Chapter 318: One hundred thousand families wear sackcloth and mourn
"Are the total casualties of the Northern Expedition not out yet?" Emperor Liu crossed his legs, put his hands on his knees, and asked slowly.
After hearing the inquiry, Zhao Pu immediately went to the desk, found one among the piles of memorials, and presented it to Emperor Liu: "There is a preliminary report from the Ministry of War!"
While Emperor Liu was browsing, Zhao Pu reported: "According to statistics from the Ministry of War, 13,492 people were killed and 219 missing during the conscription of the Imperial Army, of which the majority were cavalry. Only 3,239 of the tens of thousands of Imperial Cavalry sent out with Liu Tinghan returned intact.
In addition to the Forbidden Army, the casualties of soldiers on various battlefields were equally serious, with a total of more than 78,000 people. In the bloody battle in Jinzhou alone, 17,935 people were killed, and the number of wounded was even higher!"
"Another nearly 100,000 soldiers are stained with blood on the battlefield, and their bodies are wrapped in horse leather!" After hearing this, Emperor Liu slowly closed the memorial, as if it was a huge weight, and murmured: "Another nearly 100,000 soldiers are covered in linen.
Dai Xiao!"
"Your Majesty!" Although he noticed that Emperor Liu's interest was gradually declining, Zhao Pu decided to continue to tell a heavy fact: "The actual casualties are even more. This report does not include Wang Yansheng and Yang Yejun who went on an expedition to Mobei, as well as those who fought in the Western Regions.
Guo Jinjun. In addition, there were tens of thousands of civilians who served, and there were tens of thousands of casualties. Before the war, there were still countless people who had their homes destroyed due to the war on the Han-Liao border, with Shanyang being the most..."
After hearing what Zhao Pu said, Emperor Liu fell silent, and the atmosphere in the room became heavier. Zhao Pu and the other three also lowered their heads one by one.
After a long time, Emperor Liu sighed: "Xijing has been full of joy in the past few days. Behind those smiling faces are more than ten thousand people, crying for their children, grandchildren, brothers, fathers and uncles! We neglected them during the celebration!"
"Your Majesty, don't be too sad. Compared with the losses of the Liao Dynasty, although the Han Dynasty suffered huge casualties and suffered serious losses, it is not difficult to accept it!" Zhao Pu comforted.
It has to be said that for ministers like Zhao Pu, the so-called casualties are just numbers left on paper. How can there be no undead people in a war? Since the founding of the Han Dynasty, there has been no large-scale war with casualties in the tens of thousands.
It turns out that the numerous monuments on the inscriptions at Shoyeol Temple in Tokyo are densely engraved with the names of the fallen soldiers.
Thinking back to the time when the sea was not at peace and the world was uncertain, the people who died due to war, disease, and hunger were like sand. Zhao Pu also believed that a man like Emperor Liu, who had an iron-blooded character who had come from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood,
How could I really feel depressed because of these casualties...
Zhao Pu is more willing to believe that this sentimental expression was made for the soldiers and the world to see, to show the kindness of His Majesty the Emperor.
Therefore, it is natural to cooperate. Zhao Pu reported: "The Ministry of War is quickly reviewing the merits of the dead soldiers and preparing to provide compensation and property. At that time, military officials will come to the door to express condolences to the families of the soldiers!"
"That's how it should be!" Sure enough, Emperor Liu's sentimental expression disappeared without a trace, and he immediately gave instructions: "If you tell me, you must go from door to door to convey the court's wishes. If the soldiers sacrifice their lives for the country, the country must also reward them!
In addition, the rest of the soldiers outside the Forbidden Army will also be treated in the same way. They are all martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Han Dynasty. There is no distinction between high and low. The list should be sorted out as soon as possible. The Ministry of War will next put the pension of the dead soldiers first.
Bit!
Even though civilians serving in the military have no merit in battle, they still take risks, contribute their efforts, and even sacrifice their lives, and go to the local government to provide compensation according to the government system. If they are treated poorly, they must be severely punished and there will be no mercy!
The list of dead soldiers will be sent to Tokyo as soon as possible, and Wang Pu will arrange it as soon as possible to have it engraved on the stele of Zhaolie Temple so that the heroic spirits can enjoy the incense forever! At that time, I will go to Tokyo in person to pay homage!"
"Yes!" Zhao Pu responded.
"If you add in the rewards for the ministers who have contributed to the Northern Expedition, then the royal court's various expenditures will be too huge! In order to provide for the Northern Expedition, the official warehouses and treasury in various places were also wasted, and the local Tao and prefectures were also
Very tight..." Immediately, Zhao Pu reminded again.
