The fifth day of the eleventh month in the fourth year of Chongzhen.

The back garden has been covered by a thin layer of white snow, the sky is overcast, and snowflakes are still falling from the air, densely packed and one after another.

Wu Bingyue, who was over one year old, and Wu Fanxuan, who was less than one year old, danced excitedly. It was the first time they saw the sky and the earth being completely white, and their joy was beyond words.

Chen Lingyan, Yuhuan, Xu Fo, Qiuye and Liu Yin all stood beside Wu Zongrui, looking at the falling snowflakes in the sky.

The auspicious snow heralds a good year. It should be said that this heavy snow will be of great benefit to the spring plowing in the coming year. There have been too many famines in recent years. Farmers are breathless. When the government collects land taxes, they also rack their brains. There is no such thing in the fields.

Regardless of the harvest, even if the government demolishes farmers' houses, they still cannot collect enough land tax.

The autumn field tax has been collected for more than a month, and everything in Qingzhou seems calm. The government offices have issued notices that they are not allowed to forcibly collect taxes from farmers. For those farmers who are really unable to make a living, the government offices in Fuzhou County will provide appropriate relief.

, let them survive this difficult winter.

The time to pay the court taxes is still at the end of December, but no matter how delayed it is, the taxes will still have to be paid after the time is up.

Wu Zongrui is not anxious at all, but Zeng Yongzhong is as anxious as an ant on a hot pot. It has been more than a month and the prefectures and counties under the jurisdiction of Qingzhou have collected less than half of the autumn field taxes. If enough taxes cannot be collected by then, then

Officials at all levels need to use money from their homes to subsidize it.

Waves of north wind blew by, and the snowflakes became more dense. The snow on the ground seemed to thicken, and the sky and the earth became whiter.

"Husband, it's cold outside, you'd better go back to the house."

"It's okay, Lingyan, you and everyone go back to the house. Bingyue and Fanxuan are still young, so don't freeze."

"The slaves and sisters have nothing to do. They are all wearing thick clothes. These mink clothes are really warm on the body. Bingyue and Fanxuan saw the snowy scene for the first time. At this time, they took them back to the house. I'm afraid

Unreliable."

Wu Zongrui nodded, moved a few steps, and walked to Xu Fo's side.

Xu Fo was born on **, and he had been taking the medicine provided by ** since he was a child. The possibility of pregnancy was very low. But what everyone didn't expect was that Xu Fo, after long-term maintenance, actually became pregnant.

When the doctor found out she was pregnant, Xu Fo was so happy that she couldn't contain herself. She dreamed of having a baby.

"Xu Fo, you are pregnant. Go back to the house early and take good care of yourself."

Xu Fo had a smile on his face and nodded repeatedly.

"Okay, husband, madam, sisters, I'm going back to the house to rest."

When Xu Fo was about to go back to the house, Liu Yin came over and supported Xu Fo naturally.

"Husband, madam, sister Yuhuan, sister Qiuye, I also went back to the house with you."

Five wives, this is something Wu Zongrui could not imagine before time travel. Of these five women, Liu Yin has the most outstanding appearance. No wonder she was one of the eight beauties of Qinhuai. Moreover, in terms of knowledge, Liu Yin may be slightly

Better than Chen Lingyan.

However, the status in the mansion is clear. Chen Lingyan is the first wife and has the most noble status. Yuhuan is Chen Lingyan's personal maid and has the second highest status. The rest, Xu Fo, Liu Yin and Qiuye, have similar status.

Fortunately, Xu Fo and Liu Yin are very sensible, and Chen Lingyan is not a mean person, but has a kind heart, so the mansion has always been peaceful, and those so-called palace battle dramas have never happened.

As for what will happen in the future, Wu Zongrui won't think too much about it.

...

Wu Zongrui's horse stopped in front of the Xinyi Police Headquarters, and Wu Zongrui jumped off the horse.

The snow on the ground is already half a foot thick, and the snowflakes are still falling with no intention of stopping.

People from scholar-bureaucrat families and country squire families can enjoy the beautiful scenery of falling snow. However, such heavy snow is a life-threatening disaster for ordinary people and farmers. After years of famine, the ability of ordinary people and farmers has been exhausted.

When it reaches its limit, it will collapse at the slightest disturbance.

In Wu Zongrui's impression, this was the biggest snowfall he had ever experienced since time travel.

"Brother, why are you here? It's getting late, and there's so much snow outside. If anything happens, just send someone to send a message. There's no need to come in person. You'd better go home and rest."

Upon learning that Wu Zongrui had personally arrived at the Xinyi Police Headquarters, Liu Ning, Luo Dianming, Luo Diazhao, Luo Dianyong, Qin Dalong and others all rushed to the Chinese military tent.

In the middle brazier, dry firewood is burning, and puffs of green smoke come out from time to time. In such a cold weather, charcoal is difficult to heat quickly, so dry firewood is the best.

"It's nothing. I came here just to see you. The weather is so cold, so the sergeant has made arrangements."

