boyutpedia Chapter 237 New Year’s Eve
Chapter 237 New Year’s Eve
Although there was a temporary ceasefire, the 100,000 "borrowed" soldiers were not idle.
One hundred thousand soldiers and captives captured by the Tatars had already been digging trenches and building earth and stone walls according to Prince Duan's orders before Liu Rusi and his party arrived!
Now with the addition of 150,000 logistics troops and 8,000 Wala prisoners of war, the progress of the project has suddenly doubled!
Sand is flying in the desolate and cold Gobi Desert. Humans are as small as ants, but if we gather everyone’s strength, we can change nature!
A large area, almost as big as Jinyan City, was connected by trenches and earth and stone walls! Only four flat entrances and exits were left, and many wooden barriers were placed on both sides, which could be closed at any time!
A city with walls and garrisons has been built!
Chu Shiyu inspected the surroundings, looking quite satisfied: "The method of paying according to work is really good, and the efficiency is much higher than normal. Especially those prisoners, although there are few of them, they work harder than our people."
"Maybe because their goal is to stay alive..."
Liu Rusi also sighed. Things always happened in a strikingly similar way. They once again repeated the days of watching people digging the soil...
The difference is that in Fujiang Village, there were only one or two thousand people digging, but this time, there are more than 200,000 people digging; in Fujiang Village, one could earn three cents for digging a basket of soil, but this time, three baskets of soil could be exchanged for one cent or a pound of rice.
Chu Shiyu set the tone early on: pay according to work regardless of status, and treat everyone equally, whether they were prisoners of war, soldiers, or Tatar women who wanted to work.
However, the soldiers already had basic food - a meal of one coin and one ounce was simply a sky-high price in their eyes! The ten or twenty coins they could earn from working every day were not unattractive, but they were limited.
The prisoners of war were different. They had to earn their own food every day! And for them, as long as they worked normally, they could eat their fill! If they worked harder, they wouldn't have to worry about tomorrow!
The prisoners of war had no restrictions on their choices. If they felt they did not need so much food, they could get money for it. If they did not work enough the next day, they could buy more food for one cent or one ounce of silver.
Now the work done by the prisoners of war basically exceeds the food demand! But they still work hard to dig the soil every day! They only tried to buy food with money a few times at the beginning, and then they could only take in and not get out!
They braided their hair into ropes and strung the copper coins together. Some hung them around their necks, while others hid them in old cotton-padded clothes that were given to them out of fear that they would freeze to death. They all seemed to think they had gotten a great bargain!
"They are too poor. There is a shortage of resources on the grassland, and they have nowhere to sell their livestock. This winter is extremely cold, and a large number of cattle and sheep would normally freeze to death."
Rui Fengyan narrowed his eyes and smiled like a fox. "Two months ago, I asked Lu Daqing to buy live animals from the Tatar tribe at the price of one pound of wheat for one pound of wheat. They sold all the cattle and sheep except for those kept for breeding."
Liu Rusi paused...Chu Shiyu is indeed a profiteer!
In Daxia, a pound of pork after slaughter is worth ten pounds of wheat! The price of live cattle and sheep will only be higher, but the Daxia army is exchanging one pound of wheat for one pound!
However, this unfair deal is the most beneficial option for both parties.
On the surface, this Tatar gathering place was a group of conquered foreign people, and the Daxia army could simply rob them of their cattle and sheep.
But when they were conquered by the Great Xia Army, many Tatars had already let their cattle and sheep go out to fend for themselves! At that time, the Tatars only hoped that if they had a chance to escape, they might be able to find some surviving cattle and sheep!
In other words, the Daxia army gained nothing and the Tatars suffered heavy losses!
But this deal is different. Even if the price is bullying, it is a stable and certain income. The cattle and sheep are left on the grassland to fend for themselves, and these nomads naturally understand that with the situation this winter, their luck may not be good.
So after watching for a few days, the Tatars went out to retrieve their cattle and sheep and sold them to the Daxia army... Even some Tatar and Oirat tribes that had not been defeated secretly brought their cattle and sheep over to sell...
This is also the reason why they had the logistics for this trip. They drove the cattle and sheep back to Daxia and then sent a batch of food and fodder over.
The climate in Daxia was relatively warmer, and those cattle and sheep basically survived. They could be sold at the price of live animals, which was equivalent to making dozens of times the profit out of thin air!
"It turns out that a well-fought war can make money..." Liu Rusi couldn't help but sigh.
Chu Shiyu heard this and said in a somewhat pitiful tone: "But unfortunately, these transactions are all conducted in the name of the Great Xia Army, and I don't get any benefits..."
"You haven't contributed anything except your words! You are the prince of Daxia, and if Daxia gains an advantage, you won't benefit?! Aren't the achievements of the Northwest Army yours?!"
