Chapter 1208 Chapter 128 Since the first sight of peach blossom (4)
Chapter 1268 Chapter 1208 Since the first sight of peach blossom (4)
It has been dark for some time, and the lights in Fuzhou City are full of lights. The night life gradually unfolds. Qinlou, Chuguan, wine shops and teahouses are all lively times. People gather in various topics, including politics.
of many things.
There was a brief period of martial law on the road from the Imperial City to the Princess's Palace, but it was relaxed soon after. The royal guard of honor went to the Princess's Palace. This was not a strange thing.
During the day, various meetings in the imperial court were held for nearly the whole day. Up to now, many arrangements decided by the core of power have gradually leaked and penetrated to the surroundings, and thus determined the hot spots at many banquets in Fuzhou City this evening.
topic.
No matter how you tell it, the biggest pain point for the imperial court in Fujian is still money and food.
"No money or food."
In the courtyard with warm yellow lanterns and huge banyan trees, Jun Wu looked at his sister on the couch opposite, who was looking at the folds and gently rubbing her forehead, and sighed. He sat down on the stone bench and Zhao
Xiaosong brought him water from the well behind the princess's house.
"...After calculating all the grain and silver deposits in the household department, and taking out all the personal money, even the 'dowry' I got this time is included in it, and it is difficult to come up with the cost of sending troops this time.
, Sister, look, if I get married again, I will lose face."
There was no one else in the private environment. The emperor's words were self-deprecating and seemed to be malicious and cute. Zhou Pei put down the booklet with the expense items in his hand and moved the corner of his mouth. Because he laughed, his forehead hurt slightly.
She turned her gaze to the side.
"The Ministry of War's list is random and we can cross out some items. But once the troops are sent out, the situation will not be under our control. The big households in Jiangnan have been wiped out by the Fair Party. It will take several years just to resettle the refugees and restore people's livelihood."
The investment and lack of reliable money cannot support the situation in Jiangnan. Moreover, are you really ready to attack the Fair Party?"
"Xu Zhaonan, Shi Baofeng, and some other heroes are not difficult to fight. Yue Shuai and Han Shuai are sure of it, but He Wen is not that easy to deal with. According to the precedent in the southwest and the sayings from there,
If he is allowed to complete the internal innovation this time, I am afraid that Jiangnan will be in trouble..." Jun Wu took a sip of water, "So I am actually in a dilemma. Han Shizhong and some of the Zuo family's children were all in trouble.
The government has given some suggestions. If possible, it would be a good thing for us to get rid of He Wen first."
"You still want to recruit him?" Zhou Pei smiled.
"Of course I want to recruit him. He is not a bad person, he is a real hero. I have also checked his experience over the years. Sister, if I had experienced the same thing as him, I would not be able to become a person like him. I am afraid I would be finished long ago.
.After the Jiangning Conference last year, I sent envoys every month to try to impress him, but on the surface he was laughing and joking, but in fact he was unmoved... In the past few years, when I sent people there, he always had a straight face, but that may not be the case.
He is joking about the idea of joining forces with me now. I know that after the Jiangning Conference, he became more determined. He was influenced by the Southwest and really wanted... everyone to be equal. He can no longer be friends with me."
"Huh." Zhou Pei rubbed his forehead and snorted.
Jun Wu sat there, looking tired. Over the past day and night, Zhou Pei slept intermittently. Since last night, he had been convening his staff, meeting with all parties, and discussing countermeasures. After the matter came to an end,
He brought his troops to my sister's side again, and it took him much longer.
It was slightly quiet for a while.
"Southwest... After defeating the Jurchens, the teacher wrote several articles, talking about... grassroots enlightenment and the importance of soldier reform. I have read it many times, so I fully accepted the king's reforms to fight against the barbarians...
Soldiers who are obedient in formation are no longer powerful. Soldiers who are obedient in formation when gathered and know why they are fighting after being separated are truly powerful. If you want to have such soldiers, you must give them an explanation.
.Now this kind of innovation has been carried out most thoroughly by the teacher, and those who really got his ideas include Zou Xu from the Central Plains and the female prime minister from the Shanxi Province. After a while, I am afraid that He Wen from the Fair Party will be added to the list.
, and He Wen probably did the most thorough job... As for us..."
He held the cup filled with well water and turned it around in his hand: "We... say we finally have some, but the food is out..."
Zhou Pei thought for a while: "Didn't you say earlier that Zuo Xiuquan went to find Gao Chang?"
"Hmph. Another group of people have been sent..." Jun Wu also sneered.
This is a move that the imperial court has made before. It is estimated that Lin'an City may be defeated. It is hoped that Gao Chang can enter the city in advance to control the situation and give the imperial court a respect. Who knows that the other side did not come out ahead in the news?
.
