Whenever Ma Xiuying was pregnant, she stayed with Chen Biao.
Ma Xiuying was pregnant very frequently, so she spent more time studying with Chen Biao than with Zhu Yuanzhang.
Before Zhu Yuanzhang noticed, his wife was already able to write reports in a more beautiful handwriting than his own.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked through the three letters handed to him by Ma Xiuying.
One is a family letter written in the tone of "Ma Shi of the Chen family" to her son and Chen Guorui; one is a family letter written to Zhu Yuanzhang; and the other is a very detailed report document that can be read and discussed by Zhu Yuanzhang's subordinates.
Zhu Yuanzhang hesitated between the letter and the report, and curiously opened the envelope of the report first.
The report was very thick, and it took Zhu Yuanzhang a full hour and a half to finish reading it.
After reading it, Zhu Yuanzhang put the report down with confused eyes.
The framework and details of what Ma Xiuying was doing this time were built by him and Biao'er together. But when the actual results appeared, Zhu Yuanzhang was still confused.
It's like a house builder who drew a beautiful small building on the construction blueprint, but it turned out to be a magnificent palace. Who wouldn't be confused?
When Ma Xiuying took the stage to call on women to work for Zhu's army, everything was still under the control of Zhu Yuanzhang.
But Ma Xiuying raised her arms and the people responded immediately. Some women even came from Fujian, Henan and Jiangbei. There were even several female bandit leaders who came to fight for Zhu Yuanzhang...
Zhu Yuanzhang scratched his head.
Now the country is in chaos and war, and it will take several days or even more than ten days to get from these places to Yingtian. If you walk slowly, it may even take more than a month.
Judging from the travel time, some women came immediately after hearing the news of the well-field system; some women probably set out from their hometowns when the order to liberate feet was just issued and thus broke with the mainstream literati.
Zhu Yuanzhang scratched his head again and again.
Either his scalp was itchy, or he wanted to do something to relieve the strange feeling in his heart.
Li Zhen, who was responsible for delivering the letter, also helped Zhu Yuanzhang light the lamp and grind ink in the study.
Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang scratching his head vigorously, he couldn't help but think that many of Biao'er's bad habits were brought by Zhu Yuanzhang, such as intermittent daze and scratching his head whenever something happened.
Li Zhen asked, "Guo Rui, are you worried?"
Zhu Yuanzhang scratched his head and said, "It's not that I'm troubled, it's just... I just can't figure it out. No, it's not that I can't figure it out. Not used to it? I can't explain it."
Li Zhen asked, "Should we ask Biao'er?"
Asking Biao'er for help when in doubt has become a habit for this family.
Zhu Yuanzhang said awkwardly, "Are you asking Biao'er about this kind of thing? I feel a little embarrassed."
Li Zhen laughed: "You've lost face many times in front of Biao'er, why is this one the worst?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said with a gloomy face: "That's true. Never mind, I'll go to sleep first and discuss it with Biaoer tomorrow." If you can't figure it out, just go to sleep.
Perhaps it was a rebound from his previous violent mood, but now Zhu Yuanzhang's heart was inexplicably big.
After washing up, Zhu Yuanzhang crawled into the bed of Chen Biao who was already sleeping soundly, and slept soundly with his son in his arms.
Chen Biao got up in the morning and was groggy going to the toilet. When he stepped over Zhu Yuanzhang, his short legs limited the range of his step , and he stepped on Zhu Yuanzhang's stomach, waking him up.
Zhu Yuanzhang covered his stomach and scolded Chen Biao, but Chen Biao ignored his father who had been stepped on hard by him and got out of bed to pee.
Relaxed and happy, huh...
Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed his belly and said, "Have you gained weight again, kid?"
Chen Biao said, "I'm in the growth stage, so it's normal for me to gain weight day by day."
The father and son squatted beside the well to wash, and then childishly competed to see who could spray the water farther.
The three adopted sons passed by carrying heavy documents, and then took a detour.
My adoptive father is extremely concerned about his reputation in front of outsiders. If they saw his childish side, he would definitely cause trouble for them afterwards.
After washing and having his meal, Emperor Zhu, who was still far from ascending the throne, held his little prince in his arms and continued to sit on the armchair to handle official business. He also asked his son about his strange feelings yesterday.
Chen Biao finished his breakfast and nibbled on a piece of fruit, talking non-stop: "The strange feeling you have is the sound of your worldview being shattered."
Zhu Yuanzhang: "Huh?" His son's words became increasingly difficult to understand.
