Han ride

Chapter 389 Goodbye Wu Sangui

"Silver coins." Li Xin said: "If silver is cast into coins, it will make a crisp sound. This kind of coins cannot be made by ordinary metals. Now some countries in the West have made this kind of silver coins. I have seen it on the grassland before."

"Our family has seen this kind of silver coin before. Qin Tianjian Tang Ruowang once took out this kind of silver coin." Unexpectedly, Wang Chengen was not surprised at all, and even he had seen this kind of silver coin before, which surprised Li Xin up.

"Tang Ruowang?" A name flashed across Li Xin's mind like lightning. As long as anyone who has seen the history of the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties, no one will forget such a character, because he can build cannons, The guy who has gone through the Ming and Qing dynasties and helped Kangxi cast cannons is extremely powerful.

When it comes to cannons, one cannot but think of gunpowder.This invention should belong to China, but it is far behind the West in terms of use, especially in cannons. The Ming Dynasty will also cast cannons, but it is much worse in terms of power, so the generals of the Ming Dynasty They will all import cannons from the red-haired devils in the West such as Portugal and Spain, and then imitate them.And when it came to Jiannu in the Qing Dynasty, these imitation cannons were not made, and the research on firearms stopped for hundreds of years, so that during the Opium War, the Chinese used big knives and spears to deal with other people's cannons and guns. Isn't it courting death?
"It's this person, this person is helping the imperial court compose laws." Wang Chengen nodded.

Li Xin was taken aback when he heard the words. This Tang Ruowang is not good at laws, but casting cannons. However, Li Xin will not call names. He still has to find a way to bring this Tang Ruowang to the cloud, and work with Sun Yuanhua for himself. Casting cannons.

"Master Hou, although this silver dollar is good, we still need silver! Do you know that what my Ming Dynasty lacks most is silver. Silver itself is scarce. How can we cast silver dollars on a large scale for the common people to use?" Wang Chengen shook his head and said: "Forcibly minting silver dollars will not only not help the common people, but will also bring them inconvenience, and even rob them of their wealth. It cannot be done! It cannot be done!"

Wang Chengen's words made Li Xin look at him with admiration, who said eunuchs are incompetent, after hearing Wang Chengen's words, Li Xin changed a lot towards eunuchs.Perhaps these words, the Donglin party members will listen to the cloud, they may be thinking about the romance, the national economy and the people's livelihood, and so on, how much can they understand?Li Xin expressed doubts about these things.

In fact, the same is true. When Wei Zhongxian was in power, although there were famines, there were no large-scale peasant uprisings, because Wei Zhongxian ordered people to provide disaster relief, but after Wei Zhongxian died, some scholars took charge of their own affairs. It was also a famine. The speed of disaster relief for scholars is also much slower. Not only that, but they are still greedy for money, resulting in no food for disaster relief. In this regard, it is better to let those eunuchs take charge of the family.Of course, Li Xin would not say this.Right now, there are not many scholars who can catch his fancy.

"Silver, I do know that there are places, and there are quite a lot. If you get it, it's almost the same." Li Xin said with a smile: "Most silver is produced in Ryukyu and Japan. After a while, I plan to send people to Japan , Get some silver and come back to spend it."

"There will be money in Japan?" Wang Chengen was a little skeptical.In his opinion, the Ming Dynasty in the Central Plains has a vast land and rich resources, and wealth that has never been seen in ancient times. Japan is only as big as Ryukyu, and they actually have more silver than the Ming Dynasty. This makes him unbelievable.

"Japan has a lot of silver. And it's very cheap." Li Xin said seductively, "Do you know how much silver I can exchange for a tael of gold?"

"Of course it's ten taels of silver." Wang Chengen said with some displeasure.

"It's different in Japan. It can be exchanged for 12 taels, or even more." Li Xin gestured and said with a smile: "Even if it's 12 taels, there's only a difference of two taels, but 20 taels of gold is 1 taels, [-] taels of gold? How much will there be? There is a lot of difference in it! What's more, in the Ming Dynasty, although copper coins were not very valuable, silver was different, and it was still very expensive to buy things with silver. Good deal. What do you think?"

