When he heard that the system had arranged for the troops to be in the 3,000 Battalion, Zhu Youjian issued a decree for Guan Shou to meet him.
In the time for an incense stick to burn, General Guan, clad in a green robe and golden armor, entered the Profound Language Pavilion majestically.
"Brother Yu, how is the training of the soldiers going?”
"Reporting to Imperial Brother, ever since we used Imperial Brother's design, the manufacturing office has been modifying a batch of three-eyed muskets.
Now, the three-eyed musket was more stable and comfortable to hold.”
As he spoke, Guan Shou placed a modified three-eyed firearm in front of Zhu Youjian.
Due to time constraints, the musket did not have many changes. It only had a wooden handle added at the back.
However, this wooden handle was convenient for aiming and close combat.
"Alright, time is tight. Let's modify this batch first. After that, I will personally ask about the matters of the manufacturing office.
When we are on the battlefield, little brother Yu, you must be careful. Don't be careless, or you will lose Jingzhou.”
Zhu Youjian was extremely concerned about this little brother of the God of War.
"Thank you for your reminder, Imperial Brother!" Guan Shou thanked him.
"Brother Yu, I will appoint you as the general manager of Shanxi's military route, the commander of the military affairs. You will help Yu Bao and Zhou Yuxiang garrison Shanxi for a period of time.”
"I'm willing to serve Your Majesty!"
Guan Shou could feel the high regard his brother had for him. If he obtained this position, it could be said that the military power of the Ming Dynasty was in his hands.
"I heard that the Mongol and Qing armies are preparing to attack Xuan Manor and Da Tong.”
"Don't worry, Imperial Brother. With the three thousand iron pagodas, they will definitely not be able to return!”
"Haha, I can rest assured. In addition, in the drill ground of the 3,000 battalions, I have prepared 8,000 crutch horses for you to give to your younger brother.”
Guan Shou was very touched when he heard that his brother had given him power and soldiers. He immediately bowed and thanked him.
"Little brother Yu, haha, don't bow, zhen hasn't finished speaking. I want you to agree to one condition."
"Please tell me, Imperial Brother."
"This time, I will lead the troops, but no matter what I do, I must discuss it with the Minister of War, Yu Bao.
I gave him a false military axe, not only to defend against the invasion of the Mongolia and Qing army, but also to let him manage the official system of Shanxi.
He would deal with those filthy Jin merchants who were colluding with the foreign invaders.
Imperial brother, for the trip to Shanxi, all military decisions must be reached by the two of you. If there are differences, report to me, okay?”
Guan Shou had an arrogant personality. It was indeed a little difficult for him to discuss with others.
However, after hearing Zhu Youjian's words, Guan Shou nodded slightly.
"Haha, good! Brother Yu, tonight, in this Profound Language Pavilion, I want you, Yu Bao, and Zhou Yuxiang to drink together.”
The next day, at the meeting of the Military and Political Affairs Office, Qian Qianyi, Shi Kefa, Yu Bao, and Guan Shou discussed the next step of the plan. Military aircraft Zhang Jing and others attended the meeting.
What made the ministers feel strange was that the Commander of the Brocade Guard, Lu Xuan, also participated in this meeting.
"This is the first military conference. Please do not hold back.
If there is anything, say it all. Of course, I will also give my opinion.”
Unlike the court, everyone could sit in the Military and Political Affairs Office.
He only needed to stand up when he spoke. This was also Zhu Youjian's idea to show that the Military and Political Affairs Office was superior to other organizations.
At the meeting, Zhu Youjian shared a few of his ideas for everyone to discuss.
The first was the raiders. Li Zicheng was in Baoding and Zhang Xianzhong was in Sichuan.
Although Zhu Youjian did not say the purpose of driving Li Zicheng south, he did not say anything.
However, among the people present, only Qian Qianyi clearly stated his intention to eliminate Li Zicheng north of the Yangtze River.
In other words, Zhu Youjian's intentions had already been seen through by these astute ministers.
Zhang Xianzhong, Yu Bao suggested that Zuo Liangyu be granted the title of Duke of Zhenxi and ordered him to march westward.
At the same time, he had his son, Zuo Menggeng, enter the capital as a hostage. Everyone agreed with this plan.
Second, money. The current Big Ming was like a company with a broken capital chain and insufficient operating funds but excellent quality.
Da Ming's annual tax revenue was only three million taels, but in a year, just the trade of tea leaves and porcelain was more than tens of thousands.
Including the salt tax lost from smuggling, the Ming Dynasty should have 50 to 60 million in revenue a year.
Shi Kefa suggested strengthening the management of salt. Within three years, the salt tax of Lianghuai would be directly transmitted to the central government, and the local government could not intercept it.
Therefore, Zhu Youjian appointed Shi Kefa as the governor of Zhejiang Province, sitting in Hangzhou to supervise and investigate this matter.
In order to help Shi Kefa, Zhu Youjian also issued an edict to the Tianfu Royal Guards to assist Shi Kefa in investigating the salt tax.
"I will definitely investigate the salt tax matter and have the salt tax of Lianghuai be transferred to the national treasury!”
Shi Kefa was overjoyed by Zhu Youjian's trust.
"Minister Shi, I want to ask you, how will you investigate the salt tax when you go to Hangzhou?" Zhu Youjian asked.”
These words were a test for Shi Kefa. Shi Kefa had also been an official in Jiangnan before, so he had his own thoughts.
"This subject will collect a few years of taxes and review the salt seal issued by the government. If there is a problem, I will definitely deal with it strictly!”
Shi Kefa was full of confidence, but this was not the answer Zhu Youjian wanted to hear.
"Shi Qing, if you do what you want, I guarantee that the salt tax and salt guide, as well as the reports of the salt merchants and the records of the salt road, will be exactly the same without any loopholes.”
"Your Majesty, why is that?" Shi Kefa asked in surprise.”
Zhu Youjian smiled and said,"The salt tax should have been collected by the Ministry of Revenue.
But you don't know how many officials are paying the salt tax. County Yamen, Salt Road, River Defense Camp, and Jiangnan Road Censor, haha, which one of them didn't count on this salt tax to make a fortune?
If you investigate them, these people will definitely be in cahoots with each other.”
"Then…"
"Shi Qing, don't worry. You can ask Lu Xuan about this.”
After saying that, Zhu Youjian gave Lu Xuan a look.
Lu Xuan stood up and said,"Lord Shi, when I was in Jiangnan, I arranged for many Jinyiwei to ambush the Yan Gang."”
It turned out that Zhu Youjian and Lu Xuan had talked about the salt tax many times.
In this Lianghuai salt tax collection, the Yan Gang ate both black and white.
The government relied on the Salt Gang to transport the salt. If they found someone else, the salt ship would definitely sink inexplicably.
On the other hand, the Salt Gang also smuggled salt from Lianghuai to Yungui and Sichuan.
The Salt Gang looked insignificant, but because they controlled the salt road and had many members, the Salt Gang was powerful in Lianghuai.
When Zhu Yuanzhang was in Yingtian, besides Chen Youliang, his biggest enemy was the head of the Salt Gang, Zhang Shicheng.
"I understand!"
Shi Kefa answered firmly. He was not a fool. He already knew where to start.
Zhu Youjian said earnestly," Shi Qing, you must remember that this matter requires the help of the Brocade Guard. Don't be direct. Otherwise, you might not even have a corpse left."
Also, if you don't know where to start, collect more materials and report to me, understand?”
After drinking a glass of water, Zhu Youjian said,""Now, Zhen would like to discuss the matter of the Qing Dynasty with everyone.”
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