Huangming

Chapter 414 Millions of Dirty Silver, Appeasing the Mongols and Controlling Slaves

The open space in the backyard of the Guangning Prefectural Government Office was now completely filled with piles of valuables.

Sunlight streamed through the clouds, shining on the boxes and boxes of silver, reflecting a blinding white light that made it impossible to open one's eyes.

Yang Lian stood before this "silver mountain," his fingers unconsciously brushing against a wooden box filled with silver.

The silver coins were heavy, each one carrying a cold, metallic feel, yet they made his heart sink with unease.

He was not an unsophisticated official; he had seen the piles of money and grain in the Ministry of Revenue's treasury when he was serving in the capital. But the sight before him still made him gasp in shock.

The silver alone was piled up in front of them, packed in more than sixty large wooden crates, each crate holding fifty thousand taels, so sixty crates would amount to a full three million taels.

If this silver were transported by mules and horses, it would take hundreds of mules and horses to pull it all, and this is only the most visible part of the stolen goods.

On the table next to it, there were stacks of land deeds and shop contracts.

The top land deed reads "3,000 mu of farmland south of Liaoyang City," and bears the official red seal, but Sun Degong changed it to his own name using his private seal.

Further down the page, there are contracts for the largest silk shop and pawnshop in Guangning City, and even private merchant contracts for trading ginseng and timber with Mongolian tribes.

"Lord, this is the inventory list."

A captain of the Imperial Guard walked over carrying an account book, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"In addition to three million taels of silver, there were forty-two shops, three hundred thousand mu of farmland, and seventeen residences. Furthermore, the gold and jade artifacts, silks and satins found in Sun Degong's mansion amounted to more than five hundred thousand taels."

The total value of all assets was approximately 6.8 million taels of silver.

"Six million eight hundred thousand taels..."

Yang Lian repeated the number in a low voice, her brows furrowed.

If we add up the stolen goods seized in Liaoyang and Shenyang, wouldn't we be able to make up 20 million taels?

This is no small amount; it is almost equivalent to two or three years of the Ming Dynasty's national treasury revenue. Where did these parasites in Liaodong get so much silver?
But this question was quickly answered.

After all, he had served in the imperial court for many years and was very familiar with the military pay situation in Liaodong.

Every year, the imperial court allocates between five and six million taels of silver to Liaodong as military pay. However, once this money reaches Liaodong, it seems to be absorbed by a sponge, with less than 10% actually reaching the soldiers.

"Civil officials embezzled 30%, while military officials pocketed 70%..."

The so-called "drifting away" refers to the civil officials using the excuse of transportation losses and account deficits to embezzle 30% of the military pay.

The military officers were even more direct, either falsely reporting troop numbers to embezzle pay or embezzling soldiers' rations and pay, pocketing up to 70% of the total.

Based on this calculation, at least 4.5 million taels of military pay flowed into private pockets every year. Over ten years, more than 45 million taels could be recovered from military pay alone.

Not to mention the profits from military farming and smuggling in Liaodong.

Liaodong is mountainous and forested, rich in ginseng, sable fur, and timber, all of which are rare treasures in the Central Plains. Many generals took advantage of the labor of military households to privately cultivate land and monopolize the trade of mountain products, earning millions of taels of silver every year.

Bao Chengxian, the military commander of Xipingbao, could earn more than 5,000 taels of silver every year just by deducting the soldiers' rations and forcing military households to collect ginseng for him.

Sun Degong, the deputy commander of Guangning, was even more ruthless. He monopolized the timber trade between Guangning and Mongolia, and could embezzle tens of thousands of taels of silver every year from this alone. In addition, he also embezzled salaries and sold official titles. It is no wonder that he amassed a fortune of millions over ten years.

"All things considered, the 6.8 million taels confiscated in Guangning is not much, in fact... too little."

Yang Lian suddenly came to her senses, and her eyes sharpened.

He looked at the Imperial Guard captain, his tone serious:
"During the inventory, did you find any discrepancies in the accounts? For example, were some items or silver not recorded?"

The captain paused for a moment, then nodded: "Reporting to the capital, there are indeed several boxes of silver with less than expected, and several pieces of gold artifacts found in Zhang Cunren's residence. It is said that one piece is missing. I am planning to investigate thoroughly."