"The reason will be investigated later... But as of now, he is a warlord. Either he is really weak, or... he is just acting in a shady manner and does not work hard... In the final analysis, although Zuo Gong reluctantly persuaded him last year,
Our strength is really not enough, and it is only natural for others to look down upon us..."
"Can't you help us with all your strength at this time?"
"How could he see how terrifying He Wen is!" Jun Wu lowered his eyes, "What's more, he is a member of the Fair Party and is really unbeatable. He can still seek refuge in He Wen...but He Wen won't want him.
Soldier ruffian."
"Isn't there a group of people who took advantage of the situation and said they would kill some wealthy people with evil intentions..."
"We can't kill anymore. If we continue to kill, we have to go into the mountains." Jun Wu said, "Fujian is such a complicated place. When we came here three years ago, everyone was happy and happy. We took money and food for a year, and then started killing people.
, it seems that the control over some places has been strengthened, but sister, you know best that the money and food collected will decrease instead of increasing... In the end, if you want to collect money and taxes, you have to rely on eight mountains, one water and one field.
Their cooperation... really forced everyone into the mountains. Our own officials are not enough. It is no longer easy for Han Shizhong to barely control two roads."
Zhou Pei raised his eyes calmly: "If you really can't continue, just force it. Even if you drink poison to quench your thirst, you have to survive this year. Maybe in the autumn, the fleet will come back."
Jun Wu opened his mouth: "...then I will follow up with the people in the mountains and say, come out and make a fortune together?"
"There will always be some people who come out. Let's suppress the rest slowly. As long as we have the money, we can finish the suppression in ten years."
Zhou Pei's voice slowly echoed in the courtyard. Her eyes were looking at the deserted place, as if she was also chewing on this almost dead determination. After a moment of silence, she spoke again.
"Jun Wu, this is the path you have to choose. Originally, we also have roots. The roots of the royal family and the roots of the Wu Dynasty are your deepest and most reliable roots. In Fujian, if you follow the old practice, even if you don't have enough money and food,
Nowadays, when we fight, there will always be powerful Jiangnan aristocrats and even warlords who come to surrender, and people's hearts will quickly gather together. With the cooperation of these people, even if you don't have money or food for disaster relief, you can quickly conquer Jiangnan and return to the country.
Lin'an. But you no longer want this road, so we have no choice but to go this way."
"Sister, don't you believe...don't you believe what the teacher said?"
"I..." Zhou Pei lay there, her eyes turning in the darkness. After a moment, the corners of her eyes twitched slightly. She gritted her teeth and threw the cup at hand. For some reason, tears flowed from the corners of her eyes.
.
"sister……"
"I believe it! Why don't I believe it!" Zhou Pei suddenly said, "He is our teacher. I have told you many times. Don't say he is a teacher. You still have to say...he is our teacher. Then
Amazing! He fought in the Xiaocang River for three years. He fought so hard that the Jurchens were afraid of the rivers of blood. Only after fighting did you know how powerful it was! He actually defeated Wanyan Zonghan directly in the southwest. He was
He killed his son in front of Wanyan Zonghan! He is called the inner demon outside! He is so powerful, but now he is our enemy - you are so stupid that you believe everything, aren't you afraid? Ah!
?If there is something in the explanations he sent over... there is something... I am afraid that you will die like this and lose the power of the Wu Dynasty - "
Amidst the sudden tears, Zhou Pei's words suddenly became intense. Her expression was complicated, including sadness, pain, excitement, and vulnerability... Junwu put down the cup, walked over, and gently gave her a cup of tea behind the recliner.
She massaged her forehead, and Zhou Pei closed his eyes hard. After a while, he raised his hand to touch the back of his brother's hand.
"Actually, I think the teacher may not have those bad intentions..." Jun Wu said softly.
There was another moment of silence with eyes closed. Zhou Pei's words were hoarse.
"I want to believe it too...but over the years...we have seen so many things...so many people...we...haven't seen him for many years...Junwu..."
"But he defeated the Jurchens." Jun Wu said, "If he wasn't a peerless hero who was different from others, how could he have defeated the Jurchens... If he can do extraordinary things, he must be an extraordinary person. Sister, look at General Yue.
How rigorous he is in running the army, and what a decent person he is... You see, my brother, I have been the emperor for so many years, and I have always had some experience in understanding people."
"What about Han Shizhong..." Zhou Pei smiled.
"Han Shuai... a man who is upright and upright, even if he is generous, he is very different, isn't he... So this is my opinion, teacher, he is different from others..."
"You are worthy of being an emperor..." Zhou Pei smiled, hesitated a little, and then said, "...you look good."
"Sister, if you don't worry about the teacher, your headache will be 70% better."
Jun Wu let her go, walked to the side and sat down, and the two siblings put their hands together.
After calming down, Zhou Peicai said: "I don't support the so-called constitutional monarchy and monarchy. No one has ever done this. Confucianism educates all people, but in the final analysis, many people cannot be taught well... When the teacher handed those things to us
It was also made very clear that this was an experiment and an adventure, but you just did it wholeheartedly..."
