Chapter 051: Let’s have a celebration
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Yingtian had another good harvest.
Although Zhu Yuanzhang was still at the front line and could not return, he ordered the garrisons of each city to hold a proper celebration.
Celebrating the harvest and the New Year were rare occasions for the common people. In these turbulent times, everyone's nerves were tense, with no hope for the future. While a celebration offered only a brief moment of relief, Zhu Yuanzhang believed that the fleeting smiles on their faces were worth the slight waste of grain.
The Chen family was Zhu Yuanzhang's money bag and also Zhu Yuanzhang's financial steward.
Chen Biao held the rope tied around his third brother Chen Gang's waist with one hand, and flipped through the account book to report the figures with the other hand .
Chen Ying sat in a wheelchair and counted on an abacus. After he finished, he would report the numbers and ask Chen Di, who rarely responded to the call, to write them down.
There would always be pauses when Chen Biao was reading out numbers. Either Chen Jin, who had finally learned to walk, wanted to run around and was pulled back by Chen Biao; or Chen Gouer, who couldn't even crawl, tried to push his brother Maoer out of the bed by turning over repeatedly, but was stopped by Chen Biao.
Chen Biao was so angry that he put down the account book and tapped Gou'er on the forehead: "Chen Xiaosi! Don't bully your brother!"
Chen Biao couldn't pronounce the name "Gou'er" and always called his younger brother "Si'er" and "Wu'er".
Chen Maoer was rather thin when he was born and is often sick now. He is very quiet and does not even cry or make a fuss when he urinates or defecates. This forces Chen Biao to have someone check his diapers on time, otherwise he would not even know that he has urinated or defecated.
Chen Gou'er is just as "dog" as his name, as if he has robbed his younger brother of all the nutrients. He is growing stronger and stronger, not only physically strong, but also has a very unique personality. Even though he can't crawl yet, he will roll over and over to grab territory.
Chen Gou'er can't speak or walk, which is such a headache. Chen Biao is very worried about the future of his fourth brother. How terrible will his bad situation be?
Could it be that his second brother Chen Chong could still be considered the most obedient among his brothers?
Chen Biao had just stopped Chen Gou'er when he pulled the rope hard, pulling back Chen Gang who was trying to pounce on the cabinet.
The second brother is a screamer, the third brother has ADHD, the fourth brother is extremely domineering at a young age, and the fifth brother is quiet but too quiet, which makes people more worried... Chen Biao silently recites "The eldest brother is like a father" in his heart to relieve his headache.
Dad, why did you give birth to so many children? I really appreciate you giving me so many brothers!
Chen Ying looked at his legs sadly. If his legs were more flexible, he could help Biaoer take care of the children.
Chen Biao coughed dryly, interrupting Chen Ying's self-pity and saying, "Go on, let's settle the accounts today. Come back to me, Tang'er!"
Chen Jing, who was about to sneak out the door, walked back dejectedly and sat down on the felt carpet to play with building blocks.
"Brother! I'm back!"
Chen Biao was busy when Chen Chong came into the house, hopping with his small schoolbag on his back.
Chen Biao said, "That's perfect! Keep an eye on Tang'er... Hey, where are you running to?!"
Chen Chong turned around and ran: "I'm going to stay at Chang Mao's house today!"
Chen Biao said in a deep voice: "Catch him!"
A guard immediately appeared at the door, grabbed Chen Chong around the waist, and brought him to Chen Biao.
Chen Biao said with a stern face: "Put down your schoolbag and take Tang'er out to play!"
Chen Chong was dejected: "Yes, big brother."
Chen Biao solemnly handed the rope that tied Chen Tan to Chen Tan, and finally got rid of his bear brother.
He finally had time to drag Chen Gouer, who was still rolling around on the bed, over and pinned him down with his legs to prevent him from moving.
The calculations were finally more efficient. The three of them worked together to calculate the required money and grain, and breathed a sigh of relief.
After finishing the calculation, Chen Yingcai said, "Biao'er, you can let someone else do the accounting."
