Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

Chapter 602 Ouyang Lun next door is having fun! (Subscribe please!!)
Inside the Taile Palace next to the Zongrenfu.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were preparing to listen to reports from the Minister of War Tang Duo and the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Ji Gang together.

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang and his son Zhu Biao both looked very serious.

Now that the Northern Yuan Dynasty has been making unusual moves, it has been confirmed that it is targeting the Ming Dynasty. Moreover, judging from the current intelligence, this attack from the Northern Yuan Dynasty will be unprecedented. If we are not careful in dealing with it, it will probably have a very bad impact on the Ming Dynasty.

This is an external threat.

The situation inside Daming is not very easy at the moment. The main pressure is that Daming has been working hard to develop the economy and carry out construction in recent years. Under the guidance of the five-year plan, many projects have been launched. These projects require a lot of manpower and material resources, and they are all long-term investments, and there will not be much benefit in the short term!
The most representative of these were the construction of the Beijing-Pingcheng Railway and the nine-year compulsory education system, which placed a huge burden on the Ming Dynasty's finances.

This is an internal worry.

Under such internal and external troubles, if the two helmsmen of the Ming Dynasty fail to control the situation well, the seemingly prosperous situation of the Ming Dynasty will collapse in an instant!

If there really was an overall collapse, let alone defeating the Northern Yuan Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty would probably return to the state it was when it was first established.

But now that the Northern Yuan Dynasty has taken the initiative, this battle has to be fought.

"Hmph, come to think of it, if we really defeat the Northern Yuan Dynasty, it won't do much good for our Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but mutter.

In the past, he wanted to deal with the Northern Yuan Dynasty for two main reasons. One was that the Northern Yuan Dynasty was the remnant of the Yuan Dynasty after all. If it was not dealt with, he was worried that the Northern Yuan Dynasty would make a comeback, which would be a great threat to the Ming Dynasty. The other was that only by destroying the Northern Yuan Dynasty could it be fundamentally and symbolically indicated that the Ming Dynasty had replaced the Yuan Dynasty. This was equivalent to an obsession in Zhu Yuanzhang's mind.

It is precisely because of these two reasons that Zhu Yuanzhang has always wanted to take action against the Northern Yuan Dynasty.

Before taking action, Zhu Yuanzhang wished he could study maps every day and research strategies against the Northern Yuan Dynasty. But when he really took action, Zhu Yuanzhang began to do the math in his mind. It would have been fine if he hadn't done it, but after the math he found that he had suffered a huge loss.

Not to mention anything else, the military expenditure alone cost 90 million!

This happened two years ago, which means that a year's tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty was spent, which is equivalent to a year's work being wasted!

Even if the Northern Yuan Dynasty was completely destroyed and the grasslands were taken over, the Ming Dynasty would not gain any benefits other than a large number of cattle and sheep. Of course, the biggest benefit would be that the northern border grasslands would be incorporated into the Ming territory, and there would basically be no more hidden dangers on the border!

But compared with 90 million taels of silver, these benefits are still far from enough.

When Zhu Yuanzhang learned that Ouyang Lun had given Lan Yu 90 million taels of silver as military expenses, he was completely stunned. He even had this thought: if he spent this 90 million taels of silver to negotiate with the Northern Yuan Dynasty and directly spent money to buy the Northern Yuan Dynasty, would he be able to save the trouble of fighting? !

This is definitely not an exaggeration.

Ninety million taels of silver, even if the Northern Yuan Dynasty was given ten years, it might not be able to raise the enough!
However, this idea was just something Zhu Yuanzhang thought about, but he would never do it. The reason was very simple. To conquer it with force and to buy it with money were two completely different concepts!

Spending money to buy peace is just like the Song Dynasty. This is the dynasty that Zhu Yuanzhang disliked the most!
Even if he really had 90 million, he wouldn't do this!
Ninety million is ninety million. Just think of it as fighting a rich war. The more military spending, the greater the possibility of winning. It can also be considered as spending money to buy security.

Money is relatively easy to talk about.

After all, Ouyang Lun controlled the three major money bags of the Ministry of Revenue, the national treasury and the silver cabinet, so it was not difficult for him to take out 90 million taels.

The biggest problem at the moment is the supply of materials for the expeditionary army and the major engineering projects across the country. Now these problems are handed over to Ouyang Lun. Even though Zhu Yuanzhang has a relatively clear understanding of Ouyang Lun's abilities, it is the first time that Ouyang Lun has taken control of the logistics supply of such a large-scale army.

