In late March, Chen Qing set out to inspect Hanzhong and Sichuan Road. He went to Sichuan Road first, and then inspected Hanzhong when he came back.
Three thousand cavalry escorted the mighty troops marching southward from Ziwu Valley. Behind the team were hundreds of carts, filled with tents and provisions.
Also traveling south with Chen Qing this time was Zhou Kuan, counselor of the Internal Affairs Hall. He was the Superintendent of the Department of Personnel, and many matters required the Department of Personnel's intervention. A dozen other civil servants also went south.
There were more than a dozen carriages in the team, and civil servants including Chen Qing were all sitting in the carriages. Chen Qing usually took a carriage when he went out for inspections, and he needed to handle official business on the road.
This time, it was not Yu Lian who accompanied Chen Qing on his inspection tour of Bashu, but Zhao Yingluo. Yu Lian was also unlucky. Half a month ago, she was confirmed to have a happy pulse and was pregnant again. Since she was pregnant, she
Unable to run around, Lu Xiu decided to let Zhao Yingluo accompany Chen Qingnan on his tour.
The carriage was very spacious, like a small room, but the carriage was slightly bumpy. Chen Qing sat by the window and reviewed the documents, while Zhao Yingluo sat opposite and processed the documents for him.
After Zhao Yingluo gave birth to a child, she became more mature, her skin became whiter and greasier, her appearance was as beautiful as the beauty of a country, and her body was slightly plumper. She was sitting on her knees in front of a small table, and her tall and straight figure looked uneven.
Very tempting.
But Chen Qing was not only satisfied with her in bed, but also with her talent and learning.
Zhao Yingluo is as smart and capable as Zhao Qiaoyun. They were born in the palace, received strict education since childhood, and have broad knowledge and a good understanding of the overall situation. That's why Zhao Qiaoyun became Chen Qing's most effective secretary for a time. Zhao Yingluo is no less than Zhao Qiaoyun, with a thick and thick look.
She helped process the stacked documents first and extracted the key contents.
"Husband, this document was submitted to Datong Prefecture Governor Zhe Yan. He said that nomadic tribes in the grasslands have been asking to join us, and several nomadic tribes have even entered the Hetao without our permission. Governor Zhe Yan said that this is a
It’s an ominous sign, please husband pay close attention to it.”
"Didn't he mention which tribe it was specifically? Mongol tribe or other tribes?"
"The ultimatum only says that they are sporadic small tribes."
Chen Qing pondered for a moment and said: "Write down my opinions on the marked paper first, just sixteen words: 'Exchange trade, have in-depth understanding, be highly vigilant, and wait and see for changes.' Just write it down!"
Zhao Yingluo took up a pen and wrote these sixteen words on the marking paper next to her. She could not comment directly on the ultimatum. Chen Qing asked with a smile: "Any suggestions?"
Zhao Yingluo pursed her lips and smiled, "I don't dare to talk nonsense about such a national matter!"
"It's okay to talk!"
Zhao Yingluo pursed her lips and smiled and said: "Since my husband said to be highly vigilant, the next step should be to be prepared for any danger. My suggestion is to increase the number of troops."
Chen Qing nodded, this was a normal suggestion. Zhao Yingluo saw that her husband was not very happy to agree to the additional troops, and asked a little strangely: "Is my suggestion inappropriate?"
"Your suggestion is correct, but increasing troops is not that simple."
Chen Qing explained to her: "At present, Datong Prefecture has 10,000 troops, and Zheyanzhi also has the smallest number of troops among all the governors. The reason is that I don't trust Zheyanzhi very much. I am worried that a new one will appear on Hebei Road."
separatist forces.
So I have been observing secretly in the past few years. Generally speaking, Zheyan's performance is pretty good and he is very cautious. His defense scope has not expanded southward, and is still limited to Datong Prefecture and Yingzhou. It is precisely between his three
Based on his performance during the year, I am ready to expand his strength to 30,000 men.
But just when I was about to order more troops, the Intelligence Department sent me a message. Zheyanzhi gave birth to a son last year, but he did not register it with the Military Department. This was against the rules and affected my understanding of Datong Prefecture.
Military deployment.”
Zhao Yingluo is a woman, and it is easier for her to consider issues from the perspective of a woman and a mother. She pondered for a moment and asked: "Zhe Yanzhi must be sixty years old! I've heard of him since I was a child."
"Almost sixty."
"Husband, all his sons and nephews died in the battlefield, and he finally had a son in old age. It is obvious that he loves his son. He may not want his son to leave his side, so he had to hide it from the Military Department. I believe that my husband originally trusted me.
He just let him lead the army to guard Datong Mansion, you shouldn't have doubts about him because of a child!"
Chen Qing nodded, "What you said makes sense. I will consider it. Maybe I will go to Datong Mansion in the second half of the year to talk to Zhe Yanzhi in person."
