Wang Yue sighed and said helplessly, "Of course I know, but if we want to accomplish the goal of swallowing an elephant, there is no other way!
After all, we don’t have that much time. Once the five surrounding countries see this opportunity, they will definitely come together to eat us up.”
Jia Ling was stunned. Only then did she realize that there were five countries surrounding Anguo. If they knew that the leader of Anguo had been captured and the capital had been destroyed, they would definitely come and take a bite.
She didn't understand this at first, but after listening to Wang Yue's explanation, she understood. She said anxiously, "Your Highness, is there anything Jia Ling can do?"
Wang Yue looked at the anxious Jia Ling, knowing that she wanted to seize this opportunity to turn things around, so he smiled and said, "In that case, you should take over the Zhuyi Guards and have them assist my army in the land distribution operation."
Jia Ling was stunned, and then said with some concern, "But, most of the land around Kyoto is in the hands of noble ministers, and there is not enough land for the royal family to share."
Wang Yue pointed to the box next to him and said with a smile, "These are all the banknotes that Emperor An collected. You can use this money to buy land. You can tell those noble ministers that we in Ming are implementing the equal land tax, and the land they have must be sold to us at the market price. I think in this situation, they have no choice but to sell the land."
After hearing what Wang Yue said, Jia Ling said with some concern, "Your Highness, what is the market price? Will it be too cheap for them?"
Wang Yue shook his head and said with a smile, "Emperor An owes me 400,000 taels of gold, all for free. I used it to win people's hearts, which is actually quite cost-effective.
There are so many people in Kyoto, many of whom have no land and are slaves, maids, and servants. According to our plan, we can recruit at least 10,000 soldiers. With these 10,000 people, plus the surrendered soldiers, we will have more than 40,000 soldiers and horses, and we can continue to annex other towns."
Seeing Wang Yue's sincerity, Jia Ling thought of the six cities that Daming originally controlled and were now supported by the people. She said excitedly, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I will definitely organize the land distribution and the public trial to help Your Highness win the hearts of the people!"
Wang Yue nodded and said with a smile, "Just do your best and be safe!"
Jia Ling quickly bowed solemnly to Wang Yue, and then went to do his work.
……
Just as Emperor An forced the wealthy nobles and aristocratic families in Kyoto to hand over their money, Jia Ling led the Red Guards to buy their land. Although the aristocratic families were very worried, they did not dare to resist because of Emperor An's previous coercion and inducement, and could only accept it.
Fortunately, Zhu Yiwei's working style was different from before. They really left enough money and then left with the land deed.
But they were not happy for many days, because Wang Yue sent generals Lan Feng, Chi Feng and Cheng Feng to lead their troops out of Kyoto to other towns. Then the Zhuyi Guards, who had enough land, started a public trial in Kyoto.
The terrified noble families and officials were all tried one by one. Most of the money they had just obtained was confiscated again. Some were sent to prison, and some were killed, while the people of Kyoto fell into a carnival.
When the land was really distributed, the people of Kyoto loved the Ming army so much that many people gave up being slaves in other people's houses in order to get more land, and instead joined the Ming army. Thousands of people signed up in just a few days.
Yes, there were women who joined the army, but they only joined the Zhuyi Guard.
The current Zhuyi Guard is different from the previous one. They have attracted many women to join through public trials and land distribution. Because there are too many women, Wang Yue gave Jia Ling a position of captain and asked her to recruit women into the Zhuyi Guard and set up a female camp after the selection.
Actually, there is no other way. Wang Yue is really short of people now. Although women's fighting ability will be weaker, they can still be responsible for the security of the capital by using bows, crossbows and daggers.
With them replacing the patrol battalion, Wang Yue could also transfer all the soldiers from the patrol battalion to serve as city guards, which saved three thousand soldiers and alleviated the pressure of insufficient manpower.
Chapter 254: Capture Anguo!
A month later, Guideyuan
The army under Wang Yue's command completely controlled Anguo, so he had time to come here and meet the three tribes of Shadong, Shaxi and Shazhong.
Also accompanying them were Emperor An's first concubine, as well as other women sent to the palace by the three tribes, including the eldest prince's mother.
When Duke Chu saw his sister, Concubine Chu, he felt relieved. As long as she was not dead, everything would be fine.
