Chapter 1268 Chapter 1208 Since I Saw the Peach Blossom (4)
It has been dark for some time, and the lights of Fuzhou City are full of lights. The life at night gradually unfolded. Qinlou, Chu Pavilion, wine shops and teahouses were all lively times. People gathered in the topic areas everywhere, talking about many things including politics.
The road from the Imperial City to the Princess's Mansion was under martial law for a short time, but it was relaxed soon after. The royal guard of honor went to the Princess's Mansion, which was not a strange thing.
During the day, various meetings in the imperial court were held for nearly a whole day. Up to now, many arrangements decided by the core of power have gradually leaked and penetrated to the surroundings, and thus decided the night in Fuzhou City. Hot topics on many occasions.
No matter how you tell it, the biggest pain point for the imperial court in Fujian is still money and food.
"There is no money or food."
In the courtyard with warm yellow lanterns and huge banyan trees, Jun Wu looked at his sister on the couch opposite, looking at the folds and gently rubbing her forehead, and sighed. . He sat down on the stone bench, and Zhao Xiaosong brought him water from the well behind the princess's residence.
"...I have calculated all the grain and silver deposits in the household department, and I have emptied my personal money. Even the 'dowry' I got this time is included in it, and it is difficult to collect it. Qi’s expenses for sending troops this time. Sister, look, if I get married again, I won’t be able to see you. "
In the private environment, there was no one else. The emperor's words were self-deprecating and seemed to be malicious and cute. Zhou Pei put down the folder with the expense items in his hand and moved the corner of his mouth. My forehead hurt slightly from laughing. She turned her gaze to the side.
“The Ministry of War’s list is random and we can cross out some items, but once the troops are sent out, the situation will not be under our control. The big households in Jiangnan have been wiped out by the Fair Party. They will fight them out and only resettle refugees, Restoring people's livelihood requires several years of investment. Without reliable money, we cannot support the situation in Jiangnan. Moreover, are we really ready to fight against the Fair Party?"
"Xu Zhaonan, Shi Baofeng, and some other heroes are not difficult to fight. Yue Shuai and Han Shuai are sure of it, but He Wen is not that easy to deal with. According to the precedent in the southwest and the sayings from there, If he is allowed to complete the internal reforms this time, Jiangnan may be in trouble..." Jun Wu took a sip of water, "So I'm actually in a dilemma. Han Shizhong and some of the Zuo family's children have given some suggestions on the book. If possible, it would be a good thing for us to get rid of He Wen first. "
"You still want to recruit him?" Zhou Pei smiled.
"Of course I want to recruit him. He is not bad and is a real hero. I have also checked his experience over the years. Sister, if I experienced the same thing as him, I would not be like him. I'm afraid it's over a long time ago. After the Jiangning Conference last year, I sent envoys every month to try to impress him, but on the surface he was joking, but in fact he didn't do anything. Move... In the past few years, when I sent people over, he always had a straight face, but he may not have the idea of joining forces with me. Now he is laughing and joking. I know that after the Jiangning Conference, he became more determined. The influence is that everyone is equal."
"Humph." Zhou Pei rubbed his forehead and snorted.
Jun Wu sat there, looking tired. During the past day and night, Zhou Pei slept intermittently. Since last night, he had been convening staff, meeting with all parties, and discussing countermeasures. After the matter came to an end, he brought his troops to his sister's side. , if you want to talk about how long it takes, it is much longer.
It was slightly quiet for a while.
"Southwest... After defeating the Jurchens, the teacher wrote several articles, talking about... grassroots enlightenment and the importance of soldier reform. I have read it many times, so I fully accepted this king. The innovation to resist the foreigners...will be able to form formations and be obedient Soldiers are no longer very powerful. Only those who can line up and be obedient when they gather, and still know why they are fighting after they are separated, are truly powerful. If you want to have such soldiers, you must give them an explanation for this kind of innovation. The teacher did the most thorough job and really got him Those who have some ideas include Zou Xu from the Central Plains and the female prime minister from Jin. After a while, He Wen from the Fairness Party will probably be added to the list. Moreover, He Wen is probably the most thorough... As for us... ”
He held the cup of well water in his hand Transfer: "We... finally have some theories, but the food is out..."
Zhou Pei thought for a moment: "Didn't you say before that Zuo Xiuquan went to find Gao Chang?"
"Huh. Another group of people have been sent..." Jun Wu also sneered.
This is a move that the imperial court has made before. It is estimated that Lin'an City may be defeated. It is hoped that Gao Chang can enter the city in advance to control the situation and give the imperial court a respect. Who knows that the other side did not come out ahead in the news? .
“The reason will be investigated later... But as of now, he is a warlord. Either he is really weak, or... he is just acting in a shady manner and does not work hard... After all, although Zuo Gong last year We reluctantly convinced him, but our strength is really not enough. It is human nature for others to look down upon us..."
