son-in-law

Chapter 1084 Chapter [-] The Great Tide of the Times ([-])

In May, the forward caravan passed through Zizhou, Wangyuan Bridge, Shiling where the Jurchen army finally retreated in embarrassment, and the vast mountains that experienced battles... until May 22 On this day, pass through Jianmen Pass.

After coming here for more than a year, many places have changed greatly.The roads that can be widened in the mountains have been widened as much as possible. The original military camps have been changed into nodes for business travelers to rest, rest, and work for the staff on the road. It's not enough. The mountain road from Jiange to the customs must ensure a large number of tourists come and go, so a lot of staff are also arranged to maintain order.

Most of these workers are serious and vicious, requiring people who come and go to strictly follow the prescribed path, and are not allowed to stay in relatively narrow places.They have a high voice, and their law enforcement attitude is quite rough, especially when they are arrogant to foreigners and ignorant people, which vaguely reveals the superiority of "Southwesterners".

The scholars in the Chuchuan caravan didn’t think there was anything wrong when they came. They had already been traveling in Chengdu for a while, and they began to discuss that these people were also "fake tigers". Arrogant.There are also some people who secretly recorded these situations, preparing to publish them as Southwest knowledge after returning home.

Ning Ji’s former general camp for wounded soldiers has now been converted into a quarantine station for migrants. Many civilians who come to the southwest have to undergo a round of inspections here—the main body of the inspections are mostly migrant workers. Wearing uniform clothes, they are often led by some team leaders, and observe everything around them curiously and cautiously. According to those scholars, most of these "poor people" are sold in.

There are many commemorative areas of the Southwest Battle along the way: what kind of battle happened here, what kind of battle happened there... Ning Yi paid great attention to such "face-saving projects". In fact, during the entire Southwest Campaign, every battle actually took place quite tragically. After internal verification, textual research, and compilation by the Huaxia Army, monuments were engraved in the corresponding places—due to the limited number of stone carving workers, this The project is still going on, everyone walks a journey, and occasionally they can hear the sound of clanging.

During the Southwest War, the Jiange Mountain Road was a mess, the road was damaged, and the transportation capacity was tight. Especially in the later period, the Huaxia Army fought with the Jurchens who were retreating. The Huaxia Army wanted to cut off the way and leave the enemy behind. On the other hand, real people often fight desperately, both sides are fighting hysterically, and there is no time to pick up and identify the corpses of many soldiers, and even if they are identified, it is impossible to transport them to the rear for burial.

Later, after the camps were roughly distinguished, they were burned together, and the ashes were buried in the ground or scattered in the mountains. This is why these soldiers have no graves elsewhere. The records in the mountains are not only their monuments, but also their real tombstones.

Castle Peak was fortunate enough to bury his loyal bones.For the records in this mountain, people from either side have shown enough respect. When resting in the temporary residence at night, some people will go to the nearby monument to offer incense and worship, burning smoke and dust.Every now and then, those who burned paper money would be stopped by the patrol team, and those who even started arguing or scolding would be arrested and locked up in the mountains for a day.

When the caravan stayed in the mountains, Ning Ji also went to offer incense twice.He doesn't like offering incense, but prefers the form of sacrificial offering in which he cuts a plate of pig's head meat and eats it with some wine. A middle-aged scholar with him saw that he was cute, so he enthusiastically told him the steps of worshiping the gods and offering sacrifices. Sincerity, the steps must be accurate, each method has its meaning, otherwise the heroes here may be open-minded, but they will inevitably anger the gods in the future.Ning Ji looked at each other like a fool.

"I don't believe in God, there is no God in this world."

His contemptuous gaze was also very cute, and the middle-aged pedant taught earnestly: "Young people, young and energetic, but you shouldn't talk nonsense. Have you seen everything in the world? How can you say that there is no God? There are gods in the first three feet... Besides, your words are straightforward, and it is easy to offend others..."

Ning Ji said in his heart that labor and management have said that they have lost their minds, and what should you do if you keep saying that God offends me... But after what happened in the small yard last year, he already knew that there are many fools who can't make sense in the world, so he didn't bother Go talk.

The middle-aged pedant felt that his reaction was cute and cute. Although he was young and energetic, he was not like other children who would talk back casually, so he continued to say a lot...

Along the way, people have various performances in honoring the heroes. As far as Yu Ningji is concerned, except for some memories in his heart, he is not touched too much.At his age, he was too young to remember anything. When he offered incense, he said "I'm going out" to them, left Jianmen Pass, and waved his hand towards the mountain.The leaves on the mountain are billowing in the wind.

After leaving Jiange, it is still the territory of the Huaxia Army.

