Volume 4: Hot! The whole world is a warring state Chapter 796: Gun Pointed at the Head
"Congratulations, General."
"Haha, Lieutenant General Cao, congratulations to you."
In March 1648, with the grand Indo-Central Asia Campaign coming to an end, Zhu Youdong rewarded many of the soldiers who participated in the campaign. Cao Wenzhao, Liu Zhaosun, Sun Chuanting, Yan Siqi, Quan Yangdongji, Man Gui and others were promoted to generals, while Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong, Huang Degong, Luo Xiong, Zhang Hong and others were promoted to lieutenant generals. Cao Wenzhao's son Cao Bianpeng was promoted to lieutenant general. Zheng Chenggong was promoted directly from major to colonel.
In addition to the promotion of military rank, Zhu Youdong also gave practical things: titles and land. Generals were generally promoted to marquis, and generals were generally conferred the title of earl. And earls and above were granted a certain amount of land.
Of course, given that India has a special effect in wearing down people's will, these people's fiefs are all in Southeast Asia, Australia and America. The territory is not very large. The largest Cao Wenzhao is only more than 1,000 square kilometers, and most are 400 to 500 square kilometers. The population of these marquises and earls in their territories is between hundreds and 2,000 to 3,000 people.
However, Zhu Youdong also said: India is not a place suitable for everyone. The main parts of America, Australia, and Southeast Asia have been granted to the royal family by me. So the land given to everyone at this time is limited. However, in the future, there is still the continent of Africa. When the time comes, I will take Africa out to reward all the meritorious officials.
In addition to the generals being granted titles and fiefs, the ordinary soldiers who participated in the war also received generous rewards. Money, the country really doesn't dare to print more money at this time: after only fighting for more than half a year, the local grain price has jumped to one yuan per stone, which has doubled!
Therefore, Zhu Youdong's rewards to ordinary soldiers were mainly land rewards: those who were old and wanted to retire, those who were seriously injured and disabled, were given land in India. The younger ones were arranged in the vast Australia: Yes, Australia was given to his younger brothers, but Australia is so big, how can the princes swallow it all? In fact, let alone the inland areas of Australia that are not suitable for human habitation, the coastal areas alone are enough for these princes to develop for at least a hundred years. Now that I have given these soldiers land in Australia, I am actually providing these princes with Han populations - these soldiers have no titles, and they have to pay taxes when their land is developed, and they have to pay taxes to these princes.
For the dead, the main form of compensation is money. Of course, the Chinese people's feelings for land are deep-rooted. So Zhu Youdong also said: Among the dead soldiers, those with adult children in their families can also be given land. But if they take the land, they will get less money. For those with only underage children, they will be given money first, and then when I take Africa, I will give them land there again.
In short, after the battle, everyone was happy, whether it was the royal family, the vassal states, or even the soldiers who participated in the war, all gained face and benefits.
…
"Cao Bianpeng, did you receive the emperor's letter of appointment appointing you as the commander of the Indian Ocean Squadron?"
"Got it. Hey, I was thinking about showing off when I returned to my country, but who knew I would take on such a job."
"You are taking advantage of me again. Don't you know how many people in the navy want this position? If you hadn't done that job on the coast of Somalia, would you have gotten this position?"
"Hey, Commander, it's the Indian Ocean Squadron. But look at where the Emperor chose as the anchorage for the fleet? Socotra Island! It's desolate and dry, not as comfortable as Mumbai and Colombo. But the key is that it's right at the gate of the Red Sea. Once the main force of the Western pirates' navy moves south, my place will be the first to bear the brunt! Who knows, if there is another war, I will be killed in the battle, and the reinforcements from the country will not be sent out yet."
"You also know that Socotra Island is at the entrance to the Red Sea. It has an important strategic location. Where else can we set up the fleet's anchorage if not there?"
"Yes, yes, yes." Cao Bianpeng nodded helplessly for a while and then said, "Commander, although the General Staff has allocated 50,000 white coolies to me to build artillery batteries and so on. But just in case, can you give me a few more of these warships in the short term?"
"According to the organization given by the Privy Council, the Indian Ocean Squadron has two battleships, five heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, twenty destroyers, and a Marine Corps division. However, considering that the main force of the Western Bandit Navy is still there, before the port is fortified, I will leave you four battleships and ten heavy cruisers... The First Emperor has to take the emperor back to his country, so I can't leave it to you."
"Haha, Commander, you are so generous. Thank you very much."
Looking at Cao Bianpeng who still looked confused, Inukai Touji sighed, "Now you are also a general of the region, you should be more prudent in doing things. By the way, the emperor asked Eunuch Fang to issue me a warrant, saying that Socotra Island has been isolated from the Asian and African continents for more than 18 million years, and many species on the island are unique. So when we go to the island, we are strictly prohibited from bringing in other species, especially cats and dogs."
