Huangming

Chapter 385 The Foundation of Imperial Power, Joy for the Direct Lineage

Seeing Zhu Youxiao's furrowed brow, Sun Shenxing knew the emperor was worried about the money needed for the rewards, so he immediately stepped forward, bowed, and reported:

"Your Majesty, regarding the expenses for the rewards in Liaodong, your ministers and the officials of the Ministry of Rites have already calculated them according to the details in the reward register."

The hereditary stipend required for the promotion will be paid monthly starting next year. The total amount of the one-time expenditure of silver rewards and silver equivalent of materials, along with the rewards from the Mongol allies and the pensions for the families of fallen soldiers, is approximately 1.95 million taels.

Even if there are minor adjustments later, the difference will not exceed 50,000 taels.

"One million nine hundred and fifty thousand taels..."

Zhu Youxiao repeated the number in a low voice, without much surprise in his eyes.

Such a large-scale reward, involving expenditures of nearly two million taels of silver from the commander-in-chief to the soldiers, from the officials to the allies, was within his expectations.

As expected, it didn't mean the pressure was low. He sighed softly, his tone tinged with helplessness:

"The national treasury is empty right now, and the tax revenue from Jiangnan is still being investigated and collected. It won't be deposited into the treasury until the end of the year at the earliest. It is indeed a difficult problem to come up with this money right now."

He paused and added:
"Even if all the tax revenue from Jiangnan is collected, it will be necessary to prioritize filling the gaps in the border army's food and pay and the promotion of new policies. It is impossible to invest it all in rewards in Liaodong."

The Ming Dynasty needs money for everything; it's difficult to treat everyone equally.

Listening to the emperor's感慨 (sentiments/reflections), Sun Shenxing quickly considered the matter for a moment, then his eyes darted around before he stepped forward and said:

"Your Majesty, I have a plan: The situation in Liaodong is now settled. Nurhaci has been killed, and the Jurchens are leaderless. There will be no worries for the time being."

Under such circumstances, the rewards for the soldiers in Liaodong, especially the monetary portion, may be postponed for several months.

"Once the tax revenue from Jiangnan is deposited into the treasury and the national treasury is full, the remaining amount will be disbursed. I believe the soldiers in Liaodong will appreciate Your Majesty's benevolence and power, and will also understand the court's difficulties."

"Suspend payment?"

Zhu Youxiao frowned upon hearing this.

“Minister Sun, do you know that ‘rewards should not be delayed’ is the foundation of military discipline? Soldiers fight bloody battles in the freezing cold so that they can receive rewards from the court after the war and allow their families to live a peaceful life.”

Now that the battle has been won, the reward money is being delayed. How is this any different from 'discarding the millstone after it has served its purpose'?

Sun Shenxing was momentarily speechless at the emperor's question, and quickly bowed, saying, "That was not what I meant, it's just..."

"Just because the soldiers come from humble backgrounds and are peasants, does that mean we can delay things at will?"

Zhu Youxiao interrupted him, his gaze falling on Sun Shenxing with a sharp look.

"Scholars and writers always look down on those soldiers who fight, but they should not forget that if there were no soldiers guarding the frontier, how could there be peace in the court?"

If even post-war rewards are reduced, who will be willing to risk their lives for the Ming Dynasty in the event of another war?

"Morale and trust are more precious than silver. Once the hearts of soldiers are chilled, it is as difficult as climbing to heaven to rebuild them."

Although Liaodong is currently stable, the remnants of the Jurchen tribes have not been eliminated, and the attitude of the Mongol tribes is unclear. It is possible that war will break out again at any time.

"I still need these soldiers to completely quell the external threats in Liaodong. How can I break my promise to them regarding the reward money?"

"The reward money must be paid on time and in full, even if it means using the imperial treasury, there must be no delay."

Zhu Youxiao turned around, his gaze sweeping over Sun Ruyou and Sun Shenxing, his tone solemn.

