"A few years ago, Boyo made a great contribution on his journey to the west, but I failed to reward him in time because of my filial piety. Today, when the country is in trouble, I am very relieved that you can stand up......"

According to Liu Bei's plan, he originally just wanted to find a deputy general to help Li Hui, but from today's answer, it seems that Jiang Wei's understanding of Nanzhong is not below Li Hui, and his military achievements are great, and his ability to lead troops is even farther above Li Hui.

From this point of view, this person should be reused, at least the status and authority should not be under Li Hui, otherwise there is a possibility of being constrained.

He pondered for a moment, and said categorically: "The situation in Nanzhong is becoming more and more erosive, I want you to go south to quell the chaos, and I will add you as the general of Pingnan, lead Zhuti County to guard, and lead the army to the south in the near future!" ”

General Pingnan!

Zhuge Liang and Jiang Wei were all taken aback when they heard this.

In the Han system, the Siping general is second only to the general, the hussar general, the chariot general, the Wei general, the four marches, and the four town generals, the rank ratio is 2,000 stones, and it is not often placed in peacetime, and it is a high-ranking general rank that will be appointed in wartime.

At least in the newly established imperial court, Jiang Wei's position as General Pingnan was only under a few people such as Ma Chao, Zhang Fei, Wu Yi, Wei Yan, Li Yan, and Zhao Yun, and was almost half a rank higher than Guan Ping, who was a lieutenant general in the army. And before that, Jiang Wei's crown prince rate was no more than a thousand stones, which was a big promotion.

What's more, after this Pingnan general, Liu Bei also sealed a 2,000-stone Zhuti County Taishou position, which means that in Zhuti County, at least in Nanzhong, Jiang Wei is the head of civil and military, integrating military and political power, which is obviously a great trust, and has great expectations for the Lord.

Liu Bei looked at the surprised expression of the second minister, and said with a smile: "Don't use suspicious people, don't be suspicious of employing people." Boyo, you can report as many soldiers and horses as you need! ”

Jiang Wei took a deep breath, hugged his fists and said: "The soldiers are not expensive, and the ministers can go out in three days with only a battalion of soldiers and horses in their headquarters!" Within half a year, the thief will be broken! ”

"Good! Good! Good! ”

Regarding Jiang Wei's ability to command the army, Liu Bei naturally had no doubts; Fang Cai answered correctly, and he was very confident in his southern level; This time, he was even more overjoyed with his strong words, and said three "good" words in a row.

At this time, Zhuge Liang suggested: "The southern and central counties, from west to east, are the three counties of Yuewang, Zhuti, and Qiqi, if not Deang (Li Huizi) is responsible for the defense of Qiqi County, and Boyo joins forces with Youchang (Ma Yanzi) to suppress the rebellion of Yuewang and Zhuti two counties, and when they are cleaned up, the three parties will work together to attack Jianning Yonghong." ”

Liu Bei said: "This proposal is very good, so I will take this as a plan." ”

Zhuge Liang said to Jiang Wei again: "King Gaoding of Yue Wangyi is ambitious, powerful, and has repeatedly rebelled against the imperial court, and this rebellion is also the largest. Young Chang (Ma Tanzi) is not as accomplished in military affairs as Boyo, and you still need more help. ”

Jiang Wei hugged his fists and said: "Don't dare, Wei and Youchang have known each other, and they are ministers in the same hall, so they should work together to save the difficult times." ”

After a pause, he said: "It's just that the current situation is as dangerous as an egg, and the minister asks His Majesty to allow the minister to act cheaply, and appoint a few right-hand men to accompany him, hoping to agree." ”

The big festival is set, Liu Bei naturally didn't care about these small details, and waved his hand: "The rest of the things will be discussed by you and Kong Ming, this southern expedition, if you want people, I will give people, if you want money, I will give money, and I will give you full authority to act cheaply......"

******

The three of them discussed for a long time. Liu Bei was old after all, and he was tired unconsciously. Zhuge Liang and Jiang Wei got up to say goodbye and walked out together.

