Chapter 76, county government announcement

Early the next morning, the county government immediately announced the relevant matters related to preparing for theft this winter, and also entrusted Zuju to prepare relevant funds from the local gentry to buy armor, horses, food and grass. Zujiazhuang is a military family. It has already stored a considerable number of armor and horses, but this time the scale is not as usual, and the materials needed are naturally indispensable. Because of this, after preparing enough funds, it is necessary to collect good iron and recruit blacksmiths to cast armor.

In previous years, the winter to prepare for thieves was initiated by the county government and supported by townships and gentry. The county government allocated part of the money and grain, while the other majority relied on the donations of gentry. Money and grain are generally not used to buy armor, but to distribute them to all the people who respond to theft. After all, these days, only those who have certain economic conditions or once had certain economic conditions, the vast number of ordinary people, are nothing more than two meals a day. Only under the reward can we lift everyone's enthusiasm. Even some poor families and several families look forward to receiving a piece of credit and money to celebrate the New Year.

This year's preparation for theft is still more evening than in previous years, but the thieves in Zhixian County have made such a big noise, which really worried many people. As soon as the notice of the county government came out, some large families were somewhat relieved. Presumably, the money and grain donated every year can win a reputation. If thieves and barbarians are robbed, it is not sure how much the loss will be.

Chen Xianjun is the initiator of theft. In previous years, several rich people in the county took turns to preside over the detailed affairs.

Last year, the ancestral family came forward to host the preparation for theft, but this year's situation is special. After discussing with Chen Xianjun, Zuju said that this year's preparation for theft should also be affected by the ancestral family.

Regarding the preparation for the donation of materials to the pavilions in various townships, the ancestral family was as familiar with the road as usual, and several well-faced uncles of the clans were sent to visit the homes of major surnames. The collection of iron and stone and smelting armor have been specially discussed and planned because they are rarely involved in the past.

In this matter, Zu Zhao did not interrupt too much, but only provided a new way to forge armor. He decided to change the traditional armor, scale armor, armor and other armor with complicated production technology and unsatisfactory defense ability, but to adopt more advanced and simpler plate armor. However, he had long expected that there must be many restrictions on casting armor. What is missing in this recruitment of volunteers is still weapons, and armor and other things will certainly not be popularized to ordinary volunteers.

The reason why the forging design of plate armor was proposed at this time is that after all, this new type of armor needs some time to be tested before it can be more mature and practical. After all, Zu Zhao himself does not know much about forging, and it is only a conceptual understanding of plate armor, and the specifics need to be explored slowly.

Considering the limited number of cast armor, Zu Ju did not pay too much attention to the plate armor design provided by Zu Zhao, and completely handed it over to Zu Zhao to deal with the casting armor. As for forging blades, Zujiazhuang originally had several blacksmiths, mainly with the blacksmiths recruited by blacksmiths as the supplement, casting 300 kinds of blades within a month.

Also this afternoon, Zu Zhao also made a special trip to Anyang Pavilion and invited the Zhang brothers to come out to discuss the recruitment of volunteers. After all, Zhang Yuan and Zhang Yu have participated in the fight against thieves in Lingzhi County, and they often gather at the Xihe Bridge to train horses, which can definitely be regarded as their own people. Even if Zhang Yuan and Zhang Yu are a little impetuous in their own nature, they can always do practical things.

The Zhang family in Anyang Pavilion is also a large family. In the morning, after hearing that the county government announced the news of this year's preparation for theft, the Zhang family also had to worry about this matter. Sometimes the big family is not worried about how much to donate, but more importantly how to maintain the face of the big family. Every year in the county, the rich gentry will show up. How can they not do it more decently?

Zu Zhao came to Xiheqiao Town and met the two brothers Zhang Yuan and Zhang Yu, who used to drink. In addition to them, there was also a Zhang clan, who was Zhang Yuan's uncle by generation. After the introduction, I knew that the other party's name was Zhang Qi. He was the eldest son of the third room of the Zhang family. In the past, he took care of some horse farm, accounting and other affairs in the family, and he was still a patriarch with the right to speak.

Zhang Qi is about ten years older than Zu Zhao, but he knows that Zu Zhao is the eldest son of the Zu family, so he dares not pretend to be an elder in front of him. After sitting down with each other, we drank a glass of warm wine before talking about business.

"I heard that the eldest son had just returned from the county. It was rumored that Liu Taishou was unfortunately in trouble. I don't know what the situation is now?" Zhang Qi came here on the order of the elders of the family to find out what the county government was like and whether the chaos of the county government had anything special to do with the robbers this year.

"Now the Taishou is in trouble, and Sun Changshi is also seriously injured. The county government is in chaos. For the time being, the southern captain is acting as the military affairs, and Pinggang County Government is acting as the government affairs. However, the outlook is not optimistic. Because the assassin who assassinated the county government this time went on the same road as the previous thieves in Lingzhi County. Zu Zhao did not intend to say Wen Chou's words. After all, Wen Chou trusted himself and secretly reminded that if this word was spread too widely, it would cause more chaos in the county.