"After you return, immediately discuss with the Ministry of Revenue: First, take stock of the existing silver in the national treasury and prioritize the allocation of funds needed for rewards; second, withdraw 500,000 taels from the imperial treasury to make up the difference."

In short, the rewards and supplies must be prepared within ten days, and the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Ministry of War should send special personnel to Liaodong to distribute them to the soldiers in person.

Sun Ruyou and Sun Shenxing were both shocked upon hearing this.

They never expected that the emperor would attach such importance to the payment of the reward money, even at the cost of using the imperial treasury.

Sensing the emperor's anger, Sun Shenxing quickly bowed and begged for forgiveness.

"Your Majesty, I have failed to consider this matter thoroughly and almost ruined it. Please forgive me! I will immediately consult with the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War and will certainly live up to Your Majesty's trust and prepare the reward money on time."

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, his tone softening somewhat.

"I know you are thinking of the national treasury and do not mean to belittle the soldiers."

"But you must remember that the Ming Dynasty's territory was defended by the lives of our soldiers. Promises made to them must be kept. This is not just about rewards, but also about the credibility of the court and the foundation of the Ming Dynasty."

"Those soldiers who died in battle will never see their families back home again. Their families can only live off this reward money."

If even this sum of money is delayed, how can I, as the emperor, face the soldiers in the afterlife?

Sun Ruyou and Sun Shenxing stood with their heads bowed, feeling a greater sense of awe towards Zhu Youxiao.

This compassion for the soldiers and this commitment to promises are perhaps the fundamental reasons why His Majesty was able to inspire the soldiers of Liaodong to fight bravely and achieve great victories.

After a long silence, Sun Ruyou bowed and said, "Your Majesty's words are absolutely right. We have learned a lot. I will go to the Ministry of Revenue immediately to discuss the allocation of funds with Minister Li Changgeng. We will make sure that the rewards and supplies are prepared within half a month, so that the soldiers in Liaodong will not be discouraged."

"Go."

Zhu Youxiao nodded, watched the two leave the warm pavilion, and then returned his gaze to the pile of memorials on his desk.

The pressure of an empty treasury still exists, but he no longer feels the same anxiety as before.

Although the payment of the reward money will temporarily exacerbate the financial strain, it will stabilize the morale of the Liaodong army.

As an emperor, one must not only know how to "increase revenue and reduce expenditure," but also understand "what constitutes a bottom line."

His promise to his soldiers was his unwavering bottom line.

As long as this bottom line is upheld, the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty will always follow, and the Ming Dynasty's path to revival will be more stable.

Zhu Youxiao always knew that his ability to steadily implement the new policies as emperor was inseparable from the support of his military power.

The border troops are the shield that guards the frontier, and the elite troops of the capital are the foundation for controlling the court. If he has no soldiers, no matter how good the new policy blueprint is, he, the emperor, can only become a puppet and be manipulated by the civil official group.

It was precisely this clear understanding of "military power" that made him absolutely uncompromising on the issue of reward payment.

We still need to make money!

Zhu Youxiao was filled with mixed emotions.

It depends on whether the Academy of Sciences can come up with something that will allow his imperial merchants to earn enough money for the imperial treasury to cover the affairs of the world.

Forget it.

Let's focus on the immediate issue first!
Zhu Youxiao buried himself in reviewing memorials.

When engrossed in reviewing memorials, time always flies by.

The memorials on the emperor's desk gradually thinned out, and the sky outside the window changed from bright to dim, eventually being completely shrouded in night.

Bang!
梆!
Bang!
The sound of a clapper came from outside the palace walls; it was already late afternoon.

All the officials had already finished their duties, and a huge crowd poured out of the Meridian Gate, some in sedan chairs and others in carriages, returning to their residences. The Forbidden City, which had been bustling all day, gradually returned to tranquility.

Inside the East Warm Pavilion, Zhu Youxiao put down his vermilion brush, stretched, and rubbed his slightly sore shoulders. Just as he was about to instruct Wei Chao to prepare dinner, he saw Wei Chao tiptoe in and bow to announce his arrival.

