Shuntianfu,

Capital of the Ming Dynasty.

Roads extending in all directions lead to various places. At this time, the east side of Shuntian Prefecture has been cleared. The new armies from Shandong, Henan and Zhili have been mobilized. A total of more than 60,000 people from four towns have camped here.

The original new army of the Ming Dynasty had 390,000 and 80,000 Mongolian cavalry. After Zhang Haogu continued to adjust and change it, he transferred the Mongolian cavalry and the Jurchen cavalry who had taken refuge in southern Liaoning to Zhili to train Han cavalry, and also deployed troops and horses in various towns.

After reconstruction and reorganization, the number of the new army now exceeds more than half a million.

If it were a normal war to destroy the country with the Manchu and Qing Dynasties in Liaodong, not counting the new armies that had been handed over to Yunnan, Jiangnan, Gansu, Shaanxi and other places, the Ming Dynasty would be able to mobilize more than 150,000 troops in the northern Shandong, Henan, and Zhili areas alone.

troops.

If you add the three towns of the grassland and the Mongolian cavalry, the new army of the three towns adapted from the four guards of southern Liaoning, excluding Gansu, Shaanxi, Shanxi and other places, the Ming Dynasty can mobilize more than 250,000 troops on the northern battlefield, including

More than 60,000 cavalry.

But the situation is different now. The industry and commerce of the world has experienced an earthquake, earthquake, and the stock market almost collapsed. At this time, if the Ming Dynasty invested 250,000 soldiers and horses, the logistics of the Ming Dynasty would not be able to support it without mentioning the economy of the Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, Zhang Haogu must control the scale of troop dispatches. At least troops from Zhili and other places cannot be mobilized on a large scale.

Now that the imperial court is going to go to war with Liaodong, how will the merchants react?" Zhang Haogu looked at the folding papers submitted from various places. On Zhang Haogu's desk, a pile of folding papers like a hill were waiting for his approval.

Anyway, the situation of the weak leader and the strong minister has been decided, so let Zhu Youxiao rest more.

Zhang Haogu is currently not only busy with the conquest of Liaodong, but also with the task of restoring the economy. Zhu Youxiao has been messing around for nearly half a year. If he doesn't work hard, the Ming Dynasty's economy will be ruined this year.

Hearing Zhang Haogu's question, Cui Chengxiu said quickly: "Since Ming Gong came out, the businessmen's confidence has recovered a lot. In addition, with the constant news of war with the Manchus in the past few days, the businessmen have regained their enthusiasm for investment.

Zhang Haogu nodded with satisfaction, "With the war, prices will inevitably rise, as long as businessmen regain their enthusiasm for investment."

No matter how long this war lasts, the imperial court must buy nothing less. Based on the standard of three years of fighting, even if the things are left unused in the warehouse, they will still be profitable.

At present, the economy in various places has not yet recovered, and businessmen are still in a wait-and-see mode. At this time, the court must step in to stimulate the market and allow factories in various places to resume operations, so that businessmen can have full confidence in the court. At least they cannot let workers lose their jobs and let the economy slump and industry and commerce regress.

Otherwise, the industrial system that has been painstakingly established over the past few years will collapse, and once these workers who have been trained with great difficulty become unemployed, the losses to Ming Dynasty will be too great.

Cui Chengxiu, as the minister of the Department of Commerce, naturally understood what Zhang Haogu meant. The imperial court was buying all kinds of industrial products so that businessmen could start work quickly to stimulate industrial recovery, so as to achieve the purpose of revitalizing the economy.

But in this case, how much money the court will spend is a question. "Ming Gong, if this happens, the expenses of the Ministry of Household Affairs will be quite a lot."

Cui Chengxiu said.

Zhang Haogu sighed softly: What can we do? Your Majesty has left us such a mess, and we must clean it up. I still have to trouble you recently. I will make more trips to talk to various chambers of commerce, and there are many big businessmen.

Let's talk. I will also discuss with Prime Minister Lu and Prime Minister Qian to ask the court to come up with an attitude.

No matter what, the economy will always recover, and it won’t work if we don’t arrange these things properly before setting off for the expedition.”

Soon, Zhang Haogu invited Sun Chengzong, Qian Qianyi, Qiao Yunsheng, and Huang Liji to his home. Together with Zhang Ruitu and Lu Xiangsheng, all seven members of the cabinet were present.

Sun Chengzong looked at the six ministers and cabinet counselors coming and going, and couldn't help but said: "Why doesn't Prime Minister Zhang simply move the court to his own home?

