As one of the representatives of the noble families, Dugu Hu was the first to step forward and said,"
"Your Highness, from Bingzhou to the Western Regions, we have to pass through the grasslands. There are Xue Yantuo's cavalry, Tuyuhun's cavalry, and the Tibetan cavalry.”
"After leaving Jade Gate Pass, Yang Pass still has the thirty-six countries of the Western Regions.”
"I wonder how Your Highness can get through? I just want to hear Your Highness's plan.”
"If you can guarantee that the merchants will not be robbed, I am willing to pay 100,000 wen to join Your Highness 'Silk Road Plan.”
Hearing this, Li Xiao's expression paused and he said loudly,"
"This king will form an elite force of ten thousand people. Let's call it the Road Protection Army. The Road Protection Army will patrol the road to the Western Regions.”
"This army will protect all merchants. As long as they are robbed, this king will compensate you for your losses.”
"Then, I will teach a lesson to anyone who offends our Great Tang, whether they are from Xue Yantuo, Tuyuhun, or Tubo.”
"In the first year, other than the cost of the road guards, there is no need to pay any taxes. This king welcomes all the rich people in Bingzhou to join the revival of the Silk Road!”
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone looked at Li Xiao with passion and hope in their eyes.
"Your Highness, you said you want to protect us merchants?”
"First year of tax exemption?"
"Road Guards, our Great Tang's own army is protecting us and making us rich. Is this true? If it was true, that would be great!”
The aristocratic families did not expect such treatment. They thought it was an illusion.
They all stood up and looked at Li Xiao eagerly, afraid that everything was fake.
Seeing everyone's expectant gazes, Li Xiao smiled and said,"
"You didn't hear wrongly. After General Xue Rengui has wiped out all of your local officials, he will become the first general of the road protection army.”
"Benwang will form this idea into a policy and present it to Imperial Father in the form of a memorial.”
"I can guarantee that His Majesty will not object. At that time, Liangzhou will also follow suit.”
Pausing for a moment, Li Xiao took a sip of tea and continued,
"You may not know this, but there are five counties in Liangzhou that are also my fiefs. In other words, I have the power to control Liangzhou.”
"In less than a year, this king believes that everyone's income will double, and we will be even wealthier.”
"Camel bells will be ringing day and night on the Silk Road. You don't need to doubt the powerful fighting strength of the Road Protection Army. They were formed by the cavalry that defeated Xue Yantuo.”
"This king has another trick up his sleeve, which is to persuade Tuyuhun and Tubo to join the Silk Road.”
"A win-win situation is better than war. I'm sure everyone understands.”
After Li Xiao finished speaking, he found that everyone had already knelt down, their faces filled with gratitude.
From the Sui Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty, no local official had ever made such a plan to fight for the interests of the people. Moreover, when they went out to do business, they were protected by the government.
In recent years, the Silk Road had not been closed.
However, they were only sporadic and small trades because the risks on the road were too great.
Silk, tea leaves, and other goods of the Great Tang were in high demand in the Western Regions.
Things that were not worth much in Bingzhou could be sold to the Western Regions for several times the price.
These wealthy families were more or less involved in trade with the Western Regions, but most of them were trading with the Tuyuhun people or the Tubo people.
The people of these two tribes were very greedy and took most of the profits from the trade.
If they directly traded with the Western Regions, only these wealthy families knew the benefits.
Looking at the gratitude of these wealthy families, Li Xiao continued,"
"I was only talking about trade with the Western Regions. There are also reforms in Bing Province.”
" From today onwards, no land acquisition is allowed, and no hoarding is allowed.”
"If you can do these two things, you will be protected by this king. Otherwise, you will become the target of this king!”
"Your Highness is a man of great talent and strategy.”
Although the wealthy families had other ideas, Li Xiao had already given them huge benefits, so they had no choice but to accept it.
Even if some of the wealthy families wanted to oppose such an iron-blooded prince.
He could only communicate with himself in his internal organs and did not dare to reveal anything.
Li Xiao waved his hand and said sternly,"
"Alright, you guys can go back now. Each of you take out 10,000 to 100,000 copper coins for the expenses of the road guards."
"If you don't take it, you won't be able to get this king's protection.”
After the wealthy families bowed, they walked out with joy and complicated feelings.
On the way, they were surprised to see the county magistrates of every county in Bingzhou being escorted into the Provincial Governor's Office by the soldiers.
This was the task that Li Xiao had given Wang Bo and Xue Rengui, to escort all the county magistrates to Bingzhou City.
If he wanted to reform, he had to rely on these officials.
However, if they were to change their ranks, Li Xiao would not be able to produce so many capable officials.
Therefore, he could only choose to use it after giving them some advice.
After all, even if there were corrupt officials, there were also capable corrupt officials.
As long as their greed was cut off and there was no possibility of corruption, they would still do things.
Cutting off greed was easy to say, but it was extremely difficult to do.
However, Li Xiao had a way, which was to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys.
When they walked into the side hall, Wei Wen and Xu Wenjun's heads were already placed on the table.
These people didn't have the privilege of sitting down. Li Xiao looked coldly at the officials, the so-called parents of the various counties.
"Greetings, Your Highness!" All the officials bowed in unison.
Li Xiao, who was sitting on the seat of honor, said coldly,"
"I didn't call you here to treat you to a meal. You saw it just now, I called all the noble families of Bing Province over to give them a lecture."
"I've also given them some reassurance. This king is prepared to revive the Silk Road, get rid of its maladies internally, and connect the Western Regions externally.”
"According to your achievements and your reputation among the people, you are all corrupt officials. Without exception, you should all be killed!”
As soon as he said this, everyone could not help but feel a chill on their necks.
"This lowly official…please forgive me, Your Highness!"
There were Xu Wenjun and Wei Wen's heads.
Furthermore, Zhangsun Xiong had already been killed by Li Xiao, and Li Xiao's prestige had already been established in the hearts of these county magistrates.
"Forgive you? You can only listen to this king."
"This King will only tell you one thing, and that is the elimination at the end.”
"From today onwards, if you do not implement the reform in the local area within three months, the last ten people will be killed!”
"If you want to live, then work hard.”
"This king has already written down the specific reform measures. This is the only way for you to save yourself.”
"From today onwards, this king will send soldiers to follow you.”
"Work hard for this king in three months and save your own life. If you do well, you will have a way out. If you do badly, you must die!”
As soon as Li Xiao finished speaking, the county magistrates fell into endless fear.
Undoubtedly, this was a very cruel rule of the game.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]