"Since the beginning of the Northern Expedition in July last year, it lasted for eight months until March this year, when His Majesty left. To supply the Northern Expedition, the treasury spent 16.53 million guan, 320,000 pieces of silk, and 582,000 grains of all kinds. Ten thousand stones, Henan, Hebei, and Hedong provinces conscripted a total of 1.2 million civilians..." In a heavy tone, Fan Zhi listed a series of data to Liu Chengyou and the Han ministers present.
No matter whether civil or military, the whole court was shocked. Everyone knew that the Northern Expedition had caused a lot of losses to the court. Each department had some understanding of this, but it was not comprehensive. After nearly two months of synthesis, statistics, and accounting, the results are still eye-catching. In addition to being surprised, some people are also surprised that the financial resources of the Han Dynasty court have reached such a level that they can mobilize such a large-scale resources for a war.
Not to mention anything else, in the frontline fighting area alone, the total number of soldiers and civilians invested by the Han Dynasty was 500,000. As for the manpower mobilized by various states and counties, it was an even bigger number.
Even so, the statistics obtained by the imperial court are still only a vague number and a range. But from this, we can also see how huge the losses are.
Liu Chengyou's heart couldn't help but beat violently, and he sighed: "The expense of the public and the expense of the people are so heavy. After working hard for a long time, the harm of using troops is all in it!"
Take the money spent as an example, it is more than 16 million yuan, which is the annual income of the whole country after collecting Sichuan and Shu. However, a year's annual income has to take care of the world, and there are many expenditures, but it is all spent in one war. In fact, this is to spend the next three to four years on the premise that the court maintains basic consumption on other matters. All the finance and taxes have been invested in it.
In fact, if it weren't for the huge wealth that was constantly being transported back to Tokyo from Shu, Liu Chengyou might not have dared to make this war so big and last for so long. After all, a war is more valuable than a long one.
During the war, Liu Chengyou devoted himself to the war, and all his actions were only for the victory of the war. After the war ended, this idea changed again. Looking back, even Liu Chengyou felt a sense of panic.
This Northern Expedition was a big gamble. If something unexpected happened, such as a defeat or a stalemate, even if the entire empire would not collapse and could still maintain its rule, it would be inevitable that the fate of the Han Dynasty would be affected. The deeper he thought about it, the stronger Liu Chengyou felt. The Northern Expedition was the first war in decades, and its scale far exceeded all the previous unification wars of the Han Dynasty. It was like walking a tightrope.
Therefore, Liu Chengyou sighed. Fortunately, victory belongs to the big man, and it is precisely because of the victory that he can recall and summarize with a more peaceful attitude.
After this battle, Liu Chengyou also felt a sense of awe towards war. At least, it is best not to start a war like this that exhausts the country's strength and the Gambling family. After all, apart from the ambition to achieve success, the most important thing is to maintain the stability of the empire and his rule. Of course, after this battle, it would be almost impossible to force the Han Dynasty to this point in the future.
It can be said that the victory of the Northern Expedition opened up the two lines of Ren and Du to the Han Dynasty. From then on, it could steadily move towards a prosperous age.
After Fan Zhi said this, Xue Juzheng spoke, but it was a supplement to what Fan Zhi said: "Your Majesty, what Prime Minister Fan said was only the official expenditure of the imperial court. Shanyang and Yannan were seriously damaged by the war, and the people were in need of food. , still needs the support of the imperial court for reconstruction. A large number of civilians were injured and killed due to the war, which also caused damage to the civilian labor force and damaged production. During this spring offensive, many civilians were unable to return to the land quickly, and the farming season was missed. This year's harvest will inevitably be sharp. decrease, thereby affecting the court's annual revenue.
Nowadays, the national treasury is empty and the government offices are insufficient. Food in Tokyo also needs to be transferred from other states to prepare for the shortage. In addition, the rewards for meritorious soldiers and the compensation for casualties and civilians are another huge expenditure.
Your Majesty, the imperial court is now overwhelmed and the situation is worrying! "
As for Xue Juzheng, he is complaining. Since ancient times, money bags have been difficult to manage. At the same time, this is also putting pressure on Liu Chengyou, hoping that he can be somewhat restrained in his future expenditures...
Of course, Liu Chengyou didn't know anything about the situation of the national treasury. Although it was difficult, it was not particularly worrying. As long as he survived the past year or two, things would get better and better in the future. Furthermore, if you don't go to the official warehouse to take a look, you will never know how much wealth you have.
After thinking about it for a while, Liu Chengyou said: "No matter how tight the national treasury is, we cannot treat the heroes of the Han Dynasty lightly. The soldiers and civilians of the Northern Expedition are all lofty ideals and benevolent people who have sacrificed their lives and shed blood for the country. We must reward meritorious deeds and reward them with merit." There is a shortage. Especially the pension for the wounded and wounded soldiers and civilians, there can be no stingy delay!
In addition, those who contributed to the Northern Expedition will be rewarded by local officials as appropriate. Farmers who serve as soldiers, affecting spring plowing, especially the people in Hebei and Hedong, will receive certain tax exemptions this year. At this time, the three divisions should also come up with specific and practical regulations and promulgate them as soon as possible to bring peace to the world. People's hearts..."
