Lin Fu slept until the sun rose. Gu Junxun heard the sound of him getting up, and then came in to help him dress. Lin Fu said, "I have hands and feet, and I still want you to take care of me?" That's the way it is.
Ren Junxun gathered the leader for him and looked at the sunlight coming in through the window. The weather had been rainy for many days and it was finally sunny today. He said, "As long as the weather lasts for two days, the wheat fields can be harvested. Otherwise, it will be affected to some extent."
Until the harvest..."
"It's been another rainy year in Huaidong. I heard from people that there will be more rain than less in the future, which will inevitably lead to floods in some places. There is too much rain here, especially in Jiangxi, and both lakes are suffering from severe droughts. I heard that Zhejiang Province will suffer from severe droughts."
There was also a severe drought in the spring and summer of this year in South China. It didn’t rain much, which is said to be a good thing, but if you think about it carefully, aren’t ordinary people the only ones suffering?” Gu Junxun said.
Lin Fu smiled. The competition among the forces for supremacy was bloody and cruel, and there was no room for mercy.
Speaking of natural disasters, Ao Canghai, Zhang Gou and others formulated a plan in Shengzhou to organize people to dump rocks and trees in the Lanxi River to increase congestion and trigger floods in the middle and lower reaches.
Huaidong's defense camp at Luohe Mountain on the east bank of the Lanxi River is in a favorable position geographically, but the control area is very small, only a corner of the upper reaches of the Lanxi River; She Feihu's headquarters in Dongyang County is the core, firmly controlling the west bank of the upper reaches of the Lanxi River.
And the vast area in the middle and lower reaches, it is also the core area of Dongyang Valley, which borders western Zhejiang to the west.
Under the current situation, whether Huaidong sends troops to attack the west bank or Shefeihu attacks the east bank, it is very unfavorable. Even if a heavy price is paid, it will be difficult to determine the winner in a short time.
The waterways of the Lanxi River in Dongyang County are about 40 to 50 feet wide, and even narrower than 20 to 30 feet. It is relatively easy to create artificial siltation and blockage. Once droughts and floods turn sharply, the amount of water brought by heavy rains will increase significantly, and floods will not be able to
If it releases smoothly, it is very likely to overflow the river embankment and directly impact the grain fields and villages in Dongyang County and the middle and lower reaches...
In wars, especially long-term stalemate wars, fighting to control the upper reaches of the river source is often the key to the development of the war. In history, there are not one or two battles in which dams were built to block water and use floods to impact the defenders' cities.
Since She Feihu still firmly controls the west bank of the upper reaches of the Lanxi River, it is impossible to directly build a dam to block the river. However, the plan proposed by Ao Canghai and Zhang Gou can still gain a lot of initiative for Huaidong, and at the same time, the Lanxi River will be
Ordinary people in the middle and lower reaches of the river were all implicated.
Fu Qinghe, Liang Wenzhan, Hu Zhiyong, Ye Junan and others had great controversy over this plan in eastern Zhejiang. They could not make an easy decision and threw this hot potato to Chongzhou.
Lin Fu signed and approved this plan. In addition to this, Lin Fu also signed and agreed that while the southern raiding troops were harassing southern Zhejiang and the coastal areas of eastern Fujian, they should exercise restraint and not invade and plunder the poor peasants of the middle and lower classes. At the same time, they could forcibly redeem rice grains from the local government.
Orders for ironware, mules, horses, cattle and other supplies.
Huaidong can introduce a large amount of cheap copper from the Haidong area - including Lin Mengde, Zhou Guangnan, Sun Fengyi and others, they have been requesting to open molds and raise coins in Huaidong.
Even in this era when the price of silver and copper fell, and the prices of grain, iron, cloth, and cattle soared, Huaidong used Haidong copper to open molds to raise coins, and still made huge profits from raising coins, which could greatly make up for the shortage of military resources.
Lin Fu's understanding of finance can only be regarded as some common sense in later generations, but it is much deeper and far-reaching than that of people in the current generation.
If Huaidong relaxes its efforts to raise coins, a large number of copper coins will only circulate within Huaidong, which will ultimately only exacerbate the soaring prices in Huaidong, which is detrimental to the long-term governance of Huaidong.
Sometimes, Lin Fu can realize this, but it is difficult to convince others.
When there was a huge surplus of copper shipped in from Haidong, how could Lin Mengde and others, who were driven crazy by replenishing military supplies every day, resist the urge not to use these coppers to turn them into copper coins to exchange for scarce supplies?
Finally, it was Wang Chengfu who suggested that Huaidong raise large amounts of coins. These copper coins do not need to be circulated in the core area of Huaidong, but they can be transported to Mingzhou Prefecture on a large scale in the early stage and used to purchase rice grains from local forces in Mingzhou Prefecture.
