Han Shizu

Chapter 1365

"The total casualties of the Northern Expedition, haven't they come out yet?" Emperor Liu raised Erlang's legs, put his hands on his knees, and asked slowly.

Hearing this, Zhao Pu immediately went to the desk, found a copy among the mountain of memorials, and bowed and presented it to Emperor Liu: "There is a preliminary report from the Ministry of War!"

While Emperor Liu was browsing, Zhao Pu reported: "According to the statistics of the Ministry of War, 13492 people were killed and 219 were missing from the conscription army.

In addition to the forbidden army, the casualties of soldiers on various battlefields were equally serious, with a total of more than 78000 people. In the bloody battle in Jinzhou alone, 17935 people were killed in battle, and the number of wounded was doubled! "

"Nearly [-] soldiers again, blood-stained on the battlefield, shrouded in horse leather!" Hearing this, Emperor Liu slowly closed the memorial, as if weighing a thousand pounds, and murmured: "Nearly [-] soldiers again, wrapped in hemp Dai Xiao!"

"Your Majesty!" Although noticing that Emperor Liu's interest was getting low, Zhao Pu decided to continue telling a serious fact: "The actual casualties were even more. This report does not include Wang Yansheng, Yang Yejun, who went on an expedition to Mobei, and those who fought in the Western Regions." Guo Jinjun. In addition, there are also tens of thousands of civilians who served in the army, and the number of casualties is also tens of thousands. Before the war, there are still countless people who destroyed their homes due to wars on the Han and Liao borders, and Sanyang is the most."

After hearing Zhao Pu's words, Emperor Liu fell silent, and the atmosphere in the room also became heavy. The three of Zhao Pu also lowered their heads one by one.

After a long time, Emperor Liu sighed: "In the past few days, Xijing has been full of jubilation, and behind those smiling faces are more than 10,000 families, crying for their children, grandchildren, brothers, and uncles! When we celebrated, we ignored them!"

"Your Majesty, don't be too sad. Compared with Liao Zhi's loss, although the big man suffered huge casualties and serious wear and tear, it is not unacceptable!" Zhao Pu comforted.

It has to be said that for a minister like Zhao Pu, the so-called casualties are just numbers on paper.How can there be no immortal in war? Since the founding of the Han Dynasty, in any large-scale war, the casualties were not tens of thousands. On the inscriptions of Zhaolie Temple in Tokyo, the countless monuments are densely engraved with the names of the dead soldiers.

Thinking back to the time when the world was not peaceful and the world was not settled, people who died due to war, disease, and hunger were more like sand.Zhao Pu also believed that, like Emperor Liu, a man of iron and blood who had come all the way from the mountain of corpses and the sea of ​​blood, how could it be possible that he was really depressed because of this little casualty?
Zhao Pu was more willing to believe that this sentimental expression was for the soldiers and the world to show His Majesty's benevolent heart.

Therefore, it is natural to cooperate, Zhao Pu reported: "The Ministry of War has quickly reviewed the meritorious service of the soldiers who died, and is preparing to compensate the property. At that time, the military officials will come to the door to comfort the families of the soldiers!"

"It should be like this!" Sure enough, Emperor Liu's sentimental expression disappeared without a trace, and he immediately instructed: "If you pass on my words, you must go from house to house, and convey the court's intentions in place. Soldiers who die for the country must also be rewarded by the country!

In addition, other than the forbidden army, the rest of the officers and soldiers will also be treated in the same way. They are also martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for the great man, and there is no distinction between high and low.Sort out the list as soon as possible, and the Ministry of War will put the pensions of the dead soldiers first!
Civil servants who serve in the military, although they have no military exploits, are still taking risks, contributing their efforts, and even giving their lives. They are used by the local government to provide pensions in accordance with the government system. If they are treated poorly, they must be severely punished.
The list of the dead soldiers should be sent to Tokyo as soon as possible, and Wang Pu will arrange it as soon as possible, and engrave it on the stele of Zhaolie Temple, so that the spirits can enjoy incense forever!At that time, I will go to Tokyo to worship in person! "

"Yes!" Zhao Pu replied.

"If you add the rewards to the ministers who have made contributions to the Northern Expedition, then the subsequent expenditures of the imperial court will be too great! In order to feed the Northern Expedition, the official warehouses and government treasuries in various places are also wasted. Very tight," Zhao Pu reminded immediately.