After the emperor said these words, Xue Juzheng's expression became even more bitter. This was because he continued to spend large sums of money while reducing his income. Judging from his tone, there was no room for negotiation.
Fan Zhize said: "It is true that your Majesty said that the country's meritorious officials should not be treated lightly, but the difficulty of the national treasury must also be taken into consideration. The country's use is not limited to military affairs. It is true that there is not much money available for a short period of time. Come with more money and silk. Things should be prioritized and implemented gradually!"
After listening to Fan Zhi's words, Liu Chengyou looked at him and asked: "According to Fan Qing's words, what are the urgent and serious matters, and what can be done lightly?"
After a moment's hesitation, Fan Zhi said: "Your Majesty, the country is based on the people, and agriculture is the most important thing. We should first care for the people to make farming easier. In addition, for the casualties of the soldiers and civilians, funds can be allocated first. As for other meritorious rewards, we can Delay appropriately!”
After Fan Zhi finished speaking, before Liu Chengyou could say anything, Chai Rong spoke up: "Delay appropriately! Should the delay continue and be appropriately reduced or reduced, and in the end, just not reward it at all?"
Chai Rong's words were correct, but he was not polite at all. Fan Zhi stared at him and suddenly became angry and said, "Why did Privy Chai misinterpret my meaning? What I meant is exactly what you said!"
Chai Rong said: "Fan Xianggong is staying in Tokyo, but he doesn't know how hard it is for the soldiers of the Northern Expedition. They fought bloody battles for the country, bravely killed the enemy, and survived a hundred battles. They have to return to the capital and return to their hometown. I hope to be rewarded by the court. You But you are pretending to delay, are you considering the mood of the soldiers?"
"The country cannot spend such a huge sum of money at once and implement it in sequence, so why not? If you can fight to the death for the country, can't you understand the difficulties of the court and give the court some room for maneuver?" Fan Zhi said angrily.
As soon as he said these words, Chai Rong gave a rare disdainful smile, and Liu Chengyou frowned. Let the soldiers Qiu Ba have this awareness, I am afraid they are not overthinking. Liu Chengyou can guarantee that if there is too much delay and discount in the reward, there will definitely be complaints. This has been the case in all dynasties, and there may even be chaos. After all, the influence of the previous generation is still there. Not completely and completely eliminated.
Seeing the "daily" argument between the two, Liu Chengyou raised his hand to stop them and said: "Those who deserve reward will not be delayed, those who deserve rewards will not be short-lived, and those who deserve pension will not be short of money! If the country's resources are insufficient, I will first use the internal funds. In short, , there is no need for any discount in this matter!”
Liu Chengyou was still considerate of the difficulties faced by the Third Division. Sure enough, as soon as the emperor's proposal came out, the argument was resolved immediately, and Xue Juzheng also breathed a sigh of relief.
In fact, Liu Chengyou was also considering that the imperial court spent so much money and promoted so many sales and transactions, the tax revenue generated should be considerable. On commercial taxation, perhaps it is time to take further measures.
At the moment when he was distracted, Chai Rong also stood up and reported on the situation of the army: "In this Northern Expedition, there were 21 battles involving more than 10,000 people, and 124 below. A total of 82,931 people were killed or missing, including 15,879 Forbidden Forces and 100 generals. There were 436 officers above; 124,859 injured, 13,948 seriously injured..."
Compared with the consumption of money, food and property, the number of casualties listed by Chai Rong is even more shocking. Although the results of the Northern Expedition were brilliant, they were really made of human lives and flesh and blood. Especially the soldiers who died in battle, nearly half of them were caused by the Battle of Nankou. What Chai Rong listed was only the casualties of soldiers and civilians during the battle, and did not include the civilians of Youyun who suffered military disasters, which were also in the tens of thousands.
In this regard, Liu Chengyou emphasized in a heavy tone: "It is these people with lofty ideals who are not afraid of hardships and casualties, so they can achieve the victory of this Northern Expedition. For them, how can the imperial court be stingy with some money, food, silk, etc.? Heart?"
These words seemed to hit Fan Zhi again, making the husband frown and lower his head.
Liu Chengyou continued to say in a deep voice: "For the fallen soldiers and civilians, the Ministry of Rites should prepare a public sacrifice, and I should lead the clan ministers, civil and military officials to offer condolences!"
"Yes!" Tao Gu, who was the Minister of Rites, stood up and responded without any hesitation. Kind of, uplifting.
"This time, the Forbidden Army and the Border Army have suffered heavy casualties, and many armies have been incompletely organized. The Privy Council, the Ministry of War, and the Front and Guard Departments should draft a reorganization charter to conduct a more comprehensive adjustment and sort out the national military system! Hmm! , and also make preparations for the arrangement of honors and rewards!" Liu Chengyou ordered as he looked at Chai Rong, Wei Renpu, Xiang Xun, Murong Yanzhao and others.
"yes!"
This is probably Liu Chengyou's real purpose. Any major changes will inevitably affect those with existing interests. Combining rewards and reorganization is the best way to reduce resistance.
