Chapter 561: Countermeasures

"We must not let Zhou Yuan return to Jicheng!" Ji Ling said loudly, looking at Tan Feng, Zhou Yu, and Chunyu Yan in front of him.

Zhou Yuan is different from Ning Zecheng. Ning Zecheng has always been in control of Yan Lingwei. In the Yan Kingdom, although he is powerful, he does not have many friends. Most of the courtiers and nobles are more afraid of him than in awe of him. Ning Zecheng Many people may have secretly applauded Zicheng's fall, but Tan Feng had kept Ning Zicheng in prison for so long without stirring up any trouble, so this fact became clear. But Zhou Yuan was completely different. This man had served as the Taiwei of the Yan Kingdom for many years. He had disciples and former officials all over the world, and most of these people held military power. As soon as Zhou Yuan arrived in Langya County this time, Hu Yanchao sent a large group of troops to escort him. It can be seen. The news had just reached Jicheng. On the surface, Jicheng was calm, but secretly it was turbulent again.

Zhou Yuan's return to Jicheng will break the situation that Ji Ling has managed to maintain, and the balanced political situation in Jicheng will be broken. Even if Zhou Yuan is a lieutenant, he can easily stir up waves in Jicheng. .

Ji Ling didn't want Yan to go back to the previous path, and she didn't want the just-initiated centralization of power to be stirred up by Zhou Yuan's return. Those nobles who had been deprived of power and lost their fiefdoms were probably looking forward to Zhou Yuan's return. He came back so that he could use his banner to counterattack.

"It is true that Captain Zhou cannot return to Jicheng!" Chun Yuyan glanced at Zhou Yu opposite him, "But Captain Zhou and Ning Zecheng are different and need to be treated differently. Your Majesty, the Yan Kingdom needs peace and stability now. The less trouble, the better."

Tan Feng nodded, "Chun Yu's inner history is right. We surrendered to the State of Zhao, returned the four cities we had finally recaptured to them, and tolerated Gao Yuan's domineering behavior just to let him and Dong Hu fight dog-eat-dog. Qi State But at this time, if we want to take advantage of the situation, we also need to fight back. At this time, what we need most is internal unity and it is not appropriate to go into war."

"Lieutenant Zhou, what do you say?" Ji Ling turned to Zhou Yu, who had been silent.

"I agree with the opinions of Master Tan and Chunyu Neishi." Zhou Yu said simply.

"Well, since you all agree, this matter is settled. Can you tell me, how should Zhou Yuan deal with it?" Ji Ling rubbed his temples. This is still a difficult problem. If you can't go to war, it means It’s time to let Zhou Yuan go.

"Let Lieutenant Zhou Yuan return to Fenzhou to take care of his old age!" Chunyu Yan thought for a moment.

"Fenzhou is his hometown. The imperial court has not long since taken over. If he goes to Fenzhou now, wouldn't it be like letting the tiger go home?" Ji Ling said with some dissatisfaction, "I'm afraid this proposal is inappropriate."

"Your Majesty, Fenzhou that was returned to the imperial court is no longer the Fenzhou that it used to be. Officials at all levels in the entire state were selected by the imperial court, and the garrison troops are also ours. It can be said that the old forces of the imperial court are in our hands. It has fallen apart under the impact. Anyone with a little insight knows that,

The past era is gone forever and I want to live a better life. They can only depend on us. Therefore, even if Zhou Taiwei returns to Fenzhou, he will not be able to stir up any trouble, let alone. I believe Commander Tan will have appropriate arrangements. "

Chun Yuyan turned to look at Tan Feng, who smiled and said, "Compared to my arrangement. I believe Lord Zhou Yuzhou can solve many troubles with just one word."

All three people turned their attention to Zhou Yu. Indeed, in addition to being like-minded to them, Zhou Yu also had another identity, that is, he was also a member of the Zhou clan. It can be said that as long as Zhou Yu is here and as long as Zhou Yu makes a promise to the Zhou clan, the Zhou clan who still have hope will not follow Zhou Yuan into darkness.

If even the Zhou clan refuses to follow Zhou Yuan, then when Zhou Yuan returns to Fenzhou, he will be like a toothless tiger. What can he do?

"Zhou Qing's family, please go and tell Lieutenant Zhou about this matter. We will no longer hold him responsible for the defeat of Donghu. We will ask him to resign from all official positions and return to Fenzhou to retire. Well, as long as he is safe and sound, I am willing to let him spend the rest of his life in peace," Ji Ling said.

"Yes!" Zhou Yu yawned, "I'll go see Captain Zhou and ask him to divert and go back directly to Fenzhou."

Um! Ji Ji nodded with satisfaction, "Thank you for your hard work, Zhou Qing's family. How are you doing with the re-recruitment of the army?"

Zhou Yu bowed and said, "Re-recruiting new recruits will take a long time. Therefore, our first step now is to issue orders to all states and counties in the world to mobilize troops. Although the combat effectiveness of the county soldiers and state soldiers under their command is not the same, Not strong, but much stronger than newcomers, and retraining will be much easier. Currently, 30,000 people have been assembled, and training has officially begun. I believe it won't be long before this army will have certain capabilities. combat effectiveness.”

