Chapter 42 Knowing each other

"What else is there to hesitate about King Wei?" Huanxuan presented Zhuo Ruitong's tea to him again. "The heart of King Wei has long been clear. He knows that King Wei is worried about the safety of Huanxuan, but Huanxuan and King Wei have grown up together since childhood. King Wei should know more about Huanxuan than ordinary people. I have a stubborn temper, but I will never retreat because of difficulties. Shrinking, Huanxuan would like to assure King Wei that he will cherish himself on this trip. If he really can't adapt to the environment of Mingsha Valley, he will definitely return to the palace early and will not reluctantly support it, okay?

"Really?" Zhuo Ruitong took over the tea cup suspiciously, "Happy, either I don't believe you, or because you are too stubborn. I'm afraid that you don't know how to cherish yourself. I want to know that the eldest grandson Taishi Ling was alive, but I have been told to take good care of you. Even if you don't think about yourself, you should cherish it for the protection of your parents. Life, be cautious for the continuation of the eldest grandson. You can't be eager for revenge and recklessly, you know? Otherwise, didn't you fail to live up to the grievances under the spring of Changsun Taishi?

"I understand," Huan Ying nodded solemnly, "I have figured out these things for a long time. How can I easily take risks for the sake of my parents who died unjustly? In fact, I don't work for the prince entirely for revenge, and no matter whether the prince will win the Central Plains in the future, I can't sit back and ignore the trouble of Beirong alone, right? I don't want to talk about the fact that the people's Fulun Antai doesn't seem to have anything to do with me, but if the country is in turmoil, it may be swallowed by Beirong at any time. No matter how talented I am, I don't want to be a traitor who gives the country to others. Therefore, in the matter of Beirong, Huanying is called Helping the Prince. In fact, It's also to help yourself. In the troubled times of the wolf, if you and I can't resist the enemy with one heart, and the defense line of Weijun is broken, then no one can stop Beirong?

Zhuo Ruitong sighed, "I have never been able to tell you, and this time it's the same, but my heart is really uncomfortable. Nie Kongyuan's dangerous journey has made me afraid. I thought that I could be a little relieved to have you around me. Now that you have left me again and experienced unprecedented grinding, what do you call me? I can stay in this dead water-like palace at ease. No matter what, I can't wait to live and die with you. However, you are all cruel and leave me alone to live in fear. I, I am unwilling!"

"Look at you, you say something naughty again!" In fact, Huanying was also very worried about Nie Kong and his party. In particular, he asked Jiang Zhidao to lead the way, which has always made Huanying uneasy. His father's students originally did a good business, and his livelihood was carefree, rich and leisurely, but he was dragged in by himself to walk through this dangerous mountain and evil water. It's okay to say that he could come back safely. In case there is a long and two short, he will be buried in a foreign land. Then she still has the face to see Jiang Zhidao's family, and the face to explain to her father underground.

No matter how anxious and worried it is, it doesn't work. Yuzi has to go this trip, and someone has to go. In the current situation, there is no room for them to hesitate any more. Even if there are many difficulties, the three people must go all out. There is no turning back. It was not until this time that Huan Xuan deeply feels that all choices are decided. The bitter taste brought by the break can only swallow all the flavors and take on the state affairs and affairs that should be shouldered.

"But it's okay to say it!" Huanxuan then comforted Zhuo Ruitong and said, "The prince must be out of breath by layers of pressure. Isn't Huanxuan? However, if Huanying is unhappy, he can still hide in the goblet palace and slowly sort out his mood. The prince has to show calmness in front of many courtiers and subordinates, even as if nothing had happened. The prince's hard work is really difficult for outsiders to know, so you can complain to Huanying about Huanxuan's carelessness. If you don't think about it, maybe if you reveal your dissatisfaction, the prince's pressure can be relieved a little!"

