Under the veranda of the palace, in the corridor, Prince Liu Yang was walking with steady steps. Before he reached the palace gate, Emperor Liu's voice floated over: "A little below, a little below, right here. It's really comfortable to use a little force. Your little hands are so dexterous, so good.”
Liu Yang couldn't help but stop, his calm face showed a little weird look, but he quickly recovered his composure, walked forward again, and walked all the way to the door of the palace. He glanced briefly and bowed: "Dad!"
Emperor Liu was sitting on the imperial desk in a lazy posture, with a contented expression on his face. Gong E, with bright eyes and white teeth, was kneeling behind him, with a pair of slender hands gently and carefully moving on his back, her pretty face glowing. He was flushed and a thin layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Hearing Liu Yang's voice, Emperor Liu opened his eyes, showing a wry expression. He looked at Liu Yang and said habitually: "Sit down!"
However, I soon realized that there seemed to be no place to sit in front of this hall. The sun moved westward, and the front of the Chongzheng Palace became much darker. In a shadow, Emperor Liu raised his hand, and the palace maid behind him immediately stopped moving.
Standing up while holding the imperial case, Emperor Liu asked Liu Yang: "I have been meeting guests in front of the palace for the past two days, and I have not even let anyone in. Am I making people laugh?"
"How could it be?" Liu Yang naturally would not tell the truth, but he immediately told the truth again: "How dare your ministers criticize Your Majesty!"
"You take the big case back to the palace and block the palace door again, for fear that you will really make the world laugh and think that I have some quirks." Emperor Liu stood up, stretched his body, and gave instructions to the palace attendants next to him.
He turned around and waved to Liu Yang, saying: "Come for a walk with me!"
"yes!"
Hidden from the sun and blown by the warm summer breeze, the father and son walked slowly along the royal road. It was probably still a little hot, so Emperor Liu couldn't help but take off the thin outer robe on his body. If Yantuo is not here, Liu Yang will take over in person.
"You have been very busy recently!" Emperor Liu asked.
Liu Yang: "With the help of my ministers and workers, although there are many things, they are organized, and I feel more and more at ease!"
"This is the right thing to do!" Emperor Liu showed a slight smile and said: "I agree with diligence, but you used to be diligent and did everything yourself, but you were too tired and suffered yourself. You are already familiar with how to do political errands. You have also found a way that suits you. What you have to do in the future is to control people.
At the beginning, I asked you to learn to observe and recognize people, and the purpose is to let you learn to use people on this basis! If the power is in control, talents are let go, and the talents of the world are put to use, then the country can be governed! "
"Please remember your father's teachings!" Liu Yang said seriously.
"How did the Yulin incident end?" Emperor Liu nodded and asked.
After hearing the inquiry, Liu Yang calmly reported: "The fourth brother reported that the last batch of troops have been withdrawn and returned to the defense areas. They are garrisoning in Yulin. Arrangements have been made. The fourth brother recommends that the Duke and Yu Qing lead an army of 10,000 and sit in command. Xiazhou, continue to suppress the local area. The fourth brother and the heroes who have suppressed the rebellion will return to the court before autumn to report on their duties."
"Is it finally over?" Emperor Liu was silent for a moment and sighed softly, but there was a little doubt in his tone.
Liu Yang also sighed and said: "According to reports from various parties, Yulin is now in a state of devastation, with corpses everywhere, devastation everywhere, and only one out of ten people left. I don't know how long it will take to recover as before, or it may even sink forever."
"However, a piece of rotten flesh on the big man's body has been completely cut off. Although he bleeds more, he is healthier, isn't he?" Emperor Liu said immediately, looking at Liu Yang, his tone was a little harsh.
"What dad said is true!" Liu Yang did not panic, nodded calmly, and then continued: "There is still a debate in the court about the aftermath of Yulin, but most of the courtiers already prefer to abolish Yulin Road and destroy the old states. The county is going to be abolished and merged. After all, it is really difficult for Yulin to afford the construction of a single building!"
"What do you think?" Emperor Liu asked.
Liu Yang expressed his thoughts directly: "You also agree that the Yulin area should be reorganized for the subsequent restoration of governance. According to Zhang Qixian's report, after the rebellion was put down, there were less than 30,000 Han people in Yulin, and most of them were old and weak.
In addition, most of the party items no longer exist, and coupled with the subsequent relocation, it can be said that the problem of Yulin party items has been fundamentally resolved. However, those local miscreants have come to the fore again in this situation, and the court should strengthen governance to avoid the recurrence of party-related disasters! "
"Zhang Qixian is a talented person! He has a long-term vision and is right to the point!" Emperor Liu asked: "What can he, the chief envoy of Yulin, do?"
Liu Yangdao: "Zhang Qixian proposed that while continuing to migrate Han people to Yulin to enrich the population, he would also conduct a thorough household registration of the local barbarians and turn them into Han people, without allowing them any more freedom! With the current situation in Yulin, this is completely achievable. , even if those chiefs and leaders don’t want to, they don’t have the guts to resist at this time!”