Chen Biao pulled Zhu Yuanzhang's sleeve to wipe the juice from his mouth and said, "Have you really read the Heavenly Book? The three views refer to your outlook on life, world view, and values. Dad, I think your reading efficiency is too low. I suggest you read it fifty times, copy it fifty times, and memorize it fifty times."
Was it fifty times or a hundred times for a Qing Dynasty prince? Chen Biao thought as he munched on his fruit. Let his father learn the routine of a Qing Dynasty prince, happy!
Zhu Yuanzhang's scalp tingled. "Say it again, next time. Biao'er, what's wrong with my worldview being shattered?"
Chen Biao said, "Have you discovered that women are also human beings?"
Zhu Yuanzhang again: "Huh?"
Chen Biao gave an example: "Take the wealthy Chen family, for example. They exploit their servants every day. To survive, the servants are submissive and dare not resist. One day, a servant suddenly lost his temper and killed the manager. The Chen family then realized that servants are also human beings, with emotions and desires, and they will also explode."
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned: "Biao'er, what kind of messed up example are you giving?"
Chen Biao took another bite of the fruit and said vaguely, "As long as the meaning is conveyed, that's enough. Dad, you are a wealthy businessman, so it's normal that you didn't expect it. Marshal Zhu should have thought of it, otherwise he wouldn't have asked Madam Ma to do these things. Marshal Zhu has been a monk and a beggar, so he must have seen how tenacious women from the lower classes are in order to survive for themselves and their children."
Zhu Yuanzhang: "...Ah, well, cough, indeed."
When Zhu Yuanzhang thought carefully, he could really recall the experiences of many women from the lower classes who struggled to survive.
But he had never recalled these things until his son reminded him.
Who would keep recalling the sufferings of the past after living a good life?
Zhu Yuanzhang began to daydream, and while doing so, he rubbed his son's round head.
Chen Biao was kneaded by Zhu Yuanzhang's rough big hands and nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, but this did not stop him from continuing to eat the fruit and wiping the juice from the corner of his mouth on Zhu Yuanzhang's clothes.
Chen Biao was very fond of cleanliness. The papermaking technology was backward at that time, and paper was not as cheap as industrially produced paper in later generations. The handkerchief had to be washed and changed all the time, which was troublesome. It was just right to use his father's clothes as a napkin.
Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment, then finished his recollection of the good and the bad, and said, "Biao'er, do you think we can use Madam Ma's method in Yangzhou?"
Chen Biao shook his head. "For this kind of thing, women have to do it themselves to be powerful. There's no rush. If Uncle Xu wasn't a widower, he could have his wife come forward and imitate Madam Ma's approach. Oh, if my mother wasn't pregnant, it wouldn't be bad to have her come to Yangzhou."
Zhu Yuanzhang began to sweat profusely on his forehead.
Yes, that's right! Xiuying is pregnant! Can she handle it?
Zhu Yuanzhang now wanted to write a letter to Ma Xiuying immediately, asking her to rest assured and take care of her pregnancy and not to worry about these things.
But as soon as this thought came to his mind, he remembered what his son had said to him before: The Marshal's wife had done a lot for him, and he should support her career.
Zhu Yuanzhang pinched his son's bulging cheeks and said, "Your mother must have been busy with the Marshal's wife."
Chen Biao said, "That's right. In fact, it's better for pregnant women to move around more. Mother is such a steady person, she will take care of her health even when she's working. Dad, don't worry."
Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled. "Of course. Oh, if I had known earlier, I would have sent Tang He. Xu Da is really...ah."
Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't understand why Xu Da didn't want to get married. Look at him, his family is so happy and harmonious.
Xu Da is so old and doesn't even have a child. If he dies on the battlefield, will Biaoer really wear mourning clothes and smash pots for him in the future? How beautiful he is!
Zhu Yuanzhang thought that he had to help Xu Da find a new wife as soon as possible.
Speaking of Xu Da, Chen Biao gossiped a little: "Uncle Xu has never been married. Hasn't the Marshal ever thought about finding one for him? Aren't they very close? Also, Dad, didn't you say you would find one for him? You and Uncle Xu have such a good relationship."
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "I've said it all, but he just doesn't want to. I was even planning to force him to get one."
Zhu Yuanzhang paused, then said with a dark face, "The wife I previously arranged for Wen Zhengding has a younger sister who will be able to marry off in a year. I also wanted him to become Wen Zhengding's brother-in-law."
Chen Biao almost choked on the fruit pulp.
My cousin Wen Zheng's brother-in-law? Could he be the daughter of Xie Zaixing, the man who defected to Zhang Shicheng?
