Zhongyi Town quickly captured Xuzhou and took control of the city.
There was almost no resistance from the Jin army in the city. Except for a few close confidants of the official slaves who fled north with Ashi Siming, all the rest surrendered.
To them, they were just low-level soldiers. Zhao Tai was not a Mongolian. He killed official slaves, and they did the same with Zhao Tai.
At this time, Zhao Tai, surrounded by his generals, entered the official slave's mansion. In the courtyard, a large number of soldiers were counting the money confiscated from his mansion.
"Your Majesty, the military advisor is over there!" The soldier leading the way pointed into the distance.
Zhao Tai looked up and saw Wang Bin directing the clerks to register the seized materials and estimate their value.
Pu Chaguannu has been running Xuzhou for many years and can be regarded as the local emperor of Xuzhou. His house is very large, covering an area of about three to four hundred acres.
There were high walls around the house, and there were warehouses inside, where the treasures and grain collected by the official slaves were stored.
Zhao Tai walked over and couldn't help but sigh: "The mansion of the official slave is equivalent to the inner city of Xuzhou."
Wang Bin handed the book in his hand to his subordinates and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, it is right for us to capture Xuzhou. This official slave gave the king a hundred thousand coins, and another hundred thousand coins were copied from the house. In addition, there were corals and jade. , jewelry, brocade, calligraphy and painting, it can be said that the harvest is quite fruitful. I initially estimate that including the 100,000 guan sent to the camp, there are now nearly 300,000 guan."
"The official slaves are so rich!" Zhao Tai was a little surprised. He remembered that when he went to Xuzhou, he wanted to ask the official slaves to allocate some money and food, but the official slaves gave him nothing. At that time, Zhao Tai thought that the Jin Kingdom was financially bankrupt, but Xuzhou was indeed There is not much food.
Wang Bin said: "Xuzhou is located at the strategic point of north-south transportation. Caravans traveling from south to north often need to pass through Xuzhou's boundary. Official slaves have been stationed in Xuzhou for many years, and they can accumulate a lot of wealth just by plucking the feathers of geese."
Zhao Tai was a little happy, "With so much money copied from the official slave's mansion, plus the Xuzhou treasury, the collection of Xuzhou this time may be able to solve Gu's urgent need."
Seeing the sergeant carrying out strings of copper coins from the private treasury of the official slaves, which were piled up like a hill, Zhao Tai sighed in his heart, as expected, a man cannot be rich without windfall, and a horse cannot be fat without night grass.
As they were talking, Chen Zhong strode over, cupped his fists and saluted, "Your Majesty!"
Zhao Tai looked at him and asked, "How is the situation in the city?"
"Your Majesty, Ash Siming fled from Beicheng, and the rest of the people in the city have surrendered!" Chen Zhong reported.
Zhao Tai only brought 20,000 people and could not surround Xuzhou. It was inevitable that some of the officials and slaves' henchmen would escape.
Although he failed to eradicate the root cause, it didn't matter that Ashi Siming ran out.
With Zhao Tai's current strength, he would naturally not take him seriously.
Therefore, Zhao Tai was relatively satisfied with the result at this time, "It doesn't matter, Ashi Siming ran away. He can't make any waves."
Chen Zhongdao: "Now Xuzhou City is completely controlled by the army."
Zhao Tai nodded and suddenly said: "Very good, have you sent someone to guard the treasury in the city?"
Chen Zhong nodded: "I have sent people to receive it, but according to the sergeant's report, the treasury in Xuzhou is cleaner than my face, but there is nothing in it."
Zhao Tai raised his eyebrows, "Nothing? No food or copper coins at all?"
Chen Zhong shook his head, "According to the sergeant's report, not only was there no money or food in it, there were no mice either."
Zhao Tai frowned, and Wang Bin said at the side: "Your Majesty, it seems that the official slaves have embezzled all the money and food in the government treasury, without distinguishing between public and private affairs, and regard Xuzhou as private property. The money and food of Xuzhou government should also be in the official slaves' residence."
