Chapter 163: The court cut off the pay, the eunuch's request
"If we don't pay this month, we will lose wages for three months." Chen Youshan looked worried and reported to Guo Dajing with the account book records, "Fortunately, the reward money has arrived. It was sent by Mao Shuai of Pi Dao, and the full amount is
, there is no deduction.”
Guo Dajing felt warm in his heart. He led the Guanglu Island men and horses to fight the battle. Mao Wenlong got a big share of the credit, but he didn't greedy for the reward, which was admirable.
However, the reward money includes the pension that he paid in advance, and the rest is not going to be repaid. This is not his responsibility.
But soldiers have to support their families and maintain military morale, so they must be given more food. It can be regarded as a temporary loan. It will be deducted after the court resumes pay.
Yes, Guo Dajing is prepared to provide food and even pay for it himself. At this time, winning people's hearts has the best effect.
Moreover, letting the court and the emperor take the blame would be beneficial to Guo Dajing in the future. He didn’t count on them anyway, but he was worried that his subordinates who were loyal to the emperor and patriotic would take him down with the imperial edict!
I will raise my soldiers, but they must obey my leadership. Even the imperial envoy can carry out his orders without hesitation when I give him an order. That is what he needs.
Will such a situation happen? Seeing how Mao Wenlong died, Guo Dajing had to guard against it.
"If it weren't for the 10,000 shi of food, the morale of the military and people on the island would be in chaos now." Chen Youshan looked at Guo Dajing with admiration, "But based on one kilogram of food per person per day, it can only last three months."
"If you count potatoes and rye..."
Guo Dajing did not wait for Chen Youshan to finish speaking, then waved his hand and said: "No, that is our hope in Dongjiang Town. It cannot be touched unless it is absolutely necessary."
Chen Youshan nodded. He also knew this, but if people were starving to death, he probably wouldn't be able to care so much.
"Tell the soldiers and civilians on the island that a certain person has purchased food from outside, which is enough to last for half a year." Guo Dajing finished thinking and said: "Coupled with the output of the island and the harvest of the fishing fleet, we will have to make it through.
This difficulty."
Chen Youshan opened his mouth, but still didn't ask in detail. Regardless of whether it was true or false, it was good if it could calm people's hearts.
"How is the harvest over at Ocean Island?" Guo Dajing asked: "It has been more than a month. The output should have increased, right?"
Chen Youshan opened the account book and said: "There is still some improvement. It is 30% more than last month. The total amount has reached more than 40,000 kilograms."
There are more than a dozen ships, and each ship only weighs more than 4,000 pounds per month? Too little!
Guo Dajing took the account book, looked at it, and handed it back to Chen Youshan. The whale was still not caught, but this was not the key to affecting the output.
After touching his chin and thinking for a moment, Guo Dajing said, "I'll ask Qin Dahai to come over and ask in detail."
Chen Youshan saw that Guo Dajing was not very satisfied, so he couldn't help but comfort him: "They must have been working very hard. Going out to sea for fishing sometimes depends on luck."
Guo Dajing smiled and said: "I don't want to blame them, but I want to discuss a better way."
This is not a lie, but Guo Dajing realized something he had overlooked. Whaling is good, but regular fishing is the biggest reward.
Guo Dajing doesn't know much about what kind of nets or technologies are used by fishing fleets now. If trawl nets are not used, they can be improved.
Whether it was a two-vessel trawl or a single-vessel trawl, Guo Dajing had seen the spectacular scene of more than ten tons, dozens of tons, or even hundreds of tons being taken down in a previous life.
Even if there are no fish detection instruments now, in one of the four famous fishing grounds, a trawler can catch tens of thousands of catties of fish a day, right?
As for the trawl net, Guo Dajing really knows the very simple direct-connected screen trawl net, which should be relatively old.
In fact, the structure of the trawl net is relatively simple, it is just a bag-shaped net that can be towed. The key is to install winches and other facilities on the ship. As far as he knows, the fishing fleet does not seem to have them.
The Ming Dynasty's sea ban not only curbed the development of maritime trade, but even the fishing industry was a small business, which was operated by fishermen in small boats and did not develop well.
As early as the 10th to 14th centuries, Europe was already carrying out large-scale trawl fishing, and from the 12th to the 14th centuries, Japan and other Asian countries also used trawl fishing.
The large-scale fishing fleet organized by Guo Dajing, using ships of dozens or hundreds of tons, was the first time in the Ming Dynasty.
After Chen Youshan finished his report, Guo Dajing also understood clearly what had happened in the past month and had a clear understanding in his heart.
The situation is not too bad, especially since I have gained a lot, which is enough to get through this difficulty.