"Must check!"

Yang Lian's voice suddenly rose.

“These stolen goods are His Majesty’s money, the court’s military pay, and the life-saving money of the Liaodong military households. How can we allow those below to embezzle them?”

Tell the Embroidered Uniform Guard to thoroughly investigate all the soldiers and officials involved in the ransacking of the house. Anyone found to have concealed stolen goods will be punished as an accomplice!

Yang Lian took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and his gaze fell on the stack of land deeds again.

He suddenly realized why he couldn't find so much money.

The shady dealings can be gleaned from the confiscation of Sun Degong's property.

Sun Degong had sixteen concubines in his household, each with her own courtyard. The decorations in the courtyard were all made of gold and jade, and even the maids wore clothes made of silk and satin.

This hard-earned silver should have been used to buy winter clothes and weapons for the soldiers, but it was wasted and squandered by these parasites.

Thinking of those soldiers who starved to death because of lack of food, Yang Lian felt as if her heart was being pricked by needles.

"If it hadn't been squandered, the amount of money confiscated might have been even greater!"
However, six million eight hundred thousand taels is still an astronomical figure.

Yang Lian slowly closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, her eyes were completely calm.

He picked up the ledger and said to his guards:

"Organize these accounts and send them to the capital by fast horse to present to His Majesty."

Let His Majesty know how rampant corruption is in Liaodong, and let the world know how these parasites are gnawing away at the very foundation of the Ming Dynasty!

In the following days.

Before the dust had completely settled from the raids, Yang Lian had already begun his journey into the depths of the military and political reforms in Guangning.

He selected more than ten clerks from the Ministry of War from the accompanying army, and chose captains from the Embroidered Uniform Guard who were familiar with military registers, to form a temporary verification team, which went straight to the military register warehouse of Guangning Guard.

There were piles of military registers and grain registers from the past ten years.

"Check each person's information against the register, ensuring there is no omission or discrepancy!"

Yang Lian stood at the warehouse door and gave instructions to the survey team in a deep voice.

The officials immediately brought out wooden boxes, spread the troop registers on a makeshift long table, and checked the names, ages, and places of origin page by page.

Meanwhile, the captains took the troop registers to each camp and checked the soldiers one by one.

Some soldiers' rosters say "25 years old, able to draw a strong bow", but when they arrive at the camp, they find that the soldier is nearly 50 years old and can't even draw a two-stone bow.

Some rosters listed "fifty infantrymen," but only about twenty emaciated soldiers stood in the camp. Upon inquiry, it was discovered that the other thirty were "nominal" vacancies.

After nearly half a month of this busy work, the verification results were delivered to Yang Lian.

Upon seeing this result, even he, who was used to seeing corruption, couldn't help but clench his fists.

Guangning claimed to have 30,000 registered soldiers, but upon verification, only 18,000 were actually capable of fighting, meaning that a full 40% of the registered soldiers were fictitious!
“Every year, the imperial court allocates nearly two million taels of silver to Guangning for military pay, based on a quota of 30,000 soldiers. However, in reality, only 18,000 soldiers need to be supported. Nearly 800,000 taels of silver are swallowed up by these generals!”

Yang Lian slammed the verification book heavily on the table, his voice filled with anger.

He walked up to the map and suddenly let out a cold laugh:
"No wonder Liaodong can never win a battle. No wonder when Commander Xiong wanted to march straight to Hetu Ala and wipe out the Jurchens last year, these people tried their best to stop him. How could they not stop him?"

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the numbers in the ledger, his tone laced with sarcasm.

“They siphon four to five million taels of silver from the Ming Dynasty’s treasury every year, and then make a fortune by smuggling ginseng and sable furs, and by communicating with the Mongols and Jurchens. This is a business with no capital and huge profits!”

Now that Liaodong is at peace, the imperial court no longer needs to allocate so much military funds, thus cutting off their source of income.
These parasites are just hoping Liaodong will descend into chaos so they can continue to line their own pockets!

Yang Lian took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in her heart.

now.

Anger is useless; only by eliminating corrupt practices can Liaodong be revitalized.