"Alas!" Zhuo Ruitong shook his head and said, "How can I really complain to you? I just can't stand it. If it's for you, if you watch me and Nie Kong and I take risks outside, but I can't help each other. I can only stay in the palace and wait for the news, you may be more scratching than me!"

"Well, I feel the same way. If I have nothing to do and wait for the news all day, then I will definitely feel uncomfortable. However, Huanxuan feels that the prince will not be idle. On the contrary, it should be much harder than Huanxuan and Nie Kong, at least it is quite busy and difficult!" Huanxuan smiled at Zhuo Ruitong and deliberately sold it.

"Oh?" Zhuo Ruitong was such a smart person. Sure enough, he heard the lingling voice. He couldn't help but be refreshed and asked in a hurry, "What's the answer for you? Tell me?"

Huanxuan did not answer immediately, but asked, "The prince thinks that after barely solving the problem of recruiting soldiers and buying horses, what else is there to deal with?"

"The salary is heavy!" Zhuo Ruitong reacted very quickly and blurted out.

"That's right, the salary is heavy!" Huanying affirmed, "If the problem of grain and salary can't be solved, we can't guarantee the smooth progress of recruitment. Although we have discussed before that the birthday gift has increased a lot of income, it is still a huge difference from the silver we have budgeted. Huanying wants to ask the prince how to raise more grain after Huanying is gone. It's a lot of work."

"Don't mention it!" When it comes to military pay, Zhuo Ruitong felt very frustrated. "I think about it, and I can't repeat the old trick again. Let's take advantage of my birthday to collect it again. Even if I am thick-skinned, those merchants will not obediently hand over their wealth to celebrate my birthday. Once they have made people complain. Maybe the second time. Even the sky is going to be covered, so I'm afraid that the rest of the military pay can only be counted on the tax after the autumn.

"It's true that there are two, and the used strategy will be invalid if it is applied again!" Huanying nod silently and fell into meditation.

I don't know how long it took, but Zhuo Ruitong took the lead in saying, "Forget worry about it, Huanying, don't worry about it. It's better to leave the king to do the sad things. As much tax can be collected, it will not become a solution to Beirong and cut off the food of the people of Wei County for a year. In that case, before the war starts, the people will have to make trouble first. It's a rebellion!"

"The importance of grain and salary is not only the military lifeline, but also related to the lifeline of the people. How can Huanying not ask? Huanying is thinking about how to not only make the people profit, but also increase our income. Your Highness, don't be in a hurry. Rong Huanying thinks well."

"Where is the best of both worlds? Not to mention you, Nie Kong has also raised military wages and has no good strategy. You have a lively birthday for the empress dowager, which finally eases some financial difficulties. Don't make it too difficult for yourself? There is an opportunity to meet everything, but you can't force what you can get..."

"I know!" Huanxuan interrupted Zhuo Ruitong's words and smiled, "Although there are few things in the world that have the best of both world, it is not absolutely nothing. What's more, what we have to do is just that we want to do our best to create conditions under limited conditions. Listen to me, my lord, this year's drought will definitely affect agriculture and animal husbandry. If we follow the policies of previous years. It is likely that the autumn tax is not collected at all, so the most urgent matter is that the prince must recruit farmers and animal husbandry officials, listen to their opinions, and discuss a way to minimize losses and ensure the collection of autumn tax this year in the year of drought. I think they are all local officials in Weijun for many years, and they must have accumulated a lot of experience to deal with the day. Disaster, the prince has to make good use of their talents.

"You're right. There have been a report on drought prevention. I looked carefully and felt that their opinions are a drop in the bucket and can't solve the fundamental problem. Wei County has a vast territory, but there are many desolate areas, and agriculture is far less important than animal husbandry. Animal husbandry is basically the main source of income for the people in the north. But livestock need water and a large number of water plants. In a dry year, the shortage of water plants will not only lead to a large number of livestock starvation and death, but also human lives will be threatened.

