Of course, Du Wei would not lead these four thousand recruited rebels to the territory slowly with his convoy. After all, this matter was somewhat disgraceful. Of course, Du Wei did not expect to hide this matter from anyone.
Especially the regent of the imperial capital. Du Wei believed that Prince Chen knew all his actions. However, if he wanted to gain a foothold in the northwest, a land of tigers and wolves, he had to seize all the capital to gain a foothold. The rebellion of four thousand people
Jun, say more or less, is within the tolerance range of Prince Chen: His Highness demoted the entire Luo Lin family and dispersed them, and he saw a large number of "sinners" of the Luo Lin family.
If it doesn't work, we can't let Du Wei go to the northwest empty-handed as a duke, right?
I believe Prince Chen still has the foresight to do extraordinary things in extraordinary times.
But this is not something that can be put on the table after all. Du Wei used bribery to stop these 4,000 people. If he took these 4,000 people all the way to the northwest in a big way, it would be too disrespectful to the regent.
As long as everyone is tacit about this kind of thing.
Knight Robert led two hundred forest troops and led four thousand rebels to march quickly. Instead of taking the main road, he turned to the small road and headed to the territory first. Don't worry about the supplies along the way. There is Du Wei's official document and the local defenses along the way.
The government will provide food.
As for Du Wei, he has to move forward slowly. Before arriving at the territory, Du Wei is going to make a general inspection of the situation in the entire northwest. Hearing about many things is one thing, but experiencing it in person and seeing it with your own eyes is
That's another story.
Mulan City, the capital of Nulin Province, cannot be considered a big city if placed in the prosperous central or southern part of the mainland. With a population of more than 100,000, it can only be regarded as second-rate at best. But in the northwest, Nulin City is already a large city.
It is the most prosperous place in the province.
This is the last big city that can be passed through on the trade routes in the northwest region. Caravans coming from the south and caravans returning from the northwest will meet here. All kinds of rare goods trafficked from the southeast of the mainland, as well as those crossing the desert
Cattle and sheep or fur traders who trafficked from the northwest grasslands would also stop here.
The carriage had just approached the outskirts of Mulan City, and Du Wei had already opened the window and was enjoying the scenery outside the window.
In the northwest, due to geographical reasons, there is a windy season of one or two months every year. Although the Kilimaro Mountains are a natural barrier that blocks most of the strong winds, the windy season will still occur every year.
A lot of sand and dust rolled up in the desert on the other side of the mountain.
The wind is strong and the sand is strong. This is a characteristic of the northwest. Therefore, the buildings here are not too high. There is absolutely no space for buildings like the grand mansions in the imperial capital or towers that are often more than ten meters high.
The tallest building in the entire Mulan City is the city wall of Mulan City. The twelve-meter-high city wall completely complies with the imperial military system.
And because they are generally low-rise buildings, this city with a population of only more than 100,000 people covers a large area.
Because Knight Robert had already sneaked with four thousand rebels in light armor. The person responsible for leading the cavalry to clear the way was replaced by the leader of the 500 Royal Guardsmen who was responsible for escorting Du Wei to the northwest this time, although he was only a junior officer of the 500 cavalry.
, but the identity of the Royal Forest Army is naturally different.
To the south of Mulan City is the largest market here. It was originally a town outside the city, but it has evolved into the largest trading place for business groups traveling from north to south. When Du Wei's motorcade passed by here, he immediately felt
The atmosphere here is noisy.
When passing by on the road, Du Wei looked at the market not far away. There were crowds of people, shoulder to shoulder, those northwest foreigners with flat noses and curly hair wearing cattle and sheepskin clothes, as well as businessmen from all over the empire, riding horses and driving their herds.
Yes, there are also those shops with all kinds of leather goods... they are noisy and noisy.
But Du Wei set his sights on the money bags of these businessmen.
"Sir, this is the largest trading place in the northwest. Although Mulan City has a small population, its annual commercial tax revenue is extremely objective. The land in the northwest is barren and not good at producing food. Especially this Mulan City, as Nulin Province
In the capital city, the annual commercial tax revenue is five times more than the agricultural tax!"
The person who said this was a handsome young man sitting next to Du Wei in the carriage. This man's name was Philip, and he was the best of the eighty disciples recommended to Du Wei by the Blue Ocean Scholar. He was twenty-eight years old.
