Li Dan believed that the lake bandits were the source of Raozhou's wounds. Without their support, neither the mining bandits nor the Yang family would be able to make a big splash.
"So Sir, students think that the most important thing in this game is to deal with the lake bandits. It is like a broken piece that the enemy puts in the big dragon made by the government in a chaotic game (in Go, it cuts off the opponent's Qi Eye. The son is called Duanzi).
If it survives, the mountainous areas in the east are engaged in illegal mining, and the Yangxing in Nantong is panting, which will cut the entire northern Jiangxi into east and west parts, causing Raozhou to lose the support of Nanchang Prefecture and eroding the Hudong area.
If the situation becomes overwhelming, the territory controlled by the government will be continuously squeezed until the entire midland advantage is lost.
We must try to remove it first, so that the miners lose their support, Yang Xing loses foreign aid, and the initiative in the whole chess game can be returned to the government. "
"Regarding the miners, you just used the word 'disintegrate', why?" Zhao Chongbi suddenly asked: "We are heavily suppressing the lake bandits, but we have to heavily appease the miners. Why?"
"The first reason is that the officers and soldiers have limited strength, so they need to focus on the lake bandits and give them a killing blow. The second reason is because they don't want to kill." Li Dan sighed:
"The miners who participated in the riots were different from the lake bandits who had been committing evil for many years. Most of the miners were coolies, so the riots were mostly caused by the instigation and incitement of the mine supervisors and foremen.
They lost patience and the courage to face a life of uncertainty about food and clothing, and uncertainty about life and death, so they started to cause trouble, but many of them were originally very simple people. "
Li Dan said with a smile: "To be honest, some of the people I brought back were those who were surrendered among the miners. Once they realize that they have been deceived, they will not be soft at all against those who betrayed them. .”
"But... after all, these people have followed the rebellion..." Zhao Chongbi was still unable to turn around, frowning and asked: "Aren't you afraid that they will bite you back?"
"They don't want much. They just want to be brothers with them, eat together, live together, and go to the battlefield together. These people are very brave in fighting. Because they know who is good to them and know that people should repay kindness."
After Li Dan finished speaking, he added: "Of course, those who are stubborn, persistent, and have blood debts, we will definitely kill those who deserve to be killed through the screening of the governor!"
After speaking, Li Dan introduced to Zhao Chongbi the several leaders he had appointed, such as Tie Linglong Liu She, Gao Monk who beheaded generals and captured the flag, and Douzi Wan—Wan Siyou, who was loyal, wise, and cheerful.
This time Zhao Chongbi didn't eat. He put his elbows on the table and leaned slightly to listen attentively and seriously. "So, you don't kill them because you believe these people can change?" he asked later.
"These people have clear consciences, and they have good experience and skills in the mines. They can teach my people how to discover, mine and smelt metals, and how to avoid accidents such as landslides and flooding.
These are all accumulated by how many people bleed and sweat underground. It would be a pity if the heads fell to the ground indiscriminately and the knowledge disappeared as a result!
Therefore, as long as they have prestige among the miners and are willing to accept recruitment, and by dealing with the criminals with blood debts, we have achieved the goal of alerting everyone and taking them as a warning, then we can keep as many as possible without killing them. "
At this point, Li Dan leaned forward and said in a more serious tone: "A few people with ulterior motives will instigate them to rebel and be beheaded for personal gain, so let them see their faces clearly.
No one is a fool, and anyone who wants to fool others must pay the price!
So we have another trick, by asking them to tell how they were bullied by mine supervisors, mine supervisors and mine owners in the past, which made them or their families suffer and suffer, or how these people were well clothed, well fed, and supported when they were fighting in a bloody battle. The right one!
Let them wake up and see how selfish and vicious those who encourage them are. They will naturally choose the path that is more beneficial to them.
Should he continue to fight against the government and the army, or should he recognize the true face of the noisemakers, accept the imperial offer, and go back to work hard to earn money to support his family?
Everyone weighs the pros and cons. The key is that in addition to killing people, we have to give people a way to survive! "
Li Dan said: "When the miners discovered and rose up against this kind of internal
When injustice is discovered, what the government should do is not to viciously continue to fight to the death to suppress them. On the contrary, it should add fuel to the flames, actively appease them, and promptly separate them from those who have ulterior motives.
Dividing them creates gaps in the ranks, which makes it easier for the government to dismantle their fighting spirit.
Then laws or supplementary regulations are quickly introduced to prohibit or restrict injustice and excessive exploitation in the mining industry. The so-called stick is in one hand, and rice and warm bedding are in the other hand.
The government's appeasement cannot simply give in. It should be prepared with two hands, so that the miners can quickly eliminate the noisy people inside and calm down quickly to wait for the government's next step of appeasement. "
"What do you mean by rice and warm blankets? Are you saying we will agree to whatever they want?"
"No, it's not a simple concession, it's a conversation. Talk patiently and listen to the stories behind their uprising, what made them have to take this path, and why can those mine supervisors and foremen incite them?"
Li Dan spread his hands as he spoke: "This is military pressure, and this is legal power and governance. These are the magic weapons in the hands of the imperial court, used to balance the relationships between the various classes below.
