The prince is more stable

Chapter 405 The country is peaceful and the people are safe
There are two words that are the characteristics of this era.

One is called "Jianbi Qingye" and belongs to the Song Dynasty in the Central Plains. The other is called "Dacaoggu" and belongs to the Liao Dynasty.

People are in a panic just for a few pieces of silver.

The Liao army was in a panic and only wanted to steal money and food.

"Da Cao Gu" refers to the Liao army's looting of villages and forts on the border of the Song Dynasty. They took everything except the land.

When people fight with each other, they may just be acting on impulse and without any purpose. For example, a simple sentence like "What are you looking at" can easily start a one-on-one PK.

But when a country launches a war, it always has a purpose. It is impossible that they have no purpose but to beat you up. Isn't that crazy?
When the Liao army invaded, its logistical supplies could not be transported over long distances in time, so it had no choice but to plunder the villages and farmers in the Song Dynasty. What Zhao Xiaoqian had to do was to transfer the farmers and food to Zhending City in advance, leaving not a single grain of rice for the Liao army. No matter where the Liao army went, they would get nothing.

This is what is called "fortifying the walls and clearing the fields."

Zhao Xiaoqian's order was given lightly, but when Li Qingchen heard it, he almost exploded.

"In ten days, all the farmers in the villages and forts north of Zhending City will be relocated?" Li Qingchen asked in astonishment.

"That's right, ten days." Zhao Xiaoqian said confidently, "Scouts report that 50,000 Liao troops have set out from Zhejin Prefecture. Calculating the distance, they should reach the vicinity of Zhending Prefecture in about ten days."

"So, we... no, mainly you, you have to quickly transfer all the farmers and grain north of Zhending City to Zhending City within ten days."

Li Qingchen was stunned for a moment and asked, "What about you?"

"That's a strange question. I'm the local commander, so of course I just give orders. Then I eat, drink, and have fun, and have kids with my wives behind closed doors... Old Li, you're being too nosy."

Li Qingchen stamped his feet and said angrily, "Why should I care about your things! Why do you let me do everything, while you just eat, drink and have fun?"

"Just because I hold a higher rank than you, what's the problem?" Zhao Xiaoqian gave him a strange look and said, "Those who work with their minds rule over others, and those who work with their hands are ruled by others. You understand this principle, don't you? Let's compare the two of us. I'm the one who works with my mind, and you're the one who works with your hands. Is it difficult to accept reality?"

"Otherwise, why would I insist on calling you 'Lao Li' even though I'm using the pun to deduct money? 'Lao Li' means 'laborer.'"

Li Qingchen's eyes widened and he was about to nod subconsciously. After hearing Zhao Xiaoqian's nonsense, he seemed to be a little brainwashed. The more he thought about it, the more it made sense to him.

"My Lord, it is impossible to evacuate all the farmers and food in the north within ten days." Li Qingchen said with a wry smile.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "I'll allocate 5,000 soldiers from the Dragon Guard Battalion to you. Everyone, take your weapons and go into the village one by one, and persuade the farmers to evacuate in a friendly manner..."

Li Qingchen's eyes widened. "'Friendly persuasion'? What if they still refuse to leave?"

"Didn't you hear what I just said? Besides friendly persuasion, the soldiers entered the village with weapons. Can you guess why they entered the village with weapons?"

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed and said, "Most of the people are ignorant. They can be commanded, not controlled. The military situation is urgent. There is no time to reason with the people. Fortify the city and clear the fields is a mandatory order, not a negotiation. War is imminent. Those who wish to survive must enter Zhending City."

Li Qingchen bowed and said, "I understand. I will do it immediately. Move all the people from the north into the city within ten days."

"Thank you for your hard work. The 10,000 imperial guards formerly under Zhang Lan should not sit idle. Mark out an open space in the city, set up tents, light a bonfire, and open a porridge stall to provide temporary shelter for these people. They can return home after this battle."

…………

Zhao Xiaoqian was actually under a lot of pressure. The biggest pressure was that this battle was time-limited for him.

The invading Liao army must be driven out of the country completely before the spring plowing and sowing. The farming season must not be delayed. Otherwise, after the war, famine will come. Zhending Prefecture has suffered enough, and we cannot artificially increase the suffering of the people.

In the evening, Zhao Xiaoqian returned to the mansion. Listening to the laughter of Niao Niao and the two Japanese sisters coming from the main room, he stood in the yard and smiled quietly.

As night fell, heavy snow began to fall again.

Zhao Xiaoqian ordered Chen Shou to go to the restaurant on the street to buy a lot of wine and food, selected a few to send to the main room, and let the imperial guards and masters share the rest.

