Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 74 Minister in North Korea
After recommending talents, Zhu Youjian and Yuan Keli talked about the main topic of the conversation: Mao Wenlong and Dongjiang Town.

This was the purpose of Yuan Keli's trip to Beijing. At this time, he said to the emperor:
"Your Majesty, the reason why I had a disagreement with Mao Wenlong was because I was ordered to verify the military exploits and military strength reported by Mao Wenlong."

"Mao Wenlong once said that he killed more than 20,000 Jianqi people and 30,000 horses. There is no evidence for this figure and cannot be verified."

"As for the military strength of Dongjiang Town, after the great victory in Zhenjiang, there were about 18,100 people when the town was opened. Mao Wenlong falsely reported that it was more than 200,000, and there were only 40,000 people with clothes, armor and equipment."

Yuan Keli did not hide the fact that Mao Wenlong exaggerated his military achievements and military strength.

"But if the imperial court only allocates money and food for 40,000 soldiers, Mao Wenlong will definitely not be able to support it. The Liao people he has gathered will have to rely on the court's money and food to support them."

"So Mao Wenlong could only falsely report his military exploits and military strength, and ask for money and food from the court. After the minister was ordered to verify and learn the truth, Mao Wenlong was worried that the matter would be exposed, and colluded with officials to impeach the minister, which caused discord."

This is understandable, Zhu Youjian said:
"The Liao people gathered by Mao Wenlong really need money and food from the court to feed them, so it is understandable to falsely report their military strength."

"But the imperial court also collects money and food from the people. The more Liao people use it, the heavier the burden will be on the people."

"We can't continue to increase the burden on the people and use it to feed the Liao people, right?"

There was a shortage of pay everywhere in Jiubian, and soldiers in Shaanxi even fled. After Zhu Youjian made an estimate, he found that the outstanding food and salary was at least four to five million, which was almost as much as the cost of construction of the three main halls.

So he really wanted to reduce the wages in Liaodong, let alone use it to feed the Liao people.

However, it was tragic enough that the families of the Liao people were destroyed, and their feud with Hou Jin was as deep as the sea. Zhu Youjian could not give up these people casually and let them fend for themselves.

Yuan Keli also knew this, so he felt embarrassed and later left Denglai. At this time, he could only explain to Mao Wenlong:
"Mao Wenlong's military exploits and soldiers are false, but his contribution as a surprise soldier and allowing the soldiers to run east and west is real credit."

"The court cannot deny his merits because of his misdeeds. The late emperor also gave Mao Wenlong a reward because of this."

Zhu Youjian agreed with this. Mao Wenlong, an heir from a hundred households, rescued so many people who fell in Liaodong, and his contribution cannot be overstated.

It can even be said that against the background of Liaodong's successive defeats, Mao Wenlong and Dongjiang Town are a great bright spot.

In comparison, it seems that the Liaodong military town is incompetent. No wonder they dislike Dongjiang Town. In addition, the court's money and food were limited. If more was given to Dongjiang Town, less would be given to Liaodong, so there would naturally be conflicts between the two sides.

Especially now that Mao Wenlong has lost almost all of the land strongholds lent by North Korea such as Iron Mountain and Uiju after the defeat of Iron Mountain. He can only retreat to the small island of Pidao and can no longer continue his farming. Both the soldiers and the Liao people who followed him needed money and food from the court.

The original money and food were even more insufficient. Mao Wenlong kept complaining that he was short of pay because he had no way to feed the soldiers and civilians of Pi Island except for the court's money and food.

But for the court, the pressure was too much. It is impossible to provide money and food according to his needs to feed the soldiers and civilians of Pidao.

The crux of the matter is here. Zhu You asked Yuan Keli:
"What do Yuan Qing think we should do?"

Yuan Keli thought for a while and said:
"In the past, in addition to being allocated by the imperial court, Dongjiang Town's food and salary also included income from land farming and support from North Korea."

"Almost all the land strongholds are now lost, and this one is gone."

"North Korea also complained about Mao Wenlong's loss of troops and territory, and was unwilling to support him anymore."

"If the imperial court does not allocate more money and food, Dongjiang Town will have to keep trying to solve this problem, and it will be difficult to continue to contain Houjin." "So we can only find ways to supplement Dongjiang Town with money and food."

He also suggested:
"Most of the soldiers and Liao citizens in Dongjiang Town are on the island now. It's a good time to take stock."

"Your Majesty can order people to count the number of people and determine how much food the soldiers and civilians of Pi Island need."

"We can no longer allow Mao Wenlong to make false reports and continue to be vague."

Zhu Youjian nodded and agreed:

"That's the truth!"

"Mao Wenlong was once your subordinate. Now after many years of wasted time, he should know how much you loved him."

"It's up to you to talk about this matter and explain it clearly to Mao Wenlong."

"As for food and wages..."

After a pause, Zhu Youjian revealed the unfinished meaning of Yuan Keli's words:
"The imperial court's finances cannot make ends meet, and the pressure from Liao's salary on the people of the Ming Dynasty has been great enough. No more tax increases can be done."

"North Korea was able to support Dongjiang Town in the past, but now that there are fewer soldiers and civilians on Pi Island, it should be able to support it as well."

"Let Mao Wenlong verify the number of soldiers in Dongjiang Town. After reorganization, the imperial court will be responsible for the soldiers' food and salary."

"For the rest of the money and food needed by the Liao people, I allow Mao Wenlong to raise it in North Korea and let him do it easily."

This sounds nice, but in fact, he asked Mao Wenlong to pack up his troops and then force North Korea to provide money and food. It's up to him to decide which method to use.

This is quite inconsistent with Yuan Keli's philosophy. This is why he didn't say this just now. But today's Ming Dynasty really can't come up with more money and food, and the soldiers and civilians of Pi Island also need money and food to support them. They can only use this method to raise as much money and food as possible.

Then I thought about his disapproval of North Korea's regicide and usurpation of power. He also felt that North Korea was somewhat polarized. The North Korean musketeers had been fighting for Hou Jin. So he finally acquiesced to this and did not express any objection.

However, in order to look good and have softer methods, Yuan Keli still suggested sending a civilian official to supervise North Korea's food and salary management.

This is in line with Zhu Youjian's thoughts. Thinking of the troops stationed in North Korea and the ministers stationed in North Korea in the late Qing Dynasty, Zhu Youjian said:
"The ministers dispatched to station in North Korea are called ministers stationed in North Korea. They are responsible for military and commercial exchanges between the Ming Dynasty and North Korea. They are also responsible for the food and wages of Dongjiang Town, and raise food in North Korea to supply the soldiers and civilians of Pi Island."

"Allow Pidao to trade with North Korea, authorize Dongjiang Town to inspect the trade routes leading to Houjin, prevent unscrupulous merchants from Ming Dynasty and North Korea from trading with Houjin, and provide food and other materials for Houjin."

"Who does Yuan Qing think can be the minister to the DPRK?"

This person must have the means to subdue the North Korean monarchs and ministers, and he must also be able to cooperate well with Mao Wenlong. Yuan Keli could not choose a candidate for the time being. In addition, he was quite wary of the emperor directly appointing officials, so he replied at this time:
"When ministers use it, it is better to recommend it to the court."

"Your Majesty can order the courtiers to make selections, and he will surely select a suitable minister."

After being pushed back by Yuan Keli, Zhu Youjian was speechless for a moment. We can only discuss some Ministry of War affairs with him, encourage him to serve as Minister of the Ministry of War well, and end this conversation.

(End of this chapter)