Liu Yu frowned slightly: "Didn't we set the rules according to the original recruitment standards? Is it possible that according to these rules now, the money and food are not enough?"
Xu Xianzhi sighed: "Yes, because originally we only considered temporarily recruiting about 50,000 troops in Jiankang, but the current situation is that not only Jiankang has recruited troops, but also Jiangbei, Wu and other King Qin's divisions, the total number exceeds 100,000 , are still gathering here in a steady stream. Everyone is interested in this high reward, especially Wudi, Xie Hun, Xi Sengshi, and many other children of aristocratic families, wishing that all the people in their manors The tenants of the village have become sergeants to receive these rewards."
Liu Yu suddenly laughed out loud: "It seems that this reward exceeds the loyalty to the country. Even in the battle of Feishui, the big families in Wu did not have so many manpower. The battle to destroy Yan could not wait for a month. There was a rotation of 3,000 men, but this time an army of 100,000 troops can be sent out at once. With such mobilization power, how difficult is it to sweep the world?"
Xu Xianzhi curled up his lips and said, "That's why I came here because of the benefits. If it wasn't for the benefits, these people wouldn't have appeared in this world at all. They would have been hidden by the high-ranking families. You have banned this situation many times before. But now it seems that it still cannot be banned.”
Liu Yu nodded: "Yes, in fact, these are the real ghost soldiers. With these powers, people like Xie Hun will have endless manpower and material resources. This is also the capital for them to fight against the imperial court and establish a new emperor. After we defeat the demon thieves this time, we must solve this problem."
Xu Xianzhi said calmly: "What should we do now? Should we lower the previously announced reward, or should we directly disband King Qin's troops and let them return to their hometown to work in farming?"
Liu Yu smiled slightly: "I think this time may be an opportunity to find out the strength of these noble families and powerful landlords in Wu. You are right. Usually these people are ghost soldiers. In the imperial court, During various investigations, the traces were invisible, but now they all appear suddenly, so do you think we can take the opportunity to investigate the crime of concealing the population of these aristocratic families?"
Xu Xianzhi's eyes lit up: "This is a good idea. There was a national law in the past that prohibited these aristocratic families from concealing their population. However, in recent years, with the recovery of production in Wu, the aristocratic families have begun to do this again. Many people They were the homeless refugees they took in during the war under the pretext of war, but through the protection of officials, these people were transferred to the white nationality just like the previous refugees who went south, and they were not even admitted to the white nationality."
Liu Yu said coldly: "It's the same old thing again, and then it's said that these white books were eaten by insects, lost, or can't be found, right?"
Xu Xianzhi laughed: "You are still smart as a slave. You understand all these tricks now. However, let me declare first that our Xu family does not do this. There is also Fatty. We strictly follow your orders and regulations. Come."
Liu Yu nodded: "I believe you are doing this, and I have heard news more than once that because you strictly abide by the law and follow the rules, you are regarded as alien or even alienated by some high-ranking families. If it weren't for You and Fatty are now the prime minister and have great power, so I'm afraid they will attack you in a group."
Xu Xianzhi said seriously: "If we don't abide by the laws you issued, we can't expect others to abide by them. However, the law does not punish everyone. If everyone breaks the law, then if you want to punish all the families, it will arouse public anger. This is also The reason why Mu Zhi knew this situation before but couldn't really deal with it."
Liu Yu frowned: "Why didn't you deal with it at that time? What are the difficulties or hidden secrets? If the first few families can kill a hundred policemen, will anyone in the future dare to try the law?"
Xu Xianzhi shook his head: "It's not that easy. At first, these aristocratic families did not dare to openly hide their homes and hide the people on a large scale. However, the chaos of Tianshi Dao, coupled with Huan Xuan's subsequent entry into the capital, and the battle to destroy Chu, some A large number of people have been displaced, and many of their identities and household registrations were destroyed in the war and cannot be re-examined. This is not a deliberate act by aristocratic families or powerful people in Wu."
Liu Yu said in a deep voice: "Then after the war is over, why don't these people come to the court to allocate land and regain their status? Didn't corresponding decrees be issued at that time, and there was a large amount of unclaimed land that could be allocated to them? ?”
Xu Xianzhi sighed: "Dividing land means paying taxes to the court and levying men. Paying taxes is okay, but drawing men to serve is what scares and frightens the people. Why was Sun En's Rebellion so powerful back then? Isn't it? Is it because of Sima Yuanxian’s happy family? Jinu, not everyone is like you, thinking about their family and country, and thinking about the Northern Expedition to the Central Plains. The vast majority of ordinary people, especially those outside Jingkou, only want stability. We live on the land, just farm the land and pay taxes.”
Liu Yu was silent for a long time, then shook his head: "Yes, I have discovered this now. In the past, when we were in Jingkou, almost every family was a refugee from the south. Someone from every family died in the battle with the Hulu, so the Northern Expedition In the Central Plains, revenge is the consensus of everyone, but now the more I come into contact with people in other places, the more I find that they have no such desire. Are these perceptions of ours an enemy of the world?"
Xu Xianzhi said in a deep voice: "The people in the world only care about their own one-third of an acre of land, their wives and children, and they are not very interested in their family, country, and the world. Especially the people of Wu. In their view, maybe the Han people in the Central Plains are Talents are enemies, but those barbarians are not so hateful. If the court increases taxes and levies on them in the name of the Northern Expedition, then they are their mortal enemies. But in the manor of a wealthy family, being a hermit, even though the taxes are paid A little more, but you don’t have to worry about the risk of being drafted into service or dying in an expedition.”
Liu Yu gritted his teeth: "I understand, it turns out that from the very beginning, we have not been of the same mind as the common people. No wonder these high-ranking families have been able to fight against the imperial court for many years. Then it seems that I have to think of other ways. , so that the people can get more benefits from being loyal to the court instead of farming for the family, then they can be on our side and our laws can be implemented."
Having said this, Liu Yu looked at Xu Xianzhi: "So, when these high-ranking families used the excuse of sheltering refugees to hide their homes, we cannot investigate them all at once, otherwise we may cause public outrage, and there was no one at that time. Banning and investigating, and then investigating again, is not justified. However, if we take the opportunity this time to conduct a census of the population and ask them to pay taxes and levy taxes, then it will be okay." (End of Chapter)
