Han Shizu

Chapter 956 Summary of the Palace Meeting
"Since the Northern Expedition started in July last year, until March this year, Your Majesty led the charge. It lasted eight months. To supply the Northern Expedition, the treasury spent 1653 million yuan, 32 pieces of silk cloth, and consumed 582 yuan of various grains. Wanshi, Henan, Hebei, and Hedong have a total of 120 million conscripts." Fan Zhi listed a series of statistics to Liu Chengyou and the big Han officials present in a heavy tone.

Regardless of civil or military, the whole court was shocked. Everyone knew that the Northern Expedition had caused a lot of damage to the court, and all the functions and functions knew about it, but not comprehensively.After nearly two months of synthesis, statistics, and accounting, the results are still astonishing.Apart from being amazed, some people were also surprised that the financial resources of the people in the Han court were so rich that they were able to mobilize such a large amount of resources for a war.

Not to mention anything else, only in the first-line battle areas, the total number of soldiers and civilians invested by the Dahan before and after is 500,000. As for the manpower mobilized by the states and counties, it is a huge number.

Even so, the statistics obtained by the imperial court are still only a vague number and a range.But from it, we can also see how huge the loss is.

Liu Chengyou's heart couldn't help beating violently, and he sighed: "The expenses of the public and the expenses of the common people are so serious. After working hard for teachers for a long time, the harm of using troops is all in it!"

Take the money spent as an example, one thousand more than 600 million guan, which is the annual income of the whole country after Sichuan and Shu are collected.However, one year's income has to take into account the world, and the expenditure is huge, but it will be wiped out in a war. In fact, this is to spend the next three to four years on the premise that the court maintains other basic consumption. All taxes have been put into it.

In fact, if it weren't for the huge wealth that was constantly transported back to Tokyo from Shu, Liu Chengyou might not have dared to make this war so big and persist for so long. After all, victory is more important than longevity.

During the war, Liu Chengyou devoted himself to the war, and all his actions and actions were only for the victory of the war.After the war was over, this idea changed again. Looking back, even Liu Chengyou felt a sense of panic.

This Northern Expedition was a big gamble. If there were any accidents, such as a defeat, such as a stalemate, even if the entire empire would not collapse and the rule could be maintained, it would be inevitable that the fate of the Han Dynasty would be affected.The more he thought about it, the stronger Liu Chengyou's sense of dread became. The Northern Expedition was the first in decades, and its scale far exceeded all previous unification wars of the Han Dynasty. It was like walking a tightrope.

Therefore, Liu Chengyou sighed.Fortunately, the victory belongs to the big man, and it is precisely because of the victory that he can recall and summarize with a more peaceful state of mind.

And after this battle, Liu Chengyou also felt a sense of awe towards the war.At least, it's better not to start such a gambling-like war that exhausts the country's strength. After all, apart from professionalism, the most important thing is to maintain the stability of the empire and its rule.Of course, with this battle, it is almost impossible to force the Han Dynasty to this point in the future.

It can be said that the victory of a Northern Expedition opened up the two lines of Ren and Du for the Han Dynasty. From then on, it can steadily move towards a prosperous age.

After Fan Zhi said, Xue Juzheng opened his mouth, but it was a supplement to what Fan Zhi said: "Your Majesty, what Fan Xiang said is only an expenditure on the face of the court. Shanyang and Yannan have been severely damaged by the war, and the people are waiting to be fed. , Still need the support of the imperial court to rebuild. Due to the war, a large number of young people were killed and injured, and the civilian labor force was injured, and the production was damaged. This spring offensive, many civilians are difficult to return to the land quickly, and the farming season is delayed. This year's harvest is bound to be sharp Reduced, thus affecting the imperial court's annual income.

Today, the national treasury is empty, the government is not enough, and Tokyo's food needs to be transshipped from other states to prepare for the shortage.In addition, the rewards for meritorious officers and soldiers and the compensation for casualties and civilians are another huge expenditure.

Your Majesty, the imperial court is overwhelmed and the situation is worrying! "

As for Xue Juzheng, this is complaining. Since ancient times, money bags are not easy to manage.At the same time, this is also putting pressure on Liu Chengyou, hoping to be somewhat restrained in future expenditures
Of course, Liu Chengyou didn't know anything about the state treasury situation. Difficulties were certainly difficult, but they were not particularly worrying. As long as he survived this year or two, the future would get better and better.Furthermore, if you don't go to the official warehouse to have a look, you will never know how much money you have.

After thinking about it for a while, Liu Chengyou said: "No matter how tight the national treasury is, we can't treat the heroes of the great Han with less. Shortage. Especially the pensions for casualties, soldiers and civilians, let alone any stingy delay!
In addition, those who contributed to the Northern Expedition will be rewarded by local governments as appropriate.The peasant households who have served in the army will affect the spring farmers, especially the people in Hebei and Hedong. This year, the tax will be reduced or exempted. At this time, the third department should also come up with a specific and feasible charter, and promulgate the world as soon as possible, so as to ensure the safety of the country. People's hearts."

