"Tian Fang, do you mean that if I can't meet your plan of 2.2 million troops, you won't be able to complete the mission I gave you?" Wu Feng's tone has become a bit harsh, and he even Both Xiao Tang and Su Qin heard the anger in Wu Feng's words.
"Your Highness, Tian Fang is just stating a fact. If you want to complete this big plan more satisfactorily, my personal opinion is this. Of course, there may be some things that need to be considered, but I can make it clear that one hundred and fifty Ten thousand troops are far from enough to achieve our goal." Although Ling Tianfang's tone was gentle, his attitude was extremely firm.
"Oh, Tianfang, you are asking for a price all over the sky. Why are you waiting for me to pay back the money? Let me tell you, even the absolutely correct financial plan you envisioned cannot be guaranteed. Now James is reaching out everywhere, and the army is more like a Bottomless pit, if this continues, even I will have to work hard to earn money. Our army can only be built on a base of 1.5 million, and we can't even think about one more person." Wu Feng almost gritted his teeth and sighed. Squeeze out words.
"Your Highness, don't cry poor in front of me. It is true that the Financial Secretary is in difficulty now, but it is not as tight as you said. Since you are not kind, then don't blame me for beating you. Tanghe Empire Central Treasury left Although the navy accounts for a large part of the 200 million gold coins, there is still a considerable remainder. You said that this is the financial guarantee for establishing a new empire, so I won’t mention it. But Cheng Dayou and Liang Chongxin Following your order, I made a fortune in Donghai and Yanyun. Even the Military Justice Department and the Supervision Department were involved. Could it be that Liang and Cheng dared to embezzle this income? Hey, this income will not be small, right? A little more profit. For the army, I think an army of two million can be established."
Ling Tianfang's honest and simple face suddenly became extremely cunning and cunning in Wu Feng's eyes. At this time, it was Wu Feng's turn to gasp. This guy seemed to be prepared. He even inquired about this matter so clearly. Could it be that this guy James leaked this information
Seeing that Wu Feng's face suddenly became a little embarrassed, Ling Tianfang took advantage of the victory and pursued it: "Your Highness, don't deny it. I know these situations very well. I don't fight unprepared battles. This is the motto you teach the people below."
"What a James! He dared to leak the military aircraft so boldly. It's so counter-intuitive!" Wu Feng was also angry and funny. He didn't expect that this guy Ling Tianfang now knew how to play dirty tricks with him. Obviously not protesting, but he came down to collect intelligence evidence to fight against himself. At this time, he also found a way out for himself: "Tian Fang. Those extravagant wealth are still unknown, not to mention you also know that we are about to enter Beijing. If there is no advance, How can we build this new empire by retaining funds?”
"Your Highness, don't blame James. He didn't know about it. Tian Fang only found out about it when Mi Feng and the people from the Supervision Department happened to be in contact with the Financial Department. Besides, it can't be said to be a military plane. What kind of military plane can't even be connected to me, the Military Affairs Bureau? Can't the commander know?" Ling Tianfang blinked and said calmly: "That little bit of money is not a small amount. As long as you relax your fingers a little, the army can maintain at least two million troops. .”
"Tian Fang, you said it quite easily. A legion consumes close to 1.5 million imperial gold coins every month, and 20 million gold coins in a year. This does not include the cost of fighting. North You don't know the cost of the battle, right? More than 200 million gold coins were spent on pensions for fallen soldiers and resettlement expenses for disabled soldiers. Do you really think that the Financial Secretary is making money? The Financial Secretary and the Northwest Bank are trying to make up for this. I had to borrow money from several major private banks and banks as guarantees in the name of the Government Affairs Office to barely cope. If I hadn't considered that the war was so costly, do you think I would be so cautious and force Situ Tai to submit step by step? Don't I know? It will be much easier for us if we let Cui Wenxiu launch an offensive to resolve the war as soon as possible? Everyone here will not know how much it costs to fight a war. Why do I advocate a political solution to the civil war in our empire? Isn’t it just a word of money strangling our necks? ? If it is a foreign war, we can claim some compensation for losses if we win, like India, but in a civil war, where can we make up for these losses? Prisoners who surrender will have to spend money to treat them, and they will have to be paid for demobilization. Travel expenses, we can’t just sell fellow prisoners of war into slavery like slave traders, right?”
