On January 16, 695 in the continental calendar, Wu Feng set off for Zhongzhou, the imperial capital, preparing to return to the empire center to report on his duties. Before leaving, Wu Feng considered that although there would not be much danger in returning to the imperial capital, there were still many uncertainties, so he made various arrangements.
At a secret high-level military and political meeting in the entire northwest and even Northern Luzon, Wu Feng made a report on the situation in Northwest County and Northern Luzon. The gratifying situation in Northern Luzon excited everyone present, and the rapid economic development in Northwest County The development also delighted senior officials. Those attending the meeting were all Wu Feng's old subordinates or confidants who had been promoted by him over the years, and their loyalty had been strictly tested.
Many people are opposed to Wu Feng's upcoming return to Beijing to report on his duties, fearing that the central government of the empire will be unfavorable to Wu Feng. After all, there have been countless examples of this kind of failure in the empire's hundreds of years of history. Wu Feng also explained to his subordinates, stating the importance of returning to Beijing and his preparations, but several officials still expressed concerns.
As the situation in Northern Luzon was initially determined, military and political officials from Northern Luzon did not attend the meeting.
At the meeting, Wu Feng announced his arrangements. Xiao Tang would be fully responsible for government affairs, assisted by Su Qin, and Ling Tianfang would be responsible for military affairs, assisted by Liang Chongxin. At the same time, Wufeng also announced the establishment of the Northwest First Independent Light Cavalry Division. The division commander and deputy division commander were Cui Wenxiu and Jiang Han respectively, and Yan Tong served as the chief of staff.
Prior to this, Wu Feng had a long talk with powerful people in the Yuli tribe alone. After obtaining Wu Feng's promise that the Yuli tribe would secretly absorb some weak tribes from the Tengger Grassland to settle in Qingyang and ensure their safety, of course, the prerequisite On the condition that they absolutely obey the management of the local local government, the leader of the Yuli people generously agreed to have 15,000 strong young people from the tribe join the Wufeng Army.
Wu Feng also had a special conversation with Jiang Han and Yan Tong, and the security department also sent them their previous resumes and their performance after joining Wu Feng. Wu Feng was quite satisfied with the talents of the two men in the rebel army, especially Jiang Han's scheming and Yan Tong's calmness and prudence, which made Wu Feng feel that he had not misjudged the person. The two of them had long been disillusioned with Wu Feng's talent. This opportunity to follow Wu Feng was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and they couldn't help but serve with all their heart.
Cui Wenxiu was very satisfied after contacting the two and fully affirmed their abilities.
The Spring Festival in 695 of the mainland calendar was on February 6th. After Wu Feng arranged his affairs, it was already January 15th. In order to return to the imperial capital before the Spring Festival, Wu Feng set off on the next day. Due to the opposition of many of his subordinates during this trip to the imperial capital, and for various considerations, Wu Feng did not bring his family (although Wu Feng was not married, but the few women around him were already known by various forces in the empire), Di Lei Na followed Lu Xianxian back to Jinzhou for the festival, while Guan Yingying and Hua Yumei each returned to their parents' homes, preparing to return to Qingyang after celebrating the Spring Festival.
The two girls Wu Feng brought back from Northern Luzon also caused a stir among the girls. Although the two twin girls were still young, their beauties had begun to take shape. In order to quell the dissatisfaction of the girls, Wu Feng took the initiative to hand over the two girls. , let the two girls be the personal maids of the two girls. The two girls were also very well-behaved and quickly won the favor of the girls, so this matter was considered abandoned.
Before leaving, Wu Feng took the time to quietly go to Sha Yina's place and feasted on the plumpness of the girl from the Western Regions. After a long drought, Wu Feng was so happy that he was so happy. Afterwards, Wu Feng asked Sha Yina to return to the Western Regions. The Huanfeng Sect headquarters asked her to convey a letter to their master, so she reluctantly left.
On January 16, 695 in the Continental Calendar, Li Wufeng, the military governor of the northwest county of the empire, quietly left Qingyang with only a squadron of guards and embarked on the road to Beijing. Guan Yingying and Hua were traveling with him. The two girls of Yumei, Guan Yingying will be separated from Wufeng in Hejian Mansion, while Hua Yumei will not be separated from Wufeng until Jinzhong Mansion in Heshuo County, and then turn south and enter Wuhu County, and then continue Head east into Jiangnan. The escorts were all the elites among the elite of Wufeng's Guards. Worried about the safety of the two women, Wufeng asked the two women to bring a small group of Guards with them, just in case something unexpected happened.