But he has a handsome appearance and looks like a young man. His surname "Philip" should be an ancient noble surname on the Roland continent. This surname was also a famous name on the continent before the Roland Empire was established a thousand years ago.
The family, however, declined during the continental unification war. Today, the once-prominent Philip family has long ceased to exist.
This Philip was born a commoner, a child of a commoner family in the south of the imperial capital. Among the eighty disciples recommended by Blue Ocean Scholars, after a few brief contacts, this person immediately gained Du Wei's attention. He is studious, steady, and rigorous.
And he is not lacking in quick wit. He is a candidate for staff with considerable potential.
What makes Du Wei even more valuable is that when he was young, this Philip once came to the northwest with a business group. When he was young, this Philip was extremely fascinated by studying the customs and customs of various parts of the mainland. With the encouragement of Blue Ocean scholars, Blue Ocean
His disciples were extremely disgusted with empty talk and were keen on practical work. When he was young, Philip joined a business group and served as an accounting apprentice, traveling around the northwest.
Originally, Du Wei did not expect that the situation in the northwest had deteriorated to this extent, but when he came out of Sin City that day, he felt inexplicably ridiculous about the so-called temporary order from twenty years ago!
The war has ended twenty years ago, and the wartime theater regulations have not been abolished? Let the army of a region control the financial power of the entire region? It has even replaced the material distribution power of the central empire. It can also interfere with local areas at will.
Government executive power?
This is simply ridiculous!
Doesn't this make him an outright warlord? No wonder the empire has never interfered with the situation in the northwest. In fact, it is unable to interfere at all! The old emperor Augustine VI's stupidity and great success made him have no control over the situation after "winning" the Northwest War.
If any effective measures were taken to resolve the post-war ground issues in Northwest China, he could instead focus his energy on Nanyang where he could continue to show off his might!
And the Northwest Army has almost become the local emperor of the northwest region! Such a military group controls the northwest region. It can be self-sufficient in terms of financial revenue, and it has become less and less constrained by the central empire, and it is even extremely xenophobic!
Not to mention anything else, let’s just talk about what Old Raymond told Du Wei last time, that there were two lords in the northwest region who were driven out by the Northwest Legion, and one of them even lost his life... How arrogant is this?!
With all the military and political power in hand, who does the Northwest Army have to fear?!
After learning about these things, Du Wei immediately found Philip, a disciple of Lan Hai who was familiar with the northwest. Along the way, Philip stayed in Du Wei's carriage and introduced to Du Wei what he knew about the situation in the northwest. The more Du Wei became
When I heard what happened next, I became even more frightened! I couldn't help but regret that I didn't have a good talk with this Philip earlier.
"The governor's palace of Nulin Province is located in Mulan City. The current governor is Bohan, a baronet and a northerner. This guy also has some background. He once served as the financial chief of a province in the south, and later relied on
His political performance has improved, and when he was in the imperial capital, he once worked in the Finance Bureau. I have no doubt that this guy has some abilities. Moreover, the central government of the empire put him in the northwest, which also shows that the central government of the empire has great influence on the northwest army in the northwest.
The control has aroused some alarm, and Baron Bonham was sent here to restore the authority of the central government. He has done quite well in the past few years. But the northwest is not the south after all. He is a good hand in financial management. He also handles government affairs.
Yes, but the military aspect is a bit inferior. Therefore, when facing the Northwest Army, he has been unable to harden his back. The Northwest Army stubbornly resists the so-called wartime doctrine of twenty years ago and refuses to let go.
According to that order, the Northwest Army has the power to interfere with local finances throughout the northwest. Every year, a portion of local fiscal revenue must be set aside and not handed over to the Imperial Finance Office. Instead, it is given directly to the Northwest Army to be used as military supplies in the war zone.
Financial self-sufficiency is only one of them, but another helpless situation is: according to the temporary regulations, in the war zone, the headquarters of the Northwest Army has the power to temporarily appoint some officers to serve as commanders of the war zone according to the needs of the war.
Control local governments! This is the so-called 'military government'. As a result, even some local governments have been emptied out by the Northwest Army."
Du Wei frowned: "So, in the northwest region, no one can control the warlords like the Northwest Army?"
