In December in Nanjing, rain and snow continued.

The weather is getting colder and colder, and the guards at the head of the city, who were born in the north, seem to have returned to the border fortress.

It is rare for such a heavy snowfall in the land of Jinling, and the household department reported that many places in the eighteen prefectures of Yingtian were affected, and some prefectures and counties even fell hail, damaging houses, and the winter wheat harvest in Suhu and other places may fail.

Inside the right door, the left waiter of the household department on duty and the two Lang Zhong sat opposite each other and smiled bitterly.

Two months ago, Shuntian Bafu was hit by a disaster, and His Majesty exempted the money and grain for this year and next year, and now Yingtian has encountered a natural disaster, and next year's summer grain is hopeless.

"In the long run, how is it good."

The household department is not short of money, and in the three years of Yongle, there are more gold, silver and copper coins in the treasury than the total during the reign of the emperor's grandson.

But gold and silver cannot be eaten as food, nor can they be used for rice and military rations.

At the end of the year, the nobles and court officials lined up to receive food. According to the usual practice, it is necessary to transport grain to Tianjin Weihe Shuntianfu by boat. Pulling the abacus and calculating the required amount, the whole household was in a hurry. Even if you look at the food book, you can't get enough food.

"Or you can ask Your Majesty to offset some of the Lu rice with treasure money." A Lang Zhong said, "Treasure money is not allowed, and copper coins are also acceptable." Military rations in northern Xinjiang can be temporarily raised from the treasury of Shuntian Bafu and Daning. Although there are natural disasters in Baoding and other places in Hejian, Xuanfu Daning and other places are abundant. There is also a surplus in the mutual market between Kaiyuan and Guangning, so please invite Your Majesty, and invite Your Royal Highnesses King Zhao of Han to ......"

"No!"

Before Lang Zhong finished speaking, he was interrupted.

Tobe Shangshu Xia Yuanji pushed the door in, and the cloak on his body was covered with a thin layer of snow, and there were also water marks on the black yarn.

"Situ."

The three people on duty immediately got up and gave up. Xia Yuanji took off his cloak, straightened his hat, and walked to the charcoal basin after returning the salute, his frozen hands finally warmed up.

"You don't have to be formal."

After experiencing the ups and downs of the early years of Yongle and the three years of Yongle, Nanjing Hubu has changed blood many times. Squire, Langzhong, Outsider, Secretary, Director, will have a new face every few months. Only Xia Yuanji has always sat firmly in the position of Shangshu, like Yu Situ in Beijing, and can be called the Dinghai Shenzhu of Nanjing's household department.

"Listen to the words of this official for the time being, and now we are pursuing the law of Emperor Tai-Zugao, and filling Lu rice with money can alleviate the urgent need for a while, but it cannot fundamentally solve the problem. For the sake of today's plan, we should try to raise the grain storehouse, and if nothing else, the grain of the Annan army must not be delayed. ”

As soon as these words came out, the three people who had talked to before were all in the same place.

"What Situ said is very true!"

The military rations in northern Xinjiang can be temporarily seconded from Daning and other places, but the grain and straw of the army in Annam can only be requisitioned by the household department. It's okay to eat locally, but as soon as the war started, His Majesty ordered that Jiaxuan should not be injured, and this matter was very difficult to do.

Lang Zhong, who proposed "if grain is transferred from Guangxi......" did not have much confidence.

In the place where the army was stationed before, a batch of grain and grass had been requisitioned and requisitioned, and it was difficult to guarantee that the local local officials would not rebel.

Tobe Shangshu and the three subordinate officials looked at each other and sighed.

The treasury has no money, and it is worried.

With money, I still have to worry about it.

Xia Yuanji wanted to discuss a solution with his colleagues in the ministry, but everyone was in a lawsuit.

There is a treasury full of gold, silver and copper coins, but they are worried about food, what is this called!

The head of the household is worried in the duty room, and Zhu Di, the supreme ruler of the Ming Dynasty, is angry in the Xinuan Pavilion of the Fengtian Palace.

