Section 61: Preparation of Public Opinion

"Directly recruit militias from various communes. We not only need to replenish the troops, but once the main force of the army leaves, Lingao will fall into a vacuum. The people will think that we are leading the troops and run away, and people will be uneasy. Besides, we must also prevent other forces from taking advantage of the situation.

People like Liu Xiang or foreigners." Dongmen Chuiyu said.

"In addition to the commune militia, workers in each factory must also be armed as a factory protection team." He Ming said, "Once the war begins, except for a small number of naval forces, all the army and navy will be dispatched. The main base in Lingao must have a certain amount of troops.

We must use military force to defend. This part can only be dominated by militiamen."

"All the elders must also be mobilized. Seeing that the elders are at Lingao and personally fighting, the mood of the people will be much more stable. And they can also be used as the final reserve team." Engineers who came back from Sanya to prepare explosives

Leader Panda said, "In addition, important facilities in Lingao need to be fortified. In particular, Bopu and Majiao must be fortified. These two places are our key locations to prevent the enemy from sneaking in and landing in small groups."

Wei Aiwen said contemptuously, "You think highly of them -"

"Strategically, we must despise it, and we must pay attention to it tactically. If the enemy adopts tactics such as makeup assault, killing a few elders will be considered a disaster," Panda said.

He Ming said: "If the enemy is determined enough and commanded by a few decisive generals who dare to fight, it may not be impossible to use infiltration and surprise tactics - this has many precedents in history."

Soon, the combat plan and mobilization plan were sent to the Executive Committee, and after some additions and modifications, they were officially implemented.

The second-level mobilization order was subsequently issued. The orange warning was conveyed to all units. The mobilization machine of the entire crossing group began to operate.

Liu Youren came back from his family's land - summer sowing was about to begin soon. He went to see the condition of the soil and the newly built drainage and irrigation canals in person - Xun Suji gained the full trust of the Liu family in the first year, and in the second year

He began to suggest that he undertake some relatively expensive agricultural projects.

These projects are mainly farmland water conservancy projects. The Liu family's land is relatively concentrated, so there are conditions for carrying out large-scale water conservancy construction. Tiandihui and Delong launched special water conservancy loans for this purpose. Liu Youren mobilized his tribe and tenants at the beginning of winter

, Changgong built the first drainage and irrigation canal under the guidance of Tiandihui.

After a winter and a spring of construction, this canal was finally completed. The canal was built according to modern agricultural standards with supporting gates, reservoirs and branch canals. Although it is not as good as the U.S.-Taiwan water treatment project and school field reconstruction, in Tiandihui

It is also the first of its major customers.

Liu Youren looked at one place after another and felt very satisfied - according to Xun Suji, after building this canal, the moisture content in the land can be maintained at a certain level. If there is too much water, it will be drained away, and if there is less water, it will be drained away.

It can be irrigated. As long as there is no severe flood, drought or famine, a good harvest can be guaranteed.

This is of course not bragging. Liu Youren has been to other counties, and some counties also have government-built channels, which can indeed benefit the people. Now that he has one on his own land, Liu Youren is not only excited but also proud of his boldness.

Feel incredible.

This project cost a lot of money. Apart from the labor force, which he basically had to handle himself, all the materials were ordered from Australians. Everything was expensive, including the gray powder that turned into mud when exposed to water and turned into stone when dried.

It costs 50 circulation coupons per pack. Even the yellow sand, gravel and bamboo used in the project have been processed by Australians, and the price is calculated by kilogram. Although the technical guidance is free - because he is a key customer of Tiandihui,

The service fee has been paid.

He couldn't afford this project money on his own no matter what - not even with the combined efforts of his family. Most of the project money came from Delong Bank loans, and the mortgage was the land in his name.

If the harvest this year is not good, he will be bankrupt if he cannot repay the first batch of loans in the autumn.

In the past, he would have never dared to make such a big bet, but now he has a blind trust in everything the Australians do. He feels that everything the Australians do makes sense and nothing they do will fail.

All in all, you will definitely not suffer any loss if you follow them.

