Chapter 226: Natural Disasters and Man-made Calamities

After the celebration banquet ended, a group of civil officials left unhappily.

Running into a Governor who forcibly apportioned tasks, they were considered to have had eight lifetimes of bad luck.

Wanting to make trouble was difficult; now the most capable armies were all in the hands of the Marquis of Wuyang's old subordinates.

If they really confronted them head-on, with one order from the Governor, those guys would dare to kill.

Large-scale cleaning of local officials by the court, although it happened in the late Emperor's era, it didn't mean it wouldn't happen now.

"Looking at their appearance, I'm afraid they won't be so honest.

In the coming days, you all help me keep an eye on them.

If anyone is secretly making trouble, report to me immediately."

The Marquis of Wuyang said with a smile.

The dozens of generals left now were all generals of the thousand-household level and above, and all of them walked out of the Wucheng Military and Horse Division.

Placed in the officialdom, these belonged to the direct old subordinates, considered his little brothers of this line.

However, the Marquis of Wuyang had no impression of most people.

Those who could be remembered by him had to be at least hundred-household level generals.

These people in front of him were mostly low-level officers like small flags and total flags three years ago, and some were even big-headed soldiers.

Being able to rise so fast was entirely because they caught up with the era's opportunities.

First, they ate the dividend of forming the Yangzhou Camp, and then they caught up with the rebellion suppression war.

Taking advantage of the opportunity of the local military officer group being wiped out, Li Mu wantonly promoted his confidants to occupy positions, and those with slightly capable abilities were broken and promoted.

Among the generals present, 80% were mixed with Li Mu and were quickly promoted.

The remaining generals were those who had served their term in the Wucheng Military and Horse Division and were successively assigned to local posts.

With so many confidant little brothers in the army, the Marquis of Wuyang, this Governor of the three provinces, dared to forcibly apportion tasks to the local bureaucrats as soon as he came up.

"Marquis, rest assured, I and others will definitely act carefully and not give the rebels an opportunity!"

Li Mu's statement directly upgraded the incident.

Passive sabotage and not completing the task could be characterized as rebels, which made some generals who were not familiar with him dumbfounded.

They had seen framing and framing, but they hadn't seen anyone play so ruthlessly.

Official dereliction of duty and resistance to orders required finding evidence and handing it over to the court to be convicted.

But once it involved rebellion, a list was enough.

"Good!"

"You all heard it; the rebels are lurking deep, and absolutely cannot give these chaotic parties an opportunity.

I, regardless of their background, as long as they dare to collude with rebels, will be killed without pardon!"

The Marquis of Wuyang said in turn.

After singing and harmonizing, the generals present instantly understood.

Today's performance was deliberately performed for them to see.

Not only for them to see, but also to pass the news out through their mouths.

Let the local bureaucrats know who was the boss among the three provinces.

The famous Yin and Zuo could collude with rebels, so it was completely reasonable for rebels to lurk among officials and gentry.

"Marquis, rest assured, I and others will definitely be incompatible with the rebels!"

The generals said in unison.

They were originally the Marquis of Wuyang's old subordinates; at such a time, naturally, they had to mix with the boss.

As for the relationship in the local area now, put it aside for now.

After all, the Marquis of Wuyang was the one who could decide their future and destiny now.

Guangdong Governor's Office.

"General Jing, you send someone to negotiate with Guangxi and Fujian to transfer the recovered prefectures from their hands as soon as possible."

Looking at the dilapidated yamen burned by the war, An Qingfeng said to Jing Yifeng.

To collect tax revenue, it wouldn't work without territory.

The imperial army recovered most of Guangdong, but the territory truly under control was only Qiongzhou Prefecture and half of Huizhou Prefecture.

The officials in hand were not enough, so they could only let the soldiers under their command top it up first.

"Governor, taking over the local area is not urgent for now; the top priority is to solve the army's grain and pay problem.

Since being transferred to Guangdong, the officers and soldiers under my command haven't seen what military pay looks like.

Originally, it was promised that after recovering Guangzhou, the military pay would be made up.

Now Guangzhou Prefecture has been successfully recovered, you still find a way to cash in the promised money and grain!"

