Han Shizu

Chapter 1179
After the autumnal equinox, the days became shorter and shorter. Now, before you know it, the bright light outside has also dimmed. The dark sky and the cold environment seem to be directly reflected in the bottom of people's hearts, clouding the mood. A layer of gloom.

The serving officials and servants carefully added lamps and candles, and the political affairs hall was just a little brighter.Liu Yang and Zhao Kuangyin were still talking quietly in front of the map. Basically, Liu Yang asked and Zhao Kuangyin answered.

The atmosphere was a little dull, until Emperor Liu walked in leisurely, and was still interested in observing the layout of the Political Affairs Hall.Although the Zhengshitang in Kaifeng is located in the Guangzheng Hall, compared with the other side, the Luoyang side is much more majestic, and the atmosphere of authority emanates from almost every beam, column, and brick and tile.
"See Your Majesty!"

Paying homage and saluting, Zhao Pu, who was handling official duties on the desk, also put down his affairs and got up to greet him.

After looking at a few people, his eyes fell on Zhao Pu: "I have nothing to do, so I came here to see, what's important?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Pu turned around, picked up a memorial form from the desk, and presented it to Emperor Liu: "Jiannan Road has reported that there are a lot of conscripts in the south, and the burden on the people will increase. I hope the next year's summer tax can be exempted!"

For this southern expedition, although the army was mobilized from the entire southwest, the civilians who cooperated with the logistics were basically recruited from the nearest part of the axis of Jiannan and eastern Sichuan.Although the autumn harvest is coming to an end, a large amount of labor has been used for war, which has a great impact on farming. Especially according to the solar terms, the farming time in late autumn and early winter is basically wrong.

Therefore, listening to this performance, Emperor Liu seemed very generous, waved his hand, and directly agreed: "Yes!"

"In addition, Xue Gong's memorial also hopes that this autumn's tax money and food can be withheld and used in the Dali war nearby, so as not to waste it!" Zhao Pu said again.

In this regard, Emperor Liu frowned.The imperial court was still very tight on the local financial power. The reduction of the feudal clan in the early Qianyou period was accompanied by the deprivation of financial power. Local financial and tax revenues were reduced through three edicts before and after. .

However, this approach is obviously too much, resulting in obvious waste.After the country's finances became better, Emperor Liu also accepted the following proposal, two taxes per year, and [-]% of the local government for daily operations, without any exceptions.The finances and taxes that are lost will be dispatched and used by the imperial court.

Sichuan and Shu, as the financial and taxation center of the great Han Dynasty, transfer a huge amount of money and food every year, but due to geographical restrictions, the cost of transfer is also very high.

During this Southern Expedition, the imperial court also specially dispatched food and equipment and allocated money to support the march.Now that there is a war, Sichuan and Shu, especially Jiannan, are the rear bases for the conquest of the army. September and October are the dates for the payment of autumn taxes. If the previous rules are followed, it will indeed cause a lot of waste, and even affect the frontline battles. .

It would indeed be much more convenient if it could be retained for use and dispatched nearby, and a large amount of turnover costs would be reduced, and the improvement in efficiency would not be slight.

The benefits can be seen, but what Emperor Liu is worried about is breaking the rules.This time, if you can make concessions because of the military, then in the future, can the local government use various "necessary" reasons to make the same request? Think more about it. In the future, should the local fiscal and tax stay in the way and stay in the state, should continue to increase? After all, it is also a way to save administrative costs and reduce unnecessary losses
It has to be said that Emperor Liu's thinking seems to be becoming more and more stubborn and conservative. He has no intention of destroying the Han management system he has established over the years. On the contrary, he must resolutely maintain it.

However, before such a fatal event as a military war, it seems that it is appropriate to make changes and break certain rules.

"Today's Southwest, how many people have been recruited in total?" Emperor Liu asked after thinking about it for a while.

"According to the report from Jiannan Road, there are still as many as 130,000 young men from the fifteen prefectures, except those who accompanied the army!" Zhao Pu said.

"There are so many people!" Emperor Liu said with a little emotion.

Compared with the Northern Expedition and Pingnan, this kind of people is nothing at all, but if you consider the actual situation in the Southwest, you can know how much logistical pressure there is.

