Human beings have a strong sense of self. In other words, it's self-centeredness.

Therefore, from ancient times to the present, it is absolutely impossible to ban such a thing as corruption.

Today's Chu State, although it can be regarded as a clear rule, but if the money and grain are allocated from the central government, it is estimated that there will only be seven or eight left.

When the water is clear, there are no fish, which Chu Emperor Xia Ze is very clear. It is already an acceptable range to be able to maintain this level.

But, even so, what does this have to do with Yingshang?

Xia Huan looked at his emperor father silently, waiting for his next words.

"Although the state of Chu is large, the total annual tax is only so much. There are more than a dozen armies, each with the smallest number of people, and it is also above 10,000 people. Do you know how big the overhead is? ”

Xia Huan nodded, not to mention the land that each of these soldiers could share, the consumption of food, the renewal of armor and weapons, and horses, all of which required money.

And that's just the army.

It's like among the four sons of the king, that person doesn't have tens of thousands of guards under him? As far as the prince's pro-army is concerned, if there are only 3,000 people, the cost will be no less than 10,000 troops.

Not to mention that in each county, there are still some county soldiers who are not in the stream.

"With such a large amount of expenses, do you know how much money people will be greedy for every year?" Xia Ze asked again.

Xia Huan shook his head, but it can be imagined that it must be a huge amount of money.

"It's a bottomless pit, and no amount of money is allocated in the treasury to be enough. However, even so, there are now more than 200,000 armor-wearing people in my Chu country. ”

There was a hint of fanaticism in Xia Ze's voice, which made Xia Huan tremble slightly unconsciously.

More than 200,000 people, these are all strong men. If it is disarmed and returned to the field, it is enough to serve as the labor force of more than ten county governors.

After the end of the Qin Dynasty, Chu and Han fought for hegemony, and in just five years, the population lost millions.

However, decades have passed, and the population of Chu has now swelled to five or six million.

However, if you really want to support a country with more than 200,000 armor for a long time, it is also a little powerless.

You must know that the armor-wearing people of the Chu State are not the "armor-wearing people" of the late Qin Dynasty a few decades ago.

At the end of the Qin Dynasty, as long as there was food, anyone could act as a "man wearing armor". And now, even the most basic pawns can wear small leather armor.

These, of course, are inseparable from the development of the Chu State over the years. Without stimulating productivity, it is simply impossible to have so much surplus money to feed the army.

Xia Huan stared at Xia Ze without hesitation, he knew that these were not enough.

Because, most of the Fan Army has been established in the past ten years. It occupies one-third of the living force of the Chu State, and it is these armies that make the military strength of the Chu State jump to the top of all countries.

These are all Xia Ze's masterpieces. And what he wants to know is the real secret of Xia Ze's army.

Looking at Xia Huan's serious eyes, Xia Ze couldn't help but smile and continued to walk towards his flowers and plants.

I have to say that Xia Ze is really old. Even when I walked, I wasn't as vigorous as before.

Xia Huan had some reflexes and wanted to help Xia Ze. However, when his hand really supported him, he remembered how proud his father was.

When Xia Huan did this, wasn't he telling Xia Ze that he was old?

People are born to be afraid of old age and death, and envy eternal life. The more accomplished you are, the more so. Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty are the best examples of seeking immortality.

Xia Huan wanted to put his hand down, however, to his surprise, Xia Ze put it on his hand.

I couldn't help but sigh in my mouth: "It's good to be old and have a son by your side." ”

Xia Huan bowed his head silently. For Xia Ze's words and deeds, Xia Huan was extremely cautious.

When the dynasty was not divided, it should be the crown prince and the three princes who stayed in the capital. The sons who are by the side of Emperor Chu should also be them.

Xia Ze's words, if others listen to them, I am afraid that they will cause some suspicion again. Fortunately, there was no one else around except Wang Shu who was far away.

"Although I know that I am old, I don't want to be a king of success yet!"

Xia Ze, who was still sighing about time, was in a trance, but he regained his heroic spirit again.

And this sentence was also like a thunderbolt, ringing in Xia Huan's ears.

Twenty years ago, Xia Ze conquered the Wei State and forced the Wei State to cede a Surabaya County. is already an enterprising king.

However, it sounds like the old emperor is still not satisfied with this.

"I had this idea more than ten years ago. It's a pity, I also know that if the pattern tends to stabilize today, it will be difficult to expand the territory and expand the territory. Just the armor must be doubled in order to have a chance of victory. ”

Xia Ze's words were endless, as if he had finally had someone to talk to for more than ten years. Continuously instilled in Dao Xia Huan's ears.

Gradually, a bold idea was suddenly born in Xia Huan's mind.

This thought even made Xia Huan couldn't help but stop.

Xia Huan's strange appearance naturally fell in Xia Ze's eyes.

Showing a satisfied smile, Xia Ze looked at Xia Huan with a burning gaze and said, "You are right, I want to let those families who are not pulling out a dime raise tens of thousands of elites for me!" ”

When conjecture and reality corresponded, Xia Huan was already stunned.

Now, he finally figured out why Xia Ze indulged the crown prince and the third prince in the court, and even turned a blind eye to the close proximity.

Since ancient times, the scholars have occupied great wealth, but their financial contributions to the country are minimal.

Xia Ze did not hesitate to take the initiative to give profits to the family, just to make them fight harder. Compared with the interests that are released, the bottomless pit of the military is obviously not filled.

Moreover, with the two giants of the Jing family and the Ji family behind, how dare some small families dare to pick up leaks so blatantly.

Compared with money, it is obviously a higher official position in their imagination, which attracts them more. offended the Jing family and the Ji family, who can guarantee that the emperor will stand up for him?

It is already a well-known fact that the third prince wants to take the heir.

However, without strength, how can you talk about winning the heir?

Since the crown prince was weak, every time he raised a soldier, most of them passed through the hands of the prince.

plus an uncle who is the prime minister, you don't have to think about it to know that above the court, the three princes will definitely not be able to compete for the crown prince.

What should I do if I can't compete in the court? Then, the way out must be the army.

Among the armies of the imperial court, the Shenwu army has the largest number and the most powerful strength, and the remaining more than a dozen armies, about six of which are controlled by the general Ji Shu, and the number is more than 80,000 people.

These were originally all the combat power above the front of the Chu State. It can almost be said that it is the old book left over from 20 years ago.

Although the number of each of the remaining ten or so armies was not large, the third prince mastered five, while the crown prince only mastered three.

Of course, the remaining army, although it is also in the hands of Chu Emperor Xia Ze, is not much, not to mention, the same grandmother does not hurt, uncle does not love, it is nothing.

These, of course, are not secrets in the court. Therefore, Xia Huan also knows a little bit about it.

In the past, Xia Huan also felt that this might become a key to the turmoil of Chu in the future. After all, Chu Emperor Xia Ze is getting older and older, and the change of throne means that it is getting closer and closer.

If one is not handled well, it will give Qi and Han a chance to take advantage of, not to mention, if the national strength is greatly consumed, I am afraid it will collapse.

However, now that I think about it, all this must have been expected by Xia Ze.

Thinking of what Xia Ze said just now, Xia Huan couldn't help but feel a little more unspeakable in his heart.

Eight armies under the rule of the crown prince and the third prince, 70,000 or 80,000 people, I am afraid that they will all become the vanguard of this expansion of territory.

Perhaps, they can make a contribution, but perhaps, there will be no return.