Chapter 547: Gongzi Gao is dissatisfied. Is this puppet's role coming to an end?
However, Gao Yao's choice of this blatant way of declaring war had an unexpected effect. When Nanjing clearly informed the warlords in those places that he was about to send a large army to attack them, the warlords and princes in those counties must have been panicked and began to consider how to deal with it.
The warlords and princes in these four counties actually faced only three possible outcomes: escape, fight, or surrender. Escape to other princes to avoid direct conflict with the Southern Border Army. Fight. With all the military forces of these four counties gathered together, it is unknown whether they can withstand the fierce attack of a corps under Gao Yao.
As for surrender, one must consider how they will be treated under Gao Yao. Gao Yao is very clear about the treatment of surrendered generals. He will give them certain rewards, but will not give them the opportunity to lead their own troops again, nor will he give them any particularly high positions. Moreover, Gao Yao has strict management, and those who have made contributions will be rewarded and those who have made mistakes will be punished. This makes these warlords worry about losing the opportunity to gain benefits, so they will naturally hesitate.
Although the people did not applaud the declaration of war by the Southern Territory, they were definitely not disgusted. This was because the Southern Territory and these places were neighbors, and Gaoyao did not restrict trade between the two sides. In daily trade activities, information was exchanged between the two places.
The people learned about the policies and development of the South through various channels. They saw that under Gao Yao's governance, the people in the South lived and worked in peace and contentment, the social order was in good order, and the economy was booming. In contrast, where they lived, warlords were fighting, taxes were heavy, and the people's lives were miserable. In such a comparison, the people could naturally understand how big the policy gap between the two sides was.
They all had some expectations for the South Territory, hoping that the South Territory's arrival would change their current predicament. Therefore, even though the war was coming, they did not have too much resistance to the South Territory.
Gaoyao in the southern border basically focuses on ordinary people. Gaoyao knows very well that the people are the foundation of a piece of land. For those people who have no fixed place to live, the government tries its best to allocate houses for them. In those newly built residential areas, craftsmen work day and night, ramming earth to build walls, erecting beams and covering tiles, and brand new houses are rising from the ground.
Although these houses are not luxurious, they can shelter the people from the wind and rain and provide them with a warm and stable place to live. Even if the people cannot be allocated ready-made houses for the time being, they will not be forgotten. Naturally, the local government will coordinate manpower to help build new houses.
As for men and women of marriageable age, the government has taken great pains to provide them with a variety of job opportunities. In reality, men have very limited employment options, and most can only make a difficult choice between serving in the military or farming.
In the South, the situation is quite different. There are a wide variety of jobs to choose from. In the bustling market, there are shrewd and capable merchants who hire young assistants to help run the shop and sell rare treasures from all over the world; in the workshops, there are craftsmen who recruit apprentices to teach unique skills such as woodworking, pottery, and textiles, and sell their works far and wide; in the tea gardens, tea-picking girls shuttle between tea trees, picking tender green tea leaves. These jobs provide the people in the South with a stable source of income, and any of these jobs is enough to support themselves.
In this era of war among the princes, the people in the southern border can basically guarantee food and clothing. They no longer worry about having a full meal, and no longer have to run around for a piece of clothing to cover their bodies. Children can grow up healthily and happily, and the elderly can enjoy their old age. For people in other regions, such a life is simply a luxury that is difficult to dream of.
When a country prospers, the people suffer; when a country perishes, the people suffer. This is not a false statement. The people are displaced and hungry. This happens all the time in places outside the southern border today.
Despite the superior conditions in the south, the ancient people's attachment to their homeland is still deeply rooted. This is actually understandable. In ancient times, there were many times when the monarchs made various beautiful promises in order to win the hearts of the people, but very few of them could be fulfilled. Especially for the lower-class people,
They have suffered too many empty promises, too much deception and hurt. They are afraid of leaving their familiar land and going to a strange place, only to end up with nothing.
Most of those who already have houses and families in their hometowns, as well as a job that can barely support their lives, will not easily choose to leave.
The reason is that people are afraid to gamble, because once they lose, they will really have nothing. This is why there are so-called refugees, who basically cannot even eat grass roots or tree bark. Especially in ancient times, a distance of more than 30 miles was considered a long journey. In ancient times, there were many mountains and forests, and especially in times of war, there were many people who became bandits.
These people don't care whether you are a good person or a poor person. They are all bullies who only bully the weak and fear the strong. Otherwise, few people would choose to become bandits. In addition, the ancients were very uncertain about the roads, not to mention the wild beasts that might exist in the mountains. These were all great risks for the ancients. They would never leave easily unless they really couldn't get a bite to eat.
In ancient times, for wealthy families, going on a long journey was considered a life-threatening journey. Therefore, they would not leave easily without any solution. However, this did not prevent those who wished that the southern border would occupy these counties.
"The rest of the departments must fully cooperate with the preparations for this operation. Anyone who delays military operations will be killed without mercy!"
"Here!"
After Gao Yao issued the order, all the ministers immediately bowed and responded. This was also Gao Yao's control over the southern border. However, for Prince Gao who was on the throne at this time, it must be said to be a stimulation.
Before, when Gao Yao wanted to take military action, he would at least tell him in advance, and then let him speak according to Gao Yao's words, and finally give the specific details of the action to Gao Yao for decision, and finally he agreed. At least there was a process on the surface, but now it is completely different.
Gao Yao himself directly decided on the military action, and had almost finalized the matter without the participation of the King of Qin. Prince Gao was keenly aware that his puppetry seemed to be coming to an end.