Liu Rusi scolded him angrily, and then said sarcastically: "Someone once said that if you can make a big career with money, you won't hesitate to spend a million taels~~"
Instead of getting sympathy, Chu Shiyu was choked. He couldn't help but say aggrievedly: "If you don't agree, then don't agree... Why are you so fierce..."
Her eyes paused... She accidentally put herself in the shoes of the exploited lower class, and hated the rich... Liu Rusi was embarrassed and changed the subject: "Well, the day after tomorrow is New Year's Eve, right?"
Chu Shiyu hummed, but then smiled and said, "I have been prepared for this, you will know when the time comes."
"Thank you. I'll wait and see."
He must have prepared some surprise for her, but Liu Rusi continued, "I was wondering, can we give everyone a day off on New Year's Eve?"
"The Great Xia Army has been scheduled to have a three-day holiday. Apart from rotating defense duty and general affairs, there are no other tasks."
"I mean, including the prisoners of war..."
Liu Rusi sighed and said, "Maybe I'm too idealistic. I think people need to rest properly in order to work more efficiently..."
"Okay, then we'll stop working. We can provide them with some food on New Year's Eve so they can have a New Year's Eve dinner."
Chu Shiyu readily agreed, and explained and comforted him: "In fact, the current wall is enough for defense, as long as the cavalry cannot directly break in and attack. But with so many people, they are idle anyway, so the stronger the wall, the better."
"Yeah." Liu Rusi nodded gently... She knew that this little bit of care was insignificant, and perhaps the prisoners would complain about missing a few days of opportunities to make money... But she felt that this was the right thing to do...
...
"There are meat and vegetables, but why is there no wine?"
The new earth-walled city in the Gobi Desert became bustling. Even without lights and decorations, the lively atmosphere around the bonfires showed a festive mood!
"The general has already instructed that alcohol is prohibited in the army!"
"But isn't today New Year's Eve? Sigh, if we weren't in the wilderness, I would have gone out to drink and have fun! I don't want to spend the night with you stinky people!"
"Tsk! You stink too! Who's looking down on who? It's freezing cold, it's good enough to have meat to eat and a fire to roast!"
The Daxia army's staple food is rice and flour, and meat is rarely provided. Otherwise, how much meat would be needed to satisfy hundreds of thousands of people?
The whole army can eat meat happily today because there happened to be some casualties and horses frozen to death before - war horses cannot be killed at will, and even if they are dead, they must be confirmed and recorded by superiors before further processing.
In addition, when he first bought the cattle and sheep, some herdsmen wanted to sell those that had frozen to death, but Lu Daqing was greedy for a bargain, so he bought them at the price of one pound of wheat in exchange for three pounds.
Chu Shiyu stopped it immediately after finding out!
At present, the meat yield of cattle and sheep is about 40%, which is equivalent to more than one pound of meat for one pound of wheat. It seems to be a good deal! However, dead cattle and sheep are difficult to transport to Daxia, and once the temperature warms up, they will start to rot! They need to be slaughtered and processed on the spot!
Processing methods include air drying, baking, pickling, etc., but air drying is unstable and does not last long, baking requires a lot of charcoal, and pickling requires a lot of salt! Regardless of which method is used, it takes time and effort, and adds a lot of tangible and intangible costs!
If there were no such problems, why would nomadic people drive their livestock to sell at low prices?
Even if Chu Shiyu called a halt in time, the gathering place here had already sold thousands of frozen livestock to Lu Daqing!
Fortunately, the Daxia army here can digest this number, and the current temperature here will not get bad for the time being, so after slaughtering, they will be kept as a snack on New Year's Eve.
However, most of the livestock that died accidentally were not bled, so there was a bloody smell. Even if the cooks added a lot of seasonings to suppress the fishy smell, it still tasted salty and fishy...
Of course, the soldiers at the bottom of the society would not dislike it. The fishy smell would not affect their appetite for meat at all! Only a few people who had lived a good life could not swallow the fishy smell and would rather eat dry food and white rice...
However, resources can never be distributed evenly, and the upper echelons of the military are treated differently!
Outside the military tent in the center of the city, the aroma of meat filled the air!
Plates of cooked meat were readily available to the generals, and there was even a whole sheep roasted on the bonfire in the middle! These were all freshly slaughtered cattle and sheep!
The soldiers on the periphery were envious, but they were also calm. After all, only lieutenants and above were eligible to attend Prince Duan’s New Year’s Eve banquet… It’s not the lack of food that is worrying, but the inequality, which is often the case for people of the same class! For example, we are both soldiers, so why can you eat better?
Although a soldier and a centurion walked in, everyone was aware of the peculiarities of these two people... People who have matching status or abilities enjoy preferential treatment, which people can accept, and those who have matching abilities may even take it for granted.
"General! Just bring some wine! I won't get drunk even if I drink a few jars, and it won't cause any trouble! Meat is more enjoyable when eaten with wine!"
