Spring in Beihai County is particularly bright. Under the clear sky, a few orioles are combed in their bright feathers to build their nests. The two sides of the Giant Ocean and Jishui have happily grown tender grass. The water is filled with groups of ducks and white geese. From time to time, several fishing boats will pass by. The winter wheat in the fields has grown to a foot high, the air is slightly cold, but the heart is warm, just like the land of spring breeds new hope, this is an intoxicating season. ↑,

After a winter evacuation, the population of Yidu County has dropped to 200,000. People have returned to their hometowns and started a new life, building houses, weaving reeds, and reclaiming land. The land of Qilu is full of vitality.

As the population decreases, the crowded Yidu County gradually becomes cleaner and the air is no longer turbid. Temporary dilapidated houses are pushed down, the land is leveled, large areas of open space are opened, a straight road running through the north and south are covered with new bricks, and the shops on both sides are renovated, and the old scene of Yidu County is revealed again.

In the northern section of Central Avenue, a central house covering an area of ​​about three acres is being repaired in a tense manner and has entered the final stage.

This house was bought by Zhang Xuan for thirty taels of gold two months ago. It was originally a different house for an official family. It was built very elegantly, with more than twenty houses and a small garden. During the war, it was bought by a wealthy family surnamed Liu from Gaomi County. A family of more than twenty people squeezed here. After the Gaomi bandits subsided, the family returned to their hometown and asked someone to sell the house, and finally bought it by Zhang Xuan.

Zhang Xuan originally planned to live for Yuchi Gong's wife and children and old mother, but Yuchi Gong also bought a house herself, and the house was always empty. Just as Lu Qing came to Beihai County, the house played a role. At present, Lu Qing is temporarily living in Yuchi Gong's house. After the construction is completed, she can move here.

Zhang Xuan walked to the back garden, and several pear trees were blooming in snow-white flowers, colorful. Several gardeners in the corner were planting a piece of peony. The half-acre fish pond next to it had been cleaned up, filled with clear water, some water hyacinths and water lilies. Hundreds of colorful fish fry swimming leisurely in the water.

"How many days will it take to complete the repair?" Zhang Xuan turned around and asked a foreman.

The foreman hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Report to General, we will speed up the progress and strive to get the work done in three days."

"Thanks for your hard work!"

Zhang Xuan smiled and asked again: "There are many people building houses recently!"

The foreman smiled bitterly and said, "We are so busy that we don't even have time to eat. The work is scheduled until summer. Wei Changshi wants us to repair the county government office. I have to find a way to recruit craftsmen in Qi County."

"How is Qinghe County?"

The foreman shook his head, "It's still the same thing. I just went there ten days ago and wanted to take on some work, but I didn't get a single business. Or I just built thatched cottages. There were few wealthy families going back."

"What's the reason?" Zhang Xuan was puzzled. Zhang Jin said that he had been annihilated, so why no one went back yet.

"General, Gao Shida and Dou Jiande are still there, and there is still a war there. Everyone knows that when they go back, they are going to be a fat sheep in the war, and no one is stupid."

Zhang Xuan nodded. From the mouths of these people in the city, he knew a little bit of the people's true thoughts, but this can only represent the ideas of some wealthy families, not ordinary people. Especially farmers who are eager to return to their hometowns to farm, I believe that Wei Yunqi's information will be more comprehensive and authoritative.

At this time, Zhang Xuan felt something and turned around. He saw Wei Yunqi standing not far behind him. Zhang Xuan walked up with a smile, "How did you know that I am here?"

"This place is very close to the county government. I saw it when I came over. I have something to tell the general."

Zhang Xuan nodded and asked the foreman a few words. Then he and Wei Yunqi walked out of the gate.

When he walked to the door, Wei Yunqi whispered: "Wang Shichong has sent someone."

"Have Wang Shichong arrived in Qinghe County?"

"I just got the news from Qinghe County. Wang Shichong led an army of 20,000 to Qinghe County the day before yesterday, but he sent someone to find the general as expected."

"Why?"

"For the sake of population, Wang Shichong sent someone to send a letter to Pei Shuai, asking him to repatriate all the people who fled Qinghe County to Qi County. There are also many refugees from Qinghe County here. It is estimated that Wang Shichong will also ask us to repatriate."