He immediately said:
"Immediately issue a document to all battalions, eliminating all falsely claimed troop numbers and re-registering according to the actual number of soldiers. From now on, monthly military pay will be directly paid to the soldiers, supervised by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Ministry of War, and the Censorate. No one is allowed to withhold any pay!"

He paused, then added, "In this way, the court can save at least one million taels of military pay each year. This money can be used to replenish weapons and improve the soldiers' treatment."

Having solved the problem of fraudulent military pay, Yang Lian then turned his attention to the exploited military households.

He ordered his men to retrieve the "List of Occupied Military Lands" previously verified by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and sent officials to visit each household to confirm which military households' lands had been forcibly seized by generals and which had been mortgaged due to unpaid wages.

After the investigation was completed, he allocated 200,000 taels of silver from the confiscated silver and gave 10 taels of silver to each of the military households that were starving due to the withholding of their rations as compensation.

At the same time, the occupied military lands were redeemed and returned to their original owners.

"This silver is what you deserve; it's what the imperial court owes you!"

Yang Lian personally went to the military households village on the outskirts of the city and watched as the officials handed the silver to the military households.

In the past, these military households were all emaciated, their clothes patched upon patched, and their eyes as empty as dry wells.

Upon receiving the silver, some of the old soldiers' eyes immediately reddened. They tremblingly touched the silver, repeatedly asking, "Is this really for me?"

The younger soldiers clutched the silver, their faces breaking into long-lost smiles, and repeatedly said, "Thank you, Commander! Thank you, the court! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

These people's cold hearts were warmed again by this money.

In addition to compensating military households, Yang Lian also selected auxiliary soldiers from the refugees who had drifted to Guangning.

Anyone aged sixteen to forty and in good health can apply to be assigned to various battalions to assist in defending the city and transporting provisions, and will be paid 5 dou of rice and 1 qian of silver per month.

When the news spread, refugees flocked to the area, and more than 3,000 people were recruited in just five days.

These migrants used to either beg on the streets or survive by digging for wild vegetables. Now that they have jobs and stable income, their faces have gradually regained their color, and the begging sounds on the streets of Guangning have decreased significantly.

In just half a month, Guangning was like a completely different world.

In the past, the city and its surroundings were desolate, with military households staying indoors and refugees huddled in corners.

Nowadays, there are more vendors in the market, soldiers use silver to buy grain and cloth, children chase and play in the streets, and even the soldiers guarding the city stand up straight, their armor, though old, is polished to a shine.

Some people even raised money to build a shrine for Yang Lian at the city gate, but he personally stopped them.

"Fellow villagers, you must not!"

Yang Lian stood before the timber for the shrine, cupped his hands in greeting to the gathered crowd, and said:

“I, Yang Lian, am doing these things not so that people will build a shrine for me, but so that Liaodong will be peaceful and people can live and work in peace.”

From now on, you should farm diligently and maintain your businesses. Having enough food and clothing will be the best way to repay the imperial court.

After saying this, he ordered the timber to be distributed to the poor people so they could repair their houses.

When the people saw that he was determined not to comply, they pooled their money to make a "Ten Thousand People Umbrella," with the eight characters "Upright and Honest" and "Serving the People" embroidered on it. They then sent it to the government office with gongs and drums.

Yang Lian couldn't refuse, so he accepted the umbrella, but hung it at the entrance of the government office and said to the crowd:

"This umbrella is for all officials working in Liaodong, to remind us that we must live up to the trust of the people."

Wang Huazhen, the governor of Guangning, watched this scene with envy in his eyes, and even felt a little sour.

He had been in Guangning for half a year and had done some things, but he had never received such support from the people.

But as he watched Yang Lian's busy figure and the rapid changes in Guangning, his jealousy gradually dissipated and was replaced by admiration.

"Yang Lian is truly capable."

Wang Huazhen sighed inwardly.

"If I could be like him, working diligently for the people and conscientiously rectifying the border defenses, I would surely gain the people's recognition and receive my own 'umbrella of ten thousand people' when I leave Guangning in the future."

After that day, Wang Huazhen took the initiative to find Yang Lian and offered to help him reorganize the civil affairs of Guangning—verify household registration, repair water conservancy projects, and appease displaced people.

Yang Lian readily agreed, and the two divided their work, with one in charge of military and political affairs and the other in charge of civil affairs, making Guangning increasingly prosperous and peaceful.

