Chapter 269

Governor-General's office.

"My colleagues, today the Northern Barbarians have invaded, the mountains and rivers of the north are broken, and the Emperor has issued an edict to reinforce the king.

We have all received the grace of the nation, and now it is time to repay the imperial court. I have decided to raise an army to reinforce the king in accordance with the edict.

Does anyone have a strategy to teach me?"

Marquis Marquis Wuyang said straight to the point.

Status determines position.

As a noble of the outer family, at a time like this, one must seize the opportunity to perform.

Even if the two Guangs were thousands of miles away from the capital, whether the reinforcing army could arrive in time for the great battle was an unknown, but troops still had to be sent.

Not arriving in time for the great battle was a matter of distance. The Emperor wouldn't blame him, and the court wouldn't hold him accountable.

Not sending troops to reinforce the king was a matter of attitude.

In officialdom, attitude is often more important than results.

"Marquis, as the saying goes, before the troops and horses move, grain and fodder must go first.

From Guangdong to the capital, it is thousands of miles away. The army's logistics will be a major problem.

The edict to reinforce the king was issued to the whole world, and there will certainly be no shortage of armies rushing to the capital; the nearby prefectures will likely not have the ability to provide military supplies.

The top priority is to determine the marching route and troop strength, and based on this, estimate the money and grain consumption of the army along the way.

We must raise enough grain and fodder before we can launch the expedition."

Li Mu said calmly.

Reinforcing the king is a great cause; regardless of the actual situation, they must send troops.

However, the Northern Barbarians are not easy to provoke; sending only a few tens of thousands of troops over, the probability of not being able to beat the enemy is high.

Against this background, one must grasp the timing of sending troops.

Going too fast means facing the enemy alone. The Northern Barbarians are all cavalry; once defeated, it's hard to run, and a slight carelessness will lead to the total annihilation of the army.

Going too slow means missing the opportunity to perform.

Winning countless victories outside is not as good as winning one small victory against the enemy in the battle to reinforce the king.

The probability of a great victory is almost non-existent; infantry fighting cavalry, as long as the enemy isn't stupid, they can mostly run away.

"Money and grain are indeed a problem, but I think the various Provincial Governor offices should be able to find a way to squeeze out a sum of money.

Governor An, you set an example first; how much money and grain can Guangdong provide?"

Marquis Marquis Wuyang asked with a knowing look.

He had to face the same problems Li Mu was worried about. Compared to previous great battles, he would certainly have to lead the troops himself for something like reinforcing the king and protecting the Emperor.

Thinking of fighting against over a hundred thousand, or even more, Hu Ren cavalry, he felt the pressure.

Against this background, it was very necessary to use a reasonable excuse to delay slightly and wait for reinforcements from all sides to march toward the capital together.

An Meng Qingfeng, who was named, added a few more lines of worry to his already sorrowful face.

For something like reinforcing the king and protecting the Emperor, it wouldn't do to shirk by saying there was no money. No matter how short of money the Provincial Governor's office was, it had to squeeze out a budget.

Theoretically, the central government's finances would make up for the current expenses in the future.

But anyone who understood Great Great Dayu's finances knew how poor the Ministry of Revenue was. Money owed based on ability was almost never repaid.

"Marquis, the subordinate will try his best to raise 300,000 taels of silver, 100,000 shi of rice, 3,000 bolts of cloth... within half a month."

An Meng Qingfeng bit the bullet and reported the numbers.

Although the autumn harvest had been completed and the autumn taxes were constantly flowing into the Provincial Governor's office, he couldn't help the fact that the previous deficit was severe.

The newly collected money and grain hadn't even had time to warm up before they were directly allocated.

Among them, over 80% of the income was invested in military expenditures.

The remaining 20% also had their own destinations.

Besides the operating expenses of the government offices, the salaries of officials at all levels also depended on this money and grain.

Trapped by expenses, the infrastructure construction that should have been funded by the government offices was basically at a standstill.

"Not enough!"

"Zhejiang is mired in war and is currently powerless.

Among Guangxi itself is poor, and the money and grain it can provide are limited.

The military expenditure for this reinforcement of the king falls mainly on Guangdong and Fujian.

The cost of a long-distance expedition is certainly not small, not to mention that the enemy faced is the fierce Northern Barbarians; the army's losses will likely not be small.

Just the post-war pensions are a not-so-small expense.

This Governor-General intends to raise an army of 100,000 to reinforce the king.

Calculating for a war lasting half a year, the salary expenditure alone exceeds 1.2 million taels, military expenditure will not be lower than 2.5 million, and grain and fodder consumption will be as high as a million shi.

Governor An, you must raise at least 800,000 taels, 300,000 shi of grain, and various strategic materials."

Marquis Marquis Wuyang opened his mouth like a lion.

Raising 100,000 troops was clearly an imaginary number.

Sending 100,000 troops at once from the two Guangs to rescue the capital would have long exceeded the limit of logistical endurance.

Even with sea transport, this was a very difficult task to complete.

However, when asking for money and grain, one must certainly report more.

