Chapter 724: Population Strategy

"Your Highness, the Southern Liang troops have already withdrawn from Xiangcheng and fled toward Yizhou. As of now, the entire land of Jiangbei belongs to the Imperial Court."

The study.

The battle report sent from Jingzhou had just arrived, and Chang Wei went to the Prince's Mansion to report this matter to Zhao Xu.

"That old fox Dou Wei has never been one to suffer a loss; this is within expectations." Zhao Xu held his teacup and took a light sip.

The troops under Ma Han's command, combined with the Prince's Personal Army, totaled nearly two hundred thousand soldiers gathered in Jingzhou.

Even if he, Dou Wei, grew three heads and six arms, he would be unable to resist.

Rather than letting the Dou Family troops be decimated in Xiangcheng, it was better to retreat unscathed.

As the saying goes: if you keep the land but lose the people, you lose both; if you keep the people but lose the land, you keep both.

Once his Dou Family lost their troops, they would be like a plucked chicken.

Whether it was the Xiao Family or the Northern Di, they would look down on him from now on.

Rather than that, it was better to retreat to Yizhou, where he could still maintain the facade of Southern Liang.

"Hahaha... Your Highness speaks truly. Now that we have driven all the influential clans to Jiangnan, Jiangbei will be secure from here on out," Chang Wei said.

Zhao Xu nodded; this was also the first-stage goal he had wanted to achieve after the establishment of the Eastern Land Alliance.

The second stage, naturally, would be to fight a battle against Britain on the sea after the Steamship was launched, establishing his maritime hegemony in the Eastern Land seas.

To terminate the interference of Dongying and the Xitu Guo in Da Song.

The third stage would be to cross the river south and unify Da Song.

The fourth stage would naturally be to expand the sphere of influence of the Song People outward and compete for the world market.

With a faint smile on his lips, he was full of confidence in achieving these phased goals.

He looked forward to the day when Da Song would be rich and strong, standing at the pinnacle of the world.

He also hoped that every Song Person would one day be able to live a high-income life with a villa per capita, a car in every household, and where one person's work could support the whole family.

However, to achieve these things, it would still require going through arduous struggles and paying with countless blood.

After all, the Westerners, who had lived a wealthy life for two hundred years, would not hand over their interests willingly.

It could be said that for Da Song, the present was the most dangerous moment.

If they broke through the danger, the future of Da Song would be bright.

Once they failed, a century of humiliation would descend upon this land, letting the Westerners and Dongying devour the flesh and blood of the Song People.

At this thought, Zhao Xu's eyes gained a bit more resolve.

Since he had come to this world, no matter what the price, even if he were to be cursed as a tyrant for thousands of years like Qin Shi Huang.

He would still revitalize this country, build a scene like the prosperous Han and Tang dynasties, or even more prosperous.

"By the way, there is one more thing. It is time to take back the military power in Ma Han's hands. From now on, there will no longer be Ma Family troops, only the Prince's Army." Zhao Xu remembered something and reminded Chang Wei.

Ma Han was originally the Prefect of Sizhou; if he continued to command one hundred thousand troops, it would inevitably form a force that would eventually become too large to control.

Moreover, he and Ma Han had an agreement from the beginning.

From now on, there would no longer be the influential Ma Family, only Ma Han who was loyal to the Prince's Mansion.

Since that was the case, the Ma Family naturally had to obey the orders of the Prince's Mansion.

"Ma Han shouldn't have any other thoughts, right?" Chang Wei frowned.

Like Liu Fu, he instinctively did not trust the Rich Clans and influential clans.

Not to mention that the Ma Family was once one of the Eight Great Influential Clans.

Zhao Xu smiled, "You just need to issue this order to him in the name of the General's Mansion. Ma Han is a smart man; he won't do anything stupid. Even if he does, he won't be able to see the sun rise the next day."