"The sergeants have all been arranged, and braziers have been distributed in all the tents, and dry wood is burned for heating. In order to avoid fires, there are sergeants on duty in each tent. The army rotates, and the sergeants on duty are responsible for adding firewood for heating.

.”

Wu Zongrui nodded.

I remember well that the army led by Kong Youde was at Wuqiao under the jurisdiction of Hejian Prefecture in North Zhili at the moment, and the mutiny of the sergeants was also in Wuqiao. It was precisely because of a heavy snow that the sergeants who had not received food supplies mutinied and rebelled.

It will take at least one to two days for the scouts to follow the investigation and return the news.

"Okay, everything in the barracks is fine, I'm relieved. All the sergeants are working hard during this period. You should also pay attention to appease the sergeants' emotions and make life better. Let the sergeants eat well. But drinking is strictly prohibited. Yes.

Now, how is the situation of Henry and others?"

"Brother, Henry and the others are pretty good. The training sergeant is very patient. Henry told me two days ago that his companions are probably coming to Qingzhou soon."

Wu Zongrui frowned and asked quickly.

"Did Henry say where his companions came from?"

"It is better to come from the south. Henry said that if it were not winter, his companions would definitely choose to take a sea ship to Dengzhou and Qingzhou."

"Well, that's fine. Judging from what you reported, three teaching staff are still too few. Oh, I remember Henry said that Dengzhou's chief instructor Xi Teixeira and deputy chief instructor Xi Correa are both

His companions, including everyone under their command, are freezing in the cold weather, and Teixeira, Correa and others should not have much to do. Henry can write to them and invite them to come to Qingzhou for a visit."

"Brother, isn't this good? If Teixeira and Correa come and see that our Xinyi Commandery has the Hongyi cannon and Franchise, there is no guarantee that they won't tell them. Even if they don't let them see it, there is no guarantee that they will.

Henry will tell."

"Wenru, we have to believe Henry. Henry is already a member of the Xinyi Guards and knows the rules of the army. He will not mess around. When Henry first came, he specifically mentioned Teixeira, Correa and others.

This shows that the relationship between them is very good. It is a good thing for Henry to invite Teixeira, Correa and others to Qingzhou. We will do our best as landlords and gain face for Henry. After all, Henry is

We must find ways to bring those who are outsiders into our hearts."

"I understand, let's go and handle it."

"Well, you can also write a letter to Teixeira and Correa, as Henry's superior, inviting them to come to Qingzhou for a visit. If they come to Qingzhou, use the power of the escort to transport them."

...

No one knows what Wu Zongrui was thinking. According to historical records, during the Lai mutiny, Xi Teixeira, the chief instructor of the New Army in Dengzhou, Xi Correa, the deputy chief instructor, and others all died in the battle, and they did not surrender until they died. This shows that Teixeira did not surrender until his death.

La and others are very loyal and regard themselves as members of the new army.

Of course we have to fight for such talents and try our best to fight for them.

Now is the best opportunity. The weather is freezing. As the Dengzhou New Army, which mainly uses thermal weapons, there will be no training tasks. Moreover, the focus of Sun Yuanhua's attention may also be on Kong Youde and others. At this time

, Sun Yuanhua will not care if Teixeira and others take leave to go out.

According to historical records, Teixeira, Correa and others were not only excellent instructors, but also very proficient in the structure of artillery. They once proposed to Sun Yuanhua, the governor of Denglai, to further study Hongyi cannons and Franchise machines to enhance their power.

The suggestion was unfortunately not supported by Sun Yuanhua.

Nothing can be forced. Wu Zongrui knows very well that the fate of Teixeira, Correa and others depends on whether Henry's letter and Liao Wenru's invitation letter are effective. If Teixeira and others do not come, insist on sticking to it

In Dengzhou, it means that they deserve to die, and Wu Zongrui has no choice but to slowly absorb experts in artillery from now on.

Back at the government office, Zeng Yongzhong was still busy in the wing.

Wu Zongrui walked into the side room.

Zeng Yongzhong, who kept rubbing his hands, stood up quickly when he saw Wu Zongrui coming in.

"Sir, it's so late, you should rest."

"Aren't you busy too, sir?"

"Here, there are still a lot of things that need to be done. Your Excellency is concerned about the people and requires the state and county officials to find Li Zheng and the elders to understand the situation of the farmers in the villages and towns, so that no one will starve to death because of the heavy snow. If there are farmers and people

We are short of food and clothing, and the government still needs timely relief, so I thought about sending the paperwork to the government office early tomorrow morning to avoid delays at the state and county government offices."

"Hasn't the Xinyi Police Department sent specialized personnel to go to the prefecture and county government offices to inform them?"

"Well, what they brought is a letter, not an official document from the government. I'm still a little worried. If the state and county government doesn't see the official document, they may not take action."

Wu Zongrui nodded.

"Sir, he thought very carefully. When the state and county government officials saw that the documents did not act, there was not much they could do. The officials of these state and county government offices were used to enjoying good things, and if they were suddenly asked to do things for the people, I was afraid that they would not be able to change their minds. The government would
Chapter completed!