After listening carefully to what Xiong Tingbi said, Zhu Youxiao felt more confident and at the same time a little relieved.

Fortunately, I didn't act rashly because of a small victory, otherwise, things would have become very bad. Obviously, in the land of Liaodong, many things are different from what I imagined.

Many people think that the people here might resist the Jiannu, after all, these people are from the Ming Dynasty.

The reality is that this is not the case. The people here are so intertwined that you often can't tell who is who. Even if you could tell, in such a harsh environment, everyone sticks together for warmth, and oftentimes, you are in me and I am in you.

The harsh natural environment, constant corruption among officials, and weak geopolitics have made the people here have a not-so-good attitude towards the Ming Dynasty and the country.

Maintaining their independence and being able to survive are what they want. As for who rules, it is not that important.

The Jiannu did not learn from the Mongols, but instead used another set of things very skillfully, that is, how to win people's hearts.

The Jiannu were very good at winning people's hearts, so the Ming Dynasty's ruling foundation in Liaodong was not solid.

Under such circumstances, the key for the Ming Dynasty is to proceed steadily and cautiously.

Improving the living environment of the people, clarifying the officials in Liaodong, and giving benefits to the lower-level military households are the only ways to stabilize Liaodong. As for how to change, or how to reform, there is a lot of knowledge involved.

Zhu Youxiao had no such plan for the time being. The Ming Dynasty's broken ship still had 3,000 nails, and it could still move forward after patching it up. If the ship was destroyed at this time, and a new one was built, it would probably be impossible to move forward.

So you have to maintain it first, wait until the wind is calm, then smash the boat and change the boat.

"You have a long and arduous journey ahead!" Zhu Youxiao looked at Xiong Tingbi and said slowly, "It's good that you have this awareness. Many officials who come here lack this awareness and always think they are superior."

When saying this, Zhu Youxiao was really touched.

Because the Ming Dynasty later had insufficient national funds, to put it bluntly, the court had no money. Officials at that time would also try to find ways to increase revenue and reduce expenditure, but their methods were rather bizarre.

For example, abolishing post stations and laying people off could save money. The simplest way is to increase taxes.

The so-called tax increase sometimes means increasing the amount of tax, such as asking people to study more; more often it means collecting next year's tax this year, and sometimes even collecting it ten or twenty years later.

Then they often say, "Let the people suffer for a few more years, and everything will be fine after they get through it."

The result was that officials took advantage of such policies to levy heavy taxes and local gentry desperately seized land, leaving many people landless, displaced, and with refugees everywhere.

This is why there were so many refugees in the late Ming Dynasty. In addition to natural disasters, there were more man-made disasters.

It was rare for Xiong Tingbi to realize this. Zhu Youxiao was even more satisfied with the person he had chosen.

Zhu Youxiao was initially concerned about historical records that described Xiong Tingbi as rude and irritable, but after meeting Xiong Tingbi and hearing his words, he was certain that he was a talented person.

The people of Liaodong were unstable, and the ruling foundation was also unstable. Many generals even wanted to fight against the Jiannu instead of the Ming Dynasty. They would fight whoever gave them more benefits.

Under such a mentality, it is impossible to fight a war. This is also the reason why Xiong Tingbi insisted on defending, because defending can still be done, but if you fight, there will be no way.

After hearing what Zhu Youxiao said, Xiong Tingbi felt relieved.

In fact, what he said was quite unorthodox if you look at it in detail. If it were to get out, it could even be considered as treason.

Before arriving at Shanhaiguan, Xiong Tingbi had thought about this matter. Should he tell His Majesty about it? Would His Majesty be unhappy after hearing it?

He thought about it all the way and was entangled in it. If His Majesty was unhappy, maybe he, Old Bear, would be punished, and everything he had done in Liaodong would be ruined.

But after seeing Zhu Youxiao, Xiong Tingbi still couldn't help it.

His Majesty treated him sincerely and even ate and drank with him. This kind of treatment is not something that ordinary people can have.

Facing such an emperor, Xiong Tingbi felt that there was no need to be selfish. If he didn't speak up, the consequences would be serious. So Xiong Tingbi finished speaking all these words.

The result was good, and His Majesty did not disappoint the old bear.

Looking at Xiong Tingbi, Zhu Youxiao said, "I know everything you said. Go back and work hard. I will support you. There is still a long way to go. There is no need to be too anxious. This is not a one-day job. I am not a person who seeks quick success and instant benefits."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Xiong Tingbi quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "With Your Majesty's support, the rest will be easy."

If anyone made trouble, Xiong Tingbi could also take action. As for the capital, if anyone disliked him, they couldn't do anything to him with His Majesty around.

"Tell me about the current situation." Zhu Youxiao looked at Xiong Tingbi and asked, "Are you confident in the task entrusted to you?"

After hearing this, Xiong Tingbi's face became serious.

He had received Zhu Youxiao's secret decree a few days ago and knew what the emperor wanted him to do. But he didn't expect that the emperor would come in person this time.

"Your Majesty, there is one thing I don't understand, and I don't know whether I should ask or not." Xiong Tingbi looked at Zhu Youxiao and said cautiously.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Xiong Tingbi and said with a smile: "Is there anything I should or shouldn't ask? Feel free to speak up. Although I don't claim to be a wise ruler, I will listen to what my ministers say and take their advice. This is something I can still do."

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