"Why is it June?" Li Shimin asked doubtfully.
As the governor of Bingzhou, Li Ji borders the Eastern Turks and has a relatively clear understanding of the situation there.
"Every August, after the Tang Dynasty's grain harvest is completed, the Eastern Turks will gather a large army to go south to grab grain. At this time, they are in a state of war at any time."
"I Although the army is well prepared with food and grass, the Turks are also ready to go. In a direct and bloody battle, the casualties of the soldiers may be greatly increased."
After hearing Li Ji's words, everyone's expressions became solemn, and everyone was worried again. He looked at Wang Jian.
"General Li is right. I think sending troops in mid-June can achieve the unexpected effect!" Wang Jian nodded.
After a pause, he continued: "The Turks often go south to catch the autumn wind, and they know the harvest season of the Tang Dynasty best."
"They know that in June, all the people in the Tang Dynasty They are all busy collecting food and will not mobilize troops during this period. "Therefore, this is also the time when the East Turks are least vigilant." The Zhijing Cavalry blitzed the Eastern Turks, catching them off guard. By the time they reacted, the situation was already over."
Li Jing nodded frequently, and Wang Jian's opinions were consistent with what he was thinking.
There is no virtuous scholar under the great reputation. This king is talented in both military and political aspects.
It’s a pity that I have already accepted Fang Xuanling as my disciple, otherwise I would have accepted this disciple no matter what.
"It sounds easy to say, but it is completely unrealistic!"
"We will go on an expedition in mid-June, where will the food and grass come from?"
Hou Junji He said coldly.
Assembling an army is very simple and only takes half a day, but the preparation of food and fodder is the most difficult part of a long-distance march.
Hou Junji’s words made everyone doubtful again.
That’s right!
Food and grass were the biggest obstacle to the Tang Dynasty's use of troops. Without food and grass, no matter how strong the soldiers were, they would not be able to fight against the strong Eastern Turks.
Wang Jian shook his head and said in a deep voice.
"The earliest batch of winter wheat in some areas can be harvested in early May, and rice in the south can be harvested in early June."
"According to information from the field divisions in various places, this year's harvest The weather is good in all parts of the Tang Dynasty, and with the method of fertilization, it will definitely be a good harvest year."
"With the state capital as a unit, we can transport grain and grass to the nearby military camps according to tasks, so the supply of the army is not a problem at all."
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"If the task is not completed, the governor of the state and the county magistrate below will have their points reduced during the year-end assessment."
"If the grain harvest and transportation are not timely, resulting in a failure of the battle , the governor will be beheaded, and the county magistrate will be demoted!"
Wang Jian slowed down and continued.
"There are punishments as well as rewards. If they perform outstandingly in raising grain, the court cannot be stingy with rewards."
Officials in various states and counties serve as the direct departments of taxation. The charging speed is controlled by them.
As long as the imperial court and state and county officials clarify rewards and punishments, and determine a reasonable plan for raising food, those people will be motivated to do things, and they will find ways to complete the task themselves.
Wang Jian’s words surprised all the bosses present.
This guy looks young, but his heart is so vicious that he actually came up with such a damaging move.
If the people in the lower states and counties knew that this proposal was made by Wang Jian, the memorial to impeach him might be like snowflakes, filling up His Majesty's case list in an instant.
"Your Majesty, I think the best time to fight is the same as what Wang Xianhou said, which is mid-June!" Li Jing finally spoke up.
As the chief officer of this operation, Li Jing not only studied the combat deployment thoroughly, but also conducted corresponding research on the weather, seasonality and logistics.
Unlike Wang Jian’s suggestions, Li Jing’s words are very informative.
"Duan Lun, according to what Wang Aiqing said, can we get food and grass for the Sixth Route Army in mid-June?" Li Shimin said seriously.
"This..." Duan Lun hesitated.
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He had no confidence in his heart. If he agreed to this matter, if he could not collect food and grass in the future, His Majesty would also cause trouble for him.
