Chu Palace, in the backyard and in front of the main hall.

A group of former nobles of the Yuan family were taken to the Royal Forest Military Academy and led the guards to drive them to the gate of the main hall.

The captains patrolled the area one by one.

Among them, Yuan Mai, who is relatively young but a bit expensive, is very conspicuous among them.

The Yulin Military Academy Lieutenant lectured these people: "As prisoners of war from the enemy country, the King of Chu has ordered that you be confiscated and turned into official slaves in the palace of the King of Chu. You all should report it. If you have any expertise, why don't you each do your best?"

These nobles of the Yuan family who were about to be slaughtered did not speak, because their words and deeds might directly send them to the god of death.

Yulin Military Academy Lieutenant pointed at Yuan Mai: "You stand up..."

Yuan Mai heard the captain calling for him to step forward and hurriedly walked to the captain.

I saw that this young man of eighteen or nineteen years old had black hair tied with a white ribbon and was dressed in snow-white satin. He had a long white silk tassel tied around his waist, a piece of mutton-fat white jade on top, and a soft mist gauze.

With long eyebrows and temples, slender and gentle eyes, a straight bridge of nose, and fair skin, standing tall in this hall, he looks like a tree in the wind. He can be said to be a young talent.

The school captain asked: "Look at your solemn appearance and elegant manners. Have you ever raised a horse?"

Yuan Mai shook his head. As a newly captured prisoner of war, Yuan Mai now has a fear, a fear of being killed at any time. Now he can be silent as much as possible.

The captain then continued to ask: "Then are you willing to raise a horse?"

Yuan Mai nodded.

The school captain couldn't help but said: "Yes, the Royal Horse Garden has a new batch of Hebei horses, and they need someone to feed and train them. I think you can do it, so just go and raise the horses! This is a good job. Go ahead and stand there.

Go over there..."

Yuan Mai walked to the designated place obediently.

The captain looked at the other Yuan family nobles again:

"Is there anyone who can blow the deer whistle? We need two more deer whistle blowers. This is what your Hebei Yuan Jun is good at!"

However, a car roared past, blocking the view, but things were still going on here.

In the chariot sat the military advisor general Jia Xu, Cao Cao's first adviser, who joined Xun Yu's army.

Jia Xu was worried and Zhongzhong said to Xun Yu who was opposite: "Your Majesty is on the verge of a great victory. Reporting a flood in the Huaihe River at this time will definitely dampen your interest..."

Xun Yu helplessly replied: "Why don't you retaliate? The livelihood of 700,000 disaster victims is waiting for relief from the King of Chu!"

Jia Xu sighed and said: "You don't know, the king is planning a bigger battle with the generals recently." Xun Yu asked in surprise: "The king wants to fight another big battle?"

Jia Xu smiled and replied: "Your Majesty is an ambitious king. He wants to reach wherever China's traditional power can reach based on history and geography, and not just the Yuan family in the north?"

Xun Yu also frowned and thought: "Of course I have a big idea, but where can I find money?..."

He couldn't help but ask: "There are three points in the world, and we have already occupied two points and become the number one prince in the world. Why isn't your Majesty still satisfied?"

"I don't know about this. I only know that wherever the king says, we will fight."

As they talked, they unconsciously felt that they had arrived in the main hall.

The car has arrived in front of Nie Zefeng's palace.

The two got off the car and walked into the palace gate.

Inside the palace gate, the cold light of the battle uniforms of many generals shone against the hall.

Nie Zefeng was discussing with senior generals such as Lu Bu, Chen Dao, Wei Yan, Wenpin, Zhou Cang and others.

Nie Zefeng was saying at this time: "...Yuan Shao adopted Jushu's suggestion. Before the Battle of Guandu, they actually withdrew their main force to Hebei, and they deployed heavy troops at the mouth of the Yellow River. They boasted that there is a natural barrier on the Yellow River in Hebei, and you can't take it.

What do you think? Do you have such ability?"

The generals looked at Chu King Nie Zefeng's questioning and remained silent for a while.

Nie Zefeng looked at Chen Dao, saw the ever-victorious general and asked, "Do you have General Chen Dao?"

Chen Dao joked: "As long as the king is willing to pay two, there is nothing he can't do?"

Nie Zefeng turned to look at the general who was asking for money and asked, "How many taels do you need?"

Chen Dao smiled and replied: "General Lu Bu has settled this account."

Nie Zefeng turned to Chen Dao and said to himself, "General Lu Bu has settled the score?"

Chen Daoyi bowed his head and reported: "Your Majesty, Jushou's strategy is indeed an opportunity for our army to win. Our army can use it to formulate a battle plan to annihilate the main force of the Yuan family in Hebei, but the prerequisite is that our army must be reformed

The current logistics transportation capabilities and methods. The main difficulties in reform are funding and money. For example, long-distance operations, especially the plan to capture Jizhou, Youzhou, Liaodong, and Bingzhou in one fell swoop, and also participate in the decisive battle

, then there must be at least 100,000 military horses participating in the decisive battle. Because they have to cross mountains, jungles, and even deserts, these military horses must be raised with millet, strong in physique, and have endurance. This is a huge factor.

It increases the cost of military horses. This is just for combat horses. For a hundred thousand cavalry operations, at least the same number of horses are needed to carry the baggage. These horses themselves also consume feed, so the required expenses..."

Nie Zefeng murmured in reply: "Yes, this is indeed a lot of money. I don't know if we can get it now. You go back first. I made an appointment with the military advisor to join the army. Let's take a look and see.

Where can I find the money?!"

