Three days later, Wei Junmo and his entourage took 150,000 Taining Wei to change their clothes and weapons, and quietly crossed the border of Xizhou and went straight to Yuezhou, the closest to Xizhou. The three states of Yue, Chen and Jin are not far from each other, and they have been the battleground for soldiers since ancient times. Without either one, it is extremely difficult to hold the other two. And Yuezhou is the closest place to Xizhou among the three places, so it naturally became their first target.

Tai Ning Wei's combat effectiveness really deserves its reputation, even if it is not convincing and loyal to Wei Junmo and others like King Ning, but once he receives the order, the efficiency of his actions is still very impressive. As soon as they entered the boundary of Yuezhou, the 150,000 troops divided into several routes, and in just a few days, they quietly swept away the garrisons in various parts of Yuezhou, and touched the city of Yuezhou. From the entry of the entire army into Yuezhou to the capture of Yuezhou City, it was not even ten days. Of course, there is also a reason why the people in Yuezhou are slackening their guards because of the current drought in Yuezhou, and the local officials in Yuezhou did not expect that there would be a sudden appearance of soldiers and horses in front of them. Surprise and unpreparedness can make them capture a city so lightly.

Sitting in the Yuezhou City Mansion, Nangong Mo looked at the account book in front of him, and his beautiful face was a little more gloomy. Qu Lianxing put down the account book, rubbed his eyebrows, and the look on his face was also a little weird, "There is so much grain in the treasury of Yuezhou Mansion?" "This was a bit of a surprise to them, and it stands to reason that they should be happy to have seized so much grain, but now none of them are happy. Along the way, although I didn't stop long, I also saw the hardships of the people in Yuezhou. Qu Lianxing and Nangong Mo are better, they have both seen the suffering of many ordinary people. The eldest son of the Qin family is a noble son of a family who grew up in Jinling, even if he has heard of it and read many books, it is not as shocking as what he saw with his own eyes.

It has not rained in Yuezhou for two months, not to mention that this year's early summer harvest is almost non-existent, and without rain, even autumn grain cannot be planted. Many people fled to other places because they couldn't get by, but many more had nowhere to flee. Along the way, there have been many cases of selling children and daughters, starving to death on the side of the road. It is precisely for this reason that it makes people feel extremely angry to see the grain piled up in the warehouse and almost rot.

Qu Lianxing put a few booklets in front of Nangong Mo and said, "There are a total of two hundred and one stone and ten thousand stones of grain in the treasury, and one million and nine hundred thousand taels of silver in the treasury

Mr. Leng's secret love is lurking, and his lover is not married. In addition, 600,000 taels of silver were copied from the governor's mansion. "It is said that the Qing Governor's Mansion for three years, 100,000 snowflakes of silver, this is really true. This governor of Yuezhou seems to have taken office after Zhang Dingfang's rebellion. It's only been two years to be able to copy out so much private money from the house, and it's really a way to make money.

Qin Zixu frowned and said, "In the past two years, Yuezhou's grain harvest has been poor, where did so much grain come from?" "I heard that Yuezhou can't even get the food to help the people, but there are two million stones of grain piled up in the warehouse!

Qu Lianxing flipped through the account book and said, "The imperial court has reduced or exempted taxes in several disaster-stricken places such as Yuezhou last year, but... The people of Yuezhou don't seem to know about it. Therefore, this year's taxes are also paid. ”

Qin Zixu raised his eyebrows, "What do you use?" "Without food, the common people can't turn it into food to pay taxes.

