Li Banghua straightened his back and addressed Emperor Chongzhen, "In my view, the way we treat the common people should be neither blind oppression nor endless indulgence; we must combine firmness with flexibility."
"When the Ministry of Revenue issues official grain-procurement directives to local prefectures, the local authorities must approach the matter with flexibility first, followed by firmness."
"First, explain the reasoning to the common people. If they refuse to sell their grain, the frontier troops will go hungry, and without food, they cannot defend our homes and country. Once the Jiannu push south again, no matter how much grain the people hoard, it will simply become rations for the enemy. Converting it into silver is a different matter—it can be hidden easily anywhere."
Chapter 449