When local officials enter the capital, there is no shortage of various bribes.

Not only did he, the Governor-General, need to visit everywhere, but the generals below also needed to go out and be active.

This expense could not be paid out of everyone's own pockets.

Relying on the court's salary was simply not enough for socializing.

If he didn't want the people below to deduct military pay, then he had to distribute this expense.

Only when everyone's bribes were in place could the credit for this reinforcement of the king be realized.

Otherwise, if any link got stuck, it would make people very uncomfortable.

"Governor-General, Guangdong has only been recovered for a year, and this year's autumn tax is only 60% of a normal year.

We have already shared a series of military expenditures earlier, and now we have to take out such a huge sum; the subordinate is truly powerless.

Please see if you can reduce it a little, or delay it for some time."

An Meng Qingfeng said with a look of difficulty.

The military budget for this year had already been allocated by the Guangdong Provincial Governor's office.

However, that money was used to suppress rebels, and now that it was time to reinforce the king, it was a new expenditure.

Theoretically, the previous military expenditures could also be used.

It was a pity that once military expenditures were allocated, there was no possibility of changing their purpose.

Every army was a creditor of the court, and the longer a unit existed, the more money and grain it was owed.

Even if the military operation was canceled, the people below couldn't possibly return the military expenditures.

Changing the combat plan temporarily and having to reissue mobilization fees was an unspoken rule in the military.

"Then reduce it by 100,000 taels, and give you another month to raise the money.

However, within half a month, raise at least half of the money and grain.

According to the old rules, Fujian will increase by 50% on the basis of Guangdong, and Among Guangxi will raise funds according to one-third of Guangdong.

As for Zhejiang, take care of yourselves for now!"

Marquis Marquis Wuyang made a decisive decision.

Among the four provinces under his jurisdiction, Fujian was in the best situation.

Having avoided the scourge of war and enjoying the benefits of maritime trade, its financial situation was the best among the southeastern provinces now.

Encountering such a thing, it naturally had to pay the most money.

Upon receiving this news, the Fujian Military Commissioner on the side, Yang Yan, wanted to speak several times, but in the end, chose to close his mouth.

In such an occasion, if a small pawn like him acted as a bird that sticks its head out, he would likely be used as an example to warn others.

The small episode ended, and everyone entered emergency combat readiness; Li Mu was left until the end.

The issues discussed just now seemed very important, but in reality, they were all auxiliary.

The true core was how many troops to send and which armies to draw to participate in the war.

"Commander Li, can the Among Guangxi Garrison and the Guangdong Garrison handle this great task of reinforcing the king?"

Marquis Marquis Wuyang asked with concern.

To fight the Hu Ren in the north, the only ones he could place high hopes on were these two elite garrisons.

No matter how many other troops went over, they were just there to make up the numbers.

If they really encountered Northern Barbarian cavalry, there wouldn't be many who dared to stay and fight the enemy.

"Marquis, please rest assured.

Both the Among Guangxi Garrison and the Guangdong Garrison have made combat preparations; earlier, to rescue Nanjing, they even conducted cross-sea combat drills.

Just waiting for the money and grain to be raised, they can set out at any time.

However, the place to go this time is in the north, and the winter climate is much colder than in Guangdong, so cold-weather clothing is a big trouble.

Involving the life and death of the army, such matters do not allow for the slightest negligence."

Li Mu immediately threw out the difficulty.

In this era without heating, freezing to death in the northern winter was the norm.

If they encountered extreme weather, whole families of commoners freezing to death together wasn't fresh news.

Every winter, corpses in the capital were pulled out cart by cart.

Cotton-padded clothes, in this era, were not only a necessity but also a luxury.

Being able to have a cotton-padded coat for everyone in the family belonged to a wealthy household.

Worn-out cotton-padded clothes could be exchanged for silver at a pawnshop.

A tattered cotton-padded coat could be passed down for several generations.

Many people's cotton-padded clothes in their homes were the oldest things in the house.

Li Mu couldn't change the social problems outside, but the soldiers' cotton-padded clothes in the army had to be provided.

Not only cotton-padded clothes, but quilts were also indispensable.

"What you said is correct; cold-weather clothing is indeed indispensable.

Letting them go to the north to fight with the current clothing of the soldiers in the army is simply treating human lives as grass.

I don't trust anyone else with this matter; you personally take charge of implementing it.

Prepare according to the standard of 80,000 people, and report all necessary expenses directly to the Governor-General's office for reimbursement.

Besides the Guangdong Garrison and the Among Guangxi Garrison, this Governor-General plans to bring 30,000 auxiliary troops to cooperate.

Plus the naval escort and the merchant ships responsible for transporting grain, the total number of people is about 80,000, and externally we will claim an army of 100,000.

Anyone who dares to reach out recklessly will be executed without mercy!"

Marquis Marquis Wuyang thought for a moment and said.

He had come from the capital and was very clear about the climate difference between the two sides.

If there were no sufficient preparations, even if they arrived at the place, the army could only huddle in the camp and watch the enemy ravage.

