Fang Xuanling, the prime minister of the dynasty and the famous Zhenguan prime minister who was unanimously praised by later generations, Li Shimin's right-hand man and first think tank often said: "The three armies have not moved, but food and grass go first - in a war, all you have to fight for is money and food!"
Li Shimin said that he was the daughter-in-law of the head of the Tang Dynasty. Apart from teasing, it was also recognition and praise for him.
Qin Mubai mostly read military books and learned about martial arts, but he also deeply agreed with Fang Xuanling's wise words. Especially after arriving in Lanzhou after half a month's march, he deeply felt that in the frontier area of Lanzhou, money and food were the top priority.
He also knew very well that everything the emperor said to him that day in Duke Wei's mansion was not nonsense. It was also very meaningful to tell Lanzhou's complicated surrounding situation and future national plans to him, a young man who had not yet gone into battle.
First of all, Qin Mubai's status is special. First of all, he is Qin Shubao's son, and Qin Shubao has always valued his son and will not be overly opposed to his opinions. This solved Li Shimin's worries - there were many capable ministers and officials in the court, many of whom were many times more capable and skilled than Qin Mubai. But if these people were sent to partner with Qin Shubao, given Qin Shubao's aloof and arrogant character, he might not take them seriously at all. The people sent there would be constrained everywhere without him as the governor to back them up. Secondly, Qin Mubai was engaged to Princess Gaoyang, and he was considered a relative of the emperor. He had the emperor's golden name and great backer behind him. Even if he has no qualifications and cannot convince the public, local officials must consider the emperor's face and cooperate with him, which will be very helpful for him to take action in the local area; thirdly, Qin Mubai is young, enterprising and impetuous. And dare to be new and different. This is what Li Shimin values most about him.
Li Shimin has been on the throne for more than ten years. When he attacked Xue Ju in the west and captured Lan, we can go back a few years. Over the years, Lanzhou has always been the same, not to mention weak. There is more than enough to defend, but not enough to develop. In the final analysis, this place is not self-sufficient and relies entirely on supplies from the rear. No matter how good a general or a brave soldier is, it will be difficult to achieve anything without the support of follow-up money and food. Therefore, if Li Shimin wanted to realize his imperial hegemony and use Lanzhou as a springboard to dominate the Helong and manage the Western Regions in the future, he had to break this pattern.
At such a time, Li Shimin was undoubtedly making a bet by using a newcomer who had no experience but dared to innovate.
This is a lofty bet that puts the glory of the entire empire on a weak young man!
I am afraid that only an ambitious emperor like Li Shimin would dare to take such a gamble.
However, the pressure was more on Qin Mubai's shoulders.
He had been in Lanzhou for half a month, and he had been surrounded by suspicions and speculations from many officials. He is not in a hurry, let alone showing or proving anything. Every day, there is a routine of military training in the morning and administration in the Governor's Mansion in the afternoon.
The Lanzhou Dudufu is as big as it is, with four states under its control, thousands of miles in radius, and a total of 100,000 soldiers and civilians under its control. There are naturally many government affairs, and most of them are related to money and food. In addition, the Helong area has always been a typical area where Han and Hu people live together. Especially after the Tang Dynasty pacified the Turks in the early years, many Turkic people moved to live in the Helong area, either farming or herding, and the population was large. There are many sensitive issues related to ethnic conflicts here, which must be handled with caution.
When the local officials in Lanzhou saw that Qin Mubai had been here for so long without farting even one or two, they all sneered in their hearts: You bastard, that's all! It seems that Lanzhou still has to look to us, don’t count on him!
You don't know, this is Qin Mubai's usual way of doing things. Whenever he arrives in a new environment, he always devotes himself to learning and adapting for a period of time in order to understand and become familiar with the surrounding environment and master the rules here. Make a decision and then take action, as quiet as Mount Tai, and as dynamic as the rushing wind rushing through the forest. The essence of Li Jing's art of war was integrated into government affairs.
