Xingqing Palace.
Gu Jiu was holding a small abacus and counting with it, making a clicking sound as he settled accounts with Emperor Wende.
"Currently, we've heard that there are approximately 40,000 to 50,000 refugees heading south. Calculating this number at 40,000, and assuming each person gets half a pound of food per day, that translates to a daily food consumption of 20,000 pounds."
"Firewood, medicine, and staff salaries are not included. The weather is getting warmer and colder, and it's cold both morning and night. We need to prepare at least 5,000 quilts and 10,000 cotton clothes."
"The charcoal used for the nighttime fire is also an expense. Furthermore, the Embroidered Uniform Guards have added patrol personnel, so we need to prepare midnight snacks and sufficient rewards. Adding it all up, at the very least, it's going to cost nearly ten thousand taels a month."
"This war with the Northern Rong is estimated to last for a year or so. This means that for a year or two, these refugees will not be able to return to their hometowns to start their lives anew and will have to rely on the imperial court for support."
"And as the war continues, more and more refugees will pour into the capital. Many ordinary people, out of panic, have already begun fleeing before the Beirong army even reaches them. This situation will only increase. I estimate that in six months, the number of refugees in the capital will very likely exceed 100,000. In ten months, it could exceed 200,000."
"To accommodate so many refugees, the Ministry of Revenue must set aside a sufficient budget from now on. Taking a median of 100,000 people, the Ministry of Revenue should set aside at least 400,000 taels of silver this year for refugee resettlement. This assumes no one embezzles this money. However, I strongly doubt 400,000 taels will be enough for expenses. By the time winter arrives, consumption will increase dramatically, and this amount of money will be stretched. It would be best to set aside 600,000 taels of silver. Medicinal materials should also be prepared in large quantities to prevent epidemics."
Gu Jiu put down the abacus and looked at Emperor Wende.
Emperor Wende looked at the Minister of Revenue, Lord Zhao, with an expressionless face.
Lord Zhao was troubled. "Your Majesty, the grain budget Madam Zhao just listed is considered coarse grain, and it's even cheaper than the current market price. However, with the influx of refugees into the capital, grain prices are bound to fluctuate. 400,000 taels is indeed the minimum budget. Even 600,000 taels might not be enough."
Unless the imperial army can end the war within six months, there will only be more refugees. Nowadays, everyone in the world knows that the capital is wealthy, and the small Xinmin County is known as the Little Jiangnan. Refugees from the north will not go to Jiangnan, but only to the capital to survive.
Emperor Wende asked, "Can the Ministry of Revenue use this money to resettle the refugees?"
Lord Zhao shook his head. "The Ministry of Revenue has worked hard for years, and the little money they've saved has been used up as soon as the fighting broke out in the north. This year's income has already been allocated, and we simply can't find enough money to accommodate the refugees."
After saying this, Lord Zhao looked towards the newly appointed Shaofu Household Manager, Prince Consort Huang.
The Ministry of Revenue has no money, but the Ministry of the Interior must have money.
Huang Fu Ma remained silent. He was just a stamp. He did whatever His Majesty said.
He did not express his opinion on important matters of the court.
Emperor Wende tapped the table lightly, feeling worried.
Gu Jiu said, "Your Majesty, the budget my daughter-in-law just mentioned can only guarantee the survival of refugees, but it cannot guarantee anything more."
The food is only coarse grains. If you want to eat meat or vegetables, sorry, the refugee resettlement center does not provide them and has no money to provide them.
That’s why Gu Jiu said that he could only guarantee the refugees’ survival, and nothing else could be guaranteed.
Emperor Wende asked, "Can't we follow the example of Xinmin County and organize the refugees to build it?"
Gu Jiu was surprised. "Your Majesty, are you planning to let these refugees settle down in the capital? If they don't, the refugees won't buy the houses they've built. The northern suburbs of the city are mountainous, stretching out in a mountainous area. Whether it's developing agriculture or commerce, it's not as advantageous as the area outside the South City Gate, and it's even worse than the areas outside the East and West City Gates."
Natural conditions restrict development outside the North City Gate. Furthermore, the area outside the North City Gate is adjacent to Beimang Mountain, where the imperial mausoleum is located. Large-scale settlement has never been permitted in this area. If Your Majesty requires your daughter-in-law to undertake large-scale construction outside the North City Gate, please issue a clear decree."
Emperor Wende was troubled.
Lord Lu said, "Can the refugees be relocated to the southern suburbs of the city?"
Gu Jiu immediately objected, "We must not relocate the refugees to the southern suburbs. You have to know that these refugees came to the capital to escape the war. They are in a state of tension and fear, both physically and mentally. Once they enter Xinmin County in the south of the city, without the city wall to isolate them, Xinmin County will be in danger.
"This group of refugees will completely plunder Xinmin County. A riot by tens of thousands of refugees would require the deployment of the Beijing Camp to suppress it. My Lords, do you wish to see this human disaster unfold? Xinmin County, south of the city, has been cultivated for decades, expending countless manpower and resources to achieve its current prosperity. Do you have the heart to allow Xinmin County to be destroyed overnight by the hands of refugees?"
Refugees who flee into the glamorous world of Xinmin County will never want to settle down.
Instead, they will feel immense jealousy and hatred.
I'm so miserable, but people here are living in peace and prosperity, well fed and well-fed. I can't be too happy. This world is so unfair.
The happier others are, the more resentful the refugees become.
