As the autumn wind gradually picked up, a frontier army returned from Chahar.
Thousands of people obeyed the orders of the Ministry of War, dispersed and rested on the spot, and then returned to the Beijing camp half a month later.
The term of the frontier army is three years and is not affected by the terms of the commander-in-chief and the general.
In order to subsidize the soldiers in the Beijing camp, those who go to the frontier army will receive an additional salary.
That is, the original two silver coins were increased to three, and then returned to the original state when returning to the capital. Only in this way can the resistance be reduced and the process proceed smoothly.
The mutual adjustment model between the border troops and the Beijing camp over the years, although it is two parts, is actually two sides of the same body, which is extremely beneficial to the consolidation of imperial power and the expansion of central authority.
With the expansion of territory, the size of the frontier army increased to 200,000, stationed in Beihai, Mobei, Anxi, Horqin, Chahar, Suiyuan, Xining and other places.
The border army and the Beijing camp combined totaled more than 400,000 people, while the local patrol battalions totaled only 300,000 to 400,000 people.
These northern territories could not effectively promote tax growth. Instead, the court had to operate at a loss and implement fiscal transfers.
A country's territory has its profits and losses. When the losses are greater than the profits, it will be difficult to maintain and the territory will collapse.
However, for the ordinary soldiers in the Beijing camp, they were extremely happy to have successfully returned from the border.
There were no disabled people in Wu Yun's team. After delivering all the armor and weapons, he was ready to receive the reward and then go home.
"Oh, it's really exciting to get back the three-year subsidy."
Wu Yun took his military card and bankbook with him and looked at the extra thirty-six silver coins, feeling emotional for a moment.
At Tianxia Bank, there were many soldiers queuing up to withdraw money, and for a while they couldn't even see the side.
Everyone was chatting and laughing in line, but they were not in a hurry.
To receive military pay, a passbook and signature are generally required.
When soldiers go out and withdraw their military salary, they will give their bankbooks to their wives or parents.
If you need money urgently, you can only borrow money from your brothers.
Wu Yun withdrew about ten yuan, then found his comrades who were also queuing up, and whispered: "The money is all here..."
"I keep my word." He patted his chest and said to Zhao Li, "I will repay the money I borrowed from you in full. Prairie girls are not happy, so today I invite you to visit the brothel in the capital to gain experience."
Holding the silver dollar, Zhao Li frowned and pretended to be polite, but it was easy to see through the showmanship of a peasant. Wu Yun had already seen the high interest on his face...
After all, there are very few opportunities to have fun without spending money.
"It cost Shichang Wu a lot of money! I feel really sorry!"
Zhao Li made a confused statement: "I am from the countryside. I went to the border area just after being recruited into the army. I am really not familiar with Beijing."
"Oh? Since you don't want me to spend money, then that's it. I can't bear to part with the money we get from frost and swallowing snow..."
"Don't bother me!" Zhao Li's face turned red: "Brother, I can't disturb you because of your kindness."
"How much does a brothel cost?"
"Damn it, if prices remain unchanged!" Wu Yun cursed: "It's hard to say. A cup of tea in a pavilion or building in the inner city costs three to five yuan; but if you find a kiln sister, it's also Only thirty or fifty cents...
That kind of old beggar girl in the alley can get away with twenty or so coins. "
"However, it's cheap but not good. There may be some disaster or illness, so you have to be careful."
As a pure Beijinger, Wu Yun is very familiar with the land of fireworks.
"Three to five yuan?" Zhao Li was shocked and shook his head like a rattle: "Usually, it only costs one or two yuan to eat a cake and drink a cup of tea. Why is this tea so expensive? Golden tea?"
"Hehe!" Wu Yun said casually: "The taste is very different. They are all played by the nobles and nobles in the capital. We cannot agree with them."
"By the way, are you married?"
Zhao Li shook his head: "No, I just joined the army and left the new barracks. Not long after arriving at the Beijing camp, I went to the border army..."
The recruitment of new soldiers in the Beijing camp is no longer limited to the surrounding areas of Beijing. Instead, recruitment offices are set up in various provinces to select high-quality soldiers.
For ordinary people in the countryside, once they are selected, it is no less than changing their destiny, and it is more beneficial than the imperial examination.
This is obviously the case for Zhao Li, who is from Henan and was fortunate enough to be recruited into the Beijing camp.
"Hey, our Beijing Camp is very popular."
Wu Yun said seriously: "I advise you, if you are looking for a wife, you have to find someone from the capital."
"When the time comes, with the help of my mother-in-law, I might be able to buy a house and become a native of the capital."
Zhao Li fell into thinking.
He originally planned to get married and take his daughter-in-law to live in Beijing, but he never thought that he would be able to marry a Beijing woman.
"Why don't you dislike me?" Zhao Li asked puzzled.
"Hey, you don't understand."
