"I don't know. What meeting will be held again." Shang Wen muttered to himself, following a servant to the palace where important national events were discussed.

"The king is inside," the servant said softly. Shang Wen nodded, then pushed the door to enter.

Shang Wen entered softly. Seeing that King Qin was discussing some military matters with a group of high-ranking military generals, these matters made Shang Wen a very headache. Because of military issues, Shang Wen has been very distressed.

Shangwen has never considered the direct connection between government fiscal expenditures and these military expenditures, but now he knows. Qin's taxes and expenditures are simply out of proportion. The Qin State relied on financial means to balance Qin's income and expenditure. This includes printing more banknotes, war income, and various financial means to help Qin raise funds. Bonds, buy stocks. Proceeds from the sale of stocks. These are the main methods used by the Qin government to increase fiscal revenue.

The reason for this. It's all because the Qin State implemented a low tax rate during this period. The reduction of tax rate. As a result of the rapid development of Qin's economy, low taxes can easily stimulate Qin's economic development. But the downside is that Qin’s fiscal revenue is very low. Especially in terms of taxation. The fiscal revenue mainly depends on taxation. The tax has always been at a relatively low level. This resulted in Qin’s financial expenditures being very limited.

And this time of Qin State. The expenses are huge. Especially war expenses. Military expenditure remains high. Shangwen cut military expenditures several times. At first, it went smoothly, but once it encountered a sudden war. Shang Wen will have a headache. Very headache. Because once a war breaks out. Military expenditures will increase uncontrollably and rapidly for a simple reason. Special expenses for war. This expenditure is unconditional. The Qin government must make every effort to spend to meet the military's requirements. The military spending reduction plan that Shang Wen just requested will fall through at this time. The front has just been cut, but the back has suddenly increased a lot. This gap is enough to make Shang Wen feel very headache.

"Sit down here, the prime minister." Shangwen had a headache seeing those senior officers. Just thought of this. King Qin had already noticed Shang Wen. Shangwen was arranged for a seat by King Qin before he gave a gift.

Shangwen nodded, and saluted. Even so, the courtesy between the emperor and the minister is still necessary. King Qin nodded slightly to show that he knew. Then waved. Then nodded. Then sit there softly.

Wang Jian and Wei Liao nodded to Shang Wen one after another. The other generals looked at Shang Wen. They are hostile to civilian officials, especially Shangwen’s several military spending reduction plans, making these generals hostile to Shangwen. Shang Wen could feel this hostile desire. But Shang Wen has no way. He also has his difficulties, he can only do this for Qin's consideration.

The generals are full of hostility. But Shang Wen nodded politely. Then Shang Wen sat down. But King Qin saw all this in his eyes. King Qin also knew. The attitude of the military and Shang Wen was wrong, and he also knew the reason. It is because Shangwen has continuously cut military expenditures several times.

Shang Wen considers the problem from an economic point of view. This is civil service thinking. The military generals don't think so, they don't think about economic issues. They only know that they can win the war, but for others, they still think less.

"Now we are discussing the national defense issue. You can listen first." Wei Liao whispered to Shangwen at this time.

"Oh. I see. Thank you." Shang Wen said with a smile. Wei Liao strictly speaking. He is a civil servant. But his position is rather special. He is a bridge between the management of civilian officials and military generals, and is equivalent to today's Minister of Defense. But although the Minister of Defense is under his own control in name, in fact, he only obeys King Qin. Shangwen does not have his own secretary of defense. This is the Qin State's system, and many places are different from Shangwen's contact. According to the cabinet system, the Minister of Defense is under the jurisdiction of Shang Wen, especially Shang Wen to establish the post of Minister of Defense to replace the National Lieutenant. Only in this way can Qin's civil service system effectively control the army. Reduce the contradiction between military commanders and civilian officials.

But Shang Wen did not hold the post of Minister of Defense in his hands. As a result, Shangwen was opposed by military generals when he adjusted military expenditures, and if Shangwen continued to implement it, the generals would be full of hatred towards Shangwen. They believed that the prime minister would make Qin even weaker. Because the previous state of Qin was doing its utmost to be satisfied on military issues. But Shang Wen is just the opposite. As long as no war breaks out. He will try his best to reduce Qin's military expenditures. Some weapons projects that have just been launched will find more reasons to reduce them.