Echoing the rectification in Guangning, the reform storm in Liaoyang and Shenyang also swept across the country like a thunderclap.

Inside the Liaoyang government office, the military registers and ration ledgers piled up on the desks were almost half a person high. The officials sent by the Ministry of War were checking them page by page, occasionally stopping at names like "Li Ergou" and "Wang Asan" that appeared repeatedly.

These are all fictitious troop quotas created by military officers; behind each name lies a mere six taels of silver in empty pay each year.

"My lord, the Liaoyang Left Guard has 7,300 registered soldiers, but only 4,100 have actually been counted. The number of fictitious soldiers accounts for 40%!"

A manager rushed in, carrying account books, his voice filled with shock.

Sun Chengzong stood before the map and simply nodded slightly upon hearing this.

"It's not just the Left Guard; the fictitious quotas for the Right Guard and the Central Guard have also been uncovered. The military pay that has been embezzled over the years is enough to buy three batches of winter clothes for the soldiers in Liaodong."

After two months of thorough investigation, from the military commander in Liaoyang to the captain in Shenyang, almost all the corrupt officials and traitors were exposed by the secret agents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

They originally thought they could get away with it by relying on their old connections, but they didn't expect that Xiong Tingbi and Sun Chengzong were serious this time.

Of course, some slipped through the net.

For example, a centurion in Shenyang Garrison, upon hearing rumors, abandoned his post overnight and fled into the mountains, heading towards the Jurchens.

They were forced to submit to the Jurchens.

There was also a clerk in Liaoyang who exchanged the silver he had embezzled for jade artifacts and hid them at a relative's house in the countryside, but never dared to take them out to use again.

Although these people escaped a calamity for the time being, they had long lost their former arrogance and could only hide like rats, no longer daring or able to engage in corrupt activities.

The stolen goods seized in both locations were so shocking that even Xiong Tingbi, who was used to seeing such things, was taken aback.

In the backyard of the General's Mansion in Shenyang, more than sixty vermilion lacquered wooden boxes were neatly arranged. When they were opened, the white light of the silver ingots was almost blinding. The total amount of silver was four million taels.

Sun Chengzong also seized four million taels of silver in Liaoyang.

"Including jade artifacts, shops, and residences, the total value of the stolen goods from both locations is over 13 million taels of silver!"

Xiong Tingbi held the inventory book, his voice filled with regret.

“The imperial court allocates six million taels of military pay to Liaodong every year. Over the past ten years, more than half of it has ended up in the pockets of these parasites!”

Last winter, over three hundred military households in Liaoyang froze and starved to death, while these men were enjoying warm wine with their concubines in their mansions—their consciences have been eaten by dogs!

Despite his anger, Xiong Tingbi handled the situation without any hesitation.

Following Yang Lian's example, Xiong Tingbi and Sun Chengzong set up public trial platforms in both Liaoyang and Shenyang.

As the Liaodong Military Commissioner, he personally read out the evidence of crimes, and with each one read out, the roars of the soldiers below the platform grew louder.

Finally, all these bookworms were taken outside the city and beheaded. Their heads were displayed on the city gate for three days as a warning to others.

Just as the rectification in Shenyang was coming to an end, an unexpected incident occurred.

A Mongol cavalry force of several thousand men suddenly marched south from the grasslands, heading straight for the military settlements around Shenyang. Wherever they went, the soldiers' grain and fodder were looted and their houses were burned.

The leader of the team was none other than Ligdan Khan's younger brother, Khuntu Taiji.

Since Ligdan Khan's defeat and capture last year, the Chahar tribe has fallen apart. His son, Erke Konggor Ejei, and Juntu Taiji are vying for the Khanate, each trying to win over a commander of ten thousand households.

When Juntu Taiji saw Zhang Bingyi causing trouble in Liaoyang, he wanted to take the opportunity to go south and plunder, seize some grain and people to strengthen his own power. However, he did not expect that Zhang Bingyi had already been defeated and killed, and he did not expect that the Ming army in Liaodong was no longer as weak as it was a year ago.

"Just in time!"