"Dad, what are you looking at?" Chen Biao laughed, "It's a good thing Uncle Xu insisted on being single, otherwise he would have been screwed by you."
Zhu Yuanzhang said with a guilty conscience: "What trap is there? The Marshal is magnanimous. Even if Xie Zaixing defected, it would not harm his married daughter."
Zhu Yuanzhang was not speaking well of himself. During this period, he indeed did not have a penchant for indiscriminate killing.
Interestingly, in history, Xie Zaixing also defected. It was in the 23rd year of Zhizheng (1363 AD), when Zhu Yuanzhang had defeated Chen Youliang and his power had skyrocketed, and he defected with his entire legion.
Xie Zaixing's excuse was that Zhu Yuanzhang married his daughter to Xu Da without telling him in advance, which was disrespectful to him.
When he defected, Xie had already given birth to a daughter for Xu Da, so she would have been dissatisfied long ago. The real reason for Xie Zaixing's defection was that his subordinates embezzled military supplies and sold them to Zhang Shicheng, who discovered this and executed them.
Zhu Yuanzhang gave face to his relative-in-law and did not hold Xie Zaixing responsible. He only sent the bodies of the two men to Xie Zaixing to warn him and temporarily restricted Xie Zaixing's military power.
Then Xie Zaixing defected with his troops.
After Xie Zaixing defected, Xie and Xu Da gave birth to several sons.
Unofficial history records that Xie was beheaded by Zhu Yuanzhang because she was a fierce woman. This is completely false. In the 20th year of the Hongwu reign, Xie was posthumously named the Lady of Zhongshan Wuning King.
Considering Zhu Yuanzhang's personality, would he posthumously confer a title on the "criminal woman" whom he had beheaded with his own hands? That wouldn't be a good thing.
There are many rumors in unofficial history about Zhu Yuanzhang killing his ministers' wives.
According to unofficial history, Chang Yuchun's wife, Lan, was also killed by Zhu Yuanzhang. Her body was dismembered and the meat was distributed to his ministers, which is the allusion to the "flesh of a fierce woman".
However, Lan was granted the title of "Lady of Prince Kaiping" when she was alive, and "Prince Kaiping" was a posthumous title bestowed upon Chang Yuchun. It is clear that Lan died after Chang Yuchun.
Although this is the fact, Chen Biao does not believe that Zhu Yuanzhang has no involvement in his hobbies.
After all, his understanding of Zhu Yuanzhang came from the Hu-Lan case. It was said that tens of thousands of people were killed, not to mention the daughters who married out, even cats and dogs suffered.
Xie Zaixing defected when Zhu Yuanzhang needed a sense of security the most. Who would believe that Zhu Yuanzhang would not implicate innocent people?
Chen Biao rolled his eyes at his father: "Yeah, yeah, your Marshal is good in everything, especially his heart, which is so broad that I can run circles around it."
Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened as he grabbed Chen Biao's cheek.
Even with his cheeks pulled, Chen Biao could still continue to chew on the fruit: "The gentry and powerful people in Yangzhou have all fled, and the land that should be divided has been divided. There's no need to rush the war of public opinion. If you want to do it, you can send the Chen family's opera house and storytellers to scout the area and collect materials. We can create some new operas and storytelling stories based on the land distribution in Yangzhou."
Zhu Yuanzhang quickly let go of Chen Biao's cheek and said, "Biao'er, what else?"
After Chen Biao finished eating the fruit, he jumped off Zhu Yuanzhang and stretched himself. "Forget it, Dad, you continue to take care of the land distribution, and I'll take care of the publicity."
Zhu Yuanzhang said happily: "Now you don't hide your shortcomings anymore?"
Chen Biao said listlessly, "I'm about to be nominated as a young teacher to teach enlightenment. The Marshal may not know my identity as a divine boy, but he has long known that I'm exceptionally intelligent. Dare you say you haven't boasted to him about it?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said with a straight face: "How can that be called bragging? I am speaking the truth!"
Chen Biao perfunctorily said, "Yeah, yeah, tell the truth. The Chen family now controls the commercial lifeline of Marshal Zhu's territory. All publicity outlets are in the hands of the Chen family. If the Chen family doesn't make some achievements, Marshal Zhu will be suspicious. That's right."
Chen Biao took out a stack of papers from his arms.
Zhu Yuanzhang was a little shocked when he saw the thick stack of papers that Chen Biao took out.
He trembled when he mentioned Chen Biao.
Chen Biao was furious: "What are you doing!"
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Son, you are only wearing a sleeveless blouse, where did you hide the things?"
Shake, shake again.