In the Southwest War, the final decisive battle between the Seventh Army and the Jurchen West Route Army gave the Huaxia Army a large area from Jiange to Hanzhong, which in essence also created a lot of convenience for the shipment of Southwest materials.Although there are two ways to go out of Sichuan by water and land since ancient times, in fact, whether it is to take the waterway of Yibin, Chongqing or the land road of Jianmen Pass, it is not easy to go. Destiny, although it is said that the greater the risk, the higher the profit, but in general, it is not conducive to the inflow and outflow of resources.

At this time, the Huaxia Army has two gathering and distributing endpoints outside the Jiange. One is near Zhaohua after leaving the Jiange. Whether it is coming in or going out, materials can be concentrated here once.Although many merchants still prefer to go to Chengdu to get the most transparent price, in order to improve the transportation efficiency of Jiange Mountain Road, the cavalry team officially organized by the Huaxia government will still transport a lot of ordinary materials to Zhaohua every day, and even began to encourage them. People set up some small workshops with low technical content here to reduce the transportation pressure in Chengdu.

Since the big development in Chengdu has only been a year, the layout of Zhaohua can only be seen at the beginning. A large number of people from the outside world gather in this area outside Jiange. Compared with the development area of ​​Chengdu, this side is more Dirty, messy, poor.Workers transported from the outside often have to stay here for about three days. They need to pay a sum of money, and the doctor will check whether there is any disease such as plague, take a hot bath, and if the clothes are too worn out Usually they have to change, and the Huaxia government will uniformly distribute a set of clothes, so that many people look like they are wearing the same clothes after entering the mountain.

At home, Ning Yi once complained that the clothes were not beautiful, like a prisoner, but the aunt put him back with the cost issue.

Ragged beggars are not allowed to enter the mountain, but not without help.Many factories in the southwest will recruit people here at a low price. Once a "deed of sale" is signed, the cost of quarantine and refitting in the mountains will be borne by the factory, and will be deducted from the salary in the future.

"...Speaking of which, Zhaohua still has a conscience."

Lu Wenke and Ning Ji lamented: "The Huaxia Army helped out with a contract for selling one's body. Every household that buys people here has to have it. The contract is only set for five years. Who wants the manufacturer to pay for it?" Yes, in the future, I will work to repay my debts, and I will pay off my wages. If I want to leave after five years, I can pay a sum of money to redeem myself. However, after five years, there is also a ten-year or 20-year contract, with better conditions and more promises. , to sign for those who are capable... But there are also black-hearted people, sign for 20 years, there is nothing in the contract, if you really sign, it will be miserable..."

"Since the Huaxia Army has given a five-year contract, it should be stipulated that only this one is allowed to be signed." Fan Heng, a middle-aged scholar who had previously taught Ning Ji to respect God, frowned when talking about this matter, "Otherwise, it will be the same as Tuo Pants fart no different."

"Who knows what they think, if you really want to talk about it, those people who don't have much money can come here to sign the contract, and you've all heard about what this area looks like."

Several scholars gathered together to play charades. After chatting for a while, they began to point out various problems of the Huaxia Army living in Sichuan and Shu, such as the problem of material access that cannot be solved, and Sichuan and Shu are only peaceful and difficult to make progress. Later, they talked about the Three Kingdoms The story, citing scriptures and criticizing Fang Qiu.

A caravan of more than 100 people traveled all the way, and gradually formed small groups of various people.There were five scholars like Lu Wenke and Fan Heng, and most of them gathered together to chat along the way.Ning Ji's identity is a little doctor with a family background. Although he has always been a scumbag in Zhangcun's school, his foundation is not bad, and he has no problem with reading and writing. In addition, he looks cute, and these scholars will also treat him Treat him as the same kind, chat nonsense, always call him together, and from time to time, someone will give him snacks to eat.Although most of the scholars and scholars were poor, those who could travel around with the caravan at this time still had some wealth.

After entering the caravan, Ning Ji couldn't enjoy himself like he was at home.There are more than a hundred people traveling together, organized by the caravan, and most of them eat a big pot of rice every day. Frankly speaking, the food in these years is really unpalatable. I would rather eat a little more for the reason of "long body", but with his martial arts so much With a year-long metabolic rate, it would be a little scary to really eat.

His status as a doctor is a convenience.Such a long-distance trek, most people can only walk on one pair of legs. After walking for a few days, blisters are inevitable, and there are more than 100 people, and there are often minor accidents such as sprained feet. I would rather not rely on my own medical skills. , the attitude of not being afraid of being dirty and tiring, and the harmless and cute face of humans and animals quickly won the favor of most people in the caravan, which allowed him to get a lot of snacks during the time of travel.