Zhao Tai heard that he had received about 300,000 guan from official slaves alone, and thought that if he took 200,000 guan from the treasury, he would have enough military expenses for Zhongyi Town for a year.
Zhao Tai now has 30,000 elite soldiers, and his annual military expenditure is about 500,000 yuan.
This expenditure is the bulk of the feudal government's expenditure. If this expenditure is solved, the taxes collected by Zhao Tai and the copper coins earned from trade can be used for investment and expansion of production.
In addition, only when military expenditures are guaranteed and the army is stable can Zhao Tai's regime withstand storms.
Now I heard from Chen Zhong that Xuzhou's treasury had long been abandoned, so the seizure from the official slave mansion alone would not be able to meet Zhao Tai's needs.
Zhao Tai was a little disappointed and said to Wang Bin: "Military advisor, please complete the cleanup as soon as possible. Everywhere in the official slave's residence must be searched and no one is left behind."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty!" Wang Bin bowed his hands and said, "I will ask people to complete the cleanup as soon as possible."
At this time, several people were talking, and there was a commotion outside.
Zhao Tai couldn't help but frown slightly. Seeing this, Chen Zhong strode away and asked, "What's the fuss about?"
"Commander, a group of Jurchens are coming outside and want to see the king!" An officer ran over and explained hurriedly.
Chen Zhong heard this and immediately turned back, "Your Majesty, a group of Jurchens are coming outside, clamoring to see you!"
The official slave was killed and Zhao Tai took over Xuzhou. The Jurchen nobles in the city came to pay their respects and prepared to surrender to Zhao Tai's sect.
They were shocked when Zhao Tai killed the official slaves, but they felt relieved after learning the reason why Zhao Tai killed the official slaves.
Zhao Tai said that the official slaves did not save Kaifeng and colluded with the Mongols, so he killed the official slaves.
In the eyes of the nobles of the Jin Kingdom, this shows that Zhao Tai still regards himself as a minister of Jin, and since they are either members of the Jin Kingdom's clan or Jurchen nobles, they naturally do not need to be afraid of Zhao Tai.
After they arrived in Xuzhou, they had been exploited a lot of money by the official slaves in the past few years. Now that the loyal king had killed the official slaves, he came over to denounce the official slaves' crimes. Firstly, he expressed his support for Zhao Tai, and secondly, he wanted to see if he could get some back. money.
Zhao Tai stroked his short beard under his forehead, pondered for a while, raised his head and asked Wang Bin: "The military advisor thinks Gu Neng needs to see them!"
Zhao Tai did not like these Jurchen nobles. They escaped from Kaifeng before Kaifeng was besieged, which shows that these people are not good people.
In addition, now that the Jin Kingdom has been destroyed, Zhao Tai does not want any Jurchen nobles to continue to enjoy their privileges.
At this time, Zhao Tai still regarded himself as a golden minister. Zhao Tai was a little worried that these Jurchen nobles would not open their eyes and use their status as Jurchen nobles to dominate the vassal and create conflicts.
Wang Bin said, "I thought I'd better meet them if I want to see the king. Let's listen to what they say first and see if they are willing to donate generously!"
Zhao Tai nodded. The money and food taken from the palace of the official slaves could not satisfy Zhao Tai. The Jin Kingdom had occupied the Central Plains for a hundred years and plundered the people in the north. The nobles of the Jin Kingdom should have some savings.
Zhao Tai thought of this and immediately ordered: "Bring them over and meet them in person!"
When the Jin Kingdom was about to perish, some Jurchens did not have the courage to stay in Kaifeng to face the siege of Mongolia, so they fled Kaifeng early.
At that time, the north was occupied by Mongolia, and although the Southern Song Dynasty in the south was allied with the Jin Kingdom, they would not accept these Jurchen nobles.
After they escaped from Kaifeng and had nowhere to go, they came to Xuzhou.
