When Liu Yu and Wang Ze worked together to tally up the books that had just been submitted by the county and county governments, they saw that the calculated numbers were much lower than what they had originally expected. Liu Yu couldn't help but feel slightly agitated. disappointment.
Yes, Liu Yu had already planned in his mind to send troops westward in the spring of the fifth year of Yongjia and penetrate deep into the Central Plains of Yan and Hezhou.
Liu Yu was not trying to rescue the evil villains like King Sima Yue of the East China Sea who were causing chaos in the world, but was trying to prevent all the innocent people from being killed by Hu Qi's hoofs, and to prevent the tens of thousands of scholars who were bearing the glory of Chinese civilization from committing suicide. It's a thief, so that when the First Empire of China falls, it won't be so humiliating and miserable.
However, according to the current statistical results, it is expected that next year, in the spring of the fifth year of Yongjia, the total number of combat troops and auxiliaries Liu Yu can mobilize will not exceed 30,000.
Any more would have a huge impact on crucial spring farming.
After all, there are very few savings in Qingzhou today. If next year's spring plowing is greatly affected, then in the autumn, poor grain output and terrible famine will let Qingzhou people know what famine is.
Among these 30,000 soldiers, the number of auxiliary soldiers must be at least 10,000. In this case, the number of combat soldiers will be 20,000.
Liu Yu described through the people and merchants who had recently fled from the Central Plains that the total number of the three Huns and Han armies of Wang Mi, Shi Le and Zhao Gu at this time was probably at least hundreds of thousands.
Although many of them are captive refugees, the number of Bingzhou Hu people who were supplemented by the new Huns Emperor Liu Cong must be at least about 50,000.
Facing the Huns and barbarians who had such a huge numerical advantage, Liu Yu asked himself that he was just a middle-aged man, and he was really not completely sure that he could truly be foolproof.
After all, he couldn't risk the lives of tens of thousands of his soldiers just for the sake of those Heluo Han people.
"Not only these, the residents of Yanzhou and Yuzhou passing by along the way have already fled. Those who did not escape have also built forts to gather and defend. The people in these forts regard food as their lives, so along the way It is also very difficult to replenish food on site.”
After Liu Yu said these words to Wang Ze, he sighed, why didn't he have the kind of domineering spirit to increase land production and income, and make a big step into the era of large-scale production?
In the past few years, one of the things I have done the most and cared about the most is worrying about the food I need to make ends meet every day.
In the fourth year of Yongjia, which is about to pass, because of Liu Yu's participation, many farmers in Qingzhou have many drought-resistant tools, new plows, and guano minerals mined on some islands to increase fertilizer, and almost never Manpower is rarely deployed during busy farming periods.
However, Yongjia's grain output in the fourth year has not doubled as expected.
According to what Liu Yu heard from many farmers, this year's yield is not much different from the previous harvests when the weather was good. It may be slightly worse, but it is similar.
Of course, despite the occurrence of drought and disturbances from neighboring states and counties, the farmers in Qingzhou were overjoyed to be able to obtain the same harvest as in the past peace years. Although they had to pay taxes, the surplus grain could still make ends meet the following year. , all of them were extremely grateful to Liu Yu, the envoy.
However, for a harvest of this level, the average yield per mu will be only two to three hundred kilograms in later generations. If the yield is reduced to a disaster level in modern society, Liu Yu knows that the main reason lies in the selection and breeding of improved seeds. Otherwise, Even if the high-yielding varieties of future generations suffer from a lack of moisture and fertilizer, their yields will not be so low.
This kind of problem cannot be solved overnight. Even if we can breed improved varieties within two or three years, it is a very, very remarkable achievement!
At this moment, Liu Yu's biggest headache was the food baggage required for the expedition. Not only did he need to carry military rations, but he also had to prepare excess food to deal with the displaced people who might flood into Qingzhou.
Seeing Liu Yu so worried, Wang Ze couldn't bear it.
"Husband, there is no need to worry so much. In my opinion, the military provisions for 20,000 to 30,000 people can still be fully prepared by squeezing them among the twelve counties."
Liu Yu shook his head.
"You don't know what I'm really worried about. What I'm really worried about is not the army food for the 20,000 or 30,000 people, but the large number of refugees who will flood into Qingzhou after the expedition. These people must have become refugees because they have no food and clothing. If they come to Qingzhou, If they are not properly resettled, there will definitely be death and injury from hunger, cold, and death, which is not only unbearable, but will also cause them to come and go, and even disturb each other."
