924: The fifth year of Yuanhuang (Part 4) [Please vote for me]
Chapter 924 924: Yuanhuang’s fifth year (Part 2)
"Tianshu Guards, Tianxuan Guards, Tianji Guards, Tianquan Guards, Yuheng Guards, Kaiyang Guards, Yaoguang Guards...the names are quite nice." She raised her hand and took out a list, which read Following a group of military generals, followed by their respective strength, military achievements, prestige, and military luck... Shen Tang made these data into a simple data chart, which is clear and clear.
She looked at the list and thought for a long time.
Chu Yao always sat quietly on one side and waited.
Until Shen Tang put down the list: "It has been tentatively decided that Chu Jie will be the general of Tianshu Guard, Gong Shuwu will be the general of Tianxuan Guard, Wei Shou will be the general of Tianji Guard, and the Tianquan Guard will be handed over to Bai Su and Yu Heng. The guard is handed over to Zhao Feng, the Kaiyang guard is given to Yun Ce and Xian Yujian, and the last Yaoguang guard is given to Xun Ding. Each guard general has two deputies, let them recommend themselves..."
These were all after careful consideration by her.
Yun Ce and Xian Yujian have too little foundation. They are just generals from the bottom, and they have no private military units themselves.
If the issue of their sect is not taken into account, the two of them can be trained as confidants. However, because of the unclear relationship between the sect and the Gods Society, Shen Tang cannot let them command a guard separately out of caution, but she can't either. Because of this problem, they failed to live up to their efforts, especially Xian Yujian - he was among the top three military generals in his years, and he couldn't treat him badly. After much thought, he placed their brothers in the first guard. , whoever is in charge will have no objection.
Bai Su is currently the strongest and most experienced female martial artist besides herself, so she deserves to occupy one of the guards.
If there are no female battalions who can carry the banner, at least two of the seven guards must be reserved for female generals. However, Shen Tang is not in a hurry. She plans to place Lu Ji and others in other guards, and it will be justifiable to promote them to higher positions in the future. Alas, Let’s figure it out slowly.
Chu Yao asked: "Where is Xu Wenshi?"
In terms of qualifications, Xu Wenshi is not low either.
Shen Tang waved his hand: "He is still too young."
Of course, this is just an excuse.
Xu Quan is young, but he is not the youngest among the generals, and he has been in the army for a long time. He is also Xu Jie's cousin - his hardware is not strong enough, but his overall soft power is very strong. He has not been able to earn A great general, something unexpected.
But Shen Tang also has his own considerations.
For the same reason, Xu Jie is close to Qin Li, and their mutual interests are more closely related than other court officials. Shen Tang trusts Qin Li, and also believes that Xu Jie has kept his promise to her for so many years and protected He Yin so well. Their characters are trustworthy, and both of them are rational people. But Shen Tang can't trust the people around them, and these are unsettling factors.
If Xu Jie has good character, does that mean everyone in the Xu family has good character?
Even as the head of the Xu family, Xu Jie cannot control every clan member to be of the same mind as him, let alone keep them absolutely calm and rational. Instead of testing them with benefits, it is better to hone them again. In Shen Tang's In our imagination, Xu Quan is at most the second-in-command of the Seven Guards. At his current age, he can reach this position by taking advantage of his early investment.
Or enter Shufu.
She plans to set up another Si Lv Mansion in addition to Qi Wei.
It just so happens that the names of the four divine beasts can be used.
Green Dragon, White Tiger, Suzaku, Xuanwu.
Shen Tang said: "Let's polish it more..."
Chu Yao also thought about the joints and sighed: "Everything is arranged by the lord. Wen Shi is at his most reckless and passionate age, so he will inevitably be a little impetuous. It would be better to polish him to make him calmer. As for the future, it all depends on his personal preferences. ability."
After that, neither of them mentioned the matter again.