On this day, Qin Mubai suddenly summoned important officials such as the governor, Sima, Changshi, Zhu Caojun, as well as county magistrates, county magistrates and other important officials from the Lanzhou Governor's Mansion to the Government Hall of the Governor's Mansion.
The governor Xiao Liang and others didn't take it seriously and joked: This new Major General Biejia's biggest hobby is to discuss politics. It's nothing more than setting out two bowls of tea, chatting and talking nonsense, then having a meal and going home to sleep. If everyone were to govern like him, it would be too easy to be an official!
But as soon as they entered the political hall today, Xiao Liang and others were a little surprised.
Because there were no tables or chairs in the hall, nor were there any tea, water, melons or other things. On the contrary, Qin Mubai was dressed in military uniform, and behind him were two generals from the Yi Mansion, Yu Wen Hongtai and Xue Rengui, and ten men of hundreds of cavalry.
"Why are we in this position? Could it be the Hongmen Banquet?" Xiao Liang and others were doubtful and entered the hall. The arrogant expressions that often appeared on weekdays also subsided under the chilling military power.
"Comrades," Qin Mubai said loudly after everyone had arrived, "I have been in office for more than half a month, but I have not implemented any policies or issued any orders. What do you think?"
Xiao Liang and others are all old men in the officialdom. Although they are slandering, they are beautiful in words. They all say that this is Qin Biejia's youth and maturity, and he has his own strategies and plans before he takes action, and so on.
Qin Mubai smiled calmly: "That's right. I really plan and then act. Without investigation, I have no right to speak. I already have a policy strategy in mind, but I have no on-site investigation, so I specially invited all my colleagues today. , let’s go to all the prefectures and counties under the control of the Lanzhou Dudu Mansion.”
"All states and counties?" When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but be dumbfounded.
It is the middle of winter now, and Lanzhou is already turning into ice, sand and dust. Going out for "on-the-spot investigation" at this time, aren't you asking for trouble? We have to visit all the states and counties... That's not a matter of ten and a half months, it might take three or two months.
"Yes, all prefectures and counties." Qin Mubai said with certainty, "Why, do you have any doubts?"
Xiao Liang hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands and said: "Bie Jia Qin, please forgive me for talking too much. Bei Shi and others have been working in Lanzhou for many years and know the local customs, water, culture, officials and people's livelihood very well. If you want to know anything, just ask." , there is absolutely no need to do such a reckless thing.”
"What a reckless move?" Qin Mubai chuckled and said, "Xiao Shishi, in terms of age, you are the senior, I shouldn't have said such disrespectful words. But since we are the officials of the border, we have to Let’s talk about business - I think your colleagues have been operating in Lanzhou for many years, but have they made any progress? Lanzhou is still a poor Lanzhou, with less than 10,000 households, and they can’t provide enough food and clothing for themselves. Rely on the rear to support transportation. If you don’t know how difficult transportation is and how precious grain and rice are, you can try to escort grain and grass as I did."
Xiao Liang's expression changed, and he was naturally very angry, but he didn't dare to contradict him, so he had to swallow his anger.
"I know you are not convinced. Where is Xue Zhonglang?" Qin Mubai asked.
"The final general is here." Xue Rengui stepped out of the queue and clasped his fists.
"I will report this trip's food consumption to all my colleagues."
"Yes." Xue Rengui laid out the list of information he had prepared and said, "For this trip, General Qin led 10,000 soldiers and cavalry to travel 1,400 miles, escorting 100,000 dan of grain and grass, accompanied by porters and civilians. There were more than 20,000 war horses and mules. When they arrived in Lanzhou, there were only more than 50,000 dan of grain and grass left. Six stones. Finished!”
After Xue Rengui finished speaking, the scene was completely silent.
"Have you all heard it?" Qin Mubai said lightly, "If anyone doubts the authenticity of these data, you can check the accounts and open the warehouse for verification. If someone is greedy for a grain of grain, the military order will be executed!"
