Chapter 058 Planned
June 12, Huai'an Fucheng
Sure enough, just as Chen Cao expected, only Baoguo Duke Zhu Yanrong came to participate in the counter-rebellion, and he brought a guard of soldiers and horses. There were too many soldiers and horses to take action, and he also brought the emperor's imperial edict, saying that the Duke of Wei was the leader of the peace. The rebel commander had full authority to deal with the rebellion of the Cao Gang. The imperial envoy Lin Yaoyu was appointed as the assistant manager. In addition, he also issued an order to reprimand Wei Guogong for his ineffective supervision.
In the cabin, Zhu Yanrong was chatting with Xu Hongji. Chen Cao knew that an old acquaintance was here, so he received Zhu Yanrong warmly. We were all in the same boat, so there was no need to hide anything.
"Chen Cao, you are really brave. Do you know how His Majesty reacted when he learned that the 200,000 people in the Cao Gang were rebelling?" Zhu Yanrong drank a glass of Jiefeng wine and said, "He fainted on the spot and woke up at Fengtianmen. I held Ye Xianggao in front of me and cried, saying something that was immoral and caused rebellion everywhere, and I was sorry for my ancestors."
Chen Cao said seriously: "It would be fine if the officials of the Ming Dynasty were united, but Duke Bao also knows the virtues of those people. At least I, Chen Cao, promised Duke Bao, so I never let him suffer, right?"
"Hahaha..." Zhu Yanrong laughed loudly, and then drank with Xu Hongji: "You, fortunately you came prepared this time. If there is really a rebellion of 200,000 people, the court will not be able to wipe it out. Everywhere Use money. Last month in Liaodong, Yuan Chonghuan came again and asked His Majesty to pay for the money. He said that Nurhaci personally led an army of 60,000 to station outside Guangning City. The defenders in the city were in arrears with pay for many months. They had no fighting spirit and the morale of the army was even worse. After the Yingxiao mutiny, the governor Bi Zisu, the commander-in-chief Zhu Mei, and the general judge Zhang Shirong were all kidnapped."
Chen Cao frowned: "Liaodong is already in such chaos?"
Zhu Yanrong is in the capital and is the commander-in-chief of the fifth military camp. He can go to court at any time. Naturally, these things are clear to him: "That's natural. So when I heard that the Cao Gang was rebelling, they couldn't even get out the money. With just this guard force, The expenses for the expedition were jointly paid by myself, Duke Ying, and Duke Cheng, otherwise we wouldn’t be able to afford even a single guard.”
"Mr. Baoguo, what happened to the situation in the DPRK this time?" Chen Cao thought about business.
Zhu Yanrong also became serious and calmed down: "The Yang Yipeng matter is of great importance. Li Yangchong was pushed to the forefront. The day the court received the news, he was jointly impeached by members of the eunuch party. Li Yangchong spent a lot of money to be protected and demoted. In order to right the imperial censor of Qiandu, but in this way, the eunuch party took the initiative. Feng Quan defeated the Donglin party with just one memorial. They promoted Qiao Yun of the Nanjing Criminal Department to be the new governor of water transportation, but he was eunuchd. The party violently rebounded, Wei Gong reported, and the emperor appointed Chen Dadao, the right minister of the Ministry of Revenue, as the new governor of water transportation.
Hey, the old guy is already seventy-six years old, I wonder if he can still give it a try..."
"Is he a member of the Donglin Party?" Chen Cao asked.
Zhu Yanrong shook his head: "He is from Sichuan, attached to the Chu Party, and has a bad relationship with the Donglin Party."
"No wonder..." Chen Cao nodded: "Did the court give Duke Wei a time limit this time?"
"Not at all..." Zhu Yanrong put down his wine glass and looked at Xu Hongji: "The imperial court knew that there were only one hundred thousand garrison troops in Nanjing, and it would be unrealistic to transfer them all, so they asked Wei Guogong to fight steadily, mainly focusing on pacifying, and as a last resort, Suppress."
Xu Hongji nodded with satisfaction. Just as Chen Cao had told him before, it seemed that it would only take a while to recruit Weng Linzhi.
"Oh, by the way," Zhu Yanrong remembered something: "His Majesty knew that Nanjing was short of troops, so just in case, Ye Xianggao gave His Majesty the idea to recruit Guangxi chieftain wolf soldiers to Nanjing to help out. When I left Beijing, I went to Guangxi The messenger set off. I heard he was taking a sea boat from Tianjin, and I think he is already on his way here."
"Ah..." Chen Cao was surprised, and then said hurriedly: "Then we can't delay it. It would be bad if the news leaks out. Let's set out tomorrow to 'suppress the bandits'..."
...
On June 14th, Wei Guogong Xu Hongji and Bao Guogong Zhu Yanrong jointly led the guards with a total of more than 40,000 troops, and commanded 5,000 Jiangjiang Navy troops to go north and stationed in Qinghe County...
On the 15th, Chen Cao, commander of Jinyiwei Town Fusi, commander of Nanjing Right Guard, and deputy general of Caojiang Navy, personally led Weng Shijie, Weng Meixin and his daughter into Taoyuan County to persuade the leader of the bandits, Weng Linzhi, to surrender; he was immediately detained...