Zhang Xuan could understand Wang Shichong's eagerness to have a population, transporting grain, building fortifications, repairing city walls, etc., which required a large number of civilians. Now, the north side of Qinghe has almost become an unmanned land, with only the south side of Linqing and Qingquan counties with a little population, at most, only more than 10,000 people, even less young and strong.

Therefore, the first major problem that Wang Shichong faced was not to suppress bandits, but to restore people's livelihood and production.

Zhang Hyun sneered, "The legs are grown on others, how can I get repatriated? I want to know how Bae In-ki answered him?"

Wei Yunqi smiled and said, "The news I got was that Pei Renji threw the letter Wang Shichong gave him directly into the brazier. He would not pay attention to Wang Shichong's request at all. I don't know if the general has reached any consensus with Wang Shichong in Luoyang?"

"I have met Wang Shichong in the capital. I talked politely for a few words to each other, but I'm afraid he's thinking too much."

After pondering for a while, Zhang Xuan asked again: "How many refugees in Qinghe County are there in our Beihai County?"

"There are about 50,000 people, mainly concentrated in Linzi County, but most of the refugees in Qinghe County are still in Qi County, and there are more than 200,000 people in Qi County. I have touched the details, and most of these refugees are unwilling to return to Qinghe County. So far, only about 20% of the refugees returned to Qinghe County."

"Why, are you worried about war?"

Wei Yunqi nodded, "The war is the main reason. Another reason is that in Beihai County, they have reclaimed land, planted grain, and built earthen houses, so they can survive here. But when they return to Qinghe County, they have to start over, so most people are unwilling to go back."

Zhang Xuan laughed, "Since they are worried about war, we will use war as a matter of work. Mr., please send someone to Qinghe County to spread the news, and say that a war will break out in Qinghe County. Wang Shichong needs a large number of civilians to assist in the war. I believe everyone knows it."

Wei Yunqi understood what Zhang Xuan meant, "I will arrange someone now."

Wei Yunqi turned around and wanted to leave, but Zhang Xuan stopped him and said with a smile: "Actually, it's not impossible to send some people back. Can we ask for a little high price?"

"The general is even though the lion speaks loudly." Wei Yunqi laughed and walked quickly.

Zhang Xuan came to the county yard. He walked into the guest hall and saw Sima Liu Ling accompanying a middle-aged man. Seeing Zhang Xuan coming in, Liu Ling quickly stood up and introduced: "General, this is Wang Tongshou's envoy and Wang Tongshou's brother."

The middle-aged man looked a little like Wang Shichong, but he was much fatter than Wang Shichong. His face was covered with fat and his small eyes were almost squeezed out of sight. He stood up with difficulty and bowed to Zhang Xuan, "In the next Wang Shiyun, see General Zhang!"

Zhang Xuan smiled politely: "It turns out to be Mr. Wang, there is no need to be too polite, please sit down!"

He couldn't think of a suitable name for a moment. In fact, it was not appropriate to use the title of Mr. Zhang, but Zhang Xuan couldn't remember any better titles.

Wang Shiyun didn't care about Zhang Xuan's entanglement in his name. He was the housekeeper of his brother Wang Shichong and would also be in charge of the people of Qinghe County. As long as Zhang Xuan was willing to send the people of Qinghe County back, he would be fine.

Wang Shiyun bowed and said with a smile: "General also knows that General Wang is named Qinghe Tongguan this time. Facing Gao Shida and Dou Jiande's army, the mission is really long. It is impossible to achieve the goal in the short term. Long-term plans must be made. However, Qinghe County has become a barren land and there is no family for hundreds of miles. This is very unfavorable for long-term combat. General Wang hopes that the general can repatriate the people of Qinghe County. We will be very grateful."

It was a delusion to want to obtain valuable population resources very much, Zhang Xuan sneered in his heart, but smiled sincerely on his face: "General Wang and I fell in love with each other at first sight. General Wang's request is my motivation. I will definitely support General Wang to suppress the bandits and repatriate the people of Qinghe County as soon as possible. Please go back and tell General Wang that I will take action immediately."
Chapter completed!