The recital of the Ministry of Rites was thrown to the ground, Zhu Di slapped the table with his eyebrows crossed, and angrily reprimanded: "The system of Emperor Tai-Zu-Gao, the people who are more than forty years old have heard of the monks!" Today, in Zhili and many prefectures and counties in Zhejiang, there are more than 1,800 people who invite the emperor, and most of them are those who are weak and stand for the year, and they don't know the order of the imperial court. ”

The Ministry of Rites Shangshu knelt on the ground with a sad face, "Your Majesty, this matter ......"

"I don't want to hear your explanation!" Zhu Di said angrily, "I only ask you, this thousand eight hundred people, but the Ministry of Rites Xu Fa? ”

“…… Be. ”

Zhu Di was even more angry, "So many people in the prime of life have been shaved as monks privately, and the monk records department will give them a degree without detailed investigation, which is dereliction of duty." The Ministry of Rites does not examine its actions, and it is even more responsible for negligence! You are a palm print, you can't drive down the officials to do their duty, and you should be guilty of the same crime! ”

The Ministry of Rites Shangshu stubbornly said, "Your Majesty, the minister knows his mistake!" ”

Zheng Shangshu's face was bitter, and his heart was even more bitter.

To tell the truth, although the Sangha Division is under the control of the Ministry of Rites, this matter is really not his responsibility. Before Jin Yiwei handed the note to the emperor, he was also kept in the dark. The degree of 1,800 people will be sent as soon as they say it, and there will be no rumors at all, Zheng Shangshu doesn't know that he has such capable people under his hands!

If he can pass the Son of Heaven safely and not be taken off the black veil, he will definitely investigate to the end, so that the villain who pushes his top cylinder behind his back looks good!

Is it true that he Zheng Ci is a soft persimmon, and he can't make a sound when he rubs it round and flattened?

Zheng Ci scolded the villain who hurt him behind his back a thousand times in his heart, but his expression became more and more frightened, and he did not make any arguments, and pleaded guilty again and again.

Seeing that Zheng Ci had a good attitude in admitting his mistakes, Emperor Yongle calmed down and knew that he couldn't be blamed entirely for this. Thinking of the capture of Nanjing, Zheng Ci made a meritorious service, Zhu Di did not take off his black yarn after all, and only fined him for three months, so that he went home to reflect.

"If this matter is stopped, if there is the same example, it will definitely not be forgiven!"

"Your Majesty Longen!"

Zheng Ci passed, and some people in the Sangha Division and the Ministry of Rites were doomed to bad luck. If Zhu Di doesn't do it, Zheng Shangshu will also find out people and make an example of them.

The book of the Criminal Department was not done in vain, how to clean up the stabbing in the Criminal Department at the beginning, it is also applicable to the Ministry of Rites. As for the 1,800 people who pretendered the degree, Emperor Yongle personally ordered that the distribution of the degree should be stopped and all that was issued was withdrawn.

The reason for these people to "become a monk" is clear in Zhu Di's heart.

Monks do not have to pay taxes, do not need to serve labor, and with the degree, the government cannot be held accountable.

If you want to evade taxes and labor with a bald head? There is no such good thing in the world!

Even the emperor has to work hard every day to complete his duties. If you don't work hard and work hard, you just want to wake up comfortably every day, eat and sleep, there is no such reason in the world!

Zhu Di sneered, "The people involved in the case this time, those under the age of Chinese New Year's Eve are sent to Liaodong and Gansu, and they are not allowed to transfer to Shuntian Daning!" Those below 30 to 40 will be sent to Yunnan and Guangxi for farming. Those who are over 40 years old will be reinstated and informed to the township! I obey the old system of Chengtai - ancestor - never dare to ignore it, but there are people who violate the prohibition If this, can there be the law of the court in my eyes? Such an indulgent person will not be forgiven! ”

The secretary of the Ministry of Rites left with a white face, and the left attendant of the Ministry of War was ordered to record the military book.

Want to evade taxes? Want to escape servitude? Emperor Yongle will let you know why the flowers are so red.

After finishing his anger, Emperor Yongle sat in the Xinuan Pavilion, tired for no reason.

The uneven borders and natural disasters in various places have already made him work hard, and there are such small people who have done treacherous things, but four years ago, it was by no means a matter of replenishing the army.

After reading it, he opened the note handed by the brocade guard, and the anger instantly rose again.

"There are officials and subordinates of the royal palace who sue Wang Gui for not being righteous, and those who are whipped with courtesy."