Whichever class dominates is a threat to the court, so we must use this magic weapon to suppress what should be suppressed and what should be cured! "
"Military power, legal power and governance power...?" Zhao Chongbi repeated in a murmur, nodding slightly with a look of sudden realization in his eyes.
"For example, if the mine owners and supervisory class are too powerful, then legislation and laws must be passed to restrain their behavior from going too far. If it goes too far, they must use political power to impose management or use force to suppress it.
Let them have restrictions and rules, so that they dare not oppress and exploit miners lawlessly, and gradually improve the treatment and life of miners, including prisoners, in accordance with the law.
The minimum living conditions, salary conditions, and basic guarantees for life, old age, sickness, and death of miners are spelled out.
The operations of mine owners are reviewed, verified and graded every year. Those with good grades can get tax exemptions and priority in new mine mining, while those with bad grades will be punished or even go out of business for rectification.
Force the mine owners to give up their profits to alleviate the dissatisfaction of the working class, instead of passing on or venting this dissatisfaction through riots and rebellions as they like.
The court paid for documents, laws, and governance, but it was not the treasury but the mine owners who provided money and profits. "
"Wonderful! In this way, the court only needs to control the mine owners, mine supervisors, and foremen, and the mine chaos can be eliminated?"
"No!" Li Dan smiled and waved his hand: "Government must be comprehensive. Since it is legislation to control the chaos in the mining industry, it is natural that the behavior of miners and prisoners must be restrained, and it cannot be just one side.
Politicians must be fair!
Throughout history, any successful change or initiative must be supported by two pillars, one of which is indispensable. "
"Oh?" Zhao Chongbi leaned forward and asked, "Which two pieces?"
"Law and surveillance."
"Law, supervision..." Zhao Chongbi repeated these eight words in his mouth and nodded slightly.
"Relevant laws are the basis for execution. Failure to comply with them leaves the executors at a loss and without evidence. It also gives lawbreakers opportunities to take advantage of loopholes.
Supervision methods explain the responsibilities of the executor, who is responsible for the execution results, how to supervise, how to reward the good and punish the bad, and even how to punish the illegal!
For things like appointing mine supervisors, there is no law. I sent a group of internal supervisors down, thinking that the royal servants would be easy to use, but it was a typical example of the opposite.
On the other hand, local resistance is on the one hand, and there is no legal basis or supervisory authority, which eventually leads to the situation getting out of control. This is a big lesson! "
Zhao Chongbi smiled bitterly and pointed at him with his finger: "Li Sanlang, you are brave enough to point out the Holy Emperor's mistakes like this. Aren't you afraid that word will spread that the Emperor will be angry and exile you to Lanzhou?"
"That's best! Anyway, my future father-in-law was also sent there by the army, so I can just take care of him!"
"You, oh, why did I forget this." Zhao Chongbi had already heard Li Dan mention the Chen family, and seeing his indifferent expression, he didn't know what to say.
"I heard that Your Majesty is four or five years older than the student, so I believe that if His Majesty hears it, he will not be like those old masters who only know the truth and use the Hadith to curse people. He should have heard it.
I can also see the merits in what the student said. "
Li Dan said with a smile: "Even if we want to send internal supervisors so that local laws are enforced and civil servants have the power to supervise, the opposition from the court will be much smaller. In this way, I believe the matter will not reach the point in front of us."
Zhao Chongbi didn't want to discuss the emperor's fault with him anymore, so he quickly brought the topic back: "To be honest, quite a few people agree that the main purpose is to suppress the miners. You know that these mines cause trouble every year, which makes the place very annoying!" "
"But these adults who suggested the suppression, do they know why they cause trouble every year?" Li Dan spread his hands: "Study leads to knowledge. I wonder if they really know it, or do they think they know it?"
These two situations are different. Dan ate and slept with the soldiers who were former miners. There were former miners among my soldiers, so I could hear their voices and understand their stories.
As far as I know, many people are actually incited and coerced by others, and there are only a few people who really want to kill officials and rebel. Then why can a very small number of people summon hundreds of thousands to rise up?
The reason is that most people are dissatisfied with the status quo, and are flustered and fearful due to dissatisfaction, and then hope to seek peace with others.
When their dissatisfaction is awakened, the few people have the possibility to take advantage of their herd mentality. Do you think I'm right? "
"Well, that's true!" Zhao Chongbi nodded.
Li Dan then told him some things he had heard from Liu She, Tie Xiaoan, and Shi Sannian, telling him how the mine supervisors and foremen had deducted and deceived them, how they instigated fights among workers, and how they poured sewage into those workers. Self-righteous, arrogant and domineering eunuchs and tax collectors, etc.
Zhao Chongbi could be heard sighing and frowning more and more. "If I hadn't heard you tell me, I would never have thought of such a thing!"
He was heartbroken, especially when he thought that after the emperor ascended the throne, he was eager to change the financial status quo, so he sent internal supervisors to supervise the mining affairs. However, he did not want to reform the finances. Instead, it became an "opportunity" for many eunuchs to collude with the local government and take advantage of the situation.
