bestfiction Chapter 729 Again, Autonomy
Chapter 729 Again, Autonomy
"Alright!"
Zheng Qing nodded. Since he had come here, it meant he actually wanted to support Yang Zheng, but…
It's impossible to offer support for nothing; if Yang Zheng wants to gain the support of Taicang County, he must make some promises.
"Chen Xiaoyou told us that Yang Tianwang hopes to get our support."
Zheng Qing looked at Yang Zheng and asked, "If we are willing to support King Yang, what can we get in return?"
In the adult world, interests always come first. Zheng Qing and others do not mind supporting Yang Zheng, but only if supporting Yang Zheng can bring them benefits... or rather, can bring benefits to the people of Taicang County.
"What does Prefect Zheng want to gain?"
Yang Zheng did not answer the question directly, but instead asked it in return.
Liangzhou was impoverished and had nothing to offer that would entice Zheng Qing and his group.
Zheng Qing and Xu Zhiwen, along with the other county magistrates, exchanged glances before Zheng Qing spoke up: "Taicang County needs security!"
Now, under the influence of Chenjia Village, the entire Taicang County is thriving. Zheng Qing believes that as long as there are no external threats, Taicang County will definitely get better and better.
However, it is impossible to be free from external threats. The world is in chaos. Although there is no rebellion in Qingzhou, the 50,000 Qingzhou troops entrenched in the prefectural city, as well as the White Lotus Army in Yuezhou, could pose a threat to Taicang County at any time. Therefore, Taicang County needs to have the power to protect itself.
Zheng Qing's initial idea was to build his own army, which is the Taicang Army that is still being trained today.
However, after meeting Yang Zheng, Zheng Qing's thoughts changed slightly. The protection of the Taicang Army and the Yang Family Army was also possible; the two could coexist!
"Safety?"
Yang Zheng frowned and said, "Does Prefect Zheng mean he hopes to gain the protection of the Yang family army?"
"Not bad!"
Zheng Qing nodded slowly, "I hope that King Yang's Yang family army can protect Taicang County, but cannot station troops directly in Taicang County!"
The armies of the feudal era knew that while they might not be good at fighting, they were experts at bullying the people and robbing and plundering.
Although the Yang family army was known for its strict discipline, Zheng Qing had never actually seen the Yang family army before, and naturally dared not allow them to be stationed directly in Taicang County.
"Protecting Taicang County, yet not stationing troops there?"
Yang Zheng and Yang Erlang both frowned. Not stationing troops there, yet wanting to protect Taicang County, were two completely contradictory demands.
"If the Yang family army does not garrison Taicang County, how can the safety of Taicang County be guaranteed?"
Yang Zheng asked.
"It's very simple."
Zheng Qing replied, "The Yang family army can be stationed in Taiqing County."
"Is it too early to say this?"
Yang Zheng would certainly be willing to station troops in Taiqing County, but there are still 50,000 Qingzhou troops entrenched in Taiqing County. Given the current state of the Yang family army, Yang Zheng has no confidence that he can penetrate deep into Qingzhou and defeat these 50,000 Qingzhou troops.
"Although the Qingzhou Army was defeated in the last battle against the White Lotus Sect, there are still 50,000 Qingzhou Army soldiers stationed in the prefectural city. I have no confidence in defeating them."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Qing smiled and said, "If I'm not mistaken, the reason why King Yang has been delaying sending troops to Qingzhou is because of a lack of food, isn't it?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Zheng glanced at Chen Dao, only to see Chen Dao shake his head. This was not something Chen Dao had told Zheng Qing; rather, Zheng Qing had guessed it himself.
"To be honest, Prefect Zheng, that is exactly the case."
Yang Zheng readily admitted that the lack of food for the Yang Family Army was a secret, but not entirely a secret either.
Anyone with a keen eye who knows even a little about the situation in Liangzhou can easily determine that the Yang family army is short of food.
"King Yang is quite frank."
Zheng Qing continued, "The Yang family army cannot send troops to Qingzhou because of a lack of food, but what if the Yang family army does not lack food?"
At this point, Zheng Qing paused for a moment, then continued, "If we can reach a cooperation agreement, my Taicang County is willing to supply the Yang family army with all the provisions for their campaign in Qingzhou!"
"what?!"
Yang Zheng and Yang Erlang were startled and looked at Zheng Qing with excited expressions: "Is what Prefect Zheng said true?"
"It's true."
Zheng Qing nodded solemnly: "Thanks to the high-yield grain varieties provided by Friend Chen, the grain output of Taicang County is quite high now, and there is also some grain stored in the granary. It is not a problem to supply the Yang family army's food and fodder consumption in the short term."
The fact that Taicang County has stored grain is certainly not solely due to the high-yield grain seeds provided by Chen Dao. Chen Dao started providing grain seeds to various counties a few months ago, and although the seeds have been planted, they are not yet ready for harvest.
The real reason why Taicang County had a large amount of stored grain was because Zheng Qing and Xu Zhiwen dealt with the landlords and powerful families in various counties!
After dealing with these landlords and powerful families, Zheng Qing and Xu Zhiwen, along with other county magistrates, reclaimed all their land and then gave it to the displaced people of Taicang County to cultivate at a lower rent.
After acquiring the land, these people unleashed tremendous enthusiasm, and through their diligent cultivation, the entire Taicang County enjoyed a bountiful harvest.
In addition to the grain confiscated from the homes of landlords and powerful families, the granaries in all counties of Taicang Prefecture are now quite full.
"call!"
Upon hearing Zheng Qing's affirmative answer, Yang Zheng's breathing became much heavier: "If Prefect Zheng is willing to supply our army with provisions for the expedition, I, Yang, am naturally willing to protect Taicang County and not station troops there!"
"King Yang, don't be hasty. This is not the only condition I have."
Zheng Qing added, "Besides not stationing troops, I also hope that King Yang, based on the autonomy of Taicang County, will not appoint officials to Taicang County and will not interfere in the affairs of Taicang County."
"This……"
Yang Zheng hesitated for a moment. Zheng Qing's condition was almost the same as the condition Chen Dao had mentioned before.
Chen Dao wanted autonomy for Chenjia Village, while Zheng Qing wanted autonomy for the entire Taicang Prefecture.
This is an entire prefecture! As an ambitious ruler, Yang Zheng finds it hard to accept that he has such a territory that doesn't accept his control...
However, if they do not accept this, they will not be able to obtain the high-yield grain seeds and low-priced meat from Chenjia Village, nor will they be able to obtain the provisions for sending troops to Qingzhou...
For a moment, Yang Zheng was caught in a dilemma.
Seeing Yang Zheng's hesitation, Zheng Qing did not urge him. He knew very well that the conditions he proposed were quite unacceptable to Yang Zheng.
This is like a prefect making a demand to the emperor that the emperor not interfere in any affairs within the prefecture and not appoint any officials to the prefecture; the emperor would never agree to such a demand.
In other words, the resources within Taicang County were far too important to Yang Zheng; otherwise, Yang Zheng would have refused the condition the moment Zheng Qing made it.
"call!"
After struggling internally for a long time, Yang Zheng exhaled a breath of stale air and tentatively asked, "Prefect Zheng, is there any room for discussion on this matter?"