"Your Majesty, the Empress has arrived and is waiting outside the palace."

"Queen?"

Zhu Youxiao was taken aback for a moment, then a gentle smile appeared on his lips.

Zhang Yan is always dignified and composed, and she rarely bothers him when he is handling government affairs unless there is something important to discuss.

He had already guessed why the beauty had come.

Zhu Youxiao said softly, "Quickly invite the Empress in."

soon.

Zhang Yan, dressed in a bright yellow empress's everyday robes, slowly entered the pavilion.

She was slender and graceful, with a beautiful face. The phoenix pattern embroidered on the empress's everyday clothes shone softly in the candlelight, showing both the empress's nobility and the gentleness of a young girl.

Upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, she curtsied slightly.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Zhu Youxiao strode forward, took her hand, and said with a smile:

"Your Majesty's arrival is just in time. I was just about to order dinner. Why don't you join me for dinner?"

A hint of a smile flashed in Zhang Yan's eyes. She raised her hand, gesturing for the palace maid behind her to present the food box, and said softly:
"Your Majesty, I have come for dinner. I have recently developed a few dishes made with sweet potatoes, which are very popular among the people. I specially asked the chefs of the Imperial Kitchen to make some and bring them to Your Majesty so that you may have a taste."

"Oh? Dishes made with sweet potatoes?"

Zhu Youxiao became interested and his gaze fell on the food box that the palace maid had opened.

It seems.

The Empress truly remembered his words back then.

When sweet potatoes were first promoted, the people of Beizhili initially regarded them as "cheap food" and considered them as coarse grains to feed pigs. Even with the government's strong advocacy, very few people were willing to grow them.

Later, it was he who instructed the Huangming Daily to serialize the nutritional value and cooking methods of sweet potatoes, and he also had Zhang Yan take the lead in having the concubines in the harem and noblewomen in the court eat sweet potatoes at banquets, and even incorporated sweet potato dishes into the palace diet, which gradually changed the people's perception.

Nowadays in Beijing, it has become fashionable for "nobles to eat sweet potatoes".

People no longer regarded sweet potatoes as "cheap food," but instead competed to plant and buy them, and sales of sweet potatoes soared. This led to the promotion of sweet potato planting in disaster-stricken areas such as Henan and Shandong.

Zhu Youxiao secretly marveled: The Empress's ability to "sell goods" is far more impressive than that of merchants in later generations who promote luxury goods.

Those merchants can sell plastic bags at exorbitant prices because of gimmicks.

The empress was able to change the people's prejudice against sweet potatoes through practical guidance, which not only solved the people's hunger problem but also helped the new policies.

As they spoke, the palace maids placed the dishes from the food box onto the table one by one.

Zhang Yan stepped forward and personally introduced Zhu Youxiao:

"Your Majesty, the first dish is 'Flaming Candied Sweet Potatoes'."

The chefs in the imperial kitchen first cut sweet potatoes into chunks and fried them until golden brown. Then they coated them with cooked syrup and quickly pulled them into strands to make the shape of a golden bird's nest. They also filled the center with chopped nuts such as walnuts and almonds.

Just before serving, pour a little strong liquor over it, and when lit, flames will swirl around it—it's both beautiful and delicious.

Zhu Youxiao looked at the dish and saw golden sweet potato chunks coated with glistening sugar threads. The burning liquor danced with blue flames on the sugar threads, and the air was filled with the aroma of caramel and nuts, making one's mouth water.

He picked up his silver chopsticks, took a piece, and put it in his mouth.

The soft, glutinous texture of the sweet potato, the sweet aroma of the syrup, and the crunchiness of the nuts intertwined in his mouth, creating a rich flavor that far exceeded his expectations for sweet potatoes.

"tasty!"

Zhu Youxiao nodded approvingly and then looked at another dish.

Zhang Yan smiled and continued, "These dishes are made with sweet potato starch."

