Time flies by like a white horse. The obscure, dark, cold, and chaotic winter passes quickly. As the first month passes, the weather gets warmer day by day, and the temperature rises day by day. The ice and snow melt, the spring water rises, the willow trees begin to turn green, and the grass begins to grow.
Buds are emerging. The air has begun to be filled with the vigorous breath of spring, as if waiting for an opportunity to enter the spring scene of "suddenly a spring breeze comes overnight, and thousands of pear trees bloom".
The situation in the world is also the same. As the ice and snow melt and the earth returns to spring, the northern and southern sides of the Liao Kingdom and the Jurchens, who have been dormant for a winter, are also ready. After several months of recuperation, they will fight for their own goals.
The situation is as unstoppable as the approaching spring, and as unstoppable as the magma of a volcano about to erupt.
The territory of Dazhou was not quiet this winter. Due to the increase in taxes, many poor families were completely bankrupt during this winter. They had to sell their only land to exchange for silver to survive the New Year. But this could only
The problem was temporarily solved, but soon the people in desperate situation had no choice but to wander around begging and become refugees.
Under the current circumstances, the imperial court of the Zhou Dynasty had no ability to rescue the victims. In fact, it was the imperial court's actions that caused such a situation. The imperial court had not even paid the Liao Kingdom's compensation materials, so how could it have the power to save these people?
When Yang Jun became Privy Councilor, the refugees still had an option, that is, young and middle-aged refugees could get some military pay and food to support their families by joining the army, but this road had long been blocked. After Lu Zhongtian became Privy Councilor, he completely
Adopting the opposite strategy, when the external and internal situation was so tense, Lu Zhongtian instead reduced a large number of troops in border towns.
Lu Zhongtian's reason is actually very reasonable. A large number of soldiers in the border town are just waiting to die and have no ability to fight. To put it bluntly, they are a group of rabble. This group of people was raised in Yang Jun's hands.
Although it served as a shelter for the refugees, it consumed a large amount of money and food resources from the court. These became a tool for Yang Jun to gain personal prestige and reputation in the military, and made him, Yang Jun, and his trusted generals in the military.
At a time when the imperial court's finances are gradually collapsing, cutting these people can save a lot of military expenditures to tide over the difficulties. This is obviously a very convincing reason.
Another reason is that now the Great Zhou and the Liao people have signed a peace agreement. As long as the Great Zhou fulfills the peace agreement, the Liao people will no longer use troops against the Great Zhou. Although major events have occurred within the Liao Kingdom, they are their own affairs.
No matter who finally unifies the Liao Kingdom, as long as the Zhou Dynasty fulfills the content of the peace agreement, there is no fear that the other party will attack the Zhou Dynasty. From this level, the number of troops in the border towns no longer needs to maintain the original huge number, as long as there are enough
Defensive troops are fine.
These two reasons left the imperial court with no room for refutation. Indeed, the imperial court was now unable to uncover the pot. If measures were not taken to balance the fiscal and tax revenue and expenditures, it is very likely that even the officials would not be able to pay their salaries.
.Although many people question whether Lu Zhongtian’s approach of saving money on the army is wise. After all, the military affairs of the country are the fundamental guarantee for the survival of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Will doing so have an impact on the security of the Great Zhou Dynasty? However, in the face of salary
Many people kept their mouths shut when they couldn't get any money. If the court wanted to get through the difficulties, they themselves also had to live. Once the salary couldn't be paid, what would be used to support the wives and concubines at home, and what would be used to maintain the banquets?
An elegant life? A mouth and stomach that are accustomed to eating meat and wine cannot tolerate simple meals. A body that is accustomed to wearing silks and satins cannot wear coarse cloth and geisha. Life is not easy, so why do you care about national affairs? What dignity is there?
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This winter, the troops and horses in the surrounding towns and localities were reduced from 1.2 million to 900,000. Of course, in order to appease Yuan Zhenqian's Northwest Army, none of the 250,000 Northwest Army was moved. The main cuts were the inland state capital garrisons and The border troops on the northeastern border and the garrison troops in various state capitals should all be cut in half, as long as they can maintain local public security and order. For example, in large state capitals like Hangzhou, the Ning navy stationed there is a dual force that must maintain public order both at sea and on land. The military establishment has more than 5,000 people in ten battalions. Now there is only one army with 2,500 people. This number is actually difficult to ensure local security because the territory under its jurisdiction is too large. It is definitely an extremely difficult task for a Hangzhou Prefecture with 2,500 people to maintain law and order in this million-dollar city. Not to mention the counties under its jurisdiction and the coastal areas to the east.
The Northeastern Border Town originally had a garrison of 700,000 troops. After Yang Jun's defeat, the number of troops was reduced to more than 400,000, and was quickly replenished to 600,000. This time, it was also cut by 40% with a single blow, and more than 200,000 troops were reduced. , only 367,000 soldiers and horses were left stationed in the main border towns and cities. Except for the Forbidden Army and the Northwest Army, all the soldiers and horses of the entire Great Zhou Dynasty were cut down.
Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were dismissed at will. What Fang Dunru and Yan Zhengsu wanted to do but could not do until their death was accomplished by Lu Zhongtian in only two months. It was really a quick knife to cut through the mess, it seems. It seems that Prime Minister Lu is much more capable than Yan Fang and the two. However, people with insight are worried. At this time, in order to reduce financial pressure, reducing the army is obviously a way to quench thirst. In times of chaos, is it possible? Shouldn't we give priority to ensuring the stability of the army, restoring its morale, and taking precautions? Moreover, there are already many refugees within the Great Zhou Dynasty. Where can the hundreds of thousands of soldiers who have been reduced be relocated? This is not only the livelihood of these hundreds of thousands of soldiers, but also the livelihood of these hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Behind them, millions of family members will also be trapped in a difficult situation. There are already refugees everywhere, and coupled with this major disarmament move, I am afraid that the world will be in chaos.