Wu Feng picked up the tea cup in his hand and took a sip calmly, and continued: "Yes, Liang Chongxin and Cheng Dayou made some gains in the East China Sea and Yanyun, but they need to repay the loan for the Northern Campaign, and come to us After entering Beijing, everything is ready for improvement. Don’t we need some funds to decorate the appearance? Financially, we don’t need to set aside a part of the reserve fund for emergencies? What if there is a natural disaster? Tianfang, I can understand your mood, Since the Navy has decided to accelerate its development and construction, it is impossible for the Army not to be affected a little bit. However, I personally think that 1.5 million Army troops are completely sufficient to cope with the current situation. We do not need to attack from all sides. I am not asking you to specify a strategic plan to be comprehensive. Blossom needs to be defeated in key points and stages, and there is no need to make enemies on multiple fronts at the same time. So I personally think that even if we need to maintain an offensive posture, an army of 1.5 million is completely enough."
Ling Tianfang was not overwhelmed by Wu Feng's plausive remarks. He had noticed the change in Wu Feng's wording, from unconditional acceptance to personal opinion. This showed that his views were still touched by the other party, which made him more firm. His confidence.
"Your Highness, the financial problem is a difficult problem, but I believe that as long as you are determined, this problem should be overcome. After all, once the new empire is established, the credibility of His Highness King Qin will probably be much higher than that of Situ Tai. Even Situ Tai can The big financiers in the imperial capital and the businessmen of the Nanyang Alliance have borrowed money. Could it be that we have already unified the empire and we can't raise a sum of money from those financiers and businessmen? As far as Tianfang knows, in the Central Continent and the Western Continent In various countries, a method of raising funds called public bonds is very popular. I think Mr. James should be familiar with this method, so Tianfang thinks that the reasons stated by His Highness cannot be established." Ling Tianfang's eyes flashed slightly. smile.
Wu Feng was shocked again. He looked at the other party several times, and he seemed to be looking at him with admiration after seeing him for three days. It seemed that the other party really came with a plan this time. He had spent a lot of money on this army reorganization issue. After a little effort, I even conducted some capital research on the financial situation. An Xin wanted to overthrow his idea. The term public debt was still a new term in the Eastern Continent before, even in the Nanyang Alliance with a strong business atmosphere. Fundraising between countries and city-states is mostly done through banks, banks and loan sharks. However, this thing has been popular in the Western Continent for a long time. Public debts of various names are flooding the cities. City-states, autonomous territories, as long as they have independent financial power Forces can use some special names to raise funds from the public. War bonds and construction bonds are the two most popular types. Wu Feng had learned about it when he was studying in the Western Continent. However, in the Eastern Continent, this kind of funds is based on the government's financial credibility. The system is not perfect, so it is rare to see it.
Xiao Tang and Su Qin also looked sideways at the same time, obviously surprised by Ling Tianfang's performance today. You must know that there is a combat readiness department under the Military Affairs Administration. Qing Chang's issues related to these are all handled by Rao, which is rare. Ling Tianfang asked about this matter.
Nodding slightly, Wu Feng's face widened and he became relaxed: "Tian Fang, you must have some skills. You have thought so carefully and thoroughly. It seems that you won't give up until I give you an explanation. Well, what do you say? Let me consider the bottom line and discuss it with the Government Affairs Department."
"Two million! We can reduce the number of troops stationed in the mainland. This is the most conservative number." Ling Tianfang was ecstatic in his heart, and his energy doubled.
"Hmph, you really dare to ask for a price. It's better to be more realistic. It's too outrageous. Do you think it's possible?" Even Wufeng himself felt that he and Ling Tianfang were haggling as if they were buying vegetables at the vegetable market.
"One million and eight hundred thousand?!" Ling Tianfang gritted his teeth.
"It seems we need to spend additional time discussing this issue." Wu Feng closed the army reorganization plan on the desk and said calmly.
"One million seven hundred thousand! Your Highness, this is the minimum limit. Think about it, doesn't it cost a lot of money to dispose of the army that has been reduced by the empire? Once the army is reduced, it will cost more to reorganize it! Not to mention you Isn't it often said that the army can gain more benefits for us?" Ling Tianfang almost shouted. This is also his bottom line. If it is less than 1.7 million troops, there is no point in competing with the opponent like this. There is no doubt.
"Deal! But within three months, I want to see thirteen officially formed army regiments. Each of them should have at least one quick reaction division and eight cavalry regiments." A sly look appeared on the corner of Wu Feng's mouth. With a smile, the army reorganization plan in his hand was thrown back into Ling Tianfang's arms.
Only then did Ling Tianfang realize that he seemed to have been cheated. His Highness the King of Qin seemed to have been waiting for him to fall into the trap. He deliberately lowered the army to a point that the military could not accept, forcing him not to dare to ask for a price casually. What was hateful was that His Highness the King of Qin still Pretending to be righteous, he might have expected that he would eventually go according to his plan, and he would have to put on an expression of victory.