Princess Danyang couldn't help but reach out and hug Liu Tan, sobbing and saying, "Brother, I'm scared."
Liu Tan touched her head and didn't know what to say for a moment. To be honest, if he put himself in her shoes, he would also be scared if he were in this situation.
But fearing that this wouldn't solve any problems, Liu Tan said, "You don't have to worry about your life in Wusun. They won't dare do anything to you. The rest is up to you."
Princess Danyang released her hand, looked up at him, and asked, "But I don't know what to do, and I don't know where to start. Brother, please teach me."
Liu Tan: ...
Is this better? He doesn't understand these things. If he is thrown into Wusun, all he can do is probably find a way to make money, and then... spend the money.
If he were to teach anything else, he might end up leading Princess Danyang into trouble.
In fact, if we look at the history of this land, there was a princess who truly achieved the prospect that Liu Tan described to Princess Danyang.
That was Kangxi's fourth daughter, Princess Gulun Kejing. After she married into the grassland, Princess Gulun Kejing was called Princess Haibang, which meant participating in politics and discussing state affairs. Her residence was an independent kingdom in Guihua City. Even her husband, Dundubdorji, had to get her permission before he could formulate laws.
But if you really look at it, the Manchus and Mongols at that time were different from the Han and Wusun today. What's more, the records about Princess Gulun Kejing are either a simple life story or praises of her deeds.
The only thing we know is that she sympathized with the people, encouraged land reclamation, and attracted many people to come there.
When Liu Tan thought of this, an idea came to him. It would definitely not be possible for Princess Danyang to attract the people of the Han Dynasty, but she could attract the people of the Xiongnu and Wusun.
It is said that the foreign races on the grassland are cruel by nature, but based on Liu Tan's experience in later generations, except for the ambitious people, there is no ordinary citizen who does not want to live a stable life. Even the Huns should want to live a stable life instead of fighting and killing all day long.
Fighting and killing cannot guarantee life safety. As long as Princess Danyang can attract this group of people, she will have taken the first step to gain a firm foothold in Wusun.
So Liu Tan said, "Once we get to Wusun, I will come forward and buy the land in your name!"
Princess Danyang was somewhat educated and knew a few things from what she had seen and heard. After hearing Liu Tan's words, she thought carefully and said, "Brother, do you mean to reclaim the wasteland? But... that won't be easy, right? From what I know, most grasslands are not fertile, and it's said that there are more rocks than soil. There aren't many places where crops can grow. Even if they can grow, the yields won't be high, and I'm afraid it won't be very attractive."
Liu Tan asked, "What if you don't collect taxes? If you don't collect taxes, and just pay the annual land rent, which is a very low price, so they can have enough food and clothing, will they still be unwilling? No, not only that, for the first five years, not only will you be exempt from taxes, you'll also receive subsidies!"
Princess Danyang's eyes widened immediately: "They farm my land, and they want me to pay them?"
Liu Tan didn't think her reaction was wrong. In this era, farming and paying rent had become a common practice. Few people would be able to accept the tax exemption and subsidy policies of later generations.
This is only when he dared to say this in front of Princess Danyang. He wouldn't dare to say it to anyone else, for fear of being implicated in causing chaos in state affairs.
Liu Tan said, "Doesn't it cost money to maintain an army? Why not just think of it as maintaining an army?"
Princess Danyang was a little confused: "If that's the case, wouldn't it be better for me to just recruit soldiers?"
"Neither Liejiaomi nor Junxumi will allow you to recruit soldiers, so just pretend you want to farm. Your dowry includes plenty of crop seeds anyway. I'll give you the greenhouse technology later, and maybe we can make some money."
Princess Danyang immediately shook her head and said, "No, no, that's something my brother worked so hard to develop. What if the Wusun people steal it?"
Liu Tan sighed and said, "Your idea is wrong. Although it's not good, Danyang... I hope that after you marry into the Wusun community, you won't distance yourself from the people. Only when you truly integrate into the Wusun community can you be accepted by them, and being accepted by them is the first step."
Princess Danyang's eyes immediately turned red after hearing this: "But... after I integrate into the Wusun people, will I still be a princess of the Han Dynasty?"
Liu Tan laughed. "Of course, why not? You were born and raised in the Han Dynasty, holding the title of a Han princess. Why aren't you a Han Chinese? Asking you to integrate into the Wusun doesn't mean you'll become a Wusun. With your status, you can influence them. First, you can start with the marriages of those around you. As long as the customs aren't too different, you can allow Han people to intermarry with Wusun people. That way, you can influence your people. After generations, perhaps they'll be no different from Han people."
What Liu Tan said is not an exaggeration. After the ethnic integration in later generations, many ethnic groups intermarried with the Han people and in the end there was actually no difference between them and the Han people. At most, there was a minority name on the ID card. Of course, policies such as extra points on exams were government regulations and had little to do with ethnic integration.
Princess Danyang's eyes widened as she heard this: "But...but how long will this take?"
Liu Tan sighed, "It might take many, many years, maybe even your entire lifetime. So what you need to do now is to gain the Wusun people's recognition and support. That way, everything will be easier for you. If you confine yourself to a prison, you'll be trapped to death."
Princess Danyang nodded seriously. "Besides reclaiming wasteland, what else can we do?"
Liu Tan said, "Don't ask me everything. Just take a look at the information I'm giving you. If you have any ideas, just discuss them with me. From now on, all the way to Wusun, this is your homework."
Princess Danyang looked at the booklet in her hand and suddenly felt motivated. She nodded vigorously at Liu Tan and said, "I understand!"
She just had no direction before and didn't know where to start so she felt panicked. Now that she has some clues, she will take it step by step.
Princess Danyang also knew that it was impossible to rely on Liu Tan for everything. Liu Tan would have to go back eventually. If she did nothing once he went back, all his previous help to her would be wasted.
