Shuozhou is located north of Yanmen Pass and in the upper reaches of the Sanggan River.
Shuozhou is located to the north of the Great Wall and adjacent to the Khitan grassland. It has always suffered from the oppression of foreign races such as the Khitan and Xi people. It has always been known as a bitter and cold place. Such a large place has only three counties and is sparsely populated. It is obvious that it is not an easy place to live.
The three counties of Shuozhou are Mayi, Shanyang, and Changning.
Shanyang, the capital of Shuozhou, is where the governor's office is located. Zhu Li and others have made up their minds and immediately took action.
Zhang Guimou was left behind to lead 5,000 cavalry and infantry to guard the north entrance, while the others went to their respective destinations.
Zhu Li had just arrived at the gate of Shanyang Governor's Mansion when two people came towards him. The one on the left was wearing a futou and a shirt, dressed like a scholar, but he walked with the gait of a dragon and a tiger, with a dignified appearance; the one on the right had a thick and dark face, and looked a bit like Li Kui in the New Year pictures.
"My name is Zhang Shen, the Chief Clerk of the Governor's Office. Nice to meet you, Your Majesty." The middle-aged man dressed as a scholar bowed.
"I am Zhou Dewei, the Sima of the Governor's Office. Nice to meet you, Your Majesty." The sturdy, dark-faced young man also bowed.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Li glanced at the two people with a suspicious look on his face, and said indifferently: "Two months ago, this place was occupied by the Shatuo people. How come you two are fine?"
Zhang Shen felt guilty when he heard this, and bowed again, saying, "To be honest with you, sir, when the Shatuo invaded Shanyang, we were outnumbered and captured. Later, Duke Li persuaded Gao Wenji to surrender, and we were released. Before your arrival, we were the ones who took care of government affairs."
After hearing what he said, Zhu Li's expression eased a little. He took Zhu Ning'er from a maid on horseback, turned around and said, "Gao Yuan, lead your men to Tanglong Town directly. We can't be short of people there. The Khitans may attack us at any time. If you need anything, just tell me."
"Yes." Gao Yuan answered without hesitation. After accepting the order, he waved his hand and led more than 5,000 sword and shield soldiers straight to Piantou Fort.
As for Zhang Guiba, he had already led his archers and cavalry, together with the 3,000 guards assigned to him by Zhu Li, and rushed to Yanmen Pass. He must have occupied that strategic pass by now. After all, Zhu Mei was the governor of Daizhou, but he had lost Daizhou before. Even if the Tang court continued to use him to guard Daizhou, there would definitely be some considerations. He must still be staying in the government seat, anxiously waiting for the imperial edict, let alone attacking everywhere.
"Mr. Guo, Brother Chongtao, please ask the two of you to find out the situation from Zhang Shen and Zhou Dewei first, and then tell me. I will take Ning'er to see the accommodation first." Zhu Li instructed Guo Qizuo and Guo Chongtao, saying earnestly.
"Yes," Guo Qizuo and Guo Chongtao responded immediately and walked towards Zhang Shen and Zhou Dewei.
Zhu Li asked Shi Yan to send the Yue cavalry into the military camp in the city first, while he himself took Zhu Ning'er and two maids into the governor's mansion.
The Governor's Mansion is very large. Not only is it large in scale and majestic, but it is also very handsome, dignified and generous in shape. Dozens of houses are neatly arranged, gorgeous but not delicate, stretched but not ostentatious, full of ancient charm and vitality, giving people a sense of comfort.
The front hall is very spacious and is used to entertain guests. Passing through the front hall, you will see a huge two-story attic. There are more than a dozen small buildings on both sides of the attic, which are connected to each other by corridors.
On the right is a very open martial arts training ground, and on the left is a small pond and rockery. A neat and spacious bluestone path runs vertically between the two, leading directly from the front hall to the attic in the middle.
The first floor of the attic is very spacious. It should be a place for meetings or banquets. Passing through the attic is the inner courtyard. The layout of the inner courtyard is quite elegant, with distinct levels and clear main and side areas.
There is another courtyard behind the inner courtyard, which is a garden with winding paths, a small pond, protruding rocks, pavilions, and an arch bridge over the water. It is a good place for rest and sightseeing.
"Brother, this place is so big. It would be great if Alang and Aniang were here." Zhu Ning'er followed Zhu Li to tour the entire governor's mansion. While she was happy, she suddenly spoke with longing.
Zhu Li stroked her head, was silent for a while, and said gently: "Ning'er, do you miss them?"
"Well, Alang and mother went to beat the bad guys, and said they would be back soon. But we have already celebrated the New Year, and they haven't come back yet. Is it because we went too far and they can't find us?" Zhu Ning'er said with a melancholy face.
Zhu Li felt bitter when he heard this, he had never given up looking for his parents. As early as when he was in Shenmen Village, he asked Yuchi Jin to help find out about his parents, but there was no result.
After arriving in the north, the news of his parents became even slimmer. Zhu Li was fine. He only felt a little sad, and most of it was just a natural reaction of this body. After all, his current soul came from the afterlife and he had never lived with his parents in this life. The longing and worry were not so deep.
But Zhu Ning'er is different. The little girl is one year older, but her mood is not as cheerful as before. Instead, she is often worried. On the one hand, it is because there is no news about her parents, and on the other hand, it is because Zhu Li spends too little time with her.
No, I have to find something for my sister to do. Once people have something to do, they will be more focused, and that will distract her. At the same time, I have to speed up my search for news about my parents.
Zhu Li called a captain of the guards and asked him to go to the city to inquire. He wanted to find a teacher for Zhu Ning'er and buy a few clever and lively maids of the right age to play with Zhu Ning'er.
