Lao Zhu sighed as he spoke. They also took advantage of the situation and warned Han Du not to look down on them. It fully expressed Lao Zhu's respect and care for those veterans.
It's just that Lao Zhu's behavior made Han Du sneer at it. You are the emperor. If you really care and respect the veterans, then you should come up with something practical. They can only make false claims back and forth, but they don't even draw the pie. It's a miracle that these veterans are willing to follow you through life and death.
Han Du was given a warning look by Lao Zhu, and he waved his hands repeatedly and said, "No, no, I definitely did not look down on them."
Lao Zhu was very satisfied with Han Du's attitude and nodded slightly.
Just when Lao Zhu was satisfied with Han Du's performance, unexpectedly Han Du suddenly changed the topic and sighed: "It's just that I feel a little unworthy for them. I have been licking blood from the edge of my knife all my life, and I have been through life and death for decades, but I have not been able to do it." After enjoying family happiness for a few days, some people may not even be able to return to their hometown for the rest of their lives, which is a pity.”
As soon as Han Du said these words, the old eunuch beside him changed his anxiety and returned to his calm state. Medicine cures diseases, and Buddha saves destined people. You, Handu, are looking for death, and our family is helpless!
Sure enough, after listening to Han Du's words, Lao Zhu's face darkened. Taking a deep breath, he retorted with Han Du: "They are military households. They are born to fight for the country. It is only natural for them to fight for the country."
Looking at the stern expression on Lao Zhu's face, Han Du always had the feeling that he was doing crazy output in front of Lao Zhu... No, he was crazy and seeking death.
Han Du moved his throat nervously and said cautiously: "If a military household does not pay taxes or do corvee service, it is natural for them to fight for the country. However," seeing that Lao Zhu did not look as usual, Han Du boldly continued: " But military households are also the emperor’s subjects, and they should still be cared for.”
"Speak directly what you want to say, no need to beat around the bush, I'm not stupid enough to sin with words." Lao Zhu looked at Han Du calmly and said.
In this case, Han Du was not polite. He cupped his fists and bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I think those who are too old in the military camp should be allowed to retire and return to their hometowns. These people have fought all their lives and have left enough blood for the imperial court. We can't keep them trapped in the military camp. We should let them enjoy a little family happiness, and their journey to this world will not be in vain."
"Furthermore, Your Majesty, I have to say something unpleasant. These people are too old. If they continue to stay in the military camp, they will not benefit at all except increasing military expenses. It is better to send them back to their hometowns."
Lao Zhu was a little moved when he heard this. Lao Zhu knew better than Han Du what was going on with those gray-haired veterans. But Lao Zhu sneered at Han Du's proposal. In Lao Zhu's opinion, Han Du was just moved out of sympathy, and his proposal was purely a scholar's opinion.
The lives of veterans are miserable, don’t I know? Don’t I have any love for the people? But there is no way. The court is poor and cannot afford the pension for veterans to retire. In desperation, I can only drag it on like this. If the imperial court had money, I would have sent those veterans back home long ago.
After listening to Han Du's words, Lao Zhu sneered and asked: "Oh? Do you know how much money it will cost to repatriate them to their hometown? And you also know the situation of the court, and there is no money to repatriate them. If there is no money, how can you send them back? Besides, they have been fighting all their lives, what should they do when they go back? Farm?"
One is a practical problem: the court has no money.
One is the issue of livelihood. Even if these people return to their hometowns, what can they rely on for a living? By farming? Don't think about it. After a lifetime of fighting, even those who once knew how to farm have forgotten all about it now and cannot take care of the crops.
"If you don't have money, I can do it." Han Du solemnly replied.
When Lao Zhu heard this, his eyes widened and he looked at Han Du solemnly, "Is this true?"
"I can do it," Han Du said decisively.
Lao Zhu waved his dragon robe and sat back on the dragon chair with a straight face, condescending. He looked at Han Du intently, remained silent for a long time, and said, "But it doesn't matter. No matter what you say, I will pardon you."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Han Du replied.
In Han Du’s view, the issue of retirement pensions for veterans can be easily solved. Mr. Lao Zhu believed that once he wanted to repatriate these veterans, these veterans would come to him for pension money. But Lao Zhu never thought that after so many years of life and death, these veterans no longer care about money. What they care more about is whether they can share the happiness of family life with their families.
Han Du can guarantee that once Lao Zhu agrees to let them return home, even if there is no pension, they will be ecstatic.
After all, we already have sports cars, so who would care about bicycles? What kind of bike do you want?
"Your Majesty, have you ever heard that the imperial power does not go to the countryside?" Han Du did not directly explain the solution, but brought up a topic that was extremely sensitive to Lao Zhu.
imperial power!
Lao Zhu's pupils instantly shrank to the size of a needle, and he stared at Han Du.
The old lady listened to Han Du's words and admired Han Du's boldness. He actually dared to expose the inconvenience of imperial power not going to the countryside.
But I admire him. There is no need for our family to accompany Han Du even if he wants to die. The old eunuch quietly moved a few steps away from the two of them, as if he wanted to get further away from the two of them. It would be best if he could not hear the conversation between the two of them at all.
Why is it said that the imperial power does not go to the countryside, which is Lao Zhu's rebellion? In fact, this is not only the reverse of Lao Zhu, but the reverse of all emperors for thousands of years.
Anyone who is an emperor hopes that his will can reach anywhere in the world, including any village. But as long as the emperor is clear-headed and does not deceive himself and others, he will understand that this is impossible.
Since ancient times, the imperial power has only been able to manage counties, and it is beyond its reach to the villages below the counties. Firstly, there were too many villages and it was difficult to manage them. Secondly, the clan power in the villages was entrenched, making it difficult for the court to reach out.
"Your Majesty, the common people often say that the servants of carriages and shops should be killed even if they are not guilty. If nothing else, let's just say that these servants are just helpers with no rank and no rank in the eyes of the imperial court and are of no importance. But to the common people, , they are the representatives of the imperial court who are closest to the lives of the people."
Lao Zhu didn't know what Han Du wanted to say, but because Han Du spoke from a novel angle, Lao Zhu listened carefully.
"The Emperor is well aware of the dangers of corrupt officials, and has been punishing corrupt officials with an iron fist since the founding of the country. But I want to say that corrupt officials are nothing to the real harm to the people."