Chen Biao kicked Zhu Yuanzhang on the chin: "Put me down, let's talk business!"
Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed his chin as he looked at the paper Chen Biao took out: "This is... a land deed?! Biao'er, what are you doing?"
Chen Biao said, "The Chen family has occupied a lot of land near Yingtian. Although we treat our tenants very well... never mind. When you return to Yingtian, I will give the land deeds to the Marshal and ask him to divide our land. The only requirement is that priority be given to the tenants who already have our land."
Zhu Yuanzhang was horrified: "Biao'er! Are you kidding me? You keep your land yourself, how can you give it away?"
Chen Biao was speechless. "Dad, you've been reading the heavenly book for so long, and this is all you've learned? Since the land is being divided, our Chen family must give up the extra land they occupy. The Marshal is just missing a role model. Our Chen family has made so much money thanks to the Marshal, and the well-field system was also taken from us. If we don't take the lead, who will?"
Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head vigorously and said stubbornly: "No! Others are others, we are us!"
Chen Biao pinched the back of his father's hand and said, "Give away the extra land. Our Chen family is still a wealthy merchant. We don't rely on farming to make money. Dad, listen to me. When have I ever missed anything? Now is the time when Marshal Zhu needs a sense of security the most, and it is also the time when our Chen family can best win Marshal Zhu's favor. Giving away some land in exchange for a title, how cost-effective is that?"
Zhu Yuanzhang continued to shake his head vigorously even after being pinched.
What kind of title is greater than that of Emperor or Crown Prince?
Zhu Yuanzhang was almost dying of anxiety. How was he going to explain this to Chen Biao?
Chen Biao continued, "Besides, we don't want the farmland in China. There are plenty of farmland overseas. Dad, if you like land, I can buy you some horse racing land in the New World, or buy you a manor in Europe. You can have as much as you want. The land in China should be distributed to ordinary people."
Chen Biao rubbed his head. "I brought the Heavenly Book into this world. I had originally planned to wait until I was about to die before publishing it. But now it's unexpectedly been released ahead of schedule, and even the well-field system has appeared ahead of schedule. Madam Ma has become Madam Xiuying, leading the women in their fight for the right to live. I, a divine boy, feel it's not right if I don't do something."
Chen Biao added in his mind that Zhu Yuanzhang had implemented the land contracting system, and Empress Ma had initiated the women's liberation movement. If he did nothing, he would feel like he was failing his role as a time traveler.
He was really puzzled. Had he really traveled through time? Why did he feel that Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying were more like time travelers?
Although he was still young and Zhu Yuanzhang was notoriously cruel, it was right for him to remain in hiding. But seeing the current situation, Chen Biao always felt a little uncomfortable.
"Alright, I'm the head of the Chen family, it's a deal." Chen Biao made the final decision. "If you don't give it to me, I'll go and talk to Marshal Zhu myself. Can you still keep me locked up at home? Well, actually, Marshal Zhu's own land would be most useful at this time. But Marshal Zhu's personality is such that he can give away other people's land, but not his own land. So it's better for our Chen family to take over."
Zhu Yuanzhang was in so much pain that tears came out.
The Chen family’s fields are their own fields!
Chen Biao was still chattering, "You have to talk to the Marshal and let him refuse a few times. Then the Chen family will insist on offering the land, saying that they are businessmen and don't rely on this to make a living. Then the Marshal will take our land and distribute fertile land to us according to our merits. In this way, the generals under the Marshal will definitely offer their land one after another, so that they can be divided into different parts as soon as possible. Dad, figure out the specific operation yourself. Don't count on me for everything."
Zhu Yuanzhang listened to Chen Biao's words with a heavy heart and understood the meaning of Chen Biao's actions.
His territory was unstable and it was impossible for him to forcibly expropriate the land that his subordinates had already occupied.
If Chen Jia did this first, those who were loyal to him would donate land. By rewarding these people, he could motivate other subordinates to donate land voluntarily. When the majority of subordinates voluntarily donated land, the minority of subordinates who were not proactive could be encouraged to "take the initiative."
When Zhu Yuanzhang's subordinates "voluntarily donated land", other gentry and powerful people had to "voluntarily donate land" as well.
You have to start from within yourself to gain people's trust.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the stack of land deeds and then at Chen Biao's indifferent expression, and his head felt dizzy.
When his head was dizzy, the contents of the heavenly book emerged from his mind.
The words that he once seemed to understand were now gradually becoming clearer.
No wonder his son said that this book can only be used in practice in future generations.
Before that, even if the emperor saw this book, he would only sneer and regard it as a fantasy of scholars like "Great Harmony World" and "Peach Blossom Spring", and would not be wary.
