Speaking of which, although the officers and men of Beizhili have little combat effectiveness, the number of troops stationed in various places is about 100,000.

The imperial court set up eight general soldiers in Nanzhili, and these people, plus the soldiers and horses under the command of the town defenders from all over the country, the total number could easily exceed 300,000.

In addition to the north and south of the Zhili, the imperial court also has Zuo Liangyu in Huguang, although this goods was beaten by Li Zicheng's ass, lost his armor, but the number of people has not changed much, and it is still claimed to have an army of 300,000.

In the final analysis, the method he used belonged to the same kind as Li Zicheng, stationed in one place to loot, and then went to another place after looting and killing everything.

Looking at it this way, the small Shandong, even if all the regular soldiers and soldiers are combined, the number of people is only about 200,000, how can it be compared with the imperial court.

For Wang Zheng, every time he occupies a place, he must draw regular soldiers and salt from the local area to protect it, which is bound to affect the whole body.

Because if there are fewer regular soldiers and salt in other places, it is necessary to recruit from the common people, and then it is necessary to accept more displaced people to settle down, otherwise the number of farmers will be reduced.

The Shandong army, like the Ming court at this time, was very financially tight, and it needed money everywhere, so it was a sad face.

But for the Xinshun army, there is no shortage of silver at present.

The world is so big, just knock down a place and search it to solve the urgent need, and many generals of the Shun army think it's funny.

You said that the Shandong army has no strength, so you have to slap a swollen face and become a fat man, and your finances seem to be walking on the blade, and if you don't pay attention, the whole army will starve, which is like our army.

In fact, these people have a good idea, the current finances of the Shandong Army are indeed on the cutting edge, and Wang Zheng also understands.

The farm can only have a slight income in Shandong, and other places are basically a large amount of input, and it will take at least a few years to see the output, when the cucumber vegetables are cold.

Therefore, the farm only has the effect of calming the people's minds, so that those homeless and displaced refugees have houses to live in and land to cultivate, but they do not have to expect any output from it until the Qing army enters the customs.

Everyone knows that there are now transactions between Shandong and the Zheng family, which is actually an aspect that makes the north and south taboo.

However, the Zheng family is so shrewd that they know what the Shandong army urgently needs, so they naturally ask for a sky-high price.

The Shandong army made huge profits by selling salt to the Zheng family, but the Zheng family was not fools, and they sold saltpeter, gunpowder and firearms from overseas to the Shandong army, all of which were regarded as treasures by the king.

Generally speaking, whether it is the Shandong Army or the Zheng family, there is no one who really takes advantage of it.

These transactions can only be moved when they see real money, and the Zheng family, an expert in business, will not let go at all if they don't see the silver.

Compared with other people's jealousy of Wang Zheng, the Zheng family is not very cold to the Shandong army, you are strong in the army, but the sailor is like a child in front of our Zheng family, both sides have their own strengths, there is nothing to be afraid of.

This is the annual transaction between Wang Zheng and Zheng, but the cost is gradually increasing.

Every time there is an action, the cost of salaries and weapons has soared, so to speak, last year's uninterrupted use of troops has consumed a lot of savings every time.

It is only now that Wang Zheng understands why there are always people who say "reckless force" and "belligerent will die", if you think about it carefully, it is really like this.

How many years of assets Shandong has accumulated, only a year has passed, not to mention all the spent, and now it has reached the point where it is beyond its means.

If it drags on for another month, I am afraid that I will not even have the money for the salary, and then the army will be in turmoil, but the previous efforts will be wasted, and this price is really a bit terrible.

Therefore, at present, Wang Zheng has no intention of expanding the territory at all, even if he takes it, what if he doesn't have the money to pay?

The Shandong army is already unable to make ends meet, and the follow-up policy cannot keep up, and sooner or later it will not be lost.

"Lack of money!!"

Wang Zheng thought about it again and again, and his face was sad every day, and finally after hearing a sentence that Fan Ruohai said inadvertently during his daily report, he suddenly opened his mouth.

On this day, Wang Zheng found a map of Nanzhili, and his sharp eyes scanned on it, and finally fixed his gaze on the small Xuzhou.

......

The time came to February 19 of the sixteenth year of Chongzhen, and the New Year was being celebrated everywhere.

The Shandong Army gave a small long vacation to all the generals and affiliated personnel as usual, and the soldiers, regular soldiers, and auxiliary soldiers, including many craftsmen, returned home with all kinds of wine and meat gifts, and had a rich and happy Spring Festival with their relatives.

After so many years of development, the gap between everyone in the entire group of the Shandong Army, whether they are descendants or outsiders, and even the families of some soldiers, and the rest of the Ming Dynasty is gradually becoming obvious.

In general, people have found that the life under the Shandong Army is much more stable and happy than usual.

However, for Wang Zheng, this Spring Festival is still not idle.

That night, Wang Zheng had just eaten a few mouthfuls of food in the mansion and said a few words to Wang Liu and Yu'er, but before even a stick of incense, a soldier came to the door, saying that there was something important to report.

After Wang Zheng inquired carefully, his face was overjoyed, he swallowed the food in his mouth like a jujube, confessed to Yu'er and Wang Liu, and was about to leave.

As soon as he turned his head, Wang Zheng saw little Wang Yi pouting, stepped forward a few steps forward and touched his little head with a smile on his face, said something, and then turned his head and hurriedly walked out.

After Wang Zheng left, Xiao Wang Yi threw the chopsticks in his hand, his mouth pouted, and he said angrily:

"Daddy is gone again, hum, I won't eat this meal!"

Seeing this, Wang Liu waved his hand and retreated, sighed, and hugged Xiao Wang Yi in his arms lovingly.

Wang Liu and Yu'er glanced at each other, as soon as Wang Zheng left, this originally lively Spring Festival immediately seemed lonely and lonely, even if the mansion was luxurious, what could it do?

However, although he sighed in his heart, one of the two daughters is Wang Zheng's mother, and the other is Wang Zheng's childhood sweetheart's wife, not only understanding what he is thinking, but also giving full support.

In troubled times, a hot-blooded man like Wang Zheng can't stay in the gentle township and wait for death, so it's good to go out and do something big.

Wang Zheng left, and the three of them stayed in this empty inner house and felt bored.

Anyway, it's not interesting to stay here, but it's better to go to the front room to see the colorful fireworks, listen to the sound of firecrackers for the New Year, and feel the lively atmosphere of the New Year's festival of the ordinary people.

Xiao Wang Yi was still a child after all, and soon forgot Fang Cai's troubles, clapped his hands and shouted happily.

......

Just now, Wang Zheng received a joint letter from a large household in Xuzhou, which was sent by an envoy selected by a local large landlord.

This is an important matter, Wang Zheng put down the Chinese New Year's Eve meal and did not eat, his son and wife did not accompany him, and came out directly to greet him.

When the messenger saw this, he seemed to understand this, and he was very shocked, and the next performance could be called groveling, and his attitude was extremely humble.

The content of this joint letter made Wang Zheng overjoyed, it turned out that the major households in Xuzhou were unbearable and disturbed by the rogues, saying that the local officials and troops were weak and incompetent, and jointly asked him to lead the Shandong army to calm the place.

Wang Zheng laughed with the letter, this is simply the best New Year's gift!