On January 18, Wu Feng arrived at Bonan Mansion. Accompanied by military and political officials headed by Yang Zhengbin and She Nei, Wu Feng made a short stop in Bonan and inspected the largest kiln area in the northwest near Fucheng. - Baishui Kiln District, where the number of official kilns has been greatly reduced, replaced by private kilns backed by private capital.
I saw the blazing fireworks of the kilns, the workers sweating like rain, the porters' gates were busy, and the long queues of vehicles transporting goods, and it was impossible to see the end at a glance, and the inns, restaurants, and restaurants that had sprung up on both sides of the main road in the kiln area. Teahouses, carriage shops, banks, and gambling establishments also stretch continuously, all the way to the north gate of Bonan City.
The merchants kept shouting at the men who were transporting goods in and out, asking them to be careful and to check the quality of the goods in person from time to time to prevent defective products from being mixed in. The kiln owners patrolled the kiln area nervously, urging the masters to control the fire at all times to avoid missing opportunities.
Seeing all this, Wu Feng was very satisfied, and Bonan City Guard Yang Zhengbin, who was standing behind Wu Feng in plain clothes, also introduced him appropriately: "Sir, this Baishui Kiln District is currently the largest kiln district in the northwest of our country. The scale of the entire empire can also be ranked among the top three. The value of porcelain and pottery produced here every day exceeds 100,000 gold coins. In order to pick up the goods as soon as possible, businessmen from other places have to make reservations two months in advance, otherwise they will not be able to Guaranteed. Even so, businessmen are still worried about the delay in shipment date, so they simply live and eat near the kiln area. This also promotes the development of various service industries nearby. Beizhong made a rough statistics. This kiln area alone has increased If you work in a nearby service industry, you can provide tax revenue of 80,000 imperial gold coins to the finance every month!"
Yang Zhengbin's tone was full of pride, and Wufeng patted Yang Zhengbin's shoulder happily: "That's right, keep up the hard work. Our Bonan used to be a famous city of ceramics in the empire. Looking at the current situation, we should have caught up with what it was back then. When it's at its peak, Zhengbin, you have to take advantage of it."
"Don't worry, sir. I will definitely live up to your expectations in this humble position." Yang Zhengbin's face turned red with excitement. To be praised like this by Wu Feng was not in vain for all his hard work.
"How many kilns of this size are there in the entire Bonan Prefecture?"
"My lord, there is another kiln area located in Meishan Town in the southwest, which is similar in scale to this one. There are two other kilns that are also of a certain scale, but they are far inferior to these two."
"Well, we must find ways to continue to expand the scale of the existing places, try to provide convenience for businessmen who invest here, make them happy to invest and start businesses here, and make them feel that they can make money here. Only in this way can we transcend It's getting more and more prosperous. By the way, are there any difficulties?" Wu Feng encouraged enthusiastically.
"There is no big problem. It's just that Bonan has a weak foundation and has been abandoned for too long. Now many kiln owners and workshop owners also want to expand their scale. They have funds, but they lack technical personnel and skilled workers. This cannot be cultivated overnight. This may be the biggest problem plaguing our Bonan ceramics industry." At this point, Yang Zhengbin, who was originally confident, was also a little distressed.
"This question shouldn't trouble you. The ceramic industry in Bonan has already reached such a scale. As long as it persists for another year or two, let the kiln owners spend more money to ask the masters to bring more apprentices. In addition, we can think of more ways to learn from them. It is not difficult to solve this problem by inviting some technical personnel from outside to give guidance. Also, if necessary, the government can raise funds to hold some technical exchange activities, or open some basic technical training courses, or even engage in similar technological innovations. Competition activities can speed up and improve the development level of Bonan ceramics industry." Wu Feng thought for a while and then made suggestions.
"Your Majesty said it very well. Beizhi has taken some measures, but it will take some time before they can gradually show results. Beizhi also has an idea to see if the glass manufacturing technology from the Western Continent can be introduced to Bonan. If it succeeds, then Bonan can become a veritable capital of ceramics and glass." Yang Zhengbin showed a look of yearning on his face.
