That night, Li Xin and his companions spent the night in Dingli County.
This was the first time they had set up camp in a city since leaving Dongning City to suppress bandits.
Although Dingli County is not very prosperous.
Moreover, after the midday bombing, there was still some smell of gunpowder in the city.
However, since this was the first night after the recapture of Dingli County, this was the only way to appease the people.
The former residence of Chief Zhao, now under strict security, has become the lodging place of Prince Xin, Li Xin.
Early the next morning, all the generals of the Prince's Guard arrived at Li Xin's residence.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
The generals quickly bowed.
"Please sit down."
Li Xin waved his hand, signaling everyone to sit down. "Zhang Cheng, how's the bandit identification process going?"
"Your Highness,"
Zhang Cheng clasped his hands in greeting and replied, "The arrangements started last night. Our camp doesn't have enough clerks, so the screening process is a bit slow."
However, Your Highness, rest assured, we have already begun screening people in groups and batches.
Furthermore, we also called upon the bandits who surrendered to report and expose wrongdoing.
During this period, the bandit leaders who had surrendered also joined in the identification process.
Following reports and whistleblowing last night, 67 key members of the local bandits in Dingli County have been identified, including their leaders, chiefs, and heads.
These people have been detained in a centralized facility.
The crimes they committed are also being reported and exposed.
Those who commit serious misconduct will be brought to justice.
Your Highness, some of the bandits who were recently brought in have also been screened.
As Your Highness instructed, join the bandit stronghold; those within a year will be held in solitary confinement.
Those detained for a period of one to three years, and those detained for more than three years, were divided into three groups for custody.
"Your Highness, what should be done with these people?"
"Approximately how many people are in these three groups of bandits?"
Li Xin asked the question.
"Your Highness,"
Zhang Cheng continued, "There are eight or nine hundred people who joined the bandits within the last year, and with their families, there are about fourteen hundred people."
After random checks and interrogations, it was found that most of these people had fled here from the north after the invasion by bandits from the grasslands last year.
“These people committed relatively minor crimes.”
Li Xin nodded slightly and said, "After screening and registration, let them live on farmland near Dingli County."
They are all ordinary people; let's reassure them properly.
Now that we have recaptured Dingli County, we naturally need the people to cultivate the land so that we can develop the area.
If there's no one here, how can it be considered a county town?
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Zhang Cheng quickly agreed.
He licked his lips and continued, "The second batch consists of bandits who have been in the area for more than one year but less than three years, numbering four or five hundred, along with their families, totaling more than 1,200 people."
These bandits were key members of Zhao Zong, the leader of Dingli County, and various mountain strongholds.
Most of them have committed some crimes that are not very serious.
For example, following a bandit leader to rob and plunder...
Some of those convicted of murder and rape are already under investigation and being held in separate custody.
"Well done!"
Li Xin nodded and asked, "Zhang Cheng, what do you think should be done with these people?"
"Your Highness,"
Zhang Cheng began, "This humble general has a somewhat immature idea."
Dingli County had only recently been recaptured and was some distance from Dongning City; its city walls were damaged in yesterday's battle.
If this continues, and the grassland bandits invade again, Dingli County will likely be plundered by them once more.
Therefore, I suggest that these people be organized and allowed to redeem themselves through meritorious service, similar to the Dongning City construction team, and have them build the city wall of Dingli County.
Your Highness, what do you think?
"Hmm, very good!"
Li Xin pointed at Zhang Cheng and said with a smile, "Your idea is excellent!"
"We'll do it your way!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Zhang Cheng responded and continued, "As for the third batch, there are about a hundred people who have been bandits for more than three years, along with about three hundred of their families."
These people were all key members of various mountain strongholds, and the crimes they committed were not very serious.
As for this group of people, I suggest that they be sent to quarry rocks and do some more strenuous work, just like the plan for building the city wall.
In this way, he could atone for his sins.
Now, Dingli County has just been recovered, and everything is in need of rebuilding.
A large amount of manpower and resources are needed to build this place.
Therefore, I believe that if we can make full use of these resources, we will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort!
"That's a great idea!"
Li Xin nodded and said, "This is how it should be done when building Dingli County!"
The fact that you have these thoughts shows that you are seriously considering the issue.
In that case, I have another matter to entrust to you.
As you said, Dingli County has just been recovered, and everything is in need of rebuilding. All kinds of affairs urgently need to be carried out, and how our Prince Xin's Mansion should govern it is also a problem.
After careful consideration, I have decided not to appoint a county magistrate for the time being, and instead allow the royal guards to directly administer the area.
Zhang Cheng, you will be in charge of all military and political affairs in Dingli County. The Shenwei Battalion will be stationed in Dingli County.
Are you confident?
"Your Highness, rest assured!"
Zhang Cheng quickly stood up, saluted, and said, "Your Highness's request will be fulfilled to the utmost by this humble general!"
"good!"
Li Xin waved his hand and said, "Sit down, sit down!"
The screening and selection of bandits naturally had to be carried out.
Other farmland, housing construction, mining, and city building must all be carried out.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
