Great Qing Dynasty talker

Chapter 400 Qianlong: Under heavy pressure, I will go on a southern tour!

Hu Zheng turned to the end,
Read softly:

“国库尚有存银554万5千6百两。今年各项赋税（9个月）已入库折银合计1030万两，商税改革后，预计今年全年收入1500万两到1800万两。”

Seeing that Li Yu didn't say anything, she continued reading:

"For the whole year, the estimated expenditure on salaries of civil and military officials is 290 million taels, the estimated expenditure on pensions and resettlement silver for soldiers is 190 million taels, the estimated expenditure on direct and indirect military expenditure is 320 million taels, the expenditure on palace construction is 31 taels, the expenditure on government offices is 20 taels, the expenditure on industrial raw materials is 72 taels, the expenditure on repairing city defense is 30 taels, the expenditure on new military buildings (forts, passes, and docks) is 25 taels, the expenditure on new storage buildings and water conservancy projects is 38 taels, and the total expenditure on other items is 80 taels."

……

In fact, there is another hidden expenditure - the funding of the Intelligence Agency.

Li Yu sighed, based on the current market price,
The annual tax revenue was less than 1 million taels, and the expenditure was insufficient to cover the expenses, so the government had to borrow from Peter to pay Paul.

1500 million taels is the healthy starting point for finances.

2000 million taels, a small achievement.

3000 million taels, there is a lot to be done.

1 million taels. If Your Majesty had not been born, Europe would have been in darkness forever.

Seeing that he was silent,

Hu Linger added softly:

"I estimate that by the end of this year, the national treasury will have between 300 million and 500 million taels of silver, and I don't think there will be much deviation."

"Once the sea trade opens up, the silver from overseas will flow into the national treasury like a tsunami. Now, all I need is time!"

Hu Linger came over:
"Your Majesty, our Zhen'er still needs a younger brother."

……

Hu Zheng quickly prepared the battlefield.

Put down the inner and outer layers of gauze tent, step back 2 steps, and be ready to serve at any time.

As the queen's personal maid,
She knew today was a good day for farming and harvesting.

The woven gold-woven gauze is complicated to make and can block mosquitoes, but it is not stuffy and does not soundproof.

Joyful laughter and whispers came into my ears from time to time.

Hu Zheng twisted her fingers and couldn't help but steal a glance.

The usually dignified queen was seen riding a horse in the grassland of West Hill, with her arms outstretched, her arms stretched as tight as a bow, and her long black hair hanging down behind her.

The throbbing of life is fascinating~
I do not know how long it has been,

"Zheng'er, come here."

"Yes."

Hu Zheng calmed herself down and used her hand to check the water temperature in the basin.

He gradually opened two layers of gauze tents and expertly cleaned the two battlefields.
……

In the capital city in October of the lunar calendar, the temperature has reached freezing point.

Three consecutive cold rains quickly put the whole city into a bleak mode.

The news of the Huaiyang defeat spread to the north through various channels, causing great shock.

Hefu,

"Brother, why didn't you block the news of the court's defeat in advance?"

"Do you think I don't want to block it? I can't." He Shen was so anxious that his mouth was full of bubbles. "The fleeing gentry, common people, merchants and boatmen of the Grand Canal, and the defeated soldiers of the Green Camp of Zhili spread the news. The officials in Henan, Shandong, and Zhili spread it like wildfire."

"Damn it."

Helin now holds the fourth rank in the Imperial Household Department.

……

"You guys chat slowly, I'll ask the kitchen to prepare a few more side dishes."

Xiaoqi was pregnant with a big belly and a beautiful smile.

"Don't be busy. Tell your subordinates to do it if you have anything to do."

"Yes."

Xiao Qi quietly left the room, she knew it was not appropriate for her to be there.

He Shen picked up a piece of food with chopsticks.
Said in a low voice:

"The Jilin Cavalry has escaped, and the Cavalry Battalion has less than a thousand men who have escaped. They are all waiting in Xuzhou. Fu Chang'an has gathered 2 remaining soldiers to defend Huai'an. They don't have the strength to fight outside the city. It's good enough for the court to keep the area north of Huai'an."