Who, after gaining power, doesn’t want to be the boss who has the most resources?
Zhu Yuanzhang muttered to himself, "Is it true that someone, after gaining the highest power in the world, can still strictly adhere to the contents of the Heavenly Book?"
Chen Biao thought Zhu Yuanzhang was asking him, "Ah? Yes, didn't I tell you that in a few hundred years, after productivity and thought are liberated, someone will definitely do this, and China will eventually move in this direction?"
Zhu Yuanzhang asked, "Biao'er, will you become such a person?"
Chen Biao said firmly: "No! I'm not that noble! I'm just a profiteer!"
Chen Biao looked at his father and said, "You can't do that either. So we can only do it with a clear conscience if we can ensure that this book is passed down."
Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly felt very dissatisfied.
Why can't people today compare to people in the future? Will people in the future be more powerful than me and Biao'er combined? Oh, and my sister Xiuying too!
Better than the three of us?!
I don’t believe it!!
A hint of cruelty flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes.
I, Chen Guorui, have given away my own land. I hope you won’t be ungrateful!
…
The road must be taken step by step. No matter how many plans Zhu Yuanzhang has, he has to wait until the land distribution in Yangzhou is over.
As soon as the land distribution was over, Zhu Yuanzhang returned to Yingtian to take charge, and Xu Da and Chang Yuchun also led troops to continue fighting for territory.
Chen Biao, however, took the initiative and did not intend to respond to Tian. He wanted to make a big move in Yangzhou and, at a time when Zhu Yuanzhang was most insecure, let the Chen family gain more merit.
In Yingtian, Madam Xiuying's name has spread far and wide.
Zhu Yuanzhang had two more female generals under his command. Initially, they escorted the women's grain transport team between various war zones.
After several battles, Zhu Yuanzhang replaced these female generals with some generals and let them attack the city.
Among the generals who were replaced, there was one named Tang He, who made mistakes due to drinking.
It was generally believed in this era that women were inferior to men, especially on the battlefield.
As a result, the two female generals who had just joined Zhu Yuanzhang's army actually led the troops to war, and Tang He, an old confidant who had followed Zhu Yuanzhang all the way, was actually left to escort the grain.
Tang He: I really, cried to death...
When Chen Biao heard the news, he laughed so hard that he rolled around on the bed.
I don’t know if this blow can make Uncle Tang quit drinking. It’s so funny!
The ancestors of these two female generals of Zhu Yuanzhang were not unknown.
The Southern Song Dynasty fought and retreated, with Fujian as the final battlefield. As late as the Zhiyuan period (around 1300 AD), Putian and Qingliu in Fujian were still actively resisting the rebels.
Mrs. Xu's name was Chen Shuzhen. Both her father and husband died fighting for the Southern Song. After the Southern Song fell in 1279, Mrs. Xu continued to raise the banner of resistance against the Yuan Dynasty, recruiting volunteers, and was killed in battle in 1282.
Later, the Xu family was surrounded and suppressed by the Yuan Dynasty, and most of them fled to the mountains and forests to escape. The dark and strong woman who responded to Ma Xiuying was a descendant of the Xu family. To carry on the legacy of her ancestors, she changed her name to Xu Shuzhen.
Another female general claimed to be a member of the clan of the "Mars Female General", a famous Qingliu hero who fought against the Yuan Dynasty.
Like Chen Shuzhen, General Mars first fought against the Yuan Dynasty alongside her husband and, after his death, continued to uphold the anti-Yuan banner, dying a heroic death in battle. Because her family was massacred, her name and life story are obscured, and only her title survives.
After becoming sworn brothers with Xu Shuzhen, this female general, out of admiration for Mrs. Xu, changed her surname to Chen and named herself "Chen Huoxing." Whether she is a true descendant of the Martian female general is debatable, but she inherited her name, her career, and her military talent.
The two female generals have first-class command abilities and great personal charm, otherwise they would not be able to become the leaders of the stronghold.
When Tang He was "sent" to be a grain transport officer to reflect on his mistakes, he did not feel any jealousy or dissatisfaction. He could only cry while holding a jar of vinegar.
Tang He knelt before Zhu Yuanzhang and swore to the heavens, "I will definitely quit drinking this time!"
Zhu Yuanzhang remained indifferent throughout the whole process: "Oh."
Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang unmoved, Tang He scrambled to his feet and said, "Marshal, you really want Biaoer to stay in Yangzhou alone? How did he convince you?"