"Okay!" Emperor Liu nodded: "I have told you before that apart from party items, don't let any other miscellaneous things appear. Take this opportunity to make Yulin a solid foundation!"
"Yes!" Liu Yang said: "I think that in Yulin nowadays, the six prefectures of Xia, Ling, Yan, Yin, Feng, and Sheng can be retained, and the other prefectures and counties should be abolished. The original officials can be evaluated and their talents can be retained. , population filling, or we can start from the salt pond to attract foreign Han businessmen!
The blue and white salt in the northwest is famous all over the world. With this advantage and the support of the court, even if it is slow, it can always recover gradually. At present, there is still a question, which is how to classify Yulin after reorganization. Should it be included under a new administrative district, or should it be restored to the original state and directly merged into the customs? "
"Forget it and merge it into the pass. There is no need to repeat this!" Emperor Liu thought for a while and said: "In this way, the six states of Yulin will establish a governor's road, which is at the sub-level. Zhang Qixian will be the governor's envoy to preside over the political affairs of the six states. People's livelihood. Zhang Qixian is a talented person and has accomplished a lot over the years. This person can be your future prime minister. You should make good use of it. Now, let him work more in the local area and lay a solid foundation. It will also be convenient for you to be promoted in the future!”
"Yes!" Liu Yang saluted solemnly.
"By the way, Huaiyu has been in Anton for more than ten years!" Emperor Liu suddenly thought of something and asked.
Mentioning this, Liu Yang also showed a little tenderness on his face and said with emotion: "Yes, ten years have passed in a flash!"
"Is Anton very good?" Emperor Liu cursed with a smile: "After so many years, this kid has never come back to visit, but I miss him. Bring him back to Beijing. After so many years of experience in Anton, he can be entrusted with a big responsibility. !”
"Yes!" Liu Yang naturally had no reason to refuse.
To this day, among his ministers, Liu Yang only has three people who truly trust him, Li Fang, Murong Defeng and Ma Huaiyu. Even Murong Defeng returned to Beijing after his experience in Shanyang, and then left Ma Huaiyu in Anton, Liu Yang couldn't bear it.
"How much does it cost to quell the rebellion in Yulin?" Emperor Liu nodded and asked again.
"According to the preliminary statistics of the Financial Secretary, since the official launch of troops to quell the rebellion last winter, various expenditures have amounted to more than 23 million gu, and the loss of food and grass has amounted to more than 5.3 million dan, of which more than 60% was consumed in transit. If we add The amount of various aftermath expenses will also increase.”
"So much!" Emperor Liu was a little surprised: "In other words, for the court to put down a small rebellion in Yulin, it would cost the court 30% of the year's finances and taxes!"
For a moment, Emperor Liu thought this was the Northern Expedition. Seeing the doubt on Emperor Liu's face, Liu Yang said: "Over the years, the value of Han Dynasty copper coins has been depreciating. In addition, the counter-insurgency and various non-war losses were too much, and there was a lot of waste. Moreover, Add in some additional expenses, and it adds up to a huge price.”
"This war is really all about money and food!" Emperor Liu thought for a moment and then ordered: "Next, let's rest and recover!"
At the same time, I couldn't help but murmur in my heart. It is said that the country is rich and powerful. It can be seen with the naked eye. It is also true that the people of the Han Dynasty are rich and the country is rich. How can this be the feeling that the richer you are, the less you can afford to fight wars. Back then, during the two Northern Expeditions, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses, and millions of laborers were able to persist. Now, pacifying a mere Yulin town actually made Emperor Liu feel a sense of heartache.
"By the way, I received a report from Anxi today. My sixth brother reported that he has been resting in the Western Region for nearly a year. He has enough troops, horses, money and food. He is ready to start another expedition this autumn and continue to attack Heihan!" Liu Yang looked serious and said Say something.
"Oh?" Emperor Liu became interested: "Is Liu Min going to take action again?"
His eyebrows were slightly excited, but seeing Liu Yang's serious expression, Emperor Liu suppressed his smile and asked, "What do you think?"
Liu Yang sighed and said: "Sixth brother said that in the past year, the Black Khans have been harassing them continuously, and they are still unwilling to accept defeat against the Han people in the Tianshan Mountains. At the same time, they are recruiting troops and armed forces in their hinterland and are ready to move.
The sixth brother believes that we need to take the initiative and use offense as defense. After thinking about it, I am afraid that no one is more familiar with the situation of the enemy than Sixth Brother and the others. Since I have made this judgment, I should support it.
Fortunately, after nearly a year of farming and recuperation, Anxi's ability to mobilize has been greatly enhanced, and the burden on the court has been reduced accordingly. Fighting a war should not be a problem. "
Regarding Liu Yang's attitude, Emperor Liu remained calm on his face, but he was very satisfied in his heart. He nodded and said, "As expected of me, I will never pay you back until the black sweat is broken."
"Tell Liu Min to go ahead and do it, but be careful about Khotan. This small country is very slippery and you need to be careful!"
"Sixth brother plans to ask Khotan to also send troops and go out with the army to weaken its domestic strength to avoid any mistakes."
(End of chapter)
