Dongcheng, Zuixian Tower.
One of the largest restaurants in Beijing is already overcrowded at this moment.
"Mr. Liu, outside of Beijing, have you heard about the battle in Zunhua? What is the situation?"
The man known as Mr. Liu is named Liu Hengren, and he is the helmsman of Hengren Trading Company. The business mainly deals in fresh and dried fruits and cakes, and is the largest business in North Zhili.
The four or five people at the same table were all businessmen and friends he worked with. When they heard that he was coming to the city, they insisted on inviting him to drink to calm their shock.
Liu Hengren picked up the wine glass and took a sip. He did not respond directly, but asked curiously: "Tell me first, what did you hear in the capital? Does the court have any battle reports or anything?"
"Of course there are battle reports, but they are a bit nonsense!"
"Nuo, look at it. It was all published in the Ming Dynasty Daily. It's so nonsense. Sixty-five thousand Jiannu were besieged and killed. Why don't you say that Jiannu was deposed?"
The speaker took out a copy of the Tomorrow Daily and handed it over. The more he spoke, the more angry he became. He grabbed the wine bottle and took several sips.
"Interesting, I don't know who wrote this battle report!"
"Do you also think the court is talking nonsense?"
"No!"
Liu Hengren put the newspaper aside: "I think it was too conservative and straight-forward, and many things were not revealed!"
Without waiting for others to speak, Liu Hengren continued: "I don't know the specific casualties, but I can describe it from the side, and you can judge for yourself.
First, according to what some people saw, the convoys transporting grain and grass from the surrounding areas of Beijing to Zunhua were as far as the eye could see, and they were running day and night. At night, the torches lit up the entire official road;
Throughout Longjing Pass, we saw the military flags of several different military towns. Taking into account the transported grain and grass, etc., a rough calculation estimated that there were 100,000 or 200,000 people.
Second, on July 256, the imperial court recruited at least 20,000 to 30,000 craftsmen and laborers in Yongping, Luanzhou, Zunhua and other cities to repair city walls, official roads, etc.;
Third, after July 22, hundreds of thick black smoke rose up in front of Longjing Pass during the day, which was extremely pungent, as if corpses were being burned day and night. The trees on several nearby mountains were sparsely cut down.
Fourth, there are Luanhe River and Chehe River between Hanerzhuang City and Longjingguan City. Twenty or thirty miles downstream, the river water is light red, and the smell of blood is so strong that even livestock dare not drink it;
From time to time, a mutilated corpse floats downstream.
Even, even..."
Liu Hengren lowered his voice subconsciously when he said this: "I heard that some strange phenomena can be seen on the river at night."
The more everyone listened, the wider their mouths opened. From these descriptions, they could already guess how bloody and cruel the fighting was.
"This doesn't mean that they really surrounded and killed 65,000 Jiannu cavalry!"
"Yes, even if they surrounded and killed so many people, the Ming army's casualties would probably be more than 100,000!"
"Since Chengguo surrendered to the enemy, Jiannu must know about the mobilization of the Ming army. How could Jiannu wait to be surrounded and killed? It doesn't make sense!"
Liu Hengren glanced at the other diners around him who were unknowingly attracted, and frowned.
"You can judge for yourself whether it is true or not. If you want to know the details, you will have to go and count the corpses one by one in person. But are you qualified to go?
If you still don’t believe it if you don’t have the qualifications, then you can only argue! "
When Liu Hengren said this, a trace of anger and sadness flashed in his eyes. The people did not believe in the soldiers. How could the Ming Dynasty be okay?
However, with the new emperor taking the throne for nearly a year, he felt that the Ming Dynasty was about to recover.
Everyone comforted Liu Hengren, but they did not notice an inexplicable expression flashing in the eyes of a passing waiter.
After Liu Hengren drank several glasses of wine, he suppressed his unhappiness and continued to talk.
"By the way, when we entered the city, didn't you ask me where all the goods in the caravan went? In fact, all those goods were purchased by the imperial court."
"Why does the imperial court buy that thing? Although your dried fruits are good, they are still not worthy of the palace's attention!
It's not a holiday, why are you buying so many? "
"No, you mean procurement? Not expropriation?"
"Hey, the imperial court has been generous. Even if the price is lower, it's fine as long as the loss is not too severe."
"Who said I lost money?"
Liu Hengren smiled mysteriously: "Not only did I not lose money, I also made a huge profit, which is at least equal to our company's net profit for a month."
"Old Liu, don't hold on, if you lose, you lose. If Jiannu is beaten away, there will be many good days in the future!"
"That's right, let's have a drink to calm down the panic!"
"I said, why can't you guys expect me to order well, and can't you expect the court to order well?"
Liu Hengren drank the wine in one sip and placed the cup heavily on the table: "Let me tell you, not only is the company now available, but I also received documents from the court.
We have purchased all the dried fruits, cakes, fresh fruits, etc. in the prefectures and counties along the way from Beijing to Zunhua. We just need to take them back and put them on the official road.
Guess where these melon and fruit cakes went? "
"I won't go... to Zunhua!"
"That's right. It's true. According to the direction of the transportation team, it was sent to Longjing Pass."
When he said this, Liu Hengren suddenly became energetic: "You don't know, our company handles hundreds of thousands of kilograms, as well as other caravans responsible for wine, etc."
"Old Liu, aren't these things meant to reward the army? But as usual, aren't they just wine and meat?"
"Old Zhao, think about it with your head. After fighting for several days and burning corpses for several days, would you still be able to eat the meat?
Besides, the price of these melon and fruit cakes is not cheaper than wine and meat. "
"Old Wang, you are right. It is said that His Majesty has several considerations. First, he is worried that the soldiers will not be able to eat.
The second is to get some things that the soldiers are usually reluctant to buy and eat, so that the soldiers can have a taste.
The third is to reward each army with wine and meat after they have rested and recuperated. "
"Your Majesty is indeed kind-hearted and thoughtful!"
"That's right, even if you give money to the soldiers, they probably won't be willing to buy those pastries and preserves. Why not just reward them directly!"
"Even so, it is estimated that many soldiers who live nearby are reluctant to eat it and will keep it and send it home!"
"Hey, if we fight with our lives with the soldiers, we will live like gods!"
Several of Liu Hengren's friends were sighing with emotion, but a few inappropriate voices sounded again.
"Hey, I thought you were really speaking for the court. It turns out you took money from the court. You are really greedy for profit!"
"Are you going to give me food and wine after you return to the hospital? Haha, that's ridiculous. It's good to be full!"
"Hmph, the melon and fruit cakes are expensive, how much silver might they be worth? I won't give the enemy the silver reward, but exchange hundreds of thousands taels for millions of taels. This is a really good idea, haha..."
"Do you need your pretense? If you really want to thank me, just donate some money and just say it, who can't?"
Liu Hengren glanced at the people watching, and suddenly stood up amidst the ridicule, picked up a pot of soup on the table and poured it over.
