Warlords: Conquer the world from the county magistrate

Fang Jian rubbed his brows and asked, "It's okay, tell me slowly, what's the problem?"

"When Ma Jincen first recruited soldiers and raised taxes, the people suffered greatly. Later, the soldiers mutinied and Ma Jincen conscripted men, which made the people even more afraid and wary of us."

Fang Guoxuan was very helpless about this situation, as he had to pay the price for what Ma Jincen had done.

Hearing this, Fang Jian breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the problem could be solved, so he smiled and said, "Guo Xuan, you can't blame the people for this."

"So, send a message to the troops scattered around the country and have them spread the word in all counties, saying that I feel for the harm that Ma Jincen has done to the people and have decided to exempt the people from agricultural and miscellaneous taxes for one year."

"At the same time, those who are willing to sign up for the army will be provided with an additional 120 kilograms of rice in addition to the military pay, and this 120 kilograms of rice will be distributed upon enlistment."

"As for those who signed up to join the army but did not pass the recruitment requirements, they will also be given three kilograms of rice."

"Commander, if we distribute food like this, the food reserves in the treasury may not be enough," Fang Guoxuan said worriedly.

Although a lot of money and grain were seized from the treasuries of various cities, not only was the army expanded, but agricultural taxes were also exempted for one year, which meant that all this food was needed to sustain the army's consumption for nearly two years.

Only after the autumn harvest of the following year will new grain be stored in the warehouse.

Fang Jian waved his hand and said, "It's okay. After we joined the Northern Government, Sanjiang Province has settled down. Yesterday, Jiyang Province also stopped military mobilization."

"I think there won't be any war in the short term, so there won't be any problem with the remaining food lasting until next autumn harvest."

"There are a large number of silver dollars in the government treasury. Next year, we can buy grain from the people. This will not only increase the people's income, but also drive economic development."

"Moreover, even if agricultural taxes are waived, commercial taxes can still be collected. As long as there is money and we persist in these few years, Nanshan Province will surely prosper."

He is very confident about the development of Nanshan Province.

Once the breeding farm is established, the cannery will also generate profits. After stabilizing this year, the weaving factory will be able to get on track next year, and as a result, the raw materials for the garment factory will also be supplied.

The cigarettes produced by the current cigarette factory, except for a portion supplied to the troops, are mostly shipped to the East China Sea and distributed in the East China Sea.

Because Fenglin and Xinyuan are both close to mountains, there happens to be tobacco grown in the mountains for making cigarettes, and the tobacco tastes very sweet, so the cigarettes made from it taste very good too.

In addition, their cigarette production technology was relatively advanced, so their cigarettes were sold out as soon as they were shipped to the East China Sea and were very popular.

At present, cigarettes alone can bring Fang Jian an income of hundreds of thousands of silver dollars every month.

"Yes, Commander, I'll do it right away." Fang Guoxuan was not interested in economic issues. He was very happy to hear the solution to the recruitment problem and immediately decided to do it according to the plan.

Looking at Fang Guoxuan's departing back, Fang Jian shook his head helplessly. He was another workaholic.

As the order was issued, Nanling, Pingshan, Changhuan, Fenglin, Qingshan, Nanfeng, Hongxing, Qingchang, Zhengshan, and Changye, ten cities and ninety-one counties, began to become lively.

Soldiers in military uniforms posted notices in the county town to exempt agricultural taxes for the next year and all miscellaneous taxes.

In every county and town, the recruitment benefits are being promoted. In addition to the military pay, every person who joins the army can directly receive 120 kilograms of food.

"Are you really going to exempt agricultural taxes for one year, and all miscellaneous taxes?"

"Join the army and you will get 120 kilograms of food immediately?"

Many counties and towns have people asking such questions, which has led to a surge in the number of people eager to join the army in various places.

Two days later, Fang Guoxuan rushed into the headquarters. He found Fang Jian and said anxiously, "Commander, there are many people who signed up to join the army, and most of them do not meet the requirements. Do all these people have to be given the three kilograms of food?"

"Here." Fang Jian said without hesitation.

Seeing Fang Guoxuan still hesitant, Fang Jian said, "Don't worry, I will have someone buy some food to make up for the consumption this time."

"Yes, Commander." Fang Guoxuan felt relieved after hearing Fang Jian'an say this.

"Ding, congratulations to the host, you have captured a new county town and received a bonus infantry company."

"Ding, congratulations to the host, you have captured a new city, and you will be rewarded with an infantry battalion."

In the afternoon, Fang Jian received eleven system prompts in his mind. He knew that this was a reward for the First and Second Divisions occupying the entire Nanyun City, including ten counties and one city.

Fang Jian followed suit and dispersed the three companies to various counties in Nanyun to become police.

The remaining seven companies and one battalion were used as guards for military factories, power plants, and airports.

At the troop headquarters in Nanyun City, Li Zhongwu looked at the map and said, "We went to the 2nd Company of the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Regiment of the 1st Division in Eshan County and found Zhang Guilin's troops and engaged them in a firefight."

"Unfortunately, they only had more than a hundred people and only captured some prisoners, allowing Zhang Guilin to lead more than a thousand people into the Nanshan Mountains."

Zhang Wei also said with regret: "It's a pity that too few people were sent, and the troops lost too many personnel. This company is not fully staffed, otherwise the results would be even greater."

From the beginning of this expedition, the First Division had more than 2,200 casualties, and the Second Division also had 2,000 casualties.

"After taking down Huai Chong, we will occupy the entire Nanshan Province, and it won't be a big deal if Zhang Guilin escapes." Li Zhongwu couldn't help laughing.

After thinking for a while, Li Zhongwu suggested: "How about our first division go to Huaichong and the second division stay in Nanyun for the time being?"

"Your First Division should guard Nanyun, and our Second Division should go to Huai Chong." There was a war to fight, and Zhang Wei was unwilling to stay in Nanyun temporarily.

After some debate, the two decided that Zhang Wei would set out tomorrow and lead the Second Division to attack Huai Chong.

The Second Division marched quickly and took two days to reach Huaichong when an officer came to report, "Division Commander, Cao Bingshen has sent his men over from the city."

"Bring the other person in." Zhang Wei was surprised, then regained his composure.

After a while, a young man in his thirties walked in, led by an officer. He introduced himself, "I'm Cao Wenduo, the adjutant of Division Commander Cao. I don't know what your name is, Commander."

"I am the commander of the Second Division, Zhang Wei. I wonder what brings you here?" Zhang Wei did not put on airs and spoke in a gentle manner.

Cao Wenduo cupped his hands and said, "Commander Zhang, our Commander Cao does not want to fight with your army. I am here to discuss surrender."

"Oh." Zhang Wei's expression was calm, and he motioned for the other party to continue.

If he could take over Huai Chong peacefully, Zhang Wei would be very willing to do so, but he didn't know what conditions the other party had.

Cao Wenduo said confidently: "Master Cao means that we can surrender, but Master Cao will still be stationed in Huaichong."

"Commander Cao will obey your army's orders, but you need to provide food and military pay..."

"Okay, go back." Zhang Wei was really not interested in listening any further, so he waved his hand to interrupt the other person's next words.

Not to mention whether Fang Jian would agree to this condition, even if he heard it, he would not dare to report it.

The other side is just dreaming, and is treating us as a fool? If we don't attack them, but provide them with military pay and food, then what are we doing here? Going on a picnic and finding a godfather?