Volume 1: Birth! Seven time travelers Chapter 059: Layout of Northeast and Southwest
Emperor Wanli was famous for his love of money. Although modern historical research has basically proved that most of the money earned by this emperor was used to make up for the deficit in the national treasury, it is undeniable that this emperor's personal life was not at all frugal.
On the one hand, the country needed money, and on the other hand, he also needed money. So after hearing Zhu Youdong say that there were jade mines underground in Mubang and Mengyang, Wanli's attitude immediately changed.
In the historical plane, in 1606, Myanmar attacked Mubang very quickly. It sent troops in June and completely occupied Mubang that month. At that time, the Ming Dynasty's reinforcements had just begun to prepare and had not yet set out! This time, the loss of Mubang was almost permanent.
As a history lover, Zhu Youdong didn't know exactly when Mubang completely left the territory of the Chinese Empire. But he knew that the entire Ming Dynasty was in tatters, and once a piece of land was lost, it would be extremely difficult to get it back. Therefore, this Mubang should be saved if possible.
Mubang was defended, and Mengyang behind it could naturally remain within the territory of China. These two places are really the largest mining areas of Burmese jadeite and green jade in later generations.
"Zhu Youdong, is everything you said true?"
"What my grandson said is absolutely true!"
"Well...if what you said is true, then I am even more interested in this Mubang. How about this, the inner treasury allocates 100,000 taels of silver to Sichuan, so that Liu Jing can send his troops south early."
At this time, most of the capable generals of the Ming Dynasty were in the north. Among those in the south, the most capable was Liu Jing, the then Sichuan General.
Zhu Youdong certainly knew about the famous Liu Dadao in history. He was more confident in sending troops to aid Mubang. However, the goal this time was not just to rescue, but to take this opportunity to bring Mubang under the direct jurisdiction of Yunnan. Therefore, he had to prepare civil officials in advance.
"Grandpa Emperor, I think that special funds should be used for special purposes . If the funds are directly allocated to the Sichuan Provincial Administration Office, well, I have absolute trust in the integrity of Sichuan officials, but the efficiency... Besides, this is not just a simple rescue..."
"Hmm~ What you said makes sense. This time, the Imperial Palace will send a military supervisor, and the Censorate will also send an imperial censor to take charge. Chen Ju, report a few suitable people."
"Well, Your Majesty, if you want to send a military supervisor to the Imperial Household Department, then I recommend Liu Shimin. This boy is the son of Liu Yingqi, the deputy general of Liaodong. He volunteered to enter the palace because he had a strange dream. I think this boy has a profound family background. Whether it is military affairs or documents, he is the best in our Imperial Household Department. It is most appropriate to send him to the southwest to be a military supervisor."
"Okay, but we have to send a censor over. Otherwise, the group of censors outside will start to make a fuss again."
"Grandpa Emperor, I have a candidate."
"Haha, my dear grandson has also started to recommend the characters in the enclosed book? Tell me! As long as they are suitable, I will approve them."
"My grandson recommends Sun Chengzong, the editor of the Hanlin Academy."
"Sun Chengzong? Isn't he your teacher? I remember that he was the runner-up in the 32nd year of the Wanli reign? How long has he been in the government? How can he be responsible for such a big task?"
"Grandpa Royal, Sun Chengzong has not been in the government for long. But he didn't take the imperial examination for many years after he passed the imperial examination. But he didn't waste those years. He worked as a tutor in the homes of senior officials of the imperial court, including Fang Shishou, the then governor of Datong. Sun Chengzong has been in Datong for many years and is very familiar with border affairs. Moreover, he has an open-minded and sincere personality. He can handle the relationship with the military well. Grandpa Royal, your grandson knows that Liu Dadao is a capable general, but such a person is also notoriously bad in temper. When choosing military supervisors and censors for him, you can't choose those with upright personalities and arrogance. Liu Shimin, who was mentioned by Jugong just now, is excellent. Sun Chengzong, who your grandson recommends, is also very suitable."
"...Well, Zhu Youdong, it was you who told grandpa that there was a jade mine in Mubang. That's why grandpa invested 100,000 taels of silver. This is 100,000 taels of silver! Now you recommend such a newcomer to grandpa..."
That Liu Shimin is only in his twenties this year, right? After all, Sun Chengzong is already forty-three years old! Forget it, as an emperor, you instinctively trust your servants more, right?
"Grandpa Emperor! If Grandpa Emperor approves, I will pay for the 100,000 taels of silver from the southwest to support Mubang!"
"Hahahahaha~~~" As soon as Zhu Youdong said this, Wanli and Chen Ju laughed happily. Zhu Youdong didn't know that he was tricked by this shameless grandfather again.
