute more food?"
Mao Yuanyi smiled wryly: "Boying, you don't know this, these people—"
After Sun Chengzong succeeded as the military governor of Jiliao, he quickly organized and trained the Liaodong New Army, establishing fifteen battalions. Then, he led the people of Liaodong to build fortifications and tentatively recapture Liaodong.
In particular, as Liu Xingzuo rebelled against the Jin and restored the Ming, he recovered Fuzhou, Gaizhou, Haizhou, Jinzhou, Lushun and other places in southern Liaoning, and then advanced into eastern Liaoning, recovering Guangning Youtunwei.
He adopted a work-for-relief approach, organizing the people of Liaodong to cultivate land and build fortresses, and these people of Liaodong lived a relatively comfortable life.
Later, Zhang Fengyi replaced Yan Mingtai as the Liaodong Military Commissioner. When Zhang Fengfeng was inspecting Youqiantun in Guangning, he suffered a disastrous defeat at Shisanshan, and tens of thousands of people fled to Jinzhou.
To win over the people, he opened the granaries and distributed grain to everyone, regardless of age, giving each person two liters of grain every day. The people who worked hard to build the city through the work-for-relief program also received two liters of grain after a long day of work.
Zhang Fengyi's actions artificially created a large number of lazy vagrants. They could receive two liters of grain without having to work, so who would be willing to put in any effort?
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Mao Yuanyi said indignantly, "We're just sitting around eating away at our savings, the granaries are empty, and the refugees have become the source of chaos. These refugees from Ningyuan are a remnant of that past evil. They'd rather die on a bowl of thin porridge than work to build the city and cultivate the land. They're afraid of hardship, fatigue, and death! As soon as they're given any arrangements, they gather and make noise, saying the government is forcing them to their deaths—"
Chen Ying didn't know how to describe these refugees anymore. No wonder there's a saying: "In chaotic times, the first to be killed is the Holy Mother." Zhang Fengyi, the Liaodong Military Commissioner, was that Holy Mother.
"Stop the life!"
Chen Ying thought for a moment and said, "They're a burden in Ningyuan City. Could you talk to Grand Secretary Sun and see if we can send them to Dalu Island?"
Although Dalu Island is currently short of food, it is even more short of manpower. In particular, Chen Ying has started to produce cement, but there are no crushers or ball mills available. Producing cement requires manual crushing and grinding.
Although cement is not technologically advanced, it is a key product for the future. A fortress built with cement and steel bars is a life-saving material that can withstand artillery fire.
Of course, once they arrived at Dalu Island, Chen Ying wouldn't spoil them. If they worked, they would be fed; if they didn't work, they would starve to death.
Mao Yuanyi was quite surprised: "Boying, do you know how many refugees there are in Ningyuan City? This isn't just a few thousand; there are tens of thousands more outside the city. Even if we only give them a liter of grain, they would still consume over a thousand shi of grain every day!"
"I'll find a way to get food!"
Chen Ying followed Mao Yuanyi to a courtyard in Ningyuan City, which was Mao Yuanyi's private residence.
"I wonder what private matter has brought Boying here for?"
Chen Ying smiled faintly and said, "I have a steward on Dalu Island whose younger brother, Su Wei, has unfortunately been conscripted into the Rear Guard as a horse groom. He was recently injured by a wild horse and is on the verge of death. I earnestly request Zhi Sheng to intervene and allow him to be released from his post so that I can bring him back to Dalu Island for treatment."
Chen Ying didn't go directly to Ma Shilong. This kind of thing, let alone Ma Shilong, even an ordinary centurion could handle it easily. Asking Ma Shilong would be like using a cannon to kill a mosquito, a waste of talent.
Mao Yuanyi's official position was Sun Chengzong's assistant, and his rank was the sixth grade, the Director of the Military Affairs Department of the Ministry of War. However, the problem was that Mao Yuanyi had a lot of influence within the Liaodong Army. Mao Wenlong dared not give Mao Yuanyi face because he didn't know how to behave. He thought that Sun Chengzong was only his nominal superior, and his direct superior was the Governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou.
Of course, with a single word from Sun Chengzong, the governor of Dengzhou and Laizhou would also be under his control. Sun Chengzong currently has the governor of Liaodong under his command.
Among the governors of Dengzhou and Laizhou, the governor of Tianjin, and the governor of Jizhou, Mao Wenlong was just a junior subordinate.
"This is just a small token of my appreciation; I hope you will accept it with a smile."
Chen Ying gestured to Chen Yongren, who then placed a wooden box on the table. The box was exquisitely crafted. When the lid was opened, a dark blue silk cloth was laid out inside, on which neatly arranged pieces of pure white, crystal-clear powder were placed.
Mao Yuanyi asked, "This is... salt?"
