Even if he couldn't do it, he would try his best, and if he failed, he would take the initiative to apologize to Yuan Shu.
In comparison, if we were all Skeleton Kings, we would probably make the same choice as him.
Nobody likes a fly that keeps buzzing in their ear.
"Alas, are we just going to stand by and watch Lord Yuan indulge in wine and women? Not to mention the harm to his health, if those literati who only care about indulging in pleasure don't deal with these displaced people, how can we talk about our great cause!"
Zhang Xun clenched his fist and angrily slammed it against the city wall.
He was the highest-ranking person in Yuan Shu's army, and made great contributions to Yuan Shu's conquest of cities and territories, and the establishment of agricultural settlements and the governance of the people.
But now, he can only watch helplessly as the Huainan Empire, which he has worked so hard to build, falls into decline!
Ji Ling naturally knew the burning pain in Zhang Xun's heart; he was just not good with words, but he wasn't stupid.
We are all born of parents. Seeing so many people separated from their wives and children, selling their children, and even exchanging children to eat, all for the sake of living a lowly life.
How could their hearts not be touched?
Ji Ling sighed and said helplessly.
"Old Zhang, there's actually another way... Recently, all the feudal lords in the land have started to cultivate land for military settlements."
Among us, besides you, I'm afraid no one else can do these things.
You couldn't bear to see these people destitute on the streets, dying tragically under the scorching sun. The expedient solution was to take them to Huaibei and the area near Runan to cultivate the land.
The fields there have long been abandoned; the only difficulties are finding food and tools…
Ji Ling wasn't particularly bright; these were all she could think of.
He has limited abilities and can't be of much help.
But a glimmer of light appeared in Zhang Xun's eyes.
"Good! Old Ji! You've finally figured it out!"
"I'll... I'll go and contact other familiar civil and military officials right away. Then I'll carefully explain the pros and cons to the lord, and we'll definitely be able to transform this horde of refugees into hundreds of thousands of soldiers, along with countless provisions!"
...
Reality always has a vast gap between itself and ideals. Just as Zhang Xun was making plans and discussing matters, an unexpected event occurred.
During the meeting, Qin Hui presented his famous strategy.
"Lord Yuan, I have some insights into the matter of military farms. I wonder if you gentlemen would be willing to hear my opinion?"
In the eyes of veteran military generals like Qiao Rui, Qin Hui was no good.
But in the eyes of Yang Hong, Yuan Yin, and Yan Xiang, among others.
Qin Hui, however, was a scholar of exceptional literary talent and intelligence.
"Well, Huizhi, please speak freely. Is there anything wrong with General Zhang's plan?"
From Yuan Shu's words, we can tell that he subconsciously did not want Zhang Xun to carry out large-scale land reclamation.
Qin Hui naturally sensed this, and after receiving the signal from Yuan Shu, he knew what to say.
"Lord Yuan, gentlemen. Most of the refugees nowadays come from various southern prefectures. This is because when Sun Jian attacked, he disturbed the people in various places, causing them to flock to this most prosperous city of Shouchun."
General Zhang's proposal to establish military farms is undoubtedly driven by a deep concern for the country and its people, a sentiment we all share.
However, General Zhang's large-scale land reclamation in Huaibei is not a suitable strategy for the current situation.
Qin Hui's words sounded reasonable, but Zhang Xun vaguely sensed that they contained a hidden poison needle that was about to be thrust at him!
"Oh? I wonder what brings you here, Registrar Qin?"
Qin Hui smiled, which seemed like a gentle spring breeze to the civil officials, but to Zhang Xun and a few other insightful people, it was like the appearance of a demon.
"I am not qualified to be a teacher, and I would appreciate any corrections or additions from my seniors."
Qin Hui paused for a moment, then put his left hand behind his back and opened his right palm to begin the conversation.
“Palaces are currently under construction in various places. If we transfer more craftsmen and laborers, the progress of the project will likely be delayed.”
Furthermore, there are still many bandits who have fled into the mountains and forests in Huaibei. Keeping them around can help guard against the Tao family in Xuzhou and the Cao family in Yuzhou.
Therefore, establishing military settlements in Huaibei is a thankless and arduous choice. If the old general wishes to resettle the displaced people and revitalize agriculture, I have a better method!
Yuan Shu's eyes lit up; his intuition told him so.
Qin Hui can give him the answer he wants!
"Reporting to Lord Yuan, as the saying goes, it's hard to leave one's homeland, it's really hard to leave one's homeland."
These people came from the southern prefectures, and although there were some northerners among them, they were not the majority.
My intention is... Southerners should return to the South, and Northerners should return to the North.
Upon hearing this, the eyes of the civil officials lit up with a thoughtful light.
Only the group of warriors glared angrily and shouted in unison.
"We are all northerners, shall we all return to the north!"
Yuan Shu was also stunned, not expecting the military group to react so strongly.
At first, he also thought it seemed like a good idea.
But with so many people resisting him, he had to reconsider.
"When they meet, although they are not good at writing, what they say makes sense. The Yuan family of Runan is fine, but most of the soldiers who followed this expedition are the northerners you mentioned."
"After meeting, I thought your policy proposals were only aimed at those displaced people, right?"
Yuan Shu's ladder was practically extended to Qin Hui's feet, so that he could easily step onto the steps with a single movement.
Qin Hui, of course, understood the meaning behind Yuan Shu's words and quickly nodded in response.
"Yuan Gong's righteousness is exactly what Hui thought!"
Now that the various prefectures of Yangzhou have been initially settled, returning the displaced people to their homes to appease the people of the southern prefectures is truly the best policy.
The southern prefectures are sparsely populated and fertile, so cultivating arable land is not difficult. Moreover, Sun Jian's troops are currently stationed at Kuaiji, which also requires laborers and soldiers for farming.
Therefore, it is most convenient to send the displaced people back to their original places of residence and incorporate them into the ranks of laborers or soldiers.
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