The Nameless of the Common Clans

After Chen Mo returned to Chang'an, he was actually not too busy. The governance model he established was very advanced compared to this era, especially the craftsman camp and Diannong Zhonglang who specialized in building water conservancy and were responsible for agricultural promotion. These two separate government agencies have been established in each county, coupled with a complete official supervision system. As long as the few people around Chen Mo are not in chaos, this system can operate.

Of course, such a system can easily go wrong. If Li Ru and Xu Shu around him have other thoughts, it will be very harmful to Chen Mo.

But there is no other way. Chen Mo has consulted many systems throughout the ages and has carefully considered the advantages and disadvantages of each system. However, as long as it is implemented by people, any system will have flaws, not in the system itself, but in the people.

In these troubled times, over-dispersion of power is not conducive to the development of a power. If power is concentrated on a few capable and trustworthy people, when one's power becomes greater, the current governance model will not be applicable. If Chen Mo can annex Yuan Shao and then take the Central Plains into his hands, then he will need to run it through a court.

However, Chen Mo's ideal court is different from the current court. Everyone must be able to perform their duties. Of course, this is only an ideal state. In fact, it is simply impossible. Where the rights and interests of the entire world are involved, How could there not be overt and covert fighting? When the time comes, we need to control the situation in the overall direction.

In autumn, the entire Guanzhong, Sanfu and Bingzhou ushered in a rare bumper harvest. The food and grass problem that had been bothering Chen Mo gradually disappeared as this year's taxes began to be paid.

"It is not enough to conquer the Central Plains, but based on the grain stocks in the government this year, it can support our army to launch a war against Xiliang next year." Li Ru smiled and turned over the tax books. As the person responsible for the tax statistics of the entire Guanzhong and Bingzhou Official, Li Ru's official position is not high, but he controls the money and food of the entire Guanzhong and Bingzhou. It is not an exaggeration to say that he controls Chen Mo's economic lifeline.

The severe drought in Guanzhong the year before last had a great impact on Chen Mo. Last year, the entire government office tightened their belts, including Chen Mo. However, the grain tax collected this year suddenly changed Chen Mo's power from the lack of money. After recovering from his condition, Li Ru smiles wherever he goes these days. If he were a little fatter, he would be almost like Jia Xu.

"Is it too early to fight against Xiliang?" Xu Shu frowned as he looked at the map and said, "Ma Teng and Han Sui have been at the border for a long time, and the soldiers and horses under their command are also good warriors, and they are quite famous among the Qiang people. If we rashly Using troops may not be enough.”

To occupy Xiliang, the alliance between Ma Teng, Han Sui and the local Qiang people was the most disgusting. It could not be wiped out at once. After the army withdrew, they started to cause chaos again.

"This matter depends on the strategy. Attacking the army is the first step." Li Ru said with a smile.

Didn't you just say you wanted to fight?

Xu Shu looked at Li Ru in astonishment, a little speechless.

"Of course the battle will be fought, but there is still some difference between us taking the initiative to attack or them attacking." Li Ru said with a smile.

"Sir, do you want to provoke them to attack?" Xu Shu could naturally understand the meaning of Li Ru's words. He frowned and thought: "In the past two years, Ma Teng and Han Sui have invaded the border from time to time, and our new army is gradually killing them. They have been trained into an elite force, not to mention veterans Xu Rong and Hua Xiong. Speaking of the two generals Wu Yi and Tai Shi Ci, they can make it difficult for Ma Teng and Han Sui's troops to take advantage. Although the two of them often invade the border, if they are to invade in large numbers, they may not have the courage. Could it be that, sir? Are you trying to expose a flaw to attract two people to attack? "

"Han Sui is known as the Nine Bends of the Yellow River, how can it be so easy to fall into the trap?" Li Ru shook his head and smiled: "But although Ma Teng and Han Sui are allies, they are not the same family after all."

Then he looked at Chen Mo and said: "My lord, it is said that Ma Teng is the successor of General Fubo Ma Yuan. Whether it is true or not is hard to test, but the Xiliang Qiang people are mostly convinced. The Ma family has a high reputation among the Qiang people. Dong Zhuo After his death, the Ma family has gradually replaced Dong Zhuo's position in the past. If he is allowed to continue like this, he will definitely become a big trouble in the long run. Confucianism believes that Han Sui can ignore it, but the Ma family must be eliminated as soon as possible. "

While Yuan Shao is busy defeating Gongsun Zan, Cao Cao is also arguing with Yuan Shu and coveting Xuzhou. Chen Mo is currently not in trouble around him, and has just enough time to pacify Xiliang and stabilize his rear. Otherwise, if Chen Mo goes to war with Yuan Shao and Cao Cao in the future, , Xiliang will be a big hidden danger.

Chen Mo nodded and said: "What Wen You said is true. The Ma family's prestige in Xiliang is growing, especially its rising status among the Qiang people. It is definitely not a good thing. Moreover, our country's trade with the Western Regions is quite popular in Xiliang." The two people are constrained by each other, which has almost cut off the trade. If we can find a way to make these two people turn against each other, and then join forces with Han Sui, it would be the best choice to get rid of the Ma family. "

Chen Mo is not willing to use troops. War is a food-consuming machine. Finally, there is some improvement. Chen Mo also wants to take the opportunity to vigorously encourage farmers and workers. This requires a large amount of money and food investment. Starting a war at this time will slow down Chen Mo's plan. , if it is a war with Yuan Shao or Cao Cao, there is nothing that can be done about delaying it. As for Han Sui and Ma Teng... Chen Mo always feels that he is the one who will suffer when the war officially starts with them.