The generals who left the palace and Jia Xu, Xun Yu and others who entered the palace passed each other shoulder to shoulder, and both sides just smiled wryly at each other.

Jia Xu and Xun Yu just walked into the main hall, and they saw the guards next to them just carrying the battle map down.

In the main hall, Nie Zefeng was pacing back and forth thinking about money.

Jia Xu and Xun Yu, who walked into the main hall, reported to Nie Zefeng the flood in the Huaihe River behind them.

After hearing this shocking news, Nie Zefeng was very unhappy and said to himself: "...What happened! Seven hundred thousand! So many people! It's really a leaky house and it rains all day!"

Jia Xu said with a slightly sad face: "... The 700,000 disaster-stricken people lacked food and clothing, and the government opened warehouses to provide relief, which was like a drop in the bucket. Even if they borrowed food from wealthy households, it was difficult to meet the needs."

Nie Zefeng sighed helplessly: "Then what should you do? Considering the number of people is 700,000, even if we transport food there, the transportation capacity is not enough!"

Xun Yu took a step forward, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I have a plan. Instead of transporting grain to Huainan, it is better to have the victims of Huainan move to Shandong for food... We can pay traveling expenses to the victims, and also order the government to provide relief along the way. We have just laid down a

In Shandong, not only the population has become sparse, but the granary is also very abundant."

Nie Zefeng thought about it and took Xun Yu's hand and said: "I think it's feasible, so I'll do as the army said. Not only Huainan, Jingzhou, Xuchang, Luoyang, and Chang'an counties can all relocate the victims. The food and clothing for so many people will probably be

It’s a big expense!”

Jia Xu sighed: "Your Majesty, the current financial situation of the Chu Palace has reached a point where it must be resolved."

In silence, Nie Zefeng stood up and walked slowly.

Xun Yu expressed his concern for the monarch and said, "Your Majesty, I have encountered something new recently. I wonder if your Majesty is interested in hearing about it?"

Nie Zefeng waved his sleeves and said, "Tell me, there is nothing new these days."

Xun Yu smiled and said: "There was a Henan man named Communist who heard that the king was going to conquer Yuan Shao not long ago, so he wrote a book in the royal court and was willing to donate half of his family wealth as military expenses."

Nie Zefeng's eyes lit up, because now he felt an uncontrollable emotion when he saw it, and asked hurriedly: "Is there such a thing?"

Xun Yu: "This communist was a shepherd. He had been shepherding sheep for more than ten years and had more than a thousand sheep. After selling the sheep, he used the money to buy land and became a wealthy family."

At this time, Nie Zefeng asked with some confusion: "Why did he donate money? Could it be that he wanted to be an official?"

Xun Yu replied with a slight smile: "At first, I thought this was the case, so I sent someone to ask him, but he said that the villain only knows how to herd sheep, and does not know how to be an official, and he does not want to be an official. I

The people asked him again, 'Do you have any grievances at home that you would like to complain to the emperor?' The Communist said, 'I have never quarreled with anyone in my life, how can there be any grievances?'"

Nie Zefeng listened and agreed casually: "Yes, he must have a reason!"

Xun Yu smiled even more at this time and replied: "But this communist replied: The king is conquering Yuan Shao, and the villain thinks that people with talent and ability should sacrifice their lives, and those with wealth should give up materials and money. This is the only way.

, Only with strong efforts and rich people with money can Yuan Shao be eliminated!"

Nie Zefeng couldn't help but asked: "Oh, is there such a person?"

The more he listened, the more doubtful Jia Xu said: "This is unnatural and a bit pretentious and innovative."

Nie Zefeng thought about it, and the joy that had just crept onto his face faded.

Xun Yu still held the jar and said: "I thought so too, so I ignored it. However, this time the Huaihe River flooded, and this Henan people lost 200,000 yuan to relieve the victims, so I had to feel a little bit.

I was surprised and delighted. If every wealthy household took the initiative to contribute like him, the court would not have to worry about being short of money."

Nie Zefeng turned around, pointed at Xun Yu and said: "If I find an opportunity, I will summon this communist!"

Nie Zefeng then instructed Jia Xu: "It can be seen from this that there are two attitudes towards the current financial shortage of the imperial court, one is positive and the other is negative. What I need is the former."

Xun Yu further said: "Your Majesty, I believe that financial management and military operations are the same. In war, you need to choose good generals, and in financial management, you also need to appoint talents."

Nie Zefeng also came closer and said, "Yes, who do you think can take on this responsibility?"

Xun Yu then said in a nonchalant manner: "There is one by your side."

Nie Zefeng asked: "Who?"

Xun Yu pointed to the financial room in the side hall and said, "Shaolei."

Nie Zefeng sighed: "Yes, I called Shaolei into the palace when he was thirteen years old to be in charge of financial planning. However, it has only been two years, and the accounting is okay. I can let him take charge of the finances..."

Xun Yu persuaded: "When Shaolei and I were chatting, we talked about changing the coinage, especially the monopoly of salt and iron for the official business, and the loss of even currency... Many ideas, I think are very insightful."

Nie Zefeng felt interested and ordered the guard: "Ask Shaolei to come immediately!"

After receiving the order, the guard turned around and went down.

Nie Zefeng said reproachfully: "This Shaolei, why didn't you say something to me directly instead of saying it to you, Xun Yu?"

Xun Yu hurriedly explained: "Because it involves the Chu army's political affairs, Shaolei is afraid that his words will be ignored and it will be difficult for him to be taken seriously." Nie Zefeng couldn't help but laugh and said: "It seems that he is really a settler!"
Chapter completed!