"The emperor has issued a decree to recall the eunuchs and guardsmen who serve in the army from all over the country." The last thing Chen Youshan mentioned was not part of his job, but it cheered up Guo Dajing.
"Zhao Guang and the others are leaving?"
Chen Youshan smiled and said, "Your Excellency has come back at the right time. They will be leaving to return to Beijing in the near future."
Guo Dajing also smiled and said: "That's fine, I'll give them a farewell party and be polite."
This was a signal to attack Wei Zhongxian. Chongzhen was worried that the guarding eunuch belonged to Wei Zhongxian and that it was Old Wei who controlled the army. This was cutting off his wings.
Thinking too much! Guo Dajing felt that Chongzhen was really suspicious. Is it necessary to go to such trouble to deal with Wei Zhongxian?
Why do eunuchs gain the emperor's trust? Isn't it because eunuchs are the emperor's slaves and their power is given by the emperor. Whatever power is given to the government and the opposition, the emperor can take it back with just one word!
Dependent on the existence of the emperor, without the emperor, the eunuchs are nothing. If they want to conspire to cause trouble, they are either kicked in the head by a donkey, or they are blinded by lard and have a big dream in spring and autumn.
And those officials who flatter and seek refuge with the eunuchs are also the most capricious, and they are just outsiders who change according to the direction of the wind. This is what officialdom is like, there are many people who will turn against you and stomp on you when you lose power.
Well, there is no harm in being cautious, but what do you mean by not paying wages?
Is this the perspective and thinking that an emperor should have, like a superior god, treating his ministers like ants?
If this is the case, the life and death of the ants will indeed not be in his eyes or in his heart.
As for Zhao Guang and the two Jin Yiwei, it would be better if they got out. This was something Guo Dajing had expected a long time ago. Their fate was also something Guo Dajing didn't care about.
Not long after Chen Youshan left, Liu Xingzuo and others rushed back after hearing the news.
"I almost understand the situation." Guo Dajing asked everyone to sit down and said slowly: "I have a solution for food. You also tell the soldiers to train with peace of mind and be fully prepared for next year's war."
Liu Xingzuo nodded and said: "It's good if there is a way. As for the training, you can rest assured and you will not slack off. It's just hard to say whether Lushun Fort will be affected."
As the main force in the Jinzhou battle, the combat power of Fort Lushun is crucial. Guo Dajing also needs to consider the troops participating in the battle on other islands.
"I'll send a letter to Li Weiluan to see how the situation is there, and try my best to help solve it!" Guo Dajing was also helpless. The three thousand troops on Guanglu Island alone were indeed not enough troops.
Liu Xingzuo knew that Guo Dajing was also having a hard time, so he smiled bitterly and sighed, saying: "You go home and have a rest first, and we will discuss a solution tomorrow. It won't take more than a day or two."
Guo Dajing nodded, stood up, pretended to be relaxed and smiled: "Don't worry about it, isn't it just a matter of food and salary? I had arrears before, but I still managed to survive. Besides, I didn't have any problems when I went out this time.
Take your time."
Everyone forced a smile, sent Guo Dajing away, and then dispersed.
The officers were also worried. The lack of food and pay had a considerable psychological impact on the soldiers and civilians on the island. Fortunately, he had made preparations in advance, otherwise he would have been helpless like them.
Rebellion is unlikely, but it is certain that the people are hungry and cold, and may even starve to death everywhere, and the army's morale is scattered.
There is no love without reason, and there is no hatred without reason. The imperial court, or rather Chongzhen, is so indifferent and harsh, how can we expect to be loyal to the emperor and patriotic?
Guo Dajing did not want to defend the traitors who surrendered to the imperialists in history, but he also knew that there was a reason. But he also had a bottom line, that is, no matter what, he could not surrender and raise the butcher's knife to his compatriots.
After entering the village and seeing the door of his home, Guo Dajing's depressed mood eased. No matter how difficult or annoying it was outside, home was a haven where he could relax physically and mentally.
Axiu showed a happy smile again, diligently changed Guo Dajing's clothes, and heated hot water to let Guo Dajing wash away the fatigue of running around.
Axiu didn't even have time to open and examine the things Fujinoi sent. For her, her husband's return was the happiest thing. These silk clothes and other items were not rare.
Guo Dajing enjoyed his wife's tender service and relaxed physically and mentally. Lying on the kang, he was too lazy to do anything; his mind was empty and he didn't want to think about anything.
"We're going to make stir-fried clams with chili peppers and stewed radishes with bacon tonight." Axiu let the man hold her waist and whispered softly, "The imperial court has cut off food and salary, which has made people panic, so let's save some money."
Guo Dajing hummed and said, "No matter what happens, you have to eat enough. Don't worry, I have already found a grain merchant on this trip. There will be no shortage of food on the island."
