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Chapter eight hundred and fifty seventh

While speaking, Cao Wenzhao also understood why the emperor was so anxious to summon him to Beijing. In government affairs, the emperor had many helpers, and it can be said that he had a very thorough control, but in military affairs, he was a little weak. He had always bypassed the Ministry of War and directly led the generals from all over the country to control military power. His daily affairs were controlled by the Ministry of War. Sun Chengzong had a huge influence in the Ministry of War, so now if he wanted to promote the Ministry of War to reform the military system, Sun Chengzong could not avoid it.

The personal guard didn't understand this, so he said, "Sir, why did you come to Beijing? We don't have a general above the general in the Ming Dynasty. Is this the emperor going to add a title to you?"

When Cao Wenzhao was about to remember Zhu Xu's previous words, he waved his hand and said, "Don't say too much in the future, especially after entering Beijing, you must be careful in your words and actions!"

The guard said, "As for your order!"

When Sun Ling rushed back to the capital overnight, Sun Chengzong was in the Ministry of War and did not rest for a moment.

There were only two people in Shen Yongmao's class room, one was him and the other was Sun Chengzong.

Because the military reform is of great importance, the scope of knowledge is not large, and even Mao Wenlong is excluded by them.

"Sir, now Lu Xiangsheng has taken over the patrol battalion, but he has not served as the Minister of War. It seems that the emperor has decided." Shen Yongmao sat opposite Sun Chengzong, looking worried.

Lu Xiangsheng was also a firm imperial party and obeyed the emperor. Now that the patrol battalion fell into his hands, the Ministry of War's voice was reduced by half.

Sun Chengzong frowned and said, "The emperor never stops from doing things. Now what we have to do is change as much as possible, not stop it."

Military weapons are the most important weapon of the country, and they are not allowed to be reckless. As for Zhu Xu's idea of ​​integrating military power, Sun Chengzong could not convince himself to agree from any angle. Although he knew that he could not stop it, he wanted to minimize the danger.

"Sir, what should we do now? Cao Wenzhao won't listen to us. If the emperor uses military merits to add a title, it is possible that he can even join the Ministry of War to replace me..." Shen Yongmao said. Zhou Yingqiu and Fu Changzong were going to be transferred from the capital. The senior management already knew that Shen Yongmao also felt that he seemed to be transferred.

This was also what Sun Chengzong was worried about, and he pondered for a while and said, "I have seen the government affairs plan on the cabinet. There is basically no major event. The emperor's attention will soon be transferred to the military reform."

Shen Yongmao looked at Sun Chengzong and thought, "Sir, will Cao Wenzhao stand by our side and advise the emperor?"

Sun Chengzong shook his head and said, "It should not be possible. I have already sent a letter to the generals of various places to seek their opinions. If they can all oppose each other, even if they just don't agree, we can still fight with the emperor again."

Shen Yongmao understood what Sun Chengzong meant, but said: "The big discussion will be next year. The emperor will definitely set the tone before the New Year and start preparing. The officials believed that the key was Cao Wenzhao's attitude, and his influence on the emperor would exceed ours."

Sun Chengzong took a deep breath and said, "Well, I have made an appointment with him. When he comes to Beijing, I will personally talk to him for a deep conversation."

Shen Yongmao nodded slightly, his heart was extremely heavy.

Today's emperors are very talented and have different ideas than them. Although they often prove that the emperor is right afterwards, they still find it difficult to stand by and watch in such major events. It is related to the country and the country and the stability of the world for hundreds of years, and they cannot be allowed to be careless.

Sun Chengzong took the memorial in front of him and handed it to Shen Yongmao and said, "I have read the military budget for next year's... it's still a bit slow after all."

Shen Yongmao took it and said in a serious manner: "Yes. Liaodong, Shaanxi and Gansu are the two main causes, and the army is the most. It is not easy to cut it all at once. In addition, Annan, Old Port, and Luzon have added more than 100,000 yuan, and the cut may not increase much, so the military expenditure next year may increase, and it will take another year or two to reduce it."

The military expenditure of the Ming Dynasty was as complicated as more than 20 million taels. Such a figure was not considered in the past. In addition, the expenditure of the Ministry of Works and immigration was even more than 50 million. If it were not for the support of Huitong Trading Bank, the court would not even be able to produce one tenth. Now the profit of Huitong Trading Bank is gradually decreasing, and the court's finances continue to deteriorate. Such expenditures must be curbed!

Sun Chengzong was in the cabinet and knew the difficulties, saying, "The court should be able to hold on for a year. In the year after, fiscal expenditures must be greatly reduced, otherwise the treasury will inevitably collapse..."

With the current size of the Ming Dynasty, if the finances are exhausted, the impact will be too terrible.

Shen Yongmao understood and said, "The officials knew that according to the plan of the Ministry of War, six provinces including Shaanxi and Xi will maintain 200,000 elite troops, and Yun and Nan will maintain 100,000 elite troops. Other places will reduce significantly, which will reduce military expenditure to around 12 million."

This number is still too high, and the pressure is still huge for the Ming Dynasty court now.

However, in the following year, the huge project of the Ministry of Works and the immigration of disaster victims will enter a digestive period, and expenditure will be greatly reduced, which will greatly alleviate the court's finances. Grit your teeth and last for another two years.

‘I just hope that the disaster will pass in the next few years…’

The pressure on Sun Chengzong's shoulders was too heavy, and he was almost unable to breathe.

