Bai Chuxiao nodded and smiled, "Yi Yu, it's an improvement that you can think this way. However, the places we've been fighting along the way are not exactly prosperous. As for taxes, it still depends on the prince. In Qizhou, no matter what, we can't squeeze any more money out of it, so why bother about a little bit of tax?"
As for conscription, it is necessary. I am not sending them to war immediately. These new recruits are to serve both military and civilian purposes. On the one hand, they will help garrison Qizhou, and on the other hand, they will help reclaim wasteland..."
Murong Xuan smiled and said, "Sister Xiao has thought things through very well."
Shen Yiyu lowered his eyes and said, "This subordinate has learned a great deal."
Bai Chuxiao rubbed her temples. "Taking a city is easy, but governing it is difficult. We can't let the people suffer because of us. Since we are in charge of pacifying the rebellion, the hearts of the people are very important..."
Xia Fan frowned and said, "The Princess is right, but there aren't many capable officials in Qizhou. We're going to attack Mianzhou tomorrow, and we don't have anyone under our command who can govern a region well..."
Murong Xuan said calmly, "Sister Xiao, how about leaving Mianzhou to me? You and Feng Yang can stay in Qizhou for now. As you said, governing these conquered places is crucial. The situation in Mianzhou is probably not much better than in Qizhou, but if Qizhou sets an example, the people in the other states might not have any resistance, and governing them won't be a problem. Just follow Qizhou's example..."
Bai Chuxiao nodded, "Second brother is right. Mianzhou doesn't have any natural defenses. You and Cui Hao should set off with 100,000 troops first thing tomorrow morning. Right now, the prince's side is drawing fire, but the court will soon realize that there are only 200,000 troops there, not 300,000. We must attack the city quickly..."
Murong Xuan said solemnly, "Don't worry."
Bai Chuxiao then instructed, "Xia Fan and Yi Yu, you two go and take charge of the conscription matters immediately. Second Brother, let's go to Feng Yang's place to check on the garrison's incorporation..."
"yes"
On the same day that the Changning army captured Qizhou, proclamations issued in the name of the Prince of Yan were posted in prominent locations throughout Qizhou city.
The people of Qizhou naturally knew something about the Prince of Yan's uprising to quell the rebellion, but those who were illiterate didn't understand what the "Jingnan" meant.
Knowing that war was imminent, the Changning army was not without panic when they entered Qizhou City. Their lives were already difficult, and in recent months, due to the court's increased taxes, their lives had become even more difficult.
Fortunately, the strength of the Qizhou garrison was far inferior to that of the Changning army, so the battle was not very intense and ended quickly.
So apart from the change in patrols within the city and the replacement of guards on the city walls, the entire city of Qizhou seemed unchanged.
As for the officials who were arrested, it had nothing to do with them.
Many people gathered in front of the notice, somewhat bewildered, and could only look hopefully at the very few educated people, hoping to get some good news.
A young man said with some delight, "Everyone, this says that Qizhou is now under the jurisdiction of the Prince of Yan's residence. The Princess of Yan has ordered that, starting today, Qizhou will be exempt from taxes, and families struggling financially will receive three catties of grain every day..."
"No more taxes to pay"
"This is true."
Joy appeared on the faces of the people. They didn't care about war or who the emperor was; as long as they could live well, they would recognize him...
The young man continued, "It's true, and the Princess Consort of Yan has even ordered the recruitment of able-bodied men. Those willing to join the army will receive eight taels of silver per month..."
The surrounding people were somewhat happy, and the young men didn't object either. They'd get paid to join the army, so why not? Besides, the higher-ups had said they wouldn't be sent to war right away.
That doesn't mean we want them to be cannon fodder; their joining the army is ultimately for the benefit of Qizhou...
As soon as Bai Chuxiao and Murong Xuan stepped into the prisoner-of-war camp outside the city, Yu Fengyang, Song Hang, Song Le'er, and Shen Xuanxuan came to greet them.
"princess……"
Bai Chuxiao smiled faintly, "How about it? Is there anything usable?"
Yu Fengyang frowned and said, "Your Highness, are you really planning to use them? Putting aside their loyalty, just look at their fighting strength..."
Bai Chuxiao said calmly, "Why not? In real battles, we rely on the 150,000 troops we bring. We'll leave a large number of troops to garrison each place. What will we rely on to fight in the provinces behind us? The upper echelons won't leave any troops, and the middle echelons will observe first and leave a group behind so that our remaining troops can be properly trained..."
Yu Fengyang raised an eyebrow and asked, "Keep the middle management?"
Murong Xuan smiled faintly, "Sister Xiao plans to employ those thousand-household and hundred-household commanders."
Bai Chuxiao slowly spoke, "That's right, these people are more useful. Feng Yang, you and Song Hang stay in the prisoner-of-war camp for now, and quickly screen out and register the usable people..."
Yu Fengyang and Song Hang nodded, "No problem."
Bai Chuxiao continued, "Le'er and Xuanxuan, you two will stay by my side and handle the affairs of the city for now."
"Yes, Your Highness."
They are currently short-handed everywhere, and after giving out instructions...
Bai Chuxiao then took Shen Xuanxuan and Song Le'er back to the government office.
After seeing off Murong Xuan's army and being busy for several more days, Bai Chuxiao finally had time to meet with the captured officials from various regions.
Shen Xuanxuan and Song Le'er directed their men to bring up the listless officials. These past few days had been difficult for them; the attack on Qizhou by the Prince of Yan's palace was too sudden, and they hadn't received any prior warning, not even having time to escape.
The Provincial Governor and the Commander-in-Chief of Qizhou knelt at the very front.
Looking at the rather young men and women around him, the Governor of Qizhou exclaimed in horror, "What do you thieves want to do...?"
Bai Chuxiao's lips curled into a cold smile. "Traitor? This Qizhou has been turned into a mess by Lord Sun. Tell me, in the eyes of those common people, who is the real traitor?"
The Provincial Governor of Qizhou looked around and said angrily, "Stop talking nonsense! Instead of staying home to be a wife and mother, the Princess Consort of Yan has led these women to launch a surprise attack on Qizhou, openly interfering in politics. Is she planning a rebellion?"
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow and said, "Lord Sun, are you only finding out now that the Prince of Yan's residence is plotting a rebellion?"
Song Le'er said with a smile, "Your Highness, we are from Jingnan..."
Bai Chuxiao smiled and said, "Le'er is right. After seeing Lord Sun, I think the words 'Jingnan' are truly wonderful... Does Lord Sun look down on us women?"
Shen Xuanxuan sneered, "Lord Sun can't even defeat us women, where does he get such arrogance from..."
The Provincial Governor of Qizhou roared, "You...you traitors, how dare you spout such nonsense! Surrender now, and I can petition His Majesty to spare your lives!"
Song Le'er couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Please look at the location carefully. Shouldn't you be begging the Princess to spare you now?"
The commander of Qizhou, who was standing to the side, finally couldn't hold back any longer. "Princess Consort of Yan, why don't you just say what you want?"
He wasn't as idiotic as the Provincial Governor of Qizhou. Now that Qizhou had suffered a defeat, even the imperial court wouldn't forgive them.
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow. "Indeed, I always appreciate those who are pragmatic. Tell me in great detail about the garrisons and officials throughout Qizhou."
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