Qu Lianxing sneered: "Selling fields and land, selling sons and daughters, even if the grain harvest is poor, Yuezhou still receives nearly 800,000 stone of grain this year. As for the rest... It was bought by the governor of Yuezhou. ”

"Huh?" Qin Zixu quickly figured it out, and his face became more and more difficult to look at, "You mean... The governor of Yuezhou colluded with the wealthy businessmen of Yuezhou to buy grain from other places and sell it at a high price? ”

Qu Lianxing nodded, "Although there is a great drought near Yuezhou, according to the information we have received, the coastal areas of the south of the Yangtze River, the Central Plains, and Shuzhou and other places have had bumper harvests year after year in the past two years. The imperial court allocated 3 million taels of silver for disaster relief last year, and when the money finally arrived in Yuezhou, it was 2.1 million. All of these 2.1 million were used to cooperate with wealthy merchants to buy large quantities of grain from all over the country. However, after they were bought, they were not distributed to the people of Yuezhou for free, but were sold at three times higher than the original price of grain. At present, the price of grain in Yuezhou is more than five times that of other places. ”

"Bastard!" Qin Zixu was furious, these children of wealthy families went out to be officials, and they didn't dare to say that they had never done anything greedy for ink, but they all understood that everything had to have a degree. Xiang Yuezhou is a matter of forcing the people to death, isn't it also self-defeating? If he makes the people miserable under his rule, is it difficult to think that no one can control him?

"Who is behind the prefect of Yuezhou?" Qin Zixu asked, just a prefect, I'm afraid I don't have such courage.

A mocking smile appeared on Qu Lianxing's lips, and said, "Gao Yibo's Mansion, and... This Zhizhou seems to be Zhou Xiang's protégé. ”

Qin Zixu frowned and said, "I remember... Zhou Xiang is still an incorruptible person. Although Zhou Xiang, the old man, is quite annoying, he is not greedy for money, and he is not afraid of living a peaceful life. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to save his life in the hands of the first emperor back then.

Qu Lianxing said: "Zhou Xiang is honest, it doesn't mean that his protégé is also willing to live a hard life." ”

Qin Zixu nodded, "That's the same." Lord, what are your plans? ”

Nangong Mo raised his hand and threw out a booklet, and said lightly: "Those with red names on it are all copied." It will be announced immediately, and all grain taxes will be reduced or reduced this year. Also, a conscription order was issued for men between the ages of eighteen and forty-eight, as long as they were voluntary. ”

Qin Zixu took it in his hand, and his sword eyebrows were deeply locked. All three of them are very good, but if you think about it, all three of them are very problematic.

Seeing him like this, Nangong Mo was not in a hurry, and smiled indifferently: "If you have any opinions, speak slowly." ”

Qin Zixu sighed and said, "I know the county lord is angry, but... As soon as we arrived in Yuezhou, we copied rich families from all over the country, but we were afraid that the reputation of Wei Gongzi and the county lord would not be good. Again, the grain tax is comprehensive, since Yuezhou is exempted, Lingzhou and Jinzhou cannot be missing, so let's lay down these three places, not to mention that there is no benefit at all, but also a heavy burden. At last... The people of Yuezhou are already struggling to make a living, and they will be conscripted again... Who will plant the land? "If there is no one to farm, where will the grain in autumn and the tax revenue come from?

Nangong Mo nodded, "Gongzi Qin is thoughtful, but... If you look at the roster, not everyone has copied it, only those who have participated in raising the price of food. Publish what they have done together, and I want to see how many people dare to hold grievances for them! As for taxes... Then it depends on how fast Jun Mo and they attack the city and seize the land. We don't have to just stare at these places, do we? Yuezhou can't squeeze out any oil and water anyway

A guide to raising an interstellar dragon. And why care about that little bit of tax? As for the third... I don't need them to fight now, 150,000 Taining Wei is enough for Jun Mo and them to defeat Jinzhou and Chenzhou. ”

"What does the county lord mean?"

