In the Imperial Palace of Dadu, more than ten core ministers of the Yuan Dynasty were gathering in Kublai Khan's study.
Imperial Master Hao Jing first said: "Your Majesty, since the Ordnance Supervisor began to manufacture muskets in batches, a lot of financial and material resources have been invested. As a result, our government's military expenditures seem to be somewhat stretched. Also, the people who make guns Raw materials are also beginning to be scarce.”
Of course Kublai Khan knew about these situations. The purpose of convening the ministers for discussion was to solve the financial problem. After listening to Hao Jing's suggestions, he said: "Ahma, how can we quickly raise military expenditures."
War, especially a long-term war of attrition, is fought in the end to see who has greater power. To put it bluntly, it means comparing who has more money. Although Kublai Khan knew it well and had been prepared for it long ago, it suddenly came. The development of firearms disrupted the original plan. The firearms are very powerful, but they seem to be eating money.
If Kublai Khan had a careful conversation with me, he would definitely feel the same way.
"Your Majesty, I think we can start from four aspects." Ahema, who was the political official of Pingzhang in Zhongshu Province of the Yuan Dynasty, said. "First, comprehensively implement the banknote payment system and prohibit the circulation of gold, silver, copper and other metal currencies. At present, The Zhongtong Yuanbao banknotes used in our dynasty are divided into ten grades. They are based on money. One thousand coins (consistently) is equivalent to one tael of handover notes. Although the handout system has been implemented for some time, the circulation volume has always been very high. Moderation. No more than 100,000 ingots per year. I suggest increasing it to 1 million ingots per year. Second, implement an accounting system. Currently, there are financial chaos, corruption and other phenomena in our government at all levels. For this reason, we should inspect and clean up all The government's fiscal revenue. All unreasonable and illegal income will be returned to the imperial court; thirdly, the sales of silver, iron, salt and other items will all be returned to the imperial court. Monopoly sales will be implemented; fourthly, tax items will be increased. All kinds of income will be increased. Taxes, and following the example of the Southern Dynasties, issue war bonds. As for the raw materials for muskets, iron tools can be collected from the private sector, and each household can donate an iron tool to the court. This can alleviate the problem."
As soon as Ahema finished speaking, he was opposed by many ministers.
First of all, the uncontrolled issuance of handover banknotes will inevitably lead to "valuing things over money but not paying attention to money", which will ultimately lead to public and private disadvantages, that is, inflation and currency devaluation. And an accounting system without legal guarantees can only become more and more chaotic. As a result, officials at all levels will have big fish eating small fish, and small fish eating shrimps. In the end, it is grassroots officials and ordinary people who will suffer the biggest losses. Monopolizing sales, increasing propaganda, and other methods are tantamount to draining wages from the bottom of the cauldron. In the end, people will not be able to make a living.
But then again, this is a feasible method if it must be effective in a short period of time. Isn’t this the method used by those in power at the end of each dynasty?
"Master Ahema," said Maishu Ding, another minister in charge of finance. "Except for the second, the three measures will greatly increase the burden on the people. It is actually not conducive to the war between our country and the Southern Dynasty. Our country also has internal stability. If there is further chaos in the country and it causes public dissatisfaction, it will only add fuel to the fire."
Ahema was not angry and said with a smile: "Master Mai Shuding, in your opinion, how can the emperor raise military expenses as soon as possible?"
"This..." Mai Shuding was speechless for a moment.
Ahma was unreasonable and said with a tight expression: "My lords, if you have any good suggestions, just put them forward. The State Envoy Department (the original name of Mongolia's Shangshu Province, the main agency in charge of finance) will definitely adopt it. The Emperor shares his worries. However, everyone also needs to understand that at this time, everything should make way for the war. Your honor is very important, but the outcome of the war is more critical. If there is any bad reputation, let the next person bear it. Already."
Hao Jing frowned and said, "Sir Ahema, you are our minister of finance. But the method you proposed cannot kill chickens to keep warm. As Lord Mai Shuding said, if it causes civil strife among the people, it will not be worth the loss."
He also seemed to respect Hao Jing. Ahema said: "Master Imperial Master, if we cannot quickly acquire wealth and ease the tension in military expenditures, then our country will be passive in the war. To put it harshly, the country will not be able to The country. Why worry about the people?"
Ahema was very wise and eloquent. He could speak only a few words and rendered Hao Jing and others speechless.
The country will no longer be a country. Where can we find a home?
When Kublai Khan saw that everyone was speechless, he finally concluded: "Ahma, I will do as you say."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
In late May, the well-prepared Northern Expedition Army of the Middle Song Dynasty launched the Mingzhou Campaign.
For Ashu and Boyan, Mingzhou is the last stronghold of the Central Route Army. It is impossible to retreat further. Firstly, there is no more solid city. Secondly, Mingzhou is not far from Dadu. .
Outside Mingzhou City, a group of generals gathered around me. They all looked at the city wall. After everyone took turns using telescopes to look at it, I said, "General Wanyan, General Crete. How long will it take?"
