How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 330 I love sweet potatoes, I've ordered two billion catties!

The West Warm Pavilion of Qianqing Palace was eerily quiet.

Emperor Chongzhen sat with his body slightly leaning forward, his elbows resting on the table, staring at the map of the five northern provinces spread out before him. Several important ministers, including Huang Lijie, Bi Ziyan, Wang Zaijin, Xu Guangqi, Li Congxin, and Yang Sichang, sat at the lower end of the table, while the eunuch Fang Hua, who held the imperial scribblings, stood respectfully beside the emperor.

"Speak," Chongzhen said without looking up, tapping his finger lightly on the map. "What is the actual situation in the five northern provinces?"

Bi Ziyan, the Minister of Revenue, leaned forward slightly on the stool, his throat dry: "Your Majesty, the situation is dire. Since the beginning of spring, there has been little rain in Beizhili, Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, and Shaanxi. The land is so dry that it is cracked. As for the summer harvest... I'm afraid we can't count on it."

He paused, his voice even lower: "What's worse, locust nymphs have already appeared. In the areas that suffered from last year's floods, the first signs of locusts have already appeared."

After finishing the bad news, he added, "The buckwheat planted after the flood receded last year was finally harvested, saving some lives. The number of starving people... was less than expected."

"Slightly less?" Chongzhen raised his head, his eyes sweeping over the seated people. "So, that means some people are still starving to death?"

Bi Ziyan bowed: "Yes... there are still reports of starvation in various places, especially in remote mountainous areas."

Emperor Chongzhen frowned, leaned back in his chair, and tapped his knuckles heavily on the table: "What about the refugees? Have they gathered in large groups? Are there any signs of rebellion?"

Minister of War Wang Zaijin responded, his tone still relatively steady: "Your Majesty, there are currently no large groups of displaced people causing trouble. Most of the displaced people from last year's Yellow and Huai River floods have been gathered at several large construction sites as part of the work-for-relief program. They have food to eat and are relatively well-off. In Shaanxi and Shanxi, due to the large-scale reclamation projects in the Hetao and Tumote areas, as well as the large-scale projects in western Beijing and Tianjin, a large number of able-bodied men have been absorbed, so the manpower has been somewhat depleted, and there has been no disturbance like during the spring famine of previous years."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen felt a slight relief. The land reclamation and large-scale construction projects he had pushed so hard in the past few years were finally showing results. But he couldn't completely relax; he knew that this was only a temporary respite, and if there was another crop failure this summer, the volcano would erupt again.

"Sweet potatoes!" Emperor Chongzhen's voice was resolute. "Right now, this drought-resistant and high-yielding crop is all we can rely on! How's the promotion going in the five northern provinces?"

Bi Ziyan replied, "In Shaanxi, the Zhou Prince's Mansion strongly advocated for it, and the promotion in various prefectures and counties in northern Shaanxi is quite good, with more people willing to plant it." Wang Zaijin added, "The military settlements along the nine borders have also been trialed according to the Ministry of War's document, and the growth... remains to be seen."

Emperor Chongzhen understood the implication: "Apart from Shaanxi and the Nine Border Regions, are there few other places where crops are grown?"

Bi Ziyan looked troubled: "Your Majesty is wise. Sweet potatoes are, after all, an import from overseas. They look strange and are not a staple food. Ordinary farmers, clinging to their meager plots of land, seek only security. Unless they are desperate or forced by the government, they would not dare to gamble their entire family's livelihood on this unfamiliar thing. Under duress, many outwardly comply but inwardly defy it."

The room fell silent for a moment. Everyone understood the reasoning, but changing the farming habits that people had developed over thousands of years was difficult.

Grand Secretary Huang Lijie pondered for a moment and said, "Perhaps we could issue another strict decree, ordering all prefectures and counties to vigorously promote this practice, linking sweet potato cultivation to the performance evaluation system..."

Xu Guangqi, the Minister of Rites, was more pragmatic: "Your Majesty, perhaps you could have the estates of the princes in various regions set an example first. The princely estates are vast, and if they can take the lead in extensive cultivation and set a precedent, it might set a trend. Moreover, the estates of the imperial family are easier to manage than the farmland of ordinary people."

As Chongzhen listened, his gaze slowly moved across the map, as if weighing the obstacles and hopes on this land. Suddenly, he stopped looking, and a very faint smile appeared on his face.

