A small soldier of the frontier army in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 439
In the 14th year of Chongzhen, on April [-]th, Xuanfu Town, Yongning City.
Early in the morning, in Chengenfang, Xunyu City, a quiet house, Zhong Rong was quietly thinking about something in his study.
Uncle Zhongyong, General Zhenglu has been back for a few days. The members of the shogunate know that the general has just returned from an expedition, and they dare not disturb his reunion with his family.But now that three days have passed, he should be able to go to report the internal affairs of the department.
Compared with the haggard and tired little official in the seventh year of Chongzhen, the current Zhong Rong is full of vigor and vitality, and all the gloomy festivals of the past have been swept away. However, he is still very low-key, humble in dealing with others, calm in demeanor, and wears clothes on weekdays. Wearing a green shirt.
Zhong Rong was very grateful for the general's kindness, and among the shogunate officials, he was also the most diligent, leaving early and returning late every day, so as not to cause any loopholes in the financial secretary.
After carefully checking the dedication book in his hand, and memorizing the data one by one, Zhong Rong heaved a sigh of relief, got up and paced in the backyard, stretching his body.
This courtyard was specially allocated to him by the shogunate. The senior officials in the various divisions of the Shunxiang army, and the officers and generals above the general level were all assigned to the courtyard by the shogunate.Senior officials like Zhong Rong usually have generous monthly rations and bonuses—now they are issued food stamps.
The clerks in the Sizhong also have a monthly salary, but in the past, the gray income of each person is gone. In the past, the gray income of the small officials is mainly the envy and increase of the land tax, which is often more than ten times the regular tax. In Lugeburg, there is nothing but regular taxes.
This will inevitably cut off many people's financial resources. Depending on the monthly salary alone, the small officials can't eat meat a few times a month. However, Wang Dou considered this, and at the end of the year, depending on each person's hard work, the payment varies. The bonuses are generous, even several times the annual salary, which greatly stimulates everyone's enthusiasm for work.
In addition, the education level of the people on the East Road has risen, and the Zhenfu Division has been strictly watching. One of their bonuses is to find out the faults of each division, point fingers, raise eyebrows and stare all day long, making each division angry. Each department is independent, and their authority is independent, so what can you do if you don't want to be a bird?
All kinds of checks and balances, so the phenomenon of slippery officials rarely occurs on the East Road. Although dirty things are inevitable, compared to other places in Daming, it is much better.Whether it is Qingming or not, it is actually a comparison. The water is hot outside, but the inside is full of food and clothing. Others will think that you are in heaven, and turn a blind eye to your mistakes.
Zhong Rong's bonus is also calculated according to the first tier, so the family can afford maids and maids, and can also help poor relatives from time to time.
When we arrived at the garden, the morning fresh air hit our faces, and Zhong Rong was refreshed. The servants and maids in the garden were busy. In fact, they were all distant relatives of Zhong’s family and his wife’s family. Relatives everywhere showed up.
The husband and wife couldn't get in the way of affection, so they had to choose a few honest people to stay in the mansion.The cook, the servant, and two maids are all nieces and aunts from far away.
After walking for a while, his wife, Mrs. Yang, came to call for dinner. When they arrived in the hall, the maid had already set out the meals. There were four dishes and one soup, meat and eggs, all of which were from Shunxiangbao brand, and white thin steamed buns, which were steaming hot. steaming.
The wife is satisfied with her current life, Zhong Rong is also pleased to see his old wife happy.The two of them love each other, and their relationship is very deep. When he was a small official, he was poor, and his wife never left him. Zhong Rong was grateful.
However, the two are not without conflicts, Zhong Rong has a son and a daughter, the eldest daughter has been married long ago, and her husband's family is also a clerk, currently working in a fort in Huailai.My daughter was shrewd, so she set up a chicken farm in Shun Township Fort, and later opened a cattle farm, earning a lot of money, and the female was taller than the male, so the contradiction came out.