Zhu Yuanzhang hadn't said anything yet. He was leaving for battle early the next morning. Xu Da, who had come to watch Tang He's joke, said, "Biao'er used his status as the head of the Chen family to pressure the boss into agreeing. Hahaha, you didn't see that scene. It was so funny."
Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly: "Aren't you dying of joy? Why don't you just die?"
Xu Da quickly pinched his lips to signal himself to shut up.
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "I have ordered Zhu Wenzheng and Li Wenzhong to be the garrison commanders of Yangzhou, Song Lian and Ye Zheng to be the military governors, and Li Zhen to be stationed in Yangzhou. They will all obey Biaoer's orders. Compared to the already ironclad Yangzhou, Yingtian is even more dangerous."
Zhu Yuanzhang responded to the Empress Dowager and immediately issued an order. Touched by the events in Yangzhou and unable to deprive others of their inheritance, he ordered his adopted sons to change back to their original surnames. Those who did not know their own surnames could temporarily adopt his own surname, Zhu. He would help his adopted sons trace their original ancestral home.
The reason for this move was too high-sounding, and since everyone was arguing about the well-field system, it did not cause any stir, and the adopted sons all changed their names.
For example, Zhu Wenzhong was changed to Li Wenzhong, and not long after Chen Ying came to power, Zhu Wenying changed his name back to Chen Ying. Zhu Wenzheng remained Zhu Wenzheng. It is said that it was Chen Guorui who suggested that the surname Zhu be a good one for his nephew, as their Chen family would have a prosperous family and they would not need one more.
Those who understand will understand why Zhu Wenzheng didn't change his surname. For those who don't... well, the fact that Zhu Wenzheng was the Chen family's "hostage" expressing their loyalty to Zhu Yuanzhang has been confirmed.
Zhu Yuanzhang paused and said, "Madam is very busy now and goes out every day. Even though she is disguised, it is still easy for Biaoer to see through her identity."
Tang He said embarrassedly: "Sister-in-law...Sister-in-law is really amazing."
Xu Da released the fingers that were pinching his lips and said, "It's not just my sister-in-law who's amazing. Once she calls on us, the wives of the brothers in the army become amazing. Tang He, isn't your wife amazing too?"
Tang He said rudely, "That's right, it's better than you who don't have a wife."
Xu Da: "Haha. Yeah, better than you who drinks and messes up things."
Tang He fell silent. Brothers should stab you wherever you're hurt, right?
Xu Da added, "Perhaps they were already this talented before, but they just didn't have the chance to show themselves."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly and said, "Indeed. Let Madam try your best."
With Zhu Yuanzhang's full support, Ma Xiuying became bolder.
She gathered women who could read and write and walked out of Yingtian City. Holding the policy of the well-field system in hand, she built free tea stalls on the roads that were essential for trade, explained the policy, and distributed leaflets.
This was the idea Chen Biao gave to Ma Xiuying.
Merchants were the primary channel for information transmission in this world. Regardless of whether they agreed with the policy or not, as long as they knew about it, the relevant content of the well-field system would follow the merchants' footsteps and spread to every corner of China that needed merchants.
Chen Biao believed that Zhu Yuanzhang had no shortage of generals under his command, and even civil servants were not urgently needed at the moment, so they could be trained temporarily.
What Zhu Yuanzhang's territory lacked were people who could farm, pay taxes, and serve as soldiers.
As long as the refugees and poor people who could not make a living in other territories knew that Zhu Yuanzhang's "well-field system" could give them land, they would flock to Zhu Yuanzhang's territory.
Especially women.
In this era, young and strong men could make a living by joining the army, but the mortality rate was extremely high, and often only the elderly, the weak, women and children were left in a village.
The elderly, the weak, women, and children were all required to till the land and pay taxes to the warlords who occupied the area. However, they were all considered "illegal farmers" and their fields could be taken away at any time.
Since we have to farm and pay taxes anyway, why not go to Zhu Yuanzhang’s territory? At least the land is ours?
In troubled times, women have a low status and are not treated as human beings, but they are important "resources".
If there are more women in a place, it will attract more young and middle-aged people, and there will be more population growth.
Zhu Yuanzhang didn't notice this at first.
Chang Yuchun and Xu Da, who led their respective armies to the battle, wrote to them saying that many bandits and scattered soldiers along the way, upon hearing they were Zhu Yuanzhang's soldiers, had bowed down and insisted on joining them. The reason for this was that poor women from all over the country were flocking to Yingtian, hoping to marry Zhu Yuanzhang by serving as soldiers.
