Chapter 1101

  Tang Yin seemed to understand what Qiu Zhen meant, but seeing that he didn't intend to continue talking about it, he also stopped asking.

  He turned his words to the army commanders under him and said: "In any case, this victory is not enough to intimidate the barbarian countries, nor can it prevent the continued invasion of the barbarian troops in the future. Therefore, conscription must continue, and training must be persisted!"

  "Yes! Sir!" The four battalion commanders, Bai Yong, Zhuo Nu, Gu Yue and Li Wei, all stood up in unison.

  Tang Yin fell silent for a moment before turning his head to ask Qiu Zhen, "Is it possible to continue increasing the number of troops with Pingyuan County's current situation?"

  "This... " Qiu Zhen thought for a moment and shook his head, saying: "I'm afraid it won't work. Within one county, setting up five military divisions is already a pioneering move in Fengguo, if we set up new divisions again, I'm afraid Wang Ting's side will not only not approve, but also suspect your motives, after all, a big tree attracts wind!"

  Tang Yin nodded, Qiu Zhen's concerns were also reasonable. He rolled his eyes and smiled, saying: "We don't have to add new troops, but we can expand the existing ones! One troop, we can expand it to 15,000 or even 20,000 people, which is equivalent to adding a new troop."

  Qiu Zhen did not expect Tang Yin to come up with such an idea, and he was stunned for a moment before also laughing. "Although the lord's idea is good," he said, "the problem is that our military expenses and supplies are insufficient! Currently, the county only provides us with five battalions' worth of military pay, grain, and supplies. If the lord expands our ranks, we will not have enough military pay, grain, or supplies."

  Tang Yan had already considered this and said, "Because we often fight against the barbarian troops, it's understandable that Pingyuan County's military expenses are too high. We can ask the prefecture for more military funds and grain supplies. In addition, we can also rely on the county's tax revenue to support the army, of course, on the premise that we first get the county's tax revenue going."

  As he spoke, he looked at Shangguan Yuanji, who was in charge of internal affairs. Shangguan Yuanji was the main executor, and whether taxes could be increased also depended on Shangguan Yuanji.

  The latter naturally understood that Tang Yan was inquiring about himself, and he straightened his face and said: "Your Excellency wants to increase the military strength, and I, Tang Yan, will ensure the long-term stability of Pingyuan County. Even if I have to dig three feet into the ground, I will find a way to raise funds to assist Your Excellency. Of course, some policies still need to be approved by Your Excellency!" As he spoke, he smoothly pulled out an official document from his sleeve and handed it over to Tang Yan.

  Tang Yin looked at Shangguan Yuange in surprise, then glanced at the official document in his hand, and couldn't help but shake his head and smile. It turned out that Shangguan Yuange had been prepared early! He unfolded the document, took a closer look, and the first item was to vigorously support agriculture, rewarding those who cultivated it. If the cultivation was excellent and the grain yield was high, one could even obtain a primary title by submitting more grain.

  Shangguan Yuánjí saw Tang Yan's serious look and walked forward to explain: "Pingyuan County has been plagued by war for many years, and many civilians have fled to the mountains and forests to avoid disaster. The farmland has been abandoned for a long time, and a large area of land has been deserted. Revitalizing Pingyuan County's grain production is crucial, as it is also the foundation for supporting the expansion of the army. Therefore, we should first restore farming. We can attract civilians who have fled to return home with rewards, and stimulate their enthusiasm for farming with titles. Only in this way can Pingyuan County's agricultural production see results in a short period of time."

  Tang Yin nodded as he listened. As the saying goes, before the troops and horses move, the grain and hay go first. In the army, there can't be a day without food, and food is crucial to the army. Even if there's no military pay, there can't be no military rations.

  He pondered for a moment and then replied: "This can be implemented!"

  "Second, to revive commerce. For a long time, Pingyuan County has been plagued by internal and external troubles, and commerce has been stagnant. Goods from within the county cannot be sold out, and goods from outside cannot be brought in, which is also one of the main reasons for Pingyuan County's poverty. In order to attract merchants to enter Pingyuan County, first and foremost, there must be a stable and peaceful environment. Now that the barbarian army has been defeated, the banditry within the county has been eradicated, and the environment is no longer a problem. Next, commercial taxes should be reduced or exempted. As long as there are profits to be made, merchants will naturally flock in. Only with the influx of large numbers of merchants can Pingyuan County regain its long-lost prosperity."

  That makes sense! Tang Yan nodded and said: "This one is also approved!"

  Shangguan Yuange was about to continue explaining, while others sat in their chairs with distracted expressions. Tang Yin waved his hand, temporarily interrupting Shangguan Yuange, and said to the crowd: "If you all don't have any other military matters to discuss, then go back and rest first!"

  "Yes! Sir! I request to withdraw!" Everyone was a military commander and didn't care about government affairs. When Tang Yin said they could leave, they felt relieved and stood up to bid farewell one after another. Only Qiu Zhen stayed behind without leaving, not because he cared about government affairs, but because his previous words had not been finished yet.

  After everyone had left, Tang Yin smiled at Shangguan Yuanyi and said: "Yuanyi, go on with what you were saying!"

  Shangguan Yuanji nodded and said: "The third article, do not stick to one pattern, promote talents. In terms of Feng Guo's historical laws, whether military or political, officials need to have a title before taking office. This is equivalent to excluding those without titles from the talent pool, while ordinary people find it difficult to own titles. Therefore, official positions have been occupied by nobles for a long time. You should break this boundary and promote talents without prejudice, treating everyone equally."