The daughter has been talking to her mother, asking her father to transfer her husband to the Financial Secretary for convenience, not to mention his status, but just talking about the bonus, it is a bit higher.
Zhong Rong also knew that if he greeted the Department of Civil Affairs and the Department of Zhenfu with his own status, all parties would save face.Although it is said that virtuous people do not avoid relatives, but the son-in-law is mediocre and not much outstanding, how can he be transferred to an important place casually and be criticized?
He said to his wife: "My husband was able to serve as the Financial Secretary's ambassador because the general was thinking about his old relationship, and he didn't say how outstanding my husband is. Besides, the general has treated me as much as a mountain. How can he use his power for personal gain and disappoint the general?"
The wife also understands that this is the truth. The relationship between the master and the slave is the most important thing. If there is no relationship, it will be business affairs in the future.Xianggong is the ambassador. I don't know how many people are jealous, staring at this position, just waiting for their own man to make mistakes.
Having said that, seeing her daughter was unhappy and saying that her father was rigid all day long and that she didn't have a daughter in his heart, it was inevitable that he would have a knot in his heart.
Talking about his son again, Mrs. Yang was troubled. His son Zhong Ding was 17 years old this year. He was a student with excellent knowledge. He was a student of Yanqing Guanshan Academy. It's useless, I have to give up my pen and join the army, and go to the lecture hall for further study.
Mrs. Yang also knew that the Martial Arts Hall was the place where the general taught people how to fight. Why should his son study hard to learn how to fight?Reading good books, not to mention the future exams, Jinshi, and taking his father's class, I really can't figure out what this kid thinks.
Hearing the old wife talking about this again, Zhong Rong put down his chopsticks and said: "It's fine to enter the martial arts hall, but it's not good for Da Mingguang to study now, not to mention the military merits of the East Road are respected, others want to enter, but they can't enter."
The generals on the East Road and the members of the shogunate have a special advantage, that is, their sons can enter the lecture hall to study.
Yang sighed: "The children and grandchildren have their own blessings. I can't control them anymore. I can't help my mother... Oh, master, why don't you eat?"
Zhong Rongji was worried about reporting the department's affairs to the general, so he had no intention of eating, so he ate a steamed bun and left. When he reached the front yard, the coachman Fubo came over and said, "Ambassador Zhong, do you want to prepare a car?"
Zhong Rong said: "Oh, Uncle Fu, no need."
Guard Youtian came over and saluted, "Morning, Ambassador Zhong."
Zhong Rong said: "Morning, Guard Tian, ​​are you on duty today?"
Tian Huwei said: "Yes."
The words are quite few, with the ability of a soldier.
The Zhongfu family had a coachman and two guards, both of whom were sent by the shogunate, and were paid by the shogunate.The two guards are all from the guard battalion, and there are two ambassadors in each division.On weekdays, Guard Zhao and Guard Tian took turns on duty, but today it was obviously Guard Tian's turn to be on duty.
Zhong Rong also knew one more thing, the coachmen and guards next to each member were all members of the Intelligence Department, it was good to know this well, and no one would find it out without knowing it.
Zhong Rong walked on the street with Tian Huwei. The current Yongning City is clean and beautiful. Since Wang Dou lives in the city, wealthy merchants have poured in, making the city more prosperous.
Soon, we arrived in front of the General's Mansion, the broad bluestone square, the bronze and iron gates squatting tall stone lions, and the guards of the General's Mansion with iron helmets on the steps, all showing the majesty of this place.
Although the guards of the General's Mansion knew Zhong Rong was a long time ago, but the gatekeeper was in charge of the armor, so he had to examine Zhong Rong's badge carefully before letting him in, while the guard Tian stayed outside and was not allowed to enter the mansion.