Chen Biao shook his head. "The Marshal said that since we have a surplus of food this year, we should take a risk and send some money and food to the newly captured cities. We can also subsidize them to hold a small harvest festival and autumn plowing festival to let everyone get familiar with the atmosphere of our Zhu family army in advance."
Chen Biao smiled and said, "Since the Marshal has this intention, our Chen family must fully support it and there must not be any mistakes or omissions."
When Chen Biao saw the inquiring letter from his pen pal Zhu Dashuai, he couldn't help but feel more favorable towards Zhu Dashuai.
The cruel and merciless Hongwu Emperor in his mind was gradually replaced by this wise and heroic ruler who cared about the people, but he also sighed more and more about the Hongwu Emperor's later years.
But no matter what, he gave up the idea of letting his father Chen Guorui seize power.
No wonder Dad is so devoted to Marshal Zhu. Look at Marshal Zhu's brain, look at Marshal Zhu's level, Dad is completely incomparable, what can he use to fight against Marshal Zhu?
Chen Biao sighed. This was probably the pain Wang Mang felt when he saw Liu Xiu. Even a time traveler couldn't defeat the Son of the Planes.
After Zhu Yuanzhang, the Son of the Planes, occupied Yingtian, the heavens showed him great favor. Droughts, floods, and locust plagues took turns hitting other places, but although his area was also affected, it was always the least affected.
Furthermore, Zhu's army was already accustomed to farming and military settlements in their spare time, and as part of their training, they helped the people build infrastructure such as water conservancy projects and mills. As a result, Zhu Yuanzhang had enjoyed bumper harvests in the territories he occupied for several years. Even with years of continuous warfare, the territory he conquered grew, and the food supply increased. The warehouses already had enough grain to last for the next harvest.
However, this amount of food would be insufficient in the event of a natural disaster. However, Zhu Yuanzhang still took it out to feed the people in the newly occupied areas and the prisoners of war.
Many of the staff did not understand, and Li Shanchang was so anxious that he almost wanted to find a rope to hang himself in front of Zhu Yuanzhang.
Zhu Yuanzhang said earnestly, "I have guaranteed that we will have enough food for the next harvest, and the Chen family's overseas trade is also continuously shipping grain back. I think it is worth taking a little risk to use grain to strengthen people's hearts. Mr. Li, grain is only useful when it is eaten by people. If it rots in the warehouse, it becomes garbage."
Li Shanchang was persuaded by Zhu Yuanzhang, and went back crying to calculate and make the worst-case budget for how to overcome the difficulties if there was no good harvest next year.
Li Shanchang himself was a minor official and was very good at doing things. He had also been in contact with Chen Biao for many years and learned Chen Biao's business methods.
Planning is key to success, and lack of planning leads to failure, especially in logistics. Li Shanchang always calculated the logistical supply situation a year, or even three to five years into the future, to avoid wasting time.
The family finally had some surplus food, and Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to hold a celebration for the people of Xincheng and the prisoners of war who might turn against him at any time. Li Shanchang didn't intend to stab Zhu Yuanzhang to death with a knife. He really loved Zhu Yuanzhang.
The sight of Li Shanchang crying and planning for Zhu Yuanzhang made Zhu Yuanzhang's other aides silent.
Liu Ji sighed, "I'm arrogant by nature. Even if Bai Shi had more experience, I would have been confident that I could outdo him. But... alas, I was just too arrogant."
Song Lian nodded: "Even if we include the military generals, Bai Shi should be the first to be credited with the founding of the country."
At this moment , Xu Da, who was strolling around with a full stomach, passed by with his hands behind his back and shook his head when he heard this.
The boss's territory is still the smallest now, and his subordinates have begun to share the credit. People's hearts are no longer as they used to be. Hiccup.
Zhu Yuanzhang ignored the opposition and held a celebration for the people and captives in the newly occupied city. When Chang Yuchun saw the news, he was completely dumbfounded.
