Chapter 148: The happiness of the bounty hunters of the Song Dynasty

With the wind, the ship was only half a cargo, and the sea boat sailed very lightly. In the second half of the night, the ship had already arrived at the mouth of the Laoshan Bay. Zhao Xing was not familiar with the hydrological conditions in the bay. Although he knew that even if the ship could drive in the bay, he had other purposes, so he anchored at the entrance of the bay.

Taking advantage of the night, two small boats were put down on the sea. Cheng Shuang took a few people to find Zhang Yong by land. Zhao Xing waited quietly on the boat.

At dawn, the captain came to report: "There is a fishing boat opposite to leave the port. Do you want to raise the anchor and lean on it and let them guide us into the port."

Zhao Xing's ship had a high freeboard and the ordinary dock could not be parked at all. He lay on the carpet for a while and shook his head and gave up: "Forget it, for safety reasons, we'll wait for Zhang Yong to send someone to pick him up."

Zhao Xing didn't want to find trouble, which did not mean that others didn't want to find trouble. After a while, the captain came to report again: "The boat opposite is coming up, and we are asked to show the ship guide and the clearance record."

Zhao Xing smiled and said, "Please get on the boat to check."

The boat leaned on Zhao Xing's big ship. Zhao Xing lowered the spiral ladder on the boat. Several people on the opposite boat, who looked like officials, climbed onto the boat. At this time, Zhao Xing was already dressed in an orderly manner. He smiled maliciously on a chair. The person who rushed up showed a simple smile.

The person who came up clearly felt Zhao Xing's hostility. He looked around and stared at Zhao Xing, and suddenly asked, "Is the person who came here Mr. Zhao, the judge of the Mizhou Tuanli?"

Zhao Xing stood up in surprise and asked, "How do you know me?"

The visitor quickly bowed and greeted him, saying, "Mizhou Troupe General Qu Fubo, met him. I heard from Xiayuan that Zhang Guanjun had said that the adults were tall and rare in the domain. Moreover, Zhang Guanjun had obtained several pairs of armor from the adults, and the style was exactly the same as the adults wore. He also heard that the adults would take office in the near future, so he boldly guessed."

general?!

Zhao Xing was shocked by the other party's official position, and the general was also careful to test: "General Qu, I first came to take office, but I don't know what rank this general is?"

The other party blushed and lowered his head and replied: "Sir, the general is of no quality in the army."

Utility! As soon as the word was said, Zhao Xing suddenly realized, and he said oh, and replied: "I am waiting for Zhang Guanjun's ship to pick me up. If General Qu has something to do, he can go by himself. If nothing is wrong, it is better to wait with me."

Zhao Xing said this because he handed over the official edict to Yuan Yeping in advance. Now he has no certificate proving that he is Zhao Xing, so he plans to wait for Zhang to use. General Qu is obviously very confident in his inference, and he did not ask for Zhao Xing's official edict, so he tried his best to invite Zhao Xing to his house to sit.

"The signing of the verdict is that my little home is in the fishing port opposite. The sea is swaying. It is better to go to my house to sit there and settle down."

Zhao Xing didn't care, but General Qu's next words made him change his attention: "The voting will be signed, and the vassal ships will continue to enter at noon. The large ships signed are tall and large, and blocking the center of the channel, they may be subject to objection."

Zhao Xing nodded: "In this way, I would like to thank the general for his kindness."

The official name "General" was the first time in the Song Dynasty. It was the same as the three squads of envoys, envoys, and envoys who borrowed the mission to the palace. Generals, generals, etc., and the effectiveness was a specific word in the Song Dynasty. These "unvoys" were mostly small angry young people who were eager for military merit and had some skills, so they brought their own weapons and armor and went to the army to surrender.

Some scholars of the Northern Song Dynasty, many military soldiers in the army, voluntarily invested in the "utility" and some officials' children and disciples were also willing to use the nominal function in the army. Most of the "utility" usually did not participate in official school orders, or even did not participate in training. Once there was something wrong in the local area, the regiment trainees would summon them. Afterwards, these "utility" were rewarded by the court. If they were awarded military merits, they would be ranked and gradually promoted in the officialdom.