Hearing that more than 30,000 people had been gathered, Ji Ling's brows relaxed a little, "Lieutenant Zhou is really vigorous and resolute in his work. By the way, you talked to me about Gao Yuan's military training methods a few days ago. This man trains troops. It’s true that he has a unique secret. Within a few years, we have such a strong army. If we can get his army training method, we can get twice the result with half the effort.”

Zhou Yu bowed and said: "Your Majesty, Gao Yuan's military training method is not a secret. After I observed his army, I paid attention to this matter. I originally thought it would be difficult to succeed, but it was beyond my expectation. In addition, among the soldiers of Liaoxi County, Lu Hong, the general under Zhang Shouyue, obtained this set of military training tips, and Gao Yuan did not regard him as a treasure at all. "

"Lu Hong has an extraordinary relationship with him. It's not surprising that Lu Hong got it. But where did you get it from Lu Hong? Is it the complete copy? Don't think there are any key points hidden in it!"

Zhou Yu shook his head, "What I got from Lu Hong was written by Gao Yuan himself, and it is exactly the same. I have read it, and it is indeed very detailed and has taken care of all aspects. Nothing will be missing."

Tan Feng on the side smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are worrying too much. Zhou Taiwei is also a master of military strategy. If there is anything missing, Zhou Taiwei will make it clear with one word."

Ji Ling said excitedly, "In this case, it won't take long for us to have an army as powerful as the Eastern Expedition Army?"

Zhou Yu took a breath and was a little embarrassed: "Your Majesty, there is a very difficult problem here. Gao Yuan's army has a very high salary. I am afraid we can't afford it."

Ji Ling said strangely, "Is the financial resources of my Great Yan not as good as that of a small Gao Yuan? , he can afford it, but we can't?"

"That being said, Gao Yuan's army is small, and his territory is small, so the things he needs to take care of are also small. The area controlled by Dayan is much larger than his territory, so the daily expenses are naturally incomparable. If we compare the absolute wealth, we naturally have much more, but if we really implement it to each person, we really can't compare with him."

"Not only that, the centralized county system has just begun, and my Dayan has been in turmoil in recent years, which has greatly affected the income. The treasury is extremely empty. Military expenditures are a bit stretched according to previous standards, let alone according to his standards." Chunyu Yan nodded.

Ji Ling sat up straight, "How much is the salary of Gao Yuan's soldiers?"

Zhou Yu was silent for a moment, and said a number. Ji Ling immediately took a breath. The monthly salary of an ordinary soldier under Gao Yuan exceeded that of a general officer of the Yan Army. By analogy, the annual military expenditure must be an astronomical figure.

"Is there no other way?" He looked at the three ministers.

All three shook their heads, "At least now, the court really can't come up with this money, but if time goes on, as the country's strength gradually recovers, the advantages of centralization will slowly emerge, and it should be alleviated."

"The Qin soldiers have very low salaries, why do they have such a strong fighting force? Can't we imitate Qin?" Ji Ling proposed another possibility.

"Your Majesty, our domestic situation is unstable now, but we can't learn from Qin. If we really become like Qin, I'm afraid the country will be in chaos." Tan Feng said in a deep voice: "If you force yourself to learn Qin's military control method, I'm afraid you will end up with a dog. This matter can only be done slowly."

Ji Ling was silent for a while, and suddenly grinned, "Captain Zhou, pay our soldiers according to Gao Yuan's soldier salary standards."

Zhou Yu was shocked, "Your Majesty, where do we get this money?"

"Money, of course there will be." Ji Ling said: "The first thing is to increase revenue and reduce expenditure. Tan Feng, Chunyu Yan, you two, think of a way for me. The first one is to increase revenue and reduce expenditure. Eliminate redundant officials. Gao Yuan's Zhengdong Mansion only has a few people, but it manages such a large area in an orderly manner. In comparison, we have too many officials here. "

"Secondly, Commander Tan, this depends on you. So many corrupt officials must pay the price, find out the real evidence, and then raid their homes."

"In this way, even if the income is not too much, it can always support this 30,000-man army. As long as these 30,000 people are trained as elite as the Zhengdong Army, they can at least protect themselves, and things will naturally get better in the future."

"I understand. I will do this!" Tan Feng bowed.

Zhou Yu and Chunyu Yan looked at each other. This matter must be not only Jicheng, but also the whole Dayan. There will be another bloody storm, but the two have no way now. Although Ji Ling's method is bloody, it is the fastest way to solve the problem. And those who are about to fall under the butcher's knife can also be said to not be wronged. These people deserve to die.

A day later, at the gate of Jicheng, Zhou Yu looked at Tan Feng who came to see him off, pondered for a while, and said: "Tan Feng, the matter ordered by the king must be carefully considered, and the means of action do not need to be too drastic. Leaving a little room may minimize the adverse effects."

Tan Feng smiled, "Don't worry, I know how to deal with this matter. I'm sure that General Zhou will not give you a good face. This time you go, you have to be humble."

"It's nothing. I am not only his junior, but also the person he has promoted. Even if I feel a little wronged, it's what I deserve. After solving that matter, I will go directly to the border. You have to keep a close eye on the tens of thousands of new recruits in Jicheng. They are the hope of the rise of my Yan State."

"Okay, the five thousand veterans who returned from Donghu can also play a role. I will take time to supervise their training." Tan Feng nodded, "Have a safe journey."

"Take care!" (To be continued..)