The Rise of Ming Dynasty 1646

Chapter 717 Military Pay
Zhu Linming knew that these were the people who were driven from Yangzhou Mansion to the north of the Huai River by Dorgon, but she didn't expect that it would turn into such a miserable situation in less than a month.

He couldn't bear it so much, he turned to Zhang Jiayu and said, "Decree to set up a porridge shed every ten miles along the coast to distribute military food for disaster relief."

"The end will follow the order."

Zhang Jiayu saluted first, then took a step forward, and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, the grain and rice transported to Muyang is less than [-] shi, and there are probably millions of victims here. If we use military food to relieve them, it will definitely disrupt the Northern Expedition... ..."

"Resolve the urgent need first." Zhu Linmei frowned, "Leading the army to the Northern Expedition is to save the people of the Ming Dynasty from the hands of the Jian captives, and the people in front of them are all the people of the Ming Dynasty, so how can they refuse to save them?"

"Your Majesty's lesson is," Zhang Jiayu said with a bow, "the last general should be ashamed."

When Zhang Jiayu went to allocate food and grass, Zhu Linmi said to Shi Lin again: "Bring me the people from the household department."

"Yes."

When the victims heard that the sage ordered to set up a porridge shed, they knelt down on the ground, shouted "Long live", and took the initiative to get out of the way to let the imperial chariot move forward.

Zhu Linmi walked from the Huaihe River to the city of Muyang. People kneeled and kowtowed along the way, until the porridge shed began to distribute food, and the crowd slowly left.

At dinner time, Lin Zunbin, the servant of the household department who accompanied the driver, had already rushed from the south bank, entered the Muyang camp, pulled up his clothes and knelt down, "Long live the emperor, my servant."

"Get up and talk." Zhu Linmi raised her hand and asked, "Does Master Lin know how many disaster victims there are in the north of the Huai River?"

"Here, the exact figures have not yet been counted by the lower officials. However, the original population of Yangzhou Prefecture should be 90 million. After deducting those who died on the way, it should be at least 30 million."

Zhu Linmi shook her head secretly, these people left their homes and their homes were all burned down, it can be said that they have no power to protect themselves, they all have to rely on the relief of the court.

He asked again: "How much silver do we need to save the lives of these disaster victims?"

Lin Zunbin thought for a while, and said: "Going back to the emperor, if you rely solely on the imperial court for relief, even if there is enough food and rice everywhere, at least 300 million taels will be barely enough."

"So much money?!"

Lin Zunbin hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I think that we can disperse these victims to Nanzhi, Zhejiang, Huguang and other places, so that the state capitals can share the burden. In this way, we only need to supply the consumption along the road, and then deduct the taxes of the above-mentioned places. The burden on the county is not too great, and the predicament can be solved.

"If this is the case, a million taels of silver can almost be dealt with."

Zhu Linmin nodded thoughtfully, "This is also a way. Then the Ministry of Household Affairs will gather the victims immediately, register and make a register, and properly distribute them to various places. I will issue an order from the cabinet to let them coordinate the state capitals that receive refugees.

"Ah, also, we must strictly screen the victims of the disaster, and beware of thieves who sneak in among them."

"Sir, lead the order."

Lin Zunbin said again: "Your Majesty, it's just that there are too many victims of the disaster, and the food and rice needed for the migration are also very considerable. It is necessary to prepare enough in advance."

Zhu Linmei frowned and said, "How much grain and rice do you need?"

"Back to the emperor, it is advisable to prepare at least 35 stones first."

Zhu Linming planned in her heart to dismiss some of the peasants who transported food for the Ming army in Yangzhou and replace them with refugees returning home. This would save [-] to [-] shi for the rations of the peasants.Another [-] to [-] shi were squeezed out from the Ming army’s grain and grass, and there were still [-] to [-] shi in the Nanjing Dacang. Adding them up, it would be at most [-] to [-] shi, and the gap was still huge.

