Zhongyi Town quickly captured Xuzhou and took control of the city.

There was almost no resistance from the Jin army in the city. Except for a few official slave confidants who fled north with Ashi Siming, all the rest surrendered.

To them, they were just low-level soldiers. Zhao Tai was not a Mongolian. He killed official slaves, and they did the same with Zhao Tai.

At this time, Zhao Tai, surrounded by his generals, entered the official slave's mansion. In the courtyard, a large number of soldiers were counting the money confiscated from his mansion.

"Your Majesty, the military advisor is over there!" The soldier leading the way pointed to the distance.

Zhao Tai looked up and saw Wang Bin directing the clerks to register the seized materials and estimate their value.

Pu Chaguannu has been running Xuzhou for many years and can be regarded as the local emperor of Xuzhou. His house is very large, covering an area of ​​about three to four hundred acres.

There were high walls built around the house, and there were warehouses inside, where the treasures and grain collected by the official slaves were stored.

Zhao Tai came over and couldn't help but sigh: "The mansion of the official slave is equivalent to the inner city of Xuzhou."

Wang Bin handed the book in his hand to his subordinates and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, it is right for us to capture Xuzhou. This official slave gave the king a hundred thousand coins, and another hundred thousand coins were copied from the house. In addition, there were corals and jade.

, jewelry, brocade, calligraphy and painting, it can be said that the harvest is quite fruitful. I initially estimate that including the 100,000 guan sent to the camp, there are now nearly 300,000 guan."

"The official slaves are so rich!" Zhao Tai was a little surprised. He remembered that when he went to Xuzhou, he wanted to ask the official slaves to allocate some money and food, but the official slaves gave him nothing. At that time, Zhao Tai thought that the Jin Kingdom was financially bankrupt, but Xuzhou was indeed

There is not much food.

Wang Bin said: "Xuzhou is located at the strategic point of transportation between the north and the south. Caravans traveling from south to north often need to pass through the boundary of Xuzhou. Official slaves have been stationed in Xuzhou for many years. Just by plucking the feathers of geese, they can accumulate a lot of wealth."

Zhao Tai was a little happy, "With so much money copied from the official slave's mansion, plus the Xuzhou treasury, the collection of Xuzhou this time may be able to solve Gu's urgent need."

Seeing the sergeant carrying out a bunch of copper coins from the official slave's private treasury, which were piled up like a mountain, Zhao Tai sighed in his heart, as expected, a man cannot be rich without windfall, and a horse cannot be fat without night grass.

As they were talking, Chen Zhong strode over, cupped his fists and saluted, "Your Majesty!"

Zhao Tai looked at him and asked, "How is the situation in the city?"

"Your Majesty, Ash Siming fled from the North City, and the rest of the people in the city have surrendered!" Chen Zhong reported.

Zhao Tai only brought 20,000 people and could not surround Xuzhou. It was inevitable that some of the officials and slaves' henchmen would escape.

Although they failed to eradicate the root cause, it didn't matter that Ashi Siming ran away.

With Zhao Tai's current strength, he would naturally not take him seriously.

Therefore, Zhao Tai was quite satisfied with the result at this time, "It doesn't matter, As Shi Siming ran away, he won't be able to cause any trouble."

Chen Zhongdao: "Now Xuzhou City is completely controlled by the army."

Zhao Tai nodded and suddenly said: "Very good, have you sent someone to guard the treasury in the city?"

Chen Zhong nodded: "I have sent people to receive it, but according to the sergeant's report, the treasury in Xuzhou is cleaner than my face, but there is nothing in it."

Zhao Tai raised his eyebrows, "Nothing? No grain or copper coins at all?"

Chen Zhong shook his head, "According to the sergeant's report, not only was there no money or food in it, there were no mice either."

Zhao Tai frowned, and Wang Bin said: "Your Majesty, it seems that the official slaves have embezzled all the money and food in the government treasury. They do not distinguish between public and private affairs. They regard Xuzhou as private property. The money and food of Xuzhou government should also be in the official slaves' residence."

Zhao Tai heard that he had received about 300,000 guan from official slaves alone, so he thought that if he took 200,000 guan from the treasury, he would have enough military expenses for Zhongyi Town for a year.

