The generals were impassioned, and Zhao Hong nodded slightly.
"Train your troops well, you will all be of great use!"
Zhao Hong turned away from his excited face and returned his gaze to Fan Zhong.
"Fan Zhong, if I send you to Hexi to take charge of Hexi's government affairs, how should you respond and restore people's livelihood?"
Hexi? Restore people's livelihood?
Fan Zhong's heart was shocked. He thought for a moment before replying.
"Your Majesty, in my opinion, Hexi will be riddled with wounds from the Tatar army. The first priority is to restore the people's power. Only with enough food can we have enough troops to protect the people. I am bold, and the land west of Hexi will be abolished. All excessive taxes and miscellaneous taxes, no grain payment for three years, immigration to the border areas will be settled, and Hebei Province will be able to slowly recover."
"Fan Zhong, please tell me, how can we resume production? How can we immigrate to Shibian?"
Zhao Hong continued to ask without comment.
All the generals on the side pricked up their ears and listened to Fan Zhong's argument.
The emperor asked what Hexi meant.
"Your Majesty, Hexi has been devastated by the Tatar army. The land is in ruins, and the people will be slaughtered. Nine out of ten houses will be empty. Sichuan has a large population. Within three years, Sichuan will move at least 500,000 to 1 million people to Hexi, and they will be given land. , the government provides cattle and rice seeds, but does not pay the land tax for two to three years, so it is one of them to reclaim wasteland and cultivate the fields."
"Sichuan fills in the west of the river, that's good. Keep talking."
Zhao Hong nodded happily and encouraged.
Born in sorrow and dying in happiness, Fan Zhong is the head of the Anti-Corruption Department of Sichuan, but he can consider the affairs of Hexi. This feeling of caring about the country and the people has become a model for all officials.
Compared with Gu Song, the general judge of Jiankang Prefecture who visited famous prostitutes in Jiangnan once every three days, the two of them decided to judge.
"Your Majesty, Hexi is about two thousand miles long from east to west and is far away from Sichuan. Therefore, military and commercial villages can be widely established. The military villages can be used as official fields and are self-sufficient. Merchants attach great importance to profits. As long as they can make a profit, they will take risks and the government will have difficulty in transportation. Merchants are not afraid of hardships and dangers, so this is a merchant village. Civilian villages and military villages advance side by side with merchant villages. This is the second one."
Fan Zhong's words made Zhao Hong's heart beat fast.
Aren’t military camps the production and construction corps of later generations? There are so many old, weak and disabled soldiers in Sichuan. Many of them may not be able to go to the battlefield, but farming is enough.
And this business village, which saves effort and money and benefits the people, is really... brilliant!
Officials are officials. How many talents have been buried under the political darkness of various dynasties and generations in history?
"Third, treat the original people of Hexi equally. Farming, joining the army, and doing business should be the same as those of the Song Dynasty, so as to appease the people's hearts. Only in this way can Hexi maintain long-term peace and stability, and be under the king of the Song Dynasty forever."
After Fan Zhong finished speaking, he bowed in awe.
"Your Majesty, I have never been to Hexi. Therefore, many government affairs have to be adapted to local conditions. The deficiencies can only be discovered and improved during administration."
After Fan Zhong said what he said, all the generals and officials around him suddenly became enlightened and everyone felt itchy.
Hexi is so big that once it is captured, the western gate of the Song Dynasty will be secure.
"The skill of a husband to rule a country is to strengthen the army and provide enough food. The Qin people controlled the world with quick farming; Xiaowu used farming to rule the western regions. This is the good way of the ancestors. Fan Zhong, you are right. Real knowledge comes from practice, you know this , I am very pleased."
After Zhao Hong finished speaking, his expression suddenly became solemn.
"Fan Zhong, I now order you to serve as the Hexi Road Zhizhi envoy, and to transfer Gao Jia, the magistrate of Mianzhou, Shi Songzhi, the general magistrate of Xiangyang, and Cui Shusi, the driver of Sichuan Zhizhi Yiwen, as the magistrates of Hexi prefectures. In addition, 200 officials from various places will be transferred. Name, 300 graduates of Jinling Academy, join Hexi to serve the country!"
There is no doubt in employing people, no doubts in employing people, these matters still require his arbitrary judgment.
