Chapter 20: Requesting Life at Tun Tian (Weekly Recommendation)

  Pang Gang looked at Qingzhou's commander Song Xinghe and prefect Wei Tongnian, saying sincerely: "The Taizu Emperor once said that tuntian can collect land taxes, relieve the people's burden, provide enough food for the army, and make the country rely on it. The best plan for border defense is none other than this. Now, the tuntian system within has been abandoned, and although there are tuntian in the Wei and Suo areas, they have poor harvests year after year, causing officials to worry and soldiers to be anxious about food. I, Pang Gang, am not talented, but I wish to take on this task, to share the worries of Commander Song and Prefect Wei."

  Wei nodded in satisfaction, stroking his beard, thinking that it was not easy to find someone like Pang who knew how to face difficulties head-on. Looking at Pang's young face, he couldn't help but feel a sense of regret that none of his subordinates had such ambition.

  Song Xinghe was also quite shocked, as he had previously inquired about Pang Gang's background and knew that this man was originally a merchant who was forced to join the military by the now-dead commander He Zhengnan. Given that he had only joined the military for a few days, it was understandable that he could speak fluently and had even read books. Previously, Song Xinghe had considered transferring Pang Gang to Qingzhou, but now it seemed that Pang Gang's ambitions lay elsewhere - he wanted to make a name for himself in the tuntian system.

  On the other table, Da Zhuang, Gou Sheng and others looked at Pang Gang with a surge of admiration in their hearts. This sworn brother, whom they had known for less than half a month, had already given them too many surprises, and now he was even an official to the hundred households. This change represented limitless prospects in their eyes! Even Li Yuan, who originally had some disdain for Pang Gang, couldn't help but secretly admire him, thinking that this bookworm's words and deeds were indeed different from theirs.

  Song Xing hesitated for a long time before slowly asking, "Your heart to repay the imperial court is indeed worthy of praise, but which fort do you want to garrison?"

  Pang Gang, who had long planned in his heart, replied without hesitation: "I am willing to lead the people to Wanghai Castle for reclamation."

  Wang Haibao is a Wei Baoding in the southeast of Lingshan, close to the sea. It was originally built to defend against Japanese pirates. One side faces the sea and the other side faces inland. The distance from the sea is only a dozen miles away. Pang Gang can speak freely here, which also proves that he has worked hard for these few days.

  The atmosphere in the room was momentarily silent, with only Song Xing's fingers lightly tapping on the table.

  The superior did not speak, and no one dared to make a sound, they just silently watched Song Xinghe.

  After a long time, Song Xing and Cai said: "Since you, Pang Baihu, have such a heart for the country's worry, this official cannot stop it. Since so, this official takes charge, allowing you to not participate in the imperial examination for two years, nor permit others to disturb you, just focus on farming."

  For Song Xinghe, the tuntian system is not only a political achievement but also beneficial to him. If Pang Gang can make the tuntian land prosperous in the future, it will be beneficial for him as well. Currently, most of the young and strong men from the Ming dynasty's Wei Suo are selected to join various camps as soldiers, while those who guard the borders like them have few opportunities to kill enemies and gain merits. Paying taxes and developing tuntian is the real political achievement and will be the main standard for military and political evaluation in the future. Who doesn't like promotion and wealth? If his subordinates can bring him political achievements, why wouldn't he be happy to support them?

  Pang Gang was overjoyed, with these two years of buffer time, it would be much easier to manage. He had confidence in building the one-burg territory into a self-sufficient and prosperous land. It wasn't Pang Gang bragging, although he didn't quite understand farming, but history has proven that as long as farmers were given enough freedom and benefits, the power they unleashed would be incredibly great.

  Pang Gang immediately stood up and said with his head held high: "Your Excellency can rest assured, I believe in one sentence, there are always more ways than difficulties. As long as we work together, why worry that we cannot build Wanghai Fortress into a land of fish and rice?"

  "Good!" Song Xinghe nodded with relief, "Having determination is a good thing. If you really have any difficulties, our Magistrate will not stand idly by, I suppose." As he finished speaking, Song Xinghe's eyes drifted unintentionally towards Wei Tongnian beside him.

  "Haha, Lord Song, you're trying to trick me!" On the side, Wei Tongnian burst out laughing. "A good solution is always better than a difficult one. Since Captain Pang has made up his mind, I won't just stand by and watch. If you have any difficulties, feel free to send someone to find me, and I'll handle it accordingly."