After all, the population of Xiliang is thin, and it is good to be self-sufficient in terms of grain production. For Chen Mo, winning it will be a hindrance at least in terms of economy. The most important thing about Xiliang is that it can be used as a front line to prevent foreign invasion. There is no need to pull the front line. Another point of affecting people's livelihood in Guanzhong is that as a link of the Silk Road, Xiliang is not in our hands, and the Silk Road will be difficult to run smoothly.

Furthermore, strategically, we can follow Bingzhou to the east and west to sandwich the land of Hetao. If necessary, we can attack from both sides to completely kill or expel the Huns, and take the fertile northern land of Hetao into our hands.

But no matter what, it is not cost-effective for Chen Mo to send a large number of troops to attack Xiliang. Han Sui and Ma Teng are obviously not people with deep loyalty. Even if they become brothers with different surnames, their relationship is by no means unbreakable. Chen Mo took the initiative to send troops and spend money and food to attack, so he might as well try to provoke the two to fight. Chen Mo only needed to capture Xiliang when the two were about the same, or join forces with the weaker side to take down the stronger one. Taking advantage of the situation to capture Xiliang, no matter which move is used, is more cost-effective than directly sending troops to Xiliang.

"What the Lord said is true." Li Ru smiled and nodded: "In this way, we can save a lot of food and grass, and it is also the safest."

Xu Shu felt strange. Since last year, people around Chen Mo have been planning carefully. As long as it involves food and grass issues, they can definitely come up with the most economical plan. The imperial court did not pay the salary last year or the year before last. According to Chen Mo He is asking Cao Cao for an explanation. After all, the emperor is over there. Since you, Cao Cao, have taken the emperor, it is natural that Cao Cao should get the salary of the hundreds of officials in the court. Anyway, I have no money.

Of course, it is only limited to the salaries of the hundreds of officials in the court, the county magistrates, the prefects of each county, and the counselors and generals around Chen Mo. Chen Mo will not be stingy. It boils down to a simple thing. Those who are willing to follow Chen Mo and help Chen Mo do things. What should be given is absolutely essential, and there will even be rewards. As for the officials of the imperial court, Chen Mo only has the status of competing with Cao Cao in righteousness. As for salary, whether it is Huangfu Song, Zhao Wen or Zhong Yao, These people obviously do not rely on salaries to support themselves. When Chen Mo welcomes the emperor back one day, it will not be too late to talk about salaries.

"My lord, for the position of governor of Xiliang, I think I should send a capable minister to take charge." Jia Xu suddenly said: "But we can't send too many troops, lest Ma and Han become wary and just go to Xiliang to handle government affairs. , and at the same time, you can also help the Lord win the hearts of the people."

Chen Mo nodded. It is indeed true. Xiliang needs a governor to take charge, and the governor must be capable enough, and must also have enough reputation and means...

Chen Mo looked at Jia Xu. Jia Xu silently picked up the wine glass and looked outside the door. The autumn air was crisp and refreshing. This season in Chang'an is really the most comfortable time. It makes people not want to move~

Chen Mo looked at Jia Xu amusedly, but he hadn't spoken yet.

But think about it, if Jia Xu goes to Xiliang, he won’t do too badly, but he definitely won’t do too well. It’s just about right. Don’t expect Jia Xu to do his best. Jia Xu is better than anyone else in maintaining health. Although he is strong, he will not let himself work too hard.

"My lord, I have a candidate who is the most suitable." Xu Shu looked at Chen Mo and said with a smile.

"Oh?" Chen Mo looked at Xu Shu: "Is there anyone in Yuan Zhi who can be recommended to me?"

"My lord forgot, there is still a great talent available beside my lord." Xu Shu looked at Chen Mo and said with a smile.

"You mean..." Chen Mo rubbed his temples: "Teacher?"

"Yes, Mr. Ziyuan governed Qingzhou and brought great prosperity to Qingzhou. Bandits fled. In terms of martial arts, Mr. Ziyuan's ability is not weak. In terms of reputation, Mr. Ziyuan is a famous person in the world and is qualified for the job. Therefore, I think that no one It would be more appropriate to force Mr. Ziyuan." Xu Shu smiled and nodded.

"My mentor's words are indeed the most appropriate, but..." Chen Mo nodded first, and then felt a little distressed.

It's just that after Zang Hong returned to Chang'an from Luoyang, his energy and energy were somewhat scattered. Chen Mo would accompany Zang Hong every day, and he could feel that Zang Hong was now a little world-weary.

"It all depends on the master's ability." Xu Shu said with a smile.

"What Yuan Zhi said is right." Jia Xu seemed to have just come back to his senses. He nodded seriously and said, "My lord, Mr. Ziyuan is the best choice for the governor of Xiliang regardless of his reputation or talent. Moreover, with Ziyuan The current state of my husband makes me think that maybe finding something for him would be a good thing for him."

Chen Mo glanced at Jia Xu and finally had to admit that what Jia Xu said was good. He nodded and said, "Forget it, I'll give it a try."

As for whether Zang Hong can be persuaded, there is no guarantee.