Looking at Zhao Pu, this was called poverty again. Emperor Liu said calmly: "No matter how difficult it is, is it difficult to get past the beginning of the founding of the country? The difficulties are already in front of us. How to solve them is what you should consider. Everyone
They are all considerate ministers, what do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Pu, who had already prepared a draft, said: "Your Majesty, I have discussed with you that the majority of the court's expenditures will be on border defense, as well as rewards and pensions. I believe that the military expenditure for the northern border defense cannot be reduced, and the compensation for casualties and casualties should be
Secondly, the rewards for meritorious soldiers and civilians can be slowed down a little later, and then reissued after the state's fiscal and taxation improves..."
"Is this the result of your negotiation?" Emperor Liu's eyes squinted.
Zhao Pu was slightly startled, and responded with cupped hands: "Your Majesty, the treasury is indeed in some difficulties right now!"
Seeing this, Emperor Liu immediately changed his posture, put his feet on the ground, leaned forward, and glared at Zhao Pu: "In all these years, have I never treated a meritorious soldier badly? How long has it been since the Northern Expedition ended? How many days have it been since I returned to the court?
!The celebration banquet is over. Do you want to discount the rewards?
If this is the case, how can I show my face to the soldiers, and how can the imperial court be at peace? The soldiers of the Northern Expedition threw their heads and blood and came back from the battle, do you want them to feel chilled?"
"Your Majesty taught you a lesson!" Faced with Emperor Liu's almost scolding question, Zhao Pu did not panic. Instead, he seemed a little calm and bowed in response.
After calming down his excitement, Emperor Liu looked at these ministers, but with a slight smile on his face: "You are all ministers and ministers of the dynasty, with outstanding talents. You shouldn't just come up with this kind of solution!"
Zhao Pu and Song Qi looked at each other, and then reported: "Your Majesty, there are several other ways, I am afraid that if you implement them, it will cause some dissatisfaction!"
"Tell me about it!" Emperor Liu seemed to be sitting more steadily.
“Firstly, they were recruited from Sichuan, Shu, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and the southwest and southeastern Daozhou were always important financial and taxation areas for the imperial court. There were many surpluses in the treasury, and they could coordinate some of them to solve the imperial court’s difficulties;
Secondly, the merchant tax was levied. During the Northern Expedition, a large part of the imperial fiscal revenue was earned by those merchants. The imperial tax system was too loose for merchants;
Thirdly, the official salary and noble salary paid by the imperial court every year are not small, so they can be appropriately reduced or suspended..."
After hearing what Zhao Pu said, Emperor Liu suddenly understood and said with a wry smile: "No wonder you said that it will cause some dissatisfaction, and it's not just dissatisfaction!"
Emperor Liu said: "However, these three things you mentioned are difficult to solve the current urgent need! How can distant water relieve thirst that is close by?"
Zhao Pu said nothing and gave instructions as if he was listening to the imperial edict. In fact, Zhao Pu was dissatisfied with the current tax system of the imperial court, and he also wanted to use this to carry out some reforms, such as local tax surplus,
Business taxes, and the aristocratic salary that seems a bit inflated.
The imperial court collects taxes every year. The Spring and Autumn Taxes are regular taxes. The head tax is a small tax. Tea and salt are huge profits, but they are related to people's livelihood and should not be touched lightly. The proportion of commercial taxes is increasing year by year, so naturally it is easy to be used for surgery.
No matter how shrewd Emperor Liu was, it was difficult to see through Zhao Pu's thoughts at this time. He actually thought about it carefully and ordered: "You can use Sichuan and Sichuan to supplement the capital with the southeastern financial and tax revenue, but you must pay attention to it and it must be moderate! The increase in commercial taxes will also
We can’t generalize. The Financial Secretary has come up with a set of feasible solutions! As for salary and salary, don’t think about it for the time being, so as not to cause complaints!”
"yes!"
After pondering for a while, Emperor Liu waved his hand and said: "What the court is currently lacking, we must allocate funds from internal funds!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhao Pu smiled broadly, his waist almost bent to dozens of degrees.
Seeing his reaction, Emperor Liu was stunned for a moment and then thought back: "Zhao Pu, you're not just waiting for me to say this!"
The country's financial difficulties do not mean that Emperor Liu is also poor. The emperor is rich all over the world. That is not just talk. The national treasury and internal funds are also opened independently. If the national treasury is empty, the internal funds are still abundant. Every year, a part of the finance and taxation will be allocated.
With the internal funds turned over and various offerings made, Emperor Liu was still extremely rich.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Pu lowered his eyebrows and said respectfully with a smile: "On behalf of the imperial court, I would like to thank your majesty!"
"Haha!" Emperor Liu smiled, and then said seriously: "Money, internal funds can be withdrawn, but it is borrowed, remember to return it!"