"That is to say, there is no shortage of human resources right now. However, the Industrial Revolution will take at least several decades to complete, and there is no need for such a large population right now. If the issue of land annexation is not resolved, the lives of many people will be very difficult."
"If we solve the land annexation problem, we'll need that much labor again in a few decades. We might just solve the land annexation problem and then usher in the industrial revolution. That would be putting the cart before the horse."
After saying this, Zhao Jun felt his head hurt even more.
Let’s resolve land annexation.
You will need a large labor force to carry out the industrial revolution in a few decades.
Let’s not solve the problem of land annexation.
Now there are a large number of landless refugees and the people are in dire straits. How can we sit idly by?
So he found the current situation quite awkward.
"Then we won't solve it for now."
Lu Yijian said, "Didn't you say that even if the Song Dynasty doesn't resolve these issues, it still has another ninety years of existence. This means that even if the land annexation issue remains unresolved, it won't affect the overall national situation."
Zhao Jun glanced at him and said, "So the people are living in hardship, and the poor are struggling to even get enough food and clothing. Do you think you're so honorable?"
Lü Yijian was annoyed by this and said, "Isn't that for the future industrial revolution?"
"That's a matter for the future. The current problems must be solved."
Fan Zhongyan stood beside Zhao Jun and said firmly, "Every period has its own problems. Foresight is important, but the present is equally important. We cannot give up the present for the sake of the long term."
"Yes!"
Zhao Jun, reminded by him, suddenly came to his senses and said seriously, "Since I'm doing this for the Han people, I can't change my original intention. I'll just solve problems as they arise in the future. Besides, perhaps in the future we'll have found more high-yield crops, or we'll have solved the food problem by utilizing Southeast Asia. As long as there's enough food, the Industrial Revolution will be more likely to attract a working population."
Lu Yijian, Wang Zeng, Wang Sui and others looked at each other, and a trace of helplessness flashed in their eyes.
But there is nothing we can do about it.
Since they chose to compromise, they were on the same boat with Zhao Jun and could not go against or confront him.
Otherwise, if they continue to play the role of a conservative interest group, the government may kill the scholar-official class because of the crisis of the demise of the Song Dynasty. Therefore, sometimes they have to give in in order to preserve their own interests.
They chatted about some other things and looked through some documents. In the afternoon, Zhou Xin, the new commander of the Imperial City Division, came hurriedly. Zhou Xin was originally a guard, serving as Zhao Jun's guard. However, because the commander of the Imperial City Division's imperial guards was severely corrupted and six of them had been dealt with, the division was in urgent need of middle-level officers, so Zhou Xin was promoted to be a capable assistant.
He came to Zhao Jun and whispered, "Chief, over 200 prisoners have been executed, and the people are applauding. There were even dozens of gang members hiding out there, and they were reported by the people and apprehended on the spot. They also captured the president of the Wuyou Cave branch, Li Sanlang."
"Um."
Zhao Jun nodded and said, "Well done. Tell the people below to deal with this guy properly and continue digging deeper. Make sure to completely eliminate those people from the surface."
"We also captured several prisoners from Li Sanlang's residence. His backyard is connected to the Xibian River, and there's an underground canal leading down."
"Seal the entrance first."
"yes."
Zhou Xin responded and then left.
Zhao Jun narrowed his eyes.
In fact, he already knew where the headquarters of Wuyou Cave and Guifan Tower were.
But he did not send anyone down rashly.
First, there are dangers everywhere below. People are familiar with the terrain and there are ambushes everywhere.
Secondly, even if we charge forward and destroy the enemy's headquarters at all costs, we cannot completely destroy it unless we capture all the people.
Because there are too many channels below.
There are hundreds of entrances alone, distributed throughout the canals of Bianliang, and there are even many privately dug entrances, making the number of entrances and exits countless.
Once they force their way in, the people will scatter like birds and beasts, hiding deep underground or running out of Bianliang through hidden exits. It is impossible for the government to station troops there all year round and wait for them to come back once the storm has passed.
So at least for now, it is impossible to completely eliminate it.
The only way is to clean up the ground first, find all the entrances and exits, have the undercover agents understand the internal environment, draw a clear map, and then find a suitable time. For example, when it rains and the floods make it difficult for them to escape, block all the entrances and exits they find, and finally imitate Guan Yu's fierce attack from a boat to completely solve the problem.
Now the anger of the people in Bianliang has been aroused. If it continues to ferment, the front page of the newspaper will probably be out soon. He plans to write the article himself, with the demise of Wuyou Cave, Guifanlou and other gangs on the ground as the main news, so that the newspaper will become a hit in Bianliang!
"Zhiyuan!"
At this moment, another official from the Constitutional Court came in with a pile of documents in his hands.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Jun put down the documents in his hand and said, "What's the matter?"
"This is the statistical field of the Three Departments of Salt and Iron."
As the official spoke, there were more than ten clerks behind him, all holding piles of documents.
Zhao Jun frowned and asked, "Why are there so many? Didn't we ask them to count them?"
The official said, "The Salt and Iron Bureau said they are short-staffed and are currently manufacturing weapons for the Northwest military. Furthermore, the tea law has been reformed, and there have been many changes to the iron and salt prices, so they have to let us do the calculation ourselves."
"hehe."
Zhao Jun sneered and said, "If they're short of people, just report it directly to the Civil Service Bureau and I'll send them more people. The Song Dynasty is short of everything else, but officials. There are still thousands of officials sitting idle, unemployed. Tell them to send it back for a recount and give them until the day after tomorrow to complete it, otherwise, the entire Salt and Iron Bureau, get out!"
"yes."
This official had recently witnessed Zhao Jun's decisiveness and did not dare to be negligent. He had to ask someone to send a large number of official documents back to the Salt and Iron Bureau.
Zhao Jun looked at the official's back as he left, his brows furrowed.
What's the meaning?
Is the Salt and Iron Bureau planning a rebellion?
He did not issue any decrees, but asked each department to compile the data within its jurisdiction.
This is not a difficult task in itself, but a basic requirement.
As a result, he couldn't even do such a small thing, and he still made excuses, saying that the year-end affairs were busy and the department was short of staff.
hehe.
If we’re short-staffed, that’s okay.
Then change a batch.
The Song Dynasty lacks money and everything, but it does not lack officials!
(End of this chapter)
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