"The Taiping Sect has resurrected in Pinglu and Yulin, and has even spread to Longquan and Heishan in the south. Although it seems to be only operating secretly now, intelligence shows that these activities are very rampant in the countryside. This at least proves that Taiping The cult should have gained new support, or the important figures of the Taiping cult have begun to become active in this area." Xiao Tang's face was as dark as water, "Yan Qing and Xu Bin both rushed to Pinglu and Xu Bin respectively. Yulin is in charge, and I also asked the Ministry of the Interior to issue an order to put the internal affairs departments of Yanyun County, Beiyuan County, and Heshuo County on high alert, especially Cangzhou Prefecture, which is the north gate of the imperial capital. In the event of riots, It will greatly affect the image of the empire."
"Well, the situation in Beiyuan has been unstable. We may have been too hasty when we chose Wenming as the governor of Beiyuan. Beiyuan does need to develop its economy. Only when the economy develops and people's living standards improve, things like the Taiping Religion will disappear. This is the foundation for the breeding of evil. This is a fundamental solution, but the economic foundation of Beiyuan is too poor. It is unrealistic to expect a big economic leap in a short period of time. And this is the base of the Taiping Religion. Civilization may be a key to economic development. He is good at handling affairs, but he may be lacking in handling this aspect. This is probably one of the reasons why the Taiping people chose Beiyuan." Wu Feng pondered and said: "I have been thinking about whether I should adjust Beiyuan's personnel, but there are some I’m worried that adjusting now will only be counterproductive, Xiao Tang, what do you think?”
"Your Majesty, it is not advisable to make any moves for the time being. That will only upset the hearts of the officials in this region. The Taiping Cultists are still mainly active in the countryside. There are security forces in the city. They can also temporarily mobilize the regular army. I believe the Taiping Cultists can also temporarily mobilize the regular army. I don't dare to attack a stone with an egg, so Yan Qing and Xu Binjing will go to Pinglu and Shulin to investigate and deal with it. I believe that the situation can be controlled." Xiao Tang objected categorically. "What I am thinking about now is that although the Taiping Cult had activities in Beiyuan in the early stage, they did not have such momentum. You Daofang caused trouble in Anyuan and was almost captured by Yan Qing, the governor of Anyuan City at the time. Now Pinglu and Yulin The situation has deteriorated so suddenly. In addition to the poverty of the people in these two places and our lack of control, are there other reasons?"
"Oh?" Wu Feng suddenly became energetic and his eyes lit up, "Tell me what you think."
"Your Majesty also knows that I am from Yulin. Except for the slightly better economic conditions of Lulong Prefecture in the Beiyuan region, the other four prefectures have the worst basic conditions among the counties in the original Tanghe Empire, and the economy has always been the worst in the empire. This area has always been the birthplace of imperial danger, but now the Tang Empire has been established. It should be said that conditions in all aspects have been improved to a certain extent. Most of the Taiping Religion forces were destroyed in two years of attacks. Although the popular base is still there Yes, but that is based on the situation where the people's lives are difficult to survive, not to mention that even if these popular forces are united, it is unlikely to have the same effect, but now according to the notification from the Ministry of the Interior and the Imperial Security Bureau.
The situation has deteriorated beyond our predictions. I am thinking that it is impossible for the Taiping people to make a comeback all of a sudden by relying solely on the remaining stubborn forces. However, the facts before us are indeed true. There must be something new in this. factors are incorporated. "
Xiao Tang is very cautious on this issue. After all, no evidence has been obtained yet, but as the prime minister, he is naturally responsible for the domestic security situation. He has to put forward his own speculation and analysis: "Parts of Beiyuan, Yanyun and Heshuo have been It is an area where Taiping religious activities are rampant.
But this area is also the nest of the conservative landowning aristocracy of the Tanghe Empire. The policy of reducing rents and taxes implemented by His Majesty has the greatest impact on the land aristocrats in this area and the Wuhu area. However, the Wuhu area has better conditions and a prosperous people. , even though the landed aristocrats had some complaints, they could not achieve anything without the support of other classes. But in the northern region, the income source of the landed aristocracy mainly relies on rent. The people are poor, and the empire's new policies cannot benefit the lower classes in a short period of time. This also gives the Taiping people an opportunity. The land aristocrats are also dissatisfied, and some diehards who miss the previous dynasty, will they On this issue, how can we give up our past grudges and indulge in collusion? "
One stone stirred up a thousand waves, and the jade paperweight he was playing with in Wu Feng's hand suddenly stopped. Obviously he was considering the possibility of Xiao Tang's analysis. After a long while, he said: "Your analysis makes some sense, but where is the evidence?"