He Lin held the wine glass, and he couldn't understand why it turned out like this.

"Brother, what do you think of the current situation?"

"Not optimistic."

"Compared to the Three Feudatories Rebellion during the reign of Emperor Kangxi?"

"It's even more serious. Even when Wu Sangui was at his most powerful, he couldn't cross the Yangtze River. Moreover, the tax-collecting area of ​​Jiangnan has always been in the hands of the imperial court. Wu Sangui's disadvantages are that he lacks food and money and is old. These two points happen to be Li Ni's advantages."

Heshen was very calm, holding the wine glass with a twinkling look in his eyes.

"Anyone with a discerning eye can guess what Li Ni will do next. He has big plans, big plans."

……

Qianlong locked himself in the Yangxin Palace and repeatedly read all the memorials submitted in the past few months, hoping to get the answer from them - why did the officers and soldiers fail?
He was emperor for more than 40 years and remotely controlled several local wars.

He is no stranger to military affairs and can even be considered an expert.

Such a luxurious lineup, ample logistics, thousands of artillery, infantry and cavalry, and strategic elite Sauron cavalry~
In a decisive battle on the plains, they actually lost to the Wu bandit army which was completely inferior in strength?

"I can't figure it out~"

After reading the military news from the front line, he fell into deep confusion after feeling angry and sad.

"Master, the memorials from the ministers have arrived."

"lay down."

Qianlong did not want to meet with his important ministers, but he asked each of them to write an analysis memorial carefully.

Where did the imperial court lose? Where did the fake King Wu become so strong?

Memorials from officials in the capital arrive very quickly, but memorials from local governors may take one or two months to arrive completely.

……

this time,

Qianlong really wanted to hear opinions from all sides.

"Qin Si, which enemy army do you think the Jiangnan rebels are most like?"

"I dare not say."

"It's okay. It doesn't count as you interfering in politics."

"I think they are most like the Burmese army in the south. They like to use firearms, Western barbarian guns and cannons, learn Western barbarian battle formations, and are good at taking advantage of the environment they are familiar with."

"Has the military of the Western Barbarians advanced to such an extent?"

Think for a moment,
He suddenly thought of someone.

"Qin Si, a fugitive Saxon military officer was captured at Dagukou. What was his name?"

"I don't remember it either. The barbarian names are too weird."

"Go and find out."

"What do you mean, Master?"

"If this person is still alive, bring him quietly into the palace and find a secluded place for me to see."

"Whoo."

……

Qianlong had a good understanding of various fields in Europe. There were Frankish priests, Venetian craftsmen, and Walden watchmakers in the Old Summer Palace.

Due to some concerns, he wanted to find out more from the prisoner.

If confidentiality is required, you can simply kill the person after asking them the question.

As an emperor, one cannot be careless. Doing things rashly will easily lead to unwarranted speculation among his subordinates.

An interpreter from the Lifanyuan was suddenly taken away by guards and entered the Forbidden City in a carriage with trepidation.

In a side hall in the northwest corner of the Forbidden City, Qianlong saw Emerson, who was tortured to the point of being inhuman.

I remember that he used to be a strong man, but now he is skinny like a smoker.

There was a steel chain tied to his hand.

Emerson fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face.
It seems that he was tortured badly in prison and has lost all his arrogance and dignity.

Qianlong felt somewhat proud:

"I ask one question, and you translate it. Translate it truthfully."

"According to the order."

……

Half an hour later,

Qianlong left quietly.

"Master, do you want this barbarian~"

"Hand him over to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to find a room for house arrest and provide him with three meals a day. No one is allowed to communicate with him." Qianlong took two steps and gave another order, "This is a serious matter, that interpreter~"

"The slave understands."

Therefore, the interpreter was given wine and ordered to drink it on the spot. He fell ill and died shortly after leaving the palace.

The Minister of the Lifanyuan smelled something, but he dared not interfere, so he followed the normal procedures to provide compensation and let the deceased's son take over.

