For Li Xia, there are two major things at this stage. One is to expand his power to Xuzhou and even the entire Tongchuan Prefecture Road; the other is to win or help the Song army win the battle in central Shu.
He has always been very nervous about military power and has always taken control of it with his own hands. He devotes less energy to governing people's livelihood. In this way, after power is delegated, the people employed will be very important.
Qing Fu Han Chengxu, Li Yong, Fang Yankai; Zhaotong has Yang Guo; Weining has Gao Changshou.
Now that he has extended his tentacles to Xuzhou, apart from his poor health, Han Qian's ability and loyalty are unquestionable. He is responsible for taking charge of the overall situation.
Li Zhaocheng was responsible for handling clerical affairs; Gao Nianfeng was responsible for leading troops to suppress; Jiang Fan was responsible for spying on intelligence and finding disloyal persons; and Yan Yunyun was responsible for taking over the property.
They all struggled a little at first, but until Jiang Chun cooperated, the pressure was reduced a lot.
"Jiang Chun is not as incompetent as he appears on the surface. This can be seen from the fact that when he was appointed as Qingfu, he entrusted everything to Fang Yankai, but he did not lose the dignity of an official..."
After talking about the current situation, Han Qi'an pointed in the direction of the government office and began to comment on Jiang Chun.
"A veteran in officialdom, he knows how to advance and retreat, understands propriety, can delegate power, and knows how to do practical things. Alang will definitely have some official positions that he will not be able to get in the future, and he can control the territory in the name of Jiang Chun."
"For example, Tongchuanfu Road?"
Han Qi'an couldn't help but smile knowingly when he heard this, and asked: "I guess Zhu Susun has made great contributions and will be promoted soon?"
The implication is obvious.
Jiang Chun will be promoted to Zhixuzhou first, and when Zhu Susun vacates his position next year, Jiang Chun will be promoted to the position of pacifier of Tongchuanfu Road.
Li Xia asked: "Can you bring him back to his heart?"
In fact, his visit to Jiang Chun this time, including killing Lu Yizhou in person, was considered an interview with Jiang Chun.
"Although Alang's official position is low, he has military power below, Ding Daquan and Jia Sidao support him." Han Qi'an added: "Looking at Jiang Chun, his biggest backer is Mou Zicai, the Minister of Rites, but Mou Zicai is not the same as Ding Daquan."
Deal with it, I will be dismissed from office immediately."
"Mr. Han, have you inquired clearly?"
"I went to have a chat with Jiang Cang and Jiang Di. I learned that Mrs. Jiang was very worried about Jiang Chun's career and complained all the time. Mouzi wrote an inscription last year, comparing Ding Daquan to Gao Lishi.
This made the officials very angry. Mou Zicai had already submitted his resignation several times the year before last."
Li Xia already knows these tricks very well. The so-called "Shangshu's resignation" is the process of dismissal from office.
To compare Ding Daquan to Gao Lishi is to compare today's official family to Emperor Ming of the Tang Dynasty.
It can be seen that the officials hated this metaphor and believed that Emperor Tang Ming was not worthy to be compared with him.
"In short," Han Qi'an added, "Jiang Chun needs a new backer."
"Mr. Yi Ning is still meticulous."
Controlling Jiang Chun seems very simple, just kill Wei Wenbo and Lu Yichun.
If we think a little deeper, we also need Li Xia's military exploits in the battle of Xulu.
But these are just things on the surface.
In political matters, the most fundamental thing is to weigh the pros and cons. If it weren't for Mou Zicai's inscription, Jiang Chun might not have easily cooperated.
The phrase "Jiang Chun needs a new backer" is Han Qi'an's ability. Only Gao Nianfeng and Jiang Fan can handle it. A hundred of them can't control Jiang Chun.
"I will send troops to Chengdu in about half a month. The strength will be about 8,000. Can Xuzhou City supply these military supplies?"
Han Qi'an took out the account books and calculated the accounts for Li Xia.
"There is a lot of money and food in Xuzhou City. The Xuzhou Army has a monthly fee of 170,000 guan, and Wei Wenbo's party members take 110,000 guan per month. This amount is equivalent to 987,536 guan; there are also other people in the city
Among the large gentry families, the Ma family has a total of 223,436 guan, and the Huang family has a total of 179,000..."