"Humph!" Li Shimin snorted coldly, and then moved his gaze forward, "Auxiliary machine, Xuan Ling, Wei Zheng, tell me your opinions."
Du Ruhui is gone, now The only ones we can rely on are these few think tanks.
"Your Majesty, I think it is safer to send troops in August. After the food is mature, the pressure to raise food will not be great."
"If we only capture a few places Requisitioning grain will definitely cause resentment among the lower-level officials and the people, or even cause civil strife."
Changsun Wuji stood up and spoke first with a cold face.
During the drought, he presided over the opening of warehouses to release grain. He knew how much people in various places were short of food, and many people relied on borrowing money and grain to survive.
Even if there is a bumper grain harvest this year, if the people pay off last year’s debts and pay this year’s taxes, there will not be much grain left in the end.
If the court only blindly puts pressure on lower-level officials, the lower-level officials will definitely bully the people with emotions in order to complete their tasks.
By then the people will be overwhelmed and resentment will spread, which will lead to unrest.
"I also believe that it is better to send troops in August, and we should not rush into it." Wei Zheng's starting point was to consider people's livelihood first.
The other ministers stepped forward to respond.
To several ministersGenerally speaking, military honors are awarded to generals. As long as they are not held responsible for logistical problems, they do not consider the casualties of soldiers at all.
"In addition to collecting land taxes, other methods can also be used to collect grain."
"The imperial court can spend money to buy part of the grain, and the people, merchants, and aristocratic families cannot spend money to buy grain. Wouldn’t you like it? ”
Wang Jian shook his head. The thinking of these people was still on collecting land tax for free.
I want to win the war, but I don’t want to pay the price. I just want to have sex for free. How can there be such a good thing in the world?
If the imperial court does not pay a penny but simply collects agricultural taxes, let alone the people, even the local merchant families may not be able to withstand it.
"Haha, to put it lightly, if the treasury is empty, where will the money for the court come from to buy grain?" Changsun Wuji glanced at Wang Jian and said with a smile.
Hou Junji followed closely, and he said in a preaching tone.
"When the imperial court purchases food, it is calculated based on the preparation of three months of military rations for an 80,000-strong army. It requires at least 100,000 shi of food."
"Including the losses on the road, various places We need to raise at least 150,000 shi of grain."
"According to the current official price, a bucket of rice is 5 cents, and 150,000 shi of grain requires more than 75,000 guan."
"This does not include the cost of the corvees and carriages for transporting grain and grass. The total cost is probably more than 100,000 yuan!"
This old boy secretly learned arithmetic, and he actually calculated the grain and grass cost by his mouth. required price.
"The imperial court can't even come up with 100,000 yuan now?" Wang Jian looked in disbelief.
As far as he knew, many county magistrates could embezzle tens of thousands of guan. It would be easy to raid a corrupt official's home and seize more than 100,000 guan.
"If you don't know how expensive firewood and rice are, it will be very difficult for the national treasury to issue salary this year." Changsun Wuji shook his head and said.
Not only is the treasury of the Tang Dynasty empty, but several large granaries are also empty. Everyone is waiting for this year's Tianqi to live.
Wang Jian glanced at the frowning Li Shimin and thought to himself, being an emperor is not easy.
The ministers are extremely rich, but the treasury is extremely poor.
"There have been natural disasters for two consecutive years. Courtiers and aristocratic families have donated a lot of food. If food is requisitioned because of the war, I am afraid there will be great resistance." Wei Zheng stood up and added.
He was explaining to Wang Jian how difficult it was for the court now, so that Wang Jian would not be criticized for every word he answered.
"No wonder Empress Changsun doesn't object to bringing Li Chengqian to make money. If she is so poor, how can she talk about competing with the people for profit." Wang Jian cursed in his heart.
Following Wang Jian's silence, the hall also became quiet.
Changsun Wuji and Hou Junji looked at each other, smiled in tacit understanding, and did not speak.
"There is another way." Wang Jian suddenly said.