Wu Yun chuckled and said: "Our Jingying camp is stable, the monthly salary does not fall even a day, and our life is easy. Moreover, a school has been built near the Jingying camp, specially for our Jingying children to study at no cost." .”
“If you don’t have money to buy a house, you can still rent it at a low price, one hundred yuan a month. If you live comfortably, you can still buy it in the future...”
"If you are sick, you can be treated by the military medical office, and your family members can also be treated together..."
As he spoke, he actually stretched out his hand and started counting: "Those who celebrate the festival will be rewarded by the imperial court and your majesty."
"No matter what happens, if someone disappears accidentally, the family can still receive pensions to live..."
"Tell me, even among the landowners in the countryside, who can compare to us?"
Zhao Li was shocked. It turned out that Jingying had so many benefits, and he actually didn't know about it.
Alas, the last time I went to the recruit camp was too short.
"Let me tell you, this matter is not urgent. I will take you to choose carefully. We have many family members in Beijing Camp. Don't take advantage of outsiders. We will choose our own people for you..."
The two of them went straight to the Xizhi Gate to look for the kiln in the city.
Zhao Li coquettishly picked the one with the best appearance. The madam asked for a hundred cents. Wu Yun hesitated for a while and took out a silver coin.
He had the intention to loosen his belt, but thinking that there was someone waiting for him at home, he would not be able to do business if he got discouraged.
If you don’t use it for free and spend money, then he is really sick.
Thinking about it, he sat downstairs drinking tea and waiting.
At this time, Zhao Li saw him going down, pulled up his belt and said: "Brother Wu, how about we come together! It's cheaper for three of us!"
Wu Yun was moved, but when he thought about adding fifty cents, he shook his head and said, "I'm not very interested in the women here."
Within a moment of burning the incense, Zhao Li came out, but left a little depressed.
The two of them were walking in the increasingly densely populated Chengxiang streets outside Beijing. Wu Yun said in confusion: "What's wrong? You're not happy? You're a little chicken. People should take care of you."
"If you are a conscientious person, maybe I will give you a red envelope."
Zhao Li saw that he was far away, and then he cursed: "As soon as I entered, the girl was so busy, thinking about money, I didn't even see Naiko clearly...
One hundred Wen is enough to buy food! What a pity! "
Wu Yun laughed loudly: "Since you are a kiln sister, what else do you want if you don't want money?"
At this moment, Zhao Li suddenly felt a little disappointed and sighed: "If I had known, I would have found a Tatar on the grassland. It is very cheap..."
Wu Yun turned to look at him calmly, looked up at the trees with falling leaves on the roadside, and asked:
"How do you feel comfortable before entering the capital camp?"
Zhao Li touched his head and said blankly: "Eat enough."
After thinking for a while, he added: "Wear warm clothes. The house will not leak in winter. I occasionally miss my girls at night."
"A cotton-padded coat costs less than a hundred yuan. Poor people like us cannot afford to buy clothes in winter, so they can only go to pawn shops to pawn them to wear."
"Some people just give away their cotton-padded clothes in summer and redeem them in winter. It's the same thing..."
"But when you get to the army, you are given two sets of cotton-padded clothes, which is much more comfortable than at home. It's better to be a soldier..."
At this moment, they suddenly saw many people watching on the post road, so the two of them walked quickly over to have a look.
Then I saw a group of official servants in tube hats and soap boots escorting several carts passing by on the post road, accompanied by the Japanese envoy holding a scepter...
At first glance, the attire looks similar to that of Han'er, but it is easy to distinguish. No wonder the people find it strange.
The people on the cart are even more interesting. Many Japanese women wear strange clothes, which are completely different from those in the Central Plains, but they have a unique sense of beauty.
"Brother, what is this?" Wu Yun couldn't help but ask.
"You don't know this? The princess of Japan is married to our emperor. If you ask me, she is still our emperor's plaything. Tatars, Westerners, and now there are Japanese. Can your body bear it..."
The big man's face was full of wonder, he was so impressed that he wished he could replace it with his own body.
Soon after, there was a grand banquet in the palace.
This banquet was extraordinarily different. The programs that Zhu Wenwu and Madam Gaoming watched were even richer.
There are Japanese songs and dances from thousands of miles away, as well as beauties donated by the Korean envoys last time, and plateau women donated by Wei Zang Kingdom. In addition, there are Orchid people from the Western Regions contributed by Liao Kingdom.
The main hall was filled with silk and bamboo orchestral music, creating a bustling atmosphere.
The civil servants went to court and boasted: The emperor conquered the country, came and returned from all directions, prospered the world, established peace, defeated the Han Dynasty, and traveled far away from the Han and Tang Dynasties...
That night, the Japanese Embassy.
The house under the lamp is full of Japanese style. The envoy is no more than five feet three inches tall. He is wearing a robe and has a solemn expression:
"Have you ever thought about how far away Japan is from Ming Dynasty? How long did it take for Ming Dynasty to conquer Japan?"