Axiu didn't ask what was going on. She felt that asking too many questions about her knowledge would upset her husband. Besides, at home, she had better let her husband relax and stop talking about those annoying things related to official matters.
"There are more calluses on this hand." Axiu turned over her husband's hand with some distress and gently touched the calluses on it.
Not only does it take a lot of effort to be a porter, grabbing the sacks is also very labor-intensive!
Guo Dajing smiled and said nothing, and his other hand dexterously got into his wife's clothes, wandering around her warm body, squeezing and stroking it.
Axiu's face turned red, but she let her husband do what she wanted, looking at her husband's face tenderly. That slightly naughty smile, the slightly pursed corners of her mouth...it felt so good to have her man by her side.
………………
The next day, Guo Dajing came to the military camp in high spirits, only to find Zhao Guang waiting outside his office door.
"Eunuch Zhao." Guo Dajing's surprised look disappeared in a flash, and he cupped his hands and said with a smile: "I just came back yesterday. I heard that my father-in-law and the two Jinyiwei brothers are leaving, and they are arranging for people to prepare a farewell banquet for the three of them!"
Zhao Guang returned the gift, no longer arrogant, and said with a wry smile: "Master Guo, you're welcome, Zajia - can you go in and talk?"
"Please come in, please come in." Guo Dajing opened the door and extended his hand to invite him.
It would be good for the eunuch who had lost power to save his life after returning. Guo Dajing saw that Zhao Guang seemed to have something to ask him, but he didn't know what it was.
There's no need to be afraid of him anyway, so there's no harm in listening.
After entering the house, Guo Dajing and Zhao Guang sat down and asked with a smile: "It's a good thing that Eunuch Zhao has returned to Beijing. The conditions on this desert island are really wronging Eunuch-in-law."
"Where, where." Zhao Guang hurriedly waved his hands and said: "On this island, it is the most peaceful and peaceful time for the Za family. It is the Za family's greatest honor to be able to fight with Mr. Guo."
Guo Dajing laughed and said: "Eunuch Zhao said this, and I feel relieved. I don't know what I want to talk about, so I just get straight to the point. I will never refuse if I can help."
Zhao Guang obviously came to see Guo Dajing after a long ideological struggle. Hearing Guo Dajing's question, he no longer hesitated.
"The Za family's return to Beijing this time is probably going to be very bad." Zhao Guang sighed, with a bitter look on his face, and said, "So, I want to entrust Master Guo with something."
Guo Dajing pondered for a moment, waved his hand and said: "It's more bad than good, isn't it?"
Seeing that Guo Dajing did not refuse immediately, and his words were perfunctory, Zhao Guang couldn't help but cheer up and continued: "This matter is not difficult for Mr. Guo..."
After listening to Zhao Guang's story, Guo Dajing did not agree immediately and lowered his eyes and fell into deep thought.
As Zhao Guang said, this matter is really not difficult. It is just giving Zhao Guang's money to his nephew, and it is also the only incense of his old Zhao family.
Zhao Guang had already thought very clearly that even if he saved his life after returning to Beijing, he would inevitably lose power and be left in the cold, or be imprisoned.
Even if he did not die or be expelled from the palace, Zhao Guang felt that he would not be able to keep the money he had worked so hard to accumulate.
When he was ordered to leave the capital, Zhao Guang had already exchanged his silver for gold and carried some more silver along the way, but he had no time to exchange it.
If added together, it would be worth more than 10,000 silver. Zhao Guang would rather give half of it to Guo Dajing to ask him for this favor.
Of course, this is also risky. If Guo Dajing misappropriates all his money, Zhao Guang will have no choice.
"I didn't expect Eunuch Zhao to believe Guo so much." Guo Dajing raised his head, looked at Zhao Guang with a half-smile, and said, "Money touches people's hearts, isn't Eunuch Zhao afraid that Guo will be dishonest?"
"Based on Mr. Guo's wealth, which is only ten thousand taels, he must be looked down upon." Zhao Guang was also helpless, gritting his teeth secretly, and said: "If Mr. Guo is willing to help, the Ruoza family will still be lucky enough to stay in the palace.
, I am willing to drive for Mr. Guo."
Insiders, informants in the palace, the kind who tip off people?
Guo Dajing raised his eyebrows and waved his hands, saying: "That's not necessary. A foreign general making friends with an internal official is a capital crime. Eunuch Zhao must not harm someone."
According to Guo Dajing's thinking, there was no need for any insider information. History has clearly remembered Chongzhen's psychology and actions.
However, Guo Dajing didn't want to refuse this easy thing. More than five thousand taels of silver could buy hundreds of heavy muskets!