Chapter 236: Things Have Changed (Part 3)
Mr. Gao's patience and self-control only lasted until the tax commissioner walked out of the Gao family's gate. The moment the Gao family's gate closed, Mr. Gao was already jumping up and down and started to have an attack.
Cursing and throwing things. After this anger continued for a while, Mr. Gao started to criticize and curse the people watching nearby.
Listening to Master Gao bringing up all the mistakes that people had made, from getting up late in the morning to eating an extra bowl of rice at noon, from not listening to Master Gao to colluding in private to take advantage. Whether it was the Gao family or the servants and maids of the Gao family, Master Gao scolded them for all kinds of things.
As he was cursing, Master Gao suddenly sat down on the ground and burst into tears. Master Gao's sons then went up to help him up, but Master Gao scolded them again. He even scolded Master Gao's sons away.
The next day, several large trucks were parked in front of Dong Yang's house, with a lot of wood on them. At this time, the foundations of each room of Dong Yang's new house had been dug, and the concrete adhesive used for the brick foundation and the load-bearing corners had also dried.
The troops who came with the wood quickly set up the crane and fixed the pulleys. The wood was hoisted onto the roof and placed in place. The iron rods as thick as little fingers were bent at 90 degrees at both ends and nailed into different woods with a clanking sound, firmly fixing them together.
The people living below the houses were all amazed at how skillfully the engineers operated the equipment to complete the work.
A young man standing at the edge of the crowd was also shocked by the skilled techniques of these people, and his eyes were wide open. The engineers completed the large work such as the beams on the roofs of the three large rooms, and after getting off the roof, they began to pack up and prepare to go back.
The young man on the periphery saw an opportunity and secretly went to the residence of the team leader. As expected, as observed before, there were not many people on the team leader's side. As soon as the young man entered, he was immediately met with strange looks. After all, the office only had three rooms in a row, and the place was not big, but he did meet the team leader.
The captain looked at the young man and his expression was unfriendly. The young man could understand that as the son of Mr. Gao's housekeeper, he must be unpopular now.
"Captain, I want to ask how to join the farmers' association."
"The people from the Farmers' Association recommended it and discussed it." The captain was very rude to the boy from the Gao family in front of him.
"Can I sign up to join the army?" asked the boy from the Gao family.
"You? You want to join the army?" The captain was shocked. He wanted to deny it directly, but he couldn't say it.
After hesitating for a while, the captain asked, "What's your name, young man?"
"My name is Gao Qi." The young man from the Gao family replied.
"Go back first and wait for news."
When Gao Qi heard this, he remembered his father's words and resisted the urge to say more. He turned around and left.
A few days later, the village entrance became lively with the beating of gongs and drums. The farmers' association gathered people together to promote the idea of joining the army. The county's recruiting officials came and watched the people listen to the work team's propaganda.
The people were all listening, but no one immediately expressed their opinions. The person in charge of conscription was really anxious. Huo Chong hoped to recruit 50,000 troops. There were several million people in the controlled area. Logically, it was not difficult to recruit only one soldier out of hundreds of people. However, there were more people watching the excitement than signing up in various places.
Just as I was thinking about how to solve the problem, I saw a young man walk up to the registration counter and said, "I want to sign up to join the army."
The people in the conscription office were overjoyed, as they were finally going to open their business. However, as soon as they saw the look on the face of the work team leader, they knew that something was not going to happen. Sure enough, after a private inquiry, they found out that this guy was actually related to the local gentry.
Recruiting people who were basically on the enemy side into the army was indeed a difficult task for the conscription office. However, when they returned to the meeting place, they saw that the people were still the same, and the conscription office hesitated.
Finally, the conscription office thought about it and decided that they had to open the service. They had no choice but to let Gao Qi sign up first. After signing up, the conscription office specifically explained the rules again. It was not that you would be recruited just by signing up. You had to be selected by the higher-ups.
After two days, there were still very few people who signed up. The people in the conscription office were getting anxious, but suddenly they received a message asking them to hurry back to join the battle. The conscription office staff immediately rushed back.