When Xiong Tingbi received the news, he was inspecting the newly manufactured muskets. Upon hearing this, he immediately slammed his fist on the table and stood up, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

"Pass on my order: Marquis Liu Xingzuo of Weilu will lead 5,000 cavalry as the vanguard, and General Chen Ce, the commander-in-chief aiding Liaodong, will lead 10,000 infantry and chariot troops to follow. We must annihilate this Mongol force!"

Upon receiving the order, Liu Xingzuo immediately assembled his troops.

His cavalrymen were all clad in fish-scale armor made of black iron, and their warhorses were all Sanhe horses captured from the Jurchen and Chahar tribes.

These horses are known for their endurance and speed; one person can be equipped with three horses, enabling them to run day and night.

Once his troops had assembled, Liu Xingzuo wasted no time.

He immediately mounted his horse and shouted to the soldiers in front of him:
"My lads, the Mongols dare to run wild in our Liaodong! Today we'll show them what the mighty cavalry of the Ming Dynasty truly is!"

Before the words were even finished, five thousand cavalrymen rushed out of the camp like a black wind, heading towards the direction where the Mongol cavalry had raided.

At the same time, Chen Ce's infantry and chariot battalion also sprang into action. The soldiers pushed their chariots, blocking the pass through which the Mongols were about to leave.

They deployed their troops on both sides of the Mongol cavalry's retreat route, buried deer antlers in the ground, and arranged musketeers in three rows with their guns pointed at the open ground ahead, waiting for Liu Xingzuo to drive the Mongols over.

At this time, Juntu Taiji was still busy seizing the soldiers' provisions. His cavalrymen were carrying grain and driving cattle and sheep in a chaotic mess.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar. Looking up, they saw a group of Ming cavalry galloping towards them. Their black iron armor gleamed coldly in the sunlight, like a black arrow.

The Mongol cavalry panicked and scrambled to mount their horses, trying to escape, but it was too late.

Liu Xingzuo had already divided his cavalry into five groups, which moved in from different directions, cutting the Mongol cavalry into small pieces and preventing them from forming a formation.

"kill!"

Liu Xingzuo took the lead, slashing down with his scimitar, and the head of a Mongol cavalryman rolled to the ground.

His cavalrymen fought bravely, their black iron armor able to block the Mongols' arrows, while the Ming army's scimitars could easily cut through the Mongols' leather armor.

The Mongol cavalry were scattered and could only flee southwest, only to run right into the encirclement set up by Chen Ce.

"Fire the gun!"

At Chen Ce's command, three rows of musketeers fired in turn, the "bang bang bang" of gunfire echoing across the open field, and Mongol cavalrymen fell to the ground one after another.

Those who were not hit tried to break through the antler formation, but were stabbed to death by Ming soldiers' spears in front of the formation.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Khuntu Taiji tried to break through on horseback, but was spotted by Liu Xingzuo.

Liu Xingzuo spurred his horse to catch up and lashed it hard on the leg. The warhorse was startled and fell to the ground. As soon as he got up, he was pinned down by Ming soldiers and tied up with ropes.

This unlucky fellow not only failed to rob the place, but also got himself killed.

"Dare to plunder Liaodong? Don't you even take a piss and look in the mirror?"

Liu Xingzuo first spat, then shouted to his guards, "Send this scoundrel to the White Tiger Hall and hand him over to the General for disposal!"

soon.

The lord of the chariot was then escorted to the White Tiger Hall of the Shenyang Military Governor's Mansion.

The newly escorted Bengtu Taiji was still kneeling on the ground, his hands bound behind his back with thick hemp rope, the bloodstains on his armor congealed into a dark brown, his hair disheveled and plastered to his face, his eyes filled with fear.

He thought he would face the guillotine, after all, he had just led his troops to plunder the Ming army's farmland, and his hands were stained with the blood of Liaodong soldiers.

But Xiong Tingbi circled around him and suddenly said, "Gengtu Taiji, do you think this general would kill you?"

These words made Bengtu look up abruptly, his eyes filled with astonishment.

He opened his mouth, but couldn't speak because of nervousness. He could only watch as Xiong Tingbi walked to the table and stared at him with eyes as fierce as a wolf on the prairie.

"Don't worry, this military commissioner will not kill you."

"After all, killing you is easy, but killing you will only make the chaos in the Chahar tribe worse."

