Chapter 92: Impressive Speech
There were more than 30,000 civilians, including a considerable number of the elderly, the weak, the sick and the disabled, who were traveling with their families and carrying their few belongings. Naturally, such a large group moved quite slowly.
Fortunately, there was a wide river not far from the mountain where Guan Hai was. With the help of ships to transport them back and forth, and then changing to sea ships, these people successfully arrived near Anping, Liaodong in just ten days.
Sitting on the boat, Guan Hai looked at the nearly a hundred ships rising and falling in the waves behind him, and a feeling of heroism arose in his heart.
"So awesome! I want to be a naval commander in the future!" Guan Hai's eyes were shining with longing.
Zhang Erniu handed over an orange and laughed, "Come on! You were vomiting all over the place a few days ago because of seasickness. Now you're feeling better and you're bragging again."
"It's not easy to be a naval commander. With your talent, it's enough for you to lead the infantry and manage the logistics." Zhang Erniu said while peeling an orange.
Besides complaining, there was also a hint of envy in his words. Guan Hai at least had a good talent, unlike him who was just a "blank slate".
Guan Hai's talent "Patience" can not only reduce the loss of physical strength, but also enhance the endurance of his subordinates.
For the impoverished and resource-poor Yellow Turbans, this was undoubtedly the most suitable talent.
But in Liaodong, there are so many brave generals, and with such talent, the best destination is probably to guard the border or manage logistics.
"Hmph! With my ability, I think I can only be a logistics support person?" Guan Hai snorted unhappily, with a look of dissatisfaction on his face.
"Haha. You'll know when you get there." Zhang Erniu smiled slightly.
Although Guan Hai was outstanding in the Yellow Turban Army and could even be called the Yellow Turban's most powerful general, he probably would not be ranked high under Tian Ze.
The fleet arrived at the port, and after a careful verification and inspection, they changed to a small boat again, went upstream along the river, and slowly sailed towards the mountains.
Looking at the rolling mountains around him, Guan Hai couldn't help but frown.
"Erniu, why did you go into the mountains again?" Guan Hai's voice was filled with a hint of confusion and uneasiness.
Having lived in the mountains for nearly a year, Guan Hai knew too well the hardships involved and unconsciously developed a resistance in his heart.
"You'll know in a moment." Zhang Erniu smiled mysteriously and comforted Guan Hai.
Then, we passed another checkpoint.
Looking at the river that was so narrow that only two boats could pass through, Guan Hai frowned even more tightly.
But after driving past it, I soon discovered that the scene before me suddenly became clear.
The land on both sides of the river is flat and the houses are neat. There are fertile fields, beautiful ponds, mulberry trees and bamboos. The roads are connected and the chickens and dogs can hear each other.
In village after village, people are working hard in the fields, their faces filled with satisfaction and hope.
Various water conservancy facilities and factories are scattered around, water wheels are gurgling, and sounds of labor can be heard from the factories. From time to time, you can hear the sounds of children playing and reading aloud, which is full of vitality and vigor.
"This is!" Guan Hai opened his mouth wide in shock.
The Yellow Turban people on the boat also stretched their heads out, looking at the shore with surprise and envy, their eyes full of longing and hope, as if they saw the hope of a new life.
"Welcome to our new home, Taoyuan County!" Zhang Erniu took a deep breath and said to Guan Hai with pride in his tone.
"Erniu, this is true!" Guan Hai's voice trembled as he looked at the prosperous scenes on both sides of the strait and couldn't help asking.
His hands tightly grasped the side of the boat, as if he was afraid that all this was just an illusory dream.
"As you can see, this is our home!" Zhang Erniu nodded heavily, his eyes firm and confident.
"Under the leadership of our lord, it only took us half a year to accomplish all this."
"This summer harvest, on average every citizen harvested more than 60 shi of grain. Excluding the 30% that was handed over to the government, the remaining 40 shi belonged to each individual. We no longer have to worry about not having enough food to eat." Zhang Erniu said excitedly.
"Moreover, the government also led us to build houses, create kangs, distribute quilts and clothes, and set up canteens, schools, and clinics. As long as we work in the factory or pay insurance to the government, we only need to pay a small fee to go to school and see a doctor."
Tian Ze once tried to implement free canteens, dormitories and clinics, but after in-depth research and pilot projects, he found that the results were not ideal.
There are so many people under his rule that completely exempting these fees would not only cause huge economic pressure, but also lead to an unbalanced distribution of resources.
It will also lead to a lack of motivation and incentives for these schools, clinics, etc., making it difficult for people to enjoy the services they deserve, and they may even be unable to get in line.
Afterwards, Tian Ze tried to use a method from later generations, asking the people to pay a portion of the insurance, and then they could receive partial reimbursement or exemption according to a certain ratio.