Zhao Chongbi shook his head! "Your Majesty did not send these people to be mine supervisors just to fatten them up," he said.
"Of course, the ancients said: Governing a big country is like cooking a small one. In ancient times, the country had hundreds of vassals, but today people have thousands of miles under their feet. How can we not be vigilant? Although the holy intention is good, it needs to be laid out slowly, and there must be no rush. .
If the implementation of any policy is based solely on an imperial edict and the people below are expected to be conscientious and self-denial, it will be impossible.
Therefore, when making legislation, we should also establish rules for the officials who implement the law. How to implement the law, the responsibilities of the enforcers, rewards, and penalties are all essential. "
"That's why I say that suppression and suppression should be grasped with both hands. Suppression is a tool, and suppression is a method. Most miners are used to living in isolation in the mountains. As long as the conditions can survive, they generally will not cause chaos."
"But if you mention it like this, those masters will point at the miners and say: These untouchables are cunning and ruthless. If they are not suppressed, it will not make the people angry and calm people's hearts. How can this be explained?"
Zhao Chongbi seemed to be deliberately going against Li Dan, but he leaned back comfortably on the cushions on the back of his chair, smiling challengingly and tapping his fingers rhythmically on the table, as if waiting to see the young man become angry. Or some joke.
"Are they cheap just because they make a living in the mountains? Students don't think so.
They were all born in ten months of pregnancy, but some practiced the way of saints, some faced the loess with their backs to the sky, and some dug mountains and quarried rocks with their faces covered in mud. It’s all life, with different styles, different responsibilities, and different wealth.
Nuwa did not say which piece of clay was noble. The idea of nobleness and inferiority was just raised by later generations. Let me tell you something first. "Li Dan picked up a chopstick and tapped it on the rim of the cup:
"I was talking to a squire on the outskirts of Guangxin and asked him what he thought of the rebels. He also cursed at that time. I asked you why you cursed?
He told me that since the Lou bandits started fighting, the value of rice has tripled, and the price of cattle has more than quadrupled. One stone of wine, which used to cost thirty-five or forty Renxuan Tongbao, now costs one hundred and fifty to one. One hundred and seventy pieces may not be available for purchase. "
"Hey, this is a good thing. Then the rich man can make a lot of money?" Zhao Chongbi was puzzled.
"That's what I said, but the squire said that you are wrong, little brother. He told me that although these things can be sold, if you want to transport them to Shangrao, you can't do it without a car or a boat, and you can't do it without someone to protect you.
The prices of hiring a car and boat have increased five to six times. Originally, when I went to Shangrao, if I hired someone, it would include food and accommodation for a round trip and I would pay five yuan. But now you have to pay a hundred yuan before anyone is willing to take the risk.
So even if you open the channel, I still can’t make any money from a trip to Shangrao! You see, my lord, this is the impact of the war on the ordinary squire, so he is extremely unwelcome to the rebels.
So since he doesn't like the rebels so much, I said that when we catch these hateful guys and chop them all, he hesitates and talks about the virtue of God's good life.
I'm surprised, don't you hate them?
He said you can just kill the leader and let the rest go back to work as long as they repent. Because if no one mines in the mountains, the price of iron will skyrocket.
Things are more valuable when they are scarce, and farm tools such as plows and shareshares have now increased to seven times their original price. If no one is mining after the war, the price of farm tools will remain high the longer it goes on. This is actually only half related to businessmen's pursuit of profit.
It’s impossible to work in the mountains in the winter, and there will be almost no iron production in those months. Then spring plowing will definitely be affected! "
Having said this, Li Dan stopped and looked at Zhao Chongbi, who looked at him as if he had some understanding: "Sir, you see, this is a truth that even a country squire understands.
The mining industry relies heavily on labor, and the consequences of insufficient labor will not only affect tax revenue, but also create a serious shortage of skilled craftsmen in the industry.
These people play the same role underground as captains and sentries in the army. Their large number of deaths during the war not only resulted in a reduction in mining volume and lower quality, but also the mine supervisors and foremen were trying to take advantage of the higher prices to obtain more mining volume. , will intensify the oppression and oppression of workers.
Staying downhole for long periods of time in a desperate pursuit of production can lead to more accidents.
This brings fatigue, reduced income, danger to lives and other dissatisfaction to new and old miners. This is the source of the next outbreak of anger!
Therefore, it is not that the miners are inherently cunning, but that the government has failed to deal with it in the past.
They suppressed heavily and suppressed lightly, and after the war, they thought everything was fine, neglecting the necessary rectification and management of the mining industry. When trouble occurred, they once again shied the responsibility to the military to suppress and kill. After the suppression was over, they let it go and let it rot, and the cycle repeats. Read the book
What's this? Irresponsible talkers, treating the symptoms but not the root cause, just want to be a hands-off shopkeeper and don't want to be down-to-earth and pragmatic! "
This series of criticisms made Zhao Chongbi widen his eyes, but after thinking about it, he could not refute it, so he could only shake his head and said:
"Oh, I don't think you, Li Sanlang, need to take any imperial examinations. You can just become the chief assistant! You just don't have much fame. I don't think there are many ministers in the court who can argue with you."
