A lowly soldier becomes king, I slaughter my way through the late Tang Dynasty!

[Rewards are being distributed]

A total of 100,000 bags of fertilizer and 30,000 bags of corn seeds were delivered.

Kong Xing received an overall score of 76.9, while Yin Tao received an overall score of 77.8.

Therefore, the system did not give any skill-type rewards to the two women together.

Instead, they distributed fertilizer and grain seeds.

This is also very useful!

Chemical fertilizers, needless to say, are the key to high grain yields.

Corn seeds are exactly what Li Rui needs.

This stuff has a much higher yield than millet and can feed a lot of people.

Li Rui was considering the distribution of grain seeds.

And they are preparing to address the issue of hidden accounts.

Just then.

Zhang Yaozu limped in to report.

"General, there is a man named Zhao Pu outside the gate who requests an audience."

Li Rui looked up, a hint of joy on his face.

"They've finally arrived! Let them in."

This is Zhao Pu.

Since I sent a visiting card more than half a month ago.

He had been traveling around Boling County and only now came to us.

Li Rui had no intention of letting go of this prime minister-level talent.

……

Just as Li Rui and Zhao Pu were having a long talk.

Inside the prefectural government building in Dingzhou.

Li Yin was extremely worried.

"His Majesty has ordered a thorough investigation of all hidden landholdings and households nationwide within six months. What measures do you have in place?"

Upon hearing this, the audience erupted in uproar.

"Six months? That's too fast!"

"It's not just urgent; they're clearly trying to make a quick buck."

"With the country in turmoil, how can such a drastic move be made? Who gave His Majesty this terrible idea?"

Everyone looked at Li Yin.

Li Yin was also quite helpless.

"Who else could it be? The newly appointed Prime Minister Feng, of course."

The crowd whispered among themselves, their expressions filled with disdain.

Investigating hidden households and land holdings is not as simple as just talking.

In such a vast country, which landlord or gentry family doesn't have hidden households and hidden land?

These were important sources of illicit income for landlords and gentry.

The emperor demanded a thorough investigation.

Isn't this making an enemy of all the landlords in the country?

The country already faces powerful external enemies, so it should first stabilize its internal situation.

But this move...

This completely puts the Great Jin Dynasty in opposition to the landlords and gentry across the country!

Anyone who understands how to govern a country.

No one would make such a foolish move!

Why did Feng Yu do this?

no doubt.

Shi Zhonggui is short of money.

Feng Yu was only thinking about making money, completely disregarding the hidden costs behind it!

To be stuck with such a ruler and his minister.

The country is finished.

Li Yin sighed and shook his head.

"After all, it's an order from the central command; it can't be ignored, and we still have to deliver."

Upon hearing this...

Luo Yunhui, the chief secretary under Li Yin, stepped forward and said in a deep voice.

"General, we just investigated a wave of hidden households and hidden land last year, but the results were minimal."

If this were to happen again this year, wealthy households across the country would likely object.

Then someone else stood up and echoed.

"Chief Secretary Luo is right. No matter what other warlords do, our Yiwu Army cannot make any more big moves."

Li Yin nodded slowly, feeling even more powerless.

He himself certainly wanted to investigate and eliminate hidden households and hidden land.

Finding one hidden household member means adding another laborer.

Discovering a hidden field can lead to a much larger harvest.

Who wouldn't want to do something so good?

But how easy is it to find out?

The wealthy locals all paid taxes.

If you dare to investigate, they will dare to resist.

At that time, you won't be able to collect taxes.

The army's pay could not be paid, and there was not enough food.

The arrogant and fierce soldiers below started causing trouble.

The first one to suffer was this commander!

Soldiers kill generals, generals kill marshals.

Such things are commonplace in this era.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Yin finally decided...

The Khitans still need to move south, so they must accumulate more strength.

"I still want to investigate. Do any of you have a better idea?"

Luo Yunhui and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.

The room fell silent for quite a while.

Upon seeing this.

Li Yin was somewhat angry.

"Say something!"

Everyone looked at Luo Yunhui.

He shook his head and said.

"General, six months is absolutely impossible."

"How long will it take you?"

"At least five years!"

"Bullshit! Forget about the emperor, I don't even have the patience to wait five years for you!"

"Well... I have no other choice."

Li Yin felt a sudden, sharp pain in his testicles!

"No, you're all educated people, use your brains!"

Luo Yunhui felt even more helpless.

"General, the resistance is too great; six months is definitely not enough."

The area we can actually control is around Anxi County. Beyond that, it's the territory of the local wealthy families.

For example, we have no way to deal with the Wu family in Boling County.

Upon hearing this, Li Yin also felt a headache coming on.

Luo Yunhui continued.

"The Wu family has deep roots in Boling County and has been operating there for a century."

The local people only knew about the Wu family, and didn't even know who the military governor was, let alone the emperor!

Our relationship with the Wu family is at best a cooperative one; we have the troops, they have the money, it's just an exchange of interests.

Once one side breaks off relations, it will result in a lose-lose situation, with neither side benefiting.

As he spoke, Luo Yunhui sighed.

"There are several families like the Wu family in Dingzhou, and even more in Yizhou!"

We can't touch any of them!

Li Yin closed his eyes upon hearing this, feeling extremely aggrieved!

It is said that a regional general is awe-inspiring and powerful.

Actually?

The emperor, a dragon, sits atop his head, while a wealthy man, a snake, lurks beneath him.

He was even being held back by his own soldiers!

If you run out of food and pay, they'll stab you in the back!

difficult!

too difficult!

Just when everyone's faces were filled with the word "difficult".

Niu Ben, standing to the side, scratched his head.

He doesn't know how to govern a region; he only knows how to wage war.

Therefore, he was merely an observer in today's parliament.

But listen.

Something's not right.

Is it really that difficult to investigate hidden households and land holdings?

Is the Wu family in Boling County really that powerful?

Don't move!?

That's not what Brother Zangfeng said in his letter!

Niu Ben coughed lightly and said.

"General, Chief Secretary Luo, can't we just send troops to wipe out the Wu family of Boling?"

Upon hearing this...

Li Yin rolled his eyes.

Luo Yunhui chuckled twice and explained, giving them face.

"Niu Zuoxiang, governing a region is not like fighting a war. Of course, the Wu family can be destroyed, but what happens after that?"

Who will govern the tens of thousands of people in Boling County? How will the land be divided? How will farm tools and oxen be allocated? How will issues of taxation and public security be resolved?

Previously, these tasks were all done by members of the Wu family. If the Wu family is wiped out, no one will be able to do them anymore.

Niu Ben was about to speak.

Luo Yunhui continued.

"Furthermore, the local people have lived under the rule of the Wu family for a hundred years, and they only know the goodness of the Wu family."

If we destroy the Wu family, the local people will inevitably rebel against us. Who will appease them then?

I'm afraid that if we send someone to manage things today, they'll be driven out by the people tomorrow.

You can't just kill the common people too, can you?

The words fell.

The civil officials burst into laughter.

These brutes are only interested in killing and beheading!

I don't know.

If governing a local area were as simple as this...

What's the point of having these civil officials then?

Niu Ben's question fully exposed the shortcomings of military generals.

Seeing that everyone was still smiling.

Niu Ben licked his lips, his eyes filled with mockery.

He then cupped his hands in greeting to Li Yin.

"Commander, here is a private letter from Li Rui, the Right Wing Commander, to your subordinates."

He mentioned some matters concerning the Wu family of Boling, and requested that the commander review them.