Cloth, mules, horses and even fields were needed to maintain the Huaidong Army's early garrison in Mingzhou Prefecture.
The method of redemption with copper coins is much milder than forced expropriation or robbery, and it is also easier for local forces to accept.
Another point is to use the opportunity of harassment operations to implement the strategy of forced redemption from enemy-controlled areas.
Originally, even if it were plundering, the amount of materials that could be plundered would be limited by the penetration level of the plundering troops.
By forcibly redeeming people from coastal areas such as eastern Fujian and southern Zhejiang, the intensity of local people's resistance can be reduced. Furthermore, the influx of large amounts of copper coins will cause material resources from the hinterland of Zhejiang and Fujian to continue to flow to the coast, while eastern Zhejiang will continue to have
Continuously use copper coins to redeem supplies from the coastal areas of Zhejiang and Fujian. As long as it is profitable, it can even induce local forces in eastern Fujian, southern Zhejiang and other coastal areas to participate.
Of course, the ultimate goal is to secretly drive up prices in the areas controlled by the She family and further limit the She family's ability to obtain supplies from the local area.
In the end, Lin Fu did not grant the right to raise money to Huaidong Bank, but only agreed to set up a coin raising department under the branch envoy, and in early May he approved the molding and raising of copper coins equivalent to 200,000 taels of silver at one time.
War is always unscrupulous and cannot be merciful. Some are hard knives that can be seen to kill people and see blood, and some are soft knives that can't see blood but are more deadly - Huaidong used raw silk, etc. through trade monopoly.
In essence, the means of exchanging luxury items for basic survival supplies such as rice, grain, copper, iron, and leather are not necessarily any more benevolent than direct plunder.
Gu Junxun talked about the sufferings of people's livelihood that she recognized, and Lin Fu just responded with a smile, but did not reveal the blood and cruelty behind it.
"The eldest brother refused to stay for two more days. He said he would go back to Qingzhou this afternoon, and it would not last more than a day. My sister-in-law was about to give birth in Jiangning, and he didn't even take a look..." Gu Junxun's words had the same meaning.
Complaints about women.
"How can Si Yuan have time to go to Jiangning at this time? If he returns to Qingzhou a day earlier, he can make more preparations," Lin Fu took Jun Xun's tender little hand and said, "I will ask Si Yuan to come up the mountain at noon.
Let’s have a banquet. After a while, we will gather less and stay away more.”
Jun Xun was there to take care of the luncheon. Lin Fu got up late and was sweating from sword practice, so he did not go down to Dongya. Gu Siyuan had Lin Mengde to take care of him, and Liu Miaozhen had Song Jia to take care of him.
Before noon, I sat in the inner house and read the briefing.
At noon, Lin Mengde and Sun Jingxuan accompanied Gu Siyuan, Zhao Qinmin, Yang Pu and others up the mountain to have a banquet.
After Huaidong changed its position, everyone tried their best to cooperate with it, and even agreed that Qingzhou would borrow a sum of money from Huaidong Bank to meet the initial needs, and then repay it after getting two Huai salt silver - Gu Siyuan, Zhao Qinmin
There is nothing dissatisfied with Huaidong. Without Huaidong's support, it would be impossible for Huaidong Bank to lend money to Qingzhou until the Qingzhou Army could establish a solid and reliable defense line.
Once the general principles and matters are finalized, there is no need for Gu Siyuan to stay and discuss the specific details. Even Zhao Qinmin will go to Qingzhou with Gu Siyuan first. Obviously, the affairs in Qingzhou are more urgent, and Yang Pu will stay in Chongzhou for a few more days.
One day, I will also transfer back to Jiangning.
After the banquet, Lin Fu asked Lin Mengde to see off Gu Siyuan on his behalf. Lin Mengde and his party went north, and Yang Pu also went to see him off, and did not return until sundown.
Lin Fu respected Yang Pu as his father's successor, and asked Gu Junxun to prepare a residence in the mountain, and asked Yang Pu to stay in the mountain for a few days before going to Jiangning.
Lin Fu discussed Yizhou's affairs with Lin Mengde, Zhou Guangnan, Sun Fengyi and others in the front house in the afternoon. Gu Junxun asked someone to come to him and say that Yang Pu wanted to talk to him.
The differences between the Lin and Gu families seemed to be healed this time, but in fact the rift became deeper. Yang Pu, who was loyal to the Gu family and followed Gu Wuchen all his life, could not fail to see it.
Lin Fu sighed lightly and asked Lin Mengde and the others to go to a side hall to talk about things first, and then invited Yang Pu over to talk.
