weaving

The distribution of silver, money, silk and other goods obtained from the raids on profiteers and rebellious officials in the third town of Xuanda is also proceeding in an orderly manner according to the predetermined plan.

The total amount of cash, gold, pearls, jade and other soft objects obtained was more than [-] million taels, half of which was hidden from the account books by the Yongyi Army generals and directly became the private property of Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng.

The more than 700 million taels of cash recorded in the account were divided into two parts, of which nearly 300 million taels were prepared to be handed over to the imperial household department, while the other more than [-] million taels were handed over to Yongning Bo. Zhang Cheng withheld military pay as a brave soldier.

In this way, adding up the entries on the books and those hidden secretly, Zhang Cheng's total cash income reached nearly [-] million taels of silver from confiscation alone.

The richest man in the Ming Dynasty is undoubtedly Uncle Yongning!
Yes, millions of dollars were confiscated from the house, including 150 million taels each from Wang Dayu, Zhai Tang, and Tian Shenglan, plus 200 million taels of silver donated by other Shanxi businessmen such as Kang Gongxu and Qu Shikai.

During this house raid, Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng made more than 500 million taels of cash out of thin air. If coupled with the profiteers' grain, salt, iron, gunpowder and other military supplies intercepted by the Yongyi Army, he would probably be able to earn more than 2000 million taels of silver. It's worth [-] million taels of silver.

"I'm so good!"

Even if Emperor Chongzhen still needs to be allocated 100 million taels of silver, and there is another 50 taels of silver to supervise the army, Bian Yongqing, and manage the big bosses in the court, Chen Yan, Chen Xinjia, the Minister of War, and others, Wang Chengen and Wang Dehua in the palace are indispensable. The emperor has people around him.

All these put together, that is, the expenditure of 300 million taels of silver, in the eyes of Zhang Cheng, the richest man in the Ming Dynasty, was like drizzle.

However, he did not use any money to reward the soldiers of each battalion who participated in this house raid. It was just that those who participated in the battle should be credited, and those who were injured or killed should be treated and treated, and they should be compensated. There was nothing else. reward.

This is not the money that Zhang Cheng is stingy and reluctant to get his hands on!

It's because he doesn't want his soldiers to think that ransacking homes is a way to get rich quickly. After all, such things don't happen often, and he even has to try his best to avoid such large-scale home raids and liquidations in the future.

As a regular military group, the Yongyi Army will never allow bandits and bandits to plunder the people!
If the soldiers who participated in the house raid this time received extra rewards, wouldn't it be encouraging this kind of behavior of getting something for nothing, and it would also make those soldiers who did not participate in the house raid feel resentful.

…………

Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng was not the only one who was deeply shocked by the huge wealth gained from the confiscation of his home.

Jiang Yuxu, the governor of Xuanda, and Zhu Zhifeng, the governor of Xuanfu, also had their eyes widened at this moment, and their hands holding the account books were trembling involuntarily.

In particular, Zhu Zhifeng's face turned dark and he said angrily: "This group of businessmen are really only interested in profit. They have accumulated such wealth in just a few decades. How many prohibited goods did they smuggle to the slaves?

Are they... still the people of the Ming Dynasty? "

Jiang Yuxu was also speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say. After a long time, Fang sighed: "It's too much, it's really too much..."

He then secretly rejoiced and said: "Fortunately, Uncle Yong Ning is here, so we have not taught such profiteers who harm the country to escape the sanctions of the country's laws!"

Zhu Zhifeng's face softened slightly at this moment, but he still said angrily: "Lai Tianlu and Lai Tianshou, as generals of the imperial court, actually associate with profiteers and commit theft themselves. It is really hateful. Are they still generals of the imperial court? "

As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Zhu Zhifeng immediately realized his gaffe. Although he had just taken over as the governor of Xuanfu, the current governor of Xuanda, Jiang Yuxu, happened to be his predecessor.

Now, when Zhu Zhifeng speaks like this, isn't he complaining that Jiang Yuxu, the former governor, did not supervise the Lai brothers properly, which gave them the opportunity to guard themselves and steal?

"but……"

Zhu Zhifeng hurriedly changed the subject: "Uncle Yongning, this is too much."

He grabbed the file he had just thrown on the case and said to Governor Jiang Yuxu: "He, Zhang Cheng, is a brave soldier and has taken more than 600 million taels of silver. How can he explain this to the court and the emperor...

Governors and princes of the imperial court, you and I have not been drowned by the words of Youyou! "

"Hey!"

Jiang Yuxu looked at the account book and file in his hand, sighed, and said: "The 'Yong Yi Army' forced the slaves to retreat under Jinzhou City, which has indeed made great contributions to the country. However, the imperial court did not give generous rewards. It was a loss to our loyal and brave soldiers of Xuanfu." .