Nangong Mo tapped lightly on the table and said, "You say... Obviously, these places guard such a big river as the Li River, how can there be a shortage of water like this? ”

"It's... What does the county lord mean? ”

Nangong Mo said: "Since Li Jiang is not dry, then find a way to find water." Whether I open a river or dig a well, even if it is a pick-and-pick water, I must immediately plant this year's grain! It's too late, and it's really too late this year. ”

Qu Lianxing looked at Nangong Mo and hesitated for a moment before saying, "Open the river?" I'm afraid it's too late now, right? Even if the people were to be recruited to open rivers and divert water, it would take several months. Nangong Mo said: "The solution was figured out." In addition, it began to spread from the edge of the Li River to a distant place, and all the land was reclaimed and planted. How many count. ”

Qin Zixu raised his eyebrows, "Most of the land in good places along the river is owned by wealthy businessmen or officials and magnates. "These people don't care if there is a harvest in a year or two, if there is no water, they don't plant, as long as the land is theirs, who cares about the income of a few taels of silver per acre of land that year?

Nangong Mo sneered: "It's better for them to do what I say, if they don't like it, I'll let someone plant it for them." ”

Qin Zixu also understood the truth of using heavy codes in troubled times, nodded and said, "I'll let people do it." ”

Nangong Mo raised his hand and rubbed his eyebrows, "Thank you for your hard work." ”

Qin Zixu said with a smile: "Where, it's the county lord who should have a good rest." Since arriving in Yuezhou, the county lord has never stopped. Nangong Mo smiled bitterly, "It's okay if you don't come, since we have arrived in Yuezhou, we can't make the people's lives more miserable, right?" ”

"The county lord is merciful."

Qin Zixu and Qu Lianxing went out to run errands, and Nangong Mo had the strength to stop and rest for a while. Leaning back in the chair and closing your eyes, it is already the middle of July, and the weather in Yuezhou is really hot. Even sitting in a room with the window open is no different than sitting in a steamer. Even if Nangong Mo is possessed by internal force, he will not feel good.

Wei Junmo came in from outside and saw her resting in a chair with a tired face. He paused before strolling over. As soon as he entered, Nangong Mo woke up, opened his eyes and smiled at him, "Done?" "Although Yuezhou City has just been captured, the army has no time to repair, and it will set off again early tomorrow morning. At least take Jinzhou and Chenzhou before the imperial court sends reinforcements to arrive, so not only has Nangong Mo worked hard in the past two days, but Wei Junmo will only be busier than her.

Wei Junmo nodded and said, "There is something to tell Qin Zixu to do it." ”

Nangong Mo smiled: "Isn't it that they are busy outside now, and I'm lazy in the house?" ”

Wei Gongzi looked at the study in front of him and the files piled high on the bookcase and raised his eyebrows, obviously disagreeing with her words. Sitting in a room like this and being lazy?

"I'll have someone prepare some ice cubes, and I'll deliver them in a moment."

"Where did it come from?" Nangong Mo was a little curious, "Forget it, everyone is very busy now." ”

Wei Junmo said indifferently: "They won't need it in the future." I do not take it out and waste it. ”

Nangong Mo blinked his eyes and suddenly realized. Presumably those rich businessmen who are about to be unlucky, at this time, only they can take out the ice in Yuezhou.

"Take good care of yourself." Wei Junmo gently brushed the hair on her forehead and said softly.

Nangong Mo smiled: "I know, don't worry." Come back early. He knew that Wei Junmo would lead the army to set off tomorrow.

Wei Junmo nodded, "Don't worry, I'll be back soon." "Jinzhou and Chenzhou, it really doesn't take much time. Nangong Mo smiled and held his hand, "You can rest assured that you are here in Yuezhou."

Deposed General Queen. ”

Wei Junmo took her into his arms and didn't say anything more. With her there, he doesn't worry about what will go wrong in the rear at any time. But she was also more guilty of her own incompetence, if he was stronger, she wouldn't have to work so hard.

