Great Han Empire

Chapter 504 Immediately Shooting the Gun
Li Hong frowned slightly, and sighed: "If the weather is good in Bingzhou, it can only support a population of 200 million at most. Mr. Zhao Qi and Zhao have warned me several times, asking me to properly seal off the pass to control the number of disaster victims entering Jin Dynasty, but I How can I have the heart to do such a thing? Why do the victims come to Bingzhou? It is because Bingzhou can give them the hope of continuing to survive. How can I smash the last hope of the victims? I can’t stop them from entering Jin. This year, we will go north We went out to recover the frontier county, and we crossed the Yinshan Mountains to expedition to the desert, just to give the victims of the disaster in Bingzhou this hope of survival."

"But Bingzhou can't support so many people, it's a fact." Tian Yu said, "In the past, Bingzhou had a population of less than 100 million. From the time when adults came to Bingzhou to resettle millions of refugees in the Taihang Mountains, Bingzhou has been in just three years. The population has surged to more than 300 million, and the population of Bingzhou is about 400 million if you add the Hu people in Hanbei County who are about to be established, and Bingzhou cannot afford to feed these people.”

"My lord's solution is to resettle the victims to farm in the north and south of the Great Wall, and in order to ensure the success of the farm and the stability of northern Xinjiang, my lord did not hesitate to go to the desert to expand the territory, prepare to build Hanbei County north of Yinshan Mountain, and use the method of relocating the Hu people to the north. Increase the resettlement capacity of border counties." Tian Yu said, "Your Excellency, farming in the north and south of the Great Wall, building Hanbei County in the desert and relocating Hu people to the north are long-term solutions to stabilize the northern border. Xinjiang has implemented the same strategy of guarding the border and farming, but the results should be very clear. Why did they all end in failure?"

Tian Yu sighed softly, and continued: "As the northern Xinjiang recuperates and the strength of the Hu people recovers again, the Hu people will invade, but the Hu people's invasion is not the main reason for the failure of the northern Xinjiang. The reasons for the invasion of the Hu people are basically similar, that is, because of the barrenness of northern Xinjiang and the extreme poverty of the people. Because of the extreme poverty of life, coupled with the frequent invasion of the Hu people, the people in the village immediately abandoned their homes and moved south in groups And go. Today, we are facing the same problem.”

"The barrenness of northern Xinjiang is due to the region. It is inherent, especially in the border counties north of the Great Wall. The output of one mu of land here is very different from that in the Central Plains. The barrenness of the land, the exploitation of the local government, and the invasion of the Hu people are There are three main reasons for the extreme poverty of the people.” Tian Yu said, “Adults can solve the problems of taxation and invasion today, but they are unable to solve the problem of barren land. Therefore, with the current state of Bingzhou, we can only maintain 200 million to 250 million people at most. The survival of ten thousand people. Although the adults in Bingzhou promote the policy of equal emphasis on agriculture, industry and commerce, there will be a certain increase in taxes after a few years, but considering the needs of farming and appeasing the Hu people, if northern Xinjiang wants to maintain a long-term stability The bureau needs a lot of continuous financial support, and needs to immediately relocate the population to Jizhou."

Tian Yu looked at Li Hong solemnly, and said in a low voice: "Otherwise, all the hard work you have put in will collapse in an instant."

There was silence in the big tent.

===

Li Hong and the generals were full of worries, but the joy and excitement in their hearts disappeared in an instant.

"Guorang, can you be more specific?" Li Hong asked.

Tian Yu pondered for a long time, then said slowly, "To maintain long-term stability in northern Xinjiang, more money and land are needed, but Bingzhou does not have these two things now."

"I remember that in the best year of Han State's tax revenue, 60 billion yuan went into the national treasury. In that year, Jizhou's tax revenue was 12 billion yuan, accounting for 30% of the entire Han State's tax revenue. Although Bingzhou also turned over [-] million yuan to the national treasury , but then another [-] million yuan was taken from the treasury to help the border counties, repair the fortresses, and appease the Hu people outside the fortress. Before the Yellow Turban Army did not riot, the annual tax of the Han Dynasty was about [-] billion yuan, and Jizhou handed it over The amount is between [-] and [-] million yuan, and Bingzhou is the same as Youzhou, there is no tax at all, and every year the imperial court allocates [-] million yuan from several counties in Gyeonggi to help the counties."

