After the autumnal equinox, the days are getting shorter and shorter. Now, without realizing it, the bright light outside has also dimmed. The dim sky and desolate environment seem to reflect directly into people's hearts, clouding their mood. The upper level is gloomy.
The servants who were waiting carefully added lights and candles, and the political hall was just a little brighter. Liu Yang and Zhao Kuangyin were still talking quietly in front of the map. Basically, Liu Yang asked questions and Zhao Kuangyin answered them.
The atmosphere seemed a little dull until Emperor Liu walked in leisurely and was still interested in observing the layout of the political hall. Although the political affairs hall in Kaifeng is located in the Guangzheng Hall, it is much grander in Luoyang than there. The aura of authority emanates from almost every beam, pillar, and brick... .
"See Your Majesty!"
Zhao Pu, who paid homage and was doing official business on his desk, also put down his affairs and stood up to greet him.
After looking at a few people, his eyes fell on Zhao Pu: "I have nothing to do, so I came here to see if there is any important business?"
After hearing the question, Zhao Pu turned around, picked up a memorial from the desk, and presented it to Emperor Liu: "I have reported from Jiannan Road that there are many levies and levies in the south, and the burden on the people has increased. I hope I can be exempted from the summer tax next year!"
In this southern expedition, although the army was mobilized from the entire southwest, the civilians who cooperated with the logistics were basically recruited from the nearby axes in southern Jiannan and eastern Sichuan. Although the autumn harvest is coming to an end now, a large amount of labor is used for war, which still has a great impact on farming. Especially according to the solar terms, the farming time in late autumn and early winter is basically wrong.
Therefore, after listening to this performance, Emperor Liu seemed very generous. With a wave of his hand, he directly agreed: "Yes!"
"In addition, Xue Gong's memorial also hopes that this autumn tax money and grain can be intercepted and used nearby for the Dali war to avoid setbacks and waste!" Zhao Pu added.
In response, Emperor Liu frowned. The imperial court was still very tight on local financial rights. The reduction of vassalage in the early years of the Qianyu period was accompanied by the deprivation of financial rights. The local fiscal and tax revenue was reduced through three edicts, and even later required that all be turned over and distributed by the central government. .
However, this approach is obviously excessive and causes obvious waste. After the country's finances became better, Emperor Liu accepted the following suggestions: two taxes per year and 20% reserved for local roads for daily operations, without any exceptions. The finances and taxes transferred from the government will be uniformly allocated and used by the imperial court.
As the financial and taxation center of the Han Dynasty, Sichuan and Shu had a huge amount of money and food transshipped every year, but due to geographical restrictions, the transshipment costs were also very high.
During this southern expedition, the imperial court also specially arranged food and equipment and allocated money to support the march. Now is the time of war. Sichuan and Shu, especially Jiannan, are the rear bases for the army's expedition. September and October are also the dates for autumn tax payment. If we follow the previous rules, it will indeed cause a lot of waste and even affect the frontline war. .
If it can be retained for use and allocated nearby, it will indeed be much more convenient. It can reduce a lot of turnover costs and improve efficiency by a lot.
We can see the benefits, but what Emperor Liu was worried about was breaking the rules. This time, we can make concessions because of the military. But in the future, can local governments use various "necessary" reasons to make the same request? Think more about whether local fiscal and taxation should continue to increase in the future. , after all, it is also a way to save administrative costs and reduce unnecessary losses...
It has to be said that Emperor Liu's thoughts seem to be becoming more stubborn and conservative. He no longer wants to destroy the Han management system he has established over the years. On the contrary, he must resolutely maintain it.
However, before such a fatal event as a military war, it seems that it is appropriate to adapt to changes and break certain conventions.
"How many civilians have been recruited in the southwest now?" Emperor Liu asked after thinking for a while.
"According to reports from Jiannan Road, there are still as many as 130,000 men in fifteen states, in addition to those who are fighting with the army!" Zhao Pu said.
"There are so many people!" Emperor Liu sighed with emotion.
Compared with the Northern Expedition and Pingnan, this small number of people is nothing at all, but if you take into account the actual situation in the southwest, you can know how much pressure the logistics will put on them.