There were not as many generals under Shen Tang's tent as there were scribes. The composition was more pure and the arrangement was simple. It didn't take long for them to be almost settled. However, this list still needs to be discussed with other people to see where it is not comprehensive and perfect.
After Chu Yao retreated, the personal guards also came with supper.
"Zhizong, do you have a place in mind?"
She lowered her head and took a mouthful of hot porridge.
The porridge is thick and the rice grains are crystal clear.
The craftsmanship in the small kitchen is getting better and better day by day.
Shen Tang has been busy dealing with various matters these days. Lu Ji and Yang Ying have been at her side for several turns. All the information obtained is first-hand information. Naturally, she knows the seven guards and four rates she envisioned. As Shen Tang's personal guard, Lu Ji Although his presence is not high, he is a confidant.
Since Shen Tang has no elders above him, no youngsters below him, and no blood relatives of the same race in the middle, some sensitive positions will naturally be given to his personal guards and confidants. Lu Ji will not be unaware of these matters. As an enlightened leader, Shen Tang is also willing to Respect the wishes of subordinates.
Lu Jidao: "Lead the mansion."
But he wanted to speak but stopped.
Shen Tang took two mouthfuls of porridge: "Speak directly, don't hold it in."
Lu Ji received the encouragement and then continued: "Entering the leadership mansion can protect the Lord's safety, but the general knows that improving martial arts still requires actual combat. I hope to be able to regularly go to various Zhechong mansions to take turns."
Shen Tang thought it was something unspeakable.
Said: "Warriors are the most important weapons of the country, and they need to be prepared for danger in times of peace. They are polished from time to time but left in the arsenal. By the time they are needed, they will have become rusty. I agree with your idea of rotating duty. Not only military generals must be rotated, but also everywhere Zhe Chong Mansion must also hold regular duel drills to maintain the highest combat power at all times... Any time it is revealed, it must be killed with one blow!"
The border garrison can still fight to maintain its status.
Not so in the Mainland. Over time, it will just make you lazy.
Shen Tang doesn't know how long this balance can be maintained at the moment. All she can do is to improve her strength as much as possible, accumulate more confidence, and use her strongest state to face future storms. She is like this, and so are her troops. Until invincible!
Lu Ji listened to Shen Tang's whisper.
This is a good way to maintain combat power.
Break the relatively closed environment of Zhe Chong Prefectures in various places, let them see the strength of other Zhe Chong Prefectures, and have no choice but to get involved.
only--
Lu Ji bit the bullet and asked: "Is the national treasury sufficient?"
Shen Tang: "..."
It’s Shen Tang’s private treasury that has been poor these years, but the national treasury has always been in good condition. At least for so many years, I haven’t heard Wu Hui complain about lack of money. If you remember correctly, Wu Hui asked the same question not long ago - um , is he actually calling for poverty?
Tell yourself tactfully that the national treasury cannot withstand the crisis?
Shen Tang pursed his lips: "Go and send a message to the Minister of Household Affairs."
When Xun Zhen, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, heard the order, he didn't react at first. When he remembered his current identity, he felt an inexplicable foreboding in his chest. After cleaning up a little, he got up and went to Shen Tang's tent. He came up to greet him: "I've seen you." Your Majesty."
The Minister of Household Affairs has received it, so it is reasonable for him to change his mind.
Shen Tang pushed a scroll of letters in front of Xun Zhen.
Said: "Look."
His tone was mysterious, which aroused Xun Zhen's curiosity.
When Xun Zhen picked it up and opened it, Shen Tang's slightly probing words came to his ears: "Hanzhang, look, how many things can we accomplish with our current family resources? According to the lowest budget..."
Xun Zhen just glanced at it roughly.
He closed the slip with a snap.
He said with a serious expression: "No, no money."
Shen Tang: "...the treasury still has money."