The team marched all the way south, traveling in the morning and overnight. Five days later, the team passed Jianmen Pass and entered Sichuan Road. It arrived in Jianzhou first, but the team did not stop. After walking for another two days, the team finally arrived in Chengdu.
Sichuan Luxingtai Shangshu Shi Lu Qingshan, military envoy Zheng Ping, prefect Zheng Ainong and other senior military and political officials came out of the city to welcome Chen Qing.
Chen Qing exchanged a few pleasantries with everyone, then entered the city and stayed at a VIP hotel. Chen Qing first met with Lu Qingshan, who held the title of counselor of the Internal Affairs Hall. In fact, he was stationed on Sichuan Road and served as the head of the state government and the Internal Affairs Hall of Sichuan.
a bridge between.
Lu Qingshan is worthy of being a Prime Minister of the imperial court. He has managed Sichuan Road in an orderly manner in recent years, and the counselors in the Internal Affairs Hall have praised him highly.
"The biggest problem on Sichuan Road now is that the taxes are a bit heavy, and there is quite a lot of resentment among the people. Especially when the news that Henan Road has been exempted from tax for ten years comes, many officials have opinions."
"Did Chang Shi explain to them? Why they need to be tax-free for ten years."
Chen Qing said calmly: "I believe Chang Shi should be very aware of the situation on Henan Road."
Lu Qingshan said quickly: "Of course I told them that the people on Henan Road have been devastated, and the hinterland of the former imperial capital has become riddled with holes. The ten years of tax exemption are for self-cultivation."
Chen Qing shook his head, "The actual situation is ten times more serious than what you said. There was a severe drought in the east of Henan Road three years ago, and there was also a locust plague. The autumn grain harvest in the five states was not harvested, but the taxes must not be reduced. Selling children is still a trivial matter.
, the most tragic thing in the world was the exchange of children for food, and the Puppet Qi collapsed because of this disaster."
"Beizhi understands what His Highness means. Beizhi doesn't want to compare with Henan Road. It's just that compared to other places, the taxes on Sichuan Road are indeed slightly higher. What Beizhi said is true."
Chen Qing understood that Lu Qingshan wanted to use his inspection opportunity to reduce taxes on Sichuan Road.
At this time, Zhou Kuan laughed and said: "I used to be stationed on Sichuan Road for a long time to purchase grain, and later I was in charge of finance and taxation for several years. Let me tell you a few words!"
Zhou Kuan said unhurriedly: "The taxes on Sichuan Road are mainly four yuan, salt and wine tax, field tax, household tax and commercial tax. There are no others. The field tax is mainly for grain. Twenty taxes are one, and they are collected every year.
The tax grain received can support our army of 100,000 people. The household tax is 2,400 cash per household per year, which is equivalent to 200 cash per month. The commercial tax is 5% of the value of goods. The salt tax is the bulk of this, accounting for
The tax rate is 70%, followed by commercial tax, then household tax, and finally field tax. If we want to reduce household tax and field tax, it is not impossible. We only need to make slight adjustments to salt tax and wine tax. For example, the price of salt will increase by five cents per kilogram.
, the total tax is still inconvenient, but the people feel that the tax has been reduced."
Chen Qing smiled at Lu Qingshan and said: "Lv Changshi will make a plan according to Counselor Zhou's opinion! As long as the political affairs hall can pass it, I have no objection."
At this time, Zhou Kuan said again: "Your Highness, there is actually a feasible plan!"
"What plan?"
Zhou Kuan smiled slightly and said: "We encourage various regions in Bashu to raise pigs, and then the army increases purchases. Farmers can increase their income through sideline businesses, and the pressure on land taxes is relieved. However, there is no need to reduce land taxes. If the household tax is reduced more, the effect will be just as good.
"
Lu Qingshan quickly explained: "Raising pigs is a good way, but there is not so much food to feed pigs."
"You can think of a way!"
Chen Qing smiled and said: "For example, what oil crops are you growing now?"
“Mainly growing sesame seeds!”
"You can plant soybeans instead. The soybean meal left after extracting oil from soybeans is the best pig feed. It can be mixed with rice bran and wheat bran as feed. You can also plant corn, which is also good for raising pigs. You can even plant a large number of ox tongues on both sides of the river valley.
Not only pigs like to eat vegetables, but also chickens, ducks and geese. Alfalfa and wild peas are grown in the north, and beef tongue vegetables are grown on Sichuan Road. They are planted all over the mountains and fields, so pig feed is not a problem."
Lu Qingshan nodded, "His Highness's suggestion is very inspiring. I will definitely brainstorm and find an effective way to promote it."
Chen Qing waved his hand, "Let's not talk about tax issues now. I would like to know how many officials from Jinghu South Road are here now?"