"Hu Guan-knot-party, privately criticizing the policy of the Son of Heaven."

"The prince of King Ning has resentment against the imperial court, has different ambitions, and has a close relationship with Hu Guan."

"The secret performance of Li Jun, who joined the army of Annan, was made by our dynasty with the fire gun used by the rebels in Annan, and it was engraved with the words of the Jinling Ordnance Bureau in the 29th year of Hongwu."

The more he looked, the more angry Zhu Di became.

was so angry that Hou Xian, who was standing on the side, couldn't help but feel numb on his scalp.

If the person reported by Jin Yiwei was on the spot, Zhu Di was afraid that he would pull out a knife and kill someone on the spot.

"Hou Xian."

"The slave is here."

Hou Xian bowed in agreement, his waist was pressed lower than usual, and he didn't dare to glance at Zhu Di.

"The prince of Cining has five silks, a good horse, and ten tables of color coins. You go to King Ning's Mansion and spread the word to me, the weather is bad, you should be more careful when entering and exiting. ”

"The slave obeys."

Hou Xian bowed and withdrew from the palace, ordered two internal officials to follow, and left the palace to go to King Ning's mansion.

It stands to reason that the gate of the palace is close and should not leave the palace at this time. But the order of the Son of Heaven has been given, and there is no room for delay. Thinking about the expression of the Son of Heaven when he spoke, a cold sweat broke out on the back of Hou Xian's neck, and his steps couldn't help but speed up a lot.

I'm afraid the snow won't stop tonight.

After Hou Xian left, Yang Duo was summoned to meet him. came with Zhu Neng, who returned from Guangxi.

The guards carried Meng's pen, and Zhu Neng used the seal. After arriving in the capital, he did not go to the general political envoy, but directly found the Yamen of the Fusi in Beizhen and informed Yang Duo of the matter.

What Meng did could be big or small, and at worst, it would be against the emperor's benevolence and virtue, and he would bear the sin of bullying the king. In turn, the wood purchased by Pingxiang can change hands and make several times the profit. Transported to the shipyards of Jiangsu and Zhejiang for shipbuilding, or fed to Beijing along the coastal road for the purpose of building palaces, can be counted as credit.

The winter is bitterly cold, and the first month is approaching, when the Son of Heaven hinders agriculture by logging in the spring, he ordered the Ministry of Industry to verify the delivery of strong men for labor. After the spring ploughing of the following year, they will be subjected to hard labor. He also gave the returnees the passage expenses and allowed them to offset part of the grain tax with money.

The people praised the benevolence of the Son of Heaven, and the household department was anxious again.

If it weren't for the fact that his sanity still exists, the household would definitely hug Emperor Yongle's thigh and cry and wipe away his tears, Your Majesty, there is no shortage of money and food in the treasury! You're so good at coming up with such a "good" idea!

It's a pity that Jun has no jokes, Xia Shangshu has the courage to hug Zhu Di's thigh and wipe his tears, and Zhu Di will not take back his life.

Meng Yuan was in Guangxi, and it was impossible for him to anticipate things like a god and find out the lifeblood of the imperial court's lack of food. But luck is on the head, luck is coming, and it can't be stopped at all.

The amount of wood and gold and silver on the song gave Emperor Yongle a surprise, and the Annan military rations attached to it made Zhu Di even more happy.

"I ask you, is everything that is played on it true?"

The personal guard sent by Zhu Neng immediately replied: "Back to Your Majesty, whether it is wood or military rations, it is a matter. When he returned to Beijing, wood and grain were still delivered one after another, and salt wells were found for the border people. He asked His Majesty if he could exchange the salt of Annam for grain from Siam, Laos, and Champa states, and to collect the food obtained by the thieves with a large army. ”

"Does Cheng Guogong know about this?"

"Back to Your Majesty, Cheng Guogong also knows. However, before the heavens listened, he did not dare to make decisions without permission. ”

"Why don't you bring this matter together?"

The guards also looked puzzled, "I don't know if I am humble." ”

Zhu Di sat behind the desk, with Meng and Zhu Neng's joint notes in front of him, and fell into deep thought.

Unclear books, when there is a reason.

