Chapter 59: Guo Youzhi’s mentality!
"Is it because the soldiers in the south are more courageous?"
Xiao Yan asked immediately.
Guo Youzhi shook his head helplessly and said, "It seems that Your Highness does not understand the defense of our Great Zhou."
Xiao Yan felt embarrassed when asked this question, as he really didn't understand it before.
"The people in the south are all barbarians. They are not really countries, but city-states. Whoever occupies a city is the lord."
"The area where the Southern Barbarians live is very small and not worth conquering, so our Great Zhou did not include those lands in our Great Zhou territory because they are not worth it!"
"So these southern barbarians would send people to our Great Zhou from time to time to steal, mainly stealing food!"
"When the people from my Great Zhou chased them out, they hid in the woods. Those woods are very large. Not only are there poisonous insects and ferocious beasts, but there is also miasma. If you are not careful, you will die in them."
"So there is no good way to deal with the Nanman for the time being ."
Only then did Xiao Yan understand that, to put it bluntly, it was not worth sending troops just for this small place, and he might even lose his life.
"What about the east? The east won't be harassed as well, right?"
But Guo Youzhi actually nodded.
"We are indeed often harassed. Our Great Zhou is adjacent to the sea to the east, but we don't have a navy, so there are many pirates, and they are even rampant."
"They come into the village to rob at night, and then go back to the overseas islands after they are done. It is difficult to wipe them out."
"The villagers are very united, but we can't stand their cowardice. If you have more people, we will run away. If you have fewer people, we will rob!"
"So we don't have a good solution for the East. We can't even fight!"
It was through Guo Youzhi's explanation that Xiao Yan realized that the Great Zhou was actually surrounded by enemies and there was no peace anywhere, but he really could not hear such voices.
"Then what does Lord Guo think of these foreign invaders, or is there any way to deal with them?"
Guo Youzhi smiled and said, "Sir, this matter is not something that I am worried about, but something that the Ministry of War is worried about!"
"So if you want to ask for your opinion, it would be better for you to ask Master Yang Zhi."
Xiao Yan didn't expect Guo Youzhi to say this.
"We are just discussing today, not really going to come up with our own solution."
Guo Youzhi laughed when he heard this: "Your Excellency's words sound nice, but in fact they are very simple, just two words, Zhao'an!"
"Both the southern barbarians and the pirates are trying to survive. The conditions where they live are very harsh. They long for a real place to live."
"Our Great Zhou has a vast territory. Isn't there a place for them to live?"
"People live for the sake of survival, and they are also trying to survive. I think they did nothing wrong."
"We are just standing on the opposite side of the fence, so it seems that they are all bad guys who need to be eliminated!"
Xiao Yan didn't expect that Guo Youzhi would have such an idea. If he followed other people's ideas, they would definitely be wiped out.
The solution proposed by Guo Youzhi was to issue an edict of amnesty and return the land to them, so that everyone could survive.
"Actually, sir , compared to these external threats, you should pay more attention to the internal troubles, right?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere suddenly changed. The internal troubles were too obvious now, and this topic became a bit heavy.
"Internal troubles? I really don't take it seriously!"
Guo Youzhi's interest immediately increased when he heard this: "Oh? I'd like to hear more about it!"
Xiao Yan smiled and said, "Everyone with a discerning eye knows this, what else do I have to say?"
"It's nothing more than a clique headed by Prime Minister Hu Zhenghe!"
"That's all they are capable of. Give me some time and they will eventually fall. I just don't know how Lord Guo will handle this."
Hearing this, Guo Youzhi shook his head. They didn't want to say anything about this matter.
Then he whispered, "Since His Highness took over as regent, he has suppressed most people with thunderous means, and has shown mercy to some people. I admire this method."
"But Your Highness, don't think that Hu Zhenghe is simple. This is just an appearance. Be careful not to capsize in the ditch!"
Guo Youzhi's words clearly had more to say, and it was also a reminder.
"Actually, I don't care about these. I just don't understand why Lord Guo didn't participate in the coup a few days ago."
"I have never underestimated Hu Zhenghe. I know exactly what kind of person he is."
Guo Youzhi smiled and said, "Your Highness, it's enough for you to understand. As for whether I participated or not, how would Your Highness know?"
"Your Highness is still looking at the surface of things. Some things can be said, and some cannot be said. Your Highness should make your own decision!"
After that, the carriage became quiet, and Xiao Yan carefully thought about every word Guo Youzhi said.
I wanted to find out what Guo Youzhi wanted to say, but there was no loophole to be found.
"Sir, we're here!"
Just as Xiao Yan was thinking, Sande came in with a message.
"Please, sir!"
Guo Youzhi made a gesture of invitation and got off the carriage first, and then helped Xiao Yan get off the carriage.
At this time, the carriage stopped at the gate of East Market.
Merchants still have to follow the local time when doing business , and trading is only allowed after the market opens.
It was morning at this time, so there were quite a few people buying and selling.
"What do you need, gentlemen? Come to our shop and take a look. It doesn't matter if you buy anything or not."
Several merchants noticed that Xiao Yan and Guo Youzhi were not dressed like ordinary people, so they asked them if they needed anything.
Xiao Yan then explained his purpose: "Haha, brother, you don't have to work so hard. We are the inspectors sent by the court."
"Didn't the prices rise a lot after the new policy? We came down here on the orders of the court to see what's going on here."
“Are your prices still that high?”
When the merchant heard that it was someone from the imperial court, he was immediately startled.
"Oh, I am blind. I am here to see you gentlemen."
"How dare we raise the price? The price has already come down. The bodies of Li and Cui are still cold. How dare we raise the price?"
Xiao Yan nodded in satisfaction and said, "I believe you on this point. How about your income?"
Speaking of income, the merchant laughed.
"Hehe, to be honest with you, we are now earning much more than before."
"Although we pay more taxes than before, we earn a lot more, more than double."
"I have only just realized the benefits of the new policy. I really felt bad for the government by raising prices like that before!"
Xiao Yan didn't expect that his new policy was actually good.
I am very satisfied to hear such feedback.
"Your opinion alone does not count in this matter. I have to ask the people. Whether the price is high or not is still up to the people!"
The merchant quickly nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes, you are right, I really need to ask!"
"But I can guarantee that the people will be satisfied!"
After these words were spoken, Guo Youzhi's understanding of Xiao Yan changed somewhat.