Zhao Tai now has 30,000 elite soldiers, and his annual military expenditure is about 500,000 yuan.

This expenditure is the bulk of the feudal government's expenditure. If this expenditure is solved, the taxes collected by Zhao Tai and the copper coins earned from trade can be used for investment and expansion of production.

In addition, only when military expenditures are guaranteed and the army is stable can Zhao Tai's regime withstand storms.

Now I heard Chen Zhong say that Xuzhou's treasury has long been abandoned, so the seizure of official slave mansions alone cannot satisfy Zhao Tai's needs.

Zhao Tai was a little disappointed and said to Wang Bin: "Military advisor, please complete the cleanup as soon as possible. Everywhere in the palace of the official slaves must be searched and nothing is left behind."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty!" Wang Bin bowed his hands and said, "I will ask people to complete the cleanup as soon as possible."

At this time, several people were talking, and there was a commotion outside.

Zhao Tai couldn't help but frown slightly. Seeing this, Chen Zhong strode away and asked, "What's the fuss about?"

"Commander, a group of Jurchens came outside and wanted to see the king!" An officer ran over and explained hurriedly.

Chen Zhong heard this and immediately turned back, "Your Majesty, a group of Jurchens are coming outside, clamoring to see you!"

The official slave was killed and Zhao Tai took over Xuzhou. The Jurchen nobles in the city came to pay their respects and prepared to surrender to Zhao Tai's sect.

They were shocked when Zhao Tai killed the official slaves, but after learning the reason why Zhao Tai killed the official slaves, they felt relieved again.

Zhao Tai said that the official slaves did not save Kaifeng and colluded with Mongolia, so he killed the official slaves.

In the eyes of the nobles of the Jin Kingdom, this shows that Zhao Tai still regards himself as a minister of Jin, and since they are either members of the Jin Kingdom's clan or Jurchen nobles, they naturally do not need to be afraid of Zhao Tai.

After they arrived in Xuzhou, they had been exploited a lot of money by the slaves in the past few years. Now that the loyal king had killed the slaves, he came over to denounce the crimes of the slaves, firstly to show his support for Zhao Tai, and secondly to see if he could get some back.

money.

Zhao Tai stroked his short beard under his forehead, pondered for a while, raised his head and asked Wang Bin: "The military advisor thinks I need to see them!"

Zhao Tai did not like these Jurchen nobles. They escaped from Kaifeng before Kaifeng was besieged, which shows that these people are not good people.

In addition, now that the Jin Kingdom has been destroyed, Zhao Tai does not want any Jurchen nobles to continue to enjoy their privileges.

At this time, Zhao Tai still regarded himself as a golden minister. Zhao Tai was a little worried that these Jurchen nobles would not open their eyes and use their status as Jurchen nobles to dominate the vassal and create conflicts.

Wang Bin said, "I thought I'd better meet them if I want to see the king. Let's listen to what they say first and see if they are willing to donate generously!"

Zhao Tai nodded. The money and food taken from the palace of the official slaves could not satisfy Zhao Tai. The Jin Kingdom had occupied the Central Plains for a hundred years and plundered the people in the north. The nobles of the Jin Kingdom should have some savings.

Zhao Tai thought of this and immediately ordered: "Bring them over and meet them in person!"

When the Jin Kingdom was about to perish, some Jurchens did not have the courage to stay in Kaifeng to face the Mongolian siege, so they fled Kaifeng early.

At that time, the north was occupied by Mongolia, and although the Southern Song Dynasty in the south was allied with the Jin Kingdom, they would not accept Jurchen nobles like them.

After they escaped from Kaifeng and had nowhere to go, they came to Xuzhou.

At this time, more than 20 Jurchen nobles, representing more than a thousand Jurchens who had fled to Xuzhou, came to see Zhao Tai, hoping to receive Zhao Tai's protection.

After Zhao Tai decided to receive them, he asked people to arrange them in the lobby. He went to change clothes first and then went to receive them.

At this time, many Jurchen nobles were sitting in the hall, and they couldn't help but whisper, discussing Zhao Tai's attitude towards them.

After the fall of the Jin Kingdom, they, the Jurchen nobles, became rootless people and were really worried about their future.