In these troubled times, food is the basis of strength.
Food is a tool more useful than weapons, fame, and righteousness.
Historically, Liu Kun, the governor of Bingzhou who was trapped in Jinyang, fell into a deadlock of months and months of fierce fighting after the Huns conquered Luoyang.
Although many people defected to Liu Kun because of his fame and prestige, there were also many who left at the same time.
The reason for this is not only Liu Kun's own character and behavior problems, but also the frequent wars near Jinyang. Liu Kun's Bingzhou is also very poor, and it is difficult to have extra materials to help the dependent refugees.
Otherwise, how could these destitute refugees simply leave because Liu Kun "deviated from the masses' behavior" as recorded in the book? Even though he was already about to starve to death, how could he still He did not take into account the governor's own "life style issues".
For these refugees, as long as they have a chance to survive, how can they embark on the vast road of wandering and seeking survival again?
"In that case, why not just levy additional taxes on the counties. Anyway, I saw in the reports from the counties that the surplus grain of military and civilian households in the counties is basically enough for a year. If we collect more, It should be okay." Wang Ze thought for a while and said.
Liu Yu immediately rejected this seemingly useful suggestion.
"Inappropriate, in this case, wouldn't it be a violation of the original promise? It would be a lack of trust in such a matter involving the soldiers and civilians of the twelve counties. Who else would believe the so-called rewards and punishments? , I have finally built up the kindness and prestige, but I am afraid it will be lost in one day."
As he spoke, Liu Yu stood up, paced back and forth, and continued.
"Furthermore, in these reports, it is said that every military and civilian household has a surplus of grain that can last for a year, which is also inaccurate. Clothing, salt, farm tools, and other various expenses for the next year will all be included in this grain. It is impossible to meet the expenses for a year."
Hearing what Liu Yu said, Wang Ze was secretly ashamed. She came from a wealthy family and had never seen the life of the lower class people. Recently, together with Liu Yu, she saw the public sentiment reported by various counties and counties, and thought she was concerned about ordinary people. I understand Xiaomin’s life very well, but I didn’t know it was still such a fallacy.
"It turns out that ordinary people's livelihood is so difficult."
The little girl finally let out a sigh.
"But why are the barbarians in Shile able to gather more than 100,000 people even though they are not engaged in production, and there seems to be no food shortage?"
Wang Ze immediately raised a new question.
Regarding this issue, Liu Yu was not clear about it before. Later, after communicating more with generals like Ran Long and Hao Ting who were from the beggar army, he slowly understood it.
"That's because Shi Le and other Hulu bandits will not consider these issues at all. Wherever these Hulu thieves go, they will plunder food and people. The useful men and women among them, that is, those who can fight and work, will be divided. They provide food, but the old and weak who cannot be used are often abandoned like worn-out shoes and left to fend for themselves."
Hearing Liu Yu's answer, Wang Ze also thought about it carefully and was secretly shocked. Behind the simple word "fend for oneself", there were so many old people and children who were trapped and waiting to die.
In fact, Liu Yu did not say it completely. Even if the army composed of Hulu bandits such as Shi Le and Wang Mi adopts this strategy, they will face a shortage of food. If they are stationed in one place for a long time, after destroying the local production, If they hadn't moved to the next place where they could eat human blood, these Hulu bandits would also have famine. In the original history, when Shi Le led his army to invade Huainan, he stayed in one place for a long time due to weather and other reasons, which led to the loss of military resources. Scarcity and vacillation.
Wang Ze frowned, and after thinking for a while, he couldn't think of any very useful countermeasures, and finally couldn't help but say.
"Husband, what you think of to save thousands of people is indeed a very big achievement, but you must think carefully about it. Otherwise, if what you said really happens that the refugees gather and disperse after they are captured, then But the gains outweigh the losses, so you can’t force this matter, and if you can’t do it, you don’t have to take risks.”
"After all, I already understand your husband's sincere kindness and forgiveness, so there is no need to force it."
Regarding this matter, Liu Yu thought about it for a whole day, but he couldn't come up with a good solution.
After all, these grains are grown in the fields for a lot of time and cannot be produced with just a few words.
As for the method of plundering cities and forts along the way like Shi Le and Wang Mi did, it cannot be used at all. If so, I am afraid that many refugees will not be rescued, and the reputation of the Qingzhou army as evil as Hulu will spread throughout the world. The land of Central Plains.
