Everyone looked over again, and the person speaking was General Xu Sheng.
"First, what kind of life did the people of Chu live ten years ago?"
Xu Sheng glanced at the civil servants and said slowly.
"The imperial court imposed heavy taxes, sold off officials and nobles, corrupt officials were rampant, people died of hunger everywhere, Yi Zi cannibalized each other, and the Yellow Turbans were everywhere. What kind of life are the people of Chu State living today? The docks of Wuhu are full of large ships coming in and out every day, and the roads There is an endless stream of businessmen coming and going, the silk warehouses in the factories are piled up, the cultivators have their own fields, the rice vats where the people store grain are overflowing and will be sold to the guild, the young children of common people are exempted from tuition for three years, and the ministers wake up early every day. All the books were read loudly. Last year, when the king was in danger, the people rushed to tell each other. The middle-aged men went around asking for armor and carried rice bags to report to the military camp. The sixty-year-olds all wanted to join the army to repay the king! The hearts of the people are as strong as a rock. , is it as easy to shake as Governor Zhang said? The Chu country is in difficulty right now, even if we recruit a little, the people will have no complaints."
"Secondly, the northern expedition to Xuhan not only avenged the country, but also captured Xuzhou, which boosted the morale of the army. The reorganization of the army is just a little bit rough. As long as the king gives orders, the whole army will be confident of being invincible!"
"Thirdly, as for the uncertainty of victory and defeat, can we and other Chu generals only fight the battle that must be won? Should we wait three to five years before sending out troops? The Qin army has already taken Hanzhong County! Clean up the remaining forces of Zhang Lu with In a few months, the Qin army will move south to attack Shu at any time! Only by sending troops now to capture the stepping stone of Yong'an, when changes occur, whether to take advantage of the opportunity to attack Chengdu or hinder the Qin army's attack, can our army respond appropriately . Otherwise our army can only stare blankly and watch the Qin people take Shu."
Before Xu Sheng finished speaking, the military started shouting.
"Oh, that's well said!"
"Good boy, you are the best talker among us!"
Cheng Pu and Huang Gai, two old generals, kept giving Xu Sheng thumbs up.
In the previous campaigns, money and food were stored in the imperial treasury, and it was just a matter of accumulation. At present, it is difficult for the treasury to support another war. According to the military's intention, it is obvious that the people will suffer.
After all, the situation waits for no one.
Is there any reason to only fight a prepared war?
Taking Yong'an County in order to deal with the Qin army really touched the hearts of the generals.
Zhang Hong frowned when he saw this and continued.
"The soldiers of Shu may not be very powerful, but the terrain of Shu is dangerous and easy to defend but difficult to attack. However, the general in charge of the army is so contemptuous, I am afraid that the arrogant soldiers will be defeated. Your Majesty, think twice!"
These words are indeed quite offensive.
The hot-tempered General Huang Gai immediately pointed at Zhang Hong and cursed.
"Old man Zhang, I respect your ability to run Jianye into a prosperous business, but how dare you speak like this! Do you think I dare not beat you?"
Seeing that the situation was about to get out of control, Sun Ce shouted loudly.
"quiet!"
The ministers suddenly became quiet and turned to look at Sun Ce.
Only then did Sun Ce speak.
"The ministers and ministers are all loyal ministers of the Chu State, and they are all planning for the Chu State. How can they abuse each other like a street quarrel?"
"I am aware of my guilt."
When Zhang Hong and Huang Gai saw Sun Ce, they said that they were loyal ministers and that everyone was planning for the Chu State. In the end, they only lightly scolded Sun Ce, and they immediately bowed their heads and admitted their mistakes.
Seeing that the scene became quiet, Sun Ce looked at Mi Zhu and asked.
"What do you think, Mr. Mi Zhu?"
Mi Zhu was stunned for a moment, not expecting Sun Ce to ask him, and then quickly answered.
"Such a big matter requires the king's arbitrary decision."
Sun Ce glanced at everyone again and asked.
"Fellow ministers, do you have any other opinions to say?"
"Your Majesty, what Lord Zhang said is to accumulate national strength for Chu State, and what General Xu said is to strive for the greatest interests of Chu State. I believe that no matter which strategy is adopted, as long as we work together, we can make Chu State stronger. King All you have to do is give orders."
The speaker was Bu Zhi, the newly promoted prefect of Jianye. With the development of Chu State in recent years, there were naturally many new faces in the court, such as: Gu Yong, Yan Zhen, the doctor, Zhou Li, the prefect of Wujun, and Yu Fan, the prefect of Kuaiji. .
Not more than a week
The prefects in the border areas only come to Jianye once a month to attend the imperial meeting, while the prefects in other states go to the state capital to discuss matters, while the state pastors return to Jianye to report on their duties at the end of each year.
Sun Ce looked away, nodded and said.
"The more injured a lion is, the more it has to show its fangs. If it shows its weakness, it will be torn apart by the enemy. Without further discussion, Zhang Hong and Zhang Zhao will prepare an army of 40,000 for three months from now on. Huang Yueying prepared the necessary ordnance, ordered Ji Shu to be the commander-in-chief, and Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong to be the deputy commander-in-chief. He organized 35,000 troops and horses at Jingzhe to attack Yong'an County."
Now that Sun Ce has made this statement, it is an arbitrary statement in Chu State, and no one raises any objections, including Zhang Hong, who had been opposed just now.
Everyone whose name was called by Sun Ce stood up and bowed.
"I accept your order!"
After everyone sat down again, the court meeting was almost coming to an end. Just as Ji Shu was about to speak, Yueying beside him suddenly spoke.
"Since the king has sent my husband to lead the army, I want someone from the king."
Sun Ce looked dignified throughout the court meeting, but he smiled a little when he heard this.
"Could it be that my brothers and sisters are worried that Ziyuan won't be able to take Yong'an County?"
"The king just wants to give it or not, right?"
"Okay! Then tell me, who do you want?"
"We need Pang Tong!"
Pang Tong was drinking warm wine. Unexpectedly, a large pot fell from the sky. The wine was sprayed out instead of being drunk.
Sun Ce glanced at him and said.
"Okay, just take this lazy guy with you."
"Yes, I accept your order."
Pang Tong glanced at Huang Yueying with resentment. He really couldn't understand why his junior sister asked him to go to Shu. Didn't he share Ji Shu's power by making suggestions on the side.
Ji Shu did not ask Yueying. He had no idea of seizing power. After all, he knew the importance of the task of conquering Shu. It would be good to have Pang Tong at his side to discuss it. He was just worried about the reaction of Cao Cao and Dong Zhuo due to the list of expeditions.
Next, Ji Shu made a suggestion.
"Brother, regarding food and fodder, I have an idea to raise enough military rations without damaging the court's credibility."
oh?
Sun Ce also became energetic.
"What do you think."
Ji Shu continued.
"Treasury bonds can be issued in the name of the court. The so-called "national debt" means that the court borrows money from the people. "
"Everyone in the country can purchase it, and the imperial court will issue corresponding certificates. The interest will be set at 3%, and it will be settled annually. It will mature in three years. It will be redeemed after maturity. If it is not mature, it will be redeemed according to the principal. It can also be used To deduct taxes.”
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After Zhang Zhao responded, Sun Ce took advantage of the situation and announced his withdrawal from the court.
The biggest event in Chu State's spring was decided at this point - sending troops to attack Shu.
