Wanli Emperor Chapter 81 Part 2 (Patreon)

Chapter 81 Part 2: Dividing the Silver, Seizing the Moment

The imperial household's expenses were in the millions, but the amount truly used for the Inner Court, compared to the stipends for the imperial clansmen, was a three-to-seven split.

A money-devouring beast!

But knowing was one thing; he could do nothing about it now. Having just ascended the throne, it was not the time to move against the imperial clan.

His tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation with Wang Guoguang.

Seeing this, Wang Guoguang could only close his mouth.

Next, Zhang Juzheng took up the conversation. "Your Majesty, the military expenses for Liangguang, Ningxia, and Xuan-Da still have a shortfall of seven hundred thousand taels. The Ministry of War has been urged several times already."

The needs of the border garrisons were naturally the most urgent item at present.

Zhu Yijun shook his head. "I know of Liangguang and Ningxia, but Xuan-Da..."

He truly did not want to let Xuan-Da bleed them dry any longer.

The words stopped on his lips.

After all, he did not know if these men were creating pretexts or if they were truly short of funds.

What if it was the latter?

Zhu Yijun thought for a moment, then waved his hand in compromise. "Then let it be so. Seven hundred thousand for the three locations."

On the paper, Zhang Hong wrote down the words "Border Garrisons." Three million, nine hundred and forty thousand, minus seven hundred thousand, left only three million, two hundred and forty thousand.

Zhu Yijun had no heart to calculate these figures.

His current, direct feeling was that Xuan-Da was simply too good at demanding money!

Yesterday it was "forage for the horses, in addition to the regular allotment, an extra month's supply per horse per year, to aid in their nourishment."

Today it was "silver for the guest soldiers of Xuanfu Garrison."

Tomorrow it would be "completion of the construction of the border forts and watchtowers."

Each time it was thirty or eighty thousand, not a great deal, but it was far too frequent.

In the fifth year of the Longqing era, the border garrisons used four million, two hundred and nine thousand, one hundred and ninety-two taels, six mace, and two candareens of silver. Xuan-Da alone accounted for thirty percent!

In contrast, the grain they consumed—nine hundred and forty-six thousand, nine hundred and eighty-six shi, five dou, and seven sheng—was only fifteen percent.

An unknowing observer would have thought they ate silver instead of grain.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yijun asked. "Why has Wang Chonggu not yet come to the capital?"

Last year, he had been promoted to Minister of War, but he had requested a delay in coming to the capital on the grounds that the Tatars were making incursions along the border.

The central government had naturally offered kind words of persuasion, telling him to be sure to come to the capital to take up his post after the new year.

It was now the seventeenth of the second month. Had he still not finished delaying?

Four hundred li had turned into a journey of three thousand.

Seeing the emperor's anger, Zhang Juzheng could not help but try to appease him. "He should be arriving soon. The day before yesterday, Grand Secretary Yang had already submitted a memorial requesting retirement."

Yang Bo's current seat in the Grand Secretariat was being held for Zhang Siwei.

The emperor and the Senior Grand Secretary had made it clear that they did not want to see the Jin Clique occupying seats in the Grand Secretariat, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Rites.

For Wang Chonggu to come to the capital, Yang Bo had to retire.

Conversely, since Yang Bo had submitted his request, Wang Chonggu ought to be on his way.

Zhu Yijun still said sullenly. "He has spent half a year arranging his fallback positions, as if I were going to lure him to the capital to have him killed."

Zhang Juzheng gave the emperor a strange look, not daring to refute him.

Instead, he brought up another matter. "Your Majesty, the post of Governor-General of Xuan-Da will need to be filled."

Zhu Yijun looked at Zhang Juzheng. "Does the Senior Grand Secretary have a recommendation?"

For matters that aligned with his interests, he would respect the person the Grand Secretariat put forward.

He naturally trusted Zhang Juzheng in the matter of Xuan-Da.

Zhang Juzheng pondered for a moment. "How about reinstating Tan Lun, the former Right Censor-in-Chief, concurrent Left Vice Minister of War, and manager of the Capital Garrisons' military affairs?"

Zhu Yijun fell into silent contemplation.

This man was within his expectations.

A jinshi by background, yet a general with long experience in real combat.

In terms of a civil official's ability to command, Qi Jiguang, Liu Xian, and Yu Dayou had all served under his command and had, to varying degrees, been recommended and promoted by him. [TN: Three of the most famous and accomplished generals of the Ming Dynasty.]

In terms of a military commander's record in battle, there was the Great Victory at Pinghaiwei when he was Governor of Fujian, where he had killed over ten thousand enemies and pacified the Wokou threat in Fujian.

In terms of a minister's experience, he had served as Governor of Sichuan, Governor-General of Liangguang, and Governor-General of Jiliao, having held posts in both the northern and southern central governments.

The so-called "thirty years in the military, with a tally of over twenty-one thousand, five hundred heads, a pillar of his time," was a solid record of achievement, making him one of the foremost military talents of the age.

However, a capable man he might be, but his health was not good.

Zhu Yijun said with concern. "I have heard that Tan Erhua suffers from a chronic illness?"

