Xue Shao said, "People have greed, an inherited trait, but the reason people are people is that they can think and improve. There is a saying among the common folk: every heart is made of flesh. Once they belong to the Ming Dynasty, if their lives grow better and more peaceful by the day, why would they rebel?"
Hu Ying said, "Naive. Does Lord Xue truly think the Ming Dynasty's aid will ultimately benefit the herdsmen? I fear it will only fatten those tribal nobles. Human greed is boundless. Once they gain benefits, they will only want more. When the time comes, they will incite the herdsmen to rebel just as Yesen did."
Xue Shao said, "Only by letting the herdsmen benefit and ensuring those benefits truly reach them can they sincerely give their hearts to the Ming Dynasty. As for the tribal nobles, they are only a very small minority. Even if they stir up trouble, they will achieve nothing."
Cao Nai snorted. "The herdsmen all obey the tribal nobles. They will achieve nothing? Lord Xue is far too confident."
Xue Shao said, "Then make the herdsmen grow estranged from the tribal nobles and loyal to His Majesty, serving the Ming Dynasty."
The ministers: ...
They exchanged glances and unexpectedly felt that this was not a bad idea, but... unease still lingered in their hearts.
Chen Xun said, "How much would the Imperial Court have to invest for every one of them to benefit, to gain more than they could through plunder? Is this not truly aiding the enemy?"
Xue Shao said, "If we merely supplied money and grain one-sidedly, then naturally it would be improper. Furthermore, whether they are people of the grasslands or of the Central Plains, South of the Yangtze, and Lingnan, they are all subjects