Because Zhu Yuanzhang specially adjusted the celebration dates of each city to make it easier for Chang Yuchun to attend.
In other words, all celebrations for newly occupied larger cities were presided over by Chang Yuchun.
Chang Yuchun took a deep breath, a deep breath.
No, I can't calm down. He stood up and smashed a small tree the size of a bowl with one punch.
Is the Marshal really not going to let me go back to the front lines?! My military achievements!!
Chang Yuchun really wanted to hold his head and roll on the ground.
This kind of boss is rebelling! Ahhhhhhh!
"Brother-in-law, what are you doing?" Lan Yu had just changed out of his costume, finished today's opera performance, changed back into Zhu's army clothes, and was preparing to patrol when he saw Chang Yuchun beating a tree.
Chang Yuchun retracted his fist and said calmly, "I haven't moved for a long time. I'm afraid I'll waste my skills."
Lan Yu said, "Teacher said Biao'er hung a few sandbags at the Chen family for the Chen family warriors to beat. Can I make one for you?"
Chang Yuchun nodded slightly and said, "The Marshal wrote to me, asking me to preside over celebrations in each newly conquered city in order to appease the people. Do you want to come with me?"
Lan Yu touched his nose embarrassedly: "The celebration must have some lively opera performances? Of course I will go, I'm the top star. This time I will play your brother-in-law?"
Chang Yuchun's face darkened: "We can change the song."
Lan Yu laughed and said, "But they just love to read your stories... Oh, don't kick me, I'm your dear brother-in-law. If you kick me, be careful or my sister will pinch you."
Chang Yuchun's face turned even darker.
My brother-in-law has grown up, but he's not afraid of me anymore! How does Mr. Ye teach his students?
Chang Yuchun couldn't help but mutter, "Don't always go on stage and act like an actor. What's so good about being an actor?"
Lan Yu was silent for a moment, then said, "I just like to hear people telling others that the villain on stage is General Lan, a very good man. Don't rush over and beat him up. He's very kind to us people."
Lan Yu imitated the people's words.
General Lan is a good man.
General Lan often helps us.
General Lan fought bravely and was a hero.
General Lan was worried that some people would take their anger out on the actors because of the villains in the operas, so he always played the villains himself.
When Lan Yu first heard what the people said, he wished he could crawl into a crack in the ground.
Later, he apologized to those he had bullied and worked hard to gain their forgiveness. He strictly adhered to military discipline and stopped other soldiers from disturbing the people. While on patrol, he often asked the people around him if they needed any help and offered a helping hand promptly.
As for his bravery in battle, he has always been a fearless and brave general.
Now his chest was puffed out and he could smile at the praises of the audience.
Yes, that’s right, I’m the one being praised.
Lan Yuyou touched his nose and said, "I just like to hear them praise me for being a good person. When I was a small bandit, I had no choice. Now I want to be a good person."
Chang Yuchun wanted to say something but stopped himself, and finally waved his hand and told Lan Yu to go away.
If Lan Yu didn't leave, he would probably beat Lan Yu up because of the "General Chang's classic lines" that Lan Yu blurted out.
If Lan Yu was injured for this reason, the lady would definitely come after him with a feather duster and fight him to the death.
Finally, Chang Yuchun sighed deeply, dragged his heavy and tired body, and summoned the clerks to write and post the celebration announcement.
"General Chang! Have you eaten?"
"have eaten."
"General Chang, I just made some pancakes. Would you like one?"
"No, you can eat it yourself."
"General Chang, when is the exam? I want to take the clerk exam!"
"Wait until after the celebration. Marshal Zhu said that our Zhu Family Army will hold a celebration every autumn harvest and plowing to liven things up. We also need to ensure that new members of the Zhu Family Army join us. We're already mobilizing food from all over Yingtian... Huh? Why are you kneeling?"
Chang Yuchun helped one up, and then another knelt down, and finally there was a group of people kneeling in front of him.
Chang Yuchun was dumbfounded.