It is the local group training that manages the "utility".

Qu "General" entertained Zhao Xing in his hut. After he introduced and explained the meaning of the effectiveness, Zhao Xing understood. It turned out that there were also "bounty hunters" in the Song Dynasty. It turned out that the "bounty hunters" system in Western society was not his original creation, but was learning from the Song Dynasty.

In other words, if someone in the Song Dynasty tells you: I have drunk wine with General XX. In fact, what he means is: I have drunk wine with the bounty hunter XX in the Song Dynasty, and then he sent me to prison...

In this era, most families who can bring their own armor and weapons are rich little landlords or passionate scholars. This is what Qu Fubo's family is like. His family is almost the largest clan in this village, and Qu Fubo's enlistment as a "utility", which makes this family related to the government.

What’s important is that since Qu Fubo has become a utility, the officials will not be assigned to his family.

"The service is hard," Qu Fubo talked about the "service law" in tears: "Four years ago, the governor Fan E requested to open the Goryeo Maritime Bureau in Mizhou and then build the Goryeo Guild Hall. As soon as this battle was launched, more than half of the people in Mizhou fled. Fortunately, I served in the army and saved my family's business."

Zhao Xing is also suffering.

He is a rookie in the officialdom. At this moment, when General Qu talks about the officialdom, he hates that he does not have an aide who is familiar with the officialdom. This makes him wonder how to evaluate General Qu just said. After a while, he can't help but ask: "Why, Mizhou builds a Goryeo Pavilion, will the court not allocate funds?"

General Qu was also stunned. He did not expect Zhao Xing to be so different from political affairs. He stumbled for a while before answering: "The court, no... This matter was submitted by the Chief of the State Council and should be completed by Chief of the State Council."

The Song Dynasty had a regional economic system, which means that the administrative divisions were responsible for their own profits and losses. The taxes submitted to the court could not be less. In addition, the regional infrastructure was entirely up to oneself.

Zhao Xing noticed the mistake he asked from the other party's hesitant words. He changed the topic and talked about the hydrological conditions in the dock area over the years - hey, can a rough general Qu know this high-tech knowledge? Fortunately, the awkward conversation did not last long. Liao Xiaoxiao, dressed as a court wife, happened to enter the door, and Qu Fubo took the opportunity to leave and prepare meals for Zhao Xing.

Zhao Xing tilted his head and looked at Liao Xiaoxiao. Xiaoxiao blushed. She tried her best to pull the life-wife outfit and lowered her head and didn't say anything. Zhao Xing sighed and waved to let Liao Xiaoxiao approach.

The imperial court's wife's clothes had complicated embroidery on them. Such clothes were not made in one or two days, unless they were purchased for ready-made clothes. This means that Liao Xiaoxiao's clothes were prepared long ago. It is possible that when she was in the capital, she didn't know how many times she wore this clothes on her body, and she was imagining and longing.

However, not everyone can wear the clothes of a court-destined woman. Liao Xiaoxiao’s wife is not a wife, and a concubine is not a concubine. She shouldn’t have worn this outfit…

Forget it, Zhao Xing didn't want to interrupt a beautiful woman's fantasy, he just pretended not to know.

It was the first time Liao Xiaoxiao was riding such a big sea boat. She couldn't climb up and down. The people on the boat had to hang her off the deck with a hanging basket, which made her late. She happened to stand outside the door and listened to the conversation between Zhao Xing and Qu Fubo. Seeing that Zhao Xing did not accuse her of clothes, she pursed her lips and walked into the courtyard with the most graceful steps. She explained to Zhao Xing very well: "Officials, except for military affairs and river engineering, the imperial court rarely allocated funds to the prefectures and counties below, so the construction of the Goryeo Pavilion..."

I understand that Fan E has done a political achievement project. Although Mizhou built a Goryeo Pavilion, the tax he should pay to the court did not decrease at all. In order to build the Pavilion, he used a large number of servants unlimitedly, which led to nearly half of the people in Mizhou fleeing.

