Fang Fengshi, the old fox, knew very well that the purpose of this trip was for Guo Dan to use.

He knew that he was not able to carry out reforms. Although he had a high prestige and Li Chengliang was once his subordinate, his prestige was useless when it involved personal interests.

If your prestige hurts my interests, then I will ignore your prestige.

Therefore, Guo Dan had to settle the interest groups in the Liaodong region first.

But then again, if it weren't for this, he wouldn't have come, and it would have been terrible. It would have offended people.

For these interest groups, big sticks can only be used to intimidate, but if they really have to be used, it is obviously a solution. All interest groups in the world may rebel. Today's Ming Dynasty cannot withstand such unrest.

It is still necessary to convince people with profit.

Guo Dan first announced that all agricultural taxes in Liaodong were exempted.

Once this agricultural tax is exempted, it means that Guo Dan and the local gentry, landlords, and powerful people are no longer hostile. If I don’t ask you for money, there will be no conflict of interest, so I will only have cooperation.

The land you occupied before doesn't need to hide it anymore. The official admits that the land is yours, and it's just for you to show it out with ease. No matter how much you have, you don't have to pay taxes.

Not only that, Guo Dan also made a step back in the plan to establish Yinuo Grain Bank, that is, Yinuo Grain Bank will sign a grain procurement contract with these big landlords.

This is because the local gentry loves their fields deeply and is unwilling to incorporate them into Yinuo Grain Store as equity.

But they are also afraid, if you, Guo Dan, really get one million stones of grain every year, then who will we grow the grain to sell to?

In this way, everyone will feel at ease.

Of course, this price must not be higher? It is cheaper than the market price, after all, the quantity is large.

But the Li family still took out all the fields and merged them into Yinuo Grain Store? Pursuing more shares? Li Chengliang saw it very thoroughly? Times have changed, and Qin Deyi and others saw that Li Rumei did this, and they took out their fields.

However? Guo Dan was not here to serve them.

What is the price?

Of course, it is necessary to adopt the employment system? No household slaves or tenant farmers can be used.

The landlords are also calculating the accounts, of course they are not losing money, because in the past, if they really want to fight a war, they still have to use grain to support the army? This is the reason why the family soldiers were born? They want to protect their own fields? Now they don’t have to pay taxes? They use this part of the money to pay wages, and at the same time they get stable buyers, so they don’t have to worry about selling the food.

The key is that they know that next, Guo Dan will distribute all his military pay into currency, which will undoubtedly stimulate the agricultural product market? Everyone has to use the money to buy food.

Of course? No matter how smart they are, they are not as smart as Guo Dan? I don’t collect agricultural taxes? I can collect commercial taxes. As long as you take out the grain and sell it, you can’t escape this tax.

And Liaodong is still a major trade center? If he is allowed to operate it, he will probably be able to do it at least triple. After all, the old fox Li Chengliang, who is the old fox, has to fight from time to time, and threatens the surrounding regimes by closing trade from time to time, resulting in the trade not being very stable.

After the negotiations were made, Fang Fengshi immediately announced the abolition of the garrison system in Liaodong, including the abolition of craftsmen, military households, farmers, whether they are officials or civilians, everyone uses a unified household registration.

The status of the craftsmen is so humble that they would rather give to other people's slaves than be the craftsmen or craftsmen. If these are not abolished, the slaughter will never be eliminated. In this way, they will be regained their freedom, without any burden on them, without service, and without paying taxes.

When the people of Liaodong heard this news, they were all crying and ran around to tell each other.

This shows how deceiving this household registration system is.

Strictly speaking, this actually means abolishing the hereditary system of generals, but Fang Fengshi did not mention this. Wanli had to issue an order himself, so he could not make the decision.

In fact, he can't make decisions on anything, and he has to discuss it with Guo Dan.

"If this is really a check on the old accounts, it's really necessary to check it."

Fang Fengshi smiled strangely.

Guo Dan said curiously: "What do you say about Shangshu Fang?"