Don't you see, millions of taels of Liao salary were poured out, but in exchange for the loss of city and land, hundreds of miles east of Liaodong were all lost to slaves and thieves, and now only the front lines of Jinzhou, Ningyuan and Shanhaiguan are left. How should we comment on its merits and demerits?

As for the officers and soldiers of Xuanfu, they drove out bandits inside to save Kaifeng, built slaves outside to relieve Jinwei, and Yongning Bogeng and the two kings were named kings. They made great contributions. In addition, the raids on slave-dealing and profiteers were all due to the contributions of the brave soldiers.

Now, what's wrong with confiscating the wealth of profiteers and raising soldiers for the country? "

As he spoke, he couldn't help but stood up, walked to the window, looked at the rays of sunshine coming in through the window, and sighed: "Le San, are you the only one who finds the long words of the nobles in the court to be terrifying? "

"But so what..."

Jiang Yuxu had an unusually calm expression on his face. He listened for a moment, as if he was thinking, and as if he was bathing in the noon sunshine: "The most urgent task is to rebel against Henan Province."

He slowly turned around, looked at Zhu Zhifeng with bright eyes, and said: "Jian Nu was frustrated at the gate of Jinzhou City, he lost his troops and generals, wasted money and food, and did not get any benefits. Now, Yong Ningbo has eradicated the slave traders in one fell swoop. This is equivalent to Cut off his blood transfusion, and forgive him for not being able to make any more plans for Jinzhou within this year.

However, the external troubles have eased for a while, but the internal worries have become urgent. The rebellion is sweeping across central and southern Henan. Kaifeng is already an isolated city. Without strong support, it will be difficult to hold on for a long time. If Kaifeng is lost, Henan will fall into the hands of thieves.

At that time, it was heading east to Shandong, threatening water transportation. It could also go south to Huguang and attack Shaanxi in the west. And its northward movement would directly threaten the capital. Henan is the heart of the Ming Dynasty and must not fall into the hands of thieves! "

"We have Governor Ding, Governor Wang Qiaonian of Shaanxi, as well as Zuo Liangyu, He Renlong and other fierce generals, but we can't stop a trespasser?"

"Confused!"

Jiang Yuxu seemed to have more knowledge than Zhu Zhifeng. He just heard him say: "Former Governor Yang Wen is weak, how is it compared with Ding Qirui and Wang Qionian? Take former Governor Yang Wenyue and Shaanxi Governor Fu Zonglong as examples. Compared with Ding Qirui and Wang Qionian, Not to mention giving in too much, but so what?
In the end, it wasn't a complete defeat, with the army defeated and dead. "

He sighed and continued: "The soldiers are disorganized and the soldiers have no fighting spirit. How can they fight? In other words, generals like Zuo Liangyu and He Renlong may not be unable to fight, but they dare not fight.

They all regard their soldiers as the foundation for their safety and security, so how can they be willing to fight on the battlefield, which they keep to save their lives!

Looking at the armies from all over the Ming Dynasty, only Wu Sangui's Liao soldiers and Yong Ning Bo's brave army can still fight. However, although Jiannu was frustrated at the foot of Jinzhou City, we must guard against them looking for opportunities to retaliate. The Liao soldiers have a heavy responsibility to defend the territory and dare not Light tone.

The only powerful force that the imperial court can use is Zhang Cheng's brave army. It is your duty to ensure that Yong Ning Bo can send his troops south as scheduled to send troops to Henan Province to support and suppress the rebels. "

Seeing Zhu Zhifeng's words to him and hearing them in his heart, Jiang Yuxu breathed a long sigh of relief and said: "What's more, although you and I are noble governors of the imperial court, in your opinion, with our ability, Can you stop Zhang Cheng from intercepting these 300 million taels of silver?"

"This……"

Zhu Zhifeng thought for a while and then answered: "I'm afraid it won't work." "At this point, you and I, Zhang Cheng, have been tied together. They are like grasshoppers on a vine. At least for now, it seems that they cannot be separated. La."

Jiang Yuxu finally said: "The success or failure of this matter will not be determined by the court."

"Where is that?"

"Henan Province, let's see how the Yongyi Army performs when it sends troops to aid Henan!"

…………

The shocking news spread like a thunderbolt in all directions instantly.

Uncle Yongning searched the property of the unscrupulous businessman this time, and the amount of gold, silver, and silk he obtained unexpectedly reached an astonishing amount of more than 700 million taels. This... this is just cash.

Those confiscated houses, fields, shops and goods of profiteers have not been taken into account!
Soon, this shocking news was passed to the Ming Dynasty capital, into the palace, and to the ears of Emperor Chongzhen.

For a time, there was an uproar in the capital, and teahouses and restaurants everywhere became noisy and lively again. People rushed to tell each other, clapped their hands, and applauded the fate of these profiteers who committed slavery and harmed the country.

But the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty have become quiet, as if a bigger storm is brewing. At the moment, it is just a moment of tranquility before the storm.

