Chapter 631 Coincidence
Chapter 631 Coincidence
Xiao Xia entered Jiangyang City, which was completely empty. All the refugees had been transferred to Jiangnan. Among them, 100,000 were forcibly sent to Jian'an County, and the rest were detained in the area around Poyang Lake.
Thousands of soldiers are cleaning up the city. Once all the garbage is cleared out, it will be burned and then filled in deep pits.
The whole Jiangyang City was filled with the smell of quicklime. Xiao Xia stood on the top of the city wall and looked at the newly built county town. It was originally used to house craftsmen, but now it has become a city for refugees.
However, after the comprehensive cleanup, Xiao Xia still wanted to make Jiangyang County a city of craftsmen for easier management to ensure that many major military weapons would not be leaked.
After inspecting Jiangyang City, Xiao Xia then came to Jiangdu City accompanied by Xiao Yu, the new governor of Jiangdu County.
A large number of refugees also poured into Jiangdu City, making the city appear much more chaotic than before and the public security became increasingly severe.
Xiao Yu introduced to Xiao Xia: "We have started to fully register the refugees. If you have already purchased property in Jiangdu City, you can register your household registration. The other refugees will be handed over to the Shangshu Xingtai after the registration is completed."
At the beginning, Xiao Xia also considered the wishes of the refugees, where they wanted to go and where they didn't want to go? He tried to be more humane, but as time went on and the number of refugees increased, Xiao Xia's heart became harder and harder. Basically, he used lottery to place the refugees. Wherever the lottery was drawn, it was there. There was no room for choice.
Xiao Xia nodded and said, "It has to be as soon as possible. I am also considering returning the General Administration Office to Jiangdu."
"All returned?"
Xiao Xia shook his head. "Some of them, the military and political, will return, and others, such as those related to technology, culture and education, will remain in Jingkou."
Placing the ruling center on the south bank of the Yangtze River is a defensive state. Once it is moved from the south of the Yangtze River to the north of the Yangtze River, it means a shift from defense to offense.
"Your Highness, I have also heard that Du Fuwei's forces have already taken control of Xia Pi County. I am afraid that the next step will be to annex Pengcheng County, which will endanger our coal yard."
Xiao Xia smiled and said, "I'm just waiting for him to annex Pengcheng County. Otherwise, how can I send troops?"
Xiao Yu pondered for a moment and said slowly, "I'm afraid the emperor won't give Your Highness a chance. He will send people to suppress the bandits. Once the imperial army arrives, I'm afraid a large number of refugees will flee south. Your Highness might as well take the initiative. Isn't it Your Highness who has the final say on whether there are bandits in Pengcheng County?"
Xiao Xia nodded. Xiao Yu's suggestion was good. She was indeed a bit conservative and there was no need to care too much about the court's feelings.
"Please give me more reminders, Uncle San. I'll think about it!"
When Xiao Xia returned to Jiangdu, he immediately convened a meeting of the Council of State. There were five aides in total, Gao Jiong, Liu Wenjing, Xiao Cong, Pei Wen'an, and Zhang Yunqiu.
"Everyone, I just received news that Du Fuwei has captured Xia Pi County. There are 5,000 troops stationed in Liangcheng County, the most northwest region, which is less than 100 miles away from our coal yard. I am considering sending troops to eliminate Du Fuwei, and I would like to hear your opinions!"
Gao Jiong said slowly, "I still hold the same opinion as before. If Your Highness only wants to be a local hero and not to rule the world, then you can do whatever you want. But if Your Highness is determined to rule the world, you must follow the rules. Xia Pi County, Donghai County, and Pengcheng County are not under Your Highness' jurisdiction. If Your Highness wants to send troops, you must obtain the emperor's consent. I still suggest that you apply to the emperor first."
Liu Wenjing also said: "Your Highness, I agree with Mr. Gao's idea. We don't lack that little land. If Your Highness just wants to wipe out Du Fuwei, that's fine. After destroying Du Fuwei, withdraw the troops back to the south of the Huai River. But are you willing to give up the three counties of Xia Pi? So I also suggest that Your Highness ask the emperor for instructions first, do things reasonably and legally, and don't give others excuses."