"I can't help it. My house is only a big place, with no more than a house and no extra garden. How can we accommodate so many people." Zhang Haogu said and personally brought a cup of tea to Sun Chengzong.

After serving tea to everyone, Zhang Haogu said tiredly: "Prime Minister Sun, Prime Minister Qian, Prime Minister Huang, and Prime Minister Qiao, I invite you all here today, not just to show off."

His Majesty

You all know in your heart what the conflict between you and me is. If you feel that I have done something wrong, feel free to speak up or leave. If you still want to contribute to the Ming Dynasty, please stay.

Hearing Zhang Haogu's words, Sun Chengzong couldn't help but sigh: "Prime Minister Zhang, you have the talent of a king's assistant, comparable to Fang Du in the Han Dynasty, Xiao Zhang, and the Tang Dynasty. Why did you get into such trouble with His Majesty?

"I, Zhang Haogu, looked at Sun Chengzong: I don't know why Zhang Taiyue was left devastated after his death, and his coffin was almost opened and his body was slaughtered.

Sun Chengzong was speechless.

"Not to mention, Zhang Haogu waved his hand: Everyone knows that your Majesty is going to transfer me and let me go to Liaodong.

I will definitely go there. Whether it is Huangtaiji in Liaodong or Jiliao Military Town, I will solve it.

"But before I leave, there are always some things that need to be resolved.

With that said, Zhang Haogu looked at Qian Qian and said, "Mr. Qian, the local economy is now getting worse and worse: the economy of the Ming Dynasty is sluggish and the decline of industry and commerce. If this continues, the economy of the Ming Dynasty will be completely corrupted, which cannot be solved in one or two years.

What I mean is to ask the imperial court to come forward and stimulate the market on the pretext of pacifying Liaodong. In any case, we cannot let industry and commerce continue to be so bad.

Qian Qianyi nodded: What do you need me to do?

Zhang Haogu said: "During this period, Cui Shilang of the Department of Commerce will contact chambers of commerce and businessmen in various places. The Minister of Finance will take up this responsibility. The Ministry of Household Affairs will provide money to at least restore the economy of Zhili and Jiangnan, and then radiate

Around here, we can put the situation back together little by little."

Qian Qianyi thought about it for a while. With the cooperation of Lu Xiangsheng and the New Party, and the fact that the imperial court is now at war with Liaodong, there is not much problem in stimulating the economy. He can hold meetings with chambers of commerce in various places. With the news of Zhang Haogu coming out and the imperial court going to war, businessmen

They made up their minds that they would not miss this opportunity, Qian Qianyi said: "Leave this piece to me.

Zhang Haogu looked at Sun Chengzong again, "Prime Minister Sun, you are the chief minister. I am going to Liaodong, so you must worry about military and political affairs. Apart from anything else, I just hope that nothing will hinder the government.

.”

"Zhang Sun Chengzong frowned: Who do you think I am? Don't worry, Prime Minister Zhang. I am in the court, so Prime Minister Zhang can rest assured and fight.

Later, Zhang Haogu and everyone decided on the main policy plans of the imperial court during this period, and then prepared to go to war.

Three days later, Zhang Haogu in the capital looked at Huang Zongxi and Gu Yanwu who were piercing his armor and couldn't help laughing: "Madam is not here, and now the armor piercing will be troublesome for you."

Huang Zongxi said: "Ming Gong, where are you, shouldn't the students wear it for you?"

Inside is a vermilion dragon robe, and the animal-faced mountain pattern armor given by the emperor, arm armor, shoulder armor, waist protector, etc. are all equipped one by one. Zhang Haogu moved his body, put on the six-petal lotus bright iron helmet, and came out.

He left the tent and rode his war horse to the school grounds. The new troops from the four towns had already assembled and were on standby.

The officers and men of the new army lined up neatly, wearing cotton armor and iron helmets, with flags fluttering.

Zhang Haogu looked at these soldiers. Needless to say inspiring words, the soldiers all knew what this battle meant.

Zhang Haogu, who was riding a war horse, clenched his right fist across his chest and said, "The Ming army is mighty!

The soldiers shouted loudly: "The Ming army is mighty! The Ming army is mighty!"

Soldiers, go to war! In the autumn of the 13th year of the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Haogu led more than 66,000 new troops from four towns to march out from the capital to fight.

More than 66,000 soldiers of the New Army marched toward Shanhaiguan in a mighty manner, with flags fluttering and spears standing everywhere. The army marched to Jizhou Town and stopped to set up camp.

