Chapter 75: What do you think about the selection of the Queen?
Yun Zhao's voice was clear and steady, like jade beads falling on a plate, and every word struck Xiao Jin's heart. "Your Majesty, the root cause lies in the fierce annexation of land, the heavy taxes and levies, the frequent floods and droughts, the collapse of military settlements, and the endless expansion of farmland! The people have been bankrupted and displaced, and have been forced to leave their homes. This is the root cause of the flood of refugees!"
Xiao Jin leaned forward slightly, his eyes sharp and focused, his previous relaxed expression completely gone. He said in a deep voice, "Go on! Tell me everything you know! I pardon you! If you offer any good advice, you will be handsomely rewarded!"
The emperor's pressure was released invisibly, and the atmosphere in the hall became tense.
Yun Zhao didn't flinch. Instead, he stepped forward and pointed at the direction of Jingxiang on the map. "Why are the refugees gathering in Yunyang, Xiangyang, and Nanyang? It's because the mountains are high and the forests are dense, the land is vast and sparsely populated, and it's located at the junction of three provinces (Huguang, Henan, and Shaanxi), making it out of reach of the imperial court! Furthermore, because they have been considered 'forbidden mountains' for generations, cultivation was strictly prohibited, making them a lawless area!"
"Indeed!" Xiao Jin sighed, banging his knuckles on the table with long-suppressed anger. "This is a lawless place, a hotbed of chaos!"
"Refugees have no place to rely on and are easily instigated and coerced, or they may spontaneously form an army!" Yun Zhao's tone turned stern. "During the time of the previous emperor, the rebellion of Liu Tong and Shi Long was a lesson not far away! If it breaks out again this time, I think that relying solely on force to suppress it is like adding fuel to the fire, and it is not a strategy for long-term stability!" She went straight to the core - simple suppression would only sow the seeds of greater disaster.
Xiao Jin's eyes flashed with admiration! This analysis was incisive and hit the nail on the head!
Even Zhang Fuan, who was standing aside with his hands hanging down, was secretly shocked: How many officials in the court can have such insight?
"In your opinion, how should we break the impasse?" Xiao Jin asked, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of urgency.
"It's better to ease the situation than to block it, and it's better to govern the chaos than to govern it!" Yun Zhao said firmly. "The three provinces are passing the buck, and the system is flawed! Why not set up a special government office in this 'no man's land' to handle the affairs of the refugees?" Her eyes were blazing as she laid out her core idea: "Establish a government office, assign officials, build garrisons, and maintain order! Let the refugees have a place to file complaints and laws to rely on. Let the court recognize them as citizens of Daye, so they can feel at home and settle down. With the people's support, the chaos will naturally subside! What do you think, Your Majesty?"
"Brilliant! Brilliant!" Xiao Jin practically slammed his fist in anger! Setting up a special yamen! This was like a thunderbolt crashing through his chaotic thoughts! He had never imagined such a solution! A dedicated yamen would bring the scattered refugees into the imperial court's governance system, transforming hidden dangers into a source of tax revenue, and turning rebellious people into obedient citizens!
His eyes gleamed brightly, and he picked up the pen and wrote quickly, with ink dripping all over his face.
At this moment, Zhang Fuan quietly reported: "Your Majesty, Lord Yu requests an audience."
"Let him wait outside the door and listen!" Xiao Jin didn't even raise his head, his pen moving quickly, his voice filled with unquestionable excitement.
Yun Zhao didn't pause, his thoughts becoming increasingly clear. "To achieve long-term stability, we need good governance! Among the refugees, many are kindhearted individuals seeking survival, but there are also ambitious and instigative individuals! I request a thorough investigation and the approval of their registration!"
She declared firmly, "We will conduct a thorough investigation and registration of the refugees. Those who voluntarily stay will be allowed to register locally and be included in the local household registration, becoming upright citizens of Daye!"
"This move has three benefits: First, it will bring the vast number of undocumented people back under the control of the imperial court, restoring their taxes and labor service, and increasing the treasury! Second, it will grant them household registration, allowing them to settle down and eradicate any thoughts of rebellion from exile! Third, it will divide and disintegrate the rebels! Using household registration and land will lure ordinary refugees away from the rebel leaders, isolating the stubborn bandits! Three birds with one stone, why not?"
Yu Cheng, who was outside the door, heard this and his old eyes lit up. He twirled his beard and sighed softly, "The daughter of Duke Yun is truly a talent for the country!"
Xiao Jin kept writing, with a satisfied smile on his lips.
Seeing that he was listening intently, Yun Zhao took a deep breath and threw out a more crucial point: "Your Majesty, after registering as a resident, the core is land! Please allocate wasteland and idle farmland for registered refugees to cultivate! And implement a policy of exempting all residents from taxes for three years or even longer!"
Her voice rose, carrying an undeniable force: "Land is the lifeblood of the people! Granting land and reclaiming wasteland is the most fundamental and effective way to ensure their safety! Only by alleviating their immediate needs can we solidify their loyalty! The tax exemption is an even greater attraction, enticing them to voluntarily register and focus on production! Once wasteland is reclaimed and refugees become farmers, the tax exemption period will expire. Your Majesty, the court will enjoy a stable source of tax revenue and labor service! This is a century-long foundation that benefits both the country and the people!"
