Prince of Song Dynasty

Chapter 880 Jia Xian's Reason

However, the time of war is not determined solely by military factors. Jia Xian often reminds him these days that it is best to prepare for another half a year, otherwise food, grass and money will be very tight.

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Duanmu Zhongren and Master Yunyue hit it off right away, and they talked with each other by candlelight that night, and they had a very happy exchange.The next day, Duanmu Zhongren and a caravan returned to Guazhou in the Hexi Corridor. Zhong Sanhe, the deputy commander of the Special Battalion of the Special Forces, led a hundred soldiers dressed as businessmen, guards, and servants of the caravan, and went with Duanmu Zhongren. Guazhou.At the same time, Master Yunyue also left Xia Jing.

After Duanmu Zhongren left, a secret meeting of the highest level was held in the Palace of Government Affairs in Xiajing City.The number of people who were ordered to attend this meeting was not many, but they were all the most important ministers of Xiangfu Kingdom.

"Your Majesty, although the various incomes of the imperial court are quite a lot, even with the population and prefectures and counties of our Xiangfu Kingdom, it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a miracle, but the expenditure of the imperial court is even more considerable." The voice of Jia Xian, Minister of the Ministry of household affairs Steady and helpless, it is almost impossible to feel the helplessness in his heart just by listening to his voice, "Last year, the royal revenue was equivalent to 8405 million taels of silver, and there was no balance. Since entering Tianding for two years, It has been more than four months, plus the 200 million taels of silver shipped from the Wa Kingdom, and the Xiangfu Bank’s profit of 100 million taels of silver, a total of 5301 million taels of silver, which has nearly doubled compared to last year. However, although the court The income has increased, but the expenditures have continued to increase. Just the establishment of the military academy, the construction of the barracks, weapons and equipment, and the provision of living utensils for the two new legions cost more than 100 million taels of silver. The defense of the village cost more than 70 taels of silver, and the establishment of a brigade of city defense troops in the seven counties of Hetao cost more than 30 taels of silver. The primary and secondary schools in the prefectures and counties opened for the first time, and the government subsidized the local finance with another 20 taels of silver. After excluding the normal military pay, the imperial court and the local government’s normal salary expenditure, there is only about 170 million taels of silver.” Most of the people in the hall heard about the financial situation of the imperial court for the first time, but they did not expect that the imperial court’s annual financial revenue would be so large. Especially the few people who knew about Song’s financial revenue secretly calculated that the imperial court’s financial revenue was already about one-third of that of Song’s. You must know that Xiangfu’s territory and population were only one-tenth of Song’s. .For a while, many people ignored Jia Xian's question of how much money was left and whether it was enough to send troops to the Western Regions, and they were happy about the financial situation.Although this is something that everyone has heard about for a long time, even these high-ranking and powerful people, except for a few people such as Han Xizai and Ma Wentao, this is the first time they have heard Jia Xian's confirmation with their own ears.

"I would also like to draw the attention of your Majesty and colleagues, because my Xiangfu Kingdom has continued to use large-scale troops, and the imperial court has given the army a huge proportion of military salaries and silver rewards. These money continue to be popular among the people in large quantities. Today's rice prices, official prices It has already reached one stone of rice, one coin and silver, and the market price is even higher. If the imperial court decides to use a large-scale military force on the Hexi Corridor, it will count 14 soldiers, and one soldier will be used as a transfer for two husbands. Calculated by two liters of solar eclipse, it will take at least 70 shi to take down the Hexi Corridor in half a year. Although the food in the official warehouses of various places is enough, at most it can barely be used as a year-old supply. In addition, the transportation to the front line is a long way, and the cost on the road is even higher. According to preliminary calculations by the Ministry of Household Affairs, the imperial court will spend at least 20 shi on the grain of the Hexi Corridor every month. Based on this calculation, in my opinion, the imperial court must prepare at least 300 million taels of silver for military expenditure, and try to hope that the war will end within half a year."

Jia Xian slowly and clearly stated these almost irrefutable data.Everyone understands Jia Xian's subtext that this war, once fought, is likely to exhaust the court's wealth.If you can expect to win and guarantee to win the golden road of Hexi Corridor within one year, the investment is naturally worthwhile.However, although Xiangfu Kingdom's army is strong now, and its weapons and equipment occupy a great advantage, but the soldiers and horses under the command of such powerful places as tigers and wolves in the Western Regions are all veteran soldiers. Xiangfu Kingdom is confident of victory, but its own No one can guarantee the loss and how long it lasts, from Ye Chen to Yang Jiye.Once it fails, or if the battle is uncertain, especially the latter, it will be a financial nightmare!
At this point, Jia Xian frowned regardless of Ye Chen and the officials, and continued to speak in a stronger tone: "Besides, if the Song and Liao countries take the opportunity to attack, or if there is any catastrophe, The consequences of the financial crisis are unimaginable. Therefore, I ask Your Majesty to postpone the Western Expedition to the Western Regions for another half a year or a year, and then send troops to attack the Hexi Corridor after the financial aspects have been fully accumulated." For Hubu Shangshu, his words are very convincing.