When Xun Zhen, the Minister of Accounts, took office, Chu Yao sent over all the accounts he had previously been responsible for. His accounting method was improved during the He Yin period, and every data was clear, allowing Xun Zhen to see Chu Yao's skills as a housekeeper are really great! Every account is calculated clearly. Even so, Xun Zhen still has to stay up late to check and reconcile the accounts again.
The household department has not been completed yet.
He had no deputies, so he could only roll up his sleeves himself.
The only good thing is that he is a literary scholar, and the use of literary aids is very efficient, otherwise he would be busy for ten days and a half. When Shen Tang sent someone to find him, he had just finished counting and was about to start making a budget— -Official salaries all come from the national treasury. This money must be set aside. The construction of the national capital requires a large amount of money. The pensions of the sergeants who died in the war for more than a year must also keep up. This is another large amount of expenditure. In addition, , he also needs to set aside a sum of money to provide disaster relief for various disasters in various places in the coming year...
Oh, and there is also the need to guard against military expenditures in the Northern Desert.
Make money and use up all your money.
Spend money and use it like sand.
Xun Zhen took several deep breaths and tried to explain to Shen Tang: "If it were originally, the treasury would have been enough, and there would even be a lot of surplus every year. However, today is different from the past. There are more people waiting for salary under the lord's account. There are too many soldiers and horses, there are too many city passes waiting to be repaired, and there are too many local government offices waiting to be recruited and rebuilt... so the national treasury is not enough!"
More babies, not enough milk!
Not to mention several items written on the letter.
Which one is not a costly job?
The soldiers of the government are self-sufficient, and additional military pay must be allocated, and rewards must be paid for using this manpower... Of course Xun Zhen knows the benefits of doing this, but this benefit costs money! Not to mention that he will follow him later. Zhechong Prefectures in various places maintain their combat effectiveness against each other in military exercises. Even the two smallest Zhechong Prefectures are a war of two to three thousand people. The venue, baggage, losses, manpower, medical care... Which of them is not money? Not to mention the other side. , there must be a bonus in an exercise to be worth fighting for, right?
The lottery also requires money!
Xun Zhen thought that when Chu Yao was managing the accounts, the accounts were in good condition, but when it was his turn to take care of the accounts, the treasury was in deficit all day long...
Who can bear this?
Shen Tang bit the bullet: "Can't you think of a way?"
Xun Zhen understood Shen Tang's temperament. The subtext of "thinking of a way" was "I don't care, I don't care, you have to do it for me." How much does it cost?"
The implication is that there is no way.
Nowadays, everything is in waste, and there are mouths everywhere that are crying for food. No one can make money to replenish blood, and the national treasury will have to wait until next year’s autumn harvest to refill it. Xun Zhen is very confident about this - the Lord attaches great importance to agriculture, and a large part of the national destiny They have all been used in this aspect, trying their best to ensure good harvests in various places. If the output of farmland throughout Kang State can maintain the level of Longwu, the taxes collected from the next autumn harvest will definitely be considerable, and the national treasury will also have money.
now?
Absolutely impossible!
Shen Tang was stunned by Xun Zhen's question.
Her face turned dark: "Can't you really move out?"
Xun Zhen simply used her fingers to tally all the items with her - officials' salaries vary according to their rank. Because Shen Tang likes to use welfare to replace part of his salary, the actual money expenditure is not as high as other countries, but the pressure on the treasury is still very high. Seriously, sergeants’ pensions cannot be cut, capital construction costs cannot be cut, and relief funds to prevent unforeseen disasters cannot be cut...
This is not even mentioning small expenses.
The construction expenditures of colleges in various places, the expenditures of teachers in various colleges, the doctors and medicinal materials in medical clinics in various places...
Xun Zhen took out the general account book from her arms.
Shen Tang listened to the string of figures reported by Xun Zhen in his ears, then looked at the account book, and his facial features almost became tangled: "Reducing expenditures is not enough, but we can find ways to increase revenue... Over there at Shiwu Digging a little more, there is going to be a mutual trade here in the Northern Desert. Let’s make a big profit from the salt tea, and we can make money by selling the grain seeds... Alas, no matter how you look at it, the money is useless..."