In the eyes of the generals. Shang Wen's image is very bad, the worst. Generals generally complained about Shang Wen, but King Qin fully supported Shang Wen in doing so. Because Shangwen is helping Qin solve the problems encountered in the future.

"Weak man. Not a man from the Qin country." Shang Wen received such a title among the generals. Privately. The generals would call Shangwen this way. For such a title, Shang Wen is very clear. It's also very clear, but Shangwen didn't hear it. Yingyu didn't know such a name. Because Yingyu is in the financial system, it is not the same system as the military.

However, in the army. Wang Jian spoke highly of Shang Wen. This is how he commented on Shang Wen.

"Don't look at the physical weakness of the prime minister. Compared with the men who fought in the Qin country. It was like a woman. But the prime minister was more men than you men. We rely on strength to fight. And he relies on his brain, a man. A powerful brain. This brain is enough to conquer everything."

"Weapons need to be designed by our brains. We need military expenses to fight a war, but the prime minister can always find a way to raise money without harming the economy of Qin. This kind of credit can not be compared with a hundred generals." Wang Jian is so. High evaluation is Shangwen.

It is precisely because of Shangwen's excellent economic work ability. It was recognized by Wang Jian, not only Wang Jian, but also Wei Liao. Because Shangwen's strategy is long-term. And it is bold and innovative.

Let Qin stop its eastward expansion and instead attack those ethnic minorities on the fringes of the Qin State. This makes Wei Liao admire very much. From the perspective of the same nation, Wei Liao believes that Shang Wen’s vision is better than his own. far.

"Qin has many enemies at present. The enemy surrounds Qin for a week. If it expands eastward, these areas need to be solved one by one. As a result, Qin can disperse its forces for defense and cannot effectively concentrate its forces." A general analyzed the possibility. And most military generals nodded their heads. Obviously, they agreed with this analysis. And this analysis conclusion is valid.

"If you build fortifications, it will cost more money and resources. This. The prime minister will definitely not agree." At this time, the general gave Shang Wen a glance. And all the generals glanced at Shang Wen. Obviously this sentence was addressed to Shang Wen.

And Shang Wen nodded in response. Obviously, Shang Wen does this. In Shang Wen's view, no fortification can effectively defend against the opponent's attack. Like the Great Wall, it has been broken by ethnic minorities several times. Shangwen believes that if it is a defense, it is better to choose an active offensive defense strategy. Because of this calculation. To save costs far, Shangwen is now completely like a businessman. Shangwen has to calculate the cost for what he does. There is no way, because the financial expenditure is too much. Shangwen must cut some unnecessary expenses and make strategic considerations.

"I will do this." Shang Wen said at this time.

"Fortifications, no one is just a building, spending such money is not training more troops." Shang Wen said at this time.

"However, I have a suggestion." Shang Wen licked his lips at this time and said. Obviously, among such a large group of generals, a civil official's suggestion came out. Shang Wen still feels pressured.

All the generals are looking at Shang Wen. And Shang Wen looked at the people around him, and then said quickly.

"We can connect infrastructure and these military installations." Shang Wen said.

"Anyway, we have to invest, especially military transportation facilities. Our troops cannot stop. Only by maintaining a high degree of mobility can our defense, or our deterrence, become more effective." Shang Wen Said.

"Just now. I also saw the map. I know. There are many enemies on it. There is no way, we have occupied a lot of places. There are many places we don't know. There are people, races, and tribes we don't know. These are potential enemies. We don't know their attitudes, customs, and habits. All we need to do is to defend them. Be vigilant against them." Shang Wen said.

"But our military strength is very limited. The entire Qin State has four branches. Two hundred and fifty thousand troops. Such a strength. It is already quite difficult to defend against such a large country. Our strength is insufficient. This is an objective fact, but we are still There is a solution to maintain the high mobility of our army. This problem can be solved. The solution to this problem is to maintain the smoothness of our traffic. The projecting ability is extremely powerful." Shang Wen said.

"En. The prime minister is right." This time. King Qin nodded in approval.

The surrounding generals nodded hostile to Shang Wen.

"If you do this, you are using civilian facilities for military facilities." Wang Jian said at this time.

"Yes. Let's talk about it. In some infrastructure, there is no difference between military facilities and civilian facilities." Shang Wen said.

"We only use civilian facilities for military purposes." Shang Wen said lightly.