"Ah? This is really difficult. From the royal family to the common people, who in the Ming Dynasty doesn't like to pet cats? Our navy officers and soldiers live on the sea for a long time, and they like to keep cats to pass the time and relieve their emotions... Uh, I will ask my subordinates to sterilize all the cats on the ship."
"That's more like it. In addition, the Qinglong Financial Group has sent me a telegram saying that they will send a caravan to the island soon."
"Qinglong Financial Group? Oh, they are the businessmen from Jiangsu and Zhejiang who founded Qinglong Bank. What are these money-loving guys doing here?"
"Bang bang!" Inukai Dongji, who could no longer bear it, knocked Cao Bianpeng twice. "You are the commander of the Indian Ocean Squadron. After receiving the letter of appointment, don't you know what is special about your anchorage? There are the tallest dragon blood trees in the world on Socotra Island, which produce the best dragon's blood, frankincense, and myrrh in the world! After these merchants come, they will set up medicine purchasing stations, and the natives on the island will have a livelihood, so they will naturally support you garrisons. In addition, after the caravan comes, won't all the casinos and brothels you like be available ?"
"No, no, no, Commander, I don't like these things. It's my soldiers who need them... Oh, stop fighting, I'm a lieutenant general after all..."
…
Putting aside the navy that was about to move into Socotra Island, on Zhu Youdong's side, the Ming Emperor boarded the battleship Shi Huangdi and returned to Beijing on April 1, the 30th year of Tianqi. After the grand entry ceremony, Zhu Youdong was pulled to the desk by Zhu Youxiao before he even had time to return to the backyard.
"My brother the emperor and the crown prince have finally returned. I will handle the handover right away."
"Hey, I just got back, and I haven't even adjusted to the time difference yet."
"Brother, you are such a jerk. You entered the Beijing time zone more than ten days ago. What are you talking about? You are dealing with jet lag."
"Okay, tell me, what important matters need to be handed over?"
"The so-called big thing is, of course, the economy. My brother, last year the court had an income of 850 million and an expenditure of 1.32 billion. The deficit is the highest since you ascended the throne. Prices have generally risen, and grain prices have doubled."
"Brother, what's the big deal? The grain price just doubled. You should be thankful that the war lasted only half a year. If it had dragged on for three to five years, it would be normal for the grain price to increase four or five times. Now, India is in the hands of the Ming Dynasty, and the grain price will soon return to normal levels. What I need to worry about is that India imports too much grain, and the low grain prices hurt farmers."
"I don't care about these. I only know that as long as the grain price of our Ming Dynasty is stable, the country will be as safe as Mount Tai. Since you think this is not a problem, I have nothing to say. These memorials were sent by the cabinet yesterday, waiting for your approval. My train back to Tianjin is tonight , so I will leave first."
Zhu Youxiao ran away happily, leaving Zhu Youdong staring at the mountain of memorials in a daze...
He shook his head, picked up a memorial helplessly, flipped through it twice, and threw it out in annoyance. Then it happened to fall at the feet of Fang Zhenghua who had just entered the study.
"Your Majesty? But is there anything in the memorial that makes you unhappy?"
"Well, the memorial is nothing. It's just that I really don't want to do anything right now."
"I don't really want to do anything right now, but what can I do? How can I finish the work? Oh, Your Majesty, Chen Honglu is here."
"Hmm? Let him in."
"Your Majesty, I, Chen Zizhuang, pay my respects to you. Your Majesty has conquered India and annihilated millions of enemies. Such a great military achievement..."
"Okay, okay, I'm back in Beijing, and I'm sick of hearing all this nonsense. Let's get down to business. Have you visited all of Yiprahin's family members?"
"I have already met them. However, it has been more than 20 years since I returned from Osman, so I only know two of the four wives and concubines sent by Ibrahim. Among the seven children, only his eldest son and eldest daughter look vaguely similar to when they were children... In short, I can be sure that at least two of them are Ibrahim's wives. There are two adult children who are indeed Ibrahim's children. The others, when I returned from Osman, were either not married or not born yet, so their authenticity cannot be guaranteed."
"It seems that it is not fake, but even if these people are all real, Yiprahin cannot be trusted completely."
"That's true, Your Majesty. I have been in the Ottoman Empire for nearly ten years, and I have witnessed this Grand Vizier slowly grow from a slightly immature man to a man of steel. It is not impossible for such a man to plot against his family in order to survive. But Your Majesty, I personally think that this Grand Vizier's move is real."
"Well, I also think it might be true. But it doesn't matter. Whether it is true or not, we can just test it out when the time comes. So, how about you go to Istanbul in person in the name of signing a ceasefire agreement?"
"I will follow your orders and find out the exact news about that country."
"Don't worry, this time, I have put the gun to Yiplashin's head. He will definitely treat you much more enthusiastically than he did 20 years ago!"