After the emperor's words, Xue Juzheng's expression became even more bitter. It was because he was continuing to spend large sums of money while reducing his income.Judging from his tone, there is no room for negotiation.

Fan Zhi said: "Your Majesty's words are indeed true. The heroes of the country should not be treated lightly, but the difficulty of the treasury must also be taken into account. The use of the country is not limited to military affairs. It is true that it is impossible to spend too much for a while. A lot of money and silk. There are priorities, or they can be implemented gradually!"

Hearing Fan Zhi's words, Liu Chengyou cast his eyes on him and asked, "According to Fan Qing's words, what is the most urgent thing, and what can be done lightly?"

After a little hesitation, Fan Zhi said: "Your Majesty, the country is based on the people, and the people put agriculture as the most important thing. We should first sympathize with the people and ensure the safety of agriculture. In addition, for the casualties of soldiers and civilians, we can first allocate funds to compensate them. As for other meritorious rewards, you can Appropriate delay!"

When Fan Zhi finished speaking, before Liu Chengyou could speak, Chai Rong said, "A proper delay! Can the delay be reduced appropriately? In the end, why not reward at all?"

What Chai Rong said was right, but he was not polite at all. Fan Zhi stared at him, and suddenly became angry, and said, "Why did Clerk Chai misinterpret my meaning? The old man's meaning is exactly what he said!"

Chai Rong said: "Fan Xianggong stayed in Tokyo, but he didn't know the hardships of the soldiers of the Northern Expedition. They fought bloody for the country, killed the enemy bravely, and survived a hundred battles. They had to return to the capital and return to their hometowns. But pretending to delay, do you consider the mood of the soldiers?"

"Nowadays, the country can't spend such a huge amount of money at one time, and implement it successively. Why not? If you can fight to the death for the country, can't you understand the difficulties of the court and give the court some room for maneuver?" Fan Zhi said angrily.

When he said this, Chai Rong gave a rare disdainful smile, and Liu Chengyou frowned.Let the soldiers Qiu Ba have this awareness, I am afraid that they are not thinking too much. Liu Chengyou can guarantee that if the reward is too delayed and discounted, there will be absolutely complaints. This has been the case in all dynasties, and there may even be chaos. It has not been completely and completely eliminated.

Seeing the "daily" disputes between the two, Liu Chengyou raised his hand to stop them, and said: "Those who should be rewarded will not be delayed, those who should be rewarded will not be short, and those who should be assisted will not be short! , in this matter, there is no need for any discount!"

For the difficulties of the third division, Liu Chengyou is still considerate.Sure enough, as soon as the emperor's discussion came out, the debate disappeared, and Xue Juzheng was slightly relieved.

In fact, Liu Chengyou is also considering that the imperial court has spent so much money and driven so many transactions, and the tax revenue generated from it should not be small.In terms of commercial taxation, perhaps it is time to take further steps.

The moment he was distracted, Chai Rong also got up and reported the situation of the army: "In this Northern Expedition, there were 21 battles with more than 124 people, and 82931 games with less. A total of 15879 people were killed and missing, including 436 forbidden soldiers and hundreds of generals. 124859 officers above; 13948 injured, [-] seriously injured."

Compared with the consumption of money, food and wealth, the number of casualties listed by Chai Rong is even more shocking.The results of the Northern Expedition were brilliant, but they were really piled up with human life and flesh and blood.Especially the soldiers who died in battle, nearly half of them were caused by the battle at Nankou.And Chai Rong's list is only the casualties of soldiers and civilians who fought, not including those Youyun civilians who suffered from military disasters, which are in the tens of thousands.

In this regard, Liu Chengyou emphasized in a heavy tone: "It is these people with lofty ideals who are not afraid of hardships and casualties, so that the victory of this Northern Expedition can be achieved. For them, how can the court be stingy with money, food and silk? Heart?"

These words seemed to be beating Fan Zhi again, making the gentleman frowned and lowered his head.

Liu Chengyou continued to say in a deep voice: "For the fallen soldiers and common people, the Ministry of Rites should prepare a public sacrifice, and I should lead the clan, ministers, civil and military officials, as a condolence!"

"Yes!" Tao Gu, who is the Minister of Rites, stood up and answered without any hesitation.Kind of, uplifting.

"This time, the imperial army and the frontier army have suffered heavy casualties, and many armies have been incomplete. The Privy Council, the Ministry of War, the front of the palace, and the two divisions of guards should jointly draft a reorganization charter, carry out a more comprehensive adjustment, and sort out the national military system! Hmm , and also prepare for the arrangement of rewarding meritorious service!" Looking at Chai Rong, Wei Renpu, Xiang Xun, Murong Yanzhao and others, Liu Chengyou ordered.

"Yes!"

This is probably Liu Chengyou's real purpose, but any major changes will inevitably touch those with existing interests.Combining remuneration with reorganization is the most effective way to reduce resistance.

(End of this chapter)