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"But I don't know what Lord Liang sent Mr. Xu to see me this time?"

Hearing that Zhao Junchen finally asked the right question, Xu Wenqing didn't dare to slack off, and suddenly his face straightened, and he got up and saluted: "Don't dare to hide Zhao Shangshu, this time Lord Liang sent him to come here, and he asked Zhao Shangshu for something." ”

Zhao Junchen had already guessed Xu Wenqing's answer, but he was not surprised, he just put the teacup in his hand aside, and asked with a serious expression: "Oh? Lord Liang, he supervised Shaanxi, oversaw the military and civilians in the northwest three sides, and was deeply trusted by His Majesty, and he was one of the top feudal officials in my dynasty, what is the matter now? Even Lord Liang can't solve it, and he still wants to ask me for help? ”

After saying this, seeing Xu Wenqing's expression hesitating slightly, Zhao Junchen added with a smile: "Mr. Xu doesn't have to scruple, there are no outsiders here, but it doesn't hurt to say it!" As long as it is within my power, I will never refuse. ”

Between the words, Zhao Junchen's attitude was quite sincere.

Liang Fuchen, as the governor of the three sides, is not only extremely powerful, but also has more than 100,000 elite border soldiers in his hands, and when he returns to the center of the court in the future, he is afraid that there is the possibility of further promotion, for such a person, Zhao Junchen has never dared to offend lightly.

Now Liang Fuchen sent someone to ask for help, but in Zhao Junchen's opinion, it was a rare opportunity, and he naturally had a plan to take advantage of the opportunity to make friends.

In the officialdom, the word "favor" is often the most difficult to return, if you take this opportunity to give Liang Fuchen a favor, maybe when you can get an unexpected return. If you can also use this to deepen the friendship between the two sides, and even become an ally of Austrian aid, it will be of great benefit in the future.

So. Since he guessed Xu Wenqing's intention, Zhao Junchen didn't intend to refuse at all, as long as asking for help like this would not endanger Hài's own safety. Zhao Junchen will inevitably do his best to help.

On the other side, seeing Zhao Junchen's sincere expression, Xu Wenqing finally let go of his worries, sighed, and explained to Zhao Junchen: "Hey, I really don't hide it from Zhao Shangshu, I don't have any worries in the downstream. It's the next topic, which is not only a matter of importance, but also a bit embarrassing. If you say it, I'm afraid that Zhao Shangshu will laugh at you. ”

Zhao Junchen didn't answer, just showed a listening look, and nodded to signal Xu Wenqing to continue.

Seeing Zhao Junchen like this, Xu Wenqing let go of his worries more and more. asked, "Although my lord is a civil servant." But looking at the world's finances, do you want to know a little about the origin of the soldiers of our dynasty? ”

In order to be able to meddle in the military affairs of the Ming Dynasty in the future, Zhao Junchen really had good intentions in studying this, and when he heard Xu Wenqing's inquiry, he also nodded and replied: "I know a little, but I don't know it in detail." ”

Xu Wenqing explained: "I also taught Lord Shangshu to know that I have been in the dynasty since Taizu opened the country. Considering the financial difficulties brought about by the 'conscription system' of the Tang and Song dynasties, the 'hereditary system of military households' has always been the mainstay. It was supplemented by the tuntian system, which ensured the sufficient supply of soldiers with hereditary sergeants, and ensured the self-sufficiency of the army with the soldiers tuntian, so as to reduce the burden of raising soldiers in the imperial court. According to the regulations, each soldier was granted 50 acres of land, and the imperial court provided ploughing cattle, agricultural tools and seeds, and the harvest income was handed over to the military warehouse for six stones, and the rest was used for his own use. ”

Speaking of this, Xu Wenqing shook his head and sighed, and continued: "However, due to various reasons, the field that the sergeants actually got was only about twenty acres. In desperation, during the orthodox years, our dynasty once again reinstated the conscription system, recruiting young people in the form of military salaries, in parallel with the hereditary system of military households, so as to barely restore the morale and combat strength of the army. Today, half of the sergeants of our dynasty have been recruited...... However, other problems arose as a result. ”