However, he still thought that Wang Yue was greedy for beauty, so he kept Concubine Chu. But when he saw the other concubines of Emperor An, he became a little confused.
Chu Yue didn't beat around the bush. She said straightforwardly, "King Ming, I heard that you changed the Red Guards into a female battalion? Are you planning to let a woman be a general?"
Wang Yue was actually very grateful to Chu Yue. If Jia Ling hadn't persuaded this woman, the cavalry in the western part of Sha would not be so easy to deal with. He smiled and said, "Yes, there will be Zhuyiwei and Jinyiwei in the future. Zhuyiwei is a female camp, and Jinyiwei is a male camp. Zhuyiwei is responsible for public security in various places, and Jinyiwei is responsible for collecting intelligence."
Chu Yue was very happy to hear what Wang Yue said, "So do you think I can become a general?"
Wang Yue nodded and said solemnly, "Of course, the world is in chaos now, and the countries are fighting endlessly. There is no comfortable environment for women to stay in the backyard. Only when women become strong can they protect their homes and the Ming Dynasty together with their husbands.
The reason why the Zhuyi Guards only maintain public order is because most of them have poor combat capabilities. If Miss Chu Yue can recruit three thousand girls like you who are skilled in archery and horse riding, I can give you the position of female general. "
Chu Yue was very happy to hear this, so she smiled and said, "In that case, thank you very much. There are many women on our grassland who are skilled in archery and horse riding. I will definitely take the position of female general!"
Wang Yue smiled and said, "I'm waiting for the day when you gather your people!"
Duke Chu, Duke Cui and Huyan Zan all felt relieved. They felt that Wang Yue was so easy to talk to just to win over their three tribes.
Duke Cui was the first to ask, "Ming Wang, I wonder what you mean by bringing Concubine Chu and the others here?"
Wang Yue sighed and said, "To be honest, I will not kill Emperor An in the future, but he is just a prince under surveillance. Most of the women in his harem will be dismissed. So, I took the initiative to bring the women from the three tribes here. This is also their own wish."
After hearing this, Duke Chu felt relieved, but said with some embarrassment, "But if that's the case, there are no people from our tribe around the King, how can we believe that the King will treat us well?"
Wang Yue smiled and said, "If you are still willing to send me women, I will accept them. However, just like Miss Chu Yue, she will be a female general of the Ming Dynasty in the future. The women under her command will probably be mainly grassland women. They will be stationed in the capital. General Huyan is brave and good at fighting. The sons of the two dukes have reached age and need to send people from their tribes to form an army. Their status is the same as that of the generals of the Ming Dynasty. How can you say that we have no connection?"
Duke Chu was still a little hesitant after hearing Wang Yue's words, so he pretended to be helpless and said, "But my sister has already become a concubine. If I let her return to the tribe, I'm afraid she won't be able to gain a foothold."
Wang Yue didn't know whether to laugh or cry. This was to force Concubine Chu on him, so he smiled and said, "To be honest, it was your sister's idea to leave the palace. If you think it's inappropriate, I'll arrange for Concubine Chu to live outside the palace."
Duke Chu heard Wang Yue say this and quickly said, "That's not necessary. The Chu family has a house in Kyoto and rooms to live in. However, Prince Ming, please don't be so formal. I still think that a marriage is more stable. Since you are not satisfied with my sister, what do you think of Chu Yue?"
Wang Yue frowned and said helplessly, "In that case, you can make your own arrangements. I'll be waiting for you in Kyoto. By the way, I promised Chu Yue that she would be the female general, and this still counts."
Duke Cui saw that Wang Yue had compromised, so he smiled and said, "In that case, I will send my sister to the capital some other day."
Hu Yanzan also smiled and said, "That's great, I also have a sister!"
Wang Yue was helpless. As an emperor, he had to have many women from various forces around him, but he had long been accustomed to it and did not refuse. After communicating with the three tribes, he brought them back to Kyoto and prepared to become emperor.
It’s just that when he came, he didn’t have his own woman with him, but when he returned, he not only reunited with Ruyi, but also had three more women from three tribes.
Chu Yue was unhappy at first, but when she learned that the position of female captain was not cancelled, she agreed.
However, the female battalion also increased from 3,000 to 10,000. The three lieutenants were Wang Yue's three women. However, they did not have enough subordinates. If they wanted soldiers, they had to recruit them slowly. The three grasslands could only provide more than 1,000 young and strong women at most.