Yang Pu is only sixty years old, but his temples are frosty white and his face has deep wrinkles.
"Uncle Yang is still strong?" Lin Fu smiled and asked Yang Pu to sit down.
"Still strong," Yang Pu said, "After all, he is a martial arts practitioner. As long as he does not fall down, his body bones are still strong, but there are many hidden wounds on his body, and he may suddenly die at some point. The illness comes like a mountain.
That is to say, people like us..." Yang Pu is already in his sixties, and he also takes life and death lightly.
Hearing what Yang Pu said, Lin Fu was also filled with emotion. He couldn't think of the purpose of Yang Pu talking to him, so he smiled and talked about other things.
"The situation in the north should be unsustainable," Yang Pu asked. "If a new emperor is established in Jiangning, Cheng Yuqian may have to be transferred out. If the master wants to take a further step in Jiangning, he will probably give up Jiangning Water Camp. How will the situation develop in the future?
, does this make sense?”
Lin Fu nodded, somewhat understanding Yang Pu's intention of talking to him.
If a new emperor is established in Jiangning, Jiangning will become the new capital. Unless someone can master the absolute power to hold the emperor hostage, other forces will not want to see a powerful minister who is "both prime minister and handsome" appear in Jiangning.
After Li Zhuo took charge of Jizhen before, his power in the Ministry of War was basically emptied out - this itself is a major principle of the power structure. Without absolute strength, no one can destroy this principle.
In fact, in addition to the external competition for the vassal and commander-in-chief, the internal competition for the position in Jiangning and the real power officials such as the six ministers and the waiter are also the focus of the current power struggle.
Although Yang Pu was born as a domestic servant, he has experienced a lot of ups and downs with Gu Wuchen over the years. He has a lot of experience and has his own understanding of the development of the world situation, which is not easy.
Cheng Yuqian may not be transferred out, but if he wants to continue to serve as Minister of War in Jiangning or even Minister of War, he must give up Jiangning garrison positions to others.
Similarly, if Gu Wuchen wants to move forward from the position of left minister of Jiangning Ministry of War, he must give up direct control of Jiangning Water Camp. Yang Shi is an important chess piece for Gu Wuchen to directly control Jiangning Water Camp, and he is also a retainer of the Gu family. Yang Shi transfers outside
It's almost inevitable.
Yang Pu would not change his loyalty to the Gu family, but at the same time he was worried about his son Yang Shi's future and felt very conflicted.
"The Dengzhou navy suffered a defeat. It is always a navy controlled by the imperial court. In the future, Jiangning's control over the local area will continue to weaken. Transferring Yang Shi to Dengzhou may be a good choice," although Lin Fu also thought
Give Yang Shi a position in the Huaidong Navy, but this choice is not good. "Uncle Yang will go to Jiangning and tell his father-in-law this way. I think this arrangement is appropriate..."
"That's fine!" Yang Pu responded, then chatted about some household matters, then said goodbye and left.
As soon as Yang Pu left, Lin Mengde hurried in and asked: "Brother Yang Pu left, he looks a little desolate..."
"I suggest Yang Shi go to Dengzhou Navy..." Lin Fu knew what Lin Mengde wanted to say, so he directly told him the content of the conversation.
"Oh," Lin Mengde responded. He also knew why Yang Pu looked lonely after leaving. Arranging Yang Shi's future in this way meant that Lin Fu was determined to distinguish the two sides more clearly. He uncovered this unknown
He asked, "In two days, Huang Jinnian's eldest son, Huang Chengen, will evacuate to Chongzhou with his family. Will you receive him?"
In the current situation, Gu Wuchen will fully support Gu Siyuan in establishing his power in Qingzhou, which also means that Huaidong needs to support other spokespersons in Jiangning, and the relationship between the two parties will become more distinct.
It is not difficult for Lin Xuwen to enter Jiangning and serve as a minister of a certain ministry, but he cannot go further in the short term. Only Huang Jinnian has the qualifications to compete for a minister or even deputy prime minister or second prime minister. However, Huang Jinnian is still a core figure of the Chu Party, together with Zhang Xie and Zhang X
, Yue Lengqiu and others have complicated entanglements. Lin Fu is really not sure whether such a person can be used by Huaidong.
"Let Huang Chengen stay in Chongzhou for a few more days. We'll see if we can see him or not," Lin Fu said.
Unless Huang Jinnian publicly breaks up with Yue Lengqiu and Zhang Xitong who are in Jiangning, don't say that Huaidong will not support Huang Jinnian going to Jiangning, or even give him the opportunity to withdraw to Huaidong. Huang Jinnian's eldest son Huang Chengen and his family will naturally