After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1144 - 1126: Returning Soldiers to the People

Zhao Shen could only regretfully stand up and leave with Fu Tinghan.

Seeing Zhao Shen still immersed in it, Fu Tinghan advised him, "Shen, if you enjoy divination, it’s harmless to dabble occasionally, but you shouldn’t rely on it too much. Perhaps there really is a will in the world that tells us some things, but I believe human effort can change many things."

"Otherwise, if fate cannot be altered, then if someone destined for wealth and nobility becomes lazy and debauched after knowing his fate, can he still maintain the wealth and nobility predicted for him?" Fu Tinghan said, "So divination can serve as some reference, but it shouldn’t be regarded as a fixed result."

He said, "You place too much importance on the Immortal Technique."

Zhao Shen mused, "Master Guo said you are more gifted than I am, perhaps in this aspect? Could it be that I’ve lost my way?"

He pondered deeply as they walked, and as they were about to exit the Imperial City, they heard a fierce argument up ahead. "If you want to reduce the army, you’ll have to step over me first. The Great General cannot burn bridges after crossing, or kill the donkey after the grind is done!"

Zhao Shen suddenly looked up, and Fu Tinghan frowned as he looked over.

Seeing the people still arguing ahead, Zhao Shen’s lips curled into a smile as he approached and greeted them insincerely, "So it’s General Mi and Prefectural Governor Qiao."

Mi Ce and Qiao Jin turned around, their expressions not pleasant. But when they saw Fu Tinghan behind him, they barely managed to restrain their anger and stepped forward to salute, "Minister Fu, Vice Minister Zhao."

Zhao Shen returned the salute, and Fu Tinghan frowned at them, "If you disagree with the Great General’s decision, you should take it to the grand hall to discuss with her. Why argue here?"

Zhao Shen smiled and said, "For such a trivial matter, there is no need to bother the Great General. I know Prefectural Governor Qiao and General Mi are here in the capital to report on their duties, and I am aware of the army reduction matter. In fact, I was the one who suggested it."

Mi Ce could not suppress his anger, "So it was Vice Minister Zhao who suggested it. I wonder how we offended you, Vice Minister Zhao, to the point that you want to disband our troops."

"Calling it an army reduction when it should be called returning soldiers to the people," Zhao Shen said. "I’ve conducted surveys, and currently, fifty-seven percent of the troops are over thirty years old. At this age, a soldier’s physical strength is already declining, not to mention those over forty, which includes a high percentage of wounded and disabled soldiers."

"General Mi, Prefectural Governor Qiao, you are not just generals; you are also local governors. You should know the number of soldiers and civilians, right?" Zhao Shen said. "To others, Yu State appears stable and prosperous, but it still has more soldiers than civilians. Most men aged sixteen to thirty-five are in the army. Do you think this is normal for a country?"

"The Great General instructed us to farm while stationed, where civilians are soldiers, and soldiers are civilians. What’s abnormal about it?" Mi Ce said. "If we reduce the army now, what will happen in future wars? How many battles has Vice Minister Zhao fought, and how dare you talk about maintaining an army in front of us?"

Prefectural Governor Qiao said, "In any case, I won’t cut my troops. My brothers have been injured and disabled in battle, and now they will be dismissed because they’re no longer useful. This is burning bridges after crossing, or killing the donkey after the grind."

Zhao Shen sneered coldly, "There’s no need to be sarcastic, Prefectural Governor Qiao. Are you reluctant to cut troops out of concern for the soldiers or unwilling to relinquish this manpower? Those wounded and disabled soldiers are already debilitated, yet you make them toil for you. For the soldiers, is the court’s reduction an act of betrayal, or is it salvation? Ask them if they wish to return to their hometowns, and you’ll know."

"You, Vice Minister Zhao, think the army reduction is so good, why doesn’t the Zhao Family Army reduce its numbers?"

"Who said the Zhao Family Army wouldn’t reduce?" Zhao Shen snorted. "The Zhao Family Army has cut no fewer soldiers than you."

Prefectural Governor Qiao was taken aback, his face full of disbelief.

Zhao Shen extended his hand to pull them along, "Don’t believe it? Then let’s go ask the Great General right now."

Zhao Hanzhang was discussing matters with Ji Yuan when she saw Zhao Shen dragging Qiao Jin and Mi Ce over. She said to Ji Yuan, "Regarding market regulations, I entrust it to you, sir."

Ji Yuan glanced at the four who came in, nodded in agreement, stood up to take his leave, and pulled Fu Tinghan out as he left.

From the moment he entered the room to being taken out, Fu Tinghan only exchanged a single glance with Zhao Hanzhang and hadn’t had the chance to speak.

Ji Yuan took him by the door and said with a smile, "Minister Fu, you came at the perfect time. I need to discuss the market regulations with you. Come, let’s head to the Ministry of Revenue."

Zhao Hanzhang seemed to have anticipated their arrival. After they paid their respects, even before they could speak, she said, "Take a seat; I have some data here for you to see."

Zhao Hanzhang gestured to Zhao Yunxin.

Zhao Yunxin promptly pulled out several sheets of paper and handed them to Mi Ce and Qiao Jin.

"These are the population numbers, total inhabitants, and stationed troops for each prefecture of Yu State, along with approximate age statistics."

Seeing the detailed listings and even chart-like graphs with columns, Mi Ce and Qiao Jin couldn’t help but feel cold and puzzled. "But the Great General never ordered the county government to conduct a population census. Where did these come from?"

Could it be that these are fabricated data just to make them cut troops?

Zhao Hanzhang explained, "Over the past three years, Yu State’s counties have redistributed land and registered refugees. Their origins, ages, families, and final settlements are all recorded."

"In last year’s war to defend the nation, Yu State levied conscription taxes twice, and there is data from household levies and land taxes, so calculating the population wasn’t difficult." Zhao Hanzhang continued, "And as for the stationed troops’ farming numbers, and their payroll and provisions consumption, they all have to be reported to the Ministry of War. While it is a bit complicated to check their ages and physical conditions, it’s not impossible."

Mi Ce and Qiao Jin both thought of Fu Tinghan, who could estimate the rough number of troops just by glancing at the provisions consumption.

Those messy calculations they did not understand. But... if he were to calculate, he probably could figure it out.

Seeing the two fall silent, Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "I know what you’re worried about, but this army reduction does not target the Qiao Family Army and the Mi Family Army specifically. The Zhao Family Army will reduce even more soldiers than you."

That’s because your Zhao Family Army has the biggest numbers, right?

Zhao Hanzhang added, "I say this not because the Zhao Family Army has the largest numbers, but because the reduction rate for the Zhao Family Army will be higher than your two armies."

Mi Ce and Qiao Jin perked up. They hadn’t voiced these thoughts; how did Zhao Hanzhang know what they were thinking?

"The data is right here, and you’ve seen it yourselves. Currently, Yu State’s population is just 1.28 million, while the troops number 480,000 in total," Zhao Hanzhang explained. "Previously, we recruited soldiers to quell unrest, and they joined the army to survive. Now, since the chaos in the Central Plains has subsided, we should let the soldiers return to the fields, allow them to become civilians again, marry, bear children, and live peacefully."

"Otherwise, should the 1.28 million population not only support themselves but also support 480,000 soldiers?"

Mi Ce breathed heavily and, after exchanging a look with Qiao Jin, gritted his teeth and asked, "Is it only Yu State that is reducing troops, or are other states doing so as well?"