Jing Yifeng said with a depressed face.

Thinking about it, he was filled with anger. When he was serving in Guangxi in the past, he had never suffered such grievances.

Since being transferred to Guangdong to work alone, everything was different.

The Guangdong Governor's office, which was nominally richer, now had the same situation as the Guangxi Governor's office, with all fiscal expenditures relying on court allocations.

His own Governor was weak, and when facing Governor Zhu, he didn't dare to fight for reason at all.

The limited fiscal allocation could barely solve the soldiers' eating problem.

As for military pay, don't even think about it.

Against this background, the morale of this elite force under his command inevitably slipped.

Their poor performance in the previous battles was largely dragged out by the court's arrears in military pay.

"General Jing, if the Governor's office had money, could I not give it to you?

The problem now is that the yamen has no money; I want to fulfill my promise, but I can't conjure money for a while.

You heard Governor's words.

Wait until we collect the tax revenue, and we will naturally make up for your arrears in the first time.

Now the main force has gathered together; since we have no money and grain, let's go to Fujian to beg.

Everyone is a colleague, they can't just watch you starve!"

An Qingfeng replied helplessly.

Although he hadn't done less embezzlement of money and grain, this time it really had nothing to do with him.

Governor Zhu took office and played "open source and throttle," and the allocations to various places were greatly reduced.

Fujian was less affected by the war, and the local fiscal revenue was not affected, so the Governor's office could still take out money and grain.

Guangxi was brave in battle, and although the reward silver was embezzled, the daily military grain supply was still guaranteed as a priority.

Guangdong was tragic; before Jing Yifeng's troops were transferred over, there was no decent army at all.

Since they couldn't play a role in the rebellion suppression war, the stingy Governor Zhu naturally wouldn't allocate funds to them.

An Qingfeng, this miserable Governor, paid for all expenses after taking office out of his own pocket.

Just raising the servants and guards around him made him feel heartache, and paying for military pay was impossible.

"According to what the end general knows, this time the Marquis of Wuyang came with one million taels of silver.

Now there are many of his old subordinates in the army, and these people are also in serious arrears; you hurry up and go ask for military pay.

If you go late, there will be nothing left!"

Jing Yifeng urged hurriedly.

One million taels sounded like a large number, but in wartime, it really wasn't enough to spend.

Many times after a great battle, the expenditure would be as high as millions of taels.

As the first great victory after taking office, the Marquis of Wuyang would definitely reward the Guangxi army.

Based on his understanding of Li Mu, he would definitely ask to make up for the arrears.

Considering the relationship between the two, the Marquis of Wuyang would definitely express something.

If they didn't operate quickly, the Guangdong Governor's office would only be able to get some leftovers this time.

What was even more miserable was that they couldn't make a fuss, because now the Guangxi army led by Li Mu was helping them recover lost territory.

"You have a good relationship with Commander Li, why don't you go and walk the human relationship?"

An Qingfeng said slightly awkwardly.

For such an important news, he, this Governor, didn't receive any news in advance.

Those with high political sensitivity knew that when news became blocked, it meant danger was approaching.

"Governor, aren't you making things difficult for people!

There is only so much money, and it's not enough to divide at all. Subsequent great battles will be fought, and I guess the Guangxi side alone might not be enough.

Opening your mouth at this time is equivalent to robbing from others' mouths; anyway, I can't afford to lose that person!"

Jing Yifeng refused decisively.

Public is public, private is private.

Especially when it involves interests, public and private must be separated. Using personal relationships requires owing favors.

It would be one thing to ask for pay for one's own troops, but these funds allocated would have to pass through the Governor's office once.

After Guangdong fell, it didn't mean that the Guangdong army was completely wiped out. There were also many troops that retreated to Qiongzhou, Fujian, and other places.

These troops were all big households in arrears and were all waiting to be fed.

The funds allocated from above passed through the Governor's office, and in the end, having one-third in his hands was considered not bad.

Everyone was dividing money together, and he ran to operate and owe favors alone; then he really became a big fool.

"General Jing, don't be angry. Isn't there no other way!

Among the coalition army of the three provinces, the Guangxi army is the most capable of fighting, Fujian provides the most aid, only we have nothing now.