Zhu Yuanzhang could not tolerate any accidents and was still a little worried.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor, the Minister of War Tang Duo, and the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Ji Gang have already arrived outside the Taile Palace!"

Little Leo hurried in to report.

"Father?"

Zhu Biao turned and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Let them in quickly!" Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand.

"Yes!" Little Leo nodded, turned around and went to the palace gate to call people.

"The Minister of War Tang Duo and the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Ji Gang are here to see you!"

Not long after Little Li finished speaking, the Minister of War Tang Duo and the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Ji Gang walked in together.

"Your subject, Tang Duo (Ji Gang), pays respect to His Majesty, the Supreme Emperor!"

"My dear ministers, please excuse me!" Zhu Biao raised his hand and continued, "Minister Tang, Commander Ji, please tell us everything you know!"

"It's your Majesty!"

Minister of War Tang Duo was the first to speak, with a hint of joy between his eyebrows, "Your Majesty, Emperor Taizong, according to the information I have received so far, the expeditionary army led by General Lan Yu has arrived in Northern Zhili!"

"In addition, the princes guarding the border have also reported to the Ministry of War. There are currently no abnormalities along the Great Wall!"

"Moreover, the Great Wall has been completely renovated, and there are many things designed by the Prince Consort. According to the Prince Consort, unless someone from our inner circle opens the gate of the Great Wall, the Northern Yuan army will never be able to pass through the Great Wall!"

"As for the supplies, the Prince Consort had already arranged them long before Lan Yu's army arrived. I heard that there were so many supplies that even the army's warehouses could not hold them all!"

After hearing what the Minister of War Tang Duo said, Zhu Yuanzhang and his son Zhu Biao were dumbfounded.

No, although the father and son were in the palace, news was coming in continuously. A few days ago, Lan Yu was still writing a memorial to accuse Ouyang Lun, saying that Ouyang Lun only knew how to give money but not supplies!

The army is not short of money but it is short of supplies!

How come the army’s supplies are full in the blink of an eye?

Did all these supplies fall from the sky?

No, how on earth did this guy Ouyang Lun do it!!

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao looked at each other, and then looked towards the clan house next door.

Oh shit!

Hasn't this kid been staying in the main mansion the whole time? And at this moment there's been singing and dancing, and music playing next door all the time!
I guess Ouyang Lun was having a great time!

And you tell me that the material problem was solved just like that? How come they are the real losers!!
"Tang Duo, can you tell me in detail, where did the army get its supplies?"

"There won't be anything fishy here!"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked hurriedly.

Zhu Biao also looked curious.

"Replying to the Emperor, Your Majesty, this is absolutely true. The officials sent by the Ministry of War to Northern Zhili saw it with their own eyes!" Minister of War Tang Duo continued: "According to the news sent back by the officials of the Ministry of War, the convoy delivering supplies to the expeditionary army stretched for ten miles, and there was no end in sight!"

"Not only that, the Ministry of Revenue didn't spend any manpower or material resources to get the job done!"

"This is the first time I've seen such a scene in all my years as an official!"

"The Prince Consort's actions are truly amazing!"

The words of Minister of War Tang Duo were full of respect and admiration for Ouyang Lun.

Hearing what the Minister of War Tang Duo said, Zhu Yuanzhang's face first showed joy, but then he felt sour in his heart. The Minister of War Tang Duo was Zhu Yuanzhang's confidant, but he had never seen such an expression in the eyes of the Minister of War Tang Duo!
What is Ouyang Lun fighting for?

Zhu Biao was full of curiosity, and became even more curious after hearing what the Minister of War Tang Duo said!

"Haha, brother-in-law Ouyang really didn't disappoint me! The conquest of the Northern Yuan Dynasty is probably almost certain!" Although Zhu Biao had never fought in a war, he had learned a lot about military tactics. He naturally knew that the biggest problem in dealing with the Northern Yuan Dynasty was the logistics and supply support. If there was a problem with the logistics, then even if the Ming army was powerful, it might still be defeated!

But now Ouyang Lun’s action has perfectly solved this problem!

Naturally I am very happy.

"Humph, the transfer of materials does not cost the Ministry of Revenue any material or manpower, unless Ouyang Lun mobilizes his personal forces. Everyone knows that Ouyang Lun is the richest man in the Ming Dynasty. These things can be done in a short time. I don't know how you are so excited!"

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately made a sarcastic remark.

"That's not the case, Your Majesty. I have specially investigated and confirmed that Prince Consort Ouyang did not use any personal power this time. He just asked the Ministry of Revenue to publish some notices in major newspapers! After that, countless merchants and people spontaneously sent their stored grain to Northern Zhili! The whole process was orderly and there was no need for the Ministry of Revenue officials to intervene in the management. They organized themselves spontaneously."