On the 16th, Guangxi chieftain wolf soldiers arrived in Nanjing, and the imperial army prepared to attack. Weng Linzhi, who was inspired by Chen Cao's sincere persuasion, finally put down his weapons and chose to surrender to the imperial court...
On the 17th, all the guards withdrew their troops, and the bewitched Caobang fishermen returned to their hometowns under the arrangements of the local county government. Because Weng Linzhi did not kill an official in this rebellion, everyone was happy...
On the 18th, a memorial led by Xu Hongji and signed by Zhu Yanrong and Lin Yaoyu was sent to the capital in an eight hundred-mile rush, inviting Weng Linzhi to be the new commander of Dahewei. After careful investigation, Weng Shijie of Jinan This case was framed by former water transport governor Yang Yipeng and Wang Yiqing, and Weng Shijie's family was acquitted...
On the 19th, each guard post withdrew its troops and returned to its respective garrison. Water transportation was running normally, and the robbed summer grain was also sent to the capital on time. Lin Yaoyu personally escorted Yang Yipeng, Wang Yiqing, Liao Fan and other Huai'an officials back to Beijing for trial. Pan Yourong, the leader of the canal gang, was an accomplice. , it is reasonable to say that the whole family should be executed and beheaded. In the hope that he knew his mistakes and could correct them, he was sentenced to beheading, his family was ransacked, and the whole family was exiled to Qiongzhou Island.
...
"Sir, Tian Huhu has been cut off by his subordinates, and then killed and dumped." Zhao Xin has just returned from Pan's house. He is responsible for searching the house: "Your Excellency, you don't know that Pan Yourong's family background is worse than that of Yang Yipeng and Wang Yiqing. Be rich.”
"Come on, report the amount." Chen Cao was looking at the account book.
Zhao Xin handed over his hand: "Yang Yipeng, Wang Yiqing, Liao Fan and Dahewei were all the officials suspected of being confiscated this time. The amount of gold and silver obtained was as high as 1.3 million taels. Not counting those precious antique calligraphy and paintings. If we count them, there would be As much as three million.”
"Well..." Chen Cao nodded and said: "We will not eat the money of these officials. We will sell all the antique calligraphy and paintings. After the cash is realized, 1.5 million taels will be turned over to the state treasury. The remaining 1.5 million taels will be all Leave it to Wei Zhongxian."
"All of them?"
"What do you know?" Chen Cao squinted at Xin Zhao: "Although this counterinsurgency was too smooth, it achieved the greatest benefit for our eunuch party, and it also gave His Majesty so much money. The three main halls were destroyed. Repairs cost money, and this money can be used wisely. Besides, after spending so much money, this time I will reward you based on your merits. Why, then, Old Thief Wei, I have to get a title for you and me, sir. ah..."
Xin Zhao suddenly realized: "Oh... I understand."
"Besides, he may not be able to afford the 1.5 million taels of silver. It is estimated that all the money will be used to repair the three main halls." Chen Cao shook his head: "Also, if you don't give him the matter of confiscating the house, you What do you think he will think? We can’t finish all these things. There are too many people participating, so they all have to take advantage, right?”
"My subordinates have learned a lesson..." Zhao Xin handed over his hand, and then continued: "The ready-made gold and silver found in Pan Yourong's home amounted to four million taels."
"So much?" Chen Cao was surprised, so much gold and silver.
"Yes," Zhao Xin said with some excitement: "The Pan family's backyard is very large. There is a cellar below. Boxes containing silver are stacked one on top of another. There are also many valuable antique calligraphy and paintings. After calculation, the total is nine million taels. , not only that, but there are also 350,000 acres of good paddy fields in Huai'an, and more than 220 houses in various parts of Huai'an. If these were converted into money, I am afraid it would be no less than three million taels of silver. "
"Xin Zhao, come here and help me."
Xin Zhao quickly stepped forward to help Chen Cao: "Sir, are you sick?"
"You are the only one who is sick. I am happy..." Chen Cao picked up the tea cup and took a sip of herbal tea. After a long time, he calmed down: "All the land deeds are kept, and all the house deeds and antique calligraphy and paintings are sold. , how much silver can I get?"
Xin Zhao did the math: "The total gold and silver we received is estimated to be eleven million taels of silver."
"Huh..." Chen Cao let out a long breath: "I didn't expect that a mere leader of the Cao Gang would have so much money. It seems that I really underestimated the Cao Gang. If Yang Yipeng hadn't managed everything, he probably would have had more money. .”
"That's not true. My subordinates looked through the accounts of the Pan family. Their property was saved since the fourth year of Jiajing, which is almost eighty years ago." Zhao Xinwu said to himself.
"They are all fat pigs. The Pan family, which we have raised for nearly a hundred years, has been ruined by us. I still feel sorry for Pan Yourong. How many of the Pan family's women will be rewarded to you?"
When Zhao Xin heard what Chen Cao said, he immediately smiled and said, "Sir, you are so heroic. Pan Yourong happens to have five daughters."