Qianlong returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and repeatedly pondered Emerson's confession.

There is no doubt about the authenticity of the confession. This person's psychological defenses have been broken and he just wants to survive.
"Emerson, a colonel of the 45th Infantry Regiment of the Saxon Kingdom, commanding 2000 men. Well, that's equivalent to a deputy general in the Qing Dynasty. He's a veteran with 20 years of service."

"This person confessed that based on the number of troops and the results of the battle, the strength of the Wu bandit army is close to that of the Saxon regular army, and can be considered a second-rate army in Europe."

"This person also confessed that the Saxon Kingdom had absolutely no involvement in the arms supply of Wu Zetian, and speculated that the Dutch were most likely behind the scenes. However, the Dutch have always been submissive, so this speculation seems untenable."

……

Qianlong pondered over the map for another half an hour.

Emerson's words kept coming back to him.

even,

Emerson also pointed out that the biggest weakness of the Jiangnan rebels was the sea! And the finances!

But the navy of the Qing Dynasty was not as strong as others~
Otherwise, Qianlong would have mobilized the Fujian Navy and the Guangdong Navy to the north.

Thinking of this,

He thought of the two Saxon warships that escaped at Dagukou, and how great it would have been if they had surrendered and served the Qing Dynasty.

The financial problem is not only the weak point of the Wu thieves, but also the weak point of our Qing Dynasty.

To continue fighting, we need more guns, more elite soldiers, more logistical supplies and supplies, which ultimately comes down to one word: money.

"Qin Si."

"The slave is here."

"Gather the monks, Taoists, lamas, and shamans in the palace to work together and make a wish that there will be frequent floods and earthquakes in the south of the Yangtze River. If it works next year, I will reward them generously."

……

"Heshen, how much money is left in the Ministry of Revenue?"

"Your Majesty, there are still more than 640 million taels."

"So little?" Qianlong almost jumped up in surprise.

"This is the final balance after deducting all the expenses incurred in the early stages of the Jiangbei Campaign, including the 310 million taels of stolen silver from Shanxi merchants and the 100 million taels contributed by the Changlu salt merchants."

Qianlong walked around from behind the imperial desk and stared at Heshen:

"Where's my money?"

He Shen's back was sweating, and he said with gritted teeth:

"I have done everything I can to support you, but the expenses are too high and the income is too low. The silver in the national treasury has been decreasing every year for the past five years. I ask the emperor to send someone to the Ministry of Revenue to check the accounts."

Qianlong was confused. He knew that the treasury was empty, but he didn't know it was empty to this extent?

640 million taels was a drop in the bucket for such a huge empire.

It's almost the end of the year.

Salaries for Beijing officials, local maintenance silver, rewards from Mongolian princes, pensions for Green Camp soldiers who died in battle in Jiangbei, pensions for the Eight Banners, as well as the reconstruction of the army and the manufacture of guns and cannons.

All of these require money, and omitting any one of them will have serious consequences.

If all of the above are properly disposed of, only 640 taels may be left out of the 40 million taels.

This does not include the extravagant spending of Emperor Qianlong, who was very proud of his reputation.

During the New Year celebrations in the palace, all the buildings except the palaces had to be replaced with new ones. I won't mention the delicacies, but that's just a small part.

……

"Heshen, get up."

"Thank you, Master."

"What do you want to do?"

Heshen calmed himself down, he was well prepared.

He carefully gave his advice:

"I suggest that we arrest some and kill some, and scare some."

"Ok?"

"Send three judicial officials to jointly investigate the three treasuries of the Ministry of Revenue and the six treasuries of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In this extraordinary period, I suggest that the criminal silver be universally implemented. Local governors and prefects should not be questioned for minor crimes, but should be severely punished for major crimes."

Qianlong nodded and asked:

"These are temporary measures, to address the immediate situation. But taxes?"