Annam Salt Well, captured during the war, exchanged grain with neighboring countries......

In an instant, a thought flashed through Zhu Di's mind.

Emperor Yongle smiled.

If it is not written, it does not need to be submitted to the court, let alone through the household department. Naturally, the amount of food received in exchange does not need to be known. However, there are Jinyi guards in the army, and there is Chengguo Gong involved in this matter, so he will definitely not hide it from the palace. In this way, the money and grain obtained can be used to fill the army and the inner treasury, that is, the local government and the household department will not be allowed to interfere.

Zhu Di is clear about the behavior of the imperial court and local officials, and the Chengguo Gongding also knows it. That's why they will be jointly sparse. Presumably, he also knows what Xingningbo is thinking about in private.

No one is perfect, Zhu Di is the emperor immediately, and he naturally knows that soldiers use their lives and go on expeditions, and verbal praise alone is not enough to show his merits.

To put it vulgarly, whether it is a military general or a soldier, the head is tied to the waistband of the trousers, and some practical benefits must be given in a desperate battle.

The court reward will be rewarded by the class to return to the court. When attacking, there are strict orders from the imperial court, and it is inevitable that there will be people who violate the ban.

"Rather than punish them severely, it is better to set rules first."

Zhu Di's doubts disappeared, and the smile on his face became bigger and bigger. It's a good thing to live up to the fact that I've been protecting me.

The wood on the music is shared by the imperial court. The Annan military rations obtained can also solve the urgent needs of the household department. It's just that the discovery of salt wells and transactions with Siam Champa and so on, it is difficult for the imperial court to intervene again. In the name of the kingdom, after all, it is not easy to froth and bargain with small neighboring countries. If you are a general or a businessman acting on your behalf, you will have no such worries at all.

I can't say, after this spring, the inner library will be expanded again.

In addition to Shuntianfu, Yingtianzhou Mansion, which encounters earth-shaking floods, can also be exempted from winter grain and summer taxes for one year.

"Yang Duo."

"The minister is here."

"You take my hand and go to Guangxi."

Zhu Di personally polished the ink and wrote two edicts in front of him, ordering the internal officials in charge of the treasure seal to come and stamp the emperor's seal.

There are two edicts, one is a secret order to Meng, and the other is a will to Shen Xuan.

"Along the way, there is no need to report the county."

"Obey."

Yang Duo solemnly picked up two bright-yellow-colored silk cloths and withdrew from the warm pavilion.

Zhu Neng's personal guards also retreated, and he still needed to lead the way on the trip to Guangxi.

Hou Xian returned from outside the palace and found that the emperor's mood had improved. asked the internal officials who served him in the palace, and knew that the commander of the Jinyi Guard had come, and he also took Cheng Guogong's personal guards, nodded, and signaled that the internal officials did not need to say any more.

"Our family knows, this matter, others ask you, remember not to talk too much."

"Yes."

A trace of hesitation flashed on the official's face, and Hou Xian's eyes narrowed, "But there is something to hide from our family?" ”

"The little one doesn't have the guts, it's just," the internal official hesitated, but still leaned into Hou Xian's ear and whispered, "It's Wenhua Palace...... Princess Ping......"

Listening to the words of the internal official, Hou Xian's expression changed. After he finished speaking, he scolded in a low voice, "You are so bold! But there is still a secret from our family? ”

"Back to my father-in-law, no more!"

"Okay, you are rotten in your stomach, and if someone looks for you again, come and tell our family immediately."

"Yes."

Hou Xian waved his hand, and the internal official quickly retreated to the side.

The rain fell with snowflakes and hit the glazed tiles, making a crisp sound.

Hou Xian lowered his expression, stood respectfully beside the door of the warm pavilion, and when he heard the call of Emperor Yongle, he stepped into the room.

At the same time, Zhu Panyan, the son of King Ning, who received the reward from the Son of Heaven, was pale. Thinking of the few words brought by Hou Xian, he clenched his fists, drove the waiter out of the door, and suddenly waved his arm, sweeping all the teapots and teacups on the table to the ground.

"Come on, pack up, and after entering the palace tomorrow to thank you, you will go back to Nanchang immediately!"

In December of the fourth year of Yongle, Zhu Panxuan, the son of King Ning, asked to return to the domain.