"Sir, Japan is a country that was not conquered by the Ming Dynasty. How did this happen?" The man on the side asked in confusion:
"Isn't this unfounded worry?"
"Is it unfounded? I don't think so."
Tanaka Akiyuki sighed: "In the past, the Ming Dynasty Navy invaded the country just for the sake of trade and to intimidate the general to become the king of Japan. Where can we put His Majesty the Emperor?"
"Nowadays, the Ming Dynasty is becoming more and more prosperous, and Japan strives to implement civilized governance, but like an ant and an elephant, no matter how hard we chase, we can't cure one of its legs."
"If we don't conquer today, it's just not cost-effective. But when Japan's power declines in the future, will the Ming Dynasty still stand still?"
"So what?" At this time, someone understood what he was thinking and gritted his teeth and said: "It is absolutely impossible for Japan to set up a vassal state and Li Daitao is dead."
"I'd rather have the jade broken than the whole thing——"
Everyone raised their heads in agreement.
"If you don't want to abolish the country and establish a vassal state, the only way now is to fully imitate the Ming Dynasty and change the policy of seclusion, just like the Dahua reform back then..."
"Army, I don't know Qin Xue. Have you heard of it?"
Seeing everyone's surprise, he slowly said: "This is a science that gradually emerged in the Ming Dynasty after Gu Yanwu's lectures. It competes with the psychology and Neo-Confucianism, and is indistinguishable."
"It pays attention to the practical application of the world. It is based on both agriculture and business. It emphasizes agricultural taxes but emphasizes commercial taxes. It is the way of always and always, etiquette, justice, integrity, and shame. These are the four dimensions..."
During his narration, everyone was immersed in his lectures...
At this time, a lecture was also being held in a courtyard outside Beijing.
"The ruler of the world cannot rule by himself. If he rules alone, the punishments will be complicated; if everyone rules them, the punishments will be harsh..."
Gu Yanwu knelt down on the futon, with a small table placed in front of him. He stood straight without bending for a moment.
In front of him, hundreds of teenagers or young people, all wearing spacious robes, were kneeling and listening to lectures, as if they were imitating Confucius.
"Sir, this statement is wrong. Students dare not agree with it. In the past, the gentlemen's party hoped that the monarch would rule from the top, but could it be governed by the people? It was just usurping the monarch's power for personal gain, causing party disputes and delaying the government. Rule by the people is not as good as rule by one..."
A young man held his hand and said without any fear.
"When did I just say monarch?" Gu Yanwu chuckled and said, "This monarch can be both the head of the family and the shopkeeper of the wine shop."
"It should be noted that although independent governance has benefits, the disadvantages outweigh the benefits. Therefore, since ancient times, a gentleman who accepts advice and has an open mind is the way to achieve long-term prosperity."
"The method of governing the people must also be used by those who manage the world. If it is a hypocrite and a villain, no matter how good the method is, it will become a disaster."
"Therefore, the way to govern by many is also the way to employ people..."
After some words, the conversation was finally over. Gu Yanwu was relieved, but he smiled bitterly.
Fortunately, the emperor is broad-minded, otherwise he would be really miserable.
At this time, there was a sudden voice: "Gu Yanwu, you are so bold!"
Looking up, an old man walked over with a smile on his face.
"Zhu Chuyu, you are not ashamed to listen to my lectures. What's the matter? Do you want to become my teacher?"
Gu Yanwu chuckled.
Zhu Zhiyu shook his head: "No, I just think that you, Gu Yanwu, are too brave and dare to talk about rule by many and rule by yourself at the feet of the emperor."
"Do you think it's public governance now?"
"Of course it is." Gu Yanwu said: "The Holy Emperor is in the court, and the wise ministers are by his side, so the country is peaceful and the people are safe!"
"Hahaha!" Zhu Zhiyu shook his head and smiled: "You, Qin Xue, are getting better and better at teaching."
"Given time, even Neo-Confucianism will be unable to withstand it."
"My Qin School was born out of Neo-Confucianism, and it is Confucianism." Gu Yanwu said solemnly: "It's not that I speak well, but that this world requires this Qin School."
Zhu Zhiyu found a futon and sat down, picked up a piece of pastry and ate it without saying much.
After a long time, he sighed: "You are in Beijing, and I am in the local area, teaching Qin studies everywhere, but who knows that this is actually the emperor's intention?"
Gu Yanwu chuckled lightly, took a sip of tea, and was not surprised at all: "You can learn civil and martial arts and sell them to the emperor's family. Confucianism has been different since Dong Zhongshu wrote Spring and Autumn Fan Lu."
"Brother Zhu, do you understand now?"
Zhu Zhiyu kept smiling bitterly.
Gu Yanwu said in a deep voice: "As long as it can help the imperial court and prevent the Jiashen Incident and the smell of mutton from sweeping the Central Plains, it will be worth it no matter what."