Li Xia's eyes had swept across the dozens of wealthy gentry households and landed directly on the total column.
The total number is very scary, more than six million.
But in the face of war, it is nothing.
Li Xia heard from Pu Zhezhi that the military expenditure of Sichuan and Shu last year was 40 million yuan.
After more than 20 years of resistance against Mongolia, the Song Dynasty's finances were on the verge of collapse... and they could no longer make ends meet.
Han Ting relied on his genius financial management skills to hold on, making promiscuous friends, buying people's food, etc.
Jia Sidao said before that he wanted to equalize the land, and his plan was not something he just said casually...
Han Qi'an was very careful every time he calculated the accounts. He talked about them one by one for a long time, and finally came to the balance.
"After deducting all kinds of expenses, there is also what the Transportation Department will turn over this year..."
"I won't pay it anymore." Li Xia said: "In the past two years, Xuzhou has been unable to pay taxes to the court. I have seen your arrangements and they are very good. But add a few more expenses. Rebuilding Hejiangmen Wharf and Fujiang Ferry will require Xuzhou to pay taxes."
The boat trip from Zhouzhou to Qingfu is more convenient; the official road from Xiufu River to Qingfu must be at least thirty feet wide to accommodate the rapid movement of troops, horses and baggage. The traffic from Xuzhou to Qingfu should be reachable in half a day."
Han Qian flipped the abacus, a look of embarrassment gradually appeared on his face.
But he still said: "It's hard to say how much it will cost. We can only calculate the approximate amount first... But don't worry, Alang, I will take care of this matter."
"I haven't finished talking yet." Li Xia said: "Build a bridge on the Minjiang River, rebuild the Xuzhou military camp on the camp on the east side of the Minjiang River, build walls and fire cannons, and rely on it as a corner place; we also need to recruit 2,000 troops and continue to train troops.
, I will transfer Bao San and Wu Ang over..."
It was not a temporary idea, he had already taken out a few pages of blueprints from his pocket and discussed his requirements with Han Qi'an in detail.
After a long time, Han Qi'an sighed and said, "Alang really plans to attack Chengdu?"
"It is imperative. Firstly, Niulin's new defeat cannot allow him to relax; secondly, he must recover Chengdu before Zhu Susun takes back power; thirdly, the longer we delay, the poorer we will become."
Li Xia only sighed when he talked about money.
"Relying on what we plant hoe after hoe, our income is always limited. At present, we have to kill chickens to lay eggs to get this little money and food. We must expand as quickly as possible."
"Then, first squeeze out 800,000 yuan for Alang to send troops."
"One million guan." Li Xia said: "First reward the soldiers and hold a celebration banquet. I promised them."
Han Qian nodded, knowing that this number could not be reduced.
With nearly 10,000 troops, after a battle, the reward ranges from five to thirty guans... The court has never been able to provide it, so it can only delay it again and again.
He glanced outside the house and sighed: "It's much harder to rebel than to be an official."
"Yes. The imperial court can delay, but we cannot delay if we want to win over the military's morale."
"Mr. Yang has set off to Zhaotong to build a city." Han Qi'an held out five fingers and said, "I can't afford this expense."
"Squeeze a little first, I'll think of a solution after I win Chengdu."
Han Qi'an nodded and said: "Yan Yunyun has two ways to increase income. One is wine research, specializing in wine; the other is interest lending, following Wang Anshi's green crop method, lending to the people, and taking interest of three cents every six months.
.But not in the name of the government, but in the name of a commercial firm."
"If it is done well, firstly, it can save more food, and secondly, it can protect the people from being exploited by loan sharks. But if it is not done well, the people will suffer."
"Try it in Xuzhou." Li Xia said: "All methods are good, the key lies in implementation."
"Yes, then let's bring a charter to Alang for review." Han Qi'an said: "One more thing, should the fields we won this time be divided according to the original charter?"
Li Xia pondered for a moment, shook his head, and said: "Put military merit first. When the fields are divided later, all soldiers who are loyal to us will be given priority."
"Alang, what do you mean?"
"I've been thinking recently about the restoration of Hanzhong and the Northern Expedition. It won't work without incentives..."
