The time quickly entered August, and as the thieves were chased and scattered in all directions, there were no longer a few who surrendered and were exterminated, and it seemed that the whole country saw hope. Now the country's troubles seem to be only natural disasters and the construction of Liaodong, and there is no way to survive natural disasters. As for the Jianyu, it can be exterminated.

Beijing, Mandarin Palace.

After the Chang Dynasty of Zuo Shunmen, Emperor Chongzhen summoned Chen Xinjia.

"Chen Qing, about the issue of Liaodong, how is the Ministry of War discussing?" Chongzhen waited for Chen Xinjia to finish bowing, and asked eagerly.

His grandfather, Emperor Wanli, was defeated in his expedition to Liaodong, and his father didn't talk about it, and only served as an emperor for a month. When it came to his brother Emperor Tianqi, Liaodong was still the sad place of the Ming Dynasty. The continuous loss of teachers and land has made the territory of Liaodong smaller and smaller.

When it came to him, it was even more disappointing. The Later Jin were not only able to enter the pass through the Great Wall frequently, but also threatened the heart of the empire, the city of Beijing. Let's not talk about how many troops, people, and property were lost, the key is that the empire can't get over it. is a big country, and even a little Jurchen can't deal with it, how can he be worthy of his ancestors and ancestors?

Now is a good opportunity to make a difference, and the thieves in the country are about to be eliminated. Yang Sichang played a twist, Zhang Xianzhong is no longer a climate, "one drum can be finished". The other thieves were both appeased and soon pacified.

Take advantage of this good opportunity to mobilize troops and solve the construction of the prison outside the border in one fell swoop, at least to recover the lost territory and restore the old frontier. Then he Zhu Youzhen is the master of Zhongxing of the Ming Empire, and he will inevitably leave a strong mark in the history of the Qing Dynasty, so that future generations will come to pay tribute and praise.

Chen Xinjia knew what Emperor Chongzhen meant, so he bowed down and replied: "Back to Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has agreed that although the Jianyu soldiers will be withdrawn later, their troops are still stationed in Yizhou, and the danger of Jinzhou has not been lifted. In order to make Jinzhou worry-free, it is necessary to defeat the Qing soldiers stationed in Yizhou, but with only the soldiers and horses outside the pass, the defense can still protect itself, but the progress is insufficient. Therefore, the Ministry of War suggested that more troops and horses should be sent in order to succeed. ”

Chongzhen asked, "How much more do you want to send?" ”

"The ministers think that at least 50,000 more soldiers and horses should be sent." Chen Xinjia replied: "However, the specific amount of requisition and which town generals to requisition, the minister thinks that it is better to discuss with Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao." ”

"50,000 soldiers?" Chongzhen frowned, raised his voice and asked, "The good news some time ago, didn't Wu Sangui, Liu Zhaoji and others defeat the 20,000 army of Jianyu with thousands of men?" Hong Chengchou's report said that there were only 50,000 prisoners in the vicinity of Jinzhou. Now there are 30,000 soldiers outside the Guanwai, why do you need 50,000 troops? ”

Chen Xinjia was in Xuanda in the end, and he was still a soldier, so he explained: "Your Majesty, do you still remember Jin Guofeng? At the beginning of the twelfth year, he held Matsuyama Castle with 3,000 troops and won a great victory. However, in October, there were 10,000 elite soldiers, but they were defeated and died in a fierce battle with the enemy outside the city. Aggressiveness in defense requires a great number of troops, and it requires a particularly strong number of soldiers. ”

When Chongzhen thought about it, he knew that what Chen Xinjia said made sense. So he nodded and said, "What Chen Qing said is very reasonable. Then you will discuss with Hong Chengchou first, see how many soldiers and horses you need, and which generals to transfer, and then report to me. ”

Chen Xinjia bowed down and said, "The minister obeys the order." However, to mobilize soldiers and horses, grain, grass, and silver money are needed, and these still need to be supported by the household department. ”

"You don't have to worry about these things," Chongzhen instructed: "You just need to set up the soldiers and horses, choose the right candidates, and calculate the money and food you need. This time, we must solve the Liaodong problem in one fell swoop! ”

Chen Xinjia felt Chongzhen's determination. But fortunately, this idea was come up with by the emperor himself, not his suggestion. At that time, Yuan Chonghuan's Yin Jian was not far away, boasting that Haikou had been in Pingliao for five years, and he also killed Mao Wenlong, who had been attacking and harassing on the Houjin side, but in the second year, he let Jianyu fight under the city of Beijing. Yuan Chonghuan was executed by Ling Chi, and the tragedy was really chilling.