Mao Yuanyi was no ordinary poor man; he came from an official family. But he had never seen such pure white and fine salt in his life. He suddenly stood up, walked closer, picked up a small pinch, found it dry and fine to the touch, tasted a little, and found it pure salty without any impurities, making his mouth water.
The best salt in the Ming Dynasty is Qing salt. Of course, this is not salt produced in Qingzhou, but salt produced in Qinghai. It has fewer impurities and a slightly bluish color.
This type of salt has no bitter taste, and wealthy families use it as a mouthwash to clean their teeth. Of course, due to high transportation costs, the price of this salt is almost thirty times that of ordinary sea salt.
Mao Yuanyi knew all too well what this meant. If one had salt of this quality, it would be a valuable commodity to bribe officials and make connections with wealthy merchants.
Chen Ying smiled and said, "This is snow salt, which I accidentally produced in my workshop. This box contains twenty catties, and I'm giving it to Zhisheng. I also have another six hundred catties, which I humbly request you to pass on to Grand Secretary Sun. In addition, I'll trouble Zhisheng to take care of Su Wei's matter!"
"Boying, rest here for a few days!"
Even if Chen Ying hadn't taken the snow salt, Mao Yuanyi would have helped Chen Ying get a person, just a laborer, it was a small matter.
Most importantly, with these high-quality snow salts, Mao Yuanyi could get things done more easily. When working within the system, one always needs to get some benefits from others.
Inside the imperial envoy's residence, Sun Chengzong was bent over his desk reviewing documents, his brow furrowed.
This nearly sixty-year-old Ji-Liao Governor-General had graying temples, but his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle's. On his desk were piles of military intelligence reports, but more documents from various places requesting grain to settle the refugees. Tens of thousands of refugees in Ningyuan City had become a major concern for him.
"Your Excellency, Mao Zanhua requests an audience."
Sun Chengzong put down his pen and rubbed his temples. "Let him in."
Mao Yuanyi strode in, bowed, and got straight to the point: "Your Excellency, I met with Chen Boying, the commander of Shahe Guard, today. He is willing to take in the refugees in Ningyuan City and send them to Dalu Island for resettlement."
"What?"
A glint of light flashed in Sun Chengzong's eyes: "Chen Boying? He's been promoted to commander? And he wants to take in refugees? Does he even know how many refugees there are in Ningyuan City?"
"Commander Chen has been promoted to Commander of Shahe Guard."
Mao Yuanyi said, "He witnessed the miserable plight of the refugees in the city with his own eyes and offered to take them over. From my observation, he was sincere and not just making empty promises. As for the number of refugees—I roughly estimate that there are probably no fewer than 50,000 inside and outside the city."
"Dalu Island is just a deserted island overseas. How can he support 50,000 people? And why would he take on this hot potato?"
Mao Yuanyi took out a small earthenware jar from his sleeve and presented it with both hands: "Your Excellency, please take a look at this."
Sun Chengzong took it, lifted the lid, and was immediately stunned: "This is... salt? Such quality is simply unheard of!"
"This is snow salt, made in Commander Chen's workshop."
Mao Yuanyi said, "He brought six hundred catties of offerings to the Grand Secretary. If the Grand Secretary approves the matter of the displaced people—"
'
Sun Chengzong said with a wry smile, "Zhisheng, you know these refugees have long been ruined by Zhang Fengyi's benevolent policies!"
These refugees were treated like royalty in Ningyuan City; they couldn't be provoked, insulted, or beaten, because they had Zhang Fengyi, the Liaodong Military Commissioner, behind them.
At this time, Zhang Fengyi was like Chen Yanshi in the movie "In the Name of the People". After Sun Chengzong took over as the military governor of Jiliao, he quickly reorganized the Liaodong Army and promoted a large number of generals such as Man Gui, Zhao Shuaijiao, Zu Dashou, and He Kegang. Zhang Fengyi, the military governor of Liaodong, became a figurehead.
In terms of prestige and status, Zhang Fengyi was far inferior to Sun Chengzong, but the problem was that he was good at sabotaging Sun Chengzong. He managed to gather more than 50,000 refugees and place them in Ningyuan City, which was purely disgusting to Sun Chengzong.
You should know that the soldiers of the Liaodong Army only have two liters of rations a day. But he just waved his hand and gave the refugees two liters of food a day, and they didn't have to do anything.
"What the Grand Secretary said is absolutely true. These refugees have indeed lost their spirit. But I believe that it is precisely because of this that Chen Boying should be given a try."
"Your Excellency, consider this: these refugees, staying in Ningyuan, consume over a thousand shi of grain daily without any output, becoming a hidden danger. If the Jurchens attack, they will surely collapse and disrupt the army's formation. This is entirely detrimental. Chen Boying's Dalu Island, isolated overseas, is precisely where manpower is needed. Since he can create such a marvel as snow salt, perhaps—he also has a way to help these refugees start anew."