Although the two of them only talked about a few things, time passed quickly and it was late at night before they knew it.
After Han Qi'an left, Li Xia was about to take a rest, but Jiang Fan came to see him again.
"come in."
Jiang Fan clasped his fists and said: "Zhixian, I have sent Zhu Anping away, and the arrangements have been made very well. I will ensure that he goes down the Yangtze River and will not delay the important events of the county."
Li Xia worked carefully and repeatedly asked for details, then nodded and said, "You did a good job."
Jiang Fan scratched his head and smiled.
"What? Is there anything else?"
"Magistrate, I have some personal matters..."
Jiang Fan hesitated for a while and then said: "The villain has taken a liking to shopkeeper Yan. Can you please ask the county magistrate to make the decision..."
Li Xia was not surprised and asked: "You are in charge of espionage and assassinations; Yan Yunyun is in charge of business. There are many responsibilities that require coordination. For example, if she wants to expand her business, she may ask you to kill a few people from time to time. What if you guys
When we get married, one of us needs to be transferred. Which one?"
Jiang Fan had obviously thought about this a long time ago. He scratched his head and whispered: "Shopkeeper Yan is a woman... In the past, the county magistrate only used her when there was no one available. This is what the villain thought... Well, let's replace her with someone else."
Is that possible? I think Li Langjun is very smart and can take care of those things."
Li Xia smiled and asked, "Tell me the truth, do you really like her, or is it because she is Mr. Han's adopted daughter?"
Jiang Fan was stunned.
He lowered his head and did not answer immediately.
It's like I'm confused, but also like I don't dare to tell the truth.
"Villain... villain..."
"It doesn't matter." Li Xia said: "The Qingfu Army was newly established at that time. Among so many people, I chose you to do this because you are smart."
"Villains are not smart."
"That's because you haven't realized it yet. At that time, you asked me, 'Wu Tong rebelled?' This sentence clearly shows that you are smart and know how to take sides. If you were from a better background, your future might not be lost to Jiang Chun."
Jiang Fan said honestly: "I have indeed thought about it... Shopkeeper Yan is Mr. Han's adopted daughter. If I marry her, I will be regarded as Mr. Han's son-in-law... Wait until the county magistrate for you to marry the Han family...
Even a villain can be related to a county magistrate..."
"That's right."
"Speaking of which, among all the brothers, I am the only one who has this kind of ill-intentioned attitude... I also feel that I am too ill-intentioned and a bit bad."
Li Xia smiled and said, "You don't have to have such worries. This is your vision and your intelligence. When I use you, I use your mentality. Be more confident."
Perhaps because of his background, or perhaps because he had a broken hand, Jiang Fan regarded intelligence and cunning as the same thing, and was afraid of being criticized for being arrogant, so he sometimes shrank back.
He thought for a while and then said: "However, apart from the relationship with Mr. Han, I still have a crush on Shopkeeper Yan."
"What do you like about her?"
"She is so ruthless, and when she does things... even a villain doesn't know what to say."
"She has her own opinion and is not afraid of others."
"Yes, she has a good figure too."
Li Xia shook his head and said: "You don't like her, you want to be like her. You see, you know very well how to be my intelligence leader."
"The villain doesn't understand..."
"Yan Yunyun is not suitable for you, and you don't understand her. If you understood her, you wouldn't tell her to give up her job. What she lacks most is a sense of security, which she won't get if she marries you."
Jiang Fan didn't seem surprised.
He doesn't seem smart, but he knows a lot of things, but he's just not mature enough.
Li Xia added: "I plan to marry military officers of suitable age to refugee women. You can take the lead."
"Young man, please listen to the county magistrate's arrangements." Jiang Fan agreed honestly.
"Between you and me, it doesn't matter whether you are Mr. Han's son-in-law or not, or whether you are my relative. I trust you because of you, do you understand?"
Jiang Fan felt a lot more confident because of these words and nodded his head.
…
Li Xia didn't think it was a waste of time to enlighten Jiang Fan.
When the business was first established, there were not so many ready-made talents.
They all have to be cultivated by him. In the process, these people who started from humble beginnings will always have all kinds of troubles. He has to rely on them to do things, but he also has to help them solve their troubles and help them grow...