"The Prince Consort's ability to mobilize the people and merchants is simply amazing!"

Forehead.
After hearing what the Minister of War Tang Duo said, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly felt embarrassed. This was simply a slap in the face.

Of course, he is the emperor emeritus, how could he admit being slapped in the face!
While feeling embarrassed, Zhu Yuanzhang was also deeply shocked.

He knew that Ouyang Lun was a very careful guy, and he also knew that Ouyang Lun was capable of being the army's logistics chief. Otherwise, Zhu Yuanzhang would not have forced the position of logistics chief on Ouyang Lun, with the purpose of solving the army's logistics problems.

Zhu Yuanzhang thought about how Ouyang Lun would solve this problem.

After much thought, he felt that the logistics of the army was so complicated and huge that even if Ouyang Lun took over, it would take a lot of time. This is why Zhu Yuanzhang did not urge Ouyang Lun at the beginning. If it were other matters, Zhu Yuanzhang would have urged him in various ways.

But no one expected that Ouyang Lun's solution to this problem would be so simple and quick!
How long has it been?

Lan Yu's army had just arrived in Northern Zhili, but the supplies were prepared before the army, which made all his previous worries seem unnecessary! !

"Ji Gang, is what Tang Duo said true?" Zhu Yuanzhang turned to look at Ji Gang and asked in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, I also received news from the Jinyiwei in Northern Zhili this morning. Now there are indeed many merchants and civilians who are sending food and other supplies to Northern Zhili in groups, and all major transportation companies in Daming have also taken action!"

"The Ministry of Revenue didn't participate much at all. They were responsible for statistics, registration, etc. In addition, many of the Ministry's policies were published in newspapers!"

"These are some newspapers about the Ministry of Revenue's policies that I have collected. Please have a look at them, Your Majesty!"

As he spoke, Ji Gang quickly took out a stack of newspapers and presented them to him.

Little Li quickly took the newspaper and handed it to Zhu Yuanzhang and his son Zhu Biao.

Zhu Yuanzhang picked up one of them and started reading it. After finishing one, he immediately moved on to the next one. After reading all of them, he was stunned.

Zhu Biao was also stunned after reading the newspaper.

There is nothing special about the content of the announcement, but if you read it carefully, you will find that there are some hidden benefits, such as tax reduction, honor, future cooperation, advertising space, etc. Although there is no mention of benefits for those who contribute to the Ming Dynasty, it makes people feel that as long as they support the Ming Dynasty, there will be a future and money!
Anyone with a normal mind would know what to do.

These things seem simple, but in fact they are not easy at all. It is extremely difficult to make the people and businessmen believe them.

If someone else were to do it, I'm afraid no one would be able to do it!

Even if they followed Ouyang Lun's method, they would not get such good results. Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao knew this very well. The reason why Ouyang Lun was able to succeed was very simple, that was because it was Ouyang Lun who did it!

Over the years, Ouyang Lun's prestige among civil and military officials has grown, and his prestige in the hearts of the people is even greater!
There may be various rumors about Ouyang Lun circulating among the people. Some say that Ouyang Lun is a corrupt official who has embezzled money and abused the law. Some also say that Ouyang Lun is a treacherous official who has formed a clique for personal gain and persecuted loyal officials! In short, Ouyang Lun is said to be worthless in every aspect!
But no one dared to question Ouyang Lun's ability!
When they learned that Ouyang Lun had become the chief military supply officer, the officials of the Huaixi Party were not dissatisfied, but rather excited!

Because everyone knows that if Ouyang Lun is in charge of the logistics, as long as Ouyang Lun does not cause trouble, there will be no problem with their logistical supplies!

"It is truly precious that the common people and merchants can support the court so much!"

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but praise him.

"Haha, now that the logistical issues have been completely resolved, we in Daming Mountain are united as one! Solving the Beiyuan issue should be smooth!"

Zhu Biao also started laughing.

There was a lot more admiration in Zhu Biao's eyes, because he knew very well how difficult it was to achieve this!
Looking back at the dynasties in the past, no dynasty has been able to do what Ouyang Lun did, not to mention the people taking the initiative to help.

"Father, Brother-in-law Ouyang's ability is truly shocking!"

"In this case, I think with Brother-in-law Ouyang in charge of the expeditionary army, there will be no problem with the logistics support of the expeditionary army!"

Zhu Biao said so.

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment and nodded slowly, "Biao'er, you are right."

(End of this chapter)