For some reason, lung disease was particularly common in this era.

Zhang Juzheng's father, Zhu Xizhong, and Tan Lun all suffered from it.

When Tan Lun's lung disease had flared up, he would often cough up phlegm during court sessions and was impeached by a speaking official for lack of decorum. It was for this reason that he had retired to his hometown.

To send him to Xuan-Da now, one feared he might die in office.

Zhang Juzheng weighed his words. "It is merely to use his prestige to awe Xuan-Da and the Tatars. There should be no need for him to engage in close combat."

Zhu Yijun thought it over and agreed.

In the end, he added a word of instruction. "First, ask him. If his body truly cannot take it, do not force him. They are all pillars of the state; they should have a good end."

Zhang Juzheng fell silent, then clasped his hands and acknowledged.

Zhu Yijun sat up a little straighter and looked at Zhang Juzheng. "Senior Grand Secretary, I have nothing to say about the seven hundred thousand for Liangguang, Ningxia, and Xuan-Da, but..."

"The pay for the Capital Garrisons must also be distributed!"

Zhang Juzheng paused, then explained. "This matter, I fear, must still be put to the Ministry of War."

Some garrisons did not distribute pay because they had no money, but some did not distribute it as a deliberate act.

Not all officials wished to see the emperor possess a strong army directly under his command.

Zhu Yijun naturally understood this.

It was precisely because he understood that he had made no move after recalling Gu Huan.

Only now that he could distribute the pay did he dare to bring this matter to the table.

He said sincerely. "As for the Ministry of War, let us wait until Wang Chonggu arrives in the capital. For now, I want one million, five hundred thousand taels for army pay!"

Zhang Juzheng showed no reaction, but Wang Guoguang and Zhang Hong, at the side, could not help but feel their hearts jump.

Liangguang, Ningxia, and Xuan-Da had only taken seven hundred thousand, yet a single Capital Garrison was demanding one million, five hundred thousand taels.

Could it be that he intended to expand the army!?

Zhu Yijun naturally knew what they were thinking.

Before Zhang Juzheng could speak, he explained. "Besides army pay, it is also for artisans, firearms, and rewards. It is not an arbitrary figure."

Zhang Juzheng, his face expressionless, thought for a moment and said. "Your Majesty, out of a total of five million, one million, five hundred thousand is a bit much."

"The other treasuries, like the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the Court of Imperial Entertainments, and the Frugality and Prudence Treasury, are all in arrears."

"Especially the Ministry of Works' Frugality and Prudence Treasury. In the past half-year, there have been the imperial tombs and the Yellow River, and Your Majesty previously instructed Minister of Work Zhu Heng to build ships."

"Your Majesty... please show some consideration."

He knew the emperor wanted to re-equip the Capital Garrisons, and he would not quibble over the details of artisans and firearms.

But there was only so much money, and one had to show some consideration for the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue, who had not even made it to the table.

Wang Guoguang also spoke up. "Your Majesty, last year in Ningxia and Shaanxi, there were earthquakes. The relief silver was drawn from the local treasuries, and there is still a shortfall."

Zhu Yijun was helpless. Why were there so many places that needed money?

The matter of shipbuilding indeed should not be skimped on, and he knew the Court of Imperial Entertainments was short on money for horses and guest soldiers.

As for disaster relief, there was even less to be said.

Zhu Yijun sighed. "One million, two hundred thousand. Truly no less, Senior Grand Secretary."

Seeing the emperor yield, Zhang Juzheng bowed and begged forgiveness.

Zhu Yijun casually waved his hand, signaling it was of no consequence.

Zhang Hong, at the side, silently wrote down the words "Capital Garrisons." Three million, two hundred and forty thousand, minus one million, two hundred thousand, left two million, and forty thousand.

In the end, seeing that the emperor and the Ministry of Revenue had no other items to raise, he made another note: "Remaining two million, and forty thousand, for the Privy Purse, the Grand Granary, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices Treasury, the Court of Imperial Entertainments Treasury, the Frugality and Prudence Treasury, etc., to be allocated as decided by the court conference."

Zhang Juzheng, looking at the somewhat aggrieved emperor, could not help but offer a word of consolation. "Your Majesty, the reign has only just changed, yet the salt administration has already been pacified. With an extra million taels each year hereafter, things will not be so dire."

"Your Majesty has a long life ahead. There is no need to rush."

This was to say, you are still young; the good days are yet to come.

Zhu Yijun nodded, having taken the words to heart.

But he thought for a moment and then emphasized. "However, this silver cannot be distributed without going through the Governor-General."

The previous Earl of Zhangwu, Yang Bing, had been a useless figure. Sometimes, after the Capital Garrisons had distributed their pay, he would only learn of it from his subordinates.

Now that he had replaced him with Gu Huan, this loophole could no longer be left open.

For the soldiers, whoever distributed the pay was the one whose words counted.

To distribute pay while bypassing the Governor-General of the Capital Garrisons was simply going too far.

Zhang Juzheng nodded, agreeing to the matter.

Seeing that the emperor was still not at ease, he looked at him and said seriously. "Your Majesty, if you still have doubts, why not... personally review the troops!"

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