"Now, in order to stabilize northern Xinjiang, the imperial court has given the military and political power to the [-] counties of Northern Xinjiang, and exempted the [-] counties from paying taxes for ten years. Except for , Changshan, and Zhongshan, the other ten counties will not have tax revenue at all in the next ten years. On the contrary, we will invest a lot of money to subsidize them, especially Beidi, Shangjun, Shuofang, Wuyuan, Yunzhong, The eight border counties of Dingxiang, Daijun and Shanggu, if you add the Hanbei County that you are about to build, there are nine counties. At present, the annual tax of the five counties in Hedong is only [-] million yuan at most, which is far from enough to satisfy the nine frontier counties. needs."

"Back then, Emperor Wu built 60 frontier troops in northern Xinjiang, moved millions of victims to farmland, raised millions of war horses, and allocated billions of money from the treasury to support it every year. A money will be transferred from the treasury to Beijiang, so we have to think of other strategies."

"Don't we still have the benefits of salt and iron in Hedong and Bingzhou?" Yushi asked.

"The benefits of salt and iron have to be maintained to maintain farmland and guard the border, and we have to repay huge loans. Let alone ten years, even 20 years later, we will not be able to use them normally." Tian Yu said with a wry smile, "Unless all the rich businessmen are dead, Even their descendants are dead."

Yushi was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Your Majesty has allocated 150 billion yuan to Northern Xinjiang. In addition to Hetao farming and border guards, we can definitely keep some of it. Ten years should be enough. Ten years later, all these troubles will be caused by His Majesty." And the imperial court."

Tian Yu shook his head and sighed.Tian Chou, who was standing next to Tian Yu, said: "Lord Yu, the money won't last ten years. We hoped that the imperial court would give us food and supplies, but the imperial court sent us a whole load of money, silk and silk. Why? The price has risen. In the past, a stone of grain was three hundred yuan, but now it costs one thousand yuan. The grain price has increased, and other materials have also increased. If the imperial court gives us food and materials, they will have to spend several times more than before to buy them. , so the imperial court is unwilling. Now that the imperial court gives us the money, we are the ones who suffer. Even if there is still money left in the future, it will not be able to last ten years, and it will be good if it can barely last two years."

Tang Fang went on to say: "Lord Yu, ten years later, these troubles are not your majesty's and the court's, but ours, and ten years later, the situation in northern Xinjiang will be even more severe than it is now."

Li Hong was thoughtful, while Xian Yufu, Yang Feng and others looked solemn.

"After the victory of the expedition to the desert, if the northern border can be stabilized for ten years, the vitality of the barbarians in the desert will definitely be restored, and the farmland in Bingzhou can also achieve great success. At that time, the lord is powerful and the power is in the northern border. " Tang Fang smiled helplessly, "Your Excellency will definitely not leave the frontier for the sake of the continued stability of the northern border, and the emperor and the court must do everything possible to restrict and attack the Great Han Kingdom in order to weaken your power and eradicate your threat to the Han Kingdom. Northern Xinjiang, the results are self-evident."

Xian Yufu and the generals looked at Li Hong with a bitter face, feeling terrified.

"Muyun, what do you mean by that?" Yang Feng asked, "Could it be that your lord has reached a desperate situation?"

"Since your lord came to Bingzhou to appease the Yellow Turban Army, your lord has already sent himself to a desperate situation." Tang Fang looked at Li Hong, and said with a faint smile, "My lord also knows that the several requests made by your lord to the emperor are actually self-help. The road. Ten years later, the Son of Heaven has long been in power, and the Han Kingdom has regained its national strength, and the adults who have power in the northern border have to make a choice again, a difficult choice."

"My lord, if you make a choice ten years later, either the northern border will be destroyed or you will be smashed to pieces." Tian Yu said a little excitedly, "But if your lord is smashed to pieces, the northern border will still be destroyed, so there is only one way for you to go. .My lord has to make a choice now. For the sake of the northern border, and even more so for the great Han country, my lord should be duty-bound."

===

Li Hong patted Hanbei County on the map, and said with great emotion: "A small Hanbei County has caused such a big incident, no wonder Zhongyuan told me not to seek death, and I killed it all in one go, as expected. "Then he pointed to Tian Yu and said, "Guorang, tell me, how can Beijiang seize the opportunity to avoid the disaster of war ten years later?"

