CHAPTER 1083: CHAPTER 1039: THE INTEGRITY OF THE ARISTOCRATIC FAMILY

Chen Xi also engages in strategies that exploit the enemy’s resources, but unlike others, he doesn’t engage in the low-level acts of burning, killing, and looting; those actions only deepen public resentment and cause the army to lose control, which is essentially meaningless.

The military strategy of "one bell for the enemy, twenty for us" leads some to believe they should go and destroy the enemy, but in reality, looting not only is inefficient but also reduces the discipline and combat power of the troops. If discipline is lost, they will be terribly defeated.

In many battles, endless wealth is left behind by the retreating enemy, and commanders, accustomed to looting, couldn’t control their soldiers, who ended up easily defeated. These instances are far too common.

From Chen Xi’s understanding, high-grade, efficient exploitation of the enemy actually doesn’t involve raiding for food but sending troops to requisition it. Requisitioning is not only faster but also simple and efficient. Armies are sometimes defeated when they attempt to raid for food, but repressive requisitioning usually doesn’t meet this fate, and it may even enlist local collaborators. Occupying a city makes requisitioning unnecessary; sealing the government treasury suffices.

In this era, the real impact of wars on the common people comes from routed troops. As for the winning side, only those with foresight avoid plundering, as it has no real benefit. Being open-minded or granting small favors to soothe the people is far more effective.

After all, rampant exploitation is unsustainable, while small favors retain people. Choosing between looting for half a year’s grain at once and consistently receiving three months’ grain yearly is an obvious choice for the sensible.

Maintaining the integrity of the post-war economy is most important; directly receiving the enemy’s industries after the battle is far superior to so-called food raiding, and for this kind of post-war work, Chen Xi can’t build a certain party, it’s bound to fail.

Though others plan defections to get desired outcomes, Chen Xi’s approach is simpler. Aristocratic families are essentially regional managers, and as long as they manage well, post-war is actually easy to handle.

Routed soldiers, disorderly troops, bandits—these will undoubtedly appear on a large scale post-war. As long as the aristocratic families are willing to invest their private troops to resolve these morale-bereft bandits, it’s truly not difficult.

In essence, this serves as a method for aristocratic families to improve their reputation, supported by resources from Chen Xi’s side. Previously, aristocratic families didn’t act because the war caused an overwhelming number of displaced people. They could take in young and strong people for some benefit, but what would collecting women, children, and the old achieve? Just feeding idlers wouldn’t sustain them long.

Chen Xi now directly implements policies wanting population, while how much prestige the aristocratic families gain is overlooked. Desiring a horse to run without feeding it is unjust.

"Very well, we will gather displaced people post-war and provide them with basic survival conditions," Zhen Yan nodded, confessing that the Zhen Family would do the same even without Chen Xi’s prompting, valuing reputation over wealth.

Additionally, there’s a notion for this aristocratic family to do charitable deeds to prosper, given that even an aristocratic family now suffers drastic losses in their direct lineage, they have no choice.

"This isn’t an issue, but if post-war we remain in the enemy zone of Marquis Chen and the opposition needs these people with suitable offers, we will hand them over." Wu Yuan spoke expressionlessly, mainly supporting both Cao Cao and Sun Ce.

"Oh, no problem, I understand. Naturally, with actions like these the previous resource consumption isn’t my responsibility," Chen Xi nodded, expressing his understanding, although such situations rarely occur.

"How about if I bring over a batch of displaced people?" Zhang Wei said darkly, already noting vulnerabilities in this matter.

"If it’s intentionally causing destruction to gather displaced people for profit, believe me, I’ll give you a fitting price, satisfactory enough to pay it in the Yellow Springs," Chen Xi sneered, targeting loopholes, daring him to exploit, won’t hesitate to tackle!

"And if it’s Qiang, Hu, Xianbei, or Huns?" Zhang Wei continued obliviously.

"Young and strong, twenty thousand coins; women and children, ten thousand coins," Chen Xi replied, eyeing Zhang Wei, suddenly realizing this person was quite resourceful, swiftly considering external benefits when finding none internally, hesitated yet announced the price, acknowledging population as a resource.

"This price is somewhat low," Zhang Wei quickly transitioned from a dark visage to a warm smile, muttering about the low pricing.

"Heng," Chen Xi snorted dismissively, not wishing further interaction with him, though exploits against foreign clans were his choice.

"Mi’er, who’s this fellow, which Zhang family?" Chen Xi transmitted to Zhen Mi, seeking clarity on aristocratic families, as some families remain crammed in one location for centuries, fortifying it like an impenetrable bulwark.

"Zhang Family of Celestial Master Zhang, based in Hanzhong," Zhen Mi straightforwardly explained to Chen Xi.

"Oh, oh, oh, understood. To think he has this demeanor," Chen Xi grinningly transmitted to Zhen Mi, evidently gathering insights from Zhang Wei’s prior words, and noticing Yizhou aristocratic families suddenly enlightened.

Indeed, Chen Xi needs people for laborious tasks, though not as slaves, as history proves slave work efficiency is lowest, elevating slaves to citizens dramatically boosts their work productivity, crucial insight.

Zhang Wei’s words alerted borderlands aristocratic families—this was effortless trade, with robust foundations in the North, effortlessly buying low, selling high, profiting easily.

"Seems most here have recognized similarly, retaining Central Plains population amid ample land is paramount; leaving fertile land fallow warrants punishment according to family teachings," Chen Xi chuckled, as others internalized this.

Unlocking the Northeastern Plain shifted the greatest Han Dynasty conflict from land-population to population-land, previously scarce land, populous now the reverse—ample land, inadequate cultivators.

Aristocratic families suffer worse from ample land, scarce people than vice versa, agonizing over abundant barren terrains, whereas fewer cultivators matter less since their own lands suffice, concerned only with their own interests? (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian.com to vote with recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)