Lu Daqing bit the beef bone stick in his hand with a look of regret on his face!
"Then put down the meat and eat vegetarian food." Chu Shiyu responded coldly without even raising his eyelids.
Lu Daqing shut up awkwardly. It was uncomfortable not being able to enjoy wine and meat together, but it was still better than eating vegetarian food!
"Cousin... General, you are really a vegetarian?"
Two people dressed as a soldier and a centurion sat on the ground in the corner, but their presence was not low at all, and their mouths were full of oil!
"Yes, Your Highness! This beef is so chewy! It tastes different from ordinary yellow cattle and water buffalo! It would be a shame not to try it!"
Chu Shiyu immediately raised his eyes! He gave them a cold look! But both of them were able to ignore the cold look... so he opened his mouth to retort...
Suddenly, a piece of fragrant beef was placed next to his slightly opened mouth, and the beauty beside him smiled and said softly, "Would you like to try it?"
Actions are faster than thoughts! Ruifeng's eyes narrowed in a smile, and the beef went into the beautiful woman's mouth with her chopsticks!
"Is it delicious?" Liu Rusi smiled as she looked at the man with a happy face.
"Yum! So delicious!"
Chu Shiyu even wanted to say that he had never eaten such delicious meat! Even though he didn't pay attention to the taste in his mouth!
"Then don't eat vegetarian food on New Year's Eve and the first day of the new year. How about a normal combination of meat and vegetables?" Liu Rusi took the opportunity to persuade.
All the generals in the northwest found it hard to understand that Chu Shiyu was a vegetarian! From time to time, they would say that if the commander 'ate coarse food', how could the generals eat in peace?
Everyone could accept that the commander-in-chief had exceptional benefits. For example, according to military law, women could not be brought into the barracks, but Prince Duan allowed Liu Rusi and a bunch of maids to stay in the Northwest Army, and no one said a word against it.
But it is difficult for the generals to accept the poor treatment from their commander-in-chief!
Because in Daxia, the hierarchy is clear! Not to mention that he is the Prince of Duan, just because of his position as the commander-in-chief in the army, he should enjoy the best treatment. If others exceed him, it would be an usurpation!
Even though the soldiers knew that they would not be held accountable, they still found it difficult to feel at ease watching their commander eat a vegetarian diet because they ate meat!
Liu Rusi could completely empathize with the feelings of these soldiers! But after several persuasions, Chu Shiyu insisted on doing his own thing!
Just now, she saw many people eating uncomfortably, so she endured the discomfort and tried to feed them by herself to see if she could make Chu Shiyu give in...
As expected, Chu Shiyu fell for this trick, but he was too greedy: "You feed me meat, how can I not eat it... No, I'll just eat vegetarian..."
My toes are desperately digging into my thick fur boots...
Liu Rusi maintained her composure, nodded and said softly, "Okay, just these two days."
Chu Shiyu immediately became cheerful, pointing at this and that, asking Liu Rusi to feed him!
As I swallowed the meat, I forgot about the worry of nosebleeds! Nosebleeds hinder sexual happiness! But now the food fed by my beloved is a blessing! Let's enjoy it first!
The complacent man completely ignored, or rather enjoyed, the envy and jealousy from those around him!
Until the chopsticks in the little hand "clicked" on the chopstick rest!
The man finally said, "Rusi, I'm full. How about you? Can I help you get some?"
Liu Rusi's face softened, and she only uttered two words from between her teeth: "No need."
He was trying precariously to suppress the urge to scold Chu Shiyu in front of all the soldiers!
Chu Shiyu quickly restrained himself and said, "Take your time to eat. I want to drink some herbal tea to relieve my greasiness."
The entire Northwest Army was well fed, well drunk, and well fed.
It was still the hour of Xu. Although it was New Year's Eve, there was nothing to do in this desert Gobi. Therefore, the soldiers had no plans to stay up all night. Except for the soldiers on duty, everyone else planned to go to bed.
As the night deepens…
On the vast plain, besides the stars and the moon, there is only a lonely earthen city, revealing a little light...
There seemed to be some noises between the dry grass and the rocks, but the dull sound was so careful that it did not disturb anyone, and it slowly approached the deserted city without anyone noticing...
suddenly!
"call out!"
Brilliant light cuts through the night sky!
"bump!"
The colorful colors bloom into thousands of streams of light in the dark night!
The huge noise disturbed the tranquility of the wilderness!
On the Gobi Desert outside the city, in the Tatar yurts that were "detained" there, some women or half-grown children hurriedly put on their coats and came out to check!
They were amazed by the unprecedented beauty in the sky!
The continuous dazzling lights almost occupied half of the sky!
Seeing that it came from that rich city, they felt relieved, and realized that it must be a work of enjoyment for those foreigners.
However, in the grassland where the strong prey on the weak, vigilance is their survival instinct. After looking at the sky, they subconsciously looked at the wilderness in the night...