"Taxes must be increased. I suggest that the counties and cities south of the Yangtze River increase the tax by 2 cents per mu of land, and the counties north of the Yangtze River increase the tax by 1 cent per mu of land. And let the world know that the Wu salary is only temporary and will be canceled immediately after the rebellion is quelled."

"I approve it." Qianlong thought for a moment and then reminded, "Make sure to let the people know that there is a reason for the extra taxes."

"Whoo."

"I still have a little concern. Can the people bear such a burden?"

"Your Majesty is kindhearted and considerate of the people. I have sent people to investigate in Zhili, and the people will not go hungry or start a riot just because they have to pay an extra three or five bushels. The impact of the additional Wu salary is that everyone will eat one less bowl of rice per month."

"That's fine, that's fine."

……

Heshen was indeed the minister who understood Emperor Qianlong the most.

His answers are always to the point.

Qianlong asked, “Can the people bear the pressure?” But he actually asked, “Will the people rebel?”

As long as the North is stable, all other costs are insignificant.

It doesn't matter if some people die.

In such a huge empire, something bad is bound to happen one day and people will die.

If nothing unexpected happens, the power of local gentry in the Qing Dynasty will be further enhanced.

The gentry live in the countryside and are best placed to prevent problems from happening.

As long as the court gave them some appropriate powers, such as freedom in "baojia and prison", they would actively act as the first firewall.

Qianlong was very rational. He knew that the essence of governance was compromise and cooperation.

……

The next day, the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The ministers were surprised to find that the old emperor was in high spirits and looked in good spirits.

What does this mean?
This shows that the defeat in Jiangbei was not worth mentioning, just a minor issue.

Everyone was excited and shouted "Long live the emperor".

Sitting on the dragon throne, Qianlong appeared calm on the surface, but in fact he felt extremely frustrated.

There is nothing we can do.

If I panic, my subordinates will become even more panicked.

Once panic spreads, it is more terrifying than the plague.

Confidence is more precious than gold.

It takes hundreds of years to cultivate, but only a few months to destroy.

……

Qianlong dictated several edicts one after another.

"The Ministry of War will work with the provinces of Shaanxi, Gansu and Anhui to form a new army."

"Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Fujian provinces do not need to pay taxes and grain for the time being. Local governments can use the money to suppress bandits. Build more fortifications, station more people in strong cities, and recruit more soldiers. The four provinces can also manufacture guns and cannons on their own."

"The court's top priority right now is to suppress the bandits. I will reward all the ministers who have made contributions in suppressing the bandits. I will not ask about any minor mistakes that may be made during the suppression of the bandits."

"The Wu bandits are ready to take action. We cannot solve this problem in a day or two. But our Qing dynasty is vast and has abundant resources. We have 300 million subjects. Even if we lose eight or ten times, our foundation will not be shaken. I can tell you clearly that it is okay to lose a few small defeats."

In the Hall of Supreme Harmony,

The shouts of "Long live" resounded through the sky.

Even the eunuchs in the Forbidden City walk with the wind~
The emperor's condition will unconsciously affect every part of the palace.

When the emperor is happy, the Forbidden City is happy. When the emperor is sad, the Forbidden City is sad.

……

After the dynasty dispersed,
Heshen, Yu Minzhong and several other princes were ordered to stay and dine with the emperor.

Qianlong suddenly said:
"I have thought over and over again and decided to tour the south again."

Everyone was stunned, not knowing whether to agree or dissuade.

Qianlong looked at the reactions of the crowd.

laughed:

"Do you think I am going to lead the army in person? Or am I going to travel?"

"neither."

"I want to encourage the gentry, appease the people, and rally the people. The Wu thieves have caused wars in several provinces south of the Yangtze River, and now they have won a small victory. I am afraid that some fools have become distracted and are waiting to see what's best for them. I want to select loyal scholars to deter the scoundrels."

He Shen bowed and said:
"I am willing to accompany you."

Yu Minzhong's eyes are cloudy:
"I am old and frail, and I am afraid that I cannot bear the burden of the carriage and would be a burden to the emperor. I am willing to stay in Beijing to raise food and money for the emperor and the army on the front line."

(End of this chapter)