Before he could do so, Hu Guan, the commander of the horses, was imprisoned for the crimes of privately accepting sinners, violating the house and the utensils used.

In the same month, Bingshen, the imperial army led by Shen Xuan attacked the city of Duobang at night.

The army built bridges over the river day and night, and intimidated the city with artillery. After the bridge was completed, there were four drums that night, and Shen Xuan sent the governor Huang Zhong to transport artillery across the river.

On the riverside of Duobang, it is an open shallow, and although there are bamboo and wood horses set up by the defenders, it is still unable to resist the crushing of Wugang station cars and artillery.

In the night, there were several loud noises and fires.

Chariots equipped with wooden buildings and iron plates formed a charging formation, and the foot soldiers borrowed wooden planks to cover them, marched to the bottom of the city, and set up a ladder.

The city wall has been smashed into several gaps by iron balls, and the defenders in the city are panicked, and the arrows are fired indiscriminately, which has not delayed the pace of the Ming army's attack in the slightest.

Huang Zhongren was holding a torch, a short dagger with a mouth and forehead, and a waist knife on his back, and scrambled to climb to the top of the city.

When the thieves are in a panic, they stab those who are close to each other with a short dagger, and the short dagger is out of their hands, pull out the waist knife, and shout, like a tiger bursting into the flock, and the defenders instantly sound the screams of the defenders dying at the head of the city.

There are many generals in the army who have been condemned for crimes, and they have gone to war with the army to make meritorious contributions to atone for their sins. The siege vanguard is mostly played by such officers and soldiers.

The siege of the Ming army soon occupied the north gate, when the city gate opened, suddenly there was an elephant array rushed out, the Ming army offensive for a pause. The Ming army deliberately led the elephant herd to the city gate, and when the defenders who drove the elephants crowded to the city gate, they immediately sent out their hearts.

"It's finally here."

In the firelight, Shen Xuan sat on a horse and drew a long knife.

"Charge!"

The cannon rang out again, and this time, it was no longer just solid iron that fell, but also explosive fire and thunder and a few flowering shells.

The two war elephants were killed one after another, and there were fire guns and crossbowmen lined up on the flanks, the sound of fire guns sounded like fried beans, and the blindfolded war horses suddenly rushed from the river bank, the sound of horses' hooves was like thunder, and the knights only relied on their legs - clamps - tightened - the horse's belly, one hand held a knife, one arm held a crossbow, the sound of the crossbow machine was suppressed by the sound of fire, but the crossbow arrows pierced into the long nose and front legs of the war elephant.

After the cavalry, there were groups of three, with "iron skin" and spears composed of battle formations, the tips of the spears and iron thorns flashed with cold light, the front elephant was seriously injured, and the rear elephant was crowded and trampled, and the Ming army took the opportunity to stride forward.

The sound of fire and armor grinding, the elephant wailed, and the defenders fled like ants.

In just one night, the Ming army conquered the city of Duobang and killed the thief Liang Minxian and Cai Bole. Later, the army was chased to Umbrella Yuanshan, where the Annan army trampled on each other, killed and wounded, and was killed and more than 1,000 people died, and those who were captured and fled into the dense forest had no plan.

The Ming army obtained 10,000 stone of military rations in Duobang, and obtained 12 elephants and more than 20 boats.

After the war, Shen Xuan ordered Cai Fu and others to transport the wounded soldiers and some of the captured soldiers back to Pingxiang, and led the remaining generals to march along the Fuliang River to the eastern capital.

When Cai Fu received the order, Yang Duo, who was carrying the edict of the Son of Heaven, and his party arrived in Pingxiang.

Meng received the commandment, read the above content, and did not speak for a long time.

"From the please, you can do it cheaply" is good.

However, what does it mean to "from now on, the military rations will be self-raised"?

Could it be that the emperor meant that he would solve the grain and grass of the 300,000 army?

Thinking of this, Meng's eyes turned black for a while, and he fainted.

Even if those who can work harder, they don't need to do this, right? Working for Lao Zhu's family is really not an ordinary person who can do it.

But the emperor's order has been issued, and there is no possibility of transit.

The only thing that can be done is to grit your teeth and accept the order.

Isn't it the rations of an army of 300,000? It's hard for him!