"This is a deal." Wang Chengen also nodded.He never thought that the silver outside would be so cheap.

"If it's possible, the outsiders might as well annex Ryukyu and Japan and take it as their own. Then we will have more silver, and it's not impossible to issue silver coins." Li Xin said with a smile.He didn't say anything about the fact that he was about to discover a large silver mine, otherwise, what would have happened?The greed of the gentry in the Ming Dynasty was notorious. These guys would say a dirty thing openly, so that you have no way to refute it.

"This matter is very important. Both Japan and Ryukyu are vassal states of Ming Dynasty. We can't go too far. However, what Lord Hou said about exchanging money just now is a good idea." There was a hint of greed in Wang Chengen's eyes.No matter the eunuch, he has a special hobby for silver.Although Wang Cheng'en has a good temperament, the same is true for Yinzi.

"That's natural." Li Xin nodded, and said: "Actually, there are several small silver mines on the grassland. I plan to mine them for military supplies after I go back. The emperor agreed. With the private money from the Central Plains, if I buy things with silver, I’m afraid I’ll lose a lot. It’s not a good deal!”

"What does Hou Ye mean?" Wang Chengen nodded after hearing this.If the money was spent here and all the private money was obtained, then Li Xin would have to pay a lot of money in it. This deal is really not worthwhile.

"I'm going to suggest to the emperor that the imperial court should be allowed to mine, no matter how much silver is mined, but the same value of silver should be exchanged for the same value of materials, whether it is food or military supplies, it doesn't matter." Li Xin He said with a smile: "In this way, my conquest of the Northern Army is equivalent to eating the emperor's food, and others will not say anything, and the soldiers will also be grateful to the emperor. What do you think?"

"Master Hou, you are not at a disadvantage!" Wang Chengen was taken aback when he heard the words, then smiled wryly, shook his head and said, "In this way, how much food and grass will the imperial court spend for this silver mine? How much consumption?" Wang Chengen also Not stupid, it seems that Li Xin gave away the silver mine, and the court got a big advantage, but in fact, the court lost more, but it was Li Xin who took the big advantage.

"But the Beibei Army also solved a big problem for the court!" Li Xin said indifferently.

Wang Chengen glanced at Li Xin, and he understood Li Xin's calculation to some extent. First, the imperial court could pay for his food, grass and equipment;This also belongs to the category of private money, but he doesn't want a reputation for making private money, so he wants to ask the court for permission.

Wang Chengen thought for a while, and felt that the second option was still possible, and the former option was too much for the court.Even if these food and grass are transported to the grassland, I don't know how much it will be consumed. Now the army that is in charge of suppressing the rebellion, don't they all eat locally?It is not impossible to open the minting of money to the Northern Army, but it is necessary to find someone to monitor, otherwise, casting large quantities of silver money will also be a blow to the court.

"Our family may be able to talk about this matter in front of the emperor." Wang Chengen thought for a while, and said: "It's just Lord Hou, this matter of making money is a major matter for the court, and it is not something ordinary people can do. Lord Hou Bing There are tens of thousands of horses, if you add coins, I am afraid that the government and the opposition will not agree. What do you think?"

Li Xin was taken aback when he heard the words, and immediately understood that Wang Chengen was worried that he would rebel!He sneered at the moment and said: "If the court is worried, you can give me the military salary. I have been recruiting the Northern Army for a long time and have not received the military salary from the court. Wang Gonggong, if I, Li Xin, want to cast private money, I am afraid that even the court The Chongzhen Tongbao can’t compete with my silver coins! This Marquis is also thinking of the emperor, sweeping away the tattered private money in the market, and maintaining the dignity of the court. If the emperor disagrees, let’s pretend that I didn’t say anything!” At this time, Few people know the great harm that even the right to mint coins is controlled by others, even Chongzhen may not have thought of it.

