Chapter 489 Chen Gong Complains
The best strategy is to attack the enemy’s plan; attacking the enemy’s heart is the best; attacking the city is the worst.
At this time, Tian Ze, who had returned to Chang'an from Yizhou, was leisurely fishing and reading a book by the Luo River, looking quite comfortable.
Diverting the Luo River here not only enriched Chang'an's waterways, but also made it convenient for him as a fisherman.
After taking Yizhou, Tian Ze felt relieved and relieved.
This game of chess finally came to this point according to my own ideas.
Although the battle of Qingzhou has not yet come to a conclusion, the overall situation has been determined, and what remains are some details.
As long as there are no major mistakes, the Central Plains will be unified in three years at most.
However, just when he was in a good mood, Chen Gong came to him.
Hearing the hurried footsteps, Tian Ze frowned slightly. Seeing the fish that was about to be hooked was scared away in an instant, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
"Your Majesty, I want to report Cheng Zhongde and Xun Gongda!"
Chen Gong walked straight to Tian Ze and spoke directly without any courtesy.
Hearing Chen Gong's words, Tian Ze couldn't help but hold his forehead and handed the fishing rod in his hand to the waiter beside him.
"Tell me, what did they do again? Did the war in Central Plains get out of hand again?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Gong said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty's guess is correct."
"Originally, Cheng Zhongde said that the war would end in three months, and now it is almost over. However, the war in Qingzhou has not made any good progress, but has become larger and larger."
"Cheng Zhongde and Xun Gongda have just sent a message requesting the transfer of another 150,000 baggage troops, 8 million shi of grain and supplies, and also the mobilization of Ling Tong's troops in Liaodong."
When he said this, Chen Gong's eyes were somewhat flaming with anger.
"This is outrageous! They made this promise in front of your Majesty and me!"
"Moreover, given the current situation in Jizhou, where can I find so much baggage and food to allocate to them? This is simply wishful thinking!"
"I request that these two be dismissed from their posts and the war in Central Plains be ended as soon as possible!"
Tian Ze saw that Chen Gong was really angry and even said such words, so he quickly comforted him: "Gongtai, don't get angry and hurt yourself. I will definitely punish them severely. This is too outrageous."
Chen Gong took a deep breath, tried to calm down, and said, "Your Majesty, I am not ignorant of the overall situation. I also understand the importance of the Qingzhou battle."
"The war situation is intense at the front. I will do my best to provide protection even if it means selling everything I have."
"However, this kind of atmosphere cannot be tolerated, otherwise, I, the Minister of Finance, will not be able to do my job!"
"Cheng Zhongde asked for 150,000 young men and 800 dan of grain, and that's just for now. If this continues, how can the treasury support itself? Sili, Xiliang, Yizhou, Qingzhou, where doesn't it cost money?"
"He, Cheng Zhongde, thinks that everything will be fine after taking Qingzhou? No need for construction or development?"
Listening to Chen Gong's constant complaints, Tian Ze patted him gently on the shoulder to show his understanding.
It’s not easy for Chen Gong to be the Minister of Finance!
In such a vast world, money and food are needed everywhere.
The foundation he had laid in the Northeast over a period of ten years and the money, grain and supplies he had accumulated seemed to be considerable.
But in just eight years, the territory of five states was expanded continuously, and a large amount of materials were used to purchase population from the south. In addition, the development of the northeastern plains and northern grasslands was also required, and assistance was provided to solve the successive droughts in the Central Plains. These money, food and materials were no longer enough.
The Ministry of Finance's deficit was extremely serious, and it had long since begun to think of using money house loans and printing an appropriate amount of banknotes.
The money issue is easy to deal with, the most critical issue is the shortage of food and material supplies.
Originally, the people of Kyushu in Northeast China lived a good life. However, due to the impact of printing more banknotes, the actual wealth they hold has generally decreased, but fortunately, their lives are still gradually getting better.