After entering the General's Mansion, several people entered and exited several times, and several people entered in front. It was the place where everyone in the shogunate worked. Not long after Zhong Rong entered the mansion, he saw Zhang Gui, the ambassador of the Civil Affairs Department, and Qi Tianliang, the ambassador of the Logistics Department, walking in with a big smile. , both of them greeted each other.
Zhang Gui is still very straightforward, looking like a fierce Zhang Fei, but Zhong Rong knows that this person is rough and subtle, so he can't be seen from the outside.
And Qi Tianliang, this skinny man, Dun Jun, who used to be Jingbiandun, has also developed his bearing.
The three exchanged some pleasantries, Zhang Gui touched his halberd and iron beard and said: "Old Zhong, Lao Qi, tell me, will the general meet us today?"
Zhong Rong shook his head, Qi Tianliang said cautiously: "The general is most concerned about government affairs, although he does not want to give up the family reunion, he should receive us in these two days."
Having said that, I saw an armored guard coming over, glanced at the three of them, and said, "Three ambassadors, the general has an invitation."
The three of them stood up together and hurriedly followed.
……
In the lobby, Zhong Rong, Zhang Gui, and Qi Tianliang met with Wang Dou. Wang Dou was sitting on a huanghuali official hat chair. Behind him was a huge painted wall. The imposing manner is majestic.
Wang Dou lowered his head, and Feng Dachang, the head of the copywriting office of the shogunate, was sitting in Feng Dachang, still looking handsome, stroking his beard and smiling at everyone.
The three bowed down, and now Wang Dou is a loyal and brave uncle, famous all over the world, the three of them felt breathless, and felt that the general was more dignified than before.
Seeing the fear and sincerity of the three of them, Wang Dou couldn't help laughing and said, "They're all my brothers, why bother to be restrained, get up."
The three of them breathed a sigh of relief and thanked them for their seats. A stout maid came up and offered tea. Wang Dou greeted them briefly, and then went straight to the topic: "Old Zhang, tell me about the affairs of the Civil Affairs Department."
Zhang Gui knew that the general's style was crisp and neat, and he was most annoyed by the confusion, so he replied repeatedly: "Yes."
He had made enough preparations, took out a brochure in his hand, and said: "My Department of Civil Affairs is in charge of agriculture, animal husbandry, commerce, factories and mines on the whole road. The population is 14, including more than 53 people in Baoan Prefecture, and more than 560 people from military and civilian households on the East Road. In the 15th year of Chongzhen, the general brought back more than 12 victims, together with these years The influx of victims has increased the population by 23. Most of these victims are young, and many of them are strong men and women."
Wang Dou nodded slightly. Hearing Zhang Gui's froth, he talked about the grain requisition in the village. The main thing was still in Bao'an Prefecture.
At present, there are more than 40 mu of military land in the whole prefecture. According to the tax system, about 15 to [-] shi of grain can be collected each year. With the purchase of surplus grain, the Department of Civil Affairs can obtain about [-] shi of grain from Baoan Prefecture every year.
As for Baoanwei City, Huailaiwei, Yanqing, Yongning and other newly established camps with more than 100 million mu of camp land, in the 12th and 13th years of Chongzhen, it can only be said to be self-sufficient, and there is a slight loss.However, camping the fields can concentrate efforts to promote various agricultural techniques, so it is estimated that starting this year, there should be a slight surplus.
According to the estimates of the Department of Civil Affairs, more than 100 million mu of farmland, the surplus is about [-] shi.
Wang Dou heaved a sigh of relief. At that time, it took a lot of effort to resettle these victims. Now they can support themselves, which is a big burden, let alone a surplus.
Zhang Gui continued: "The land full of children has also arranged for a population of about 13. The [-]th year of Chongzhen, the victims of the floods who have flowed in since [-] years, are mostly resettled in this place. The Tunpu in the center is not self-sufficient for the time being, and needs civil affairs. company subsidies."
Wang Dou nodded. Compared with Chongzhen's 12 or 13 years, his burden is much lighter now.