In the camp, Zhang Haogu's big bag stood outside the Chinese army's tent. Inside the tent, Zhang Haogu's ancient clothes were still in his armor, and he was looking at the map of Liaodong.

Report! Marshal, Jin Shi Tian Ergeng, commander of Jin Yiweidu, wants to see you.

"Let him in.

Soon, Tian Ergeng, wearing a bullfight uniform, came in and said, "For a humble job, see Prime Minister Zhang.

Zhang Haogu smiled: "Why did you come to me?"

Tian Ergen looked helpless: "Your Majesty thinks that the humble official is a lackey of the New Party.

Zhang Haogu understood: "Then stay with me when you come. What's the situation of Jin Yiwei now?

Tian Ergeng said: "Many people were deposed and even more arrested. Zhao

The commander asked the humble minister to come to Prime Minister Zhang, saying that Prime Minister Zhang needed the humble minister.

Zhang Haogu smiled and nodded to Tian Ergen: "That's quite right. I have a use for you right now. How far have you penetrated Jiliao Military Town?

Tian Ergeng was stunned for a moment, and Zhang Haogu said with a smile: "Whether it is inspecting places for the imperial court or conducting military reconnaissance, when did you, the Jinyi Guards, become less important?"

Jiliao Military Town is like a chokehold for the imperial court, don't say you haven't infiltrated Jiliao Military Town.

Tian Ergen chuckled: "I can't hide anything from Mr. Ming.

I have to mention that Tian Ergen is a smart man. He doesn’t even call him Prime Minister Zhang at the moment. He directly calls Ming Gong and goes to contact your people in Jiliao Army Town. I will be able to use him soon." Zhang Haogu said.

Tian Ergeng said immediately: "Please don't worry, Duke Ming. Within three days, I will report the situation in Jiliao Army Town.

Zhang Haogu nodded. He still believed in Jin Yiwei's ability.

Cui Ri's army broke out of camp, and Zhang Haogu wrote a military order and sent it to the Liaodong Military Town, asking them to prepare for the victory of the army. At the same time, he asked them to prepare soldiers and horses to go out with the commander when the time comes.

After seeing off the knights, Huang Zongxi asked, "How does Ming Gong plan to deal with those warlords in Liaodong Road?"

"Of course Zhang Haogu said with a smile: Treat them well, why do you think I still need them now?

Soon, Zhang Haogu's military order was sent to Ningyuan.

Zu Dashou, Wu Xiang and other major warlords in Jiliao Military Town read the military orders to each other one by one and looked at each other, "Zhang Haogu, what do you mean?

Zu Dashou pondered: "If the imperial court wants to pacify Liaodong, it will definitely use us. Among other things, we hold Guan Ning's cavalry and hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Zhang Haogu wants us to obey his orders."

ah.

Wu Xiang said: "Now there is something wrong in the imperial court. The emperor and Zhang Haogu have fallen out. Could it be that Zhang Haogu wants us to take sides?

Zu Dashou nodded: "It's possible.

Wu Xiang asked: "Then the governors we support in Dongdong, Henan, Zhili, Shanxi, Gansu, Shaanxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Huguang and other places are all members of the New Party. The New Party also controls hundreds of thousands of new troops. If they join Zhang Haogu,

, doesn’t seem to be a bad thing.”

Zu Dashou said with a smile: "Things cannot be seen this way. Zhang Haogu is indeed powerful. Now he controls the court and has a strong army. But Zhang Haogu is already so strong, what status do we have if we follow him? If he is strong

If it swallows us, can we resist?

Although the emperor is weak now, he is still the emperor and holds great righteousness. Moreover, the emperor certainly does not have many troops and needs a strong army as support in the court. If we support the emperor, we will definitely not get less than what Zhang Haogu gave us.

.

One of the warlords laughed and said: "Brother, what do you mean, who gives more and who do we listen to?"

Zu Dashou smiled and said: "Yes, that's it! Whoever gives more, we listen to. But if you just listen and don't move, if you want to instruct us, there is no way!"

"We are stationed in Liaodong, with hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses. No one can please us. Be it Zhang Haogu or the emperor, they all have to provide for us. We will eat both sides. Whoever wins in the end will win.

The warlords laughed loudly: "Eat both ends, whoever wins in the end will follow."

Wu Xiang asked again: "That Zhang Haogu wants us to prepare for the labor force and also wants us to go out with the army, so what should we do?

Zu Dashou smiled and said: "Hey, this is not easy to handle? We have prepared wine and meat for Laojun, but when we go out to fight, it depends on what conditions Zhang Haogu can give, and he can't use us as cannon fodder. If he doesn't give us enough things, we will leave."