Now he is even more enthusiastic about promoting the marriage between Liu Meilan and Xun Suji. He has already had a vague idea. If he doesn't marry them now, he may not be able to get married in the future.

He changed his clothes and returned to the place where he was working. Liu Guangbiao was already here. He was holding the newspaper he had just bought from Dongmen City in his hand.

Liu Youren has developed the habit of reading the "Lingao Times" every day. He knows that although this Australian thing is not the Ming Dynasty's newspaper, it has similar features - that is, it can tell the Australians' recent political trends and policies.

Policies can even reveal the trends of power changes within Australians.

For example, recently, the Senate has been mentioned in newspapers significantly more often than the Executive Committee. Although Liu Youren doesn't know what the Senate or the Executive Committee is, he knows that these are the two main governing offices of Australians, and the Senate has been mentioned more often.

, indicating that the Senate has begun to take charge of affairs.

It's a pity that I still know nothing about the Australian political system. Otherwise, I might still be able to work in it...

Liu Youren took the newspaper and opened it casually. The newspaper had four pages. The Lingao Times had four large characters written in regular script vigorously and powerfully. There was also a line of small characters below that he didn't quite understand the meaning of "public release".

The front page of the newspaper was about the news about the 14th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Senate. He skimmed through it and saw at the end of the report: "...solemnly protesting against all kinds of unfavorable treatment of our trade personnel stationed abroad.

"Fair treatment..." His eyelids twitched.

Then he turned to the back and found an article about the Ming Dynasty's harsh policies on overseas business travelers. Such articles were rare in the past, but since Zhangtian, they have appeared frequently. The content of the articles is all about the current ills and maladies of the Ming Dynasty. And they are generally

It is content that is suitable for the occasion. For example, before and after Zhangtian, newspapers published many articles about the shortcomings of the Ming Dynasty's tax system. The tax changes, evolution and shortcomings of the Ming Dynasty were clearly written, and a large number of articles were published.

The "Confessions" of the grain couriers are nothing more than a confession one by one of how they made trouble and enrich themselves in tax and labor.

What does today's article mean? He read it carefully. Putting down the newspaper, he felt a little confused. The Ming Dynasty always regarded merchants who went to sea for trade or even settled overseas as "abandoned people". He knew this.

. But he didn’t know why the Australians were suddenly interested in this? They were not the people of the Ming Dynasty.

But one thing he knew very well was that articles like this in the "Lingao Times" were always a signal, hinting at what the Australians were preparing to do.

However, there were no clues from these articles. Liu Youren decided to ignore it for the time being and take care of the important matters at hand first.

"How are the preparations for Mei Lan and Chief Xun's marriage going?"

"Reply to Uncle San: Meilan's horoscope post has been sent a few days ago." Liu Guangbiao originally proposed to marry Liu Meilan to an Australian out of personal revenge. Seeing that the Australian is becoming more and more powerful, his attitude is very different.

He became very enthusiastic and even asked Liu Meilan and his family how they were doing.

"Well, not bad. Have you sent back Chief Xun's horoscope?"

"Not yet." Liu Guangbiao said, "As usual, when Australians marry, they need the approval of the General Office. Chief Xun said that the officials in the General Office have not yet approved the application - and, according to Chief Xun himself, there are no birth dates in Australia.

of."

"Nonsense, how is it possible without a birth date?" Liu Youren scolded, "Don't they claim to be descendants of the Song Dynasty? Why don't they even have a birth date!"

"According to Mr. Zhang, this is really not popular in their place. There is no need for parents' orders or matchmaker's words..."

Mr. Zhang is Zhang Youfu, the number one "Australia expert" in this county. Whenever people have trouble dealing with Australians and they don't understand something, they go to him for advice.

"This is too much child's play! Is it possible that you don't even have a birth date?" Although she is a granddaughter of the same family, she is still a girl of the Liu family. She cannot be so hasty.

"Go and talk to Chief Xun. You still need a horoscope post. Even if you don't have one, you still need to find a meaning."

"Yes, my nephew understands." Liu Guangbiao hesitated, "Well, do you want to ask someone to do the horoscopes?"