Hexi is devastated, with hundreds of wastes waiting to be renovated, and government affairs are still trying to cross the river by feeling for stones. As long as the officials do their best and the army and the people are united, nothing will get worse.
Hexi Road system and envoy!
Fan Zhong was startled and couldn't believe his ears. He didn't understand until he saw Dong Songchen coming up with the imperial edict and seal ribbon.
"My lord... thank you for your grace!"
Fan Zhong knelt down and kowtowed, receiving the order to thank him.
He is already 55 years old. If he can no longer serve as a feudal official and manage a country, he will regret it for the rest of his life.
Hexi Road system and envoy? Has the emperor decided to march into Hexi?
"Fan Zhong, get up."
Zhao Hong made a gesture with his eyes, and everyone helped Fan Zhong up.
"You have done a good job in the Sichuan Anti-Corruption Branch. You are upright and have outstanding political achievements. When you arrive in Hexi, work hard. The government affairs in Hexi of the Song Dynasty depend entirely on you!"
"I will live up to His Majesty's grace!"
Fan Zhong's face turned red and he bowed respectfully.
It seems that the emperor has already made his decision. If he didn't know anything about it today, he would probably give his official title to someone else.
The generals in the hall looked at each other, and many people were excited. Hexi is still in the hands of the Mongolian army, and the emperor has appointed officials in Hexi.
Did the emperor take advantage of Genghis Khan's death and beat him up?
"Hexi has experienced war, ten houses and nine empty houses, and the population may be less than tens of thousands. Fan Zhong, please go to Chengdu in person, convey my order to Sichuan to establish an immigration department, and ask Cui to establish an immigration department with him, from Sichuan to Hexi Immigration. In the early stage, the food, grass, wages and money for Hexi Road were all provided by the Sichuan Production and Purchase Department."
Zhao Hong looked at Fan Zhong and spoke seriously.
"The focus of Hexi is to restore production and make it come alive. The Hexi Corridor is also the western gate of our Central Plains Dynasty. Without a stable political situation, our Hexi army will not be able to gain a foothold in Hexi. Fan Zhong, you have a heavy responsibility on your shoulders! "
First, the military occupied Hexi, and the civil affairs followed suit. Fan Zhong has plenty of time.
"Yes, yes! I will definitely do my best!"
Fan Zhong nodded repeatedly and couldn't help but ask:
"Your Majesty, which general do you plan to send to the defense of Hexi?"
He also knew that although he was the envoy of Hexi, the generals who came from the martial arts hall had the final say in military affairs.
"Hexi's defense..."
Zhao Hong glanced at the eager generals, frowned, and remained silent.
Hexi directly faces the Mongolian territory, which is different from Lizhou West Road and Jinjing. Lizhou West Road is more dangerous, so capable and stable people have to be sent to guard it.
"Your Majesty, I would like to go to Hexi!"
Cao Youwen immediately stood up, clasped his fists and asked for orders.
Although he had secured his position as commander of the Lizhou West Road and knew that Hexi was dangerous, he still did his duty.
"Your Majesty, I understand Dangxiang dialect and are familiar with Dangxiang customs. I am willing to follow General Cao to Hexi!"
Ma Zhong also stood up immediately and stepped forward to ask for orders.
In front of the emperor, no one retreated, everyone took the lead bravely.
"Your Majesty, let me go!"
Wang Jian came out with a red face and stepped forward to plead.
All the generals have made great achievements. As a commander, he can't stand still.
"Wang Jian, once a war breaks out, Lanzhou is located at the forefront of the war between the Jin and Tatar armies, and is likely to bear the brunt. Moreover, as the army moves westward, Lanzhou will connect the upper and lower parts, transport supplies, grain and grass, and migrate people."
Zhao Hong looked at Wang Jian and frowned slightly.
"Wang Jian listened to the decree, and I appointed you as the commander of the Lintao Road Capital. You will be in charge of Lanzhou, Lintao Prefecture, Taozhou, Hezhou, Huangzhou, Xiningzhou, Jishijun and other places. Raising horses in Hehuang is also one of your important responsibilities. You Can you hear me clearly?"
After Xining Prefecture, including its surrounding Hezhou and Huangzhou, was tortured by the Mongolian army, it is estimated that the rumor can be settled.
During the Northern Song Dynasty, Kaibianhehuang experienced two battles in Pingxia City and the Battle of Hengduan Mountain. The demise of Xixia was close at hand.