"Jizhou." Tian Yu said, "After your lord expedition to the desert, you immediately wrote to His Majesty requesting to control the military and political power of the three prefectures of You and Ji, so that all the problems in northern Xinjiang can be solved."

"Master Liu, the Taiwei, is currently in charge of Youzhou Shepherd, and he will return to Beijing to take up his post soon. General Gongsun Zan, General of Fenwu Zhonglang, is also an old friend of your lord. From the perspective of the overall situation in northern Xinjiang, he will definitely support you. With lord Gongsun Zan as your leader The army is stationed in You Beiping, and the frontier fortress of Youzhou is safe. As for Jizhou, of course, my lord must send troops to garrison to ensure that the prefectures and counties are safe, and all taxes and taxes go to Youzhou and merge the two places." Tian Yu said excitedly, waving his hands vigorously and said, "My lord tiger Standing in the northern frontier, leading the seclusion and merging the three prefectures of Hebei, wanting money, food, food, and soldiers, who in the world can stop it?"

Li Hong said with a smile: "After all, you still have to keep in mind the taxes of Jizhou. This time, His Majesty has promised to allocate [-] million yuan from the taxes of Jizhou to subsidize Bingzhou every year. If I go back on my word, I will anger Your Majesty and the court. There is no benefit in Northern Xinjiang. In my opinion, let’s let this discussion go and don’t bring it up again.”

"My lord, you have to think about ten years later..." Seeing that Li Hong didn't intend to accept his opinion, Tian Yu hurriedly tried to persuade him again, but Li Hong had already waved his hand at him, signaling him to stop talking.

"When Luoyang was in crisis, I led my troops south to intimidate the emperor and the court. I had already committed a heinous crime, but due to various reasons, I was fortunate not to become a sinner in the Han Dynasty, and I was not scolded by the people of the world. The emperor and the court also used very A decent approach has met my requirements, but if I intensify, disregard the majesty of the emperor and the laws of the Han Dynasty, and insist on stationing troops in Jizhou and robbing all the taxes in Jizhou, then what is the difference between me and rebellion? I will become the Han Dynasty Rebellion will be reviled by the people of the world. My death is only a life, but why should I ruin the lives of my brothers? Why should I let the lives of northern Xinjiang be devastated, and let millions of disaster victims be ravaged by the flames of war?"

"My lord..." Tian Yu's face showed regret, and deep fear appeared in his eyes.In my desperation, I said a few more words, and even said it.In fact, he wanted Li Hongyongbing to respect himself, but when he said these words, no matter how he heard them, he thought he was persuading Li Hongyongbing to rebel.

Li Hong saw that he was very nervous, and quickly comforted him: "Guorang, I understand what you mean, and you are not the only one who said this, it's okay."

"Currently, Bingzhou can barely sustain itself. As long as there is no snowstorm this winter, next year's life will be fine. After the Battle of the Desert, I plan to disband the Hu tribe's cavalry and let them go home and move their tribes to the desert. , can save a lot of military pay. In addition, Guo Rang is right, the victims should be moved back to Jizhou, and Bingzhou can no longer support them. Starting next year, the victims will be arranged to move back one after another to reduce the burden on Bingzhou as much as possible. Before the spring plowing, 150 to [-] million disaster victims will be relocated, and the state will be much easier."

Tian Yu was relieved when he heard that Li Hong didn't mean to blame him, and let out a secret breath.

===

Li Hong immediately discussed with everyone about the establishment of Hanbei County.

Xian Yufu, Tian Yu, and Tang Fang used to be in charge of history in the government office, and the three of them were very familiar with government affairs, and when they talked about these matters, Li Hong and the other generals listened quietly, interjecting a few words mouth. .

"Brother Yuxing, who do you think is the most suitable for the first prefect of Hanbei County?"

Xian Yufu smiled and said: "Muyun is the most suitable, but now he is the captain of Tuntian in Tuntian District of Hetao, and also the prefect of Shuofang County. He has a heavy responsibility on his shoulders and it is difficult to transfer. I think..." He pointed to Tian Yu and said, " Just let the country go."

Tian Yu looked at Xian Yufu in disbelief, his whole body trembled with excitement, he never thought that Xian Yufu would take a fancy to him.I was only 20 years old, and I was very lucky to be recommended by Li Hongzheng to be a governor because of the recommendation of Yan Wuwei. The youngest prefect in the history of the Han Dynasty.