"We cannot go all out at this time. Help us?”
“How can he see how scary He Wen is!” Jun Wu lowered his eyes, “What’s more, he is a member of the Fair Party and can’t be beaten, so he can turn to He Wen. ...But He Wen won't want him, you soldier ruffian."
"Isn't there a group of people who took advantage of it and said they would kill some rich people with evil intentions..."
"We can't kill any more. If we continue to kill, we will have to go into the mountains." Jun Wu said, "Fujian is such a complicated place. When we came here three years ago, everyone was happy and happy. We took money and food for a year, and then started killing people. , it seems that the control over some places is strong, but sister, you know best, the money and food collected , does not increase but decreases... In the final analysis, if we want to collect money and taxes, we must rely on their cooperation... If we really force everyone into the mountains, our own officials will not be enough, Han Shizhong It’s no longer easy to barely control two avenues now.”
Zhou Pei raised his eyes calmly. Eyes: "If you really can't continue, just do it. Even if you drink poison to quench your thirst, you have to survive this year. Maybe by autumn, the fleet will be back."
Jun Wu opened his mouth: "... …When the time comes, I will follow up with people in the mountains and say, come out and make a fortune together?”
“There will always be a chance. People come out, and the rest can be suppressed slowly. As long as there is money, the suppression can be completed in ten years."
Zhou Pei's voice slowly echoed in the yard, and she looked at it. Sitting in a deserted place, it seemed that he was also chewing on this almost self-destructive will. After a moment of silence, he spoke again.
"Jun Wu, this is the path you have to choose. Originally, we also have roots. The roots of the royal family and the roots of the Wu Dynasty are your deepest and most reliable roots. In Fujian, if you follow the old practice, even if you don't have enough money and food, Nowadays, when we go out to fight, there are always powerful Jiangnan big families and even warlords who will come to surrender, and people's hearts will quickly gather together. With the cooperation of these people, even if you don't have money or food for disaster relief, you can quickly conquer them. Jiangnan, return to Lin'an. But you don't want this road anymore, so we have to go this way."
"Sister, don't you believe what the teacher said?"
"Me. ..." Zhou Pei lay there, her eyes turning in the darkness. After a moment, the corners of her eyes twitched slightly. She gritted her teeth and threw the cup at hand. For some reason, tears flowed from the corners of her eyes.
"Sister..."
"I believe it! Why don't I believe it?" Zhou Pei said suddenly, "He is our teacher. I have told you many times, don't say it He is a teacher, and you still want to say... He is our teacher, so powerful! He fought in Xiaocang River for three years, and the blood flowed like a river, and the Jurchens were afraid of him. Only after the battle did you know that. How awesome is he in the southwest? He actually defeated Wanyan Zonghan and killed his son in front of Wanyan Zonghan! He is called a demon outside! He is so powerful, but he is our enemy now - you are so stupid. Xin, aren't you afraid? What if there is something in the statements he sent over?
Amidst the sudden tears, Zhou Pei's words suddenly became intense. Her expression was complicated, including sadness, pain, excitement, and vulnerability... Junwu put down the cup, walked over, and gently gave her a cup of tea behind the recliner. She massaged her forehead, and Zhou Pei closed his eyes hard. After a while, he raised his hand to touch the back of his brother's hand.
"Actually, I think the teacher may not have those bad intentions..." Jun Wu said softly.
There was another moment of silence with eyes closed. Zhou Pei's words were hoarse.
“I want to believe it too...but over the years...we have seen so many things...so many people...we...haven’t seen him for many years...Junwu... ..."
"But he defeated the Jurchens," Jun Wu said, "If he were not alone. How could such a different hero be able to defeat the Jurchens... If you can do extraordinary things, you must be an extraordinary person. Sister, look at General Yue, how rigorous he is in running the army, and what a decent person he is... You Look, my brother, after being the emperor for so many years, I have learned a lot about people.”
"What about Han Shizhong..." Zhou Pei smiled.
"Han Shuai...a man who is upright and upright, even if he is not stingy, he is very different, isn't he...So this is my opinion, teacher, he is different from others... ..."
"You are worthy of being an emperor... ..." Zhou Pei smiled, hesitated a little, and then said, "...It's getting better."
"Sister, if you don't worry about the teacher, your headache will be 70% better."
Jun Wu let her go, walked to the side and sat down, and the two siblings put their hands together.
After calming down, Zhou Peicai said: "I don't support the so-called constitutional monarchy and monarchy. No one has ever done this. Confucianism educates all people, but in the final analysis, many people cannot be taught well... When the teacher handed those things to us It was also made very clear that this was an experiment and an adventure, but you did it wholeheartedly..."