The simple main room was cleaned spotlessly by the three women. There was hot food on the table and a pot of rice wine was hot on the small red clay stove next to it.

The three girls were dressed very exquisitely tonight. They all wore new clothes and wore various jewelry and pearls. Their luxurious temperament was incompatible with this simple little house.

The room was filled with a festive atmosphere. The three women stood by the table, looking at him intently, waiting for him to take a seat.

Zhao Xiaoqian sat at the head of the table, and the three women then took their seats. The wine was still warm, and Nian Nian poured four cups. Zhao Xiaoqian raised his cup and said with a smile, "Today is New Year's Eve, or the Chinese New Year. There's nothing much to say. Let's eat and drink well, and be free from all illnesses and live a long and prosperous life in the coming year."

Niao Niao smiled and said, "I also wish you great success and bring honor to your family."

The three women had smiles on their faces, but there was a hint of worry in their eyes.

Spending the New Year with my man may not be a family reunion, but it is still a home after all.

But after having this New Year's Eve dinner tonight, Zhao Xiaoqian will leave the city and join the Dragon Guard Camp.

The war was imminent and it was New Year's Day, so no matter how worried the three women were, they dared not show it on their faces.

Zhao Xiaoqian did not have as many worries as them. As the commander-in-chief, even before the war started, he should have the momentum to win, and the victory must belong to him.

"Niao Niao, I can't take care of the family affairs. Everything depends on you. You two sisters are unfamiliar with the place. You must follow Niao Niao's arrangements and not disobey."

The three women quickly responded.

Picking up the cup again, Zhao Xiaoqian fell silent, and the three women looked at him reluctantly.

After a long pause, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly laughed: "It's a little early to say this, but making a New Year's wish, whether it can be realized or not, at least there is a thought and a goal to strive for."

"This cup of wine wishes for peace and prosperity for the country and for the people, and for no more wars in the world."

After finishing the cup, Zhao Xiaoqian sighed dejectedly.

He suddenly felt a little homesick. He missed his parents in Bianjing, his wives and concubines in Bianjing, and his group of friends. He even missed his enemies...

The three women drank the wine with him, and Niao Niao whispered softly, "Sir, you are the commander of an army, commanding tens of thousands of soldiers and holding the power of war. You are a senior official who needs military achievements to be promoted to a higher rank. Why don't you like war?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled bitterly and said, "Don't think war is a joke. Many people will die, including myself. While promotion and wealth are important, I would rather not achieve my goals through war, if possible."

Niao Niao seemed to understand, and looked at him deeply and said, "Sir, you are a true hero. You may kill people, but you have a kind heart."

…………

The New Year’s Eve dinner was eaten quickly and was just a formality.

After resting for a while after the meal, Zhao Xiaoqian immediately ordered fifty imperial guards to stay behind to protect his house and women, and the rest followed him out of the city and into the camp.

On New Year's Eve, Zhending City finally stopped looking like a stagnant pool, and the city became more lively.

All the shops on the streets were open. Since the imperial court announced a three-year tax exemption, Zhending City seemed to come alive overnight.

Merchants were exempted from taxes and were so excited that they rushed to make a living. Even if today was New Year's Eve, they would still open for business. Every item sold was pure profit. How could the New Year be more important than doing business?
The common people also went to the streets, gritted their teeth and took out their savings of a year to buy a few feet of coarse cloth to make new clothes for their wives and children. If there was still some left, they would cut two pounds of meat for their families to try.

The poor and the rich have their own ways of living.

Zhao Xiaoqian was just today thankful for his decision, as he had requested an imperial decree to exempt the tax, and this dying city finally came back to life.

Sadly, officials and the people are like gods and mortals, and a thought from the gods can determine the life and death of mortals.

Good officials petitioned to exempt taxes, but what about bad officials? If they casually issued an order to increase taxes, how would the people survive?
The biggest drawback in China's thousands of years of history is that extremely important power is only allowed to be concentrated in the hands of a very small number of people. They, with mortal bodies, have become gods.

The group rode their horses to the city gate. Zhao Xiaoqian looked back again, taking a deep look at the city filled with the hustle and bustle of life, then at the desolate suburbs outside the city and the snowflakes falling at the distant end of the sky.

"Follow me into the Dragon Guard Camp and drive away those damn Liao dogs as soon as possible so that we can live a few years of peace!" Zhao Xiaoqian shouted.

Chen Shou and others responded loudly.

On a cold and snowy night, Zhao Xiaoqian, wearing a fox fur cloak, rode his horse towards the Dragon Guard Camp in the eastern suburbs, surrounded by a group of armored soldiers.

Auspicious snow indicates a good harvest, and snow on New Year’s Eve is a good sign!
(End of this chapter)