Fang Fengshi said: "I went to inspect it. There are 180,000 troops in the Liaodong area on the military list, but I estimate that the maximum number is no more than 100,000, which means there are 80,000 to 100,000 empty salary."

As he said that, he suddenly smiled: "But the court has never given enough."

This is really a general who is like a court.

If you have empty salary, I will owe the military salary. Everyone has the same virtue, so no one can say anything about each other.

Of course, the soldiers were the ones who were suffering from this.

This is why almost all soldiers who can conquer warlike soldiers are the generals' family soldiers, and they receive relatively sufficient military pay.

"I have seen this in Ningxia." Guo Dan smiled and asked again: "I wonder how many soldiers need to defend the Liaodong region?"

Fang Fengshi opened his five fingers and said, "At least 50,000."

“Too many.”

Guo Dan shook her head and said, "I can't afford this account."

"Fifty thousand more?"

Fang Fengshi said: "I am still considering that there are sufficient firearms, otherwise it would be at least 80,000."

Guo Dan said: "Shangshu Fang, you have to consider the actual situation in everything. There is only so much money, and you can't afford to support a 50,000 army."

Fang Fengshi asked, "Then how much did you say?"

"At most, ten thousand." Guo Dan said.

I said at least 50,000, you can do it at most 10,000? Are you sarcastic about me? Fang Fengshi felt that his professionalism was questioned, and he was so angry that he blew his beard and glared: "Ten thousand? Then you might as well not want a soldier. Have you ever fought? Shut up to me if you haven't fought."

Guo Dan shook his head and said, "I can't fight, but I can only raise so many soldiers in finance. In this way, there are 10,000 standing troops and 20,000 serving soldiers, and there are really no more."

Fang Fengshi bulged his eyes and said, "Are you bargaining with me? Liaodong Town is a military center, and it is related to the safety of the capital. These 30,000 soldiers are definitely not enough."

Guo Dan said: "These 30,000 soldiers only need to resist for a while. According to the new system, everyone must serve. Everyone is a soldier. As long as they can resist for a while, a large army can be quickly organized. The Grand Canyon can provide sufficient firearms. Isn't this enough?"

Fang Fengshi said: "Of course this is not enough. Why is the military system abandoned and the recruitment system arising from the rise of the military system? It is because the combat effectiveness of this temporary organization of the army is simply not good. No matter how good the firearm is, it cannot be used by a group of mobs."

Guo Tan smiled and said, "I have different views on this point between Shangshu Fang. The reason why the Wei system was abandoned is not because of the lack of combat effectiveness, but because of the ineffective treatment. This person is hungry every day, so of course he cannot win the battle.

In other words, when everyone has a good life in Liaodong and regards this place as their home, they will naturally fight for their home. With their daily training and necessary service, they can have strong combat power, and our potential opponents are not all powerful men."

Fang Fengshi shook his head and said, "It's too risky to do this. Besides, as long as no one deducts military pay, these 50,000 people can still be supported."

Guo Tan smiled and said, "That is the court's method of raising it, not my method of raising it."

Fang Fengshi asked, "How do you plan to raise it?"

Guo Dan said: "On average, fifty taels are used to raise one soldier every year, which is not considered military or bounty."

"Fifty taels raise one soldier?"

Fang Fengshi opened his eyes.

Guo Dan nodded and said, "I always believe that under heavy rewards, there are brave men. If you are a soldier, it is better to be a farmer. Who will come to join the army? I hope everyone will be proud of being a soldier and regard this profession as a hot commodity and an iron rice bowl. Only in this way will everyone cherish this job and fight bravely to the enemy.

Although the remuneration of the service soldiers is not as good as that of the permanent army, if they make military achievements, I will ensure that their children can study. Fengchi Group and Yinuo Grain Store will also give priority to recruiting military families.

Then again, if you raise 100,000 soldiers, can there be no corruption here? It is difficult for me to manage it. Every account can be calculated clearly by 10,000 permanent soldiers and 20,000 serving soldiers."