Xiao Liang managed to squeeze out a smile and said: "Qin Biejia was joking, let's get down to business! What is the reason why Qin Biejia wants to lead me and other subordinates to travel around the prefectures and counties?"
"It's not a tour, but a visit." Qin Mubai said with a faint smile, "Historically, for those of us who are superiors, most of our information comes from the reports of subordinate officials, which is hearsay. Therefore, it is necessary for us to condescend to your Majesty. This is one of the reasons why Lanzhou, under the control of the Dudufu, has a vast territory and sparsely populated areas. It has more Gobi deserts and less green fields, more wind and dust and less farming. The canals and water are not suitable for harvesting green crops. It is a notoriously poor place. But these can all be changed by planting trees to prevent sandstorms, reclaiming land and cultivating land to support the people, raising livestock to enrich the people and the army, opening up the city to attract business and reduce expenditures, and encouraging farmers to cultivate mulberry trees. Attracting people to expand the population is a good strategy, what do you think?”
When the officials heard this, they all laughed.
The smile was very obvious and contemptuous.
Yuwen Hongtai, one of the two Vajras standing behind Qin Mubai, was annoyed: "You are such a bird, how can you laugh? My General Qin is right, why don't you listen, instead of laughing? It really pisses me off!”
His voice roared like thunder on the ground, frightening a group of literati and officials into trembling with laughter.
"Hong Tai, don't be rude! This is a political meeting hall, not a military camp. Be polite." Qin Mubai said.
"Oh, then I should be more polite." Yuwen Hongtai cursed, "I won't curse anyone anymore. If anyone dares to laugh out loud and disrespect you, they will be taken out and beaten!"
Xiao Liang and others felt contempt in their hearts, but they only dared to smile bitterly. It's hard to explain why a scholar encounters a soldier, it's just this kind of situation. Qin Mubai is not only an aide-de-camp, but also a general leading troops... You can't do anything with him!
"Everyone, General Yuwen is a rough man. Don't worry about it. Let's continue our discussion." Qin Mubai said, "Xiao Governor, do you think these strategies just mentioned by me are appropriate?"
Xiao Liang gave a bitter smile and said: "Bye Qin, if I tell the truth in my humble position, will I be taken out by General Yuwen to fight?"
"Of course not." Qin Mubai smiled, "If you have anything to say, just tell me."
"That's what I said." Xiao Liang said, "General Qin's strategies are feasible and superior strategies in any local state or county. But in Lanzhou, they are completely unworkable. "
"Why?" Qin Mubai asked patiently without being anxious.
"The reason is very simple." Xiao Liang said, "Lanzhou, since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, has been a military town and a choke point for military strategists. It has frequent wars and fierce folk customs, and there are many foreigners living together. We must encourage farmers to cultivate mulberry trees. Yes, we must first let the Hu people know what farming is; if we want to build water conservancy projects, that’s okay, but we have to recruit people as laborers; if we want to attract business and people, that’s okay—then if the merchants and people are willing to come, is it possible to send them back? Are they going to arrest them? For decades, Lanzhou has been a pure military town. It does not produce food, is not self-sufficient, has less than ten thousand households, and the people do not farm. This has always been the case. Therefore, I just heard Qin Biejia's policy strategy. , we couldn’t help but laugh, which made General Yuwen furious. In fact, we didn’t have any malice, we just felt it was... absurd!"
"Is it absurd?" Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, "I don't deny the facts you said, but there are some things in this world that always need to be changed. People who are accustomed to the old-fashioned way always have a fault-free heart. Even with the thought of great merit, when a monk strikes the clock one day, how can he think about the long-term plan of the Tang Dynasty? "Xiao Governor, since I have received the holy order, I am not here to take you to eat this bowl of leisurely meals." I don't know whether everything I just mentioned must be done. I am young and have little experience, so I have to rely on the support of Governor Xiao and my colleagues. However, if someone is unwilling to cooperate with me. I am of the same rank, and I will not force myself to do so. I will write to His Majesty and I will not be embarrassed if I am transferred."
