Chapter 1730 – The Worrying Old Father
“Do you remember me? Trust me, you’re not the only one who thinks that way, but the key point is they can’t win against the anchor, right?”
An Ran: “Looks like I’m the only one who noticed the anchor is still beating a dead horse with poor An Huan…”
Dead and gone, his bones turned cold, yet he keeps being dragged out by the old rival for a good beating—so pitiful.
Wei Ci’s forehead was bulging with veins, worried that their Lord might continue to diss the military generals, he stepped up to mediate.
“Lord, I have my doubts. How does Your Grace plan to streamline things?”
Jiang Pengji replied, “Nan Sheng is in dire need of revival. Countless wastelands need to be cultivated, and manpower is essential everywhere. My suggestion is to provide subsidies to the injured soldiers. For those who wish to return to their hometowns, allow them to go back. Those who prefer not to return can be dispatched to various places for farming. The regulations should mimic the policies for civilian troops—borrow agricultural tools, plows, and seeds at low prices, encouraging the restoration of civilian life.”
Jiang Pengji continued, “As for the strong and able-bodied, first ask if they want to return home for farming. If they wish to leave, give them some rations and copper coins. If they want to stay, then send them to each camp for new recruit training. We truly need a large number of able-bodied soldiers to expand our military, but the farmland also needs their cultivation. Otherwise, where will our army’s food supply come from?”
She spoke clearly, and everyone understood her considerations, so there was no further objection.
Feng Zhen added, “Let’s also send those older than fifty back.”
The old general was not pleased.
“What about being over fifty years old?”
Does he look down on the senior group?
Feng Zhen’s reply was a textbook example of public relations.
He grinned and said, “Those over fifty are mostly treasures; keeping them in the army is a waste.”
The old general felt much better.
“Why do you say that?”
“Before joining the army, most of these soldiers dealt with the fields. The older they are, the more experience they accumulate. If we let these seasoned farmers return to the fields to guide the cultivation of wasteland and crops, their worth will far exceed what they can achieve on the battlefield.” Feng Zhen smilingly asked the old general, “Do you agree, old general?”
The old general nodded, “Indeed.”
As the meeting concluded, Jiang Pengji penned a response to Qi Guanrang, and everyone was busy to the point of exhaustion.
These soldiers couldn’t just be dismissed at will; being in the military camp at least ensured they had a meal. After leaving, they might just starve to death.
With Jiang Pengji’s decision to cut them, many injured soldiers, who had been captured, were restless, and the “water army” who were just waiting to eat and drink felt even more anxious. Although they didn’t cause any trouble, the atmosphere in the camp was tense, and if not handled well, it could lead to chaos.
Naturally, Yang Tao and others were busy to the point of pulling their hair out.
“Inviting the spirits is easy, but sending them away is tricky. If handled improperly, there could be trouble everywhere.”
Yang Tao was stressed to the point of losing hair, and his little buddy Yan Lin was also busy. He pondered deeply before seeking advice from Li Yun and the others.
Li Yun said, “This is not difficult; there’s already a set of regulations in place, General Yang can just use it directly.”
Only then did Yang Tao realize that Li Yun and Xie Ze were quite relaxed. The troops under their command were mostly old soldiers, with very few new recruits or captives, so the workload for streamlining was minimal. Seeking advice from them was indeed a wise choice.
When Jiang Pengji was in Dongqing, she established a relatively comprehensive soldier retirement and resettlement plan, which had been trialed and improved over the years.
This plan could easily be revised and put to use.
A simple soldiers’ cut wouldn’t work; it would spark panic among the troops.
Yang Tao should promote the message well, making the soldiers understand that being let go doesn’t mean they will be left unattended. The military camp had arranged job opportunities for them to return home and cultivate the land, and the government could lend agricultural tools, plows, and seeds at low prices. If they couldn’t afford the rentals, the government could offer credit temporarily, and the food distribution for the first three years would be more favorable than that of civilian troops.
Jiang Pengji’s benefits for those civilian troops had always been good. If they rented the government’s good seeds, plows, and livestock, the government would take forty percent of the harvest, leaving sixty percent for the people. If families provided their own tools, the government would only take thirty percent, allowing the common people to keep seventy percent.
If this batch of soldiers was dismissed, they could rent the government’s tools on credit, keeping seventy percent of the harvest after the fall season.
This ratio, even in times of peace, is considered generous, not to mention this chaotic era.
With such favorable treatment, the previously anxious soldiers began to feel reassured.
What touched these soldiers even more was that Jiang Pengji offered even greater discounts for the disabled soldiers, where the government would only collect ten percent of the harvest for the first three years of farming. For those unable to work in the fields, certain jobs would prioritize them, ensuring they could survive as much as possible.
As soon as this news spread, sobs could be heard in the military camp under the night sky, making Yang Tao’s hair stand on end.
“It really isn’t a wasted loss.”
Yang Tao rubbed his goosebumps, trying to soothe them, again marveling at Jiang Pengji’s skills in winning hearts.
No wonder she dares to openly diss the military generals for not reading enough; she truly evokes both love and hate!
However,
“Having her around is a blessing for the masses.”
Even though she has a bit of a temper, she truly is a benevolent and wise leader.
Under her governance, the common people are bound to live securely and prosperously.
With that thought, Yang Tao returned to his busy tasks, while also finding time to learn more.
A few days later, as the chill deepened, Yang Tao received a letter from his long-missed wife, with a little footprint on it.
“Shaoyang, look!”
Wearing heavy armor, Yang Tao made loud, rhythmic clinks as he walked.
“What is it?”
Yan Lin didn’t even look up.
Yang Tao grinned, and as he spoke, white vapor escaped from between his teeth.
“Footprint! Your big nephew’s footprint has grown a bit… Haha, this kid is growing up so fast!”
Yan Lin: “…”
Yang Tao continued, “In a few more years, I can teach him horseback riding and archery.”
Yan Lin feigned indifference, “That’s still far off.”
Yang Tao rambled on, “By the time he’s fourteen or fifteen, I can start looking for a bride for him. Which family’s daughter do you think would be good?”
Yan Lin said, “Still far off.”
Yang Tao insisted, “It’s not too early. If you take too long, all the good options will be taken.”
If possible, Yang Tao would have loved to secure a marriage for his son while he was still in the womb.
Yan Lin raised an eyebrow, sensing something off with his little buddy’s mood, casually asking if something had triggered him.
His question inadvertently revealed some gossip.
“Feng Zhen’s son is said to be getting married in a couple of years.”
In the gentry, marriages are typically planned years in advance, so two years would be considered hasty.
Yan Lin corrected, “That’s Feng Zhen; you shouldn’t refer to him by such a nickname.”
That would be akin to courting trouble.
Yang Tao said, “Can you guess who the bride’s family is?”
Yan Lin naturally had no idea.
“The eldest daughter of the Shangyang Feng Clan. Tsk tsk, he really hit the jackpot.”
Yan Lin nodded in agreement, “Indeed, he’s hit the big time.”
As long as Jiang Pengji didn’t have a daughter, Changsheng, currently named Feng Yu, held the most noble status and bloodline in this generation.
