Chapter 247

"General, a large number of refugees have appeared in front, blocking our army's path.

Should we report this to Commander Li?"

Chasing all the way, just caught the tail of the rebel main force, and before they could take action, they encountered a group of refugees.

If they had encountered an imperial army without integrity, it was estimated that it would already be a river of blood.

Those following the rebels were all chaotic parties; killing them was a merit, who had the energy to distinguish?

"For such a small matter, you want to ask Commander Li? Then what do we need to do?

The rebels are using despicable means to control refugees to block the way; just send people to expel them.

Tell them to disperse immediately, otherwise, they will all be treated as chaotic parties and wiped out!"

Yun Yufeng immediately ordered.

Under normal circumstances, no one would block the path of a large army. Especially in wartime, it was a sure way to die.

Killing them would be killing them in vain; even the most nitpicking Censor wouldn't say an extra word for them.

Being able to organize an interception of the large army, there must be Bai Lian Sect chaotic parties mixed in among the refugees.

Making such a commotion was nothing more than wanting to delay the imperial army's speed and buy time for the rebel main force to withdraw.

Having finally grabbed the position of vanguard, if he couldn't even solve this little trouble, he wouldn't need to mix in the army.

However, the rebels' purpose was achieved.

Affected by the refugees, the imperial army's pursuit speed was greatly reduced.

The enemy didn't follow the rules; every time they walked a distance, they would encounter a group of refugees.

Affected by this, the slow-moving vanguard troops completed the meeting with the central army ahead of schedule.

"Enough, the rebels using refugees to block the way just proves they are at their wits' end.

However, simply expelling the refugees is not advisable; being able to organize a road block, there must be Bai Lian Sect rebels inside.

Pass down the order to have all refugees encountered later concentrated and detained.

Calculating from the time, the Guangdong army is also about to come over, just right to hand them over to look after the captives.

After the great battle ends, we will slowly conduct screening!"

Li Mu said calmly.

Letting refugees run around would not only disrupt the order of the rear prefectures but also lead to a large number of human tragedies.

If he didn't have the ability to manage, that would be one thing; since he had the ability to intervene now, he naturally wouldn't let the tragedy happen.

In troubled times, population is wealth.

Affected by the war, the population in the Guangxi region had decreased significantly, and they were in need of labor.

"My Lord, if we receive the refugees, our logistical pressure will increase greatly.

Preliminary estimates are that the rebels have at least coerced 100,000 people.

As early as a few months ago, the court stopped allocating disaster relief funds.

Receiving so many people all at once, I'm afraid..."

Yun Yufeng persuaded with a difficult expression.

Having mixed with Li Mu for so long, he knew the rules in the army.

If military funds were not enough, they would be deducted from the spoils of war.

The reward money issued by the court was also insufficient, so it was prioritized to guarantee the soldiers, and then the grassroots officers.

For them, these middle and high-level generals, the gains were promotions, and the financial returns were truly not much.

For the sons of the nobility, as long as they were promoted fast enough, sharing a little less spoils of war was not a big deal.

With Li Mu, the main general, setting an example, everyone was used to it.

The situation was different now; everyone had heard the wind that after the rebellion was wiped out, the army would be split up.

Leaving the group, they would have to worry about money and grain themselves, and without money, it was absolutely impossible.

The Regional Commander Jing who left after being promoted was an example; after taking his subordinates to Guangdong, the whole army tightened their belts to live a hard life.

If there was no accumulation in the early stage, the team might just disperse.

The rebels being chased were carrying a large amount of treasure, and everyone wanted to make a fortune before splitting up.

Especially those who were not wealthy and had many retainers were even more "sharpening their knives."

Because of receiving refugees and cutting off everyone's path to wealth, he, the executor, was easily resented.

"Rest assured, there will be other times when the court will have no money, but when chasing the pseudo-Emperor, the court will definitely be able to squeeze out money and grain.

It is estimated that at this time, the victory report has already reached the capital.

It might be that His Majesty and the officials are all raising military pay for us.

Even if there is a gap, we won't lose much.

Leaving refugees outside, in case they are used by chaotic parties to attack our logistics line, that is even more of a trouble.

Affecting the marching speed is even less of a problem.

Guizhou has already been notified; the prefectures on the border have already completed the 'strengthened walls and cleared fields' (scorched earth policy).

Even if the rebels enter Guizhou, they will be dragged down.

Even if the Guizhou imperial army is trash, if the pseudo-Emperor wants to enter Shu, there is still the Loushan Pass blocking the way."

Li Mu said with a smile.

Chasing and killing the pseudo-Emperor Shi Rongxuan was a political battle in itself.

The Bai Lian Sect rebellion had lasted until now, shaking the ruling foundation of the Great Dayu Dynasty.

To stabilize the hearts of the people of the world, the best choice was to capture and kill the pseudo-Emperor.