However, Song and Liao have just been defeated. Regardless of whether the two countries are afraid of being beaten for a short time, they still need to recover. In short, when they are attacking the Hexi Corridor, it is the time when Song and Liao are least likely to send troops to attack.From this point of view alone, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.After half a year or a year, Xiangfu Kingdom will be more fully prepared, but Song and Liao will also recover.

"Jia Qing doesn't need to say too much. This opportunity was obtained by defeating Song and Liao last year. I don't want to miss it." Ye Chen announced to his most important courtiers, "Let's take Hexi Corridor, it is not impossible for our fiscal revenue to nearly double because of this. Besides, the Hexi Corridor is my hometown of China, Han and Tang Dynasties, and it must not be stained for a long time!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" In the government affairs hall, all the courtiers bowed down, loudly echoing Ye Chen's lofty ambitions.Only Jia Xian smiled wryly and said nothing.

Yang Jiye bowed his body slightly, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the ministers have submitted the results of the discussions at the war meeting of the Military Division."

"I have read it." Ye Chen nodded, and the military headquarters summarized the strategies proposed by each legion, and the general staff held a combat meeting to propose an overall combat plan for the western expedition to the Hexi Corridor, and then handed it over to Ye Chen for his reference decision making.

However, Yang Jiye, who is the highest officer of the Xiangfu Kingdom's army, is a little conflicted in his heart when it comes to attacking the Hexi Corridor.He is a famous general and marshal, but at his level, he is not just a warrior, but also a famous minister.Therefore, on the one hand, he has the same worries as Jia Xian, worrying that he will not be able to make a quick decision, and that the country's finances will fall into a quagmire if it is delayed for a long time; This is the last time for the country to send troops to hinder its legs.

Such an opportunity may not happen once in 100 years.

Moreover, Yang Jiye also understands that there is no problem in taking down the Hexi Corridor with the strength of the Xiangfu Kingdom's army, but no one can guarantee whether the process will be smooth or not, and how long it will take.In addition, after listening to Jia Xian's analysis of the financial grain and grass, he found that he had greatly underestimated the cost of grain and grass transportation.However, generally speaking, as long as there is sufficient rations in the early stage, with the current combat effectiveness of the Xiangfu army and various other preparations, there is great hope to win the Hexi Corridor within six months, or even three months.

As if to strengthen his confidence, Yang Jiye continued: "Your Majesty has decided to send troops to the Hexi Corridor, and I dare not speak untruthfully. Although the possibility of Song and Liao invading is very small, we must guard against them." , the areas bordering the Song and Liao countries still need to continue to repair the city and keep vigilant in case of unexpected changes. In addition, the reward fee after each victory cannot be saved. We cannot expect that the soldiers on the front line will Save money and fight.” In any case, whether it is the duty of being the highest officer of the army, or he is probably the commander in charge of conquering the Hexi Corridor, he must first point out the difficulties.

"Besides, when calculating the military expenditure, I thought it would be better to overestimate it. Mr. Jia said 300 million taels, but I thought it was at least 500 million taels." Yang Jiye explained to everyone as the commander of the army, and Jia Xian's expression changed. It's even uglier. Five million taels of silver!He still underestimated the number.

"But if the Hexi Corridor can be pacified, the expense is worth it." Han Xizai glanced at Ye Chen's face, and interjected: "I think that after the Hexi Corridor is brought under His Majesty's rule, the annual financial revenue from it will definitely only exceed 500 million taels." There is a lot of money, so I think sending troops to the Hexi Corridor is the merit of all generations."

"Han Xianggong said it easily." Jia Xian has always been a little ashamed of Han Xizai's character, and immediately retorted, "Don't say that there is no sure victory in war. If there is victory, how can the expenditure for governing the Hexi Corridor after the war be less? Is there no deterrence from the army, I am afraid that the army will move ahead, and there will be chaos immediately. To garrison the troops in the states of the Hexi Corridor, the cost of transshipment plus the cost of management may not be lower than the money brought by the Hexi Corridor." As the Secretary of the Ministry of Households, Jia Xian was very clear about His Majesty and the entire imperial court's secret determination and preparations for the conquest of the Hexi Corridor.Although he knew that he couldn't prevent the whole thing from happening, he still believed that he should do his duty.

"Pedantry! Pedantry!" Han Xizai cursed inwardly, and then said loudly: "Your Majesty can ask the military headquarters about the outcome of the war; what I dare to assure you is that the court will definitely be able to raise military expenses to meet the needs of the frontline."

"What's your plan?" Ye Chen's eyes lit up.Everyone looked sideways.Only Jia Xian snorted slightly.

"The imperial court's savings today are enough to support three months to half a year. With the fiscal revenue in the second half of this year and the appropriate embezzlement of the Xiangfu Bank's deposits, the people will not need to increase taxes, and the military will be self-sufficient." Han Xizai said confidently.

"Misappropriating the bank deposits from the Xiangfu bank?" Ma Wentao was almost taken aback, "Your Majesty, the bank deposits from the Xiangfu bank are the common people's money, not the money of the imperial court, so it must not be embezzled! Otherwise, it will set a precedent, and there will be endless troubles."

(End of this chapter)