"That's true. We have arranged so many political officers in the Ma Family Army. Through this period of ideological transformation, it is not yet certain whether the Ma Family soldiers will ultimately side with him or with us," Chang Wei said slowly.

Immediately, he gave a military salute to Zhao Xu, "This subordinate will handle this matter upon returning."

After Chang Wei left, Zhao Xu went to the map of Da Song hanging on the wall.

His finger drew a line along Jiujiang, and his gaze finally rested on Jiangbei.

Now that Jiangbei was finally completely stabilized, the plans he had delegated during the last court session could be fully implemented.

"Your Highness..." Just as Zhao Xu was pondering, Feng'er and Luan'er walked in with smiles.

Feng'er held a red ceremonial robe in her arms, while Luan'er held a jade pendant.

Seeing these, Zhao Xu patted his head.

Some time ago, the Ministry of Rites had set the date for his wedding, which was the sixth of next month.

From now, there were less than eight days left.

Therefore, the entire Ministry of Rites had become busy, with officials responsible for the betrothal gifts, asking for names, divination, sending gifts, setting the date, and other pre-wedding rituals.

Simply put, it meant notifying the bride's side of the wedding date and sending the betrothal gifts.

Of course, there was also the ceremonial robe for the wedding.

The robe Feng'er was carrying was the one just sent by the officials of the Ministry of Rites.

"Your Highness, the grand wedding is coming soon. You should put aside the government affairs. With Prime Minister Liu and General Chang there, there won't be any trouble," Feng'er said.

Luan'er nodded, "The Imperial Concubine will be here soon, and she said she wants to see what Your Highness looks like wearing this ceremonial robe."

Zhao Xu smiled and had no choice but to return to the bedchamber with the two of them, changing into the red gold-embroidered wedding attire under their service.

Looking at himself in the mirror set off by the red, as well as the smiling faces of Feng'er and Luan'er, Zhao Xu said, "I am getting married, are you two that happy?"

"Of course we are happy. We maids have long been looking forward to Your Highness taking a Princess Consort," Feng'er said with a giggle.

She knew what Zhao Xu wanted to say and said softly, "As long as Your Highness does not mind, Feng'er and Luan'er will always serve Your Highness. However, we cannot replace the Princess Consort after all; we do not understand poetry or books, nor do we know the greater proprieties, and what Your Highness needs is a virtuous helpmate."

Zhao Xu turned around and looked at the two of them, "You have never left my side during my times of distress, and you have served with all your heart. In the future, I will reserve a position for you two."

Feng'er and Luan'er looked at each other, and Luan'er said, "Your Highness must not force it. Otherwise, if the Princess Consort is displeased, both my sister and I will feel uneasy in our hearts. Rather than that, it is better to remain as Your Highness's maids; that would be relaxed and carefree."

Zhao Xu smiled helplessly.

At present, he is the Regent of Great Song; after Zhao Heng, he will be the Emperor of Great Song.

When that time comes, there will be no need for him to speak, as Yang Susu, in her capacity as Empress, will arrange a selection of consorts for him.

Although he will not want three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two Imperial Concubines, appointing a few Imperial Concubines is still acceptable.

He does not oppose the feudal tradition of three wives and four concubines in Great Song.

This is not out of a man's selfishness, but rather for the sake of Great Song's future.

Due to the internal troubles and external threats of these past years, the invasion of the Northern Di, and the oppression of the powerful clans.

The number of men in Great Song is lower than the number of women.

After this civil war, the number of young and able-bodied men in Great Song will certainly decrease once again.

If monogamy were blindly promoted, it would limit the population growth of Great Song.

And he needs a large population to migrate to the lands he will occupy in the future, just like the migration of Britain to the Americas.

Otherwise, the vast tracts of empty land conquered will ultimately be impossible to hold.

Therefore, not only will he not restrict having three wives and four concubines, he will also encourage the common people to procreate, to give birth with all their might, to give birth desperately.