Lu Fan has been following Xiao Yuan since he became the governor of Qinzhou. He often goes out with the army and makes many plans. Although he is a counselor, his political ability is also quite good. On many occasions, Xiao Yuan conquered a place. , they all temporarily take charge of the local county guard to stabilize the situation first.
He is an all-round talent.
Seeing that he had finished reading, Xiao Yuan asked casually: "Do you think there is anything wrong with this county plan?"
Lu Fan quickly put away the map and respectfully replied: "I have no objections."
"Yes." Xiao Yuan nodded and said straight to the point: "You should understand the importance of the Western Border. My intention is that you should be appointed as the Protector of Xining, so that you can better manage this place."
"This." Perhaps because he didn't expect that he would be so favored by the king, Lu Fan was obviously a little flattered. He swallowed and said, "How dare I disobey the king's order, but I am afraid that I am not capable enough and will betray the king's trust."
"Okay, let's not talk about this kind of official talk." Xiao Yuan said directly: "Just tell me whether you can govern the Western Border! Do you have the confidence!"
When asked like this, Lu Fan had no hesitation when he heard the words. He quickly knelt on the ground and said seriously: "My minister, you must be self-restrained and diligent! Go all out! Swear to the death to repay the king's kindness!"
"Okay." Xiao Yuan glanced at him appreciatively, then stretched out his hand: "Take a seat and talk."
"Yes." Lu Fan stood up, bowed again in front of his seat, and then knelt down behind a few cases.
Xiao Yuan also started to shout: "Xu Hu, serve tea."
Obviously, this conversation between the king and his ministers in the study will not be that simple.
In view of the geographical location of Western Xinjiang, Xiao Yuan attached great importance to it. From so many officials, he finally selected Lu Fan.
First, Lu Fan's political talents were sufficient to govern the local area.
Second, Lu Fan is also proficient in military affairs to a certain extent. He is not a purely weak person. He has also experienced many wars with Xiao Yuan. From a national standpoint, there is no possibility of weakness.
To put it simply, Xijiang needs a civil servant who can speak loudly, otherwise, it will be impossible to control the Rong area.
Xiao Yuan talked a lot with him in this conversation between king and minister. Of course, he also asked him about his views on the governance of Western Xinjiang.
Lu Fan put forward several very important points:
First, the implementation of household registration.
Second, the circulation of commercial trade and the unification of currency.
Third, the combination of farming and nomadism.
On the issue of household registration, he proposed that the Ministry of Household Affairs should conduct an inventory of the entire population of Western Xinjiang, including how many ethnic groups there are, as well as their living habits and customs, so as to facilitate governance.
In terms of commercial trade, he first mentioned the issue of urban construction, so that there should be markets in every place in Western Xinjiang. This would not only facilitate the living of people, but also promote the circulation of commodities from the Central Plains and Western Xinjiang. At the same time, he would encourage merchants to go westward. Doing business in Xinjiang has changed the local social development.
On the issue of farming, he proposed corresponding policies, reclaimed fertile land, lent farming tools to the people free of charge, and taught them farming methods. Of course, the livestock industry will also receive strong support.
After listening to what he said, Xiao Yuan had no objection, but he said: "For the policy of Western Xinjiang to be fully implemented, there is a necessary condition, and that is the issue of public security."
"In a turbulent social environment, these are all empty talk. After you take office, the first thing you should do is to strictly enforce the law. In Western Xinjiang, the situation of this ethnic group and plundering that ethnic group will not happen again. Once discovered, it can be Immediately request assistance from the garrison and treat the war as peaceful."
"What the king said is true, I will bear it in mind." Lu Fan responded quickly.
In the official system of the Qin State, no matter how high the rank of a local official, he did not have the right to directly mobilize the army, but he had the right to request the army for assistance.
Just like when there is a turmoil and the chief executive asks the army to dispatch, the army has no reason to refuse to quell the chaos.
After talking about this, naturally we came to the issue of taxes.
Lu Fan suggested the tax equalization theory, which is to convert the cattle and sheep grazed by the people in Western Xinjiang into a year's harvest income and adjust the corresponding taxes.
Xiao Yuan thought about this for a moment and said: "That's okay, but in the first two years, there will be a relative reduction. Trying to make the people in Western Xinjiang live a stable life is the first priority."
"When it comes to people grazing cattle and sheep, the country can vigorously promote the development of trade. The sales volume of mutton in the Central Plains is still good, but in Western Xinjiang, it is relatively backward, and what the people lack is the various daily necessities in the Central Plains. "
He was right. Western Xinjiang, which had not yet completely transitioned to the feudal dynasty, had nothing but animal husbandry, including firewood, rice, oil and salt, not to mention silk brocade.
This is also a big reason why Xirong has always invaded and plundered.
Now that Western Xinjiang is part of the territory of the Qin State, the trade of cattle, sheep and various materials in the Central Plains will naturally soon be interconnected. The herding people will drive their cattle and sheep to the market or to the Central Plains to exchange for money. Then buy firewood, rice, oil, salt, daily necessities, and buy a house, etc.
You can imagine what the future will be like in Western Xinjiang.
After saying this, Xiao Yuan added: "Farming is done on the voluntary basis of the herdsmen. Of course, it can also be combined. There is no conflict between farming during busy farming hours and herding sheep during leisure time. However, in some horse-producing areas, it is necessary to There are national horse farms.”
The Xirong war horses are a huge resource and will directly make the Qin cavalry stronger.
The increase in military strength obtained from the pacification of Xirong is also obvious.
By the time this conversation between the king and his ministers ended, the sky had already darkened.
The female officer Chu Ning also brought in some food and wine and placed them on the tables in front of Wang and Lu Fan respectively.
Finally, he bravely said: "Your Majesty, you and Mr. Lu have been talking all afternoon. It's time for dinner."
"Okay." Xiao Yuan gestured to her, and then said: "Lu Aiqing, you have to take up this important task in Western Xinjiang for me and the country."
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will do my best to manage the Western Border well and take care of Your Majesty's worries." Lu Fan said seriously.
"Okay!" Xiao Yuan was overjoyed and picked up the wine glass: "Come on, after we have finished talking about the business, we, the monarch and his ministers, should have a few drinks and treat it as a farewell ceremony for you."
Hearing this, Lu Fan hurriedly held the cup with both hands and said, "Your Majesty, your Majesty has betrayed a humble minister. How can I be so virtuous and capable?"
"Okay, let's drink together." Xiao Yuan smiled gently.
"I respect you, Your Majesty."
After a glass of wine was finished, Xiao Yuan picked up his chopsticks and signaled: "Don't be restrained, Qing Lu, please have a meal."
"Yes, your Majesty, please." He said so, but in front of the King, how could he not be informal.
Next, the two naturally chatted for a while while eating.
Lu Fan had made a lot of contributions before and after the founding of the People's Republic of China, and his position was not low. Xiao Yuan had always valued him very much. He had considered transferring him several times, but he had not made a decision. This time, Xijiang was undoubtedly the best candidate.