"Master Hou, you're embarrassing me." Wang Chengen looked at Li Xin with a wry smile. He didn't expect Li Xin to be so domineering. There was no room for negotiation on anything. No wonder many people said that Li Xin was domineering. , now it seems that this is really the case.However, in this way, it also shows that Li Xin is not a person who can't hide things. Maybe he really wants to solve the military expenses of the Northern Army.

"My lord, there is nothing I can do. Hey! There is not much food and pay in the army. Over the years, we have to rely on plunder from outside to survive. If the imperial court does not help, I am afraid that the scale of the northern army will shrink." Li Xin frowned and said: "The reason why I, Li Xin, roamed the grasslands is not because of those brothers. If the brothers have no money, who is willing to work for me and for the court? Wang Gonggong, the Northern Army is nothing else. If the army has no money, it can last for a while. There are too few Han people in the North Army, and most of them are foreigners. The only thing that can control them is money. Please also ask my father-in-law to speak for me in front of the emperor."

"Naturally." Wang Chengen also noticed the problem. He suddenly remembered that most of Li Xin's army was adapted from aliens, horse bandits, etc., which was quite different from the army in the Central Plains.If they really rebelled, even Li Xin couldn't help it.

In fact, in the army of the Ming Dynasty, it was very normal for the military salary to be deducted up and down. There were many soldiers who fled, and there were also rebels, and of course there were also those who swallowed their anger.However, the composition of Li Xin's army is different, and these bad habits of the Ming army will definitely not work in the Northern Army.

Half a minute later, when the school grounds arrived, Li Xin heard shouts of killing all the way away, and the momentum was very mighty.When he arrived at the school grounds, Li Xin could already see a bright yellow umbrella standing on the high platform from a distance, surrounded by gold melons, axes and other guards of honor. It was obvious that Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty was on the school grounds.The Ming emperor seldom went to the battlefield since Yingzong Tumubao, of course, except for Emperor Wuzong who appointed himself as a general.Emperor Chongzhen came to the school in person to inspect the army and prepare to train the army.

"The last general, Peng Youmo, has met Zheng Beihou and Wang Gonggong." When Li Xin arrived at the gate of the school, he saw a general greet him. It was Peng Youmo who fought against Kong Youde in Denglai, Shandong. He and Li Xin have the intention of robes.

"General Peng, thank you." Li Xin nodded. The Shenji Battalion was a firearms army established by the central government of the Ming Dynasty, and it was quite powerful.This is also one of the few troops that the Ming Dynasty can take out so far.Back then, Peng Youmo led some generals of the Shenji Battalion to Laizhou, and finally blocked Kong Youde's attack with firearms. Otherwise, Kong Youde would have already occupied the land of Denglai.

"The emperor has been waiting for a long time. Eunuch and Lord Marquis, please." Peng Youmo has admired Li Xin for a long time, but unfortunately, he didn't have the chance to chat with Li Xin at that time, and he never expected to meet here today.He admired Li Xin even more, the world is so big, those scholars are talking about the possibility of Li Xin rebelling, but they don't care about the court's speculation about him, and still came to the capital, are they not afraid that the court will take his head? ?
"Hou Ye, please." Wang Chengen smiled, as if he didn't take what Li Xin said just now into his heart. Li Xin also nodded. He was also very curious about what the Beijing camp, known as the most elite of the Ming Dynasty, looked like. .At present, the army is walking slowly and entering the school field. At this moment, countless soldiers are crowded together in the school field.From a distance, there are human heads everywhere.

Li Xin frowned. Although the capital's campus is huge, there is no doubt that it cannot accommodate 10 people, and according to information, there is no 10 people in the capital camp.There are at most 2 people at the scene.

"To train the elite, Lord Yang and General Wu selected 2 people from the Beijing camp. How about it, Lord Hou, these 2 people are the best of the elite!" Wang Chengen pointed at the army in front of him proudly.These 2 people were really selected from the Beijing camp.But what Wang Chengen didn't know was that there was no way to choose only 2 people. There were no 10 people in the Beijing camp.So we can only choose these people.Moreover, in the past, most of the Beijing camps were led by nobles, and later joined the middle officials, but the training was much less.Not elite at all.

