In the evening of the same day, a large number of people recruited by the military department and the household department arrived at the outskirts of Beijing one after another, and in order to ensure the smooth operation of the battle and ensure the supply of money and food for the army, the military department and the household department recruited more than 600,000 people, distributed in various places along the way from the Beijing division to Shanhaiguan and then to Ningyuan City. The distance from Ningyuan City to the Jinzhou front line needs to be transported by the Ming army itself.

The next morning, Liu Yan dressed up carefully, put on fine armor, and tied a red cloak, but he didn't bring a saber, stepped on a war horse, and came to the Chinese army camp with a team of guards.

At this time, Wang Pu, the chief military officer of Datong Town, Yang Guozhu, the chief military officer of Xuanfu Town, Tang Tong, the chief military officer of Miyun Town, Bai Guangen, the chief military officer of Jizhou Town, Cao Bianjiao, the chief military officer of the East Association of the People's Republic of China, Ma Ke, the chief military officer of Shanhaiguan Town, Wang Tingchen, the chief military officer of Qiantun Guard, Wu Sangui, the chief military officer of Ningyuan Town, Li Fuming, the chief soldier of Shanxi, and Zuo Guangxian, the chief military officer of the aid and suppression, were all dressed in complete clothes, and they were chatting excitedly in the big tent of the Chinese army.

Hong Chengchou was wearing a red robe at this time, talking to everyone with a spring breeze on his face, and when he saw Liu Yan coming, he greeted warmly: "General soldier Liu is coming, he will enter the palace in a while." ”

"Yes."

Liu Yan also wanted to meet Emperor Chongzhen for the first time, a famous sad emperor in history, and it was false to say in his heart that he was not excited. After greeting everyone a few words, Liu Yan stood with Yang Guozhu, Wang Pu, Cao Bianjiao, and Li Fuming.

At this time, Yang Guozhu leaned over and whispered: "General Liu, although it is a good thing that you led more than 80,000 troops to help this time, it is too conspicuous to unify the army of 80,000 or 90,000 in one town. If it weren't for today's chaos, it is estimated that those imperial historians in the DPRK and the military department would have rushed over to impeach you. So when he arrived in the palace to face the saint, Liu Zongbing had to answer carefully and not make trouble for himself. ”

Liu Yan was moved in his heart, and clenched his fists and said, "I understand, Chief Xie Yang mentioned it." ”

In the blink of an eye, at the beginning of noon, people from the palace, Xuanhong Chengchou and others entered Beijing, everyone entered Beijing from Desheng Gate, and the accompanying guards also entered Beijing.

From Deshengmen Street all the way to the front of Bei'anmen Gate in the imperial city, the streets and alleys are filled with crowds of onlookers. They all cheered enthusiastically to everyone, and Liu Yan kept waving when he looked at the people of the capital.

Soon everyone arrived outside the imperial city, and the guards of the generals were left outside, and they were entertained by special people, but they were not allowed to enter the imperial city. After the inspection of the eunuchs, they led the eunuchs into the imperial city, but they turned around and came to the Chengtian Gate in the south of the Forbidden City, and thus entered the palace city.

At this time, a eunuch came to read out the special decree of Emperor Chongzhen, and Hong Chengchou led the generals to ride horses in the palace corridor square, in order to show his grace to everyone. Of course, when everyone arrives in front of the Taihe Palace, they can't do it.

At this time, there was an endless stream of civil and military officials attending the banquet, and on the square of the Taihe Palace, dazzling ramie clothes gathered. The officials and generals who knew each other kept greeting Hong Chengchou, Ma Shaoyu, and Zhang Ruoqi, and then entered the Taihe Hall one after another. However, Liu Yan and other chief military officers asked Emperor Chongzhen to summon the decree, and then entered the Taihe Hall under the attention of everyone.

At this time, all the civil and military officials had entered the Taihe Palace, and only the dense Jinwu guards were left outside the hall, as well as the band dancers of the Jiaofang Division. There are also officials below the fifth grade, and their wine and dining table is located on the east and west corridors of the Taihe Palace.

At the end of noon, Emperor Chongzhen's Luan drove from Youshun Gate to Fengtianmen Dan Majesty, Liu Yan and others heard the loud music in the hall, the sound of whips, and looked over.

Listen to the officials of Honglu Temple lead the hundred officials to praise and worship, and then the dancers of the teaching workshop have entered, one plays the song of longevity, the second plays the song of the grace of heaven, the third plays the song of the virtue, the fourth plays the song of the folk music life, and the fifth plays the song of the emperor's grace.

A few knights after drinking. The dance in the Taihe Hall stopped, the music stopped, Yang Guozhu had entered the palace to face the saint, and he had experience, so he whispered to Liu Yan: "It should be almost us." ”

Sure enough, not long after, the martial arts and music were masterpiece, and the Jiaofang Division played a song to pacify the world, and waves of voices came out in the Taihe Palace: "Your Majesty has a decree: Yang Guozhu, Liu Yan, Wu Sangui, Cao Bianjiao, Wang Pu...... And they entered the temple. ”

Liu Yan and the others hurriedly tidied up their clothes and armor, and then they all held their heads high and entered the Taihe Hall from the steps.