When resentment builds to the point of explosion, they want to destroy everything. They want to drag the people of Xinmin County into the same miserable state as themselves, so that the refugees will feel balanced.
Look, everyone is equally miserable, and finally it’s balanced.
This is why, from south to north, all cities refuse to allow refugees to enter the city.
When refugees and displaced persons are not controlled, the damage they cause to the local area is almost devastating, sometimes even more horrific than the damage caused by war.
Even the most loving officials would not allow refugees to enter the city under their jurisdiction.
The most they could do was to provide food and fodder, set up soup kitchens, and provide relief to the victims.
The experience summed up by our ancestors with blood and tears must never be underestimated.
Gu Jiu did not hesitate to speculate on human nature with the greatest malice.
As soon as she finished speaking, Emperor Wende immediately rejected the idea of settling the refugees in the southern suburbs of the city.
"Gu Jiu is right. We can't let refugees into Xinmin County."
Xinmin County is an important financial and taxation center of the capital and cannot withstand the destruction of refugees.
Lord Lu said, "Is the western or eastern suburbs of the city feasible?"
Gu Jiu rejected them one by one.
There are fertile fields on the eastern outskirts of the city, and it is also close to the Weishui Wharf.
Refugees entered the east of the city, and the local people's harvest this year was basically ruined.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard has limited manpower and cannot defend against every refugee.
This refugee went to the fields to steal some food, vegetables, and fruits, and that refugee also went to steal some...
No matter how much grain and vegetables the local people grow, they cannot withstand such losses.
As for the western outskirts of the city, the Jingcang is located in the west of the city, and the food and fodder transportation goes through the west of the city. Aren't you really afraid that these refugees will attack the Jingcang?
"Is it only in the north of the city?"
"Unless the county governments in the capital can accommodate some of the refugees."
"Don't count on the county yamen. Even if the imperial court insists that local officials accept refugees, those below them will pretend to obey but secretly disobey, which could lead to civil unrest."
Several ministers argued endlessly.
Emperor Wende was overwhelmed and slammed the table. "We will resettle them in the northern suburbs of the city. I will issue a decree that as long as they buy houses, the refugees will be allowed to settle in the capital. Gu Jiu, I will leave this important task to you. The Ministry of Finance will provide 600,000 taels of silver, and the rest will be up to you. I allow you to do as you see fit."
Gu Jiu was also troubled.
She didn't care about the rules and said directly: "Your Majesty, refugees are different from the refugees of the past. The refugees were forced to leave their homes because they lost everything due to natural disasters.
The refugees fled the war, but they still have houses, land, and property in their hometowns. As long as the war ends, they can return home and start anew. "It's impossible to expect these refugees to carry out major civil engineering projects in the northern suburbs of the city, or to expect the northern suburbs of the city to develop rapidly like Xinmin County."
Emperor Wende frowned, "Do you have a better idea?"
Gu Jiu rubbed her eyebrows. What good solution could she have?
“We can only build a factory.”
"Build a factory?"
Everyone looked at Gu Jiu curiously.
Gu Jiu said, "What do these refugees want most? To end the war quickly so they can return home and start over. Mobilize them and let them contribute to the war effort. For example, military uniform factories, dried meat factories, sweet potato processing workshops, and all factories that provide supplies for the war should recruit refugees.
Working hard earns wages, which can be used to improve lives, such as buying food and vegetables. If someone sets an example, other refugees will follow suit. Your Majesty, when people have nothing to do, they are most likely to indulge in unrealistic thoughts, which can lead to all sorts of problems.
As long as there's something to do, there's no time to dwell on messy things, and people's hearts will soon settle down. Once people's hearts settle down, there's no need to worry about refugee riots."
Emperor Wende nodded secretly.
What he wants is stability among the people.
"My dear ministers, what do you think of this matter?"
Lord Lu was the first to agree, "Madam Zhao's idea is feasible. The Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue should strongly support it."
The Minister of Revenue, Lord Zhao, said, "The Ministry of Revenue can no longer afford to pay any more. All of this year's revenue has been prepaid. A budget has also been prepared for next year's revenue."
Lord Lu looked at Prince Consort Huang.
Prince Consort Huang immediately said, "The Shaofu will obey your Majesty's orders."
Emperor Wende looked towards Gu Jiu.
"Boss's wife, how are you going to run this factory?"
"It requires authorization from the Ministry of War. Without authorization from the Ministry of War, my daughter-in-law can't do anything."
"Yes! I will also issue an edict ordering the Ministry of War to fully cooperate."
Gu Jiu was worried. "But if a factory is built in the northern suburbs of the city, it will be equivalent to taking away the business of the Shaofu. My daughter-in-law suggested that the Shaofu take the lead in this matter, and Sihai will assist from the side."
Emperor Wende looked at Prince Consort Huang and said, "Prince Consort Huang, please discuss with Madam Zhao and come up with a suitable plan. I require all government offices to act as soon as possible. In a few days, a large number of refugees will pour into the capital. I do not want to hear news of refugee riots."
"As you wish!"
The preliminary plan has been finalized, and the next step is to work out the details.
All the ministers left, and Emperor Wende kept only Gu Jiu.
Emperor Wende gestured for Gu Jiu to sit down and talk.
"I wonder what your majesty's orders are?"
Emperor Wende got straight to the point and asked, "What has Liu Zhao been working on lately?"
Gu Jiu played dumb and said, "I just go to court every day to do my work. I'm not busy with anything else."
Emperor Wende chuckled.
Believed her lies.
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