This dish is 'Steamed Pork Belly with Sweet Potato Flour'. The pork belly is wrapped in sweet potato flour and steamed, resulting in tender and not greasy meat. The sweet potato flour absorbs all the meat juices, making it exceptionally flavorful.

This bowl is 'sweet potato noodle soup', with shrimp and greens added, it's refreshing and delicious.

And this plate of 'sweet potato flour cake' is made by steaming a mixture of sweet potato flour and glutinous rice flour. It's eaten dipped in honey, and it's sweet but not cloying.

Finally, she pointed to an exquisitely crafted cold dish: "Your Majesty, look at this 'Peony Sweet Potato Carving.' The chef carved the steamed sweet potato into the shape of a blooming peony, with layers upon layers of petals, so lifelike. It is then drizzled with osmanthus honey, making it both beautiful and refreshing. I specially asked the chef to make it."

Zhu Youxiao looked at the "sweet potato peony," its petals clearly textured, golden in color, and adorned with glistening osmanthus honey. It was indeed so exquisite that it didn't look like a dish made from coarse grains.

He picked up a "petal" and put it in his mouth. The sweetness of the sweet potato mixed with the fragrance of osmanthus created a smooth and pleasant taste.

"I never imagined that sweet potatoes could be made into so many different dishes, and they all taste so good."

Zhu Youxiao put down his silver chopsticks, looked at Zhang Yan, and his eyes were full of admiration.

"The Empress has put a lot of effort into promoting sweet potatoes. If it weren't for your leadership, the people would probably still consider sweet potatoes a cheap food, and the promotion of the new policy would have taken many detours."

Praised by Zhu Youxiao, Zhang Yan lowered her head slightly, a blush rising on her face, and said softly:

"Your Majesty is joking. Promoting sweet potatoes is a good thing that benefits the country and the people. As the Empress, it is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens and do my part for the people."

"As long as the people are freed from the suffering of famine and the foundation of the Ming Dynasty is strengthened, it is all I, your humble servant, should do."

Zhang Yan received the strictest education for women from a young age. Her teacher taught her "Admonitions for Women" and "Inner Rules," and her mother taught her how to be a good wife and manage a household.

She was able to stand out among thousands of candidates not only because of her outstanding appearance, but also because of her good manners.

Perhaps her abilities weren't particularly outstanding, but her sense of responsibility to share her husband's burdens and fulfill her duties as empress constantly drove her to become better.

Hearing Zhu Youxiao praise her for promoting sweet potatoes, Zhang Yan not only dared not take credit, but instead, her beautiful eyes flashed, and she began her usual admonition:
"I was just doing my duty, it's nothing."

Your Majesty, on the other hand, reviews memorials until late at night every day, often neglecting to have dinner. I see this and it always makes me uneasy.

"If I could help Your Majesty with some of the burdens, even if it were just handling some trivial matters in the harem, so that Your Majesty would have less to worry about, I would feel more at ease."

Although she didn't understand the power struggles in the court or the complexities of implementing the new policies, she could clearly see the weariness between her husband's brows.

Your Majesty is too young, yet you bear the heavy responsibility of revitalizing the Ming Dynasty, and overseeing the two capitals and thirteen provinces.

She saw all the hardship and felt deeply for it.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao felt a warmth in his heart and gently pulled Zhang Yan into his arms.

Her slender, supple body rested against his chest, carrying a faint fragrance of orchids that instantly dispelled his fatigue from handling official business.

Zhu Youxiao lowered his head and gently kissed the top of her head.

"With an empress like Yan'er, I don't feel tired even if I have to work harder."

Zhang Yan buried her face in his chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

At this moment, as if remembering something, she suddenly raised her head, her eyes unusually devoid of the solemnity of an empress, revealing a girlish cunning:
"Your Majesty, I have another piece of good news that I haven't had a chance to tell you yet."

"Oh? What's the good news?"

Zhu Youxiao was taken aback for a moment, his gaze falling on her slightly flushed cheeks.