"After Ligdan Khan died, you and Erke Konggor Ejei vied for the Khanate, and all the tribes on the grasslands were watching and waiting."

What this strategy aims for is not a divided Chahar, but a Chahar that can be used by the Ming Dynasty.

Ben Tu calmed down slightly, but still dared not get up, and asked in a low voice:
"Lord General... what do you mean?"

Ha ha.

Xiong Tingbi sneered and said:

"Not only will I spare your life, but I will also let you return to the grasslands and help you unify the Chahar tribe."

"But you need to understand first why it's you, and not Ejei."

Upon hearing this, Khedrup Taiji became excited.

So, not only does he not have to die, but he can also gain the support of the Ming Dynasty?
He immediately said, "Because I, Bengtu, am willing to be a dog for the Duke!"

Xiong Tingbi shook his head and said, "There are at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, of those on the grasslands who would want to be my dogs. If you could get my support, do you think your nephew Ejei would become my dog?"

Upon hearing this, Gongtu's expression changed drastically.

Seeing that he had given enough of a warning, Xiong Tingbi immediately said:

Do you know what status Ejei's mother, Suqin, has now?
She was a concubine of Huang Taiji. After Ligdan Khan's defeat last year, Huang Taiji personally went to the grasslands to bring her away and bestowed upon her the title of "Shufei" (a title for a concubine).

Half of the advisors around Ejei were sent by Huang Taiji.

"If Ejei were to unify the Chahar, the Chahar tribe would be their right-hand man when I pacify the Jurchens. Do you think I, the strategist, would allow such a thing to happen?"

Bengtu was shocked, and only then did he understand the key point.

He only knew that Ejei had the support of the Jurchens, but he did not know that Su Qin was already a concubine of Huang Taiji. If Ejei really became the Khan of Chahar, the entire southern grassland would fall into the Jurchens' sphere of influence. At that time, he, the defeated general, would probably not even have a place to hide.

"As for the Khorchin tribe..."

Xiong Tingbi then changed the subject.

"During this period, the Ming Dynasty has been supporting the Khorchin, providing them with grain and ironware, in order to have them restrain the Jurchens."

However, the grassland tribes have always been known to rebel when strong and submit when weak. If they rely solely on the Khorchin family, they will inevitably develop disloyalty when the Khorchin family becomes powerful in the future.

The purpose of this strategy is to create a balance of power between the Chahar and Khorchin, so that neither dares to easily side with the Jurchens.

And you are the key to controlling the Khorchin.

These words were like a lamp, completely illuminating the fog in Bengtu's heart.

He finally understood that Xiong Tingbi's decision not to kill him was not out of mercy, but because he had a bigger plan.

He was used to counter Ejei and restrain Khorchin, thus firmly grasping the situation of the entire grassland in the hands of the Ming Dynasty.

Thinking of this, he dared not delay any longer and immediately prostrated himself on the ground, his voice tinged with excitement:
"General, you are wise! I was foolish before and offended the territory of the Ming Dynasty. If you are willing to give me a chance, I am willing to serve the Ming Dynasty with all my might!"

Xiong Tingbi looked at his submissive appearance and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

He stepped forward, bent down and personally untied the ropes binding Bengtu, then gestured to his personal guards to bring a chair:
"Get up and sit down to talk. What I want is not your verbal promises, but your real submission."

Bongtu stood up, rubbing his wrists which were numb from being tied up, but he didn't dare to actually sit down. He just stood there with his hands hanging down, his eyes full of awe.

He could sense that the Liaodong military governor in front of him was far more shrewd and calculating than Ligdan Khan or Huang Taiji.

With just a few words, he clearly analyzed the situation on the grasslands and pointed out a "way out" for him, but also firmly bound him to the war chariot of the Ming Dynasty.

"Listen carefully to the terms of this strategist."

Xiong Tingbi's tiger-like eyes were fixed on the painting.

"First, after you return, you must quickly gather the scattered forces of the Chahar tribe."

Secondly, within this month, you must move your family, including your mother, wife, and three sons, to Shenyang. The Ming Dynasty will provide them with housing and sustenance as a token of... mutual trust."

"If you can do the above two things, my Great Ming can support you, give you a hundred sets of armor, and provide you with enough food to recruit soldiers."

