12dz Chapter 1921 Next Step
Chapter 1921 Next Step
Zhao Ming is well aware of the grain and fodder reserves and material circulation in Chang'an City.
He immediately led people to take over the government warehouses and major market offices.
His method was direct and effective: he counted the grain reserves and strictly controlled its distribution. At the same time, he used his old relationships and used both soft and hard tactics to "persuade" several of the largest rice merchants, oil merchants, and cloth merchants to open for business.
He promised that the Chu army would purchase some supplies at market prices and ensure the safety of their operations.
But at the same time, a stern warning was also issued that any hoarding or price gouging would result in immediate confiscation of property once discovered.
Under his operation, the supply of food and basic living materials, the lifeline of Chang'an City, although tight, was at least not completely interrupted, thus avoiding larger-scale unrest caused by famine.
Zhang Tao is well versed in administrative management.
He organized a group of retained old officials and quickly restored the operation of some government offices.
His focus was on dealing with the trivial matters after the war: registering population losses, organizing people to clear obstacles and corpses from the main streets, mediating property disputes among the people caused by the war, and even began to organize household registration, land registers and other archives to prepare for future taxation and management.
These seemingly insignificant administrative tasks, like lubricants, gradually allow this stagnant city machine to make the faint but real sound of movement again.
Li Bi's edict to pacify the people set the tone, Wang Yu controlled the order, Zhang Tao stabilized the economic lifeline, and Zhao Ming restored the embryonic form of administration.
In order to gain a foothold in the new dynasty, these people tried their best and made full use of the experience, connections and methods they had accumulated over many years of serving as officials.
Their motives may not be pure, but may be for personal power and interests.
But objectively speaking, their combined punches did build an effective civil control system outside the military control of the Chu army.
Chang'an City, a huge city that had just experienced the collapse of a dynasty and the disaster of war, gradually calmed down from extreme panic in this delicate and complicated situation.
The number of people on the streets gradually increased, and the sounds of hawking in the market were heard again. Although there was still a bit of caution and panic after surviving a disaster, the resilience of survival and the desire for order had begun to overwhelm the fear of disorder.
Chu Ning's iron fist and the services of these "people who know the times" together completed the initial digestion of Chang'an City.
However, beneath the calm surface, the old loyalties and indignations, the new dynasty's suspicions, and countless unknown variables are still surging undercurrents.
The sun gradually rose higher in Chang'an City, slightly dispelling the gloom and bloody smell that had been lingering for days.
With the unremitting efforts of Li Bi, Wang Yu and others, the traumatized imperial capital finally managed to restore superficial order.
Although the streets and alleys are no longer as prosperous as before, there are still some pedestrians, and the shops have opened their doors tentatively, and occasionally a few suppressed hawking sounds can be heard.
The notice to reassure the people drafted by Li Bi himself was like a reassurance to the frightened people, which did not give them complete peace of mind, but at least temporarily alleviated their panic.
Li Bi almost did not sleep all night. The arrow wound on his back was burning and painful, but his spirit was in an abnormally excited state.
Despite his illness, he urged the officials to post notices, and shuttled non-stop between various government offices and the market to coordinate with Wang Yu, Zhang Tao and others to stabilize the situation.
Every time pain came, he transformed it into an achievement to show in front of his new master.
He knew very well that everything he had now, and even his future glory and wealth, depended on the thoughts of the Black-armored Emperor on the Danbi.
Seeing that the situation in the city was initially settled, Li Bi did not dare to delay for a moment and hastily tidied up his clothes.
Although the hem of his official uniform was still stained with mud and blood, he did not care about his back injury which made his posture a little awkward, and hurried to the palace.
All he saw along the way were Chu soldiers standing solemnly with their spears in hand. They swept their cold eyes over this important official of the former dynasty and now a "hero", without much respect, only a routine scrutiny.
Li Bi felt a little nervous and restrained his breath. Although his steps were slow due to his injury, they were filled with cautious respect.
After the announcement, he was led to a side hall next to the Xuanzheng Hall.
This is not a formal court meeting place. The furnishings are relatively simple, but it exudes a casual sense of oppression.
Chu Ning had changed out of his battle armor, which was still dusty from the battle, and was now wearing a dark casual suit. He stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, gazing at the palace garden outside the hall, which had been damaged by the war and then roughly tidied up.
The sunlight filtered through the window lattice, outlining a cold and hard outline on his body.
Li Bi took a deep breath, endured the pain in his back, and knelt down in the most standard posture possible, his voice filled with carefully controlled humility and excitement:
"Your Majesty, your Majesty, I, Li Bi, pay my respects to you! Long live the Emperor!"
Chu Ning didn't turn around immediately, but just said "hmm" lightly.
Li Bi did not dare to look up, remained kneeling and continued to report.
He explained in a clear and organized manner how to post notices to reassure the people, how to cooperate with Wang Yu and others to stabilize street order, restore some markets, clean up the streets, and appease the scattered officials.
There was a hint of boasting in his words, but he tried to keep it just right.
"Thanks to your majesty's great blessing and the awe-inspiring power of heaven, the people of Chang'an City are now gradually stabilizing, order is beginning to be restored, and the market is somewhat recovering. Although the people still have some lingering fears, there is no longer any risk of major chaos."
"This is all due to your Majesty's noble virtue. We are merely following your orders and rendering humble service."
He concluded, touching his forehead lightly to the ground as he waited for a response from above.
The hall was silent for a moment, with only the faint sound of wind blowing through the broken eaves outside the window.
Li Bi's heartbeat couldn't help but quicken a bit, and the wound on his back seemed to hurt more.
Finally, Chu Ning slowly turned around and his eyes fell on Li Bi who was still kneeling on the ground.
The look was calm, with neither approval nor blame, as if he was just looking at a useful tool.
"Now that the city has been settled,"
Chu Ning spoke, his voice was not loud, but it carried an indifference that could decide someone's life or death:
"Then, we should discuss how to deal with the Han imperial family, as well as Dugu Jia, Liu Xiang and others."
These words were like ice water, instantly extinguishing the fire of ambition that had been ignited in Li Bi's heart by his initial success, and making him shudder.
Deal with the royal family of the previous dynasty!
This is the most sensitive and bloody step after seizing the Han Dynasty!
Dugu Jia's resentful eyes and Liu Xiang's cowardly and pleading appearance instantly flashed through his mind.
He knew that his name was closely linked to traitor. If he wanted to gain a foothold in the new dynasty, he had to go all the way on this path, and even be more ruthless and ruthless than others.
His hands were lying on the ground, his fingertips slightly curled up, but his voice became more submissive:
"Your Majesty is wise and wise. How to deal with these remnants of the previous dynasty is related to the foundation of the country. We should definitely make a plan as soon as possible."