"Okay, if you are ambitious, just do what you want. Now there are constant wars in the Western Continent, and there are many conflicts between various countries and ethnic groups. You can contact the County Economic Development Department, and both parties will find some ways to take advantage of the current favorable opportunity. "Can we introduce some technical personnel and facilities to Bonan so that glass manufacturing is no longer a patent of the Western Continent?" Wu Feng is also interested in introducing glass manufacturing technology, so that he can gain a cornucopia of opportunities.
Standing on the Yangmakou Fortress, Wu Feng was thoughtful. Going further east, he entered the territory of Guanxi County, which was the easternmost point of his territory. Yangmakou is not actually a dangerous pass, but there are shallow hills and dense forests on both sides. Only this area is flat land. In addition, this is the junction of the northwest and the Central Plains, so it naturally becomes a pass.
"Inside the house." Looking at the endless plain to the east, Wu Feng remained motionless.
"My subordinates are here." She Nei, the commander of the Bonan Guard Division who was standing behind Wu Feng, took a step forward and responded respectfully.
"Do you know why I put you and Yue Shan here?" Wu Feng did not look back, and his tone was extremely calm.
Glancing at the deputy Yue Shan next to him, Shi Nei replied bravely: "I understand."
"Oh?" He turned around in surprise, Wu Feng put his hands behind his back, and his eyes fell on the face of the dark and thin man in front of him, "Tell me about it."
Clearing his throat, he calmed down his emotions and said calmly: "Bonan is located in the southeast corner of our northwest county. Going eastward into the hinterland of the empire, the geographical location is extremely important. And the people of Bonan are fierce. It has also experienced wars and the people's minds are stable. After your lord pacified the northwest, the people here have surrendered. It is a good place to actively develop the economy and train troops."
"It goes without saying that economic development is important. Why do we say this is a good place to train the army?" Wu Feng also heard an overtone.
She Nei and Yue Shan looked at each other and seemed to have made up their minds. Then they spoke, and their voices were much lower. "Your Excellency, your mind is thousands of miles away. How can a remote shallow pond in the northwest accommodate this dragon like your Excellency? If you want to develop, Your Excellency, you must do it." Marching eastward, Bonan is the bridgehead for the eastward march, and its importance is far greater than elsewhere."
Wu Feng glanced at the two of them with a half-smile but said nothing, but changed the topic to another topic: "How is the current situation of your division?"
"Sir, we are not boasting. We are full of morale and well-trained. These eight words are not enough to describe our division." Yue Shan replied confidently, "It is completely comparable to any regular division." He is obviously He was somewhat dissatisfied with the reorganization of the original Guide Garrison Division into the Fifth Division of the Northwest Army.
"Hey, your tone is not bad, Yue Shan, be careful of the strong wind flashing your tongue." Wu Feng joked with a smile.
"Sir, we are by no means boasting about Haikou. Over the past year or so, we have put in a lot of effort. Whether it is cavalry, infantry or night battles in the mountains, which part of the land in Bonan Prefecture has not left the sweat of the soldiers? This is not something you can just brag about." Yue Shan was still unconvinced.
"There are many opportunities, so don't be impatient. By the way, how is the situation over there?" Wu Feng turned his head and looked east again, his vision becoming far-reaching.
"My lord, there is nothing to worry about the security forces over there, but stationed at Partridge Pass are the three main regiments of the Fifth Division of the Fourth Army of the Empire, and their combat effectiveness is not weak." Shenei replied slowly.
"Well, the war has started in the south now. There is intelligence that the Fourth Army has sent troops south. Is there any movement here?" Wu Feng's voice also became lower.
"My lord, there should be no changes. Our detective horses also detected three of their regiments conducting tactical exercises outside Partridge Pass yesterday." Yue Shan replied.
"It seems that the adults in the DPRK and China are still very worried about us." Wu Feng murmured to himself, "How is your targeted training going?"
"Don't worry, sir, we have already conducted three imitative combat trainings with remarkable results, and we are planning to conduct three actual combat drills in the first half of this year." Sheneri replied seriously.
"Very good, don't relax, strengthen your combat readiness, and try to be familiar with the terrain. If there is any change, you must be able to pull it out immediately and win." Wu Feng's eyes were fixed on the east.
"Yes!" The two of them bowed and saluted.