Sun Chengzong turned around, his gaze sharp: "You think so highly of Chen Boying?"
Mao Yuanyi solemnly cupped his hands in greeting: "Although I have only known Chen Boying for a short time, I have observed three major differences in his conduct. First, he is pragmatic and down-to-earth; the knives, farm tools, and snow salt he creates are all truly useful. Second, he is good at using people; many artisans and refugees in Shahewei and Dalu Island are put to good use in his hands. Third, he is responsible; such a person can truly turn the rotten into the miraculous."
"Moreover, even if Chen Boying ultimately cannot fully control these refugees, he has at least taken them away from Ningyuan, relieving the Grand Secretary's immediate predicament. The departure of 50,000 refugees overseas, regardless of success or failure, will not affect the overall situation in Liaodong, but may open up a new world for the Ming Dynasty overseas. This is a sure-fire way to make money."
Sun Chengzong remained silent for a long time. He had to admit that Mao Yuanyi was right. If these refugees stayed in Ningyuan, they would cause big trouble sooner or later.
Sending them away was the most straightforward solution. However—he still felt a pang of reluctance to send 50,000 citizens to a remote overseas island.
How does Chen Boying plan to take over?
"Commander Chen said that he could send a fleet to pick them up. Those refugees who wish to go would each be given three days' worth of rations, and another three days' worth upon boarding. After arriving at Dalu Island, they would be paid according to their labor, with those skilled in crafts receiving generous rewards, those willing to work hard being well-fed, and those who shirked their duties severely punished."
Sun Chengzong nodded: "This matter—I approve it. You tell Chen Boying that within ten days, I will have someone take stock of the refugees, and those who wish to go will be registered. But he must guarantee that he will not be mistreated during the journey, and that he will be given a way to survive once he arrives on the island."
"On behalf of Commander Chen, this student thanks Your Excellency!"
"Godfather, do you really want these good-for-nothings?"
Chen Yongren was very puzzled. Dalu Island was short of workers, but they could recruit people from other places, especially from North Korea. North Koreans eat little and can work hard.
Chen Ying smiled faintly and said, "Dalu Island is not Ningyuan. It lacks good governance and is lazy. After a few meals of hunger, they will know how to work. Inciting trouble? There are plenty of places on the island that need hard labor. Mining, quarrying, building cities, any of these can grind away the resentment."
Of course, he will also provide career advancement opportunities for truly diligent individuals and generous compensation for those with skills. With a combination of firm measures, he's not afraid of being unable to manage the rectification efforts.
Chen Ying's willingness to accept these refugees was actually a way of relieving Sun Chengzong of some burden. It's not the scarcity that's the problem, but the inequality. Zhang Fengyi's actions were a blow to the morale of the Liaodong army. Why should they, who were fighting bloody battles on the front lines, receive the same treatment as the refugees in Ningyuan City?
Sun Chengzong weakened the treatment of refugees, and was impeached by Zhang Fengyi for mistreating them. Refugees are also citizens of the Ming Dynasty and should be treated equally. This is utter nonsense.
Chen wanted these 50,000 people to fill the manpower shortage on Dalu Island. Building a cement plant would require a large number of people, and building a 4,400-ton ship would also require a large number of people.
Five days later, Chen Ying met Mao Yuanyi.
"The matter of Suwei—"
"It's all taken care of."
Mao Yuanyi smiled and said, "The Houjin Battalion has already released the men, and they should be on their way to Ningyuan by now. General Ma has heard about the snow salt matter and is very interested in you, so he has invited you to his residence for a chat."
Chen Ying nodded: "Thank you for your trouble, Zhisheng. I will go and pay my respects to General Ma now."
Three days later, Chen Ying's meeting with Ma Shilong went exceptionally smoothly.
The sample of snow salt made the Liaodong general's eyes light up, and the two sides quickly reached a cooperation agreement.
Chen Ying promised to supply Liaodong Army with 2,000 catties of snow salt every month at a price of three taels of silver per catty. Ma Shilong agreed to gradually transfer 300 retired warhorses and 200 households of various craftsmen to Shahe Guard, and to open the Liaodong market, allowing the sale of ironware and agricultural tools produced in Shahe in western Liaoning.
Seven days later, at the dock outside Ningyuan City, a large number of refugees began to board the ships.
Sun Chengzong personally ordered that each household be given six liters of grain, promising to give another six liters after boarding the ship.
The starving refugees looked at the tall ships at sea with bewilderment and fear of the unknown, but for the sake of that little bit of food to survive, they still dragged their families along and shakily stepped onto the gangplank.