In addition, after Wang Dou bloodbathed the East Road in the 12th year of Chongzhen, he cleaned up the fields of all the officers in the administration and asked them to pay grain by mu like the new military households. However, the grain and rice that these people can collect is too little.
Taking Huailai as an example, there is only 140 yuan of farmland and 630 five shi of grain, which is converted into silver, including three rates, but more than 1000 taels of silver.Even with the officer's field, there is not much in fact.
Wang Dou is just a gesture. All the officers on the East Road have to pay food and taxes.
Zhang Gui then talked about commerce, factories and mines, and he was quite excited: "Now the East Road is booming. According to the "Commercial Tax Regulations" of the Commerce Department, 230 kinds of goods are taxed for domestic demand, and the annual purchase price is less than 40 taels. Tax-free In the 12th year of Chongzhen, more than 13 stones were collected for business tax, and in the [-]th year of Chongzhen, more than [-] stones were collected for business tax, and it is expected that more than [-] stones will be collected this year."
Qi Tianliang, Zhong Rong, etc. next to him were moved, and Wang Dou was also moved. In Daming, it is not easy to collect business taxes.
Taking the mine envoys in the Wanli year as an example, from the 20th to the 33rd year of Wanli, the tax supervisory mine envoys handed over less than 300 million taels of silver to the treasury.
Moreover, what Donglu collects is food stamps, which are much more valuable than silver.
The highest commercial tax is only [-]%, and small businesses are exempted from tax. Judging from the total commercial value... It seems that the East Road business has developed.
However, compared to farming, it is insignificant. It seems that I still focus on farming and business.
Wang Dou got up and paced. There were more mules and horses on the east road, which cost a lot, but based on his current income, he could still raise 3 to [-] soldiers.
In particular, the food stamps that Zhang Gui inadvertently created during his 12 years in Chongzhen were even more effective.
In fact, food stamps are a kind of credit note, which has no value in itself. When it has credit, it is a convenient currency.In the 12th year of Chongzhen, the common people in military households were still dubious about the food stamps, and they went to the grain store to exchange them after a while.Later, seeing that the food stamps are always strong, and they must be paid every time they are redeemed, and the denomination of the payment is ten, the hearts of the military households and the common people are firm.
After the 13th year of Chongzhen, when the money and tickets were divided into half and half, now the soldiers and civilians of the East Road have generally used food stamps, and fewer and fewer people use copper coins and silver.Few people take food stamps to the grain store to exchange for rice grain.When foreign businessmen came to the East Road, they had to use food stamps and quickly accepted them. After all, the convenience of food stamps was placed there.
Now outside the East Road, there are many people who use food stamps, which greatly expands their influence.
And now the Department of Civil Affairs issues food stamps, which is a grain-based currency system. How many food stamps are issued according to the estimated income of Donglu and the amount of grain and rice in stock, which is not affected by prices, which makes the value of food stamps higher and higher. What about banknotes or banknotes?
With food stamps, gold and silver can be stored and used as principal in the future or for emergency use.
Seeing Zhang Gui's expectant expression, Wang Dou laughed and said, "Old Zhang is not bad, this Civil Affairs Department has done a great job, especially this food stamp, which is a stroke of genius."
Being praised by Wang Dou, Zhang Gui burst into a smile, feeling that all his hard work was worth it.
……
Next, Zhong Rong reported the internal affairs of the department. He was in charge of the financial department, the grain depots, bank warehouses, money and food budgets, and military and civilian expenses.
According to Zhong Rong's report, counting the grain and rice brought by the bandits, there are currently about 15 shi of grain in each grain storehouse.
There is quite a lot of silver in stock, the gold mines, the 50 taels of silver seized from the Qing soldiers, the 20 taels of silver from the previous sale of horses, the bloodbath of the East Road, and the income of 30 taels of silver this time. It took a lot to resettle the villagers, pay the scribes and craftsmen, build weapons, and distribute rewards to the soldiers. There are still 70 taels of silver in stock.