At this time, more than 20 Jurchen nobles, representing more than a thousand Jurchens who had fled to Xuzhou, came to see Zhao Tai, hoping to receive Zhao Tai's protection.
After Zhao Tai decided to receive them, he asked people to arrange them in the lobby. He went to change clothes first and then went to receive them.
At this time, many Jurchen nobles were sitting in the hall, and they couldn't help but whisper, discussing Zhao Tai's attitude towards them.
After the fall of the Jin Kingdom, they, the Jurchen nobles, became rootless people and were really worried about their future.
Everyone in the hall was saying something to each other, and there was a commotion for a while. An old man at the head couldn't help coughing twice when he saw this, and the hall immediately became quiet.
This old man's name is Wanyan Lian, he is a member of the Jin clan and the leader of this group of Jurchen nobles.
After Kaifeng was captured, the nobles of the Jin Kingdom lost their sense of security. He had hoped that the official slaves could support a clan, but the official slaves took a sum of money and food from him, but nothing happened.
At this time, Wanyan Lian said slowly: "Pu Chaguan slave did not save Kaifeng, colluded with Mongolia, had double-minded intentions, and let King Zhong kill him. Now Xuzhou has returned to King Zhong. Although we are all members of the Jin clan, we are Jin The master of the country, but King Zhong is powerful, so don’t be rude. Wait a moment, King Zhong will come over, don’t say anything you don’t know, and let me talk to King Zhong, and you can just agree."
Many Jurchen nobles heard this and nodded in agreement.
At this time, the soldier standing outside the hall suddenly shouted: "The king is here!"
Zhao Tai led Wang Bin and others into the lobby. Everyone stood up quickly. Under the leadership of Wan Yanlian, they saluted Zhao Tai, "His Royal Highness."
The Kingdom of Jin has been destroyed, but these Jurchen nobles still put on airs and just bowed to Zhao Tai.
Seeing this, Zhao Tai laughed and said, "I've kept you guys waiting for a long time."
After finishing speaking, Zhao Tai walked straight to the central hall and took a seat, then raised his hand and said, "Everyone, take a seat!"
Everyone sat down, Zhao Tai glanced at everyone, and then asked: "Which of you is the representative, and what is your name?"
Wanyan Lian immediately stood up and introduced himself and several main clan members in the hall to Zhao Tai.
After the two parties got to know each other, Zhao Tai got straight to the point, "You are here just in time. Guzheng wants to see you all over to discuss the aftermath."
Wanyan Lian and others looked at each other, feeling a little confused as to what Zhao Tai wanted to discuss with them.
"I wonder what His Highness's orders are?" Wan Yanlian asked on behalf of everyone.
"Alas!" Zhao Tai sighed before saying anything, "Everyone must be very aware of the current situation. Now that the imperial court is gone, the Mongols will go south at any time. What will you do then?"
As soon as Zhao Tai said these words, everyone's mood immediately became heavy. They whispered to each other in the hall, and finally Wan Yanlian said: "Your Highness, kill the official slaves and occupy Xuzhou, which should be able to protect us."
Zhao Tai said in a deep voice: "I naturally want to protect you and resist the Mongolian attack, but fighting requires money!"
Zhao Tai looked at Wanyan Lian. When the latter heard the words, the corners of his mouth twitched, and he already understood what Zhao Tai meant.
Everyone in the hall knew that Zhao Tai wanted money from Zhao and the others, so everyone lowered their heads, and the hall fell silent instantly.
Zhao Tai said it because he hoped that they could express his position by providing a sum of money and food to help the feudal government tide over the difficulties, but he didn't expect that they would all become mute.
This made Zhao Tai frown, his cheeks twitched, and he went straight to the point, "King Gu did not hesitate to tell you directly. The Mongols want to destroy you Jurchens, and Gu is now leading an army against the Mongols to protect you. Now we have an army of tens of thousands, which costs millions every year. We should have asked the imperial court for this money, but the imperial court is gone now. King Gu hopes that you can contribute generously to help the army tide over the difficulties."