"What's the opinion of the Financial Secretary?" Emperor Liu asked again.

Zhao Pu replied: "Zhang Mei thinks that it can be agreed! Sichuan and Shu finance and taxation are inconvenient to transfer. This can save a lot of manpower and better support the Dali war!"

Since Wang Pu stayed in Tokyo and Xijing, the daily presiding work of the Financial Secretary was changed to Zhang Mei, the salt and iron envoy.

Nodding his head, Emperor Liu looked at Zhao Pu: "What do you think?"

Zhao Pu didn't hesitate at all, and replied affirmatively: "The big southern expedition must not be delayed, and everything should be done in Dali first!"

After a short pause, Zhao Pu continued: "However, we still don't know how much money was spent on the Southern Expedition. The imperial court can send special envoys to Jiannan to monitor this matter!"

Obviously, Zhao Pu sensed Emperor Liu's concerns.Hearing this, Emperor Liu didn't hesitate anymore, and immediately agreed: "Prepare a reply! Let the Financial Secretary send someone to Chengdu!"

"Yes!"

Looking around, he focused his attention on the map. He approached and looked at the few simply outlined marching routes. Emperor Liu asked, "How is the battle going? Has the Privy Council received the latest military report?"

Liu Yang, who was standing behind him, replied: "There is no latest news yet. Dali gathered all the soldiers to set up a barrier in Nongdong Mansion. It will take some time to break through the gate of Yangjubaa City. According to Wang Renshan The general's prelude, after adjustments and preparations, has launched a new round of offensive, and perhaps a breakthrough will be in the not-too-distant future."

Listening to his words, Emperor Liu said: "In the deep mountains of the southwest plateau, we have to fight so hard, can the loss be small?"

"Nongdong." Without waiting for him to answer, Emperor Liu stared at the Nongdong area shown on the map, and complained: "Who named this, it smells too barbaric!"

Liu Yang didn't know this question, and Zhao Kuangyin naturally didn't know about it. Unexpectedly, Zhao Pu explained: "The name of Nongdong began in the period of Emperor Wu of the former Han Dynasty. It was opened to Southwest Yi and established as Nongdong County!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu immediately said: "Since more than 1000 years ago, the southwest was already part of China, how could I not send troops to take it back? Otherwise, wouldn't future generations laugh at it?"

When he said this, Emperor Liu subconsciously glanced at Zhao Kuangyin.

Zhao Kuangyin felt Emperor Liu's gaze and lowered his head slightly.Then, he took the initiative to say: "Your Majesty, although Dali tried its best to defend it, with the strength of the imperial court, with time, it will surely break through and reach the city of Yangjubaa, forcing the Duan clan to surrender!"

"Where's Wang Quanbin? No news yet?" Emperor Liu withdrew his gaze and frowned.

After getting an affirmative answer, Emperor Liu was silent, pondered for a while, then turned to ask Liu Yang: "What do you think is the biggest difficulty in this campaign against Dali?"

This seems to be another exam for Emperor Liu. Liu Yang thought for a while and replied: "Road traffic! Whether it is before the army or after the army, all the courtiers complained that the roads were difficult. Apart from the military supplies, most of the manpower has been invested in the opening and widening of the road. Fortunately, the tribes along the way have expressed their surrender and waited and watched, otherwise our army's supplies and supplies will bear greater threats and burdens."

Emperor Liu was quite satisfied with Liu Yang's understanding, but he didn't make any comments. He pointed to the map and said resolutely: "Send an edict to the Daozhou in the southwest, and give it to the army with all its strength. You need people and food for you! Isn’t it difficult to go? Even if you use an ax to chisel, you must chisel a passage for me to ensure the supply!”

"Yes!"

Emperor Liu's edict meant that he would do whatever it takes.Of course, since the start of the Southern Expedition, a huge investment has been made, and we must persevere even if we grit our teeth.

"At the center, things like gunpowder and kerosene bombs will continue to be transported to the southwest! I don't believe it anymore. Things that have always been beneficial in the past will be unacceptable in Dali!" Emperor Liu said seriously.

"Yes!" Zhao Kuangyin bowed his hands and accepted the order.

(End of this chapter)