The results soon became apparent. The hungry and cold refugees began to make trouble. In order to survive, they started to beg everywhere. Later, some people began to rob homes and rob property. Some even stole and robbed everywhere, stormed the houses of large families, and committed many murders and arson. The imperial court had only one strategy: suppression! If it couldn't defeat the Liao people, why couldn't it control these people? Under Lu Zhongtian's order, the soldiers and horses from various states were rude to the refugees, suppressed them forcefully, and killed many people.
In short, in this gloomy winter, many people in Dazhou are struggling to survive, but they will never see the bright spring sun they are looking forward to. Dazhou, which they were once proud of, has now become In order to make it impossible for them to live, the devil deprived them of the right to live. Instead of saving them when they needed it most, the Zhou Dynasty court pushed them more ferociously into the abyss of death. While ordinary people were desperate, many scholars The ideals and beliefs of the officials also collapsed. The Great Zhou they wanted was by no means such a Great Zhou. The former Great Zhou had fallen from a civilized Great Zhou that emphasized benevolent government, morality and people's livelihood to this in a short period of time. It has become an unviable tyranny that makes people all over the world miserable. This is simply unacceptable.
Even if they were the most loyal to the court and would never allow a huge change to happen in the court, some scholar-officials who were willing to forgive the emperor after his immoral behavior of killing his father and brother were finally found in the chaos before their eyes.
Lost confidence in the Zhou Dynasty. Some people tried to report to the court to change, but soon suffered the most severe revenge under the authority of Lu Zhongtian. More people chose to leave. For a time, those who lived in seclusion among the famous mountains and rivers
There are countless officials. This is exactly what has been written for thousands of years.
The most despicable common problem among people is that they think this is an expression of dissatisfaction and resistance, but in fact it is the most cowardly avoidance and inaction. The so-called self-restraint is nothing more than an incompetent excuse.
In the Funiu Mountains, the number of people who have defected in the past few months has reached its peak. Originally, Lin Jue had sent people to recruit troops. Before that, there were not many people who dared to defect. Green forest heroes and civilians were not respected by the court.
Only those who are young would think of coming to Luoyan Valley. Anyone who still has a life to live, who still has expectations for the court, and who still has hope for the future will not choose to come to Luoyan Valley. In their hearts, these people in Luoyan Valley
After all, he is a rebel of the imperial court, equivalent to a bandit who occupies the mountain and becomes the king.
And Luoyan Valley is not wanted by everyone. Those criminals who have committed serious crimes of murder and arson and want to come to Luoyan Valley to escape will not only not be accepted, but will be directly captured by the Xuanyi guards after they find out what happened. Those who deserve to be killed immediately
Those who do not agree with the philosophy of the Luoyan Army, have bandit habits, cannot adapt to the discipline and restricted life of the Luoyan Army, complain and make strange words, or even do some actions that violate the rules and disciplines will also be punished.
Expelling or punishing. Therefore, although the number of people in Luoyan Valley has increased a lot in the past few years, the number of Luoyan troops that reflects the strength of Luoyan Valley has not increased explosively. Before the New Year, after accepting Han Gang's subordinates,
, the total strength of the Luoyan Army barely reached about 100,000 people. But this was not enough. Lin Jue did not think that more troops would be better, but he knew that the strength of these 100,000 people was not enough to solve the problem.
After the New Year, especially after mid-February, the number of people who came to seek refuge showed an explosive growth trend. Lin Jue, who paid close attention to the situation in the world, certainly knew why. Lin Jue no longer wanted to comment on the actions of the Zhou court. He just
Pay attention to the expansion of Luo Yanjun's strength under this situation.
For the hungry and cold people, Lin Jue's order was to accept them all. If Luoyan Valley could not accommodate them, there would be Shiren Mountain and the valley developed by Jiming Mountain. There were many places in the mountains for them to stay. This would ensure that the people could survive.
, this is something that must be done. Guo Kun personally went out to settle the people who had defected, which was what Lin Jue suggested him to do. Lin Jue told Guo Kun that this was the best way for him to establish his good reputation.
It's a good time, and people's reputation will be quickly established at this time, which will be of great help in the future. Guo Kun was convinced that he came out of the grief of losing his father and devoted himself to this matter day and night.
But compared to ordinary people who accept all comers, Lin Jue is much more cautious about selecting young and strong people to expand the army. The army must maintain its purity, and he cannot let the styles of those in the imperial army corrode the health of the Luoyan Army.
Upward body. Therefore, although there were many people who defected, after screening in terms of physical fitness and other aspects, 10,000 people were gradually incorporated into the Luoyan Army.
As the news continued to spread throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty, the refugees who had nowhere to live knew that Funiu Mountain could find shelter, and they came one after another. For a time, Luoyan Valley was overcrowded, and it was bustling and noisy every day.
Return to the original tranquility.
Compared with the anxious and irritable emotions shown by the generals and officials in the mountain from time to time, Lin Jue is calm. This is a good opportunity for the generals and officials at all levels in the army and the mountain to exercise their abilities. In the future, this group of people will
They will have to bear greater responsibilities. What they face is not just the situation in front of them. What they face is the eating, drinking and drinking of hundreds of millions of people throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty. They must have enough patience and experience.
Be competent and adaptable to future roles. These things in front of you are just an opportunity to train them.