But the cost is equally high. The Jingbian Army has a total of 3000 troops in the first and second ranks. There are currently 10,000 horses and mules, including more than [-] war horses. All expenses must be paid by the shogunate.Calculated based on the food intake of Ming Dynasty, one liter of solar eclipse for humans, three or four liters of food for horses, more than [-] shi of grain and grass are needed in a month, and the army eats even more, [-]+ shi of grain and grass are needed a year.
With the current financial resources, it is relatively easy to raise more than 2 people. It is okay to raise 3 people, but it is financially tight to raise [-] people.
Wang Dou got up and paced around again. It was really difficult to be in charge of the family. The only thing that really made him feel comfortable on the East Road was Baoanzhou.Fortunately, the burden of the villagers having to support themselves has been basically thrown away, and it is a little easier.
Zhong Rong said: "General, the summer tax is about to be levied. According to the tax paid by the imperial court to the military settlements of Baoan Prefecture, the silver levy is seven per cent, one cent five cents, and two cents per mu. 40 mu of military land will cost sixty percent of the silver. 7 taels. According to Ma Bingbei, the original military households on the East Road have all entered the General’s Fort, but their land tax is still there, and the General must pay a little in this respect.”
Wang Dou nodded. Since the Wanli period, the Ming Dynasty implemented the taxation of silver per mu. Generally, one cent of silver per mu was collected for the field, and then seven cents, two cents and five cents, one cent and one cent. The land tax is divided into two and two per cent. Most of the fields in Baoan Prefecture are counted as middle fields and Xiatian, and taxes are collected accordingly.
As for the original military households on the East Road, almost all of them fled into the new Tunpu after Wang Dou bloodbathed the East Road and rebuilt the Tunpu.Ma Guoxi had no choice but to discuss with Wang Dou that those old lands should be set up as new forts, and Wang Dou had to think of a way to pay their land tax.
Wang Dou said: "When the time comes, taxes and food will be levied, and the Financial Secretary will send 5 taels of silver to Ma Bingbei, and there will be no more."
Wang Dou’s behavior is already very good. In Baoan Prefecture in the past, plus three rates, the tax silver was less than 2000 taels, and it was the entire East Road. Wanliang is very interesting, but it is not good to give too much.
Officials are like this. Seeing that you have paid enough, but people are not popular enough, they want you to pay more, and maybe the tax will be added to you slowly. 5 taels, this achievement can be achieved all over the country, and all parties should be satisfied.If you are not satisfied, you have to be satisfied, and it is impossible for you to give more, lest all parties come to blow the wind.
Zhong Rong finally said: "The defenders in each city are also an expense."
In the 12th year of Chongzhen, after Wang Dou bloodbathed the East Road, he not only checked the fields of the officers, but also abolished the defenses of the four cities - Li Jinsheng was guarded in Yanqing Prefecture, Huang Changyi was guarded in Huailai, Xu Zucheng was guarded in Baoan City, and Wang Yide's troops were guarded in Yongning City. The old and the weak were removed, and the final result was that each of the four left less than 400 people.
Their food and salaries, except for the servants and cavalry, the soldiers are almost paid one tael per month.
After the abolition of the old and the weak, Wang Dou did not treat them badly. They were given a full amount of food every month. No one dared to resist. In addition, Wang Dou was a general of the East Road at the time, so it was justified to rectify them. , but also satisfied, leisurely live.
For these people, Wang Dou also had an arrangement in his heart, saying: "You can pay them as much as they should."
Wang Dou is still satisfied with Zhong Rong. He is down-to-earth, diligent, and responsible. Wang Dou has always trusted Zhong Rong. He said softly: "Mr. Zhong has worked hard, please sit down."
Zhong Rong said: "This is the job of a student."