The brother and sister were settled in, and two rooms were prepared for Guo Qizuo and Guo Chongtao in the inner courtyard.
In the evening, Guo Qizuo, Guo Chongtao, Zhang Shen, and Zhou Dewei came to pay their respects. Zhu Li took them to the study. After they sat down, Guo Qizuo said, "Your Excellency, the situation in Shuozhou has been sorted out. There are three counties in total, about 6,000 households, and a population of about 30,000 people."
"How can it be so few?" Zhu Li was shocked when he heard this. A prefecture governor is equivalent to a mayor today. The population of a city is only more than 30,000 people. On average, a county has about 10,000 people. This completely overturned his cognition.
Zhu Li looked strange, which made Zhang Shen a little uneasy. He quickly explained, "Sir, the north is bitterly cold, and the population has never been large. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, Shuozhou had a population of only over 80,000 people at its peak. In recent decades, there have been wars and chaos, and now there are over 30,000 people, which is not easy."
"In this period of time, the Khitans often come to plunder and warlords are constantly fighting each other inside. It is a blessing from heaven that we still have more than 30,000 people." Upon hearing this, Guo Qizuo sighed and said to Zhu Li.
"The troops I brought from Danzhou are close to 15,000 people, plus the auxiliary troops, there are nearly 30,000 people. There are only 30,000 people in Shuozhou alone, including the elderly, children, and women and children. How can these people support 15,000 guards?" Zhu Li looked grim and questioned Guo Qizuo, Zhang Shen and the other three.
When he was transferred to Shuozhou, he didn't bring much food and fodder with him. Even with the accumulation from previous bandit suppression, it could only sustain him for two months at most. How could he not be anxious
Zhou Dewei, who had a dark face like Li Kui, heard this and quickly said, "Sir, we have military settlements, so we should be able to be self-sufficient."
Hearing this, Zhu Li glanced at him, shook his head and said, "I want to train the main combat troops into professional soldiers. The military settlements can only rely on auxiliary troops at most. But even if there are military settlements, that's a matter for the future. Our food and grass won't last long."
Seeing Zhu Li's firm words, Guo Qizuo raised his eyebrows, and a plan came to his mind. He cupped his hands and asked, "Your Excellency, are you worried about food and grass?"
"That's right." Zhu Li said frankly.
"I have a plan that can solve this urgent problem." Guo Qizuo narrowed his eyes and said lightly.
"Well, since Mr. Guo has a solution, just tell us quickly." Zhu Li was shocked, looked at Guo Qizuo, and urged him hurriedly.
Seeing Zhu Li's impatient expression, Guo Qizuo dared not keep him in suspense any longer and said, "Shuozhou is located in the north. North of the Great Wall is the grassland. Since the Khitans can cross the Great Wall to plunder us every year, why don't we plunder them, kill their men, abduct their wives and daughters, and steal all their cattle and sheep."
"If everything goes well, cattle and sheep can be used as military rations, and they can also be exchanged for food and fodder from the people. Women can be betrothed to local men, or even to military guards. Within twenty years, the population of Shuozhou will surely increase greatly." Guo Qizuo talked eloquently, as if he didn't think there was anything wrong with doing this. The Di people could treat the Han people like pigs and dogs, slaughtering and looting them at will, so why should the Han people still treat them as human beings
"The Khitans have a lot of soldiers. If this provokes them to retaliate, we won't be able to resist with just our small number of troops." Zhang Shen heard this and said a little worriedly.
"Humph, who said it was us? It was clearly the bandits who did it. The cattle, sheep, and women fell into our hands because we took them as spoils from the bandits." Guo Jia said calmly. "What's more, there are still many Han compatriots in the Khitan tribes on the grassland. They are being humiliated and living as slaves. If we bring these Han people back to Shuozhou and resettle them, it will also increase the population of this state."
"Okay, it's settled. As for the taxes of the people, let's say this is the first of the three things I'll do when I take office. The first thing I'll do is to exempt the people in this territory from rent and taxes for three years."
As soon as these words were spoken, Zhang Shen and Zhou Dewei looked at Zhu Li with much gentler eyes. After all, they had been officials in Shuozhou for a long time and were also locals. The beneficiaries of Zhu Li's amnesty order were all their fellow villagers, so they could not help but be grateful.
"By the way, sir, please select some smart guards from the guards and train them to be spies for your dispatch to spy on the dignitaries in Shuozhou. Since this governor has said that there will be no rent or tax, if anyone dares to cross the line and embezzle, don't blame me for being rude." Zhu Li said again gloomily.
"Yes," Guo Qizuo readily accepted the order. Zhang Shen and Zhou Dewei also had no doubts. They also hated those officials who oppressed the villagers and exploited the people in the name of the government. Naturally, they greatly agreed with Zhu Li's decision.
"Guo Chongtao, you and Zhang Shen will be responsible for handling other government affairs in the governor's office. By the way, give priority to helping the people solve their difficulties and promote education. In cities, towns, and even villages, encourage the construction of private schools and set up rewards. This must be implemented in practice." Zhu Li thought of the late Tang Dynasty in history, the scene of military men rising up and scholars declining, and made a key point.
"Yes," Zhang Shen and Guo Chongtao responded immediately.
"As for Zhou Dewei, you are a military general, right?" Zhu Li looked at Zhou Dewei, who was as black as coal.
"Yes, Lord."
"Then follow me. I will test your martial arts later. If you can pass this test, I will promote you immediately and make use of you. I will never lie." Zhu Li looked at the other party seriously and said.