After learning about the money and food situation of Fengzhou government office, Ye Mingsheng began to ask the real question.
"Do you know how much unowned land there is in Toyosu?"
Hearing Ye Mingsheng's question, Liu Zhengxian was a little stunned. He didn't know why Ye Mingsheng asked this question. He hesitated and answered:
"Master General, due to the plundering of the Khitan people in recent years, too many people have left their homes in Fengzhou, and this field has become barren. There is no specific statistics, but there must be about a thousand hectares of land!"
A bright light flashed in Ye Mingsheng's eyes when he heard the number "one thousand hectares". In ancient times, fifty acres of land was one hectare. This one thousand hectares was also 50,000 acres of fertile land. This was a huge amount of wealth in ancient times. , enough to support him in completing his next plan.
Thinking of this, Ye Mingsheng looked at Liu Zhengxian and explained very seriously:
"Liu Tongzhi, your next task is to find out how much unowned farmland there is in Fengzhou and give me a specific number!"
"Yes! I understand!" Although Liu Zhengxian couldn't figure out Ye Mingsheng's intention, he still nodded and accepted the order.
During this period, whether it was the danger from Khitan or the turbulent situation in Liaoyang, Ye Mingsheng had the idea of expanding the army...
When he first came to Fengzhou, Ye Mingsheng had 6,000 infantry, 1,000 cavalry, and a total of 7,000 troops. He originally thought it was enough, but this time the battle with Yeluyan made Ye Mingsheng Realizing the weakness of his own military strength.
Although Ye Mingsheng won a big victory in this battle, if Ye Mingsheng didn't have the backhand of grenades, then this big victory might have turned into a big defeat.
In this battle, Ye Luyan used the high mobility of the Khitan cavalry to create a time difference between himself and create a local advantage to catch him off guard. However, in the final analysis, Ye Mingsheng's own troops were weak. If Ye Mingsheng had not three thousand men at that time, but one Thousands of people, do you think Yeluyan still dares to advance so confidently and underestimate the enemy?
This is one thing. On the other hand, the current situation in Liaoyang and Dazhou is in a situation where the storm is about to break out. It only takes a little spark to ignite the entire powder keg... ·········
In such a situation, with only 7,000 soldiers and horses, it is necessary to be a chess piece. It is far from enough to become a chess player who can influence the situation!
Of course, military expansion is easy to say, but very difficult to do!
First of all, the issue of money and food is the first thing!
At this stage, due to the tense situation in the Changqing Mansion, and Chen Dechang, Wang Muzhi and the others were also secretly expanding their armies to prepare for war, the food and salary expenses were extremely high, so the food and salary allocated to Ye Mingsheng was only half of the normal amount.
Not only that, it is like the pension for the fallen soldiers in Ye Mingsheng's battle with the Khitan. Chen Dechang has very clearly told Ye Mingsheng in his letter that Ye Mingsheng needs to find a way by himself, and he will not take a tael of silver... ····
Although Chen Dechang deducted his own food and salary, in order to ensure the combat effectiveness and cohesion of his troops, Ye Mingsheng could only complain while using his own money to subsidize the army's expenses. Fortunately, Ye Mingsheng got it from Dong Jianchuan. Ten thousand taels of silver, otherwise he wouldn't be able to survive now!
Although this makes Ye Mingsheng's current financial situation a bit tight, it can at least be maintained. But if Ye Mingsheng continues to expand his army, hundreds or even thousands of people will be able to support Ye Mingsheng's tight belt.
But if it is a large-scale military expansion, then there is only one result-financial collapse!
But does it make sense for Ye Mingsheng to expand only 1,800 people?
In Ye Mingsheng's vision, his military strength must reach at least 15,000 before he can basically qualify to compete in Liaoyang!
To reach the number of 15,000 men, it means that Ye Mingsheng has to more than double his current military strength, which requires a lot of food and wages!
Ye Mingsheng's economic development plan for Fengzhou's coal and iron resources has great potential, but it is still in the investment stage. Not only will there be no output in the short term, but it also requires Ye Mingsheng's continuous investment.
And from Dong Jianchuan, Ye Mingsheng has already received an extra 10,000 taels of silver. Although he may be able to get some more, I believe it will not be too much. Not only will it not have much effect on the expansion of the army, but it will also make himself look like Insatiable greed affects the current cooperation between the two parties...
In addition to financial problems, there is another big problem that restricts Ye Mingsheng's military expansion plan.
The problem is—soldiers!
Due to the long-term plundering of the Khitans, Fengzhou's population loss was very serious. There were several counties in this large state with a population of less than 100,000, and the population of military age was even rarer.
If Ye Mingsheng does not change this situation and still recruits troops from Fengzhou, it will not only result in Ye Ming not being able to recruit many people, but also the entire food production in Fengzhou and the economic development plan formulated by Ye Mingsheng will suffer a major blow. .
There is a food and salary gap in the front, and there is a soldier problem in the back. Ye Mingsheng's idea of expanding the army seems to be just an idea and cannot be turned into reality...??
Regarding such an embarrassing situation, Ye Mingsheng thought hard for several days before he came up with a solution to the problem!
The solution is land!
Although Fengzhou is poor, it has land! And it’s still very good farmland!
In today's feudal small-scale peasant society, land is definitely hard currency!
Ye Mingsheng can use the farming rights of the land as food for the soldiers, and the land will also attract young adults to return to Fengzhou, so the problem of soldiers is also solved.
Therefore, as long as Ye Mingsheng makes good use of the vast fertile land in Fengzhou, it is not difficult to expand the army to 20,000 or 30,000 people, let alone 15,000 troops!
Although the idea is very good, if you do this, Ye Mingsheng will be the first to face a problem, and that is the threat from the Khitans!
Why is there so much unclaimed farmland in Toyosu?
The reason is that the owners of these two days could not stand the continuous plundering by the Khitan people every year, and finally left their homes and left Fengzhou.
Therefore, if he wants to use land to attract people, Ye Mingsheng must do one thing and make the people believe that he is capable of protecting everyone's life and property and protecting everyone from the plunder of the Khitans... ···
So when Gu Sansi and Yelupeng had just started to contact each other and had not yet reached an agreement to redeem these Khitan prisoners, Ye Mingsheng ordered the Khitan prisoners to be escorted to various places, where they would be visited and beaten everywhere, and they would be publicized to the common people. This great victory over the Khitans enhanced the confidence of the people and allowed everyone to return to Fengzhou with confidence and boldness.
Judging from the current feedback, the effect of Ye Mingsheng's operation is still very good. Many poor people have expressed their willingness to believe in Zhenwu Army and Mr. Ye, and are willing to come to Fengzhou to start a new life.