The fourteen-year-old girl looked like she was preparing a surprise for him, which was rather amusing. He tapped Zhang Yan's nose and said with a smile:

"I think the Empress is here to bring me good news!"

How did Your Majesty know?

Zhang Yan's eyes widened suddenly, filled with surprise.

"I just had the Imperial Hospital confirm this matter, and I specifically instructed the palace staff to keep it a secret, hoping to surprise Your Majesty at the right time. Did Your Majesty already know?"

Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but smile, reaching out to gently stroke her lower abdomen, which was still flat as before, yet already harboring a new life.

He said with a hint of smugness, "The walls of the Forbidden City may seem thick, but there's nothing that can truly be hidden from me."

The medical report submitted by the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, though not explicitly stated, mentioned that "the Empress's health is unwell and she needs rest and recuperation." Considering your recent increased appetite and lethargy, I guessed seven or eight parts of the story.

What Zhu Youxiao sought was absolute control over the harem.

He will know about anything that he cares about.

after all
As an emperor, he lived in the Forbidden City all the time. If he couldn't even control his harem, his life would be in danger.

They will either be poisoned or dissolve in water.

Therefore, the Forbidden City was Zhu Youxiao's Achilles' heel.

Foreign officials who wanted to extend their reach into the Forbidden City, or people inside the palace who wanted to contact foreign officials, would all offend Zhu Youxiao.

But the dragon's reverse scale, if touched, will surely lead to death.

Zhang Yan was still shocked by the emperor's extraordinary abilities when Zhu Youxiao's hand gently caressed her lower abdomen, and he suddenly said:

"The little guy inside should be a prince."

The birth of a legitimate son by the Empress not only signifies a stable foundation for the Ming Dynasty, but also brings peace of mind to the court and the people.

Although the new policies have been effective, some old officials are still secretly watching. If the legitimate son is born, it will be like adding another solid barrier to his imperial power, completely extinguishing the hopes of those who covet power.

These officials treated emperors with bloodline descendants differently than those without.

Just as Emperor Jingtai was able to turn the tide against the emperor who was knocking on the door, wasn't it because he was seriously ill and had no offspring?
Upon hearing his words, Zhang Yan immediately sat up straight, her eyes unusually serious:
"Your Majesty, I will do my best!"

Zhu Youxiao was amused by her earnestness and laughed heartily, reaching out to gently flick the tip of her nose:

"You're such a silly girl. How can you decide whether you have a boy or a girl?"

If it's a princess, I'll love her just as much. You mustn't feel pressured; focusing on your pregnancy is the most important thing.

He stopped smiling, his tone gradually becoming serious, and a hint of wariness flashed in his eyes:
"In addition, now that you are pregnant, you no longer need to worry about the trivial matters of the inner palace."

In terms of food, the imperial kitchen had to prepare everything separately, and each dish had to be tested for poison. The ingredients also had to be purchased by a special person and supervised throughout the process.

When going out, she must be accompanied by at least four palace maids. The palace is full of people and eyes, and she cannot afford to make any mistakes.

Zhu Youxiao was well aware of the complexities of the imperial harem.

Although there are not many concubines in the harem now, and they cannot cause any trouble for the time being, the temptation of "a mother gaining status through her son" is too great, and it is possible that some ambitious people will take the risk.

If Zhang Yan were to miscarry due to a slight oversight, it would not only cause him to lose his child, but could also trigger turmoil in the court, which would be a tremendous disaster.

Zhang Yan sensed the seriousness and concern in his tone, and her heart warmed. She obediently nodded.
"Your Majesty, I will obey. I will focus on my pregnancy and not cause you any trouble."

Zhu Youxiao pulled her back into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, feeling the warmth in his arms and the life quietly growing in her womb, his heart filled with an unprecedented sense of peace.

The previous court disputes, financial pressures, and border threats all seemed to be diluted at this moment.

In his arms lay the gentle and virtuous Empress, and in her womb was the child quietly growing. Zhu Youxiao felt an indescribable sense of belonging.