"Aoaoao..." Zhao Xing listened to Liao Xiaoxiao's explanation with pleasure.

Qu Fubo walked around outside. When he entered the door again, Liao Xiaoxiao was still whispering to Zhao Xing. After Liao Xiaoxiao came down, the people on the boat began to carry food utensils to the shore like flowing water. Qu Fubo let the door open and let the rich food and exquisite porcelain and glassware flow by his side. He was originally a little suspicious of Zhao Xing's misunderstanding, but now he saw Zhao Xing's luxurious style and immediately dispelled his doubts.

Not many people came ashore, except for the eight mountain warriors, only Cheng Xia brought two or three children. The eight mountain warriors skillfully set up portable charcoal furnaces in the yard to make fire and cook. Two Hu Ji were also sent to Zhao Xing to serve Zhao Xing, Qu Fubo and Liao Xiaoxiao.

A black wood folding square table was set up in the yard, and the table was filled with eight cold dishes. The dishes were made of Nanhai glass, crystal clear and sparkling like crystal. The wine pot was a gilded glass bottle, and the pink langju wine rippled in the bottle, like a pink dream. Two guji held a purple gold Arabian long-mouthed pot, constantly pouring tea and pouring wine.

Qu Fubo looked at the bottle of wine and was a little dazed: "I have seen this kind of wine in Zhang Guanjun's place. Oh, there is also a blue light wine. Zhang Guanjun regarded it as a treasure and refused to show it to others easily. Unexpectedly, the young man would have such a blessing today."

Qu Fubo finished his feelings, drank the wine all over, then closed his eyes and savored it. Zhao Xing smiled generously and signaled the female slave to pour wine for him again. Qu Fubo's family seemed to be a small family. She quietly sipped the pink wine in a small mouthful, and glanced at Qu Fubo happily from time to time.

Zhao Xing looked at the scene and felt that happiness filled the cup and was about to overflow.

Happiness is sometimes quite simple - live in the Song Dynasty, in this free country, in this "republic country, love the loved ones, hate the hatred, express thoughts freely, and sing freely...

Happiness continues. Soon, Qu Fubo's relatives and friends rushed over and kept paying homage to the senna, interrupting the banquet at all times, making the meal very long and not over until the evening.

Zhang Yong arrived at noon the next day. He brought Zhao Xing the official robe and seal, and Yuan Yeping was also with him. When he saw Zhao Xing, he hurriedly said, "Go on the boat, let's talk on the boat."

Zhao Xing nodded and whispered to Liao Xiaoxiao: "Leave some rewards for General Qu's family."

Liao Xiaoxiao quickly arranged for the Hu Ji to go back to the cabin to get things. Since Qu Fubo once praised Zhao Xing's armor, the gift he gave him was two sets of Musashi armor and two Japanese swords, which were just useful for military purposes. At the same time, ten coins of silver rewards were left behind. Although the money was small, the total value of the armor and weapons was about 500 coins.

This considerable wealth made Qu Fubo very grateful. His words showed the meaning of being effective. Zhao Xing immediately hinted at permission, but asked him to settle his home and do it smoothly when he was in office, and then come back.

As soon as he got on the boat, Zhang Yong quickly introduced: "Fan E, the Jin Dynasty's member, was leading the Zhongdafu, the editor of Jixian Palace, the Baowen Pavilion, Li Zhichun, the transfer envoy of Jingdong Transportation Department; Wang Zishao, the governor of Mizhou, and the judge, Suo Wendao, patrolled Banqiao Town. He heard that Fan E invited relevant officials this time and made a special trip to Banqiao Town to conduct on-site investigations and was preparing to report to the court again, demanding the establishment of a Maritime Department in Banqiao Town.

There are rumors that after Banqiao Town established the Maritime Warehouse Department, it plans to upgrade to Jiaoxi County. Well, since one county is added here, there will be a group of officials vacant positions. The group of promoters under my command have already gone to Banqiao Town. If you don’t come yet, I will go and urge you.”

Zhao Xing was free and easy, and he shook his head and said, "I have no intention of operating the prefectures and counties. Let's talk about it first, where is my boat docked?"