After Liu Tan encouraged Princess Danyang for a few words, he turned around and left her tent.
After going out, he couldn't help wiping the sweat from his forehead.
The weather was cold and Princess Danyang's tent was not warm enough, so of course she was more anxious than anything else.
Apart from reclaiming wasteland, he didn't know what else Danyang could do. To be honest, in such a situation, besides having a certain level of accomplishment and knowing the direction, he must have a strategist or something like that by his side.
Unfortunately, there is no such person around Danyang. All Liu Tan can do is to make a plan for her before leaving, and it must be a plan that is suitable for various environments to ensure that if some minor problems arise, these plans can continue.
Liu Tan had a lot of ideas in his mind, but he had to admit that there were some things that he could do, but Princess Danyang could not do.
After all, girls have many inconveniences.
Liu Tan squatted in his tent and thought for a long time but couldn't come up with any ideas. Finally, he decided to ask for help when he was in doubt.
Now he has two foreign players, Huo Guang and Jiang Chong.
There is basically no need to think about this, Liu Tan directly chose Huo Guang.
Because Jiang Chong... he always felt that this guy had no moral integrity, and it would be bad if some news leaked out. But Huo Guang was different, at least he was a gentleman.
And no matter from which aspect, Huo Guang is far better than Jiang Chong.
However, given Huo Guang's temper, he might not support Princess Danyang's actions, so he had to conceal the matter and find other excuses.
After Liu Tan made his decision, he invited Huo Guang over.
Huo Guang was also a little surprised. Ever since he accidentally ran into Xiao Kunmi on his late-night private visit, he has been staying in his tent after dark these days. Unless there is a big problem, he will not look for Liu Tan again, and Liu Tan has never looked for him again.
Nothing happened today, why did you suddenly come to see him?
After arriving at Liu Tan's tent, Liu Tan said, "It's just you and me here, Captain, please don't bow. Please sit down."
However, Huo Guang still insisted on performing the ceremony and said, "Even if there is no one around, I should still abide by the rules of a minister."
Liu Tan: ...
You really don't look like Huo Qubing's brother, but more like Wei Qing's brother.
Historical records show that Huo Qubing was a young man with fine clothes and a vigorous horse, while Wei Qing was cautious and abided by the rules of a minister.
Liu Tan originally thought that Liu Che liked Huo Guang so much that he often kept him by his side because he looked like Huo Qubing, but now it seems that is not the case.
Liu Tan smiled and said, "There are probably not many people in the world who can always keep their words and deeds consistent like the captain."
Huo Guang sat down and said, "I am a fool, so I have to be careful in everything I do to avoid making mistakes."
Liu Tan's ideas are different from Huo Guang's. He is the kind of person who will bloom if given a little color. When he first came here, he was very afraid of Liu Che, but now when he faces Liu Che, he dares to express his true feelings occasionally. In essence, he found that Liu Che would not do anything to him and was actually nice to him.
There was no point dwelling on this issue because of their different personalities, so Liu Tan decisively changed the subject and asked, "Captain, I have a question I'd like to ask you."
Huo Guang quickly said, "I dare not."
Liu Tan, chin in hand, looked at Huo Guang with a nonchalant expression and asked, "If you were in a strange place, unfamiliar with the place, but needed to make a difference and gain the trust and support of the people here, what would you do?"
Huo Guang was confused after hearing this. What kind of question was this?
However, one good thing about him is that he didn't question directly. Instead, he pondered for a while before asking, "Your Highness's conditions are too vague and difficult to judge. If he started from scratch, it's one way, and if he has a family background, it's another way."
Liu Tan tilted his head and thought for a moment before saying, "Of course I have a family background. Well, I don't have anything else, but I have some slaves, and I don't have to worry about money."
Huo Guang said, "Don't worry about money? That's probably not easy, but since we have these conditions, everything will be easy. Money can win people's hearts. As long as we can buy the hearts of the local influential people, it will be enough. Of course, these people may not be easy to buy, so it depends on the method."
Liu Tan thought this was too difficult. He nodded and asked, "What if those people are basically impossible to bribe?"
Huo Guang looked up at Liu Tan and asked, "That depends on whether these people are so important that they are irreplaceable. If not... what's the harm in replacing them?"
Changed? Liu Tan looked at Huo Guang's gentler profile under the light, and it took him a long time to react. He gasped and said, "You mean to say that all these people... should be..."
Before he could finish, Huo Guang slowly nodded to him. His face remained calm, but the words he uttered were somewhat chilling: "If they are disobedient, there will always be obedient ones. Just replace them, and it is best not to leave any trouble behind."
Liu Tan felt that he didn't need to ask Huo Guang what to do with those people. Huo Guang had already made it very clear, leaving no trouble behind... meaning, don't let those people continue to live, otherwise there would be a possibility of a comeback if they were alive.
He couldn't help but sigh that Huo Guang was truly a gentleman with a ruthless approach. How should he put it? Wasn't he worthy of being someone who had been by Liu Che's side for many years?
Just as he was sighing with emotion, he suddenly heard Huo Guang say, "Your Highness suddenly asked this question. I'd like to ask you a question. Does Your Highness have any evil intentions?"
Liu Tan looked up at Huo Guang with a bewildered expression. He couldn't help but shudder when he met Huo Guang's cold gaze. He suddenly felt that this gentleman would gracefully draw his sword and stab him to death on the spot in the next second, although Huo Guang had already taken down his sword outside the tent.
Liu Tan was a little slow to react. Huo Guang suspected that he was going to harm the prince!
The author has something to say: Liu Tan: Wait, I can really explain this.
Huo Ba Jian Guang: Speak up, if you say something wrong, only one person can walk out alive today.
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