Bongtu's heart tightened. He knew this meant "hostage," but then he thought that if he didn't agree, he might not be able to leave the White Tiger Hall today.

Moreover, Xiong Tingbi was willing to give him armor and provisions, and even help him fight against Ejei, so these conditions were not unreasonable.

He immediately bowed and said, "I will follow the General's arrangements! My family will definitely arrive in Shenyang this month!"

"very good."

Xiong Tingbi nodded and called out to the door, "Pass on the General's order to transfer one hundred sets of black iron fish scale armor and five thousand shi of grain from the warehouse and send them to Gengtu Taiji."

The guards obeyed and left. When Kuangtu heard about "one hundred sets of black iron fish scale armor," his eyes lit up.

This armor was lightweight and highly protective, and it was standard equipment for the Ming army. He had seen it on the battlefield before and had always coveted it but could not obtain it.

Xiong Tingbi's generous gift shows his sincerity and gives him more confidence to win over his followers.

"These armors and provisions are the first support that the Ming Dynasty has given you."

Xiong Tingbi's voice rang out again, carrying a hint of warning.

"If you can stabilize the situation in the Chahar tribe within six months, I will give you even more."

This includes firearms, ironware, and even helping you establish trade with the Ming Dynasty.

But if you dare to betray…

He didn't continue speaking, but his gaze swept over Bengtu, and the coldness in his eyes sent a chill down Bengtu's spine.

Bengtu immediately knelt down again.

"Bongtu swears to Heaven that if he has any disloyal intentions, he will be struck by lightning and die without a complete corpse!"

In the future, the swords of the Chahar tribe will only be pointed at the Jurchens and others who oppose the Ming Dynasty, never at the Ming Dynasty itself!

Xiong Tingbi nodded in satisfaction and stepped forward to help him up.

"Get up. Today you will return to the grasslands with armor and provisions. Remember, you owe your current status to the Ming Dynasty."

If you become the Khan of Chahar in the future, you will also be a member of the Ming Dynasty.

Never forget this kindness.

Bengtu nodded heavily, then turned and walked out of the White Tiger Hall.

After leaving the White Tiger Hall, he glanced back at the majestic mansion, knowing in his heart that from this moment on, his fate was inextricably linked with that of the Ming Dynasty.

Inside the White Tiger Hall, after the monk left...

Xiong Tingbi picked up the grassland map again, his eyes moving back and forth between Chahar, Horqin, and Hetu Ala.

Zhou Wenhuan entered at some point, and observing his movements, said softly:

"The Duke of Jinglue's move was brilliant! He not only cut off Huang Taiji's left arm but also put the Khorchin under control. The situation on the grasslands is now completely under our control."

Xiong Tingbi stood before the map of Baihu Hall, but his face showed no trace of the satisfaction he had felt after dealing with the map-bearing Taiji.

In his view, the Chahar tribe after Ligdan Khan's defeat was nothing more than a leaderless mob, and even if the Mongol tribes had ambitions, they could not stir up any waves that could shake the Ming Dynasty.

The grassland problem that has plagued the Ming Dynasty for a century now has a solution, and given time, it can be gradually resolved.

At this moment, his gaze had already crossed the grassland and was firmly fixed on the place name circled in red in the northeast of the map.

Hetu Ala.

"The Mongols are not worth mentioning. In this Liaodong region, only Huang Taiji is barely worthy of being a match for my Great Ming."

"Right now, all I'm thinking about is how to deal with the Jurchens!"

"The Grand Marshal".

At this moment, a guard stepped forward, holding a secret report, and bowed, saying...
"Reporting to the General, according to reports from spies at Fushun Pass, Huang Taiji recently dispatched Ajige with two hundred elite cavalry to patrol outside the pass and to assist many people who escaped from Shenyang and Liaoyang."

Most of them were minor officers and servants not on the official register, along with a few clerks who had embezzled relatively small sums.

Upon hearing this, Xiong Tingbi's expression remained unchanged.

"When cleaning up Liaoshen and Shenyang, it's inevitable that a few stray cats and dogs will slip through the net."

These people held the highest official rank of no more than a hundred households, and they had never even seen the defense map of Liaoyang Guard. What useful information could they possibly leak?