As soon as he entered the Taihe Palace, he saw countless eyes cast, Liu Yan swept his eyes, and saw that the majestic Taihe Hall was neatly filled with a table of wine, with exquisite wine utensils and tableware, and the side was full of civil and military officials, all of whom did not squint, only glanced at Liu Yan and others from the corner of their eyes.

On both sides of the Taihe Palace, there are dense musical instruments such as the gong, the coffin, the sheng, and the gong, and there are many musicians in the teaching workshop who play music.

"This big banquet in the palace is really powerful and extraordinary. Far from being comparable to the so-called drinking party of those rich people in later generations! ”

Emperor Chongzhen was high above the imperial feast, and when he saw the generals lining up, he couldn't help but cast his eyes over, and after sweeping over everyone, he stopped at Hong Chengchou and Liu Yan and Wu Sangui beside him.

At this time, Liu Yan and other military generals led the official praise of Honglu Temple to call three long live, and Emperor Chongzhen said: "All the secretaries, please get up and sit down." ”

Liu Yan and others, under the guidance of the internal officials, sat down in front of their own case, the left and the right, all of them were the closest to the emperor's table, and sure enough, the banquet was magnificent, and the treatment was different.

At this time, thirty-two dancers entered the hall, and they were all held with their left hands and their right hands, divided into four rows, each with eight people. Under the seal of the movement, the dance is carried forward and vigorous, and there are two dancers, who insist on leading it and make a dance to calm the world.

Lezhi, Emperor Chongzhen said loudly: "Wang Shi went out to fight, set Liaodong in the north, and now there is Jiliao Governor Hong Chengchou led Qinglai Town Chief Soldier Liu Yan, Datong Town Chief Soldier Wang Pu, Xuanfu Town Chief Soldier Yang Guozhu, Miyun Town Chief Soldier Tang Tong, Jizhou Town Chief Soldier Bai Guangen, East Association Chief Soldier Cao Bianjiao, Shanhaiguan Town Chief Soldier Ma Ke, Qiantun Wei Chief Soldier Wang Tingchen, Ningyuan Town Chief Soldier Wu Sangui, Shanxi General Soldier Li Fuming sent 5,000 troops, Aid Suppression Chief Soldier Zuo Guangxian, Liaodong Town Chief Soldier Liu Zhaoji went out to conquer Pingju, loyal and commendable, and did not hesitate to die, It will definitely be a good return, and everything will be worry-free from now on! ”

Then Emperor Chongzhen raised the imperial cup: "All the ministers and generals, please drink this cup and congratulate me on my great glory." ”

The civil officials were headed by Fan Fucui, the first assistant of the cabinet, and the military generals were headed by Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao, and everyone stood up and said loudly: "Congratulations to me." ”

Everyone drank it all.

Emperor Chongzhen drank wine, excited, originally a little pale face floated a trace of red tide, at this time the Jiaofang Division knelt to play the dance of the four Yi to pacify, there were sixteen dancers of the Jiaofang Division into the Taihe Palace, four people from the Inner Dongyi, four people from Xirong, four people from the Nanban, four people from the Beidi, and two dancers, and the building to lead it.

During the dance, a magnificent movement sounded: "Little General, Great Ming Jun." Dingyuhuan, holy grace wide, palm of the country. East and West, North and South. The hand is high, the baby plate, the palace is happy. The Five Cloud Palace is even a Xiaohan, and the golden light shines on the eyes. The sound of gold water in Yugou is murmuring, and the fontanelle is viewed, and it tends to be seen. Yiluan is solemn and terrifying...... My emperor Wan Shou'an, through the door, Dingyuhuan, Dingyuhuan. Palm the country, Fu Baiman, praise and dance, praise and praise, ten thousand years, Emperor Ye'an! ”

In the dance music, Emperor Chongzhen couldn't help nodding his head, and he was fascinated, obviously imagining that the Ming Dynasty was prosperous in his hands, and the emperor of the country was ten thousand years old, and the grand occasion of pacifying the four yi.

After the dance, Emperor Chongzhen had a smile on his face, his eyes swept over Liu Yan and the others, and he said loudly: "Come on, take the golden bowl, I will personally give the generals to drink and make a strong trip." ”

Soon, a group of internal officials took many golden bowls, and Emperor Chongzhen personally gave Hong Chengchou, Liu Yan, Wu Sangui and others a golden bowl in their hands, and personally poured wine for everyone.

Hong Chengchou, Liu Yan and others were excited, and they took the imperial bowl one by one and held it high.

Emperor Chongzhen looked at everyone, his eyes were full of expectation, and he said: "The battle of Jinzhou is related to the fortune of our emperor and Ming, whether or not he can defeat Dongnu is in this battle." I hope that all the soldiers will be loyal and do not lose hope. ”

"The ministers will do their best, fulfill their loyalty, and bravely kill thieves to repay the country's kindness!"

