On the fifth day of October in the twenty-fifth year of Tai'an, the autumn wind was bleak and there were fewer pedestrians on the streets of Yuanyang.
At this moment, in the main hall of Jinshen Palace, Zhao Yanxun and several major ministers of the palace were discussing the next major affairs.
Sitting on the dragon chair, Zhao Yanxun listened to the discussions of several ministers, but his mind was not on it. At this moment, he thought of the capital.
Liu De left Yuanyang in May, but half a year has passed and no one has brought back news from the capital.
This made him almost sure that something had happened in the capital.
He had heard Liu De say before that the emperor's father was not in good health and might not survive this year.
If the death of the emperor's father caused chaos in the capital, it would explain why Liu De did not come to summons.
It is very possible that both Cheap Mom and Liu De are under control!
If it weren't for the fact that the team sent to the capital was safe and sound from the system, Zhao Yanxun would have thought that something unexpected had happened to Concubine Duan.
These people were ordered to protect Concubine Duan, and now they are all alive and well, which also proves that Concubine Duan's life is not in danger.
It seems that we need to send another team of people to the capital to inquire about the situation... Zhao Yanxun thought to himself.
Just as he was thinking about this, Zhou Chengping, who was standing in the palace, said: "Your Highness, although we have sufficient people now, we still have more troubles to solve, so we should use them with caution!"
"I think that the digging of ditches can be slowed down and more people should be sent into the mountains to cut firewood. Otherwise, surviving the winter this year will be a big problem!"
This is really not an alarmist statement by Zhou Chengping. Heavy snowfall occurs in Yuanyang in winter, and fires are needed for cooking and heating, which consumes a lot of firewood.
Last year, people froze to death in Yuanyang City, and officials were punished for this.
But then Cheng Wenguang said: "Your Highness, digging ditches is to prepare for next spring plowing. This is related to future food supply. This matter cannot be slowed down!"
"Although winter is cold, I can get through it if I endure it, but if there is not enough food... I don't know how to get through it!"
Although he and Zhou Chengping have never gotten along, what Cheng Wenguang said is very reasonable.
Almost all the territory that entered Longyou was liberated, but the work of the various military stations to rescue the people has not stopped, and the population under Zhao Yanxun has been increasing.
Although population means productivity, it also produces huge consumption, which will pose a challenge to the palace's food supply.
The most critical issue is that the development of the palace will not stop here, and will continue to expand in the future. By then, more people will want to eat.
Therefore, in Cheng Wenguang's view, Longyou, which has now been recovered, must become a grain producing area as soon as possible in order to support the next development of the palace.
For this reason, it is better for ten hundred people to freeze to death than tens of thousands to starve to death in the future.
From a mathematical point of view, this choice is very simple, but it is not a cold number.
After sighing, Zhao Yanxun said slowly: "The ditch must be dug and the land must be reclaimed, but firewood must also be stored. This matter must be managed properly!"
It was as if he had never said this, and he continued: "It's still early to leave spring, but severe winter is coming, so let's prepare more firewood everywhere!"
With these words, the use of human resources will change, and Zhou Chengping wins the game.
Looking at Cheng Wenguang, Zhao Yanxun said with a smile on his face: "Cheng Qing, you attach so much importance to farming and water conservancy, I am very pleased... I will leave the government affairs to you, I am very happy!"
There are two chief historians in the palace, Zhou Chengping is in charge of etiquette supervision, and Cheng Wenguang is in charge of specific government affairs.
Encouraged by Zhao Yanxun, Cheng Wenguang bowed in salute and said: "Your Highness has great trust, and I am so grateful that I shed tears of gratitude!"
After nodding slightly, Zhao Yanxun sat upright, glanced at the ministers below and said: "There is another important matter that I have never thought about. You all should come and share your opinions!"
"Please give me your instructions, Your Highness!"
After straightening his sleeves embroidered with Chinese insects, Zhao Yanxun said: "Now that Longyou has been restored, the neighboring counties of Beidi, Hexi, Guangyang and other counties are still in the midst of monster infestations, and the people are suffering unspeakably!"
Although the people were miserable, there were still some who were tenacious and found a way out in desperate situations, waiting for Zhao Yanxun's rescue.
In fact, when Zhao Yanxun said this, the ministers present guessed his purpose.
To put it simply, it is the direction in which the palace's army should attack next.
Now that Longyou has been restored, the elite soldiers of the royal palace have been assisting the young men in transporting food, or clearing out zombies in various mansions to reduce the density of zombies.
The food will eventually be shipped out, and the elimination of zombies can only kill a majority. If you want to kill all the zombies in Longyou, you may not be able to do it in one or two years.
Therefore, in order to improve development efficiency, external expansion is inevitable.
"Where do you think the royal family should send troops first to relieve the people's life and death emergency?"
The officials standing in the hall today include the chief minister of history and the chief officer of the Privy Council, as well as officials from various departments below.
Most of these people are from the mainland, so naturally they want to return as soon as possible and maybe see their families.
So when Zhao Yanxun asked this question, most people in the hall came to a unified answer.
Seeing that everyone was silent, Zhao Yanxun said calmly: "Let's talk about it... what should we do next!"
How to develop in the future is a very important issue, and no one present spoke lightly.
After Zhao Yanxun urged him, Privy Councilor Guan Hetai took a step forward.
"Your Highness, I think that our royal army should march towards Hanoi County for two reasons..."
Guan Hetai not only expressed his stance, but also put forward two reasons, which made everyone present prick up their ears.
"Please tell me something, sir!"
"Your Highness, there are many people in the pass. If you go to the pass, you can save more people. This is one of them!"
"The imperial court is also in the pass and is being attacked by monsters. The situation is overwhelming. No matter whether you are a minister or a son, you should protect the king and father. This is the second priority!"
In both respects, the reasons are very sufficient, and none of the officials present could refute it.
In fact, Zhao Yanxun also had the idea of going east to enter the pass. After all, he needed more people to upgrade more soldiers.
"You all should tell me too!"
After Zhao Yanxun finished speaking, officials spoke one after another, all expressing support for Guan Hetai's opinion.
Standing up from the dragon chair, Zhao Yanxun walked down the steps and said, "But in Beidi County, we have to guard against the nearly 100,000 soldiers and horses of the imperial court!"
"yes!"
Arriving in front of the two Privy Council envoys, Zhao Yanxun stopped and asked, "How to prepare? Does the Privy Council have any suggestions?"
Regarding the situation in Beidi County, all information obtained was reported to the Privy Council and the Chief Secretary so that they could formulate policies.
So when Zhao Yanxun asked, he heard Chen Anming say: "Your Highness, just rely on Tianjin Guard and Gu Meng Guard for surveillance!"
"If they want to attack, they must first assemble the army and deal with the monsters on the march. It takes no time and effort to hide it from us... Our army can calmly deploy troops to deal with it!"
"Besides, there is a big river between Longyou and the north, which is a natural danger. If these armies want to attack us, they must first cross the river!"
Listening to Chen Anming's speech, Zhao Yanxun walked to the door of the hall.
When Chen Anming finished speaking, Zhao Yanxun said: "What Chen Qing said makes sense!"