He saluted Wang Dou deeply and sat down.
Wang Dou is now more concerned about the military industry of the Logistics Department. He looked at Qi Tianliang: "Old Qi, how are the blunderbuss and artillery going?"
Qi Tianliang, the ambassador of the Logistics Department, hurriedly stood up and said: "General, the firecracker factory uses a large number of hydraulic drilling machines, the scrap rate is reduced, and the finished product is improved. From the 12th year of Chongzhen to the present, there are already [-] birdguns in stock and self-made handguns. Fifteen thousand. And the cost has been reduced a lot. Originally, the cost of a bird gun cost more than three taels, but now it only costs two taels."
Seeing Wang Dou's satisfied expression, Qi Tianliang continued: "As for the artillery, after the general talked about the iron mold method, since September 13th year of Chongzhen, five Hongyi cannons have been made every month, and now four cannons have been cast. Ten guns, half of the five-jin cannons and half of the three-jin cannons."
Wang Dou let out a sigh. In this way, he has 63 Hongyi cannons, including 26 six-pounders and 37 three-pounders.
These artillery, because of the improved gunpowder formula, the six-pound gun can hit more than two miles, and the three-pound gun can hit nearly two miles.In addition to the 35 General Frang machine guns that I placed in Laishui with a range of one mile, I have nearly a hundred artillery pieces.
A few years ago, this result was unexpected.
However, Wang Dou looked in the direction of Liaodong, and seemed to be staying at Jinzhou. His eyes were deep. He remembered that after the Songshan War in history, the Qing army had more than [-] artillery pieces, and after entering the customs, there were more than [-] artillery pieces. Many of them were heavy artillery pieces. How many are there at this time? What cannon?
In the 11th year of Chongzhen, the Qing army suffered a lot in their own hands. At this time, the Qing people were on the rise and were good at learning new affairs. They were not the cold-armed troops in people's impression.It's a pity that the Yebushou who were sent to Liaodong haven't returned yet, so I can't get the detailed information.
The future battle of Liaodong will obviously be a fierce battle. If the opponent has cannons...
He seemed to have seen the roaring artillery fire during the Battle of Julu.
Wang Dou looked at Qi Tianliang: "Old Qi, can't you make more cannons?"
Qi Tianliang looked distressed: "General, there is no shortage of materials, but there are few gunsmiths. If we want to speed up, I'm afraid of precision work..."
Wang Dou said, "That's all."
He frowned, the strength of the road is still not comparable to the power of a country.
Looking at Wang Dou's expression, Qi Tianliang was a little incomprehensible: "General, we already have a lot of blunderbusses and cannons. Look at the Ming Dynasty, which general army has more firearms and cannons than ours? Nearly a hundred cannons, say Going out scares people to death, tsk tsk..."
Wang Dou was taken aback, looked at the former Huo Ludun brother, and patted him on the shoulder: "Old Qi, you are right, war is not our family's business, I am in a hurry."
He smiled and said, "You've done a good job, you've worked hard."
Being praised by Wang Dou, Qi Tianliang couldn't help laughing, shrinking his head, as if he had become the slippery and treacherous old Dunjun in the past.
Looking at Qi Tianliang, Wang Dou felt warm in his heart, and couldn't help but recalled the past in Jingbiandun, but it was a pity that Han Zhong and Yang Tong were gone.
In addition to the blunderbuss artillery, the military factory has also produced a lot of ten thousand enemies. Due to the improvement of the gunpowder formula, the "Ming Dynasty hand grenade" that was originally the size of a human head has been greatly reduced and can be thrown very far. If there is a tough battle in the future, trench warfare Anything can come in handy for a sharpie.
In addition, hundreds of binoculars were also built. These are sharp weapons in the military. Wang Dou was filled with pride. He came to the window to look at the scenery outside. , Leading my Shun Township Army, never afraid of letting others go, and never afraid of any challenge!
(End of this chapter)