"Great! What a great idea to grant land and exempt taxes!" Xiao Jin suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with undisguised surprise and admiration! This girl had actually mastered the principles of pacifying the people, enriching the country, and strengthening the army!
His heart surged with emotion. "One government office might not be enough! I propose the creation of a governor-general to oversee the affairs of the refugees in Huguang, Henan, and Shaanxi provinces. He will establish a government office and be stationed in Yunyang! Unify responsibilities and eliminate buck-passing! Only a senior cabinet official can shoulder this heavy responsibility!"
"Your Majesty is wise!" Yun Zhao's eyes gleamed with excitement. "The establishment of the Governor-General will alleviate the constraints faced by the three provinces! With a senior cabinet official in charge, his authority is immense, and even the scoundrels will be intimidated! The refugees will be grateful for the court's attention and will wholeheartedly submit to it!"
"Lord Yu!" Xiao Jin called out, "Come in! Is this plan feasible?"
Yu Cheng walked in steadily, bowed deeply, and looked at Yun Zhao with a look of amazement and praise: "Your Majesty, I have heard everything clearly from outside the door! Yun Shangshi's plan is insightful and hits the nail on the head. I think it is a great idea!"
He changed the subject, speaking with the caution of a seasoned minister. "However, implementation is difficult and will not be accomplished overnight. Investigations, registration, land grants, suppression and appeasement are all interconnected, and the resistance will be enormous! Only those with great wisdom, courage, perseverance and determination can be competent. Gentlemen of the cabinet..."
He shook his head slightly and said bluntly, "I'm afraid I don't have the courage and energy to be stationed at the border. I dare say that the candidate for governor should be selected from the Ministry of Personnel or even local officials, someone with great prestige, knowledge of practical matters, and capable of pacifying a region!"
Seeing that the core strategy had been decided, Yun Zhao wanted to withdraw: "Your Majesty, Elder, if there is nothing else, I still have the food bureau..."
"Wait a minute, Yun Shangshi!" Yu Cheng stopped her, his eyes filled with scrutiny and a hint of inquiry. "I have one more question: What should we do if we encounter someone who is stubborn and refuses to be appeased, or even incites sabotage?"
Yun Zhao stopped and turned around. Her eyes instantly became as sharp as a knife, and the fierce aura of a daughter of a general naturally emanated from her. "Use both suppression and appeasement, and treat them differently!" Her voice was cold and decisive. "For the good people who are willing to be appeased, we will implement benevolent policies and provide them with a safe home. As for the ringleaders and diehards who stubbornly resist, we will resolutely eliminate them and kill them without mercy!"
She paused, her tone carrying the iron-blooded legacy passed down by Yunfeng: "My father once said: The way to defeat the enemy is to divide and disintegrate them! Severely punish the ringleaders to serve as a warning to others, and be lenient with those who are coerced to win their hearts! When necessary, drastic measures can deter the scoundrels, shake those who are on the sidelines, and clear the way for subsequent pacification! Military power is only a means; resettlement is the foundation!"
She finally looked at Xiao Jin and spoke in a resounding voice, "Your Majesty, I believe the ban on the mountains should be abolished! Officially open the Jingxiang mountain area and encourage reclamation! Transform this hidden danger area into fertile land for Daye's granary and a source of population! Turning waste into treasure is the best strategy for long-term peace and stability!"
"Excellent! A brilliant 'combination of suppression and appeasement'! A brilliant 'opening of the forbidden mountains'!" Yu Cheng's beard trembled with excitement as he clapped his hands in praise. "Your Majesty! This strategy is so well-organized, combining both firmness and flexibility. I, an old minister, have no objections! It's feasible! It must be implemented!"
Xiao Jin suddenly felt a surge of heroism in his heart, and his eyes shone brightly, as if he saw hope that the chronic illness that had plagued the refugees for years could finally be cured!
He stood up suddenly, his voice shaking the palace: "Zhang Fuan! Immediately issue an order: All officials from the six ministries and nine ministers of the cabinet are to come to Yanying Palace to discuss matters! The solution to the refugees cannot be delayed! I will not be at peace until this threat is resolved!"
He turned his gaze to Yun Zhao, his eyes were deep, filled with unprecedented trust and admiration: "Yun Zhao, your suggestions today have been of great merit! Go down and have a rest for a while. After lunch, you will be in charge of my memorials!" The word "in charge of" was of great weight, and it was a responsibility that the emperor had absolutely trusted!
"Your Majesty, I obey your command." Yun Zhao bowed and stepped back with his back straight.
Xiao Jin's gaze followed her back until the palace door closed, then he slowly withdrew his gaze, with a hint of warmth that he himself was not aware of.
He turned to Yu Cheng, his tone unusually gentle and intimate: "Lord, please dine with me today to discuss the selection of the governor and the details of the implementation!"
"I'm honored!" Yu Cheng bowed. The emperor and his minister looked at each other, each seeing in the other's eyes the hope for the future and the determination to break the impasse. A storm that threatened to engulf the dynasty finally found a way out thanks to the powerful strategy of a young woman.
"Does the elder have any idea about the choice of queen?"
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