Zhang Yong rolled his eyes: "Where else can you be? Banqiao Town, the only one in the entire Mizhou coast can dock this big ship... I know what you are worried about, it's okay, Fan E wants to sell me some face."

Zhao Xing thought for a moment, pointed to the small fishing village he had just been, and said, "I came to the entrance of the bay last night, and there was no patrol boat in the entire bay. This is not good. In fact, we should suggest that the navy move the water army to the small island just now."

Zhang Yong shook his head: "You must have been treated by Qu Fubo, and you want to repay him. Just a meal, you have already paid 500 gold. This reward is heavy enough. If you have a lot of eyes, it would be enough to reward him with another background."

"I met Qu Fubo for the first time in Haikou. This man was able to infer who I was based on my dress and dressed up. This intelligence alone was no longer simple," Zhao Xing nodded and praised.

What is the small fishing village where Qu Fubo is staying? It is the modern Qingdao Port. I remember that the Germans explored the hydrological conditions of the entire Bohai Bay and finally decided to build a large harbor there. There must be scientific basis for this. Modern Banqiao Town has silted and has completely become inland, which just shows that there are not many suitable places for building a harbor in Laoshan Bay, and Qingdao Port is one.

From a strategic perspective, the entire bay's gorge also needs someone to guard; from other aspects, moving the naval base to that small fishing village just avoids the surveillance of Mizhou officials, making it easier for people to do anything...

Zhang Yong deeply understands Zhao Xing's idea.

The army or government units used their power to resell scarce materials, which was called "Huiyi" in ancient times. Since the Sui and Tang Dynasties, not only the government has engaged in Huiyi, but the army has been the big family of Huiyi. The government has agreed that the army will carry out Huiyi, mainly to subsidize military spending with profits. For example, Yue Fei and Han Shizhong, the two of them are the big leaders of armed smuggling in the army. Historical records show that the two men have hundreds or even hundreds of wine cellars in their army - they own "wine cellars" rather than "wine bottles".

It was precisely through armed smuggling wine that the two armies earned a generous income and could arm themselves to their teeth.

The profits and expenditures of the Song Dynasty's army, such as the Huiyi, were not included in the court's fiscal revenue and expenditure. This is the reason why Zhang Yong was eager to see Zhao Xing take office. Because Zhao Xing had a ship and he had an army, the two joined forces, which was perfect smuggling.

However, Zhang Yong could not decide on changing the military base. He pondered for a moment and replied: "In this way, people should meet Fan E. They must prepare some lyrics to them and let them join us to report."

"Speak the lyrics", Zhao Xing smiled contemptuously: "I can't let me write lyrics, let me prepare for 'speaking lyrics' - let's look at me, see if I can't find him... By the way, what's going on in the Mizhou Troupe Training? Tell me!"

What kind of official is the tutor? Its full name is "The tutor's guard and capture envoy". After entering the Song Dynasty, the tutor's envoys in the southern states became officials who were military officials, without a fixed number of personnel, without a position, and would not be stationed in the state. The tutor's envoys in the northern border prefectures were equivalent to the commander of the local army, responsible for training local militia and rural bravery, just like the current militia reserves.

The tutor was in the fifth rank and was at the same level as the magistrate, but the Song Dynasty used civil servants to control military affairs, so he had to be under the jurisdiction of the tutor. Under this tutor, there were also officers such as the prefect, the commander of the state, the deputy commander of the various departments, the inspectors, and other officers, as well as judges, subordinates, secretary, and proclaimers. In most cases, the magistrates were signed for official duties, so they were referred to as "Signature and Judgment", which was the eighth rank. The officials under the tutor were actually idle positions, namely, those who were entrusted with officials or borrowed officials, and those who were given official titles or even did not need to take office.

"How many people are under your jurisdiction?" Zhao Xing continued.