Emperor Chongzhen said with relief: "Okay, with the generals saying this, I will feel at ease." ”

After that, the atmosphere in the hall was warm, led by the cabinet people, Zhu Jie's voice continued, and Emperor Chongzhen also happily accepted the continuous toast of the hundred officials.

Once the sixth jue wine was reached, the teacher knelt down to play the song of nine plays and six dragons, and the feast was completed. Guanglu officials withdrew the imperial case, and the ministers all attended the north direction, bowed four times, sounded the whip, and the music started, Emperor Chongzhen drove out, and hundreds of officials came out.

However, Hong Chengchou, Liu Yan, Wu Sangui and others did not leave the palace, because Emperor Chongzhen made a decree again, summoning the prison army and going out to the general Xiyuan for a small banquet.

Liu Yan and others, under the guidance of the internal officials, changed into civilian clothes in a side hall, Liu Yan put on his python robe, and then the internal officials took them to Cuihua Garden.

At this time, the great eunuch Wang Chengen, the supervisor Zhang Ruoqi and Ma Shaoyu and others arrived one step earlier, and Chen Xinjia, the secretary of the military department, accompanied Emperor Chongzhen.

Emperor Chongzhen also changed into the emperor's regular clothes, with a plate collar, narrow sleeves, embroidered with a gold plate dragon pattern on the front and back and two shoulders, and wore a winged crown. He was now in his thirties, but he looked like he was in his forties or fifties, with gray temples and an unusually pale face. However, at this time, his expression was excited, and there was some normal people's blood on his face.

There were also some seats in the garden, and each table was filled with four side dishes, brown rice, and even the emperor's desk.

Seeing this, Hong Chengchou, Wang Pu, Yang Guozhu, Zhang Ruoqi and others all had a choked look on their faces. Looking at them, they may not have the elements of performance, only Wang Chengen's face is genuinely regretful.

Liu Yan knew that Wang Chengen's feelings for Emperor Chongzhen were very unusual, and Emperor Chongzhen's feelings for Wang Chengen may not be without a sense of father and brother subconsciously, and the relationship between the two was not simple, which was quite rare in the royal family.

For Emperor Chongzhen's frugality, Liu Yan also sighed in his heart, as the respect of a country, it is indeed commendable that he can always live such a life.

However, Liu Yan was more lamenting that Emperor Chongzhen's life was not at the right time, and he was not as pretentious as Hong Chengchou and others.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Emperor Chongzhen just waved his hand and said: "The finances are beyond their means, and if I don't take the lead in frugality, how can the country turn around?" ”

Then Emperor Chongzhen looked at Liu Yan again and said with a smile: "I have heard that Governor Lu and Governor Hong have mentioned that General Soldier Liu is not only good at fighting and training, but also has a way to make money, and this aid has also brought more than 80,000 elite new troops, which is really the dry city of the country. It's just that this way of making money, I don't know if I can teach me? ”

Everyone laughed, Liu Yan was shocked, but looking at Emperor Chongzhen's eager expression, he breathed a sigh of relief, muttered for a long time, and said: "That Weichen has the courage to offer advice to His Majesty, but where his words are not enough, please forgive Your Majesty." ”

"I said it, and I am not guilty!"

Liu Yan said: "Your Majesty, now ninety percent of my Ming financial resources are owned by gentry, officials, merchants, royal families, nobles, etc., and the country is generous, but the taxes they pay are very small, almost only accounting for one percent of the imperial court's income. ”

"And ninety percent of my Ming population are ordinary people, but they only have one percent of the financial resources, but they have to pay ninety percent of the imperial court revenue!"

Hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen shook his head and sighed, he was originally a very smart person, if he was born in a peaceful and prosperous era, he was afraid that Emperor Jiajing would fight him, but how could he not know what Liu Yan meant? However, Emperor Chongzhen is determined to be the king of the Holy Ming, and the King of the Holy Ming depends on whom, the literati.

In whose hands are the finances of the state? A large part of the literati collect taxes from them? Now I'm afraid that Emperor Gao is alive. With the ability of the emperor back then, in the end, he had to do his best to strike taxes, and he was taken out to talk about things year after year.

Not to mention anything else, everyone here, can Emperor Chongzhen receive money from the heads of Chen Xinjia, Hong Chengchou, Wu Sangui and others?

Liu Yan knew the result when he saw this, and said: "The reason why the minister can have money and grain to train the army is that the new policy has been implemented in Qinglai Town, the merchants have to pay business taxes, the gentry have to check the acres of land and pay taxes truthfully, and even the generals under the minister's command have to pay taxes honestly, plus the ministers encourage commerce, workshops, etc., and they have also experienced layers of obstruction to have the strength of today's new army. ”

In this way, Liu Yan was able to promote the new policy on a small scale and rely on the strong strength of the new army, but Emperor Chongzhen could not implement it in the imperial court, otherwise with the intertwined power of the Chinese officials in the DPRK, Emperor Chongzhen's throne would not be stable.

In the end, Emperor Chongzhen sighed and didn't talk about it.

Some people died, but not completely......