Dynasty Conquest

Chapter 505 Refugees and Army Expansion

The motion proposed by the cabinet was finally settled after some intense discussions. Although a perfect solution was finally found for the bottomed-out treasury, the faces of the cabinet ministers did not show the slightest expression of joy.

Lin Chuan's reduction of agricultural tax and increase of commercial tax are undoubtedly a blow to the cabinet officials. They are afraid that they will take the initiative to withdraw and annex the land of the common people. Now the family's business will also be restricted. Can kill Lin Chuan.

However, Lin Chuan didn't care about the inner thoughts of these important ministers at the moment. Anyway, when the nobles annexed the land, they had already offended people. Now he doesn't care anymore. All he considers is for the Far East Dynasty. Selfish, so he has a clear conscience.

"Does your cabinet have any questions?" Long Han continued to ask.

Although they lost the first game and lost the Minister of State Wu Jingtang, Zhou Rulin, the chief assistant of the cabinet, had to cheer up.

Zhou Rulin said: "The number of refugees gathered in the vicinity of Wangjing is close to 200 million. Although we have sent officials to distribute porridge every day, it is only a stopgap measure. As winter is about to enter, the situation may get worse , Where do these 200 million people go, please adults make up your mind."

Yang Yanxu, chief of military affairs, also echoed: "There have been constant demonstrations in the past few days. These refugees demanded better food and travel expenses to go home. Although we sent troops to expel them, there was little effect."

"The law and order situation in Wangjing City is deteriorating every day, and many shops have been looted by hungry refugees..."

The atmosphere in the chamber froze again. The refugee issue had troubled everyone for a long time, but facing the severe situation, it had to be brought up at such a military and political meeting.

The uprisings and wars in various places caused tens of thousands of people to flee to the Wangjing area, forming countless refugee camps and slums. Millions of refugees made the public security situation in Wangjing constantly worse.

Murder and robbery incidents continued to occur. Although the number of soldiers maintaining law and order had increased several times, it was still a drop in the bucket in the face of millions of refugees.

The gathering of so many refugees in the Wangjing area has greatly affected the lives of local residents, and the daily porridge distribution has caused a great financial burden.

"Give them travel expenses and let them go back to their hometown." Long Han said after thinking for a moment.

"Your Majesty, there are more than 200 million refugees. If they want to send travel expenses back to their hometowns, they will need at least 500 million gold coins, but this is just the travel expenses. The houses of the refugees have been burned. They need to rebuild their homes and money when they go back. Such a period of time also requires a lot of food, after a comprehensive calculation, if we want to settle them properly and prevent them from becoming part of the rebel army, we need at least [-] million gold coins..."

The Minister of Finance, Asius, spread his hands, expressing that he was helpless. Now there are less than 9000 million gold coins left in the treasury, and there are many places to spend the money, and there is no way to spend [-] million.

Long Han frowned: "Is there no other way?"

Everyone in the meeting hall watched their mouths and mouths, and their noses and hearts were silent. Dealing with these refugees is indeed a difficult problem. Whether they are sent back to their hometowns or stay in the Wangjing area, they need a lot of money to support them. Not so much money.

"Your Majesty, I don't know if I have a way to do it?"

Like a drowning man grabbing a life-saving straw, Long Han hurriedly said, "Lin Aiqing, just say it."

"It's not the best way to dismiss them or stay in the Wangjing area. Rather than spending a lot of money to relieve them, we might as well find something for them to do, which can consume their remaining energy and prevent changes. Can help with the establishment of dynasty infrastructure."

"Oh? How do you say it?"

"My solution is to use work for relief. Now the roads leading to the various provinces of the dynasty are in disrepair due to wars. Why don't we recruit these refugees to build roads, and then pay them. When the spring of the next year comes, they can have money. If you go back to your hometown to sow seeds, you can also continue to build roads."

"But we need a lot of money for this," the Chancellor kindly reminded.

"I know that a lot of money is needed, but this is not a one-off payment, it is a monthly payment. I think 5000 million can last for several months. After a few months, the tax revenue from the treasury should also be in place. Then the remaining Remuneration can also be issued."