He's just an executor now, so there's nothing to be a burden on. He bowed and said, "Obey the order." ”

Chongzhen instructed: "Okay, Chen Qing will go to the yamen office." It is necessary to discuss with Hong Chengchou as soon as possible and report to Yu I to know. ”

"The minister obeys the order, and the minister retires."

When Chen Xinjia left, Chongzhen sat alone behind the imperial case in a daze, he was worried about the soldiers' food, grass and silver. At present, the officers and soldiers of the Central Plains are gathering in the Huguang and Shaanxi areas to encircle and suppress the thieves, and the cost is quite a lot. Moreover, Henan, Shandong, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Zhejiang are all suffering from drought and locust plagues this year, and there will definitely be problems in the collection of summer taxes, and it seems that they can only get some money from their internal pockets.

But he doesn't have much money in his inner treasury, at most it's only 200,000 taels. In a normal year, Liaodong's annual food and salary is nearly 1.5 million taels, not to mention that it is time for such a war. Coupled with the additional troops, it is estimated that there are not enough three million taels. I don't know if this year's tax empowerment can't be collected so much, and he can only hope for the prefects and prefects in various places.

Qi County, County Ya, Back Hall.

Su Jing was drinking alone. He was happy today, he had already paid his taxes at the beginning of August. He was able to collect half of the tax amount, which caused quite a stir in Kaifeng.

His eyeliner in Kaifeng has already returned to him, except for Xiangfu County (Kaifeng) that can complete more than half of the tax amount, the other counties in Henan can complete three or four percent at most. Like several counties in Henan Prefecture (Luoyang), basically they can only hand over one or two percent.

This time he is the leader, from the prefect to the governor, who doesn't look down on him? When the performance appraisal comes next year, he will be able to move up the next level. It's better to be able to change places, Henan is really not safe. It would be nice if I could go to Jiangnan, where the land is fertile and the water is beautiful, and there will not be so many thieves making trouble. Therefore, he has to prepare money now, and go to the household department at the end of the year.

Li Yan was brought in by his subordinates at this time. He arched his hand and said, "County Zun, are you looking for a lowly position?" ”

Su Jing nodded and said, "Yes, come, sit." Let's have a drink for the two of us. ”

Li Yan saw that Su Jing was very happy, so he thanked him: "Then you're welcome." After speaking, he sat opposite Su Jing. After the next person took a pair of chopsticks and a wine glass, Li Yan accompanied Su Jing for a drink.

Su Jing put down his wine glass and said, "Your reward has come down, and the Ministry of War has appointed you as the garrison of Qixian County." However, your troops are still village soldiers, not battalion soldiers officially subordinate to the military department. Food, salaries, and ordnance were all raised by the county itself. The seal is all here with me, and you will take it another day. ”

Li Yan arched his hand and said: "I thank the county for your support. ”

Su Jing waved his hand, then pointed to the wine glass and said, "Come, fill it for this county." ”

Li Yan had no choice but to pour the wine and have another drink with Su Jing.

"General Li should still have some money to spare, can you lend 1,000 taels to the county first?" Su Jing looked at Li Yan with a smile and asked.

Li Yan hugged his fists and said: "Don't hide it from the county honor, I just bought some things, and now I only have more than six hundred taels in my hand, and I will bring them to the county lord in a while." ”

Su Jing accepted it when he saw it, and he no longer persecuted, and waved his hand and said: "Forget it, just take five hundred taels, and you can't let General Li's command go without silver." ”

Li Yan knew that the Guan Fang Seal could be obtained, so he arched his hand and said: "Humble soldiers, thank you for the compassion of the county honor." ”