Fu Zonglong was reassured by the affirmation and said, "I think our army should first seize the six mu of water east of Yachi River and share the natural barrier with the rebels. Then we should build fortifications at various ferry crossings and order the officers and soldiers to practice water battles..."
"...according to the size of the ferry, water forts were set up, deep trenches were dug, high platforms were built, and beacon towers and artillery batteries were installed. Not a single grain of rice or salt was allowed to enter the water, and not a single rebel was allowed to escape..."
"...During the farming season, we will send troops across the river to harass the rebels, so that they won't settle near the river. Our army can establish large-scale farms along the Yachi River to alleviate the difficulty of transporting food and supplies over long distances, and to stabilize the army and boost morale..."
Fu Zonglong's story made Zhu Youxiao more trustworthy. He believed that using defense as offense and blocking and besieging was exactly his principle and purpose to completely solve the problem of Xi'an's
Zhu Youxiao pondered for a moment and asked, "How should we implement the military settlement system?"
Fu Zonglong had obviously done some research and was quite familiar with the humanities and geography of Guizhou. He spoke eloquently about the emperor's issues.
"I believe we can follow the ancestral system and implement military farming according to the military garrison system. Foreign troops gather and disperse unpredictably and cannot be stationed for long. It would be better to distribute the military farms to meritorious soldiers as hereditary property, but prohibit the sale of such land..."
"The sources of military farming are, first, to clear the existing farmland in each garrison, and second, to seize the land from rebels. If this policy is implemented, there will be no need for the court to recruit immigrants, and the population of Guizhou Province will naturally increase..."
Zhu Youxiao did not respond immediately, his eyes lowered slightly as he fell into deep thought. Fu Zonglong bowed slightly and waited respectfully.
This is also equivalent to immigration, except that the foreign soldiers are left in Guizhou. However, with a little improvement, it seems to be a good solution.
Zhu Youxiao pondered for a long time, then raised his head and asked, "According to Mr. Fu's estimate, how many foreign troops would be needed to cultivate the land? How long would it take to quell the rebellion, and how much would it cost?"
Fu Zonglong hesitated and hesitated, then finally gritted his teeth and said, "I think the army should be more than 50,000, and the time should be three years, with an annual cost of 800,000 taels."
For a long while, the emperor remained silent.
Fu Zonglong secretly regretted that he had spoken for too long, spent too much time on it, and scared Wansui. But this was already his best effort to keep it short.
Just as Fu Zonglong was waiting anxiously, the young emperor suddenly laughed and said loudly: "Mr. Fu, don't be so hard!"
Fu Zonglong looked up in confusion, only to find that the emperor had turned and left, heading straight for the main hall.
After re-taking his seat, Zhu Youxiao said to Fu Zonglong, who was standing respectfully and somewhat apprehensively, "Mr. Fu, go back and prepare. The imperial edict will arrive soon, ordering you to be the governor of Guizhou."
After a pause, Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "Three years is good, five years is also acceptable. I have also approved one million silver coins per year. Mr. Fu, remember, steady progress will lead to success."
As he spoke, Zhu Youxiao's face became serious, and he said in a deep voice: "I don't want to wait until the rebellion is over, and the name of the Shuixi family will be gone."
Fu Zonglong was overjoyed, but when he heard the final emphasis, he felt a chill in his heart. However, he still knelt down and thanked, "Your humble servant obeys your order."
Zhu Youxiao nodded slightly, took the document and handed it to the palace attendant, saying, "These are the discussions between me and the Ministry of War. Fu Qing, go back and take a closer look. The details of the strategy may be different, but the main idea is the same."
"Yes, I will study it carefully when I get back." Fu Zonglong raised his hands and took the document.
Zhu Youxiao said graciously, "Mr. Fu, please rise. When you arrive in Guizhou, thoroughly inspect the actual situation. If you have any suggestions or changes, please report directly."
"I understand." Fu Zonglong stood up and bowed again.
"Mr. Fu, you may leave now." Zhu Youxiao leaned back and let out a long sigh of relief.
After Fu Zonglong left, Zhu Youxiao leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes slightly, feeling very pleased with his judgment and decision.
It is rare to have an official who can adopt a steady strategy to quell the rebellion, so there is no need to worry too much about the strategies formulated by myself and the Ministry of War being poorly implemented.
The current Guizhou Governor Wang Sanshan was a capable general, but his pride made Zhu Youxiao uneasy. Moreover, he was a conservative general, and his actions did not accord with Zhu Youxiao's wishes.
After a short rest, Zhu Youxiao seemed to recall something, sat up, and instructed the palace servants, "Draft an imperial decree to appoint Cai Fuyi, the Right Vice-Chief Censor and Governor of Yunyang, as the Governor of Yunnan, to take up his post immediately."
……………………
Changchun Palace.
Zhang Yu'er stopped her mother from punishing her younger sister, pulled Wan'er to her side, took the wet towel handed to her by the palace maid, and carefully wiped her younger sister's face.
"Wan'er is so cute, the emperor didn't blame her!" Zhang Yu'er smiled and pinched her sister's cheek, saying, "I also packed so many delicious things for you, aren't you happy?"
Zhang Wan'er grinned and said, "I kowtow very well. Every time I kowtow, it touches the ground!"
Zhang Yuer smiled and nodded, then asked, "Did you see White Lady, a fat white cat? Is she taking a nap again?"
Zhang Wan'er shook her head and said, "I didn't see the cat!"
Zhang Yuer was a little disappointed, but she didn't show it on her face. She told the girl not to run around in the future before sending her out to play.
Duan gradually adapted to life in the palace, and went from being cautious and fearful to being bold and arrogant. This made Zhang Yuer very unhappy, and she asked her to leave the palace and go home.
Seeing that Zhang Yu'er had a chance, Duan came closer and said shamelessly, "Yu'er, mother knows she is wrong. She will never yell at anyone again."
Zhang Yu'er looked at her mother's cautious expression and sighed helplessly, saying, "Mother, please remember that allowing you and my younger sister to come to the palace to accompany him is already a special favor from the Emperor. There will inevitably be people who are jealous and find fault with you."
After a pause, Zhang Yuer emphasized her tone and warned, "If a mother cannot be cautious, she will harm her daughter. Since ancient times, how many concubines have lost favor and been banished to the cold palace? Their endings are probably even worse than those of the palace maids!"
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