After hearing this, everyone was beating drums in their hearts - this is really a Hongmen Banquet! This kid is so ruthless! The current situation is: either follow him or get out and leave! Choose one or the other, never allow centrism or double-dealing!
"I've finished my words, please express your position!" Qin Mubai sat down on the military chair in front of him and looked at Xiao Liang and others quietly.
Xiao Liang and others looked at each other and hesitated.
"Don't be in a hurry, you can go and discuss it." Qin Mubai crossed his hands on his lower abdomen and said with a smile, "Everyone, please go ahead! An hour later, I will still be here waiting for you!"
Xiao Liang and others got what they asked for, so they all agreed and came to the other hall to discuss anxiously and nervously.
Only Qin Mubai and others were left in the hall, and Xue Rengui said: "General Qin, I think Xiao Liang and others are unconvinced at the moment. They are used to the old political strategy. As soon as this new strategy is introduced, neither left nor right can adapt to it. Moreover, these strategies of General Qin are contrary to the normal situation in Lanzhou, so they must be suspicious. "
"That's natural." Qin Mubai nodded with a smile, "So I give them a chance to choose. Either follow me, Mr. Qin, to radically transform Lanzhou; or, don't get mixed up in this muddy water and transfer to another state. The county will continue to be their old-fashioned and idle officials."
Xue Rengui frowned: "What if Xiao Liang and others join forces to show resistance, and all of them submit their resignations?"
"Then replace them all!" Qin Mubai said firmly, "Lanzhou, I would rather be the only one left than accept a mediocre official or minister!"
"General Qin, please forgive me for speaking in such a humble position." Xue Rengui said, "General, this was not the case in Xiangzhou in the past. At that time, you were just adapting to the environment in Xiangzhou, and you mostly comforted and encouraged local officials. Why are you here? To Lanzhou?…”
Qin Mubai smiled slightly: "That's because Xiangzhou doesn't need much change, and at that time I was just a captain leading troops and had little to do with governing officials and the people; while Lanzhou must change its appearance! Since I'm here If I don’t do it, I won’t be afraid of offending people, and they won’t be afraid of them throwing the papers of my impeachment on His Majesty’s desk like snowflakes!”
"What a spirit!"
"Haha!... Stop talking, they are back."
Xiao Liang and others returned to the meeting hall intact.
Qin Mubai walked up to them with his hands cut behind his back and said with a smile: "How's it going, Governor Xiao? How's the discussion going?"
Xiao Liang cupped his hands and replied: "Qin Biejia, we have discussed it again and again, and we all agree that Qin Biejia is commendable for his foresight and courage. Lanzhou needs talented and wise officials like Qin Biejia who dare to be the first to lead us in this important important task of rebuilding the new moon." Guanhe frontier fortress. We have agreed that, without exception, we are willing to follow Qin Biejia and implement the new policy! "
"Okay!" Qin Mubai laughed twice and didn't say much, "Then, all colleagues, please go back and make preparations! - Leave the government affairs to the deputy, prepare your luggage, and prepare your own mules and horses. Follow your instructions I will first go visit various prefectures and counties in Lanzhou! I will be here waiting for you at this time tomorrow!"
"Yes... I am resigning from my humble position!"
Xiao Liang and others retreated one after another, and just a few steps out of the hall, Yuwen Hongtai burst into laughter at the top of his lungs: "General Qin, why did these bird people suddenly become obedient again? Didn't you just say that? Are they all laughing at you?"
"I'm still laughing now, but I'm just bored in my heart." Qin Mubai smiled lightly and said, "They have all been young officers for a long time, and what they are best at is watching the wind. The current situation Yes, either follow me or go away. Fools know how to choose."
"Uh... Does that mean you are worse than a fool?" Yuwen Hongtai shouted depressedly, "Since the facts are already like this, why do you need to make this whole thing? Isn't it unnecessary? Just give the order directly!"