"Oh, such a coincidence?" Chen Cao raised his eyebrows: "In this way, I make the decision. How about dividing these five daughters equally among the five brothers?"
Zhao Xin handed over his hand: "I would like to thank you on behalf of Lao Xu and the others."
"Well, take out one million taels of silver, and the five of you will split the two hundred thousand taels equally..." Chen Caohao said angrily.
Xin Zhao hurriedly knelt down: "I thank you for your reward, and I will also thank you for your reward..."
"Get up, Zhao Xin." Chen Cao looked at the sky: "After so many years, you have accumulated at least four to five million taels of silver with me, right?"
Xin Zhao rubbed his head and chuckled: "If I follow you, I will not suffer any loss, even if I die, it will be worth it..."
"Nonsense, how could you die?" Chen Cao scolded: "How can you die so easily, ladies of the Kong family, even if you didn't even get them into bed?"
Xin Zhao had a dark look on his face: "Sir..."
After Chen Cao joked, he became serious again: "Send 1.5 million taels of silver to Duke Wei, and another 1 million taels of silver to Duke Bao, and then take out 500,000 taels of silver to reward all the guards who come. Troops, all the remaining seven million taels of silver will be shipped back."
Xin Zhao handed over his hand: "My subordinates will definitely arrange everything for you."
"By the way, I remember that there are Yangzhou guards coming back this time?" Chen Cao frowned.
"There is indeed a Yangzhou Guard. Are you talking about Pang Zhihuan?" Zhao Xin asked.
"Smart," Chen Cao nodded: "Forget it, I'll mention it to Duke Wei and promote Pang Zhihuan to the commander of the Yangzhou Guard, and then transfer the original commander to the Fifth Army Commander's Mansion."
"By the way, sir, Weng Shijie has successfully taken control of the Cao Gang with your help. Now he has become the new leader of the Cao Gang. The Qian family has also submitted. After the disintegration of the forces belonging to the Pan family, Weng Shijie has almost integrated them. Let's Really?" Xin Zhao asked tentatively.
Chen Cao thought for a while: "No, there is Weng Shijie in the Cao Gang. He will be one of our own from now on. He should know the rules. Besides, I will go to him to propose marriage later. With this relationship added, I will be the Cao Gang from now on." Under control, Chen Da Da Dao is just going through the motions."
"Your Excellency is still wise," Zhao Xin complimented, and then said: "Now that the official position of the Water Transport Corps is vacant, it must be the focus of competition among all parties."
"Fighting is nothing," Chen Cao laughed and scolded: "After our eunuchs gained power today, there will be no more pressure from the government. The position of the water transport commander is decided by Wei Guogong." Chen Cao stood up and walked out: "It's okay. There are a lot of things to deal with, you go on to do the house confiscation, and I’ll go find Wei Guogong.”
...
"Proposing marriage?" Xu Hongji frowned: "Who?"
"Weng Meixin, the daughter of Weng Shijie," Chen Cao handed over his hand: "So I would like to ask my father-in-law to come forward as a matchmaker."
Xu Hongji smiled and said: "You Chen Cao, at first there were rumors in Jinling City that you were lustful, and I just took it as a rumor and joke. But today, it seems that it is still true."
Chen Cao smiled and touched his head: "Miss Weng and I have such a personal relationship..."
"Okay," Xu Hongji said with a smile on his face: "My beauty as a man depends on you. Let's go to propose marriage tonight and finalize the marriage for you. Then we will go back to Jinling."
The marriage proposal went smoothly. Weng Shijie had been grateful to Chen Cao since he became the leader of the gang. Naturally, he agreed wholeheartedly. All he had to do was wait until he returned to Jinling to choose a good and auspicious day to send someone to welcome the bride.
Things ended perfectly here. After Chen Cao said goodbye to Weng Meixin the next day, he returned to Jinling with Xu Hongji. After staying in Huai'an for more than a month, he had to go back to do some serious business.
...
"Let's enclose the land. First, it's safer to enclose the land in the lower reaches of the Longjiang River, close to the navy camp." Chen Cao was having a meeting with the stewards of Bi Maokang, Song Yingxing, Li Maocai, Wu Liangju and other workshops: "Establish a canned food factory to specialize in manufacturing For canned food, Wu Liangju was the person in charge, and then Li Maocai's cement workshop also moved there, and he was still the person in charge;
Also, regarding the last grenade issue, Mr. Bi, is there any progress? "
Bi Maokang handed over his hand: "Returning to your lord, I have taken the style of my Chao Zhen Tian Lei as a reference and improved it. I added steel balls and fine nails to the medicine pot. The ignition method is temporarily ignition with medicine wire. The saltpeter suggested by my lord will cause a fire due to friction. I tried it, but the fire started too fast and it would explode within two breaths, which could not reach the seven breaths required by the Lord."
Song Yingxing also handed over his hand: "Xiaguan worked with Father Tang and other Thai and Western craftsmen to improve the fire+powder, and added mud and seaweed from the sea to it according to the adults' instructions. The burning smoke did turn white, but it was not powerful enough."