"Therefore, the prince should try his best to promote some successful experiences in the Central Plains agriculture and animal husbandry, such as opening canals and irrigation, storing water for backup, etc. As for the barren area, it is best to organize people to plant a large number of plants suitable for the local soil and climate. Of course, all policies should be used to ensure the interests of the people and the royal court. The income shall prevail.

"Okay, after I'm busy these days, send Nie Kong away and others, and after the recruitment is settled, I will summon all the local agricultural and animal husbandry officials to the palace once and have a good discussion with them!"

Huanxuan nodded, "To solve the problem of drought production reduction and autumn tax revenue, this is just one aspect, and on the other hand, I'm afraid we still have to find a way in terms of commerce."

"It's hard!" Zhuo Ruitong explained to Huanxuan, "The hawker's profits are meager. If they are forcibly taxed, many people will go bankrupt. The big businessman is extremely slippery. It's even more difficult to pull hair from them than to the sky."

"Did the prince ever think about apportioning the trade tax on the goods, regardless of the size of the merchant, but as long as the commodity itself is concerned, it is taken from 1% of the cost price of a single commodity and calculated by the merchant's purchase volume, so that the tax can be increased? Moreover, it is also fair for merchants to draw goods. Naturally, there is less extraction of low-priced goods. If there is no money to buy goods or worry about the risk of purchase, he will definitely estimate it by himself, and people with more money will not care about this commission. What do you think?

"But will that cause the market price to rise? You should know that the profits of merchants often come from sheep!" Zhuo Ruitong was worried.

"This is going to work hard for the prince's tax officials. They have to verify not only the cost price of the merchants' goods, but also their purchase volume. They even have to randomly check the price of their goods at any time to ensure that the market price will not skyrocket due to the tax. However, those who make huge profits will be punished for confisting all their property once they find out."

"Okay, I'll try to see if this method is feasible, but I can't estimate whether the change of commercial tax will cause other chaos, because the collection method of national tax has always been customized. It's just the courtiers. If you persuade them to agree, you have to let me talk about it. !" Zhuo Ruitong said distressed, "Don't think I'm the prince. I'm going to implement any kind of policy, but it's not what I personally say."

Huanling smiled and didn't say anything. Zhuo Ruitong's heart was furrowed with a smile. "Why are you laughing? It's not that I don't have the ability. For example, I can't help it!"

Huanxuan said, "The prince misunderstood. Huanxuan laughed that the prince had previously said that he was waiting for the news in the palace. Does the prince understand his importance now?"

Zhuo Ruitong suddenly realized, "I understand. You mean that the division of labor between the three of us is indispensable. Everything is very important, right?"

"Yes, Your Royal Highness, your role in the palace is absolutely irreplaceable by me and Nie Kong. You know, the real whereabouts of Nie Kong and I have to rely on you to cover it up for us, and any policy in Wei County can only be implemented through the reform and deliberation of the prince. What Manager Nie and I have done, It's just to make you like a tiger and add wings, but the prince, you have to be a tiger. Your position is what the real king must keep, that is, to control the overall balance of all forces.

"I understand. It's because I understand that I feel troubled. I can't gallop freely outside like you, and I can't make a force when you need manpower. I think I'm too useless, but as you said, I can't give up the government. On the contrary, Weijun's economic tax Stability is definitely the biggest guarantee for our victory in the future. I must do my own things to help you and reduce some pressure!"

Huanying nodded slightly, "Ruitong, you have figured out the best. We have a division of labor and cooperation with each other and each other's responsibilities. Don't be afraid of not getting better. When everything in Mingsha Valley is properly arranged and the training can be on track and orderly, I will come back to help you. Let's try to enrich the military'ssals in a short time in case of time."

"Okay, I will find someone to cash out the remaining birthday gifts, and then turn them into military pay and put them into storage separately. In addition, with some accumulated in the past four or five years, I think there should be a surplus in addition to the two expenses of buying horses and expanding the army." Zhuo Ruitong scratched his head again and said, "In the past, Nie Kong was also in charge of finance. Management, now I'm afraid that I have to pay for an account in person.

