The three of them told Li Ye about what had happened recently at the border.
"Although we looted a batch of weapons, the barbarians did not send troops to attack.
I've been very honest recently.
With this batch of weapons, the army was expanded again.
As for the tens of thousands of pounds of refined iron, how to use it still depends on your Highness."
Zhao Wudi said.
Lei Zhan scratched his head a little embarrassedly and said, "There is something I haven't told His Highness yet.
After we obtained the weapons, we formed an infantry unit, and I will be in charge of it for the time being."
"Okay, that's a good arrangement! I think you can lead an army and become a general.
But if there is anything, please discuss it with Lei Ying."
"Okay!" Lei Zhan was very happy that he was not rejected.
This means that Li Ye recognized his position.
From now on, you will be a real general.
This kind of thing was something I could only dream of before.
There is a huge difference between leading a real army and commanding bandits.
"Did you hear me? You must remember what His Highness said! You are good in everything except that you tend to act impulsively. Now that you are leading an army of tens of thousands, you must not be willful in the future." Lei Ying warned.
"Okay, stop criticizing him. If you have any ideas, just go for it! If you're always hesitant and worried about everything you do, it will only affect your ability to perform well.
Just be careful and don't make any big mistakes." Li Ye said with a smile.
"Your Highness, the road is almost finished, what should we do next?
So many people are being asked to go home?"
Thunder Eagle inquired.
"We've finally recruited so many people, but how can we let them go back if they haven't made any money yet?
Although the wages we offer are not low, the working hours are too short.
I didn’t actually save much money.”
Li Ye stopped to take a sip of tea before continuing, "I had already made arrangements before coming here. These people are willing to stay and cultivate the land.
He farms in his spare time and trains in his spare time.
You can also receive a military salary, and the money you earn from farming belongs to you.
No land tax was collected in the first year, and livestock was provided.
If you have family, you can also move here and we will provide you with resettlement allowance and travel expenses.
If they don't want to stay, they can go back and be sent home in a carriage.
As for how to choose, it is entirely voluntary! "
Li Ye doesn't want to force others.
I also know that with such good treatment, few people will leave.
The vast majority of people would definitely like to stay.
Zhao Wudi frowned when he heard this: "Isn't it too risky to farm at the border?
What if the enemy finds out and comes to steal the food during the harvest season?
"That's why I said we should train while farming. We have hundreds of thousands, even tens of thousands, of troops at our disposal. Are we still worried about not being able to protect our crops?"
Li Ye said with a smile.
"Your Highness, what you said makes sense! As long as we have people and soldiers, what do we have to worry about?" Lei Zhan's admiration for Li Ye was beyond measure.
As long as Li Ye decides something, he will believe it without reservation.
"You don't understand. Even the imperial court can't afford to support an army of hundreds of thousands. You have no idea how much food is consumed every day."
Lei Ying was calmer and felt that this decision was a bit too outrageous.
Li Ye was not angry about their doubts but was very happy, which showed that they were thinking seriously.
"First, I have obtained the monopoly power to trade with the northern countries.
From now on, we will be the only ones who can trade with the North.
We can raise prices and make a very generous profit.
The money earned can be exchanged for cattle and sheep, so at least there will be no shortage of livestock or meat to eat.
In addition, the north is relatively cold, so we buy a lot of sheepskin to make leather clothes for everyone, so we don’t have to worry even in winter.
The extra money can be used to buy food. As long as we can survive this winter and wait until next year's harvest, we will have enough food." Li Ye explained.
"I see. If it's like what Your Highness has done, perhaps it really can feed an army of tens of thousands."
Zhao Wudi was surprised and happy.
If Li Ye could really accomplish such a feat, with an army of tens of thousands, he might one day be able to defeat all enemy countries.
"Just make the arrangements as I said. Each person will be given at least ten mu of land, and those who work harder will get more.
Provide them with the seeds they need and lend them food without asking for interest.
There is nothing to worry about in life.”
"Okay, I'll let you know right away!"
When the road was almost repaired, many people were already worried about what would happen next.
After the road was built, it was impossible to support so many people, so they had to go home.
Although I made a lot of money, it was far from what I earned when I was working.
If I go back home, I will just live off my savings and will never find such a good opportunity to make money again.
Seeing so many people being selected for military training, I was extremely envious.
At this time, the steward called them all up.
"Gather quickly, there is something important to announce!"
The workers' faces were pale with fear; the thing they were most worried about had finally happened.
"Are you going to send us back home?"
"The food and accommodation here are good, and the salary is generous. I really don't want to leave."
"Can His Highness build another road? We will definitely do it well."
"What are you thinking? Building this road will cost tens of thousands of taels of silver. Your Highness can't afford it no matter how much money he has.
Our good days are over today, and I guess we should just pack up and go home."
Everyone was sighing and looking worried.
This time, there is no energy or spirit in the team.
"What are you all doing? Aren't you still asleep? Pay attention!"
The manager was very angry and yelled at everyone.
After being scolded, he stood up reluctantly.
"Steward, please tell me, are we no longer needed? Let's all go home."
"Who told you to go home? His Highness came back and issued an order to open up wasteland and cultivate land at the border. Anyone who wants to stay can stay.
If you don't want to stay and want to go home, you can check out and leave now.
A carriage will take you back safely."
"Why are you farming here? I heard the barbarians often come to rob us. How can we plant enough food?"
Many people are very puzzled.
"You can think of it, His Highness has already thought of it! Not only do you have to stay and farm, but you also have to train from time to time.
It is both a surname and a military unit.
There is no tax in the first year of farming, and only half the land tax is collected in the second and third years.
Whoever has the ability to cultivate as much land as possible can get as much land as he wants, and all the harvest belongs to him or she, and can also sell it to grain merchants.
As long as you are willing to stay, His Highness will provide you with seeds and can lend you food first. You can return it after the harvest, and no interest is required.
We will also provide you with livestock, all free of charge, and you don’t even have to pay for fodder.
You can also join the military for training and receive a salary.
In other words, although there might be some risks in staying, there would be a lot of income.
I'll give you a quarter of an hour to prepare. If you're willing to stay, please sign and register."
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