In terms of population, the Manchu Qing Dynasty only had two to three million people. It was a small country in the entire East Asia region, but it maintained an army of hundreds of thousands.
Songun politics is all praise, and can only be said to be the integration of the military and the state, that is, the military is the model of the country.
This system is mostly suitable for small countries that are forced to make choices when facing survival crises, such as the Qin State's military meritorious service and the Western Wei Dynasty's military system.
Coupled with appropriate and fair rewards, it will explode with shocking power.
Sufficient food and salary, coupled with fair rewards and punishments, made the Green Camp unstoppable after surrender in history.
The disadvantage is very obvious, that is, lack of stamina.
A large amount of resources are invested in the military, which will inevitably lead to slow development in other aspects.
This was exactly the case in the Manchu Qing Dynasty at this time.
Nearly 30% of the young men in the country are paid as soldiers. Twenty people support one soldier, which is close to the limit.
Moreover, half of the population in Liaodong is actually accommodated by the farms of the Eight Banners. The Eight Banners do not pay taxes, so the real taxpayers in Liaodong are less than one million.
There was already a shortage of young people, and coupled with the severe cold weather and long winter in Liaodong, the manpower became increasingly scarce.
There is a shortage of workers in the textile, paper, pottery, wood and other industries, which has led to the shrinkage of the handicraft industry and very little supply of goods on the market.
Therefore, the entire Liaodong is operating abnormally, and something will happen sooner or later.
In this case, when enough wealth cannot be plundered, the collapse of the Manchu Qing Dynasty is only a matter of time.
Hong Chengchou faced such a difficult situation.
Agricultural production was barely self-sufficient, the monetary system collapsed, commerce was in chaos, and handicrafts exclusively served the military.
Ninety percent of the ironware in the blast furnace is made for the army.
They plundered mountains of gold and silver from the pass, but could not buy what they needed.
"Only through trade can we save the Qing Dynasty."
"I see."
Dorgon nodded, his face softened a little, but he still couldn't hide his fatigue.
Living in a corner of Liaodong, as long as the war stops, the Qing Dynasty will inevitably perish.
This is what he has realized in the past two years, which is why he launched this conquest against the Chahar tribe.
Only those who have meritorious service will be rewarded, which will encourage the Eight Banners to fight hard. Peace will only weaken their fighting spirit.
"That's right!" Fan Wencheng sighed: "The furs submitted by various tribes are piled up in the warehouse. Many of them have been bitten by insects and rats, and there is no whereabouts."
"It's better to Chongzhen Dynasty!"
Everyone couldn't help but nod their heads in agreement with this statement.
A good day is when there are eight great imperial merchants.
"Xueshi Hong is now in charge of the Navy, which happens to be located on the bank of the Yalu River. It is up to you to handle trade matters."
Dorgon regained control of his fatigue and said excitedly: "As long as we can spend these gold and silver to buy the gunpowder we need, we can do anything."
Hong Chengchou cupped his hands and said: "Please rest assured, Prince Regent. When I was in Korea, I knew that Korea had trade with Japan and that sulfur was plentiful and cheap."
"That's good!" Dorgon's face turned red when he heard the good news, and he seemed to have gained strength: "You guys can discuss it!"
After saying that, he walked away in a swagger, as if he was not leaving the palace, but heading towards the harem.
Hong Chengchou frowned, the etiquette system was completely messed up.
The academicians Gang Lin and Qi Chongge on the side started to murmur and left with secret jabs.
After Ning finished, I glanced at the remaining Hong Chengchou and Fan Wencheng, and walked over quickly: "You two, find a place to discuss!"
Hearing the emphasis on the word "discuss", Fan Wencheng and Hong Chengchou were suspicious, but they nodded in agreement.
After a while, they arrived at the courtyard.
The rules in Shengjing are not as strict as those in Beijing. Several pavilion elders were sitting on stone benches with different expressions on their faces, but none of them spoke first.
After Ning Wan, I could only say: "Two brothers, I have taken the liberty to invite you two today. In fact, something big is going to happen in Shengjing."
"Inside the palace or outside the palace?" Fan Wencheng asked bluntly.
"I have both, but the palace has the upper hand." Ning Wanwo said in a deep voice.
Hong Chengchou complained in his heart, I just joined the cabinet, why did this happen to me?
Is there anything simple in the inner court?
Fan Wencheng thought for a while and did not continue to speak.
Ning Wan saw Hong Chengchou's confused look and realized that he had no eyes and ears yet, and was acting like a deaf man at this moment.
"The Prince Regent intends to take the Queen Mother as his wife——"
These words, like a bolt of thunder, exploded directly in Hong Chengchou's ears, leaving his brain in chaos.
It didn't recover for a while.
A minister accepts his wife? An uncle accepts his sister-in-law?
Does the Qing Dynasty still have any moral ethics?
No matter which one it is, for a literati like Hong Chengchou who has been taught by the Four Books and Five Classics since childhood, he can't wait to clean his ears with ten bottles of water.
Fan Wencheng sighed softly and trailed off: "I've heard a little bit about this."
"I never thought it would start."
"Brother Xian Dou, why didn't you stop this?" Hong Chengchou said anxiously: "It should have been nipped in the bud."
"Oh, you think I don't want to?"
Fan Wencheng glanced at Ning Wanwo and Hong Chengchou, his tone full of fatigue: "Before, the regent had two choices."
"One was promoted from the regent of his uncle to the regent of the emperor's uncle; the other is to marry the queen mother."
"this--"
Ning Wan's face soothed, and from this point of view, the second option was acceptable.
But for Hong Chengchou, both options go against traditional morals and should not be used.
My uncle, the regent, added the word "emperor", which meant that he trampled on the imperial power, and thus made the minister rise to the same level as the emperor, which is not advisable.
But taking the Queen Mother as his wife is a violation of imperial power and is inconsistent with etiquette.
"snort!"
Hong Chengchou groaned, his face full of sadness.
What is this?
Some things can be done but not said.
Seeing that Hong Chengchou was still having trouble turning, Fan Wencheng said slowly: "In recent days, the regent has visited the harem less and less, only three or four times in a month."
Why, you are not happy that the Empress Dowager is missing?
Hong Chengchou was stunned.
"Although the Prince Regent kept it sealed, the news got out."
Fan Wencheng whispered: "The regent's health is getting worse day by day. I'm afraid you didn't notice it."
"Isn't the Regent's body always like this?"
"Have you ever seen the Prince Regent go to war in person in the past few years?"
Hong Chengchou sighed and said nothing.
Apparently, the Prince Regent felt that his health was not good and he couldn't wait to have a good time to avoid any regrets.
For such patients, no matter how much you try to persuade them, it will be in vain. Instead, the more you persuade them, the more determined they become.
"Since this year is only thirteen, we can only pray that the regent is in good health."
Ning finished my last sentence and left directly.
Hong Chengchou smiled bitterly and said: "Brother Dou Xian, I just joined the cabinet, so I'm afraid I won't be able to help you much."
"I don't need your help, just keep silent."
Fan Wencheng was helpless: "As long as the Eight Banners nobles agree, it is useless for us cabinet ministers to object. If you anger them, you will suffer the consequences."