This was not only a personal moment of family bliss for him, but also a blessing for the Ming Dynasty.

With a virtuous wife to stabilize the harem and a bloodline to solidify the foundation of the nation, the path to national revival takes on a weighty significance and provides a reason to go all out.

He wanted to create a bright and prosperous future for his bloodline, so that the Ming Dynasty could be safely handed over to the next generation and that the mistakes of the past would not be repeated.

How could Zhu Youxiao allow his son to become the ruler of a fallen kingdom?

As his thoughts wandered, Zhu Youxiao suddenly remembered that the Empress was not the only one pregnant in the harem.

He released his arm from Zhang Yan's, his tone now showing more concern:

"By the way, Consort Zhao was diagnosed with pregnancy on March 20th, so she's been pregnant for eight months now, and will be giving birth in about two more months. How is she feeling lately? Is the pregnancy stable?"

Zhao Qingyue was originally a palace maid in charge of the emperor's bedchamber. As Zhu Youxiao's first woman, she was favored by him several times. Fortunately, she became pregnant with the emperor's child and was thus promoted to the rank of Consort.

Although of humble origin, he was still a person of royal blood, and Zhu Youxiao would naturally not overlook him.

Seeing that he was concerned about the other concubines, Zhang Yan showed no jealousy in her eyes, and instead replied gently:

"Your Majesty often sends palace maids to visit her, and the Imperial Hospital also regularly examines her pulse and reports that the pregnancy has been very stable."

Consort Zhao was gentle and kind. Aside from taking walks to rest during her pregnancy, she spent her days reading and embroidering in the palace, never participating in the trivial matters of the inner palace, and thus maintained excellent health.

Upon hearing the words "the pregnancy is stable," Zhu Youxiao breathed a slight sigh of relief, but the worry between his brows did not completely disappear.

He pondered for a moment, then his tone became exceptionally solemn: "Even if the pregnancy is stable, we cannot let our guard down. Have someone copy down the prenatal care guidelines drafted by the Imperial Medical Academy, as well as the specific procedures for childbirth, and bring them to me for review."

From daily dietary restrictions and medication guidelines to the selection of midwives and the arrangement of the delivery room, no detail can be overlooked.

In that era, sanitation was poor and delivery methods were crude; a slight mistake could lead to the tragedy of both mother and child dying.

In the imperial harem, countless concubines lost their children due to improper pregnancy care or difficult childbirth.

For a woman, giving birth is like walking through the gates of hell.

What alerted him even more was the lesson of the original history:
In his previous life, Zhu Youxiao had several pregnant concubines, but none of his princes were born safely.

As a result, when he died at the age of twenty-three, he could only pass the throne to his younger brother Zhu Youjian, who had not received imperial education, ultimately leading the Ming Dynasty to its demise amidst internal and external troubles.

He absolutely cannot allow such a tragedy to repeat itself on himself.

Zhang Yan was deeply moved to see how concerned he was about the pregnancy in the harem.

She could sense that His Majesty's regard for her was not only for the royal bloodline, but also for her.

She nodded obediently: "I will make arrangements first thing tomorrow morning, and have the Imperial Hospital prepare all the procedures and processes and personally deliver them to Your Majesty's desk."

At this moment, Zhang Yan was completely immersed in the emperor's care and love.

She felt she was the happiest queen in the world.

Her husband not only loved her deeply, but also cared for everyone in the harem. Such an emperor was someone she was willing to dedicate herself to supporting.

It was for this reason that she secretly resolved to manage the harem more diligently, so that His Majesty would not be bothered by the trivial matters of the harem and could devote himself wholeheartedly to the great cause of the revival of the Ming Dynasty.

After dinner, Zhu Youxiao did not stay up all night reviewing memorials this time.

Instead, he held Zhang Yan and went to sleep early.

Work is necessary, but health is the foundation of everything!
time flies.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

It was already late November of the first year of the Tianqi reign.

cabinet.