After taking a look at Zhao Pu, Emperor Liu said calmly, "No matter how difficult it is, how difficult is it to pass the beginning of the founding of the country? The difficulty is already in front of you, and how to solve it is what you should consider. Everyone They are all thoughtful ministers, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Pu, who had already prepared a draft, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I have discussed with you that the next step in the imperial court's expenditure will be the frontier defense, as well as rewards and pensions. The ministers think that the military expenditure for the northern frontier defense cannot be reduced, and the compensation for the casualties should belong to the Secondly, the rewards for meritorious officers and civilian husbands can be slowed down after a while, and will be reissued when the country's fiscal and taxation improves."

"Is this the result of your discussion?" Emperor Liu's eyes slanted.

Zhao Pu was slightly startled, and responded with cupped hands: "Your Majesty, the treasury is indeed in some difficulty right now!"

Seeing this, Emperor Liu immediately changed his posture, put his feet on the ground, leaned his upper body forward, and stared at Zhao Pu: "It's been so many years, why have I ever treated a meritorious soldier badly? How long has it been since the end of the Northern Expedition? How long has it been since I returned to the court?" !The celebration banquet is over, do you want to discount the rewards?
If this is the case, how can I face the soldiers, and how can the court be at ease?The soldiers of the Northern Expedition threw their heads, sprinkled their blood, and came back from the battle. Do you want to make them feel cold? "

"Your Majesty taught me a lesson!" Facing Emperor Liu's almost scolding question, Zhao Pu didn't panic, but looked a little calm, and bowed in response.

After calming down his excitement, Emperor Liu took a look at these ministers, but there was a little smile on his face: "You are all ministers of the court, with outstanding talents, you should not just come up with such a solution!"

Zhao Pu and Song Qi looked at each other, and then said: "Your Majesty, there are a few other ways, I'm afraid that they will cause some dissatisfaction!"

"Tell me!" Emperor Liu seemed to sit more securely.

"First, from Sichuan, Shu, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, the southwest and southeast Daozhou have always been important places for the imperial court's fiscal and taxation, and most of the treasury has a surplus, which can be coordinated to solve the imperial court's difficulties;
Second, the merchant tax was increased. During the Northern Expedition, a huge part of the government's tax revenue was earned by those merchants.The court tax system is too loose for merchants;

Third, the imperial government pays a large amount of official salaries and nobles' salaries every year, which can be appropriately reduced or postponed."

After hearing Zhao Pu's words, Emperor Liu came to a sudden realization, and said with a wry smile, "No wonder you said that it would cause some dissatisfaction, not just dissatisfaction!"

Emperor Liu said: "However, the three things you mentioned are all difficult to solve the urgent need! How can the water far away help the thirsty near?"

Zhao Pu didn't say a word, and instructed to look like he was listening to the oracle.In fact, Zhao Pu is dissatisfied with the current tax system of the imperial court, and he also wants to use it to carry out some reforms, such as the remaining local tax, business tax, and the somewhat inflated noble salary.

The imperial court collects taxes every year, the spring and autumn taxes are regular taxes, the poll tax is a small head, and tea and salt are huge profits, but they are related to people's livelihood and should not be lightly moved. The proportion of commercial taxes is increasing year by year, so it is easy to be used for surgery.

No matter how shrewd Emperor Liu was, it was hard to see through Zhao Pu's thoughts at this time. He thought about it seriously and ordered: "We can transfer the finance and taxation of Sichuan, Shu and Southeast to make up for the capital, but we must pay attention to it in moderation! You can't generalize, the Financial Secretary has come up with a set of feasible methods! As for the salary and the title, don't worry about it for the time being, so as not to cause complaints!"

"Yes!"

After pondering for a while, Emperor Liu waved his hands and said, "The imperial court will allocate funds from the internal funds for what is lacking right now!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhao Pu immediately smiled, his waist bent almost tens of degrees.

Seeing his reaction, Emperor Liu was stunned for a moment, then recalled: "Zhao Pu, you're not just waiting for me to say this!"

The country’s finances are difficult, but it doesn’t mean that Emperor Liu is also poor. The emperor is rich all over the world. Turning over the internal funds, plus various offerings, Emperor Liu is still very rich.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Pu lowered his eyebrows and smiled respectfully, "On behalf of the imperial court, thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Hehe!" Emperor Liu smiled, and then said seriously: "Money, internal money can be paid out, but it is borrowed, remember to return it!"

"That's nature! That's nature!"

(End of this chapter)