"There are still some." Philip thought for a while. He worded his words very carefully. After all, with his current status, he is still just a civilian. When talking about these powerful bosses, he did not dare to be too sharp: "I
When I came to the northwest a few years ago, I felt that the situation in the northwest had become extremely corrupt. At that time, I even...well, I privately felt that if the central government of the empire did not do something, I am afraid that in less than five years, the northwest would be completely destroyed.
It will become a country within a country. Here, the administrative documents of the empire are far less authoritative than the military orders of the Northwest Army. This is a very scary thing, but in the past few years, what makes me curious is that the situation in the Northwest has actually changed
It has become calmer, and I have to say that this is due to the Governor of Nulin Province, Baron Bonham."
"Oh?" Du Wei paid attention secretly and asked: "Tell me about Baron Bohan."
"To be fair, sir, I really admire him." Philip, a handsome young man, did not hide his admiration on his face: "I even think that this Baron Bonham is the best in the empire in the past twenty years.
What a talent! When he came to the northwest, the situation here was far worse than it is now!"
As he said that, Philip suddenly took out a thin booklet from a leather bag that he had written with him, smiled and said: "When the teacher asked us to follow you, I was already at home, writing about all the things I have learned over the years.
Some of my views and understanding of the situation in the northwest are written on it, and many of them are Lord Bohan's decrees that I recorded. If you study them carefully, you will find them very interesting."
Although the Northwest Army dominates the northwest, they still have one biggest weakness!
food!
The northwest is not a grain-producing area. The grain output here is very low. Every year, the two northwest provinces have to rely on purchasing grain from other provinces on the mainland to meet local needs. And they have to feed an army of nearly 200,000 people.
, the food needed cannot be satisfied by the northwest region itself.
Therefore, every year's military rations must be purchased from the south of the empire... Food has become an important means for the empire's central government to restrain the northwest army.
And Baron Bohan also grasped this!
There was a big weakness in the temporary doctrine of that year, which was caught by the keen Baron Bohan. That is, the doctrine stipulated that the Northwest Army could intercept the fiscal revenue of the northwest local government to supplement military resources, but... it was limited to
agricultural income!
"This ordinance has strong contemporary characteristics. It was produced in the era when the alien tribes in the northwest were in constant rebellion. Where are the commercial taxes here? Not many businessmen are willing to risk their lives to do business in the northwest, even though the cattle, sheep, and horses of the alien tribes in the northwest are all
It was a hot commodity. At that time, the northwest was poorer than it is now. Most of the annual fiscal revenue was agricultural taxes, and the wartime regulations were also derived on this basis. In other words... after the regulations were promulgated, local governments
The Northwest Army cannot interfere with the new taxes the government gets from other aspects! This is a very critical issue."
As he spoke, Philip opened his book, turned to one of the pages, and said with a smile: "Sir, please see, these are my statistics. According to the official statistics of income from the Imperial Finance Department, oh, these data are all obtained by me from the official
The data released every year are copied down. Although the official figures have always been watery, they also have a certain reference value."
"Before Baron Bonham took office, the annual fiscal revenue of Nulin Province was 3.8 million gold coins, of which agricultural taxes accounted for 2.4 million gold coins. This is a very large proportion. But look at the back
Yes, after Baron Bonham took office, in the next three years, the agricultural tax in Nulin Province began to decrease. In the first year, it dropped to 2.2 million, in the second year it was 1.8 million. In the third year
. suddenly dropped to 1.2 million! Only half of the original amount! What does this mean..."
Du Wei's eyes flashed: "Baron Bonhan wants to 'starve' these Northwest troops to death."
Philip smiled: "My lord, the term 'starved to death' is very accurate. In fact, after Baron Bonham took office, the food production in the entire Nulin Province began to decrease! He passed a series of administrative orders... These orders
Very Ming, as an excellent administrative official, he is much better at this than the military guys. The military guys were deceived by him at the beginning and didn't take it to heart. As a result, when the decree took effect
, the grain production in the northwest region has been reduced a lot! And grain is the biggest weapon to restrain the northwest army. The northwest army has to rely on external purchases of grain to survive every year! And as the output of grain decreases, the northwest army relies on the central government
, the stronger! This is a weakening method, although it is somewhat... but it is very effective."
"Of course, if you blindly reduce grain production and neglect agricultural work, the Northwest Army will be weakened, but the life of civilians in the Northwest will become more and more difficult. In this regard, Baron Bohan has done a good job. He vigorously developed business,
Commercial tax revenue is rising every year, and the fiscal revenue of Nulin Province is now higher than before Baron Bonham took office."