Want us to move."

One person said: "Yes, doesn't Zhang Haogu control the imperial court? Let him promote us all. Our requirements are not high. Gold and silver treasures are not included. He will guard Liaodong for the imperial court, grant several princes, and several princes."

That’s what it should be, right?”

Hearing this, everyone laughed again.

Soon, the Liao army set up camp outside Shanhaiguan.

At the same time, Tian Ergeng also sent the situation of Liaodong Military Town to Zhang Haogu.

Looking at the dynamics of Liaodong warlords such as Zu Dashou and Wu Xiang, Zhang Haogu couldn't help but Ningyuan's first line. Just killing the leaders would not be effective, so he asked them to assemble first.

, so I cleaned it up in one go."

With that said, Zhang Haogu looked at Tian Ergeng: "How many people have Jin Yiwei infiltrated among these warlords?

Tian Ergeng said: "Two generals, five thousand households, and fifteen hundred households. At the same time, the Jin Yiwei still has a lot of manpower in Liaodong who can do things."

Zhang Haogu nodded and began to issue orders to the Mongolian Governor Cao Wenzhao. The three Mongolian towns arrived near Yizhou, and the Mongolian cavalry moved to Changling Mountain, waiting for orders at any time.

An order was sent to Yuan Chonghuan, the governor of southern Liaoning, asking his three towns in southern Liaoning to be alert to Huang Taiji's movements and to surround Huang Taiji's Eight Banners soldiers on the Haizhou front line."

Don’t Zu Dashou and Wu Xiang think that I want to win over them, so they can raise the price? Give them this opportunity.”

Taichong, contact our people in Liaodong and ask them to contact the lower-level officers and tell them that the imperial court has come to allocate land to them. Zu Dashou and Wu Xiang owe them money and food, and the imperial court will get it back on their behalf.

Seeing that Tian Ergeng was a little confused, Zhang Haogu said with a smile: "Don't think that only Jin Yiwei is infiltrating Liaodong. There are no fewer people from Datong Academy than Jin Yiwei.

Tian Ergen was stunned for a moment and said quickly: "Ming Gong is wise."

Soon, the messenger knight conveyed the general's order to various places.

Mongolian Governor Cao Wenzhao immediately ordered the new troops from three towns to press forward, and at the same time personally led the Mongolian cavalry from four towns to press towards Liaodong. Yuan Chonghuan, Governor of Southern Liaoning, also ordered the soldiers in each town to be on alert.

Zhang Haogu's army has not yet arrived, and the smell of gunpowder smoke has begun to fill the air. At this time, among the lower-level soldiers inside the Liaodong Military Town, there are already people from Jinyiwei and Datong Academy who have begun to take action.

"Have you heard? Prime Minister Zhang is here. He wants to share money, food, and land with everyone!

Is it true? We can still receive food and money?! Doesn’t that money belong to the adults?"

Can we have money? Don’t all the adults and generals above have to take it away!

You don’t know this, Prime Minister Zhang is here just to deal with those corrupt officials who bully us. We are here to guard Liaodong for the imperial court, but we can’t get the money and food sent by the imperial court, and we have to pay filial piety to those people.

Adults, why?

Yes, those personal guards of the generals and lords each have double or triple the amount of money, and they are always ordering us around, but we have no money to take it!"

"Hmph! Where did our money go? Let the adults take it away and give it to their cronies. If the *** comes, we will still be the cannon fodder on the front line. The adults exchange our lives for merit.

If my brothers die, their death will be in vain."

We have all heard about what Prime Minister Zhang’s new policies and new laws have done to the common people. In the new army of the imperial court, every household was given land. The court also sent meat and food to the family every year, and every member of the new army received a salary every month.

We can receive adequate wages and we don’t have to spend money on food. The court provides food. We can eat three full meals a day with meat and vegetables. During the New Year and festivals, the court also provides rewards and the best equipment.

Who are we serving as soldiers? Why not treat us as a new army of human beings?

"Yes, what is the treatment for the new army of the imperial court? What is the treatment for us? I heard that the imperial court wanted to pay each of us a salary and food, but we were stopped by the people above. They wanted to use us to blackmail the imperial court and trade our lives for theirs.

Your title. You really don’t treat us as human beings!”

Everyone, you must think clearly, Mr. Zhang represents the imperial court. Only by following Mr. Zhang can we have a good future and our family can have enough food.

Before Zhang Haogu arrived in Ningyuan, undercurrents were already surging within the Liaodong warlords.
Chapter completed!