spend time

A haze flashed in the prince's eyes, and he whispered: "Father, this is a memorial from General Zuo of the border army. General Zuo said in the memorial that the frontier army is short of horses and food, and has not recruited new soldiers in two years. This year, We need to recruit soldiers. Please allocate two million taels of military expenditure."

No wonder the prince's brows were furrowed.

In the past two years, due to the severe drought in the north, taxes in Daliang were reduced by 20% last year, and the taxes collected this year are even less, less than 70%. The imperial court had to maintain an army of 400,000, maintain civil and military officials, provide for the royal family, and squeeze out money to build rivers and provide relief to the people. Money was needed for everything. The treasury is already empty enough to run a race.

General Zuo asked for two million taels of military expenses, but the court couldn't afford it.

Emperor Taikang glanced at the prince: "Has Prime Minister Wang read this memorial from General Zuo?"

The prince nodded: "The memorials that I read today were all picked out by Prime Minister Wang. Prime Minister Wang must have read them."

The memorials that can reach the prince's eyes are carefully selected. Since Prime Minister Wang did not suppress this memorial, it can be seen that he supports General Zuo.

"Of the 400,000 troops, the border troops account for a quarter. The military expenditure used to support the border troops every year is as high as four million taels." The prince whispered angrily: "The garrison in the capital is nothing more than this. The imperial court treats the border troops extremely well. "

"Now the imperial court is in a state of confusion due to the drought in the north, and everyone in the household department is busy raising food relief. General Zuo is asking for military expenses at this time, which is too much."

"To put it bluntly, the imperial court squeezed out military expenses. In the end, how much of the money was spent on soldiers, and how much of it went into General Zuo's private account..."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Emperor Taikang glared at the prince with great effort: "General Zuo serves the country and the court with utmost loyalty. He has guarded the border for fifteen years. The peace of the border is all due to General Zuo."

As for drinking soldiers' blood, which army doesn't have such a thing? The only difference is that some generals are mediocre and incompetent, and are useless except for drinking the blood of soldiers. However, General Zuo was able to bring out an elite border army to guard the border and keep the Rouran Tatars and other foreign tribes out of the border.

Emperor Taikang's favorable treatment of General Zuo also came from this.

The young and energetic prince couldn't swallow his sullen sigh: "I have merit, but I can't be so arrogant. I can't pay this military expenditure."

Emperor Taikang said: "Here! Immediately approve the memorial and allocate military expenditures according to the number stated by General Zuo."

The prince was startled and looked at Emperor Taikang: "Father! As a result, the military expenditure of the Ministry of Revenue this year will be greatly overrun. How can we fill such a big gap?"

Emperor Taikang had said so many words, his face looked tired and his voice lowered: "Military expenditures for troops stationed in various places have been reduced by 30%. We also need to slow down the relief of the victims."

Prince: "..."

The prince looked at Emperor Taikang in disbelief, and his voice trembled slightly: "Father, have you really thought clearly? The garrison military expenditure has been reduced by 30%. I am afraid that the garrison officers and soldiers will be angry and dissatisfied. The disaster in the north is serious. If timely relief is not provided to alleviate the public anger, It will cause big trouble."

Emperor Taikang struggled to utter a few words: "We must first ensure the peace of the country."

The prince was speechless.

Emperor Taikang's meaning was already obvious. When there are external worries and internal troubles, we must first fight against the outside and then pacify the inside. If there is less military expenditure for the garrison, the most you can do is complain and complain, but it will not make any big waves. The drought in the north is severe and many people have starved to death. If the relief is not effective, more people will starve to death.

The military expenditure of the border army cannot be saved at all.

Emperor Taikang closed his eyes and ordered tiredly: "You review it according to my wishes and give the memorial to Prime Minister Wang tomorrow."

The prince took a deep breath and said, "Yes, I will go and review the memorial immediately."

The next day, the prince gave the approved memorial to Prime Minister Wang.

Prime Minister Wang had already expected it. After reading the memorial, he cupped his hands and said: "Since the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince agree, I will ask the Minister of Ji and Duke An to come." Shangshu Ji is the Shangshu of the Ministry of Husbandry, and Duke An is the Shangshu of the Ministry of War. To allocate such a huge amount of military expenditure, it must go through the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of War.

After a while, Ji Shangshu and An Guogong came in a hurry.

Prime Minister Wang gave the memorial to the two ministers. After reading it, Shangshu Ji frowned: "May I ask Your Highness, is the approval in the memorial the idea of ​​His Highness or the Emperor's?"

The prince said in a deep voice: "My father said yesterday that the military expenditure for the garrison will be reduced by 30%. We can also slow down the relief of the disaster-stricken counties in the north. We must first squeeze out this military expenditure."

After all, this beam belongs to the Jiang family. Emperor Taikang could use the money in the treasury however he wanted.

Ji Shangshu responded expressionlessly.

Duke An Guo had nothing to say. He only said, "Military expenses should be allocated to the Ministry of War first."

This is also in line with the rules and procedures. However, when money enters the Ministry of War yamen, it is inevitable that a layer of skin will be peeled off. After passing through the hands of General Zuo and then onto the heads of the soldiers, I don’t know how much is left.

The prince was in a bad mood because of this incident, and he remained sullen for the next few days.

Zheng Chen privately commented: "This General Zuo has been in charge of the border army for more than ten years. He only has eyes for Prime Minister Wang. Where is the Emperor and His Highness?"

These words hit home the prince's dissatisfaction.

If it weren't for the support of Prime Minister Wang, General Zuo would never dare to ask for military expenses like this! In fact, some of the two million taels of military expenditures would have to be withheld and secretly sent to the Prime Minister's Mansion before they were sent to the border troops.

The imperial court had such bad habits that had lasted for decades, and not even Emperor Taikang could do anything about it.

The prince snorted angrily: "I'll bear with it for now. In the future... hum!"

In the future, when the emperor dies and this prince ascends the throne as the new emperor and takes control of the government, he will get rid of General Zuo and other unruly worms who drink the blood of his soldiers.

Zheng Chen knew the prince's thoughts well and whispered: "The emperor is seriously ill now and His Highness has not officially taken power, so just bear with it! Although Prime Minister Wang is more selfish, he always has a clear vision. General Zuo also has some capable.”

The prince snorted again.

Can you be so domineering and arrogant if you have the ability?

Do you have the ability to ask for military expenses when the court is struggling to survive?

What's the difference between this and taking advantage of the situation?
Zheng Chen looked at the prince's sullen face and continued to whisper: "There are many generals in the army. Although General Zuo is powerful, he is not the only one in the border army."

The prince's heart moved and he looked at Zheng Chen: "Who do you think can replace General Zuo?"

Zheng Chen thought for a moment and said, "Since His Highness asked, I will boldly tell you."

"There are several great generals in the court, General Fan is in charge of the Shenwu Camp, General Liu is in charge of the Yulin Army, and General Song and others are all capable of conquering and fighting."

"If Your Highness changes them and keeps the official rank, it will not cause too much criticism or resistance. Secondly, it will also prevent the military generals from becoming factional." (End of this chapter)