Junwu just smiled.
Zhou Pei held his hand: "But in the final analysis, Junwu, you are the emperor, you are the lord, you have made your own firm decision, and I, as your sister, can only check and mend the gaps for you."
You have to make up for the work. Since you already want to achieve this level, my sister can only help you do it thoroughly... Regarding the matter of sending troops, if there is really no way, then just make up for it. I will take the lead in the big clans that need to be cleaned up.
, I’ll make the list, I’ll clean it up.”
"..."
Feeling the power coming from the eldest sister's hand, Jun Wu was also a little silent, and then raised his head: "It has not reached this level yet. There has been a draft for the dispatch of troops. From top to bottom in the court, people have begun to cut back on food and clothing. The palace's
Expenditures were reduced to 30% of the previous level..."
"Thirty percent?"
Jun Wu nodded: "Every expenditure in the imperial court, from top to bottom, will mobilize everyone to share the difficult times and reduce it to 70% of the previous level as much as possible. The salary of top and bottom officials will be halved. Mr. Li will cooperate to mobilize public opinion. Students of the Military Academy, as long as
Those who have completed more than half a year of study go to the front line and cooperate with the soldiers of the Wei Army to properly resettle the refugees who are going south. These students are required to eat and live together with the soldiers and refugees... and then spread the word to everyone,
Our army reports to the emperor and saves the people... Saving the people now is the next core of respecting the king and resisting the barbarians."
Zhou Pei opened his mouth: "Is this... the Zuo family's idea? Can it be done?"
"It's not easy to do, but Zuo Wenxuan said that this is what they did during the most difficult times in the Southwest. Teacher and the others... ate the same thing as the soldiers, only one meal a day... Next, I will do the same
Do this."
"..." Zhou Pei thought for a while, "If the official's salary is really cut, they will get it from other places..."
"The killing will be presided over by Mr. Cheng. The Zuo family and the backbone of the Military Academy will serve as the law enforcement team. They will investigate and kill every day and spread the word..."
When Zhou Pei heard this, he narrowed his eyes: "Who suggested these to you?"
"I understand what you mean." Jun Wu smiled, "Zuo Wenxuan made the first suggestion and didn't dare to say the second one. I thought of it myself."
Only then did Zhou Pei relax: "In other words, you chose not to kill the rich people first, but to break with the officials in the court? Jun Wu, these are your subordinates..."
"If there were no strict punishments in the rear, if the soldiers were at the front and the officials were at the back, the whole thing would not be done well..."
"This matter is inherently difficult. You want the officials in the court to be as honest as water, and you also have to break up with some people and become alienated... Although you have already made preparations, you have to think about this sequence..."
"...Yeah." Jun Wu nodded, "Actually, Mr. Cheng also mentioned this, and I'm also considering it."
"But that's okay." Zhou Pei sighed, "In this case, there are at least two ways..."
Due to the careful location of the courtyard, there was some shade at this time of night. The two siblings talked about intense things and finally sat quietly. Chatting some gossip, Junwu mentioned that he was in the house last night.
What I saw in a corner of the imperial city was that an assassin came to the Taoist Princess's mansion. What exactly happened?
Zhou Pei just shook his head. That should be the fault of Cheng Zhouhai and Zuo Wenxuan. Those two people were very busy outside today. After waking up, he was also busy gathering money and food for a while, and he was not in the mood to worry about it yet.
"Should we ask Zhao Xiaosong to come over and ask?" Zhou Pei said.
"Farewell." Jun Wu shook his head, "It's better for us, brother and sister, to stay for a while. If an assassin comes, I will protect you."
Zhou Peixiao: "Your martial arts..."
"Don't underestimate me, I have been on the battlefield... And sister, you don't want to think about whose disciples we are. Many people in the world say that the teacher is a martial arts master and the best in the world... Oh, what a pity.
The teacher didn't teach me his Fan Tianyin seriously at that time, he only said a few words about physical exercise..."
"That's a lie."
"Teacher hid it so well back then..." Jun Wu didn't listen and said after a moment, "Sister, you have been angry when talking about teacher all these years, but when I talk about teacher, I always feel happy.
...What exactly do you think of him? Why are you angry?"
"..."
"Then I became the emperor, experienced things, met more people, and gained some insights." Jun Wu held her hand and spread her palm, "Sister, do you feel aggrieved when you think of your teacher?
"
The palm moved slightly, but finally stopped. Zhou Pei looked at Junwu, and Junwu also looked at her gently. He was imagining the story of his sister and the teacher on her way to Beijing, her
His eyes were a little blank. In the distance of his memory, there was a girl's longing for perfection, and the gentle farewell etiquette of a lady...
It was during this small exchange of views, in the courtyard not far from here, that someone shouted.