Xiao Xia frowned and said, "If everything must be reasonable and legal, then if the emperor issues an order to reduce the number of vassal states and I disobey, then won't all my efforts be wasted?"
Xiao Cong smiled slightly and said, "The problem is that the emperor will not do this, and he dare not issue an order to reduce the power of the vassal states. He is very clear about the consequences and risks. Of course, Your Highness does not have to be too restrained. Some things should be done, but you just need to avoid giving them excuses."
Pei Wen'an also said: "Your Highness, everyone agrees that if we want to attack Du Fuwei, we should first ask the emperor and the court for instructions, and then send troops. As for whether the court agrees or not, it is actually not important." The attitudes of several advisors sounded unanimous, but in fact they were different. Gao Jiong hoped that Xiao Xia would strictly abide by the court rules, and if the court disagreed, he would not send troops. Liu Wenjing was more pragmatic. On the one hand, he wanted to withdraw his troops after the bandit suppression was over, but on the other hand, he wanted to actually control the three counties of Xia Pi.
Xiao Cong and Pei Wen'an were more pragmatic. As long as they followed the procedures, it didn't matter whether the court agreed or not.
Seeing that Zhang Yunqiu had remained silent, Xiao Xia knew that he also had his own ideas, so he said nothing more and nodded, "I will apply to the court and the emperor first! As for whether to fight or not, we will see the situation later."
Everyone dispersed, Xiao Xia left Zhang Yunqiu behind, and asked with a smile: "What do you think, envoy?"
Zhang Yunqiu smiled and said, "I can only tell Your Highness my thoughts in private, not publicly!"
"Please speak, sir!"
Zhang Yunqiu said slowly: "Your Highness can start with Yu Shiji and let Yu Shiji speak for us. It's nothing more than spending some money."
Xiao Xia nodded, "I understand, thank you, sir!"
At this time, the soldier said at the door: "Your Highness, Liu Lingtai wants to see you!"
"Please come in!"
Zhang Yunqiu said goodbye and left first. After a while, Liu Wenjing came in and bowed. "Your Highness, I haven't finished my suggestion just now."
Xiao Xia guessed that because Gao Jiong was there, Liu Wenjing couldn't say some things and wanted to talk to him alone.
"Please sit down and talk, sir!"
Liu Wenjing sat down and said slowly, "Your Highness, what are your considerations for wanting to eliminate Du Fuwei? Are you afraid that he will destroy the coal fields, or are you worried that he will become too powerful?"
"Both!"
"In fact, I think Your Highness should not rush to act, but wait patiently. These local separatist forces are just minor problems, and you don't need to take them too seriously. Your Highness should focus on the conflict between the court and the Guanlong nobles. If the emperor is unwilling to move the capital back to Chang'an, it will violate the agreement reached between him and the Guanlong nobles. The Guanlong nobles will certainly not give up and may directly rebel or even stage a coup.
In addition, there are also Turkic forces who have been waiting for an opportunity. They can also influence the entire northern situation. Your Highness cannot ignore them. "
Xiao Xia nodded silently. It had to be said that Liu Wenjing's current suggestion was more far-sighted.
After thinking for a long time, Xiao Xia said, "I can listen to your advice and put the matter of Du Fuwei aside, but I really want to take Xiangyang and the six counties of Jianghuai. Does your Excellency have any good ideas?"
Liu Wenjing smiled slightly and said, "This depends on political skills. In many cases, it is not the emperor who is unwilling, but the court that does not agree. I heard that Yu Shiji is extremely greedy for bribes. If Your Highness bribes him, I don't know about Xiangyang, but at least the non-strategic areas such as the Jianghuai Six Counties can be easily obtained."
Xiao Xia couldn't help laughing. She didn't expect that Liu Wenjing's suggestion coincided with Zhang Yunqiu's.
(End of this chapter)