The war in the northeast is in full swing, but this does not hinder the policies in the temple, as Zhuge Liang said, the empty treasury can transfer economic pressure from the outside world, and can bear a series of expenses.

The high-caste nobles of Kushan were reluctant to engage in business, they only needed those extravagant goods that could represent their own tastes, as for those produced locally, they were not taken seriously, and when the Han merchants traded a large number of Han banknotes, they were indeed able to carry out economic plunder on a large scale, and even controlled the veins of some states through essential goods.

Sitting in Shangshutai, Zhuge Liang is looking at the map of the outside of the Saiwai played by the place, outside the three states of He, Xin and Ning of the Han Dynasty, it is a cold and frozen world, and in the same way, according to the merchants who come and go, and even the soldiers who often go out to patrol to explore, in these areas, there are also many areas where the land is fertile and suitable for farming, but it has been barren for a long time.

In the war in the northeast, Zhuge Liang was very resolute, he agreed very much, and fully supported the expedition of the Son of Heaven, and the ministers still had some opinions in their hearts, although they also looked down on the states outside the Saiwai, thinking that since the defeat of Xianbei, the Han would not encounter any enemies outside the Saiwai, but for the war, they were all disgusted and hated, especially such an unprovoked war.

Because the war arises, the oppression of the treasury and the surrounding people is not small, and what is the use of those barren lands?

In Shangshutai, Zhuge Liang looked at the map, and Zhong Changtong was sitting on the side, the relationship between the two was not too close, Zhong Changtong was also a little puzzled in his heart, this Zhuge Linggong called himself over earlier, it has been more than two hours, he still didn't say a word, just stared at those maps, what did he want to do?

Zhong Changtong frowned, even in front of Sanling, he was not restrained, drinking tea one after another, occasionally humming tunes, leisurely and comfortable, and after a while, Zhuge Liang raised his head and said seriously: "Axiom, come and see, how much manpower can be levied in these counties in the north of Ningzhou?" ”

Zhong Changtong came over, looked at Zhuge Liang's fingertips, and said without thinking: "Shanggao County Qingzhuang can levy 10,000 people, if it is more, I am afraid that it will seriously delay the farming, as for Luojun and Zhongping County, it is slightly better, according to Ling Gong's idea, these areas can levy 40,000 people...", Zhuge Liang sighed and continued to watch.

At this time, Zhong Changtong probably wanted to understand what Zhuge Linggong wanted to do, and he also looked at it seriously, and suddenly asked: "Zhuge Linggong wants to build a city wall on the border between Ningzhou and Saiwai?" ”

Faced with Zhong Changtong's inquiry, Zhuge Liang shook his head, did not answer, thought for a moment, and then called an official and ordered: "Send two people, one to the Gongfu, to invite Ma Gong here, and the other to invite Liu Gong from the Shaofu!" The official agreed, and left in a hurry, Zhong Changtong frowned suspiciously, what did he want to do?

Soon after, Liu Ba and Ma Jun arrived back and forth, Liu Ba did not look very good, during this time, he was too tired, fortunately, the overseas government and Xizhou continued to input wealth into the treasury of the Han Dynasty, Liu Ba was busy coordinating the markets all day long, this is a field that no one had reached before, as a first-time explorer, fatigue is inevitable, and everything is done carefully, for fear that there will be a big problem.

As for Ma Jun, he still looks strong, his clothes are a little shabby, and his face is getting darker and darker, the two met Zhuge Liang, and they sat down separately, Zhuge Liang saw that the three of them had arrived, so he said seriously: "The Northern and Southern Army went out to conquer outside the Saiwai, you also know, and the land outside the Saiwai has a lot to do, I am ready to mobilize the people of Hebei, build a city with the outside of the Saiwai, and then add a state to the Han Dynasty, I don't know what the monarchs want?" ”

"What??" , Liu Ba jumped out again, and was about to open his mouth to scold, Zhuge Liang hurriedly said: "Liu Jun can rest assured, all localities bear the expenses of various places, and they will not endanger the treasury... The land of Hebei is rich, and there has not been a large-scale conscription for decades, so this time, it can still be supported..."

Liu Ba put away the swear words that were about to blurt out, cleared his throat, and sat down, Zhuge Liang said with a smile: "The economic harm that forced labor may cause to various places, and Liu Jun needs to help...", Liu Ba sighed and nodded, but Ma Jun was a little incomprehensible, he asked: "I heard that there are some barren land outside the fortress, why should Ling Gong go to great lengths to build a city here?" ”

"Before Qin expanded the north, Liangzhou and Bingzhou were all barren land, even Jiaozhou and Yangzhou were barren land, and the same was true of Yizhou, and before the Han Dynasty was expanded, Xizhou was considered a barren land, Hezhou, and Xinzhou, but now? They have all become the most important areas of Dahan, and now is the best time for Dahan! ”

"Oh? Would you like to hear more? ”

"Ma Gong may know that since the beginning of the Xiaokang period, the weather has become more and more cold, especially in Ning, He and other areas, there are often livestock, and even people freeze to death, this situation is even more common outside the Saiwai... The climate outside the fortress is already extremely bad, and everyone is relying on cannibalization of each other to save their lives..."