"The imperial edict must be issued, and an example must be set," he said slowly, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials. "But if we only talk about it or force them, the farmers will not feel secure and will not dare to gamble their lives and fortunes."

He paused, then uttered a startling statement: "I have a solution."

All the officials looked up, wondering what brilliant plan the emperor had in mind.

"I love sweet potatoes," Chongzhen said in a serious tone. "Therefore, I will issue a deposit to buy sweet potatoes from the people."

Buy? The officials were taken aback. The emperor was purchasing from the people? How much?
Emperor Chongzhen gestured on the table, saying, "These five northern provinces: Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, Shandong, and Beizhili. I will order 400 million catties of sweet potatoes from each province! That's a total of 2 billion catties!"

Two billion jin!

The figure was like a boulder thrown into water, and a suppressed gasp filled the room. Bi Ziyan's face changed; as the one in charge of finances, he knew the difficulties best. He hurriedly rose and said, "Your Majesty! No! Two billion catties of sweet potatoes, even at three coins per catty, would require six million taels of silver! Now, disaster relief, river works, border defense—money is needed everywhere. The Ministry of Revenue… the Ministry of Revenue is empty!"

He was almost furious, wondering if the emperor had lost his mind in his haste.

Seeing his anxious expression, Chongzhen smiled instead. He gestured for Bi Ziyan to sit down, then turned to the crowd, his voice not loud, but carrying an air of nouveau riche arrogance:

"Minister Bi, I know the difficulties faced by the Ministry of Revenue."

He paused, his eyes gleaming: "This deposit will not be paid by the Ministry of Revenue." Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Chongzhen declared loudly:
"I have silver!"

"I will use the imperial treasury!"

He surveyed the stunned officials and continued, "Regarding the seeds, my imperial estates and the royal estates across the land will provide them free of charge! Of the total price of six million taels, I will first pay a 30% deposit, with two million taels in cash! The funds will be disbursed immediately, through the official bank of the imperial estates, to the general managers of the royal estates in the five provinces. The government will also inform the people of the five northern provinces: all sweet potatoes grown will be purchased by the respective royal estates at market price in the fall! My deposit is a guarantee! Let them plant with peace of mind!"

Two million taels of imperial treasury! The emperor used his own private funds to reassure the people!

The warm pavilion was eerily quiet. The ministers were all stunned by this grand undertaking and unprecedented approach. Using the emperor's private funds to directly intervene in and leverage agricultural production through "orders"—this was unheard of since the founding of the Ming Dynasty!

But upon closer reflection, this might be the quickest and most effective way to break the current deadlock! Money makes the world go round! Especially when it comes to getting people to grow sweet potatoes! With the money going directly in, the farmers (actually the landlords) will see tangible benefits and naturally be more willing to work hard. Real money is more effective than any propaganda!

If these two billion catties of sweet potatoes could truly be grown, the Emperor certainly couldn't possibly eat them all by himself. But if this year really is another year of famine, then millions of lives could be saved! Moreover, once farmers see the benefits of sweet potatoes as a life-saving food, they will definitely plant even more next year. This Emperor is really throwing money at disaster relief!

But how did he get so much silver? Did he earn it all from "selling out Mongolians"?
Looking at the expressions on everyone's faces, Chongzhen knew they understood the crux of the matter. He said in a deep voice, "This matter concerns the lives of millions and the stability of the north. The imperial decree shall be issued immediately. The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works shall draft detailed regulations. Potato seeds shall be distributed free of charge to the imperial estates and royal estates. All details regarding transportation, planting, and autumn harvest shall be reported to me within ten days! It must be done quickly, as I will be inspecting the grasslands soon. Everything must be completed before then!"

With Emperor Chongzhen providing the funds, everything became much easier.

"Your Majesty, we obey!" The senior officials replied in unison, and an atmosphere of swift and decisive action immediately arose!

Around that time, in Shenyang outside the Great Wall, inside the Khan's palace.

The air here carries the dry chill unique to spring in Liaodong, with a touch more menacing atmosphere than the imperial court in Beijing.

The Later Jin Khan, Huang Taiji, sat on the heated kang (a traditional heated platform bed), his plump face gloomy, his brows slightly furrowed, clearly indicating his unease. Below him sat the First Prince Daishan, the Fourteenth Prince Dorgon, and several of his trusted confidants, including Ganglin, Fan Wencheng, and Ning Wanwo.