Wanyan Lian didn't expect Zhao Tai to be so direct. When Zhao Tai opened his mouth, he couldn't pretend to be stupid, so he could only stand up and hold his hands in his hands, "I don't know how much money your Highness wants us to pay."
Zhao Tai obtained about 300,000 guan from the official slaves. The shortfall in military expenses for a year was at least 200,000 guan, so he stretched out his finger and said, "300,000 guan! Everyone, please collect 300,000 guan. The army will be strong this year." The military pay will be there. When the Mongols move south, the vassal government will have enough money and food, and the soldiers will use their lives, they will be able to stop the Mongols and keep everyone safe."
After the fall of the Jin Kingdom, these nobles of the Jin Kingdom, carrying a lot of family property, became fat sheep wherever they went.
Zhao Tai is quite honest. As long as they hand over 300,000 yuan, he will keep them safe.
Now that the official slaves are dead, it is impossible for them to seek refuge with the Southern Song Dynasty, so seeking refuge with Zhao Tai becomes the only option.
"Three hundred thousand gold!" Wanyan Lian exclaimed, and many Jurchen nobles in the hall instantly became excited.
Zhao Tai narrowed his eyes, "Why, are you having difficulty!"
When Wanyan Lian saw that Zhao Tai killed the official slaves on the grounds that they did not save Kaifeng and colluded with the Mongols, he believed that Zhao Tai was loyal to the Jin Kingdom. But now that Zhao Tai asked him for money, he felt that Zhao Tai Like official slaves, they were extorting money from him.
Wanyan Lian put on a troubled expression, "Your Highness, we definitely can't come up with three hundred thousand dollars. We fled here from Kaifeng and were exploited by the official slaves. Most of our family property was taken away by the official slaves, leaving us with no money left. I came here today just to ask His Highness if the property taken away by the slaves can be returned, and I hope His Highness can help us!"
After hearing this, Zhao Tai couldn't help but sneer in his heart. This group of people were still unwilling to take out the money at this time.
Before coming to Xuzhou, the two military advisers Zhao and Tai discussed and set their goals after arriving in Xuzhou, mainly to make money.
Zhao Tai originally wanted to give them a chance. If they were willing to hand it over, their lives could be saved. If they were not willing, then Zhao Tai could only let them know what the primitive accumulation of bloody capital was.
Zhao Tai said with a black face: "Can't you even get three hundred thousand Guan?"
Wanyan Lian was actually planning to give Zhao Tai a sum of money, but the two sides differed greatly in the amount.
When he came, he discussed with many nobles and everyone pooled together thirty thousand guan, but Zhao Tai now wanted 300,000 guan.
Wanyan Lian was worried that Zhao Tai had asked for 300,000 guan and would come to search for it again when he ran out of money, so he changed his mind and decided that he could not agree and could not give 30000 guan.
"Your Highness, you really don't have 300,000 yuan!" Wanyan Lian cried out: "But since Your Highness has spoken, I want to sell iron to His Highness. As for how much it will be in the end, I can't guarantee it!"
Zhao Tai no longer wanted to talk, so he stood up and said, "Okay, then you can get together first! I'll give you three days!"
After saying that, Zhao Tai left directly. Many Jurchen nobles couldn't help but panic when they saw this, but Wanyan Lian said: "Don't panic, Zhao Tai is a minister of the Jin Dynasty, and we are all members of the clan. He will not do anything to us. Besides, he is going to do something to us today. We gave him 300,000 guan, but if he asks for another 300,000 guan every day, what should we do? We have to give him this money, but we can’t give it so freely, and we can’t satisfy his request, do you understand?”
After listening to his words, everyone felt relieved and nodded, "I understand."
(Now it is updated at 12 o'clock every night, but I still have to modify it after it is updated. It is best for everyone to read it in the morning.)