He knelt down and hugged Chang Yuchun and Xu Da's horse legs, howling, "Madam Xiuying said that Zhu Yuanzhang's territory is not lacking in many things, but there are many women who are good at farming and weaving! Zhu Yuanzhang only wants soldiers who are honest, without bad habits, and who can treat these good women well. She will introduce you to a wife!"
After receiving the letters from Chang Yuchun and Xu Da, Zhu Yuanzhang tilted his head like his son.
How could this happen!
Zhu Yuanzhang was dumbfounded again.
Ever since his Madam Ma became Madam Xiuying, the territory has prospered, which has swept away the shadow of Xie Zaixing's defection. How could it have such an effect?
What made Zhu Yuanzhang even more dumbfounded was that people at the Yingtian Recruiting Office asked every day when they would recruit soldiers again.
"Listen to Madam Xiuying! He made great contributions in the army and is looking for a wife to marry him!"
Zhu Yuanzhang scratched his head again and again.
There is no rush now. Let’s wait until the grain arrives this year and then see how many we can recruit.
Oh! Don't be anxious! Look, even General Xu Da doesn't have a wife. Why are you so anxious? It's the same if you marry next year!
The visitor was anxious: "Marshal Xu is too proud to marry until the world is at peace. We are all ordinary people! How can we be the same?"
Zhu Yuanzhang, disguised as a conscription official, opened and closed his mouth, unable to resist refuting the rumor: "Bullshit! Marshal Xu never said that. He said one person's food feeds the whole family! He refuses to get married!"
The visitors all looked down on Zhu Yuanzhang: "Do you understand General Xu or do we from Yingtian understand General Xu? Judging from your accent, you are definitely not from Yingtian! Shut up, outsiders! Don't insult General Xu!"
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed in anger. Of course I'm not from Yingtian! I'm from Haozhou! Marshal Xu is also from Haozhou!
How come even that idiot Xu Da can be deified!
Zhu Yuanzhang asked expectantly, "You all admire Marshal Xu, what about Marshal Zhu?"
The visitor said respectfully, "That's the god sent by heaven to save us!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was amused. "You are wrong. Zhu Yuanzhang is not some god. He is just a farmer who worked in the fields. He was once a monk and a beggar. That is why he understands the hardships we ordinary people endure and is willing to stand on our side."
The visitor was silent.
Everyone who heard Zhu Yuanzhang's words fell silent.
Many people noticed the silence and asked why. After hearing the reasons relayed by others, they fell silent as well.
The scene gradually fell silent.
Those people looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with doubtful but bright eyes, looking at this man who was suspected to be a minor official in the conscription department.
"Marshal, what are you doing here? Mr. Li has been looking for you." Tang He walked over and took Zhu Yuanzhang away. "There's been a lot going on lately. Don't make Mr. Li angry. If he gets angry and quits, where will you find someone else who will work hard and help you clean up the mess?"
After Zhu Yuanzhang was pulled away by Tang He, the sound at the scene gradually recovered.
The crowd was noisy and I couldn't hear what they were saying.
No one knew who started it, but someone began kneeling down in the direction Zhu Yuanzhang had left. Then, everyone knelt down.
The group of people's faces were pressed against the ground, tears and dirt mixed together.
Ye Chen was wearing a short suit, holding a charcoal pencil in one hand and a booklet in the other, just like a clerk that could be seen everywhere.
Song Lian and Ye Zheng stayed in Yangzhou, while Wang Xi, Ye Chen and Ye Zheng's three apprentices stayed in Yingtian to assist Li Shanchang.
When Ma Xiuying called on women to support Zhu Yuanzhang with practical actions, they also joined the movement at Ma Xiuying's request.
Most of the lyrics sung by the women who used to perform in brothels and music halls today were written by them.
Ye Chen's family has been proficient in history for generations, and it was only from Ye Chen that people began to study history.
But after Ye Chen came to Yingtian, he carefully recorded the changes in Yingtian and took the initiative to become a recorder of this history.
Ye Chen held a crude charcoal pencil in his hand and wrote down today's story on the rough paper.
“The people said: Marshal Zhu is a god who has come down to earth to save the people from disaster.
A minor official laughed and said: Marshal Zhu is a poor farmer's son. He used to be a monk and a beggar. He has experienced all the sufferings of the people. Only then does he understand and relieve their suffering.
The people were speechless.
At this time, Tang He arrived and called out "General Zhu" and pulled the clerk away.
The people were silent, kneeling on the ground facing the direction Marshal Zhu had left, tears streaming down their faces, their piety far surpassing that of praying to a god or Buddha.
