novelaction Chapter 271: Removing Armor but Not Weapons
Chapter 271: Removing Armor but Not Weapons
One of Zhao Sheng's main tasks in arriving in Weizhou was to deploy the Longxi army. Although this was the Li family army, he saw it as the most powerful new force in the future, so he had to treat it with caution and not allow for any negligence.
After settling the entourage and the princess, Zhao Sheng came to a house in the camp and saw that Zhang Chun had already arrived.
"Your humble servant greets the Prince Consort." Zhang Chun quickly stood up and bowed respectfully.
"County Magistrate Zhang has been very busy recently. There are now more than 100,000 people in Weizhou. I wonder if you have any plans on how to accommodate them?" Zhao Sheng asked directly after inviting everyone to sit down.
"Weizhou now has two counties under its jurisdiction. We are currently focusing on strengthening the Shuiquan Fortress and developing Huaian Town. All of this urgently requires manpower."
Although Zhang Chun was seated, he clasped his fists and hunched his back while speaking, his attitude extremely reverent. This was the hierarchy of the era; when a subordinate heard his superior speak, he was bound to be in awe.
"County Magistrate Zhang's analysis is quite reasonable. Furthermore, a large-scale production area will soon form around Weizhou. My previous plan to stockpile resources on the periphery to protect the two counties now seems to be a mistake. The best strategy is to concentrate all our forces."
Zhao Sheng learned his lesson and recalled the tragedy in the military town. He absolutely did not want such a tragedy to happen again. From then on, he would no longer stockpile food crops in the periphery to prevent them from being coveted by bandits.
Zhang Chun was overwhelmed with emotion upon receiving Zhao Sheng's praise. Although he was a county magistrate appointed by the imperial court, the King of Yan had always ignored them and required them to take care of all their daily needs.
Now with Mr. Zhao taking on the leasing management of the two locations, the original administrative team remains unchanged, but their salaries have increased exponentially.
"This is all thanks to the wise planning of the Prince Consort. We are just a glimpse of it from the perspective of bystanders."
"Excellent! Even others can see through this. It shows that you, the County Magistrate, have considerable foresight. I intend to merge Weizhou and the three surrounding counties and two towns into a special district, but I haven't decided on a name yet."
Upon hearing this, several people in the room craned their heads to look at Zhao Sheng. This consort was truly capable of making trouble. The emperor had forcibly assigned two counties to him and placed them under the jurisdiction of Weizhou.
"Sir-in-law, the Emperor has now merged Lingqiu and Guangling counties into Yuzhou. In my humble opinion, it would be a good idea to establish a county."
"County?" Zhang Chun thought for a moment and said, "In our Great Zhou, most counties are governed by cities controlled by various kings. Although a county lord has the title, he has no actual fiefdom, unless it is in the fiefdom of the original prince."
Zhao Sheng failed to fully grasp the profound meaning of Zhang Chun's words, but his original intention was to elevate Weizhou's status, increase everyone's salaries, and retain these managers.
"In that case, Weizhou will serve as the core of these counties. It will enjoy the same status as a prefecture and will govern the city counties, with Shuiquan Fortress as its center."
He spoke quite casually. Everyone in the officialdom knew that this was not as simple as just increasing salaries. The management of all levels required the right people. Zhang Chun obviously found it a bit tricky.
"Then, Prince Consort, how do we appoint officials?"
"Hmm?" Zhao Sheng thought to himself. "I don't quite understand either." He definitely couldn't have the imperial court send someone over, but if he allowed someone without education to take the position, things would inevitably end up being a mess.
"For positions currently unfilled, the local military will first appoint candidates from among the scholars. However, we will implement job evaluations. As for the position of Weizhou prefect, it will be between you and Sun Jiping."
With the basic framework established, all that was needed for subsequent matters was to draft a charter and proceed step by step. Zhao Sheng had not come here to become an official, but to save his own life, which was of paramount importance.
In this feudal dynasty, it was extremely difficult to control the level of self-preservation ability. Any slight mistake would cost one's head, which was definitely not the result he expected to see.
After these arrangements, Li Jixian was summoned to Zhao Sheng's camp, accompanied by Li Shuya.
"Li Jixian of the Li family army pays his respects to the princess and the prince consort." Li Jixian stepped forward quickly and bowed.
"General Li is the pride of our Li family. You have come all the way to our Weizhou. Thank you for your hard work."
"My lord, thank you for your praise. We were slightly delayed on the way. It's only three thousand miles, but even if it's farther, anything related to the Li family is a serious matter."
Just three thousand miles, listen to that tone! Zhao Sheng secretly complained in his heart. But these people traveled so far, crossing mountains and rivers, are they really just for the benefit of their family? He was also quite confused.
"General Li, all the affairs of Weizhou are managed by the Prince Consort. My father intended that the Prince Consort would be the pillar of Dingzhou in the future."
Li Shuya made it clear directly to prevent the 200,000 soldiers of the Li family army from being out of control.
"I understand the intentions of the prince and princess. From now on, I, Li Jixian, will act in accordance with the will of the prince and princess."
Li Jixian turned his body slightly and bent even more while speaking.
"Haha, General Li, you've gone through so much trouble to come to my Weizhou. The Emperor just gifted me the two counties you captured. From now on, Lingqiu and Guangling counties will be under the jurisdiction of General Li. How about appointing him as Grand General?"
Managing these two counties was essentially like standing guard at the western gate of Weizhou. Li Jixian had secured a place to stay, so why wouldn't he do it?
Did they come all the way here just to fight? Perhaps they were motivated by some petty gains.
"Your Highness's arrangement is excellent, but it seems these two counties won't require 200,000 soldiers."
Although Li Jixian was happy, he still expressed the doubts in his heart.
"I know you have 200,000 men. Select 100,000 of them and send them to the two counties. I'll also select some to serve as the government soldiers. I estimate there will be 70,000 to 80,000 men left. I'll arrange for them to settle down in several places in Weizhou, disarming them but not disarming them."
"We can take off our armor but not our weapons! Great!" Li Jixian was very pleased with the arrangement. They now had a good home and could gather for battle at any time.
Before arriving, Zhao Sheng had secretly sent his confidants to find out the details of Li's army.
Except for the elite private soldiers raised by the Li family, the rest of this team are mostly landless people, tough guys who have no land to farm, and most of them are old and have weathered faces.
They traveled thousands of miles and crossed mountains and rivers to come here. What were they looking for?
It’s just a meal to eat and a piece of land to settle down!
After careful consideration, Mr. Zhao properly arranged the placement of the carefully selected people. Some were entrusted with the important task of protecting this new home and ensuring its peace and security; others devoted themselves to farming, reweaving the warp and weft of life with their hard-working hands.
In this new collective, although the labor intensity is moderate, the cohesion of people's hearts is as indestructible as a rock, and is the cornerstone of survival and prosperity.