Tian Ze couldn't let their quality of life drop too much for the sake of other places' development. After all, they were used to eating meat and drinking wine every day, so who would be willing to let them go back to eating bran and vegetables?
As for the people in the newly conquered states and counties, Tian Ze also had to treat them equally and not let their quality of life decline too much.
The current situation in Da Qi is basically that two states support one state. In order to maintain the current situation, Chen Gong is under tremendous pressure.
Therefore, the conditions required by Cheng Yu were simply adding insult to injury for Chen Gong.
"Gongtai, I understand your feelings." Tian Ze sighed. The soldiers in the front fought bloody battles, and the pressure in the rear was not much worse. Tian Ze knew the bitterness in Chen Gong's heart.
"However, too much money, food and energy have been invested in the Qingzhou war. If we stop here, most of these efforts will be in vain."
"If there is a possibility of winning, it is better to win as soon as possible."
"Besides, if Qingzhou is taken over as soon as possible, it will be easier to build. And the cost of future wars will also be reduced a lot."
After hearing Tian Ze's words, Chen Gong's anger subsided a little.
Seeing this, Tian Ze continued to ask, "How much supplies and reserves does the Ministry of Finance have for this war?"
"About 100,000 young and strong men and 5 million dan of grain supplies. The remaining young and strong men and supplies are expected to be delivered within 20 days." Chen Gong said unhappily.
Although he was very dissatisfied with Cheng Yu and Xun You's behavior of acting first and reporting later, for the sake of the overall situation, he was ready to clean up the mess.
Looking at Chen Gong, who was sensible, Tian Ze felt very relieved.
Since he started the rebellion in Liaodong, Chen Gong has always been the head of all officials under his command, and his position has never been shaken.
In addition to his outstanding abilities, Chen Gong's strong character is also extremely important.
No matter how fiercely he quarreled with Cheng Yu, Zhang Zhao and others, he never skimped on the cooperation and guarantees he was required to provide. This kind of overall view is rare.
Some things are easy to say, but it is very difficult to always stick to them when you are in that position.
"Then let's do as Zhongde and Gongda say and tell them that the war must be ended within two months. Afterwards, we will settle the score with them!" Tian Ze said hatefully.
Chen Gong nodded repeatedly.
"In addition, can the internal reforms in Yizhou and Qingzhou hold up?" Tian Ze asked.
Chen Gong frowned.
To be honest, he really wants to quit now.
There's no way to even calculate this account.
Yizhou is okay. Although Liu Fan is weak, the treasury is still full. Not much money and grain need to be spent. It just requires some energy.
Qingzhou is completely poor. Without investing hundreds of billions of dollars, there won't be any splash.
Before Chen Gong could answer, Tian Ze continued, "I plan to end the war in the country within two years. I expect there will be one or two more major wars to be fought, and I also need to solve the governance problem of the seven states."
Chen Gong's eyes twitched slightly, and he bowed without hesitation: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for my incompetence. I resign."
Upon hearing this, Tian Ze quickly grabbed Chen Gong and said, "Gongtai, don't be anxious, don't be anxious."
"There is always a way out. Life has to go on. If you can't afford it in a short period of time, just take your time."
"Where do the food and supplies come from?" Chen Gong said speechlessly.
A good cook cannot cook without rice. It might be that Jingzhou and Yangzhou are relatively wealthy, but the amount of food and fodder needed by the four states in the Central Plains is also astronomical.
"Aren't there so many powerful families?" Tian Ze said without hesitation.
Times have changed since then, and Tian Ze, the powerful family who had once taken refuge with him, could still be treated more leniently.
After all, the world situation was uncertain at that time, and they could be considered as having invested in themselves, so they did have some merit.
But now, haha.
I have no money or food left, and it's time to settle the accounts.
"What does your majesty mean?"
“Let the money and food that have been exploited be returned to the people who produced them.”
(End of this chapter)