This kind of mentality is really not in line with the status of "the world's number one master" in the future. Occasionally, thinking about it, Ning Ji feels somewhat ashamed, but there is nothing he can do about it.

Mosquito meat is also meat, what can I do when I am away from home...

All the way to Zhaohua, in addition to showing many people small problems, these five scholars got along more often.The middle-aged scholar Fan Heng who taught Ning Ji to respect God is relatively rich, and occasionally he would buy something to feed him when he passed by cheap restaurants or food stalls, so Ning Ji had no choice but to endure him.

Walking behind a few people when marching, and often camping next to them are often a father and daughter who perform in the rivers and lakes. Father Wang Jiang has practiced some martial arts. He looks strong in middle age, but his face has abnormal lesions and blushes. He often exposed his shirtless chest and practiced iron spear piercing his throat.

——External skills are hard practiced, and when you get old, you will suffer unspeakably. This middle-aged entertainer actually already has various problems, but such physical problems have accumulated for decades, and it is difficult to solve them. Ning Ji can see it, but he can't There is no way, it is like countless tangled thread balls, you need to be careful which one you pull first and which one you pull later.There are many famous doctors in the Southwest who can treat him, but he has practiced battlefield medicine for a long time. He is not yet 15 years old at this time, and prescribing a prescription can only kill the opponent, so he doesn't say much.

The performer's daughter is named Wang Xiuniang. She looks seventeen or eighteen years old. She has dark skin, a well-proportioned figure, and strong thighs. She wears two braids. She didn't learn any advanced martial arts from her father. His best skill is somersaults, he can do one hundred turns at a time.In addition to somersaulting and monkey playing, the father and daughter brought a well-trained monkey named Musheng. This time they went to Chengdu and seemed to have made a lot of money. They happily prepared to perform all the way back to Jiangnan.

In fact, entertainers also suffer from falls, but shortly after the departure, Wang Xiuniang did somersaults again, so she came to Ning Ji for help in diagnosis and treatment.The ankle sprain was not severe, but since then, Wang Xiuniang often came to harass Ning Ji, for example, after setting up camp, she gave Ning Ji some wild fruits, and also gave some to other people by the way, sometimes saying "Brother Aotian is so cute", just If you want to pinch Ning Ji's face, after a while, several scholars get to know her well, and they can talk to each other for a while.

At the beginning, Ning Ji only thought that she was cute, but after a while, she realized that this woman should be targeting Lu Wenke. When she was standing there talking to Lu Wenke, who was "promising", her hands would subconsciously twist her braids, a little twisted. Small gestures of twitching, exuding a rancid smell of courtship... all women are like this, disgusting.Not surprising.

Of course, even though he understood this point, he was not prepared to expose the other party's attempted behavior, on the contrary he breathed a sigh of relief.When the woman came over and pinched his cheek, he reached out and pinched her cheek to pull her away.Anyway, it wasn't her that this woman wanted to harm, and Lu Wenke didn't seem like a good person, he didn't care about the fate of these two guys.

……

The caravan stayed near Zhaohua for a day, and Ning Ji took a half-filled meal, and left the caravan to secretly eat a full meal before leaving for the east with the caravan.

After leaving Jiange and passing Zhaohua, there are two paths to choose from.

One is to go north along the Jinniu Road to Hanzhong along the territory of the Huaxia Army, and then follow the Han River to the east, and you can go anywhere in the world.This road is safe and connected to the waterway. It is currently the most lively road.But if you go east to Bazhong, you have to enter a relatively complicated place.

In the past, since the Huaxia Army jumped out from Hedeng County, due to lack of manpower, they occupied most of the Chengdu Plain and did not have a strong intention to expand outside. Later, the Seventh Army occupied Hanzhong, and the large area of ​​Hanzhong to the east was facilitated by the Jurchens. Belonged to Dai Mengwei.This is of course the Jurchen's act of giving eye drops to the Huaxia army, but in fact, it is not the Huaxia army that is suffering from being blocked on the road out of Sichuan.

After all, with the momentum of the Huaxia Army last year and the momentum of defeating the Jurchen, it is basically no problem to penetrate Hanshui and hit Xiangyang.The reason why Dai Mengwei let go was apparently due to his campaign of "saving millions of people", so he raised his hand, but at the same time, the two parties also signed many contracts, including Dai Mengwei giving up the control of Hanshui, absolutely It is not allowed to prevent the operation of east-west trade routes, etc. This is the bottom line of the Huaxia Army, and Dai Mengwei actually knows it well.