"Let the prince learn to be the master!" Huanxuan took a deep look at Zhuo Ruitong and whispered, "Only by making Weijun's small home good can the prince be a good person in the world."

The light in Zhuo Ruitong's eyes flashed, but it was fleeting. "Everything is still unknown, Huanying. Even if the Empress Dowager Li and Li Jin can be successfully eliminated, there are also my two brothers. There are too many things between me and them that embarrasss me, and I can only go one step at a time."

Huanying nodded and agreed, "I understand the prince's mood, so we are talking about the world now. It's still early, but I want to remind the prince to pay attention to the fact that it's not just us and the King Wu and the Li family. The prince must be careful of the changes in the capital."

"You mean..."

Huanxuan interrupted Zhuo Ruitong, "I can't say any reason, but I'm really confused about Lou Xun. He didn't say anything about the seller's glory in those years. His treacherous and cunning temperament has long been obvious, but before he betrayed the former prince Zhuo Yan, who knew that he was such a person? Didn't the former prince Zhuo Luan regard him as his crony? Of course, the Empress Dowager Li later made Lou Xun a loyal marquis. In order to appease him, she even allowed him to raise the dead soldiers privately. But these dead men are called the imperial court. How do you know that they are not tools for Lou Xun's personal goals?

Zhuo Ruitong thought for a moment, "However, Lou Xun and Li Jin are different. Although they are both marquises, the ancestral system stipulates that the treatment status enjoyed by one-character prince and two-character princes is by no different, and they are not relatives of the emperor and can only be awarded the title of two-character marquis. What's more, Li Jin and his son Li Ren control the military power of Jingji, but Lou Xun except for his subordinates. There is no soldier or soldier. I think even if Lou Xun can make some small moves, he can't turn the sky upside down!"

"If it is the way of peace, I believe that it is impossible for people like Lou Xun to gain power at all, but it is difficult to say in troubled times. We are thousands of miles away from the capital, and it is very inconvenient to spread the news. The prince must pay close attention to any small thing that happens in the capital in the recent period of time, and With a flying pigeon, you can grasp the movement of the capital at any time. As the saying goes, if you are not afraid of ten thousand, just in case.

"Okay, it's not difficult to do. There are still some eyeliners and manpower in my capital. I just want them to collect the information in as much detail as possible from now on. No matter how important the news is, it will be sent back every day. Is it okay for me to receive it in person?"

"Aren't the generals and soldiers of the Mingsha Camp stronghold arranged by Nie Kong in Weijun City responsible for intelligence disposal before? I think this is very good. It is much safer for them to sort out the daily information and send it to the palace secretly. It's much safer than the prince's personal responsibility, at least it's much more secretive." Huanxuan paused and said, "The struggle should be reliable, right? If you can't, you can arrange an errand for Mei Zheng, so that he can leave the palace every day and bring back information by the way, so that no one will doubt it.

"Yes, Mei Zheng can take charge of the transmission of the news. As long as I ask the empress dowager to like the time-honored fresh fruit pie in Weijun City and let him buy it in Aojun City every day, won't it be logical?" Zhuo Ruitong clapped his hands and said, "I'm wrong. I shouldn't have made you a military master. I should have named you a basket, hehe."

"What? What kind of basket?" Huanxuan didn't hear what Zhuo Ruitong said and asked in a puzzled voice.

"It's a bad idea basket. What is it if it's not a basket?" Zhuo Ruitong laughed.

"You! Your Majesty! Do you also joke around? I don't want to talk about it anymore. I won't talk about it anymore!" Huan ling blushed and pretended to be angry.

"No, no, no, I like to listen to your ideas one by one, one by one to impress me. No matter what bad idea it is, as long as it is a useful idea, isn't it a good idea, hehe!"