Well, although in history, Shi Le shocked most of the north with such a reputation, Liu Yu always felt that acting in this way was too unbearable for his desire to establish himself and stabilize the people.
After Liu Yu practiced riding with Ran Liang, Liu Xun and other young soldiers, he returned to the mansion to deal with reports and documents.
As soon as he entered the hall and sat down, a clerk came in to report.
"Qi Gong, Sun Qian, the lieutenant of Qi County, has asked to see him. He said that he has something important that needs to be brought to Qi Gong in person."
Hearing this name, Liu Yu was slightly startled. He seemed to be somewhat impressed, but not too impressed.
"Why do you want to see me?" Liu Yu asked.
The lieutenant of a county is just an ordinary official with no fixed quota. Although talented people from ordinary family backgrounds often enter official careers through this, officials at this level cannot easily meet Liu Yu.
If that were the case, the nearly one hundred lieutenants from the twelve counties under Liu Yu's rule would keep Liu Yu busy every day.
However, Qi County, where Linzi is located, is the most important county, so it must be easier for the Zhonglang of Qi County than the ordinary officials in the county.
"Sun Qian didn't say anything. He only said that it was a secret matter and could not be revealed until he saw Qi Gong." The clerk said immediately.
"Okay, go and bring him in." Liu Yu thought for a moment and then ordered.
The position of Qijun is important. Since Sun Qian, the lieutenant of Qijun, insists on meeting him, there may be something important that requires him to meet him. Anyway, there is nothing to do at this time. It would be uneconomical to miss the important event.
The clerk followed the order and soon led a man of about twenty years old with a handsome appearance in.
"I'm going to be the official Zhonglang Qian of Qi County, and I'm going to pay my respects to Duke Qi." After the man in Zhonglang's robe came in, he immediately bowed down and saluted.
After seeing him in person, Liu Yu remembered some impressions. This Sun Qian seemed to be from Le'an County, one of the many students of Linzi celebrity Hao Qiang Yan. It was after Yan Zhu recommended him to him that he was appointed as his disciple. Official.
Liu Yu was a little unhappy when he thought of what Yan Zuo had done recently with a group of powerful old guys from Qi County. By the way, he didn't have a good feeling about Yan Zuo's student Sun Qian.
After letting Sun Qian get up, Liu Yu asked directly.
"Sun Zhonglang, why do you want to see me? Why do you have to present it to me face to face?" Although Liu Yu didn't like this person, he didn't show it, just like he usually did when meeting officials.
"Your Majesty, what you are saying is of great importance. If others hear it, I am afraid it will be shocking. I would like to ask Mr. Qi to step aside. I would like to speak to Mr. Qi alone."
As Sun Qian spoke, his body trembled slightly.
Hearing what he said, Liu Yu was a little surprised. What important thing could this little Qijun Zhonglang have to say to him alone?
Could it be said that Sun Qian took the opportunity to speak alone to assassinate him?
However, Liu Xuan looked at his muscular physique, and then looked at Sun Qian's thin and powdered body and face. He really didn't believe that Sun Qian would assassinate him. In that case, this Sun Qian must be insane. .
However, looking at his performance, apart from being a little nervous, there was no sign of being crazy about gain or loss.
In this case, Liu Yu was not too afraid of any evil intentions on his part, so he waved away the clerks and maids waiting on his left and right.
After these people retreated, Liu Yu said.
"Sun Gongyuan, the rest of the people have already retreated. If you have anything to say, it doesn't hurt to just say it."
Just now, Liu thought about it for a long time and finally remembered that the cousin of Qijun Zhonglang Sun Qian was Gongyuan. He called him by his cousin instead of his official title to show that he was approachable. Otherwise, he would I'm really afraid that Qijun Zhonglang Sun Qian will tremble to death if he continues to tremble.
After hearing Liu Yu's calm tone, Sun Qian's nervousness finally eased a little, and he plucked up the courage to speak.
"Your Majesty, I came to see Duke Qi today because I have something important to report."
"Well, I know that." Liu Yu gradually became impatient.
"I want to report Yan Zhu and others to Qi Gong for their crimes of slandering Qi Gong, tampering with household registers, embezzling tax calculations, etc. I hope Qi Gong will be aware of it and clean up the turmoil in Qingzhou!"
Liu Yu was shocked when he heard this. He did not reach out to take the document handed over by Sun Qian, but asked sharply.
"Sun Qian, are you crazy? Isn't Yan Zhu your grandmaster?!"