With Ye Xianggao and He Zongyan officially joining the cabinet, the previously stable political situation was once again subtly disturbed.

Although these two veteran officials, who served three reigns, had no intention of forming factions, they possessed deep connections and prestige.

Those officials who had previously retreated from the limelight and kept quiet due to the implementation of the new policies gradually began to gravitate towards the two men.

Some admire Ye Xianggao's integrity in single-handedly supporting the cabinet, some approve of He Zongyan's incorruptible and pragmatic governance style, and others want to leverage the influence of these two veteran officials to gain more say in the court.

For a time, the number of visitors outside the cabinet office increased, and the memorials submitted by officials from the six ministries often contained the phrase "Please examine this matter carefully, Grand Secretary Ye/Grand Secretary He".

Although no clear faction has yet been formed, the outline of the "Ye He camp" has already emerged, creating a subtle balance of power with the officials who previously sided with Fang Congzhe.

In contrast, Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe was increasingly showing signs of being unable to cope.

This veteran minister, who had stabilized the court during the transition of the Taichang regime, was known for his "moderation." Now, facing Ye Xianggao's prestige and He Zongyan's competence, he found it increasingly difficult to control the pace of the cabinet.

However, the changes in the political situation are not all hidden dangers.

With Ye Xianggao overseeing the overall situation and He Zongyan refining the execution, the efficiency of various affairs in the court significantly improved.

The border garrison land reclamation plan, which had been shelved due to factional disputes, was quickly revised and specific regulations were drafted.

The difficulties in promoting sweet potatoes reported by local authorities have also been addressed with targeted solutions.

Even the long-delayed tax policy investigation in Jiangnan has made breakthrough progress.

Tax forms from various prefectures and counties in Jiangnan have finally been submitted to the Ministry of Revenue, and the preliminary estimated tax amount is nearly 10% higher than that of the same period last year.

When the news reached the East Warm Pavilion, Zhu Youxiao did not show much joy on his face; instead, his eyes became even more profound.

"Pay an extra 10%?"

Although Zhu Youxiao's voice was soft, it carried a hint of coldness.

"Seeing that I used Ye Xianggao and He Zongyan, they thought I was preparing to overthrow Fang and came to offer me some sweet treats?"

But this little bit of sweetness is not enough to satisfy him!

In Zhu Youxiao's view, the increase in tax revenue in Jiangnan precisely confirmed the necessity of the previous investigation, and also strengthened his determination to rectify the officialdom in Jiangnan.

These newly added tax revenues are just the tip of the iceberg. If the land ownership and taxation in Jiangnan can be thoroughly clarified, the national treasury will be much fuller than expected.

While the imperial court was busy sorting out government affairs, another major event concerning the morale of the army was finally ready.

After more than half a month of coordination, the first batch of supplies to reward the soldiers in Liaodong is ready to be shipped from Tongzhou Wharf.

The reward of 500,000 taels of silver was divided into hundreds of reinforced wooden boxes, and a thousand bolts of colored silk were neatly stacked in specially made cloth bags. There were also items symbolizing honor, such as python robes and iron certificates, all of which were guarded by special personnel.

For this escort mission, Zhu Youxiao specially appointed the eunuch Wang Chengen.

This eunuch had been in charge of bestowing rewards on many occasions before and had never made a mistake.

Under Zhu Youxiao's personal instruction, Wang Chengen, who was in charge of escorting the reward supplies to Liaodong, did not follow the original route of "Tongzhou-Shanhaiguan-Liaodong". Instead, he changed the route and detoured through Jizhen first.

The reason was simple: Zhu Youxiao wanted Yang Lian, who had been reorganizing military affairs there for many days, to go to Liaodong with Wang Chengen to reward the troops.

Since receiving the imperial decree to go to Jizhou to reorganize the border troops, Yang Lian has thrown himself into his work with a swift and decisive attitude.

After arriving in Jizhou, he clarified the deep-seated problem of "falsely inflated troop numbers" in Jizhou in just ten days.