"Gao Meng, what do you think of these people?" Li Xin did not answer, but said to Gao Meng on the side.

"It's just some airs, not elite." Gao Meng said in a low voice.He was originally a scheming person, and he spoke directly, without caring about the feelings of the people around him.

Wang Chengen's complexion changed after hearing this, he sneered and said: "General Gao is fighting on the battlefield, presumably he is very skilled in martial arts, wait for the emperor to play the song, then please General Gao kindly guide these bastards!" Peng Youmo's expression changed after hearing this He froze, but soon looked at Li Xin's guards with eager eyes.Only those who have been on the battlefield know what is elite.He still agrees with Gao Meng's words.

"Gao Meng, you are presumptuous. This is the most elite army in the imperial court, and they are the emperor's personal soldiers. Hugh's talking nonsense." Li Xin snorted coldly.He said with a slight dissatisfaction on his face.

"Hmph." No matter how stupid Wang Chengen was, he could tell that there was a trace of disdain in the maintenance in Li Xin's words, which was his disdain for the Beijing camp.This made him feel very humiliated.I made up my mind that I want Li Xin to look good later.

"Master Hou, you have offended someone." Peng Youmo leaned over and said softly.He is also a person who has been on the battlefield, and he has been in the Shenji Camp for many years. Some things in the Beijing Camp, regardless of the size of the soldiers in the Beijing Camp, look dignified, but they can only be used as Guards of honor, if they really go to the battlefield to fight, they really can't do it.

"General Peng, are you still a member of the Shenji Battalion?" Li Xin asked curiously.Anyway, after the battle of defeating Kong Youde, it can be regarded as a battle achievement, and he should be promoted to a level!

"Master Hou was joking." Peng Youmo's face was bitter. He was already a general of the Shenji Battalion, and already a third-rank rank, second only to the chief soldier, deputy chief soldier, and deputy general.And it's in the Beijing camp, where it's so easy to get promoted.Moreover, in Beijing Camp itself, there are very few opportunities to go to the battlefield. If a soldier wants to make meritorious service, he has to go to the battlefield, and he can only make meritorious deeds with the blood donation of the enemy.It may be difficult for Peng Youmo to make meritorious service and get promoted.

"If you are not satisfied, you can come to me to recruit the Northern Army." Seeing this, Li Xin said, "In the future, firearms will be the dominant force on the battlefield. You are proficient in firearms. My subordinates are short of such talents. Casting cannons will definitely form an artillery team in the future, if you come, you will be the commander of this artillery team.” Li Xin lacks talents, especially in firearms, Peng Youmo is very suitable, but I don’t know if the other party is willing or not .

"I'll think about it later." Peng Youmo said to Li Xin after serious consideration.

Li Xin also nodded. He didn't believe that Peng Youmo even thought about it before joining his command, and led the cavalry away slowly.The school field was huge, and the three thousand cavalry walked slowly, and after a while, they finally arrived under the general's platform. At this time, Chongzhen and many ministers were already seated on the platform.Wu Sangui, whom Li Xin was familiar with, was holding the command flag, standing aside, looking at Li Xin, with a look of complacency on his face.Clearly proud of where he is at the moment.

"Your Majesty Li Xin pays homage to His Majesty the Emperor. The minister is in armor, and I greet you with a military salute." Li Xin jumped off his horse and gave a military salute to Emperor Chongzhen.But he didn't take Wu Sangui seriously.In terms of title, he is the Marquis of Zhengbei, but Wu Sangui is nothing. In terms of official position, Li Xin can no longer be considered as an official position. Wu Sangui is just a guerrilla general. Even if he is promoted this time, he is at most a general. Li Xin on a par.How could he care about his flaunting his might?Didn't even look at it.

(End of this chapter)