"What does the Financial Secretary think?" Emperor Liu asked again.
Zhao Pu replied: "Zhang Mei thinks I can agree! It is inconvenient to transfer finance and taxes from Sichuan to Sichuan. This can save a lot of manpower and better support the Dali war!"
Since Wang Pu stayed in Taiwan and Tokyo, the daily work of the Financial Secretary in Xijing was changed to the responsibility of the salt and iron envoy Zhang Mei.
Nodding, Emperor Liu looked at Zhao Pu: "What do you think?"
Zhao Pu did not hesitate at all and replied firmly: "There should be no delay in launching a large-scale southern expedition. Everything should be done with the war in Dali first!"
After a pause, Zhao Pu continued: "However, we still don't know how wasteful the Southern Expedition will be. The imperial court can send a special envoy to Jiannan to monitor this matter!"
Obviously, Zhao Pu was aware of Emperor Liu's concerns. After hearing this, Emperor Liu no longer hesitated and immediately agreed: "Draft a reply! Let the Financial Secretary send someone to Chengdu!"
"yes!"
Looking around, he focused on the map. He walked closer and looked at the simply sketched march routes. Emperor Liu asked: "How is the progress of the war? Has the Privy Council received the latest military report?"
Liu Yang, who was standing at the rear, replied: "There is no latest news yet. Dali has gathered all its troops to block Nongdong Mansion. It will take a certain amount of time to break through the gate of Yangju City. According to Wang Renfan The general's prelude, after making adjustments and preparations, has launched a new round of attack. Perhaps a breakthrough will be in the near future..."
After hearing what he said, Emperor Liu said: "In the deep mountains of the southwest plateau, we have to fight so hard. How can the losses be small?"
"Nongdong..." Without waiting for his answer, Emperor Liu stared at the Longdong area shown on the map and complained: "Who named this? It smells too barbarian!"
Liu Yang didn't know this question, and Zhao Kuangyin naturally didn't know either. Unexpectedly, Zhao Pu opened his mouth and explained: "The name of Nongdong originated from the period of Emperor Wu of the former Han Dynasty, when the southwestern barbarians were opened and Nongdong County was established!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu immediately said: "Since the southwest has become the territory of China more than a thousand years ago, how could I not send troops to take it back? Otherwise, wouldn't future generations laugh at me?"
When saying this, Emperor Liu glanced at Zhao Kuangyin subconsciously.
Zhao Kuangyin felt Emperor Liu's gaze and lowered his head slightly. Then, he took the initiative and said: "Your Majesty, although Dali is trying its best to defend, with the strong strength of the imperial court and given time, we will be able to break through, reach Yangjume City, and force the Duan family to surrender!"
"Where is Wang Quanbin? No news yet?" Emperor Liu looked away and frowned.
After receiving an affirmative answer, Emperor Liu was silent, pondered for a while, and turned to ask Liu Yang: "What do you think is the biggest difficulty in conquering Dali this time?"
This seemed to be Emperor Liu's test again. Liu Yang thought for a moment and replied: "Road traffic! Whether they are in front of or behind the army, they all complained that the roads were difficult to travel. The civilian men recruited by Xue Jigong had no choice but to transport them. In addition to military supplies, most of the manpower has been invested in the opening and widening of roads. Fortunately, the tribes along the way mostly expressed their surrender and stayed on the sidelines, otherwise our army's supply of supplies would have suffered greater threats and burdens."
Emperor Liu was quite satisfied with his understanding of Liu Yang, but he did not make any comments. Instead, he pointed at the map and said resolutely: "We are sending an order to the southwestern Daozhou to supply the army with all our strength. We need people to give people and food to give food!" Isn't it difficult to walk? Even if you use an axe, you must dig out a passage for me to ensure supply!"
"yes!"
Emperor Liu's edict means that no matter what the cost. Of course, since the beginning of the Southern Expedition, huge investments have been made, and we must persevere even if we grit our teeth.
"Here at the center, gunpowder and kerosene bombs continue to be transported to the southwest for me! I don't believe it anymore. Things that were always used to disadvantages are not suitable for Dali!" Emperor Liu said seriously.
"Yes!" Zhao Kuangyin accepted the order.
