Zhou Chao's Eastern Route Army arrived in Xiangzhou in early March, and the entire army stopped temporarily. It took time for the baggage and some soldiers to board the ship and go south. The army would be much easier to march along the Han River by land and water. Xiangzhou officials found a courtyard with open areas on all sides as the headquarters of the army, and Guo Shao also lived there. He had the opportunity to write a letter to Fu Ermei.
He also received some letters from Tokyo, one of which was a private letter from Wang Pu, which was immediately selected by Guo Shao as the first letter because Wang Pu was the Privy Councilor.
I originally thought that Wang Pu was offering suggestions on military and political matters for the war against Shu, but unexpectedly the opening was like a reminiscence of old times between good friends. As Guo Shao read on, his mind also became a little vicissitudes.
Wang Pu did not mention attacking Shu at all. He believed that unifying the southern states was only a matter of time. He mentioned some very long-term ideas. Wang Pu said that his illness was getting worse and worse, with no signs of improvement, and he might not be able to see that day. After thinking it over, he had some ideas that he wanted to tell General Guo.
In recent years, the Central Plains has been devastated by wars and the population has withered. When the government was at its most clear, there were less than one million registered households. However, the provinces such as Hebei, Henan, Shandong, and Huaibei supported more than 100,000 imperial guards and no less than 200,000 garrison troops. These 100,000 imperial guards did not even engage in production and were completely supported by the national treasury. How could the Central Plains support so many troops? How could the Shu Kingdom and the Southern Tang Dynasty support as many troops as the Zhou Dynasty? Why
Wang Puyan, after reviewing the government documents of the central and local governments, believed that the exploitation and taxation at that time had reached the culmination of the ancient and modern times, reaching the point of using any means necessary. This was understandable at the time, as all countries had to impose heavy taxes and levies in order to survive in the war. However, since the end of the Tang Dynasty, exploitation had gradually become a customary system for a hundred years. After the unification of the countries in the future, this fiscal and taxation system might continue: farmers and common people were overly exploited, and wealth was always concentrated in the central and important cities.
The money and grain were collected and concentrated. Was it used to continue decades of militarism, or was it divided up in powerful places like Tokyo to allow a few people to indulge in luxury and support the prosperity of a few large cities? The prosperity and cultural flourishing of the capitals of Southern Tang and Shu have begun to confirm such a deduction. General Guo should make plans early, otherwise when the beneficiaries become too powerful to be eliminated in the future, it will inevitably be very difficult to take food from them.
Most of the scholars and bureaucrats may not see such things; those who see them will not say it, and it would be meaningless if people in officialdom say it out and cut off their own people's financial resources. In this situation, I can't help but want to speak out.
Guo Shao read the long letter several times. He thought that Wang Pu was always outspoken, and the most precious thing was that he spoke the pain points of the problem, although sometimes it was not pleasant to hear, instead of just using the high-sounding words of saints and righteousness like the general scholars. At that moment, Guo Shao felt more and more reluctant to part with this old man who was more than twice his age, and felt a bit of friendship.
Guo Shao is still unable to fully agree with Wang Pu's point of view, because he has always been focusing on military affairs and has not really thought too deeply about the concept of governance.
Wang Pu's viewpoint is just one person's opinion, but it is undoubtedly quite insightful and thoughtful. Guo Shao also quite agrees with the statement in it. At least it is true when thinking about it. After the Song Dynasty unified China, the Song Dynasty was once praised as the richest and most civilized era, especially the rise of urban citizen culture, and the culture was particularly prosperous; it seemed to be similar to the Southern Tang before it lost Huainan, so Wang Pu's statement in the letter seemed to make sense.
Guo Shao probably knew some historical knowledge in his previous life. It is said that the fiscal revenue of the Song Dynasty was very high, probably more than ten times that of the Ming Dynasty; but the total economic volume of the Song Dynasty was not necessarily larger than that of the Ming Dynasty. With such high fiscal revenue in the Song Dynasty, it seems unreasonable if the people were not burdened. Perhaps the starting point of the founding of the Song Dynasty to rule the world together with the literati was just to guard against military generals, but the fact caused the resources to be biased towards the literati who held power. This was an inevitable situation; why don't people in power fight for their own benefits? People die for money and birds die for food. It's just human nature.
Guo Shao recalled that someone once said that capitalists are not philanthropists, and perhaps no one is.
He held Wang Pu's letter in his hand, and suddenly felt the vicissitudes of life. The quaint houses in the central army camp, the faded red paint on the carved windows seemed to tell the thousands of things that had happened and were about to happen in the world.
It would be great if Wang Pu’s illness could be cured. Guo Shao suddenly became very concerned about him.
The other letter was from Chen Jiali, and it was about a large number of goods from the Shen Chen Li Company being robbed in Nanping. Guo Shao knew about this when he was in Tokyo, and that Aunt Sun and her group of Chen family members followed the army to take care of their property.
However, Chen Jiali wrote again to emphasize the point, and the urgency in her words was very obvious. It seemed that the batch of goods was indeed important to them.
Guo Shao read the letter and had time this afternoon, so he sent someone to ask Auntie Sun to come over for questioning. Auntie Sun was the woman next to Chen Jiali and should be Chen Jiali's most trusted person. She was in her forties. Guo Shao went to Chen's house several times and it was Auntie Sun who arranged everything.