Although some subsidies are still needed, the relative pressure has been reduced a lot, and the people have become more rational, which is also quite beneficial to the credibility of the government and the optimal allocation of resources.
After actual testing, it was found that this is indeed a relatively good and most suitable method for the current situation.
Tian Ze once again lamented the advancement of later systems and his own shallowness and ignorance.
Do not stick to any established model, do not blindly pursue extremes, but proceed from reality and focus on balance. Adopt whichever method is more beneficial to the people and the government, and more conducive to long-term development and future planning.
Many systems in later generations seem irrational, but in fact, if you look closely, there are reasons for them. It's just that most people can't see them, and most people only see the disadvantages. Listening to Zhang Erniu's endless narration, Guan Hai and others were all focused, and the light in their eyes became brighter and brighter, as if they saw a better life in the future.
Finally, after going around countless turns and passing through countless villages, Guan Hai and others saw some villages with slightly less people.
In the open space beside the village, a thousand guards were standing in battle formation, dressed in neat armor and holding sharp weapons, looking majestic and imposing.
Tian Ze, dressed in white, was fishing leisurely on the shore with his fishing rod that had never caught any fish. He looked calm and composed, as if everything in the world was under his control.
Seeing so many ships arriving, Tian Ze smiled slightly: "Finally they are here!"
How could Tian Ze dare to accept such a large number of Yellow Turban civilians?
Although Zhang Erniu had assured him, with so many people present, Tian Ze was still worried that many people might slip through the net and sneak in, posing hidden dangers, so he chose to come in person.
After everyone came down from the shore, Tian Ze put away his fishing rod, straightened his robe, and walked towards the training platform at the edge of the village. Dian Wei followed closely behind him.
This kind of training platform is no more than two meters high and is used for daily training and martial arts performances. Every village has one.
"Silence! Listen to the envoy's instructions!"
Zhang Erniu saw Tian Ze slowly walking onto the practice stage and immediately shouted loudly.
"quiet!"
Upon hearing this, Guan Hai's face suddenly straightened and he shouted loudly. His voice was like thunder, and the originally noisy and restless Yellow Turban people instantly quieted down.
Tian Ze looked at Guan Hai with a little surprise and secretly praised him in his heart.
It seems that I really underestimated this most powerful general of the Yellow Turbans. I didn't expect that he was so capable.
He originally planned to arrange guards to maintain order, but he started his performance directly.
Having given speeches countless times, he was very familiar with the subject and spoke in a sincere and heartfelt voice: "People! I am Tian Ze, your governor."
"You have traveled all the way, experienced hardships, and suffered from hunger and cold. But from today on, none of this will happen again! This is your home!"
Tian Ze's voice was loud and firm, echoing in the crowd for a long time, and his eyes were firm and warm, as if they could penetrate everyone's heart.
"There is fertile and vast land here. I will give each of you 20 mu of land. You can farm with peace of mind. You only need to give 30% of the harvested grain to the government, and all other taxes and corvée will be exempted!"
"I will build water conservancy projects for you to ensure a good harvest every year. I will prepare houses and cotton-padded clothes for you. You will no longer have to worry about not having enough food or clothes, and you will no longer have to live in fear and wandering!"
Tian Ze waved his arms vigorously, imitating an orator of later generations without any instruction. He swept his eyes over everyone's face, full of concern and hope, and continued speaking.
"I know you have suffered too much injustice and too much hardship. But please believe me, believe us, the future will be different!"
"We will teach everyone better farming techniques and raise livestock together. Children can go to school and learn knowledge, and the elderly can enjoy their old age and have grandchildren to enjoy their lives."
"Let's work together to build this home that belongs to us!"
……
The sound was as loud as a bell, as if it penetrated everyone's soul.
Listening to Tian Ze's passionate yet down-to-earth speech, Guan Hai clenched his fists tightly, his eyes widened with fanaticism, and his heart beat violently.
Great and wise teacher!
Guan Hai murmured unconsciously in his heart.
At this moment, Tian Ze's figure unconsciously overlapped with the godly figure.
Every word Tian Ze spoke was like a heavy hammer, hitting everyone's heart heavily.
These weathered Yellow Turban civilians felt their blood boiling and the fire in their hearts was completely ignited.
He seemed to see a beautiful vision of the future, a world full of hope and light, and all of this required them to strive and create.
Everyone burst into deafening cheers.
"Master Tian is kind and righteous!"
"I am willing to die for you!"
The voice resounded through the sky, as if to break through all the suffering and haze and welcome a hopeful tomorrow.
Many people fell to their knees, shedding tears of joy and sadness.
Even in the extremely distant future, deep in their hearts, this scene seemed to be deeply engraved and became an eternal memory.
No matter how many storms they have gone through, this scene is always as clear as yesterday. Whenever they recall it, a warm current will surge in their hearts.
(End of this chapter)