Zhao Junchen also sighed and said: "Yes, I have been in charge of the household department in recent years, and I also know about it, although recruiting soldiers can ensure the morale and combat strength of the army, but it is not like the hereditary military households can be self-sufficient, and the annual salary and silver consumption is several times that of the military households, so that the financial burden of the imperial court has increased greatly, and it has increased every year. There was no major war cost, but it was gradually becoming a little unsustainable. To tell you the truth, Mr. Xu, every year in order to make up enough food and salary for the military department, I have to spend a lot of effort, and it is really miserable. ”

Xu Wenqing's expression became more and more bitter, and he actually shook his head and said, "Zhao Shangshu, in fact, the problem is not just the consumption of food. ”

After all, Zhao Junchen didn't know much about military affairs, and after listening to Xu Wenqing's rebuttal, he couldn't help but be stunned and asked, "What?" Listening to Mr. Xu's meaning, there are other stricter questions? ”

Xu Wenqing nodded, and then said word by word: "That's right, that's the deserter of the military household over the years!" ”

"Deserters?" Zhao Junchen was stunned again.

Xu Wenqing smiled bitterly: "The trilateral military town should have 187,000 border soldiers, including more than 110,000 military household soldiers and more than 70,000 recruited soldiers, but this is just a number on the military register, but do you know how much is the real number of troops in the trilateral military town now?" ”

Zhao Junchen's eyes narrowed slightly, and he faintly felt that he was about to know about a shocking hidden danger, and couldn't help but ask in a deep voice: "How much?" ”

Xu Wenqing gritted his teeth and said: "According to the overall calculation of Lord Liang of my family, the number of remaining border soldiers in the current trilateral military town is less than 100,000!" This is only an approximate calculation, and the actual number of troops is probably even less! ”

"What!?"

Zhao Junchen stood up suddenly, his face full of shock, and asked loudly.

…………

Even though he had been mentally prepared for a long time, Zhao Junchen did not expect that the military towns in the northwest that were responsible for resisting the southern invasion of the Mongol tribes actually had only about half of the troops on the list! What a staggering number!?

This number has far exceeded the limit of Zhao Junchen's imagination!

Even if Zhao Junchen has never had the noble feelings of "worrying about the world first", but after learning such a number. I still subconsciously break out in a cold sweat, and I can't help but be secretly frightened!

The forces of the three military towns are already so weak! Once the Mongol tribes invade the south in the future, the consequences will be unimaginable!

Meantime. Zhao Junchen finally understood why Xu Wenqing was so hesitant and hesitant when he replied just now, once this matter was exposed, it would inevitably shock the government and the opposition!

After a moment of shock, Zhao Junchen finally calmed down and slowly sat back in his chair. And with an unprecedentedly serious look, he looked directly at Xu Wenqing with his eyes, and asked in a condensed voice: "What the hell is going on?" How could things be so strict? You tell me in detail! ”

Seeing Zhao Junchen's solemn face and bright eyes. It was so imposing that Xu Wenqing couldn't help but be shocked in his heart, only to feel that at this time, Zhao Junchen's might was still far above the battle-hardened trilateral governor Liang Fuchen, and he couldn't help but be shocked. I don't dare to have the slightest slack. hurriedly replied: "My lord, in fact, this situation is accumulated over many years, not because of my family Lord Liang, and not only because of the hidden dangers that only exist in my trilateral military towns, but this situation is the strictest in the northwest military towns, and please Shangshu to be aware of it!" ”

After saying such a sentence of shirk, he saw that Zhao Junchen could not deny it. Just waiting for him to answer in detail, Xu Wenqing took a long breath. He explained in detail: "Lord Shangshu, I have already said before I went down that although the military households of our dynasty have land, they have to hand over six stone of grain to the military warehouse every year, and the rest are even difficult to maintain a basic life, so naturally the morale is low, but in any case, life is still guaranteed, and a lot of labor can be exempted, so it can barely be maintained."

However, in the past 100 years, as the people of the people have become richer and richer, the salaries of the recruits have been several times that of the military households. In addition, there are many unscrupulous officers who have repeatedly encroached on the land and property of military households, and regarded military households as slaves, which has made the military households extremely heavy in conscription, and it has made the military households feel unfair, and they are no longer willing to be bound by the identity of the hereditary military households.