The two understood what I meant. Wanyan Tianlei said: "This Mingzhou City is strong. The main structure is made of huge stones. I estimate that it will take half a month to a month to knock down the city gate."
Lu Wenhuan said: "So long."
"Yes. Lu Shuai."
I smiled and said: "It doesn't matter. We have plenty of time. Our army will play a game of cat and mouse. Take your time. In the next few days, another Polu red cannon will be delivered to Mingzhou. It's a good time to try it. The power of giant cannons. General Wanyan, General Crete."
"The end will be here."
"fire."
More than forty artillery pieces, headed by the red cannon, roared in turn. In an instant, the Mingzhou city wall was shrouded in smoke.
An hour later, the artillery fire stopped.
"General Meng, go and tell Ashu and Boyan that you hope they will put down their weapons to avoid more casualties."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After receiving the order, Meng Tianxiang came to the city wall alone. He said to the Yuan army on the city: "Marshal A Shu, Marshal Boyan. You have already seen the power of my artifact. Today, you have seen it again. I The second generation of the divine weapon, the red-coated artillery, is even more powerful. Even if your Mingzhou City is built from an entire mountain, it will not be able to stop it. The birth of firearms conforms to the trend of history and cannot be done by humans. .His Majesty, the Emperor, is a god descended from heaven. He is the leader of all mankind. He is also the only saint in the world who has met the Guardian. He is unparalleled in benevolence and righteousness. He is also a good man. In order to prevent the people of the world from suffering, I have been specially ordered to come. Come and tell all the generals to lay down their weapons and join us to build a paradise for mankind. We will leave our name in history."
Boyan on the city wall, as a disciple of Yin Tianya, knew the meaning of guardian and guide. He thought to himself, "If what Meng Tianxiang said is true, then it can explain the origin of the firearm. It is the guardian's artifact." How to break it."
Just as he was in a trance, he heard Ah Shu loudly say: "General Meng, your ancestor Meng Shuai is the only Southern Dynasty general that I respect. When the Southern Dynasty was weak, he relied on his own efforts to support half of the Southern Dynasty. Today. Our country is retreating to Mingzhou for the time being. This is a strategic shift. It is the same as Meng Shuai's strategy back then. It won't take long before our country will counterattack. As for the word surrender, it will not be mentioned in the future. I, General Yuan, have never had such an idea. "
"Marshal A'shu, is this the heroism you agree with in your heart?" Meng Tianxiang laughed loudly. "Marshal A'shu, generals, personal integrity is only a small matter. Only those who serve the people can be righteous. For decades, You have conquered east and west, plundering other people's lands everywhere. It seems that you have achieved great victory. However, your victory was achieved in the cries of many orphans and widowed mothers. Not only us Han people and Jin people, but you Mongolians The same is true for people. Genghis Khan, your Mongolian ancestor, had a great enlightenment before his death. He once said that the glory in life is not exchanged for the land after death. Therefore, I would like to advise you generals that victory on the battlefield is not the real victory. The world The great righteousness is to benefit the people of the world. The reason why the ancient saints Yao and Shun can be admired by future generations is not because they won many battles, but because they made huge contributions to the development of mankind. Only such people can live forever. Leave your name."
Hearing this, Ah Shu burst into laughter: "General Meng, I didn't expect you to be so eloquent at such a young age. However, this is a battlefield where the two armies are fighting. It is not suitable to debate the past and the present. I will unify the cavalry in the future. When the world is under heaven, I will have a good discussion with you again. General Meng, please go back."
"Marshal Ashu, all good words are bitter. If you don't think about yourself, you should also think about the 50,000 soldiers in Mingzhou City. Even if you try to be a hero, how many people will die in the artillery fire." Meng Tianxiang tightened the reins. He said, "Generals, please think about it for a while. I'll take my leave. I'll see you later."
Ah Shu snorted and said, "I won't give it away."
Watching Song Jun disappear from sight, A Shu looked at Boyan who was a little lost and whispered: "Bo Yan, what is a guardian?"
After being silent for a while, Boyan also whispered: "Marshal Ashu. To put it simply, the guardian is the god, and the leader is the spokesperson of the god in the world. I heard the Supreme Lord say that the Southern Dynasty Emperor Zhao Yu was in the emperor I saw Han guardians in the valley. After that, it was said that Zhao Fu was the leader."
"Really?" Ah Shu said thoughtfully.
The defenders of Mingzhou City spent every day under artillery bombardment. Although A Shu, Boyan and others continued to cheer up the soldiers, the Yuan army still could not overcome the increasingly serious fear.
When the facts are in front of you, any words seem pale and powerless.
Ten days later, the walls of Mingzhou City began to loosen. Cracks began to appear in those seemingly solid stones. It seemed that there was a possibility of collapse at any time. Many Yuan army generals suggested to Boyan that instead of waiting for death, it would be better. Take the initiative.
On the fifteenth day of the bombardment, even senior generals such as Ali Hague became restless and proposed to Boyan to go out of the city and have a showdown with the Southern Dynasty army.