"Uncle, earlier, I went to Lingzhi County with A Yu. Those thieves came prepared and colluded with the Hu people. It was bound to make a big move. If the ancestor and I hadn't broken it first, I'm afraid that the consequences would be unimaginable. In a word, now that such a tragic thing has happened to the county government, don't think much about it, this group of thieves will have a bigger move next. Zhang Yuan said with Zu Zhao's words.

"So that's it..." Zhang Qi nodded slowly as if he were thinking.

"This invitation to Wenyi is to discuss how to deal with the upcoming changes in the county. The thieves in the county may be fine, but the barns abroad have to guard against them. Zu Zhao said solemnly.

After listening to Zu Zhao's words, Zhang Qi is not a stupid person. Of course, he understands the inner meaning of Zu Zhao.

Although he is older than Zu Zhao, he is in the stage of youth and strength, and he also has some ambition to "do great things". Even if he is far less thorough and insightful than Zu Zhao knows about what is happening in the county, he knows that this is an excellent time to "do great things".

"Eunuch, I heard that the county government announced the preparation for thieves this year, which is very different from the past. Guizhuang seems to be preparing more armor for this matter. I don't know if it's true? Zhang Qi asked tentatively.

The casting of armor has not been officially announced, but the ancestral family has begun to recruit craftsmen and collect good iron. This news will more or less attract the attention of people. After all, private casting weapons is a great thing. In the early years, it would definitely attract the attention of the state government and even the court. Fortunately, the county government came forward this time, and coupled with such a major accident in the county government, it is reasonable to recruit volunteers to strengthen the preparation for thieves this year.

"Because of this major accident, the county treasury has been in disrepair, so Chen County entrusted our ancestors to repair some weapons on their behalf. This year, there are a lot of people who need to prepare for thieves, and I'm afraid the weapons are not enough. After preparing for the theft, the remaining blades will be returned to the county treasury. No matter what Zhang Qi means, Zu Zhao still remains a little vigilant and unwilling to say too much, especially when it comes to retaining facts. Naturally, he should be more cautious.

Zhang Qi nodded slowly, smiled a little, and was dissatisfied with Zu Zhao's answer.

"So this special trip of Mr. Zu must not come here to raise money and food. What exactly do we need to do in Anyang Pavilion?" He simply said it more directly and clearly.

"After all, preparing for thieves this year is very different from usual. Earlier, he practiced horses at Xihe Bridge with his brother Wenyi and A Yu, which was also regarded as preparing in advance for the preparation for theft. In addition, before going to Lingzhi County to fight for thieves, Brother Wenyi and Brother A Yu helped each other. Therefore, I would like to make a special trip to discuss with Brother Wenyi on how to adjust the county's defense after preparing for theft.

"What does the ancestor think?" Zhang Yuan asked in a positive voice.

"I think that we need to recruit at least 800 strong men to guard the neighbors of Wei County this year." Zu Zhao calmly.

"About 800 people? Do you need so much?" Without waiting for Zhang Yuan to be surprised, Zhang Qi was surprised first.

"Yes, yes, it is said that there are only more than 500 county guards, and the total of border troops in various parts of the county is no more than 2,000. I'm afraid Luronse's garrison is less than 2,000. Zhang Yu hurriedly followed.

In previous years, all counties have nothing more than recruiting two or three hundred people. Even if there are rampant robbers, 500 is enough at most. You know, the 800-person thieves can even take the initiative to fight against thieves, instead of sticking to the county wall. In addition, in previous years, three or 500 people needed to consume a lot of money and food a month. Now that the number of people has doubled, where should this money come from? Major households are not willing to make so many donations.

"Today, even the county government has been deciated, not to mention our small border counties? Anyway, this time, the recruitment of righteous men to prepare for theft will follow the usual situation. As long as the limelight passes, the county can also return to the old system. But if the thieves are so powerful this time, once they encounter them, it will be too late, so we have to prepare for the worst. Zu Zhao said firmly.

"If you say so, it makes sense." Zhang Yuan nodded slowly. He believed that Zu Zhao made a special trip to find him this time, and hoped that it would be reasonable to recruit 800 people this year.

"Since the county lord has agreed, as long as there is no objection from other towns at present, Anyang Ting must also fully support it." Zhang Qi said slowly, giving people the feeling that there is a sound outside the Buddha's string.

"In a few days, our guild and Chen County held a rally to prepare for thieves this year at the county government, taking the opportunity to inform the county's fathers of the current situation in the county, so that the county's fathers can have a general understanding first. I hope that Brother Wenyi and other elders of Anyangting can be present at that time. Zu Zhao said again.

"It must be." Zhang Yuan, Zhang Qi, Zhang Yu and others solemnly agreed.