"Tell me everything about the Southern Dynasty," Huang Taiji said, his voice low but tinged with clenched teeth. He had just heard the secret reports sent from Beijing and Nanjing, and he was furious!
Fan Wencheng spoke first, his tone heavy: "Great Khan, the young emperor of the Southern Dynasty has quite a grand scheme on this southern tour. He set up a 'Mongol Kheshig Trading Company' in Nanjing, under the guise of connecting Southern Mongolia with the Mongols of India, openly selling a kind of 'commercial stock,' which I heard sells for tens of thousands of taels of silver per share! The wealthy merchants and nobles of Nanjing are fighting tooth and nail for this empty title, and the silver they've acquired... is probably no less than ten million taels!"

"Ten million taels?" Dai Shan gasped, his face filled with disbelief and envy. The Later Jin had plundered countless times, yet they might not have accumulated that much. And Chongzhen had just gotten it from home?
Dorgon, young and impetuous, his eyes flashing with a mixture of jealousy and shrewdness: "That little Chongzhen, he certainly has some tricks up his sleeve! How is this any different from fraud?"

Huang Taiji tapped his fingers lightly on the kang table, remaining silent, his eyes growing even colder. He wasn't concerned with the money itself, but rather with the terrifying power Chongzhen displayed in acquiring such a vast sum, demonstrating his formidable control over the finances of the south. This was far more frightening than the Later Jin's plundering with knives.

After all, a fully paid Ming army is still very powerful!
Ning Wan continued, her tone tinged with disbelief: "What's even stranger is that an envoy claiming to be from the 'Mongol Kingdom of Tianzhu' arrived, carrying mountains of treasures, including diamonds the size of a head and rubies the size of an egg. They said they wanted to marry a princess from the Golden Family and recruit real Mongol warriors! The dowry and settlement fee were said to be a million taels of silver! Chongzhen accepted them all with a smile!"

"India? Mongols? A princess of the Golden Family?" Huang Taiji finally spoke, his voice laced with mockery, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. "When did Chongzhen start engaging in this business of matchmaking, prostitution, and human trafficking? He certainly knows how to find a name for himself!"

Now he was even more envious, and a little regretful that if he had known that there was a Mongolian country in India that needed Mongolians and was buying them at high prices, he would have slaughtered fewer people and sold them all to that Mongolian country in India at once.

Finally, Fan Wencheng revealed the most alarming news for Huang Taiji: "Our inside sources in Beijing have reported that after Chongzhen returned to Beijing, he said he would use several million taels of silver from the imperial treasury to 'order' two billion catties of sweet potatoes from the people of the five northern provinces! He said it was to deal with this year's drought and locust plague. Also... he will soon be heading north to inspect the grasslands, presumably taking the delegation from India and Mongolia to the grasslands to inspect the 'goods'."

I sat quietly by the heated kang (a traditional Chinese bed-stove) for a while.

Suddenly, Huang Taiji let out a cold laugh, a laugh filled with sourness, jealousy, and an uncontrollable murderous intent.

"Well done, Emperor Chongzhen! What a grand gesture, what a magnificent display!"

He suddenly stood up, walked to the window, and looked northwest. That was the Mongolian grassland, the place Chongzhen was going to.

"He levied exorbitant taxes and amassed mountains of gold and silver in the Southern Dynasty! He then used the name of my Mongols to curry favor with the wealthy and powerful in India! Now, he wants to use my money to buy the hearts of the people! He's getting all the benefits of the world for himself?!"

He turned around abruptly, his eyes sweeping over Daishan and Dorgon, his gaze already filled with cold light: "Now that Chongzhen has money and wealth, he has forgotten whose world Mongolia is! Does he think that with money he can sleep soundly and come to my doorstep to show off his power?"

"Doesn't he love spending money? Doesn't he want to go to Kaiping and act like the superior Celestial Empire?" Huang Taiji grinned maliciously. "Fine! Then let's go! Let's go help him spend his money! Let's go to the walls of Kaiping and tell him who's in charge of this grassland!"

"Issue the order!" Huang Taiji's voice was resolute. "All Beile, organize your troops and stockpile provisions! When that brat Chongzhen arrives in Kaiping, I will personally lead the elite Eight Banners army to show those wealthy Indian Mongol delegations who truly reigns supreme over Mongolia!"

(End of this chapter)