Against this background, my words have no weight at all. You just bear with it, I will go and visit those sea merchants, tea merchants first...

I dare not guarantee anything else, at least solve this number first."

While speaking, An Qingfeng stretched out three fingers.

"Thirty thousand taels?"

Jing Yifeng's words gave An Qingfeng a fright, and then he said unhappily.

"You are dreaming!

Everyone wants money now; if I give you thirty thousand taels, what about other troops?

Those businessmen's business was severely affected during the war. No matter how rich they are, they are not as good as they were at the beginning.

I am going to beg, not to raid their homes!"

In fact, raiding their homes now wouldn't produce much cash.

Just ravaged by the rebel army, it was the time when everyone's vigilance was highest, and they wouldn't put all their money at home.

The Capital.

Receiving the news of the collapse of the Huguang battle line, the Yongning Emperor was directly blown up with anger.

If it weren't for Zhu Jingyi's good luck, dying on the battlefield when defeated, the number of people to be sliced at the vegetable market would have increased by one.

"Good-for-nothing!

All good-for-nothings!

..."

For a young emperor, the pressure brought to him by the current situation was really too great.

Clearly only twenty-something years old, the Yongning Emperor already had many white hairs on his head.

"Your Majesty, calm your anger!"

The group of ministers hurriedly persuaded.

Encountering an emperor who couldn't control his own emotions, the hundred officials were also very helpless.

The current Emperor clearly lacked imperial education, and the power-scheming means he showed were often terrifyingly simple.

In times of peace, encountering such an emperor would definitely be a good thing for the monarch and ministers to enjoy.

It's just that the Yongning Emperor was unlucky; when he ascended the throne, the Great Dayu Dynasty had already accumulated a large number of social contradictions and reached the critical point of outbreak.

The reform of the late Emperor's era had just taken the first difficult step. Because of the death of the Emperor Tianyuan, the reform came to nothing.

The Yongning Emperor, who didn't understand the situation, overturned multiple reforms of the late Emperor's era as soon as he took office, making the situation even worse.

Party strife made the court miss the best time to suppress the White Lotus Sect.

Wrong use of people made the rebel army grow even stronger.

"Hmph!"

"You all tell me to calm down, but that bastard Zhu Jingyi failed my trust and buried the good situation in Huguang.

Now not only is Wuchang lost, but the Jiangnan region and the Central Plains region have also become dangerous.

If we don't take measures, the hundred-year foundation of my Great Dayu will be buried!"

The Yongning Emperor's angry rebuke didn't cause a ripple.

The officials who could stand in the court were all tempered, and their faces were thicker than one another.

Scolding a few words, there was no feeling at all.

"Your Majesty, the top priority is to mobilize troops and organize a new round of suppression.

The Marquis of Wuyang has arrived at the front line, integrated the troops of Liangguang and Fujian, and has now recovered Guangzhou.

I think it won't be long before he can recover the whole of Guangdong and threaten the rebel army from behind.

Grand Secretary Xu has also accepted the 'seizing of feelings' and is currently presiding over the defense of Xiangyang. Just send a few elite troops over, and I think the situation can be stabilized.

The Jiangxi line is currently conducting the defense of Jiujiang and also needs the court to reinforce troops.

In order to avoid the deterioration of the situation, the court should quickly mobilize troops!"

Jing Guoliang took the lead in speaking.

According to convention, this kind of occasion was for civil officials to perform first.

It's just that the situation deteriorated too quickly; hoping for this group of colleagues who didn't know military affairs, it was endless arguing.

By the time everyone argued out a result, maybe Xiangyang and Jiujiang would be lost together.

The nobility was too deeply bound to the empire; even if he had opinions about the Yongning Emperor in his heart, he had to take action to clean up the mess now.

"Duke Cheng's words are very true; the most needed thing now is to mobilize troops to reinforce Xiangyang and Jiujiang, and the rest of the problems will be discussed later!"

Li Yuan followed suit.

"Hmm!"

"The two ministers' words are not bad; now we should indeed mobilize troops to reinforce the front line first.

Ministry of War, what troops are available now?"

The Yongning Emperor asked while suppressing his anger.