This is the embarrassment of unequal strength. If Dai Mengwei is determined to "do whatever makes you uncomfortable", then the Huaxia Army will directly penetrate him and accept millions or even millions of people. Tired, but if Dai Mengwei was really crazy, it might not be that difficult to endure.

Dai Mengwei is not crazy, he is good at forbearance, so he won't play this kind of "I hit your face to death" emotionally when it is meaningless.But at the same time, he occupied the commercial road, but he couldn't even collect too high taxes, because on the surface he resolutely criticized Southwest, and he couldn't do business directly with Southwest, and every force that traded with Southwest regarded him as A lunatic who may go crazy at any time, this makes people very uncomfortable.

If the Huaxia Army only sent some simple commercial utensils to the whole world, it would be easy to say, but since the second half of last year, he has opened up advanced ordnance and technology transfers to the whole world-this is a matter of the lifeline of the whole world, and it is necessary The critical moment to slowly map.

For example, I, Liu Guangshi, are making an important transaction with the Huaxia Army. What should I do if you stand in the middle and suddenly go crazy? For such a big matter, you can’t just say let me trust you, right?My deal with Southwest is really a big deal to save the world, it's very important...

Dai Mengwei put together the Huaxia Army, using the strength of the Huaxia Army to check and balance the Jurchens, and then plan to take advantage of the Jurchens to fight against the Huaxia Army. This series of methods was originally interesting for all forces in the world, and they supported it verbally. There are quite a few of him.However, as various forces had actual interests in the Southwest, most of the people showed such worries when facing Dai Mengwei.

Don't be crazy, don't interfere, it's enough for you to yell verbally, don't really mess around... No, how can you promise us this?
Once the southwestern side has complicated interests involved with various forces, Dai Mengwei will appear to be an eyesore.The whole world has been ravaged by the Jurchens for more than ten years, and only the Huaxia Army defeated them. Now everyone is very hungry for the power of the Southwest. In the face of such strength, doctrine is nothing.Sooner or later, the target of public criticism will become accusation, and the accusation will end without a problem, Dai Mengwei understands it best.

So in the second half of last year, a rebellion broke out in Dai Mengwei's territory.A general named Cao Silong rose up against Dai Mengwei and split part of the border with the Huaxia Army.

Although General Cao turned his back on him, he didn't like the Huaxia Army next to him either.Here he solemnly expressed his acceptance of the orthodoxy of the Wu Dynasty and the command of General Liu Guangshi and others, and called for ordering order out of chaos and defeating all rebels. Accept Liu Guangshi's command.

Liu Guangshi spent money like water in the Southwest, which made Mr. Ning smile all over his face. Regarding this matter, he sent a letter very helplessly, hoping that the Huaxia People's Government could understand General Cao Silong's position and hold his hand high.Mr. Ning also wrote back, although it was difficult, but since Party A's father opened his mouth, this face must be given.

So between the Huaxia Army, Dai Mengwei, and Liu Guangshi, another enclave similar to a free port appeared. Not only Liu Guangshi's forces stationed in this place, but also Dai Mengwei, Wu Qimei, and Zou Xu, who were unable to trade with the Southwest, also secretly Room for small maneuvers in private.The goods coming from the southwest, if they turn this way, they might be able to get more value, and in order to protect their own interests, Dai Mengwei has maintained this area well, and the law and order of the entire business road has always been guaranteed. It's an ironic thing indeed.

"...Cao Silong is Liu Guangshi's man on the surface. After turning against Dai Mengwei, he recognized Liu as the master, but in fact, we think he has always been Dai's man. Dai Gong's matter is really cunning..."

When they approached Bazhong, Lu Wenke, Fan Heng and others pointed out the country to Ning Ji again, and talked about Dai Mengwei.

When going to the Southwest, ordinary scholars would actually take the road in Hanzhong. Lu Wenke and Fan Heng were quite careful when they came, because the war had subsided and the situation was not stable. Only after staying in Chengdu for a while did they have some judgment on the whole world.Several of them are Confucian scholars who pay attention to traveling thousands of miles. After seeing the Huaxia Army in the Southwest, they also wanted to see other people's territories. Some even wanted to seek fame outside the Southwest, so they followed this caravan out of Sichuan. .As for Ning Ji, he chose one at random.

"Duke Dai is now in charge of Ankang and Shiyan, both of which are on the banks of the Han River. It is said that people there live a good life. Duke Dai has made great achievements in governing the world with Confucianism and Taoism. So we plan to go and see for ourselves along the way. Long What are you going to do next, little brother?"

