Chen Mou smiled bitterly: "Your Highness, the refugees in the south are indeed a difficult problem, Niangniang sympathizes with the refugees, and instructs the ministers to give free food and lodging, and not to charge any fees." In terms of the funds in the treasury, although the daily consumption is large, it is not a problem. Niangniang's righteous act attracted the gratitude and virtue of the refugees, but thousands of people came every day, not only in the city, but also in a few miles outside the city. ”

Fang Ling calmly took a sip of tea and said with a light smile: "I guessed that it was the queen mother's approach, my mother herself has suffered enough, and she can't see others suffer." However, the large population should not be the biggest problem at the moment, right?"

Chen Mou nodded and said, sighing: "Your Highness, of course it is not a problem to have a large population, in fact, this has not only greatly increased the strength of our country, but also made the name of Niangniang's compassion spread far and wide. However, the grain of the vassal states was already tight, and many refugees had poured into other prefectures and counties, and grain merchants from all over the country were hoarding grain goods, and it would be difficult to buy grain even at high prices in a few days. Niangniang has already said in advance, no charge, if you break your word, I am afraid that it will damage the name of Niangniang. ”

Fang Ling smiled and said, "It seems that it is really time for me to come back, I have a solution to this problem." ”

"Really, please make it clear to Your Highness!" Chen Mou suddenly said happily.

Fang Ling said: "On this trip to the grassland, I successfully formed an alliance with the five tribes, and negotiated the establishment of twenty trading cities in the border area. ”

"Twenty cities?" Chen Mou immediately said excitedly, "If we can establish so many border cities, it will be equivalent to increasing the territory of our Shicheng Kingdom by twenty cities!"

Fang Ling smiled slightly: "Yes, my assumption is so, although these twenty cities are used for the development of border trade, but I propose that we Chu people build them, they are happy to be easy if they don't make any efforts, so that the power to govern the city will naturally fall into the hands of our country, with these twenty cities as the backing, our country's strength will be greatly improved, and it will not be inferior to the state." ”

Chen Mou is so smart, he can understand it at a glance, and admired: "Your Highness's move is too wise, so let's directly send refugees to the border area, build cities, and let them live and work there in peace and contentment." ”

Fang Ling bowed his head and said: "Early tomorrow morning, Lord Chen, you will issue an order that all refugees who are willing to go to the border area to build a city will be paid at least 1 tael of silver per person a month, and more important work can be increased to 3 taels." ”

Chen Mou breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Your Highness is so generous, I'm afraid that these refugees will rush to the border, after all, the monthly salary of a county order is only 5 or 6 taels of silver." ”

Fang Ling said meaningfully: "It's not that I don't think I have a lot of money, nor is it generous, but I think what they have done is worth my price, once the twenty cities are established, it will be of great benefit to our country." Moreover, the conditions on the border are indeed not as comfortable as in the south, and it is natural to be able to give more silver. ”

Chen Mou said: "What His Royal Highness said is very true, and the minister will arrange it later." ”

Fang Ling nodded and continued to ask, "How is the war in the south recently?" Although I have heard a lot of rumors along the way, I don't know the specifics. ”