When we returned to Qingzhou City, we saw that many straw stacks outside the city had been burned. The large area of black ash looked like something serious had happened. When we rushed to the city gate, we saw that the gate was closed and the troops were constantly patrolling. Everyone in the army had murderous looks on their faces, and they really started fighting.
They hurried back to their base, only to find out that some local gentry had secretly colluded and launched an attack on Qingzhou City. This group of people contacted the landlords outside Qingzhou City, burned houses and straw stacks, and the sky was filled with smoke and fire.
"What then?" the people who rushed back asked anxiously.
"Then, nothing happened. After a little fighting, those people were either killed or captured. Not many escaped. The troops raided their lair."
As he was speaking, the messenger came with news that Qingzhou prefect Qian Qing had ordered the conscription office to attend a meeting.
Qian Qing looked surprisingly calm. She did not mention the battle, but directly asked about the situation of the conscription offices in various places. All the situations were similar, and the people were very hesitant to join the army. After someone finished speaking, he could not help but scold the people for being really ungrateful.
Qian Qing listened for a while and then told everyone about Huo Chong's disaster relief. After re-clarifying what disaster relief is and what it means to gain benefits in the name of disaster relief, Qian Qing continued, "The teacher said that if you do things for others, you should just do them. Don't flatter them. Everyone is not stupid. Do you really think that others don't know? Once you say this, they will know that we are not good people either."
Even though Qian Qing was Huo Chong's eldest disciple, and even though many high-ranking officials were convinced that Qian Qing was the eldest sister, this statement still made everyone angry, "Eldest sister, can't we even complain?"
"Of course you can complain. No one would be happy if this happened to them. But let me make it clear. You can just complain among yourselves, but no one can say this to the people. If we are unhappy, it is our own business. If you say it to the people, it will not only be our own business, but others will also be involved."
"Big sis! They are right to do this?!"
"Whether it's right or not depends on how you decide. You think it's wrong because you think that no matter what we say, people have to listen. To put it bluntly, what right do we have? They didn't pay the grain, or they didn't pay the money. They paid both the money and the grain, so what right do we have to say that they are wrong?"
This discussion angered many people, and some even shouted, "Sister! Why are you speaking for others?"
"Brother, this is not just speaking for others. We are the government now! We have to be able to handle things on our own."
After hearing this, everyone was confused. In the end, Qian Qing had to suspend the meeting and explain to everyone what was going on with the government.
Although I don't know how much everyone understood, at least after listening to it, everyone remembered one thing. In the past, everyone never regarded themselves as the government, so when they cursed the government, they all said that the people in the government were bastards.
At least this time everyone had to admit that they were the government. If they were the same as the government before, then people would curse them the same way they cursed the government before.
Some people didn't want to talk about it anymore, so they asked if the war was urgent. Compared with these government affairs, the war was actually very easy. At least there was no need to think too much about who the enemy was. On the battlefield, everyone except our own people was the enemy. It was that simple.
Qian Qing briefly introduced the situation. After the autumn harvest, many gentry fully understood that the Han government was different from the Qing government, and did not stand on the side of the gentry at all.
After some gentry figured it out, they were unwilling to endure this torture every year and readily rose up in rebellion, but the gentry really overestimated their own power...
At this point, Qian Qing suddenly remembered something, "Let me tell you. The song about the Three Major Disciplines and Eight Points of Attention says that you are not allowed to kill prisoners, and you are not allowed to insult prisoners. I used to think that killing prisoners was quite satisfying, but this time I really can't kill them all. If we kill them all, we really won't know who is rebelling. This time we captured so many people, and we can find out everything right away if we ask. In the future, I will really listen to you, sir, and not killing prisoners is really good."
The meeting was originally planned to last an afternoon, but it ended up being a three-day study session. Qian Qing, the prefect of Qingzhou, discussed a lot with everyone and made a report on the things that everyone was confused about and sent it to Linzi.
Huo Chong was overjoyed when he read the report. Even the local comrades in Linzi were a little angry. "Governor, how can rebellion be a good thing? Look how happy you are."
