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172 The Jiangnan Strategy

In the next few days, Emperor Chongzhen basically ignored other matters and focused on the preparations for the construction of the Military Beitang.

Led by Du Yinxi, Zhou Yuji, Ma Xianglin, and even Yuan Shizhong, they all drove out the specific content of Wu Beitang's lectures. Of course, Emperor Chongzhen would ask for the results of their deliberations every day, and after evening, he would also tell Liu Weichao,

Let’s see what Liu Weichao’s opinions are.

As the most useful keyboard warrior in history, Liu Weichao was naturally generous with his advice and told Emperor Chongzhen about some of his military academy experiences in later generations. For example, the purpose of Wu Beitang is to train military officers. There must be different lessons for officers of different levels.

.

In addition, Liu Weichao taught Emperor Chongzhen to formalize the ancient staff, that is, to establish a staff system to share the energy of the commander and improve the comprehensiveness of the war system.

Therefore, Emperor Chongzhen fed back the suggestions heard from Liu Weichao to Du Yinxi and others the next day, asking them to refer to this and supplement and improve the results of their previous discussions based on the actual situation.

On the other hand, Emperor Chongzhen is still working on the hardware of the Military Beitang, ensuring that after Du Yinxi gets results, the Military Beitang can be opened as soon as possible, so as to cultivate an officer system that is loyal to him, instead of those who are hereditary.

Wu Xun's disciples.

This is also a time when there is no other way. He hopes to build a strong army as quickly as possible!

Not to mention that Jianlu will invade the pass in the second half of the year, the war in Kaifeng is probably already underway.

If the army can be formed as soon as possible and reinforcements can be sent there as soon as possible, Kaifeng will be more secure!

In this way, both inside and outside the capital, the Baigan Army, the Beijing Camp, and the Yongwei Camp all started training in full swing.

Emperor Chongzhen's energy, including his money and food, was completely spent on these things, which made the situation in other places even worse.

For example, in Huguang where Zhang Xianzhong caused rebellion, Sun Yingyuan and Huang Degong were originally there. After they were suddenly transferred to the north, the pressure on the coalition forces of Zhang Xianzhong and the Gezuo Fifth Battalion was reduced, so the trouble naturally became more violent.

Reports from the south of the Yangtze River, including Fengyang, the central capital, the Huaihe River Basin, and even Yingtian Mansion, were sent one piece a day, all calling for reinforcements from the imperial court.

However, it's not that Emperor Chongzhen doesn't want to save, but that he is really powerless. With the limited military power loyal to him, he wants to twist it into a rope and expand the army to a strong enough army to influence the real battle situation, instead of splitting it up like putting out fires before.

One part, and then another part, until in the end, all the best ones are lost.

Regarding those reports, he could only shout "Hold on, you guys, hold on to me", that's what it meant!

In response to this situation, the officials from Jiangnan were not impatient, and they all sent memorials to Emperor Chongzhen in the capital.

It is said that Fengyang, the central capital, is where the imperial mausoleum is located. If it falls again, it will be a disgrace to all the previous emperors!

He also said that Jiangnan was an important tax area for the imperial court. Once it was attacked by bandits, the imperial court would have no source of tax revenue and the consequences would be disastrous!

After talking about this kind of thing too much, Emperor Chongzhen was naturally worried, so he asked his friends for advice.

In this regard, Liu Weichao told Emperor Chongzhen based on the situation in Nanming: "Jiangnan is indeed a tax-rich area, but how much tax can you collect from Jiangnan? The power of the gentry in Jiangnan is so great that you, the emperor,

The decree is probably of little use. Apart from other things, can you solve the problem of seclusion, surrender, etc.? A simple example, your grandfather, the tax collector sent by Emperor Wanli to Jiangnan could be beaten to death directly.

, from this we can see that the power of the gentry is great, right?”

"..." Emperor Chongzhen was speechless for a moment.

After a while, he said with some lack of confidence: "But...but now most of the taxes of the imperial court come from Jiangnan. If Jiangnan is really in chaos, then there will be no money collected at all!"

After hearing this, Liu Weichao did not refute this, but said another thing to Emperor Chongzhen: "The Southern Song Dynasty only occupied half of the country, mainly south of the Yangtze River. How much tax was it in a year? Compare it to how much you can collect from Jiangnan in a year.

?”

"..." Emperor Chongzhen was speechless again when he heard this.

In fact, not to mention the Southern Song Dynasty, even in the middle and early Ming Dynasty, the taxes collected from Jiangnan were not comparable to today.

When Liu Weichao saw that he was silent, he continued to say to Emperor Chongzhen: "Over there in the south of the Yangtze River, land annexation is serious, and the land is in the hands of officials and gentry, so you can't collect taxes. From a certain point of view, the thieves belong to you.

Enemies, the officials and gentry in Jiangnan are also your opponents. And because of the status of the officials and gentry in Jiangnan, you will actually be more difficult to deal with..."