"The Marquis's arrangement is appropriate; the subordinate will definitely complete it with all his strength."

Li Mu immediately replied.

Facts proved that a long-distance expedition was just expensive.

Over 25,000 combat soldiers fighting on the front lines actually required over 50,000 people to be responsible for logistics.

If one calculated the personnel responsible for transporting grain and fodder within each province, claiming an army of 100,000 wasn't empty at all.

If the front line continued to stretch, the actual manpower invested might be even more.

The imperial armies everywhere all cast their eyes toward the capital.

Many suppressed rebels suddenly became active.

However, everyone still maintained the last bit of restraint, just waiting for the imperial armies to march north so they could have a big fight.

Nanchang Prefecture.

"It's over!"

"It's all over!"

Looking at the intelligence sent back by the scout who risked his life, Yue Yue Qifeng showed a look of despair.

Under the continuous attacks of the rebels, Nanchang Prefecture had become tottering.

He, this Provincial Governor who was atoning for his crimes, would have the same personal fate as this city, drifting in the wind and rain.

Emperor Emperor Yongning had long found him an eyesore; if he hadn't been trapped in the city, he would have likely already been in prison by now.

If lucky, he would be demoted and exiled.

If unlucky, he might have to take a trip to the vegetable market execution ground.

Since the outbreak of the White Lotus Sect rebellion, it wasn't just one or two local officials who had been convicted and beheaded.

From Provincial Governors who were like feudal lords to registrars who had just entered the bureaucracy, none could escape the court's accountability.

Among them, there were certainly wronged people, but most of them deserved their crimes.

In the matter of defending the territory, Yue Yue Qifeng had played an important role.

But for the festering situation in Jiangxi, he also needed to bear the main responsibility.

The series of lost cities and lands earlier had a direct relationship with his foolish operations.

Being convicted by the court was not wrong at all.

"Governor, calm down!

The more it is at a time like this, the more we need to maintain rationality.

The various armies have received the edict to march to the capital to reinforce the king; this is an unchangeable fact, and we can only face it calmly.

It is impossible for the Hu Ren to stay near the capital for a long time; the great battle to reinforce the king will end in a few months at most.

We only need to hold on for another half a year to wait for reinforcements.

The court will not allow Jiangnan to fall; now the fate of the entire Jiangnan land depends on whether the three provincial capitals of Nanchang, Nanjing, and Hangzhou can be held.

We can't manage other places, but we must find a way to hold Nanchang.

Your and my lives are tied to Nanchang; we have no other choice!"

The Administration Commissioner, Jin Yunliang, persuaded him earnestly.

Having the responsibility to defend the land, the Provincial Governor was certainly the first person responsible, but he, the Administration Commissioner, was also hard to absolve from blame.

If Nanchang was held, there would still be room for maneuver.

Even if the court held them accountable in the future, it would at most be a demotion.

If they operated well, they might just get a reprimand and be fined a few years' salary, and the matter would pass.

"Minister Jin, the city is exhausted now, and the morale of the army is low.

This official also wants to hold the city, but what can I use to hold it!"

Provincial Governor Yue Yue Qifeng responded helplessly.

To boost the morale of the army, he had used all kinds of methods.

The reward money he raised was all distributed in full, and he didn't put a single cent into his own pocket.

Not only did he not take it himself, but he also forbade others from reaching out.

"Governor, you and I both know the situation in the court.

Now, among the three major cities of Jiangnan, one or two will certainly be lost before those rescue armies will go all out.

But it is absolutely impossible for all of them to fall; all parties will not allow the rebels to occupy the entire Jiangnan, as that would lead to the situation getting out of control.

The more it is at a time like this, the more we must persist.

Compared to Hangzhou and Nanjing, the weight of Nanchang is slightly less.

The rebel forces concentrated in those two places are far more than ours.

Now it depends on who can hold on until the end and obtain that glimmer of life.

In this official's view, in the coming days, we might as well move to the military camp.

Eat and live with the soldiers to boost the morale of the army.

In addition, summon the gentry and wealthy merchants in the city to raise money and grain to distribute to the meritorious ministers defending the city."

Jin Yunliang hardened his heart and said.

If possible, he didn't want to suffer either.

It was just that there was no way now; either suffer a little, or lose one's head.

Once the rebels killed their way in, none of them could escape death.

"Money and grain are probably not easy to collect!"

Provincial Governor Yue Yue Qifeng shook his head and said.

To raise money and grain, he hadn't put in little effort.

Those willing to be generous were always a very small minority, and more people chose to wait and see.

The rebels had put out the word that anyone who dared to donate money and grain would have their ancestral graves dug up and their nine clans executed.

For many gentry, the threat of the rebels was much stronger than the deterrent power of the court.

If they said they would dig up graves, they would really dig up graves.

If they said they would execute nine clans, they would really execute nine clans.

None of these officials of the court dared to be so reckless.

"Even if it's not easy to collect, it must be collected.

At a time like this, if you are still afraid of offending people, the heads on your and my necks will be gone!"

(End of chapter)