Everyone in the hall was saying something to each other, and there was a commotion for a while. An old man at the head couldn't help coughing twice when he saw this, and the hall immediately became quiet.

This old man's name is Wanyan Lian, he is a member of the Jin Kingdom clan and the leader of this group of Jurchen nobles.

After Kaifeng was captured, the nobles of the Jin Kingdom lost their sense of security. He had hoped that the official slaves could support a clan, but the official slaves took a sum of money and food from him, but nothing happened.

At this time, Wanyan Lian said slowly: "Pu Chaguan slave did not save Kaifeng, colluded with Mongolia, had double-minded intentions, and let King Zhong kill him. Now Xuzhou has returned to King Zhong. Although we are all members of the Jin clan, we are Jin

The master of the country, but King Zhong is very powerful, so please don’t be rude. Wait a moment, King Zhong will come over, don’t say anything you don’t know, and let me talk to King Zhong, and you can just agree.”

Many Jurchen nobles heard this and nodded in agreement.

At this time, the soldier standing outside the hall suddenly shouted: "The king is here!"

Zhao Tai led Wang Bin and others into the lobby. Everyone stood up quickly. Under the leadership of Wan Yanlian, they saluted Zhao Tai, "His Royal Highness."

The Kingdom of Jin has been destroyed, but these Jurchen nobles still put on airs and only bowed to Zhao Tai.

Seeing this, Zhao Tai laughed and said, "I've kept you guys waiting for a long time."

After finishing speaking, Zhao Tai walked straight to the central hall and took a seat, then raised his hand and said, "Everyone, sit down!"

Everyone sat down, Zhao Tai glanced at everyone, and then asked: "Which of you is the representative, and what is your name?"

Wanyan Lian immediately stood up and introduced himself to Zhao Tai, as well as several major clan members in the hall.

After the two parties got to know each other, Zhao Tai got straight to the point, "You are here at the right time. Gu Zheng wants to see you all over to discuss the aftermath."

Wanyan Lian and others looked at each other, feeling a little confused as to what Zhao Tai wanted to discuss with them.

"I wonder what your Highness's orders are?" Wan Yanlian asked on behalf of everyone.

"Alas!" Zhao Tai sighed before saying anything, "Everyone must be very aware of the current situation. Now that the imperial court is gone, the Mongols will go south at any time. What will you do then?"

As soon as Zhao Tai said these words, everyone's mood immediately became heavy. They whispered to each other in the hall, and finally Wanyan Lian said: "Your Highness, kill the official slaves and occupy Xuzhou, which should be able to protect us."

Zhao Tai said in a deep voice: "I naturally want to protect you and resist the Mongolian attack, but fighting requires money!"

Zhao Tai looked at Wanyan Lian. When the latter heard the words, the corners of his mouth twitched, and he already understood what Zhao Tai meant.

Everyone in the hall knew that Zhao Tai wanted money from Zhao and the others, so everyone lowered their heads, and the hall fell silent instantly.

Zhao Tai said it because he hoped that they could show their stance and contribute a sum of money and food to help the feudal government tide over the difficulties, but he didn't expect that they would all become mute.

This made Zhao Tai frown, his cheeks twitched, and he went straight to the point, "King Gu did not hesitate to tell you directly. The Mongols want to destroy you Jurchens. Gu is now leading an army against the Mongols to protect you.

Now we have an army of tens of thousands, spending millions every year. We should have asked the imperial court for this money, but the imperial court is gone now. I hope that you can contribute generously to help the army tide over the difficulties."

Wanyan Lian didn't expect Zhao Tai to be so direct. When Zhao Tai opened his mouth, he couldn't pretend to be stupid, so he could only stand up and hold his hands in his hands, "I wonder how much money your Highness wants us to pay."

Zhao Tai obtained about 300,000 guan from the official slaves. The shortfall in military expenditure for a year was at least 200,000 guan, so he stretched out his finger and said, "300,000 guan! You all can collect 300,000 guan, and the army will be strong this year."

We will have military pay. When the Mongols move south, the vassal government will have enough money and food, and the soldiers will use their lives to stop the Mongols and ensure everyone's safety."

After the fall of the Jin Kingdom, these nobles of the Jin Kingdom, carrying a lot of wealth, became fat sheep wherever they went.
To be continued...