After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen realized something, and asked with an uncertain tone: "You mean, on the other side of the Yangtze River, just use the strategy of driving away wolves and devouring tigers, letting the bandits go make trouble first, and I will deal with it last."

Endgame?”

At this point, he denied it himself: "But if this is really the case, how can those gentry be the opponents of those vicious thieves! Not to mention destroying the entire Jiangnan, they will really be destroyed!"

When Liu Weichao heard this, he sneered and said: "I think you are worrying too much. The power of those gentry is far more powerful than you think. According to records, the population in the late Ming Dynasty was about 150 million; but

How many have you registered? The land in other places cannot support so many people, so where can those hidden households be? It must be over in Jiangnan!"

After a pause, he reminded again: "Jiangyin on the 81st, do you remember? It's just a small town like Jiangyin. When Jianlu went south, people everywhere were panicked. Even when the Nanming court was destroyed, it could persist.

Eighty-one days. Nowadays, at least they are unified in name. It is much better than that time. How could the cities in the south of the Yangtze River be easily conquered by bandits? "

"This..." Emperor Chongzhen was speechless after hearing this, and seriously considered Liu Weichao's words in his mind.

"The most important thing is..." Seeing this, Liu Weichao spoke to Emperor Chongzhen in a louder tone, "Things have reached this point. If you don't continue and build a strong army, do you think you can save Jiangnan?"

Can you still stabilize the north? You... can... deal with... who?"

At the end of the sentence, he spat out word after word.

When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he felt like he was enlightened and suddenly woke up.

That's right, if you don't have a strong army, don't say that the imperial tombs in Zhongdu can't be defended, or even the country of Ming Dynasty can't be defended; if you don't have a strong army, don't say that the taxes in Jiangnan will be lost, that's right.

My life is about to be lost!

Which one is more important? It’s very clear!

Not to mention, a lot of what Liu Weichao said just now makes sense!

After hanging up the video communication with Liu Weichao, Emperor Chongzhen began to think about Liu Weichao's statement.

To be honest, although the principle issue has been decided, that is, no matter what the cost, we must build a strong army; but other than that, is there a way to get the best of both worlds?

He really doesn’t want to lose Jiangnan’s money!

After thinking for a long time, suddenly, Emperor Chongzhen's eyes lit up, and he immediately sent an order to summon Wang Dehua, who had lost his position as the eunuch in charge of the ceremony and was only the admiral of the East Factory.

During this period, Wang Dehua's life was actually very difficult.

Although Emperor Chongzhen had a reason for giving up the position of his chief minister of rituals and chief eunuch, he knew in his heart that the root cause was not this so-called reason, but that he had lost his holy favor.

Otherwise, even if it was a big deal, the emperor would let him go.

At this time, although he still had the position of Admiral of the East Factory, he was considered a high-ranking eunuch in the palace. However, he was often worried that Emperor Chongzhen would come to deal with him again.

Sometimes, he even wakes up from nightmares.

Because he really couldn't figure out what was the reason that made him lose his holy grace all of a sudden?

Wang Dehua doesn't believe anything about collusion with the foreign court, corruption, etc.!

After all, no one does these things less!

For example, Wang Chengen, Emperor Chongzhen's favorite at the moment, doesn't he have any contact with the foreign court and is not corrupt?

Wang Dehua thought about it over and over again, but couldn't figure it out!

In fear, he suddenly received the emperor's order to summon him, so he hurried there, a little afraid that the emperor would cause trouble for him again.

Not to mention, as soon as Emperor Chongzhen saw Wang Dehua, he remembered that he trusted him so much. As a result, instead of dying for the country, he welcomed thieves, persuaded them to advance, and welcomed the rebels. It was simply abominable!

However, at this time, Emperor Chongzhen did not reveal the disgust in his heart. Instead, with a hint of kindness, he said to Wang Dehua: "Wang Daban, I have a very important matter. After thinking about it, others are not worried. I don't want to worry about it."

Do you know if you can do this for me?"

Wang Dehua is an old man, and he is not like the young eunuch who is like the rain. When the emperor says this, he will shed tears of gratitude.

He knew very clearly in his heart that this so-called very important matter must be very difficult and even thankless!

But on the surface, Wang Dehua behaved like a young eunuch. As soon as he heard Emperor Chongzhen's words, he immediately showed a very excited look and quickly told the emperor that he must handle this matter for Long Live Lord!

Emperor Chongzhen is no longer the former Emperor Chongzhen. Looking at him like this, how could you not know that he is pretending? But he doesn't point it out, they are just acting on each other!

Then, Emperor Chongzhen said very "happily": "Wang Daban is the right one to use. For others, I am always worried that they will do bad things and are not reliable at all!"

After praising him again, he directly stated his request: "You go south with your capable men and investigate the corruption of those big salt merchants for me. In short, no matter what method you use, I only want those big salt merchants."

Money, do you understand what I mean?"

"..." Wang Dehua was stunned when he heard this.

He thought a lot, but he didn't expect that Emperor Chongzhen would ask him to handle this matter!


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