Li Hong glanced at Xian Yufu in surprise, then at Tian Yu who was full of surprises, and hesitated for a moment.He originally meant to have Xianyu Fu take the post of General Fenwei and the prefect to sit in the desert, but his casual question turned out to be a young Tian Yu.A 20-year-old, little-known young man was appointed as the prefect of the first desert county in the history of the Han Dynasty. This matter was reported to the court, and it will definitely become a big event that caused a sensation in the court and the public. The object of verbal criticism by ministers.

"Brother Yuxing, I plan to let you sit in the desert, look..." Li Hong tentatively asked again, wondering if Xian Yufu didn't understand what he meant.

"Okay, I'll be in the desert, and Guorang will govern the counties and counties, so that the northern border will be safe." Xian Yufu said with a smile, "Don't you think Guorang is too young?"

"No, no..." Li Hong shook his hand and smiled, "I'm just a little surprised. Zilong, Shehu, Leizi, and Xiaolan, all of them are captains who have become two thousand stones before the age of 20. , Colonel, this is normal in northern Xinjiang, but he is the first to be the prefect of the county at the age of 20."

Xian Yufu, Yushi, Yang Feng and others looked at each other and smiled.Xian Yufu pointed to Tian Yu who still couldn't believe it, and said, "Guorang, my lord has appointed you as the prefect of Hanbei County, please hurry up and thank me."

Tian Yu woke up suddenly, and bowed down.Li Hong hurriedly helped him up, "The wishes of countless ancestors of the Han Kingdom are about to come true in your hands. You have to work hard to spread the heavenly power of the Han Kingdom to every corner of the desert."

"Your official will never live up to your lord's entrustment, and swear to serve the country to the death." Tian Yu was so excited that his voice trembled a little.

After everyone congratulated Tian Yu, Li Hong immediately ordered the army to go north tomorrow, crossing the Yin Mountain from Gaoque and entering the desert.

===

All the generals left one after another, and only Li Hong and Xian Yufu were left in the big tent.Li Hong was very worried about Tian Yu's appointment as the prefect of Hanbei County.First, Tian Yu was young and had never served as a local governor. Second, he had no experience in dealing with the Hu people, so Li Hong was very disturbed.

"Yu Xing, are you being too rash?" Li Hong asked, "Why do you insist on making Tian Yu the prefect of Hanbei County?"

"Don't worry." Xian Yufu said with a smile, "I will lead an army in the desert, nothing will happen."

"Of course I'm worried." Li Hong asked bluntly, "Didn't you intend to balance the forces of various factions in northern Xinjiang? It's too obvious that you're doing this. Others will say that I'm partial to the people of Youzhou. The prefect of Hanbei County is very important. Importantly, it not only has great responsibility and power, but also directly controls the safety of northern Xinjiang, and can even make the first prefect famous all over the world, if you use the wrong person, you and I will regret it."

"I know your difficulties." Xian Yufu said unhurriedly, "It's hard for you to do it, and it's not good for anyone, so just ask me to take the part-time job, but have you ever thought about it, you always have a few loyal Your scholars from Youzhou govern northern Xinjiang for you, especially Hanbei County, which is directly related to the safety of northern Xinjiang, so you can’t use people you don’t know well. I, like you, lead soldiers to fight, and I can How long will you be the prefect? ​​I think Tian Yu is very suitable, he will govern Han Beijun."

"This time, the prefects of the fifteen counties were arranged by you alone. Although you considered the overall situation, you gave the prefects of the prefectures and counties south of the Great Wall to the scholars, and the prefects of the three counties north of the Great Wall and the two counties of Jizhou. They were all given to the Yellow Turban Army, and the two houses of the Cheqi Dajun Mansion were handed over to Zhu Jun’s son and son-in-law, but do you know what the soldiers who followed you in the north and south thought? Follow you to fight without regret, many people have not returned home for five years, why don't you think about them? These people didn't ask you for an official job, nor did they ask you for rewards, have you forgotten them? gone?"

"Xian Yuyin fought with us when he came from Youzhou. I led two thousand soldiers, and he also led two thousand soldiers. Now I am a general, and Yan Rou, Yushi, and Yan Liang are also Zhonglang generals, but what about him? He Have you ever complained? Has he ever been dissatisfied with you? Why don't you think about old subordinates like Shao Yuyin? You have to know that these people are your most loyal subordinates. "

Li Hong sat blankly behind the table, silent.

===

(End of this chapter)