Emperor Ling Hui was very excited to know in advance that Marshal Gu had taken down the Southern Frontier and expanded the territory of Ling Kingdom by a quarter.
He said emotionally to the courtiers, "Marshal Gu and the soldiers have worked hard! We must reward the soldiers guarding the border who can't go home. Let them feel the spring breeze of the Imperial Court and how much it values them!"
There were few people in the Southern Frontier. The best reward was to give money and food to their wives.
The courtiers looked at each other. Only Li Guozhong stood up and said, "Your Majesty, the battle has just ended. The treasury is empty, and the people have yet to recuperate. We can't reward the soldiers for the time being."
Not to mention rewards, it was difficult to pay anything now.