How can money last forever?
For the first time, Shen Tang realized that the treasury was almost running out of money.
Especially Xun Zhen, who is now in charge of the accounts, is very stingy. She really shot herself in the foot. After thinking about it for a while, a person appeared in her mind: "Send someone to call the governor of Heyin."
Regarding making money, you still need to talk to Xu Jie.
Xun Zhen agreed. No matter how much money Xu Jie made, he would eventually join another household department. It was still the household department that had the final say on how the money was spent. The more money Xu Jie made, the less pressure there would be on the household department.
After Xun Zhen retreated, Shen Tang completely lost his sleepiness.
She raised her hand and pinched her fingers to form two incarnations of literary energy.
"You guys keep busy, I'll go out and get some fresh air..."
It's not breathable. She's afraid she won't be able to sleep tonight.
Lu Ji followed him three steps away.
She has been Shen Tang's personal guard for so long, and this is the first time she has seen her lord so worried about yellow and white things - you know, even when Xun Shangshu made his lord owe a huge debt, his lord had never been so depressed. Self-consolation is over.
Lu Ji saw it in his eyes and felt anxious in his heart.
The two walked in tandem to the main camp corner.
Shen Tang was about to stretch back and go back to sleep. His sharp eyesight noticed something. It took Lu Ji two beats to notice it, and he followed her line of sight. A tall figure stood in the darkness, holding his right hand in front of his chest to perform the sutra, and mouthed The position seems to be moving.
The other party used the spirit of speech, so Lu Ji couldn't hear what he said. He only looked at the other party's outfit - the familiar snow-white fox cloak. Only one person in the whole camp owned it, and it was Qin Li.
A trace of worry flashed in Lu Ji's eyes. Except for the master, who was walking around, everyone else was sleeping in their respective tents or staying up late to work overtime. It was strange for Qin Li to appear here, not to mention that he spoke to a vague black shadow using his spirit. What.
Lu Ji's eyes turned to his lord who was standing where he was.
The master neither spoke nor left.
He just stood there and waited for Qin Li to finish his work.
after awhile--
Lu Ji finally heard Qin Li whisper: "Go."
Something was moving in the darkness.
With the powerful eyesight of a brave warrior, Lu Ji saw a black shadow rushing out. She opened her eyes wide in shock - that black shadow was really a black shadow, a shadow sticking to the ground! It only took the blink of an eye. Then disappeared...
Literary scholars indeed have more tricks than brave warriors.
Qin Li also discovered Shen Tang.
There was no hint of panic or guilt in his eyes at having been caught making any small moves.
He stepped forward calmly: "I have met the Lord."
Lu Ji inexplicably felt that the air was a little solemn.
But, this is just her illusion.
The Lord's tone was a little curious: "Contact a friend?"
Qin Li's expression became a little more complicated and he asked, "Your Majesty, aren't you curious about what Li Fang is doing?"
Shen Tang said: "Isn't that what I'm asking?"
Emotional stability can prevent many unnecessary misunderstandings.
She didn't want to chill Qin Li's heart by rashly accusing her when she didn't know the cause and effect. She was so sincere, so naturally Qin Li wouldn't hide it without knowing what happened: "Li is entrusting a friend to help with something. After all, a gentleman promises a thousand pieces of gold..." …”
Shen Tang could hear a bit of chill.
"What's the matter? Is it convenient to talk about it?"
Qin Li said: "It has something to do with Duke Wu."
Shen Tang guessed what the matter was - related to Wu Xian and "a promise of a thousand pieces of gold", so he made a special trip to contact his friends. Before this, Qin Li had not disclosed the relevant words to himself: "This matter may cause two Are the countries at war with each other?"