In the palace, Emperor Chongzhen also took a breath of cold air.

That's more than 700 million taels of silver in vain...

This is not 700 taels, nor 7000 taels, but more than 700 million taels, and it is still dazzling white cash!
Thinking back to the beginning, Emperor Xian sent tax envoys to the local areas. After decades of repeated efforts, how much did he get after plundering?

The final income into the internal treasury was less than 300 million taels of silver, but the consequences it brought are still being scolded by ministers to this day!
Moreover, among these silvers, there is still one million taels of my own...

"I'm rich, I'm rich, I have money!"

This was the first cry from Emperor Chongzhen's heart after hearing the news.

In fact, he had a feeling in his heart that Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng would inevitably hide some benefits from the house search. According to his estimation, the actual proceeds from the search should be more than this amount, but as to how much more, he could not guess. out.

However, it will never be more than his 100 million taels...

According to the secret report from Bian Yongqing, the eunuch of the supervisory army, Zhang Cheng was still honest in terms of money, but he only withheld the stolen grain, iron materials, gunpowder and other goods to use as military supplies.

As for the silver, he did withhold 300 million taels. It was used as the starting silver for the soldiers and horses in the third town of Xuanda to help Henan to suppress the bandits, as well as the military expenses for the large army. It was reasonable and reasonable.

What's more, Zhang Cheng didn't take all the more than 300 million taels of silver. Didn't he also honor himself with 100 million taels?

Furthermore, since ancient times, it has been said that "the emperor never lacks hungry soldiers." Now that I have so much money, what if the 200 million taels are rewarded to the Yongyi Army?

"It's just that... I never thought that... these slave and profiteers... would be so rich?"

He gritted his teeth and hated it...

…………

Not to mention, what was Zhang Cheng's gain from the confiscation of his home?

As various news continued to spread, almost the entire Ming Dynasty became an uproar. It even spread to foreign countries through Jiangnan maritime trade channels, and then evolved into many more legendary versions of the story.

Even the maritime bully Zheng Zhilong who was far away in Anping, Fujian, was quite surprised when he heard about this: "Hey. This guy Zhang Cheng has recorded more than [-] million in his books. I really don't know how much he actually took. I'm afraid it's because of this." Quite."

"Brother, I never thought that those businessmen in the mainland could make such a fortune. Only these seven or eight businesses can compare with us!"

"Hmph. They are both smuggling businesses, and they are very different in nature. It's just that our side lasts a long time, goes round and round, and never stops, but his side is different."

Zheng Zhilong looked proud and said very confidently: "How can you protect your windfall without a hard fist in your hand?"

Then there are places like Jilonggang, Xiangshanao, Luzon, Manila, Batavia and other places in Taiwan. The Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish also expressed their own emotions when they heard these stories of traveling through time and space...

"The Ming Dynasty is really rich all over the world. It's just a few merchants. Their net worth almost exceeds the total wealth of their country. But... they don't understand...

Since the Ming Dynasty was so rich, why did it continue to suffer natural and man-made disasters, which led to the rise of bandits in the country and the displacement of the people? "

In fact, not only the foreigners like them can't understand this problem, but also many great scholars of the Ming Dynasty can't understand it. Even Zhu Youjian, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, can't understand this matter...

…………

Emperor Chongzhen was also upset at this time. There were numerous impeachment memorials for hundreds of officials, public sentiment was fierce, and public opinion was mixed...

At this moment, the most critical thing is how to punish Yongning Bo Zhang Cheng. This is the biggest headache for Emperor Chongzhen at this stage.

From the bottom of his heart, Emperor Chongzhen had no intention of punishing Zhang Cheng. This was due to the contribution of the 100 million taels of silver, but also because he was afraid that this would discourage Zhang Cheng from helping Yu suppress the bandits.

But in the court, hundreds of officials were impeached, and although Zhang Cheng had contributed to the country this time, he did go too far.

Even if Xu Dingguo, the Lai brothers and others were guilty of treason and harming the country, they should be punished for their crimes. They should report to the court and be interrogated and convicted by the Three Laws Division. Zhang Cheng was indeed a little abrupt in this matter.

Now, who can tell whether Xu Dingguo and others resisted execution, or were killed unjustly after being lynched and interrogated by Zhang Cheng?
What's more, the two vassal kings of the Dai and Jin dynasties both wrote and complained, saying that Zhang Cheng was extremely domineering and despised the vassal kings, especially the King of Jin in Taiyuan. They even wrote multiple memorials and denounced Zhang Cheng for taking the opportunity to arrest profiteers. He killed the eunuchs and chief historians of the Jin Dynasty.

"Uncle Yongning, Zhang Cheng, is really too arrogant and lawless. Please ask the emperor to make the decision for me!"

Whether inside or outside the capital, up and down the court, it can be said that everyone is in a state of excitement...

Can……

What can Emperor Chongzhen do? (End of chapter)