  "Ah!" Tang Yin deeply understood this and he himself had no prejudice against people's backgrounds. To him, nobles and commoners were the same, and in fact, he thought ordinary people were more genuine than nobles.

  At this time, Qiu Zhen interjected: "If promoting talents and appointing officials do not require a noble title, then the first article, rewarding outstanding farmers with a noble title, loses its meaning."

  Shangguan Yuande smiled leisurely and said, "What Lord Qiu said is exactly the fourth point I wanted to make - using noble titles to atone for crimes! My lord, we people of Feng are straightforward and hot-blooded, and it's easy for us to get into fights. Private duels often occur, and many people have been imprisoned for injuring others in such fights. However, if one has a noble title, they can use the title to offset their guilt, thereby encouraging people to strive for titles."

  Tang Yin furrowed his brow, and the first three items of Shangguan Yuanyu he had no objection to. Only this fourth item, using a noble title to atone for guilt, he couldn't agree with. If someone is guilty, they are guilty; how can a noble title be used to offset it? Of course, modern ideas of equality cannot be applied to people in this era, but Tang Yin still felt uncomfortable in his heart.

  Shangguan Yuanyi saw Tang Yin's dissatisfaction and let out a light sigh, saying: "This rule is actually only temporary. Its purpose is to stimulate people to work hard in farming, strive for a title, and obtain an 'immunity plaque' for themselves. Once Pingyuan County recovers its prosperity in the future, this rule will naturally be abolished."

  Tang Yin nodded after a moment of contemplation and agreed: "Alright! This one can also be approved!"

  "Thank you, sir!" Xiang Guan Yuanji bowed his hands in gratitude and continued: "Article 5, attracting people from other cities and counties to move to Pingyuan County..."

  Shangguan Yuanyi lectured, Tang Yin listened. The former spoke fluently and the latter listened with relish. After Shangguan Yuanyi finished explaining all twenty clauses of the official document, a whole hour and a half had passed.

  Finally understanding the entire content, Tang Yin let out a long sigh. This document looks exhausting even to himself, he wondered how much thought and effort Officer Yuan had put into writing it.

  He smiled at Shang Guan Yuanji with emotion and said: "Yuanji, you've worked hard. I agree with all twenty items. Just go ahead and do it!"

  Shangguan Yuange stood up straight and made a deep bow to Tang Yin, saying: "Your subordinate obeys the order!"

  Talented people are hard to come by, and those who appreciate and trust them are even harder to find. After Shangguan Yongji joined Tang Yi, it can be said that his talent in internal affairs was fully utilized, laying a solid foundation for the rapid rise of Pingyuan County.

  It's my turn now! After Shangguan Yuanyu finished speaking, Tang Yin and he let out a sigh together. Qiu Zhen, who was standing beside them, also let out a long sigh.

  Before Tang Yin could invite him, he took out the map of Feng Guo and spread it on the table.

  Tang Yin looked at Qiu Zhen in confusion, unsure what he was going crazy about again.

  Qiu Zhen looked at Tang Yin and then glanced at the map, asking: "Sir, if something unexpected happens on the other side of Tongmen and the city changes, what do you think we should do to protect ourselves?"

  Tang Yin raised an eyebrow and asked in doubt: "Do you think Ning Guo will break his promise and launch another attack?"

  "Everything is possible, and preventing trouble before it arises will never be wrong."

  Tang Yin stood up, walked to the table, looked at the map, and slowly shook his head. The terrain of Pingyuan County was not good, with plains on all sides and no natural barriers. If the enemy really launched an internal attack, they would be unable to resist. He smiled bitterly and said, "If the Ning army can really make it here, we'll have no choice but to fight to the death."

  Qiu Zhen shook his head and said: "No! Sir, there is actually a place of great danger that can isolate the enemy troops outside and make it difficult for them to set foot in our county!"

  "Oh?" Does Pingyuan County have such a natural danger? Tang Yin lowered his head, carefully examined the map, and searched for half a day without finding the natural danger Qiu Zhen mentioned. He asked suspiciously: "Where is it?"

  "Here it is!"

  Qiu Zhen's finger swept across Pingyuan County, all the way to Tianguan.

  Tang Yin and Shangguan Yuanyi looked at each other, their faces slightly changed.

  Tian Guan is the entrance to Tianyuan County, and all areas north of the pass are under the jurisdiction of Tianyuan County. When Tang Yin went to Pingyuan County for his new post, he passed through Tian Guan, where he felt that the terrain of this fortress city was exceptionally advantageous, even surpassing Tongmen. However, since Tian Guan is located within the borders of Fengguo, it has no strategic significance.

  Tian Guan is not under the jurisdiction of Pingyuan County, but directly under Tianyuan Prefecture. Tang Yin was only the county governor of Pingyuan County, how could he manage Tian Guan?

  Qiu Zhen naturally understood the confusion of Tang Yin and Shangguan Yuanyi, he looked around, lowered his voice, and asked: "Is it that, sir is only satisfied with being the head of a county?"

  Tang Yin heard this and immediately narrowed his eyes.

  Qiu Zhengen said: "The goal of a great man is not only to face outward, but also inward. The goal inwardly is the position of County Head of Tianyuan County!" After a pause, he continued: "County Head Yu He is just a greedy and useless person. You should make preparations early on to replace him. Once we control the entire Tianyuan County, we can use the Heavenly Gate as a shield. Whether it's Ning Jun attacking or Wang Ting wanting to harm you, we will have nothing to fear!"