On the morning of the next day, Zhang Jun summoned officials from various states in the official hall, one by one. Wang Xiaolie is the envoy of this route and ranks last.
It wasn't until the afternoon, when the sun was setting in the west, that it was Wang Xiao's turn to come in. Zhang Jun ordered him to come out and ordered Chen and Yi, the counselor of the Zhizhi Department, to enter together.
Entering the official hall, Wang Xiaolie and Chen Yuyi stood at the foot of the steps with formal etiquette. Zhang Jun asked for a seat, and the two sat down.
Looking at Chen Yuyi, Zhang Jun said to Wang Xiaolie: "Chen Qufei was originally a famous minister. He was smart since he was a child and was good at poetry and prose, unmatched by his peers. When he was an official, he was demoted to Chen Liujian for wine because of a momentary mistake. Zhi Zhineng Recruiting him to participate in military affairs is indeed a very wise decision."
Wang Xiaolie said hurriedly that he didn't dare, feeling ashamed in his heart. He only used him because he had no one under him and Chen Yuyi came to find him. During nearly a year in Xiangyang, Chen Yuyi was cautious in his work and rarely made mistakes, and he became more and more important. As for Chen Yuyi's origins and reputation, Wang Xiaolie knew nothing. In fact, Wang Xiaolie rarely cared about these things.
For this kind of thing, Zhang Jun just said a few words and didn't say much. Wang Xiao Xieqin and his army rose up. Although they led troops to occupy several states, they were never recognized by the court. In people's eyes at this time, Wang Xiaolie was just a military leader who rose up in troubled times. People who rely on their status rarely come to Wang Xiaolie. Zhang Jun's choice to come to Xiangyang this time is also a recognition of Wang Xiaolie's identity.
Zhang Jun said: "The army of gold thieves is approaching, and the most important thing at this time is to raise troops. I have been in Xiangyang for nearly a year, and I heard that there are a lot of troops. Tell the truth, how many soldiers and horses do you have under your command at this time?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "There are not many soldiers and horses left in the cities below. They are all raising troops in Xinye. Because the territory is not large and there is not much money and food, we have recruited more than 20,000 people in the past year. Now we can enter There are only more than 23,000 people in the military formation who can fight. There are more than 5,000 new recruits who are training in the military camp. It is expected that in another half a year, there will be 30,000 people. The money and food in these states can only I can support so many.”
Zhang Jun nodded repeatedly after hearing this: "Okay, okay, it's rare for you to have such an army everywhere. With the land of five states, you can support an army of 30,000 people. How many people in the world can do this? You are the commander of the southwest of Beijing appointed by the imperial court." The road system has appointed envoys, and from today onwards, it will also be used to appease and recruit envoys on the southwestern road of Beijing. Except for the three prefectures of Jin, Jun and Fang, the southwestern road of Beijing is under your control. At this time, the governors of Sui and Ying prefectures are all in Xiangyang. I I will inform them."
Wang Xiaolie was overjoyed and thanked him.
Although the three states of Jin, Jun, and Fang belong to the South Beijing Road, they are the main routes into Hanzhong and Guanzhong. They are also located in mountainous areas, so they naturally fall under the control of Zhang Jun's Xuanfu Division. The remaining states, except Sui and Ying states, are already under Wang Xiaolie's control.
Wang Xiaolie has always been very restrained. Although he was the envoy of the South Beijing Road, except for the occupied state troops, he did not commit any crimes against the other states. With Zhang Jun's consent, things will naturally be different. Sui and Ying prefectures are located to the east of Xiangyang Prefecture. They are both fertile places, which can greatly enhance Wang Xiaolie's strength. In addition to occupying Ruzhou, which belongs to the North Beijing Road, Wang Xiaolie almost completely occupies a state.
Of course, Sui and Ying states will not object to the current situation. With Wang Xiaolie, the two states can be said to be impregnable.
Zhang Jun added: "The most important thing for raising an army is money and food. I heard that this year's winter wheat harvest was good, and you made some money by selling the food."
Wang Xiaolie cupped his hands and said: "Selling grain must rely on waterways. If the waterway is impassable, there is no way. There are only two states of Tang and Deng and Xiangyang Prefecture under the rule. Water transportation is convenient and grain can be sold. Until now, only one hundred and thirty items have been sold. With more than 10,000 shi, I got more than 600,000 guan of money."
"What can you get for more than 600,000 guan? When Fan Wenzheng was in Shaanxi, he once said that a soldier costs about 50 guan a year. Times have changed, and although it is different now, it will only become more expensive. This money is 10,000 guan. We can’t even raise soldiers.”
Wang Xiaolie said: "That's what the Privy Council said. What I think about in my humble position day and night is how to make money. Fortunately, I defeated Yang Jin. South Beijing Road has been peaceful for more than half a year, and I can collect some money. Although there are still difficulties, I can finally support it. .”