On the way back to Kyoto, Wang Yue looked at Ruyi who was silent. He knew that this woman was jealous, so he prepared to coax her.
So, he pretended to be apologetic and said, "I originally thought that I could be a carefree village chief and be with you for the rest of my life, but seeing that Yu Shisan has always been obsessed with you, I realized that a woman who is too beautiful is a good thing for nobles, but a disaster for ordinary people."
Ruyi was not interested in Wang Yue's sweet talk. She said casually, "I just want a child of my own. No matter whether you are a commoner or an emperor, what does that have to do with me?"
After hearing Ruyi's words, Wang Yue said helplessly, "You, I know I can't persuade you, so I'll keep my position as queen for you. When you figure it out in the future, it won't be too late to come back."
Ruyi glanced at Wang Yue and said nothing, but she was very happy in her heart.
She suddenly changed her tone and asked, "Your three concubines are three female generals. What position do you plan to assign me?"
When Wang Yue heard this, he pretended to be very aggrieved and said, "What else do you want? You are the commander of the Jinyiwei!"
Ruyi was stunned for a moment, then asked suspiciously, "Aren't you going to take this back?"
Wang Yue sighed and said helplessly, "The other three concubines are too powerful. If I don't give you the right, I'm really worried that one day I will have to collect your corpse."
When Ruyi heard that Wang Yue would give her the position of Jinyiwei Commander for her, she was even happier in her heart. She said, "That's a nice thing to say. Didn't you let Jialing take charge of Zhuyiwei? You kept him to check and balance me."
Wang Yue sighed and said helplessly, "We keep the Zhuyi Guard because there are too many women in the Zhuyi Guard. They are beautiful but have no ability to survive. If we abandon them, they will probably end up in brothels or become concubines of other people.
Now, let them patrol the streets in the city every day and receive a salary. If any problems arise, the city guard battalion or the government office can help. It is extremely easy.
I am doing this as compensation for the suffering they have endured in the past. This has nothing to do with my Ming Dynasty, but I am giving it as compensation for your sake."
Ruyi was very happy, so she nodded and said, "In this case, I won't embarrass you. I will stay in the capital and will not leave.
However, you have to promise me that you will fully support me in finding out the truth about Empress Zhaojie."
Wang Yue was very happy to see that Ruyi's heart was finally retained. He no longer had to worry about this woman disappearing. He smiled and promised, "When you go back, take the Jinyiwei to do it."
……
Imperial City, Imperial Palace, Zhengde Hall,
After Ning Yuanzhou saw Wang Yue through the Great Wall's message, he asked seriously, "Your Majesty, I wonder if our cooperation is still effective?"
Seeing Ning Yuanzhou using such an unfamiliar name, Wang Yue smiled and said, "Don't worry, Wuhuang is of no use to me, you can just take it away. Of course, you have to leave the gold behind, I also have to explain to the ministers below."
Ning Yuanzhou laughed when he heard this. He asked in confusion, "Since you care so much about the gold, why did you use the silver you extorted from Emperor An to buy land and distribute it to the people?"
Wang Yue smiled and said, "I didn't expect things to change so much. The Ming Dynasty was established too hastily. I had to get the common people to stand on my side so that I could take a fancy to those aristocratic families.
Besides, this money was originally taken from the people, so there is no problem if I use it for the people.”
Seeing Wang Yue say this, Ning Yuanzhou said very seriously, "But this gold is the tax revenue of Wu Country. How do you plan to use it?"
Wang Yue looked at Ning Yuanzhou and said very seriously, "I am going to open the border and let the people of Wu come to Anguo to claim land and enjoy the same treatment as the people of Anguo. What do you think?"
Ning Yuanzhou knew in his heart that it would be impossible to take the gold away. If Wang Yue didn't care about it before, now as the king of a country, he would definitely not let go of the gold.
Now that he had received Wang Yue's promise, although he understood that Wang Yue was obviously trying to steal Wu State's territory by doing this, he felt that doing so would be beneficial to the people, so he did not say much.
He just changed the subject and asked solemnly, "Then when will Your Majesty let us go?"
Seeing Ning Yuanzhou was in such a hurry to leave, Wang Yue said helplessly, "You are a bit ungrateful. Do you think it's easy for you to take the emperor back?"