"Of course, rebellion is not a good thing. I am happy that everyone has started to think about what to do. Let's look at this. Qian Qing said that everyone has not figured it out. We are already the government. We used to curse, but now we have to think about whether we are doing the same thing as the government before. If we understand this, it will really stop us from being bad people. That's different!"
Seeing Huo Chong getting excited, many people even felt that they had stirred up a hornet's nest. Huo Chong was so excited, it must be another round of learning, and everyone would suffer again.
But Huo Chong didn't care. It was always more useful to have a targeted approach than to talk nonsense.
However, the most urgent task was to recruit soldiers. Huo Chong issued an order regarding the small number of young people related to the landlords who signed up to join the army. "A policy of not giving people a way out is not a policy that a good government should adopt. Since those people have signed up, as long as they are not from the families of gentry who participated in the rebellion, we will take them! The people are not stupid, they actually know why the gentry rebelled. Let's do it thoroughly, and the people will know it in their hearts."
Gao Qi thought that his dream of joining the army was over. But he did not expect that after the recruitment propaganda, he received a notice that he would take a physical test and a physical examination. If Gao Qi was healthy, he would be drafted into the army.
Gao Qi was actually a little scared now. He really envied the soldiers of the Han army. They were well dressed, carried weapons, and the people were polite to them. They looked very impressive.
But he was going to leave home and serve under someone else. The mere thought of leaving home made Gao Qi feel extremely panicked and uneasy.
On the day of the physical examination, people in military uniforms came to the village. In the end, six people in the village signed up. The other five people, except Gao Qi, were all local poor people. Three of them were surnamed Dong.
The conscription office measured their heights and asked them to walk, run, and jump.
Gao Qi was completely stunned. Although the test was conducted in a courtyard, there were many people around to watch the fun. It was really crowded. Just these looks made Gao Qi feel like he couldn't hear anything and was completely stunned.
As for what he had done, he couldn't remember at all.
Finally, four people were selected from the six, and only one of the three people from the Dong family was selected. Gao Qi thought that was the end of it, but he didn't expect that the people from the conscription office started to teach the four selected people to sing the "Three Disciplines and Eight Points of Attention Song".
Not only did they teach the four young men, they also taught the people. Gao Qi's mind was in a mess. Apart from the various lyrics, he only remembered one thing from the beginning to the end. That was when the people in the work team said loudly to the people: "Everyone, our songs are not just for singing. What we sing in our songs is true. If you think that anyone in the army is doing something wrong, just sing the song again and listen to the lyrics, and you will know whether they have violated the rules. If they have violated the rules, we will blame our soldiers!"
Gao Qi could read a little, and after learning the tune, he also learned a few sections. When he was familiar with the tune, the conscription officer who knew that Gao Qi could read gave him a copy of the lyrics.
After returning home, Gao Qi went back to his room and lay on the bed. He wrapped himself tightly in the quilt. He was filled with all kinds of emotions, but he didn't know what they were. After a long pause, Gao Qi finally got up. He really didn't know what to do. He saw the paper on the table, picked it up, and tried to sing the first few sections he had learned.
Every revolutionary soldier must bear in mind the Three Major Disciplines and Eight Points for Attention.
First of all, all actions must be carried out under command, and only by moving in unison can we achieve victory.
Second, I never take a single penny from the masses, and the masses support and like me.
Third, all spoils must be turned over to the public, and efforts must be made to reduce the burden on the people.
After singing it twice, Gao Qi slowly thought about what the lyrics were about. After trying to think about it, Gao Qi felt as if he understood it, but at the same time, he didn't understand it at all.
For example, all the spoils should be turned over to the public, and efforts should be made to reduce the burden on the people. This is hard to understand. What does it mean to turn the spoils over to the public? And there seems to be no connection between turning the spoils over to the public and reducing the burden on the people.
Just as I was thinking, Gao Qi's father came in. He didn't say anything, just took the paper and left.
Gao Qi looked at his father's back and was even more confused. He quickly said, "Dad, that's for me."
"What's for you?" the senior executive said unhappily and just walked away.
Gao Qi was very unhappy with his father's attitude, but his father was always like this. At least this time he didn't beat or scold Gao Qi because of his unhappiness.