Although there are still more than 110,000 military households on the register, the actual number is probably only more than 30,000, and most of the remaining military households are the old, weak, sick and disabled who are unable to escape, and they have no combat strength at all. In addition, there are also many officers on the recruiting side who are eating empty salaries, so the number of border soldiers in the three military towns in the northwest is actually less than 100,000 left! ”

After a pause, Xu Wenqing saw that Zhao Junchen's face was gloomy, for fear that it would affect Liang Fuchen, the governor of the three sides behind him, and continued to explain: "And in this situation, the reason why the military towns in the northwest are the strictest is because the fields in the northwest are barren and far less fruitful than in the south, so the life of the military households in the northwest is also more difficult because of this. But it is also more strict. ”

Although Xu Wenqing's words have repeatedly removed Liang Fuchen's involvement, Zhao Junchen doesn't care about these now, and just asks in a deep voice: "Since so many military families flee every year, why is no one chasing them?" And no one informed the imperial court? ”

Xu Wenqing smiled bitterly: "This is the crux of the problem. Lord Shangshu, do you know that those thousands and hundreds of households who are responsible for managing the military households not only do not guard against the escape of the military households, but also encourage the military households to flee, and do everything possible to cover them up after the military households flee, because when the military households are fleeing, those officers can not only receive a bribe, but also get the land and real estate in the name of the military households after the military households flee. And the overseers of the major military towns, either received bribes from the officers below, or would be worried about causing a backlash from the officers below, and they didn't dare to expose this matter lightly! ”

Speaking of this, Xu Wenqing's expression became more and more bitter, and then said: "I really don't hide it from Lord Shangshu, since five years ago, after my Lord Liang served as the governor of the three sides of the northwest, when this situation is now, it is also as shocking as your lord is today, and he originally planned to report it to the imperial court immediately, but not only the officers of the major military towns in the northwest have repeatedly obstructed it, but even those military town supervisors outside the northwest, and even some senior officials in the center of the imperial court, have repeatedly sent secret letters to dissuade them, saying that once this matter is revealed, it will not be beneficial to everyone. After that, there was also a scene where the army was chaotic and uncontrollable, and in desperation. My Lord Liang can only hide and not report, but he is also forced to helpless. ”

After hearing Xu Wenqing's explanation, Zhao Junchen was silent for a moment. He sighed slowly: "Over the years, Lord Liang has supervised the northwest and tried to ensure the stability of the northwest frontier, but it is really not easy. ”

Xu Wenqing nodded sympathetically and said, "Yes, Lord Shangshu, you also know that after autumn every year, the Mongolian tribes in the north will go south to raid. However, nearly half of the soldiers in the northwest have fled, and many of them are old, weak, sick and disabled who have no combat power. It can be said that they racked their brains and exhausted all methods, so as to ensure the tranquility of the northwest in recent years, but to this day. But it has gradually reached its limit. ”

Zhao Junchen nodded. And asked, "So, Lord Liang, he sent Mr. Xu to see me?" ”

Xu Wenqing hesitated for a moment, and finally replied: "Lord Liang, for the sake of the safety of the northwest, plans to recruit about 30,000 young men from the people to join the army before the autumn, but the money spent on recruiting soldiers is too great, and the treasury on the three sides of the northwest is really embarrassed, so he can't scoop up so much food. Therefore, I would like to ask Lord Shangshu for some silver grain from the household department. In order to solve the urgent needs of the three sides of the northwest! ”

According to the regulations of the Ming Dynasty, conscription was after enlistment. It is generally a monthly salary of three to five taels, and Liang Fuchen plans to recruit about 30,000 young people, plus military uniforms, weapons and food, and the annual cost is about 1.5 million taels of silver.

Although the amount of silver grain is huge, with the current situation of the household, Zhao Junchen can help make up most of it under all kinds of transfers.

According to Zhao Junchen's original idea, it is a good thing to sell Liang Fuchen a favor.

But between Xu Wenqing's requests, some implicit meanings made Zhao Junchen hesitate.