Ning Yuanzhou was stunned for a moment, and asked in confusion, "What do you mean? Are you going to regret it?"
Chapter 255: The journey home may not be peaceful!
Wang Yue was speechless and said angrily, "You underestimate me too much. When did I say I would regret it? I just said that how could the King of Danyang of Wu Kingdom let the Emperor of Wu return to Wudu easily?
He was originally a good regent and might even have the potential to become emperor. If the current emperor goes back, should he step down as regent?
If he was in any other position, he would have stepped down, but he is the regent. Do you think your emperor will let him go?
For King Danyang, this is a move that requires no retreat. Between him and Emperor Wu, only one can survive.
Therefore, your journey back will not be smooth sailing. I want you to leave later so that you can find out more about the news from Wu Country in advance."
Ning Yuanzhou was originally very optimistic, but after listening to Wang Yue's words, he suddenly felt that Wang Yue was right.
Because of Wang Yue, he will definitely be safe within the territory of Ming State, but after returning to Wu State, he will probably have a lot of trouble along the way.
He said solemnly, "Your Majesty is right. Although Liudaotang listens to me now, it may not be the same after we return to China.
In your opinion, Your Majesty, what should I do? You know I am not very good at this. "
Wang Yue saw Ning Yuanzhou was so modest, so he smiled and said, "You don't have to be so modest. I just think you should go meet your emperor later and ask him to write a letter back saying that he will go back after attending my coronation ceremony.
However, you don't all have to stay here to participate. Just leave a few people here to hold the scene, and you can quietly take your emperor away.
In this way, Wuguo will think that you will return a little later, and by taking advantage of this time difference, you will have a chance to return to Wudu quickly."
Ning Yuanzhou pondered for a moment and felt that Wang Yue's arrangement was very good. In addition, Wang Yue's coronation ceremony was originally scheduled for a month, so there were not many days left. He said solemnly, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for considering us!"
Wang Yue smiled and said, "We are friends, there is no need to be so polite. If An Guo hadn't given me a chance, I might still be the leader of a mountain village."
Ning Yuanzhou said flatteringly, "Your Majesty, you are too polite. You are a rare talent. Even if you don't seize this opportunity, you will have another chance in the future."
Wang Yue smiled and said, "Well, stop flattering me and go take your people to see your emperor."
Ning Yuanzhou bowed to Wang Yue, then turned and left.
Not long after Ning Yuanzhou left, Ruyi rushed over. She said to Wang Yue solemnly, "Your Majesty, I would like you to hand over Emperor An to me!"
Wang Yue was stunned for a moment, then asked solemnly, "Have you found out the result?"
Ruyi nodded and said painfully, "I have already investigated it clearly. It is not much different from what Jialing said. So, I want to cut the father and son into pieces."
Seeing Ruyi say this, Wang Yue said solemnly, "After I officially ascend the throne next month, I will officially hand them over to you. What do you think?"
Ruyi was a little dissatisfied when she heard this and said, "Why do we have to wait until you ascend the throne? Can't we do it now?"
Wang Yue sighed and said helplessly, "It has to be done three times, so that it seems more orthodox."
Ruyi knew this was the truth, so she said speechlessly, "You people who play with the whole book are hypocritical."
……
Imperial Capital, Honglu Temple
Seeing Ning Yuanzhou coming back, Yu Shisan asked with some surprise, "How is it? What did Wang Yue say?"
Yuan Lu and others also hurriedly looked towards Ning Yuanzhou. They were all worried that Wang Yue would not keep his word after becoming emperor.
Ning Yuanzhou pretended to sigh, and said helplessly, "Wang Yue asked us to stay here for a while longer, at least until next month."
When Qian Zhao heard this, he said angrily, "What do you mean? Does he want to force us to stay?"
Ning Yuanzhou saw that Qian Zhao was angry and realized that his joke was a bit too much, so he smiled and said, "Just listen to me, Wang Yue didn't mean to stop us.
He just thought that if we go back now, we will be relatively safe within the territory of Ming Kingdom, but it would be difficult to do so in Wu Kingdom.
Do you think that the royal family in Wudu will really let the emperor go back alive?"
After hearing this, Qian Zhao finally reacted. He said solemnly, "Wang Yue is right. What did Wang Yue say in the end?"
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