Soon, a woman dressed in silk came in and knelt respectfully. She was Aunt Sun.
When Aunt Sun entered the room, Guo Shao was standing in front of a table, staring at something on it. On the table was a densely drawn picture, which was more complicated than the usual pictures that only showed roads.
Guo Shao raised his head and asked directly without any greetings: How much of Mrs. Chen's goods were looted by the Nanping Kingdom
Aunt Sun said hurriedly: "To answer General Guo's words, there are a large number of Shu brocade, silk, gemstones, ganoderma lucidum and other precious medicinal materials. If they are shipped out of Shu and sold, the value is more than 200,000 strings of cash. Those things are not owned by one family, but by the owners of the Shen, Chen and Li business gangs and some merchants who joined the gang. If they cannot be taken back, many of the gang members will lose their fortunes and be heavily in debt. The lady originally wanted to follow the army in person, but later I persuaded her that it would be useless to come alone, so she gave up."
Aunt Sun said in a pleading tone: This batch of goods is of vital importance to the company. If General Guo can help, I will give you whatever you want and I will definitely repay you.
Guo Shao misunderstood what she said, thinking that Aunt Sun meant that she could do whatever she wanted to her, so he immediately looked at the woman. Unfortunately, she was a little old, at least in her forties, so he really had no interest in her.
I remember Gu Long once said that tea is not too bad as long as it is hot, and women are not too ugly as long as they are young. But what stood in front of him was a cup of cold tea. However, Aunt Sun was actually quite pretty, and it can be seen that she must have been a beauty when she was young; but unfortunately, her skin is a little loose now, and she has lost that sense of vitality, which is not quite to Guo Shao's taste.
Guo Shao put his finger on the map and said: The army went south along the Han River, passed through Jinkou Town to Jiangling Prefecture, and entered the Yangtze River. It must pass through Jiangling Prefecture, the capital of Nanping State. If I can help, it will be a matter of convenience. Madam Chen does not need to give anything in return. I am still a person who remembers friendship.
Aunt Sun expressed her gratitude: “Let me first thank General Guo on behalf of my wife.”
Guo Shao pondered for a moment and asked: Why did the merchant gang transport so much wealth and goods through Jingnan? Did you not anticipate the risks beforehand
Aunt Sun sighed: "It's all because of the cunning brother of the Nanping King, Gao Baoxu, that we were careless and fell into his trap. Gao Baoxu used to set up checkpoints to collect tolls, and we had already arranged for the Jingmen Army in Jiangling Prefecture, so we thought nothing would happen. Shipping a little bit at a time would cost more, so this time we shipped a large amount of goods at once; but when Gao Baoxu found out, he turned against us and took all the money."
Guo Shao laughed after hearing this and said: "You are indeed fooled. Gao Baoxu never broke the rules before, but the bargaining chip for betrayal was not tempting enough, not because of trust and loyalty."
Aunt Sun said: "General Guo is right. People are really evil. This time, if we can get our property back, the businessmen discussed and agreed that they would give the profit to General Guo as long as they could recover their costs."
Guo Shao shook his head and said: "It is natural for businessmen to seek profits. I cannot take all the profits for myself. Cooperation is the way for everyone to benefit. This time the profits are still yours. I don't want any money or goods, but
Aunt Sun asked hurriedly: Whatever General Guo wants, I can do it.
Guo Shao waved his hand and said in a deep voice: Come up, I will teach you what to do. When he saw Aunt Sun coming over, she was shy, so he said, I am talking about business, not intending to do anything to Aunt Sun, don't worry.
Aunt Sun looked at him with amorous eyes and said softly: Of course I am not worried, I am just afraid that General Guo will dislike me.
Guo Shao:
Guo Shao made preparations in Xiangzhou, and mobilized the army to advance by land and sea, heading straight for Jingmen along the Han River. He also sent people to Nanping State to deliver an official document, asking them to take the Yangtze River route and arrive soon, and ordering Nanping State to open the gates to welcome them.
At this time in Jiangling Prefecture, Gao Baorong first received the imperial edict of the Zhou Dynasty, and then got the military order of the Grand Marshal of the Zhou Dynasty's troops. He was at a loss as to what to do.
General Li Jingwei advised: "The situation is urgent. Shu is a big country. If the Zhou army can attack Shu now, they will certainly covet the land of Nanping. The Zhou army wants to go up the Yangtze River. Jiangling is the food route and the base camp for reinforcements. Although Nanping has surrendered, how can the Zhou army hand over the rear to others? I think we should gather troops and guard it strictly, and then contact Shu to ask for help to fight against Zhou.
Gao Baorong was stupid to begin with, and was at a loss for words. He immediately asked: "Where is my brother?"
Li Jingwei said: I will stay in my house with the door closed and refuse visitors.
Gao Baorong hurriedly said: Go quickly and find my brother.
Immediately, an official received the order and left the palace and rushed to Gao Baoxu's home.
Gao Baoxu was still secretly watching the show at home. He didn't like watching beautiful women singing and dancing, but preferred a more direct scene where strong generals and their personal soldiers teased and teased the prostitutes in the hall, while he sat there drinking and watching the show with great interest, for his own amusement.