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 official 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.
The atmosphere seemed a little dull until Emperor Liu walked in leisurely and was interested in observing the layout of the Political Affairs Hall. Although the Political Affairs Hall in Kaifeng is located in the Guangzheng Hall, compared with that there, Luoyang is much more expensive.
It is much more grand, and the aura of authority emanates from almost every beam and every brick...
"See Your Majesty!"
Zhao Pu, who paid homage and was doing 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 that I can be exempted from the summer tax next year!"
In this southern expedition, although the army was mobilized from the entire southwest, the civilian laborers who cooperated with the logistics were basically recruited from the nearby axes in Jiannan and eastern Sichuan. Although the autumn harvest is coming to an end, a large amount of labor is used in the war, which has an impact on farming.
It is still very big, 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 this regard, Emperor Liu frowned. The imperial court was still very tight on local financial rights. The reduction of vassalages in the early years of Qianyou was accompanied by the deprivation of financial rights. Local fiscal and tax revenue was reduced through three edicts.
They were even later required to hand it over in full and then distribute it to the central government.
However, this approach was obviously excessive and resulted in obvious waste. After the national finances became better, Emperor Liu accepted the following suggestions: two taxes per year and 20% of local roads reserved for daily operations.
, without any exceptions. The finance and taxes transferred from above will be uniformly allocated and used by the imperial court.
Sichuan and Shu were the financial and taxation centers of the Han Dynasty, and the money and grain transshipped every year was also very large. However, due to geographical restrictions, the transshipment costs were also very high.
During this southern expedition, the imperial court also specially dispatched food and equipment, allocated money, and supported the march. Now that there is a war, Sichuan and Shu, especially Jiannan, are the rear bases for the army's expedition. In September and October, autumn taxes are paid.
If the date follows 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 is worried about is that he has broken the rules. This time, he can make concessions for military reasons, but in the future, can the local government use various "necessary" reasons to do the same?
Please think more about your request. Should we continue to increase the number of local fiscal and taxation channels and prefectures 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 thinking seems to be becoming more and 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 more than 130,000 men in fifteen prefectures 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 taxation from Sichuan to Sichuan. This can save a lot of manpower and better support the Dali war!"
Since Wang Pu stayed in Tokyo, in Xijing, the daily work of the Financial Secretary was changed to be in charge of the salt and iron envoy Zhang Mei.
Emperor Liu nodded and looked at Zhao Pu: "What do you think?"
Zhao Pu did not hesitate at all and replied affirmatively: "There should be no delay in launching a large-scale southern expedition. Everything should be done with the war in Dali first!"
After a moment's 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: "Prepare 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 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 Yangju City, and force the Duan family
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 have mostly expressed their surrender and are waiting and watching. Otherwise, our army's supply of supplies will bear 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 fully feed the army. 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 we should do whatever it takes. Of course, since the beginning of the Southern Expedition, we have already invested a lot of money, and we must persevere even if we grit our teeth.
"At the center, gunpowder, kerosene bombs and other things will continue to be transported to the southwest for me! I don't believe it anymore. Things that have always been used to disadvantages are not suitable for Dali!" Emperor Liu said seriously.