"Of course it's different. General Qin's move is of great significance." Xue Rengui said with a smile, "This is called being honest and making a clear position. After today's incident, if we have to implement the New Deal in the future, no matter what these officials think, they must be honest and diligent. Qinchenchen should take care of the matter first. Otherwise, he will overthrow his position. If General Qin doesn't do this today, then they can all resist it. The old rules are used to resist the new policy. In fact, this is similar to running the army. The military orders are strict and the regulations and provisions are there. If there are no such military orders and regulations, they will be punished in advance. , there is no way to talk about orders.”
"Well, Rengui is so knowledgeable!" Qin Mubai said with a smile, "Hong Tai, you old man, you should learn more."
"I don't want to learn!" Yu Wen Hongtai glared, "I'm so dizzy just listening to this. I'm just trying to learn! I just want to know how to kill people!"
"Haha!" The hall burst into laughter.
The next day, Xiao Liang and others came back. They each brought their chariots and horses with them, preparing to follow Qin Mubai on a "several-day tour of Helong".
Qin Mubai left Yuwen Hongtai to lead the Chinese army to train the troops, and together with Xue Rengui led a brigade of Vietnamese cavalry soldiers, and set off with these officials in a mighty manner.
A group of more than 300 people left Lanzhou City and headed straight to the wilderness to the east. I took a number of guides and local officials along with me. Every time I went, I marked it on the map. We have focused on where we can open up wasteland, where we can divert water into canals, where we can plant grass and raise livestock, where we can mine and smelt, and where we can build towns and villages to accommodate people or open for business. mark.
By the way, whenever we encounter scattered herdsmen or farmers, we will visit and inquire. Ask them about the local customs, what they need most and what they most want to do.
For more than two months, Qin Mubai and others did not return to Zhoucheng. They even spent the New Year outside with the herdsmen.
In a blink of an eye, spring is here.
It's time for the implementation of Qin Mubai's new policy to be officially laid out. After traveling for more than a thousand miles, the group finally returned to Lanzhou City.
Those officials had been wandering outside with Qin Mubai for so long. Needless to say, they had suffered a lot, but they all recognized him a lot in their hearts. After all, there are not many princes and nobles nowadays who are as pragmatic and willing to endure hardships as Qin Mubai. Moreover, many of his insights and ideas are indeed quite original. Although he is young and has little experience, he is still humble and studious.
Two or three months of hard work and on-the-spot investigation gave Qin Mubai the most intuitive and in-depth understanding of the large territory of Lanzhou. Some of the policy strategies that were originally thought up behind closed doors have also undergone many large-scale modifications based on local conditions.
After returning to the city, Qin Mubai worked non-stop and immediately summoned all officials at the county level and above under the Lanzhou Dudu Mansion to come to the Dudu Mansion to discuss government affairs. For seven days, all the details of the new policy were discussed, and then these decrees were laid out and distributed to all prefectures and counties. Implementation begins today.
Lanzhou Helong, this ancient and vicissitudes of life area, because of the arrival of Qin Mubai, a weak official, an unprecedented whirlwind of new policies blew up.
According to the central idea of the New Deal, all people under Lanzhou's rule, including soldiers in the army, must participate in farming and mulberry farming. This is nothing new. Many frontier fortresses have done this in the past. However, Lanzhou has always been a war-torn place, and the soldiers are all ambitious and eager to fight. Asking them to temporarily put down their swords and guns and pick up hoes and sickles to farm and raise mulberry trees, there are many people who feel aggrieved!
Less than three days after the promulgation of the New Deal, Qin Mubai encountered his first big trouble.
Xue Wanjun, the general in charge of the Shancheng front line and Zuoweiwei general, and Xue Wanche, the governor of Liangzhou and Zuoweiwei general, ran to Lanzhou together. They were full of momentum and anger, and they came to investigate!