"They're just grasshoppers in autumn, they won't last long."

"The urgent matter right now is not to hunt down these small fry, but two other things:"
First, to thoroughly reorganize Liaoshen; second, to prepare for war against the Jurchens.

The rectification of Liaodong is by no means something that can be accomplished simply by executing a few hundred corrupt officials.

It is even more important to reassure the people and stabilize the morale of the army.

Xiong Tingbi immediately said:
"The military households whose rations and pay were previously withheld should have 30% of the embezzled funds used to make up for it."

The families of soldiers who froze to death last winter each received a pension of five taels of silver.

The soldiers must know that the court remembers their suffering and will never again make them bleed and weep.

"In addition, the displaced people in Liaoning and Shenyang should be registered as soon as possible and allocated wasteland."

The government provided timber to help rebuild the houses in the city that had been burned down.

Only when the people are at peace can the soldiers have no worries about their rear.

The most crucial thing is filling the vacancies in the government.

"From today onwards, only two types of people will be selected for the more than two hundred vacant positions in Liaoning and Shenyang:"

First, those who have maintained a firm stance and acted with integrity and public service during this rectification campaign.

Secondly, those who have made outstanding military achievements and are able to share weal and woe with their soldiers.

Those who rely on connections and are only interested in making money will not be used!

No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhou Wenhuan handed over a military report on the grain supplies in Liaodong, his brows furrowing slightly:
"Lord General, Liaodong needs 1.08 million shi of military grain and 4 million shi of horse feed every year, totaling nearly 5 million shi."

In previous years, the imperial court had to transport three million shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain from Jiangnan, and the transportation cost alone was at least three million taels of silver.

The grain transport route involved crossing the Yellow River by canal and passing through the Shanhaiguan Pass by land. Transporting one shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain cost one tael (another unit of silver tael), which was simply unaffordable.

"Therefore, the land reclamation after the start of spring is of paramount importance."

Xiong Tingbi took the military report, his words carrying a hint of anticipation.

"Now that corruption in Liaoshen has been eradicated, the military households have land and grain, so naturally more people are willing to settle down and cultivate the land."

"If we can reclaim the tens of thousands of acres of wasteland around Shenyang and repair the irrigation canals in Liaoyang, the grain self-sufficiency rate in Liaodong can increase from 20% to over 70% within two years."

He counted on his fingers:

"At that time, only one million shi of grain will need to be transported from Jiangnan each year, saving two million shi of transport volume, and two million taels of transportation costs alone."

The guards in the White Tiger Hall were thrilled and immediately asked:
"If that's the case, when can we make a move against the Jurchens? Last year we almost wiped out Hetu Ala, and the brothers have been itching to do it for a long time!"

Xiong Tingbi raised his hand to signal him to calm down, then turned his gaze back to Hetu Ala on the map, his tone full of unwavering confidence:

"The reorganization of Liaodong cannot be delayed, and the extermination of the Jurchens cannot be rushed."

"Once the spring planting and settlement arrangements are in place, the officials are in place, and the military rations and horse feed are stockpiled, it will be time to deal with the Jurchens."

"Last year, we failed to defeat the Jurchens in one battle because of insufficient supplies, disunity, and internal treachery. But things are different now!"

"Regarding gunpowder, the 10,000 jin of gunpowder we transported from the imperial court has already been stored in the Shenyang gunpowder depot."

In terms of manpower, the 60,000 elite troops remaining after the reorganization in Liaoshen and other places are all capable fighters.

Furthermore, the Horqin tribe can be mobilized.

Both canal and land transport have been arranged, and there will be no food shortages like last year.

With land now available to the military households and homes settled for the common people, everyone hopes we can drive out the Jurchens and restore peace to Liaodong!

"We have the right timing, the right location, and the right people; all of these are on our side now."

Huang Taiji is nothing but a skeleton in a tomb!

As he spoke, Xiong Tingbi chuckled coldly twice, thinking to himself:
Huang Taiji, didn't you want to gather information using those deserters?
Are you trying to play a trick at Fushun Pass?
Keep dreaming!
After spring
My Ming army is pressing in on our borders. I, the General, will see how you resist!

ps:
A super long chapter of 9200 words!
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(End of this chapter)