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, there is no evidence at the moment. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Imperial Security Bureau have not received exact information yet. I'm afraid it will take a while to get accurate evidence. I'm guessing that this matter should be quite secretive. I'm afraid the middle and lower levels The personnel cannot be known. But we can...according to the elimination method, we can infer that the Libians are now too busy to take care of themselves, the Kaman people are in unsettled internal strife between the military and the government, the Hesthro people are focused on developing the economy, the Pu people are struggling to survive, and the Dodon people are in a state of silence. , not to mention that after the last betrayal, it may be difficult for the Taiping people to trust the Liberians. Even if You Daofang is willing, his subordinates will not agree. Japanese people? Their power has not yet penetrated into the northern interior. , the Taiping Cult people have not yet established sufficient mutual trust and cooperation with them. If these two are eliminated, can the Taiping Cult people resurrect and make a comeback?" Xiao Tang asked rhetorically.
Nodding slightly without being noticed, Wu Feng wanted to admit that what his Prime Minister said was very correct. Putting aside these possibilities, if someone was really causing trouble behind his back, it would be obvious. The northern aristocrats have always been resentful of their policy of encouraging industry and commerce to cancel their political privileges, but due to the situation, they had to show their surrender on the surface, especially after the members of the Situ family lowered their arrogant heads one by one. Like a dog with a broken spine, they have to curl up in pain to heal, but this does not mean that they are willing to fail, especially after discovering that the middle and lower class people may cause trouble by being bewitched by the Taiping Religion, how will they express their opinions? Thoughts and intentions, I am afraid they are the only ones who can achieve this level.
"Then do you think the Situ family played a dishonorable role in this?" Wu Feng's words were like floating out from the depths of the ground, soaked in cold and making people shudder. Xiao Tang's ears also shuddered when he heard them. .
Xiao Tang knew that there were many different opinions within the empire on the issue of how to deal with the Situ family, and some of them were very sharp. This was especially prominent among the military and officials from the northwest department, who advocated taking a tough approach to the Situ family. Attitude, especially towards the direct descendants of Situ Mingyue, such as Situ Tai, Situ Biao, and Situ Yuan, even if they do not confiscate their homes and exterminate their families, they should be imprisoned, their property confiscated, and their personal freedom restricted. These Situ family members are all as rich as the country. Now, At the beginning of the new dynasty, they were enjoying themselves watching horses and watching birds, living an extremely fulfilling life in a wealthy apartment. This was undoubtedly a hint and encouragement to the conservative forces of the original Tanghe Empire, and for the officials of the new dynasty Their enthusiasm and enthusiasm are a kind of encouragement
Although this view does not occupy a position in the DPRK, its influence is not small. The moderates who adopt the current moderate attitude in the DPRK are mainly Xiao Tang, who advocate maintaining the current peaceful situation and protecting the existing members of the Situ family. Economic interests, but canceling all their rights and limiting their influence. This view was severely criticized by radicals. Even Xiao Tang was under great pressure for this. In the end, Wu Feng himself made the final decision to support Xiao Tang. , but this did not completely eliminate dissenting voices.
As soon as Wu Feng's words came out, Xiao Tang seemed to feel the change in His Majesty's mood. If His Majesty the Emperor was betrayed by the other party despite being so benevolent and righteous, it would undoubtedly be a blow to His Majesty and himself. A loud slap in the face, then they will have to consider changing their current policies, and the Situ family may even be annihilated.
"Returning to Your Majesty, it should be impossible. Although Situ Tai is still in Yanyun now, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Imperial Security Bureau are closely monitoring him, and it is not common to find him. As for Situ Yuan and Situ Biao, they are both in the imperial capital now. Situ Jun Living in seclusion in Jinling, these influential members of the Situ family are completely under our control. There is no way to get rid of our surveillance. The older generation of Situ family members enjoy life wholeheartedly. It is impossible for them to do it for someone who cannot. They no longer have the adventurous spirit to take risks with illusory things that can bring them any benefits. A comfortable life is enough to kill anyone's ambitions, so I don't think this is ridiculous." Xiao Tang lowered his head and responded in a deep voice. road.
"Well," Wu Feng let out a breath and leaned back on the chair again, saying lazily: "I hope so too, otherwise we will have to see some things I don't want to see, repaying evil with kindness, and farmers losing harmony. Snake, if this kind of thing happened to me, it would be really ridiculous. I can only say that I am blind. If it were just some northern nobles, things would be much easier to handle. These people don’t know what to say and don’t understand. The current affairs guys, I was still thinking about how to deal with them, but they took the initiative to bring their own clues to the door. Do they really think that my surnamed Li is disadvantageous, or do they think that I dare not touch them? What if I still turn a blind eye? , Did you live up to their 'good intentions'?"