It could be seen that he was not satisfied with this troop reinforcement plan.

On the issue of suppressing the White Lotus Sect rebel army, the court adopted a "adding oil" tactic, without the crispness of sweeping away the autumn wind.

The reason for all this can be attributed to the word "money."

The more troops dispatched, the more money and grain consumed. The national treasury was empty and unable to bear the huge expenditure, so it could only control the number of troops dispatched.

"Your Majesty, the court has sent troops to reinforce many times. Currently, to quickly reinforce the front line, we can only mobilize troops from Guanzhong, Central Plains, Qilu, and other places.

I propose to mobilize two regiment camps from the Beijing Camp, plus Qin troops and Yu troops to reinforce the Xiangyang front line to ensure the Central Plains land is not lost.

Mobilize Lu troops, Zhe troops, and troops from Nanzhili to quickly reinforce Jiujiang. To ensure foolproof, mobilize two more regiment camps from the Beijing Camp to go south.

As for the Liangguang and Fujian line, the court has now mastered the strategic initiative, so we can temporarily not reinforce."

Minister of War Yi Chuanliang replied hurriedly.

This troop reinforcement plan had been planned by the Ministry of War for a long time. Originally it was to annihilate the rebel army, but never did he expect it to become an emergency rescue.

As the great war progressed to this point, the Great Dayu Dynasty had suffered heavy damage in politics, economy, and military power.

If the downward trend could not be reversed as soon as possible, those suppressed ambitious people would probably be unable to hold back.

Fortunately, the White Lotus Sect rebel army aimed its butcher knife at the gentry group, otherwise, some aristocratic families would have to consider betting on both sides.

"Ministers, do you have any other opinions?"

The Yongning Emperor asked with concern.

It could be seen that he was not satisfied with this troop reinforcement plan.

On the issue of suppressing the White Lotus Sect rebel army, the court adopted a "adding oil" tactic, without the crispness of sweeping away the autumn wind.

The reason for all this can be attributed to the word "money."

The more troops dispatched, the more money and grain consumed. The national treasury was empty and unable to bear the huge expenditure, so it could only control the number of troops dispatched.

"Your Majesty, a few days ago, the Imperial Observatory reported that there are climate anomalies in many places this year, and there is a fear of disasters.

Many places have already appeared with the embryonic form of natural disasters, especially in the Northwest region, where not a drop of rain has fallen since the beginning of spring, and the autumn grain will definitely be affected.

The Central Plains and Qilu land have also shown signs of drought. It can be predicted that the grain production in the northern provinces this year will decline significantly.

At this moment, the two major grain-producing areas of Huguang and Jiangnan have encountered the scourge of war. The only plan for now is to mobilize grain from the Shu region to maintain the stability of grain prices."

Lu Shoutong reported uneasily.

Natural disasters and man-made calamities together are typical signs of a dying country.

Mobilizing grain from the Shu region sounds simple, but in actual operation, it is full of difficulties.

Part of the Yangtze River shipping route has fallen into the hands of the rebel army, and water transport cannot pass at all, while the cost of land transport is unimaginably high.

Stabilizing grain prices is a joke; just amortizing transport costs, the price of grain transported from the Shu region cannot be low.

Compared to rising grain prices, what is more terrifying is having no grain to sell.

"Alas, the people's livelihood is difficult!"

"Approved!

Pass the edict down; starting today, the palace will start to save expenses. My daily portion will be reduced by 30%, and the concubines and above will be reduced by 10%.

The hundred officials should set an example; no banquets or wine parties are allowed unless there are weddings or funerals, and all extravagant and wasteful behaviors are prohibited."

After sighing, the Yongning Emperor said slowly.

Natural disasters superimposed on man-made calamities have huge destructive power.

The White Lotus Sect rebellion hit the Great Dayu's soft underbelly. If the rebellion cannot be suppressed as soon as possible, grain prices will be able to rise to the sky.

By then, those who rebel, I guess, will not only be the White Lotus Sect, but also countless starving people.

Everyone knows the danger, but the high-level officials of the court are helpless about it.

No matter what means are taken, against the background of simultaneous grain production reduction in the north and south, they all appear futile.