"Of course I have to invite you. You can't omit any etiquette matters." Liu Youren set the tone, "This matter must be done as soon as possible. It's going to be the height of summer in a blink of an eye. Should we hold a happy event in the middle of summer? You go quickly."

"Yes," Liu Guangbiao agreed, but did not retreat. Instead, he took a step forward and whispered: "My nephew has news, I don't know whether to tell it or not-"

"Bullshit! If an uncle or nephew who has been passed down from ancestors has something to say or not to say, please tell me!"

"I heard from one of our former long-term workers at Zhuangzi - he is now working in an Australian factory - that the Guangdong government will soon mobilize troops!"

"Seriously!" Liu Youren couldn't help lowering his voice.

"Seriously!" Liu Guangbiao nodded, "The Australians are doing some kind of 'mobilization' in every factory, training the militia and the people, and preparing to defend the city. I heard that their factories have also recently switched to firearms production."

"The army is coming after all!" Liu Youren nodded!

"Uncle San, what should we do?" Liu Guangbiao asked in a low voice.

Liu Youren thought to himself that it was unreasonable for the imperial court to use troops against Lingao. The Australians were doing a good job in Lingao, the lords in the county were also doing a good job as officials, and the people also had a good way of living. They were watching the days go by.

After getting better, why didn't the court give everyone a good life? Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a little angry.

"This group of officials are planning to use the heads of ordinary people as promotion symbols again," he said.

Liu Guangbiao glanced at his uncle with a little fear. How could his uncle say such a treasonous thing?

"Third uncle, now is not the time to say this. As soon as the imperial troops arrive, the Australians will fall apart immediately. At worst, they will escape by boat. What should we do? Should we escape with them..."

"In your opinion, can the imperial soldiers defeat the Australians?" he asked.

"This -" Even a small rural landowner like Liu Guangbiao, who has only been to Qiongzhou's capital city, can certainly see the difference.

"In my nephew's opinion, the Australians have fast weapons and strict military discipline. The imperial court's men and horses are incomparable." Liu Guangbiao said, "But the imperial court's men and horses are so numerous that they are as powerful as Mount Tai.

Australians may not be able to resist it.”

"Your concerns are justified." Although Liu Youren said this, he actually disagreed. He had seen the power of Australian artillery. Even if the imperial army came to tens of thousands, it would only increase casualties in the face of Australian artillery.

How it ends depends on whether the regiments trained by the Australians dare to fight the officers and soldiers to the end.

He thought for a moment: "Gather the elders from each clan in the clan. I want to have a chat with them. In addition, you must first wall up all but one-third of the food in the barn!"

Regardless of whether it is the Australians or the imperial army, they must requisition food from the people when they go to war. This is what Liu Youren is worried about. For the Australians, heaven and earth will help them grow food and build canals. Even if they have to provide food themselves, it is only natural, and they themselves

They knew the details very clearly. Fortunately, the Australians acted in a reasonable manner and would not conscript them at will, and there would be no cases where their subordinates would use clever excuses to line their own pockets, so the burden would not be too great. As for the imperial army, if they were to attack Lingao

, and it has to be embellished. Otherwise, if the army wants to attack the stronghold, even the stronghold itself cannot withstand it.

"Also, hurry up and repair the wall, and stock up on ash bottles, rolling wood, bricks and stones. You should also check the bows, arrows and fire guns. If they are broken, repair them as soon as possible..."

"Uncle San, a wall like ours cannot stop the Australian cannons..."

"You are so confused!" Liu Youren glared at him. Liu Guangbiao immediately understood that this armament was not to defend the Australians, but to deal with the imperial troops.

As soon as the imperial army arrives, whether it can defeat the Australians is another matter. It is certain that there will be many small groups scattered around to "grain". This kind of grain harvesting has gone from simply collecting food to officers and soldiers taking advantage of the opportunity.

They are looting everywhere. Unlucky villages and households are even in danger of being massacred. Anyway, once a "thief" wears the hat, no Qingtian lord will be full and have nothing to do.

Come to redress your grievances. You might even be rewarded with a head, pretending to be the enemy's leader.

The stockade was well built, and at most the officers and soldiers could extort some food, wine, and meat from it, but they would not be robbed completely and lose their lives.
To be continued...