Beheading the rebel leader Shi Rongxuan to deter the ambitious people who were ready to move was crucial to the court.

Anyone with a little bit of overall perspective would fully support it.

In case the rebels ran away because of insufficient money and grain, Emperor Yongning would be angered to death.

"Thank you for the guidance, Commander!"

Yun Yufeng said with a grateful expression.

Just thinking about wiping out the rebels, he almost missed the big event.

The merit of capturing and killing the pseudo-Emperor was very great; precisely because the merit was huge, it was even more necessary to highlight the difficulty of completing the mission.

If Shi Rongxuan was easily finished off in Yongzhou, the court would only think that the previous imperial army was trash, not that their merit was great.

Experiencing the long-distance pursuit and then solving the pseudo-Emperor with difficulty, that was different.

After straightening out his thoughts, Yun Yufeng suddenly became enlightened.

No wonder in the past, cavalry led the way when chasing the enemy, but this time it became infantry.

Taihe Hall.

Looking at the victory report in his hand, Emperor Yongning's smile filled his face.

Appointing Marquis Wuyang as Viceroy of the Three Provinces was the result of him bearing pressure and excluding all dissenting views.

Facts proved that he had vision.

In just a few months, not only was the entire Guangdong recovered, but multiple prefectures in Huguang and Jiangxi were also recovered.

Compared to Grand Secretary Xu recommended by the ministers, he was more than a notch better.

After the comparison, Emperor Yongning's fear of Xu Wenyue had now disappeared, leaving only pure dislike.

It was true that he was an auxiliary minister left by the late Emperor, but as for this ability, it was really very average.

"Ministers, after Jiujiang fell, we finally received some good news.

Marquis Wuyang plans to wipe out the rebel leader Shi Rongxuan's forces in Huguang.

Now money and grain are urgently needed; what opinions do you have?"

Hearing Emperor Yongning's question, the ministers expressed their support one after another, especially the officials from the southern provinces who were particularly excited.

Their hometowns had been ruined by the rebels, and many families with many children were killed to the verge of extinction.

Killing Shi Rongxuan at all costs was the consensus of everyone.

"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue can squeeze out 500,000 taels of silver, and as for the remaining gap, the minister is truly powerless."

Pang Chengjie said nervously.

Against the background of the Emperor and the civil and military officials all shouting for a fight, jumping out to pour cold water at this time was definitely not a good choice.

But the court needed money in many places, and the money and grain needed by the front lines had to be allocated immediately.

With the negative example of the previous Viceroy Zhu, everyone dared not let the soldiers go to the battlefield with empty stomachs.

The victory or defeat of a battle was not important; in case the pseudo-Emperor ran away because they wanted to save money, no one could bear the responsibility.

"Chief Grand Secretary, does the Cabinet have any countermeasures?"

Emperor Yongning asked.

Learning from previous lessons, now that the court had no money, he didn't take it out from his inner treasury either.

Of course, even if he wanted to take it out, his inner treasury couldn't come up with money.

Without the factory guards outside helping the Emperor make money, the inner treasury's income dropped sharply, and it was difficult to save money.

"Your Majesty, the war on the front lines is urgent, and money and grain must be allocated immediately.

Counting on the autumn tax, it will definitely be too late in terms of time.

Now grain prices are soaring, and the supplies that 500,000 taels of silver can purchase are less than half of what they were before the war.

To supply the 100,000-strong army of the three provinces, it is definitely not enough.

The only way now is to misappropriate expenditures from other aspects to prioritize the supply of the main army on the front lines."

Lü Shoutong answered slowly.

He only said to misappropriate expenditures from other aspects, but he didn't talk about where to misappropriate them from.

At a glance, he was an old fox who didn't want to speak out and offend people.

"Okay, for the large expenditures in the near future, stop whatever you can stop for me.

Wait until the court's finances are well-off, then make up for it."

Emperor Yongning waved his hand and said.

Having seen many familiar scenes, he was also used to "tearing down the east wall to repair the west wall."

Some things, if dragged on, would pass.

As long as the sequelae were not too serious, he could accept it.

"Your Majesty, this year is the major repair year for governing the Yellow River.

According to the previous plan, the river embankment funds should be allocated this month, totaling about 800,000 taels.

If the river embankments are not repaired and the river channels are not dredged in time, once a flood is encountered, it will inevitably lead to a disaster."

Knowing that the budget would be cut, Minister of Works Shen Qiyuan still wanted to struggle.

In the Great Dayu Dynasty, all allocated funds were money.

The huge sum of 800,000 taels—without needing to deliberately reach out to loot money, the "drifting loss" (embezzlement) alone was enough for him to eat his fill.

The salaries issued by the court were increasingly occupied by paper money.

The Ministry of Works, from top to bottom, was counting on this money to subsidize their households.

Now that it was gone all at once, he didn't know how to explain it when he went back.