Hearing this, Ma Jun was even more puzzled, and he asked in confusion: "How can this be considered an opportunity?" ”

"Hahaha... If the Han Dynasty is now in troubled times, I am afraid that these situations outside the Saiwai will lead to a large number of thief chieftains going south as Kou, and there will be a big war no less than the Han-Hun War, but General Duan broke the thief Kou, and there are three generations of Son of Heaven to develop the frontier, so that the enemy outside the Saiwai does not dare to go south even if they starve to death, if on weekdays, the population of the tribes outside the Saiwai is million, and the whole people are soldiers, coming and going like the wind, how can they conquer? ”

"Today, the Han is rich, the people are innumerable, and they can resist the cold, but the enemy outside the fortress is seriously attritional, a large number of horses have been frozen to death, even the grass and trees have withered, they can no longer come and go like the wind, long runs, at this time, isn't it the best time for the Han? As long as the northern and southern armies can defeat each other, and then let the people of the frontier build a large-scale city with the outside of the Saiwai, and connect them with galloping roads, the vast land outside the Saiwai will become the territory of our Han Dynasty. ”

"However, Ling Gong also said that in that place, even animal husbandry is not good now, even if the city is built and taken down, what is the use?"

"The sun and the moon alternate, the seasons change, and it won't be winter forever here?" , This time, it was Zhong Changtong who spoke first, he looked at the map in front of Zhuge Liang with some joy, grinned, and said: "Wonderful, it is really a good time for the public election, in this way, not only can it add a state of land for my Han Dynasty, but it can even cut off the threat from outside the Sai, and these areas have become fertile arable land, the pastoral areas of the Han Dynasty..."

Zhuge Liang admired this young man very much, nodded with a smile, then looked at the other two, and said: "In this matter, three people still need to help, Ma Gong sent people to help build the city and formulate a rough plan, in addition, the materials needed for the city also need to be agreed by Ma Gongneng to help agree, as for Zhong Changjun, you know the household registration population in various places best, so this matter of requisition cannot be without you..."

"This is nature, reassuring to the public!" , Zhong Changtong said.

Ma Jun frowned, and said seriously: "I have to go over and see in person to know a rough idea, otherwise, I can't just sit in the mansion and talk about measures thousands of miles away... If I could, I would like to visit the border counties..."

"Of course, I will send someone to escort Ma Gong to go, if Ma Gong can help build the city at the border, it will be my great honor, you don't have to be anxious, this matter can't be rushed...", Zhuge Liang said, the four of them discussed for a long time, and then they left separately, only Zhong Changtong stayed, and when the two left, Zhong Changtong asked: "Ling Gong has long wanted to do the strategy of encroachment?" ”

"Cannibalization?" , Zhuge Liang was stunned for a moment and smiled, "It's okay to say so, for the outside of the plug, it can only be encroached on step by step, through the city, the gallop, the fortress, and the place of survival of the thief chief is seized little by little, just by building the city wall, it is impossible to stop them, only if you don't defend the counterattack, the big thing can be done!" ”

"Ling Gong is a great talent! Subordinates admire! Zhong Changtong sighed with emotion: "In the temple, there are not many people who can have such courage and eyes as Ling Gong, but as soon as Ling Gong comes out with this policy, the people will scold Ling Gong for his conscription, and as for Qunyong, he will definitely send out bastard words such as Qin death and conscription... When the time comes, what will Ling Gong do? ”

Zhuge Liang smiled calmly, and said: "You don't have to think about this, just rest assured to do it, no matter the fault or scolding, I will carry it alone... However, conscription is not a good thing for the people after all, you have to do your best, you can't make the land of Hebei mourn all over because of conscription, then it will make good things become bad... Therefore, the suggestions of the people in the temple sometimes have a certain truth. ”

"Respectfully!"

Zhong Changtong left, Zhuge Liang asked people to pick up many documents prepared by themselves in these days, and rushed to the Houde Palace, these things, he and the Son of Heaven had discussed, the Son of Heaven thought so, however, the specific implementation, I don't know if I can get the permission of the Son of Heaven, after all, if it is really to be implemented this time, it will use millions of people, and the financial resources will be huge, and the purpose is only to expand a barren land.

The Son of Heaven thinks more than him, and when he agrees, he has to show more courage, and if he is not careful, these ten years of diligence will be in vain.