Gao's family actually saw that his son was unhappy, but the matter was urgent and they really didn't have time to deal with this kid properly. They decided to give Gao Qi a good beating after returning, and Gao's family went straight to Master Gao's house.
After entering through the small door, someone led the senior family member to the inner room.
Mr. Gao's face was still ugly. He picked up the paper and read it for a while before he started to curse, "It's all nonsense! Not a single word is true. What do you mean by not taking a single needle or thread from the people? Fuck it, they have robbed so many things from me, and you still dare to say this! Do you have any shame!"
The senior executive lowered his head and said nothing, thinking about his own affairs.
Now the Han government is obviously recruiting poor people to serve as soldiers for them, so they are good to the poor. Master Gao will definitely suffer losses all the time.
If that happens, I will be implicated as Mr. Gao's housekeeper.
Although it was Master Gao who first suggested that his sons join the army, Master Gao did not want his sons to join the army and fight, fearing that people would die. He also wanted to get into the Han government and make a name for himself.
When the son becomes a soldier, the head of the family can join the Farmers Association. The Farmers Association stipulates that the immediate family members of soldiers, that is, parents, wives and children, are members of the Farmers Association. However, it also stipulates that immediate family members do not include brothers.
It seems that I have to hold on to both ends. If Master Gao is really in trouble, I would rather give up my position as housekeeper than die with him.
However, Mr. Gao’s outburst never stopped.
First, you should speak in a friendly manner, respect the masses and don’t be arrogant.
Second, the transaction price must be fair, and public buying and selling is not allowed.
Third, if you have borrowed something from someone and have used it, return it in person and do not lose it.
Fourth, if something is damaged, compensation will be paid according to the price without any difference.
Fifth, beating or scolding people is prohibited, and warlord style must be overcome resolutely.
Sixth, take care of the people’s crops and pay attention to them everywhere during marching and fighting.
Seventh, it is not allowed to insult women, and hooligan habits must be eliminated.
Eighth, it is forbidden to abuse captured soldiers, beat or scold them, or search their pockets.
Everyone should be aware of the disciplines and supervise each other to avoid violations.
Every rule of revolutionary discipline must be clearly remembered, and the people's soldiers must love the people at all times.
The defense of the motherland will always move forward, and the people of the whole country support and welcome it.
The eight points of attention seemed to have poked a hole in Mr. Gao's lungs. He cursed even more fiercely and tried every way to find areas where the working group had violated the rules.
After hearing this scolding, the housekeeper wanted to leave Mr. Gao even more. Mr. Gao stayed at home and did not go out, but the housekeeper had to go out for various things. After hearing what Mr. Gao scolded and thinking back to what he had seen, the housekeeper realized that the working group really did it.
Although the working group did not refuse to curse people, they never cursed people in person. Even if they cursed, they cursed the Mongolian cavalry who burned and killed people in Shandong. They cursed those who oppressed the people.
In the past, the housekeeper thought that the people in this working group were doing things in a weird way. Unexpectedly, it was not the people in the working group who were weird, but the rules that the working group followed were weird.
Having won people's hearts to this extent, if the imperial court is unable to fight back and eliminate traitors like Huo Chong, the steward increasingly feels that Master Gao may not be their match.
The first batch of recruits quickly arrived at the training sites for new recruits in various places, and the numbers were also reported to Linzi. There were finally more than 31,700 new recruits. Together with the previous 20,000 veterans, the total number still reached 50,000.
Just when everyone thought that this difficult problem could be solved, Huo Chong said, "We originally said that the number of government personnel to be transferred must not be less. Minus these people, we still have a shortage of more than 10,000 people."
"What should we do then? Arrest people?" Qian Qing asked.
Huo Chong thought for a moment and said, "Let's recruit soldiers again after the spring. Before that recruitment, we need to deal with all the lands of the rebellious landlords. It would be best if we could try to implement land nationalization in places where the people have little land."
After saying this, Huo Chong felt a little guilty. Although he knew that this was a policy that was bound to cause great turmoil, Huo Chong still wanted to give it a try.