The main purpose of this caravan out of Sichuan was to take a tour of Cao Silong's territory, and stop at a county town north of Bazhong before considering where to go next.Lu Wenke asked about Ning Ji's thoughts, but Ning Ji didn't care: "I can do it."

"Then we might as well go all the way together, so we can have someone to take care of us." Fan Heng said with a smile, "We have discussed this route, we will detour north from Bazhong, pass in the direction of Mingtongyuan, and then go to Ankang to board the boat, and go east via Jingxiang. Aotian is not very old, it is best to follow us."

"I can do it." Ning Ji thought in his mind that he could have a big meal after entering the city, and didn't choose the journey for the time being.

On the afternoon of the first day of June, the team crossed the crowded mountain road and entered Bazhong.

Everything in the city is in chaos.

A large number of caravans gathered in the small city. Outside the newly built shabby inns, waiters with towels on their backs and smeared prostitutes were all shouting to solicit customers. The stench of horse manure on the ground was unpleasant.For those who traveled north and south in the past, this may be a symbol of prosperity, but for everyone who just came out of the southwest, the order here seems to be much worse.

"Look over there..."

On the way to the nearby cheap inn, Lu Wenke pulled Ningji's sleeves and pointed to the side of the street.

On both sides of the long road on the other side, there are simple sheds, some of which are surrounded by fences, which look like prison cells displayed on the street.

The shed was full of people.

Men and women with gray faces and ragged clothes, as well as half-grown children of one kind or another, some of them slumped spontaneously under undivided sheds, and some were surrounded by fences.Some children wailed loudly, sucked their fingers, or chased and fought in a pigsty-like environment. The adults looked at this side with empty eyes.

Prison is not like prison, and it would not be accurate to say that they are completely free.

"They are..." Ning Ji frowned.

"This is what was said in Zhaohua. The beggars who can go there are considered lucky. Those people can still choose, sign a five-year contract, maybe pay off the debt in half a year, and work in the factory for five years. You can still save a lot of money... These people have nothing during the war. Some people are outside and say to bring them to the Southwest. The Southwest is a good place. The contract is signed for 20 years, 30 years, 40 years , the salary is not even [-]% of that of Zhaohua... What can I do? For the sake of the adults and children in the family, I can only buy myself..."

"I think this is all a problem with the Huaxia Army!" The middle-aged uncle Fan Heng walked aside and said, "It is said that it is talking about the law and the contract, but it is actually inhumane! There is a five-year contract in Zhaohua. It’s not right to stipulate that all the contracts are the same. These people went to the southwest, and the contracts they signed are so stupid, the Huaxia Army should uphold justice and change them all, so that all people will definitely support them! What Mr. Ning, I said it when I was in the Southwest, and I am also a fool, if I handle this matter, it will take less than a year to return it to a bright future, and the Southwest will get the best reputation!"

"Maybe I want them to come by themselves..." Ning Ji looked at those empty eyes and said in a low voice.He has compassion in his heart, seeing that the enemy can be killed, but it doesn't feel good to see such eyes.

There was a lot of voices in the market, and Fan Heng, who was criticizing the Huaxia Army, couldn't hear what Ning Ji said clearly.Walking in front, a scholar named Chen Junsheng turned around and said, "It's not easy to transport people. Tell me... where do these people come from?"

This question seems to be quite complicated and a little bit sharp. The five people on the road have raised it, and may have heard some public opinions.When asked at this time, Lu Wenke, Fan Heng and others fell silent, and after a while, Fan Heng spoke.

"Go and have a look... and you'll know."

He meant something, and everyone continued to walk forward.Ning Ji became a little curious. When he approached the inn, he asked Lu Wenke, "Where are you going to see?"

Lu Wenke turned his head sideways and said in a low voice: "It was said in the past that most of the workers who have entered the Southwest these days were sold from Dai's site...there are so many workers, they are from Mr. Dai's side. Of course there are, but not most of them. No one can tell clearly. We discussed on the way, so we should go there to have a look. In fact, Mr. Dai is very knowledgeable. Daoist people have saved millions of people, but it is a great merit that cannot be erased, and we do not believe it to taint him with this matter."

"Oh." Ning Ji nodded.If he met Dai, he would naturally kill him with a sword. As for judging Dai's merits and demerits with these people, he would not do it, so he did not express any more opinions.

Perhaps because of the sudden increase in passenger flow, the newly built inn in Bazhong City was as simple as a field, and the air was stuffy and filled with an inexplicable smell of excrement.At night, when Ning Ji climbed up to the roof and looked into the distance, he saw the messy sheds and livestock-like people in the market. Only at this moment did he truly feel that he had already left the place of the Huaxia Army.

I feel homesick...

(End of this chapter)