Jun Wu just smiled.
Zhou Pei held his hand: "But in the final analysis, Junwu, you are the emperor, you are the lord, you have made your own firm decision, and I, as your sister, can only check for you. Fill in the gaps and do some tinkering work. Since you already want to get things to this level, my sister can only help you do it thoroughly... If there is really no way to send troops, then just do everything you can to clean up. big I will lead the clan, I will make the list, I will clean it up."
"..."
Feeling the power coming from the eldest sister's hand, Jun Wu was slightly silent, and then raised his head. : "It hasn't reached this level yet. There has been a draft for sending troops. From top to bottom, the court has begun to cut back on food and clothing. The palace's expenditure has been reduced to 30% of the previous..."
"Thirty percent?"
Jun Wu nodded: "The imperial court, all expenditures, mobilized everyone to share the difficult times, and reduced them to the previous 70% as much as possible. The salaries of upper and lower officials were halved. Mr. Li will Cooperate with the students of the Armed Forces Academy to mobilize public opinion. Those who have studied for more than half a year will go to the front line and cooperate with the soldiers from the Wei Army to properly resettle the refugees who went south. These students, the soldiers, and the refugees... will be required to share food and accommodation with everyone, and then we will tell everyone about our army. , report to the emperor, save the people...now save the people , is the next core of respecting the king and fighting the barbarians."
Zhou Pei opened his mouth: "Is this... the Zuo family's idea?"
"It's not easy to do, but. Zuo Wenxuan said that this is what they did during the most difficult times in Southwest China. Yes, teacher... they eat the same thing as the soldiers, only one meal a day... I will do the same next time."
"..." Zhou Pei thought for a while, "It's really cool. They will get the salary of officials from other places..."
"The killing will be presided over by Mr. Cheng, with the Zuo family and the backbone of the Military Academy as the law enforcement team. They will investigate and kill every day and publicize it..."
Hearing this, Zhou Pei narrowed his eyes: "The following ones ...Who suggested it to you?”
“I understand what you mean.” Jun Wu smiled, “Zuo Wenxuan made the first suggestion and didn’t dare to say the second one. I thought about it myself."
Zhou Pei then relaxed: "In other words, you chose not to kill the rich people first, but to break up with the officials in the court? Jun Wu, these are your subordinates... …”
“If there are no strict punishments in the rear, if the soldiers are at the front and the officials are at the back, the whole thing will not be done well...”
"This matter is inherently difficult. You want the officials in the court to be as honest as water, but you also have to break up with some people and separate from each other... Although you have already made preparations, you have to think about this sequence..."< br>
"...Hmm." Jun Wu nodded, "Actually, Mr. Cheng also mentioned this, and I was also pouring it. "
"But that's okay." Zhou Pei sighed, "In this case, there are at least two ways..."
Due to the particular location of the courtyard, it is difficult to see it at night. There was a bit of coolness at the time. The sister and brother talked about intense things, and finally sat quietly at this time. While chatting about some gossip, Jun Wu talked about what he saw in a corner of the imperial city last night. An assassin came to the Taoist Princess Mansion. What exactly happened.
Zhou Pei just shook his head. It should be Cheng Zhouhai and Zuo Wenxuan's fault. Those two people were very busy outside today. After waking up, he was also busy gathering money and food for a while. So far, Not in the mood to care yet.
"Should we ask Zhao Xiaosong to come over and ask?" Zhou Pei said.
"Farewell." Jun Wu shook his head, "We, brother and sister, should stay for a while. If an assassin comes, I will protect you."
Zhou Peixiao: "What are you doing? Martial arts..."
"Don't underestimate me, I have been on the battlefield...and you don't want to, sister. Think about whose disciples we are. Many people in the world say that the teacher is a martial arts master and the best in the world... Alas, it's a pity that the teacher didn't teach me his Tianyin in a serious way. He only said a few words. A word about exercising..."
"That's a lie."
"Teacher hid it so well back then..." Jun Wu didn't listen and said for a moment, "Sister, you have been angry when talking about teacher these years, but when I talk about teacher, I always feel happy. ...What do you think of him? Why are you angry?"
"..."
"Then I became the emperor. I have experienced many things and met many people, and I have gained some experience." Jun Wu held her hand and spread her palm, "Sister, do you feel aggrieved when you think of your teacher? "
The palm moved slightly, but finally stopped. Zhou Pei looked at Jun Wu, and Jun Wu also looked at her gently. He was imagining the story that happened between his sister and the teacher on that trip to Beijing, and her eyes were a little blank. In the distance of the memory, there is a girl's longing for perfection, and the gentle farewell etiquette of a lady...
In this small moment of looking at each other, in the courtyard not far from here, someone shouted. A commotion suddenly occurred.