Therefore, after Zhao Junchen glanced at Xu Wenqing, he slowly asked, "Oh? Listening to Mr. Xu's meaning, is it to ask the household department to directly allocate this silver grain to the northwest trilateral military town, instead of transferring it to the military department? Isn't that a bit out of order? Although the household department is in charge of the income and expenditure of the imperial court, the military salary has always been unable to interfere, but has been transferred to the military department. ”

Xu Wenqing heard Zhao Junchen say this, but his face showed pleading, and explained: "Please also ask Lord Shangshu to be more accommodating, I should indeed act according to the rules, but my Lord Liang's side does have a last resort." If it is transferred through the military department, not to mention how much silver grain will be intercepted by the people of the military department under the turnover, it is really difficult for my lord Liang to explain the hardships and reasons for recruiting troops to the imperial court, not to mention...... My Lord Liang and the current secretary of the Ministry of War have some grievances in previous years, and if they go through the process of the Ministry of War, I am afraid they will be subject to a lot of difficulties. ”

Hearing Xu Wenqing's explanation, Zhao Junchen was slightly stunned, and then asked, "Oh? Lord Liang and Wang Shangshu do not agree? ”

Wang Jian, the secretary of the military department, is a middle-aged man with a white and fat body, Zhao Junchen is not very impressed by him, because this person rarely said anything in the early dynasty, and he has never participated in the party struggle, he has no sense of zài, and always gives people a sense of mediocrity.

In fact, I am afraid that it is precisely because of this that this Wang Ji can firmly sit in the position of the secretary of the military department.

But Zhao Junchen didn't expect that this always low-key Wang Ji would be at odds with Liang Fuchen.

On the other side, hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, Xu Wenqing was silent for a moment and explained: "Back then, my Lord Liang and Wang Ji Wang Shangshu served as the left and right attendants of the Ministry of War, and later the position of the Secretary of the Ministry of War was vacant, and there was a dispute. ”

These words can be regarded as a tacit acquiescence to the discord between Liang Fuchen and Wang Ji.

However, because of this, Zhao Junchen did not dare to agree to Liang Fuchen's request lightly.

After all, since Wang Ji and Liang Fuchen are political enemies, they must be very close to each other, so Liang Fuchen's actions are extremely difficult to hide from Wang Ji.

Once the news that Zhao Junchen privately allocated silver grain to help Liang Fuchen privately raise border soldiers was stabbed in front of Emperor Deqing by Wang Ji, I don't know what fate Liang Fuchen would have, but Zhao Junchen made such a personal relationship with the feudal officials, and even secretly funded the feudal officials to collect the soldiers, but it was enough to prompt the Deqing Emperor to kill Zhao Junchen!

Therefore, after pondering for a while, Zhao Junchen did not agree, but he did not refuse, but replied undeniably: "Mr. Xu, you have worked hard all the way, first stay in my house for a few days, after all, this matter is very important, let me think about it for a while." ”

Seeing that Zhao Junchen didn't agree, Xu Wenqing couldn't help but be anxious, and hurriedly got up again, intending to say something more.

However, Xu Qingyan, who was beside Zhao Junchen, knew Zhao Junchen's mind best, and seeing that Xu Wenqing was still planning to continue entanglement, he had already taken a step forward, blocked in front of Xu Wenqing, and preemptively spoke: "Mr. Xu, I will arrange a room accommodation in the house for you, please come with me." ”

Hearing Xu Qingyan's sudden interjection, Xu Wenqing was slightly stunned, and saw Zhao Junchen sitting on the chair drinking tea with a flat expression, with a lukewarm attitude, but obviously didn't want to talk about anything further, knowing that it was useless to entangle himself, he couldn't help but show disappointment, and finally left with Xu Qingyan.

…………

When Xu Qingyan left with Xu Wenqing, in the main hall of the Zhao Mansion, only Zhao Junchen was left sitting on the main seat, drinking tea quietly and thoughtfully.

The news brought by Xu Wenqing today is really shocking to Zhao Junchen, but it is impossible to imagine that the military towns in the Ming Dynasty have been eroded to this point!

Although there have been relevant rumors between the government and the opposition for a long time, and the imperial court occasionally introduces some relevant policies, no one has always dared to delve into it, and Zhao Junchen now finally knows the reason.

Although Xu Wenqing was very cover-up when explaining, the implication was very clear that the military household system of the Ming Dynasty has long since become a towering tree that has been sucked by countless moths! In order to protect their own interests, these moths have formed an interest group, and hundreds of households, thousands of households, military supervisors, supervisors, and even local feudal officials in major military towns are members of this interest group.

This interest group is so powerful that even a court member like Liang Fuchen and a close minister of Emperor Deqing dare not confront it, so he can only compromise!

The more you think about it, the more frightening it is!

However, faintly, Zhao Junchen felt that if such a situation was handled properly, it might be an opportunity!

A chance to make Zhao Junchen the ultimate winner!

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PS: Happy New Year everyone! (To be continued......)