After hearing this, Fang Fengshi stood up again and came to the map hanging on the wall. After watching for a while, he said: "If there are only 30,000 soldiers, more fortifications must be built."

Guo Tan smiled and said, "This is no problem. Raising a city is much cheaper than raising a person."

......

Liaodong Town Big Treasure.

"Ten thousand standing troops?"

Li Rumei looked at Fang Fengshi in surprise and said, "Sir Shangshu, are you saying that the entire Liaodong region only maintains ten thousand permanent troops?"

The other generals were also stunned. You are a little too cruel. Our family soldiers combined are more than ten thousand!

Old Chief, are you old and confused?

Fang Fengshi nodded and said, "From my terrain of Liaodong, if we have sufficient artillery support and build some fortifications, 10,000 standing troops, plus 20,000 serving soldiers, we can defend Liaodong. In addition, there are Jizhou, Xuanfu, and other important military cities next to us. At present, there are no enemy who can attack three important military cities at the same time. Jizhou and Xuanfu are our support troops."

Li Rumei said: "If there were only 30,000 defenders, how could they support Jizhou and Xuanfu reinforcements."

Fang Fengshi said: "About the recruit system, it is actually a kind of soldiers for the whole people, but this requires generals to be diligent in training. At that time, we will erect a big bell in various towns. Once the big bell is ringed, the people must immediately take weapons and throw them into the battle. We will require that one day each month must be taken to train the whole nation to mobilize, and the population of Liaodong is enough to resist any enemy invasion."

Li Rumei shook her head and said, "But the risk is still too high. I don't agree with it. At least I have to guarantee that 50,000 will be equipped with a standing army."

There is a long line of defense in the Liaodong area, not guarding a crossroads. Thirty thousand soldiers spread out in a flat position, but there are not many defenders at each defense point.

It is easy to be concentrated to break through. After all, the enemies outside are all very mobile troops.

Fang Fengshi glanced at Guo Dan and looked, I didn’t fool you.

Deputy General Sun Shoulian immediately noticed something and said, "If the imperial court cannot even bear this little military pay, then what else can we fight?"

Guo Tan smiled and said, "The court will allocate one million taels every year to support this ten thousand standing army and 20,000 serving soldiers. It can also be said that 500,000 taels will raise a cup of standing army, and 500,000 taels will raise 20,000 serving soldiers. The general's remuneration will be calculated separately. This should not be considered stingy."

Generals such as Li Rumei all looked at Guo Dan in amazement.

Guo Dan also informed them of the benefits of soldiers one by one, including retirement from the army, employment of family members, study of children, etc. Then he said: "This is what Your Majesty means. Your Majesty wants to make sure that our Ming soldiers are the best job in the world, make sure that everyone is proud of being a soldier, and make sure that the soldiers have no worries. And these will ensure that our soldiers are fearless on the battlefield."

Li Rumei and the others were speechless. Apart from the fewer people, there was nothing to be criticized.

This kind of treatment is truly the best!

Fang Fengshi added: "In addition, Your Majesty is a little dissatisfied with our army's current strategy and thinks it is too passive and will make adjustments. First of all, the border town will strengthen trade with the surrounding areas, hoping that everyone can get along harmoniously and avoid war as much as possible. However, if there are people who are ungrateful and dare to invade our Ming Dynasty, they will definitely be returned ten times. Any humiliation suffered by the Ming army will be His Majesty's humiliation."

This is to be polite first and then soldiers. I no longer regard you as enemies, and I am willing to take the initiative to show goodwill and share prosperity with you. But if you are ungrateful, then I will take your life. I will gather the strength of the whole country to attack you a small regime. At most, I will be hurt. After a hundred days, I will be a hero again.

You're even losing your life.

The surrounding regimes will definitely consider this strategy of both kindness and power. If it is not necessary, don’t provoke the Ming Dynasty.
To be continued...