But with the rise of the Jurchens in the black mountains and white waters, and the weakness of the Liao Kingdom, the Song Dynasty monarchs and ministers set their sights on the Sixteen Youyun States in the north. Later, there was the disgrace of Jingkang and the demise of the Northern Song Dynasty.
Unexpectedly, now that Xixia is weak, the Mongolian army has opened the door, and the land of Hehuang is actually searching for things.
"I would like to thank Your Majesty for your grace!"
Wang Jian's face turned red, he knelt down on one knee and accepted the order generously.
Guarding Lanzhou, taking command of Lintao Road, facing the Mongolian and Jin armies, the emperor's trust was evident.
In just two years, he was promoted from commander-in-chief all the way to commander-in-chief all the way. Successful achievements all depended on fighting on the battlefield, and the emperor indeed kept his promise to him.
"Ma Zhong, our army wants to occupy the land west of Hexi. Do you know why?"
Zhao Hong's eyes suddenly turned to Ma Zhong, who stepped forward to ask for help.
"Your Majesty, the most important thing in Hexi is of course the horse breeding land under the Qilian Mountains!"
Ma Zhong was shocked and quickly stepped forward to report.
He sent scouts into Hexi and received preliminary news that the Mongolian army Barshu Department was about to withdraw to the Western Regions, but there were still Xixia surrender troops and a small number of Mongolian troops stationed in several major cities in Hexi.
"Ma Zhong, if you are asked to lead troops into Hexi, can you capture the cities in Hexi? Can you build a horse farm?"
Zhao Hong's face darkened and he looked serious.
"Your Majesty, I would like to issue a military order, and I will be able to capture the cities of Hexi Province. But firstly, I am a general of the defeated army, and secondly, I am careless and indecisive, so I am not suitable to be the commander of an army. I ask your Majesty to choose another commander, and I will definitely know how to do it. I will do my best to assist and share your Majesty’s worries.”
Cao Youwen and Lu Wende both made great achievements, and these people all wanted to go to Hexi to make contributions. He was embarrassed and had no confidence in being asked to take on the role of head coach when he was defeated by a general who had not made any achievements.
A deputy commander is already a huge favor!
"Ma Zhong, listen to the order!"
Zhao Hong nodded and quickly had an idea.
"Hexi was first built, and everything was in ruins. I ordered Yu Jie and Ma Zhong to bring 50,000 elite troops into Hexi, and another 50,000 Sichuan Xiang troops to go into Hexi to open military camps. Yu Jie was the governor of Hexi Road, and Ma Zhong was the deputy. Take control of the capital, stabilize the Hexi border defense, and build the Hexi racecourse."
Zhao Hong looked at Ma Zhong with profound meaning.
"The horse administration in Hexi is related to the foundation of the Song Dynasty. Within three years, you must prepare at least 20,000 war horses for me and train tens of thousands of cavalry to prepare for future emergencies. Can you do it?"
"I will live up to your majesty's trust!"
Ma Zhong said loudly, kneeling on one knee and grabbing the ground with his head.
"Get up. Hexi, I will leave it to you! Yu Jie and Ma Zhong enter Hexi, Wang Jian is the commander of the Lintao Road, and Lu Wende temporarily takes over from Yu Jie and is the commander of the Lizhou East Road. All generals work together to build me up. The northwest frontier of the Song Dynasty."
Zhao Hong's words were serious and thoughtful, and Ma Zhong and other generals took orders one after another with different thoughts.
The defeated general rose up instead of surrendering, and Ma Zhong felt heavy in his heart.
The emperor asked him and Yu Jie to go to Hexi, firstly for the cavalry, and secondly for the war horses. It can be said that the emperor's kindness is great and his intentions are good.
"Cao Youwen, Wang Jian, don't worry about not fighting. The Tatar army will attack at any time, and I will recover the two rivers and the old places of the Han and Tang Dynasties. The Song Dynasty is at the cusp of the storm. In the age of great strife, sailing against the current depends on you, the Song Dynasty. Rui Shi.”
Probably guessing the reluctance of Cao Youwen and others, Zhao Hong patiently explained.
Soldiers are eager to fight and their morale is ready. Is there anything more exciting than this?
"I will obey His Majesty's teachings!"
The generals and ministers around him were all enthusiastic.
The emperor had a clever plan. He said that there was a war going on, but he thought that the future would not be peaceful.