Lin Chuan's method of exchanging work for relief and space for time not only solves a series of problems of refugees gathering and making troubles, but also contributes to the infrastructure construction of the dynasty. Although many officials don't like Lin Chuan, they can't think of a better one. This is the only good way to go before.

Long Han made a final decision: "Okay, let's make it like this. Since this proposal was proposed by Lin Aiqing, then Lin Aiqing will preside over it."

"Your Majesty," Lin Chuan readily agreed.

"President Lin will be very tired as he holds multiple positions. Your Majesty might as well entrust this matter to our cabinet." Zhou Rulin stood up to object at this moment.

These matters should have been the work of the minister of state affairs, but Wu Jingtang, the minister of state affairs, was dismissed by Lin Chuan. Now that Lin Chuan has extended his hand to their cabinet, he naturally disagrees.

Lin Chuan was already prepared: "Thank you Lord Zhou for your concern. I have already asked His Majesty to resign from the position of Inspector General, so there will be no situation of holding multiple positions in the future. I will wholeheartedly deal with refugee matters."

"That's true, don't worry about Zhou Aiqing." Long Han also said.

Zhou Rulin's eyelids twitched wildly, and he didn't even ask who the inspector-general's successor was. Possibly Minister of State.

Thinking of this, Zhou Rulin felt a sense of danger approaching. He knew Lin Chuan's strength and ability. If Lin Chuan was really allowed to enter the cabinet, then their power and status would definitely be challenged. Start thinking about countermeasures.

For a long time, members of their five major families served as important ministers in the cabinet, firmly controlling government affairs, but now that Wu Jingtang was taken down and Lin Chuan came in, this made them feel uneasy.

After discussing the disposal of the ten thousand refugees, Yang Yanxu, chief of military affairs, began to bring out the general's proposal for everyone to discuss.

The military's proposal is very direct and simple, that is to expand the existing military establishment and increase the strength of [-] to [-] banner regiments.

The reason they gave is also clear: the Rong people in the north are ready to move now. If they go south to attack, the 30 troops of the Northern Army will not be able to stop them, so at least 20 troops should be added.

The situation in the Far East is even more severe. Chief of Military Affairs Yang Yanxu gave such a set of data.

"On August [-]th, there was friction between the Hanhai border patrol team and our Far East border guards. Five soldiers and one officer were killed on our side."

"On September 38, the Hanhai defense forces entered our territory without permission and massacred [-] people in two villages. Our army clashed with them, killing [-] soldiers and five officers."

"On September [-], the Hanhai Empire occupied Shuowu Town and me in the name of acting. In order to avoid a large-scale conflict, we have submitted it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the two sides are negotiating."

"In mid-October, a cavalry patrol of our Far East Frontier Army was attacked by Hanhai people, and the entire army was wiped out..."

"According to our intelligence, the people of Hanhai have assembled heavy troops in the border area and are constantly provoking. In order to avoid greater conflicts and wars, we are now retreating steadily."

"So now we must add at least [-] banner regiments to the Far East Army to deter the Hanhai Empire and prevent them from acting rashly."

Lin Chuan said slowly: "The war in the Far East is inevitable, it's just a matter of time, our Supervision Office also has intelligence showing that the Hanhai Empire is intending to launch a new round of war against our dynasty, so I support the increase of troops in the Far East .”

"Huh, I think it's all about your army. If you don't provoke them, why would they send troops? We have lived peacefully with the people of Hanhai for nearly a hundred years. Why didn't there be friction? Now they all jumped out. In my opinion, this is not an increase. Soldiers can solve the problem, we need diplomatic negotiations, the increase of troops will only misunderstand the people of Hanhai and increase the possibility of conflict.”

The Minister of Civil Affairs paused and continued to add: "I suggest that the Far East Army not only cannot increase its troops, but also needs to be withdrawn to eliminate the misunderstanding of the Hanhai people. They feel that we are no longer a threat, so naturally they will no longer be aggressive."

"Idiot!" Lin Chuan couldn't help cursing inwardly when he heard the minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs confuse black and white like this. In the face of bullying by a powerful enemy, instead of defending the country, he bowed his knees. Not only will this not win respect, but it will make others think you are good Bullying, on the contrary, will hasten the arrival of war.

(End of this chapter)