After memorizing this, Ye Chen breathed a sigh of relief, then shouted with a smile, "Alright, the Marshal has been gone for a long time, hurry up and get up. Those who want to join the army should register first, and we will look for you first when the conscription comes!"
The people quickly got up from the ground and rushed to Ye Chen regardless of the mud on their faces.
"Hey! Line up, line up! Don't crowd! Someone come to maintain order!" Ye Chen was almost pushed to the ground and shouted quickly.
The surrounding Red Turban Army rushed forward to maintain order, lined up the crowded crowd, and registered them one by one.
…
In Yangzhou City, Chen Biao, who had successfully stayed alone, sat at the table, looking at his cousin and his brother with a serious expression: "Can you two do it? How about letting Mr. Song and Mr. Ye take charge, and you two assist?"
Zhu Wenzheng quickly said, "Biao'er, you have to help us with this. This is the first time Wenzhong and I have been in charge of a city. It affects our future!"
Li Wenzhong also made a rare request: "Biao'er..."
Chen Biao waved his short hand seriously. "Alright, alright, I'll help you. But will Mr. Song and Mr. Ye agree to your reckless behavior?"
Zhu Wenzheng immediately rubbed his hands excitedly: "Don't worry, Mr. Song and Mr. Ye are good people, not to mention they are both busy with farming."
Mr. Song and Mr. Ye both knew that their brother Biao was a divine child, and they would definitely not object. Moreover, they both had the mentality of testing the strength of this divine child Biao.
Although Zhu Wenzhen is reckless, he is not stupid.
Especially during battles, Zhu Wenzhen was extremely meticulous and had a sharp intuition.
But he generally doesn't like to use his brain.
Now Zhu Yuanzhang entrusted Chen Biao to him, and Zhu Wenzhen quickly picked up the brain, wiped off the dust and stuffed it into the skull.
Chen Biao pinched his fleshy chin: "Okay, since you two said so. Then I will give you some advice. How much you can do depends on your ability."
"Yeah!" Zhu Wenzhen and Li Wenzhong high-fived.
With Brother Biao’s help, the great achievement of defending Yangzhou this time is guaranteed!
It's a pity that Chen Ying has to accompany Marshal Xu to the battle to gain military merit and familiarize himself with military operations. He won't get this great honor, hahaha!
The two young players who were entrusted with an important task for the first time were so happy that they couldn't stop smiling.
Chen Biao sat cross-legged on the table and began to give orders to his two silly brothers.
"Cousin, you look very fierce when you have a stern face. You should go to labor reform."
"Cousin, you have a gentle personality, and the people won't be afraid of you. You are responsible for public opinion among the people."
"I've already summoned all the Chen family's opera and folk art masters to Yangzhou. Mr. Song and Mr. Ye have also collected many real stories about Yangzhou in their spare time. Now we're officially starting our war of public opinion."
Chen Biao gave a soft but not cold sneer.
Is it called a war of public opinion that famous prostitutes sing, talented women write poems, and literati write articles to curse others?
The people in Suhang must have thought that Madam Xiuying’s action was a counterattack of public opinion, and they have begun to relax now, right?
Sorry, that's just the beginning!
I, a time traveler, was provoked by Marshal Zhu and his wife, who are even more radical than me, and I am just about to show my power!
Do you know about model operas?
The artistic talents trained by the Chen family carried their trades and came to the nearby Yangzhou and began to recruit people to teach opera.
The people they summoned were actually from the Qing Army.
The Qing army was dumbfounded. "I'm just farming, why am I learning opera?"
Zhu Wenzheng grinned, "You need to earn work points to exchange for good citizen status. One work point is earned by performing a play. One work point is earned by farming for a day. Will you come?"
The Qing army's expressions immediately changed: "Come on! I'm the best at singing opera! Before I joined Zhang Mingjian's army, every wedding or funeral in the village always had me singing a song!"
Zhu Wenzheng clapped his hands: "Alright, line up, have your voice checked, and start the selection."
Chen Biao made Zhu Wenzhen put a baseball cap on him out of mischief, and he held cardboards with the words "Start" and "End" in his hands, temporarily turning him from General Zhu into Director Zhu.
Li Wenzhong went to the people to recruit actors, especially actresses.
He thought it would take a lot of talking, but he only said "the kind of play that Madam Xiuying asked people to perform", and the peasant women wiped their faces, came up to him and asked "Can I do it?"
"After I finish my performance, can I go to Yingtian to see Madam Xiuying? I don't ask for anything, I just want to see Madam Xiuying!"
Li Wenzhong: "...I'll arrange it."
Then, Li Wenzhong was almost trampled to death by a group of strong women.