Walking to the palace gate, Jiang Wei paused, hugged his fists and said: "This time, I was able to go south to quell the chaos, and I was recommended by the prime minister, and Wei was grateful." ”

Zhuge Liang said: "It is also Junzhi's "Pingnan Policy" that is clear and has won my heart, so I strongly recommend it, and there is no need to be humble." ”

Jiang Wei said again: "This time to the south, Wei will do his best to break the enemy in a moment. It's just the manpower that is needed, and I ask the prime minister to help. ”

Zhuge Liang said: "Jun said that he didn't want a single soldier in the imperial court, only relying on the soldiers and horses of his headquarters, and the helpers he wanted to ask for were mostly used for internal affairs, right?" ”

"Exactly!"

Zhuge Liang's eyes shone brightly, and he was as bright as a candle: "You already have the right to act cheaply, and now you are seeking internal affairs experts, I am afraid that what you really want is to change the government of salt and iron in the imperial court, and use the benefits of salt and iron to form a good family surname, and use this to win the hearts of the people, right?" ”

When Jiang Wei heard this, as if his heart had been peeped through, he looked at Zhuge Liang.

Speaking of which, the salt and iron government is actually a monopoly operation implemented by the state. This practice began in the Spring and Autumn Period of the Qi State, and was initiated by Guan Zhong. This government helped Qi become the overlord of the Spring and Autumn Period.

Emperor Wu of the former Han Dynasty wanted to enhance his national strength to conquer the Xiongnu, so he adopted the opinion of Guo Weiyang, a great salt merchant, and implemented the salt industry official sales system throughout the country from the fourth year of Yuanzhan (118 BC). Because the country is sufficient, in the past 44 years, through the three major battles of the Battle of Monan, the Battle of Hexi and the Battle of Mobei, the plough court swept the holes, and the Huns were 3,000 miles in one fell swoop.

After Liu Bei entered Shu, the government was scarce, so under the leadership of Zhuge Liang, he implemented the policy of salt and iron official camps, which achieved great results, at least stabilized the rule of the new regime, and Shi Shiran fought the battle of Hanzhong, which lasted for two years.

It has to be said that the monopoly of salt and iron is one of the important financial sources of the government, and it has the political purpose of strengthening the centralization of power in the imperial court, and it does have its positive side.

But there are two sides to everything.

It is certainly feasible to enforce the salt and iron monopoly official camp in a place where the imperial court's authoritative forces can effectively cover it, but in a place of restraint thousands of miles away, if the government wants to divide and win over the local people by peaceful means, what else can it do except transfer a part of the benefits? Now the plan is to share the benefits of salt and iron, and tie some of the big surnames and handsomes to the cart of the imperial court, which is a truly convenient and effective means.

Moreover, the southern and central counties were originally fetters and bounds, and the imperial court could control very few hukous, and the salt and iron taxes that could be collected were naturally not much, and the cost of change was not high.

Jiang Wei secretly thought that since his intentions could not be concealed from Zhuge Liang, who was like a torch, he simply spread it out and explained it. But seeing that he groaned slightly, he didn't answer and asked: "Dare to ask the prime minister, can the taxes paid by Zhuti County for salt and iron in a year be millions of dollars?" ”

Seeing Zhuge Liang, he shook his head and said: "From time to time, the taxes taken are just talking about maintaining the personnel expenses of the government." ”

Jiang Wei nodded when he heard this, and said, "That's it." Shu County and Ba County are densely populated, and the salt and iron official camps can quickly reap results; In the remote places of Nanzhong, there is no difference between salt and iron official camps and not. Moreover, the blind exclusion of the private sector as an expedient measure is acceptable, but if it continues like this, it will inevitably have drawbacks. Far from it, there is a division of institutions that are inflated and inefficient; Salt and iron officials will also buy and sell at a high price, and exploit the Han people......"

The official strategy of Guy Salt and Iron is Zhuge Liang's main political achievement, and he didn't dare to say much about the drawbacks, so he only lightly clicked it.