"I think of a way to reduce other expenditures and save as much as I can. I have to plan to live a hard life. I will go there with the Ministry of Revenue..." Sun Chengzong said.

This was also a helpless move. Shen Yongmao sighed lightly and said, "Yes, the lower official knows."

Sun Chengzong looked up at the sky outside, and was about to get up and go back, but suddenly said, "By the way, what's wrong with that big ship of Tianjin Wei? The emperor said he wanted to give a name, how are you preparing?"

The 70-foot-meter-long ship was unprecedented for the Ming Dynasty. It also had to consider naval battles, long-distance voyages, etc. In all aspects of materials and design, it was a test, gathering the most top power of the Ming Dynasty.

Although it was the Royal Court of Justice and the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of War also participated. Listening to Sun Chengzong's question, Shen Yongmao thought about it and said, "It should be almost assembled now, but because the weather is cold, it is impossible to get into the water. You may have to wait any longer. As for the names, there are two, one is the Taizu reign name and the other is the Chengzu reign name."

"Hongwu, Yongle?" Sun Chengzong thought about it and nodded immediately, saying, "It's appropriate. I originally thought of Jing Zheng. After the test, I will leave it to the emperor to decide."

Shen Yongmao responded and said, "The Ministry of Works believes that the shipyard is only Tian, ​​and one place in Tianjin and Wei is not enough. I hope to build another place in Nanzhili, Fujian, and Hue."

Hue, the capital of the Nguyen tribe in Annan, is now one of the two important cities under the Ming Dynasty's rule over Bei'annan, the other is Shenglong, which is Hanoi.

With the development of water conservancy in the Ming Dynasty, water transportation is becoming more and more important to the Ming Dynasty. There is a huge gap in various ships. At the same time, maritime trade is also needed. More needs to be established, and it is imperative to establish more military, civil and dual-purpose shipyards.

Sun Chengzong knew this and nodded, "Okay, I'll go to the cabinet tomorrow and have a moment."

"Mr. Xie." Shen Yongmao said that such a shipyard naturally cannot avoid the Ministry of War.

Sun Chengzong stood up and said, "Tomorrow the Emperor will enter the cabinet and jointly manage the government with his ministers. If you have any ideas, go in and talk about it tomorrow."

Shen Yongmao was stunned and then said, "Yes, please prepare."

Sun Chengzong didn't say anything more and went out of the Ministry of War to prepare to turn back his mansion.

This winter is particularly cold, and there is an unprecedented heavy snowfall in the north, which has crushed the north into the ice and snow.

Zhu Xu took Li Jieyu and his two children and kept breathing as soon as he entered the Cining Palace. Looking at Empress Dowager Zhang sitting at the table, he gasped and said, "Sister-in-law, why are you so cold in the palace? You should have a little more carbon stove."

Empress Dowager Zhang looked at Zhu Xu and then at Li Jieyu's face, and she couldn't help but frown and said, "It's better if you come tonight, why do you bring Jieyu and the child here too?"

As he said that, he turned to look at Huan'er not far away and said, "Cook a few more, and cook some hot soup."

"It's the Empress." Huan'er quickly agreed and arranged for someone to do it.

Empress Dowager Zhang turned her head to Zhu Xu who had not sat down and said, "This carbon stove is better to burn less, it is not good for your health. You should also pay attention to it, Your Majesty."

Zhu Xu listened to Empress Dowager Zhang's words, glanced at Xiao Yongning, who was sitting next to her with aggrieved face, raised her eyebrows and replied with a smile: "What the emperor's sister-in-law said is that I will burn less in the palace in the future, but Yongning always shouted coldly."

Xiao Yongning was stunned for a moment and suddenly said loudly: "I will never go to Qianqing Palace again in the future!"

Empress Dowager Zhang immediately reacted, heard Zhu Xu's subtext, and frowned and said, "Yongning is still young. If you follow the steps, don't bother her like this. Are you her uncle? Can you feel sorry for her..."

Zhu Xu's mouth moved and glared at Xiao Yongning. This guy didn't know what he had sued him, which made the emperor's sister-in-law's attitude change so much.

Li Jieyu sat aside, smiling with his lips pursed and said nothing.

Xiao Yongning took Empress Dowager Zhang's arm and said pitifully: "Mother, the emperor is not good to others. If he is obedient, he will not go to Qianqing Palace..."

Empress Dowager Zhang frowned more and looked at Zhu Xu and said, "The weather is so cold, and you are always running around and catch a cold. If you have any homework, tell me, and I'll stare at her doing it in Cining Palace."

Zhu Xu listened to Empress Dowager Zhang's quite firm words, sighed in his heart, 'A kind mother defeated her son', and said, "Well, what the emperor's sister-in-law said."

Empress Dowager Zhang's face was gentle when she saw Zhu Xu say this, and she didn't know what Xiao Yongning had said to her just now.

Xiao Yongning narrowed his eyes and showed a smile of the little fox on his face.

Zhu Xu turned over the teacup and poured the tea, saying, "Sister-in-law, I plan to see Zhang Yun again in the next few days, and go to burn incense together, let's learn more about it."

Before Zhu Xu finished speaking, Xiao Yongning immediately opened his eyes wide and left the palace!

Empress Dowager Zhang did not notice Xiao Yongning's expression. Hearing the voice, he brows slightly moved, and nodded, "It's good, but you should be low-key and don't let people discover it. Although both the old concubine and I are very satisfied, the key is to make your own decisions."
Chapter completed!
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