"Of course, the Northwest Army does not have its own methods. At least in terms of military strength, they have been firmly suppressing Baron Bohan. The local garrison in the northwest region belongs to Governor Bohan in terms of command power, but in
In terms of material supply...according to wartime regulations, they are allocated by the Northwest Army. Therefore, the equipment of the local garrison in the entire northwest region is very backward, and supplies are often delayed. The combat effectiveness of the local garrison is low, and there is nothing Baron Bohan can do about it.
.Although he has money in his hands, he cannot spend his own money to replenish the army, because that is against imperial laws! The Northwest Army is very smart in this regard and has been keeping a close eye on Baron Bonham. If he dares to act rashly,
I will accuse him of interfering in military affairs. However, I have reason to suspect that Governor Bohan has also done some tricks secretly. At least as far as I know, the local garrison in Mulan City is well equipped and has daily training.
Very formal.”
"In general, the current situation in the northwest is that Governor Bohan is supporting the overall situation by himself and confronting the Northwest Army. Governor Bohan is suppressing the Northwest Army in terms of food, while the Northwest Army is suppressing it in terms of military strength.
Governor Bohan. The two sides have been at odds for several years. At present, it seems that, generally speaking, the Northwest Army has the upper hand. But the biggest trump card in the hands of the Northwest Army is the wartime doctrine from twenty years ago."
At the end of the sentence, Philip couldn't help but complain: "Sir, this doctrine is the biggest support of the Northwest Army. It has to be said that a wartime doctrine from 20 years ago is still in use today, which is extremely ridiculous.
"
"But the Empire Central Committee has been unable to cancel this order, right?" Du Wei sighed.
"Yes." Philip nodded, and he turned to another page: "Look, this is the record I made. The Northwest Army's annual spring drills are very strict. It has to be said that it is an act of showing off force. I want to see it.
Come, the empire wants to eradicate the evil in the northwest. Baron Bohan’s weakening policy will hardly accomplish this task, because even if it is weakened further, the military power will still be in the hands of others, and there is nothing he can do. Unless..."
At this point, Philip did not dare to continue talking.
Du Wei didn't shy away from it and said calmly: "Unless the central government of the empire has the courage... to start a civil war!"
Philip shuddered and looked at the young Duke in front of him. This young aristocrat still had the childishness unique to young people in his appearance, but the cold light in his eyes and the sneer at the corner of his mouth, where was there any trace of childishness?
"Sir, my lord..." Philip forced a smile: "You can't say this casually."
"Humph." Du Wei smiled and shook his head: "That's all I can say. With the current national strength of the empire, can it support a civil war?"
Phillip's eyes dimmed, he knew very well that Du Wei was telling the truth!
If you want to completely eradicate the chaos in the northwest, you can only rely on weakening and restraint without thunderous means to barely maintain a balance. If you want to eradicate it, you must be willing to pay a certain painful price!
But this price... can the empire afford it now?
Thinking of this, Philip couldn't help but glance at the Duke. Frankly speaking, when the teacher recommended people like him to the Tulip Duke, Philip was still a little skeptical. After all, although the Duke was famous,
He is very old, but his age is really hard to convince people. How can a boy who is less than fifteen years old go to a land of tigers and wolves like the northwest and not be swallowed up by those warlords to the point of leaving nothing behind?
So what if he is a powerful magician! In this kind of thing, individual strength cannot influence everything!
But as he had in-depth conversations with Du Wei in the past few days, Philip felt more and more extraordinary about this Duke. He quietly obtained a complete infantry regiment of the former Imperial Ace Army from Big Er City.
Du Wei's temperament has been revealed in Du Wei's conversations over the past few days. It can be said that Philip has been completely convinced by the teacher's arrangements. This Duke is definitely qualified to serve him!
However, the fierceness in Du Wei's eyes and words occasionally made Philip feel a little worried.
When such a decisive young man comes to the northwest, will he be able to bring stability to the northwest... or will it cause a great chaos?!
"Philip." With a smile on his face, Du Wei woke up the thoughtful staff: "Seeing that we are almost at the city gate, I think the governor must have sent someone to greet us. I really want to see the man who was arrested now.
Mr. Governor Bonham, whom you hold in high esteem."