Zhang Yong's answer was justified: "Mizhou is the defensive state, and the officials are all appointed. I have a state chief who is the governor of Mizhou (with a levied official, a rank, and will not take office), plus seven (army) commanders, 7 (master) commanders; there are 6 people in the capital supervisor, 11 people in the capital inspector; 1 person in the capital supervisor (manages the navy), 25 people in the capital inspectors, 37 people in charge, and several civil officials."

"I'm asking about your soldiers?"

"Not counting the navy, there are 1,136 people. Including the navy, there are a total of 1,511 people."

"Then how many civil and military officials are there under your command?"

"There are 96 military officers who are actually appointed as military officers, all of whom are worshipping officials and borrowing officials. As civil officials - this is your business. I only know that there are 61 people who are worshipping officials, and there is no one who can do anything. By the way, I have changed his name to Yuan Yeping and reported it to a ninth-rank official who is in charge of the secretary, and handled the documents for me."

Zhao Xing was so angry: "There are seven commanders, each command has a full 500 people, plus a navy chief supervisor - your full troop should be at least 3,500 people, but you only have more than 1,500 people, you have eaten more than half of the salary, but you have raised... 96 plus 61, you have raised 157 officials. Oh my God! Every ten people support one official... You, you, you, it's too dark!"

No wonder people say that the Song Dynasty has many redundant soldiers and staff, and the financial burden is too much, which leads to the people's complaints. It turns out that this is really the case.

Zhang Yong's face was not blushing, and his heart was not beating, and he replied: "My quota is a bit too big, but it has nothing to do with me, so I took office. Do you know, the Dengzhou delegation sent a commander "sent to the garrison" to the Mizhou, and it was your Dasu Scholar who submitted a report, and believed that Dengzhou was facing the Liao Kingdom and needed to ban Dengzhou delegation from other places to pay for food - how many commanders came to Mizhou? It was just one hundred people.

Going further, there are 850 commanders in Shaanxi Road, and the actual soldiers are only 20,563. There are the front lines, and compared to them, I have already considered that there is less "investment" here...

What did you say just now? "Ten people" support an official, you are wrong! It should be "Ten households" support an official. Tuanzheng is to take care of his family. The north is a large-capital state, and the average number is seven per household. From the perspective of Tuanzheng, it should support an official for every 70 people, but from the perspective of Mizhou, it should be four counties and one prefecture in Mizhou, and 400,000 people support these officials."

This data completely defeated Zhao Xing.

"Cash deposit" means that the court still has to pay 500 people per battalion, and the "deprived soldiers" will be in the pocket of the "general and school". This phenomenon seriously weakens the combat effectiveness of the army. However, although the Tujia doctors said that they borrowed money, the Song court ultimately did not make up their minds to rebel. This was because the strong enemies around looked around and the Song court was unwilling to be in turmoil in the army.

How many officials were there in the Song Dynasty? Zhao Xing happened to get some information from the Ministry of Revenue: 68,000 officials needed 100 million people to support them.

This data is so shocking. It is said that it is 6 times more officials than the Tang Dynasty, so when it is called "redundant soldiers and redundant personnel", the people have a heavy burden and the people are living in poverty... But this data is only one-500 of the modern world - every 26 people in modern times support one official, and 1.3 billion taxpayers support 50 million...

That era was called "big power" and "prosperous age", so one-500 "prosperous age" can no longer be called "evil", but can only be called "all evil".

But Zhao Xingai loves this "evil"!

He took a deep breath and asked again: "Where are the seven commanders?"

"First talk about the navy: two commanders of the navy; one commander of the craftsman in the headquarters, one commander of the water man, one supervisor, and one inspector. A total of 375 people. On land: one commander of the prison army, three hundred people; one commander of the horse archer, three hundred people; one commander of the archer, five hundred people; one commander of the archer, one commander of the 'teaching' township hero, and one commander of the 'not-reading' township hero... I still have 'brave' vacancies of 100 people, you want them all!"

"Teaching and reading" village warriors refer to practical soldiers who can be used in actual combat and usually need to check training results, which is what is called elite soldiers, personal soldiers, etc. "No reading" village warriors are purely waste snacks, and usually only serve as some people to repair city walls, assist in catching steals, maintaining public order, etc.
To be continued...