Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 47 Can the Beijing camp raise wages?

"That dear brother is really well-informed. I haven't been able to walk through the mountains and rivers of the Ming Dynasty. If I have the chance, I would also like to see the mountains and rivers outside." Dong Qichang said with emotion.

"Reading thousands of miles and traveling thousands of books, Li Du also traveled around the world in those days. Brother Dong has such ambitions. I believe that after traveling, his calligraphy and painting skills will be improved to a higher level." Zhang Xiao said.

"Just thinking about it. Now I am just an official and a traveler. How can I be independent? This painting of landscapes is just for sustenance. By the way, dear brother, you have finished writing the book "Fifty Years in the World", what book are you writing now? ?" Dong Qichang asked.

"I'm writing the history of Timurid. I've already written part of it. Brother Dong, why don't you take a look? I can take out the manuscript now." Zhang Xiao replied.

"Of course it's my honor." Dong Qichang agreed.

The two chatted for a while. After the guests left, Zhang Xiao took out the framework of "On Sea Power" and re-listed the framework of a memorial, mainly talking about the development of the Chinese Navy, especially the Navy. The importance of the ocean-going navy to the current Ming Dynasty, the future development direction of naval ships, and the role of the navy in Japan's operations, etc.

After writing the memorial, it was already late at night. The next day, Zhang Xiao hurried to the Hanlin Academy with his memorial discussing the development of the navy, hoping to find someone to correct the memorial. But on the way to work, Zhang Xiao saw many people gathering at Chang'an Gate.

Zhang Xiao initially thought it was ordinary people who were making trouble, but he thought wrongly. This is a vicious feudal society. How could ordinary people be so brave and bored to hang out in front of Chang'an Gate? This is where many core government offices are located, and the palace is right next to it. Not far.

Zhang Xiao took a closer look and saw that, good guys, they were all officers from the Beijing camp gathered together to make trouble.

"Shi Shangshu! Come out quickly! Traitor, how dare you abolish the military resources? Are you a spy sent by Wala?"

"Your Majesty, our capital camp is the pillar of the country, we can't just let it fall into chaos like this."

"Your Majesty, generations of my Sun family have made contributions to the imperial court. My grandfather died for the Ming Dynasty in Tumubao."

Although there were only a few people shouting, and they were not shouting continuously, more officers were silent. In Zhang Xiao's view, these silent officers looked more terrifying.

He is really a good guy. In his original time and space, Zhang Xiao had seen most people blocking the door asking for salary and project money. He had never seen this scene before. He was just about to pretend not to see it, but he didn't expect that someone from the rioting officer corps suddenly called out to him.

"Mr. Zhang, is that you?"

"Mr. Zhang, it's really Mr. Zhang!"

Two officers ran out from the gathering crowd and greeted Zhang Xiao.

"Who are you two?" Zhang Xiao had to stop and say hello to them. "I am Xu Wen, with the post of Qianhu. This is Xue Qiang, with the post of commander." The officer who greeted in front introduced himself and his companions.

"I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you at first. By the way, you are not on duty at the military camp, so why are you here..." Zhang Xiao wanted to ask but was a little afraid to continue speaking. After all, what on earth did this group of officers gather together to do? , I really have no idea.

"Hey, it's hard to explain. It's the end of the year, and the weather in the capital is getting colder. But the Ministry of War has just issued an order saying that this year's spending has been overspended. Our salary will be delayed, and our rewards at the end of the year will be gone. This is not true, brothers. If you are not convinced, you should ask for an explanation from Shangshu Shi, and you should also complain to the Holy Spirit." Xu Wen said with an indignant look.

"When Shi Xing was the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, he said that he would increase revenue and reduce expenditure for the country. I don't know if the revenue was increased or not, but he cut off the flow of the brothers. Now that he has just become the Minister of the Ministry of War, he will directly cut off the flow of the brothers. . Originally the military camp was not paid enough and was often in arrears. Now it has to be reduced. The reputation belongs to these civil servants. They, the old cabinet ministers, have such respect, but we, the old Qiu Ba, deserve it. Suffering from cold, heat, hunger and thirst. Mr. Zhang, please tell me how this makes sense." Commander Xue Qiang and Commander Xue next to him also shouted.

"Everyone, I can understand your appeal. However, I, Zhang Xiaoren, speak softly and can't say much. It's just that your Majesty's face doesn't look good when you gather people here." Zhang Xiao held it in for a long time before spitting out this sentence. No way, this kind of scene is not the time for talking nonsense.

"There is no way. The brothers are either from other provinces, training in the military camp, and renting a house in the capital. Or they are at the foot of the imperial city, and the capital is expensive. They rely on these silver taels to support a large group of people in their families. Now Shi Shangshu has just taken office. , they stopped our pay. If we don’t show up again, I’m really afraid that Mr. Shi will lay off us all if he’s not happy. Forget it, Mr. Zhang, you are also from the Imperial Academy, so you definitely don’t want to get involved. What a mess we veterans have done. We made a disgraceful scene today and made Mr. Zhang laugh." Xu Wen bowed to Zhang Xiao and signaled to Zhang Xiao to leave quickly.

"You two should tell the big guys that His Majesty will not treat Jingying badly. You should calm down." After Zhang Xiao finished speaking, he quickly left. This kind of thing is not something that a dog-headed military advisor like me can get involved in.

In the palace, the emperor looked at the kneeling Minister of War, Shi Xing, with an angry look on his face.

"Shi Xing, the country is troubled now and the borders are tense. I know you are talented, so I asked you to change your position from the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs to the Minister of the Ministry of War. You have only been in office for a few days, and you have caused such a big trouble for me."

"Your Majesty, I really have no choice. Zhang Xiao took 3,000 troops to Ningxia a few days ago and spent a lot of money. Ning Yuanbo has turned defeat into victory in recent years. The Liaodong Army has suffered many casualties and its morale has been weakened. This supplement The pension was another sum. Zhang Xiao also said that the Japanese were at risk of becoming invaders. These days, they were making guns and buying gunpowder, and they spent a lot of money, so they could only stop other expenses. , it’s a temporary turnaround." Shi Xing explained aggrievedly.

"Why, Uncle Ning Yuan has been dismissed from the position of commander-in-chief. How do you want me to punish him? I ransacked Uncle Ning Yuan's house? It's not like you don't know why Zhang Xiao went to Ningxia. As for preparing to fight against Japanese pirates, then It was decided by the court. Why didn't you object at the time, but now you are making irresponsible remarks? Are these all my ideas?" the emperor asked suppressing his anger.

"I am frightened and have offended Your Majesty with my words. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me." Shi Xing saw that the atmosphere was not right and quickly gave in.

"I order you to pay off the salary owed to the Jingying camp immediately, immediately, no matter what method you use. If you let these Jingying officers block the Chang'an Gate again, our Ming Dynasty will lose face!" The emperor was angry. Chongchong directly issued an oral order.

"I obey the order, I will take care of it immediately." Shi Xing hurriedly resigned.

"Go quickly! If this errand is not completed, you don't have to come back." The emperor said without mercy at all.

(End of this chapter)