Shen Bing's suggestion was quickly approved and implemented.
The first thing is to send a fast horse eight hundred miles to Xianyang to ask for instructions from Ying Zheng.
This tax reduction is not just a matter of reduction, and Wang Jian does not have the power to do so.
The 800-mile expedited round trip to Xianyang takes at least four days, and if you include the influence of bandits, it will take almost five days.
But at this time, Wang and Yang couldn't wait any longer...
If something goes wrong within these four days, wouldn’t it be a huge loss?
So the second step was carried out at the same time: strengthening city gate inspections.
This can prevent bandits from sneaking into the city as much as possible.
At least you can make it more difficult for them to sneak in or minimize the number of weapons they bring into the city.
Then there's the curfew.
"Xiao" refers to night.
"Banned" means prohibited from traveling.
That is to say, after the evening drum is sounded at night, all people in the city are strictly prohibited from traveling, and the curfew is not lifted until the morning drum is sounded at dawn the next day.
If there are special circumstances, such as illness, buying medicine, seeking medical treatment, delivering a baby and other private matters, you must report it to the patrol team, otherwise you will be charged with "breaking the night".
The crime of "breaking the night" is usually thirty years old.
However, Wang Jian believed that this was an extraordinary period and should be severely punished, including execution or even beheading depending on the circumstances.
The benefits of this curfew go without saying.
As soon as the evening drum sounded, the streets in the whole city were deserted. Only soldiers of the Qin army set up roadblocks at intersections and patrolled.
Even if the bandits sneak in, it will be difficult for them to fish in troubled waters and confuse people's hearts.
In addition, once chaos breaks out, it is easier to suppress it: anyone who goes out is a rioter and will be killed without mercy!
The disadvantage is...the kiln's business is gone in an instant.
You must know that Zhao Guo has been a typical country with more women than men since he was tricked and killed for 400,000 yuan in the Changping War.
Coupled with the loss of livelihood due to natural disasters in recent years, many women from good families have fallen into the trap of fireworks.
After the Qin army entered the city, it prospered even more... Although the soldiers of the Qin army were poor, they still had some things in their hands. In addition, they had a strong demand for leaving their hometowns, so they became frequent visitors.
This time a curfew was implemented. Soldiers had to work in the fields during the day and protect food at night, and there was a curfew at night. Even if they wanted to go there, there was no time.
Finally, there is what Shen Bing calls the "propaganda offensive."
Shen Bing said:
“People are not grateful for ordinary favors.”
"But it would be different if it was an unexpected surprise."
"So, my subordinates thought that we need to prepare some food to give to the people in need."
"For example, there is no labor in the family and there are no boys. Another example is that there is a boy but he is a male."
The so-called "癃男" refers to men with disabilities, which was very common in the Qin Dynasty when they were fighting for years.
Wang Jian and Yang Duanhe couldn't help but nod their heads.
What Shen Bing said is reasonable. It doesn't actually cost much effort or food, but it can have a miraculous effect in winning people's hearts.
Shen Bing continued:
"Of course it's not just that."
"The soldiers we send to deliver food should be eloquent soldiers."
"They must at least explain one reason to the people: the reason why they distributed less food this year is because they have to sow seeds."
"Only by sowing will there be a harvest."
"If we work hard this year, and if we have a water tanker, turn it over to cure the drought, and get tax exemptions, we will not have a hard time having a good life next year."
"If I could live a good life..."
Wang Jian and Yang Duanhe nodded frequently and secretly said it was awesome.
This was first a food delivery and then brainwashing, and it was done in a perfectly reasonable and flawless manner.
If the people can live a good life, why bother to rebel?
If you are smart, make another comparison:
During the Qian period of Zhao Wangqian, there was nothing he could do about the drought.
However, it took only a few days for the Qin army to introduce water into the ditch. The difference was more than a hundred and eight thousand miles?
So which one is better, Zhao or Qin?
The changing of the throne is ultimately a matter for the nobility and has nothing to do with the common people.
The common people just think about whether they can have enough food and clothing.
Thinking about it this way, wouldn't it be a fool to rebel for the sake of Zhao State regardless of his wealth and life?
So Wang Jian immediately nodded and agreed to the plan:
"That's what we'll do, it's just that it will take a few days to know the result of the tax reduction or exemption."
Shen Bing replied:
"It doesn't matter, we can spread the word first and say that we have requested tax reduction or exemption from Xianyang."
"As long as the arrangements are properly made, the people's hearts in the city can be stable for a while."
"As long as this farming period is over, the city's military strength will not be empty."
Wang Jian and Yang Duanhe nodded in agreement.
In addition, Wang Jian also played a trick, which was to make a lot of noise in the barracks to make people think that the Qin army had sufficient troops.
However, this does not seem to have much effect, because the barracks is located at a low place, and many surrounding people's houses can see the reality inside the barracks.
Of course, Shen Bing was responsible for the propaganda offensive, and Wang Jian and Yang Duanhe trusted Shen Bing.
Shen Bing did his duty, after all, his life and fortune were at stake and he couldn't be careless.
The first step is to go to the county lieutenant to obtain data on households in need.
This only requires Wang Jian to explain it and then send a few bookkeepers to copy a list.
Then there is the pulling of grain.
This is also simple, just a command.
What matters is the training of personnel...
A "propaganda campaign" cannot just be done by just sending a team of people to deliver some food and have a chat.
Wang Jian selected more than 500 people... It was not easy to select more than 500 people out of 5,000 who could speak.
Shen Bing conducted a half-day training for them.
This is still quite difficult, because most of these soldiers have titles, and they are usually looked down upon by ordinary people, so how can they be polite to the newly surrendered Zhao people.
Shen Bing raised the roster in his hand and shouted to them:
"Do you know who these are?"
"They are your family, your parents, wives and children."
"They are starving at home and waiting."
"And you are returning home in triumph carrying half a bag of grain."
"Do you know what to do?"
After saying this, everyone felt it and answered in unison: "I know!"
Then Shen Bing told them the content and key points of the brainwashing and asked them to remember it.
Let these people demonstrate in batches, including chopping firewood, carrying water, going to the roof to repair leaks, etc.
Shen Bing didn't let them out until he was satisfied.
This task is expensive but not expensive.
The reason is very simple. You only need to help one person in a practical and effective manner, and others will naturally notice.
The people are like this, and they will spread the word about it spontaneously.
But if you just walk around, deliver food, say a few words and then go to the next house, it will give people the feeling of putting on a show and the gain will outweigh the gain.
Therefore, Shen Bing strictly ordered each person to be responsible for only one household per afternoon.
Even if you have to stay, you should stay there for the whole afternoon and find something to do if you have nothing to do.
This method really worked wonders, and Shen Bing felt that the people walking on the street were much less nervous and alert that day.
However, Shen Bing's methods are not limited to these.