Since ancient times, mobilizing troops has been a waste of military pay.
The 300,000 soldiers and horses in charge of the Duke Protector's Palace have always required the emperor to take extra precautions. Therefore, the food, grass and military supplies were never sufficient, and they basically tightened their belts to raise the troops.
Since the emperor has been ill for a long time and the prince has gained power, the military salary of the Protectorate is not as tight as before. But the treasury has no money, so it is only slightly better off.
Recently, the 300,000 soldiers and horses of the Protectorate's Mansion have only been provided with military pay for three months.
But when marching outside, it is natural to use food, grass and military supplies. Because he left quietly, Zhou Che not only took away the food for one hundred thousand soldiers and horses, but also took away a month's spare military supplies.
Now that Zhou Shen is leaving, he is just like Zhou Che, taking away not only supplies for one hundred thousand soldiers and horses, but also a month's worth of spare military supplies.
In this way, the army will have enough food.
The problem of food and fodder for the remaining 100,000 soldiers and horses has become a big problem.
Therefore, after Zhou Shen left, Zhou Wei ordered the people sent by the old protector to return a message.
The old protector slapped his thigh, didn't he? It is no small matter for 200,000 soldiers and horses to leave the capital. The provision of food for the march is a big problem. You can't just say "move troops" lightly and then launch troops. Now that the soldiers are gone, those who left don't have to worry. They can always last for a month, but what about the remaining soldiers and horses?
He had a headache. If this matter did not alarm His Majesty and the civil and military officials of the court, the issue of food and grass would not be brought to light.
He could only tell his men, "First collect the money from the eldest room in the mansion, and secretly go to the outside of the capital to collect grain. Don't make any noise, be secretive, and last as long as you can."
The subordinates should have set off with the people that night.
The old Protector had no choice but to send someone to the East Palace again to deliver a message to the prince.
Yan Huisheng had expected that the issue of military pay was now the biggest problem facing the Daliang treasury. Earlier, the eldest prince was convicted of crimes, and a large number of officials from the eldest prince's faction were dismissed. All the officials involved in the case of the precious concubine and the eldest prince were nine out of ten. , were all confiscated and exiled. Because of this major case, the treasury confiscated a lot of property and became richer.
Feng Chang, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, finally stopped frowning and breathed a sigh of relief, but it was just a breath. After all, the national treasury is too short and the gains from confiscation of homes are just a drop in the bucket. It's just that it's better to have something than nothing.
Feng Chang still had to find ways to enrich the treasury, get money for the treasury, and reduce expenses.
That evening, Feng Chang was calculating the account books of the household department. He was shocked when he heard that the prince had arrived. He looked at the sky and saw that it was so dark outside that he could not see his fingers. It was already late at night, but the prince was visiting. ,this……
He intuitively felt that it was not a good thing for Yan Huisheng to come to him late at night, but he did not dare to turn the person away or let him in.
He could only rush out.
Seeing Yan Huisheng, he quickly handed over his hand, "Your Highness, if there is something important, you can just send someone to inform the subordinates. Why do you come in person late at night?"
"It's something important." Yan Hui replied to him.
When he came out of the Protector's Mansion, he went straight to Feng's Mansion and did not return to the East Palace at all. He knew what the military needed most urgently. Since this matter was being done secretly, he had to let Feng Chang give him convenience first.
Fortunately, although Feng Chang did not seek refuge in the East Palace, he was not a confused official who was uncompromising and uncompromising in accordance with the law. Otherwise, he would not have been able to achieve the position of Minister of Household Affairs.
After hearing this, Feng Chang could only carefully invite Yan Huisheng to his study.
Yan Hui said directly: "I want one hundred thousand troops and one month's military pay. Send it to Zhou Wei as soon as possible."
Feng Chang was startled, "Your Highness, why do you suddenly need military pay? The Zhou family army in charge of the Protector's Palace has enough food and grass, enough for three months."
"Now it's not enough, Gu wants to mobilize troops." Yan Huisheng stared at him and said slowly: "I hope that General Xi Ping's Mansion in Beibei has the intention of treason, and Gu has received news of the plans to launch troops. Zhang Ping may attack Nanping first. Gu has already received the news. The Zhou family's army has secretly dispatched 200,000 soldiers and horses to Northern Hebei and Nanping. You know, once the troops are mobilized, these 200,000 soldiers and horses must bring enough food and grass to march. Now, 300,000 soldiers and horses All the reserves were taken away by 200,000 soldiers and horses. Now there are only 100,000 soldiers and horses left, which can only be used for three days."
Feng Chang suddenly broke out in a cold sweat, "Your Highness, is this news true?"
"Of course it is true that Gu will not make fun of Daliang's power, nor will he play with soldiers and horses easily." Yan Huisheng stood with his hands behind his hands, "Mr. Feng, you should know that Gu will not act without rules. Now in private There is no way to find you. After all, this matter needs to be kept secret, lest Zhang Ping’s informants in Beijing get the news and spread it back to Northern Hebei. Everything must be done secretly and without publicity."
Feng Chang was not stupid. After hearing this, he understood that Zhang Ping was the father-in-law of the second prince Yan Lin. The eldest prince had lost and was completely out of business. However, there was still a second prince. The prince had not moved yet and was still in the position of the second prince. Stay. Once this matter is publicized, the second prince will definitely be unable to sit still. He really doesn't know what he will do.
He asked tentatively: "Where is Your Majesty..."
"I haven't reported it to my father yet." Yan Hui shook his head, "Master Zhang should understand why I didn't report it to my father."
Feng Chang understands very well that for so many years, Zhang Ping has been supported by his majesty, and his momentum has even surpassed that of the Protector's Palace. There must be Zhang Ping's informants around your majesty. Once this matter is obtained, If your Majesty goes there to tell you, I'm sure it will be leaked immediately.
Well, if you ask him, the prince has been tolerant enough in these years, and now he is also very considerate.
However, having such a prince in Daliang gives people hope.
He said: "Your Highness, there has been some income in the national treasury recently, but I am not able to turn all the income into food and grass and send it to the army for a while."
Yan echoed: "You don't need to worry about this. You just need to give the income to Gu. Guhui will secretly send people to buy beams and military supplies."
Feng Chang breathed a sigh of relief, it would be easy without him having to buy food. He immediately thought that the old Protector of the Kingdom dared to listen to His Majesty the Crown Prince's deployment of troops without His Majesty's permission. Why should he not dare to take money from the treasury alone? Anyway, the throne will most likely fall on the crown prince. Apart from Yan Huisheng, he really can't think of anyone else who can sit in that position.
This ability, this mind, and this courage to make prompt decisions are unparalleled.
So, he took a deep breath and gritted his teeth and agreed, "Since His Highness said so, I will give those to you."
He immediately took out the key to the treasury and said, "Your Highness, are you taking the people with me? Are you going to move out quietly tonight?"
Yan Huisheng said exactly what he meant, sooner rather than later, and nodded, "That's exactly what Gu means."
Monthly ticket, okay?
(End of chapter)
