"Anything else? Li Gang, do you have anything to say?"
"Your Majesty, I believe that we should combine prevention with apprehension. As Wang Zhongguan just mentioned, there are many retired soldiers in the Yinyuan Society. If the court can properly resettle these soldiers, they will certainly not go to the Yinyuan Society to do dangerous things."
Zhao Huan couldn't help but nod.
Qin Hui said, "Your Majesty, I believe we should offer amnesty first!"
"Zhang Aiqing, what do you think?"
Zhang Shuye said, "I agree with what Prime Minister Li said, that we should combine dredging with prevention."
"How to divert and how to prevent?"
"The Yinyuan Society has two main sources of people: retired soldiers and civilian laborers. The imperial court manages retired soldiers who return to civilian life in a unified manner, and they have a stable income, even if they are farming. As for civilian laborers, they can enlist in the army, and the Shangyusi (Office of Commerce and Industry) can use them as the standard for recruiting laborers."
"As for prevention, prevent it with the law!"
Zhao Huan looked around and said, "Daring to interfere in the affairs of the court, daring to sell the people of the Song Dynasty, daring to kill for money—these are all capital offenses!"
"Xie Dahai, I'm only giving you ten days to eradicate the Yinyuan Society in Dongjing! Kill them all! Leave no one alive! I will not allow anyone from the common people to dare to extend their reach into the imperial court!"
"yes!"
"Wang Kui'an! Liu Yanzong! You must immediately investigate thoroughly how many people the Yin Yuan Society has in the entire Song Dynasty, where they are located, and who they are associated with. Find their leader, bring him to the capital city, and bring him before me!"
"I obey the decree!"
"Li Gang, the Privy Council should establish a special office to serve retired soldiers. It should not only train soldiers to be loyal to the emperor and love the country and fight on the battlefield, but also take responsibility for their future lives. This office will be established along with the new military and political system."
"Your subject obeys the decree."
"Tang Ke, you need to add a clause to the recruitment criteria for civilians in the Shangyu Division: if all laborers are composed of retired soldiers, they should be given priority in recruitment. You should consult with Li Gang on this matter."
"I obey the decree!"
"Xu Churen!"
"Your subject is here!"
"Set aside a portion of fertile land and sell it to the soldiers at a low price! It must be at a low price!"
"I obey the decree!"
"In addition, the Council of State Affairs should draft laws to manage gangster organizations and curb the growth of grassroots forces!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
After consulting with his ministers, Zhao Huan received the latest war report from the southwest.
Jiaozhi has dispatched 100,000 troops, who have already entered the southwestern territory of the Song Dynasty and are advancing towards Qinzhou!
Zhang Jun had just arrived in the Dali Kingdom with Yue Fei when they were received by the current Dali King, Duan Zhengyan, with a grand ceremony.
Duan Zhengyan also has another name, Duan Heyu.
A later martial arts master wrote a classic martial arts novel called "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils," in which one of the male protagonists, Duan Yu, was based on Duan Zhengyan.
Duan Zhengyan has been on the throne for twenty years.
The present-day Dali Kingdom was a vassal state of the Song Dynasty.
Duan Zhengyan was granted the titles of Grand Master of the Palace, Inspector of the Ministry of Works, Military Governor of Yunnan, Pillar of State, and King of Dali by the Song Dynasty.
Duan Zhengyan attached great importance to relations with neighboring countries, especially with the Song Dynasty.
This is actually related to the internal affairs of the Dali Kingdom.
Unlike the Central Plains dynasties, when the Dali Kingdom was established, there were several powerful clans in the country. Although some of these clans gradually declined, the Gao clan, which remained, became very powerful.
They were powerful enough to depose the king of Dali.
When Duan Zhengyan took office, Duan Zhengming was deposed by Gao Shengtai of the Gao clan. Gao Shengtai became king himself, but other tribes in the Dali Kingdom were not convinced. Later, the Gao clan returned power to the Duan clan.
However, the descendants of the Gao family have always served as prime ministers.
That's amazing! The prime minister can be inherited. What's the difference between that and being a king?
Real power was also in the hands of the prime minister; even when diplomatic envoys came to Dali, they would first visit the prime minister.
Fortunately, the current Dali king, Duan Zhengyan, was relatively strong and popular.
When the special envoy of the Song Dynasty arrived, Duan Zhengyan hosted a state banquet and personally received Zhang Jun and Yue Fei.
"The Emperor's special envoy has traveled a great distance to greet you. I beg your forgiveness for failing to do so!"
Zhang Jun said, "Your Majesty is too kind. The Emperor often says that Your Majesty is benevolent and righteous. Today we are fortunate to see this, and your reputation is well-deserved."
"You flatter me, Special Envoy."
This man, Zheng Yan, was elegant and proper in every gesture, and spoke with gentleness and refinement, just like the legendary wise king.
"What brings you here, special envoy?"
Zhang Jun said, "I have come here firstly to convey the Emperor's condolences to Your Majesty and to seek the well-being of the people of both countries. The Holy Emperor has said that the Great Song Dynasty will increase its trade with the Dali Kingdom. In terms of trade policy, the court will reduce taxes for the Dali Kingdom, just like the merchants of the Great Song Dynasty!"
Duan Zhengyan was overjoyed. Since his ascension to the throne, he had been trying every means to establish relations with the Song Dynasty.
After using various methods, he managed to get in touch with officials of the Song Dynasty and establish a relationship with the previous emperor of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Ji, making Dali a vassal state of the Song Dynasty.
In fact, Duan Zhengyan's close relationship with the Song Dynasty had a very obvious purpose: to protect his own position.
The Gao family was tyrannical and domineering. Only by seeking the protection of the Central Plains Chinese dynasty could Duan Zhengyan repeat the situation where the previous Dali king, Duan Zhengming, was deposed.
If this happens, the Song Dynasty, as the suzerain state, will inevitably send troops to rectify the foundation of the Dali Kingdom.
With the protection of the Song Dynasty, Duan Zhengyan could be said to have secured his position.
Now that the new emperor of Song wants to reduce his taxes, he is naturally more than willing.
Duan Zhengyan hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I thank you!"
Zhang Jun added, "Jiaozhi was originally part of China's homeland. The Li family betrayed the country and established themselves there, intending to commit heinous acts and attack the southwest of the Song Dynasty. The Emperor is furious, and the imperial army has already arrived in the southwest!"
"The Emperor, acting on behalf of Heaven, governs the four seas and eight wastelands. He has heard that the Li family is cruel and tyrannical, and the people of Jiaozhi are suffering terribly. The Emperor is benevolent and wishes to save the people from this misery. We beseech Your Majesty to send troops to join the court in punishing the traitors!"
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