But it doesn't matter, since I paid the money, my people should have the final say. And...
"Grandpa Royal, I will pay for this money. If the Mubang matter needs money later, as long as Grandpa Royal gives the order, I will continue to pay. However, if this jade mine can produce something..."
"Well, how about I split the profits with you 50-50? Oh, don't be so upset so quickly. This Ming Dynasty belongs to me, and it will be yours in the future."
"Okay, let's do as Grandpa Huang said, split the money 50-50 ."
"Oh, that's right. Chen Ju, go tell the cabinet later and ask the Ministry of Personnel to give Sun Chengzong a higher official title. Well, it's 100,000 taels of silver after all, I should be generous and directly give him a Yunnan Censor and a Grand Military Preparations Commissioner."
"Yes, I obey your command."
"Well, let's keep going. Anything else?"
Rome was not built in a day, and it was definitely not destroyed in a day. Although according to historical development, the Ming Empire still had at least 30 years of national life. But in fact, at this time, various contradictions had already emerged in the empire. Zhu Youdong often accompanied Wanli to review memorials, and felt that the position of emperor was really boring.
At least in the following days of today, there was almost no good news. Instead, there were things like the Guizhou Tusi rebellion, the Tatars' attack on Yan'an Prefecture, the Duoyans' attack on Shanhaiguan, etc., which really exhausted the grandfather and grandson physically and mentally.
After finally getting the more urgent matters of the day approved, the sun had already started to set and it was almost noon.
"Oh, I'm so hungry. Chen Ju, hurry up and ask someone to serve the food."
"Yes, Your Majesty and Young Master, please wait a moment. I will immediately arrange for the people below to have dinner."
After Chen Ju left, Zhu Youdong approached Wanli and asked, "Grandpa Emperor, did Earl Ningyuan tell you about the incident in Kuandian Liubao?"
"Oh, Ruqi told Grandpa about this matter, but he also knew that once this matter was made public, there would be a lot of impeachment memorials, so he didn't go through the Tongzhengsi. Why? Did he also tell you about this matter through Li Shizhong?"
"Yes. I think Kuandian must not be abandoned. Grandpa, Kuandian's strategic location is too important..."
"Hey, Dong'er, I understand what you just said. But, in this country right now, hey, there is no one else, so I want to tell you something from the heart. It would be great if there were still people like Mr. Zhang in the Ming Dynasty."
Haha, I don't know who was the one who took action against him not long after he died, and even forced his eldest son to death. In short, there is no Zhang Juzheng in the world anymore!
"Dong'er, as for you, grandpa is not worried. If you take charge of the Ming Dynasty in the future, you will only do better than grandpa. However, before you, there was your father. Chang Luo is a good man, but good people are really not suitable to sit in grandpa's current position. But the etiquette is there, and grandpa has no way. Therefore, grandpa's goal is to have enough 10 million taels of silver in the treasury before meeting the ancestors. In this way, with so much silver as a foundation and you helping by the side, your father can hold on no matter how much he squanders. Dong'er, my Ming Dynasty has too many problems now. Grandpa will try his best to solve some of them, but more can only look forward to the future. Therefore, the choice of Kuandian must be based on the stability of Liaodong. At present, it seems that temporarily giving up the six forts in Kuandian is the best way to ensure the stability of Liaodong and ease the conflicts among all parties. As for the Jianzhou Jurchen you mentioned? Humph, that Nurhaci really dares to have evil intentions towards my Ming Dynasty? Grandpa can beat him to death by breaking a branch!"
My grandpa, how can you say that a branch hits someone? The example of Emperor Wu of Liang is in the history books! However, Jianzhou is really too submissive now, and its strength is far inferior to that of the Ming Dynasty, not to mention that it is far inferior to that of Myanmar, which is constantly making trouble in the southwest at this moment - at least Myanmar can mobilize 300,000 militiamen at a time.
Therefore, no one in the Ming Dynasty, from top to bottom, could realize at this moment how great the Jianzhou Jurchens would grow in the future.
Forget it. If it weren't for the time traveler, who could see the future? But since I'm a time traveler, let alone my mission and goals , I have to do something even for the survival of Han civilization .
"Grandpa Emperor." Zhu Youdong stepped back a few steps very solemnly, then bowed deeply: "Please forgive my grandson Ji Yue. I still insist on defending the six forts in Kuandian. If both the national treasury and the inner treasury are in trouble, Liaodong Town will not be responsible for the defense expenses of the six forts in Kuandian. Xinghua Palace will bear all the money!"