  "Thank you, Lord Wei, for your kindness." Pang Gang bowed deeply to Wei Tongnian after hearing this. With the support of Wei Tongnian and Song Xinghe, his pioneering work would be more than ten times easier than if he were to do it alone.

  After Director Pang took his leave, Wei Tongnian and Song Xinghe exchanged a glance. Wei Tongnian sighed: "General Song is really lucky to have such a subordinate. If he hadn't already joined the military, I would have had to poach him."

  Song Xinghe smiled mysteriously and said, "Lord Wei, why must you deceive this official? You so strongly support Pang Baohu, although it's because he saved your beloved concubine, but dare you say there isn't a bit of selfishness in it?"

  "Hahaha... we're just like each other!" The two of them looked at each other and burst out laughing.

  At present, the situation is getting more and more chaotic. As local military and political officials, they can see it clearer than anyone else. Now is not the time when literary and martial arts were valued in the mid-Ming dynasty. Now whoever holds the power of the army and the seal is the boss, whoever has more soldiers under his command has a harder fist. Originally, with their identity and status, they didn't need to lower themselves to get along with Pang Gang, a small hundred households. However, they both saw that Pang Gang dared to take out several people from the bandits' lair and even beheaded the bandit leader. This man will definitely have some achievements in the future. Now, giving him a little help may bring rich returns in the future. Who wouldn't do such a good business?

  Not to mention Wei Tongnian and Song Xinghe's private intentions, let's just say that Pang Gang and others are very different from when they came. When they came, everyone was wearing a ordinary swan-patterned battle robe, but when they left, the worst of them were wearing small flag clothes, and Pang Gang was even wearing a green hundred-household officer uniform, riding a red war horse given by Song Xinghe, which is rare in the Ming Dynasty where war horses are scarce.

  Pang Gang rode his horse slowly along the road to Huiling Mountain, with Da Zhuang, Gou Sheng, Li Yuan and others walking on both sides, all of them surrounding Pang Gang like stars around the moon.

  Don't be surprised, this is the Huaxia, this is the strict hierarchical system of feudal society. Although they were still walking together to escort the county lieutenant's concubine back to Qingzhou when they came, as soon as Pang Gang became a hundred households, the differences between classes immediately emerged.

  However, after leaving Qingzhou City, Pang Gang immediately jumped off the horse. It wasn't that he didn't want to ride, but rather because he had never ridden a horse before and felt extremely uncomfortable all over, always feeling like his body was swaying violently.

  As they walked slowly on the official road, Dazhuang looked at Pang Gang and wanted to speak but hesitated. Pang Gang saw this and couldn't help but laugh: "Dazhuang, if you want to say something just say it, when did we become so estranged? We even dug wild vegetables together a few days ago!"

  As soon as Pang Gang's words came out, everyone laughed. Da Zhuang hesitated for a moment and mustered up the courage to ask: "Gang... Lord Pang, can you take us two with you to Wang Hai Fortress this time?"

  Pang Gang was delighted when he heard the words, and it was really a case of thinking what to do and having it happen. He was worried that there were no more hands available, but now two had been sent automatically. However, his face didn't show any joy, and instead asked calmly, "You can use these reward silvers to build a house in Ling Shan Wei Suo and find a wife, live a happy life, why follow me to Wang Hai Fortress to suffer?"

  "I'm not afraid!" Da Zhuang's thick face was full of determination: "Gou Sheng and I have discussed it, we both think that following you will bring us fortune, so please take us with you to Wang Hai Fortress."

  Pang Gang stared at Da Zhuang for a while before slowly nodding, "Alright, but I must say this first, this time when we go to Wang Hai Fortress, you all must be prepared to suffer. This time when I go to Wang Hai Fortress is not just about farming, I also want to train soldiers."

  "Don't worry, sir! We can take any hardship, I guarantee we won't bring shame to you!" Da Zhuang patted his chest with a loud thud.

  "I hope you can remember what I said today!" Pang Gang smiled lightly, with a hint of malice in his eyes.

  Li Yuan, who was standing aside, also had the idea of following Pang Gang to Wanghai Building, but this idea was still suppressed in his heart. After all, his previous relationship with Pang Gang was not very harmonious, and if he spoke out rashly and was rejected, he would be very embarrassed. It's better to go back and discuss it with the old man at home first.

  A group of people walked and talked as they headed towards the Ling Shan Wei Fortress in the south.