As for making up for it when finances were well-off later, that was all fooling ghosts.

Since the current Emperor succeeded to the throne, when had the Great Dayu Dynasty ever been peaceful? Finances in the future would only become more difficult.

"The Northwest has been suffering from drought and lack of rain for years, and the North hasn't had a flood in over a decade.

In the short term, the possibility of the Yellow River bursting its banks is not high; let's postpone the river governance work."

Emperor Yongning nodded and said.

For some reason, when making this decision, he always felt uneasy deep down.

Considering the actual situation in the North, the probability of the Yellow River having an accident in the short term was not high.

"Besides the river governance project, the next large expenditure is the salaries of the hundred officials and the grain stipends for the clan nobility.

Since the beginning of this year, the court has already been in arrears for two months; if we continue to be in arrears, I'm afraid it won't be justifiable!"

Pang Chengjie said helplessly.

He didn't want to be this villain, but this money was the responsibility of the Ministry of Revenue to distribute.

If he didn't bring it up in the court and suddenly withheld it, the officials and clan nobility could block his door.

"The situation is difficult!

Forget it, I will take the lead in donating one month's salary!"

An elderly man with white hair spoke first.

Such things that offend people, under normal circumstances, no one is willing to take the lead.

The old man's situation was an exception; his son and grandson who stayed in his hometown were all killed by the rebels.

The accumulated family wealth also became a wedding dress for the rebels.

The blood feud outweighed the human feelings.

If possible, he would love to tear the rebels to pieces.

Unfortunately, the imperial army was not capable and did not develop in the direction he expected.

"Since Minister Cui can generously donate to the court, as the Chief Grand Secretary, I should also be duty-bound.

Your Majesty, I am willing to donate one month's salary."

Lü Shoutong followed up decisively.

Someone had taken the lead, so it was time for him, the Chief Grand Secretary, to show his responsibility.

Anyway, when he reached his position, money was just a number.

In normal times, even if he wanted to spend money, it wouldn't be easy.

Even if he wanted to buy something, those outside who wanted to pay for him could line up from the capital to Qiongzhou.

But this was limited to personal private matters; after changing to public affairs, the situation changed.

Even if it was collecting one cent of commercial tax, it would be strongly resisted.

Wanting to solve the court's financial predicament, he, the Chief Grand Secretary, was also powerless.

Without the slightest hesitation, officials from the southern provinces followed up immediately.

In the past, they were the most disgusted with such fundraising, but under the threat of the rebels, they passively became active members.

Most officials expressed their stance, and the remaining officials, under pressure, could only endure their reluctance and follow up.

The performance of the hundred civil and military officials made Emperor Yongning very satisfied; finally, there was the appearance of "everyone working together."

If they were still arguing like usual when encountering problems, that would be the real disaster.

"Since all ministers have set an example, I will also represent the clan and donate one month's salary.

The problem of money and grain for the army has been solved; the next is the problem of pacifying the rebellion.

Grand Secretary Xu submitted a memorial saying that the provinces are far apart and it is difficult to coordinate and command uniformly.

In order to pacify the rebellion more efficiently, he hopes that the court will separately establish the Viceroy of Yunnan-Guizhou, Viceroy of the Two Guangs, Viceroy of Fujian-Zhejiang, Viceroy of Huguang, and Viceroy of Jiangnan."

As Emperor Yongning's words fell, the ministers were instantly dumbfounded.

There were many ministers who wanted to seize power; such officials who took the initiative to split the power in their hands were truly rare.

Five Viceroys popped up all at once; except for digging Fujian away from Marquis Wuyang, the remaining provinces were all under the control of Xu Wenyue.

Once the split was completed, Xu Wenyue, the Viceroy of Military Affairs, would become a disguised Governor of Huguang.

While the hundred officials were discussing, smart people had already realized that the situation was wrong.

Being able to let Grand Secretary Xu take the initiative to share power, and playing so big all at once, was either to eliminate the Emperor's suspicion or because the situation in the Southeast had deteriorated.

Undoubtedly, Grand Secretary Xu, who was besieged by rebels in Xiangyang City, was not worth the Emperor's suspicion.

It seemed that the power in his hands was very heavy, but that was under the imperial power.

Grand Secretary Xu himself had no foundation in the army, and his subordinates were mostly civil officials.

Fighting a war of words was fine, but threatening the imperial power was far from it.

It wasn't the former, so it could only be the latter.

The situation in the Southeast had deteriorated to an irredeemable point, and Grand Secretary Xu, not wanting to bear the blame, took the initiative to share power and shift the blame.

It was just that this inference also had flaws.

The allied force of the three provinces was fighting very well on the battlefield, and they were about to catch the pseudo-Emperor.

The Beijing Camp army had also gone south; once they adapted to the climate there, it would be the rebels' turn to be unlucky.

(End of chapter)