He then said to Lin Zunbin, "Is it possible to buy 25 shi grain rice from Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong and other places?"

Lin Zunbin said: "Your Majesty, some of the grain and rice in Jiangxi, Fujian and other places have been expropriated. It may be difficult to buy 25 shi at once. Besides, such a large amount, even if it can be bought, will definitely make the locals Food prices are soaring...

"I estimate that at most 15 shi can be received."

After a long time, Zhu Linming ordered: "Okay, I understand. You gather the victims first, buy as much grain as possible, and don't miss the spring plowing. I will find a solution for the lack of grain and rice."

"Yes. Minister, leave."

Speaking of which, Dorgon's move to fortify the wall and clear the field is really vicious!It can not only delay the speed of the Ming army going north, but also create a large number of refugees, putting a heavy burden on the Ming court.

Looking at Lin Zunbin's back, Zhu Linmei couldn't help but sighed, "Millions of taels of disaster relief money! It seems that the military expenditure for the Northern Expedition can only be used right now. As for the Northern Expedition... I am afraid that the ocean caravan will have to go to Japan to continue.

"As for the shortage of food and grass, we can only try to buy it from Manila, Annan and other places."

He immediately remembered that there were also refugees in southern Shaanxi who were driven away from their hometown by Jianlu. Although the population of Yangzhou in the northwest was not as large, it probably would not be less than 60 million. It seemed that buying [-] shi from overseas was not enough. .

He also ordered Zhong Lang, the official of the Ministry of Commerce to accompany him, and ordered him to complete the preparations for the ocean-going caravan as soon as possible. In addition, he sent ships to Manila and Annan respectively to buy large quantities of grain, regardless of the price.

Now the Ministry of Commerce is in charge of foreign trade, and has a lot of ships in its hands. It is not only more efficient to transport grain by its own ships, but also saves a little money.

Wen Lang was about to lead the order to retreat, when he saw Shi Lin walking quickly into the room, glanced at him, and said to Zhu Lin: "Your Majesty, Wu Xianrong, a thousand households in Jinyiwei North Town, has something to see."

"Let him in."

"Yes."

Zhu Linming knew that Jin Yiwei must have something urgent to come to him directly, so before Wu Xianrong saluted, she supported him first, "No need to be too polite, where is the rush?"

Wu Xianrong hurriedly said: "Return to Your Majesty, this subordinate came from Quanzhou. We sent a secret report from Dongfan's inside line." He said and handed a secret letter to Shi Lin, "It seems that Hong Yi has changed. "

Zhu Linmi used espionage to "blackmail" the Helan people for a ransom, asking them to use Taiwan's timber as compensation, and "intimately" sending Ming craftsmen to cut and transport.

These "craftsmen" quickly mingled with the locals, not only knowing the situation of Zeelandia City and the port like the back of their hands, but also developed several inside lines within the Dayuan government.

The information this time was sent by the island's logging "craftsman" on a ship transporting timber.

Zhu Linmi took the secret report and opened it, only to see that there were only two short lines on it: "Hongyi's reinforcement ships have arrived at the shore, and now there are nineteen gunboats and several small boats from the east, and they will attack Chongming soon."There were 900 barbarians and more than [-] native confederates, most of whom had guns and cannons.

He looked at the back of the note, and there was a map of Zeelandia City and Dayuan Port attached.

Wu Xianrong saw that the emperor was holding the secret letter tightly and remained silent for a while, so he could only remind him softly: "Your Majesty, look at this..."

The next moment, Zhu Linmi's face was full of joy, and she said loudly: "I was worrying about the military salary, Hong Yi hurriedly brought it to me. I have been waiting for them for a long time. I must thank them for their kindness!
"Order Zhu Chenggong, and the navy will pull anchor and go south immediately, and act according to the plan!
"Also, order the Fujing garrison to be on alert, and Zhu Chenggong will temporarily control it."

He told Wen Lang again: "By the way, there is no need to be so urgent about the food, the price should be kept down."

(End of this chapter)