As if he understood what he was thinking, Nangong Mo said softly: "I still prefer the experience of struggling together rather than sitting back and enjoying it." ”

Early the next morning, Wei Junmo really led the army to set off, leaving only thirty or forty thousand soldiers and horses to garrison Yuezhou. This is also the reason why Nangong Mo needs to recruit soldiers, although they are not needed for the time being to fight, but the places where they are stationed and fought are also needed. When someone is stationed in Yuezhou, the remaining Tainingwei can also be transferred to the front line to help. Nangong Mo was not very worried that the newly recruited soldiers and horses would betray them, compared to the insatiable governor of Yuezhou and the imperial court who didn't know where it was, I believe that the people of Yuezhou would understand who was the better choice.

On the same day, notices issued in the name of King Yan were plastered in conspicuous locations all over Yuezhou City. The people of Yuezhou have also heard some of the news of King Yan's rebellion, and the ordinary people who don't even know a single big character don't understand what Jingnan means. Probably knowing that there is a war. When Tai Ningwei entered Yuezhou City, they did not feel panicked, Yuezhou was already having a very difficult time, and they were afraid that the war would make their lives even more difficult. However, fortunately, the strength of the defenders of Yuezhou was obviously too far behind Tainingwei, and this battle was not very fierce, and it ended in only half a day from beginning to end. The next day, except for the patrol in the city and the change of the defenders at the head of the city, the entire Yuezhou City seemed to have not changed. Oh, Lord Zhizhou and many rich people in the city have been arrested. But what does this have to do with ordinary people who can't even fill their stomachs?

Many people gathered in front of the notices, staring blankly at the several notices in front of them, confused. I had to look at the few people who had studied with hope, hoping to get some good news.

Sure enough, it didn't disappoint them. A scholar who was a little downtrodden said: "It is said that His Royal Highness King Yan sent his nephew, General Wei, to lead the Jingnan to kill the traitors around His Majesty so that our people can live a good life." Also, now the person in charge of Yuezhou City is General Wei's wife, the county lord of Xingcheng who was crowned by the first emperor. The county lord said that all grain taxes in Yuezhou have been exempted this year. From today onwards, the grain prices of the major rice and grain banks in the city must not be higher than the national average. And also... People who do not have strong men in their families and have a difficult life can receive two catties of grain every day. ”

Before he could finish speaking, the crowd burst into cheers. They didn't care about anything else, but many people were happy to be able to receive free food when food prices dropped. Although two catties of food may not be enough to fill the stomach of the family, if you think of a way to at least not make the whole family hungry, right? The reason why the people's lives are so difficult is because the price of food is too high. If food prices do come down, they will at least be able to hold out for a while longer. Many people didn't want to listen to the latter words anymore, pinching their shriveled purses, gritting their teeth, and running towards the rice grain line. Others who feel that they are eligible also quickly think of finding someone to ask where to get food.

The scholar continued, "Also, the Lord of Star City ordered the recruitment of strong men. Those who are willing to enlist in the army will be given eight yuan a month. Those who do not want to join the army can also sign up for work, take care of a meal, and give 20 copper plates a day. ”

"And this good thing?!" Many men in the prime of life were also very happy. Do you want to fight in the army? Now they won't be able to survive without fighting. You can still have eight dollars of silver a month, although it is not much, you can still subsidize the family, right?

"The Lord of Star City is really a good person!" Many people have expressed their gratitude. They don't have too many ideas about loyalty, and whoever can keep them fed and not starve to death is a good person. As for the emperor and the prince, loyal and patriotic? The vast majority of people only know that the biggest person in the world is the emperor, but how many people know who the emperor is and what the year name is?

These are not important, for ordinary people, it is the most important thing to have enough to eat.

"I'm going to join the army now! My sister doesn't have to be sold! A young man said firmly.

"Why didn't General Wei and the Lord of Star City come earlier?!" A middle-aged man cried loudly, his wife and daughter were already starving.

The surrounding people pulled the scholar to ask, and after getting a positive answer, their faces were filled with happy smiles. As if they have seen a bright future prospect, they do not wonder if this will be fake, and whether the content of the notice can be realized. Maybe they've been disappointed too many times and they're numb. But every time, I still can't help but hold on to a little hope, because... They have no choice.