More than a hundred corrupt generals were impeached and punished, including many high-ranking officials at the rank of general.

At the same time, the number of soldiers was reassessed, the soldiers' back pay was paid, and new regulations for "regular inspections and rewards and punishments based on military merit" were established.

The vacancy eliminated can save the Ministry of Revenue more than 200,000 taels of military pay in a year, which is a great achievement.

Yang Lian's reorganization, in just one month, significantly improved the previously demoralized Jizhou garrison.

Morale soared!

Zhu Youxiao sent Yang Lian to accompany the army to reward them. On the surface, Yang Lian was sent to take the opportunity to inspect the military deployment in Liaodong, learn from Xiong Tingbi's experience in governing the army, accumulate experience for the subsequent reorganization of other border towns, and supervise the distribution of rewards and supplies.

The practice of "generals embezzling reward money" was a persistent problem in the border troops. After many battles, the silver and cloth rewards given by the court were often less than 30% of the amount that reached the soldiers after being embezzled by the generals at each level. This was an important reason for the low morale of the army and the desertion of the soldiers.

The rewards and supplies for this great victory in Liaodong were enormous, and Zhu Youxiao would never allow such a thing to happen again.

He specifically instructed Yang Lian in a secret letter: "Every penny of reward silver and every bolt of cloth must be checked against the military merit register and personally handed over to the meritorious soldiers."

If any general is found to have embezzled or misappropriated funds, they can be executed without prior notification, regardless of their rank.

In addition to this, there was another practical consideration in changing the route to Jizhou.

During the rectification of Jizhou, Yang Lian confiscated the property of corrupt generals, including nearly two million taels of silver, more than a thousand bolts of silk, and more than a hundred hectares of farmland.

These confiscated goods, after being approved by Zhu Youxiao, could be used as a supplement to the rewards bestowed upon Liaodong.

After all, raising nearly two million taels of silver in half a month was no easy task for the Ming Dynasty, whose national treasury was empty.

The imperial treasury allocated 500,000 taels, the Ministry of Revenue raised 800,000 taels, and with the silver value of the confiscated goods from the Jizhou garrison and the silver donated by local princes, the total amount was barely raised.

The confiscated goods from Jizhou were escorted along with the troops, which not only enriched the rewards but also demonstrated to the soldiers of Liaodong the court's determination to "severely punish corruption and benefit the soldiers."

But all of this is just an arrangement on the surface.

Zhu Youxiao's real reason for sending Yang Lian to Liaodong was far more profound than "rewarding the army" or "supervising the silver reward".

He wanted to use Yang Lian to investigate military affairs in Liaodong and prevent the potential for the military to become too powerful to control.

Today, the Ming Dynasty invests millions of taels of silver annually in military pay, provisions, and supplies in Liaodong. The garrison in Liaodong has reached over 80,000 men, and Xiong Tingbi holds military, political, and financial power, as well as the Imperial Sword. His power is so great that he can be called the "King of Liaodong".

Although Zhu Youxiao trusted Xiong Tingbi's loyalty and ability, he was also well aware of the principle that "power breeds corruption."

If a border general holds significant military power and controls finances, and then engages in activities such as "raising bandits to enhance his own power" or "establishing private fiefdoms," the consequences would be unimaginable.

Previously, Li Chengliang during the Wanli reign had become too powerful to control due to his long-term garrisoning of Liaodong. Although he had military achievements, he also sowed the seeds of the Jurchens' rise to power.

Zhu Youxiao would never allow history to repeat itself.

The war in Liaodong should be quelled as quickly as possible.

otherwise
Without eliminating the Liaodong military service and reducing taxes, even the implementation of new policies could not change the inevitable fate of the Ming Dynasty, a rotten ship that was about to sink.

Open source should be used.

Cost-cutting is also essential!

The bleeding of the Ming Dynasty in Liaodong has gone on for far too long; it's time to stop the bleeding.

ps:
A long chapter of 8400 words!
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(End of this chapter)