Zhang Jun nodded. Said: "I heard that you have reduced the rural land tax. You only receive three measures of grain per acre. You don't need to pay the money anymore?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "This is a misinformation. In addition to three measures of grain, a husband also has fifty days of hard labor. Apart from this, the other exorbitant taxes are indeed exempted."
Zhang Jun thought for a while and couldn't help but sigh: "It's good that you can think about the people. But after all, you are too young and don't think clearly enough about many things. Apart from farmers, how many other people are there in the world? How much tax do you charge? If you don't collect money from farmers, how can you support an army of tens of thousands? If you can't support it, you will collect land tax later, but you will be looked down upon by the people."
Wang Xiaolie said: "Except for food, how much money can farmers make in a year from farming? It will be very difficult for a farmer to collect even a few dollars a year. It is better to increase the food tax, avoid the money tax, and benefit both the government and the people. It's convenient. After the government collects the grain, can it still be sold to make money?"
Zhang Jun shook his head: "Now that the world is in turmoil and people are migrating south, you can make some money by selling wheat. This kind of life cannot last long. In the future, we will still have to rely on tax collection. Just the industrial and commercial tax in the city is not much."
Wang Xiaolie was silent for a while. Zhang Jun is right, just by collecting industrial and commercial taxes, based on current experience, there won't be much money. But Wang Xiaolie didn't follow the method at this time. He had his own ideas. Just how to tell Zhang Jun?
Zhang Jun said: "Perhaps you can still support it now. When difficulties arise later, you will collect money when it is time to collect money. This time I go to Sichuan and Shaanxi, and I don't have much money with me. How about this, I will give you five hundred ultimatums to make up for it. insufficient."
Wang Xiaolie cupped his hands and thanked him. In the Song Dynasty, the court had strict control over monks and Taoist monks, and they had to give ultimatums. At the beginning, you had to take the exam in Kaifeng Prefecture, and you would be awarded if you passed the exam, just like taking the Jinshi exam. Later, in addition to examinations, the government also sold short-term reputation certificates. In "Water Margin", Lu Zhishen went to Mount Wutai to become a monk, but a member of the imperial family gave him an ultimatum. Nowadays, ultimatum is the same as money.
However, Wang Xiaolie did not agree with the sale of ultimatums. Strict management means strict management, selling certificates and the name of a mage, what kind of thing is this? The imperial court was short of money and could not collect wealth in this way. Zhang Jun had good intentions after all, so Wang Xiaolie had no choice but to accept it first.
Just all the instructions. Zhang Jun asked: "I entered Xiangyang City yesterday and saw the prosperity. It is extremely rare to have such a prosperous atmosphere at this time. When you are spending money, tell me how you manage it."
Wang Xiaolie collected his thoughts. Said: "Taizong of the Tang Dynasty once said that the people are water and the court is the boat. The water can carry the boat and can capsize it. But the humble people think that the people are the water and the government is the fish. Only when the water is good can fish be raised. If it is successful, If there is a pool of stagnant water, it will be difficult for the fish to survive. When managing a place, we must let the people live happily and comfortably. As long as they are willing to contribute, the people can live a good life. We cannot let powerful people control the place and let the society become a pool of stagnant water. Therefore Efforts should be made to rectify the administration of officials, rewrite state and county regulations, and severely punish powerful families who control local areas."
Zhang Jun nodded. He said: "In this case, the people will become a piece of scattered sand. How can the government control it?"
Wang Xiaolie said: "The Privy Council is right. To get rid of the local snakes and rats, there must be a way to replace them. The humble way is to build clubs widely and let the people organize themselves. In rural areas, in addition to the common cattle societies, canal societies, and grinding mills Cooperatives, Red and White Cooperatives, and also worked hard to build some profitable cooperatives. I built a supply and marketing cooperative in the Manufacturing and Purchasing Department to collect rural local products and transport them to the city for sale. Based on the goods collected by the supply and marketing cooperative, corresponding cooperatives were built in the countryside. For example, Xiangyang is famous all over the world for its lacquerware, and there are seven or eight societies built outside the city. There are many ponds nearby, where reeds and willows grow, where utensils can be weaved, and there are weaving societies in many places. Ducks and geese can be raised in the ponds, and many ducks and geese can be raised. Societies. All kinds of things. As long as the people can make money and the government supervises them, they can replace the former powerful families. These societies not only make the people rich, but the government also receives taxes."
After hearing this, Zhang Jun was very interested. He said: "I have never heard of this method. There are guilds and guilds in the shops in the city, and there are upright and powerful people in the local area. Otherwise, the government would not be able to start. You use a club instead, which is quite original."
After cleaning up local forces, the government must take control of the local area. If left alone, local forces will re-emerge. Wang Xiaolie's method was to establish a large-scale social economy and connect it with large-scale government-run industry and commerce, so as not to leave any loopholes for local forces. Without social blanks, it will be difficult for black and white forces to develop.
